At a time when the struggles of elderly individuals who are frail, unwell or living with disabilities are growing ever more serious across the world, Rajkot in Gujarat is preparing to witness the creation of what will become the largest old-age or retirement home anywhere in the globe world.
In a remarkable act of humanity, London-based philanthropic industrialist Hasubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha, a proud member of the Lohana community, has extended a generous donation of £10 million (₹108 crore). This landmark project, rising on the Rajkot–Jamnagar Road, will be named in honour of Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha.
The Nagrecha brothers, who migrated from Uganda and went on to build a successful life in Britain, earned great admiration for their hard work and enterprise. The eldest among them, Vinubhai, was especially revered for his gentle nature, humility and lifelong commitment to giving. This heartfelt contribution has been made in beloved memory of Vinubhai, who departed unexpectedly on 22 April 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service that continues to inspire.
Vinubhai Nagrecha,who ran the well-known Nagrecha Cash & Carry in East London’s Leyton area, had earlier built a beautiful and imposing structure gorgeous venue called the ‘Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall’ in honour of his late parents. This venue has hosted countless religious, cultural and musical gatherings, enriching the lives of thousands of Londoners. Vinubhai’s generosity, humility and dedication to community welfare earned him deep admiration, not only in the UK, but also across Africa and India. He lived by a simple yet profound principle: ‘When God blesses us with abundance, He chooses us as instruments to give back.’ True generosity, he believed, is a virtue one is born with; it cannot be taught in any classroom. These timeless values of service and compassion run deeply within the Nagrecha family.
Following Vinubhai’s passing last year, his younger brother Hasubhai Nagrecha and sister Umiben Radia chose to honour his memory by supporting this noble humanitarian project, fulfilling the aspirations he held close to his heart.
While attending Pujya Morari Bapu’s ‘Manas Vande Mataram’ Ram Katha in Ghatkopar, East Mumbai, Hasubhai and Umiben spoke with to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar about the upcoming old-age home project. They said, “Our entire community knows the deep bond between my two brothers, fondly known as the ‘Ram–Laxman’ pair. Vinubhai left us so suddenly that the pain still remains in our hearts. He was sincere, affectionate and a truly noble soul. His goodness, simplicity and the gentle way he treated everyone will keep him alive among us forever. We are simply continuing the path of service he showed us.”
Speaking to us, from his hotel room in Mumbai, Hasubhai said in an emotional voice, “No one can ever take the place of my brother Vinubhai. He may not be with us physically anymore, but his sweet memories remain with us every moment. We are determined to fulfil his dreams. His heart was always devoted to serving society and working for the welfare of others, and we will do everything in our power to carry that mission forward.”
Umiben and Hasubhai further shared that a sprawling 30-acre site along the Rajkot–Jamnagar Highway has been designated for the ‘Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha Vruddhashram (old-age home)’ Complex. After the formal bhoomi pujan scheduled between 8 and 15 February, construction will begin at full speed. The project will consist of seven towers, each rising 11 storeys high, with more than 1,400 rooms designed to accommodate around 5,000 elderly residents, especially those who are childless, unwell, or in need of physical support.
The Sadbhavana Trust offers complete, compassionate care to senior citizens entirely free of charge. At this old-age home, residents will be looked after with the utmost dignity and warmth. Their daily routine will include morning tea and breakfast, fresh fruits and a wholesome lunch featuring dal, rice, vegetables, rotis and farsan. In the afternoon, they’ll be served tea or coffee with snacks, followed by a nourishing dinner with rotla, rotis or puris accompanied by a variety of vegetable dishes.
For those who are disabled or unwell, caregivers will provide therapeutic foot massages, a gesture of tenderness and respect that even one’s own family may struggle to offer. The service here is rooted in humanity, without any barrier of caste, community or background.
