Jnana Prabodhini

Jnana Prabodhini
ज्ञान प्रबोधिनी
Jnana Prabodhini, Pune
Motto Motivating Intelligence for Social Change
Formation 1962
Founder Dr. V. V. Pendse
Founded at Pune
Type Non-governmental organization
Headquarters 510, Sadashiv Peth, Pune
Website www.jnanaprabodhini.org

Jnana Prabodhini (Marathi: ज्ञान प्रबोधिनी) which means 'Awakener of Real Knowledge' in Sanskrit is a social organisation in India. Founded in 1962 with the motto "Motivating Intelligence for Social Change", its work now has grown into multiple directions of social work. The main purpose of this organization is to develop leaders who can serve the nation by tackling and solving problems faced by India. Jnana Prabodhini, headquartered in Pune, aims at the development of physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual qualities of people in general and of the youth in particular. This development should lead to leadership qualities, motivation building, attitude forming and understanding the problems of India.

Jnana Prabodhini is a cluster of public charitable trusts and a social movement emphasizing the need of ‘meeting of minds’ working across social, economic, religious and political differences for the goal of upliftment of India. Thus, this is an educational movement in the public domain reaching each and every social and financial strata of the society through all-round development. The rural and under privileged sections of the society get priority in work energy allocation.[1]

Jnana Prabodhini works in fields such as education, research, rural development, health, and youth organisation.[2] It spans its presence to locations in Maharashtra, India, such as Pune, Nigdi,[3] Salumbre, Solapur,[4] Harali, and Ambajogai. It does some work in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states of India.The organisation has started a school in Nigdi, Solapur and Sadashiv Peth, Pune.[5]

In 1962, Dr. V.V. Pendse, an educator, dreamed of an institute that would awaken intellectual, physical and spiritual potential in our youth. What began as an experiment for the gifted, has now become a country-wide organization[6] recognized at the national and international levels. Jnana Prabodhini (JP) has now grown into a movement for motivating intelligence towards social change.

Foundation

Inspiration

The founder of Jnana Prabodhini, late Shri V.V. alias Appa Pendse was an educationist, social organizer, patriot and an active ideologue. In 1962, he envisioned an organization for putting into practice the thoughts of Swami Vivekanand—his inspiration—of changing the face of India, through man-making education. Traditionally, this effort follows the concept of ‘Dharm-Sansthapana,' i.e., societal resurgence and reconstruction, a cyclic phenomenon propelled by ancient heroes and saints. Centuries ago, this was advocated by Samarth Ramdas and reiterated in the recent past by Maharshi Dayanand, Swami Vivekananda, and Yogi Arvinda.[1]

Vision

Dr. V. V. (Appa) Pendse, the founder of Jnana Prabodhini

A complete metamorphosis of our ancient society into a vibrant Nation, with spirituality at its core and manifestation of excellence and modernity into an outwardly diverse yet internally integrated human life, is the vision of Jnana Prabodhini. A new integration has been envisaged for this. Combining spirituality with modern technology; human potentials like intelligence and giftedness are to be harnessed into leadership abilities and social concern. It is believed that while triggering one’s achievement motivation, it could be possible to submerge its outcome into service of humanity with compassion. This also matches with the concept of ‘Trusteeship’ propounded by Mahatma Gandhi.[1]

Mission

Knitting an organization of selfless workers, leading directly and in-directly the social movements to transform their respective working fields, is the mission of Jnana Prabodhini.This needs a continuum in education and training processes, both for boys and girls, men and women of all age groups; from pre-schooling to real life situations. That requires building a multi-dimensional institution with an experimental character in leadership development in all walks of life. This is not a one-time process, but continuous experimentation is required to evolve processes and methods of encouraging people of all age groups to undertake tasks and challenges in various work fields of life.[1]

Fields of work

The key work area of Jnana Prabodhini is leadership development. To date, this work is carried out in seven sectors: Education, Research, Health, Rural development, Stree Shakti Prabodhan (Women Empowerment), National Integration, and Youth Organization.[1]

A psychologist by profession, Shri Appa Pendse had studied styles of leadership for his doctoral thesis. It had given him the confidence that, if a congenial atmosphere exists or is created, the motivation for changing the society gets triggered, more precious so, in the intellectually gifted students. They become even-minded, balanced and dedicated workers who can competently fight any contingency and bring about a desirable change in many walks of life. He was aware, and the same was empirically proved later, that ‘intelligence’ is present in all socio-economic strata.

He knew that the conventional concept of intelligence quotient (IQ) was fading and an in-depth model was required to give a profile of everybody’s intelligence. There could be as many as 120 facets of intelligence. How to identify these facets in the impressionable age and harness their development through education, training, and later in real-life situations has been a great challenge. This gave rise initially to a unique institution conducting supplementary enrichment programs for brilliant students at the high school level. Over 50 years, it has emerged into a well-spread and multi-dimensional organization conducting experiments in motivation building and attitude formation, in work fields with a view to providing a conducive environment for leadership development, required to bring about the desired social change in India.[1]

Geographical coverage

The headquarters of Jnana Prabodhini are in Pune (Maharashtra). It has three full-fledged centres in the state: at Nigdi (Dist. Pune), Solapur (Dist. Solapur) and Harali (Dist. Osmanabad); four sub-centres at Khed-Shivapur, Velhe, Salumbre (Dist. Pune) and Shirwal (Dist. Satara); three extension centres at Ambajogai (Dist. Beed), Dombiwali and Boriwali in Mumbai. There are three activities centres at Sangli (Dist. Sangli), Ichalkaranji (Dist. Kolhapur), and Chikhali (Dist. Pune). Informal work groups are functional in about 25 districts of Maharashtra and in six States of India, including the surrounding states of Gujrath, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnatak, and national border states: Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.[1][7]

