Rural Project

Despite the best efforts of noble persons and organizations in various sectors, the chasm between rural and urban India does not seem to go away easily. We have, therefore, decided to do our part in bridging this divide, however modest may be our effort. For this purpose, we have identified Khanavadi village in Purandar taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra. Khanavadi is the birth place of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, who dedicated his whole life to social welfare, particularly for women of the lowest socioeconomic strata in the nineteenth century.

We already have an office and 'vachanalaya' in Khanavadi through which we offer the following services:

• Providing uniforms, books, notebooks and other educational material to needy students
• Free seminars on personality development, career planning, entrepreneurship, and related topics
• Distribution of calcium and multivitamin tablets to needy children and women
• Healthcare assistance to the needy, especially girls and women

In addition, we are planning to build and operate Mahatma Phule Grameen Vikas Kendra in Khanavadi so that we can get closer to the villagers, identify more local needs and serve them to the best of our ability in the years to come. We are also forming a group of active, young, rural citizens who will preserve and nurture the best aspects of life in rural Maharashtra, while developing a progressive mindset that is ever so essential today's global village.

Our rural project is headed by Mr Sunil Dhiwar, journalist and social worker, and a resident of Khanavadi. He is advised and guided by Mr Ravi Phule, Sarpanch, Mrs Manisha Holay, Upa-Sarpanch, Mr Bhauso Bengare, Gram Sevak, Mr Dattatreya Holay, social worker, and several other citizens of Khanavadi and nearby villages.