Community Development
Shri Jamnalal Bajaj, a true visionary, reformer and path changer, believed that service to humanity came before one’s personal gain. He followed Trusteeship in the true sense of the word and shared all that he had for the development and betterment of the community. He abolished orthodox practices. This legacy carried down today makes the Bajaj Group of Companies and Associated Charitable Trusts a name to reckon with.
A major goal for the Bajaj Group has been rural development. It has endeavored to achieve integrated rural development with inclusive growth. The Bajaj Group has made an enormous contribution to people’s lives with focused efforts in diverse areas like education, healthcare, rural development, economic independence, social and cultural welfare, and environmental protection.
A brief note on some of the activities are as follows:
Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation serves the society in numerous ways. It was established for promoting Gandhian constructive philosophy, related activities and rural development programs, besides extending financial support to institutions and individuals engaged in social and welfare causes.
The Jamnalal Bajaj Sewa Trust was the first charitable trust formed by Shri Kamalnayan Bajaj in 1942, with the initial corpus of the Trust formed by his entire share of the family wealth. It assistedSarvodaya (progress of all) workers, Gandhian constructive programmes and various other activities.
Jamnalal Bajaj Vishwaneedam (JBV) was founded on 14 April 1960 by Shri. Kamalnayan Bajaj at the suggestion of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, an advocate of human rights and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. It was inaugurated four days later by his brother Shri. Balkobaji Bhave. Formerly known as Vishwaneedam–International Sarvodaya Centre, JBV is a not-for-profit organization run by the Jamnalal Bajaj Sewa Trust (JBST), a public trust funded by the Bajaj Family Trusts (Mumbai).JBV currently provides free-of-charge skill-based training to underprivileged women to help them become economically independent and self-reliant. Driven by Shri. Jamnalal Bajaj’s words, ‘In society, men and women have the same status and both have the same needs’, the institution recognizes that a nation cannot truly progress until its women have the same educational, economic and social opportunities as the men.
Hamaara Sapna initiated in 2012 is a home away from home for women from marginalized population. Beneficiaries are trained in Computers, Spoken English, Tailoring and Yoga. Health checkups, motivational talks and self-defense classes and summer camps are also conducted.
Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha (JBGVS) aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural India. The integrated rural development activities work on Economic, Education, Health and Hygiene, Social and Environmental Development, Social Welfare and Environmental Protection. It has actively brought about a change in hundreds of villages in Pune, Aurangabad and Wardha, Maharashtra and Sikar, Rajasthan.
Centre of Science for Village (CSV) in Wardha has designed special community toilets directly linked to biogas unit where human waste and cow dung can be used to generate fuel. These units are managed by trained villagers. Water harvesting systems, rain water harvesting, refilling of well and bore well etcetera have been encouraged.
The Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha, Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj Trust and Jamnalal Bajaj Sewa Trust has undertaken many rural development activities like provision of pure drinking water, construction of low cost latrines in several villages, building of Sanitation Training Centre, etc.
