PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTRY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

Educational Institutions.

Ideal education Society Achalpur. Ideal Education Society of Achalpur was established in 1935 and was registered in 1940 with the objective of spreading and promoting primary and secondary education. The society conducts a girls high school.

The school is housed in its own building. The assets and property of the institution were valued at Rs. 40.000 in 1962. The income of the institution amounted to Rs. 23,906 in 1961-62. of which the government grant was Rs. 11.202 and the income from the fees, was Rs. 9,295.

The expenditure incurred during 1961-62. was Rs, 24.058. In 1961-62 the school had 234 students on its roll.

Rural institute Amravati.

According to the recommendations of the Committee on  Higher Education for Rural Areas the Union Ministry of Education decided to start ten rural institutes at different places in  India (1955-56). Shri Shivaji Education Society of Amravati  started the Rural Institute under the auspices of Shri Shivaji Loka Vidyapitha, Amravati, in 1956. The institute was  established with the motive of filline the gaps in university  education and the curriculum was arranged in such a manner  as to focus the attention on rural life. The students, trained here, are expected to meet the increasing needs of various governmental agencies in their efforts to fulfil the various facets of the development of the rural areas.

The institute conducts the following courses: -

(1) Three year diploma course in rural service,

(2) Three year diploma course in civil and rural engineering,

(3) Two year certificate course in agricultural science, and

(4) Preparatory course.

Home science was introduced as an optional group in 1958 and 'Village industries' also another optional group in 1961. The diplomas are recognised by Central and State Governments and the Universities.

The institute is equipped with a library containing a large number of books and is provided with a reading room where periodicals in English, Hindi and Marathi are kept. The hostel of the institute accommodates 200 students in a modern two-storeyed building. Adequate number of scholarships are provided to the poor and deserving students.

The day-to-day administration of the institution is looked after by the governing body, which had seven members in 1963-64. The value of the assets was Rs. 40 lakhs in 1963. while the annual expenditure was about Rs. 3,25,000. The institution receives grant from Government and other sources too.

Shivaji Education Society Amravati.

Shri Shivaji Education Society, one of the leading educational institutions of Berar, was established in 1932. It was founded with the objective of making special efforts for the progress of education in Berar and elsewhere, particularly for the poor and backward classes and to encourage women's education by establishing social institutions like widow's homes and nursing schools, etc. It also aims at encouraging physical culture and conducts institutions meant for physical education. Besides, it has started a printing press and has undertaken the publication of books, periodicals, journals and other literature.

The members of the society are classified as (1) Patron-in-chief, (2) Patron, (3) vice-Patron, (4) donor, (5) vice-donor, (6) Sympathiser, (7) life member and (8) ordinary member. The ' general body' consists of all the members of the society. The executive body manages the day-to-day affairs of the society.

In 1954.55 the society was running 60 institutions in which 9,150 students were studying; it employed 500 persons and its annual expenditure amounted to Rs. 27,77,872. In 1963-64, the society conducted 216 institutions in which 33,987 students were studying; it employed 1,882 persons and its expenditure approxi- mated Rs. 1,26,82,599. The number of students staying in hostels was 3,042. The value of the assets and property of the society is estimated at Rs. 4.75 crores. The society receives grant from Government and donations from other sources also.

The society conducts 8 Arts Colleges, 5 Commerce Colleges, 2 Science Colleges, 11 Training Colleges, one Agriculture College, one Law College, 39 hostels, 40 lower secondary schools and other institutions like night schools, girls' high schools, vyayam-shalas, medical aid institutions, anathalayas and institutions for rural studies.

Veershaiv Shikshan prasarak Mandal, Amravati.

The cause of education is not complete by the mere establishment of school and high schools. Sometimes, it is not possible for the students coming from poor families to pay the fees and incur other incidental expenses. Veershaiv Shikshan Prasarak Mandal at Amravati helps the students by making arrangements for the payment of their fees and purchase of text books for them. The institution was established as early as in 1916. A working committee of eight persons looks after the day-to-day administration of the institution.

In 1963-64. the total funds of the institution amounted to Rs. 20.000 and annual expenditure stood at Rs. 2,000. It received grant from the municipality. The institution has so far distributed Rs. 30,000 in the form of help to the students. Lectures of learned scholars are also arranged by the institution for the benefit of students. The institution has constructed a hostel where needy students are accommodated.

vidarbha Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Amravati.

