Sewa Kunj Brochure

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Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti
Sewa Kunj 2015
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Aadarsh Gauseva Anusandhan Kendra, Akola
In order to curb cattle slaughter to

save farmers and the entire society
from a grave situation, Aadarsh
Gauseva Anusandhan Kendra was
started at Maharashtras Akola
town. The institution is working
in three dimensions Go-rakshan,
Go-sangopan and Go-samvardhan
(protecting,
nurturing
and
conserving the cattle). Karyakartas
and scientists at Aadarsh are
striving hard to make society realize
the importance of panchgavya
(five cow-based products such as
milk, curd, ghee, cow-dung and
cow urine). Poverty and ignorance
compelled farmers to sell the cattle
to the butcher and this further
endangered
their
profession.
Karyakartas realized the need
to curb this practice to save the
farmers and ultimately, the entire
society from a great danger. Steps
were initiated in this direction.
Some of the karyakartas also freed a

number of cows from the butchers
trap. However, where to keep these
cows, was a big question. Aadarsh
Sanskar Mandal provided them
solution by donating them land
and thus the foundation was laid
for Aadarsh Gauseva Anusandhan
Kendra.
Mr Modak, Revashankarji Sharma
from Rajasthan and Maheshwari
from Mumbai came forward
to provide guidance about the
medicinal values of cow urine (gomutra) and cow dung. Panchgavya
is used as a base in a number of
Ayurvedic medicines. Research in
the field of panchgavya became the
prime objective of this institution
and Aadarsh Gauseva Anusandhan
Project was started.
Cattle farming is regarded as a
supportive business to conventional
April 2015 | 9
farming. Karyakartas concentrated

their attention towards the other
aspects of cattle farming besides
milk production.
Barren land is a prime cause of
concern for farmers today. In order
to increase the yield, chemical
fertilizers were used in large
quantities. This naturally resulted
into depletion in the fertility of land.
Hence, the production also suffered.
Under such circumstances, it was
proposed to use natural fertilizers
and the cow dung manure that
was being used in antiquity by our
forefathers got priority. Special type
of tanks have made designed for the
production of this manure.
A layer of leaves, fodder, garbage,
cow dung, etc is arranged in a tank.
Water that is used for cleaning goushala is put into the tank. Go-mutra
is also placed. Three layers are
arranged one upon another and are
kept intact for three months. The
manure prepared in this manner is
again recycled in the tank. Vermicompost is also manufactured in a
similar way.
In addition to these manures, a third
type of manure that is obtained
really makes us seek the blessings of
Go-mata bowing at her feet. When
a cow is alive, it benefits human
beings right from the milk up to
the dung in every aspect. However,
when a cow is buried, good quality
manure is produced after some
days of its burial. The strength of
this manure is several times higher
than any other chemical fertilizer.

This manure has been named as
Samadhi Manure.
Apart from this, a mixture of gomutra and Neem leaves is placed
in an earthen pot and this pot is
buried in the ground. After some
days, an extract is prepared from
this mixture which is used as an
excellent insecticide.
Today, renowned scientists of the

world are also propagating the
conservation of cattle and research
in the field of panchgavya. Modern
lifestyle blessed us with a number
of commodities for materialistic
pleasure. But air pollution is an
increasing cause of concern in cities
day by day. Planting more and more
number of saplings is an effective
solution. In addition to this,
nurturing cows is also important
because cow is the only animal that
inhales oxygen from the air and
exhales it with added purification.
This has been proved scientifically.
Research is under way regarding
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panchgavya medicines. It is believed

that 33 types of deities reside inside
the body of a cow. This belief has
a scientific background also. For a
human body to
remain healthy, 33 nutrients are
essential. These are present in
panchgavya. In our culture, gomutra has been regarded as holy
from religious point of view. The
significance is not just spiritual but
it is scientific also. Drinking gomutra destroys toxic substances in
our body. This has now been proved
through a number of experiments.
Go-mutra is used for treating a
number of ailments including cancer.
In order to avoid the foul smell, gomutra has been introduced in tablet
form by Aadarsh. A bathing soap
has also been manufactured that
brings glow on skin. 42 types of
such medicines are manufactured at
Aadarsh. Efforts are also in full swing
for obtaining the patent for these
medicines under able guidance of
scientists such as Dr Vijay Bhatkar.
Not only the cow-based products,
but the company of cows is also
beneficial. This has been proved
now by the scientists at gouseva ashram. A temple of Lord
Krishna has been constructed in
the premises where the pregnant
women perform a ritual called
Sapt-Go-Pradakshina so that they
inhale the purified oxygen exhaled
by the cows. The gou-shala has
been built scientifically, timely
fodder is provided to cows and a
water purification plant is also there

to quench their thirst. A complete
care is thus provided to cows.
Experimentation is being made
to utilize cow dung for preparing
cooking gas and power generation.
Cow is Kamadhenu in real sense
and it is our duty to propagate this
message by showing the example
like that of Adarsh to the world.
Contact
Aadarsh Gau-seva Anusandhan
Kendra
Ratanlalji Khandelwal
Toshniwal Dharmashala,
Gandhi Road, Akola 444001
Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 0724-2425673,
2800239,09370369842
www.gorakshanakola.com
April 2015 | 11
Aashray; a shelter for destitute in Chandrapur

The opportunity to do something
good is never lost; the only thing
required is to initiate a step forward.
If you want to render a helping hand
towards those who really need
your help, 'Aashray' is the best
option. Because it has served as a
great platform to inculcate sanskars
and moral values among destitute
vanavasi children in Chandrapur
region of Maharashtra.
Aashray hostel for destitute has now
become a synonym for nationalism.
Destitute
children,
specially
belonging to Aheri-Bhamragarh
region are given parental care
and are imparted education along
with sanskars to make them
better citizens of future India.
Continuous efforts are being made
by the karyakartas to build a team
of well disciplined students with
nationalistic views who would bring
laurels for nation and also transform
the face of tribal India.
Dr Hedgewar Janmshatabdi Samiti
from Chandrapur has undertaken a
number of welfare projects in East
Vidarbha such as Swami Vivekanda
Chhatrawas at Sironcha, Etapalli,
Mulchera, Korchi and Jivti, mobile
dispensary at Aheri, Vikruti science
laboratory, blood donation centre,
bal sanskar kendra, mobile library,
self-help groups, etc. Projects are
many, but the objective is only one
and that is the upliftment of society
and nation.
Chandrapurs Ashray hostel for

underprivileged
and
destitute
children is one such project. The
hostel established in 2003 is run in a
huge building donated by Prabhakar
Shridhar Patil. Just keeping one
room for himself
Sri Arun Meshram looks after the
management. Because of the
economic help from kind-hearted
donors in the society, this Aashray
family is growing by leaps and
bounds and the family members are
leading a life full of self respect.
The annual expense per child
is Rs 10,000. Setting of Future
Development Fund is on anvil
to provide better education
to every child. Occasions such
as
anniversaries,
birthdays,
remembrance, centenaries, etc
are marked by donating for this
noble cause. Apart from monthly
donations from local people.
The then Chandrapur Vibhag
Pracharak of RSS laid the foundation
for Aashray. While taking a tour
of vanavasi regions, he used to
bring destitute children found in
those regions. One of the kid was
four-year-old whose name was
even not known to anybody. As
he was brought to the hostel on
the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi,
he was named as Ganesh, his
father was named Shankar and the
surname Parvate was given to
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him! Most of the students residing

at Aashray are deprived of their
parents. However, now they dont
feel embarrassed because Aashray
has given them parental love and
the family atmosphere.
A number of karyakartas under the
leadership of Dr SS Mungatiwar and
Dr Hedgewar Janmshatabdi Seva
Samiti President Samiti Secretary
Wasantrao Thote, are working hard
for nurturing children at Aashray.
Ashray is not confined to shelter

for the vanavasi children but is
Affection Home in real sense.
Contact
Dr Hedgewar Janmashatabdi Seva
Samiti
Near Kala Ram Mandir, Samadhi
ward, Chandrapur Maharashtra, 44
24 02, (Chandrapur is 150 kms away
from Nagpur)
Ph no:-07172-255701,09422180288
Email:- dhjssschd@gmail.com,
April 2015 | 13
Ahilya Mahila Mandal empowering women
Ahilya
Mahila
Mandal
was
established in 1997 with a view
to provide self employment
to women so as to make them
self sufficient. For any nation to
succeed, empowerment of women
is necessary. A woman grooms the
child so that he or she becomes a
responsible citizen of tomorrow.
Mother is the first teacher of a
child. Women empowerment holds
a special importance in India whose
history is largely influenced by great
women like Jhansi ki Rani.
Earlier, the work of Ahilya Mahila
Mandal began with the production
of snacks (Chakli) flour. Then the
organization
started
provided
training in tailoring. The authorities
of Hetavane Dam Project also
requested the centre to run a
primary school in their colony and
thus the work started gearing up.
At present, 90 members jointly

bear the responsibility of the
mandal and about 40 women are
the field workers. The work of the
organization is now growing by leaps
and bounds. A variety of projects
are now run by the mandal such as :
1) Mukti Vidya Mandir: Even after
several years of Independence, the
tribal population is still deprived
of education. In order to enlighten
the tribal masses, a primary school
was started at Hetavane village in
1997. The village is located at about
8 km distance from Pen. At present,
the school runs two kindergarten
classes and four government
recognized classes from standard
one to four with a total number
of 190 students. In 2004-05, one
of the students stood first in the
scholarship examination in Raigad.
This itself indicates the hard work
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April 2015 | 14
which the teachers have put in.

2) Swad Bharati: Health is wealth
that depends upon good food. In
order to provide quality food to
the students studying in hostels as
well as the bachelors, homely mess
Swad Bharati was started in 1999.
Students who come from far flung
places to the town and bachelors
who come in search of work do not
feel homesick now!
3) Swayamsiddha: In order to
focus on all round development of
women, Swayamsiddha centre was
established in 1996. The centre
provides self-employment training
in the areas such as tailoring,
painting, weaving, clay-modelling,
Ganapati making, etc. Till now, over
300 vanvasi (tribal) women have
received training here.
4) Maher (mothers house):
Nowadays, working women hardly
get time for preparing snacks at
their home. Instead, they prefer to
buy readymade food products. At
Maher centre, that was established
in 1996, various food products
such as pickles, snacks, sweets, etc
are manufactured. This saves a lot
of time as they get quality food at
cheaper price to suit all the festival
occasions.
5) Counselling Centre: This centre
was established in 1997 so as to give
legal advice to women regarding
marriage problems. So far, eight
couples owe their happy married life
to this centre. Five alcoholics have
quit drinking. The centre has also

helped poor girls to get married.
6) Sanjeevan Ashram: In order to
take care of old men, Sanjeevan
old age home was opened in 2003.
Elderly people who stay here have
an immense treasure of knowledge
that can be tapped and effectively
utilized for the growth of the
organization.
7) Dr Ghate Health Centre:
Generous relatives of Dr Gajanan
Vinayak Ghate donated his house
which now also serves as the house
and office for the old. The centre
was established in 2004. Poor
patients are treated by charging
nominal fees. Yashoda Pathology
Lab also helps in the diagnosis.
8) Indira Sanskrit Pathshala: Sanskrit
is regarded as the mother of all
languages but still it is neglected. At
Indira Sanskrit Pathshala, a special
knowledge of performing various
rituals is provided in addition to
the school curriculum. At present,
about 100 students of various age
receiving education here.
9) Nataraj Nrityalaya: At this dance
academy, classes are held once/
twice a week so as to provide
training in Katthak dance. Nearly 60
women have learnt classical dance
in the camps that are arranged
regularly.
10) Swanand Sanskar Varg: At this
cultural training class that is held
every evening, children play, climb
April 2015 | 15
trees and live life to the fullest by

enjoying themselves. A proper
justice is provided to their childhood
which is hardly to find nowadays.
Nearly 80 kids enjoy this activity.
Snacks are also provided to them
once a week.
Apart from all these projects, an
yearly get together for women is
also organized. Around 500 women
take part in this programme and
about Rs 10,000 are spent to provide
them with breakfast, dinner and a
small memento. Hostel for students
of Sanskrit Pathshala; expansion of
Sanjeevani Ashram; playschool for
children; blood bank; ladies hostel;
cottage industry; mobile dispensary
and school for the handicapped are
some of the future projects on anvil.
Real women empowerment can be

seen in Ahalya which emboldens &
empowers women in every respect.
Contact :
1) Smt Vasantitai Deo
Dr Ghate Wada, Ziral Ali, Near
Ganpati Temple,
Pen, District Raigad, Pin 402107
(Maharashtra, India)
Telephone no: 02143256718/252665, 09881716280
www.ahilyamandal.org
How to reach: 30KMs from Panvel
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 16
An Affection home for the destitute

children- Vivekananda Awasam
scores of the hostel. A Seva Bharti
committee looks after the other
affairs and overall management and
maintenance of the hostel.
Sri Vivekananda Awasama home

for the orphaned children located at
Bhainsa is providing much needed
warmth and affection to them.
These children, who lost their
parents either in any accident, or
in an unfortunate incident, longed
for warmth, love and affection so
that they could feel at home. And
Seva Bharti is doing exactly that.
By showering affection and love
on them, Seva Bharti activists have
made all the 18 kids staying her feel
like home at the Awasam.
Bhainsa is a small but important
business hub for cotton trade
located in the tribal belt of Adilabad
district on the Maharashtra-Andhra
Pradesh border. The children are
wonderful and working hard to be
toppers in their respective classes.
Seva Bharti has deputed a dedicated
couple, whom the kids fondly
call Mataji and Acharya, look
after them and manage the daily
In 2004 summer, the children

stayed with the child laborers at
Seva Bharti Bridge School to have a
firsthand experience of the various
projects of Seva Bharti. They were
spontaneous in their responses
expressing their desire to rise up to
help the Seva Bharti projects in their
life. This innovative idea of the Seva
Bharti activists made these kids
more confident and understanding.
To impress upon their tender
minds the dignity of labor, the Seva
Bharti activists arranged for these
kids to stay at local carpenter and
five different tradesmen to learn
vocational trade. This proved to be a
good and effective learning step for
them.
Apart from an urge to learn
vocational skills, these children
have a natural flair for drawing
and painting. Their collection
ranges from a panoramic scene of
a beautiful house amidst woods to
the sketches of national leaders like
Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash
Chandra Bose, and Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj.
This Awasam for these little heroes
has been in their service since
September 28, 1996. Till now, five
April 2015 | 17
children sponsored by the local

business community are studying in
intermediate college at Warangal,
Bodhan and Nizamabad.
Two children of this Awasam
secured highest score of 491 marks
in 2004 Board Examinations. That
was so far the highest score in the
town and surrounding area. It is the
strong resolve of the volunteers of
Seva Bharti to train these children
in every trait of creative art and
vocational skills so as to make them
stand on their own as responsible
individuals and contributing citizens
of this great society and country.
Vivekananda Awasam deserves all

the praise in encouraging inmates
to learn the vocational skills.
Contact
Sri Vivekananda Awasam
Bhainsa, Adilabad Dist
(Andhra Pradesh, India)
PIN 50 41 03
Mobile: 94401 52454
E-mail: drmrk_goud@yahoo.com
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April 2015 | 18
Baiga Balika Chhatravas, Devdara

Seva Bharti Baiga Balika Chhatravas
situated at Devdara near Mandla
(Madhya Pradesh) tells a challenging
story. This hostel is exclusively set
up for the Baiga janjati (tribal) girl
students. The Baigas fall under
the privileged tribal group (PTG)
of Madhya Pradesh as they are
far behind the fruits of modern
developments and environment.
They usually prefer to live away
from the human society. Their
concentration is in around 40
villages in Bajag Development Block.
They produce and consume cereals
like kodo, kutki, maize etc from their
fields which they cultivate by way of
shifting cultivation. The womenfolk
work more than the men in their
community.
As the Seva Bharti activists

developed contacts with these
people, they instilled an urge in them
to learn. Initially, the girls used to run
away from the hostel, some even
traversed 80 km distance to reach
home, or some used to flee to catch
crabs on the banks of the Narmada.
But with sheer perseverance, grit

and good communication skills the
Seva Bharti people succeeded in
pursuing the girls and their parents
to continue their studies by staying
in the hostel. One girl student of
our hostel is studying engineering
college in Indore while five others
are studying in polytechnic colleges.
Some others have joined the
teaching profession, said Lal Bihari
Singh, Seva Pramukh with natural
pride in his eyes.
The Seva Bharti people have earned

the confidence of the parents of
the students who feel that they
are safe in the hostel, said Rajni
Awadhiya,
Superintendent
of
the hostel. Presently the hostel
provided accommodation to 86 girl
students studying in standards 4 to
12 in three different schools. They
come from 54 villages of Mandla,
Dindori and Seoni districts. The
regular programs include sports and
games, cultural programs, folk songs
and dances. The girls represented
in kabbaddi and kho-kho (Indian
April 2015 | 19
outdoor games) at the state level

tournaments.
The hostel is looked after by
Vij family of Canada. Jagadish,
Dharmaveer and Anil Vij from
Canada contributed generously
for the hostel and they do visit the
place whenever they come to India,
said Lal Bihar Singh. The credit for
associating this family with this
hostel goes to late Shri Vishnu
Kumar, Madhya Kshetra Sewa Bharti
Pramukh, Singh added.
Vanvasi Kanya Chhatravas, Balaghat
Vanvasi Kanya Chhatravas at
Balaghat is no different a story.
Started on 3rd July 2003 in a rented
house, the hostel soon shifted into
its own building in 2005. At present
there are 55 girls studying in class 6
to graduation. One girl is studying in
polytechnic, another in engineering
and some have taken admission
in the D Ed College. Forty girls
are studying in Saraswati Shishu
Mandir while 10 are admitted in
Vivek Jyoti Vidyalaya in various
classes, informed Bharti Gautam,
superintendent of the hostel. These
girls have come from 30 villages
of Balaghat and Seoni districts of
Madhya Pradesh, she added.
The programs at the hostel include
Guardians Meeting which evokes
an encouraging response from
the guardians of the girls. Special
arrangements for coaching are also
made to improve the academic
standards of the students.
The hostels set up by Sewa Bharati

is really a step forward in bringing
social transformation in Baiga Janjati
of the area.
Contact
Sewa Bharati Baiga Kanya
Chhatravas Devdara
Sahastra Dhara Road
Near Deodara Mukti Dham, Dist:
Mandla - 481661
(Madhya Pradesh, India)
09425898483, 09407385851
vineetchourasia2011@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 20
Balgokulam: indivisible part of Keralas

cultural and social life
Cultural pollution has become

a great cause of concern for the
entire world. The problem has been
greatly rectified in India, which was
once regarded as the cultural hub.
People have started forgetting their
glorious history and are developing
apathy towards their own culture.
As a result, our character has also
become unstable.
Today, man has started losing values
from his personal as well as social
life. Because of this erosion of
values, we are feeling gripped by
depression, confusion and conflicts.
No person or society or nation
is safe now. Hence the demand
for creating awareness about the
revival of culture in the society is
now gaining ground. In order to
inculcate cultural values among
children, Keralas Balgokulam has
put a step forward in this direction.

