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 |
| Slogan | अविद्यया मृत्युं तीर्त्वा विद्ययामृतमश्नुते |
| Website | http://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 in to multiple directions of social work. The main purpose of this organization is to develop leaders who can serve the nation by tacking & solving various problems being 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 not only a cluster of Public Charitable Trusts, but a social movement emphasizing the need of ‘meeting of minds’ working across social, economic, religious and political differences for one and the same goal of upliftment of our great country. 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 various locations in Maharashtra, India, such as Pune, Nigdi,[3] Salumbre, Solapur,[4] Harali, Ambajogai. It is also doing some works in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and the north eastern 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
The 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 the Nation, through Man-making Education. Traditionally, this effort follows the concept of ‘Dharm-Sansthapana' i.e. societal resurgence and reconstruction, a cyclic phenomenon propelled by our 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 Aurobindo.[1]
Vision
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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 by Jnana Prabodhini, viz. Education, Research, Health, Rural development, Stree Shakti Prabodhan (Women Empowerment), National Integration and Youth Organization.[1]
Being a Psychologist by profession, Shri Appa Pendse had studied various styles of leadership for his doctoral thesis. It had given him the confidence that if 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 various walks of life. He was aware and the same was empirically proved later, that ‘intelligence’ is prevalent in all socio-economic strata of the society. He also knew that the conventional concept of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was fading out fast 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 a period of 50 years now, it has emerged into a well spread and multi-dimensional organization conducting various experiments in Motivation Building and Attitude Formation, in various work fields with a view to providing a conducive environment for leadership development, required to bring about the desired social change in our country.[1]
Geographical Coverage
The Headquarter of Jnana Prabodhini is in Pune ( Maharashtra ). It has got 3 full-fledged Centres within the state, viz. at Nigdi (Dist. Pune), Solapur ( Dist. Solapur ) and Harali ( Dist. Osmanabad ); 4 Sub-centres at Khed-Shivapur, Velhe, Salumbre ( Dist. Pune ) and Shirwal (Dist. Satara ); 3 Extension centres at Ambajogai ( Dist. Beed ), Dombiwali and Boriwali in Mumbai. There are 3 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 6 States of India, including the surrounding states of Gujrath, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnatak, while the National border states, viz. Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.[1]
Centers
Apart from its headquarters, Jnana Prabodhini operates through three main centers, two sub-centers and three extension centers.[7]
Main centers
Nigdi Center (Navnagar Vidyalaya)
It is a multi-dimensional center located 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 different educational experiments, namely 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), Atharva Ayurveda treatment and Panchkarma centre, and a gymnasium.[8]
Solapur Center
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 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 also runs a school for child laborers from city. It houses a 'Satsang Center' for followers of different faiths. other initiatives like lecture series on spiritual topics, Samwadini group, Vidyavrat and Matrushakti Jagaran ceremonies, are also conducted at this center.
Harali Center
A comprehensive rehabilitation work was undertaken by Jnana Prabodhini post 1993 Killari earthquake. This work culminated in the form of an agriciulture-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 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 also 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 also 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, Pune and a fully equipped Eye Hospital at Shirwal, District Satara. It also conducts medical check up camps in rural areas.
Extenstion centers
1. Dombivali Extension Centre
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 also 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. The activities of this center 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 various 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 also houses a 'Shishuvihar' for the development of Pre-Primary students. The Ambajogai center is instrumental in formation of Special Purpose Groups like Maa Sharada group, Sphoorti group and Geeta Prabodhini and also the 'Vivekwadi Campus' for Rural Development.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "About Us". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "After model house, Jnana Prabodhini to start school at Khed Special Economic Zone". Indian Express. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ↑ "Abha Jeurkar tops SSC exam in Pune division". The Times of India. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ↑ prashala.jnanaprabodhini.org
- ↑ Cole, W. Owen (1991). Moral Issues in Six Religions. Heinemann. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-435-30299-3.
- ↑ "Centers". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
- ↑ "Nigdi Centre". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
- ↑ "Sub-Centres". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
- ↑ "Extension Centres". www.jnanaprabodhini.org. Retrieved 2016-07-14.