Gitai Mandir, Wardha - A tribute to Vinoba Bhave

Vinobaji and Badshah Khan planting a Bakul sapling at the time of Bhoomi Pujan of Gitai Mandir (top).
The Bakul sapling grew into a beautiful tree (above).

In deference to the wish of his mother, Vinobaji had translated The Bhagavad Gita, verse by verse, in Marathi. It was first published in the form of a book in 1932. Vinobaji titled it "Gitai" (Mother Gita). Kamalnayanji commemorated this eternal work by conceiving the Gitai Mandir at Wardha. On receiving, kulguru Vinobaji's approval, the Kamalnayan Bajaj Charitable Trust started work on building a temple, as a memorial to Gitai, which would be unique in concept and form. The Bhoomi Pujan was done in the presence of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan on 4th November, 1964 and the Mandir was inaugurated by Vinobaji on 7th October, 1980 - the 50th anniversary of the commencement of the writing of Gitai.

Pic. 3 - The unique temple which has no roof

Pic. 4 - A couplet from the Gitai is engraved on each slab of the Mandir

The Gitai Mandir stands on 36 acres of land at the site of Jamnalalji's Samadhi in Gopuri, Wardha. A unique monument, it has no idol, sanctum sanctorum or even a roof (Pic. 3). 18 chapters of Gitai have been engraved (each slab has a shloka inscribed on it - see Pic. 4) on 18 types of stone-slabs brought from the four corners of the country signifying national unity. The slabs have been so placed as take the shape of charkha (spinning wheel, which is a symbol of Mahatma Gandhi) and cow (symbol of Jamnalalji).

Shanti Kutir which houses the photographic exhibition on Jamnalalji's life

People visiting the Gitai Mandir can get a glimpse into the life and thoughts of Vinobaji through captivating photographs displayed within the complex. There's also a photo exhibition set up inside the Shanti Kutir which succinctly captures the life of Jamnalal Bajaj.

Making a difference with Education - Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust

The Bajaj Group has made a positive impact on peoples lives with focused efforts in diverse areas like education, healthcare, rural development, economic independence, social and cultural welfare and environment protection. However, the Group strongly believes that it has a lot more to contribute in its journey of altruistic pursuits.

• Providing financial aid for coaching underprivileged children who aspire to join India's premier engineering education centre, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
• Upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in Pune, Pantnagar and Aurangabad and donating used machinery to ensure better training and job orientation
• Promoting education of girl child from scheduled castes and tribes in the Thane district and ensuring that they don't drop out of school
• Organising additional study classes with the help of teachers and volunteers for students who can't cope with their studies
• Donating funds to establish 4 Chair Professorships at IIT - Powai, the highest honour for faculty members for their contribution to research and teaching
• Planning and supporting the establishment of the Rahul Bajaj Innovation Centre by IIT - Powai

Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Backbay Reclamation - Mumbai

Shaping global professionals through the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS)
JBIMS was founded by the University of Mumbai in collaboration with the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University with donation from the Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust. Here students are groomed into well rounded management thinkers and practitioners through an in-depth curriculum and mind-stimulating co-curricular activities. Even the institute's library is a perennial fount of knowledge with a collection of over 40,000 books including classics and latest writings by management gurus. Students gain so much from the institute that they are moved to reciprocate. The two classrooms revamped by its alumni stand testimony to that.
The Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) takes pride in its Indian roots while readying management professionals to take on global challenges. Established in 1965, the institute gave India its first full time 2-year Masters Programme in Management Studies (MMS). Admired as one of the oldest business schools in India, JBIMS ranks as one of the top 25 business schools in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JDBIMS), Santacruz - Mumbai

Educating and empowering women with the Jankidevi Institute of Management Studies (JDBIMS)
Jankidevi Bajaj was a visionary who firmly believed that education had the power to effect gender equality. It is only appropriate that an institute that transforms women into management professionals is named after her. Established in 1997, Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies is a centre of Management Studies and the Postgraduate Department of Management Education of the SNDT Women's University. The institute offers full-time and part-time Masters Level and Postgraduate Diploma courses in management and prepares women for global careers.