Today, Balgokulam has become an
indivisible part of Keralas cultural
and social life.
Swami Vivekanand had said that
education is the manifestation of the
perfection already present in man.
Following the path shown by Swami
Vivekanand, teachers at Balgokulam
are working day and night to induce
our culture, values and traditions
among students along with the
modern education. Children can
acquire all type of knowledge. After
acquiring knowledge, these children
test that knowledge on the anvil of
their values and become capable
to apply it in their day to day life.
Such knowledge proves beneficial
for them, their family and also for
their bright future. This is the main
ideology of Balgokulam.
April 2015 | 21
Balgokulam has a unique working

method. Here, a teacher is called
Rakshadhikari. He is the guardian of
the students. The teacher and the
students have a weekly gathering.
In this 1.5-hour-long gathering,
children sing bhajans, songs,
recite Bhagavadgita and narrate
inspirational and moral stories. They
play various types of games. They
have a discussion on various issues
in Sanskrit and Malayalam. They
present various cultural programmes
and also perform Yogic exercises.
This helps in inculcating cultural
and spiritual values among children.
They gain confidence by acquiring
stage daring. Communication also
increases and thus the bond of love
gets tightened.
the classes begin with the traditional

prayer of lord Krishna and end with
the recitation of Shanti Mantra.
History of Balgokulam
The seeds of Balgokulam were sown
through the moral stories that were
published in a weekly magazine that
was published from Kerala in 1950.
The impact of those stories was so
strong that in the beginning of 1970,
many centers of Balgokulam started
blooming in Kerala. Chief Editor
of Kesari M A Krishnanji extended
full co-operation in establishing
Balgokulam centres. Renowned
poet Kunjuni Master, Mali, N N
Kakkad also gave a massive support.
Apart from this weekly gathering,

they also gather for celebrating
various festivals. In this festival
gathering,
along
with
the
Balgokulam members, others can
also participate. This helps parents
to view the overall progress of
their children. The concept of
Matru devo bhava, pitru devo
bhava, acharya devo bhava is
the backbone of Balgokulam and
the members of Balgokulam work
with full dedication to fulfill this
objective.
In 1977, in Kozhikode, Balgokulam

arranged shobhayatra for the first
time on the occasion of Krishna
Janmashtami. For the residents of
Kozhikode, this was a marvellous
experience. The shobhayatra that
comprised of thousands of students
and their parents, passed through
all major parts of the city. Students
were singing bhajans of lord Krishna
while walking through the streets.
Keeping in view the importance
of this huge cultural event, State
Government has now started
declaring a complete holiday on the
occasion of Janmashtami.
Lord Shri Krishna is the ideal

of Gokulam. Lord Krishna is
worshipped as a symbol for love,
trust, courage, honesty and as a
source of inspiration for eradicating
all type evil from the society. Hence
Balgokulam became a state-wide

organization in 1980 and its first
convention was organized in
Guruvayoor. The convention was
graced by the august presence of
renowned poet and educationist
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 22
Akkitam. Next year, in 1981, the

children of Balgokulam were
registered
under
nation-wide
childrens cultural movement.
Impact on Keralas social life
Soon, the impact of Balgokulam
started growing. Various names
of lord Krishna are now visible
on the houses and also in various
organizations. Based on the life of
lord Krishna, films, private albums
were also produced. The image of
lord Krishna also started reflecting
in literature, art and the media.
The sign of Om which is a symbol
of Sanatan Dharma is now visible
on almost all houses. Children
now express gratitude towards
their parents and teachers. They
respect them. The significance
of saffron flag has increased. The
consumption of cow meat is also
reduced. Bhagvadgita and its
message is spreading widely. The
importance of Keralas Vishu festival

started increasing. Now, Vishu
greeting cards are also available
in the market. Shrikrishna Jayanti
Utsav has now become popular.
Malayalam panchang is now used
in the houses. Balgokulam has really
brought a a cultural revolution in
Kerala.
This Cultural Revolution imbibes
good samskars in the future citizens
of our country, which is the necessity
of the day.
Contact:
Balagokulam
Madhava Smruthi
Chithra Lane, Aluva
Kerala State, India. Pin : 683101
E-Mail : mail@balagokulam.net
Tel : +91 484 2622628, 2538880,
09947019080
April 2015 | 23
Basti Vikas Kendra developing slum in

Delhis Munshiram Colony
Besides, a Balwadi, Sanskar Kendra,
Sewing center for women and
coaching classes are also conducted
as part of daily activity by the Seva
Bharati activists.
Munshiram Colony was like yet

another slum among New Delhis
countless neglected localities where
people lived in a most pathetic
and unhygienic conditions since
decades. Their financial status was
too poor to afford a better living for
themselves. They faced innumerable
difficulties and hardships in
providing better education to their
wards. The financial constraints
forced them to work hard at the cost
of their health!
Students of Delhi University and

Times Group support the free tuition
classes for students of standard
X. Drawing and craft material is
provided as and when required by
the teachers of schools like Srijan
Public School.
A health care centre under the
auspices of Dr Hedgewar Medical
Foundation has been rendering
yeoman services to the needy
people of this colony. The health
care center is well equipped with
modern medical apparatus and
equipments. Besides, training and
counseling in yoga and physical
exercises is also provided by the
experts.
Here Seva Bharati activists came

to their rescue some two decades
ago. Since then, there has been a
lot of improvement in their overall
life standard. Seva Bharati started
a health care center and a school
for the children of these hapless
laborers.
There is well equipped gym set up

by the Seva Bharati for the youth
of the locality. The gym has latest
machines including walker, vibrator
belt, massager, weight reduction
equipment etc. Mangatram and
his wife Anita Bai look after the
gymnasium with special care.
Pramila Pophali, Chief of Chhatrasaal

District Mahila Mandal says: Over
300 students are studying in this
school of Seva Bharati at present.
Dr D G Agrawal and Dr Ajay Soni have

specially earned the confidence and
respect of the people due to their
kind nature, excellent skills and
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 24
expertise in treating the patients.

I have lost 10 kgs and my diabetes
is also under control, says Lokesh
Gulati, who received a treatment at
the center here.
A couple of health check up camps
areprominently organized each
month. Pathological tests for blood
glucose, dental tests and eye
examinations are conducted. People
from far off places come to avail the
treatment here. Social organizations
like Marwari Yuva Manch, Hans
Charitable Trust, Lions Club, Durga
Hospital, Ahuja Eye Clinic and banks
including Allahabad Bank and
Punjab National Bank support the
health care activities in the locality.
Many years ago Tulsidas, a senior
karyakarta of Seva Bharati had
dreamt of transforming the lives
of these people. Now Seva Bharati
translated his dream into a shining
reality. Tulsidas daughter Kiran
worked here for many years as
supervisor. Other teachers like
Rupa, Geeta, Hema, Pushpalala and
Manjeet, these people developed
interest in education and earned
great appreciation for them.
The former students of Suresh
Bal Kendra have now started a
computer training institute in the
locality heralding the new dawn
for the people of this neglected
locality. They have now realized the
importance of cleanliness, hygiene,
and regular study. It is said that the
hands that help are holier than the
lips that pray. Seva Bharati has set up

an example by its service activities
in this locality by accomplishing
the seemingly difficult task of
transforming the lives of the people.
Sewa Bastis do have lot of problems,
but Sewa Bharati is solving the
problems, by planning suitable
projects and executing one by one
in an efficient way.
Contact
1. Basti Vikas Kendra
Munshiram Colony
Near Mukherjee Nagar
Delhi- 11 00 09
Phone- 011-23345014, 23742334
2. Address: 13 Bhai Veersingh Marg
Near Gole Market New Delhi-110001
www.sewabharti.org,
Email-sewabharti@ymail.com
April 2015 | 25
Bhagirath Gram Vikas Pratisthan
Though agriculture is the major

occupation of India, due to increasing
trend of urbanization, rural youths
have developed an appallingly
negative attitude towards it that is
leading to the migration of efficient
youth force towards urban areas.
was formed in the year 1987 with an
idea to make rural India self-reliant.
Inspired by the ideology of the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS), Dr. Prasad Deodhar, a
leading
medical
practitioner
serving in Sindhudurg district of
Maharashtra decided to bring the
Ganga of development to this
underdeveloped region.
Dr. Deodhar found an appallingly
negative attitude among the
villagers
towards
agriculture
despite it being a high potential
occupation. He decided to intervene
with the objective of making rural

India self-reliant. And thus was
born the Bhagirath Gram Vikas
Pratishthan, meaning Bhagirath
Rural Development Foundation.
Dr. Deodhar says, We have framed
various plans to achieve the
goal. Our theme is development
through people's co-operation.
Maximum utilisation of available
resources, along with a proper
scientific method of conservation
helps to attain a systematic
development. When it comes to
rural development, Bhagirath Gram
Vikas Pratishthan has solutions for
every need of the rural population
comprising the young and adults.
Agriculture
A farmer, who is responsible to feed
others, is now starving himself and
living a life full of hardships. India
was once known for its agrarian
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 26
economics but the changing times

have changed the mindset of all. The
gap between haves and have-nots
is going on increasing. Bhagirath
Gram Vikas Pratisthan vowed to pull
out the farmers from such pitiable
condition.
district. Three solar systems have

also been set up in different villages.
Organic farming
The pratishthan has convinced
farmers to opt for organic farming
and avoid usage of chemical
fertilizers. It has made farmers
realize the deep ecological harm
that happens through usage of
chemicals.
Step 2-Experimenting the new crop

in a demonstrative way, maintaining
the documentation.
Sheti Shala (training at farm)
Step 5- Execution by farmers in

their fields, with the monitoring and
support by the pratishthan.
Sheti Shala is a unique concept of

training farmers on the field. It aims
at imparting information regarding
the emerging avenues in agriculture
and creating a skilled manpower for
tomorrow. Several issues are taken
up that are explained by a qualified
person.
Non conventional energy
Till date, more than 350 bio-gas
units have been set up in 10 villages.
These units are of fixed dome type
and structured by the ferro-cement
model. Apart from being a very
low cost unit, the waste generated
through this unit in the form of
slurry is used for making vermi
compost. A team of 12 rural youths
have become expert in setting up a
bio-gas unit. The organization has
set a target of setting up 1000 biogas units by 2015 in Sindhudurg
Changing cropping pattern

Step 1-Calculating the commercial
part of existing crop and comparing
with a new.
Step 3- Field visit for first hand

information.
Step 4- Training farmers on certain
technological implementation.

has ventured new cropping pattern
with sunflower, turmeric, ginger and
other high returning crops resulting
in greater returns from available
resources.
Poultry farm
Normally, a poultry farm requires
large space and a big set up. The
pratishthan team tried, tested and
came up with a unique solution
of setting up poultry shade in the
backyard of own house, rearing
the local breed of hens that would
require less investment and get
easy market. Systematic training is
provided to the individuals along
with support. A proper design has
been framed to maintain hygiene
in the surroundings. One unit can
April 2015 | 27
produce approximate one lakh per

annum and till date, more than 50
such units have been set up.
Goat rearing
Goat rearing is another beneficial
business for a rural family, which
requires no extra cost but a good
return. A unit of goat rearing can
fetch approximately Rs 75,000 per
annum. Bhagirath Gram has set up
50 units in three villages.
Dairy farming
Rearing the cattle of best breed
adaptable to the climate gives ample
milk. A complete channel has been
set up, where in milk is collected and
transported ahead. Co-operative
dairy farming presently has a
turnover of Rs 10 lakh per annum.
Many individuals are benefited from
this and getting extra earnings.
Education
Education being one of the
thrust areas of the organization,
providing quality education to rural
children and adding values to their
aspiration was on prime agenda.
The pratishthan has decided to
strengthen the educational facility
available through governmental
machinery. Music training is
provided at three schools in the
villages, where children get exposed
to the world of music.
Sports
Rural children have a strong immune
system as well as physique, which
if nurtured will result into good
sportspersons. Keeping this in mind,

volleyball coaching is given to school
children. During vacations, a bicycle
training camp is also organized.
Women empowerment
Overall development cannot be
achieved without women's cooperation; 30 self help groups of
women have been formed and are
functioning smoothly, contributing
in rural affluence. Apart from
self help groups, women are also
facilitated by micro credits and
vocational training such as tailoring,
cattle rearing.
Health
Healthy family will formulate a
healthy village. Health should
always be on the priority list for any
organization working in urban areas.
The pratishthan has maintained
uniqueness in every activity. Regular
de-worming vaccines are given to
people under medical supervision.
Rural women are much prone to
anaemia. Regular haemoglobin test
is done for women. Also, medical
surveys are conducted at regular
intervals.
Work method
Once a village is identified, a village
level committee is formed which
has representatives from that
village and Bhagirath Gram Vikas
Pratisthan. Initial baseline survey
is done in which a complete list of
available resources is prepared.
The organization follows a clear
methodology of equal participation
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 28
in terms of financial part. 50% of

the required fund is contributed
by the organization and rest 50%
is pooled by the villagers. The fund
is deposited in the bank account
opened in the name of the village.
This fund is then used for various
developmental
initiatives
as
decided.
As per the organization's policy,
the pratishthan works in a village
only for three years, after which the
committee and the bank account
is solely managed by the village
people only. In successive year, the
pratishthan acts as an advisory body
to maintain the progress.
This model of working of Bhagirath
is worth emulating by the voluntary
organizations throughout India

to successfully implement rural
development projects in a faster
way.
Contact
Bhagirath Gram Vikas Pratishthan
Post - Zarap, Taluka - Kudal
District - Sindhudurg Pin - 416520
Maharashtra, India
Contact person : Dr Prasad Deodhar
Mobile no :+91 9422596500,
02362- 232259
E-mail: bhagirathgram@gmail.com
www.bhagirathgram.org
April 2015 | 29
Bhakta Kannappa Gurukulam for

'Chenchu' tribals
Chenchu tribals of Andhra Pradesh,

who were deprived of basic facilities
such as education, health, etc have
now become self-reliant through the
dedicated efforts of Sewa Bharatis
Bhakta Kannappa Gurukulam. Along
with the regular school curriculum,
self-employment training is also
provided to them to overcome the
financial hurdles in the way of allround development.
Bhakta
Kannappa
Gurukulam
(BKG) was established at Sri
Sailam in 1999, enrolling 20 boys
from 8 Chenchu gudems. BKG is a
hostel attached to primary school
exclusively for Chenchu boys of
Kurnool district. In the initial years
of establishment, kitchen, dinning
and accommodation for boys, staff
and office was somehow managed
in two asbestos roof sheds. At the
end of the academic year 2001-02,

one philanthropist donor Sri G Pulla
Reddy, donated 3 acres of land for
constructing the building costing
about 18 lakh at Gokavaram Village.
Gurukulam was then shifted to its
new premises at Gokavaram in the
year 2002.
In the academic year 2001-02,
P Sivirama Krishna stood 7th in
district-level common exams. In the
sports meet of Saraswathi Shishu
Mandhir group of schools, BKG
Chenchu boys emerged victorious.
Thus the success journey began.
All aspects of education viz.
boarding, lodging, training, clothing,
all other amenities including
travelling expenditure are provided
free of cost. Keeping in view the
practical, peculiar, psychological
problems, early marriages, children
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 30
are preferably inducted at the age

of four so that they get adjusted to
the environment and sanskars of
gurukulam, thereby avoiding some
of the teenage problems.
Carpentry, electric work, long term
courses and short term activities
like book binding; motor rewinding,
archery (Chenchus traditional
game) are introduced from class 4
onwards. More courses are also in
the offing.
Chenchus mostly are illiterates.
They depend on forest for their
survival. They live aloof from
the contemporary society. Their
collection and sale of minor forest
produce is not giving them a square
meal, and they cannot meet even
the minimum comforts and the
small travel expenses. Their earning
capacity needs to be increased. As
an alternative, vocational courses
are introduced in the gurukulam.
At present, boys in class 5, 6 and
7 are in a position to manufacture
wooden furniture and do house
wiring, rewinding of small motors
which can provide better earnings.
It is a regular phenomenon for
Chenchus to go into the forest along
with children, lay a temporary hut,
stay there for about a fortnight and
return with forest produce. In doing
so, they deliberately neglect the
education part of their children.
Also, parents are compelled to take
children to the forest, as there is no
one at the gudem hut to take care
of their children. Further, in view
of early marriages, children get

separated from their parents at an
age of about 15 years, to lead an
independent life.
Mobile dispensary: Chenchus do
not volunteer by themselves to go
to Primary Health Centres (PHC)
for treatment unless circumstances
compel them, till then they prefer
to suffer silently and follow some
native remedies or avoid totally
leaving it to fate. Seva Bharati has
been running a mobile dispensary
in Nallamalla forest for past nine
years. Mobile dispensary visits each
gudem at least three times a month.
Gurukulam is successful in bringing
Chenchu tribal children into the
national main stream.
Contact:
Bhakta Kannappa Gurukulam
Gokavaram (Village)
Kothapalli Mandal, Kurnool district
Andhra Pradesh, 518422 (India)
Phone No:- 08517-200563/08518325363, 9441113985
E-mail : sewabharathi@gmail.com
www.ssvvk.com
How to reach - 54 Km from Kurnool
April 2015 | 31
Chethana Special School, Karkala for

Special Children
1, 2004, the Chethana Special
School was formally started. Shri
Venkatramana Temple Trust offered
generous help by providing building
and other necessary facilities to the
school. Later in 2006, a new trust
in the name of Bharati Seva Mandli
was formed and the school was
affiliated to this trust.
Karkala is a famous Jain pilgrimage

centre in Udupi district of Karnataka.
The 42-feet statue of Gomateshwara
(Lord Bahubali) is located here.
The peculiarity of this statue is
that it is carved out of single stone
and is the second tallest statue in
Karnataka. This statue of Bahubali
was consecrated here on February
13, 1432 on the instructions of
the pontiff of Karkala, Lalitakeerti.
There are also 18 Jain Basadis
(temples) which add to its religious
importance.
In this town of religious importance
some socially committed and
dedicated women social activists
took the responsibility to start a
school for differently abled children
in order to make them self-reliant
and confident. To help them
in this noble venture local Shri
Venkatramana Temple Trust came
forward and granted permission to
them to start this school in their
own school premises. And on June
With the devotion, dedication

and commitment of the women
social workers this school earned
fame in a very short time and the
Government of Karnataka honored
this school with a cash award of Rs
25,000 on November 3, 2010 and
also recognized it as the best school
in Karnataka.
The school trust, as a policy, does not
deprive any student from seeking
admission for the want of money.
No donations are sought from the
parents by the school. Therefore,
Bharati Seva Mandli Trust has taken
steps to make this school financially
self-sufficient. The trust believes
that its mission was to make the
student and become proud and
positive contributors to the society.
The school has been organizing
various programs aimed at all-round
development of the students; some
special programs are also organized
on some special occasions.
Speech
Therapy
workshop
is
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 32
organized by the Manipal Speech

and Hearing Foundation. Dr Alwas
Education Foundation, Mudubidri
offers physiotherapy treatment
facility for students. Canara Bank
of Karkala donated uniforms for the
students who participate in sports
and other programs. The students
participated in various programs
organized on World Disable Day;
State-level Olympics for special
children, Vamanjur Kalotsava etc.
and also in programs organized
by the Rotary Club and won gold
medals at district, state and national
level competitions.
The school seeks services of expert

and trained teachers to teach yoga,
and vocational training. Instruments
like wheel chairs, crutches, hearing
aids etc. are distributed to the
children and counseling sessions are
organized for the parents of these
children so that they can help their
wards in providing a sound mental
health and peace of mind.
At present 50 students of different
levels are studying in this school.
They are provided lunch by Shri
Venkatramana
Temple
Trust.
Continuous public donations by
philanthropic persons help the
school run and manage its affairs
without any difficulty.
There are aberrations in birth due
to various reasons but is it not our
duty to look after our mentally
challenged tots and to improve their
health and mental status at least to
take care of themselves?
Contact
Chethana Special School
STV School Road
KARKALA- 57 41 04
Distt. Udupi
(Karnataka, Bharat)
Phone 08258-233166,
09964907492, 09448983616
Email- chethanaspecialschool@
gmail.com
Website: www.
chethanaspecialschool.info/org
April 2015 | 33
Chetna Association, Bilaspur

(Himachal Pradesh)
As a social duty, rendering a helping

hand to women and handicapped
children, is the need of the hour.
Chetna Association in Himachal
Pradeshs Bilaspur district initiated
the efforts in this direction before
13 years and now it has become a
ray of hope for such children and
women who want to lead a life filled
with self-respect.
Dr Mallika Nadda is the founder
secretary of this institution that
was established in 1998. Providing
treatment to the handicapped
so as to make them self reliant;
eradication of evil practices that are
prevalent in the society regarding
women such as dowry harassment,
female foeticide, etc; effective
participation in the movement of
women empowerment were some
of the key objectives in front of the
institution at the time.
For handicapped children
For handicapped children, Chetna
has opened three special schools.

Here, along with the education,
efforts are also made for their
rehabilitation. With a view that
these children should get a chance
to lead a completely normal life,
opportunities are given so as to prove
their mettle in the field of sports,
arts, etc. The efforts are indeed
yielding fruitful results. A number
of mentally retarded children, who
earlier never used to respond to
any of the normal activities, are
now showing a remarkable progress
regarding studies and sports. Some
of them are even participating in the
production activities so as to serve
as an asset for their families.
Sports
In the field of sports also, these
differently-abled children have
shown their spark. Pawan Kumar was
selected for Athens World Handball
Tourney for Handicapped, 2011 and
Sushil Kumar has been selected
for athletics. In 2003, Geetadevi
brought laurels in Ireland summer
games; Vikram Kumar bagged gold
medal in volleyball tourney held in
Shanghai in the year 2007 whereas
Rajendra Kumar won bronze medal
in the Snow Boarding Winter Games
held at USA in the year 2009. Apart
from this, the children have also
emerged victorious in a number of
tournaments held at national and
state level.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 34
Community Based Rehabilitation

Prog ram
CBR is to help in increasing the
capacity of the Differently Abled
sensitizing the community to
their special needs abilities and
holistically integrating them in
to mainstream, in an increasing
inclusive society
Welfare of women
Chetna also runs various types of
projects for the welfare of women.
Women empowerment is the issue
that is dealt on priority under this
programme. Women self-help
groups have been established in
many villages. Through these selfhelp groups, financial assistance
is provided to the women for
initiating cottage industries. Camps
are organized for training women in
the activities such as production of
sepo badiya, making articles from
pine leaves, etc so as to make them
earn their own bread. Along with
this, programmes are also organized
for imparting education, creating
awareness about eradication of
dowry, female foeticide, etc.
Environment protection
Chetnas sphere of work is not just
limited to these activities but it is
also involved in the campaigns such
as sapling plantation, environment
protection,
drinking
water
conservation, etc.
Composite camps are organized

to provide medical rehabilitation
aids & appliances, such as calipers,
splint, wheel chair and hearing
aid, through camps with the help
of CRC Sundernagar & Welfare
Department.
Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan (Home
Based Services)
Providing Home Based Services
to 40 Children with Special Need
(CWSN)
They are making the children self
reliant with the help of special
educators. They are also providing
physiotherapy, health insurance and
guardianship through National Trust
Schemes.
Contact
Dr Mallika Nadda
Founder secretary, Chetna
Association
63, Roura Sector-II, Bilaspur,
District Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh)
174001, India
Email:-chetna_bilaspur@yahoo.co.in,
mallikanadda@yahoo.co.in
www.chetnahpindia.com
Mobile: +91 94180 00055
Phone/ 01978 221524
April 2015 | 35
Deendayal Pardhi Vikas Prakalp
In order to link Pardhi tribal

community with the mainstream
of development, a Voluntary
Organization called Deendayal
Bahuddeshiya Prasarak Mandal
was established in 1997. The
organization works in Maharashtra
states Wardha and Yavatmal
districts in Vidarbha region. A variety
of projects have been initiated
by the organization for providing
educational facilities to the children
from this community.
Even today, Pardhi community
is living with a blot of criminal
community on their forehead.
They are still facing humiliation in
the society. They basically belong to
Rajasthan and reside mostly in the
states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Maharashtra,
Karnataka
and
Madhya Pradesh. This community
has a glorious history filled with
bravery and courage. Hunting and
military work were their main
occupations. They used to work as
bodyguards for kings.
In the 1857 War of Independence,

Pardhis played an active role in
fighting against British. At that time,
British realized that their kingdom
has a threat from these people
who were not ready to accept their
supremacy. They put a tag of criminal
community on these people, threw
them in separate camps outside
the villages and isolated them
from the society. They were also
kept under a constant watch. As a
result, even after Independence,
the blot of criminal community on
their forehead cannot be washed
out and even now, they are living a
neglected life. Even at many places,
these people dont get the ration
card or any other important national
identity proof!
Deendayal Bahuddeshiya Prasarak
Mandal came to the rescue and put
a step forward in the upliftment of
this community. Following projects
have been initiated for their
development:
1)Aarogya Rakshak: Under Keshav
Aarogya Rakshak Yojana, youths
are given primary health training.
A first aid kit is given to them along
with some medicines. Each Aarogya
Rakshak bears the responsibility of
one village.
2)Aarogya Shivir: Health camps
are also conducted for women in
the slums. Information is provided
regarding primary health care.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 36
3)Hostel: In Yavatmal, Vivekanand

Chhatrawas and in Wardha districts
Arvi town, Disha Pardhi Vikas
Prakalp are being run. In the hostel
premises, computer education is
also provided. The curriculum has
been specially designed for these
youths, to suit their needs.
4)Technical training centre: Training
is provided in various areas such as
electrician, motor winding, welding,
two-wheeler repairing, etc.
festival along with the Pardhi

community. On the pious occasion
of Bhai Dooj, women are provided
with an idol of Goddess Laxmi along
with new clothes and sweets.
Pardhis are also our bretheren in
the society and not criminals, and
Deendayal Pardhi Vikas Prakalp
has shown a way in educating,
rehabilitating them to bring them
into the mainstream of the society.
5)Self-help groups: The karyakartas

of
Deendayal
Bahuddeshiya
Prasarak Mandal have established
25 self-help groups at 22 places. The
members of these self-help groups
are now exploring the employment
opportunities in the areas such as
poultry, agriculture, etc.
6)Pardhi Vikas Parishad: The
parishad has been established to
provide a platform for discussing
various development issues of
Pardhis and in order to increase the
communication in the community.
In entire India, the festival of
Diwali is celebrated with fervour
by distributing sweets, bursting
crackers and purchasing new
clothes. However, Pardhi community
stays far away from this celebration.
In order to include this community
in these celebrations, Deendayal
Bahuddeshiya Prasarak Mandal
karyakartas are organizing Diwali
Milan programme since last 10
years. In this programme, families
from Yavatmal city celebrate the
Contact:
1)Vivekananda Chhatravas
Ramkrishna Nagari, Mulki
Yavatmal,
4450001
Email: pradipwadnerkar@yahoo.
com
Mobile 9422169629
www.deendayalyavatmal.org
April 2015 | 37
Deendayal Shetkari Vikas Prakalp for

farmers cause
employees working in industries
increased. These organizations
greatly protected their economic
rights. However, in this entire
economic process, the unorganized
agriculture sector was ignored.
Farming
occupation
became
outdated because of the lack of
desired changes in the changing
economic policies.

