Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada : Shelter for suicidal farmer families, elderly

Refer Report

It depends on one’s morale whether he gets tired of the crisis that has come upon him or overcomes it and extends his hand to support others. Anu Mohite and Prasad Mohite from Solapur district took the second option. The ‘Balgram’ of ‘Prarthana Foundation’ in Mohol taluka has been realized from it. Anu and Prasad are a couple trying to support the families of farmers who have committed suicide. Society is getting help for that, but it is not enough. To continue this ministry, this organization needs generous help.

in Lapur district Anu and Prasad Mohite, a young couple at Morvanchi in Mohol taluka, have provided support to the destitute, homeless children and orphans and the elderly of a suicide farmer family through ‘Prarthana Foundation’. The background of this social service which has been going on for the past ten years is equally exciting and inspiring. This service needs the support of society.

Anu and Prasad, who have an MSW in social work, got to know each other when they were active in social work. Prasad Vitthal Mohite is the son of a suicide farmer family from Irlewadi, a small village near Vairag in Barshi taluka. Anantamma Krishnaya Tirkaman aka Anu is the daughter of a mill worker from a common family in Somwar Peth, Solapur. After starting social work out of social awareness, he took an oath to devote his whole life for it and got married in an inter-caste ceremony. He also gave a social message by taking the pledge of organ donation and body donation in marriage itself.

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Sensitized by painful experiences so far in life, this like-minded couple started the project ‘School of Underprivileged-One Step Towards Progress’ for ten orphans, begging on the pavement. Both Anu and Prasad were employed in bringing underprivileged and out-of-school children into the stream of education through this medium. But due to the job, the math of time does not match. Then Prasad took an autorickshaw. Driving it started earning money and time as needed. Anu chose to start a mess for livelihood. Meanwhile, Kala attacked their baby. He set another example by donating the baby’s body patiently even in this difficult situation.

Anu and Prasad set up ‘Prarthana Foundation’ in memory of their late baby. Various social activities were started through this. Through Bhikshamukti Abhiyan, ‘Rather than making children weak by begging, make them self-reliant by giving them education!’ By giving such a message, awareness was created in the society. On the other hand, ‘Kritisheel Tarunai Shibir’ was started to create social awareness in the minds of the youth. Socially conscious youth from across the state participate in such residential camps. It discusses various social issues, social activists guide the children and make them self-identified. These children then try to solve problems in their areas.

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Prasad Mohite decided that it would be preferable to have a residential project ‘Prarthana Balagram’ for such an activity and for street homeless and orphan boys and girls as well as elderly grandparents. For this work his widowed mother gave her five acres of land, gold. Padmashri Dr. Ravindra Kolhe and Dr. Smita Kolhe happily agreed. Seeing the Mohite couple’s struggle, perseverance and passion for social service, many hands from the community came forward to help the construction of the residential project.

Overcome the Corona crisis

The daily life cycle of the Balagram project came to a halt due to the Corona Pandemic. There was a time of starvation for the orphans and the destitute elderly here. In these difficult times, it was necessary to take some measures to save the orphans, the destitute elderly. Attempts were made to face this crisis by spending the amount received from the award as well as the help from the society to build a residential project. It was not just a matter of fostering orphaned children, destitute elderly. Parents of children, poor families in the area also had to live. During the Corona period, 30,000 people were given food, 3,000 families were given food packets and hundreds of people were given masks and sanitizers. All this starts with owning a one-year-old baby and taking care of the children in the project. Anu Mohite performed his service through tireless work like waking up early every morning to prepare the food, putting the baby to sleep at home and distributing food. After coming out of this terrible crisis, the social life gradually became normal, ‘Prarthana Foundation’ again started working vigorously.

Bitter experiences of elderly relatives

Presently Pratharna ‘Baalgram’ residential project is working for orphans of farmer suicides, deprived, destitute, street beggars, single parent boys and girls. There are 45 boys and girls in this project and their education and upbringing is taking place in the institution. Apart from this, old age homes are run free of charge to provide support to the orphans, homeless and bereft of the elderly. Currently 23 old people are being supported in this old age home. Majority of destitute elderly are well-to-do people from well-to-do families. These old people, who raised their children by farming, trading, and working, had to fall down on the streets due to wind damage in the evening of their lives. He is now living a peaceful life in the foundation’s old age home. Various activities are implemented while taking care of their physical and mental health. When someone dies in an old age home, the next of kin are informed. If a sensate heir does not come even after informing the deceased, the body performs the funeral of the deceased.

Struggle for children’s future

The organization is working for around 2500 children who beg for alms on the street, at the square. Efforts are underway to give them better education and bring them into the mainstream of society. Menstrual counseling and health camps are also organized for women and girls living in settlements. Children here go to another school some distance away. A separate school should be established for them. In this regard, separate kitchen, dining room etc. facilities should be created along with building construction. There is a need for generous help for that. Apart from that, the institution also needs a school bus and an ambulance. A huge expenditure is expected for the facilities of school building, separate kitchen, dining room, ambulance, school bus.

How to reach the Institute ?

This institution has been set up in Morvanchi village of Mohol taluk at a distance of 25 km from Solapur city. Prathana ‘Balgram’ Sanstha is located at Lokmangal Sugar Factory Road, Morvanchi, next to Arjunsond fork on Solapur Pune Highway, just past Savleshwar toll booth. Mobile no. 9545992026/ 9049063829