INTRODUCTION THE SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF THE 20TH CENTURY socio-economic development is the emergence of numerous voluntary social service organisations, working side by side with the governmental institutions, for the uplift and benefit of various sections in the society. Such institutions, if not conspicuous by their absence, were very rare till the dawn of this century. With the advance of time, and development of culture and civilization, human life has become more complex, and inter-dependence of the individuals, within the social structure, has considerably increased. With social and economic planning to the fore modern states have entered into those fields in human life, which were in the days gone by, the privilege of the individuals to look after. But however great the resources of the state may be, the agencies of the state cannot burden themselves with the responsibilities that go along with multifarious aspects of social life. The individuals themselves with a view to attain the best in life, come together, and venture upon the accomplishments in educational, literary, philosophic and other activities, pertaining to the moral and material development of the human personality. The fields are distinct, and as such, the institutions. Such institutions which work in a selfless manner are in the nature of a compromise with the machinery of the government. Naturally, interference on the part of government is neither desired nor tolerated. It would be interesting to note that the voluntary efforts of these agencies succeed where the mighty efforts of the government fail to elicit any result. Since Independence, our Government has placed before itself the goal of a welfare state and has been gradually taking over all kinds of public activities. It cannot, however, cover all the sectors and all the sections of the society but leave very much to these organisations to promote welfare of those who do not come under the scope of its activities. Of late, a large number of social organisations have come into existence in Nagpur district. Most of them, however, suffer from certain shortcomings. In the first instance, they are not distributed evenly over the whole district but have conglomerated themselves in towns, particularly in Nagpur city. This uneven distribution is the result partly of a lack of initiative among local residents of the rural areas and partly of their apathy to form their own organisations. Secondly, it appears that these organisations have not yet encompassed the members of agricultural and industrial communities. A large number of members from these organisations were either found to have held white-collared jobs or to have come from business sections of the society. Finally,most of these organisations fail to raise adequate funds to function properly. If substantial assistance in the form of grants and subsidies is given to these social organisations they would certainly look forward to a bright future. PUBLIC LIFE. While the activities of a number of voluntary and social organisations are conducive to the general welfare of the people, the Press is ever on the guard to influence the course of public life by keeping awake the interest of the common man. The Press is a powerful weapon which responds readily to public opinion. For, the Press can form and educate public opinion, and arouse political-consciousness among people. The Press, in fact, is so important from the point of view of society that it has rightly been called the "Fourth Estate". Of the leading publications in the district, the Hitavada and the Nagpur Timesi, both of which are published in English, are most important. The former, which can be said to be the oldest daily of Nagpur, was started in 1911. The latter was started in 1933. Both the dailies have wide circulation in Nagpur district and outside. There are other well-known Hindi and Marathi dailies as well. The Navbharat Times (1934) (The figures enclosed in parentheses denote the year when the paper was started in the district.) and the Yugdharma (1951) are published in Hindi; whereas the Maharashtra (1914), the Tarun Bharat (1944), the Maratha (1956), the Nagpur Sama-char, the Sudarshana and the Jay Vidarbha are published in Marathi. Besides dailies, a number of weeklies and bi-weeklies are also published in English, Marathi and Hindi. Of these, the Manwaniar, the Navbharat and the Chavhata—all published in Marathi-are very popular among the people. Magazines also form an important section of the Nagpur periodicals. Nearly thirty magazines are brought out every month in English, Marathi and Hindi from Nagpur. The monthlies have diverse interests ranging from literature to social life. Quite a large number are also devoted to legal topics. The All India Criminal Decisions, the All India Law Reporter, the Criminal Law Journal, the Dominion Law Reporter and the Nagpur Law Journal may be mentioned among the important ones. A subject-wise break-up of all the important magazines which are current in Nagpur district is given below:—
