Donate To Help Poor Bastar Tribals & Support MRDM

The plight of a girl child in India is still a huge problem looming large at the horizon. Parents hesitate to send girls to school and educate them - social stigma conditions them into believing that girls are supposed to be married off. The problem is grave in remote and tribal areas where lack of infrastructure and basic amenities only worsens the situation. And these are places where we need changemakers like Dharampal Saini who has dedicated his life for the betterment of girl child. Saini has single-handedly changed the fate of countless girls in the Naxalite-affected areas which have known only violence, death and suffering.  

For over four decades now, this 92 YO has been responsible for a massive transformation in the hinterland of Chattisgarh. He is the reason because of which thousands of tribal girls have started going to school and have been able to dream of a better future. Fondly called ‘Tauji’ by the locals, this is the story of Dharampal Saini.  

It was an uphill task but Dharampal was determined to make a difference

Born in 1930 in the princely state of Dhar, which is now part of Madhya Pradesh, Dharampal Saini grew up to be a Gandhian and a follower of Vinobha Bhave. Later in his life, Saini came into contact with Bhave and, under his guidance, started working with a number of Gandhian institutions.  

It was during the 1960s that Saini felt that he wanted to do something to help the girls in Bastar. 

Back then, Bastar was essentially a jungle and modern education was a distant dream. With the blessings of his mentor, Vinoba Bhave, Saini decided to make some very important societal changes. Thus began Mata Rukmini Devi Ashram (named after Vinoba Bhave’s mother), with two women teachers and two support staff on December 13, 1976.

Dharampal Saini’s first task in Bastar was to find a place for his ashram and he zeroed in on Dimrapal, a remote village. Bastar’s literacy rate was less than 1% at that time, so the education department gave Saini a grant to set up the first school for 80 girls.  

“I remember the government officials telling me that not even 8 girls would turn up for this but it was through sheer determination that I have got these wonderful students. I have had to fight their families, other villagers and slowly the trust started building. The government provided me with land and resources to open more schools and I also took over running the other government schools,” - Dharampal Saini.   

Today, Saini runs 37 branches of his school, 21 for girls and 16 for boys, in different villages in the worst Naxalite-hit areas of Bastar. More than 20,000 children have finished matriculation and many of the tribal girls who have completed their education have rejoined his schools as teachers. 

An inspiring journey 

Saini did not just emphasise academics in his schools but also focused on physical education. He made sports an important part of the curriculum to channelise the exuberant energy of the children. For his outstanding work, Dharampal Saini was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1991.  

He wants to spread the light of education and opportunities to many more youngsters in Bastar but for that he needs your help. You can help these kids get the best education, food and an all-round development. Every small contribution that you make towards groceries, sports items, blankets, construction materials etc is sure to make a change in the lives of the youth of Bastar. 

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Note: All the donations towards this campaign are eligible for Indian Tax Exemption