PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

In what follows is a description of some of the voluntary social service organizations in Chandrapur district.

Rani Rajkuwar Bhagini Samaj, Chandrapur.

This is one of the numerous institutions which has devoted itself to the cause of eradicating social evils such as illiteracy, untouchability etc., and to make the women conscious of their status, their rights and the duties that go along with them in a democratic set up. The task it has undertaken, though not impossible, is difficult enough in view of the backwardness of the district in practically every sphere, and a high percentage of tribal population.

Rani Rajkuwar Bhagini Samaj was established in 1935 and is the oldest institution of its kind in the district. For the cultural, and moral development of women and children which is the first step towards the achievement of the goal, the institution has started, since then, a number of sister institutions, such  as Balwadis, Mahila Mandals, tailoring classes and a class for  handicrafts training through which it imparts scientific training.

It has started five social welfare centres, Balwadis and maternity homes at Rajoli, Desaiganj, Bodi, Korgaon and Matheli.

It also conducts adult education classes. As many as 200 boys  and 100 women were taking education in Balwadis and adult education classes, respectively, conducted by this institution in the year 1965.

The Samaj conducted condensed courses from 1961 to 1964 for the upliftment of women. It imparted training in nursing, and also gave such training and education to women as to make them eligible for the matriculation examination. Many of the women took advantage of it and some of them were employed in government service.

The Samaj received government recognition in 1953. It has its own building and playground. Recently it has started a primary school at Chandrapur. It received grant from government as well as from local bodies to the tune of Rs. 9,060 in 1964-65.

Female Education Society, Chandrapur Girl's High School.

The Society was established in 1945, at Chandrapur with the object of running institutions for the education of women and  to undertake and facilitate research in all branches of know-  ledge. Accordingly, the society has started one girl's high  school at Chandrapur.

The high school has its own building and other necessary amenities. Practicals in music and home science are held in a newly opened science department. The total income of the school was Rs. 47,074 in 1964-65. The expenditure also was of the same order.

Sarvodaya Shikshan Mandal, Chandrapur.

The Mandal was established in 1956, at Chandrapur. The object of the Mandal is to impart moral, physical, social, and cultural education to boys and girls irrespective of their caste, creed, and religion. It also purports to help the spread of education and to help the poor and promising students. For the realization of these objectives, the mandal has decided to run schools and colleges, libraries and institutions of similar type. As a step in that direction, the Mandal has already started one high school styled as Nehru High School, at Chandrapur.

The management of the Mandal and the school is looked after by an executive committee consisting of 12 members. However, the day-to-day affairs of the school are managed by the headmaster of the school.

Recently, the Mandal started one Institute of Commerce at Chandrapur. The Institute of Commerce confers Diploma in commerce on students who successfully complete one year's course in the institute after their matriculation. The Mandal is also running a Night High School. The Mandal has already applied for sanction for starting a printing school and a College at Chandrapur.

The annual income and expenditure of the Mandal were of the order of Rs. 37,143.34 and Rs, 37,273.72, respectively.

Chokhamela Vidhyarthi Boarding, Chandrapur.

The Boarding was established in 1930 at Chandrapur with the object of making boarding facilities available to the back- ward class students from Chandrapur district. The institution also strives for the educational upliftment of students from the vulnerable sections of the rural masses. The generous donation from Dagduji Sant, a distinguished person from Warora tahsil and a donation of a house by Rangari Sant enabled the functioning of the hostel. The Government also donated some land where the institution has constructed two buildings.

The institution is registered under the Public Trusts Act of Bombay, 1950. The management of the boarding is looked after by an executive body consisting of seven members with the president as its head. The president is assisted by a secretary and a treasurer.

The Institution was managing five institutions which were situated at different places in the district. Two of the institutions were at Chandrapur and one each at Warora, Sindevahi and Nagbhir.

The Chokhamela Vidhyarthi Boarding claims to be the first institution to provide boarding facilities to girl students in the district. In 1966 as many as 125 boys and 30 girls were given admission to the boarding.

The total amount of grants received by the institution in 1965-66 was Rs. 21,785. The income and expenditure of all its branches amounted to Rs. 49,093.07 and Rs. 47,392.28 respectively, during the same year.

Dharmrao Shikshan Mandal, Aheri.

This institution, the biggest organization rendering voluntary social service to the people of Chandrapur district, was established in 1953, at. Aheri. The object of the institution is to extend educational facilities in tribal areas. The Mandal aims at achieving social, cultural and educational development among tribals through the establishment of schools, libraries and similar institutions. Besides, it also provides medical aid with the help of its own medical unit and mobile hospital. Raje Vishweshwararao of Aheri inspired the establishment of the Mandal. The Mandal was named after late Dharmrao, a noble ruler of Ahiri. This was perhaps the first attempt to bring about an all-round development of tribal people through organized efforts.

Raje Vishweshwararao and Queen Rajkuwar have donated 34 acres and 31 acres of land respectively, to the institution and  financially helped it to the tune of Rs. 70,000 till 1966.

The Mandal consists of the general body and the governing body. The governing body is constituted of a president, a vice-president, a secretary and members, while the donors, subscribers and fellows comprise the general body. The general  affairs of the Mandal are managed by the governing body while  the day-to-day management is looked after by the secretary.  The governing body meets thrice whereas the general body  meets once in every financial year.

The Mandal provides a network of other Voluntary Social Service Organizations scattered all over Chandrapur district, especially in the tribal areas. The following are the names of the institutions started by the Mandal.

