On February 19, 2023, the US mission in Delhi facilitated a visit by a nine-member delegation of US senators to the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti's (BMVSS) Jaipur Foot (prosthetic limb) centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
The delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and US Charge d’ Affairs Ambassador Elizabeth Jones was welcomed by D R Mehta, the founder and the chief patron of the BMVSS and his team.
At the centre the delegation witnessed the entire process of making and fitting of the prosthetic limbs and were amazed to see good quality products being made at much affordable prices than those in the States.
Founder Mehta explained that their organization is run by volunteers who believe in the BMVSS’ ethos of doing more with less.
"The Senators were very impressed that patients received a custom-made artificial limb the same day and applauded that all services to the patients were given completely free of cost," a news release noted.
Mehta further informed the Senators that his organization has collaborated with the Stanford University to develop an advanced knee joint, that was hailed as the 50 Best inventions of 2009 by the TIME magazine in its 23rd November 2009 issue.
On that note, Mehta urged the lawmakers to promote similar U.S. -India collaborations that will empower and benefit the disabled populations in the world.
Impressed by the voluntary work of BMVSS Senator Schumer lauded them for their contributions. Speaking to the disabled persons in Hindi he said, "Hum aap ke saath hein", meaning ‘we are with you.'
"The Senators lauded the role played by BMVSS in serving humanity and said the visit to the Jaipur Foot centre and meeting the beneficiaries proved to be a deeply moving experience," the release added.
