Seva Mandir

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India's top grassroots nonprofit organization working across 1,500 villages in southern Rajasthan Seva Mandir (lit.

trans. 'Temple of Service') has been working in one of the world’s poorest regions, where people live on an average of USD 0.50 a day, to build cohesive and inclusive communities whose members are able to participate actively in the local decision making. It is currently headed by Chief Executive, Ronak Shah. Every year, 6,000 disadvantaged children receive a quality education in its schools; 8,000 women and children out of reach of hospitals are offered critical health services; thousands more families achieve food security and sustainable livelihoods through the rehabilitation of hundreds of acres of land; and 9,000 women move closer to gender equality and financial independence through women’s groups and lending cooperatives. What is distinctive about Seva Mandir is that it does not just deliver aid, but instead uses every development project as a way to build stronger communities. This is accomplished through 532 Village Forums and associated Village Funds, which co-manage all Seva Mandir projects and ensure that citizens themselves take responsibility for their village. Over time, these Forums have grown into institutions of just governance, turning Seva Mandir projects into sustained investments in more self-sufficient and equitable communities. At Seva Mandir, very modest amounts of money go a very long way toward improving people’s lives, and our success has been recognised through a long list of awards and partnerships with distinguished funders and the Indian government. To support us please visit our website: www.sevamandir.org

24/08/2026

'Beyond the Horizon: A Ride for Resilience' is a national mental health awareness campaign championing conversations around resilience and well-being.

On 25th August 2026, the journey makes a stop in Udaipur, where Seher Hashmi Seher Hashmi Seher Hashmi will engage with young students on building healthier, more resilient lives.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Session at Women Study Center, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Session at Vidya Bhawan School, Udaipur

21/08/2026

A major transformation is underway in how rural development is planned, monitored and implemented—and we are preparing for it.

Seva Mandir and Pradan organised a three-day GIS (Geographic Information System) training for 22 participants from 11 organisations.

The training covered data preparation, digitisation, mapping, layer management, spatial and non-spatial data, map layout, visualisation and map export, along with discussions on integrating GIS into organisational processes.

Through hands-on practice, participants gained practical skills and greater confidence to apply GIS effectively in their organisations.

20/08/2026

"Our villagers don't need charity, they need opportunity." — Baba Amte

Reflecting on Baba Amte's words, writer Bharat Dogra explores how leadership can be cultivated and nurtured at the grassroots. In a conversation with Narendra Jain, General Secretary of Seva Mandir, he asked what makes someone worthy of leading village institutions. In his response, Narendra shared some guiding principles and beliefs that are used to nurture leadership in our work.

At Seva Mandir, leadership is not measured by popularity, influence, or dominance. It is recognised in those who demonstrate compassion, believe in equality, and are committed to the common good. These are people who are willing to place collective well-being above immediate personal gain because they understand that what benefits the community ultimately benefits everyone.

They are not expected to be morally perfect or idealistic. Rather, they are individuals who show the potential to listen, bring people together, and make decisions with everyone's interests in mind. Leadership, therefore, is not an innate gift but a capacity that can be nurtured through experience, dialogue, and shared responsibility.

As Bharat Dogra concludes, "Ultimately, the most urgently needed change in the world will come not just from the actions of a few global leaders or summits, but from the strong base created by ordinary people at the grassroots."

At Seva Mandir, this belief continues to guide our work—because lasting social change begins when ordinary people are empowered to become extraordinary leaders within their own communities. 🌱

13/08/2026

As the world observes the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), we are reminded that resilient agriculture begins with empowering the women who sustain it every day.

Women have always been at the heart of our food systems, yet their contributions have too often gone unrecognised. Building climate-resilient agriculture means addressing the changing needs of the land and of those who cultivate it.

With the support of Kaabil, a women-empowerment initiative of Mahindra & Mahindra, Seva Mandir is implementing the Uplifting Rural and Tribal Women through Climate-Resilient Livelihoods project across 62 villages in the Khamnor and Kumbhalgarh blocks of Rajasthan, reaching 6,000 women farmers.

As part of the initiative, Village Group Meetings were recently conducted across all project villages, bringing women together to discuss better farming practices, diversified livelihoods, and ways to strengthen their resilience in the face of a changing climate. The meetings also fostered a sense of ownership within the community.

Through this project, we aim to equip women farmers with the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to become decision-makers, strengthen household incomes, and lead the way towards more resilient and sustainable rural communities.
Kaabil

&Mahindra

05/08/2026

A safer Anganwadi, a stronger foundation 🌱

A well-functioning Anganwadi supports the health of an entire community. A non-functioning one places an even greater burden on those with the fewest resources.

In Raneshji, a remote tribal village in Gram Panchayat Pipli Kheda, Kotra Block of Udaipur district, the Anganwadi Centre had become unsafe. A leaking roof, damaged flooring, and poor infrastructure disrupted services and discouraged families from sending their children.

In 2025, Seva Mandir partnered with the Anganwadi staff, the Gram Panchayat, and the community to renovate the centre.

