A 500-Year Legacy Protecting Mumbai’s Commuters
In an era where corporate philanthropy is often measured by annual reports and PR cycles, a 500-year-old civilizational framework of Seva (service) is quietly transforming public safety in modern Mumbai. Florida based philanthropist and leader of Global Kapol Vikas (GKV), Hiten Bhuta, whose family’s documented civic legacy traces back to 1525, continues to apply that ancient “Mahajan” ethic to one of the world’s most complex urban challenges: Mumbai’s suburban railway safety.
In keeping with its tradition of addressing the city’s most pressing needs, Global Kapol Vikas, under the leadership of founder Hiten Bhuta, has partnered with the Mumbai Police and Railway authorities to usher in safety and convenience for the average Mumbai commuters. GKV has helped establish modern, airport-style help desks at major hubs including Churchgate, Andheri, Bandra, and Borivali, making daily commuting easier for the 7.5 million people
Directed by Mukesh Mehta, these desks provide critical support to senior citizens and commuters, translating the community’s ancestral values into 21st-century urban solutions. This initiative, is currently helping expand ten major stations with a community-funded investment of ₹40 lakh, echoing the pioneering spirit of figures like Dr. Jivraj Mehta, who famously broke social barriers to bring global medical standards back to India.
These are not merely information booths; they are strategic infrastructure points designed to:
· Enhance Women’s Safety: Providing immediate, visible access to law enforcement.
· Deter Crime: Using visibility as a tool to prevent pickpocketing and eve-teasing.
· Support Millions: Assisting the 7.5 million daily commuters in emergency response and lost-and-found services
Says Hiten Bhuta “Our ancestors built the hospitals, schools, and markets that Mumbai stands on today. Whether it was Bhimji Parekh introducing the printing press in the 1670s or GKV installing help desks in 2025, the core principle remains ‘Wisdom over Riches’—a commitment to collective welfare.”
Hiten Bhuta was recently honoured with the Divya Bhaskar Award in December 2025, which he dedicated to the thousands of students his family serves. His perspective on why “visibility prevents crime” in dense urban environments is particularly relevant as Mumbai upgrades its public infrastructure.
300-Year Continuum: From Nagar Sheths to Modern Statesmen
The Kapol community’s leadership in Mumbai dates back to Rupaji Dhanji, a pioneering merchant who moved to the city in 1692. His lineage established a standard for civic responsibility that remains the community’s hallmark:
Financial Guardianship: Rupaji’s son, Manordas Rupji Dhanji (1727–1792), served as the Nagar Sheth (City Banker) of Mumbai, wielding unparalleled influence in the city’s early financial stabilization.
Civic Modernization: Sir Mangaldas Nathubhai (1832–1890), the first Hindu to be knighted, utilized his position to modernize the city through educational endowments to Mumbai University and the establishment of the iconic Mangaldas Market.
Spiritual and Social Hubs: Brothers Shri Varjivandas Madhavdas and Shri Narottamdas Madhavdas co-founded the Madhavbag Temple Complex in 1874, which recently celebrated 150 years as a center for both spiritual life and the Indian independence movement.