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VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION Andha Vidyalaya, Nagpur. The school for the blind was established on 19th August 1928. It was the only one of its kind in the former State of Madhya Pradesh. The school was established with a view to imparting instruction to the blind in the knowledge of letters and in various arts which they could easily pick up. The school admits blind children between the ages of nine and sixteen, and provides free boarding, lodging and educational facilities. Since January 1957 the school has started providing accommodation to blind girls as well. There were about 13 blind girls in the school in 1963. For the purpose of imparting knowledge of various crafts the school has a separate branch. The school has a building of its own, built in 1935 out of the funds received from many philanthropists and from Government grants. The school receives annually from the Central Social Welfare Board an amount of Rs. 15,000 meant for the girl inmates of the school. The management of the school is looked after by a President, a Vice-President and a Treasurer. Anath Vidyarthi Griha, Nagpur. This institution, established in the year 1922, started functioning in Mohite Wada but later on it was given a piece of land measuring 2.023 hectares (5 acres) by the municipal corporation in Bagad Gadhi. On this piece of land, stands today the building of the Anath Vidyarthi Griha. The object of this institution is to help the poor, the needy and the down-trodden children in furthering their educational careers, thereby turning out of such students excellent citizens. The institution not only aims at the intellectual and physical development of its inmates but also gives them instructions in such crafts and industries so as to make themselves reliant. The institution provides education up to the secondary level. The poor students are provided with free boarding and lodging facilities. The institution which started with barely 5 students now boasts of hundreds who have taken the benefits of the facilities afforded by it. The institution prides in its office-bearers who were formerly the inmates of the institution itself. The Vidyarthigriha is named after the late Shri Vinayakrao Deshmukh, in whose memory, his son Dr. Gopalrao Deshmukh donated a sum of Rs. 13,000. The institution runs a stationery shop and an industrial house and owns about 16.187 hectares (40 acres) of land from which agricultural produce valued at about one thousand rupees augments the funds of the institution. The office-bearers of the Anath Vidyarthi Griha include a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer and an Administrator. Bharat Sevak Samaj, Nagpur The branch of the Bharat Sevak Samaj was established in Nagpur in the August of 1952 with the establishment of Bharat Sevak Samaj on an all-India basis. Within the jurisdiction of this branch at Nagpur fall the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara and Chanda. The Samaj has under its jurisdiction about 200 workers who undertake social activities. The membership of the Samaj in Nagpur city is about 500. The Samaj participates in activities, such as, publicity to the five-year plans, organisation of various development projects, help to the distressed, grow-more-food campaigns, development of handicrafts and cottage industries, welfare of women and children, youth organisation, education, production, co-operation, etc. The Samaj organises exhibitions in regard to five-year plans, home and cottage industries and national development schemes. On Gandhi Jayanti day it also undertakes clean-village campaigns with a view to protecting social hygiene. To help the patients suffering from T. B. the Nagpur branch has inaugurated a novel scheme tor their resettlement in life. The Samaj also operates various education centres for educating the adults. In order to make available monetary benefits to women belonging to middle class families, the Samaj runs a handicrafts centre. The Samaj conducts more than 15 Balak Mandirs. Every year the Samaj conducts a social service camp. So far more than 5,000 children and 500 youths have taken advantage of such camps. The special features of the Nagpur branch of Bharat Sevak Samaj are (1) the opening of hostels for students where free accommodation is provided to students, and (2) operation of a Government remand home under the management of the Samaj. The Samaj also aims at abolition of prostitution in years to come and has formulated plans towards the achievement of that goal. Bhagini Mandal, Nagpur. The Bhagini Mandal is one of the prominent institutions of Nagpur. It was started in September 1920. It devoted itself to the singular aim of attaining all-round progress of women and children in Nagpur city. This was to be realised by adopting the following means— (1)
to conduct a library and a reading-room for women; The affairs of the Mandal are managed by an executive board or council of 15 members. They include the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary and eleven other members. The executive council meets generally in the beginning of every month; whereas the general meeting of all the members is held in January every year. The following items constitute its agenda:— (1)
to discuss in detail and sanction the last year's balance sheet, (2) to
present annual working report of the Mandal before the executive body. Bhagini Mandal The Bhagini Mandal has so far played a prominent role in the field of female education. Its work constitutes the following:— (1)
Reading-room and library.—It was started in 1933. Today, there are
over 6,000 books in this library in Marathi, Hindi and English. Books
can he read in the reading-room or can be taken home on deposit basis.
