Dakshin Gujarat Adivasi Sevamandal

History

Just after Indian Independence, the tribes residing in the Dang District were primitive, but aware of Indian political developments and requested government educational assistance. The government was reticent to take up the challenge until November 20, 1948, about a year after Independence, when a group of Gandhians and the Freedom Fighters Shri Kalyanji Mehta, Premshankar Bhatt, Jyotsanaben Shukla, Jugatram Dave, Urmillaben Bhatt (Kikiben) and Bhadur Patel visited the region, stopping first at Ahwa-Waghai to organize Dakshin Gujarat - Rani Pradesh Kalavani Mandal. It was funded with 25000 Rs donated by an organization of local wood traders, under the presidency of Shri. Premshankar Bhatt initiated a government education program through School and Ashrams. This was the first step towards promoting literacy in the region. On 14 August 14, 1948 a trust was formed under the name Dakshin Gujarat Adivasi Pachatt Sevamandal and was registered as a non-profit organization under the Bombay Trust Act, 1960 (BOM XXIX of 1950; registration Nos. F (67)).

On May 12, its first office was established in Surat. With just a table and chair, Urmillaben Bhatt began the work of

serving the remote interior villages, establishing 200 People's Schools, first meeting outside, in the shade of the trees.

These schools have made a huge impact on tribal education, social development and awareness, and soon the people voiced a general demand for a residential school, called an Ashramshalla. Out of resect for the people, and with government support, the Institute established its first Ashramshalla at Nani-Vahial - Dharampur in 1954. Through the constant effort of Urmillaben Bhatt Ashram, the school witnessed full enrollment.

Urmilaben Bhatt, popularly known as Kikiben, "Lady Ingress" (in Gandhian philosophy), poured her heart and soul into the project. Dressed in white, with a hand-woven Khadi, she labored in the dense forest, without fear of wild animals, roaming from village to village on foot, or riding in a bullock cart, surviving only on wild berries. She spent the last years of her life at the Nani-Vahia Ashramshalla.

As time passed, the Institute garnered support from the people and began establishing ashrams in other villages and regions. Within a ten-year span it also founded ashrams in Umarkui, Acchavanni, Patal, Kaparada, Pindwal, and Gavachhi. Boys' and girls' hostles were also created.

In the beginning, the work seemed very difficult and almost impossible, but once people began witnessing its benefits, including economic benefits, they gave it their blessing. Mr. Premshankar Bhatt said that it was only through mutual cooperation and the peoples' blessing that the Institute [was able to succeed, though] a lot of hard work remained to be done to achieve its goal.

Creating New Infrastructures

With on going help by Hari Om Ahsram Gujarat, Round Table Conference, Parle G and other individual donars, our Institute has been able to start renovation work, construction of new buildings and creating new infrastructure for the students.

New Building was construction with donations from Dutch Students at Patal, Mandvi, Surat Gujarat which was visited by Dutch Students and where students shared their experience. The Patal School Building was opened by then Minister for MoRTH Shri Tushar Chaudari a Tribal Leader and son of late Ex. CM of Gujarat Shri Amarsinghbhai Chaudary.