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23 Jul 2025

Respected Philanthropist-Diamantaire Ashwin M. Mehta (Kavas Kaka) Passes Away

Ashwinbhai seen with Mother Teresa, his father Mafatkaka Mehta and others

Ashwinbhai and others meeting then President of India Smt Pratibha Patil

Ashiwinbhai, then Chairman, addressing Golden Jubilee celebration of Vidyamandir Trust in 1998

Widely respected philanthropist-diamantaire Ashwinbhai Mafatlal Mehta, known by those close to him as Kavas Kaka, passed away on July 7, 2025. He was the son of Late Mafatlal Mohanlal Mehta, a successful diamantaire and also well known for his generous philanthropy.

Ashwinbhai headed Samir Diamonds during the years he was actively involved in the diamond business. He was also an active philanthropist and was associated in different capacities with a number of trusts and institutions over the years.

At the time of his passing away, he was still associated with the National Liver Foundation, Mumbai (President); Vidyamandir Trust, Palanpur (Hereditary Trustee); Gadge Maharaj Trust, Mumbai (Managing Trustee); PNR Society, Bhavnagar (Member); Bombay Humanitarian League, Mumbai (Committee Member); Welfare of Stray Dogs, Mumbai (President & Trustee); Mahavir Heart Research Foundation (Chairman); Rithambara Vishva Vidyapeeth, Mumbai (President); Institute of Kidney Diseases & Research Centre, Ahmedabad (Member) and SPRJ Kanyashala, Mumbai (Trustee).

Ashwinbhai was a trustee of the Vidyamandir Trust for over 37 years, including a tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In a tribute to his contributions to the development of the institution, Vidyamandir acknowledged his “steadfast dedication, visionary leadership, and generous spirit in shaping its journey and growth”, adding that “his legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of our institution”.

Firmly upholding values cherished by his father, who himself was one of the founding trustees of Vidyamandir Trust, Ashwinbhai carried forward the family’s commitment to inclusive education. Alongside his family, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Maa Shravanvani School for the Hearing & Speech Divyang, and also supported the creation of the Smt. Kamlaben Mafatlal Mehta Computer Centre, both under the Vidyamandir Trust.

In addition, Ashwinbhai was associated with many organisations within the Jain community such as Sthanakwasi Jain Sangh, Jain Alp Seva Sanstha, Jain Dharmik Shikshan Sangh and Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya.

A few years ago, he received the Jain Samaj Ratna Award from then Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in recognition of his valuable contributions to the community.

Ashwinbhai was also instrumental in supporting other initiatives in the field of education and health such as the establishment of the Smt. Kamala Mehta V.W.A. College of Commerce, run by the Versova Welfare Trust in fond memory of his mother, a Scholarship fund at institutes run by the SPRJ Kanyashala Trust, and generous donations to various public hospitals in Mumbai.