Vidarbha Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Amravati, was founded in 1931 with the aim of promotion of ayurveda. In 1959, the college was affiliated to Nagpur University and subsequently received recognition from State Government.

The college is managed by Vidarbha Ayurveda Prasarak Mandal, Amravati, which consists of patrons, fellows and associates. The day-to-day administration of the Mandal, is looked after by a managing body.

The assets of the institution amounted to Rs. 5,50,000 in 1963. The annual income was Rs. 40,000 in the same year and the expenditure totalled Rs. 1,10,000. The State Government gives one-third of the total expenditure per annum as grant. Central Government has donated Rs. 4 lakhs towards the construction of the building of the institution.

The college is well-equipped with an operation theatre, a library with 1,200 books and a laboratory for research in the qualities of herbs and shrubs. It has a well-furnished hostel and a separate biochemistry department. The institution runs a  hospital and a maternity home and patients are charged at a  nominal rate.

Welfare Organisations, Maharogi Seva Mandal, Amravati

The Maharogi Seva Mandal situated in Tapowan near Amravati,  ranks as the first and the foremost of the institutions that have  enriched the social life of Amravati. The advance of medical  science in the world, claims the hope that leprosy can be totally  cured but still common man looks upon it suspiciously as a  contagious disease. The number of lepers in India is considerable and as such the problem deserves careful attention.  Leprosy has a special place in humanitarian outlook, as leper is one of the most neglected, most detested and most ill-treated of the unlucky human brethren. There are some institutions and a few public workers in India which have been working for the uplift of leprosy patients for some years in the past. To help them in their tight against leprosy, Vidarbha Maharogi Seva Mandal was established in 1948. It gives shelter to the lepers in Jagadamba Kushta Niwas. The building of the asylum was completed in 1950. The inmates of the asylum numbered about five hundred in 1963 and included besides lepers blind persons. T.B. patients and life convict prisoners. In the last 12 years, 2,200 patients were admitted to the asylum and discharged after being cured.

In the case of leprosy, early detection of infection is necessary for the eradication of the disease. As the patient is unwilling to disclose the infection out of shame and fear, the situation aggravates further. The patients, admitted in the asylum, are in advanced stage of malady. The disease must be checked in the initial stage and hence surveys were conducted in eighty villages within the radius of 16.093 km. (ten miles) from Amravati and the health of the villagers was examined in 1951. The utility of such surveys was appreciated by Government and it undertook them in various districts. A spinning and weaving department was started in the asylum in 1957, with a view of keeping patients engaged and to making them self-reliant. The marriages of patients, cured of leprosy, were encouraged.

It was found that the people in general held wrong and groundless ideas about leprosy. A Marathi fortnightly named ' Jeevan ' was started in 1952 to carry on the propaganda for removing these misconceptions. Several pamphlets and thousands of placards were published by the Mandal.

In 1953, the Mandal undertook a random survey of leprosy in the eight districts of Vidarbha region in the then Madhya Pradesh. Similar surveys were conducted in the development blocks and national extension blocks of Vidarbha. The figures collected in this survey revealed that the percentage of leprosy patients in the villages ranged between 0.2 per cent and 10 per cent. Fifteen villages near Shendurjana in Chandur tahsil were selected for eradication of leprosy and the control unit of the Mandal was started. The incidence of leprosy in urban areas was also studied by the Mandal by conducting surveys.

In 1954, the Mandal prepared some resolutions for the uplift of leprosy patients and copies of these resolutions were sent to the various leprosy asylums in India to get them passed. The first conference of leprosy patients on all-India basis, was held at Tapowan under the presidentship of Dr. Issac Santra, the famous anti-leprosy worker of Orissa. Similar conferences of leprosy patients on district level were organised by the Mandal at Akola and Khamgaon in 1955 and 1959 respectively. To mitigate the prejudice against the disease, various books on leprosy problems were published which helped in changing the attitude of public considerably. A tailoring department was opened, which trained the patients in an additional vocation and provided sufficient clothing to the inmates of the asylum.

To rehabilitate patients discharged from asylums, about 202.33 hectares (five hundred acres) of land in Murtizapur taluka of Akola district was acquired and a colony was founded there in 1955. The Mandal started Mitra Sangh in order to give opportunity to the thoughtful and sympathetic people to help the cause of anti-leprosy work. For the untainted children of leprosy patients, a Montessori school was also started. In addition to the various handicrafts started by the Mandal from time to time carpentry, smithy and shoemaking were taught due to the growing desire of the patients for light physical work. Some of the juvenile convicts in the remand homes of Maharashtra State arc leprosy patients. As there are no facilities for treatment of such patients the responsibility of accommodating them is accepted by the Mandal.

