Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
central
1. A.P. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
GANDHI HILL VIJAYAWADA
A very notable project taken up and competed in the State has been of the Gandhi Hill at Vijayawada. Vijayawada was one of the eight places selected by the Central Committee to commemorate important events of the life of Gandhiji. The historic session of the All India Congress Committee endorsing his constructive programme and his tirple programme which was preliminary to the launching of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921, had been held there in March that year. In about 18 acres of land, adjacent to the railway station, the Gandhi Stupa was completed in according with the plan of Shri Nandlal Bose. Besides it, there are also a Library Hall and a Conference Hall. They were inaugurated by Dr Zakir Hussain in October 1968. Later on, President V.V. Giri laid the corner stone for Children’s train track and sound and light on the Gandhi Hill. The Hill is a place of attractive for persons from both inside and outside India.
Andhra Pradesh Gandhi Smarak Nidhi,
Benz Cercle, Vijayawada-520010 (A.P.)
E-mail : mahatmagandhi150ap@gmail.com
Mob. 9848122121
2. Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
Its activities began with grants to some constructive institutions in 1950-52. In 1953 it started nine Gramseva Centers and tried to develop them on the lines of Gandhighars. They took special interest in the propagation of the Japanese method of paddy cultivation. Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi had been involved in different peace work activities in time to time,also did meaningful peace work in border area.
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The Nidhi is also attempting to reorganize Tattva-Prachar work. ​At the Gandhi Nagar headquarters of the State Nidhi several activities are being carried on. They include running a hostel on Ashram lines, cotton and silk weaving, silk reeling, bee keeping, hand pounding of rice, Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi organizing youth camps, promoting khadi work, organizing organic farming training programs, doing other village development work in different villages.
P.O.- Gandhi Nagar,
Tetelia Dist. Kamrup-782403,(Assam)
E-mail : nayan_bhandari@yahoo.com
Mob. 9957022591
3. Bengal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The emphasis in the beginning had been on disbursing financial help to constructive work institutions, and at one time as many as 30 institutions had been receiving assistance. In all, the Nidhi gave some 63 lacs to them.
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As regards direct activities, in 1969-70 the Nidhi was running 26 Gram- seva Centers with three or four workers in each of them, 3 Adivasi Centres in the district of Midnapur, and 6 Border Area Centers. The Gramseva Centre at Senpur in Burdwan District was on the lines of a Gandhighar, and it achieved remarkable success in improving irrigation and agriculture in that area.
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The Tattva-Prachar Centers of the Nidhi numbered 5 Major and 22 Sub-Centers in 1964. Bhangi-Mukti work was undertaken by the three Centers of Kontai (Midnapur), Bankura and Barrackpore.
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The State has been a centre of the Naxalite movement and it also witnessed serious communal tension because of its common border with E. Bengal and its special relationship with the Hindus left over there. The Nidhi played an important role in tackling both these problems, and hence peace work had been an important item of its activities. This and the relief work done by it have been dealt with in detail elsewhere. It also took up development work in the Dandkaranya region. As regards publication, it has 22 titles to its credit. G.S. Nidhi Bengal has been working with gandhian ideas & ideals especially for development of Khadi. We have seven Khadi production center and five Khadi sales out late in different parts of west Bengal.
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We are also running a destitute children home in Hoogly, WB. and also running a primary school ( I to IV) in Midnapur, WB.
14, Riverside Road, P.O. - Barrackpore,
Dist. 24-Parganas (N) -700120 West Bengal
E-mail - bengalgandhismaraknidhi@gmail.com
Contact - 033-25920250
4. Bihar Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
As is well-known, the State had been the special centre of Vinobaji’s own Bhoodan and Gramdan activities, and the State Nidhi workers had been giving their full cooperation and participation in these activities. Its work in other fields has been dealt with in preceding chapters.
Kadamkuan,Patna-800003
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5. Delhi Province Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The Delhi Nidhi came into existence in 1956, but its activities virtually began in 1958. They were all in the nature of direct activities with six Gramseva Centres, six Lokaseva Centres in city slum areas, two Prohibition Centres, two Major Tattva-Prachar Centres with four Sub-Centres, and one Loka Karya Kshetra. At present schools naturopathy centers running in to centers in delhi.
Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Patparganj Delhi
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6. Mumbai Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The Mumbai Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (Previous it was Bombay Gandhi Smarak Nidhi) is somewhat unique in that its activities are confined to the city and its suburbs. This factor determined the nature of the work which could be undertaken by it. It called for Tattva-Prachar work, women and children welfare work, propaganda against the drink evil, work in slum areas, Bhangi-Mukti and Bhangi-Kashta-Mukti work. The Nidhi had generally undertaken them indirectly up to the Centenary. The only direct activity in undertook had been of the Tattva-Prachar work. It ran 9 Centres which concentrated on school and college students. They organized a large number of lectures, sometimes by eminent persons, symposia and seminars. Debates and essay competitions were organized for students. In such activities the Nidhi worked in close association with Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya.
