Land belongs to the community. Together, we reclaim the vision
of Acharya Vinoba Bhave — a village republic where every soul has the right to the earth beneath their feet.
Discover Our Story
4.7M+
Acres Collected
1951
Movement Founded
58,000
KM Walked by Bhave
13
Years of Padayatra
"The land belongs to God. The tillers are its trustees."
— Acharya Vinoba Bhave
A Voluntary Land Reform Campaign
The Bhoodan Movement
The Bhoodan Movement (Land Gift Movement) was a voluntary land reform campaign
in India started by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, a spiritual successor to Mahatma Gandhi, in the early 1950s.
The movement began on April 18, 1951, in the village of Pochampally in
Telangana. A local landlord's gift of 100 acres sparked Bhave's belief that land reform could be achieved
through 'change of heart'.
Our Foundation
The Three Pillars
🌾
Bhoodan
Land Gift — Voluntary donation of land by wealthy landowners to the landless poor,
guided by the principle of Samyavada.
🏘️
Gramdan
Village Gift — Entire village communities vesting their land ownership in a Gram
Sabha for collective, equitable management.
👣
Padayatra
Walking Journey — Vinoba Bhave's transformative 13-year walk across India covering
58,000 km, spreading the message of voluntary land reform.
"The real Bhoodan is the Bhoodan of the heart — when the rich man truly feels that the poor have a
right to his land."
— Acharya Vinoba Bhave
Take Action
Be Part of the Movement
Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more — there's a place for you in this work.
Our Organization
About Us
Carrying the Torch of Vinoba Bhave's Legacy
Who We Are
We are a grassroots organization dedicated to reviving, preserving, and
advancing the principles of the Bhoodan-Gramdan movement initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
Rooted in the belief that land is a gift of nature — like air and water — we work to ensure that
communities across Maharashtra and beyond can access, govern, and benefit from land collectively.
🏛️
The Maharashtra Gramdan Nav Nirman Samiti
Registered under the Societies Registration Act on 13th June,
1961
Recognized by Shri Acharya Vinobaji Bhave and Akhil Bharat Sarva
Seva Sangh
Born from the conviction that Vinoba Bhave's vision remains as relevant today
as it was in 1951, our organization emerged to bridge the gap between the ideals of the Gramdan movement and
the practical realities facing rural communities.
We engage with land records, legal frameworks like the Maharashtra Gramdan Act 1964, and community
organizing to fulfill the unfinished work of the movement.
The Origin: Pochampally, 1951
April 18, 1951
Vinoba Bhave meets landless Harijans in Pochampally. A landlord gifts 100
acres — the movement begins.
1951–1964
13-year Padayatra across India. Over 4.7 million acres of land donated.
Movement evolves into Gramdan.
1961
Maharashtra Gramdan Nav Nirman Samiti registered, stepping into the shoes of
the former Bhoodan Samiti.
To manage donated land, Bhoodan Yagna Samitis were established across states.
These committees collected Danpatras (donation deeds), verified legal status, and oversaw distribution.
🗺️
Land Records Today
Many land records (like the 7/12 extract) still carry entries related to
Bhoodan land, which often come with specific restrictions on sale or transfer — a living testament to the
movement's enduring impact.
Purpose
Vision & Mission
Guided by Principle, Driven by Purpose
🔭
Our Vision
A Maharashtra — and an India
— where land is held in trust by communities, where no person is landless, and where the Gramdan ideal of
collective stewardship guides governance, law, and human relationships.
🎯
Our Mission
To revive and implement the
principles of the Bhoodan-Gramdan movement through legal advocacy, community organizing, education, and
partnership with government — ensuring that Bhoodan land reaches its rightful beneficiaries.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Satya (Truth)
We operate with radical transparency and honesty in all our work and
communications.
Ahimsa (Non-violence)
We pursue land justice through peaceful, democratic, and legal means.
Sarvodaya (Welfare of All)
Our work is for the upliftment of the most marginalized — especially landless
Dalits and Adivasis.
Gram Swaraj
We believe in village self-governance as the foundation of a just and democratic
society.
Trusteeship
Land and resources are held in trust for future generations, not owned for
personal gain.
Community First
Every decision is guided by the wellbeing and collective will of the communities
we serve.
