There are numerous old age homes for the visually impaired in the country. However, the Andhjan Old Age Home in Vadodara stands out among them. Founded in 2015 by social worker Pravinbhai Parmar, it holds a special place in the community.
The Andhjan Old Age Home, located in Rajnagar Society and run by Shri Jalaram Pragyanachakshu Pragati Mandal in Vadodara, was initially established in Maneja, opposite Makarpura railway station.
Currently, the ashram is home to 22 visually impaired elderly residents. These destitute Pragyanachakshu individuals are provided with year-round care and support. The ashram takes full responsibility for their well-being, whether they lose their sight naturally or prematurely.
“Since we do not have our own building, we have been running the ashram in a rented house for the last 9 years. Currently, a total of 22 visually impaired elderly people live in our ashram. We pay house rent of Rs 22,000 per month. About Rs 1 lakh is spent every month on the services of the visually impaired elderly people living in this old age home. If we are short of money to run the ashram, I continue to serve the visually impaired elderly people living here by taking help from others in the form of donations,” Ashram founder and activist Pravinbhai Parmar said.
“In future, if the government or any institution provides its own building for our ashram, we will accept it and shift there,” he added.
Sharing about his personal life, Pravinbhai Parmar said, “I have become visually impaired when I became old. Earlier I and my friend used to work in a private company manufacturing chairs. With time that company closed down and we became unemployed. My friend and I started the ashram so that we don’t become a burden on our family. We also had the intention that other visually impaired elderly people should get shelter. Today, about 22 people live with us. We have written letters to the government several times for land. But till date, we have not received any help.”
Praveenbhai’s friend Sanjaybhai Bhuria said, “We have been living together for the last 30 years. Both of us established this institution. I have been blind since childhood. Pravinbhai and I work together. My native place is at Dahod, where I have three brothers and one sister. I go there whenever I find work. I have to go there less often now.”
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