Mandal has come to the rescue
of the families of the farmers who
committed suicide and put a step
forward in order to work for their
welfare. It has certainly elevated the
position of the farmers who were
deprived of the necessary facilities
such as education, irrigation and
fertilizers through its Shetkari Vikas
Prakalp.
Once upon a time, farming used
to be the best occupation. At that
time, people used to say, Farming
best, business good and job poor.
However after industrial revolution,
economic equations began to
change and before the beginning of
last century, the situation changed
to Job best, business good and
farming poor. In the economic
system, industries occupied the
central place. The influence of
industrialists started increasing
in politics and the society. The
number of organizations of the
The downfall of farming sector

gave birth to a new social problem;
farmers suicide. In 90s, farmers in
Andhra Pradesh committed suicides
in large number because of famine.
In Maharashtras Vidarbha region,
the entire farming activity depends
upon rain water. Famine situation
is not new but occurs frequently in
every two or three years. But the
suicide by Andhra Pradesh farmers
in large numbers demoralized
the farmers in Vidarbha and here
also, the chain of suicides started
growing. Within 2-3 years, Yavatmal
district reached the peak in farmers
suicide. Thousands of farmers in this
district chose the path of suicide.
Whenever a family chief used
to commit suicide, the problem
aggravates further, for the family.
In 1997, Deendayal Bahuddeshiya
Prasarak Mandal framed a policy for
helping the families of the farmers
who committed suicide and also
for farming and related industries.
Under its Shetkari Vikas Prakalp
(Farmers Development Project),
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 38
following steps have been initiated:

1)Educational assistance: The
educational assistance is provided
to the children in the families of
the farmers who have committed
suicide.
2)Distribution of seeds: The seeds
are distributed among farmers
before monsoon for sowing in one
acre land.
Dooj, karyakartas visit the houses

of the farmers who have committed
suicide and give an idol of Goddess
Laxmi, new saree and sweets to
their widows.
6)Water availability: Under this
water availability project, in Pathri
village of Pandharkawda tehsil,
building of small dams of mud and
cleaning work of lakes have been
undertaken. Villagers have assured
of providing full assistance in this
noble work.
7)Deendayal
Puraskar:
Every
year, people who work selflessly
are awarded with Deendayal
Seva Puraskar. The award is given
on September 25, on the birth
anniversary of Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyay. the great visionary of
Indian society.
3)Training in organic farming: The

quality of soil gets spoiled because
of the excessive use of chemical
fertilizers and pesticides. To get rid of
this problem, training programmes
are organized for farmers regarding
organic farming.
4)Training for self-help groups:
Over 43 self-help groups have
been constituted for providing
self-employment resources to the
farmers. Training is also provided in
the areas such as cottage industry,
thresher, flour mill, etc.
5)Deepawali Mahotsav: During
Deepawali, on the occasion of Bhai
Mere empathy to farmers family is

not sufficient; Deendayal Shetkari
Vikas Prakalp has shown the way in
not only giving moral courage but
also by way of support to them, to
be self reliant.
Contact:
Shri Pradeep Wadnerkar (President)
Mandal
11, Vaideep, Satyanarayan layout
Pushpakunj Society,
Yavatmal. , 4450001
Maharashtra, India
Email: pradipwadnerkar@yahoo.com
Mobile no: +91 9422169629
www.deendayalyavatmal.org
Email:-deendayalytl97@gmail.com
April 2015 | 39
Disha Chhatrawas, Katra (Jammu)

Sanskars are also inculcated among
these children so as to groom them
for becoming the better citizens of
future India.
Strange geographical, political and

social conditions have scattered the
entire life in J&K region. Terrorism
is also a prime cause of concern.
Lack of resources and infrastructure
added to the hurdles in the path of
this regions development. Illiteracy
is on peak due to the absence of
sufficient schools and colleges.
This gives rise to the number of
dropouts. Students have to migrate
to other states for availing higher
education. Keeping in view all these
anomalies in the field of education,
Sewa Bharati J&K has initiated a
unique project Disha Chhatrawas so
as to provide a firm platform to the
educational aspirants in state.
Kadamal village is situated at a

distance of just 2 km from Katra.
Having Maa Viashnodevis shrine
on one side and a beautiful road
surrounded by lush-green cover
on the other, the hostel building
is situated on a huge 5.5 acre land
blessed with scenic beauty. The
hostel is currently housing 38
children belonging to different age
groups who have come from various
parts of J&K. The hostel building
consists of 5 rooms, one guest
room, bathrooms, toilets, kitchen
Belji
Vishram
Popat-Disha
Chhatrawas is situated in the
mountainous region of J&K in the
lap of mother nature near Maa
Vaishnodevi shrine, katra. In this
hostel, arrangement has been made
for education, food and residence
of the economically backward and
underprivileged children belonging
to the terror-hit regions of J&K.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 40
and a huge dining room. Apart

from the dining hours, this huge
hall is utilized for reading activity.
A few additional rooms have also
been recently constructed on the
first floor that consists of wardens
room, computer room, workshop
rooms, bathrooms and guest rooms.
Rainwater is harvested and utilized
here. The water used for bathroom
is processed and utilized to nurture
the saplings planted in the hostels
garden. A gaushala is also run in
the premises. Milk that is obtained
from cows is regularly given to
the students so as to ensure their
nutrition.
Self-reliance is the nuclear part of
the hostels life. Students collectively
participate in the activities such
as cleaning the hostel premises,
gaushala and garden, extracting
milk from cows, etc. This inculcates
a community feeling among
students. The day here begins with
mass prayer and after the evening
prayer, students get back to their
studies and other private work .All
the festivals are celebrated in a
traditional and collective manner.
This also creates cultural awareness
among students.
Students staying here are admitted
to government schools. Compared
to private ones, government schools
have a better and trained teaching
staff. Students derive the benefit
of this added feature. A complete
attention is paid towards the
studies and educational progress
of students. In addition to studies,

training is also given in art and craft.
Some village children also join them
in this training programme. Students
are trained in various disciplines
such as computers, music, painting,
drama, elocution, sports, etc as per
the matter of their interest. They
are also encouraged to participate
in different competitions and bring
laurels for the chhatrawas. Medical
check-up is conducted at regular
intervals. Parents are allowed to
meet the students on specific days
and for specific time only. Economic
assistance
for
kind-hearted
donors boosts the enthusiasm of
karyakartas to expand the sphere of
Dishas work.
The whole atmosphere in the
hostel which is in the vicinity of Ma
Vashnodevi temple is reverberating
with positive vibrations.
Contact:
Smt Anasuya Khosa
Disha Chhatrawas
C/o-Sewa Bharati Jammu-Kashmir
office
Ved Mandir premises,
Ambphala, Jammu-18 00 01
J&K, India
Phone no : 09419224298,
09419758339, 09419112841
Email : sewabhartijammu@gmail.com
jaidevjammu@gmail.com
April 2015 | 41
Divya Prem Seva Mission healing lepers wounds

body of a leprosy patient and proper
dressing is very necessary. Since
these patients can't nurse their
terrible wounds for themselves, they
have no other way but to bear the
excruciating pain. Even the doctors
are not ready to visit them. These
patients also didnt get medicines
from the government hospitals.
It is a matter of grave concern that

even in this 21st century there are
many misconceptions in the society
about leprosy patients. There is a
feeling of hatred in the society for
these people. Even, their children
are not ready to keep such parents
at home and dont feel shy to throw
them out of the house. These
patients can be seen begging on
roads. Thousands of such patients
daily come to Hardwar. In India it
is believed that if you die on the
bank of river Ganga, all your sins get
washed away and mukti is attained.
With this hope, these people wait
for death on the bank of Ganges.
Around 1986, Ashish Gautam, a
former pracharak of Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who
visited Hardwar for a holy dip, saw
thousands of lepers on the streets
of Hardwar. Their plight dejected
him. He decided to dedicate his
whole life for these people.
There are many wounds on the
So, first of all, Ashish Gautam

made the arrangement of bandage
and started visiting the slums for
dressing the wounds of these leprosy
patients. He also started giving
them medicines. Because of this
noble work, people slowly started
associating with him. Some doctors
also joined him. Some patients
took training regarding primary
treatment. Thus, the foundation of
Divya Prem Seva Mission was laid,
which opened new doors of self
dependency for the leper patents
and is working since last 16 years.
The missions work gathered speed
soon and Ashish had to open a
dispensary. This dispensary with the
active co-operation of people grew
into a small hospital. The hospital
also has the facility to send a serious
leprosy patient to any big hospital.
Because of regular treatment, the
patients visiting the hospital started
increasing.
The condition of lady patients was
even worst. No one accompanied
them. Even husband used to leave
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 42
them. There was an express need to

do something for them. Not only the
treatment, but also to make them
self-reliant. The mission accepted
this challenge. It had started selfhelp groups for such women and
also opened schools for their kids.
The missions work is growing daily
by leaps and bounds.
Ashish Gautam says, Bringing
out social change is not the
responsibility of government alone.
We are also a part of the society.
We must come forward for this
change. We started an attempt and
the efforts are yielding fruits from
last 16 years. The mission doesnt
get a bit from the government, but
runs totally on the basis of hard
work of the karyakartas and money
donated by the common man.
Leprosy is not a contagious disease.
It is totally curable. Though it said
that hate disease, not the patient,
it is not observed in the conduct.
If the society changes its attitude
towards these patients and gives
them a helping hand, this problem
can definitely be resolved. This is
the goal of my life and the mission
will go on till this goal is achieved.
Divya Prem Sewa Mission has shown

to the world that they not only take
care of the leprosy affected patients,
but also make them self reliant.
Contact
Divya Prem Seva Mission
Seva Kunj, Chandi Ghat
Hardwar 24 94 08
(Uttarakhand, India)
Phone number-01334-222211
E-mail: divyaprem03@gmail.com
divya_prem03@hotmail.com,
www.divyaprem.org
April 2015 | 43
Dr Ambedkar Vanavasi Kalyan: education, selfemployment and health care

Education: Hostel facility has
been provided to the students of
Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe
attending various degree or diploma
courses at the university level.
The hostel has an in-house kitchen
and a dining hall to fulfill the
necessary food requirement of the
students.
Education and employment are
the necessary tools to construct
a firm structure of any nation. If
any nation lags behind in either of
the two ways, then its growth will
be stagnated. Education without
employment will create an army
of unemployed youths who will
get indulged in criminal activities
whereas employment without
education will create labourers
in abundant quantities who will
be exploited by the capitalists. Dr
Ambedkar Vanavasi Kalyan Trust has
therefore struck a proper balance
by blending education with selfemployment which is the need of
the hour in the backward tribal belt
of Gujarat.
In the heart of Surat city in Gujarat,
covering an area of 5000 sq m, two
beautiful buildings have been built
that provide facilities for various
activities for all round development
and welfare of Schedule Caste,
Schedule Tribe & economical
backward people.
In todays age, the knowledge of

computers is a must. Computer
literacy plays a vital role in this
internet age. Therefore, a computer
training centre has established to
make available computer education
facility to the deprived children of
slum areas. They are given training
in MS office, internet surfing,
DTP, etc. A well equipped library
quenches their thirst of knowledge
where a wide collection of reference
books as well as subject books have
been made available. Biographies of
world famous personalities are also
kept in the library.
In order to develop a scientific
approach among students right
from the primary level, a Gyan
Vigyan Centre has been opened.
Conducting scientific experiment
personally leads to deep interest in
science which may help the budding
scientist in the child.
The trust has also completed the
work of building a hostel with all
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 44
necessary facilities, with a capacity

of housing 100 students on a plot of
15000 sq m at Ahwa in Dang. Dang
district is totally occupied by the
forest dwelling tribes of Gujarat and
the hostel is part of a project that
aims at the all round development
of forest dwelling brethren living in
the jungles of Dang.
Under the guidance of experts in
agricultural field, farmers of south
Gujarat have been trained in a
specially evolved method of farming
(rice cultivation with 4 step method)
which has twice or thrice production
as compared to the traditional
method.
Self employment: The trust is
offering many short term courses.
These courses have helped students
in generating self employment
thereby improving their socioeconomic conditions. Self-help
groups have been started for women
members who have attended
various self employment training
programmes of the trust and have
become financially self sufficient.
A special care has been taken to
keep the young generation specially
from the lower economic class
in touch with the trust, through
library and reading room facility. A
group of fifteen sisters have been
constituted who extend their help in
organizing programmes for health,
educational awareness, etc. Some
of the teachers giving training in
various self employment training
programmes have themselves taken
their training from the centres of the

trust and are now providing their
services in the respective fields.
Health Care
Health is still a prime cause of
concern in the tribal belts of the
country that are deprived of basic
facilities such as sanitation, hygiene,
availability of drinking water, etc.
This gives birth to a number of
epidemics; some of which can even
prove fatal due to unavailability
of proper medical treatment and
that too at proper time. Moved
by the plight of tribal brethren in
the remote regions of Gujarat, Dr
Ambedkar Vanavasi Kalyan Trust
initiated the noble work of providing
healthcare in the region so as to
lead them a healthy life that will be
dedicated towards the nation.
With the help of seva karyakartas
of Surat city, 1000 families from
the surrounding 10 sevavastis (slum
areas) have been selected and health
awareness programmes are being
conducted for them. Education
regarding primary health & hygiene
is provided to them. Besides, effort
April 2015 | 45
is being made to join them with the

mainstream of social development
and bring them together on a
platform through occasions such
as Dr Ambedkar Jayanti, Raksha
bandhan, Bharatmata poojan, etc.
Various festivals are celebrated with
religious fervor and the karyakartas
make them realize the importance
and principle behind celebrating
each and every festival.
Brethren residing in slums cannot
afford to avail costlier medical
treatment in cities. They even dont
have money for transportation to
cities. The cost of medical treatment
is also spiraling day by day with the
rising inflation. Therefore in order
to render medical help at their
doorsteps, a medical mobile unit
with a doctor, helper and at least
one volunteer, visits these sevavastis
to provide medical facilities to the
people of the area and keep in touch
with these 1000 families and also
works to promote social & national
awareness filled with the spirit of
patriotism. The unit also provides
equipment useful to the bed-ridden
and orthopedically challenged
people, free of cost. Patients &
families availing these facilities are
visited and a sincere effort is made
to share their pains & sorrows.
The mobile clinic & a permanent
clinic near sevavasti has been
proved successful in establishing
and increasing the relations with
many families and in creating health
awareness among them.
Allopathic treatment is the most

costlier treatment that is beyond
the reach of these economically
backward people. Moreover, the
allopathic medicines have a lot of
side effects. Therefore, the trust
decided to give Ayurvedic treatment
to these people that is the oldest
treatment practiced in India. In
order to revive this treatment, the
trust has established Kamdhenu
(Panchgavya) Medicines Dispensing
Center where Ayurvedic treatment
is given for various diseases such
as vitiligo, eczema, asthma, joint
pain, psoriasis, etc. Medicines
manufactured from cow dung and
cow urine have been greatly proved
beneficial in curing various ailments
that still dont have any permanent
solution in Allopathy.
Our brethren from tribal belt
in Gujrat are taken care by Dr.
Ambedkar Vanavasi Kalyan Trust,
whether it is in education, self
employment, health care etc which
is real sevakarya amongst the
vanvasis.
Contact:
Dr Ambedkar Vanvasi Kalyan Trust
Eklavya Bhavan/ Valmiki Bhavan
Next to Chokshiwadi, Opp.
Radhakrishna Temple,
Near Rushabh tower, Rander Road,
Surat -395009
Contact Person: Bhupendra Patel
Phone: + 91 - 261 -2781399 /382
E-mail: davkt_seva@yahoo.com
www.sevatribals.org
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 46
Ekalavya Ashramam, Mancheryal

The ashramam has a capacity to
accommodate 100 tribal boys
selected from in and around
the district. Children are given
education, food and sanskars,
amenities that are congenial for a
smooth basic educational pursuit.
They are counseled and equipped
for a better tomorrow.
Tribal boys that were once deprived

of educational facilities, have now
got a dual facility of education
along with shelter due to the efforts
of Seva Bharathi. Under a single
roof of Ekalavya Ashramam, these
underprivileged children have got a
great mental relief that is a must in
the educational phase of ones life.
The problem of accommodation
that is always a big challenge
before any tribal student has been
overcome successfully by Ekalavya
Ashramam in Adilabad district of
Andhra Pradesh.
On the banks of the holy river
Godavari, overlooking the Hanuman
Temple is the Ekalavya Ashramam,
Seva Bharathi home for tribal boys.
Needy children from poor families
having a spark on their faces are
selected for admission. Situated in
the outskirts of Mancheryal town,
the tribal home is located in a
serene environment.
This affection home has children

from Nayakapur, Manne, Gond,
Khollham, Pradhan and Lambada.
These children have bubbling
talent, which needs to be nurtured
and encouraged. These boys have
made their mark in studies at
school and also out of the school
in the co-curricular activities. They
have scored prizes in elocution
and in All India junior essay writing
competitions. Jambi Kistaiah has
excelled in athletics, he has stood
first in 400 m running and K Ramesh
has scored first in long jump at
South India level meet conducted
by Vidya Bharathi. The children have
a special taste for yoga and kabaddi,
in which they have brought laurels
in several competitions. Annual
summer training camp is held to
sharpen their curricular and cocurricular skills.
Praveen of Ekalavya Ashram has
scored 531 of 600, highest marks at
mandal level in the academic year
2002-03 in SSC Board examination.
The other boys are on their way to
prove themselves. There are three
April 2015 | 47
physically disabled boys, but with a

strong self confidence, these boys
are ready to take on any challenge
on par with their co students.
Nobody in fact thinks or treats them
as handicapped, and that is what
their strength. With 42 children who
have passed out so far as in summer
2004, they are leading a self-reliant
and respectable life. One of the
children from the ashram is now
into the public service as a tribal
leader representing the interests of
local tribals at district level and one
of the boys is now undergoing his
engineering education.
Ekalavya Ashramam has shown that

not only the educational standards
of underprivileged children can be
raised by giving good education, but
these children can be good in sports
if proper training is given.
Contact
Ekalavya Ashramam
Godavari Road, Mancheryal,
Adilabad Dist -504208
08736-250842,
Email- ekalavyaashramammnch@
gmail.com
ekalavyaashramammncl@gmail.
com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 48
Hindu Seva Pratishthan- Samagra Shishu

Shiksha & Seva Kiran Projects
Samagra Shishu Shiksha Prakalp

Efforts are being initiated to
transform todays education system
that completely ignores childrens
natural talent and capacity. The
idea that children should have the
privilege of studying according to
their choice has now started gaining
grounds. Efforts are also in full
swing that children should acquire
education in a friendly and tension
free atmosphere without the
burden of competition. Among the
organizations that are striving hard
for the effective implementation of
this concept of education, Hindu
Seva Pratishthan in Karnatakas
Bangalore city acquires a lead
position.
The
pratishthans
Samagra Shishu Shiksha Prakalp
has proved that the physical and
mental development of a child can
be achieved by paying individual
attention towards each and every

student.
To impart education to children
in a distinct manner, Hindu Seva
Pratishthan has made various
successful experiments since 1972.
For this, Hindu Seva Pratishthan
gives training to teachers of Shishu
Mandirs and middle-aged women
who are interested to work for the
sake of this noble cause.
Hindu Seva Pratishthan aims to
give a new dimension to education.
Education through mother tongue,
freedom of choosing the subject of
choice, freedom from punishment,
no compulsion regarding uniform,
freedom from the conventional
education system, no compulsion
to study till the age of five, freedom
from homework, education in a
serene atmosphere according to
April 2015 | 49
child psychology and a perfect blend

of modern and traditional education
system are some of the unique
features of this integrated system of
education. Effective development of
childrens five sense organs, linguistic
and conversational development,
personality development through
boosting of self-confidence and
inculcation of sanskars are some of
the aims of the project.
In this method, a special effort is
made to elevate the physical and
mental level of a student taking
into account his capacity, limitation
and need. An effort to give a
creative and positive environment
to the students is also made by the
teachers in this training. Various
types of sanskars are imbibed on
students for creating awareness
regarding morality and social
values in addition to the linguistic
and mathematical development.
A special attention is paid towards
physically and mentally weak
students. Motivating such students
for overcoming their shortcomings
also forms an important part of the
training programme.
Adopting this method, Hindu
Seva Pratishthan chose 13 Shishu
Mandirs in Karnatakas eight
districts for experimentation in the
year 1993. Inspired by this system
of education, people from four
villages made available land and
well equipped playground for the
school. Influenced by this, people
from other villages also gave a
similar response and thus the

pratishthan got the infrastructure.
The impact was so wide that till
2001, 275 teachers from 24 districts
in Karnataka got this special training
from Hindu Seva Pratishthan.
Teachers and experts from various
subjects who impart training in this
programme have a regular discussion
regarding various experiences and
problems for obtaining a feasible
solution. This also gives birth to new
ideas for effective implementation.
An annual programme of these
Shishu Mandirs is also organized in
which newly married couples of the
village are invited. They are made
acquainted with the work of Shishu
Mandir.
Hindu Seva Pratishthan also
publishes a quarterly magazine
called Araluva Mogu (Khilti Kaliyan)
that has gained a wide popularity
among parents and teachers.
Similarly, cassettes and CDs of
poems composed by teachers and
sung by singer B R Chhaya have also
been produced that have become a
part of Shishu Mandirs curriculum.
Activities such as sports, music,
acting, discussion, picnic, craft, etc
add to the all round development
of the students. All the festivals are
celebrated with religious fervour
with the active participation of
teachers, students and parents.
Seva Kiran Project
Every kid is unique in itself. The
physical and mental capacity of
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 50
every kid is different from the other.

