Regions: VRO in Wardha Region

ORISSA-I & II ## RAJAHMUNDRY-III ## GUNTUR-IV ## NELLORE-V ## CUDDAPAH-VI

TAMIL NADU-VII & VIII ## HYDERABAD–IX A ## SURYAPET-IX B ## WARDHA-X

RAJASTAN-XI ## VIZAG-XII

WARDHA REGION (Central India)

The siren call of Central India and the Gandhian homeland is always a personal dream of Prof M. A. Windey and for VRO an essential perspective of progress. Where the Gandhi matured and world keeps gathering in wonder at what made Mahatma a humble man so great, this non-violent man so powerful, this spiritual man so intensely and practically active, this rest less learner such a unique teacher, this Deewan’s son such a committed village servant.

At the same time VRO wanted to be in the region where Ambedkar, the Dalit leader stirred up the collective conscience of Depressed classes and urged their liberation but where also some religious fanatics try to affirm caste and community dominance over and against the Gandhian efforts of toleration and integration.

Though we had earlier tried to join more directly in the Gandhi Ashram activities on the advice of Radhakrishnan and Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, it was ultimately found better to strengthen the movement in the form of a chain formation between Sevagram and Vinoba’s ashram at Paunar.

Chronological events of Wardha region:

  • In 1990, land was acquired half way on the Ashram road in an abandoned but favourable plot between a seasonal rivulet and the ring road. Plans were drawn up to improve the land.
  • In 1991, the site development began with the help of many volunteer camps: 2000 saplings were planted along the boundaries, 3 plots were made for cultivation and deep drains were made for water evacuation. The first huts were erected and were soon replaced by cement block homes.
  • In 1992-93, the land acquired its definite layout : a reception office together with a trainees hostel and workshops were put up and wells were dug.
  • In 1994, on the annual Kumarappa day, an associate of Ivan Illch inaugurated the office with the first all India seminar organised by us.
  • In 1995, the then Governor of Andhra pradesh late Mr.Krishan Kant inaugurated the training rooms and hostels.
  • In 1996-97, the Ashram unfolded its three wings to the public:
    1. The first villages of Vidharbha region were identified and prepared for reconstruction and some others were surveyed for the same purpose.
    2. The 12th volunteers training camp was conducted on the site, for senior volunteers.
    3. They study of Gandhian ideas was made possible through the establishment of a library with a few thousand books, and a Gandhian institutions reference list for future interaction
    4. In 1997-98, a skill training centre for girls was started and extension survey was conducted in Yavatmal and Nagpur districts.
    5. In 2000-02, a local volunteers training camp was conducted in the Ashram
    6. During 2003-2005, an extension survey was conducted in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Reconstruction programme started in a couple of villages.

During this 15 years of VRO service in villages in this region our volunteers worked in 3 districts (Wardha, Nagpur and Yavatmal) in 4 panchayats and reconstructed 4 villages benefiting 150 families.