Where We're Headed
Strategic Goals
Document and digitize all existing Bhoodan and Gramdan land records in
Maharashtra
Ensure legal transfer of Bhoodan land to intended beneficiaries
Advocate for full implementation of the Maharashtra Gramdan Act, 1964
Educate communities about their rights under Bhoodan and Gramdan
legislation
Build a network of Gramdan villages across Maharashtra
Preserve and promote the teachings and legacy of Acharya Vinoba Bhave
Our People
Leadership & Committee
Dedicated Stewards of the Movement
Our leadership team brings together activists, legal experts, scholars, and
community organizers united by a shared commitment to land justice and the Gramdan ideal.
Board of Trustees
👤
Shri. Babulal Kuberchand Gandhi
President / Convener (Founding Member)
Gandhian activist and founding member of the Samiti,
spearheading Gramdan land reform across Maharashtra.
👤
Dr. Shivcharansingh Narayansingh Thakur
Vice President
Dedicated leader committed to Sarvodaya principles and
equitable land distribution in rural communities.
👤
Shri. Vinodkumar Giridharlal Jaiswal
Secretary
Organizer and advocate working to advance the Gramdan
mission through grassroots engagement and policy.
👤
Shri. Mahesh Vasant Aadhe
Joint Secretary
Community organizer supporting administrative coordination
and outreach for the Samiti's programs.
👤
Adv. Nayyim Shahabuddin Sheikh
Treasurer
Legal professional ensuring financial transparency and sound
stewardship of the organization's resources.
👤
Smt. Madhavi Maganlal Gandhi
Member
Active member contributing to the Samiti's mission of land
justice and rural development.
👤
Shri. Eknath Shamrao Dagwar
Member
Committed volunteer working with landless communities to
advance Gramdan ideals across Maharashtra.
👤
Shri. Vikram Tulshiram Bhore
Member
Dedicated member supporting the movement's efforts in land
reform and community empowerment.
👤
Shri. Sachin Vishwanath Tupe
Member
Grassroots activist engaged in promoting Gramdan principles
and supporting rural families.
👤
Shri. Sambhaji Vishwanath Pawar
Member
Committed Samiti member working toward a just and equitable
distribution of land resources.
* Names are representative. Please contact us to receive the current full list of
committee members and trustees.
Initiatives
Our Work & Initiatives
From Principle to Practice
Our
work spans legal advocacy, community organizing, documentation, and education — all in service of the
Bhoodan-Gramdan vision.
⚖️
Land Rights Legal Aid
We provide free legal assistance to beneficiaries of Bhoodan land who face
obstacles in obtaining possession or title.
🏘️
Gramdan Village Development
We work with existing Gramdan villages to strengthen their Gram Mandals and build
economic self-sufficiency through cooperative models.
📚
Documentation & Archive
We are creating a comprehensive digital archive of Bhoodan Danpatras, Gramdan
declarations, and related documents.
🎓
Community Education
We conduct workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns to educate
communities about the Gramdan Act and their rights.
🏛️
Policy Advocacy
We engage with state government, the Revenue Department, and legislators to push
for full implementation of the Gramdan Act.
👩🌾
Youth & Women's Empowerment
We run dedicated programs to engage youth and women in land governance, ensuring
the next generation inherits not just land but the values of collective stewardship.
500+
Land Cases Resolved
50+
Villages Engaged
10,000+
Families Benefited
25+
Years of Service
Legal Framework
The Gramdan Act & Resources
Legal Framework & Historical Documents
Access the key legal documents and historical texts that form the foundation of the Bhoodan-Gramdan movement
in Maharashtra.
📋
Maharashtra Gramdan Act, 1964
The primary legislation governing Gramdan villages in Maharashtra.
Establishes the framework for Gram Mandals, land-pool constitution, and distribution. (As modified up to
13th September 2006)
Government Resolutions from the Government of Bombay/Maharashtra regarding
the Bhoodan Movement — covering land registration procedures, formation of the Maharashtra Gramdan Nav
Nirman Samiti, and related matters.
The procedural rules made under the Maharashtra Gramdan Act, 1964. Covers
declaration procedures, Gram Mandal elections, land distribution, and financial management.
A foundational philosophical text articulating the spiritual and ethical
basis of the Bhoodan-Gramdan movement — the belief that land belongs to the Creator and must be shared
equitably.
