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Profile of Mrs. Promila Saraf

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF MRS. PROMILA SARAF

Promila Saraf is a firm believer that work is worship. Promila, the daughter of well known industrialist Late Shri Gujar Mal Modi is an alumini of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior and graduated from Modi College, Modi Nagar. In 1963 she married Shri R.K. Saraf, Chairman & Mg. Director, Facor Alloys Limited and moved from the cosmopolitan city of Delhi to a remote sleepy village Garividi in Andhra Pradesh (80 Kms. From Visakhapatnam)

Garividi and the surrounding villages were typical rural areas of Southern India with no English Medium Schools and very basic healthcare. Having been exposed to philanthropy from childhood at Modinagar Promila gravitated to social causes, to help the poor and needy. Taken up various services with a belief that "Service to people is Service to God".

Mrs. Promila Saraf

Vocational Units

Founded the Woman and Child Welfare Centre to have vocational skills and provide employment to poor women to lead productive lives. Introduced vocational courses such as tailoring and embroidery, printing and stationery, making of artificial limbs, bakery, candle making, detergent power making etc. Exhibitions were held to showcase their talent and encourage their earning capacity. Free sewing machines were also distributed to needy women.

  • NARI NIKETAN in 1975 (short stay home) for poor and destitute women, developed into Woman Welfare Centre and later developed into Woman & Child Welfare Centre (WCWC).
  • Vocational Units such as Tailoring & Embroidery, Bakery, Chalkpiece & Candle making etc, by giving training to women and men for improving living standards.
  • Over the years, the Centre known for welfare schemes, to house an entire range under one roof, has progressed to be one of the very few voluntary Organizations in the country.

Old Age Home for Women

Woman and Child Welfare Centre (Special Shools)

Moved by the plight of physically challenged children, Promila established "SHABDAM" School for Deaft and Mute children, "MANOVIKAS" School for mentally challenged children and "DRUSHTI" School for the visually impaired children. Teachers were sent to Hyderabad for special training to enable them to deal with these special children. Since its inception in 1980, 4809 children have benefited from these facilities. 45% of these children have obtained Government jobs, 30% are employed in the private sector and others work in self help Schemes.

Special trainings in teaching to the handicapped kids, Vocational trainings, financial assistance to the needy and handicapped helped in improving education and standard of living of many people in remote village-Garividi and surrounding Districts Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and neighbouring State, Odisha, Govt. of India has recognised the services and granted stipends and other benefits to beneficiaries. 45% of our physically challenged students got Govt. Jobs, 30% in Private jobs and the remaining are in self help schemes.

Micro Finance Programs

Recognition / Awards (State/National/International)

She is the recipient of following Awards for her services to handicapped and needy of the society:

Sulakshana Ram Janam Pandey Award

For the year 1990-91, by National Society for equal opportunities for the handicapped, Bombay for her services of the handicapped.

Ugadi Puraskar Award

On March 29, 1992 by Madras Telugu Academy for outstanding Social Services.

Mahila Shiromani Award'91

By Hon’ble Vice President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, for her contribution to National Development, Integration, Enrichment of Life and for her outstanding Achievements in the Chosen Field of Activity, on 10 th June 1992

Mahila Ratan Award

By Ex-President of India, Shri Giani Zail Singh, on International Friendship Society of India, on August 6, 1992 for Social Services. Smt. Promila Saraf President of WCWC, receiving the ‘’MAHILA RATAN AWARD’’ by International Friendship society of India on 06-08-1992 from Sri Giani Zail Singh, former President of India.

Honoured by Bharat Cultural Integration Committee

For National Integration for services in the field of social work on November 5, 1992 at Delhi.

National Award

Award for services to the handicapped, by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, New Delhi on 21 st March, 1993 on the eve of World Disabled Day Celebrations, by President of India, Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma.

National Award

Award for services to the handicapped, by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, New Delhi on 21 st March, 1993 on the eve of World Disabled Day Celebrations, by President of India, Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma.

International Award

Award for Recipient of Plaque from ‘International Who’s Who of Professional & Business Women’ for significant Career Achievements and contributions to the Society, from American Biographical Institute, North Carolina, USA in 1998.

Honour for Social Works

By Hon’ble M.P., Vizianagaram Constituency, Mrs. Jhansi Lakshmi, at International Conference of Rehaswiss, Switzerland, held at Andhra University, Wlatair, in February 2009.

Photo Gallery

Mr. Saraf distribution tricycle to the orthopadeically handicapped

Distribution of Artificial Legs

Mrs.Kumidbenjoshi, Governor of Andhra Pradesh viewing class along with Mrs.Promila Saraf and Mr.R.K.Saraf

Inauguration of Yoga village by Prof. Ramakrishna, Vice Chancellor, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

Founder with mother Mrs. Dayavati Modi at inauguration of exhibition at Delhi 03/12/1984

Blessings from Saints & Monks

Mrs. Promila Saraf with Mrs. Nargis Dutt, at the inauguration of Bombay Exhibition, 1978.