Mani Bhavan, 19, Laburnum Road, Gamdevi
Mumbai-400007
E-mail - gsnmumbai1962@gmail.com
Contact - 022-23803332 , 022-23811726
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7. Karnataka Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
Karnataka Gandhi Smarak Nidhi is the state unit of central Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
From 1948 to 1956 there were two units of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi one called Karnataka unit at Hubli and the other Mysore state unit at Bangalore. After integration of all Kannada districts into state in 1956 the two units were merged and state Board was nominated by the National Executive of the Nidhi.Major activities include organizing youth camps, students camps, NSS camps,seminers,running naturopathy centers, gramseva centre, khadi work, publishing books in Kannad language, Gandhi exibitions, yoga centers.
Gandhi Bhavan, Kumara Park
East,Bangalore-560001
E-mail- gandhibhavanbangalore@gmail.com
Contact - 080-22373256 , 080-22261967
8. Kerala Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The State Nidhi had the initial advantages of the small area of the State and its highly politically conscious and literate population. This combined with the devotion and quality of its workers have made the Nidhi one of the best in the country. Several of its achievements have already been highlighted under relevant chapters.
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From its very start, the stand of the Nidhi has been that constructive work should aim at developing the initiative and strength of the people. A scheme, therefore, had been formulated to provide some matching contribution to such local Samitis (Committees) as came forward to further constructive nation building activities. Such work was undertaken at thirteen places, and though the quantum of aid provided was not large, the scheme paved the way for some substantial work to develop. The Nidhi also gave financial assistance up to 1960 to some institutions which were already engaged in some Gandhian constructive programme such as Harijan Seva, Adivasi Welfare, Basic Education, Women and Children’s Welfare.
Gandhi Bhavan,
Post Box No.- 419, Thycaud,
Thiruvananthapuram-695014,(Kerala)
E-mail - keralagandhismaraknidhi@gmail.com
Contact - 0471-2321786 , 0471-2323708
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9. M.P. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The State of Madhya Pradesh comprises Madhya Bharat, Mahakoshal and Vindhya Pradesh which were reorganized by the Indian National Congress as units for the collection of the Gandhi Memorial Fund. Up to 1957 the first two units had their separate Sanchalaks and Advisory Boards, while the Vindhya Pradesh Nidhi had no separate office of its own, its affairs being conducted on the advice of Shri Viyogi Hari. It was after the reorganization of States in 1956 that the Madhya Pradesh was formed and its Nidhi came into existence with its office at Chhatarpur.
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The Bhangi-Mukti and the Bhangi-Kashta-Mukti programmes were carried on in the three districts of Tikamgarh, Nimar and Chhatarpur. Efforts were made to obtain for them better housing facilities along with better educational facilities for their wards. The Nidhi itself ran nurseries and cultural centres for their benefit. Many sanitation drives were also conducted.
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The two other institutions deserving special mention are the Gandhi Smarak Bhavan of Chhatarpur and the Gram Bharati Ashram of Tavalai. We started our journey to work with small and marginal farmers to make agriculture economically and ecologically sustainable. Other important activities includes Organic local food, youth motivational camp, self healing camp, summer camp, Library, Gausala, Khadi, Naturopathy.
10. Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh
For all these State there is a common Nidhi with its office at Pattikalyana in Karnal District of Haryana. Like other Nidhis it also started its direct activities with Gramseva and Tatta-prachar Centres.
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Since 1973, the name of the pattikalyana Ashram, the headquarters of the Nidhi, has been changed, on the advice of Vinobaji, to Swadhyaya Asharam. Constructive workers are welcome to stay there for some time for self-study, both in its ordinary and deeper senses, and they are provided facilities for it by the Nidhi. At Pattikalyana, an agriculture farm and a Goshala are being run on scientific lines so as to present models before the neighboring villagers.
Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh Gandhi Smarak Nidhi,
P.O.- Pattikalayana, Panipat-132102
E-mail : contact@gandhismaraknidhi.org
Contact : 0180-2569134 , 9416005533
http://www.gandhismaraknidhi.org
11. Rajasthan Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
Rajasthan Gandhi Smarak Nidhi the state of Rajasthan had been like other state Nidhi’s quite in various activities up to the centenary (1969). In the post – centenary years, the Nidhi has been engaged in coordination work among thevarious constructive work institution of the State. Since then the Nidhi had been regularly holding camps, seminar, sarvodya vichar examination. Other activities relating to publication and sale of Gandhian literature, Gramswarajya work, removing manual scavenging running prohibition movement in the state.
B-190, University Marg,
Bapu Nagar, Jaipur-302015
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12. Tamilnadu Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The Tamilnad Gandhi Smarak Nidhi started functioning in 1950 and at the very outset it conducted a 2-year training course for intending Gramseva workers. Subsequently from 1951 short term course were also conducted up to 1957 to train village youth for leadership and Gramseva. In 1955 there were 27 Centers. Beside these Gramseva Centers, there were three Gandhighars, six Tattva-Prachar Centers and tow Labour Welfare Centers. They concentrated on Gramdan, Khadi and other village industries and Shanti Sena. Intensive development work was also taken up in ten Gramdan villages. Tamilnandu Gandhi Smarak Nidhi regularly organizing camps ,seminars ,short terms course on Gandhian thought, publishing Gandhian literature in Tamil Language, running a school in coimbatore, Khadi production and selling, shanti sena work and village development work.