Side by side a small reading-room exclusively for the use of children
has been opened since 1955. Similar small libraries were started at 13
other centres in Nagpur city such as Dhantoli, Sitabuldi, Ramdas Peth,
Darampeth, etc. (4) Cultural Programmes.—The Mandal arranges cultural programmes from time to time. Lectures, discussions, kirtans, bhajans, dramatics, etc., are some of the important highlights of them. They are staged for the recreation of and instructions to the members of the Mandal. Days of national importance, too, are celebrated in grandiloquent manner. Vasantotsava, haladi kumkum, birthdays, gatherings and many such occasions are also celebrated by the Mandal. In 1961, the Bhagini Mandal had 280 members. Since its inception it has made a remarkable progress. Bhosle Muk Vidyalaya, Nagpur. The Bhosle School for the Dumb was established on 1st August 1915. The aim of the school is to impart useful education to the deaf and the dumb and make them semi-independent. With this view the school provides facilities in painting, cane-work, tailoring, etc. More than 200 boys have so far taken advantage of the facilities provided by the school. The school has a residency of its own and a building on the North Ambazari Road on a spacious piece of land. Bhosle Vedshastra Mahavidyalaya This Mahavidyalaya was established in December, 1879. The principal aim of this institution is to propagate Vedic and Sanskrit languages and create a liking for them among the people. In addition to the Mahavidyalaya in Nagpur, the society also conducts similar institutions in other parts of the country. For deserving students the society grants scholarship, arranges for their examination, prepares them for higher examinations conducted by Bangiya Sanskrit Shiksha Parishad and such other institutions for oriental studies. The society provides free lodging facilities to poor students. The institution has a library of its own which contains more than 5,000 valuable and rare books. The institution celebrates every year Gita Jayanti, Sharadotsava and other religious festivals.
The Ganesh Vyayam Seva Mandal is one of those prominent institutions of Nagpur that have been established with the sole ambition of inculcating among the youths a liking for games and gymnastic exercises. The Mandal was started on 1st January 1940. In 1961, 55 members were regularly attending the training given in the Vyayamshala. The Vyayamshala is housed in an old structure. A new building to accommodate a larger number of members is being constructed. The total value of the assets of the Mandal, including its present building and the accessories of games, is about Rs. 5,000. The annual income of the Mandal was Rs. 2,563 during 1961-62. This amount was received mostly from subscriptions and fees from members of the Mandal, although Rs. 674 were received from the Social Welfare Department and Rs. 200 from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Its expenditure amounted to Rs. 3,556.61 during the same year. The institution is making progress gradually. The institution, however, has no playground of its own. Gokulpeth Sarvajanik Sudhar Sanstha, Nagpur. This institution was established in 1956 and was, in the first instance, meant to look after and improve the condition of the Hanuman temple in Gokul Peth. It also intended to celebrate religious and social occasions. In addition, the institution (i) looks after the management of a gymnasium, (ii) conducts a library, (iii) assists poor and helpless students, (iv) helps maintain sanitary conditions and (v) encourages social education. The management of the temple as well as of the "arena" is entrusted to the working committee which is an elected body. The latter comprises a chairman, a deputy chairman, a secretary, two assistant secretaries and eight members. The Committee is to meet at least once n a month. In 1961, the institution had 250 members. The assets of the institution were worth Rs. 13,000 in 1961-62. The institution owns two temples and a well-equipped gymnasium. The latter was started in 1957. The total annual income of this institution was Rs. 2,000 in 1961-62, while its expenditure during the same year amounted to Rs. 2,500. The institution, however, gets financial assistance both from the Social Welfare Board of the Government of Maharashtra and the Nagpur Corporation. A number of books and newspapers are also received by the library from foreign embassies in India. The institution now intends to conduct night classes for the spread of literacy among illiterates and to start a free dispensary for poor patients. |
| Gondwana
Club, Nagpur.
