Archive · 27 Sep 2025
Social Changemaker Secures Rights and Homes for Nomadic Tribes
In Gujarat, many nomadic tribes were treated unfairly and didn't have rights.
Mittal Patel started an organization called VSSM to help them.
Over the past two decades, she and her organization have helped over 750,000 people get legal recognition, homes, education, and jobs.
They also provide small loans so families can start businesses.
Patel's work has been recognized with awards, but her main goal is for these people to live with dignity, not as invisible citizens.
Her efforts show that giving people their rights and respect can create real change.
Mittal Patel founded VSSM to aid nomadic and denotified tribes in Gujarat.
VSSM secured legal recognition for more than 7.5 lakh individuals.
The organization has enabled housing, education, and jobs for thousands.
VSSM offers interest-free livelihood loans to families.
Patel was recognized as a 'Social Changemaker' at the Better India Showcase.
- Who
- Mittal Patel, founder of VSSM, is the social changemaker.
- What
- Patel and VSSM secured legal recognition, housing, education, and microfinance for nomadic and denotified tribes.
- When
- VSSM was founded in 2006, and the work continues.
- Where
- Gujarat, India.
- Why
- To provide rights, recognition, and dignity to marginalized nomadic tribes.
- Changemaker
- Mittal Patel
- Organization Founded
- Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM)
- Year Founded
- 2006
- People with Legal Recognition
- 7.5+ lakh
- Youth in Jobs/Schools
- Around 5,000
- Families with Loans
- 12,000
- Award
- Nari Shakti Puraskar