All these institutions are registered and recognized by the government. Besides educational activities, the Mandal also encourages sports of all kinds, Indian as well as foreign.

The Dharmrao Shikshan Mandal had assets valued at Rs. 56,590.63 in 1965-66. During the same year, the income and expenditure of the Mandal amounted to Rs. 83,869.24 and Rs. 81,590.63 respectively. The financial position of the Mandal was reported to be sound.

Education Society, Chandrapur.

Though established in 1931, the society was registered in 1935. The object of the society is to start schools, colleges, libraries, hostels and similar institutions for the spread of education. The society also aims to co-operate with other institutions devoted to the cause of educational development in the district.

The New English Higher Secondary School of the Society was started in 1931. The school is supposed to be the biggest in Chandrapur district. The school possesses a very spacious two storied building valued, approximately at Rs. 3 lakhs. With a magnificent playground, it is situated in the heart of the town. The school has an enviable record in the field of games and sports. The school has immensely contributed to the cause of secondary education in the District. Since 1962, it started a course in technical training in the higher secondary classes.

The annual income of the high school was Rs. 1,29,248.72 and the expenditure Rs. 1,15,181.12 in 1964-65.

Gandhi Shikshan Seva Samiti, Chimur.

The institution was established in 1953, with development of educational facilities as its. objectives mainly in regard to the downtrodden and handicapped. At present the Samiti is running a National School and a National Hostel at Chimur.

In 1965-66, the income and expenditure of the Samiti amounted to Rs. 6,221.91 and Rs. 6,214.74, respectively.

Vanita Vikas Mandal, Naigaon Bk.

The Mandal was founded in 1962, at Naigaon Bk. It's chief object is to strive for the intellectual, moral and educational development of children and women. The affairs of the Mandal are looked after by an executive body consisting of 14 members.

The Mandal conducts a Balwadi and an adult education class. Since its inception it provided educational facilities to 100 children and literated 90 women up to the end of 1966.

The income and expenditure of the Mandal during the year 1965-66 amounted to Rs. 1,400 and Rs. 2,744, respectively. The Chandrapur District Mana Samaj Shikshan Sahayyak Mandal, Chandrapur. The Mandal was established in 1963 at Chandrapur with the object of achieving the social, political and economic development of Mana people. It also aims at rendering all possible help to the students from that community by conducting boardings, distributing books and rendering financial help.

The Mandal had 1,296 members on its roll in 1965-66. Each male member subscribes Re. 1 every year and female member 50 paise to the Mandal. Donations from members as also from others are accepted. The affairs of the Mandal arc looked after by an executive committee of 11 members consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Deputy Secretary, a Treasurer and 6 members.

In the year 1966 the income of the Mandal amounted to Rs. 1,371.45, whereas the expenditure amounted to Rs. 674.05. In 1966, the Mandal started one boy's hostel at Chandrapur where 22 boys were accommodated initially.

Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Mul.

The Mandal was established in 1953 mainly with the object of spreading education among the masses and at the same time to bring about their cultural and social development. The Mandal aims to realise these objectives through its varied and manifold programme. Its programme of social education consists of arranging public meetings and explain to the public the importance of prohibition, observance of Vanmahotsva and   Swachhata Mohim.

The Mandal runs the following institutions in the district:―

(1) Panchayat Training Centre, Mul.

(2) Navbharat Vidyalaya, Mul.

(3) Navbharat Vidyalaya, Rajoli.

(4) Navbharat Vidyalaya, Vyahad.

(5) Navbharat Primary School, Mul.

(6) Navbharat Vidyalaya, Antargaon.

(7) Karmveer Kannamwar Hostel, Mul.

(8) Suryodaya Navbharat Hostel, Antargaon.

(9) Navbharat Hostel, Rajoli.

(10) Navbharat Sangeet Mandal, Mul.

Adivasi Seva Sangh, Brahmapuri.

The district of Chandrapur has a large number of Adivasis who till recently were practically cut off from the civilized world. It was felt necessary to bring them within the fold of civilized existence and government and private efforts were diverted towards the realization of this objective.

One of such institutions is the Adiwasi Seva Sangh which has exclusively devoted itself to the task of uplifting the tribals.

The Sangh was established in 1960 mainly with the object of extending facilities to Adiwasi students engaged in taking education at different stages. These facilities included lodging, boarding as also financial help.

The management of the Sangh is entrusted to a body of ten members including the Chairman and the vice-Chairman. The Sangh had an income of Rs. 12,964.65 and an expenditure of Rs. 12.983.79 in the year 1966.67. It received grant-in-aid from the Government as also assistance from private individuals in the form of donations.

Panchsheel Shikshan Sanstha, Rajura.

The Sanstha was established in 1964 with a membership of  21. It has an executive body with the Chairman as its head.

The Sanstha was established with a view: -

(1) To render help to persons belonging to scheduled castes,

(2) To help the tribals in their mental and cultural development,

(3) To build and conduct children welfare centres for Adiwasi children,

(4) To conduct gymnasiums to improve the physique of Adiwasi students, and

(5) To build hostels for accommodating Adiwasi students.

The Sanstha received government aid of Rs. 2,800 in 1967. It also received donations from the members to the tune of Rs. 2,000 in the same year and the contribution of students and the guardians amounted to Rs. 1,000. The total expenditure incurred was of the order of Rs. 6,150.

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