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Historical perspective

At the time of independence there were critical situations in many provinces of India. In the central province - present Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister  Sri Ravi Shankar Shukla experienced the anti-national activities during his tour to tribal areas.  Disturbed by these, the then government instituted  Niyogi Commission to look in to the various issues connected with the tribals.

The Redemption Plan

Under the aegis of late Sri Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Chief Minister Sri Ravi Shankar Shukla, and Sri Thakkar Bapa, the renowned Gandhian and pioneer of Tribal Welfare, devised an action plan for the welfare of tribals. Sri Thakkar Bapa's choice fell on one young freedom fighter and advocate of Nagpur – Sri Ramakant Keshav Deshpande.

Sri Ramakant Keshav Deshpande is popularly known as Balasaheb Deshpande, and was appointed by the provincial government with special powers to look after tribal welfare work in Jasgpur Nagar.

Within a year, he was able to open 110 schools in that area. His innovative welfare measures coupled with administrative decisions turned the atmosphere of hostility into that of tranquility.

The birth of Vanavsi Kalyan -  the work that became a Mission

After the death of Sri Thakkar Bapa in 1950, Sri Deshpande resigned from the government service, returned to Nagpur to resume his legal practice.  Inspired by Sri Golwalkar, he moved to Jashpur  and dedicated his life for Vanavasis.

In December 1952, he started a hostel with few tribal boys in a dilapidated building of the Raja Vijayabhushana Singh.  He donated a major portion of the amount he received from the government as “ Rajdhan” to Vanavasi Kalyan. And the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram came into being.

The tiny sapling grew into a mighty Banyan tree - Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram - now the biggest voluntary organization in the service of 8 crores of Vanavasis (tribals) in the country.

Vanavasi Kalyan Karnataka

To create awareness and to develop the tribals of Karnataka, the Vanavasi Kalyan Karnataka (VKK) was established in 1989. The motivation and goal is to make the tribals have continuous overall economic growth and stability, while retaining their core values and social fabrics. With this goal in mind, VKK is now running 300 projects in 265  places covering  8 districts of Karnataka.

With experience came the expertise. VKK started sending trained forces to all the organizations working towards the welfare of tribals. Trained volunteers of VKK were provided to NGOs like 'Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra' at Biligiri Rangana Betta (pioneered by Dr. H. Sudharshan) and to 'Seva Sagara' at Bacchodi in Sagar taluk of the Shimoga district (run by Sri Baburao Desai).

With these selfless services came more number of inspired souls; some from the developing sections of the tribal community, and others from the modern world - to educate and to elevate the tribals.

Shantaram Siddhi, the first graduate in Siddi community returned from the 40 days training as a volunteer and started the activity in Chipageri. He embarked upon the care of a primary school for 10 Siddi boys under the guidance of Sri Ajit Kumar, the founder of Hindu Seva Prathistana.

Sri Prakash Kamat, a gold medalist from KREC Surathkal, refused the best offers from the industry, joined VKK as a full time volunteer, and established faith and confidence among the Tribals. Inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekanada, he with some volunteers reached the tribals with the sole objective of serving them, facing the geographic and social challenges. With the selfless devotion of the volunteers, he successfully bridged the gap between tribals and non-tribals leading to social harmony and self sustained growth. Sri Prakash Kamat is now the Organizing Secretary of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram for Bihar and Jarkhand.

Sri Krishnamurty, moved by the stories of the exploitation and low social status of the tribals, resigned from the Indian Army and joined the VKK in 1994. From then on he is actively traveling in the very remote forest areas of Karnataka initiating service activities in these tribal pockets.

Sri Rangaswamy, an engineer from Karnataka, was the Director in Dandakaranya Development Authority set for resettling East Bengali Hindu Refugees in Orissa and Madhyapradesh.  While working there, he developed great interest in serving people in-distress, particularly Vanavasis (tribals). After his retirement, he has taken up Vanavasi Welfare as his mission. He is now the President of the State Unit.

Objectives of VKK

• Be one with the Vanavasi brethren, and make them feel that they are an inseparable and invaluable part of our society.
• Instill pride about their glorious past, their art, customs, and social values.
• Provide platforms for the development of their inherent potential power in sports.
• Provide the basic education to the Vanavasi children.
• Develop community leadership among their various groups.
• Provide basic health care.
• Identify, plan, execute and facilitate sustainable economic development projects in the tribal areas.
• Create social awareness in the non-tribal society about the needs of the tribal society.
• Bring about an overall improvement in the lives of Vanavasis while retaining their cultural identity and social value systems.
• Enable the Vanavasis to play a major role in the environment protection, national integration, and nation building.

Contact Info

“Vanasri” 1435/36, 2nd Cross,

5th A Main,D Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar,

Bangalore 560010

PH: +918023420844; 9480 075149; 9449776782

Email: info@vanavasikalyan.org