After working 35 years as a banker, Subhash Chandra Mehta chose a life of spirituality, social service, and environmental conservation. Through his association with several social organizations and senior citizen welfare groups, he has made an indelible mark in the field of social service.

Subhash Chandra Mehta is a resident of Udaipur and takes immense pride in being born in the historic land of Mewar.

While Udaipur is internationally recognized as a world-class city known for its culture, heritage, and natural beauty, he also feels deeply connected to the religious atmosphere of Shri Nathdwara, which has played an important role in shaping his spiritual outlook. Throughout his life, he has remained closely connected to the traditions, values, and cultural heritage of Rajasthan.

Professionally, he dedicated thirty-five years of his life to UCO Bank before retiring in 2015. His story, however, began much earlier in Kankroli, where he was born and received his school education up to Class 10. Growing up in the vicinity of the renowned Dwarkadhish Temple in the Rajsamand region, he was surrounded by a strong cultural and spiritual environment from an early age.

Devoted Social Worker Subhash Chandra Mehta belonged to a family of five siblings and was the eldest among them. His father served in the Irrigation Department and placed great importance on discipline, values, and education. Reflecting on his childhood, he recalls that the period between the 1960s and 1970s was far more challenging than what younger generations experience today. Many areas did not even have electricity, and basic facilities were limited. He studied at Sarangarh School during those years and experienced firsthand the difficulties of growing up in a time when resources were scarce.

Despite these tough circumstances, he considers himself fortunate to have received a strong family upbringing. His parents taught him the importance of unity, self-reliance, honesty, and perseverance. They consistently encouraged their children to remain together as a family and become capable of standing on their own feet. Alongside his family, he was blessed with dedicated teachers who guided him throughout his educational journey. Although he describes himself as a middle-level student who was never among the highest merit holders, he believes that the quality of education and values he received mattered far more than examination rankings.

After completing his education, he entered the banking sector and spent thirty-five years serving at the UCO Bank. His professional life eventually concluded with his retirement in 2015. However, retirement did not mark the end of his active life. Within two to three months of retiring, he realized that simply sitting at home was not the path he wanted to follow. He felt a strong desire to remain engaged with society, continue learning, and contribute to meaningful causes. This realization became the beginning of a new phase focused on social service, spirituality, and community involvement.

One of the first organizations with which he became associated was a senior citizens' organization in Udaipur. The organization has approximately four hundred members and provides opportunities for senior citizens to remain socially active, connected, and engaged. Through this platform, he interacts with people, participates in various activities, enjoys meaningful companionship, and contributes to service-oriented initiatives. He believes that old age should not be a period of isolation but rather a stage of life where one's experience can be utilized for the benefit of society.

He also became involved with the Indian Red Cross Society. Through these efforts, annual programs are organized to support economically weaker sections of society. Assistance is provided in the form of kitchen sets, clothes, shoes, slippers, and other essential household items. For the past three to four years, he has actively participated in these service initiatives and has found immense satisfaction in helping those who are less fortunate.

A major transformation in his life occurred in 2022 when he joined Gita Parivar, an international spiritual organization established by Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj. The organization conducts online Bhagavad Gita classes across approximately 164 countries and has around fifteen lakh learners associated with it. Despite having retired from his professional career, Subhash Chandra Mehta often says that he still goes to \\\"school\\\" every day because learning remains an important part of his life.

His daily Gita classes are conducted online, where experienced teachers guide students through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Every day, participants learn two to three shlokas, study their meanings, understand Sanskrit pronunciation, and explore the deeper philosophical messages contained within the scripture. The learning process is systematic and detailed, helping students appreciate not only the words of the Gita but also their practical application in daily life.

Over the past five years, he has studied the Bhagavad Gita with remarkable dedication and has memorized approximately three hundred shlokas. What makes this journey even more meaningful for him is that all the educational services provided through the platform are completely free of cost. He has made a personal commitment never to leave these classes and considers them an integral part of his life. His teachers often tell learners that they can continue attending these classes for as long as they wish, and he fully intends to remain connected with them throughout his life.

