In Surat’s Chanakyapuri, a duplex bungalow named ‘Maitri’ stands as a living monument to an extraordinary friendship between the Desai families, forged in the 1940s and flourishing across four generations. The bond between Gunwant Desai and Bipin Desai, which began in their school days in Sagrampura, has endured over eight decades, weaving a tale of loyalty, shared dreams, and unbreakable trust.

Parimal Desai (63), son of Gunwant, recalls how his father and Bipin, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, joined the freedom struggle, even sharing a prison cell during India’s fight for independence. “Their friendship was forged in those turbulent times,” Parimal said. After graduating from an agricultural university in Pune, the duo returned to Surat, launching a joint agriculture and dairy business from a modest mud house. “The idea of separating or involving others never occurred to them,” Parimal added.

In 1970, as their families expanded, Gunwant and Bipin built ‘Maitri,’ a thoughtfully designed bungalow with separate kitchens and bedrooms but a shared drawing room—a space for both families to bond over meals, laughter, and life’s milestones. Gautam Desai (70), Bipin’s son, noted, “People often mistook our fathers for brothers, so strong was their connection.”

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This legacy has cascaded through generations. Parimal and Gautam share the same camaraderie, as do their sons, Hardik and Rahul. The bond extends to the youngest members: Rahul’s son Dwij, a class 10 student, and Hardik’s four-year-old daughter Vyomi, who ties a Rakhi on him each Rakshabandhan, symbolizing their sibling-like affection.

The families uphold their founders’ values through the Maitri Trust, established in 1990 to promote Gandhian principles. The trust supports education and community welfare, reflecting the families’ commitment to social good. Bipin passed away in 2012 at 87, followed by Gunwant in 2013 at 88, both donating their bodies for medical research, a final act of selflessness.

‘Maitri’ remains a beacon of unity in Surat, where shared meals and celebrations continue to knit the Desai families together, inspiring others with a friendship that transcends time.

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