‘Bapuji’ Vallabhbhai Savani: The Man Who Became a Father Figure to an Entire Community

(Utkarsh Patel)

When a person begins to live not just for himself but for the entire society, he grows beyond being an individual and becomes an institution. One such inspiring figure is Vallabhbhai Savani, lovingly known as “Bapuji” by the Saurashtra Patidar community.

After achieving success in the diamond and real estate businesses, he used his wealth not just for his family but for the better future of society. This marked the beginning of his remarkable journey of social service.

Vallabhbhai Savani once said that he could not pursue higher education, but instead of treating it as a weakness, he turned it into motivation to help others. At a time when getting admission to good schools in Surat was difficult, he started P.P. Savani School in Varachha in 1987 with just 287 students.

Today, that small beginning has grown into a large educational network. The P.P. Savani Group runs 9 schools and a university established in 2017 with around 14 departments. So far, nearly 1 million students have studied in these institutions, and currently, around 10,000 to 15,000 students are enrolled. These are not just numbers—they represent thousands of families whose futures have been transformed.

Bapuji’s vision goes beyond education. To prepare students for employment, he started a training center in 2003 for competitive exams like GPSC and UPSC. Many students from this center have gone on to become officers such as SPs, collectors, and other government officials.

Understanding that healthcare is as important as education, he also established a hospital, which has served an estimated over 2 million patients. This highlights the scale and impact of his services.

As a fatherly figure, after contributing to education, healthcare, and employment, he also addressed the social need of marriage support. He began organizing mass marriages, especially for orphaned girls. Inspired by him, his son Mahesh Savani has helped arrange marriages for over 5,000 girls.

Some people see Vallabhbhai as a strong and bold personality who gets things done even outside the system if needed. However, it is clear that all his efforts—whether within or outside the system—have ultimately benefited society, not just himself.

He believes that dreams should be planted, not buried. He has not only turned his own dreams into a strong tree but has also helped create a beautiful garden of dreams for millions, which will continue to spread happiness for years to come.

(The writer is a prominent businessman, social worker and founder of khabarchhe.com)