Public Life

As Padmashri Khailshanker’s business flourished, he began to take keener interest in public life. Nudged gently by Shri Manubhai Shah, then Minister for International Trade, he set up the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, becoming its Founder Chairman. Within two years, gem exports from the country had more than doubled. Khailshanker also initiated the GJEPC Awards for Outstanding Export as a form of encouragement to jewellers. By the time he retired in 1985, Khailshanker had created an empire.

SANTOKBA DURLABHJI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

SDMH, inaugurated by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 29th November, 1971, was promptly dedicated to the Armed Forces as India was then at war with Pakistan. Starting with 60 beds, and only six specialties, SDMH has evolved, over 4 decades, to 550 beds, 22 specialties and a hospice. SDMH is, today, a 7-acre campus which houses doctors, nurses, staff; contains a large bank, a dharamshala, an auditorium, two conference halls, restaurants etc.

It is NOT a corporate hospital making money; rather, it is a trust hospital operating on a not-for-profit basis. The trustees have always maintained that making a difference is far more important than making a buck.

The mission of the hospital has been to offer a broad spectrum of cost-effective and humanistic clinical services that meet the highest international standards, to all patients, irrespective of caste, creed or class.

Avedna Ashram

In 1997, the Avedna Ashram was established. A modern 100-bed hospice treating terminally ill patients, attempts to add life to their years rather than years to their lives. Patients are housed here completely free of cost and provided nursing, food and medicare.

The name ‘Avedna’ means alleviator of pain. It was referred to as ‘Work of God’ by the then President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

It also houses the Ananth Bhandari Day Centre. This caters to the spiritual, academic, intellectual and creative needs of senior citizens. It offers activities like yoga, meditation, music, reading and lectures besides providing subsidised lunch and organising special programmes for women.

Recognition for SDMH

1. Sat Paul Mittal National Award 2014 for Outstanding Service to Humanity in Ludhiana on 10th November 2014.

2. "The Week" magazine rated SDMH as the best private hospital in Jaipur in its November 2013 edition.

3. On October 9, 2013, SDMH received a Certificate of Appreciation from CII for its project on "Promoting Water Use Efficiency across Urban Sector to Address Climate Change”.

4.On 10th February 2013, SDMH was ranked among the top three "Best Places to work in Health Care" in India by HOSMAC India Ltd. and People Strong.