Tamilnadu Gandhi Smarak Nidhi,
Madurai-625020 (Tamilnadu)
E-mail : tngandhinidhi@gmail.com
Contact : 8778581208
13. Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The state board was formed in 1959, and in the beginning it concentrated on four activites, namely, Tattva-Prachar, Gramseva, propagating constructive work in general and publication of Gandhian literature.
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The Nidhi distigushed itself in Communal Harmony and Relief work An account of its work in these fields
has already been given under relevant chapters. Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi regularly publishing books, literature in Odiya language for propagation of Gandhian thought, organizing youth camps and seminer.
Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi,
Bakharabad, Cuttack-753002
E-mail : gandhinidhi.utkal@gmail.com
Contact : 0671-2421167 , 9437740402
14. Uttar Pradesh Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The State Nidhi has its headquarters at Sevapuri in rural surroundings some 25 kilometers away from the ancient city of Varansi. It has been shipted there from Gorakhpur in 1953.
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The work done by the Nidhi up to the Centenary period in regard to publication, education, Bhangi-Mukti, etc., has already been highlighted in the preceding chapters. The following additional information, however, deserves mention. They are at Ajagara and Sevapuri, but the latter is now an Ayurvedic Dispensary.
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Lastly, the Nidhi is maintaining contact with all the constructive activities carried on in the state, whether in the hill areas or the plains.
For the last tow years the Gandhi Bhavan at Locknow has been serving as a meeting place for the workers engaged in various activities. The Anashakti Ashram of Kausani with its natural calm and scenery is proving highly suitable for National and State-level seminars and camps.
U.P. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi,
Gandhi Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi Marg,
Lucknow-226001 (Uttar Pradesh)
E-mail : gandhi.smaraknidhi.lucknow@gmail.com
Contact : 945002193
15. Anashakti Ashram, Kausani, (Uttarakhand)
Kausani was visited by Mahatma Gandhiji in 1929 and he expressed this place as ‘Switzerland of India’. The guest house where he stayed is now turned as Ashram known as Anaskati Ashram.It is here at Anashakti Ashram Mahatma Gandhi wrote his treatise Anasakti ('detachment') Yoga - Gita-Anashakthi Yoga.Anashakti ashram is well stocked with books and photographs of Mahatma Gandhi's life. There is a small prayer room in this ashram where prayers are held every morning and evening.
16. Sewapuri Gandhi Ashram
A grim silence had descended upon the Shri Gandhi Ashram in Sewapuri, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This Ashram was founded under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi in 1946 and offered employment and self-reliance opportunities to the weavers in the village.
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Besides being an icon of the freedom struggle, the Ashram was a source of livelihood and offered youth valuable training in Khadi weaving so they could envisage a future.
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17. Jammu-Kashmir Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
Though Jammu and Kashmir Gandhi Smarak Nidhi had come into existence in 1956, it had to be closed in 1960, because in the peculiar political climate of the State its active workers could not keep themselves aloof from the politics of the State. It was, however, revived in 1966
Taking the life and message of Gandhiji to the people of the State, specially to such remote and sparsely populated areas as Ladakh, was no easy job, and hence it was considered advisable to hold camps of students and teachers to acquaint them with the ideas of Gandhiji and his contribution to the cause of Indian independence. The trek of Vinobaji in the State in 1959 had already created a conducive climate, and, therefore, the seeds sown from 1966 onwards did not fall on a barren soil. The teachers and the students carried the message of Gandhiji to the remote areas many of which touched the borders of Pakistan.
Gandhi Smarak Nidhi,
C/o Mrs. Karuna Bajaj,
H. No. - 69, Lower Thathar,
Pooja Colony, Bantalab,
Jammu-Kashmir -180009
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18. Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
The present State of Maharashtra came into existence in 1956, and so also the Maharashtra Nidhi. In accordance with the pattern laid down by the Central Nidhi, it also took up village work, Tattva-Prachar work, publication work and other activities enumerated under the various preceding chapters.The central Gandhi smarak Nidhi had its center at Kothrud Pune, where the central Gandhi smarak Nidhi bought land and built Gandhi Bhavan for various Gandhian activities.
Gandhi Bhavan, Kotharud,
Pune-411029
19. Telangana Gandhi Smarak Nidhi
After bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh state, Telangana Gandhi Smarak Nidhi was established in 2016. The main activities of this Nidhi is to publishing Gandhian literature in Telugu language, organising camps for the students,organizing seminar, workshop on Gandhian thought.
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Telangana Gandhi Smarak Nidhi having a gram seva centre in remote tribal village karakgndem district. Set up a village for 400 landless families, distributed land for the houses and farming for the villagers, also establishededucational institution and hospital for them.
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Gandhi Gyan Mandir, Sultan Bazar
Hyderabad-500195
(Andhra Pradesh)
Contact : 9849040406
