Muni Seva Ashram

Muni Seva Ashram was established in 1980 by Anuben Thakkar in the small tribal village of Goraj in the Vadodara district of Gujarat with the vision to serve, strengthen and sustain the well-being of the underprivileged and build organizational resilience through agriculture and animal husbandry, healthcare, education, welfare programs and alternative energy solutions by deploying most appropriate technologies in total harmony with nature, culture and human values. With the intention to work for the development of the tribal villagers, the organization has grown to encompass the following projects: 1. Healthcare: a. Akshar Purshottam Arogya Mandir(1982): Multi-speciality hospital b. Kailash Cancer Hospital & Research Centre(2001): Multi-speciality hospital focusing on cancer, with a research centre 2. Education: a. Bal Mandir(1978): Network of 15 day-care centres b. Sharda Mandir Primary School(1984): 1st – 8th grade Gujarati medium residential school c. Swami Vivekanand Higher Secondary School(1991): 9th – 12th grade Gujarati medium residential school d. Eklavya Model Residential School(2010): 6th – 12th grade English medium school e. Nursing f. Vocational Training Centre(2011): Provides skill training to make tribal youth employable 3. Social Welfare: a. Parivar Mandir(1980): Orphanage for girls b. Bhagini Mandir(1984): Home for mentally challenged women c. Vanprastha Mandir(1987): Four retirement homes for the elderly d. Atithi Mandir(20014): Guesthouse for guests and patients’ visitors 4. Renewable Energy: a. Solar Energy: Various technologies like the solar air-conditioning system, solar cooking system, solar photovoltaic system, solar heating system, etc. developed to meet the energy needs of the ashram. b. Biogas: Three biogas digesters and India’s first biogas compression and bottling plant developed 5. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry: a. Organic Farming: Practised on about 800 acres of land b. Gaushala (cow shed): 600 indigenous cows