History

In the Indian history, we have many people who have devoted their entire life for the society. The name of Dr.Shivajirao Patwardhan(Dajisaheb) is worth mentioning here. In order to restore humanity to the dehumanised leprosy patients, Dr.Shivajirao Patwardhan, a great freedom-fighter and humanist, founded a social organisation named Vidarbha Maharogi Seva Mandal, Tapovan in 1950. This organisation was formed with a vision to remove stigma, fear and ignorance about the leprosy and to make the victims self-reliant by encouraging them to earn their own livelihood.

        The Vidarbha Maharogi Seva Mandal started offering treatment and shelter to leprosy patients. It worked to restore them to a life of dignity by helping them to become independent and rehabilitate them in the society. Various categories of leprosy patients seeked the help of the institution when leprosy was considered a great stigma. The institution promptly attended to their needs, gave them medicines and sent them home if they wanted to go back. The patients who suffered from the repeated reaction and could not go back were admitted and treated in the institution. The patients who were absolutely helpless or handicapped were provided the shelter and care of the institution. They were trained in small industries and encouraged to become self-reliant.The old and dying patients, free from diseases with no one to care for them continued to live here until their death.

        Dr. Dajisaheb Patwardhan soon after starting of Tapovan realized the need to run a fully equipped hospital for treating the patients. For that he took the help of Dr. P.S.Alsi, a renowned surgeon, and Dr. Motilalji Rathi, an eminent physician and present president. Both together took the medical treatment of leprosy patients to new heights by newer and highly effective drugs and by operating the patients for correction of disabilities. Shri Balasaheb Marathe, one of the co-workers of Dajisaheb, brought awareness in the society through his writings in his daily newspaper ‘Hindustan’. Saint Late Shri Achyut Maharaj was also invited by Dajisaheb for spiritual uplifting of the inmates. Dajisaheb was also helped by numerous generous families like Shri Thakare and Shri Dotiwala. They donated their lands for the development of Tapovan. The people of Amravati and those who were influenced by the Dajisaheb’s work and commitment, helped the Mandal by donating money.

        The institution was able to obtain railway concession in 1970 and bus travel concession in Maharashtra in 1980. The Mandal started the branches at Murtizapur, Darwha, Shendurjana and Shioni. From 1958 to 1984, the institution offered the services for the leprosy-affected people in the jails. Patients who lost their spouses or could not marry because of stigma, prevailed in the institution.

        In 1984, Dajisaheb handed over the institution to the Government of Maharashtra. Since then, Tapovan is managed by the Trust with the help of a government officer on deputation as the director in terms of the resolution of the Executive Committee.
Tapovan is still actively working for the welfare of the leprosy-affected people.