In the midst of the busy streets of Rajkot, Gujarat, a casual meeting at a traffic signal changed the life of a man and triggered a journey of compassion. From only seven senior citizens in 2015, the project has grown to become the largest old age home in India, with an ambitious target of providing shelter to 5,000 destitute senior citizens. The story of SadbhavnaVruddhashram is more than just the addition of infrastructure; it is the transformation of senior care in India.
A Life-Changing Encounter:
The genesis of Sadbhavna vrudhashram traces back to a transformative moment in founder Vijay Dobariya’s life. Six years before establishing the ashram, he encountered a frail 70 years old maan at a traffic signal who was desperately trying to sell chikkus to feed his family. The elderly vendor could barely walk or speak, begging passersby for help. Vijaybhai was moved when he learned the man had gone days without a proper meal and was met with indifference from others.
The encounter shattered Vijaybhai’s perception of how society treats its elderly. He purchased the entire lot from the vendor and gave him money to take home. But more importantly, it planted a seed that would eventually grow into one of India’s most significant eldercare institutions.
The humble beginning
On August 15,2015 Indian Independence Day Sadbhavna Vrudhashram was officially founded. The symbolism was profound just as India celebrated freedom, this institution began offering liberation from abandonment and suffering for the nation’s forgotten elderly.
Starting with only seven senior citizens, Vijaybhai had a clear vision. Unlike conventional old age homes that only accepted healthy elderly individuals, Sadbhavnachose to embrace the most vulnerable those who were sick, incapacitated, and bedridden, with no place to turn once their health deteriorated. This inclusive approach became the institution’s defining characteristic.
The early days were marked by modest goals but extraordinary commitment. The ashram provided basic medicines, daily amenities, and financial support to residents who lacked dependents or pensions. Since its inception, the organization allocated a small weekly allowance of Rs.100 to each resident to help them maintain some financial independence.
The growth trajectory of Sadbhavna has been nothing short of remarkable. From seven residents, the numbers grew steadily : 256,then 300,400,550 and eventually crossing 650 residents by 2024. The existing facility in Rajkot has been operational for ten years and currently cares for 650 childless individuals, including 200 who are completely bedridden.
The growth wasn’t merely numerical. The institution developed a comprehensive care model that went beyond shelter. Residents received not just accommodation but holistic support including medical care, nutrition,hygiene products and emotional companionship. The ashram distinguished itself by continuing to care for elderly residents even when they became severely ill, unable to manage basic daily activities.
The operational team expanded accordingly, with qualified professionals including caretakers,helpers,nurses,physiotherapist,administrative staff and housekeeping assistants all working to ensure residents received dignified care.
The Vision Expands: India’s Largest Old Age Home:
By 2024, Sadbhavna Vrudhashram success inspired an audacious expansion. The Manav Seva Charitable Trust announced plans to construct what would be not just India’s but the world’s largest old age home facility. The project involves seven towers, each with 11 floors, accommodating 1,400 rooms across 30 acres along the Rajkot – Jamnagar Highway at Rampar.
The financial commitment is staggering.The expansion requires an investment of Rs 400 crore to provide free, lifelong shelter to 5,000 elderly individuals. The scale reflects the growing crisis of elderly abandonment in India and the institution’s determination to address it comprehensively.
Conclusion:
The transformation of Sadbhavna Vrudasharm from a modest shelter for seven elderly souls to India’s largest old age home is a testament to what compassionate vision combined with persistent action can achieve. Under Swami Parmatmananda Saraswati’s patronage and Vijaybhai Dobariya’s leadership, the institution has redefined eldercare in India.
As India grapples with changing family structures and an aging population, Sadbhavna Vrudhashram offers both a safety net and a model of dignity. It proves that the ancient Indian values of ‘ Matridevo Bhava’( mother is divine) can find contemporary expression through institutional care that honors weather than warehouses the elderly
The journey from traffic signal encounter to sheltering thousands represents more than organisational growth; it embodies a societal awakening to our collective responsibility toward those who built the nation we now enjoy.
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