April 27, 2022 :
Dr. Manibhai Desai, the Founder of BAIF pioneered the Rural Development Movement in India. Today, it is because of his vision that 4 million families have come out of poverty through BAIF’s innovative programmes of dairy husbandry, water resources development and tribal rehabilitation and firm commitment to environmental protection, women empowerment and community health in 12 states. He also inspired thousands of youth to join the voluntary movement. The BAIF family spread across various states paid their tribute to their Founder on the occasion of his 102nd birth anniversary and pledged to continue his mission of Sustainable Rural Development.
The Jan Samvad (community dialogue) initiative was launched on this day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Late Dr. Manibhai Desai. The event was held at Dr. Manibhai Desai Memorial Garden at Lachhakadi. Many villagers from surrounding villages who had worked with Dr. Manibhai Desai, shared their experiences and the transformation that had taken place in their lives and that of their villages. This initiative promoted by BISLD, South Gujarat, aims at establishing a regular dialogue with the community to enable them to share their experiences, issues, efforts and aspirations and to understand their perspective towards development, suitable solutions suggested by them and resources to be mobilised. With regular engagement with the local communities, data sets of potential villages and their issues will be generated and the scope for innovation and programme development will be strengthened.