We treat children as the future
of our country, but we are trying
to make them all alike under a
common single system of education.
The lacuna of a common system
of education is that the childrens
natural capacities are completely
overlooked. In such system,
childrens talents and specialities
remain unnoticed. Children get
deprived of the advantage of their
natural capacities.
With this view in the forefront, Hindu
Seva Pratishthan in Karnatakas
Bangalore city has initiated a unique
project in which an individual
attention is paid towards each and
every student for his physical as
well as mental growth. The special
feature of this project is that the
childs natural capacity is completely
taken into account while grooming
the student.
The project has been designed
keeping in mind the kids belonging
to slum areas. Here, nine centres
have been opened for these
children and regular tuitions are
conducted for children studying in
class one to seven. In each centre,
a trained teacher teaches a batch of
20 to 25 kids. Apart from the school
curriculum, the focus is also laid
on character building. Children are
also provided training in painting,
music, dance, etc depending upon
their interest. Yog, yogasanas and
physical exercises are taught for
physical as well as mental fitness.
On every Saturday, children from

all the nine centres are assembled
and taken to the nearby playground
where they play various games that
inculcate sportsman spirit among
them.
Teachers from all centres meet after
every fifteen days for discussing
about the progress of students
and to decide the future course of
action. Thus due to the individual
attention towards each and every
student, a high progress rate has
been witnessed. This has also
delighted their parents that has
resulted in their massive response
towards the project.
If a child has to become a good and
honest citizen of tomorrow, then
his talent should be recognized
and developed further accordingly.
Hence children need such type
of special training. Hindu Seva
Pratishthan is working in this
direction with full dedication.
Whatever projects Hindu Sewa
Pratishthan takes up, there is some
fragrance in it, worth emulating.
Contact:
Hindu Seva Pratishthan
Ajitshree
8/28, Bull Temple Road
Bangalore, 560 004
Karnataka, India
Phone no: 91-80-26608926,
26523088
E-mail: hinduseva@gmail.com
www.hinduseva.org
April 2015 | 51
Janaseva Vidyakendra, Chennanhalli:

Serving through education
Inspired by the ideals and teachings

of Swami Vivekanand and guided
by the second Sarsanghchalak of
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
the late M S Golwalkar alias Shri
Guruji, Janaseva Trust and Charitable
Institution was established in 1972
at Chennanhalli near Bangalore,
with an avowed mission to serve the
society in the field of education.
Janaseva
Vidyakendra
as
a
residential school was set up in
1972 with 13 students in a rented
building. It has now grown as a
huge banyan tree after a period of
four decades. It has strength of 620
students now and its name and
fame has spread not only to nearby
areas but far off areas also know
about this school. The students just
not belong to the state of Karnataka
alone; they come from all over the
country. The 50 acre area of this

school has a beautiful, picturesque
setting as emphasis is laid here on
preserving and maintaining the
environmental balance. The mango
and other trees have grown here
in large numbers, with additional
green lawn providing a very calm,
serene and inspiring atmosphere for
the students to pursue their studies.
After a gap of 25 years the

Janaseva Trust founded Ved Vigyan
Gurukulam, an institution for
learning of Vedas, Sanskrit combined
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 52
with modern sciences, yoga and fine

arts in the same campus.
with best quality education, a variety
of educational and extra-curricular
activities and programs, this school
has earned name and fame in a
short time. The perfect blending of
old Gurukul system with the school
fetched wonderful results for the
school when a number of students of
this school scored high ranks in the
Xth Board level exams. This resulted
in a continuous flow of students
from all the districts of Karnataka
State to this school. Students from
neighboring state also approach this
school for admission. The school is
considered as a best school in the
state and not only the guardians
but the Education Department of
the Karnataka state government has
showered high praise on this school
for its achievements.
Apart
from
regular
routine
academics, the school seeks to
impart discipline, obedience, and
inculcate love for the motherland
and devotion to God. Well qualified
and energetic young teachers are
added attraction of the school. They
shoulder various responsibilities
of the school, like agriculture,

horticulture, dairy, etc. in addition to
teaching and hostel management,
exhibiting an exemplary missionary
zeal. The staff lives in the campus
itself and attends to various needs
of the students.
Attention is given to the harmonious
growth of the personality of each
student apart from the common
features such as the usual games,
and literary activities, the boys are
given training in yogasanas, dhyana,
Vedic recitation, self-discipline etc.
The boys are induced to take interest
in manual labour and social service.
They visit nearby villages and take
part in literacy drive as well as health
surveys and other programs. The
medium of instruction is Kannada
up to seventh standard and at the
higher secondary level instruction is
offered in both English and Kannada
languages.
At the school, the regular curriculum

as prescribed by the Education
Department of the Government
of Karnataka is taught. Before and
after the school hours, the students
are involved in physical, cultural, art
and other activities.
April 2015 | 53
Keeping in mind the physical,

mental, intellectual and spiritual
development of the students,
various activities are included in
the daily routine. They include
Morning
Prayer,
meditation,
Vedic chanting, and singing of
devotional and patriotic songs.
Besides, the incidents from the life
of great persons who sacrificed
their comforts at the altar of the
motherland are presented before
them to help them imbibe those
qualities in their life. Students
are allowed and encouraged to
participate in yogasana, sports or
other physical activities.
Every
week-end,
different
associations like the student forum,
Sanmitra Sabha, the science forum,
the art forum conduct various
activities like discussion and talks
by eminent people. The school has
a well set library and well equipped
laboratory. Facilities for both indoor
and outdoor games are provided
alongside educational film shows
on TV. Proper encouragement
and guidance for practice of arts,
science projects, music and Sanskrit
conversation is provided. The annual
souvenir Vidyashri and Pratibha
the students magazine in their
own handwriting, are brought out.
Educational tour is also conducted
every year.
Hostel and other facilities

To acclimatize students to live
together in harmony, they are
accommodated in large, spacious
dormitories. Each block is headed
by a House Master who stays
along with them. Students are
taught to maintain cleanliness of
the dormitory on their own. Clean
fresh and healthy vegetarian diet
is provided to the students. A fulltime resident doctor looks after the
health concerns of the students.
With the class education being
imparted in this institution and
overall development, being taken
care of these students have come
out with flying colours and have
occupied-place of pride in different
walks of life and brought name &
fame to the institution.
Contact
Janaseva Trust
20 km Magdi Road
Post Kadabugere
Chennanhalli
Bangalore- 56 21 30
(Karnataka, Bharat)
Phone- +91-080-64548640,
+91 -080-64503933, +91-08064536186,080-28434230 (School)
Email:-janasevakendra@rediffmail.
com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 54
Jankalyan Blood Bank, Nasik
In India, most of the people die due

to nonavailability of blood at the
time of operation/accidents. RSS
Jankalyan Samiti put a step forward
to ensure the availability of blood
to save the precious lives. Jankalyan
Blood Bank at Nasik is one of the
ten blood banks run by Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh Jankalyan
Samiti in Maharashtra.
Established in 1989, blood bank has
been rendering selfless service at a
very economical cost to the needy
patients. Volunteers organize blood
donation camps throughout the
year on various occasions with the
help of government blood banks
and Indian Medical Association
(IMA) blood bank. They maintain list
of blood donors.
After inauguration, this blood bank
crossed many milestones within a
short period of time. With every
coming year, it saw an increasing

number of donors and increasing
turnover of blood bags. Strict
maintenance of the quality of blood,
affordable cost and social outlook
brought an excellent acceptance
and reputation for the blood bank
in the society. Number of blood
donation camps were on rise, and
the blood bank could cross the
important milestone of 1 lakh units
collection since inception.
Blood bank always kept abreast in its
technical up gradation and formed
the first Component Preparation
Laboratory in north Maharashtra
in the year 1998. The components
like red cell concentrate, fresh
frozen plasma, liquid stable
plasma, cryoprecipitate, platelet
concentrate and washed red cells
were made available for the first
time to the medical faculty of Nasik.
April 2015 | 55
This facility helped many patients

suffering from various clinical
disorders. Excess plasma remaining
in the blood bank is being sent
to National Plasma Fractionation
Centre located in Mumbai. This
has enabled the centre to produce
products like factor VIII, Albumin,
Immunoglobulin etc. on a regular
basis in our country. Previously
these products were being imported
and hence were too costly to be
afforded by the common patients.
Considering
the
qualitative
and quantitative growth of the
blood bank, it was taken in the
Modernization Plan of Ministry
of Health, Government of India.
Due to this inclusion, the blood
bank has received various modern
equipments
for
component
separation. In addition to this
help from National AIDS Control
Organization
(NACO),
blood
bank also received valuable
help from State Government,
Sai Sansthan (Shirdi) and many
other organizations. However,
the operational cost of the blood
bank is high for common people.
The present space seems to be
inadequate for the huge turnover
of the blood bank. It needs bigger
space for more up gradation, newer
facilities like thalassemia unit,
research centre, voluntary AIDS
counseling centre, which are the
activities needed by the society.
Peripheral Distribution Centres
are being established at remote
taluka places for the district

to enable easy availability of
blood and blood products to the
people in remote areas. This will
require a huge investment in
terms of storage facilities in the
Peripheral Distribution Centres
and maintenance of cold chain
during transportation of blood
products through refrigerated van.
Computerization has been done in
the blood bank but there is a need
to cover all the fields (related to
blood bank) in computerization
rather than the technical records
alone.
Many a lives can be saved through
blood bank/ donation, and
Jankalyan is doing yeoman service
through its blood Banks in Various
towns of Maharashtra.
Contact:
Jankalyan Blood Bank
Umiya Apartment,
Dr. Hedgewar Chowk,
Sharanpur Road,
Nashik - (Maharashtra, India)
422005
Phone: 0253 - 2573493/2575249
Contact person : Smt.Panchashree
Email : rssjan_nsk@rediffmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 56
Jankalyan Samitis Arogya Rakshak Project
Mahabaleshwar town in the state

of Maharashtra has earned a lot of
fame as a tourist centre. Tapola is one
such nature-blessed village located
near the region. The atmosphere of
the village is full of fresh air that is
a must for good health. However,
medical aid is still at bay and the
village lies in a tight grip of poverty,
illiteracy and ignorance. Means of
transportation are also hardly to be
found. The absence of first aid many
a times proves fatal for the villagers.
Jankalyan Samiti initiated Arogya
Rakshak project to overcome this
problem.
Under this project, one person
from each village itself is chosen
to play the duty of arogya rakshak
and is given a two-day training in
first aid by doctors. All these arogya
rakshaks then enter their respective
villages with this first aid kit and
provide treatment free of cost.
Ordinary ailments are treated in the
village itself and proper guidance is

provided for chronic disorders.
The sphere of this projects work

is not just limited to providing
temporary relief but it focuses
on improving the health of the
entire village. It aims at reaching
the peak of nations development
by systematically climbing the
three steps; health people, healthy
families and healthy villages.For
achieving this target, a four-fold
programme comprising of health
awareness, health conservation,
April 2015 | 57
health education and disease

prevention has been undertaken. A
number of health-related activities
are implemented by organizing the
villagers. Exhibitions are organized.
More insistence is given on practical
implementation
rather
than
theoretical interaction. Hygiene
awareness is created among school
children. Their nails are cut. Water
purification methods are taught.
Pieces of alum are also distributed
among children.
Efforts are also initiated for
maintaining the public hygiene.
Village cleanliness drives have been
undertaken. In addition to this,
bhajan mandalis are constituted to
purify the atmosphere of villages
with spirituality.
For grooming students, zoli
wachnalayas are run by arogya
rakshaks. Sanskar vargs are also
conducted in some villages.
Guidance is also provided for
improving the farm yield.
In todays date, 1,000 arogya
rakshaks are active in 18 districts of
Maharashtra. The arogya rakshak
project work executes in the
districts of Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri,
Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli,
Pune, Nasik, Jalgaon, Aurangabad,
Jalna, Latur and Beed. Through this
project, local villagers have got an
excellent opportunity to work for
the welfare of their brethren.
Healthy diet: Malnutrition is an
issue of grave concern in vanavasi
regions. Vanavasi padas (habitats) in
Thane districts Jawhar taluka were
surveyed. Five padas were selected

for experimentation. Local balsevika
was selected from each pada. As per
the recommendation and nutrition
schedule framed by Ayurveda Board,
nutritional food items are served
to these children that includes
Rajgira Vadi in the morning,
laddus containing Satto and jiggery
in the afternoon and Moong
Khichdi containing cow-ghee in the
evening. This entire responsibility
is successfully shouldered by
balsevikas. At present, about 200
children are availing the benefit of
this scheme. In addition to this, the
children also undergo mass hair cut
and bathing activities.
A regular medical check-up of
pregnant women is conducted.
Guidance is provided for childcare.
Children also undergo a regular
health
check-up.
Bhajans,
inspirational stories, shlokas are
taught to students before meals.
This entire project is taking
vanavasis towards the path of allround development.
Jankalyan Samiti is taking health
care of the masses where the
medical facility is not available, in an
unique way.
Contact:
Dr Anant Kulkarni
N-7/12, Nikam Park, Devkar Pandad
Kolhapur- 416012
Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 9822089683
Email: rssjankalyan@yahoo.co.in
Website: www.rssjankalyansamiti.
org
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 58
Kosamdih Chhatravas: A Center of Social Change

for foreign tour also. There is
government school located almost
at every kilometer but the Seva
Bharti School is always flooded by
students and their parents who are
keen on seeking admission here.
At present the school caters to the
surrounding 80 villages situated in
8 development blocks. The school
charges a fees of Rs 150/- plus 12 kg
rice, and 3 kg dal per student.
Seva Bharti Balak Chhatrawas,
situated in the lush green
surrounding of Kosamdih in Dindori
district of Madhya Pradesh is not
just a hostel of the Gond janjati
boys; it is more than what meets the
eye of a first time visitor. It is a multidimensional project which includes
a temple, residential school,
mobile dispensary, health care unit,
gaushala, library and a meditation
room for the inmates of the hostel.
It is the center of social change.
The project, which houses 185
students from the surrounding
areas-mostly inhabited by Gond
janjati, was launched in 2003. Prior
to this the idols of Lord Ram, Mother
Sita and Laxman were consecrated
at the temple built within the
premises in 2002.
The middle school started in 2006.
Every year 5-6 students are selected
for admission in CBSE hostels run
by Seva Bharti at Delhi, Gwalior and
Bhopal. Two of them are selected
The temple situated in the school

premises has become a centre for
promoting social harmony and unity
among the villagers. A unique appeal
was made to the people to deposit a
rupee daily in the piggybanks kept at
the temple. This fetched a whopping
sum of Rs 50,000/- which was
used for organizing samrasta bhoj
(Community lunch) on the occasion
of Ramnavmi or Dol Utsav. Special
programs are arranged during
Diwali when the villagers, especially
womenfolk gather to worship the
cows reared in the Gaushala.
How does this project bring about
transformation in the lifestyle of the
rural folks? Kauslyabai from Binzori
village, whose ward studies in class
7, has this to say: We appreciate the
teaching method and especially the
sanskars that are being inculcated
in our wards. Never before my ward
touched my feet in obeisance which
he learnt to do so at the school.
Dhiraj
Singh
Dhurve,
another
April 2015 | 59
parent, withdrew his son from a

government school and admitted
him in this school because this
school is best.
Our school has topped the list
in tribal area of the state, says
Principal Shivkumar Dhurve, who
too hails from Gond janjati. The
multifaceted activities at the
school includes besides regular
and rigorous teaching, stories from
great personalities, antakshari
Competitions, games and sports,
religious programs like Ramnavami,
Dol utsav, and guardian meetings.
The students and teachers go to
the villagers and interact with them
regarding the progress of their
wards and activities at the school.
there is always a rush for admission

in this school.
Many a households have been freed
of liquor menace. A very simple but
effective method is applied by the
school authorities for this. They
gift a Tulsi sapling to a family and
ask them to worship it, take care
of it in order to get rid of drinking
habit. The result is astonishing, says
Dr Ramshankar Rajput, the 86-year
young doctor who looks after the
entire project as its guardian. There
is a mobile dispensary which caters
to the surrounding villages and
distributes medicines to the needy
persons.
Shri Hari Satsang Samiti, Kolkata has
come forward to sustain the project
financially by donating Rs 11 lakhs.
This Balak chatravas has become
center of hope for the gond Janjati
and is making a silent revolution to
upgrade their living conditions by
giving them good education.
In an informal meeting with the

managing committee members
including Chairman Udayram ji
Paraste, Secretary Shivkumar Baroha
and Treasurer Krishnakumar Dubey
at the school premises revealed
that the people of the region like
this school very much. They run the
school in most efficient way as such
Contact
Sewa Bharati Awaasiya Vidyalay
Kosamdih
Development Block: Bajaag, Dist:
Dindori- 481990
(Madhya Pradesh, India)
Phone: 07644-2762158
By Road: From Jabalpur and
Mandla-private and govt bus
service is available.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 60
Mathru Chhaya Bal Kalyan Kendra, Hubli
Mathru Chaya Bal Kalyan Kendra has

provided shelter to the destitute
children in the society and thus
filled the voids in their life which
otherwise would have become pits
for them in which their bright future
would have been buried. Located
at Akshaya Park in Hubli city of
Karnataka, this home currently looks
after 40 children of all age groups
that comprises of 30 girls and 10
boys. The children here are availing
education from Std I to Std X.
While some of the children are
orphaned, the others have only one
parent (either mother or father).
Orphaned or destitute children face
a lot of problems in the society be
it discrimination or their social and
economic problems. They remain

deprived of education and get
indulged into malpractices. Though
many people show sympathy
towards such children, Bal Kalyan
Kendra is striving to give shape to
those sympathies, and make these
children lead a normal life like the
other children in the society.
In this project, children who are
having parent/parents are looked
after and given education along with
all their needs like food and clothing
unto 18 years of age. The orphaned
children are totally taken care by the
Kendra even after 18 year of age and
are sent to various other projects.
This Kendra really transformed the
lives of these children. The day here
April 2015 | 61
begins at 5.30 am and the children

remain busy in various activities till
9.30 pm. In the morning session,
children study for a few hours and
also help in household activities. All
the children participate in prayers.
After the school, children go to
play at the nearby park. They play
along with the other children of the
locality friendly mingling with them.
In the evening hours, all the children
gather for Bahamans (Prayer). Later,
they do their homework and study.
Many people visit the kendra and
are very happy to note its activities,
some are giving cash donations,
while others help by way of kind
and appreciate the work done by
the kendra. People in the vicinity
also share the joyous moments of
their life with the inmates of the
kendra. Children also participate in
bhajan recitals that are held during
the festivals. They are good at sports

too. They can now even talk in
Sanskrit. Now they have developed
a new vision towards life.
Seeing is believing - one has to
see antyakshari in Kabir Doha in
regional language played by small
inmates in the age group of 6-10
years affirms the belief that if the
input of Samskar is good the output
will be the best, in this age group.
Contact
Sewa Bharati Hubli
Sewa Bharati, Hubli, Sevasadan,
2nd main Road, Banashankari
Layout,
Keshwapur, Hubli 580023
Dr.Raghu Akamanchi,
08362237400,09448631998
sevabharatitrust@gmail.com
sevabharatihubli@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 62
Nana Palkar Samitis Rugna Seva Sadan

are admitted here. The admission
is given on the basis of certificate
from the hospital management and
letter by a medical social worker.
Patient along with his two relatives
are accommodated in a single room.
It is often said that, the treatment

is more painful than the disease.
Cancer is one such disease in which
the patient is already traumatized
with the fear of death and when
the treatment is to be done in
a metro like Mumbai, patients
relatives find it extremely difficult
to meet the expenses of food and
accommodation. However, the
solution to this problem lies in Parel
suburb; a ten-storied building in
the name Rugna Seva Sadan run by
Nana Palkar Smriti Samiti where the
arrangement for accommodation of
cancer patients and their relatives is
done free of cost.
Every
year,
about
40,000
patients come to Mumbai for the
treatment of cancer at KEM, Tata
and Nair hospitals. They get due
economic relief by the hospital
management but the basic problem
is of accommodation. Due to lack
of shelter, they live in the premises
outside the hospital which becomes
quite embarrassing for them.
Rugna Seva Sadan takes care of
such brethren. Cancer patients
coming from all over the country
The facility is provided free of cost

for about one month. After this
period, a nominal rent of Rs 50 per
day is charged. Cancer nibbles a
person by body, mind and wealth.
Under such circumstances, this
place indeed imparts a home-like
feeling to the patients. Relatives
also get the satisfaction of admitting
their kin at an appropriate place.
Snacks are provided in the cafeteria
by charging a nominal amount.
Those who cannot afford to spend
that much also are given meals
free of cost. In the evening, all the
inmates assemble in the courtyard
for sharing their grieves. All of
them enthusiastically participate
in prayer that is held regularly at
Ganesh temple situated on ground
floor. Round-the-clock lift facility,
cleanliness, posh and secured
atmosphere adds to the relief of the
patients.
Nana Palkar; a versatile personality;
a writer, poet and Sangh karyakarta
who devoted his entire life for the
well being of society. He had a
great passion to serve the patients.
Keeping this view in mind, this samiti
was established after the demise of
Nana and thus the journey began for
April 2015 | 63
this noble work. In the beginning,

patients were accommodated in a
flat. Later on, land was granted by
the government and a huge building
was constructed. The hospital now
has a capacity of accommodating 74
patients along with two relatives of
each. Thus, total 224 people can be
accommodated now.
Realizing the significance of this
work, many people render a helping
hand. However,
samiti karyakartas
request them to
first observe the
work by visiting
the hospital. Till
date, many dignitaries have visited
the hospital and blessed the samiti
with valuable infrastructure. Vijay
Gokhales visit paved the way for
Dialysis Centre whereas Mr and Mrs
Tulsi gifted the samiti with a well
equipped pathology lab. Dialysis is
done at a nominal cost of Rs 350.
Around 700 dialyses are performed
each month under the supervision
of three experts from Mumbai. HIV
test is done at a negligible cost in
the well quipped pathology lab.
Along with this, counseling is done
regarding AIDS and other ailments.
Fruits are distributed among the
patients of TB Ward on every

