The Late Smt. Janakibai (Akka) Tendulkar, Mahilashram, Lanja is a charitable institution working for destitute children and women. The institute is located at Lanja, a taluka place and an upcoming city in Ratnagiri District. It is about 365 km. Away from Mumbai on Mumbai-Goa highway.
The veteran freedom fighters Smt. Janakibai (Akka) Tendulkar and Smt. Kumudtai Rege who received inspiration and valuable guidance from Late Shri. Appasaheb Patwardhan, founded the institution in 1957. Initially, the work started with establishing balwadies and launching an adult literacy program for women. However, it was gradually realized that apart from education the womenfolk in rural areas require the basic guidance to tackle their day-to-day problems. To guide and empower these women, Mahilashram came into existence. At the point of inception, the ashram dealt with the issue of destitute women and gradually extended its scope to orphaned children as well. The institution has completed 57 years now. The rehabilitation and upliftment work of women and children is attempted by the means of education as well as vocational guidance. So far 3000 women and children have been rehabilitated through our institution.
The Institution has Expanded into the following Branches.
- Short Stay Home For Women
- Balgruh For Children
- Observation Home For Children
- Old Age Home For Women
- Working Women's Hostel
- Adoption Centre
All these sections are independent and are situated in the four buildings constructed by the institution. Approximately 120 inmates live together as family members and enjoy Ashram life.
Sections of the Mahilashram
BALGRUH FOR CHILDREN
The section has also been functional ever since the beginning of the institution. In the year 1965 the state government recognized this section. These children who finish their term in the Observation home are admitted into this section as per the order of the Juvenile Court. Their lodging, boarding as well as education are looked after by the ashram. In addition to it the deserving students are also provided with the educational facility. The institution takes pride in stating that all the beneficiaries of this section are now well settled and are doing very well in their respective fields. So far around 2120 children have benefitted through this section.
OBSERVATION HOME
A parallel section to the Balgruh is the Observation home which has also been running ever since the institution has been established. In the year 1982 this section was recognised by the government. Girls below the age of 18 and boys below the age of 6 are looked after in this section. So far approximately 1115 children have benefitted from the same and have been successfully rehabilitated.
OLD AGE HOME FOR WOMEN (VRIDHANCHE SHANTI SADAN)
In the year 1992, due to the generous donation by Dr. Mangesh Vishnu Parulkar Trust we could establish Shreemati Muktabai Mangesh Parulkar Shanti Sadan, an old age home for women. Women above the age of 60 years are admitted to the home. In order to cover their basic expenses a moderate amount is taken from them. This home has the capacity to accommodate around 10 persons at a given point of time. So far 70 beneficiaries have happily lived in this home
WORKING WOMEN’S HOSTLE
Lanja is an upcoming place situated on Mumbai-Goa highway. The percentage of women working in offices has increased as well. The migrated working women are provided with safe and reliable hostle facility in reasonable charges in Mahilashram. At a time around 26 women can be accommodated in this section. So far around 50 women have benefitted from it.
OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR INMATES
The inmates are encouraged to participate in various types of cultural programmes and sports activities organized by Government bodies. Gathering, trips and picnics are other programmes arranged every year. The institution has a small piece of agricultural land where they experience cultivation of vegetable and different types of plants.