Capt Purushottam Sharma (Retd.)
More than a century old Ved Mandir is a multi-faceted organization with a confluence of spiritual, social and charitable activities. It is one of the most valuable assets of our City of Temples in terms of social service to the suffering mankind.
The sacred, serene and salubrious premises owned by the Ved Mandir Committee measures over ten acres (84 kanals and 5 marlas) land at Ambphalla, Jammu, with lush green dense forest area of Manda on the Northern side that enriches the environment with plenty of cool and caressing breeze. The land was gifted by Maharaja Pratap Singh on 20th December 2016, (8th Poh,1873 Vikrami Samvat) to His Holiness Swami Champa Nath ji Maharaj for the purpose of dissemination of Vedic Teachings, promote Vedic Culture and serve other good causes. A financial grant of rupees ten thousand was also given by the Maharaja for construction of a Ved Mandir. This old monument was repeatedly renovated for spiritual activities. Ved Mandir Committee is a duly registered Society since 26th May 1964, under the Societies Registration Act IV of 1998.
Ved Mandir Managing Committee is running the following Institutions:
Maharaja Pratap Singh Ved Vidyalaya
It was a befitting homage to Maharaja Pratap Singh when this Ved Vidyalaya was inaugurated by Dr.Karan Singh, a former Union Minister, on 22nd of October, 2011 dedicating it to the memory of illustrious Dogra Ruler in the presence of a celebrated Saint, His Holiness Swami Govind Dev Giri ji Maharaj. It was the first Ved Vidyalaya in J&K and 22nd among all over the country established by Maharishi Ved Vyas Prathishthan, Pune. Nearly ten years old Institution with 23 inmates at present partly fulfills the chief aim of founding Ved Mandir. Vedas are the repository of immeasurable values and an unbounded ocean of infinite wisdom. Research work on these Holy ancient texts can bring out pearls of values to liberally share with and illumine the world to gear up transformation to usher in a Golden Era where virtues of mutual faith and love, non- violence and humility and spirit of sacrifice and service can flower and flourish.
Keeping in view this fruition, Maharaja Partap Singh’s most cherished longing and in fulfillment of the principal aim of ‘Dissemination of Vedic Teachings and Professing of Vedic Culture’ in its full measure, Ved Mandir Committee may now consider and endeavor to establish a Vedic Research Institute. The intention expressed in the announcement made by the Ved Mandir Management Committee in a Press Conference on 19th April 2005, will also turn true. An elegant multistorey building has already come up for this specific purpose with sizeable space for philosophical interaction and discussion. The Institute can prove a promising seat of learning and prepare scholars for playing crucial role in making INDIA truly “Global Knowledge Production Nation”.
Ved Mandir Balniketan
This Orphanage for boys started in May 1961, with just 5 children has now 55 children.
Hundreds of orphaned children belonging to militancy affected areas of Doda, Kishtwar and Udhampur were sheltered in this Balniketan and delivered excellent care. It has ten dormitories, a spacious dining hall and other allied facilities. Four dormitories were constructed by the Army Authorities under “OP SADBHAVNA” and two by J&K Police Authorities under Civic Action Program.
Ved Mandir Balikaniketan
The long-felt need of an Orphanage for girl children was realized when the ground floor of “KESAR BEN VELJI POPAT BHAVAN” (a comely building over 7000 sq. ft area) to house the orphaned girl children, most of them victims of militancy, hailing from Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, was inaugurated by a girl child namely, SIMRAN, on 29th March, 2006, on behalf of Narendrabhai Popat and Jyoti, an American couple of Gujarat origin. The Bhawan is dedicated by Narendra Popat in the memory of his parents. Narendra Popat, an admirable philanthropist, had made major contribution in financing this Project through IDRF (INDIA Development and Relief Fund). All care takers in the service of girl children are women titled as ‘mothers’ who treat the girl-children affectionately.
It is pertinent to mention here the name of Rattana Bakshi, an American citizen of Jammu origin, for her generosity and thoughtfulness towards the orphan children who lent commendable support both in cash and kind during her visits to Jammu. She made handsome donation for purchase of cash certificates for all the girl children to meet expenses on marriage when they come up of that age. She has been very affectionate towards these inmates.
Ved Mandir Paathshaala
This Primary School is being run exclusively for the orphan children of Balniketan and Balikaniketan. Construction of the school was funded by Dr. Anita Arora, a practicing Paediatrician, an American citizen of Jammu origin. The building was inaugurated by Smt. Lakshmi on behalf of Dr Anita Arora. Dr. Anita Arora is a noble –hearted soul who has been very compassionate in supporting these less fortunate children. The school became functional on 7th April, 2006.
