Bamboo Wonder - Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra

In 2001, a massive earthquake trembled  Gujarat’s Kutch region reducing thousands of lives to dust. In the wake of post-disaster panic, no one knew who lost what? While some lost dear ones, a number of families were left with no survivors. Cries of homeless people were felt all across the nation through media reports. Amidst this tragedy, when earthquake-victims despite the constant urge by local administration refused to move even an inch away from the debris of their houses, a special team of 45, from Maharashtra, lead by social worker Sunil ji Deshpande and his wife Nirupama ji landed in Kutch and with the help of RSS Swaymsevaks performed unbelievable service in the dignified rehabilitation of the victims.

To everyone’s surprise, the wonder tool that Sunil Deshpande's team used to provide shelter to the victims, was the simple Bamboo Plant, loosely found in the tribal areas! Sunil ji camped in the earthquake-hit region along with his team members for almost a year. During this period with the help of the local cadre of RSS, they erected 742 premises, including houses, hospitals and schools, constructed with Bamboo Plant popularly known as-Bhunge. These unique constructions were formally handed over to the public by the then Sarsanghchalk K.S Sudarshan ji himself.

Once worked as a volunteer with RSS veteran Pracharak Nanaji Deshmukh, Sunil ji Deshpande always wanted to do something groundbreaking for the upliftment of the Vanvasis (tribesman). In persuing of his dream, in 1994, he founded Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra in Lavada village of Maharashtra's Melghat district with the blessings of RSS top brass. Today this Center actively brings development in the lives of poor tribesmen through 250 Self-help Groups spread in 38 villages in the region by preserving, encouraging and marketing their traditional bamboo artwork. “Our main focus is on making these tribesmen both financially and socially independent through converting their own traditional artwork into a lucrative means of employment”, says Sunil ji Deshpande.

Gorelal ji Ahariya, who comes from the Bhill Tribe, has been working at this Center for thirteen years. Despite the fact his body structure is not normal as its bended from the eight places, he is superbly brilliant in different form of bamboo artwork. Once he used to be a liability to his family but today he is the biggest financial support to his family. Currently, he is giving training to the 20 blind students from Nagpur. Similarly, a differently-abled man from Korakoo tribe, Sohanlal ji Kashdekar, for the last five years at this Center has been proving his metal in bamboo artwork. Both the Gorelal ji and Sohanlal ji are the chief trainers at the Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra.

Marketing and branding of the Bamboo products made by villagers are done by Venu Shilpi udhyogic Cooperative Society. Research on various new varieties on bamboo plant is also one of the priorities here. Recently Center has developed easily installable Bambu- toilet, made of bamboo plant, is indeed a very useful innovation in order to pave the path of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Contract Name:- Sahdev Dadu ji

Mobile No. :- 9764634511