“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”
Rabindranath Tagore
Being a student of Journalism and Communication I understand the importance of education in one’s life. This field allows me to explore through the various boundaries of life.
On the 3rd of February, 2020; we were taken to a field trip to Muni Seva Ashram. Located in Goraj amidst the nature, this Ashram is covered with the green. A field trip to an Ashram might make you curious, but let me tell you that this is not your regular ashram. Ashram is a place where one goes to connect them to the universal power and become selfless and this ashram indeed helps you become selfless but differently. The Muni Seva Ashram has been working diligently in the fields of Education and Healthcare for people and children in need.
From having schools to having old age homes to having a cancer treatment hospital with the latest modern amenities, this ashram is a complete world in itself. All of these are for the tribal people from the nearby villages who cannot afford to send their kids to schools or do not have money to get treated.
Founded in 1978 by Annuben Thakkar in a hut with the blessings from the divine powers, this Ashram today has a strong infrastructure and a lot of helping hands ready to make it better every day. We were taken around the campus and the first stop was at the Vanprastha Mandir- the old age home. The campus has 4 old age homes- Gokul, Mathura, Vrindavan and Govardhan where they are provided with food and tea which comes from their farms and cowsheds. Senior citizens above 65 who are healthy are taken in.
Talking about the schools, this Ashram has a Sharda Mandir- Primary School, Vivekanad- Secondary and Higher Secondary School and Eklavya English School. They also have Parivar Mandir where abandoned children are not only given shelter but provided with opportunities. We were taken to the Parivar Mandir where tiny tots welcomed us with full enthusiasm and optimism. We witnessed an impromptu dance performance from a group of teenage girls who were excited to show us their choreography.
Next we moved on to The Kailash Cancer Hospital, where treatment is provided at a rate 40% less than the actual rate. It was founded in 2001. This hospital has the latest machinery required for the treatment and maintains a hygienic ambiance. This hospital provides treatment to the tribals and the people from the lower economic strata of the society. Muni Seva Ashram also has a nursing home where women are educated and taught about medicines and then they work in the very same hospital, thereby giving back from where they’ve taken. They have provisions for the stay of their doctors too. Not only that to make it easier for the people, this hospital has a board on its entrance that tells about the doctors and their visiting time.
Moving on to our last stop, we were taken to the Bhagini Mandir- place for the mentally challenged. This part is for the mentally challenged females who are either excluded from the societies or are left by the families. These are taken care of and are treated and most of them are cured and are sent back to their families and start a new life. Though their quarters are situated on the opposite side of the road, yet they are the very part of the campus. The women living there perform their own tasks under supervision, gather to sing bhajans and become a family.
This ashram despite running all these centers and a hospital cares about the environment too. They have solar panels installed, treated sewage water is used for agriculture, they have their own cowshed and promote organic farming. It is rare to see such huge ashrams care not only about the people but also the environment and yet stay so humble and grounded. As I said before, this ashram is a world within itself, they also have general stores and ATMs within the campus.
As the saying goes “Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.”, this ashram not only molds the future but also protects and preserves it in literal senses. Field trips are educational trips, but this visit made me realize that one can balance both nature and development with sincere passion, dedication and selflessness.
If after reading my blog, you want to visit this ashram and see yourself then click on the link below for it is the ashram’s official website.
http://greenashram.org/
Tamanna Sharma 