Free Homeopathic Dispensary.
Paying homage to his father, Sh Ashish Kapoor lighted the lamp symbolizing the start of this Dispensary on 7th July, 2008. All expenses on its running are being borne by the philanthropist couple Ashish Kapoor Sita Kapoor of Jammu origin permanently settled in USA. The Dispensary stands dedicated in the memory of Dr. Lachhman Dass Kapoor (Shri Ashish’s father) which has provided healthcare to thousands of poor people in the society.
Ved Mandir Vocational Training Center
Shri Ashish Kapoor financed the raising of a multistorey building also known as ‘PRAKASH BHAVAN” in the memory of his esteemed parents which is being used for imparting vocational training to the inmates of Balniketan, Balikaniketan and Ved Vidyalaya. The complex contains sizeable space to cater for varieties of other activities e.g. inpatient facility in Free Homeopathic Dispensary with lab or to accommodate children, if intake is stepped up in two orphanages and Ved Vidyalaya.
Temples Complex
To sanctify and enrich the surroundings aesthetically and to meet the spiritual needs of the people in the vicinity (i.e., residents of Karan Nagar and Ambphalla), there is a magnificent Temples Complex with 6-7 different deities with a large Satsang Hall and vast area in front furnished in all respects with secured basil (tulsi) plants, water tanks, Havan Kunds etc.
Another proposal awaiting materialization is ‘Ved Mandir Annapoorna Bhojanalaya’, that aims at provision of free food to the destitute, disabled and homeless ensuring that nobody sleeps hungry. Past experience goes to show that people will liberally finance this Project both in cash and kind. Some volunteers will also come forward to supplement management. Since there is no dearth of assets, Ved Mandir may consider its viability and undertake this social welfare measure.
There are other NGOs working on Ved Mandir premises having their own Managing Committees, namely,
Home for the Aged and Infirm
This Home was founded on 8th June, 1964. Housing 50 inmates at present, it excels in caring the elderly and infirm persons with compassion and commitment. Inmates have comfortable stay, health care, nourishing food, prayer facilities and reverential treat. It can accommodate one hundred such inmates.
J&K Gow Raksha Samiti
The Samiti has around 500 ‘Kaamdhenus’ and cares them treating it a Divine work. It has Branches in Village Dhatriyal and Jindrah. People liberally donate for the nourishment of these celestial beings. It is a joy to see the naughty young calves gleefully skipping and dancing in ecstasy. Health-care facilities for them exist within the compound.
Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission, a Charitable Hospital
It was inaugurated by Late Pt. Prem Nath Dogra Ji on 12th of January, 1970, on the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda in a small room as a Dispensary. Today, it is one of the top Health-Care facilities that has bestowed health and happiness on thousands of patients.
Shanti Sadhana Ashram
This place of worship was inaugurated by Swami Gaibananda Ji Maharaj in October, 1978, in a single room. Since then, it has grown into adequate size and fully meets the requirements of Swami Ji’s disciples.
Bhartiya Vidya Mandir
This Higher Secondary School with CBSE affiliation is being run by Bhartiya Shiksha Samiti.
School is well-known for its all-round quality education, games and sports facilities, competent faculty, ideal environment and EXCELLENT results. It has around 350 students on its rolls.
Seva Bharti
It is an All-India Organization. Its Office in the complex is invariably found humming with social service activities. It is always in fore-front in relief works whenever any disaster or calamity befalls. It has been held in all praise for its social service during COVID-19 epidemic.
Jammu Kashmir Sahayta Samiti
It is a registered NGO since 1991 and aims at to extend its helping hand to the migrants and residents of border areas in distress due to physical ailments, handicapped persons of underprivileged classes and launches other social welfare measures.
Bhartiya Shiksha Samiti
This Samiti is a registered Society affiliated to Vidya Bharti Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Sansthan. The Society is giving excellent service in the field of education by covering difficult terrains.
Jai Kargil Jai Bharat Kosh Trust
This NGO dedicatedly watches the interests of Kargil War 1999 Heroes and their dependents and also those suffered due to the Conflict and renders assistance to deserving cases.
Poorav Sainik Seva Parishad
It is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen of the Armed Forces and their families.
Institute of Natural Hygiene
This Institute provides treatment to the patients by using earth, water, sunlight etc. and has successfully cured some patients suffering from chronic diseases.
(The author was Office bearer of Ved Mandir Committee)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
