A mathematician’s turn
Suresh Harilal Soni trained in mathematics, but turned his life towards serving people affected by leprosy. According to his official Padma citation, he was born on 23 November 1944 in Shinor, Vadodara district, and in 1966 completed an M.Sc. in Mathematics with distinction at M.S. University of Baroda.
His social work began in student days, telling stories to and tutoring children at a remand home for free.
Living alongside
From 1970 he did voluntary work with leprosy patients: medicines, injections, ulcer dressing and rehabilitation in slums. He gave up a comfortable job as a university lecturer and chose to live with people affected by leprosy.
In 1988 he and his wife started Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust with 20 residents and their children.
A town of dignity
At the time of the citation, the SAHYOG community had 1,050 residents: people affected by leprosy and their relatives, people with disabilities, people living with schizophrenia or intellectual disabilities, vulnerable women and men, and children. The campus has a school, a 45-bed hospital, a physiotherapy centre, housing and other facilities.
His work goes beyond treating a disease. It is a story of rehabilitation that takes on stigma, livelihood, education and dignity together.
Sources
- Padma Awards 2025: official citation
- Padma Awards 2025: notification
- padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/CitationsForTickets/2025/2025125.pdf
- padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/notifications/PadmaAwards/2025.pdf