Shishukunj

About Us

Bal Kelvani Mandir (Temple for Child Development) was established by a profound Gandhian & Bal Kelvanikar Late Shri Lalchandbhai Vora in 1931 with Gandhian philosophy as its foundation. It is located in the beautiful town of Bagasara in Amreli District of Gujarat. It is one of the oldest organizations in India, still going strong and only one of a kind at present. The serene campus serves as the heart of sustainable growth through different activities for communities across the village and surrounding habitat.

Late Shree Lalchandbhai Vora was born in the year 1896 on the day of Ram Navami. He left for the heavenly abode on 24 December 1989. The famous magician of Gujarat, Late Shri K. Lal was the nephew of Shree Lalchandbhai Vora. He addressed Shree Lalchandbhai as ‘Bapa’. Shree Lalchandbhai had attended the Congress council in Kolkata in 1917. From 1926 he accepted ‘Khadi’ as his outfit. After reading ‘Navjivan’ and ‘Harijanbandhu’ he started to think about nation and decided to fight for India’s freedom. Shree Lalchandbhai is credited for bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Bagasara for a visit in the year 1925.

When Shree Lalchandbhai visited Gijubhai Badheka’s organization Dakshinamurti in Bhavnagar for the admission of his younger brother Shree Nanabhai, he observed and understood the correct way and importance of pre-primary education. Hence, coming back to Bagasara, he started ‘Bal-Mandir’ in a rented place on the auspicious day of “Retiya Baras” (8 October, 1931) with the permission and blessings of Gandhiji with 21 children. In a short period of 11 years, the organization did many activities for education of the children. In 1942, moving a step ahead, a trust was registered with the name of Bal Kelavani Mandir. In 1967, a Girls’ hostel was started to encourage girl child education.

After the death of Shree Lalchandbhai, Shree Shamjibhai Chaglani and his wife Shrimati Rukshmaniben took charge of Bal Kelvani Mandir and maintained all the activities very well. In the year 2003, Shamjibhai and Lakshmiben handed over the charge to Shree Devchandbhai Savaliya, who is currently the Managing Trustee of Bal Kelavani Mandir. Without harming any activities within the campus, Shree Devchandbhai has expanded many activities outside the campus. At present, the campus has a variety of activities working not only in the sector of education, but also activities related to livelihoods. There is a Library for children as well as parents, so that the parents can read and get knowledge of good stories and rhymes for children. Three schools, Bal Mandir, Shishukunj Vidyamandir and Shishukunj Day Care Centre, are functional in the campus, which are based on the Shishukunj philosophy of knowledge without burden, using School in the box kit for the needy children.

In this manner, a child-centric activity, started in 1931, is still going on with same objectives and enthusiasm.

​Philosophy

The organization respects the values and morals of Mahatma Gandhi.

Belief

The organization believes that:
It is the birth right of every child to be able to enjoy every moment of carefree childhood We should give back to the society what we have received, by making skill development center available to the community.