The Sree Narayana Mandira Samiti (SNMS), established in 1963, is today one of the biggest socio-cultural organizations of South Indians in Mumbai. It has long been a registered educational and charitable Trust engaged in active service to the public at large in the fields of value based education, healthcare, economic and spiritual advancement with special focus on the poorer sections of the society. In May 2013, SNMS was granted Language Minority status (Malayalam in particular and other South Indian languages in general) by the Maharashtra State Government making it possible for more focussed activities for development of such minorities. However, the Samiti continues with its mission by providing its services to all the general public without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion or race in the true spirit of the principles laid down by Sree Narayana Guru.
The Samit's growth over the years has been phenomenal and its achievements are there to see in the form of institutions, infrastructure and the services we provide. We have a strength of about 15000 Life Members and 1000 Patrons providing voluntary service reaching a large section of people living in Mumbai and surrounding Thane Districts of Maharashtra State through our 41 regional units (Sept. 2020). We keep reviewing our activities regularly and upgrade our services keeping in tune with the needs of times. The year long Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2013 also gave us an opportunity to assess our achievements, deficiencies and make plans for the future. In this article, an attempt is being made to outline as to what extent the objectives of our founding fathers have been achieved, benefits being accrued to members and the perspective plan prepared for making the Samiti a more vibrant and self sustaining organization in future.
The aims and objectives of the Samiti are laid down in its Memorandum of its Association approved in the first General Body Meeting held on 17 November 1963, and amended from time to time. As of today, the objectives are to carry out charitable, educational, social and cultural promotion activities for the benefit of the general public, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. In particular, these include:
establishing and maintaining educational institutions;
starting libraries and reading homes;
creating student homes and public halls;
aiding, establishing and providing charitable dispensaries
promoting social and cultural activities, providing cultural centre and athletic facilities, etc.
The schools and colleges established by the Samiti at the Chembur complex bear testimony to fulfillment of the first objective. An International School also started functioning at Ulwe Node of Navi Mumbai from Academic year 2018-19. At present, we are providing educational facilities right from nursery to postgraduate levels and can boast a student community of 7000. The student population is mostly from poor families in and around Chembur as well as Ulwe. The standard of education is also high with near cent percent pass levels in school final (10th Grade) results. The college has many disciplines (aided and self financing). The college has a NAAC accreditation of high B grade. We have a BEd college, which is one of the best in Mumbai University, producing high quality teachers.
The major achievement of all these educational ventures is bringing smiles to hundreds of poor families by providing them economic opportunities through children's education and avenues for employment. Scholarships and free ships are granted to hundreds of children. Mid-day meal programmes have been introduced in schools and free uniforms provided to poor children. The Samiti has been able to make a substantial difference in the living standards of these families by its humanitarian services.
A novel initiative is the recently introduced National University Skill Development Program (NUSSD) for college students in association with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). This involves providing training to college students during their normal degree program enabling them to acquire an additional degree or diploma in a professional (skill) area to enhance their employment opportunities. This unique program designed by TISS was introduced in SNG College for the first time in Mumbai University. Memorandum of Understanding signed between SNMS and TISS kickstarted the program with 310 students. They are given lecture courses with help of trained teachers and practical training in association with the industry making use of their holidays and vacations. Campus recruitment opportunities through job fairs are provided every year. We have a strong Alumni Association in which previous students currently holding high positions in government and businesses are active members. They meet regularly and advise on improving the education patterns and enhancing the job opportunities. Self employment guidance is also being provided.
Upgrading the education facilities has been a continuous process in the SNMS institutions. Class rooms with digital teaching facilities such as Intelligent Panels and overhead projectors with speedy internet connection , Scientific and Computer Laboratories with up high performance machines are provided. Online teaching programmes with students learning from home through Zoom and google classrooms have been introduced in a timely manner after the nationwide lock down on account of Covid 19 Pandemic. Necessary training to teachers and students have been provided to adapt to the novel learning methodologies. SNMS institutions are today at the forefront of online teaching / learning techniques (September 2020).
Are we saturated with education programs and realized our education objective? The answer is an emphatic “ No”. We have to travel a long way. Education never ends.
More college level courses are on the anvil. We have also planned new educational institutions at regional centers. A new educational complex is also planned in interior Maharashtra under a separate program of cooperative ventures. Professional colleges and management programs are planned under this scheme. The ambitious program includes a Deemed University to cover all our educational institutions.