Thursday. Most of the patients
admitted here are abandoned by
their family members. Medicines
are also given free of cost.
Tiffin is daily served to the mothers
at Wadiya Childrens Hospital.
Refreshment is given to children in
the evening. Milk and tea is served
to the patients and their relatives at
Tata Hospital.
Dispensary is run at Parel by charging
nominal fees. Both medicines as well
as consultation are provided at just
Rs 10. Samitis ambulance is always
at the service of patients and the
transportation is done free of cost.
All the karyakartas and staffers work
with a feeling of Serving patients
is service to God. This feeling is
reflected in their entire conduct.
Rugna Seva Sadan has certainly
blessings of cancer patients who
stay here and get homely affection,
away from home.
Contact
Arvind Khare
Rugna Seva Sadan,
158, Rugna Seva Sadan Marg
Dr. Ambedkar Road,Parel, Mumbai,
400012
Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 022-24164890/
24186724
web site: www.npss.org,
Email: nanapalkar15@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 64
Parampujya Madhav Go-Vigyan Anusandhan

Sansthan, Bhilwada
Giving a new credible dimension to
cow rearing
India has been a predominantly

agrarian country. Cow and its
progeny occupied an important
place in agriculture and socioreligious life of people in India since
ages. Fertilizers used to be made
from cow dung. Similarly, yoghurt,
ghee etc. prepared from cow milk
was mostly used by the people.
Experience
and
experiments
confirmed the medicinal values and
use of panchagavya a combination
of cow milk, yoghurt, ghee, cow
dung and urine. All this led to cow
occupying a very sacred, prominent
religious place in Indian society.

But the increasing use of machines
following industrial revolution,
also affected the field of farming.
Slowly animals were replaced with
machines like tractors, and use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides
went on increasing. This reduced the
importance of cow and its progeny
in agriculture. Today, rearing cows
has become more cumbersome for
the farmers owing to a lot many
factors. Though the medicinal
values of panchagavya are still
relevant, it cannot be established in
todays market economy. It is here
the Bhilwada-based Parampujya
Madhav Go-Vigyan Anusandhan
Sansthan is playing an important
role in re-establishing the lost glory
and importance of cow in presentday Indian agricultural and socioeconomic and religious milieu.
Panchagavya is used as base in
many medicines. This Sansthan
has decided to carry out further
research in this direction. Cow
urine is considered sacred in our
culture not because of religious
importance attached to cow but it
has been proved medically that with
consumption of cow urine many
poisonous elements in our body
are destroyed. Cow urine is also
used in treatment of some diseases
including cancer. Tablets have been
manufactured from cow urine to
April 2015 | 65
kill its offensive smell. Bhasma from

Cow dung, multani mitti and haldi
are used for making bathing soaps.
Besides this, some 42 medicines are
prepared from cow dung which can
resist diseases. Efforts are on to get
these medicines patented with the
help and guidance of scientists like
Dr Vijay Bhatkar.
The research carried out at Sansthan
proved that just being in company
of cows helps the individuals. With
this observation, arrangements are
made for the people to conduct
sapta- gopradakshina (going round
the cows). This especially helps the
expectant mothers.
Fertilizer is produced with use of cow
dung, cow urine and left over of the
cattle fodder. Effective pesticides are
produced with the mixing of neem
leaves and cow urine in an earthen
pot which is buried under the earth
for some time to allow proper and
perfect mixing.
On going through the success rate

of this sansthan, the people from
nearby areas have taken up once
again cow rearing and using them
in farming practices. This is a true
success of the project.
This Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra
is really a role model to our farmers,
and cows are our national assets in
true sense.
Contact
Parampujya Madhav Go-Vigyan
Anusandhan Sansthan
Sewa Bharati,
Sanskriti Mandir, 10, Ashok Nagar
Bhilwada- 311001
(Rajasthan, Bharat)
Phone- 01482-235536,256201
Email- cowexam@gmail.com,
gopalgingar@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 66
Parivartan Mahila Sanstha, Titwala:

A home for destitute women
Women are held in high esteem

in Bharatiya society since the
hoary past. The society bows
before the women power and sing
innumerable sonnets in their praise.
On the other hand, the women are
subjected to insults, harassments,
and the society even accords them
a secondary position in social life.
Why this paradox? We come across
many women who became victims
of these double standards in vogue
in Bharatiya society. Parivartan
Mahila Sanstha has come forward
to provide a helping hand to these
women in distress with its ten
different projects.
Parivartan Mahila Sanstha was
established by some like-minded
women activists in 2000 at Titwala
near Kalyan in Thane District for
the destitute and distressed women
and girls. The objective was to

make available a respectable living,
and honorable treatment to these
women. Besides implementing the
women empowerment schemes of
the government, the Sanstha works
through other means also so that
their problems could be resolved.
As a first step in this direction the
Sanstha started Mukta a hostel
for such orphaned, destitute and
deserted women and girls.
The hostel housed in a rented
three-storied building of
Lions
Club in Mulund provides shelter
to 30 women. Mukta is a home
for women and girls who find
themselves in a police lock-up or at
railway station wandering aimlessly.
Then there are girls who leave their
homes due to various reasons and
bitter experiences. Such girls are
April 2015 | 67
given counselling in the hostel

and restored back to the custody of
their parents after their counselling.
This is one of the most important
activities of our organization, said
Dr Nishigandha Mogal.
Arrangements for lodging and
boarding, education and job training
are made in accordance with the
requirement of women who come
to this hostel. Counseling is provided
to women/girls who are victims
of bitter experiences or some
accidents and efforts are made to
bring them out of that psychological
trauma so that they too could lead
a normal life. The girls who were
treated in this way have completed
different job-oriented courses like
nursing etc. Others have opted for
persuasion of higher studies like M
A, MBA or CA.
It becomes imperative for the
activists who manage the hostel
to be patient and study the
family background of such girls to
provide them proper counseling to
overcome the bitter feelings. The
activists interact with such girls with
utmost care and patience. It has
been the endeavor of the Sanstha
to provide a family-like congenial
atmosphere to the inmates. They
are allowed to play games as per
their likings. Daily prayer is also
conducted in the morning. Not only
limiting itself to providing education
to the girls, the Sanstha has arranged
their marriages also.
Re-productive child health

The Sanstha runs a Reproductive
Child Health program for poor tribal
women living in 29 villages of Thane
district under which local tribal
women are trained to handle and
use the medical kit given to them.
Health check-up camps are held for
the women. The Sanstha has trained
some workers to treat expectant
mothers during pregnancy. They
keep the monthly record of
vaccination of such women from
conception to delivery. Due to
poverty and illiteracy these ladies
are ignorant about medication
during pregnancy. The Sanstha also
organizes community meals for such
ladies and presents them sari during
such community meals. The tribal
ladies participate in this program
with great zest.
The Sanstha publishes annually a
magazine dedicated to the duties
and rights of women. So far nine
such issues have been published
some of them received awards for
their presentations.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 68
Dilasa Day Care Center

In the much busy life style of the day
it becomes almost impossible for
the family members to spare time
for the aged members. The Sanstha
comes to help such aged and elderly
persons through its Dilasa Day Care
Center which can accommodate
7-8 elderly persons at a time. They
are kept under the care of a trained
nurse and medical examination of
these elderly persons is also done
at the center. In some families, the
aged persons require help at their
homes only. The sanstha sends some
of its trained nurses in such families
once they receive the message to
take care of these elderly people.
These nurses accompany
them to banks, hospitals, railway
stations etc. at a very nominal fee.
The Sanstha earns some financial
assistance through this charity.
Ultimately Parivartan is actually

doing social & cultural transformation in real sense by
encouraging women to be bold,
cultured & self reliant.
Contact
Jyoti Patkar
Sudama Smriti, Snehankit Mitra
Mandal Chowk,
Nandivali Road, Hanuman Nagar,
DOMBIVALI- 42 12 01
Phone- 0251-2883124, Cell09322217024
Email:-jyoti30@yahoo.com
Website:-www.parivartanmahila.org
April 2015 | 69
Pragati Bahuddeshiya Sanstha, Melghat
Pragati Bahuddeshiya Sanstha

has transformed the entire life of
vanavasi youths residing in Melghat
by generating various avenues of
employment in the region itself.
Vanavasis who earlier used to
struggle a lot for two-time meals
are now living a life filled with
self-reliance due to the Herculean
efforts of Pragati Sanstha.
Melghat region located in Amravati
district of Maharashtra is a well
known tourist centre. However,
the vanavasis residing in this
region are still several miles away
from the stream of development.
They migrate towards cities for
earning bread but here also, the
employment is not ensured for
them. Depressed by this failure,
these youths then get indulged into
malpractices spoiling their life.
In order to provide them a good
source of earning in the village itself,

so that they will not feel any need
to migrate towards cities, some
responsible youths from the village
came together in the year 199798. They made the villagers realize
the fact that their children can get
employment in the village itself. In
order to generate the employment
and avail the benefit of various
government
schemes,
Pragati
Bahuddeshiya Sanstha was officially
established in the year 1999.
A survey of 20 villages was
conducted at Susarda village located
in Dharni taluka of Amravati district.
In this region, vanavasi brethren
were engaged in the activities
such as fishing, honey collection,
firewood collection, etc. Some of
them were even practicing farming
but the produce was quite less. They
used to migrate towards cities in
absence of employment at villages.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 70
They were living a strenuous life for

earning two-time bread. Most of
them opted for selling honey but did
not get appropriate returns. Pragati
decided to get them engaged
permanently in the profession of
honey collection and also ensure a
proper remuneration for their work.
For this, a centre was opened at
Susarda. A team of 20 vanavasis
expert in collecting honey by
conventional
method
was
constituted. Modern, advanced
training was given to this team.
Central Institute for Honeybee
Research and Training, Pune actively
co-operated with Pragati Sanstha
in this move. All the necessary
infrastructure required to extract
honey by climbing trees was also
provided.
In this training, apart from the

bookish knowledge, much more
things are taught by actually going
near the honeycomb. There is
a belief among vanavasis that
extracting honey without killing the
honeybees is like kicking them off
from their own house. If done so,
the honeybees get irked and take

revenge! Without disturbing their
belief, they were trained to extract
honey from the portion in which the
honey was actually accumulated in
the honeycomb.
In the initial phase of training,
trainees are made to sit inside the
protective net kept on ground near
the honeycomb so as to ensure
their skin protection. A rope is used
to reach up to the honeycomb that
is located at a distance of 50 to 70
feet from the ground level. As the
responsibility of each and every
brethren lies with the institution, an
insurance cover is provided to all.
The extracted honey is collected
in a pot. Earlier, one had to travel
30-40 km for selling honey. Hence,
in addition to provide training in
extraction, a honey collection and
processing plant was also set up.
This ensured local market for the
vanavasis.
The sphere of Pragatis work is
widening day by day. The training
given by Pragati has also benefitted
the youths from the surrounding
region. The training campaign that
began with an initial strength of
just 20 has now benefitted over
600 vanavasi youths from various
regions such as Amravati, Akola,
Buldhana,
Yavatmal,
Wardha,
Nagpur,
Chandrapur,
Gondia,
Bhandara, Gadchiroli and Washim.
The honey extracted by these
trainees is purchased at a rate of Rs
April 2015 | 71
60/kg after quality check. Vanavasis

who used to earn Rs 3,000 to Rs
4,000 per year are now earning up
to Rs 3,000 per month because of
Pragatis efforts. According to the
need of the hour, the institute has
purchased modern equipment for
honey processing and purification.
100 kg of honey is processed and
packed daily. This Melghat Honey
is then exported to major cities of
Maharashtra such as Nagpur, Pune,
Mumbai, Nasik, etc.
After extracting honey, the section
of honeycomb is utilized for making
wax. First of all, this section is boiled
in water for 3 to 5 minutes. Then the
mixture is filtered and collected in a
pot containing water. An excellent
quality wax is obtained after
solidification. Now, the vanavasi
brethren have also started making
money by selling wax produced by
this method.
In addition to honey, Pragati has
also started the production of edible
gum. The conventional method of
taking measurement for judging
the availability of gum is followed
here even today. Cuts are given by
scientific method after selecting the
tree. Raw gum is obtained by this
process. A piece of plastic is tied to
the cut portion so that the gum will
get stuck to the tree without falling
on ground. After 1 or 2 days the
percolated gum is sent for further
processing.
Pragati has indeed yielded a great
success in curbing the migration of
vanavasi brethren towards cities

in search of employment. It has
restored this efficient work force
back to the villages. By establishing
self-help groups, Pragati has also
catalyzed the process of women
empowerment in the region.
Cleanliness drive, literacy camps,
health check-up, self-employment
training, tailoring training, vegetable
shops, bangle shops, etc are the
various activities undertaken by
Pragati for women empowerment.
Khadi production centre has also
been set up at Melghat that has
given employment to over 85
women.
Pragati has shown the way by
imparting training and exploit the
local available resources to earn a
living for them to be self reliant in
this vanavasi belt.
Contact
Pragati Bahuddeshiya Sanstha
c/o Dhanraj Koche
Athavadi Bazar, Pulgaon
Tal- Deoli, Dist- Wardha 44 23 02
Maharashtra
Ph no:- 07103-275547
Email-svmmkhapri@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 72
Pragati Pratishthan transforms the face

of agriculture at Jawhar
The hilly terrain of Jawhar, that was

once deprived of basic facilities
has now become self-sufficient in
agricultural produce because of the
innovative and disciplined farming
methods implemented under the
guidance of Pragati Pratishthan.
Pragati Pratishthan is a voluntary
Organization working in the area of
education and rural development
since 1972. The organization
was started with a rehabilitation
project in slums of Thane. Decent
houses for slum dwellers along
with water and sanitation facilities
were provided by the organization.
Over a period of time, the scope of
work was expanded in the areas of
education, watershed management,
women empowerment, energy,
employment, food and nutrition
programme for children, agriculture
etc.
Regarding agriculture, the focus

is currently being laid on tribal
Jawhar tehsil in Maharashtras
Thane district that is inhabited
in 272 hamlets called padas. Its
total population is approximately
1.5 lakh, out of which 90% belong
to Scheduled Tribes & Scheduled
Castes. More than 80% families
belong to BPL (Below Poverty Line)
category. Most of the villages do not
have good roads and the situation
becomes worse during monsoon. In
spite of many government schemes,
people are extremely poor & lack
basic amenities such as health,
education, irrigation & employment.
80 to 90% population is engaged in
agriculture. Major crops are rice &
Ragi. The overall productivity is low
because:
They follow traditional methods
April 2015 | 73
of farming.
Due to hilly terrain, they cannot
use mechanical means of
farming like tractor.
Non availability of good quality
seeds.
Being hilly area, water flows
down to plains and farmers
are left with no water after
monsoon. Hence they grow only
one crop.
For improvement in agriculture, the
foundation has joined hands with
another organization, Syngenta
Foundation. Pragati Pratishthan,
with the help of graduates in
agriculture,
is
disseminating
information
regarding
new
techniques of farming. For this
purpose, information centres for
agriculture (Krushi Mahiti Kendra)
have been set up at various places.
Pragati Krushi Vikas Mandals
have also been formed with local
progressive farmers, who impart
knowledge to other farmers in
nearby areas & provide continuous
help & guidance.
Apart from giving information,
farmers are motivated to adopt new
techniques. They are guided to grow
good quality seeds and make these
available to farmers. Guidance is also
provided regarding the techniques
of sowing, pest control, manure
etc. There is a continuous hand
holding till the crop is harvested.
During the last few years, farmers
who have adopted new techniques

have seen more than 50% rise in
their yield/acre. A new variety of
vegetables has been introduced in
the region so that farmers' income
improve. Kitchen gardens have been
developed where farmers can grow
vegetables for their own use.
In this hilly area, water retention is
very important. For this, dams of
various kinds are built. Check Dam
is a cement concrete dam & is long
lasting. It can also withstand greater
force of water current. However, it
is expensive (Rs 4 to 6 lakh) and is
therefore limited in numbers. Vanrai
Dam is very economical (Rs 2000)
but is useful only if current force is
low & its life is generally one season.
Wiremesh Dam costs around Rs
30 to 40 thousand and lasts for a
longer period. Apart from storing
water for direct use, these dams
help in raising ground water level.
This helps in improving availability
of drinking water through wells.
Another inexpensive method of
storing water is farm ponds which
are built in the fields of individual
farmers. These ponds are lined
with 'Silpaulin' to preserve water
for a longer period. Farmers use
this water for growing vegetables
or flowers after monsoon. As the
pond is situated close to the field,
the farmer does not need pump to
use it.
For
sustainable
development
in tribal area, it is necessary to
supplement
their
agricultural
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 74
income through other activities.

