Generosity is rare quality that most lack. While pretenses of generosity are many, the true trait is almost absent in many. In a world where money and power go hand in hand and charity is a mere word to get some publicity, there are people who do good and yet don’t talk about it. One such person is Khimjibhai Prajapati.

Sixty-eight-year-old Khimjibhai Prajapti has been a begging all his life for alms at the door steps of various temples in Mehsana, Gujarat. However, this man stands a league apart from others and is known for his charity all across the state. He collects alms and then uses them to help the needy. Prajapti is well-known for his efforts to promote education among girls. From giving away pens and notebooks at schools to distributing gold earrings to buy uniforms for girl students, he has been instrumental in helping many girls find their wings through education. It was no surprise when The Rotary Club of India chose him as one of the four people for the Literacy Hero Award this year. The award carried a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation for philanthropic activities in the society. Among the four winners, Prajapati is the only person who himself lives on charity. Apart from the little that he spends on his meager meals and his wife’s treatment, he makes it a point to give back to the society in his own little way. For someone who lives on alms himself, this indeed is a huge act of generosity. Prajapati says, “I am more content when I give something to the needy. I never counts my good deeds.” He is extremely excited about the honour and the award he has received. He squeals in a childlike enthusiasm when he says he has never stepped out of Mehsana. He is both happy and nervous about all the attention he is getting. The generous man believes that God will help him in his future endeavors, too. “I sincerely hope and wish that every child should be educated, the youth be empowered, and everyone be contented,” he says. Khimjibhai Prajapati was presented with the Rotary Literacy Hero award on 3 March 2017 in Chennai. Rotary Club of Mehsana took care of all his expenses including his journey and stay at Chennai.

This award is a recognition for Khimjibhai’s selfless philanthropy. It takes great effort and a big heart to give someone else, especially when you are needy yourself.