The Bhagavad Gita, explains Mehta, consists of eighteen chapters, and the learning system follows a complete cycle through all of them. So far, he has successfully completed three full cycles of study and is currently progressing through his fourth cycle. He regularly encourages others to join Learngeeta.com, a platform through which anyone can connect with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The platform offers structured learning opportunities, examinations at different levels, and chapter-wise assessments covering groups of chapters, allowing learners to steadily deepen their understanding.

Although he often describes himself as a busy person whose time is not always perfectly organized, a devout Gita fan, Mehta makes every effort to utilize whatever free time he gets for revising and remembering the Bhagavad Gita. Whenever an opportunity arises, he recalls shlokas, reflects upon their meanings, and practices their recitation. Through this consistent effort, he feels that the teachings of the Gita are gradually becoming a natural part of his speech, thoughts, and daily actions.

According to him, the impact of the Bhagavad Gita on his life has been profound. He firmly believes that if a person reads the Gita sincerely and takes the time to truly understand its message, positive changes naturally begin to occur. The scripture not only provides spiritual guidance but also helps individuals develop clarity, discipline, patience, and a balanced approach toward life. For Subhash Chandra Mehta, the Bhagavad Gita is not merely a religious text; it is a practical guide that continues to shape his thinking and influence his actions every day.

After experiencing the transformative impact of the Bhagavad Gita in his own life, Subhash Chandra Mehta gradually became associated with several organizations dedicated to spirituality, culture, service, and social welfare. One of the most significant among them was Sanatan Pathshala.

His association with Sanatan Pathshala began with activities conducted at Swagat Vatika in Udaipur. At that time, he was not personally acquainted with Dr. Bhupendra Sharma, who was actively associated with the initiative. However, he developed an interest in the activities being conducted there and started attending the programs regularly. What he witnessed deeply impressed him. The organization was working to reconnect children with Indian culture, traditions, values, and spiritual heritage through structured educational activities.

As he became more involved, he learned that Sanatan Pathshala regularly conducts programs in schools where students are introduced to Bharatiya Sanskriti and Bharatiya Parampara. During prayer assemblies and cultural sessions, children are taught about Indian values, traditions, scriptures, and the importance of preserving their cultural roots. He appreciated the curriculum and vision behind these efforts and felt that such initiatives were essential for future generations.

One of the major annual activities associated with Sanatan Pathshala is the celebration of Gita Jayanti, which is observed every year in December. During these programs, discussions are held on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, its relevance in modern life, and the practical wisdom it offers to people of all ages. Subhash Chandra Mehta believed that children should not only hear about the Gita but should also have access to authentic literature that could deepen their understanding.

With this objective, he personally began purchasing and distributing books published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur. He would often give five to ten books at a time to students as prizes and encouragement. His belief was simple: if children develop the habit of reading good literature at an early age, they will naturally develop strong values and character. Although he modestly describes himself as someone who is not a skilled public speaker and cannot deliver lengthy speeches, he believes that service does not always require words. Through books, encouragement, participation, and support, one can contribute meaningfully to society. For this reason, he continues to support the activities of Sanatan Pathshala in whatever way he can.

Sanatan Pathshala Life Member Subhash Mehta’s area of social service expanded further through his association with the Apna Ghar Ashram. He was introduced to the organization by Dr. Bhupendra Sharma and gradually became closely connected with its humanitarian work. The philosophy of Apna Ghar Ashram deeply touched him. He often says that while people offer food and show devotion to God in temples, organizations such as Apna Ghar Ashram provide an opportunity to serve living manifestations of humanity. For him, serving those in need is one of the highest forms of worship.

Over time, he became both an Executive Member and a Lifetime Member associated with Apna Ghar Ashram. He regularly participated in its activities and visited the institution whenever possible. One of the most memorable experiences of his association was visiting the Bharatpur Ashram, which serves as a major center of the organization. The visit left a lasting impression on him. According to him, approximately 6,500 residents are cared for there. Witnessing such large-scale humanitarian service strengthened his belief that selfless service remains one of the noblest contributions a person can make to society.

