On the occasion of the 2500th death anniversary of Lord Mahaveer, known for his compassion and loving kindness for all, Shri D. R. Mehta envisioned and set up BMVSS in March 1975, as a human welfare organization. This idea of this humanitarian project was born out of a trauma. In 1969 Mr. Mehta had met with a serious car accident in which his leg was crushed. But, despite the ominous forebodings of the surgeons, both his leg and life got saved. Dr. M. M. Bapna and Dr. Ganga Ram Purohit of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jodhpur, who were his operating surgeons, would later constantly remind him of the plight of poor patients who in such situations, often lost their limbs. Once the funds could be raised and organizational structure worked out by Mr. Mehta, BMVSS was setup.
Prof. C. K. Prahalad in his book “The Fortune at the Bottom at the Pyramid” has this to say – 
“BMVSS was established in March 1975 by Mr. D. R. Mehta. In the first seven years after the development of the Jaipur Foot in 1968, hardly 50 limbs were fitted. In the first year after the formation of the society, 59 limbs were fitted. Now, the number of limbs fitted every year approaches 16,000. …….If not for the value system and patient-centric management practices followed by BMVSS, Jaipur Foot might have remained on the shelf and in limbo.”
Many social workers, experts and donors were invited to join the society which they gladly did.
          Though, the institution is named after Lord Mahaveer in terms of his philosophy treating all are equal, it is totally secular and non-religious and non-sectarian, where patients of all denominations are welcome and given assistance.