ABOUT VIDYARANYA

Established in the year 1991, Vidyaranya was founded by Mr. M. C. Ramesh and his friends to serve the marginalized sections of society including women, children, aged and differently able, that needed the most, care but usually went unnoticed. They committed themselves to the goal of providing a choice and an opportunity of better living for those who were the most underprivileged. In the 30 years that followed, many more shared their vision and joined them in their mission to make Vidyaranya what it is now, a non-profit organization with the strength of dedicated staff that works to keep the dream alive and thriving.

It is a non-profit, non-political, and secular development organization. It is registered under Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960 and with Ministry of Home Affairs to receive foreign grants and also with Department of Income Tax 1961 and having 12A & 80G for tax exemption.

Vision:

CATEGORIES SERVED:

Geographical Outreach:

The organization has been focusing in  districts such as Bangalore Urban, Hassan, and Ramanagar of Karnataka and has been executing different developmental programmes for women, aged, persons with differently able, orphans, street children, slum children, adolescent girls, youths, farmers etc on education, economic, social, health, environment, ecology, cultural, welfare programmes for the aged, Persons With Disabilities, women empowerment and livelihood.

GANDHI HOME FOR THE AGED

Gandhi Home for the aged (Women) was established in 2004 at Channarayapattana, Hassan District to reach out to the senior citizens who have who have no family, deserted by their children, widowed, unmarried, victims of ill-treatment at home, etc.

Although India is a land which respects elder people and is one of the fastest growing economy, it’s a common narrative in majority of house today where the senior citizen are deserted by their children. Also, during old age, many seniors undergo difficult transitions in their lives such as retirement, financial problems, declining health, the death of spouses, partners and friends that can strain their social network. This strain is particularly worrisome because it occurs at a time when the aged most urgently need the social support.

Presently the shelter houses 25 beneficiaries and has been able to impact the lives 300 senior citizens.

The programme was established with a common objective: “After a lifetime of working, raising families, and contributing to the success of this nation in countless other ways, senior citizens deserve to retire with dignity” .

Objectives:

• To provide shelter, food and medical facilities for senior Citizens

• To indulge them in various entrepreneurial activities

• To Counsel our beneficiaries and their family and facilitate their reintegration.

KEY COMPONENTS:

1. Basic Needs: Our home covers all the basic human needs like accommodation, food, and clothing for all our beneficiaries
2. Medical Assistance: Regular health checkups conducted. In Case of any emergency, the inmate is admitted to a nearby government hospital.
3. Accountability: At instance of death, family and close ones are contacted. In case none of them turn up, our organization takes up full responsibility of the individual and carries out all the required rituals.
4. Counselling: A counsellor has been assigned to help maintain mental wellbeing of these victims and bring them back to lead a normal life.
5. Vocational Training: Vocational courses like broom stick making, paper bag making and candle making, are imparted.  Also, the inmates at Mandur, play an important role in guiding inmates of other projects

• SKILL DEVELOPMENT: A step towards sustainable living and empowerment

Various skill trainings are conducted for senior citizens at the premises like candle making, broom making, paper bag making, etc.

Why Skill Trainings?

•  Promotes entrepreneurial attitude in the senior citizens
•  Promotes self sustainability, thereby reducing dependence on others and enhancing self confidence
•  Promotes an idea that Old age does not put end to learning new things
•  Promotes healthy psychology as it keeps the elderly engaged and diverts their mind

• STORY OF CHANGE:

Lalithamma, aged 70, came to the Gandhi Home in a broken state. She is a widow and has two daughters. However, after her husband’s death, her daughters were not ready to take her responsibility. This impacted Lalithamma’s health and she became mentally unstable.

She was put through counseling in order to focus on her issues and her progress was monitored.

She is with us for over 8 years now and considers this place as her home.

Contact Details:

Vidyaranya
Royal Park Apartments, 3rd Flr, Unit No.15,
Municipal No.34 Park Road, Tasker Town,
Next to Hotel Ramada,Bangalore, 560051.
Karnataka, India
Telephone:+91 080 22862622
E-mail: info@vidyaranya.org