As a part of this initiative, a
rehabilitation centre is run for deaf
and dumb children, where they
make Warli Art articles. The centre
helps villagers for kaju (cashew)
processing, farming and provides
them machines & equipments. A
marketing training is also provided
to them. Various vocational training
programs are organized like nursing,
tailoring, poultry farming, masonry,
driving, DBRT (Diploma in basic rural
technology) etc.
In Jawhar tehsil, the availability of
electricity is poor. Even many padas
do not have provision for electricity
supply. Also, tribals use wood as a
fuel leading to deforestation. Hence
the centre is trying to create nonconventional energy sources like
bio-gas, solar energy, bio fuel from
Jatrofa seeds etc.
A bio-gas plant is built in the hostel
that is used for cooking food for
more than 70 students. In far
flung villages, people have been
using kerosene lamps. Each hut
is provided with a solar panel & 2
bulbs and solar lights are provided
in public places also.
This tribal area is shown a way by

Pragati Pratisthan as to how to lead
a better life in the hilly terrains by
using simple means.
Contact:
1) Anil Dingore
Tendulkar Smruti, opposite petrol
pump,
Tehsil: Jawhar, District:
Thane- 400602
Tel : 02520-222454
Fax : 02520-223140,09422664916
Email : pragati.pratishthan@
rediffmail.com
www.pragatipratishthan.org
2). Jeevanchaya,
Ram Maruti Road, Navpada,
Thane - 400602
April 2015 | 75
Pragya Prabodhini, Amravati dedicated

towards Pardhi welfare
Upliftment of the underprivileged
is the only way to uplift the nation.
Unless the stream of development
flows though these sections of
society, nations development
will remain retarded. Keeping this
view in mind, Pragya Prabodhini in
Maharashtra is striving hard for the
upliftment of Pardhi brethren that
were once regarded as criminals due
to divide and rule policies of British.
Pragya Prabodhini have made them
lead a life filled with self respect and
has enlightened their lives.
In Amravati district of Maharashtra,
Pardhi community people reside in
48 bedas situated in 14 talukas.
By conducting a detailed survey,
Prabodhini has initiated the welfare
work in 26 bedas. Festivals such
as Raksha Bandhan, Ganeshotsav,
Deepawali, Makar Sankranti and
Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated
with religious fervor. From last
three years, Durgotsav is being
enthusiastically celebrated at Mardi
Beda.
Lord Hanumans temple is being
built at Wadura. Deepawali Milan
programmes
were
organized
recently at Kekatpur, Diwankhed
and Shindola. Laxmipujan was
performed at bedas and 300 women
were given sarees as a token of
brotherly love. Earthen lamp, a
picture of Goddess Laxmi and faral
(Diwali snacks) were also given.
In order to inculcate sanskars

among children, sanskar camps are
periodically conducted in villages
such as Dhanora Phasi, Wadura,
Hingalaspur, Mardi and Wagholi. In
the year 2010, a three-day mega
camp was conducted in which 160
children participated. Activities
such as Yoga, physical exercises
and sports were taught along with
the recital of shlokas, patriotic
songs, poems, extempore and story
telling. Medical check-up was also
conducted by expert doctors. A
remarkable discipline was witnessed
among the students in these three
days. They were brought to the camp
by a team of karyakartas working
at Pardhi Bedas. Karyakartas also
shouldered the entire responsibility
of the camp.
For the economic upliftment of
Pardhis, five self help groups are
functioning at Wadura, Dhanora
Phasi and Diwankhed. Rs 1,00,000
loan was disbursed among 22
Pardhi families. Maximum of
Pardhi brethren are engaged in
farming profession. Pesticides and
seed worth Rs 75,000 have been
distributed on 16 Pardhi Bedas
(residences) under late Nanaji
Deshmukh Krishi Sahayata Yojana.
In addition to this, agricultural
training and advice is also given to
them time to time.
In order to provide healthcare to the
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 76
Pardhi brethren, Madhav Arogya

Rakshak Yojana has been initiated in
the name of late RSS Sarsanghchalak
Param Poojyaniya Shri Guruji.
First aid kits have been distributed
on 20 bedas under this scheme.
For the effective implementation
of scheme, Arogya Rakshak has
been appointed on each beda by
giving him due training. As per the
requirement, the patients are also
shifted to the hospital at Amravati
in case of emergency and are
treated with utmost care. Economic
assistance is also provided.
For the sake of homogeneity, the
work area has been divided into
eight talukas in Amravati district.
Eight karyakartas have been
appointed for each district. One
arogya rakshak and beda chief have
also been appointed for each beda.
Sukhdev Pawar has been appointed
as a full time karyakarta.
In order to ensure that Pardhi
brethren
should
themselves
lead their community, training is
provided to them from time to time.
Meeting of the team is conducted
after every two months. Special
training is organized and annual
training workshop is also held. In
this workshop, guidance is provided
in respects such as agriculture, self
help groups, government schemes,
etc. To avail the benefits of various
government schemes, Shrimangal
Pardhi Vikas Bahuddeshiya Sanstha
has been established.
Karyakartas
such
as
Avinash
Deshpande, Pravin Joshi, Mukund

Pande, Raveendra Karve, Sudhir
Bharatiya,
Mohan
Pande,
Yadavrao
Bhogaonkar, Madhukarao Bansod
and Sheetal Bansod are striving hard
for accelerating the work of Pardhi
welfare and creating awareness at
Pardhi Bedas.
An atmosphere of trust has now
been generated at Pardhi Bedas.
Building hostel for Pardhi children
at Amravati is in the offing and
karyakartas have full confidence of
achieving the success soon. With
a feeling that Bharatmata will get
enriched by the empowerment of
the downtrodden, Pragya Prabodhini
is constantly marching on the path
of self reliance. Amravatians have a
lions share in this success Story of
Pragya Prabodhini.
Contact person
Pragya Prabodhini
73 B-Yadnik, Nishigandha Colony,
Jawahar Nagar, AMRAVATI,-444604,
(Maharashtra)
Sh.Avinash
Deshpande-0721-2530396,
0766965484
pradnyaprabodhiniamt@gmail.com
www.pradnyaprabodhini.org
April 2015 | 77
Prerak - Healthcare & Rural Devlopment

Projects in tribal belts of Chattisgarh
Health facilities are still at bay in

the tribal belts of the country that
are cut off from the mainstream of
social development. Malnutrition
and lack of proper aid have made
these people lead a life that is
worse than even the animals. Since
1988, PRERAK has taken an oath to
eradicate this evil from the entire
tribal region of Chhattisgarh and has
much succeeded in transforming
the face of this region. Various
healthcare programmes initiated by
PRERAK have improved the living
conditions of the tribal brethren
and earned a respectable position
for them in the society. Karyakartas
working for the institution have
developed an emotional attachment
with these people as if they are just
like their family members. Thus it
has certainly brought an awakening
among tribal masses so as to march
on the path of development.
Health care projects

Community Eye Health Programme:
PRERAK
initiated
Community
Eye Health program in the year
2003 in two blocks Gariaband &
Magarlod of Raipur & Dhamtari
district with the help of Sight Savers
International Mumbai to eradicate
the eye related diseases such as
cataract, glaucoma, low vision
and other refractive errors. Since
inception of the project more than
3000 cataract patients have been
motivated and operated. Looking
at the good response from the
community PRERAK has launched
the same project in Chhura and
Fingeshwar block of Chhattisgarh
and the program is going on.
Vision centre: A well-equipped
vision centre is maintained by
Prerak at Rajim by the support of
Sight Savers International where
eye patients are diagnosed on
every Friday. The vision centre
provides counselling, medicines
and spectacles to the people having
poor eyesight.
Community Based Rehabilitation
For
visually
impaired:
The
institution is working on two types
of rehabilitation economic & social
rehabilitation. Under community
based
rehabilitation,
visually
impaired are given orientation
and mobility to know about the
environment & walking skills. They
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 78
are taught to perform daily living

activities such as brushing, eating
food, identification of things, etc so
that they can live like a normal person.
In the economic rehabilitation, those
who are physically fit are linked with
economic activities according to
their interest so that they can earn
their livelihood.
Reproductive child health: PRERAK
has initiated the reproductive child
health programme for the tribal
communities of Gariaband block
to reduce the infant mortality rate
& maternal mortality rate. Under
this programme, traditional birth
attendants are given training and
supported with 'Dai kit' to reduce
the death rate during and after birth.
Under this programme, PRERAK
also teaches on hygiene, pre and
postnatal care of women and child.
Integrated education for visually
impaired
children:
PRERAK
promotes
equal
access
to
appropriate education for all visually
impaired children and youths so
that they may achieve their full
potential. Visually impaired children
and youth are entitled to a full range
of educational services. Teachers
and professionals are supporting
in reading Braille and providing pre
and early education. PRERAK has
provided appropriate educational
material and methods to educate
the visually impaired. Presently,
51 visually impaired children are
receiving education.
Promotion of Vaidya Concept :
The institution is promoting herbal
medicines for the tribal people

because tribals reside in the far
flung areas of thick forest where
medical facilities are rarely available.
Therefore, initiative has been
taken to train traditional vaiddyas
(healers) to identify the herbs and
prepare medicines. The objective
is to reduce the dependency upon
the allopathic medicines for the
treatment of minor diseases.
Rural Development Projects:Prerak has aimed to create just
a process of rural development
where the most backward classes
of Chhattisgarh especially women
can be empowered and move
progressively towards the path of
Gram Swaraj.
Leadership skill development:
Seminars, training programmes,
workshops and many other
educational
programmes
are
organized for the village leaders and
other officials to promote capacity
building/leadership quality in the
community.
Income generation programme:
'Prerak'
has
initiated
many
income generation programmes
for the economically backward
tribal people so as to uplift their
standard of living. Group farming;
paddy cultivation using modern
technology; collection, storage and
sale of Non-Timber Forest Produce
(NTFP) like honey, mahul, and shal
leaves, Mahua flower etc; brick
making; fish rearing, etc are some
of the activities that are being run
April 2015 | 79
with this purpose. The organization

has also established dal mill, oil
and lac processing units and others
for promoting income generation
programme and NTFP activities.
Women empowerment through
micro-finance:
'Prerak'
gives
priority to women for getting the
ownership of the parental property
and social participation with any
organization activity so that they
are able to learn the strategies to
develop the leadership skill and
talking style with community,
and able to promote self income
generation activities. Presently,
there are 65 self-help groups (SHGs)
in Mainpur block. 112 SHGs are
formed and linked with banks.
Some of the SHGs are engaged in
income generation activities such
as fisheries, collection and sale of
non timber forest produce. Some of
the SHGs are managing the mid-day
meal. Prerak has taken initiative to
federate the SHGs and in future has
planned to transfer the federation
into multiple self-help cooperatives.
Training is imparted to develop the
skills of SHG leaders & members.
Vasundhara Agricultural
Demonstration
Centre: Herbal plantation and
agriculture demonstration centre is
situated 3 km away from Gariaband
Office at village Bhilai. Around 100
types of different medicinal herbs
are planted for demonstration. For
the demonstration in agriculture,
NADEP manure tank, wormy
wash and wormy compost pit

are demonstrated. Traditional
local paddy seed collection and
multiplication work is going on.
Around 225 local paddy seed has
been collected. Useless upland and
sandy land in the area, are made
appropriate for crops and vegetables
cultivation. Demonstration is given
at this centre so that the farmers
can learn and practice in their own
fields.
Agricultural development: Lac is one
of the most important non-timber
forest produce available in the area
for household income. In many parts
of Chhattisgarh, lac is cultivated, but
due to lack of technical knowledge
and unavailability of seed, people
dont have much production. For
lac cultivation, this organization has
financial support to its beneficiaries
and advanced method of lack
cultivation has been introduced.
Training and exposures are being
conducted to promote 'Madagascar
Technology' of paddy cultivation.
Multifarious sewa projects has
made Prerak a unique one.
Contact
Sri Ramgulam Sinha
Prerak
Opp Govt Hospital, Ward No-1
Rajim
District-Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
Pin code 493881
Tel/Fax: 07701- 235180,
09424218653,
E-mail: prerak2@rediffmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 80
Rashtriya Sarvangin Gramvikas

Sanstha, Mulshi
organization was the development
of the country is directly linked to
the development of the village.
It prepared a draft on making the
village self-reliant and self sufficient
and started working keeping in view
four-fold objective of improving
agriculture, education, healthcare
and self-employment.
Located at a distance of 40 km
from Maharashtras cultural and
educational hub Pune, Mulshi
is miles away from the fruits of
development. Though there is ample
awareness about education, there
are schools sans approach roads.
It receives plenty of rainfall during
rainy season but the residents do
not easily get water even to drink
throughout the year.
Determined to wipe out these
lacunae from the life of the people
of Mulshi, social activist Prof. Anil
Vyas of Pune pondered over a
concept of a service project which
would ameliorate the condition
of the people. He was supported
in this idea by the residents of
Kothrud area of Pune who assured
all possible help to the project.
Thus came in existence Rashtriya
Sarvangin Gramvikas Sanstha in
1995 which accommodated experts
from various fields along with the
social activists. The motto of the
Jobs for women

With a view to making the women
of this village economically
empowered the Sanstha started
sewing, making pickle and other
eatables like papad, and other
materials. Sufficient training was
provided to these women in this
regard. These products were then
sent to Pune during the annual
Bhimthadi Mela and a market
were carved out for them. Thus
the first objective of providing
earning opportunity to women was
fulfilled. In addition to this self help
groups were set up to inculcate the
habit of saving among the women
associated with this project. Today,
there are 50 such self help groups
running successfully.
Agriculture improvement
The life in rural areas is still
dependent on rain fed agriculture.
If they fail to improve the farming
techniques commensurate with
changing times, farming becomes
a burden. In view this reality the
April 2015 | 81
sanstha organized training melas for

the farmers along with construction
of small bunds and amicus to
make water available for farming
purposes. The farmers were given
training in regard to modern farming
instruments and their use, organic
farming, bio-fertilizers, nursery, etc.
Students are also involved in this
training process. The Sanstha had
given attention to providing job
opportunities to youths by arranging
training in carpentry, masonry and
mobile repairing etc.
subjects like energy, engineering

capability farming and animal
rearing, home science and electrical
etc. The students are immensely
benefited in their higher studies.
Eight students of this school are
following their higher education in
foreign countries now.
Training is also provided to them
in audio-visual recording, video
shooting and related matters along
with computer training. Some of
the trained students have prepared
short documentaries and script for
them was written by them only.
This helps them in understanding
the subject thoroughly. This project
is felicitated by Indian Innovation
Award.
Various competitions like sports and
games, drawing, junior scientists
etc. are regularly organized in
school. The students of this school in
a rural area have earned success in
National Talent Search Examination.
Swami Vivekananda Vidyalaya

In 1995 Swami Vivekananda
Vidyalaya was established in Asade
village with a view to providing
proper education in this regard. 250
students from five villages located in
this valley are studying in this school.
The fees is just Rs 100/-. However,
the school is granted one. Along with
the regular syllabus, the students of
standard 8 to 10 are given additional
training in different vocations. For
this the IBT Vocational syllabus
prepared by Vigyan Ashram, Pabal is
implemented. The syllabus includes
Hostel
All the villages in this region have
primary schools but they have to
turn to city for higher education.
Sometimes these students have to
traverse long distances and even
cross hills and vales to reach schools.
Considering these difficulties, the
Sanstha has started two hostels
one in Male village and another
at Shileshwar. Students studying
in standard V to VII are housed in
Male hostel while those studying
in standard VIII to X are provided
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 82
accommodation at Shileshwar
hostel. Another arrangement for
girl students from 5th to 10th
standard in made in another hostel
at Shileshwar. It may be mentioned
that all these three hostels are
constructed on a land donated by
charitable and philanthropic people
of the locality. The requirements
of students such as grains, school
uniforms, clothes and other items
are fulfilled by the common families
of the region who have developed
interest in social activities. Material
is collected on every 10th day of the
month from the donor families who
consider donation to this hostel
as a benevolent cause. They are
overwhelmed to know that with
their help life of one student is being
shaped in a proper direction in this
hostel.
Sanskar Varg
Due to speedy industrialization of
Pune, the population of Pirangut
near Mulshi has increased rapidly
and with this the lifestyle of this
village is also changed. In most of
the families both father and mother
have to go out for a job and they have
a very busy schedule daily. Divided
families and industrialization has
affected the minds of the children
adversely calling for inculcating
good moral values in them to
shape their personality in proper
way. For this, the Sanstha started
Sanskar Varg (Informal school) in
2008 in Pirangut. This was the first
of its kind in Pirangut. Later similar
efforts were made in Sutarvadi and
Lavale villages. During this twohour informal school the students

are taught games, exercises, prayer,
chorus, discussions, and home work
given at the school besides resolving
their problems. The results of this
Sanskar varg are encouraging and
people are getting attracted towards
them in large numbers.
RSGS is role model for other
voluntary
organization
in
indentifying the needs of the people
and in implementing the suitable
projects successfully.
Contact
Prof Anil Vyas,
A-1, Keshar Society, Paud Road,
PUNE-411038
(Maharashtra, Bharat)
Phone- 020-25464661,
Cell- 09422366714
anilvyas@gmail.com
www.mulshigrmvikas.org
April 2015 | 83
Samvedna triggering passion for life

among handicapped
Handicapped children are a great
cause of concern for parents. Such
parents have to carry the piles of
sorrow on their head throughout
their life. Their heart breaks at every
moment while witnessing the fact that
their children cannot lead a normal
life like the other ones. Samvedana
Rehabilitation Centre has come to the
rescue of such children that enables
them lead a normal life by boosting
their confidence.
All parents have a dream that their
child should excel in every walk of
life. However, destiny plays a cruel
game with some people. Suresh Patil
is one such victim. His son was born
with multiple physical disorders.
However, instead of grieving over
the issue, Mr and Mrs Patil began to
discover the way through which their
son can stand on his own feet. One
thing they realized was that their son
is not sick; he is disabled. Like various
kinds of other disabilities, this can also
be overcome and their son can also
become self sufficient to a maximum
extent. Patil couple initiated research
in this direction and came to knew
that their kid has been hit by cerebral
palsy; a disorder caused by injuries
or abnormalities of the brain. While
thinking about the needs of their own
child, Patil duo was moved by the plight
of similar such affected children in the
society. What can be done so that along
with our own child, these children will
also get an equal right to live like the

other normal children in the society ?
This question struck their mind and this
gave birth to a unique rehabilitation
centre in the name Samvedana for
cerebral palsy-hit children.
With the confluence of Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh Jankalyan Samiti
Maharashtra Prant and Vivekanand
Medical Foundation & Research
Centre, the foundation was laid for
Samvedana Rehabilitation Centre for
Physically Handicapped at Latur. At
this school, these children get homely
love; their passion for life is triggered
and talents are rectified.
The school that was started along
with just three children has a
strength of 25 at present. There are
a number of government run schools
for handicapped but the number of
schools for children hit by cerebral
palsy is quite low. Taking this fact into
account, Samvedana Rehabilitation
Centre was opened.
Along with the education, they get one
more important thing here and that is
self sufficiency to stand on own feet.
For this, their self confidence is boosted
and physical stamina is increased.
Children love to stay here because of
the affection. They are treated with
utmost care and belongingness.
Children come to school by a school
van. After the prayer, Suryanamaskar
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 84
only. Teachers look after their meals

with a great sense of belongingness.
and other physical exercises are

taught. As per the requirement of
the individual child, massage and
physiotherapy are given. Efforts are
made so that the child can maintain
his balance and stand on his own
feet. With the help of walker or with
somebodys help, children become
self sufficient to stand and walk slowly.
A lot of feelings are hidden in their
heart but due to the lack of speech,
those cannot be expressed. Hence,
in order to get them expressed,
speech therapy is given and that too
through the medium of games and
entertainment. By playing small and
simple games, they learn to speak
and recognize letters & numbers.
Their tongue is very stiff and its
indeed a Herculean task to make it
flexible for utterance. However, with
great patience, the teachers here
accomplish this task and make these
children earn the right to speak. Their
thoughts are channelized so that they
can easily express their feelings.
By showing various objects, they are
taught to recognize colours and move
the fingers. Because of this, slowly,
their fingers start moving on the
keyboard. Food is fed by the teachers
After the classroom session is over,

children are given the work of their
own choice. This includes gardening,
cleaning the premises, planting the
saplings, watering the plants, etc
through which they derive utmost
pleasure. Each child works as per his
physical capacity.
Teachers also render selfless service for
the welfare of these kids. Earlier, the
centre was run by Patil duo alone but
now there are 8 to 10 teachers here. In
spite of having their own children, they
devote their precious time for teaching
at the centre. Along with school,
training is also necessary for these kids
at their homes. Hence the counseling
of parents is also done by the centre.
These children dont want our
sympathy or mercy; what they
want is just our sensitivity towards
them. Samvedana has boosted the
confidence of such children to touch
the sky who earlier did not even know
to move their fingers also.
Samvedana is far beyond Compassion
Contact
Vivekanand Medical Foundation &
Research Centre
Vidya Nagar Signal Camp,
Latur- 41 35 12
Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 02382-245901,/902/903,
9423076994
Email:vhlatur@gmail.com
www.vivekanandahospital.in
April 2015 | 85
Satkarma Shraddhashraya, Panvel

Satkarma Shraddhashraya, located
in Raigad district of Maharashtra
has made vanavasi brethren realize
their potential by initiating various
welfare activities for the uplift of
these brethren. Now these people
have become self-reliant with
appropriate utilization of resources
found in abundant quantities in the
forest region.
While travelling by train, one can

see some tribals coming to the
railway station for selling the forest
produce. Sometimes, they earn a
few pennies while many a times
they return empty handed. When
they did not earn, they might be
compelled to sleep empty stomach.
Some workers travelling by train
were moved by their plight and
vowed to work for their welfare.
Vanavasi brethren spend their entire
life in combating problems such as
insufficient land for farming, lack of
education, no permanent source of
income, etc. Health is also a major
cause of concern. Superstitions
are at the peak. Dearth of money
further adds to their miseries.

Trapped in all these tentacles, they
opt for any kind of work that can
give them bread and also fall prey to
malnutrition along with exploitation.
The workers realized the gravity of
the problem and decided to keep no
stone unturned for their uplift.
All these people, giving due justice
to their jobs chemical companies,
gathered information from various
places about these vanavasi
brethren, thoroughly studied their
requirements and started helping
the organizations striving hard for
the upliftment of vanavasis. Their
welfare activities went on for 4-5
years. During this period, they
realized that health is the prime
cause of concern for these tribals
and some concrete solution must be
found out regarding the provision
of healthcare facilities. Hence,
they decided to work separately
without taking assistance from any
other organization. Some of them
were completely retired by this
period and were able to devote a
lot of time for this work. They now
started searching a suitable place
for setting up the headquarters.
The remote region of Dehrang,
situated at a distance of 17 km
from Panvel, inhabited by Thakar
vanavasi community, was selected
for initiating the seva activities.
Since 1986, some doctors along
with the karyakartas started visiting
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 86
the region every Sunday. They used

to conduct medical check-up and
provide medicines to the vanavasis.
Considering the need for proper
medical aid and sound response
of the vanavasis, karyakartas
felt the need to establish an
official organization and thus the
foundation was laid for Satkarma
Shraddhashraya.
Senior social worker and Nagar
Parishad
ex-president
late
Vyankatesh Jape donated his oneacre land in Dehrang region for this
noble cause. Mauli Seva Sankul was
thus erected. Zila Parishad schools
were running in Dehrang region
but the educational atmosphere
was missing. Parents were engaged
in masonry work for the entire
day and children were told to
remain at home itself. Therefore
it was quite necessary to create
educational environment for these
children. Shraddhashraya selected
10 children and decided to bear
the entire educational expenses of
these students.
Shraddhashraya
karyakartas
provided parental care to these
children. Residential arrangement

was made at the Mauli Seva Sankul
hostel. Efforts were initiated to
make them self-reliant through
the inculcation of sanskars. The
children started regularly practicing
suryanamaskars. Along with school
education, their moral education
also gained momentum.
Gaushala was started so that fresh
milk could be provided to children
for ensuring their sound heath.
Barren cows are also looked after
with affection. Gobar gas plant
was erected for utilizing cow
dung obtained regularly in large
quantities. This also helped greatly
in reducing the cost of fuel at the
hostel. The surplus milk was used
for manufacturing buttermilk. After
surving this buttermilk to the hostel
students, the remaining was fed to
the cows. It was found that the milk
yield was significantly increased.
Ghee was also manufactured from
the surplus milk. Ghee produced
from the milk of Indian cow has
a large demand in the market.
Products such as go mutra (cow
urine), massage oil, bathing soap, etc
were manufactured that generated
a good amount of money for the
organization thereby helping in the
expansion of its work. Vanavasis in
the region also started realized the
importance of gaushala as a source
of income.
The region blessed with the boon
of Mother Nature has an abundant
reserve of medicinal herbs. Herbs
April 2015 | 87
such as shatavari, tulsi, aloe vera,

hibiscus, reetha, adulsa, etc have
been scientifically cultivated and
the locals have also been trained
regarding the same. All these
medicinal herbs have a great
demand in the pharmacy market.
This has created another avenue
for
employment
generation.
Aloe vera jelly manufactured by
the Shraddhashraya has a lot of
demand in the market. Trees such
as mango, guava and custard apple
are cultivated in large number.
Honey is also extracted on a large
scale. Shraddhashraya has tried
its best to generate employment
from the available resources in the
region and thus solved the earning
problem of the vanavasi brethren to
a great extent.
A community hall has been
constructed that is utilized for
organizing various social and
cultural programmes. Instead of
visiting various places for providing
healthcare facilities, health-camp
is organized here itself on every
Sunday for providing effective
medical treatment.
Along with Mohanrao Bapat, two
karyakartas are shouldering the
responsibility of this noble work;
one is a retired teacher and the
another karyakarta, who stays here
with his entire family, works roundthe-clock for the Shraddhashraya.
The number of karyakartas has
also increased with the increase in
workload. Though the vanavasis
have become self-reliant, still the

list of their problems is quite long.
The Thakar vanavasi brethren
are taken every care by Satkarma
Shraddhashraya
whether
it
is medical care, education or
residential facility children, etc for
uplifting them in every aspect.
Contact
Satkarma Shraddhashraya
Mauli Seva Sankul
Tarwadi, Dehrang 41 02 06
Post Vaje, Taluka Panvel, District
Raigad
2.) Bhagirathi,
Plot no-72, Gandhi Nagar,
Manpada Road
Dombivalli (East) 421204
Ph-0251-2448531,2448539
Phone no: 09819282247,08879601
460,0982097472
Website: www.satkarma.blogspot.com
Email- sushrut7@gmail.com
How to reach -17 km from Panvel.
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 88
Savitribai Phule Mahila Ekatma Samaj,

Aurangabad
A doctor is God for human beings.

