Himachal ex-ASI turns messiah for elderly people deserted by their loves ones
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Advocate Prakash Chand Bansal has set up shelter homes in Bilaspur-Sundernagar belt
MANDI: The Manav Seva Trust, a beacon of hope for the underprivileged, was founded in 2014 by Prakash Chand Bansal, an advocate by profession, with a singular mission: to serve humanity. “There is no greater service than serving humanity and no greater religion than humanity,” says Bansal, whose life embodies this philosophy.
Hailing from Hernoda village in Bilaspur district, Bansal’s journey is one of unparalleled dedication. Leaving behind a promising career in law enforcement, he took voluntary retirement from the police force to devote himself entirely to his cause. His work is a testament to his belief that true service lies in uplifting the downtrodden and marginalised.
Bansal’s commitment is most evident in his establishment of Apna Ghar, an old age home in Ghaghas, Bilaspur, where he provides shelter and care to around 20 elderly individuals who have been abandoned by their families. In addition, he operates day-care centres for senior citizens in Ghaghas, Bilaspur’s Deoli village and Sundernagar, offering a safe haven for the elderly who have been neglected by their loved ones.
“Senior citizens numbering around 150 spend quality time during the day in these centres playing indoor games, reading newspapers, watching tv etc,” shared Bansal. He said a monthly checkup is also done.
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Managing Apna Ghar like his own home, Bansal takes on the responsibility of ensuring the health, nutrition and overall well-being of its residents. Despite receiving no government aid since its inception in 2020, Bansal has continued to support the old age home through his personal resources. While some kind-hearted individuals offer temporary assistance, Bansal shoulders the burden of daily expenses, including rent, staff salaries and essentials like vegetables, milk and medicines, on his own.
Bansal’s dedication extends beyond providing basic necessities. He also performs the final rites of the inmates who pass away, treating them as his own family. His tireless efforts have earned him a reputation as a compassionate leader whose actions speak louder than words. In recognition of his contributions, he has been hailed as an optimistic, socially minded reformer who has devoted his life to serving others.
In addition to his work for the elderly, Bansal has also adopted and educated 97 children from impoverished families, giving them the tools they need to succeed in life. He actively engages with young people, visiting schools to encourage them to participate in sports and avoid the pitfalls of drug addiction. Bansal firmly believes that education is the key to societal progress, viewing educated youth as the backbone of a thriving community.
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Promoted to Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in 2021 and transferred to Mandi district, Bansal continued his service to society by taking voluntary retirement on September 30, 2022. This decision was motivated by his desire to focus on aiding the helpless and destitute.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bansal’s unwavering commitment to humanity shone brightly. He provided shelter, food and other essential support to many needy families, ensuring they did not face hardship during those challenging times. His resolve was particularly evident when he encountered two young men, aged 19 and 21, who were walking from Manali to Uttarakhand out of fear of Covid-19. Bansal provided them with shelter and food for two months.
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Bansal’s actions during the pandemic were not limited to these two young men. When a family from Kolkata, stranded in Himachal Pradesh without funds, was forced to leave their hotel, Bansal and his family offered them refuge in their home for two months. Additionally, Bansal distributed free rations, gloves, sanitisers and 14,000 masks, handmade by his mother, to those in need.
Perhaps one of the most moving examples of his compassion was when he encountered a pregnant woman who, out of fear of Covid-19, was attempting to walk back to her home in Uttar Pradesh. Bansal stopped her at a checkpoint and provided her with shelter and food for two months, ensuring her safety during a time of great uncertainty. In every sense, Prakash Chand Bansal is a symbol of hope and humanity, a resident says.
