The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. – Mahatma Gandhi
The Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust (KGNMT) is a pioneer Gandhian Institution setup in Indore by Mahatma Gandhi in 1945 in the memory of Kasturba Gandhi. The Trust is dedicated to the empowerment of women & children from rural areas. Twenty two states setup their own branches on the same lines. The main objectives of the trust are
- To organize welfare services for the women & children from rural areas.
- To establish & maintain the institutions like hospitals, old age homes, schools etc.
- Women empowerment through skill training in various vocations.
Mahatma Gandhi personally trained Yashodharma Dassappa, a renowned social worker to start a branch of KGNMT in Karnataka which she did in Arsikere, District Hassan. With the help of many dedicated social workers she began various activities in remote villages of Chikmaglur, Mandya, Belgaum, Chitradurga etc. Local people generously donated land & cash for much needed services such as maternity & child health centres, Balwadis, non-formal education, Goshala, Anganwadi Training Centres etc. Till date, the Trust workers are remembered for their selfless services by the locals.
Donations to KGNMT qualify for income tax exemption under section 80-G.
The trust is also registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA Reg No 0633000007, 1985).
Dr Karunakaran Trivedi
Chairperson
Prof GB Shivaraju
Trustee
Dr Usha Abrol
Pratinidhi