Operations of various types are performed frequently and an operation theatre named 'Dadheechee Shalya Bhawan' was opened in December 1957.

To provide some work to the weak and disabled leprosy patients and make them self-supporting, the Mandal started a printing press to give them such work as composing, folding and binding.

The unit of boy scouts conducted by the Mandal was officially recognized by the Scout Commissioner of Maharashtra State in 1959. Shivaji Vyayam Mandir with necessary tools and equipment was opened for the convenience of the patients who are cured.

By 1960, the Government had also taken up the schemes for the control of the disease and started their own SET (Survey, Education and Treatment) centres and control units.

An X-ray machine was purchased with the grant given by Sir Sorab Tata Trust for the purpose and was installed on 1st October 1960.

Separate residential quarters were built for the blind leprosy patients in 1961. A hospital was built at Pohora, a small hill station about 16.10 km. (10 miles) from Amravati. Leprosy patients have a low vitality and as a result they suffer from Tuberculosis. To segregate them from other patients a separate ward was built in the asylum.

The institution encouraged the inmates in acquiring proficiency in various arts. A music school, named ' Tagore Music  School, was opened to teach them music.

The foundation stone of a technical school named ' Malviya  Vidyalaya' was laid in 1962 to provide education in various handicrafts and technical subjects.

The affairs of the Mandal are looked after by a general body  and a governing body. The latter had a membership of 12 in  1963.

The value of property and assets of the institution amounted to Rs. 13,78,888 in 1962-63. The institution received grant from Government and donations from the public. The donations amounted to Rs. 30,120 for the year ended on 31st March 1963. The capitation grants for the various activities of the institution, stood at Rs. 84,142 in the same year. Amongst other prominent sources of income may be mentioned, the rehabilitation centres at Murtizapur, grant for the technical school and sale of various articles produced by the cottage industries and handicrafts. The main items of expenditure were maintenance of patients, expenses on medicines and dispensary and expenses on office and hospital establishment which accounted for Rs. 86,205 in 1962-63. The total annual expenditure in the same year stood at Rs. 2,16.769.

Sarvodaya Mandal, Karajgaon.

Sarvodaya Mandal at Karajgaon is conducted from the funds  donated by Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. It was  established in January 1955. It aims at propagating the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and removal of illiteracy among the masses.

The value of the fixed property and assets of the institution  was Rs. 50,000 in 1963. It received a donation of Rs. 15,400 from Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and a grant from Government in 1963.

The activities of the institution are multifarious. It runs for example, a hostel known as Sarvodayakuti, which admits persons irrespective of caste or creed. It runs a health centre which treats patients and gives lessons on the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. It also conducts Bahvadi, the Montes-sori school, and a technical school where the students are taught spinning, weaving and dyeing and agriculture. Students are also imparted the technical know-how of khadi and village industries like oil-crushing, pottery, bee-keeping, soap-making and making of palm-gur and neera. The library, known as ' Sarvodaya', contains 600 books, magazines and periodicals. Hindi, the national language, is taught in the ' Rashtrabhasha Kendra'. The institution also devotes attention to ' Bhoodan' and ' Gram Safai' movements.

Shri Gurudev Seva mandal, Mojhre.

Akhil Bharatiya Shri Gurudev Seva Mandal situated in  Mojhre village was founded in 1943 under the guidance and  direction of Rashtra Sant Shri Tukadoji Maharaj, with the  object of infusing and inspiring the social workers to devote themselves to the service of society.