Main centers

Nigdi Center (Navnagar Vidyalaya)

It is a multi-dimensional center in the Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial area. It consists of a Marathi and English medium school for 2500 students from pre-primary level to class 10 level. It runs two education experiments — the Gurukul and the Kreedakul. The Gurukul project is based on the theme of ‘Education through the development of Panchkoshas’ (five sheaths of personality) while Kreedakul is a sports academy aimed at developing national and international players in a scientific manner. Other facilities available include a 'Manohar Sabhagriha' (hall) for cultural programmes, 'Muktisopan sangeet vidyalaya' (music school), and a gymnasium.[8]

Solapur Center

Jnana Prabodhini Harali (Residential School)

This center consists of a Marathi and semi-English medium school (from pre-primary level to class 10) and a college for pre-primary teachers. It runs training courses and special activities like the Samajdarshan (know your society) project, adventure camps, study tours, youth activities like training in entrepreneurship, Balvikas elocution competition, Vikasika and Vidyavrat Samskar for students from other schools, and Nurturing rural intelligence scheme. The Solapur center runs a school for child laborers from the city.

It houses a 'Satsang Center' for followers of different faiths. Initiatives like lecture series on spiritual topics, Samwadini group, Vidyavrat and Matrushakti Jagaran ceremonies are conducted at this center.

Harali Center

Comprehensive rehabilitation work was undertaken by Jnana Prabodhini post-1993 Killari earthquake. This work culminated in an agriculture-based educational center at Harali in Osmanabad district. This center consists of a school with 370 students from class I to X, out of which 250 are residential students from 200 villages in the surrounding region. It also runs a diploma course in Agriculture affiliated to the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani.

The agricultural farm has around 7000 fruit trees including amla, guava, lemon, tamarind, mango, berry, cashew, custard apple, etc. and a full-fledged fruit-processing unit. This center works for organization of micro-credit groups and youth groups, demonstrative usage of solar, bio and wind energy, waste water treatment plant and nursery for horticulture. This center houses 'Sadhak Niwas', a retreat facility for spiritual pursuit, and 'Jopasana', a residential training facility in a beautiful natural surrounding for corporate industries and social institutions from India and abroad.

Sub-centers

Gram Prabodhini Vidyalaya

Established through a joint venture of Pune North Rotary charitable trust and Jnana Prabodhini, it is a leading secondary school under the guidance of Jnana Prabodhini in the Maval Taluka of Pune district. It consists of fully residential Gurukul, science and technology centre, and farming and cattle-rearing projects. The educational activities in the rural area include Vidyavrat Samskar in 50 rural schools, regular vocation camps through networking of 100 schools, social awareness building through Pawanamai Utsav and Jaldindi, to prevent water pollution. The center houses a health centre, well-equipped gymnasium. Gram Prabodhini Vidyalaya has a strong alumni organisation.[9]

Jnana Prabodhini Medical Trust

It is a medical trust started by alumni of Jnana Prabodhini Prashala based on the principles of ethical and rational medical practice. At present, it handles the management of the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and the Mai Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune and a fully equipped eye hospital at Shirwal, District Satara. It conducts medical check up camps in rural areas.

Extenstion centers

Dombivali Extension Centre

'Shishuvihar' at Jnana Prabodhini, Ambajogai

Started as a distribution centre for Chhatra Prabodhan magazine and book sales, the Dombivali center comprises a Prabodhak Mandal and conducts activities such as night/residential camps, adventure tours, Vidyavrat samskar and camps, and aptitude testing for youngsters. It facilitates study groups, environment group and gatherings for youth, parent club, training to women priests, Matrubhoomi Poojan and Samwadini (for women). Currently, 50 voluntary workers study and practice development issues at the center. Its activities are mainly focused on Kalyan, Badlapur and Thane regions.[10]

Borivali Extension Centre

Similar to the Dombivali center, the Borivali center also started as a distribution centre for Chhatra Prabodhan magazine and book sales. It conducts activities for youngsters and others such as Vikasika (personality development sessions for school students), camps, trips, Vidyavrat Samskar and camps, aptitude tests, gatherings, lectures, get-togethers, parent-teacher workshops, lectures, Matrubhoomi Poojan and Samwadini for women. This center conducts its extension activities at Andheri, Dadar, Bandra, Wada and Palghar.

Ambajogai Extension Centre

The Ambajogai extension center conducts programmes to activate the local youth for development of Ambajogai and its surrounding area. It facilitates 'Upasana' (meditation) centres and 'Vidyavrat' Samskar (vow of studentship) for the motivation building and attitude formation of youngsters. It houses a 'Shishuvihar' for the development of pre-primary students. The Ambajogai center is instrumental in formation of special purpose groups like the Maa Sharada group, Sphoorti group and Geeta Prabodhini and the 'Vivekwadi Campus' for Rural Development.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "About Us". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  2. ↑ Lachaier, Pierre (1999). Firmes et enterprises en Inde: la firme lignagère dans ses réseaux (in French). Karthala Editions. p. 263. ISBN 978-2-86537-927-9.
  3. ↑ "After model house, Jnana Prabodhini to start school at Khed Special Economic Zone". Indian Express. 13 June 2008. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  4. ↑ "Abha Jeurkar tops SSC exam in Pune division". The Times of India. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  5. ↑ prashala.jnanaprabodhini.org
  6. ↑ Cole, W. Owen (1991). Moral Issues in Six Religions. Heinemann. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-435-30299-3.
  7. ↑ "Centers". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  8. ↑ "Nigdi Centre". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  9. ↑ "Sub-Centres". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  10. ↑ "Extension Centres". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
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