Bajajwadi - The National Guest House, Wardha

Bajajwadi, The National Guest House in Wardha, Maharashtra.

A historic destination, made in the Indian architectural manner, the importance of Bajajwadi is not only that it was the home to Jamnalal Bajaj, but also the fact that when Gandhiji settled in Sevagram, Wardha in Maharashtra, political leaders, freedom fighters, social activists and all sorts of important people came to here to meet Gandhiji. Consequently, the place became the epicenter of Gandhiji's constructive and political activities and also served as the venue for many Congress Working Committee meetings. Jamnalalji used to play host to them. Bajajwadi, then became popular as the National Guest House with eminent leaders visiting and staying here. The meeting place for Gandhian 'revolutionaries', the birthplace of ideas that changed India's destiny, Bajajwadi had a lot happening within its four walls.

(R-L) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Jamnalalji, C. Rajagopalachari and Govind Ballabh Pant in a jovial mood

Sardar Patel, Jamnalalji, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Kamalnayanji have a casual conversation at Bajajwadi, Wardha

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini Naidu, Netaji Subhas Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Acharya Kripalani, Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya stayed at Bajajwadi when they visited Wardha. Many of them had specific rooms allotted to them and the rooms are still associated with their names. One wonders how humble the great men of the yore could be as one sees the pictures of all these men and women seated in a pangat on the floor partaking of their meals.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, among other leaders being served at Bajajwadi.

In 1935 a World Peace Conference was held here. The Working Committee of the Indian National Congress held several of its meetings at Bajajwadi. The first draft of the resolution of the 'Quit India Movement' of 1942 was prepared, discussed and passed here. Bajajwadi, is now maintained by the Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust. Even today, Bajajwadi reverberates with an aura reminiscent of that era.

The Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust

Set-up in 1942, the Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust was the first charitable trust to be formed after Jamnalalji's death at the initiative of Kamalnayan Bajaj. His entire share in the family wealth made up the initial corpus of the Trust. Gandhiji personally drafted the Memorandum and Articles of the Association and objectives of the Trust. Initially the focus was towards assisting Sarvodaya workers and Gandhian constructive programmes.

Vishwaneedam

In 1960, on Acharya Vinoba Bhave's suggestion, the Trust scaled up its activities and established the International Sarvodaya Centre - Vishwaneedam over 400 acres of land on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Vishwaneedam's activities are centred around providing benefits free of cost and improving lives. They include:

• Organising youth camps and seminars for promoting Gandhian values and Sarvodaya activities
• Managing balwadis, a non-formal mode of imparting pre-primary education, where mid-day meals, milk, pick & drop and health check-ups are provided to students
• Imparting training to rural womenfolk in tailoring and embroidery
• Running a computer training centre
• Conducting eye camps and medical camps

Balwadis

The Jamanalal Bajaj Seva Trust has been instrumental in running and maintaining the Bal Sanskar Kendra and Balwadis at Wardha, to shape the lives of underprivileged children. Here, kids get a much needed opportunity to gain pre-primary education, develop skills through extracurricular activities, go for study tours and participate in recreational and outdoor activities. The trust also arranges for the pick-up and drop facilities to ensure safety of the kids.

Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha (JBGVS)

Established in 1987, the Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha (JBGVS) single-mindedly works towards bridging the divide between urban and rural India by focusing on integrated rural development activities. The Sanstha is currently involved in over 100 villages in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, through its various programs. The Sanstha, together with the villagers design programms which are more acceptable and effective in its implementation for rural development. This rural development work carried on by the organisation is aligned with the guidelines of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha (JBGVS) has five major focus areas namely; Economic Development, Education, Health & Hygiene, Social Development and Environmental Development, apart from Economic Independence, Social Welfare and Environment Protection.

Economic Development

• Imparting knowledge of modern, economic and organic agricultural practices through activities like demonstration plots, poly house farming, organic farming and mini irrigation
• Increasing the scope of animal husbandry and dairy farming in income generation.
• Nurturing young entrepreneurs by giving educational and training support in vocational activities.

