Acharya Chandanaji has been selected for the Padma Shri Award 2022 in the category of social work.
She was born in Maharashtra but spent a major part of her life in Bihar doing social work.
Acharya Chandanaji fondly called ‘Tai Maharaj’, had founded Veerayatan, a religious organisation based on the principles of Jainism, at Rajgir in 1973-74.
She also became the first Jain woman to receive the title of ‘Acharya’ in 1987.
She is known for introducing the concept of “seva” (’service to humanity’) among the Jain community.
Social Work
She founded Veerayatan in 1973-74 which now manages several technical, vocational, and elementary schools throughout the country, providing nearly free education to approximately 10,000 deprived and needy children.
Veerayatan is based on three core pillars:
SEVA: Service to humanity
SHIKSHA: Education
SADHANA: Spiritual development for inner peace
Veerayatan was conceptualised by her mentor, Acharya Amar Muni Maharaj, who elevated her from the rank of nun to acharya.
Apart from an eye hospital in Rajgir and one school in Pawapuri and Lachhuar in Jamui district, Veerayatan also owns a BEd college in Pawapuri where services are almost completely free.
Regarding future projects, a school, a diagnostic centre, and a vocational training centre had been proposed in Rajgir.
The organisation intends to open 200 schools across the country.
During the pandemic, she adopted 50 orphaned and deprived children who were receiving free education and staying at a residential school in Kutch.