Umiben added that this home will open its doors to elderly labourers working on the roads, street vendors, the poor, abandoned senior citizens and anyone who has no one to care for them, including those living with disabilities. The ‘Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha’ Elderly Home aims to be a haven where every forgotten elder finds comfort, dignity and belonging.
A remarkable contribution to one’s birthplace, workplace and motherland
In October 2023, the Nagrecha Charitable Trust donated £100,000 to the NHS to support medical research and development. The cheque was formally handed over to a senior NHS official by Gujarat Samachar’s Publisher and Editor, CB Patel. At the time, Vinubhai had said, “NHS doctors, nurses and staff work tirelessly for all of us,” reflecting his deep respect for public service.
Speaking about this same spirit of seva that defined her brother, Umiben shared, “Once we return to London, we plan to make further donations to the NHS. We also intend to dedicate a ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital named after Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha.”
She recalled how, during Vinubhai’s years in Uganda, he had witnessed newborn babies losing their lives at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, a memory that stayed with him forever. “He always wanted to make a meaningful contribution there, so we have decided to donate towards that cause as well,” she said.
The family’s philanthropic vision extends further. Plans are underway to build a gaushala (cowshed) near Gondal and Rajkot, with ₹1.5 crore (£129,500) already earmarked for the project. To support the safety and education of school-going girls in the Gondal region, two school buses will also be donated in February in the name of Vinubhai Nagrecha.
It is also noteworthy that during the recent Navratri celebrations in East London, the Nagrecha family launched their community-focused initiative, ‘Nagrecha Radio’, a testament to their continued commitment to cultural and social upliftment.
Expression of goodwill becomes legacy
Sharing details with us over the phone on Saturday, Vijaybhai Dobariya, founder of the Sadbhavana Charitable Trust which runs the Sadbhavana Vruddhashram, said, “We established the Sadbhavana Trust in Rajkot on 15 August 2015. What began with just 10–15 senior citizens has today grown into a home for 700 elderly residents. Among them, around 300 rely on diapers. Many others suffering from cancer, paralysis, kidney failure or limb loss are also receiving care here.”
Mitalbhai Khetani, advisor to the Trust, added, “We are deeply grateful to Hasubhai Nagrecha. His generous support strengthens our mission to create a world-class model of elderly care for the entire nation.”
The grand ‘Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha Bhavan’, envisioned as a landmark project for Rajkot, will be developed across 30 acres along the Rajkot–Jamnagar Highway. This extensive elderly care complex will welcome people of every community, caste and religion. It will feature a temple, community hall, clinic, library, yoga and gym facilities, landscaped gardens and various recreational spaces.
Subhash V Thakrar OBE, B Com, FCA, FRCA told the newsweeklies, "Hasubhai Nagrecha asked me to especially accompany him and his family to Mumbai to oversee the arrangements for the vast project and the disbursement of their donation. It is going to be a remarkable project and the Nagrecha donation, which is probably the biggest donation out of UK from a single family to a single charity and also the biggest ever received by Sadhbhavna Trust. This has broken many records and marks the Nagrecha family as a genuine , well hearted philanthropists in UK Asian community. As a founder of Charity Clarity I salute them."
To meet the total project cost of ₹300 crore (nearly £26 million), the Sadbhavana Trust organised a major Ram Katha by Pujya Morari Bapu in Mumbai, from 22 till 30 November 2025. The ‘Manas Vande Mataram’ Katha has been arranged in Ghatkopar by Mumbai MLA Paragbhai Shah for the benefit of the Vruddhashram and environmental causes, with large-scale public fundraising is expected.
Ahead of the Katha, a yagna was held at Pujya Morari Bapu’s place in Ghatkopar. A large portrait of the late Vinubhai was placed at the venue and Hasubhai, Umiben, Niluben (wife of Vinubhai), Artiben (wife of Hasubhai), along with sisters Jayaben and Ushaben and the entire Nagrecha family, paid ahuti (sacred offerings). Noted Kathakar Sharadbhai Vyas also attended the ceremony and paid ahuti.
