Saaraakassh Trust’s SETU project is a transformative initiative dedicated to uplifting tribal villages in Murbad Taluka, Maharashtra. SETU embodies the principle of “Shiva Bhave Jeeva Seva” – serving humanity as an act of divine worship. Sparked by a farmers’ camp that led to a generous land donation from Shri Laxman Savlaram Pichad and his family, and supported by Tata Motors Employees association , SETU was constructed over 15 months by 100 local tribal workers (38 women and 62 men). Utilizing 1,30,000 locally made bricks, Tata roofing solutions, rainwater harvesting etc. The project also preserves over half an acre of land for future activities and 75+ trees to promote sustainability.

SETU rests on three pillars: Shakti (Women Empowerment), Seva (Service through a Data Centre and residential facilities), and Swadhyay (Education and Skill Development). These pillars address the core needs of tribal populations like education, health, empowerment etc.

Shakti: Empowering Women for Self-Reliance

In tribal villages where women often outnumber men but lack income sources beyond labor, Shakti fosters economic independence through training and support for Mahila Bachat Gats (women’s self-help groups). By setting up shops for widows and handicapped persons, distributing tailoring machines, and promoting forest honey, millets, pulses, and Mahua oil, Shakti empowers women as entrepreneurs. While this is already being done, what is further planned through the medium of SETU infrastructure is to start, train & handover for running small units independently in areas of tailoring, bamboo product crafting, papad and masala production, Mahua laddoos, forest vanaspati processing, millets units, agarbatti and candle making, cow manure-based products, Mahua oil extraction, and honey packaging.

The Mahila bachat gat teams already organized and ready with procedural legalities, will soon embark on this journey of self reliance

Seva: Bringing Essential Services to the Doorstep

Seva wishes to bridge the gap for remote tribal communities by establishing a data centre and e-power facilities. Services plannedinclude registering for obtaining caste certificates, 7/12 and 8A land documents, PAN/Aadhaar cards, driving licenses, xerox/print/lamination, vehicle insurance, electoral registration, online scheme applications, Ayushman cards, farmer cards, and KYC processes. This eliminates the burden of long journeys to taluka offices for illiterate & aged persons of our tribal villages. Alongside regular distribution of household items, medical camps, and farmer support (seeds, spray pumps), Seva ensures access to government schemes and basic necessities, empowering communities to navigate bureaucracy and improve their quality of life.

Swadhyay: Nurturing the Next Generation Through Education.

For us, Swadhyay, meaning “Pudchi Pidhi Pudcha Paool” (The Next Generation, The Next Step), focuses on job-oriented education and life skills. Programs include urban-rural exchanges, classes of curriculum forschool students, books/stationery/educational aids, anganwadi revamps, sponsorships for higher education, weekly computer classes for youth, and skill development in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and electrician work with startup support. By combating malnutrition through meal plans, hosting monthly Ayurveda camps, ENT/dental/eye camps, and supporting surgeries, Swadhyay creates an enabling environment for learning. Initiatives like refurbished bicycles, sports equipment, uniforms, toys, and vana bhojana (forest picnics) , sports activities ,make education engaging, while repairs to anganwadis and ZP schools ensure safe learning spaces.

Camps and Community Engagement: Fostering Holistic Growth

SETU drives transformation through regular camps:

Health Camps: Regular Ayurveda sessions, ENT/eye camps with cataract surgeries, and support for chronic ailments.

Agriculture Camps: Promoting natural farming methods, government schemes, and residential training in poultry, goat farming, and cattle rearing, with subsidies for equipment and seeds.

In addition to this there will also be camps on varied topics from Farming practices, to financial literacy, Rights and duties of citizens, Art & craft, and other hobby classes during the course of the financial  year.

Will the trustees and volunteers be able to embark on this journey in such a wide spread of geography by themselves ?  The answer is obviously No, and for that we are in the process of earmarking Setu Mitra , per village who will be the bridge between their village and our trust. Each setu mitra will be trained on areas of planning, mobilizing, identify issues specific to their village & ensure success of projects & camps held under the umbrella of SETU.

SETU is poised to transform rural lives by fostering self-sustaining communities, reducing poverty, improving health, and unlocking educational potential. As a nimitta matra (mere instrument), we invite you to join us in this journey of service.

Shri Gurubhyo Namaha.