Following the renovation, children's enrollment at the centre jumped nearly 40%, from 28 to 39. Today, the centre regularly serves 98 children and 27 young mothers.

A better anganwadi has increased children's attendance, strengthened parents' confidence, and ensured regular delivery of nutrition, immunisation, and early learning services.

We are grateful to Oracle for partnering with us to create healthier beginnings for children and mothers in remote tribal communities.

06/07/2026

How would you feel if you were excluded from participating in discussions that directly impact you?

Jaajam is a word of Turkish origin, but one whose cultural life is deeply Rajasthani. In essence, it means a “carpet.” However, this object has been transformed into a tool for development. Over time, “जाजम बिछाना” has come to signify bringing people together for discussion.

In our work, Jaajam represents the first step towards rural development and community-building—a place where everyone, irrespective of caste, class, gender, religion, or age, can come together and engage in dialogue.

This was revolutionary, considering the long history of exclusion that has characterised our society.

Jaajam is a reminder that everyone belongs, that every voice matters and deserves to be heard, that decision-making should be collective, and that differences are perfectly natural.

The aim of Jaajam is not domination, but democracy; not deciding who is right or wrong, but understanding what is best for everyone.

Differences—of opinion, of emotions—are inevitable. There is no guarantee that every discussion will yield a solution. But what people do leave with is a sense of hope, the satisfaction of having spoken and been heard, and the resolve to return.

To the conversation.

To Jaajam.🌱

02/07/2026

Married at 14, Geeta Devi Prajapat began her married life with very little. She and her husband chose to wait until they had saved enough to build a home of their own before starting a family.
When her husband faced a life-threatening health crisis, Geeta was urged to discontinue her daughter's education while continuing her son's. She refused.
For nearly 19 years, Geeta cared for other people's children. In return, those very families stood by her in some of life's most difficult moments.
In 2021, Geeta lost her husband. Around the same time, the family she worked for moved away. Grief consumed her, and she spent days at home not knowing what to do next.
In 2022, her son—a regular visitor to Seva Mandir's library—told her about a vacancy at the organisation's crèche. Geeta joined Seva Mandir as an attendant, bringing with her years of experience, warmth, and care.
Four years on, she is a cherished presence for the toddlers she looks after. Her days are filled with laughter, purpose, and learning. This year, at the age of 49, she completed her Class 12 examination after a gap of 36 years.

Now, Geeta is already looking ahead—to her next dream: pursuing a college degree. 🌱📚🎓✨

25/06/2026

"The trust we have earned within society remains unbroken—and that is Seva Mandir's greatest capital. Even amidst misunderstandings and differences, relationships built on trust and respect endure. We believe that meaningful change is shaped not only by what we do, but by how we do it. For us, the process is more important than the outcome."

- Ronak Shah, Chief Executive, Seva Mandir

Today, on the 41st death anniversary of our founder, Dr. Mohan Sinha Mehta (Bhai Sahab), Seva Mandir, Vidya Bhawan, and the Mohan Sinha Mehta Memorial Trust jointly organised a memorial gathering and the 8th Ravi Bhandari Award Ceremony.

As part of the programme, awards were presented to workers who have gone beyond their regular responsibilities to demonstrate exemplary commitment to public service, active citizenship, and the spirit of voluntary action.

Dr. Garima Mishra, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Women Studies, MLS University, and Chief Guest for the event, noted, "One person, their vision and imagination, can bring about change of a scale that lasts for years. We all should think about what each of us can do. As we begin our own individual journey, like-minded people will join us."

Following the event, Seva Mandir staff members participated in shramdaan (voluntary labour) by cleaning the office premises. Bhai Sahab wished for his death anniversary to be observed not merely as a day of tribute, but as an opportunity to recognise the dignity and value of labour. For him, acts of cleanliness carried a deeper meaning: they make us reflect on what we choose to discard and what we choose to preserve. 🌱

20/06/2026

🌾 The future of a village depends on what it chooses to prioritise today. Integrating natural farming into GPDPs can create lasting impact through awareness, participation, and collective action.
Advancing together with Agroecology Fund and National Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF) to make this priority a reality.🌱

29/05/2026

Conversations around menstruation are still often marked by shame, silence, and hesitation. Yet, one of the most powerful ways to challenge stigma is through open dialogue and awareness.

On 28 May, Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Day, a series of engaging awareness activities were conducted with young people across different parts of Seva Mandir’s work area. As the conversations unfolded, hesitation gradually gave way to curiosity, participation, and confidence.

One of the most engaging activities was the “Myth vs Fact” session. Misconceptions such as avoiding the kitchen, not touching pickles, or missing school during periods were addressed through factual and scientific information.

The meetings brought together hundreds of adolescent girls and boys, along with their parents. Such discussions play an important role in breaking taboos and building a more informed society.

Together, we move towards a

Address

Seva Mandir Marg, Old Fatehpura
Udaipur
313001

Telephone

+912942451041

Website

https://www.sevamandir.org/

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