Gandhian Philosophy of Voluntarism: A Complete Study of Development in the Ashram and Outside

The role of voluntary organizations (VDOs) cannot be overestimated in the field of rural development. However, they fall under different categories — some work purely as professional organizations and some as missions. The Banwasi Seva Ashram (BSA) belongs to the latter category and is one of the most known of the Gandhian Organizations. Set up in 1954 in the tribal region of Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, the Ashram has worked for the last six decades to transform the tribal villages. Its activities are based on Gandhian principles of Swaraj and Sarvodaya. The aim of the Ashram is to develop rural areas through the efforts of a dedicated leadership, cooperation and voluntarism. This book explores and evaluates the work done by the Banwasi Seva Ashram. It particularly focuses on the recent challenges before the Ashram and its limitations. It also provides some alternatives for Gandhian voluntary action in the future.