Have you heard of a dedicated facility to train our social and political activists? A facility that trains public representatives. A place that does research on social issues and gives this as input to our chosen leaders. Can you think of a 15-acre lush green eco-friendly setup in the city of Mumbai? Well, know about Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini.
Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini Knowledge Excellence Centre
Well, you need to visit their (RMP) Knowledge Excellence Centre (KEC) at Uttan village near Essel World in Mumbai. RMP is an organization that works towards creating capabilities for representatives of people and workers in voluntary organizations. By providing them with the required training and helping them develop leadership skills. They also do research on subjects like Abstained voters. Organize lectures on subjects of public interest. They also let the business organizations use their premises for conducting training.
Campus
The campus is a real breather in a city that has no concept of space and environment. Being a part of a much larger Keshav Srushti initiative, the environment here is simply inviting. There are simple but comfortable rooms for the participants to stay in. A clean food court to enjoy simple meals served here. And if you like some luxuries like a swimming pool is also there too. We were told there are more than 100 varieties of plants on campus. I wonder if they can do a walk introducing people and especially children to these plants. The sea is just within walking distance. You never get a feel of being in a big city.
Library
For me, the best part of the campus was its library. They have books on various subjects. But an elegant copy of the Constitution of India takes the center stage in this library. The personal library of the Late Pramod Mahajan has been made part of this library. One has to admit that it is a huge collection of books. The associate proudly informed us that not only had this collection but also had read all these books. Standing there I wondered if we could know people by the books they left back as their legacy.
If you are an NGO or someone working in the social field you can approach this organization for any help in building your capabilities or skills. If you are someone who specializes in a field that can help social/political activists you can get associated with them as a resource person and help build public organizations.
Do make it a part of your itinerary in Mumbai… it is one of its kind places.
