Charity for Child Education, NGO for Education

Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati was a profound thinker, philosopher, spiritual teacher and one of the greatest masters of Vedanta. He was born on 15^th August 1930, in Manjakkudi, a small village on the banks of River Kaveri in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.

As a world renowned spiritual teacher, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s influence on the world stage has been extensive. Posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, he was the Founder of AIM for Seva, Swami Dayananda Educational Trust, Arsha Vidya Research & Publication Trust and Arsha Vidya Gurukulams in India and USA.

He did not confine himself just to Vedanta. His benevolence and empathy extended to all civilisations, and all cultural forms that helped bring positive change in the lives of thousands of people. Though deeply rooted in the richness of Indian tradition, he was contemporary in his thinking and approach to the issues of the day.

One of his founding principles with respect to AIM for Seva was that the youth of our nation should receive value education and cultural validation. Swamiji advocated that education complemented with cultural outlook would bring in self esteem and confidence in an individual. Only someone who is taught to respect the richness of his or her roots could grow to become a self confident individual. It is self confidence and self esteem that impel a person to contribute towards and participate in the prosperity of his or her nation

The All India Movement for Seva (AIM for Seva) is a pan-Indian, non-profit registered charitable trust, founded by Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 2000. Our Founder understood that the challenges of accessibility and affordability were limiting children in rural India from going to school – which he uncovered during a conversation with a tribal woman.

Thus, AIM for Seva’s journey began with the goal of enabling children from impoverished rural and tribal areas to have the same advantages as children of means and, therefore, every opportunity to develop their full potential – and of the nation. The first Chatralayam (free student hostel) was set up in 2001. Today, AIM for Seva is spread across 15 states and 133 projects that include Chatralayams, schools, a college, vocational training centres, residential facility for differently abled adults, healthcare facilities, community development initiatives and sustainable living projects.

AIM for SEVA Global Presence

Aim for Seva USA – www.aimforsevausa.org

Aim for Seva Canada – www.aimforseva.ca

Sheela Balaji

Chairperson and Managing Trustee

Entrepreneur

As Chairperson and Managing Trustee of AIM for Seva and Swami Dayananda Educational Trust (SDET), Ms. Sheela Balaji has directed her efforts towards grassroots level societal transformation through education.

An ardent student of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, she is committed to carrying forward the vision of Pujya Swamiji. Ms. Balaji has worked to create opportunities for rural communities to learn, find employment and adopt sustainable living practices. She has been instrumental in AIM for Seva’s efforts in setting up 133 projects across India. Ms. Balaji has also helped to successfully revive and cultivate over 270 heritage rice varieties through Spirit of the Earth.

Ms. Sheela Balaji was recently made a non officio member of the Council of the National Culture Fund, Ministry of Culture, Government of India for a three year period till March 2025.

Ms. Sheela Balaji received the ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar 2017’, from the Ministry of Women & Child Development for her contribution to the field of education, community development and sustainable living that has touched more than 20 million lives pan-India. This award is the highest civilian honour and is presented to empowered and iconic women in cognizance of their exceptional leadership skills and exemplary achievements.

The operating efficiency and intervention model developed and perfected over time, is one of direct delivery of projects at the field level, rather than through the commonly adopted third-party delivery model. Our model ensures that donor funding is most effectively utilised for the stated purpose.

The donor framework is simple and straightforward – donors may sponsor a student (Rs 36,000 a year for one student), many students, or contribute towards building of facilities or infrastructure.

Administrative overheads are kept remarkably low, below 10% of operating costs, which leads to deeper and wider impact – which means that 90% or more of all donations received are channeled directly to work at the grassroots towards tangible results.

Contributions to AIM for Seva are exempt from tax for up to 50% of the contributed amount under Section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.

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Sheela Balaji

Chairperson and Managing Trustee

Entrepreneur

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