The Gondwana Club was started in 1936, with the object of providing amenities of games and library to the people of Nagpur, Equipment for playing cards, carrom. billiards, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis, swimming and squash are provided by the Club. In 1961, the Gondwana Club had 110 members. Membership is restricted to Indians. The signatories to the Memorandum of the Association are entitled to the membership on payment of the prescribed entrance fees. Any other candidate for election as a member must be proposed by one member and seconded by another. But the proposal has to be unanimously approved of by the managing committee. The entrance fee is Rs. 50 for men and Rs. 25 for women. For resident members the monthly subscriptions are— (1) for single members—Rs. 12, The Managing Committee itself appoints two of its members as President and Honorary Secretary, respectively. The Honorary Secretary is the chief executive officer of the Club and also the treasurer. He collects the subscriptions and other amounts due to the Club and makes all ordinary payments; but all expenditure of an extraordinary nature is referred to and approved of by the Managing Committee. A general meeting of all members is held once every year in the month of February to receive the report of the Managing Committee and statement of accounts for the preceding calendar year and to elect a new Managing Committee and transact such other business as may be brought before it. The President of the Managing Committee presides as Chairman at every general meeting of the Club. The Gondwana Club owns considerably large property worth over Rs. 1,00,000. It includes the large building of the club of the value of Rs. 64,750, furniture and fixtures, electric installation, tennis court, crockery, library, stage, swimming pool, pumping sets, etc. The assets of the club comprising stock-in-hand, provident fund investments, membership dues, advances paid, cash and bank balances were worth over Rs. 26,022 in 1958. The income of the Gondwana Club during 1961-62 was Rs. 35,500. This was composed mainly of the subscription funds collected from its members. The expenditure of the club during the same year amounted to Rs. 35,000. The financial position of the club is quite sound. The Gondwana Club is one of the biggest well-organised clubs in Nagpur. Grihini Samaj. Grihini Samaj is a registered institution established in 1944. Its aim is to develop mutual friendship and love amongst women staying nearabout Ramdas Peth. A Montessori school is also conducted on behalf of the institution. The Samaj has kept a storage of consumer goods required for day-to-day needs of the household and they are provided to poor and needy families when necessary. Facilities for training in library science, sewing and embroidery are also provided for. Ideal Education Society, Umrer. The Ideal Education Society was established at Umrer on 13th October 1936. In the preamble of its constitution the object of the Society is stated thus: to impart education of all kinds, from the elementary stage to the highest standard, to the people of Umrer tahsil by establishing schools and other institutions at different places in the tahsil. The policy of the Society is to keep itself above party politics so far as the conduct of its affairs is concerned and render faithful service to the people without distinction as to caste, community or creed. The affairs of the Society are managed by the governing
body which consists of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a
Joint-Secretary, a Treasurer and other members of the Society. There
are at present 19 members in the Society including six women. The governing
body is aided and advised in respect of female education, by a Sub-committee
consisting mostly of women and decisions taken by it are binding on
the governing body. The members of the Sub-committee are nominated for
a term of five years by the governing body. Besides imparting education to the boys and girls, the Society encourages them to participate in cultural and other extra-curricular activities. Kala-Kunj. The Kala-Kunj, a registered institution, was founded
in 1955. The institution imparts training in Indian classical music
to women. The training classes are conducted in the University Building.
In order to encourage the art of dancing, famous dancers are invited
to stage their programmes. Mohpa Education Society. This organisation made its beginning by starting a night class where instruction in reading and writing was provided for adults who could not get it otherwise. Slowly this small class grew into a big educational institution with many self-sacrificing, devoted and ambitious workers at its back. The activities of this society embrace a very wide field today but chiefly it had the following aspects to begin with: —
II Social service by starting a dispensary for needy
patients. The Society became successful in achieving all its aims mainly with the help of people who took great interest in its activities and made great sacrifices. Accordingly, a school was founded, and night classes, too, were organised. In 1913, the Society took keen interest in the female education and founded a girls' primary school. It was handed over to the Government after 5 years. Some members of the Society started a dispensary and gave medical help to the needy patients. In times of epidemics the members of the Society attend upon the victims and render them all possible help. In those days, Mohpa was famous for its love of athletics. This love for physical culture was further developed by starting an Akhada on modern style where young men and boys were trained in wrestling, malkhamb, lezim, lathi, etc. The members of the Society also take leading part in doing service to the Harijans. They encourage the Harijans to join the school. The chief role played by them, however, is in regard to the indigenous industries. In the beginning of this century, swadeshi cloth and other swadeshi articles were very scarce. The spirit of nationalism gave the weavers of this place a great impetus for making cloth. They were supplied yarn. The members of the Society took considerable interest in this movement and encouraged it. Taking into consideration the pressing needs of the rural areas and an increased demand from the people the Society decided to open two high schools in 1963 at Pinla and Kohli, respectively, and a separate high school for girls. The Society intends to impair instruction in the science of agriculture in its high school classes and develop this into a multi-purpose high school.