In addition to Apna Ghar Ashram, he also became associated with Aashray Seva Sansthan, located in Sector 14, Udaipur. He serves as a member of the institution's Sanrakshak Mandal and regularly visits the place. The institution supports children and provides educational opportunities for them. He frequently spends time there, interacts with the children, and contributes to various welfare activities. He considers this service an extension of the values he has learned through spirituality and social work.

A teaching that has profoundly influenced his outlook comes from Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj. According to this teaching, the ultimate outcome of spiritual practice and devotion is service. The more a person serves society, the more deeply the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita become integrated into daily life. This principle has become one of the guiding philosophies of Subhash Chandra Mehta's life.

His daily routine reflects the discipline and commitment that characterize his personality. He begins his day at approximately 3:30 in the morning. Early rising has become a lifelong habit that allows him to dedicate time to learning, reflection, and personal development. After completing his morning routine and bath, he attends his study sessions, continues his Gita learning, performs his regular responsibilities, and makes time for yoga. Yoga forms an important part of his daily life and helps him maintain both physical and mental well-being.

Environmental Conservation is another area that has become increasingly important to him over the years. His interest in nature can be traced back to his childhood and was further strengthened during his banking career. Much of his professional life was spent in villages and rural areas among farmers. Working closely with agricultural communities allowed him to observe environmental challenges firsthand and develop a deep appreciation for nature and sustainable living.

Around three years ago, he became associated with activities of the Indian Red Cross Society. During this period, he undertook a plantation initiative that remains one of his most cherished projects. On the occasion of his wife's birthday, he planted twenty-four trees at Parshuram Chouraha in the name of the twenty-four Tirthankaras. The initiative carried both spiritual and environmental significance. Even today, he speaks about it with pride and satisfaction because it combined devotion, environmental responsibility, and family values in a meaningful way.

His environmental work expanded further when he became associated with Action for Community and Empowerment (ACE), a national organization working across seven to eight states. The organization has adopted an ambitious mission of planting one crore trees over a period of ten years. To achieve this objective, approximately ten lakh trees are planned to be planted every year.

As part of this larger mission, a target of planting ten thousand trees has been undertaken for Udaipur. Numerous schools have already been selected as plantation sites. However, the initiative goes far beyond simply planting saplings. Trees are carefully selected, planted, named, geotagged, and monitored for three years to ensure survival and healthy growth. Organic manure is used instead of chemical fertilizers, and continuous care is provided during the maintenance period.

A unique aspect of the project is that every tree is linked to an individual contributor. Participants are informed that while the tree will continue growing, their contribution and name will also remain associated with it. According to him, the approximate cost of planting and nurturing a tree is ₹1,500. Through support received from organizations such as Varishth Nagrik Samiti and other community groups, approximately 150 people have already agreed to participate in the initiative. He remains optimistic that the target of ten thousand trees in Udaipur will eventually be achieved.

At present, he considers environmental conservation and plantation activities to be among his most important responsibilities. While he remains actively connected with Gita Parivar and Sanatan Pathshala, the tree plantation mission has become a major focus of his current efforts. At the time of sharing his story, he mentioned that extensive groundwork had already been underway for several days and that he and his fellow volunteers were fully committed to making the initiative successful.

The values that guide all these activities originate largely from his family. His parents consistently performed good social work throughout their lives and remained involved in temple activities and social development even after retirement. Their example taught him that service should never stop with age. Other members of his extended family also remain involved in social and community-oriented activities, reinforcing the belief that every individual should contribute something positive to society.

Reflecting on life, he often says that after spending nearly sixty years fulfilling family responsibilities, earning a livelihood, and ensuring that your sons and daughters are married, there comes a stage when one should give back to society. God has blessed him with a good life and a stable pension. Therefore, he believes that life after sixty or sixty-five should be treated as a bonus granted by God. As long as health permits, one should dedicate time to service and contribute wherever possible.

For him, service does not have to be grand or expensive. Feeding birds, caring for cows, helping someone in need, participating in community work, supporting educational initiatives, or contributing to environmental conservation are all meaningful forms of service. According to him, every act of selfless service brings inner satisfaction and helps create a better society.

The strongest source of inspiration in his life remains his parents. His mother repeatedly reminded all five siblings that unity was the key to progress. She would often say that if they remained united, they would continue moving forward, but if they fought among themselves, they would fall behind. Those teachings continue to guide the family even today.

