Anandwan in Chandrapur: Building a Self-Sustaining Community of Care and Dignity

Founded in the heart of Vidarbha's Chandrapur district, Anandwan stands as one of the most recognised self-sufficient communities dedicated to the care and empowerment of those once excluded from society.

Established on barren land in 1949, this settlement began as a small initiative to treat and rehabilitate people affected by leprosy.

Over the decades, Anandwan has evolved into a thriving ecosystem where healthcare, education, agriculture and vocational training work together to build lives filled with dignity and purpose.

The Founding of a Community

Anandwan began on 15 August 1949, founded by social activist Baba Murlidhar Amte, widely known as Baba Amte, along with his wife Sadhanatai Amte.

Deeply moved by the social stigma surrounding leprosy, Baba Amte chose to step away from a life of privilege to dedicate himself to the service of those who were pushed to the margins of society.

His belief was simple yet powerful: give people a chance, not charity. This philosophy laid the foundation of Anandwan and shaped its journey toward becoming a self-reliant community.

The first patients lived in makeshift shelters and began cultivating the barren land alongside Baba Amte and early volunteers.

This collective effort transformed the landscape into a green and self-sustaining village. The goal was not just treatment but rehabilitation through work and education, making patients contributors to the community rather than passive recipients of aid.

The Amte family remained central to this vision. Baba Amte's elder son, Dr. Vikas Amte, took on the role of chief functionary of Anandwan, steering its medical and social programs.

His younger brother, Dr. Prakash Amte, and sister-in-law, Dr. Mandakini Amte, initiated similar efforts for tribal welfare through projects like Lok Biradari Prakalp. Dr. Vikas Amte’s wife, Dr. Bharati Amte, and their daughter, Sheetal Amte, also played key roles in leadership and administration.

Healthcare and Education at the Core

At the heart of Anandwan’s model lies a comprehensive approach to healthcare, particularly for those affected by leprosy and other disabilities.

The Sita Ratan Leprosy Hospital was one of the first established facilities, providing treatment through multi-drug therapy and offering reconstructive surgeries.

This hospital, which today has about 75 beds, continues to provide free medical care to patients affected by leprosy and its complications.

In 1990, Anandwan expanded its healthcare services with the Shirdi Sai Baba Hospital. This 100-bed facility offers general medical care to the wider community, including maternity services, surgeries and outpatient consultations. Prosthetic limbs, orthotic supports, and special footwear are also provided, supporting patients in regaining mobility and independence.

The Anandwan Eye Hospital serves as the only charitable eye care centre in the Vidarbha region. It conducts daily clinics and free cataract surgeries, including annual camps that help hundreds of people from surrounding villages.

A dental clinic with a mobile dental van brings care to both residents and neighbouring communities, ensuring basic oral healthcare reaches rural areas.

Educational initiatives run parallel to healthcare. Anandwan offers inclusive learning environments for children with disabilities and children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Sunshine School for the Visually Impaired, founded in 1966, and the School for the Hearing-Impaired, established in 1983, provide free education up to the seventh standard. These schools are staffed by a mix of sighted, blind, and deaf teachers, creating role models within the system itself.

For general education, Anandwan established the Anand Niketan College of Arts, Science and Commerce in 1964. Built by residents themselves, the college began with 150 students and today hosts over 2,500 undergraduates.

A College of Agriculture followed in 1965, offering technical education and practical training in modern farming techniques. These institutions emphasise education not only as a right but also as a tool for self-sufficiency.

Building Self-Reliance Through Work

Anandwan’s commitment to self-reliance is reflected in its extensive vocational training programs and small-scale production units.

The Sandhi Niketan workshop, which opened in 1970, provides skill development opportunities in carpentry, weaving, leatherwork, tailoring, and handicrafts.

Many of these activities are run by the residents themselves, who often train others in the community.

The tailoring unit has gained recognition beyond the campus, with some of its work being sourced by well-known clients. Similar initiatives in tin recycling, printing, pottery, and electrical repairs contribute both to the economy of Anandwan and to the empowerment of its members.

The Yuvagram project, launched in 1990, identifies and trains rural youth from poor families in skills like computer operations, screen printing, electrical winding, and furniture fabrication.

This program extends Anandwan’s philosophy to the wider region, equipping young people with tools to achieve financial independence.

Agriculture and environmental conservation are integral to Anandwan’s operations. The once barren land has been converted into a productive space through extensive tree plantations, watershed development, and organic farming practices.

The community utilises renewable energy sources, composts organic waste, and applies bio-fertilisation methods to sustain its agricultural activities.

Contemporary Structure and Recognition

Anandwan operates under the Maharogi Seva Samiti (MSS), the charitable trust founded by Baba Amte.

The organisation continues to be led by the Amte family, with Dr. Vikas Amte as Secretary and Sheetal Gautam Karajgi appointed as Chief Executive Officer in recent years. Their leadership ensures continuity of vision while adapting to new challenges and needs.

Visitors and volunteers play an important role in Anandwan’s day-to-day activities. The campus welcomes tourists, researchers, and those willing to contribute through voluntary work.

Arrangements for stay and participation are coordinated through the MSS office. Guests can engage in various community activities while experiencing the daily life of the residents. Strict guidelines are followed to maintain the ethos of the place, including a ban on alcohol and tobacco within the campus.

Anandwan has achieved significant recognition over the years. Baba Amte received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985, the Padma Shri in 1971, the Padma Vibhushan in 1986, and the Gandhi Peace Prize in 1999. While these awards acknowledged his contributions, Baba Amte often stated that the true reward was the self-sufficiency and dignity of those he served.

The community has treated and rehabilitated approximately 3,500 people affected by leprosy.

Its hospitals, schools, training centres, and self-help units continue to benefit thousands more across the region. Anandwan’s model has been cited internationally as an example of sustainable community development.

In recent years, the Maharashtra government and various institutions have highlighted Anandwan as a leader in social transformation. The 75th anniversary of the organisation, celebrated in 2024, brought renewed attention to its enduring role in healthcare, education, and environmental stewardship.

References

Maharogi Sewa Samiti Anandwan. (n.d.). Internal Reports and Publications on Anandwan's Development (1949–2025). Chandrapur, Maharashtra.
Amte, M. (Baba). (Various Years). Speeches and Writings on Leprosy, Rehabilitation, and Self-Sufficiency. Anandwan Archives, Chandrapur.
Right Livelihood Award Foundation. (n.d.). Award Citation: Baba Amte. Retrieved April 29, 2025
Amte, V. (n.d.). Development and Operations at Anandwan: Internal MSS Documentation. Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Anandwan.
Lok Biradari Prakalp. (n.d.). Official information on Dr. Prakash Amte and allied tribal health projects. Retrieved April 29, 2025
Indian Council of Medical Research. (n.d.). Leprosy Control and Rehabilitation in India: Anandwan Case Study (1980s–1990s). (Available in archives, not publicly linked.)
National Council of Rural Institutes (NCRI). (n.d.). Case Studies of Sustainable Rural Development: Anandwan Model. Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Times of India Archives. (Various Years). Coverage of Anandwan's 75th Anniversary and Milestones. Times Group.