However, of late, this profession is
highly commercialized. Because of
this, doctors fear has gripped the
common man which is indeed a great
cause of concern. Seven doctors
from Aurangabad gave a serious
consideration to this problem and
established Babasaheb Ambedkar
Medical Foundation for providing
healthcare
to
underprivileged
people at an affordable cost. Apart
from this, they visited various
seva bastis (slums) and initiated
different projects for the welfare
of these people. Savitribai Phule
Mahila Ekatma Samaj Mandal
was established through which
an awakening regarding health,
hygiene and education was brought
among people.
In order to provide the best medical
treatment to common people

at an optimum cost and treat
economically backward people
residing in slums, Babasaheb
Ambedkar Medical Foundation
was established at Aurangabad in
the year 1988. In next six months,
Guruvarya Lahuji Salve Health
Centre was established at Milind
Nagar and the stream of medical
development was thus made to flow
through seva bastis. Creating health
awareness among these people
was the first step initiated by the
institute.
After a detailed study of these
seva bastis, the first and foremost
thought that struck their mind
was that healthcare training and
primary education are must for
women. Hence the awareness was
created among women regarding
April 2015 | 89
their health. Primary education

and health-related training was
given. Within a short period of time,
women started paying attention
towards their health and also
became more concerned towards
the health of their family members.
They also started realizing that
children should also be educated
in order to become a responsible
citizen of tomorrow. In order to
catalyze this entire work, the
institute established an organization
named Savitribai Phule Mahila
Ekatma Samaj Mandal.
A dire need was felt to establish
harmony among women. With this
view in mind, various projects for
welfare of women were initiated.
Women self-help group was
established. Tailoring training was
given to women working in seva
bastis. With this training, girls
earned money and utilized it for
their studies. Women initiated
farming activities in rural areas
by establishing self help groups
and thus gave employment to
their sisters in villages. Through
all such programmes, women in

the surrounding region are striving
together for development in todays
date.
The institute was primarily started
for mothers and children. Nurseries
are run in which each and every
kid is nurtured as a human being.
Sevavratis (dedicated karyakartas)
devote a few hours of their daily
routine for the nursery with a great
sense of belongingness.
The journey just did not stop here.
Apart from this, people were
confronting a lot many problems.
Hence a number of projects
were undertaken for all round
development of the people. For
youths in seva bastis, Vidyarthi
Vikas Prakalp (students welfare
project) was undertaken. Under this
project, students are groomed while
providing them utmost healthcare.
The success graph is such that two
of them have now become doctors.
However, it has been found that
some of such students dont have
the flair for education at all. To
ensure that such students did not
lose track, they were given training
in civil construction so as to earn
their living.
Kishori Vikas Prakalp was started
for girls. Girls are given all type of
education through Yoga, Anatomy
and Psychology. This project has
not just been kept limited to the
girls of seva bastis but it has also
been implemented in the rural
areas. Through Sanganak Pragya
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 90
programme, youths are given

training in computers. Employmentoriented training is also provided.
The work of the institute doesnt
remain confined to health and
education but it was also extended
to farming. Various innovative
activities were implemented for
farmers; right from the agricultural,
methods up to the mechanization,
the institute greatly helped farmers
in professional enhancement. For
taking care of the cattle, Gokulam
Pashudhan Aarogyasathi Prakalp
was initiated.
Sapling plantation programme
was implemented for maintaining
ecological
balance.
Through
Sanjeevani
Clinic,
healthcare
work is going in full swing in the
surrounding villages. In order
to provide healthcare facilities
at every place, volunteers were
given Arogya Mitra training by
Niramay Health Training School.
These Arogya Mitras have served
as bridge between villagers and the
institute. At present, 400 students
are rendering their valuable services
as Arogya Mitras in various villages.
The
dedication
of
medical
practitioners
to
start
such
institution, first in health sector,
then in other sectors for overall
development of inhabitants of
Bastis is commendable.
Contact
Dr Divakar Kulkarni
Dr Hedgewar Hospital, Garkheda
Aurangabad-43 10 05
Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 0240-2331195,
9822435531
Email: contact@hedgewar.org
April 2015 | 91
Sewa Bharati kindles new hopes of life for

Shanthi, Kalarani & Anitha
Shanthi, the unfortunate widow
barely in her early 20s is now a very
happy woman. Married to a very
understanding partner Somalingam,
Shanthi entered a new life courtesy Seva
Bharhi, Tamil Nadu (South). Same is the
case with Kalarani and Anitha.
In the suburbs of Nagerkovil town there
is a small village called Sarakkalvilai.
Shanthi (23) who was a widow having a
three-year-old female child, used to stay
here with her mother Bhathirakali who
was a member of the Buvaneswari SHG
managed by Seva Bharthi.
The SHG members deliberated upon
her plight and decided to do something
that would bring a new hope in her life.
In one of their weekly meetings they
decided to arrange for her remarriage.
Everything was planned and executed
in a fantastic way. Shanthi entered a
new life with an understanding partner
Somalingam. The SHGs funded and
organized the marriage function. The
people of the village were astonished
by this activity of the SHG and extended
all their support. During the visit of the
Sewa Bharati office-bearer the mother
of Shanthi, Smt Bathirakali, was in tears
while describing the incident.
In a village called Aramannam near
Kulasekaram the incident was even
more appalling. One widow lived in
Aramannam working as an agriculture
labor and her two adolescent daughters,
namely Kalarani and Anitha, worked in
a private firm in Andhra Pradesh. She
died of cancer leaving behind the two
daughters as orphans after spending
all her earnings on her treatment. The

two daughters who came to take care
of their mother in the hospital were
left with nothing but the corpse of their
mother. There was nobody to help even
for the funeral.
The Sewa Bharati SHG members took
the initiative and arranged for the
funeral of the deceased after performing
all the last rites. They arranged for
the girls a safe place for the livelihood
with suitable jobs. The SHG members
took all initiatives to arrange for their
marriages also. One Panchayat member
of the locality took the lead and with
the generous contributions from all the
SHGs across the District and various
other organizations the marriage of
Kalarani was arranged with Iyappan.
Helping the needy is another important
social change that is happening almost
every day in the district through SHGs.
Financial assistance for the sick persons,
accident victims, victims of calamities
like fire accidents, have become a
normal routine for the SHGs.
Seva Bharati Then-Tamilnadu has shown
the way how good human relation &
compassion can be built by SHGs which
is beyond financial gains & self reliance.
Contact
Seva Bharathi ThenTamil Nadu
Seva Bharathi-Then Tamilnadu,
96, Vasanth Nagar Airport P.O.,
Trichirapally 620007, Tamilnadu
sbthttn@yahoo.in,
ramabalasundaram@yahoo.in
Sanstha Ph.No: 0431-2341574,
04651-223822,9443531994,
9486102671
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 92
Sewa Bharti Hostel for boys at Dabra, Gwalior

was so impressed at the progress of
the hostel at Dabra that he donated
Rs 15 lakhs in three installments for
the construction work.
The drive from Gwalior to Dabra

is not very long but it is more
interesting because of the natural
beauty surrounding the serpentine
road and lush green scenery.
Sewa Bharti residential boys school
at Dabra was started on July 10,
2003 in a rented house. Initially
the strength of the school was 35
janjati boys studying in class VI to
VIII. In 2006, another bigger house
was taken on rent as the number
of students increased. But in view
of continuous rise in the number
of students, it was decided to
purchase a plot of land measuring
two acres. But the real problem
was raising funds for construction
of the hostel. Late Vishnuji, who
was the main inspiration behind
these projects, used all his skills
and resources to encourage the
local RSS workers to collect funds
for the hostel. However, they got a
modern Bhamashah in US-based
Pankaj Maheshwari, a software
engineer who had come to Gwalior
to perform the last rites of father. He
The first floor measuring 10000 sq

ft was constructed at a cost of Rs
50 lakh which was made available
by the then MP Yashodhara Raje
Scindia and the then Rajya Sabha
Member Kaptan Singh Solanki.
Sarkaryavah of RSS Shri Suresh
alias Bhayyaji Joshi inaugurated
the newly constructed building
Sevadham on December 18, 2010.
But the absence of Vishnuji- the
moving figure was felt as he had left
this mortal world on May 23, 2009
after a prolonged illness in Delhi.
This hostel provides accommodation
to students coming from Sahariya

janjati of Madhya Pradesh. Like
the Biagas, this janjati is also
declared as endangered by the
state government and special
efforts are being undertaken by
the state government to save them
from extinction. The Sahariyas
April 2015 | 93
are a designated primitive janjati

community, which comprises nearly
4% of the tribal population of
Madhya Pradesh. As such they are
protected janjati and enjoy special
status. The major concentration of
this janjati is found in the mountains
of the state. These people prefer to
maintain fewer contacts with the
outside world in order to keep their
originality intact. They trace their
origin from Shabari of the Ramayan.
They worship Goddess Tejaji,
Dhakar Baba, Durga, Hanuman,
Lalbai and Bejasan. Savni Amavasya,
Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan,
Deepavali, Holi and Teja Dashmi
are some among the major festivals
celebrated by them.
these students participate in large

number.
Thousands & thousands of vanavasi
children are given free education
with free hostel facility in hundreds
of places, which makes a silent
revolution through education &
thereby brings prosperity to these
vanavasis.
Contact
Presently there are 178 students

from 49 villages studying in standard
6 to 10th following the syllabus of
the MP State Board. Eight teachers
are engaged in teaching them. That
they are as brilliant as any other
normal children was proved beyond
doubt when they obtained 100 per
cent result in board examinations.
This hostel has played an important
role in transforming the society. The
students have registered a negative
trend towards consumption of meat
and drinks. They have developed a
liking for education. The members
of the managing committee visit
the parents of the students which
have led to initiating the process
of social mixing and harmony.
Regular parents meetings are held
in the hostel in which the parents of
Vanvasi Awaasiya High School

Sewa Bharati, Madhya Bharat
Sewadham Nagar,
Dabra, Dist: Gwalior
(Mashya Pradesh, India)
Phone: 07524- 223964
How to reach
Dabra is 42 Km from Gwalior
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 94
Shantiniketan Chhatrawas:
A center of service and sanskars
Dagshai, a place situated at the height

of 5000 ft. in Solan district of Himachal
Pradesh-the land of Gods- is a beautiful
place to visit once in lifetime. The
Indian Army has its cantonment here.
Sewa Bharati, Himachal Pradesh runs
a hostel- Shantiniketan Chhatrawas for
poor, destitute and helpless boys where
students studying in standard II to X
are accommodated. These students
belong to remote and inaccessible areas
of the state. They mostly come from
Dodrakyar and Nerwa of Shimla district,
Bari of Kinnore district, Jasorgarh of
Chamba district, Shilla, Lanacheta of
Sirmour and Chhota Bhangal (Barot) of
Mandi district. Some of these areas are
covered with ice for most part of the
year.
The hostel was started on March 9,
2008 with 14 students. Now their
number is 30 but till now 100 students
have passed out from this hostel.
Sewa Bharati bears the expenses of
these students for lodging, boarding,
education etc. Sewa Internatinal and
some local philanthropists extend their
valuable help and assistance to Sewa
Bharati in running this hostel.
The day begins for the boys at 5 am with
Ekatmata Stotram and studies. They go to
school at 9 am and stay their till 4.30 pm.

In the evening they participate in the RSS
shakha in a nearby basti and then pursue
their studies after the regular evening
prayers before the dinner.
Three workers look after the hostel
management and especially take care
of the boys, inculcate in them good
moral values and help them in facing
and solving problems. They take utmost
care to provide a family like atmosphere
to the students. Shri Mansa Ramji,
who is a caring grandpa of the boys, is
taking care of the inmates Through this
hostel,regular service is provided to
the patients of Solan District Hospital
besides organizing health check up
camps from time to time. The hostel
has a vehicle which is donated by Sewa
Bharati Jammu.
Contact
Shantiniketan Chhatrawas
Kothi No. 15, Charing Cross,
Dagshai, District Solan-173210
(Himachal Pradesh, Bharat)
Phone- 01792-266276/266231,
09817043787, 09418906634
Email-sncdagshai2001@gmail.com
How to Reach
60 kms from Chandigarh on
Chandigarh Shimla route
April 2015 | 95
Street Children Project, Delhi

Children Project. Children who used
to dwell on streets begging for bread
are now living a life filled with selfrespect at Sewa Bharati's Keshav Sewa
Kendra. Their lives are enlightened by
education and they have understood
the real meaning of life. It is housed in
Keshav Sewa Kendra, Dilshad Garden,
Delhi on the other bank of the river
Yamuna. It was started to provide
education as well as some vocational
training to children of poor slum or
pavement dwellers.
About 6,000 people reside in this
colony and most of them are rickshaw

pullers, labourers, beggars, sweepers,
etc. Many children also struggle for
bread along with their parents. Some
kids dance as jokers at traffic signals,
some are engaged in boot polish,
some sweep the streets while some
just beg on roads.
punctuality, prayers, group songs, and

yogasanas.
They are also told about the cultural
panorama of our society and stories
of patriotic sons and daughters
of Mother Bharat are also told to
them. They develop good relations
with their friends and pay respects
to their parents and teachers. They,
thus develop reverence for cultural
values. All these positive results have
convinced the organizers of the need
to expand the facet of social work.
The efforts of these street children
have been appreciated by the society
on a number of occasions. Even Delhi
Chief Minister Sheela Dixit rewarded
the children for their creativity.
At present this project is run at six
places with an enrolment of 450
After one years coaching some of

these children got admitted in nearby
Government or Corporation schools.
These children are oriented to develop
finer values of life and adopt healthy
habits. Stress is laid on cleanliness and
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 96
children from the nearby slums.

Ministry of Women and Child Welfare
supports this project financially by
providing 90 per cent grants while
Sewa Bharati adds 10 per cent
contribution.These centers are located
at:1. Keshav Sewa Kendra, Dilshad Vihar,
Kalandar Colony, Delhi- 110095
2. Lal Bagh Jhuggi Colony, Under
Shahdara Fly Over, Shahdara,
Delhi- 110092
3. 6/389, Khichripur, Delhi- 110091
4. Basti Vikas Kendra, Chitra Vihar, Delhi
5. Maharana Pratap Sewa Kendra,
East Gokul Puri, Delhi-110094
6. Saraswati
Bal
Mandir,
Jhandewalan, Near Jhandewalan
Mata Mandir, Delhi-110055.
The programs Seva Bharati plans
for the future include creation of
Care Center in various extensions in
other slums or sewa bastis as they
prefer to call; identifying areas which
have concentration of neglected
children;
non-formal
education
centers; vocational and job-oriented
training; comprehensive personality
development programs and camps
and, awareness building with regard
to consequences of drinking, drugs
etc.
The vision that works behind this
unique project is ensuring physical,
mental and moral sound health and
well being of every child; inculcating
in them cultural values and molding
their
character;
strengthening
the relationship of children with

other children, his family and the
community and, restoring the
childrens relationship with their
own families when required and
when possible.At present, Seva
Bharati makes arrangements for
free education to these children;
provision of school uniforms and
other educational material and needs;
training in skills, crafts and arts and
health supervision and training. The
motto of this project is We care for
our own children. Can we step in and
help a few homeless children? This
will make our own children more
considerate and responsive towards
society,In our country the number
of children in slums is increasing dayby-day. There is every possibility that
given the environment of the slums,
these children are likely to fall prey to
the anti-social elements and become
a threat to the society. As responsible
citizens, there is definitely a lot we
can do for them. We could step in
and embrace these children and
help them lead a life we dream for
ourselves. These children are future
of our country and could contribute
greatly if given an opportunity. This
is the rationale and motive behind
starting this Street Children Project.
Contact
Seva Bharati (Street Children Project)
Keshav Sewa Kendra, Dilshad Garden
Delhi- 11 00 95
(New Delhi, India)
Phone: 011-23742334,23345014
Email- sewabharti@ymail.com,
Website: - www.sewabharti.org
April 2015 | 97
Surajya Sarvangin Vikas Prakalp, Pune
Yerwada is one of the lesserdeveloped areas of Pune and

has a population of more than 4
lakh. There are 35 sevavastis with
a population of approximately
1,75,000. The issues faced by the
inhabitants of these sevavastis
(slums) are many and varied in
nature. It is observed that there
is a total lack of financial security,
education, moral and cultural values
as well as health awareness in these
sevavastis. Established in 2001,
Surajya Sarvangin Vikas Prakalp is
working in the sevavastis of Yerwada
and its surrounding areas for the
upliftment of these people so as
to make them understand the real
meaning of life.
Karyakartas are working in the
sevabastis such as Jayprakash
Nagar at Yerwada, Darawde Mala
and Keraba Vasti at Koregaon
Park, Sanjay Park at Viman Nagar,

Ekta Nagar and Bhim Nagar at
Vishrantwadi, Ambedkar Nagar
and Khulewadi at Chandan Nagar,
Lower Prem Nagar and Upper Prem
Nagar at Market Yard. Starting with
6 sevabastis in 2001, now in 2011,
Surajya has widened its network in
10 sevavastis. Following activities
are carried out:
Abhyasika
School-going
children
living
in sevabastis are deprived of
the environment conducive to
study. Study guidance centres or
Abhyasikas make a sincere effort
to heal this problem. Children have
started performing better in studies
and this eventually helps them to
get admissions to good colleges to
get quality education.
Efforts are made to ensure that
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 98
children attend school regularly.