He also credits his teachers for shaping his character. Many of them taught with tremendous sacrifice and dedication. Along with academic knowledge, they constantly emphasized that unity is strength and that collective effort leads to success. These lessons left a lasting impression on him and continue to influence his relationships and community work.

Among his family members, he gives special credit to his wife. According to him, she has played the most important role in keeping the entire family united. She serves as the thread that binds everyone together and ensures that family relationships remain strong. As a result, the extended family gathers together once every week, a tradition that has helped preserve closeness among relatives across generations.

Outside the family, one of his greatest inspirations has been Swami Vivekananda. The teachings and life of Swami Vivekananda have influenced his thinking for many years. He also draws inspiration from Swami Ramdev and regularly listens to his yoga-related discourses. In addition, he continues learning from various leaders, thinkers, and positive individuals, believing that every good person has something valuable to teach.

While reflecting on his professional life, Subhash Chandra Mehta often emphasizes that most of his thirty-five years in UCO Bank were spent serving farmers rather than large corporate clients. Although he occasionally came across major corporate environments during certain assignments and travels, the overwhelming majority of his banking career was devoted to rural communities. Sitting among farmers, understanding their concerns, helping them with banking services, and witnessing their daily struggles gave him a deeper understanding of life and gradually nurtured within him a strong spirit of service. According to him, there is nothing greater than serving people.

During those years, he was also a regular reader of newspapers such as Dainik Bhaskar and Rajasthan Patrika. One day, he came across a phrase that left a lifelong impression on him: \\\"Joy of Giving.\\\" Over time, he began to understand its true meaning and adopted it as one of the guiding principles of his life. According to him, the greatest happiness in life comes from giving. Giving does not necessarily mean giving money. A person can give time, attention, companionship, encouragement, support, or simply bring happiness into someone else's life. He firmly believes that the smile that appears on another person's face after receiving help is the greatest return anyone can receive.

This philosophy became deeply connected to his understanding of the Bhagavad Gita. Since childhood, he had listened to and read verses from the Gita, particularly the famous teaching:

\\\"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन\\\"

Although he did not fully understand its depth during his younger years, he gradually realized that the message was simple yet profound: continue performing your duties and good deeds without becoming attached to the results. This teaching has guided him throughout his banking career, family life, spiritual journey, and social service activities.

Apart from spirituality, he was also fond of watching films during his younger days. Among the many songs he heard, two left a lasting impact on him. One was associated with the film \\\"Shor,\\\" starring Manoj Kumar.

The song:

\\\"जीवन चलने का नाम ,

चलते रहो सुबह और शाम।

deeply inspired him because it conveyed the importance of continuous movement and perseverance. Another song that influenced him carried a similar message:

“नदिया चले, चले रे धारा,

तुझको चलना होगा, तुझको चलना होगा।“

These songs, along with the timeless phrase \\\"चरैवेति-चरैवेति\\\" reinforced a lesson he strongly believes in even today: life is meant to keep moving forward. Rest and sleep have their place, but a person should never stop progressing. He often advises people to remain active throughout life because an active person develops an active mind, and an active mind naturally thinks in a positive direction and contributes to society.

Looking back at his banking career, he recalls the challenging conditions of many of his rural postings. Several villages lacked electricity and proper water facilities. Some were located in remote desert-like regions where snakes frequently emerged at night. Living and working in such environments was not easy. Furthermore, because of these postings, he was often unable to keep his family with him.

During those years, his wife assumed tremendous responsibility. Not only did she take care of their immediate family, but she also cared for his parents, brothers, sisters, and other family responsibilities. He openly acknowledges that her support was one of the primary reasons he was able to dedicate himself fully to his work. Because she managed the family so effectively, he could focus entirely on his responsibilities and perform his duties with complete dedication.

Despite difficult circumstances, challenging targets, and adverse working conditions, he consistently achieved every target assigned to him by the bank. He attributes this success not to his own abilities alone but to his faith in God and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. According to him, he always believed that when God is with you, nobody can harm you. Whatever work is accomplished is accomplished through divine grace. Human beings are merely instruments carrying out that work. With this mindset, he approached every challenge, and he believes this attitude helped him fulfill all his responsibilities successfully.