In the area of starting libraries and reading rooms, some efforts were made in the beginning by providing newspapers and magazines in the Samiti's registered office at Dadar. Later in 2002, a full fledged library with a lot of philosophical books, vedic literature and other relevant materials was established in the International Center for Sree Narayana Guru Studies at Gurudevagiri (Nerul). However, over the years the public utilization of the library facility gradually diminished, presumably due to the onset of the “internet” and availability of electronic books. The International Center will find the library quite useful when the research programs on philosophy will be introduced. The schools and colleges in Chembur complex have their own well equipped library facilities for students and teachers. Future expansion of library and reading rooms for the public may not be desirable as the reading habits are changing to electronic media.
In respect of the objective of creating Student homes and Public halls, no progress has been made in the former (student homes), except that we have been able to provide temporary accommodation to certain outstation students. Construction of hostel facilities for students and guest houses has not been undertaken yet due to difficulty in getting sanctions from the concerned authorities. These problems could be resolved in the near future. The new education complex planned in the interior Maharashtra would also come handy for such residential projects for students and faculty.
In terms of public halls and open grounds, the Samiti has made considerable progress. The Chembur complex has a community hall, seminar room and several open grounds for public functions. A synthetic Turf has been set up in Chembur complex where cricket and soccer games are organized for students and the general public. Basketball, volleyball and badminton courts are also made available at Chembur complex. A large school plot allotted by CIDCO for the International School at Ulwe is under development and will have more sports and games facilities. Gurudevagiri also has public halls and conference rooms. Many Guru centers have their own facilities. These facilities not only cater to the SNMS requirements, but are also made available to the general public.
Social service activities in the form of charitable dispensaries and health centers have taken a back seat in the SNMS activities. The initiatives so far made are in the form of Ayurveda dispensaries functioning at Tarapur and Anushaktinagar. These are run directly by SNMS by engaging professionals and medicines procured from reputed manufacturers. In addition, medical support is being provided to needy members and the general public by way of financial assistance for hospitalisation and for chronic ailments.
Another important feature is the Emergency Helpline & call center for providing medical assistance recently started by the SNMS YUVA (July 2020) under the tottle “Corona Saviours” in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic . It is a 24x7 service operated by SNMS Youth Wing for medical consultation, ambulance, hospitalisation, procurement of medicines,, quarantine, counseling and other covid related services by dedicated YUVA teams including professionals. They have been able to provide the service promptly and efficiently to hundreds of patients and families facing Covid related issues. They got established in a very short time and continue to provide excellent service to the general public free of cost for all types of medical emergencies.
SNMS also organises Health camps (blood donation and medical check up) regularly. Seminars and conferences on current health issues involving experts are also organized occasionally. SNMS needs to establish its own health care centers to fully realize this objective. This seems a distant dream within Mumbai given the high cost involved. The solution lies in establishing suitable hospitals and clinics as part of its future plans to expand educational facilities.
The programs of SNMS in the cultural and sports fields have been satisfying to a great extent. There are several committees such as Cultural Wing, Women's Wing, Youth Wing (YUVA) and Balavedi are very much active in these areas. Several programs are held during the course of the year providing ample opportunities to members and the general public to interact and derive benefit. These include children's camps, discourses by learned people and scholars, seminars and conferences. Major scheduled events of the Samiti and its regional units like Annual days, Gurujayanthi, Gurusamadhi, Theerthadanam, etc. are done on a grand scale. Additional programs are scheduled every year depending on need based assessment. These include legal awareness camps, RTI seminar, kavisammelan, counseling sessions, etc. Major events are also accompanied by cultural programs showcasing talents of members and their children in various art and cultural forms. Cultural and Sports competitions are also held at various levels to encourage the talents. During the Golden Jubilee year competitions were held at zonal levels and central level with great success.
The Marriage Alliance Bureau of the Samiti has been doing a monumental service in organizing marriage alliance meets every six months for the last 16 years. This is a unique program being emulated by other organizations. It has resulted in successful marriages in several cases and accolades to SNMS.
Guru centers and regional units are the quintessential hot spots towards Samiti's cultural and spiritual goals. In addition to “kudumbayogam”, they are filled with a flurry of activities throughout the year in the promotion and propagation of the Guru's ideals. Theerthadanam and Prathishta Day celebrations effectively bring about the universality of the Guru's Vision for the integration of humanity.
In short, the Samiti has been able to realize its objective to a great extent. Its future plans should take care of the deficiencies for faster growth and efficiency.
