Centre for Excellence to nurture dreams of 200 underprivileged

**Surat: A Centre for Excellence to Empower Underprivileged Youth**

The dreams of underprivileged children in Surat to build glittering careers in civil services, medical fields, and sports are set to be realized with the establishment of a unique Centre for Excellence. Inspired by Gandhian philosophy, this centre aims to shape 200 youth who will pledge never to indulge in corruption.

The centre will take complete responsibility for the education, training, lodging, and boarding of these children, enabling them to pursue their aspirations with dignity and moral strength.

### Inspired by a Lasting Legacy

This ambitious project draws inspiration from the last will and testament of Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Kanubhai Gandhi, and his wife, Dr. Schiva Gandhi, written in 2018. Following their generous donations, the Dr. Schiva and Kanu Ramdas Mohandas Gandhi Charitable Trust was established to sponsor the construction of a six-storey building at IG Desai Vidhya Sankul in Bhatar.

Kanubhai and Schiva Gandhi spent their final years in Surat before passing away in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

### A Cradle of Values and Education

More than just an academic institute, the centre is envisioned as a cradle of values where Gandhian ideals of truth, simplicity, and selfless service are seamlessly integrated into modern education.

Kanubhai Gandhi was an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and had worked at NASA and the United States Department of Defense. Dr. Schiva Gandhi was a professor and researcher at the Boston Biomedical Research Institute.

### A Vision to Uplift the Younger Generation

Parimal Desai, managing trustee of the Gandhi Trust, shared with TOI, “Kanubhai and Schivaben made wills in favour of each other. After Kanubhai’s death in 2016, Schivaben executed her final will in 2018, expressing her wish to use their trust’s money to spread Gandhian philosophy among the younger generation.”

He added, “She envisioned this centre to raise the spiritual level of students alongside academic excellence, providing them with every facility to dream big. The only pledge they must take is to stay away from corruption and resist the lure of easy money from wrong sources.”

### Facilities and Funding

Estimated to cost around Rs 20 crore, the centre is primarily funded by the Gandhi Trust, with contributions from Maitri Trust, Mangalam Trust, and Maitri Samaji Utkarsh Nidhi Trust.

The sprawling complex will include:

– Two hostels accommodating 200 boys and girls
– A large auditorium
– Sports complex
– Activity rooms and workshops
– Project rooms
– Music and recording studio
– Library
– Gymnasium

### Commitment to Empowerment

“We want to prepare youth with strong morals and principles rooted in Gandhian philosophy. This is the need of the hour,” Desai emphasized. “Any child with a dream—whether orphaned, underprivileged, or deprived, irrespective of caste or religion—will find an opportunity here. We will take full responsibility for them.”

During his stay in Surat, Kanubhai frequently visited the IG Desai Vidhya Sankul, run by the Sarvodaya Charitable Trust. The new Centre for Excellence is being constructed on adjacent land generously provided by the Sarvodaya Trust.

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/centre-for-excellence-to-nurture-dreams-of-200-underprivileged/articleshow/124265395.cms

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