Abhyasikas are held everyday
for students from standard 1 to
standard 10. Every year, a total of
about 1100 students from these
sevavastis enroll in Surajya classes.
Students of all standards are taught
Mathematics, English and Science
for an hour. Last year, a large
percentage of students were able
to score more than 75% marks in
their exams. Special tuition classes
and lectures are also held for the
students of 10th standard . In the
academic year 2009-2010, 51 out
of 55 students of 10th standard,
passed with flying colours.
Sanskar Kendra
Surajya
organises
personality
development camps for children
from 7th to 10th standard , where
they are taught awareness of what
is good and, the role of an individual
in the development of his/her area,
identity as an Indian citizen, patriotic
songs, inspirational stories about our
historic icons, various arts and crafts
and awareness about their own
potential. Grammar lessons, moral
lessons, meals and police week are
also held regularly especially for
10th standard students.
Kishori Prakalp
Adolescent girls living in sevavastis
face various problems such as lack
of employment due to illiteracy,
lack of proper guidance, etc. There
are a lot of unanswered questions
regarding their physical as well as
emotional changes. They suffer
from depression due to lack of

freedom at home. Also, since they
are married at a very young age,
they are forced to assume family
responsibilities too early. They
really have no knowledge of reasons
of changes in behavioural pattern,
the legal and right age for marriage,
how and whom to choose as their
life partner. Nor do they realize the
responsibility and importance of
being a woman. 'Surajya' ensures
weekly visits by a doctor at all the
sevabastis. Also, free health checkup camps are conducted regularly.
Mahila Bachat Group
Self Help Group (SHG) is not just a
tool of economic improvement. It
is an activity that lets women come
together and have the confidence
to earn. Being an earning member
changes the womans status in
family. SHG becomes the accelerator
of social change at micro-level.
A woman in SHG is supported by
her fellow group members even in
her family emergencies. SHG is an
institution of community cohesion.
It is much more than just a microcredit group.
The basic aim of this group is to
encourage the habit of saving money,
which in turn ensures financial
independence of the women. This
boosts their morale and increases
their self-esteem. Their husbands
and families respect them, and
there is a marked improvement in
their standard of living as a result of
April 2015 | 99
their savings.
As of date, there are 40 such groups
as well as 3 womens associations in
Surajya. There are total 780 women
in these groups. Besides micro
financing activity, various issues of
health, family, childcare are also
discussed and
The overall development of

inhabitants of Seva Bastis bring in
real social transformation and the
working of Surajya in this direction
is commendable.
tackled during monthly meetings of

the groups.
Health camp
Awareness about basic hygiene
and sanitation helps in preventing
many diseases. Communities groups
can be inspired to motivate their
members follow hygienic practices in
cooking and eating. The awareness
campaigns cover simple issues like
cutting nails, washing hands, using a
mosquito-net, etc and also take up
grave issues like HIV and TB.
Contact:
Surajya Sarvangin Vikas Prakalp
Shop no 23-24, Surbhi Complex
MH HSG Board,Yerwada
Pune-411006 (Maharashtra, India)
Phone no: +91-20-64009644
E-mail :- info@surajyaprakalp.org
Contact person: Vijay Shivale
vijay.surajya@gmail.com
karpenaresh@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 100
Swaroopvardhini, Pune;
creating idols from the idle
Swaroopvardhini is a leading social

organization working in the slums of
Pune. The circumference of its work is
not just constrained to regular school
curriculum, but it aims at grooming the
latent talent among youths to utilize
it for the upliftment of downtrodden
sections of the society.
Late Kishabhau Patwardhan from
Mangalwar Peth locality in eastern
Pune initiated this noble work and the
same is going on since several years
for marching towards the goal of selfreliance. Swaroopvardhini has done
a commendable work of uplifting
people from this locality who were
earlier deprived of primary facilities
such as health, education and shelter.
This institute has created over 50 Class
II officers who have now earned a
respectable position in the society.
Being a teacher by blood, Kishabhau
realized that the children in these
seva bastis have got a lot of talent,
but they lack proper guidance. If their
talent is not tapped at correct time,
they may get indulged into unfair
practices. For this, the ship of their
life must be diverted towards the
lighthouse of education. Educationrelated atmosphere must be

provided. Realizing this, an abhyasika
(study room) was opened in one
of the corporation schools. Slowly,
the karyakartas revealed that mere
studies are not sufficient. The all
round development of children is
also necessary. Improvement in the
conduct will lead to the improvisation
of slums. Hence the karyakartas
framed a unique education pattern in
the name Swaroopvardhini Shakha.
In this session, various activities have
been divided into hours. First hour is
devoted to physical exercise. Various
Indian games are played regularly that
tone the entire body and maintain its
fitness level. Through various patriotic
songs, a feeling of gratitude towards
nation is inculcated among students
so as to maintain the social harmony.
After this, study hour is held in which
students are not taught but asked to
study themselves and question teachers.
This inculcates the habit of self-study
among students. Teachers maintain a
record of their progress, communicate
with parents and inform them about the
development of their wards.
Mobile library and laboratory are
also run so that the rural students
should also reap the benefits of
Swaroopvardhini schemes. This has
helped in the propagation of modern
science and knowledge among the
villages surrounding
April 2015 | 101
Pune. Rural students have now

also got an opportunity to read the
literature of their choice.
Observing the plight of children in these
slums, balwadi was opened for sowing
the seeds of education. Balwadi that
was started with just 20 kids has now a
strength of 350 which itself is the witness
to the fact that the development has
been catalyzed in the region.
After this, the institute widened its
sphere of work. The life of women
in slums is unstable and dependent.
In order to overcome this problem,
efforts have been initiated to make
them self-reliant by providing
vocational training. Because of the
poor economic condition and family
responsibilities, girls in these seva bastis
cannot study further. Failure in class 10

closes all the doors for further studies.
Their future goes dark. Realizing this
problem, Swaroopvardhini provided
them training in home nursing so as
to earn their bread and stand on own
feet. Nowadays, with the rise in the
number of patients, demand for home
nurses has increased. Therefore these
girls get sure shot employment.
For nursing training, SSC or HSC is the
minimum qualification. Also, a lot
of fees is charged at private training
institutes. Hence Swaroopvardhini
started a unique home nursing course

without setting the clause for SSC.
This course is taught free of charge
to girls. Till now, over 1500 girls have
successfully completed this course
that was initiated by Madam Kalba.
The well-disciplined band (dhol pathak)

of Swaroopvardhini is famous all over
Maharashtra. Apart from the recital,
management and communication skills
are also reflected through their team. This
band has set an ideal before the other
bands in Pune city as a result of which
the Ganeshotsav procession regained its
traditional glory that was diminished in the
wave of DJ. Free MPSC guidance centre
was started keeping in view the need of
the students.
Service of the underprivileged is the real
service to God. Let Bharatmata be your
deity for next 100 years. This message
of Swami Vivekanand has been put into
practice by Swaroopvardhini. The work
of sorting diamonds from the darkness
is in full swing.
Contact
Shirish Patwardhan
22/1, Mangalwar Peth, Parje Chowk
Pune- 41 10 11, Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 020-26121704/26134310,
09011386386
Email - kanji@mariwala.com,
wardhinee@gmail.com
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 102
SWPH & RC taking care of orthopaedically

handicapped children
some kind of employment when
they leave the institution after
attaining the age of 18. A well
equipped computer lab having 20
sets of computers for providing
computer and IT education is also
available.
With an aim to rehabilitate the

orthopaedically
handicapped
children, Society For The Welfare
of
Differently-Abled
Persons
(Physically Handicapped) Education
And Research Centre (SWPH & RC)
is striving hard since 1956 so as to
help them lead a normal life. The
institute is unique and is the only
organization of its kind in India.
All children at SWPH & RC are given
educational and pre-vocational
training so that they can grow up
and become self-reliant citizens
in future. Primary schooling up to
standard 6 is available within the
campus and remaining students are
sent to normal school in the vicinity,
up to standard 10.
The society has its own workshop
to manufacture and repair the
prosthesis and orthotic aids
for
children.
Pre-vocational
programmes like electrician and
wireman courses, computer training,
tailoring, carpentry, handicraft, etc
are run so that the students get
Hostel facility is provided in the

campus, with total 250 single beds
available in 4 halls. There are 2
separate wings for girls and boys
of 125 capacities each. Visitors are
prevented from entering the girls/
boys wings without prior permission
of hostel matron /warden. Being a
parental institution for the disabled,
a special attention is given towards
food which includes breakfast and
two meals a day absolutely free of
cost.
The society encourages children to
learn a number of handicrafts. They
also learn skills like making of chalks,
candles, soap powder, agarbatti,
perfumes, etc. Thus they make a
variety of beautiful articles, which
not only provide them a livelihood
but also give them great artistic
satisfaction. The society exhibits
and sells these articles at a very low
cost through its exhibition cum sale
counter.
Rich cultural values are imbibed
in these children by celebrating
national and social festivals including
World Disabled Day. The institution
April 2015 | 103
conducts various sports and

personality development activities
that transforms these disabled
children into complete human
beings. Thus working with an aim
of rehabilitation of the disabled and
restoration of their dignity, SWPH
& RC obviously becomes complete
and caring home for these children.
In the year 2006, the then President

of India and Youth Icon Honorable
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, visited the
institution & appreciated the efforts
put in by the institution. He also had
an interaction with students.
Kudos to SWPH & RC for preparing

the inmates as bold, sans complex &
self reliant citizens of India.
Contact
Society for The Welfare of
Differently-Abled Persons
(Physically Handicapped), Education
and Research Centre
Wanawadi
Pune- 411040 (Maharashtra, India)
Email: apkalyan_sanstha@
rediffmail.com,
apkalyan1956@rediffmail.com
Tel.: 020-26820987/1653,
9890117234
www.swph.org
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 104
Torana Rajgad Parisar Samajonnati Nyas, Velhe

Torana Rajgad Parisar Samajonnati
Nyas (TRPSN) has brought a drastic
change in the living conditions of
the people residing in the region
surrounding Maharashtras historic
Torana and Rajgad forts. Inspired by
the noble work of RSS, TRPSN has
tasted success in satisfying the basic
needs of education and healthcare
in the remote Velhe block of Pune
district.
The two forts viz Torana and Rajgad

hold a special significance from
historical point of view. Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj, who strived hard to
free the nation from the evil clutches
of Mughlas and made saffron flag
hoist with pride, had conquered
Torana fort at the age of just 16 and
gifted it to his mother Jija mata. This
was the first feather to his crown
and then the stream of victory
continued. Similarly, fort Rajgad was
the first capital of Hindavi Swarajya
from where the entire Maratha
kingdom used to function. Hence,
the region surrounding these
two forts was chosen by the nyas
for implementing the projects of

integrated development.
In order to bring out integrated
development, integration and
development are the two goals that
are to be achieved simultaneously.
Development without integration
will not sustain for a long time and
integration without development
will be useless. Keeping this
view in mind, TRPSN initiated
various projects in education,
health, self-employment, women
empowerment and agricultural
sectors.
Illiteracy is the root cause of all
the problems prevailing in the
tribal belts. Children and youths
from tribal regions do not have
sufficient educational infrastructure
and hence in spite of having a lot
of talent, they remain deprived of
their basic rights. Accommodation is
another cause of concern for them
as they cannot afford to stay in the
hostels located in cities. Hence a
hostel was started for these children
in the year 1986 and at present 50
inmates are there. Efforts are on for
its expansion so as to accommodate
more
number
of
students.
Apart from the hostel, there are
support services of sponsorship
for educational expenses for the
students. The trust organizes
frequent visits of teachers from
Pune who share their expertise with
the students. A library having approx
April 2015 | 105
2500 books is run to encourage

reading habit among children.
In order to provide effective
healthcare, a team of local youths
has been constituted. Local youths
from 14 villages are trained in
dispensing first aid & other useful
medicines looking to the primary
symptoms of the patients. These
Gram Aarogya Rakshaks have
effectively made villagers fight
diarrhoea and skin diseases such
as scurvy. Nursing equipments are
provided for house hold patients.
the benefit of visitors. TRPSN is

a registered charitable trust that
works purely on a voluntary basis
without any government grant and
depends entirely upon its members,
donors and well wishers regarding
funds. Hence for the philanthropist
donors in the society, TRPSN which
is doing yeomen service to uplift the
tribal children as the good citizens
of the country and are the best
possible and deserving option for
donation.
Trust annually conducts Torana

Mahotsav for remembrance of
the historical memories of the
fort. People from nearby villages
participate in rallies, speeches and
competitions that are organized on
this occasion. School teams present
their traditional games. Youth are
encouraged for unity and pursuit
of strength. Shivshahir Babasaheb
Purandare has attended and praised
this event.
Apart
from
education
and
healthcare, self-help groups have
also been constituted. A detailed
map of Torana fort is displayed for
Contact
Torana Rajgad Parisar Samajonnati
Nyas (TRPSN)
Post Velhe,
Taluka Velhe,
District Pune- 41 22 12
Phone no: 02130- 221450
Contact person: Uday Purandare
Mobile no: 09921096905
Email : rajeevjoshi@gmail.com
www.toranarajgadnyas.org
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 106
Udyogvardhini' discovering entrepreneurship

talent among women
domestic and other complicated
issues have been addressed by
Udyogvardhini, the intervention has
helped fast resolution and relief.
A woman has to play multiple roles

in a family. Everybody looks forward
with a great hope that a woman
can recuperate a family from any
circumstances. When Chandrika
Chouhan was the corporator at
Solapur Municipal Corporation,
she used to inspire women to get
indulged into activities which will
improve their standard of living and
supported to implement various
governmental schemes as well.
Later on, this initiative created
a huge impact upon society and
many women got associated with
Udyogvardhini for their own benefit.
Today, more than 7000 women are
associated with Udyogvardhini, and
they have a feeling of having one
family; a family that cares about
everyone in the society.
Udyogvardhini has become a new
hope for women in Solapur and is the
only women's team efficient enough
to extend all possible help required
by any individual. Till date several
Self Help Group

Self Help Group helps women to
save money in their daily routine,
which collectively acts as a sufficient
resource to fund each other. Trifle
financial requirement of these
women can be fulfilled by SHG;
else for any financial need they had
to depend upon the moneylender
which ultimately lands them up in a
vicious cycle.
Small savings are collectively
deposited in a bank account specially
opened for SHG. Depending upon
the collected funds and their
financial transactions within group,
these groups are then extended
further financial and other support
to venture any business activity.
Many of the rural women have
gained a sense of achievement even
by saving a small amount.
Micro Entrepreneurship
Udyogvardhini had succeeded
in supporting various individual
women and self help groups to
grow up as an entrepreneur.
Cottage Industries which can be
started within domestic resources
are encouraged by Udyogvardhini.
Training for various opportunities is
organized on a regular basis. Support
in terms of managing the activity
April 2015 | 107
along with further development and

marketing is also extended.
required, even legal aid is provided

by the organization.
Till date, more than 600 women

are running various business
activities in Solapur. Lokmangal
group which owns a chain of retail
outlets and malls, support in terms
of distribution of the products made
by SHGs.
Training
Self employment training is provided
in trades such as beauty parlour,
bhaakri making, book binding,
catering, fire wood selling, grocery,
tailoring,
groundnut
chutney
making, gift items, handicrafts,
etc. 25 women per batch get the
training in quilt making, provided
they should know basic tailoring
work. A quilt measuring 6 ft x 6 ft is
completed in 2 days, but the batch
completes 45 quilts in just 45 days
which is remarkable. All these quilts
are exported to US and UK. Besides
this, training is also provided in
chalk making, incense sticks making,
cookery, dress material, rangoli, etc.
Economic Empowerment
Finance plays a vital role in today's
fast moving world, especially for
women who manage the whole
family. Generally the sole bread
earner in family is a male, but
the domestic requirements are
encountered by women. A woman
has to play smart in terms of
expenses by prioritizing things
depending upon the nature.
Concurrently, if the woman has
her own source of income which
would add up to the family
income, then it would definitely
act as a supplement. Through
various initiatives, Udyogvardhini
has provided an opportunity for
many women to earn some extra
money by making use of skills and
knowledge, in their spare time.
Support for deprived women
On various situations a women is
found unaccompanied, isolated and
challenged due to domestic and
social problems. Udyogvardhini,
with the help of Pakhar Sankul, which
is a sister organization, extends all
possible legal and other support to
deprived women. Counselling and if
Chandrika Ji is role model for

others who are having compassion
for orphans & who take a lead
role in service activities to start
multifarious service activities for
women empowerment to suit the
needs of different sections.
Contact
Udyogvardhini
157 Dakshin kasaba shri shobhasai
maharaj math,
Datta chowk, Solapur 413007
Phone no. - 9422069455,
9422026242, 9370066670
Email: chandrika@yahoo.com ,
udyogvardhini@gmail.com,
udyogvardhini@rediffmail.com,
www.udhyogvardhini.org
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 108
Vaidehi Ashram, a home for destitute girls

and trained but also provided sufficient
opportunities to lead an independent
life. The Ashram has also taken up the
responsibility to arrange and conduct
marriages for the inmate girls. Already 16
girls are got married and they are happy in
their in -laws house.
It is very difficult to have a cultured and
secured future for destitute. The problem
aggravates further in case of girls. Seva
Bharati has established Vaidehi Ashram at
Hyderabad for such destitute girls.
The foundation for the Ashram was laid in
1993 along with three girls.
1. Vaidehi Ashram for Homeless Girls
Now there are 150 girls in the Ashram. The
Ashram looks after their residence, food
and education. The girls are studying from
Classes LKG to 10th in Sri Saraswati Shishu
Mandir High School. Twenty two are
pursuing Higher Education in Engineering
Polytechnic and Degree Colleges Apart
from this formal education they are also
taught fine arts like music, painting, Dance,
and handicrafts like tailoring, embroidery
and Screen Painting. Physical Exercises
like karate and yogasan are regularly
practised. They are also exposed to special
personality development courses. Daily
one hour shakha of Rashtra Sevika Samithi
is also held which help them to acquire
courage, patriotism and an attitude of
service to needy people. Thus the residents
of the Ashram are given training for the
over all development and enable them to
be responsible citizens of free India.
The girls are not only well educated
2. Vaidehi Kishori Vikas Yojana

(Development Project for Adolescent Girls)
Under this Project 50 slum areas have
been selected to impart training in
various aspects for adolescent girls with
special emphasis on education, health
and hyygine, cultural development and
samskars.
3. Vaidehi Mahila Vikas Samithi
(Development project for women)
Under this Project Women in poverty
are given training in skill such As usage
of computer, fashion designing and
embroidery work so as to make them
economically better.
In the campus of the Samithi social,
culturaland spiritual programs are
conducted regularly so as develop the girls
into perfect women.
Contact:
Vaidehi Ashram
17-1, 473/V/3 and 4
Krishna Nagar, Saidabad
Hyderabad, 500059
Phone no: 040-24075544, 040-24610056,
9866181573
Email: vaidehisevasamthi@gmail.com
Web site: www.vaidehiashram.org
April 2015 | 109
Vikas Bharti, Jharkhands various

educational projects
Going to school is still a distant dream

for children residing in the remote tribal
regions of the country. These regions
that are cut off from the urban areas
and deprived of basic facilities such as
health, hygiene, education, etc need
a helping hand for their upliftment.
Vikas Bharti karyakartas have helped
these children fulfill their dream of
availing the education so as to uplift
their standard of living for earning a
respectable place in the society.
Vikas
Bharti,
Jharkhand
has
established various schools for
educating these tribal brethren and
the efforts have now started yielding
fruits. These schools are helping the
tribal children to stand on their feet
and become responsible citizens of
tomorrow. Karyakartas along with the
mutual co-operation of villagers are
working day and night for the all round
development of these children.
Shram Niketan: This institution
provides education from Class I to V
and also known as On Job Training

School which provides vocational
training to orphans and children from
Primitive Tribe Groups. These children
are provided accommodation with
all basic facilities and are provided
academic
and
non-academic
education at the same centre. Vikas
Bharti also provides financial and
emotional support to these kids.
Vikas Bharti tries to develop them as a
change agent for the society who can
work with and for their community.
A large number of pass out girls and
boys are engaged in self-employment
and a source for behavioral change for
the community and nation.
Jatra Tana Bhagat Vidya Mandir:
This school was established in the
year 1988. The basic concept was to
provide qualitative education to rural
tribal children who can hardly afford
public school education of the urban
area. Now they are getting academic
support from class I to VIII. Qualified,
Sewa Kunj 2015
April 2015 | 110
trained and committed rural teachers

are engaged for nurturing these
tribal children. Vikas Bharti always
tries to bring innovation for overall
development of the children as well
as teachers. Training for teachers
on subject wise teaching skills and
management is organized from
time to time. The school has a well
equipped infrastructure in the form
of its own building, playground and
residential facilities. Initially, it started
with donations and nominal tuition
fees but now it is partially supported
by Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.
Koleshwar Nath Vidya Mandir: This
school that provides education from
from class I to VIII was established in
1988 besides Koel River in Bishunpur
village. The objective behind this school
is to provide qualitative education in an
Ashram mode in natural atmosphere so
that the rural children feel comfortable
during learning process. Teachers are
also trained to use nature as a teaching
tool to enhance the knowledge and
interest of children. Generally, local
teachers are employed for primary
classes in order to have a proper
communication among teachers and
children, which creates a healthy
atmosphere in the school. Cultural
activities, sports, yoga, vocational
training, Judo-Karate are regular
features of this school. A specifically
designed education calendar & daily
routine has been developed by the
experts of Vikas Bharti to provide
interactive and fruitful learning.
Students visit different schools for
exposure and quality enhancement.
Shaktiman Vidyalaya Chingri: This is a

special school for physically handicapped
children who are imparted formal
education along with treatment for
minimizing the extent of their disability
and specially designed vocational
courses. This empowers them to be selfreliant and taking up self-employment
after going out from the school.
Education is provided from class I to V.
Adim Janjatiya Balika Prathmik
Vidyalaya: This is a residential school
for Primitive Tribe Group Girls from
class I to V. It was established in 2008
and is supported by Tribal Welfare
Department, Government of Jharkhand.
Identification of girls from primitive
tribe groups; community awareness
on education; management of school
and girls are some of the activities
undertaken by the school.
It is the efforts of organizations like
Vikas Bharati. Which has yielded
fruits in bringing tribal brethren to the
mainstream and to be at par with others.
Contact
1. Vikas Bharti Head Office
Block- Bishunpur, P S Bishunpur,
Dist. Gumla, Jharkhand 835331,
India
Phone: +91-6523 - 278306, 278356
Fax: +91-6523 - 278306
E-mail: vikasbharti1983@hotmail.com
2. Vikas Bharti
19, Gramayatan, Arogya Bhawan 1,
Bariyatu Road, Ranchi- 834009
Off.Ph. 0651-2545836, 2546001
Email: vikasbharti1983@gmail.com,
www.vikasbharti.net
April 2015 | 111

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Aadarsh Gauseva Anusandhan Kendra, Akola

In order to curb cattle slaughter to

Some of the karyakartas also freed a

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

farming. Karyakartas concentrated

than any other chemical fertilizer.

Today, renowned scientists of the

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Sewa Kunj 2015

panchgavya medicines. It is believed

water purification plant is also there

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Aashray; a shelter for destitute in Chandrapur

Chandrapurs Ashray hostel for

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Sewa Kunj 2015

him! Most of the students residing

Ashray is not confined to shelter

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Ahilya Mahila Mandal empowering women

At present, 90 members jointly

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

Sewa Kunj 2015

which the teachers have put in.

quit drinking. The centre has also

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

trees and live life to the fullest by

Real women empowerment can be

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Sewa Kunj 2015

An Affection home for the destitute

Sri Vivekananda Awasama home

In 2004 summer, the children

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

children sponsored by the local

Vivekananda Awasam deserves all

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

Sewa Kunj 2015

Baiga Balika Chhatravas, Devdara

As the Seva Bharti activists

But with sheer perseverance, grit

The Seva Bharti people have earned

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

outdoor games) at the state level

The hostels set up by Sewa Bharati

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

Sewa Kunj 2015

Balgokulam: indivisible part of Keralas

Cultural pollution has become

put a step forward in this direction.

Sewa Kunj Published by Rashtriya Sewa Bharti

Balgokulam has a unique working