Towards the attainment of its aims and objectives, the channels and avenues utilised by the institution are diverse and manifold. they include congregational prayers, physical training, propagation of ayurveda, educational and literary activities, bhajan and community singing, debates and religious discourses, introducing improved methods of agriculture, dairy farming, ram dhoon, propagation of universal brotherhood and elimination of untouchability, emancipation of the backward classes and aboriginal tribes (like Korku), marriage reforms, assistance to orphans and delinquents and establishment of cottage and village industries. Ashrams to train the pracharaks have been established at Gurukunj, Mojhre and Yavli in Amravati district, Chandapur and Malkhed in Yeotmal district, Amgaon in Bhandara district, Chimur in Chanda district, Udama in Betul district and Khapa in Chhindwada district. There are branches of Seva Mandal at Poona, Bombay, Nasik, Indore, Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Baroda, Jhansi, Bhokar, Nanded Malkhed, Himayatnagar, Jalna and Aurangabad. Attempts are made to re-organise village arts and crafts with the aid of indigenous and modern tools. Students are taught to prepare soap, match-box and foot-wear. Training is given for the maintenance of good health and sturdy physique. Medicines are made at the ashram pharmacy from indigenous plants and herbs and are given at a nominal cost of 6 paise per head per day. Literary writings of saints and spiritualists are published by the Mandal. The Mandal's orphanage provides for the upbringing of orphan and destitute children. Its libraries and reading room provide opportunities to individuals for research work.

The management of the Institution is looked after by a General Council and the Executive Committee. The General Council comprises life workers, honorary workers, members of the State bodies, women secretaries and editors of monthly magazines.

The assets of the institution were valued at Rs. 9,36,238 in the year 1961-62. During the same year, its expenditure stood at Rs. 6,00,011. The government grant approximated Rs. 2,22,387 in the same year.

shriman Shri Wallabhji and ShrimatiDhannibai Chandak Trust, Amravati.

This trust was created by Takhatmal Shriwallabh and Com- Pany of Amravati in August 1944 in response to the desire of Shrimati Dhannibai Chandak who herself managed the firm from 1918 to 1946.

With a view to encourage teaching of Sanskrit, a Sanskrit Pathshala was opened and a chair of Vyakaranacharya (grammarian) in Sanskrit was created in 1948-49.

The trust sends every year to Varanasi some amount for distributing clothes and food to the scholars who have devoted their life for animating the Indian heritage of knowledge by a deep study of Vedant, Philosophy, Vyakaran, Jyotish and Nyaya.

Scholarships are also granted every year to the students  studying different professional courses. Such scholarships were granted to 74 Students till 1961.

A ' Geeta Class' and various activities like staging of dramas,  arranging essay competitions and debates are also organised by  the institution.

Vidarbha Adivasi seva Mandal, Paratwada.

Vidarbha Adivasi Seva Mandal at Paratwada (Taluka: Achalpur) was established in 1955. The institution aims at providing  lodging and boarding facilities to the students of scheduled  tribes and give them liberal education. It runs a hostel at  Paratwada and the number of students in 1962 was 22. The institution is governed by a general body of seven members. The secretary is entrusted with the day-to-day management of the hostel.

vidarbha Harijan Seva Sangh, Morshi

Vidarbha Harijan Sevak Sangh at Morshi is a branch of the  Maharashtra Harijan Sevak Sangh established in 1933. The  institution aims at the eradication of untouchability and the progress of the so-called untouchables in the social and educational fields.

The provincial board of Vidarbha Harijan Sevak Sangh comprises 15 members, including one chairman, one secretary and 13 members coming from the various districts of Vidarbha. It has been receiving grant from Government since 1937.

At present 90 per cent of its expenditure on propaganda is met with by grants from the Government. The rest is covered by donations from municipality, Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and the local inhabitants. The institution runs a hostel for boys at Morshi which was established in 1955. In 1963, the hostel had 27 students. The grant-in-aid amounted to Rs. 39,647 in 1962-63.

Welfare of Women. Bhagini Samaj Badnera.

Bhagini Samaj was established at Badnera primarily for the  welfare of women and was founded in 1936. It aims at imparting training to women in subjects like stitching, cane-working  and cooking. It also teaches them Hindi, Marathi and English languages. The institution, moreover, takes part and extends its co-operation in all the local, national and international movements conducted in the cause of the emancipation of womenkind from the present social and economic drudgeries.

The Samaj is governed by a body which looks after its day-today management. The subscribers constitute the general body which appoints two persons as trustees to look after the property and assets of the institution. The meeting of the general body is held at least twice in a year.

Since 1954, the institution has been running a Montessori class (Bal Mandir) for children. It also runs a library and arranges series of lectures on a variety of subjects. The festivals of Makar Sankraman, Kojagiri Pournima, Sharadotsawa are also celebrated.

The annual income and expenditure of the institution were Rs. 1,635 and Rs. 1,577 respectively in 1961. It received grants  from the municipality, the Social Welfare Board and the Government.

