Dr. Aruna Abhey Oswal
”It is not important to go to heaven after we leave
it is important to create heaven before we leave”
A magnetic personality, an entrepreneur, a global philanthropist, and a social activist with a will of iron and a heart of gold. Dr. Aruna Abhey Oswal has been working tirelessly to accomplish the dreams of numerous lives that she has touched over 50 years.
To empower & improve the lives of underprivileged she has taken on a new journey through her Foundation-Aruna Abhey Oswal Trust to nurture lives and spread joy.
Aruna Oswal was born in a simple family at Ambala. Her childhood was nurtured by her beloved parents who supported her every talent of dance, music, acting and developed her confidence for all the challenges. She did her Master’s degree in English.
Aruna Oswal a woman of substance has proved her leadership through serving the community with passion and compassion & total commitment. Aruna Oswal’s 50 years track record of service activities has set an example for many.
Aruna Oswal began her lionistic journey in 1989. Her Governorship in 2004-05 is being cherished by Lions of District 3231 A3 even today. Fellowship & Service projects touched the sky heights under her leadership The project of distribution of 1,000 Sewing machines for Women Empowerment, was witnessed and appreciated by the then International President Lion Tae Sup Lee and the Leadership of India.
She joined the Lion’s movement and established Blood Banks, Eye Care Foundations, Community Welfare Foundations in the name of Shrimati Mohandai Oswal. She further got engaged with lions in the personalized service activities in villages/ adivasi areas, providing them with education & medical facilities.
Her passion and commitment provided her leadership at club, District, Multiple & international level and at every coveted position. Looking at her dedication and involvement the Leadership of Lions Clubs International made her the National & Multi National Co-coordinator in the journey of Campaign Sight First II during which The Oswal Family joined hands with Lions Clubs International Foundation for partnership project of four Eye care Hospitals in four corners of India in the name of Shri Vidyasagar Oswal. Aruna Oswal has yet again taken up another challenge for – “WE SERVE” as the Trustee LCIF to go BEYOND THE HORIZON with first lady International President 2018-19.
The Oswal Family at Hamburg Convention, 2013 further extended partnership between LCIF and Aruna Abhey Oswal Trust and committed highest donation thereby creating a history on the map of Lionism.
In 2015, Aruna Abhey Oswal Trust started its flagship Project of Mobile Medical Vans for delivering primary health services for rural population in India. The Trust continues its endeavor of serving basic healthcare at door steps of poor & needy and has scaled up the project in the neighboring countries Nepal & Bangladesh also.
She served LCIF as Board appointee and Vice Chairperson- steering Committee and shared her experience, knowledge for strengthening Foundation activities.
She was Appointed as International Director 2016-18,Lions Clubs International at Fukuoka convention – Japan.
In 2017 The Oswal Family Trust in partnership with LCIF started the Mammography & ENT Centers in Kenya, Nairobi along with several other projects for education, health & skill development in Cambodia, Japan. A light house was supported for its up gradation during the Chicago Convention in 2017.
Her Current Key roles are
- Chairperson of Abhey Oswal Group & Aruna Abhey Oswal Trust.
- Past International Director & Trustee Lions Clubs International.
- Co-President and International Trustee World Council of Religion for Peace.
- She is also the Vice President of World Jain Confederation.
- She is on Board of PHD Family welfare Foundation and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- As a trustee of Loomba Foundation she has actively involved herself through many Corporates and Celebrities for educating children and empowering Widows around the world.
- As a Chairperson of Indian Council for Human Relations (ICHR), she has incorporated Child in Power projects to facilitate better life conditions for special & underpriviledged children & children by taking care of their basic needs.
- A school for children from the weaker section of society is also run by Aruna Abhey Oswal Trust along with vocational training centre for upliftment of Women through skill development.
- In partnership with LCIF, Special Olympics International and Aruna Abhey Oswal Trust, she as the National Ambassador for Special Olympics Bharat has initiated " MISSION INCLUSION" program through UNIFIED SPORTS. She stands by special athletes to empower them for a confident and dignified lifestyle.
Her major achievements have been:
- A new milestone in her journey is that Dr. Aruna Abhey Oswal has been honoured with Honorary Doctoral Degree of APAMALL, Deep Education from University of Wisconsin, Madison- USA on humanitarian grounds on August 13th, 2018.
- The glimpses of her other major service activities as a Global Philanthropist are inspiring and motivating for the donors and NGOs world over:
- She moved herself to the flood affected areas of Paradip, Orissa in the year 1999 and served all the immediate needs of the people. She further took up the challenge of rehabilitation activities - planned & executed the project of schools and orphanage at Paradip Orissa.
- She was involved in identifying, planning and executing a 100 bed hospital at Ahmednagar serving all the needy people free of cost and today the hospital is serving consistently the community at large.
- She along with her husband Shri Abhey Oswal dreamt and fulfilled their vision of building houses at Vijayender Nagar, Ludhiana to rehabilitate widows.
- She is the recipient of “Jain Ratna Award” by the then Prime Minister H’nble Shri Atalbihari Bajpai.
- She has been honoured by the worthy hands of former President H’nble Shri Abdul Kalam for her good work for the community.
- She has been honoured as a “Woman of Substance” by Smt. Kiran Bedi.
Awards
- She has not only received number of Leadership Medals & Presidential awards , but the highest award of Lions Clubs International- “Ambassador of Goodwill” has been conferred to the Legendry Mr. Abhey Oswal & Dr. Aruna Oswal.
- She is honoured with “Mother Teresa Life Time Achievement Award” by Mother Teresa International Award Committee.
- “Jain Ratna Award” by the then Prime Minister H’nble Shri Atalbihari Bajpai.
- She has been honoured by the worthy hands of former President H’nble Shri Abdul Kalam for her good work for the community.
- She has been honoured as a “Woman of Substance” by Smt. Kiran Bedi.
- Awarded Humanitarian Partner award by Lions Clubs International Foundation.
Arunaji strongly believes her mentor, friend-philosopher-guide and the inspirational force has been only one person and that is none other than her husband Shri Abhey Kumar Oswal ji. Arunaji has pledged to fulfill all his dreams to serve the humanity in journey of Lionism and social service.