Swaroopvardhini, Pune; creating idols from the idle

Source: News Bharati      Date: 12/28/2011 4:50:04 PM

Swaroopvardhini is a leading social organization working in the slums of Pune. The circumference of its work is not just constrained to regular school curriculum, but it aims at grooming the latent talent among youths to utilize it for the upliftment of downtrodden sections of the society.
Late Kishabhau Patwardhan from Mangalwar Peth locality in eastern Pune initiated this noble work and the same is going on since several years for marching towards the goal of self-reliance. Swaroopvardhini has done a commendable work of uplifting people from this locality who were earlier deprived of primary facilities such as health, education and shelter. This institute has created over 50 Class II officers who have now earned a respectable position in the society.
Being a teacher by blood, Kishabhau realized that the children in these seva bastis have got a lot of talent, but they lack proper guidance. If their talent is not tapped at correct time, they may get indulged into unfair practices. For this, the ship of their life must be diverted towards the lighthouse of education. Education-related atmosphere must be provided. Realizing this, an abhyasika (study room) was opened in one of the corporation schools. Slowly, the karyakartas revealed that mere studies are not sufficient. The all round development of children is also necessary. Improvement in the conduct will lead to the improvisation of slums.
Hence the karyakartas framed a unique education pattern in the name Swaroopvardhini Shakha. In this session, various activities have been divided into hours. First hour is devoted to physical exercise. Various Indian games are played regularly that tone the entire body and maintain its fitness level. Through various patriotic songs, a feeling of gratitude towards nation is inculcated among students so as to maintain the social harmony.
After this, study hour is held in which students are not taught but asked to study themselves and question teachers. This inculcates the habit of self-study among students. Teachers maintain a record of their progress, communicate with parents and inform them about the development of their wards.
Mobile library and laboratory are also run so that the rural students should also reap the benefits of Swaroopvardhini schemes. This has helped in the propagation of modern science and knowledge among the villages surrounding Pune. Rural students have now also got an opportunity to read the literature of their choice.
Observing the plight of children in these slums, balwadi was opened for sowing the seeds of education. Balwadi that was started with just 20 kids has now a strength of 350 which itself is the witness to the fact that the development has been catalyzed in the region.
After this, the institute widened its sphere of work. The life of women in slums is unstable and dependent. In order to overcome this problem, efforts have been initiated to make them self-reliant by providing vocational training.
Because of the poor economic condition and family responsibilities, girls in these seva bastis cannot study further. Failure in class 10 closes all the doors for further studies. Their future goes dark. Realizing this problem, Swaroopvardhini provided them training in home nursing so as to earn their bread and stand on own feet. Nowadays, with the rise in the number of patients, demand for home nurses has increased. Therefore these girls get sure shot employment.
For nursing training, SSC or HSC is the minimum qualification. Also, a lot of fees is charged at private training institutes. Hence Swaroopvardhini started a unique home nursing course without setting the clause for SSC. This course is taught free of charge to girls. Till now, over 1500 girls have successfully completed this course that was initiated by Madam Kalba.
The well-disciplined band (dhol pathak) of Swaroopvardhini is famous all over Maharashtra. Apart from the recital, management and communication skills are also reflected through their team. This band has set an ideal before the other bands in Pune city as a result of which the Ganeshotsav procession regained its traditional glory that was diminished in the wave of DJ. Free MPSC guidance centre was started keeping in view the need of the students.
‘Service of the underprivileged is the real service to God. Let Bharatmata be your deity for next 100 years. ’ This message of Swami Vivekanand has been put into practice by Swaroopvardhini. The work of sorting diamonds from the darkness is in full swing.
Contact
Shirish Patwardhan
Mangalwar Peth, Parje Chowk
Pune- 41 10 11
Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 9822675765
How to reach
By air: The nearest airport is Pune Lohegaon Airport.
By train: Pune Junction Railway Station is the nearby railhead.
By road: Pune is well connected to other parts of Maharashtra by a wide network of roads. State Transport buses are readily available.

… …