Self- realisation and service to humanity are the twin objectives of Ananda Marga.
The Education, Relief and Welfare Section (ERAWS) shoulders the main responsibility of social service. It was established in 1963. The range of Services that ERAWS organizes and conducts is suggested by its different branches – Education Section to establish and run children’s schools and adult schools, Permanent Relief Section to operate children’s homes and retiring homes, Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT) which is registered as an NGO recognized by the United Nations to carry out disaster relief, Medical Section to conduct Medical Camps and build hospitals, and Tribal & Backward People’s Welfare Section for welfare of backward communities. There are ladies wings also of each of these branches.
Though humans came onto this earth a million years ago, social progress has still not done credit to our human potentialities. Millions of our brothers and sisters are either socially neglected, or educationally and culturally backward, or economically deprived to the extent that they badly need our moral and material help. ERAWS has taken upon itself the task of promoting the all-round development of our needy brothers and sisters in a systematic and scientific way. Education is the most potent medium to bring about a progressive revolution in society. Education in the view of Ananda Marga is note mere imparting of alphabetical knowledge or mundane knowledge; it is a powerful instrument to effect trifarious development of the human personality – physical, mental and spiritual.
Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye – “ Education is that which brings about the total liberation of human beings”. This is the motto of ERAWS, and with this end in view, ERAWS organises schools at the primary, post-primary, high-school and university levels. It is presently running more than 1,000 schools in India, and over two hundred on other continents of the world. Similarly, it has been running a large network of children’s homes, retiring homes, students’ homes, rural development centres, charitable dispensaries, hospitals, cheap kitchen etc.
According to the Founder Shrii P. R. Sarkar – “the noblest form of social service is to educate the people and bring a sense of consciousness in them”. With this view in mind Education Relief and Welfare Section (ERAWS), since 1963 is dedicated for running various types of educational institutions all over the worldguided by the Principles and Philosophy of Neo-humanism. “Savidyayavimuktaye” – Education is for liberation in all aspects of life– is the guiding motto of our education philosophy. Stress is given on moral and spiritual values and Neo-humanistic practices in elementary education during the formative age of a child which is very crucial for giving better foundation for later life.
Homes for the destitute children – parentless, single parent or economically orphan- forms an important part of ERAWS permanent service programs guided by the spirit“Encourage everyone to build their lives in a nice way, let no one get the scope to think that their lives have become useless”. No one should feel helpless or deprived. With this ideal our homes are managed by dedicated monks and nuns in ashramic environment. These homes are supported by the generous contributions of sympathizers and well-wishers.
The schools and homes are part of our man-making initiative to groom future citizens with higher values for a kinder and better world.