Impressed and influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinobaji & Sri Aurobindo Sri Ramilaben Gandhi decided in her young age to tread on this thorny and untrodden path. A barren & deserted place on the outskirts of Ganeshpura Village has become her work-place. After 40 years of Struggle, Sadhana and Service this perilous place has been transformed in to paradise in the form of Yoganjali.
Yoganjali means to adopt ‘yoga’ in the totality of our life and help others to live.
“I do not like to seek for myself, only like to give to others.
Those who want consolation, I will give them warmth.
Those who seek to understand, I will give them knowledge.
Those who seek affection, I will give them love.
By giving I will gather, I will be filled only when I become empty."
Name: Ramilaben Matulal Gandhi
Birth Date: 24 November, 1935
Education: B.A.,B.Ed. (STC kovid)
Nationality:Indian, Hindu, Unmarried
Ramilaben was born in an eminent family of Patan on 24 November 1935 and completed her graduation in Arts.
Thereafter, However instead of leading a peaceful married life like other girls her age, she chose to dedicate her life for the welfare of society.
Highly influenced by Gandhian philosophy since her child hood & used to wear Khadi clothes.
Ideals of Vinobaji inspired her to participate in Bhudan Yatra in Gujarat & this experience cemented her aim at working for the rural people through education field.
To support the family she started serving in Patan Municipality for a year as a typist & then in B.D. High school Patan from 1957 to 1965 as a teacher.
At the age of 30 years , she founded Sarva Mangalam Ashram at Sagodiya 8 kilometres away from Patan & inspired poor village children to get education.
A turning point came in her life & She left Sarva Mangalm Ashram & circumstanced encouraged & inspired her to found Yoganjali Ashram at Ganeshpura, in 1974.
There was only one school in Sidhpur then.
A lonely place, a sheltering place for drunkards and gamblers a place where people dared not to go there even during day time. Such a perilous place has now been transformed in to a centre of education ,an ideal place for spiritual progress, a hostel for the backward class students a primary school & a high school with Yoga Mandir , a community centre, a hall for cultural activities, Rural industries, legal aid centre for women a sheltering home for discarded women of the society.
Organised Eye camps every years from 1979 to 1984 and 650 operations had been done for cataract. The same history repeated in 2006 & examined 256 yes patients & 400 spectacles had been distributed to the deserving people.
Even at the age of 81year, she is active in all the activities pertaining to the upliftment of rural children and women.
Founder Director at Yoganjali Kelvani Mandal
President at ‘AWAG” Ahmedabad
Trustee at Sarvoday Ashram, Valam,Dist : Mehasana
Trustee at Gandhi Ashram, Ziliya,Dist : Patan.
Chairmen of Sexual Harassment committee of Patan Dist.
Trustee of Mahesana Dist. Women Group.
01. Awarded by Dist: Rural development of Mahesana during Mahila Utkarsh Abhiyan---BEST WOMEN SOCIAL WORKER.
02. Sanskar-shikshan-sayitya Award of Gujarat
03. Awarded by Mahipatram Ashram,Ahmedabad for excellent work in society
04. Best social women by Patan dist.
05. Awarded by Apanu Mandal, Ahmedabad
06. Awarded by "Gandhi Mitra" by Hon. Governer of Gujarat Shri. O.P.Kohli.
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