From transforming an ancestral wada into a residential home to creating educational opportunities for tribal, nomadic, and denotified children, Anant Zende has spent nearly two decades helping marginalised communities build brighter futures.
When Anant Zende founded the Mahamanav Baba Amte Multipurpose Social Service Organization in Shrigonda, Maharashtra, in 2008, he had no government grants or large institutional backing. What he did have was a belief that every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to education, care, and the opportunity to lead a dignified life.
Today, the organisation provides residential care, education, documentation support, healthcare, and skill development for children from tribal, nomadic, and denotified communities. Operating through public support, it has grown into a 4.5-acre campus that houses 140 children, while a separate hostel for 100 tribal girls is currently under construction.
Growing Up With A Sense Of Purpose
Anant’s commitment to social service began long before he established his organisation.
He lost his mother a day after his birth and was raised by his grandmother and aunt in Chikhali village, Maharashtra. Although his family owned agricultural land and enjoyed financial stability, he chose to earn independently while pursuing social work. He currently works as a peon at Shri Bhaneshwar Bhangaon Vidyalaya, run by the Gyanadeep Rural Development Service Organization.
Public service was also part of his family’s legacy. His grandfather, Parvatrao Zende Patil, participated in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement and later served on the District Local Board. Another grandfather, Harishchandra Zende Patil, worked with educationist Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil and helped establish the Janata Janardan Education Society.
As a young volunteer, Anant drew inspiration from rural reformers such as Anna Hazare and Popatrao Pawar, participating in village sanitation campaigns and encouraging community participation despite initial criticism.
Learning From Grassroots Changemakers
A turning point came in 2004, when Anant visited Snehalaya during a National Service Scheme camp and met its founder, Girish Kulkarni. There, he was introduced to grassroots social work and institutional management.
He later attended the Shramsanskar Camp at Anandwan, founded by Baba Amte, where witnessing rehabilitation efforts among people affected by leprosy profoundly shaped his outlook.
According to Anant, Dr. Vikas Amte encouraged him while reminding him that social work requires perseverance, sacrifice, and resilience. Inspired by these experiences, he decided to establish an organisation dedicated to children who had long remained excluded from mainstream education.
Building A Home For Children Left Behind
Soon after the organisation was established, a hostel serving children from the Phase Pardhi community closed, leaving many without shelter or educational support.
Their parents approached Anant for help.
Despite limited resources, he welcomed the children into his hostel. Many lacked birth certificates, school records, or identity documents, making school admissions difficult. Some had also experienced social stigma from an early age.
The organisation helped secure birth registrations, Aadhaar cards, caste certificates, school admissions, and legal guardianship where necessary. It also encouraged children to adopt names that reflected dignity and confidence, helping them move beyond identities shaped by discrimination.
From An Old Wada To A Growing Campus
The organisation began in an ancestral Kulkarni Wada, made available by Mumbai resident Girish Nilkanth Kulkarni. Inspired by Pune’s Student Aid Committee, Anant first established a hostel for economically disadvantaged college students before expanding his work to younger children.
As awareness grew, public support followed.
A feature published in Loksatta inspired contributions from 949 donors across Maharashtra, enabling the organisation to expand into its current 4.5-acre campus.
Today, the campus houses 140 tribal, nomadic, and denotified children, while construction continues on a separate hostel for 100 tribal girls. The institution also provides employment opportunities to single women through its community kitchen.
Beyond Education
Over the years, the organisation has expanded beyond residential care to address the multiple barriers faced by marginalised families.
Its initiatives include the Vidya Vardan Initiative, scholarship and sponsorship programmes, Sadhana Balbhavan, Aarambh Balniketan, and the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Study Centre, which prepares students for competitive examinations.
The organisation also supports computer education, vocational training, agricultural learning, healthcare, and access to government welfare schemes by helping families obtain essential documents such as Aadhaar cards, caste certificates, ration cards, voter IDs, and bank accounts.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it distributed ration kits to nearly 2,000 families and helped more than 350 children access child-care scholarships and government support.
Creating Pathways To Opportunity
According to the organisation, 56 former students have entered government service, including Milind Chavan and Premkumar Dandekar from the Pardhi community, who now serve as police sub-inspectors.
Many others have pursued higher education, entrepreneurship, and professional careers, demonstrating the long-term impact of sustained educational support.
In 2022, Anant and three Pardhi students also participated in the India–Bangladesh Friendship Cycle Yatra, inspired by Snehalaya’s peace initiative, reflecting the confidence and opportunities that education can foster.
Looking Ahead
With its girls’ hostel under construction and educational programmes continuing to expand, the Mahamanav Baba Amte Multipurpose Social Service Organization hopes to reach more children from communities that continue to face historical discrimination and social exclusion.
For Anant Zende, the mission remains centred on ensuring that every child has access to education, dignity, and the opportunity to build an independent future.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Anant Zende’s journey demonstrates how community-led initiatives can address educational inequality by combining learning with residential care, legal identity, healthcare, and long-term mentorship. His work highlights that meaningful social change often grows through consistent grassroots efforts supported by communities, volunteers, and local partnerships.
As India works towards making education more inclusive, initiatives like these remind us that opportunity should never depend on a child’s social background. When communities invest in education and dignity, they help create stronger and more equitable futures for generations to come.
How can more local communities support grassroots initiatives that expand educational opportunities for tribal, nomadic, and denotified children?
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