Sheltered at Seva Sadan

From a modest room that was meant to shelter persecuted women in India, the Seva Sadan Society (SSS) has in the last 100 years grown into a multifunctional organization seeking to educate and empower the underprivileged girls and women. Concerned about the prevailing social injustices at that time, Behramjee Malabari and his good friend Rishi Dayaram Gidumal Shahani had founded SSS as a charitable institution in 1908 to protect these women. Over the years SSS has been managing an orphanage home for destitute women, a pre-primary, primary and secondary school, primary teachers’ training college, vocational courses and women’s self sufficiency activities, as also catering facilities in the form of their food outlet Aahaar and the restaurant By the Way at their centrally located premises at Gamdevi.

In their centenary year they have undertaken the Malabari Hall Renovation Project whereby the nearly 250-seater Hall, hitherto used for its school functions and programs, could be hired out to generate additional income once it is equipped with facilities like air conditioning, improved acoustics, Internet connectivity which would be ideal for corporate seminars and professional training programs as also prestigious functions, as notes their website www.sevasadan.org. With renovations costing an estimated Rs 40 lakhs, the 12-member committee that oversees the functioning of this organization hopes to see bookings for the transformed Malabari Hall beginning November 2007.

Education and training imparted at the Seva Sadan Society School: emphasis on self-sufficiency

The inhouse catering options available at the venue should add to its appeal. Aahaar is their take-away outlet/cafetaria providing low cost traditional food items as also supplying regular meals to homes and corporates. By the Way is a modern restaurant which provides home-style wholesome food and beverages. These facilities provide training and job experience for students and generate revenue to help the non-profit organization to be self-sufficient. In fact the nominal income generated from these activities after paying the women is utilized towards the expenses of their various activities.

Their pre-primary school trains nearly 100 children. While originally only Marathi was taught, English too has now been introduced. The Primary School which is aided by the Brihan­mumbai Mahanagarpalika is able to accommodate nearly 350 students. The Secondary School which receives assistance from the Education Department of the Maharashtra Government has the largest component of 500 students, according to their website. The Primary Teachers’ Training College offers a two-year recognized diploma course in education. Vocational courses in computer education, tailoring, embroidery give the ladies the necessary self-confidence to earn a livelihood. "Education and training can equip them to get employment in new job options and make them secure in the new social milieu,” notes a press release from the SSS honorary secretary Khurshed Pavri. Presently serving as president of SSS is Guddi Advani with Vira Vaghaiwalla as vice president, Meheru Panthaki as joint honorary secretary and Kashmira Dajee as honorary treasurer. "Unity and service” are the key factors at Seva Sadan, as incorporated in their logo.

Students gain confidence at Seva Sadan Society

Their hostel accommodates some females totally free of cost and charges a nominal fee from those who are able to pay. The Parsi dormitory has been largely underutilized with barely one or two occupants availing of the facilities. Formerly Parsi women from Gujarat would come here to learn a trade and then pursue independent lives as reported in "The Spirit of Seva Sadan” (Par­siana, October 1990). Although built for both Parsi and Hindu destitute women, mainly it is the Hindu women who have benefited here as there are sufficient Parsi institutions looking after its needy.

Baroda born Malabari himself hailed from a poor family and was orphaned by the age of 12. With his determination and application he came to be respected as an educationist, journalist, poet, social reformer.

"To carry forward the good work initiated by our founders 100 years ago…the Society requests all philanthropic Parsis around the world to consider donating towards the cause of the underprivileged. All donations to SSS enjoy 50 percent income-tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. The Society is also registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act which enables it to receive donations in foreign currency,” notes their appeal. Donations in the name of Seva Sadan Society may be forwarded to their office at Pandita Ramabai Road, Gamdevi, Bombay 400012, tel: 23808005, 23889109, e-mail: sevasadan @hotmail.com, website: www. sevasadan.org