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| Sangam Kala Mandir It is a registered institution where women receive technical education through the Directorate of Technical Education of the Maharashtra State. The institution was established in 1951. Its object is to impart training to women in sewing, embroidery, etc. Facilities to train women who want to appear for S.S.C. Examination by offering art-needle work and home science as optional subjects, are also extended. These classes are conducted at various places in Nagpur city. Widows, forsaken and poor ladies arc not charged any fees. The institution receives financial grants both from the Social Welfare Section and the Central Social Welfare Board. Sanskrit Bhasha Pracharini Sabha. It was started on 20th November, 1950, with the object of propagating the study of Sanskrit language. To secure this, a school known as Kinkbede Sanskrit Vidyalaya is run and students are taught and trained for Sanskrit, examinations. It also issues a Sanskrit weekly, the Bhavitavyani. Besides, lectures by learned scholars are often arranged to encourage students to study the Sanskrit language. Seva Niketan. The establishment of Seva Niketan on 13th June 1959 came as a boon to hundreds, of illiterate people in the Panchpaoli area of Nagpur city. This was because its primary aim was to spread literacy among the people and educate them. True to its name, however, Seva Niketan also renders yeoman service to all those who are physically handicapped and involuntarily unemployed and helps thereby to augment social welfare. In 1960-61, the Niketan had fifteen members. They included the chairman, the deputy chairman and the treasury officer who together constituted the working committee of the institution. Members of this committee are elected through the ballot system by all the members of the Niketan and work for a year round when a fresh election takes place. Meeting of the members of the working committee is held once a month at least, while meeting of all the members of the institution is called for every year, generally in April. Main agenda of the meeting includes presentation of the annual report of the institution and discussion over its annual balance sheet. The functions of the Committee are to appoint a new auditor, to sanction the last year's report and finally to prepare budget for the ensuing year. The work of the Seva Niketan embraces multifarious fields of activity. Important among them is its library, known as 'Dnyan Sangraha'. The other is 'Krida Mandal or sports club. Both the library and the sports club have attained a considerable measure of progress. The library contains about 600 books and has 50 members. The sports club, too, is well-equipped and is attended by an increasing number of people. Shri Lakhmaji Vyayamshala. This gymnasium is situated in the Maskasath-Itwari area of the Nagpur city. It was started about hundred and fifty years ago but was registered only in 1949. Since its establishment the gymnasium has undertaken to coach young men in physical exercises and produce gymnasts and wrestlers of repute. Besides, it also works for popularising Indian games. This is accomplished by organising exhibitions and general lectures and by carrying on propaganda through Press. Obviously, the activities of the gymnasium are not confined merely to the indoor training of the wrestlers but extend to the encouragement of outdoor games and even participating in all sorts of cultural programmes such as gatherings, celebration of the days of national importance, etc. The gymnasium is run on the contributions received from its members in addition to the grant-in-aid from the Government. In 1961-62, its income by way of private contributions amounted to Rs. 3,953.97, while its expenditure was Rs. 4,014.84. During the same year it received Rs. 1,000 as grant-in-aid from the Maharashtra State. Shri Ramkrishna Ashram . Shri Ramkrishna Ashram founded first at Belorrnath near Calcutta has its branch at Nagpur since 1928. Its aim is to render service to mankind with no bars of race, religion or nationality. The Ashram is housed in a spacious building at Dhantoli in Nagpur. Besides this Ashram, a hostel known as "Vivekanand Vidyarthi Bhavan", a free dispensary and a library are situated in the same building. The Ashram has its own publishing section which has so far brought out more than 75 books in Hindi and in Marathi on the lives of Ramkrishna, Vivekananda and those pertaining to religion and culture. A monthly magazine, the Jeevan-Vikas, is also run by it. Amongst the other activities of the Ashram may be mentioned the celebrations of the birth and death anniversaries of saints and nation builders or leaders, arranging speeches on cultural and religious subjects and conducting a study circle with a view to acquire knowledge on religious subjects. Swami Shraddhanand Anathalaya. The Anathalaya was established on 1st February, 1927, by prominent social workers in Nagpur in memory of Swami Shraddhanand, one of the greatest patriots and social workers of India. In the same year the Anathalaya received a gift of about 2.023 hectares (5 acres) of land on which stands the building of the Anathalaya. The aim of the institution is to give shelter to helpless and destitute women and work for their uplift. The institution also supports the forsaken children and provides for their upbringing and education. For the achievements of its objectives the institution arranges for the maintenance of its inmates, for the marriages of destitute ladies and widows and for training them in such arts as tailoring, weaving, etc. In the realisation of these objectives the institution receives material help from concerned Government departments. The institution conducts a Batak Mandir for providing education to children. Due to the activities of the institution aimed at social uplift of the downtrodden, the institution receives handsome donations from the citizens of Nagpur. The institution has for its office-bearers a president, a vice-president, and a treasurer. |