When talking about his achievements, he does not speak about awards, recognitions, or public honors. Instead, he considers service itself to be his greatest achievement. Whether through banking, social service, environmental work, spiritual learning, or community involvement, he believes every act of service is meaningful. The greatest reward, according to him, is the happiness seen on people's faces.

Apna Ghar Ashram’s Active Member Mehta proudly shares that over the years he has built relationships with approximately one thousand people. Among them, he does not consider anyone an enemy. The affection, respect, and goodwill he receives from people are, in his eyes, worth far more than any formal award. He has never worked with the expectation of recognition and does not seek appreciation or honors. Whatever work he undertakes, he does so simply because he considers it his duty.

For him, successful social service requires two things: determination and a genuine spirit of service. A person must possess a sincere desire to help others without expecting anything in return. Life should be simple and free from unnecessary tensions. According to him, one should focus on doing one's duty while trusting that God provides what is necessary.

One aspect of service that is particularly close to his heart is supporting senior citizens. He is associated with a Senior Citizen Care Group that works to assist elderly people who live alone. He observes that many parents today spend their later years without companionship because their children have moved abroad or to distant cities. Such individuals often have nobody to accompany them to hospitals, assist them during illnesses, or simply spend time with them.

Through this group, volunteers take responsibility for helping such senior citizens. Sometimes they accompany them to hospitals, sit with them for two or three hours, assist them during dialysis sessions, or simply provide companionship. He considers this donation of time one of the most valuable forms of service because loneliness has become a major challenge for many elderly people.

According to him, people often underestimate the value of time. Yet, giving two or three hours to someone in need can have a tremendous impact on their life. This is why he repeatedly emphasizes that service does not always require money; it often requires presence, empathy, and time.

He also believes that anyone wishing to serve society must first remain healthy. Good health enables a person to stay active and continue helping others. For this reason, he encourages people to maintain their physical well-being and never allow laziness or fatigue to dominate their lives.

As a proud Indian, he feels that people should appreciate and support their own country more actively. He observes that many individuals are attracted toward foreign culture, foreign lifestyles, foreign food habits, and foreign brands. While there is nothing wrong with learning from others, he believes Indians should take greater pride in their own traditions and products.

Inspired by the spirit of \\\"Vocal for Local,\\\" he encourages people to support local products, adopt self-reliance, and contribute to the nation's development.

He personally practices self-dependence even today. Despite his age, he performs many household tasks himself, including washing utensils, doing laundry, and managing daily chores. He believes that remaining active and independent is essential for a healthy and meaningful life. At the same time, he advises people to spend as little as necessary on themselves while contributing as much as possible toward helping others.

Beyond service and self-reliance, devotion remains an important part of his life. However, his understanding of devotion goes beyond rituals and ceremonies. Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita, he explains that devotion is not measured by the number of prayers offered, the number of mantras memorized, or the amount of time spent in worship. True devotion is reflected through qualities and character.

He often refers to the many virtues described in the Bhagavad Gita, particularly qualities such as compassion, contentment, forgiveness, humility, simplicity, and freedom from jealousy. According to him, these virtues are far more important than external displays of religiosity.

At the same time, he emphasizes the need to control negative tendencies such as ego, anger, greed, selfishness, jealousy, and the desire to harm others. These tendencies are natural aspects of human nature, but they can be controlled through awareness, discipline, and spiritual practice. As negative qualities gradually diminish and positive qualities grow, a person's character naturally develops and improves.

He firmly believes that individuals who cultivate good qualities and overcome negative tendencies become better family members, better citizens, and better contributors to society. Such people are able to serve the nation more effectively and lead meaningful lives.

Concluding his reflections, UCO Bank Retiree Subhash Chandra Mehta expresses gratitude to everyone who has listened to his story. Through his lifelong commitment to spirituality, service, family values, environmental responsibility, and community welfare, he continues to demonstrate that true success lies not in recognition or wealth, but in living a life dedicated to learning, helping others, and bringing happiness to the people around us.