Kasturba Gandhi Rashtriya Smarak Trust Madhan.

Following is an account of Kasturha Gandhi Rashtriya Smarak Trust, Madhan.

The Bal Mandir (Montessori class for children) was started by the institution in 1954. It had eight branches and four , centres at different villages in the nearby area and one sevashram for the backward tribes at Gondwadi in Melghat tahsil.

The institution conducts. the Mahila Shikshan Vibhag, the Arogya Mandir, the Balak Mandir, the Kanyashram and a secondary school (up to 10th standard).

Till 1960, classes for training gramsevikas were conducted with the help of the Social Welfare Board. From then, adult literacy classes are conducted by the Social Welfare Board. A large number of women attend these classes.

The Arogya Mandir consists of a dispensary, a maternity home and a hospital with twenty beds.

Kanyashram runs a hostel for girls.

The secondary school run by the institution provides education up to 10th standard. The students are also taught weaving in the school.

Adiwasi Sevashram, Gondwadi.

Adiwasi Sevashram at Gondwadi was established in 1951 where a health centre and a Balwadi are run for the welfare of the scheduled tribes.

The institution is administered by an advisory committee and a managing committee.

The institution receives grants from Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. the State and the Central Government and the municipality. The expenditure of the institution stood at Rs. 90,190 in the year 1962-63.

Matru seva Sangh, Amravati.

" Mote Maternity Home ", Amravati, a branch of Matru Seva Sangh, Nagpur, was established in 1925. The Sangh aims at providing pre-natal treatment as well as medical advice to women and to run a maternity home with adequate equipment. In the case of poor women, the treatment during the confinement is free. The institution also provides a nursing course for women.

A working committee of 11 members looks after the day-today management of the institution. The office-bearers of the committee are the president, the secretary and the medical officer.

In 1963, the value of property and assets of the institution amounted to Rs. 61,790. The annual expenditure stood at Rs. 20,000. The institution receives a grant of Rs, 2,000 per annum from the Central Social Welfare Board and Rs. 250 from the municipality. During 1962-63, 445 women received pre-natal treatment and 360 delivery cases were attended to.

Welfare of Women. Prabodhan Geeta Mandal, Daryapur.

Prabodhan Geeta Mandal at Daryapur was established in  December 1937 for the progress of women in cultural and social  fields. It aims at propagating the teachings of Geeta amongst  women. For this purpose, the institution cpnducts classes where  discourses are held on the Geeta. Geeta-jayanti, Makar Sankraman, Dasnavami and other religious festivals are celebrated by the institution and bhajans as well as kirtans are arranged. The institution runs a Balak Mandir, a tailoring class and a library.

The institution has a building. The annual income of the  institution stood at Rs. 4,500 in 1962-63.

The Balak Mandir had 65 children on its roll in 1962-63. Its library contains over 700 books. It receives grant from the Divisional Welfare Board. In 1962-63, the grant amounted to Rs. 640.

Sharda Udyog Mandir, Amravati.

Sharada Udyog Mandir, Amravati, founded in December, 1950,  is a charitable institution established with the aim of giving economic aid to hard pressed middle class women, especially widows and destitutes, by giving them training in various crafts and vocations such as tailoring, embroidery, bakery and manufacturing of lozenges, toys, etc. The successful candidate in tailoring is given diploma which is recognised by the Directorate of Technical Education. The beneficiaries of the society numbered 100 in 1963.

The movable and immovable property of the institution was worth about Rs. 25,000 in 1963. The income in the same year, stood at Rs. 37,000 including Government grant of Rs. 7,000.

The life members of the institutions numbered 75 in 1963 while the ordinary members were 500. The institution opened a Balak Mandir in 1955, where children below six years of working mothers, are admitted.

The Mandir publishes ' Wagvina', a monthly magazine in Hindi.

Shrimati Dhapeebai Jain Maternity Home, Amravati.

Opened in 1951 by one Mr. Dhanaraj Kesarimal Munot in memory of his mother, the late Shrimati Dhapeebai Tain, this  maternity home aims to provide medical aid to children and pre-natal treatment and advice to women. The income from founder's property is assigned to meet the expenses of the home, and a board of trustees looks after its management.

The estimated value of the assets of the institution was Rs. 1,00,000 in 1964.

The expenditure for the year 1961, amounted to Rs. 26,084. The institution received grants from the State Government and the Municipality. In 1961, the grant from Government amounted to Rs. 7,500 and that from Municipality stood at Rs. 500.