| Vanita Vikas Griha The Vanita Vikas Griha was started as a part of the social, cultural and religious programme under the Second Five-Year Plan of the State. It was inaugurated on 7th December 1957. Its main object is to provide shelter to those women who are either deserted, widows or virgin mothers or destitutes and who seek an honourable way of life. It also extends them facilities to learn such arts as sewing, stitching, weaving, etc., so that they afterwards can earn their livelihood independently. Besides, they are given proper instruction to attain their moral and physical development. The Griha looks forward to rehabilitate these women, wherever possible, by getting them married to suitable persons and making their lives happy. In 1962, there were in all 54 women, who were residing in the Vanita Griha. The Griha is conducted on behalf of the Nagpur City Women's Conference. Vidarbha Harijan Sevak Sangh. The Vidarbha Harijan Sevak Sangh was organised in 1933 with a view to removing untouchability. It also engages itself in bringing about progress of Harijans in economic, social and educational fields. The Sangh works as a branch of the All-India Harijan Sevak Sangh. In 1961, thirteen persons had registered tor its membership. The Maharashtra State Welfare Board grants 90 per cent of the expenditure for propaganda purposes. The remaining 10 per cent of its expenditure is met by collecting contributions from gram panchayats and local bodies. During 1961-62 the Sangh received from the Maharashtra Government Rs. 34,922.35 as grant-in-aid for the removal of untouchability and Rs. 5,442 for providing hostel accommodation to Harijan students. In addition, it also received Rs. 9,221.25 as subscriptions and donations from various public and local bodies, so also from other Harijan Sevak Sanghs. The Sangh tried to establish harmonious relations between Harijans and others. Its work consisted chiefly of keeping open for Harijans all the public places such as wells, tanks, temples, hotels and shops that were formerly reserved for other communities and castes. The Sangh also assists Harijan students with clothes, slates, books, etc., and in some cases with finances. In addition, it undertakes to construct new wells or to repair old ones for Harijans. Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sammelan The Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sammelan which was formerly known as the Madhya Pradesh Hindi Sahitya Sammelan was established in 1918, and worked for the whole of Madhya Pradesh. After the reorganisation of the States the activities of the Sammelan were limited to the eight districts of Vidarbha, on account of which it was named as the Vidarbha Sahitya Sammelan. The aim of the Sammelan is to bring about an all-round progress of Hindi and spread it all over the country. In order to secure this aim efforts are made for proper organisation, publication and propaganda of Hindi literature. The Sammelan has now built its own building in which a spacious hall and a stage have also been constructed. Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh. The Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh is a prominent literary and cultural organisation in Vidarbha. It was established on 13th January 1923 at Amravari. Later (i.e., in 1950) its office was shifted to Nagpur. The object of the Sangh is to bring about an all-round progress of the Marathi language and literature, and cultivate literary tastes in society. . The Sangh also encourages writers to bring forth new literature. In order to achieve this object it organises Sahitya Sammelans, discussions, and speeches of prominent writers and engages itself in a number of other activities such as conducting a library, publishing magazine (at present it publishes a magazine known as the Yugwam), holding certificate examinations in Marathi for students in the Vidarbha region, etc. Its cultural activities include staging of dramas and honour well-known playwrights on behalf of its cultural committee. The Sahitya Sangh is housed in a big building standing on the Ambazari Road. A new theatre and a spacious hall have occupied a part of this building. Today the Sangh has spread its activities all over Vidarbha and has branches in almost all the important places in Vidarbha region. Vidarbha Sanshodhan Mandal. This is an old research institution established in January 1934. Its object is to conduct research in classical literature, to collect material for such research and to publish literature on that basis. It also organises lectures and meetings. The Mandal has got its own valuable library in the Vidarbha Sahitya Mandir and on its behalf it. has brought out a number of useful books.
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