Face-Off with Destitution: Villages of Surat

Life of the women folk in tribal villages of Surat (Gujrat) was full of difficulties not only because of destitution but also due to addict husbands. Entry of an addict husband in home, followed with a bad beating, had become a way life for these women. Many became widow at an early age due to husband’s addiction. No one knew of the terms Independence and self-respect as it went off flying after every beating. All this was changed by Dr. Ambedkar Vanvasi Kalyan Trust (Surat). 

This Trust was started by R.S.S. Pracharak Shri Narendra Panchsara in the year 1999 which started many Sanskar Kendra (Culture and Ethos centers), Yuva mandal (Youth clubs), Bhajan Mandals (Devotional Groups) and Sakhi Mandals(Women’s self-help groups) .This trust which is affiliated with Sewa Bharti, formed 130 Sakhi Mandals in Dang and Tapi districts. These Sakhi Mandals helped 1600 women to become independent, self-sufficient and leaders. This Trust has trained farmers in 250 villages about organic farming and producing good quality seeds.

In 2006, dedicated workers of the trust started development work in Gatadi village of Songarh Tehsil (Distt. Tapi). This included training in modern agriculture practices, production of seeds, water conservation through sandbag dams, and production of manures and fertilizers. Farmer’s markets were started to enable easy and just selling of produce. This hard work by Trust workers transformed the village into an ideal village within 14 years.

These people are naïve and have been looted by many in the name of hybrid seeds or small scale industries. They were fooled in the name of making quick profits and were wary of any claims of development. But the same villagers now gather under the umbrella of Trust and fully support it with utmost intensity. This accomplishment has not been achieved in few days but it is the fruit of hard labour of 20 years. Chairperson of Trust, Shri Tulsi Bhai Mavani says trust is affectionately known as Sewa Dham in these villages.

 Since last 9 years, this Trust has also been coaching scholars to crack U.P.S.C. and G.P.S.C exams on a nominal fees of Rs. 15000/- . Mr.Sunil Gavit, an officer in Gujrat Tax department in Vapi is among the 50 odd students who became officers after clearing exams with the help of “Sambhav”, Trust’s coaching. To promote education activities, a hostel was set-up in a rented house in Aahwa village with the help of Sewa Dham in 2003. Again, in 2005 and 2009 hostels were started for bright students of classes 9th to 12th for economically weaker sections of society.

Sakhi Mandals have also started the treatment of alcohol addicted husbands. Anita ben of Sunanda Village states that they have closed down the local alcohol shops and made village addiction free. 10 women under the leadership of Pushpa ben from Jamalpada village of Dang district took a loan of Rs. 25000 and started rice farming. They repaid the loan within a year with their own income.

This Trust with the help of R.S.S. has started a new era of development in these villages. Even today, there are many R.S.S. workers like Bhupendra bhai Patel, Lalit bhai Bansal who are working continuously for the upliftment of these villages.

Contact :- Tulsi bhai Mavani

9724443311