Education

• Increasing adult literacy through 'each one, teach one' method where a school-going child teaches an illiterate older relative.
• Providing adequate infrastructure and teacher's training support to government run primary schools.
• Conducting informal programmes called Rural Education and Information Network (REIN), one-hour before or after school through senior boys and girls.

Health & Hygiene

• Supporting a government run comprehensive reproductive and child health programme for adolescent girls and expectant mothers.
• Organising periodic health checkups and immunization for anganwadi children.
• Actively assisting the Village Child Development Centre (VCDC).

Social Development

• Conducting panchayat raj training for elected members.
• Creating leadership opportunities through mahila melava, mahila mandal, self help groups, exposure visit etc.
• Conducting vocational training programmes, specifically for women and creating a fund for self help groups.

Environment Development

• Implementing government programmes and international projects for water and soil conservation.
• Educating people on waste water disposal measures like making of drainages and soak pits.
• Undertaking tree plantation.

Economic Independence in the Sikar district of Rajasthan

• Recruiting people from a socially disadvantaged background and ensuring there is no discrimination against them at the workplace.
• Repairing school buildings and construction of sports facilities at the Jamnalal Bajaj Senior Secondary School.
• Organising health check-up camps and HIV/AIDS awareness programmes.

Social Welfare conducted by the Samaj Seva Kendra (SSK)

• Short term courses like mehendi, rangoli, catering, glass painting, frame making, cloth painting etc. which enable women to explore their creative talent and earn.
• English medium nursery class where all-round development of kids, through extracurricular activities and competitions, is the prime motive.
• Music classes where kids are trained to play Indian musical instruments, as well as in classical and western dance

Environment Protection

• Participating actively in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs' Green Initiative for paperless compliance.

For more information on the Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust, visit the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation website.

Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards (JBA)

Objectives of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards

 

The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation has instituted four awards which are given annually. The objective of these awards is to recognize and suitably reward the efforts of women and men who have dedicated their life to Gandhian Constructive Work and the ideals which Jamnalal Bajaj had cherished all his life.

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Categories of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation Awards

Award for Outstanding Contribution in the field of Constructive Work

The Award, instituted in 1978, consisting of Rupees five lakhs in cash, a trophy and citation is given every year to an individual or individuals for outstanding contribution in any one or more fields of constructive work.
For the purpose of the Award, constructive work may cover village uplift, health and sanitation; khadi and village industries; go-seva; prohibition, harijan and tribal welfare, leprosy work; uplift of women and welfare of children; spread of Basic Education; propagation of Hindi and mother tongues; eradication of illiteracy; strengthening co-operative and group activities in agriculture; building up local leadership; encouraging local voluntary effort -- all these generally on the pattern of the Constructive Programme initiated by Gandhiji. For more information on this award please click here.


Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development

This award, instituted in 1978, consisting of a cash Award of Rupees five lakhs, a trophy and citation is given annually to an individual or individuals for outstanding contribution in the field of application of science and technology for rural development, particularly for the benefit of the weaker sections of the people.
The application of science and technology may embody the use of alternative renewable sources of energy and of local resources, materials and human skills, and it should be within the means of the local population. Areas of current national importance and priorities and also those activities which result in greater employment and income generation in rural areas may be given preference in selection. For more information on activities/fields/areas considered for this award and the criteria for it's evaluation please click here.


Award for Outstanding Contribution to Development and Welfare of Women and Children

This award, instituted in 1980, in memory of Padma Vibhushan, Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj, consisting of a cash Award of Rupees five lakhs, a trophy and citation is given annually to a woman or women for outstanding contribution in development and welfare of women and children and/or Gandhian constructive work. For more information on activities/fields/areas considered for this award and the criteria for it's evaluation please click here.


International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India

An International Award was instituted by the Foundation in 1988 as part of the commemoration of Jamnalal Bajaj Birth Centenary. This Award too carries a Citation, a Trophy and a Cash Prize of Rs. 5 lakhs [its equivalent in foreign exchange]. It is given every year to individuals other than Indian citizens, for their contribution in promoting Gandhian values outside India.
For more information on activities/fields/areas considered for this award and the criteria for it's evaluation please click here.

