The 3rd edition of Abhyudaya Seva Pradarshan, an exclusive three-day exhibition highlighting the impactful work of around 40 Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) concluded here at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines in the city on Sunday. The one-of-its-kind event drew an enthusiastic crowd of social workers, entrepreneurs, students, and citizens. Unlike typical commercial events, the exhibition organised by Gramayan Pratishthan in association with the Sir Gangadharrao Chitnavis Memorial Medical Research Trust, had nothing to sell.

 

Instead, the event served as a dedicated platform for the participating NGOs to showcase their selfless social initiatives. From rehabilitating mentally ill individuals and restoring the dignity of beggars to empowering tribal communities, transgender individuals, and underprivileged sections of society, the exhibition offered visitors an inspiring glimpse into transformative humanitarian efforts. Commenting on the event, Anil Sambare, President of Gramayan Pratishthan, said the exhibition was organised to strengthen grassroots institutions and social workers by bringing their efforts before society and helping them secure wider support. The event also aimed to bridge the gap between NGOs, public administration, and prospective contributors by offering opportunities for volunteering, donations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) networking, and training.

 

 

Sightsavers India supporting people with visual impairment

 

SIGHTSAVERS India is a development organisation that is working since 1966. Its aim is to eliminate blindness and to ensure that people who are irreversibly blind are supported adequately to lead a life of independence and dignity. With this noble objective to serve others, the Sightsavers stall was getting huge attention from the kind-hearted Nagpurians on Sunday at the Gramayan Exhibition at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines. One of the volunteers at the stall, Atul Patle said, “Sighsavers is working with Mahatme Eye Bank and Eye Hospital, in city to eliminate avoidable blindness.”

 

Sightsavers is alo working in 10 States and 21 cities with different programmes across the country. As a major achievement from April 2025 to March 2026, Sightsavers has conducted more than 65 lakh eye screenings, distributed more than 70 lakh spectacles, has enabled more than 40,000 sight restoration surgeries and helped more than 25 lakh people get refracted, he pointed out. Patle further said that Sightsavers has launched programmes like RAAHI- a national truckers eye health programme, Netra Vasant- rural eye health programme, Amrita Drishti- an urban eye health programme and Vidya Jyoti- school eye health programme. Sightsavers is working in a sustainable way to promote lasting change by strengthening existing health systems, seeking to advocate with and influence Governments and by demonstrating best practices, he added.

 

 

 

Renuka Mauli Sewa Bhavi Sanstha, a Non-Government Organisation based in Beed district, has put up its stall in the exhibition. The office-bearers of the organisation highlighted their various initiatives aimed at helping underprivileged individuals. Abhijit Vaidya, Director of Renuka Mauli Sewa Bhavi Sanstha, said that since 2000, the organisation has been running a shelter home with the support of generous individuals in society. “Since there is no Government assistance, this project for orphans and homeless individuals is running solely on public participation. We take care of those living by the roadside, those with no one to call their own, the homeless, orphans, individuals showing symptoms of mental illness, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.”

 

The aim of the organisation is to bring such persons into the mainstream of society with dignity by providing them with work and helping them stand on their own feet. At present, more than 70 young and old orphan, homeless, elderly, disabled, and mentally ill persons are residing in the centre. “In addition, more than 5,000 homeless beneficiaries have availed the services of the centre. Some homeless individuals stayed at this shelter for one day, some for 10 days, some for a few months, and some for years,” said Vaidya, highlighting that the centre needs financial assistance from donors to continue its services.

 

 

AGVS working towards rural transformation via education 

 

ABHYUDAYA Global Village School (AGVS) is a non-profit, agro-centric residential and day school located near Bawangaon, Saoner taluka, in the Nagpur district. The AGVS stall at Gramayan Exhibition at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines was getting keen interest from the visitors during the three day event. “The school’s approach to education is unique. It creates own educational content based on the rural surroundings,” said Sachin Deshpande, Director of AGVS while speaking to The Hitavada on Sunday. Sachin and his wife Bhagyashree Deshpande, lead the school as Co-Founders and Directors.

 

They left their corporate careers to live and work on campus full-time. It is a decision that reflects how the people who run AGVS think about the work - not as a project to manage, but as a life to live alongside the community it serves. He further said, “AGVS is working towards rural transformation through education. AGVS’s main objective is to provide holistic education like in the cities to students living in villages.” He explained that students learn from Acharyas, not conventional teachers, in an environment where the campus itself includes farm, gaushala, biogas plant, oil and dal mills, solar installation, and space for class rooms. Currently, the school enrolls about 335–340 children from 23–24 surrounding villages, studying from nursery through class 10, with about 30 of them living on campus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For tribal children growing up in Nagpur’s slum settlements, talent is abundant, but basic documentation can decide whether it gets a chance. Seva Sarvada Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha, working for 21 years in Rahate Nagar, Jaitala, Kaikale Nagar and Siddheshwar Gond Wasti, is trying to bridge this gap through education, sports and livelihood support. Its dream project, ‘Nivasi Krida Shala’ at Kaldongri, aims to provide residential sports training to slum girls and keep them away from addiction. The organisation wants to build the facility but needs funds. Around 50 promising girls are already trained in cricket and physical education by Khushal Dhak, besides football and athletics. The documentation crisis is starkly illustrated by Rashi Markam and Kumud Dhurve, both selected for VCA Under-15 trials, but unable to progress due to missing birth certificates. Dhak said 250-300 children in the slums face similar problems. “We met the Chief Minister on August 23, but we are still waiting for a solution,” Dhak told ‘The Hitavada’. The organisation also runs a library, competitive-examination centre, Re 1- convent initiative and boutique, besides helping residents obtain documents and healthcare. Its first stall at ‘Abhyudaya Seva Pradarshan 2026’ received a decent response, with hopes for greater participation next year.

 

 

 

 

 

For a community long pushed to society’s margins, dignity begins with the ability to earn, work and live independently. Mission Vishwa Mamatwa Foundation, a Nagpur-based NGO, is attempting to make transition a reality for transgender people through employment. Led by Shraddha Joshi, President, the organisation helps transgender people overcome social exclusion through documentation, skills and employment. Transgenders, including MBBS, BCA and ITI-qualified individuals, have secured jobs in city, including with companies such as Vedanta. “What sets the foundation apart is its focus on equipping transgender persons with skills and employment opportunities to achieve economic independence,” said Mohini, PRO, while speaking to ‘The Hitavada’. It trains them in Kutch’s traditional Lipan art and Kolkata polka art. Their products have reached Sweden, Adani Group and Bengaluru, Delhi and Pune, besides customised orders. “God has gifted the third gender with art, music and dance,” she said. Its ‘Shiv Mudra Group’ is the first transgender group in State to perform at major platforms, including Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav, SCZCC and International Gita Mahotsav, Kurukshetra, besides CCRT programmes and Mumbai events. The foundation advocates gender-affirming surgery and conducts workshops. The Abhyudaya Seva Pradarshan 2026 gave a platform for organisation according to Mohini.