|
 |
| |
| Founder |
| |
| MANBHAI - A LIFE DEDICATED TO SERVICE… |
|
|
There are many persons in this world who take inspiration from others, but there are very few persons who can become a source of inspiration for others. Manbhai Bhatt is one such person who has initiated the activities of "Shishuvihar" which can inspire poetry in any sensitive person. A man of firm determination and resourceful nature Shri Manbhai has shown not only to the people of Bhavnagar but also to the people of the whole country what a strict patriot can do. He has inspired the people for social service in a different way.
Born on 28-08-1908 in a police Sub-inspectors family, Shri Manbhai inherited the sense of self-respect from his very birth. The desire to progress on self-support carved him to the service of a ferry workshop coalman in old port. There he became the leader of the workers and fought with the administration for the right of the workers and also advised workers to be conscious of their duties. During the formation of the Saurashtra Port Workers Association the family feelings, friendship and sentiments were at the root of his ideas.
He realized that the children were not able to play freely in the streets of Bhavnagar and then started a series of service activities. A playground was created on the saline soil of sea in 1932, and then in 1938 he established "Shishuvihar" which has become known today as the heaven for children. Then he became instrumental to the creation of 1008 playgrounds in various areas. Manbhai would keep busy in hammering the iron form morning to noon and in the evening he would be ready for any social activity in "Shishuvihar". Today a number of education and health service activites are undertaken in "Shishuvihar". Manbhai has planted such sentiments in his co-workers that they carry on such activities not as a part of duty but for self-satisfaction. The human service activities of Manbhai are not confined only to "Shishuvihar"- he also took leadership in creating various facilities in the Government Hospital of Bhavnagar. The Industrial Training Centre was established in the vast area of "Shishuvihar" and the adult education activities were also initiated. The old age shelter houses are essential under present circumstances therefore he started a shelter house for the aged. He also got created the Baldev Van, the only one of its kind in Gujarat- on completion of 50 years. In 1972, he established the Divine Life institution where prayers, bhajans, religious festivals, yoga classes and such activities are continuously organized so that the human life can become holy. Today "Shishuvihar" has become a picnic spot for the children of various Balmandirs and Nurseries of Gujarat. Here they get inspiration to learn something new. It is unique that Manbhai's Blood
Group was the group of social service! Due to this today many activities of playgrounds, scouting, ambulance training, eye donation, blood donation, training centre for education and industry, old age shelter houses, seminars, widow help, children libraries, etc. are continuously undertaken.
The personal life of Manbhai was not as smooth and simple as a structure, built according to the blue-print prepared in advance. It was rather like a tree growing by progressive stages. Today there have been attempts to give a specific mould even to the idea of social service. But Manbhai had his own way to walk the path of social service.
Manbhai had inherited such a basic culture form his grandfather. He believed in going beyond the contemporary orthodox traditions and possibly due to that he nourished the dream of "Shishuvihar° at Bhavnagar . Sardar Vallabhbhai had stated that every village must have a playground in its vicinity, To put this statement into reality Manbhai had initiated his movement of playground for children. His first aim was the character building of the children. In order to teach that he started the activity of preaching through behaviour and co-existence. He organized night-camps during which children had to be busy in drills, exercises, games, evening prayers followed by collective dinner. After the dinner the children were guided for the house-hold manners and how to keep things systematically. Such camps lasted for many years, as a result of which many big officers were produced. They consider such camps as very important for their development
For the all round development of children, gymnasium and scouts & guides activities were also started so that the children could learn physical skills and self-discipline. About a hundred of such scouts & guides who are trained here have received the President Scout Guide Awards. Over and above this various prograrmmes during collective dinner at "Shishuvihar" have taught important good manners to the children.
He led a true inspirational life, yet many feel that he failed to attain the stature and glory he rightly deserved. A life dedicated to service made way into many hearts and his heavenly abode has not deterred the spirit of people he touched.
This article is taken with thanks from ‘Gems of Saurashtra’ published by Divya Bhaskar Group, June 2008. |
|
|
|
|
