The Gazetteers Department

THE HUMANITARIAN URGE TO ORGANISE VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS serving a social purpose is found in the people of almost all the districts and Jalgaon is no exception to it. In Jalgaon district there are a number of voluntary institutions serving the social needs of the people in a variety of ways. They_ not only com- plement: and supplement governmental efforts in many a field, but also cover fields of ameliorative service which the Government may not be in a position to cover. These institutions have played an important part in the educational, social and cultural development of the district. Many of them were pioneers in particular spheres of social activity, and on account of their constant and commendable service some of them have won Government recognition, assistance and guidance.

Moreover, the existence of a large number of voluntary social service organisations in a city gives a richness to its institutional life which mere governmental action can never impart. Government too have increasingly recognised this aspect and have encouraged and utilised the agency of these institutions for the greater effectiveness of their own efforts. Thus, State and voluntary organisations have been playing a mutually helpful part in the development of the district. Education, medical aid, uplift of Harijans and other backward classes, encouragement to literature, etc., have been among the subjects to which attention is paid by selfless and patriotic workers.

Many of these institutions have chosen to work in the field of education. As far back as 1909 the Chalisgaon Education Society, Chalisgaon. was established with the object of putting into practice the general principles of education laid down by the Department of Education and also to see that it is within the easy reach of all. Besides this premier institution a number of small societies have been working in the field of secondary and primary education. In fact, the sector of voluntary associations is to-day certainly bigger than that covered by direct State agencies. Institution like the East Khandesh Maratha Vidya-prasarak Samaj Ltd., Jalgaon, occupies a unique place among such associations.

Education of the depressed class children has always attracted the attention of both Government and the public. The Sarvodaya Co-operative Ashram Ltd., was established at Yawal in 1950 to promote education of backward class people and to start and conduct hostels for them at Yawal or in Yawal taluka. Though these hostels have been endeavouring to provide facilities only to students belonging to particular classes or communities, the ultimate benefit accruing from this valuable work has a much wider range, because by helping to promote the more rapid progress o! the backward sections of society it helps to strengthen the society as a whole.

It is interesting to note that with the increasing importance of English education, the need for the preservation of ancient lore and philosophy also began to be more and more keenly felt. The Indian Institute of Philosophy, Amalner, was established in 1916 to encourage and bring together interested students of western philosophy who desire to have a first-hand acquaintance with Indian thought in general and the Advaitic system of Vedanta in particular. It aimed at initiating research in comparative philosophy.

There were other fields of social service also to which the attention of people was directed. Carrying medical aid to the poor is a field in which voluntary societies have rendered yeoman service. Shri Gulabchand Pannalal Jain Aushadhalaya was started at Bhusawal in 1937 which was followed by the Khandesh Medical and Surgical Aid Society, Amalner, and Shrimati Rama-bai Sutikagriha (Maternity Home), Yawal, in 1940 and 1948, respectively.

Of the voluntary associations working in Jalgaon, the Panjar-pol (rescue home for cattle) attracts one's attention. It was established in 1948 as a caretaker association for animals.

To cultivate the habit of reading amongst the people libraries also are conducted by some of the voluntary organisations.

For the normal social and cultural needs of the community, as also for the special needs of the neglected sections, a varietv of voluntary associations have thus been formed in this district. In the pages that follow the significant features of some of the important institutions working in the district are briefly indicated.

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