It is quite natural for people to expect some benefits when they join an organization. This is true in respect of SNMS also. However, it is also true that SNMS is a charitable organization working on the principles and philosophy of Sree Narayana Guru and members are expected to do voluntary service. Its services are available to all the general public including the members. Despite this, there are certain distinct advantages to members. These include the following:
(i) SNMS provides Social security (Members are part of a 16000 member family). In case of emergency, immediate assistance/help/support and co-operation available from any part of the city and suburbs as our active Members/Patrons/Council members/Unit Secretaries are spread all over. Helpline and emergency services are underway.
(ii) Linguistic Minority status granted to SNMS by the Maharashtra Govt. brings a lot of advantages to members including reservation of 50 % seats in the educational institutions run by SNMS. Thus admission for member’s children in schools and colleges is almost guaranteed. Members also get a 20% fee concession to educate their children in SNMS institutions.
(iii) SNMS has extensive infrastructure in terms of public halls, sports facilities and open grounds at Chembur complex, Nerul international centre, temple complexes and Guru centers. These facilities can be used at a concessional rate (20% discount from standard rate) by members.
(iv) Merit scholarships are awarded to members' children. There are eight Founders’ Memorial Merit Scholarships @ Rs. 25000 each awarded every year to children of Members for higher education. Further educational assistance by way fee waiver is also given in deserving cases. Educational Merit Awards are granted to the Children of members every year (from SSC to PhD) at central level and unit levels.
(v) Medical assistance and other support given to deserving persons. Emergency healthcare is also organized. During Covid 19 Pandemic, SNMS distributed Food material kits to hundreds of Member families.
(vi) The Marriage Alliance Bureau is functioning effectively. Marriage alliance meets are organized every six months benefitting a large number of members. Marriage counseling programs are organized with the help of professionals. Pathrika for marriages and marriage certificates are also issued.
(vii) “Kudumbayogam” is organized in all units regularly to provide opportunities for members to meet and interact. Women’s wing has local committees at all units and provides effective services for the material and spiritual well being of members and families. Guidance is being given for a successful family life based on the teachings of Guru.
(viii) Cultural wing organizes many value based programs and discourses by experts for members to lead a value based meaningful life.
(ix) Residential camps for children are organized for personality development and to inculcate moral, ethical and cultural values. Textbook on “Life and Teachings of Sree Narayana Guru” has been published in furtherance of this objective.
(x) SNMS Youth Wing (YUVA) has been constituted and a number of programs are being organized to facilitate interaction among them and to guide them to shoulder responsibilities of SNMS in future. With guidance from seniors they have been able to organise a number of services and programmes for the benefit of Members and General Public. The ongoing “Corona saviours” is a shining example of their organising capacity and dedication. They have also set up “YUVA Kalatharangam” which is a professional performing arts and cultural group to showcase the YUVA talents. They have done several programmes during anniversary and other Samiti events. They plan to expand into a real professional troupe. Another development is the start of YUVA Youtube channel “yuva infotainment” releasing regular events on Youtube / Instagram.
(xi) SNMS Balavedi started recently to introduce very young children from age group of 5 to Guru and Samiti related activities. They are being nurtured by the seniors and wit the help of residential camps and unit gatherings these children are initiated to Guru’s teaching, human values and personality development.
(xii) Women’s Wing of SNMS handling the activities of women also got energised with setting up of a self employment venture “ Sarada Mahila Udyog Pvt Ltd” for which SNMS is rendering all support.
(xiii) An employment oriented program for awarding degree / diploma in various skill areas has been introduced in association with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (NUSSD-TISS).
(xiv) Members and their families get employment opportunities through our institutions. To support the cause further, our businessmen patrons are offering jobs to our members.
(xv) Merit scholarships and Educational Merit Awards granted to the Children of members every year (from SSC to PhD) at central level and unit level.
(xvi) Facilities are created at Chembur complex and at units for promoting the cultural and sports talents among members and their families. Cultural and sports competitions are also organized regularly.
(xvii) Quarterly House Magazine “Gururatnam” is the mouthpiece of SNMS and provides opportunities to members to exhibit their literary talents.
(xviii) “Pithrubeli” and other poojas organized on special occasions at Gururdevagiri and other units.
(xix) “Gurujayanthi”, “Theerthadanam” , Prathishta days and annual functions are organized every year enabling members to participate in a festive way.
(xx) Availability of an exclusive “thantri” for handling “Marananathara kriya”.
