Rajkot to Host World’s Largest Old Age Home

Surat : The city of Rajkot is set to become home to the world’s largest ‘Sadbhavana Vriddhashram,’ a charitable old age home designed to accommodate over 5,000 homeless and destitute elderly people from poor backgrounds, free of cost. The facility is being built on a sprawling 30-acre land at Rampar, located on the Rajkot-Jamnagar highway.

The project, spearheaded by the Manav Seva Charitable Trust with the support of philanthropists and social workers, aims to uphold the spirit of “Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava,” which translates to “Revere your parents as gods.” With an estimated construction cost of Rs 300 crore, the facility will feature 1,400 rooms across seven 11-story buildings, providing care for bedridden, sick, and destitute elders.

Swami Paramatmananda Saraswatiji, the International Convener and General Secretary of the Hindu Dharmacharya Mahasabha, and Patron of the Sadbhavana Old Age Home, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He noted that the traditional values of respecting and caring for elders have diminished over the years, leading to increased cases of elderly people being abandoned. “The need of the hour is for more people to step up and care for those who have no one,” said Swami Saraswatiji.

He further explained that societal changes, such as smaller family sizes and the decline of joint families, have made old age difficult for many, regardless of their social status. Often, elders are left without support when their children move abroad or to other parts of the country for work. This issue is particularly acute for those from working-class backgrounds, including laborers, housewives, and others who may find themselves unable to sustain themselves in old age. Sadbhavana Vriddhashram was established to provide care and dignity to such individuals.

To promote and support the construction of the facility, a special Ramkatha event led by the revered Morari Bapu has been organized in Rajkot from November 23 to December 1, 2024. This spiritual event aims to raise awareness and encourage more people to contribute to the cause.

Sadbhavana Vriddhashram will be staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers committed to selfless service, ensuring that the residents receive proper care, companionship, and respect. The project reflects a collective effort to address the growing issue of elder neglect, and its completion will mark a significant step toward building a compassionate society that honors its senior citizens.