IMPLEMENTING 'TENA TYAKTENA BHUNJITHA' BY SYNCHRONISING SAMAJA, SARKARA, AND SANSTHAN IN COLLABORATIVE FRAMEWORKS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

Abstract

India has long been a land of community living with charitable sharing of resources throughout history. Premising on the Upanishadic adage of Tena Tyaktena Bhunjitha, (Enjoy with a sense of sacrifice) referred to by Mahatma Gandhi on several occasions during his public speeches, this study explores a model of collaboration of all key components of society towards sustainable development for all. The study traverses an innovative collaborative model presented by a non-government charitable organisation, Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission (SMSGHM) where collaboration and sharing of resources with all the key components of society, towards those in need, is explored in the premise of the Gandhian model of sustainability, based on interdependence, and inclusivity. Referred to herein as Samaja Sarkara Sansthan-involving the collaboration of the three key components of a society. Samaja through its benefactors and resources, the Sarkara or the government through its policies and approvals, and the profit-making institutions, Sansthan through their organised structure of Corporate Social Responsibility. The primary aim of this exploratory study was to qualitatively examine the efficacy of the model of collaboration in terms of facilitating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on quality education, hunger management, and quality healthcare through the massive projects being undertaken by SMSGHM, under the leadership of humanitarian and spiritual Master Sri Madhusudan Sai. The SMSGHM serves nutritious breakfasts to a crore of government school students, and anganwadis per day. It runs 28 fully residential educational institutions based on the Modern Gurukula System, from grade 6 to doctoral, a free Medical College, and a chain of Super and Multi-Speciality Medical Hospitals in 60 nations, providing top-tier infrastructure and amenities, completely free of all costs.

Adopting a methodology of direct observation from the field, record reference, and information from the key persons, and a few testimonials by the beneficiaries and leaders, the study undertook a comprehensive descriptive analysis along with a statistical reference to the service initiatives under the collaborative model of Samaja, Sarakara, Sansthan by SMSGHM, with specific reference to quality maintenance, and growth in infrastructure, all the while addressing its impact on overall well-being. The paper also takes a close look at community improvement through the effective application of SDGs.