BACKGROUND

Acharya Shri Chandanaj  

Veerayatan is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that strives to uplift and empower humanity through the humanitarianism, education and inner development.  Our work is performed without regard to caste, creed, race, religion or socioeconomic status.

Veerayatan began as a dream of the great Indian scholar and Saint, Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj. Inspired by his vision, Acharya Shri Chandanaji nurtured this seed into what is now considered one of India’s leading development organizations.  Established over thirty five years ago in the hostile environment of Bihar, Veerayatan has succeeded in bringing hope into the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Acharya Shri Chandanaji during the early days in Rajgir, Bihar

Veerayatan Rajgir

sevaWith its world-renowned eye hospital and orthopedic center in Rajgir, Veerayatan has become one of the most modern and best-equipped centers of its kind in the entire state of Bihar. To date (end of 2006), Veerayatan’s N.J.S.M. Hospital has provided cataract and intraocular lens surgery to over 200,000 patients, completely free of charge or at a highly subsidized rate. It has also provided free orthopedic reconstructive surgery to more than 2500 patients. With the resolute dedication of its director, volunteers and doctors, Veerayatan has succeeded in making the N.J.S.M. Hospital one of the best eye and polio research and treatment centers in eastern India.

Veerayatan Vidyapeeth – Kutch

sevaFollowing the devastating earthquake of January 2001 in Kutch, India, Veerayatan established a network of educational institutions throughout the region to care for affected children, widows and adults. More than 7000 students took advantage of the top quality education provided by the temporary schools created by Veerayatan in Bhuj, Kutch.  A residential dormitory, created for orphaned or economically disadvantaged children, hosted more than 100 children. In the 36 vocational training centers established throughout Kutch, twelve different courses were organized, including computer training, tailoring, screen-printing and motor winding.  By September 2003, more than 12,000 students had benefitted from Veerayatan’s vocational training programs, furthering the process of rehabilitation.

Veerayatan’s efforts in Kutch prompted the New York Times—one of America’s leading newspapers—to hail Veerayatan as “the biggest, most honest and best organized private effort to provide stopgap schools for children in the state…of earthquake-torn Gujarat.”

The permanent educational and vocational training complex at Jakhania, Kutch, spread over 23-acres, was completed in early 2003. Today, more than 500 residential students and 1000 school students study there each year. To fulfill a longstanding need for specialized higher education in Kutch and to ensure that the people of the region could be competitive in India’s increasingly globalized economy, in 2005, Veerayatan established the first Pharmacy Degree College in Kutch. Veerayatan is committed to creating more educational institutions for higher professional and technical studies, including the creation of a business administration and computer training college in 2008. Ultimately, Veerayatan strives to provide innovative learning opportunities to the entire region of Kutch, so that all students, regardless of caste or socioeconomic status, can reap the limitless rewards of a top quality education.

 The guiding philosophy behind Veerayatan’s third major site, Navalveerayatan, is the belief that individual change leads to societal change. Nestled amidst mountains overlooking a lake, Navalveerayatan is the ideal location for people seeking refuge from the clamor of modern life. In this serene environment, Navalveerayatan’s staff provides classes on yoga, meditation, stress management and new age health therapies, using the most contemporary teaching techniques and facilities. Special courses are designed for families, women and corporate employees. By learning various methods for effective self-introspection, participants learn to face any situation with serenity.

sevaIn 2002, in recognition of her nearly three decades of untiring devotion to the cause of humanitarianism, the government of India presented Acharya Shri Chandanaji with the coveted Ahilya Bai National Service Award. This same determined devotion and energy of Acharya Shri Chandanaji and her team of Sadhvijis and volunteers has proven to be contagious. Veerayatan has now entered the hearts of hundreds of thousands of well-wishers worldwide, establishing centers in India, America, England, Kenya, Singapore, Australia and Canada.

With such widespread support and following, Veerayatan has truly inspired a world movement devoted to improving the health, education and well being of all of humanity.