November 14, 2026: Dr. Manibhai Desai – the Founder of BAIF and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, strongly believed in the traditional wisdom of rural communities. Based on this belief, he launched various poverty alleviation programmes with overwhelming support from these families.
The rural development programme initiated by BAIF 60 years ago under the visionary leadership of our Founder, continues to contribute to nation building and Viksit Bharat through its diverse field programmes and policy initiatives. BAIF is reaching over 50 lakh families annually across 115,416 villages in 397 districts of 18 States through livestock development, water and natural resource management, farm and non-farm livelihoods, women’s empowerment, health and nutrition, education and skilling, climate action, agrobiodiversity conservation, renewable energy and rural entrepreneurship. These initiatives are strengthening livelihoods, climate resilience, food security and the quality of life of rural communities.
On his 33rd death anniversary today – November 14, 2026, the BAIF family pledges its continued mission of rural prosperity.