Guiding Hands of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation

Kamalnayan Bajaj

Kamalnayan Bajaj had the privilege of being raised under the shadow of three great souls - his father Jamnalal Bajaj, mentor Mahatma Gandhi and teacher Vinoba Bhave. And he did them proud. He assigned Jamnlalji's personal assets including his share in the joint family property to a public charitable trust, staying true to Gandhiji's theory of trusteeship.

Kamalnayanji fuelled the industrialisation of free India and was the spirit behind her quest for self reliance. In spite of his preoccupation with business and politics, he did his substantial bit for life-altering causes like education, medical care and famine and flood relief. He even found time to promote art, literature, culture and Ayurveda.


Ramkrishna Bajaj

The seeds of patriotism and virtuousness were sown early on in Ramkrishna Bajaj's life. After all, he was brought up under the personal guidance of none other than Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. He emphasized the importance of business goals being in line with society's good and was among the principal founders of the Council for Fair Business Practices (CFBP) and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).

Ramkrishnaji was at the forefront of social change. He increased the reach of education, facilitated the propagation of the Gita's message, especially among school children, and steered significant charitable activities as the Chairman of Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust and Founder of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.


Rahul Bajaj

 Kamalnayanji's elder son, Rahul Bajaj is the head of the Bajaj Group. After Ramkrishnaji's death in 1994, Rahulji has guided the CSR initiatives of the Bajaj Group and its trusts and increased the scope of their activities manifold. Under his leadership, the group has gained its leadership position in industry and remained true to the social vision of its founders. Rahulji was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2001.


The Trustees 

Trustees of the Foundation from left to right are:
Dr. Justice C. S. Dharmadhikari
Shri Rahul Kumar Bajaj (Chairman)
Shri D. S. Mehta
Shri Madhur Bajaj

The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation

Humanitarian, freedom fighter, philanthropist, social reformer and a devoted Mahatma Gandhi follower, Jamnalal Bajaj came in contact with Gandhiji for the first time in 1915. Bapu's simplicity etched itself so deeply in Jamnalal's mind that he radically changed his own and the family's lifestyle. Gandhiji adopted him as his fifth son. Jamnalal went on to take an active part in the Indian freedom struggle, but his forte was constructive work propounded by Gandhi. He also undertook pioneering work in the field of Go-seva (Cow protection), empowerment of the 'dalits' or the downtrodden, education of women, propagation of Hindi, spread of Khadi (hand spun and hand woven cloth) and the development of khadi and village industries.

The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation was established in 1977, in the memory of Jamnalal Bajaj. It was inaugurated on 4th November, 1977 by Shri Morarji Desai, Prime Minister of India. For Shri Morarji Desai, it was a time for remembering the past with fondness and nostalgia. He blessed the foundation for what it set out to do for the spread of philanthropy and promotion of Gandhian philosophy, values and constructive work.

The foundation strives to serve the ideals of Jamnalal Bajaj, to which he had dedicated his life, and promotes the kind of Gandhian constructive activities, in India and overseas, in which he himself was deeply involved during his life-time. The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, over the years, has been respected as a noble establishment in areas of developing the socio economic arena in our country. The relevance of Jamnalal Bajaj’s principles and practices has grown over time. His vision has stood as a beacon for generation that followed.

Focusing on these very practices and to encourage and recognize the outstanding contributions of the people who have worked unstintingly in the interest of the nation and its people, the four Jamnalal Bajaj Awards were instituted by the foundation, under the following categories:

1. Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Constructive Work - 1978
2. Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development - 1978
3. Award  for outstanding contribution for the Development and Welfare of Women and Children  (Instituted in memory of Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj) - 1980
4. International Award for Promoting Gandhian values outside India. (This Award is presented to an individual of foreign nationality) - 1988

The International Award was instituted in 1988 to commemorate the birth centenary of Jamnalal Bajaj.