The Home had 22 beds in 1953, and 28 in 1962. The delivery cases attended to were 305 in 1953 whereas the number rose to 608 in 1962. The number of patients treated was 554 in 1962. The expenditure on free beds was Rs. 3,731 in 1952 and Rs. 15,512 in 1962.

Public Libraries. Christi Sahitya Kendra, Achalpur

The Baptist Mission of Central India had an information centre at Achalpur known as the Christi Sahitya Kendra established in March 1962. The centre provides pamphlets and literature on Christian religion and other relevant information. The expenditure of the Kendra was Rs. 1,000 in 1962. It does not receive any grant from the government.

Mahaweer Sarvajanik Vachanalaya Badnera.

Mahaweer Sarvajanik Vachanalaya at Badnera was established in 1951 The library is open to all.

The value of the assets and property of the institution stands at Rs. 5,000. The institution received grants from the municipality (amounting to Rs. 250 in 1961) and the Government. The annual expenditure stood at Rs. 1,500, in 1961.

The institution celebrates days of national importance and special functions are arranged on these days.

Nagar Vachanalaya Amravati

Nagar Vachanalaya at Amravati was established as early as 1867 for the diffusion of knowledge among the general public. Its activities include circulation of books, newspapers and magazines, conducting study circles and arranging lectures and debates.

The members of the vachanalaya constitute the general body. It elects the managing committee which executes the decisions of the general body.

Its assets and property were valued at Rs. 1,44,448 in 1962-63. During the same year, its income was Rs. 23,690 and its expenditure amounted to Rs. 26,152. It received a grant of Rs. 500 from the Education Department in 1962-63 and of Rs. 1,000 from Amravati Municipality.

The number of books in the library was 13,782 in 1963 including 4,966 English, 8,198 Marathi and 618 Hindi books. Other periodicals included dailies, weeklies, bi-weeklies, fortnightly newspapers with magazines and quarterlies. They numbered 136 in 1963. A separate magazine section was opened in 1962. The reference section has books useful to the post-graduate university students.

Sarvajanik Vachanalaya,Paratwada.

Sarvajanik Vachanalaya at Paratwada, was established in 1866. It has a free reading room and a library. Books are issued to the subscribing members, who numbered 91 in 1961-62.

The fixed property and assets of the institution include the building and furniture worth Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 3,000 respectively. The library possesses books on diverse subjects and rare books.

The library received Government and municipal grants amounting to Rs. 263 and Rs. 240 respectively in 1961. The total income in the same year, was Rs. 1,675 while the expenditure stood at Rs. 1,803.

Shree Ram Trust,Amratati.

The trust was established on 12th February 1959 by Ramratan Shriwallabh Chandak with the object of giving impetus to the study and preachings of Vedant, Vijnyana and Gita with special emphasis on Karma Yoga and Dharma Shastra.

The total value of the property of the trust amounts to  Rs. 1,35,000 and consists of Shree Ram Mandir, Mangal Karyalaya  (previously known as Dharmshala), Mohini Mangal (new buil-  ding recently constructed) and Deeparchan Sadan.

The trustees work free for the trust and one of them acts as  managing trustee.

Geeta Mandal was formed and three series of lectures were arranged (in November 1956, April 1957 and in September 1957) on the philosophy of ' Gita '.

A sub-committee of seven persons was established in 1958 to arrange the ' Suvichar V yakhyanmala' and 30 lectures were delivered in this series.

Miscellaneous institutions.

Hanuman Vyayamshala,Paratwada. Hanuman Vyayamshala, Paratwada, was established in 1916.  The institution conducts classes and trains teachers in physical  education. It holds various exhibitions and competitions in  games.

The assets including its building and other equipment were valued at Rs. 16,000 in 1961-62. The institution is managed by a governing body of 4 members. It did not receive government grant and its only source of income was donations.

Hanuman vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amravati.

Shree Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amravati, was founded by Anant Krishna Vaidya and Ambadas Krishna Vaidya in 1914 as a small gymnastic club. The institution has done pioneering work of organising the movement of physical education when there was a general apathy for physical education.

The founders had two objectives: to link up the movement of physical education with the national freedom movement and to modernise and systematise the traditional Indian system of exercise by incorporating in it the Western methods of physical education.

In 1918-19, the club was renamed as the Hanuman Vyayam Mandir. The institution as it grew from strength to strength was reorganised into Shree Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal.