(xxi) Legal Awareness programs: Members are updated on latest happenings in the country about their rights and privileges and how to enjoy them ( like RTI, Legal services Authority seminars, etc. ).
(xxii) Self employment programs are promoted through self help groups, and guidance counseling. Through Bachat ghat and other financial schemes, financial assistance is extended to deserving members for exigencies.
(xxiii) Sponsorships and Donations received by SNMS from Members, Patrons, businessmen, corporates and well wishers are effectively utilized for augmenting infrastructure and humanitarian programs. Members can always look upon SNMS for benefitting from these programs.
The above listed are only some of the benefits members could derive from SNMS. However, the presumption is that they continue to voluntarily take part in the Samiti activities.
The Samiti has made considerable progress in achieving its objectives. However a lot remains to be done, especially in areas like healthcare, social and cultural development. An important area of concern is that members are hesitant to avail of the educational opportunities made available by the Samiti. Possible reasons are that the educational institutions are located at Chembur and Ulwe which may be logistically inconvenient to many living in far away places. Quality of higher education may also be a matter of concern. Care of senior citizens and destitute children are also lacking in SNMS facilities. Equally important is to provide adequate sources of revenue generation so as to make the Samiti self sustaining. Keeping these aspects in view, a perspective plan has been developed for the future road map.
The perspective plan which has since been approved by the Council is in the form of a five year plan (2018-23) which will be continuously updated as a living document. Annual plans are made on the basis of the perspective plan and action taken on that basis. The salient features of the perspective plan 2018-23 are outlined below.
The plan starts with the Vision and Mission of SNMS and the core values it has adopted. The proposed activities are given in five sections, namely, (1) Land and buildings, (2) infrastructure and Administration, (3) ongoing programs (4)Social responsibility programs, and (5)Education programs. Under each section, individual action points have been identified and their priority indicated depending on need and availability of resources.
Under the section Land and Buildings, the proposals to acquire lands, and maintenance of existing properties have been listed. These include acquiring lands for new educational institutions (e.g., Navi Mumbai, and interior Maharashtra), office facilities for new units, construction of new floors for the college building at Chembur complex, guest house, etc. Revaluation of SNMS properties at various locations is also part of the plan under this head. Here it may be noted that some of the major projects like construction of higher floors in Chembur complex college building, acquiring office buildings for certain regional units (eg. CBD Belapur) have been completed (March 2020). Another major project under execution is the International School Project at Ulwe where the school building complex is under construction on a CIDCO allotted plot of land.
Infrastructure and Administration covers specific projects like beautification of Chembur complex, development of sports facilities, relocation of classrooms, modernisation of teaching facilities and equipments for better efficiency Installation of CCTV, and EPBAX, high end computer systems and scientific laboratories, Intelligent digital panels /boards, high speed internet connectivity, etc. which have been accomplished to a great extent. Online teaching facility has been introduced with great success. Renovation of Gurudevagiri complex, upgrading the utility services like electricity and water, upgrading the international study center and library for introducing research programs, creation of more regional units, and redeveloping the websites of SNMS and its institutions are also in the advanced stages.
The Ongoing programs section covers the regular events like Gurujayanthi, Theerthadanam, Anniversary, Marriage Alliance meets, Counseling,etc. and certain new programs planned for the next five years keeping in view the objectives of the SNMS.
The Social Responsibility Section covers a variety of programs in the existing and new areas of operation planned for the future. These include healthcare for the poor, group insurance, facilities to be created for senior citizens, children's homes, student hostels, other community development initiatives, waste management and energy preservation programs, helpline and disaster management. Career guidance, skill development, guidance for self employment, financial assistance and training will also form part of the agenda which also have been accomplished to a great extent. . Students scholarship programs and financial aid will also be handled under this section.
The Education part of the perspective plan focuses on modernizing the school and college infrastructure and upgrading the quality of education. The NAAC recommendations in this regard have been fully taken into account and new initiatives are planned. The Internal Quality Assurance Division (IQAC) has been set up to plan and execute novel educational programs. Modernisation of computing facilities, upgrading of software, creation of modern sports facilities for students, research facilities for staff, etc. Many of these objectives have been achieved. Similarly, add-on courses like the NUSSD-TISS program to enhance the value of education and employability of students coming out of our educational institutions are also ongoing processes under the perspective plan. Value education based life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru has also been introduced. All these initiatives are aimed at making education at SNMS precious and sought after.
The annual plans, based on the perspective plan 2018-23, are drawn up along with the budget and the same are being implemented.