About Prayas-Mangrol in Mangrol, Rajpipla

SARVANGIN GRAM VIKAS MANDAL “SARVANGIN PRAYAS”
Mahendrabhai and Bhartiben, Co-faounder of the Trust, They are into village life development as prescribed by Vinoba Bhave, a saint who walked the earth along with Mahatma Gandhi.
The couple has dedicated 40+ years of their life, living in a small village called Mangrol, doing great community service to around 75 villages in Nandod and Garudeshwar Districts in south-east Gujarat.
They together run a trust called "Sarvangin Gram Vikas Mandal" (literal meaning - "Comprehensive Village Development Group") - which is a trust - also known as "Sarvangin Prayas". (Where Sarvangin means "comprehensive" and Prayas means "consistent execution" towards common good). This trust was incidentally formed by my elder brother Mr Nanu Majmudar who died long ago having devoted his life to execution of principles of Vinoba Bhave.

I have given below a glimpse of the activities:

The main activities of the Trust are as under:
"Gunjtu Ghar" - (literal meaning "vibrant home"): this activity is done in 40 villages. In each village, Bharti Bhatt has painstakingly trained 1 lady who wishes to do some good work in life. These ladies are almost all undergraduates, and some are even 5th or 7th standard pass outs. Bharti Bhatt trains them how to give "alternate education" to kids of 1st to 4th standard. Alternate education means educating kids without use of books, and with unconventional methods like drama, singing, acting, practical games for math and so on. These ladies who are trained by Bharti Bhatt are quasi-volunteers, as the Trust pays them a token monthly amount for their time and energy. This activity benefits approx 1,000 children in 40 villages.
3 days residential workshop
We train GunjataGhar trainers every 15 days, One day workshop every 15 days, and two, Three days residential workshop in every six month. With help from volunteers and employees, We teach them new songs, craft activities, new games, New subjects, Awareness activities, etc.
For this event we invite groups working in different fields.
02)"Ojar Kendra" - (literal meaning "centre for Agri tools"): Mahendra Bhatt has developed centres for tools in 75 villages. Tools are for agriculture, and they are being given for use by farmers who cannot afford to buy such tools. This activity benefits more than 500 farmers in 67 villages.
03)"Mahila Mandal" - (literal meaning - "Ladies' Group"): these groups are set up in all the above villages. These groups are a tool to discuss women's wellbeing, health, motivation, education, and general wellbeing and cultural activities. They also aim to demolish myths about old traditions which tend to be anti-women in India. The groups also aim to demolish myths about religion and Gods which form a large part of psyche of villages in India. This activity benefits more than 2,000 ladies in 75 villages.
04)Sajiv Kheti - (literal meaning "throbbing life in agriculture"): this activity includes educating farmers how to avoid chemicals & other pollutants and ensure production of healthy agricultural products. This activity benefits more than 500 farmers in 75 villages.

All in all, the Trust works for making the life of villagers more meaningful and healthier. (I define this selfless as "Social Re-Engineering"). The couple have been a source of strength for these villages.

I have been associated with this couple and this Trust since about 3 years. At present I happen to be the President of this Trust, as the couple wishes to retire after passing on the responsibility of continuation of the activities to "younger generation"....(the couple is in their late 70s, while I am in late 50s...hence young!)

In case you need other references, do let me know !

Thanks,
Warm regards,
Shilpeen Majumdar