Mrs. Promila Saraf with Mrs. Subratha Banerjee, W/o His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, at the Bangalore Exhibition, 1980.

Smt Sharmila Tagore inaugurating the Bombay Exhibition, 1982

Smt. Jay Bachchan at the Bombay Exhibition, 3rd September, 1983

Lighting the Lamp by Ms. Sandhyarani, IAS, Commissioner of School Education, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh in connection with Alumini Meet on 10th December 2017

Inauguration of the Old Students get-together by Mrs. Promila Saraf, President, WCWC

Speech by Mr. Prakash, Balavihar student in connection with Alumini Function

Beneficiaries of WCWC honouring Mrs.Promila Saraf & Mr.R.K.Saraf at the Alumini Meet

Prajapitha Brahammakumaris Ishwariya Viswa Vidyalaya honouring Mrs. Promila Saraf in connection with International Women’s Day

Founder of the Yoga Village

The driving force behind the Institute at Visakhapatnam is Promila Saraf, who is the Hon. Director of the Extension Wing. The idea to provide Yoga to the people of Vizag who are constantly under stress and strain came to her mind and soon the Yoga Village came up within a few months in the sprawling lawns near the beach a Visakhapatnam. Yoga village is spread on 3-4 acres of land of the Andhra University.

The Institute for Yoga & Consciousness, a Centre set up by the Andhra University for fundamental research on min-matter interaction, is interdisciplinary in approach and international in scope. The Institute attempts to bring together the high technology of the West and the wisdom of the East for a fuller understanding of human nature. An understanding that reflects at once the experimental objectivity of science and the experiential richness of traditional practices. The Institute was formally inaugurated by then Rashtrapati Giani Zail Singh on 18th July 1985.

Impact of the work done

Having been impressed by news in Print and electronic media and public talk about starting/running of Special Schools for physically challenged children, English medium School, adoption of villages, rehabilitation programs, financial assistance to poor & needy, medical & health care activities, and various other social welfare activities, by Smt. Promila Saraf in and around Garividi, the Government authorities of State and Centre, Politians, Social Service Organizations, International Socieites have been and are visiting this village, to personally witness the sea-change brought to this remote and sleepy village, Garividi and surrounding villages. After observing the progress of this area more than what they heard, appreciation is expressed in the form of Awards.

The beneficiaries include following :

  • 4,809 children who studied in special schools are leading happy life.
  • 1 physically challged student working abroad
  • 45% of our physically challenged students got Govt. Jobs, 30% Private jobs and remaining are in self-help schemes.
  • 1,500 students are studying in English medium High School (CBSE syllabus)
  • 22 members of Staff and 28 leprosy cured persons were given house sites
  • 1,480 Free Eye camps
  • 41,800 free cataract operations
  • 1,174 got vocational training for skill development
  • 431 persons got micro credits under self help groups

To express their gratitude, about 2,500 of the beneficiaries arranged Allumini Meet (with families) at Woman and Child Welfare Centre on 10th December 2017 and celebrated as get-together. Many dignitaries including Commissioner of School Education, Ms. Sandhyarani, IAS, Asst. Director Disabled Welfare and Senior Citizen Dept., etc. have attended.

Additional Services

Arranged house sites to 28 leprosy cured persons with deformities and to 22 staff members.

Deputing the handicapped for further studies and for training programmes, after passing 10th class, and attending Rehabilitation Programs.

Arranged marriages between normal and handicapped and also within the handicapped and getting financial aid to them.

Arranged foster care services to children and handicapped.

Adoption of villages by providing services to rural people.

Conducting ‘’ANTI NATAL CARE CAMPS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN’’. Necessary tests like Blood, Urine, Ultra Sound and other routine tests by the Gynecologist. Free medicines and counseling to both the parents in case of any deficiency.

Rendered services through Maternity Home, OEU Lions Eye Hospital and Physio therapy unit. Also started Physio Therapy Unit.

Provided six months training courses to FACOR labour families in Tailoring, Embroidery & Handcrafts in association with “JANA SIKSHNA SAMSTHAN” (Govt. Centre) to enable them get employment. Distributed Sewing machines free of cost to the trainees.

To express their gratitude, about 2,500 of the beneficiaries arranged Allumini Meet (with families) at Woman and Child Welfare Centre on 10th December 2017 and celebrated as get-together. Many dignitaries including Commissioner of School Education, Ms. Sandhyarani, IAS, Asst. Director Disabled Welfare and Senior Citizen Dept., etc. have attended.

Deputing poor and needy women and widows to short stay homes, after care homes, Mahila Pranganams, etc.,of Women & Child Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Also deputing as Ayahs to consmopolitan cities and continuing after care services.

Working as catalyst between the needy and resources. Arranging bank loans, susbsidies from Government for uplifting the economic standards through Self Help Projects.

Computer Training Centre with the placement opportunities for the benefit of housewives, local students etc., with the technical support from ‘’DATAPRO’’ The unstinting support and encouragement of her husband, Sri R.K. Saraf has been her pillar of strength. She has two sons and one daughter and seven grand children. All are well settled.