Dec. 21,2011 was a red letter day not just for AIM for Seva but also for Radhe Shyam Bohare. An agricultural laborer from Khategaon, he had donated his life time earnings-a 4 acre land – to AIM for Seva for constructing a Student Home and School for girls.
His dream became a reality with the help of Smt. Ela Lakhani & Sri. Madhu Lakhani, of
Canada, who came forward to sponsor the construction of the infrastructure.
The inauguration of the new facilities, named after Bohare’s mother “Gayatri Devi” attracted the entire village with over 500 villagers participating in the event.
Speaking on the occasion the chief guest, Sri. Mahendra Hardia, Honorable Minister for Health, Madhya Pradesh, commended the efficiently run Student Homes of AIM for Seva in Madhya Pradesh by Swami Aishwaryananda Saraswati.
Smt. Rajni Dinesh Yadav, Chairman, Municipal Council, Khategaon, appealed to the villagers to send their daughters to the school.
She urged the children to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and help in realizing the AIM for Seva vision of being educated and empowered by being regular to school.
The AIM for Seva Balika Vidyalaya has 8 class rooms, office room and a toilet complex. The school has 125 children studying in Std. I to VIII.
The Student Home has 65 girls. The facility is built in two levels and has 3 dormitories, a warden room, store, kitchen, office room and a terrace.
It was Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s vision to start a school and a Student Home for girls in Madhya Pradesh. Swami Aishwaryananda, the coordinator in charge of Madhya Pradesh relentlessly worked to make this a reality.
With the generous donation of land, he approached Dr. Terry Papneja of AIM for Seva Canada chapter, with the idea of a school and student home in the same premises.
Dr. Papneja was instrumental in raising the required funds through Smt. & Sri. Lakhani, who have further promised to create an endowment of US $500,000 for the Khategaon projects. The couple also donated back packs and stationery to the delight of 125 school children.
The inaugural function brought together the entire community in celebration and presented a unique sight. The villagers worked together to prepare delicious lunch with local specialties which was served to everyone attending the launch.
The Khategaon Student home has been operational since June 2010 and the school from 2011 July. Both now operate from the new facility. Khategaon, a small town in Dewas District has 47% female population who are mostly Adivasis, Bhils, and Gonds. Most of them work as agricultural labourers. This project provides a much needed access to formal education for the marginalized girl child.