The efficacy of the system of physical education that was being evolved in this institution was tested in the various gymnastic tournaments. The success of its athletes in the C. P. and Berar Olympic Meets held in 1925, encouraged the organisers to launch upon a new scheme of popularising these exercises and games on a countrywide basis. The idea of holding short term physical training classes during the summer vacation at Amravati was devised and implemented. These classes are being run every year almost uninterruptedly since 1925 and more than 15,000 young men and women, from different parts of the country have been trained in this institution.

The Mandal later turned its attention to the study of some of the Western and Eastern gymnastic systems and a few of its life members were deputed twice to attend the International Scout Jamborees held in Europe. During 1921-30, its activities did not remain confined to the solitary field of physical education but became associated with the national freedom movement. the workers of the Mandal were also taken up on most or the committees which were formed to prepare the scheme of physical education. The teams of the Mandal visited important towns of most of the Indian provinces and gave demonstrations of their performances. The Mandal organised a special wing of social workers under the title 'Civil Defence Force', in 1932 and this wing further attracted young men from different parts of the country. The members of this wing later supplied personnel to the Government organisations such as Home Guards. Urban Infantry and Territorial Army. The first All-India Physical Education Conference was organised by the Mandal in October 1946 which was a great success. The conference resulted in the establishment of a permanent organisation, viz., the National Association of Physical Education and Recreation in India. The members of the Mandal attended the gymnastic meets held in Europe in 1936, 1949 and 1953.

The Mandal devoted its energies to the rejuvenation of Indian elements in gymnastics like rhythm, callisthenics, uniformity of mass action, graceful mass performance and uniform exercises to all parts of body. It brought into play the element of music as a co-adjunct of physical training and so phased the different indigenous exercises as can be practised age-wise. The Mandal framed a syllabus of the subjects of physical training for which a number of items from traditional exercises and games were selected and remodelled. The system has become popular in India. It is also to the credit of the Mandal that it has started a women's wing and has tried to do away with the prejudices against physical education for women. It has established the Indian Institute for Diploma in Physical Culture and Recreation in 1946 with a view to bringing about a synthesis of eastern and western methods.

The Mandal has its own building accommodating its office, the local gymnasium, the library, lecture hall and a store for apparatus, equipment and instruments. The Mandal owns a printing press with a building and has brought out a few publications on physical education. The Mandal maintains a dairy and a small poultry farm.

The management of the Mandal is looked after by three bodies, viz., (1) the general body, (2) the managing body and (3) the executive committee.

The assets of the institution were valued at Rs. 1,09,000 in 1962. The annual income and expenditure stood at Rs. 53,254 and Rs. 72,027 respectively in 1962-63. The grants from various sources stood at Rs. 21,378 in the same year.

Numerous benevolent institutions and charitable organisations are working for the welfare of those who belong to the sche- duled castes and scheduled tribes in Amravati district. Some of  them are branches of institutions, established elsewhere. Most  of the institutions were established after 1950.

Backward class student's Hostels.

The uplift of these communities (viz., backward classes) is sought  to be achieved in many ways. The Government gives them  special facilities for receiving education at all stages. They get  freeships and scholarships which enable them to complete their  courses.

Taking into consideration the poor financial conditions of students, grants-in-aid are given by the Social Welfare Department[Thus in 1960-61, the "Shri Ram Education Society" at Takarkheda Sambhu received a grant of Rs. | 8,750 for building a Hostel. In the same way in 1961-62, the Backward Class Hostel at Mozari also received a grant of Rs. 12,479.]. The hostel inmates are provided with lodging, boarding and other essential amenities.

The following table gives the information about the various hostels in Amravati district. The hostels are meant for secondary school children.

BACKWARD CLASS STUDENTS' HOSTELS IN AMRAVATI DISTRICT

Friends' club.

The Friends' Club at Badnera was started in 1962 with a view promote a feeling of " corporate life " amongst its members. The Club had 32 members in 1962. It offers them facilities to play such games as badminton, table-tennis, bridge, etc., in its own premises.

Samarthanand Samaj.

The Anand Samaj which was originally started in 1902 and the Samartha Samaj, started in 1912, were merged in 1921 to form a new body, viz., the Samarthanand Samaj. The main object of the Samaj is to awaken political consciousness amongst the people. It started the ' Deshbandhudas Vachanalaya' in 1924.

TOP