Author: Delhi Orthodox Diocese

“Aanchal” is the vibrant nerve centre of activity set up and governed by the SGCS (St. Gregorios Charitable Society), a non religious society, registered under the Societies Registration Act XX1 of 1860, at Plot No. 4, Block ‘C’, Sector 3, Rohini, Delhi-110085 with the main aim to educate and train children facing mild to moderate intellectual (mental) challenges, enabling them to meet the day-to-day affairs independently for the benefit of the socially, financially backward community and needy, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Aanchal Centre was inaugurated in October 2014 at Sector 3, Rohini, Delhi with the support of Rural Electrification Corporation of India (REC)under their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative.. The total project cost is Rs.4 crores. Currently, the Centre has all facilities which include:

(a) Functional Academics with pre-vocational skills
(b) Occupational therapy
(c) Physiotherapy
(d) Speech therapy,
(e) Counseling and psychosocial rehabilitation activities
(f) Facility for imparting life skills, music, yoga and arts.
(g) Workshops for parents, grandparents and siblings.
The Centre started its operation in January 2015 year and currently there are 52 students who are being trained at this Centre. Apart from training the students to lead a normal life, the Centre provides several other facilities like transport, food etc. All these facilities are provided free of cost.

How can I be associated with AANCHAL?
1. Sponsor a child (Rs. 7000 per month.)
2. Visit the Centre and sponsor a day’s lunch on birthdays and marriage anniversaries or memorials of your loved ones.
3. Be a member of Lovers of Aanchal.(Under this scheme you can contribute any amount of your choice on a monthly basis)
4. Visit the Centre and share your experience with friends and relatives.
5. Arrange support for the Centre under Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme from the organization you work in.
6. Remember the Centre in your daily prayer.

The Aravalli Retreat Centre can be seen as the conceptualisation of the long standing dream of the late Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios, the first Metropolitan of the Diocese of Delhi. This project houses a chapel and a retreat centre. The project responds to the increased depersonalization within the global society due to the stresses brought about by today’s living conditions and the resulting psychological consequences. The project endeavors to provide a secluded area for those seeking solace and tranquillity, where people can be free from the stress and strain of contemporary life and attain realization of their inner selves.

History and Background

The Orthodox Church has traditionally been built on the strong foundation of missionary, service and charity related activities. The basic inspiration for this work comes from the communitarian way of life of the early Christians and the early Church fathers. Founded on the bedrock of the living examples set by St. Gregorios of Parumala, the late Pathrose Mar Osthathios and other Church forefathers, the genesis of Shantigram goes back, in particular, to the vision of Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios, the Former President of the Mission Board of the Malankara Orthodox Church, who initially raised the need for such a project in the Diocese, way back in 1998. The proposed project was subsequently discussed at the highest level in the Holy Synod meetings and the final assent was given.

The welfare of the nation lies in the development of our villages and countryside, said the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. With Christian values as a guiding lamp and a visionary fervor, a historical and revolutionary step was taken by the late Job Mar Philoxenos, the then Diocesan Metropolitan of the Diocese of Delhi in 1998 which blossomed into the form of a project named Shantigram. A community development project of the Delhi Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church functioning under the aegis of the Sophia Society, it is situated in the village of Mandawar, in Sohna tehsil of Haryana. This integrated rural development programme aims at the qualitative development of the lifestyle of about 20000 poor and underprivileged inhabitants of 10 villages in and around Mandawar. The project proved to be highly utilitarian and receives much acclaim in the state of Haryana.

The hallmark of Shantigram is to enlighten the people living in developing and unhygienic rural villages located in the Mandawar village. A herculean task of community development was set rolling by providing basic stress on three major aspects namely education, medical and women empowerment.

This hamlet, about 50 kms from the outskirts of the Delhi, saw a beautiful dream unfold by the purchase of a mammoth 25 acres of land in the lap of nature. To realize this visionary journey, it took the efforts of a handful of volunteers and the purchase of a small farm area, which now boasts of the Shantigram Vidhya Niketan, a CBSE affiliated secondary co-educational school, the Shantigram Health Centre, and a centre for women empowerment.

1. Shantigram Vidhya Niketan School: With a head count of 538 students that hail from around 30 villages, the school succeeds in inspiring young minds to envision a bright and educated future. The school lays stress on the holistic development of a child by providing them quality yet affordable education. Without mincing words it would not be an exaggeration to credit this success to the hard work of a committed pool of dedicated staff of Shantigram. But much has to be done in the future to bring this incipient plan to its full-fledged realization. Towards this goal, construction has already commenced for the buildings that will provide more infrastructural amenities for the Junior School while laying the basic structure of a Senior Secondary School
2. Shanti Sadan: A boy’s hostel was started to cater to the needs of students who lived far away from Mandawar. At present,the building provides stay to the staff of the Shantigram Vidya Niketan School.
   
3. Women Empowerment: From the very beginning, the emphasis was laid on the upliftment of the women by equipping them for a stable and economic tomorrow. In this regard, frequent awareness programs and training classes are held to make them self-reliable and provide them with a secure source of livelihood.
4. Orphanage for the poor and the destitute: An orphanage for the destitute and orphaned had been a dream of Mar Osthathios when he first proposed the idea for this project. As part of this initiative, a hostel was established to provide sustenance for the children by offering scholarships and ensuring living conditions conducive to their comprehensive development. The children passed out from the school and have been rehabilitated in the mainstream society.

Conclusion

All these projects have now been brought under the aegis of the Mar Philoxenos Centre for Human and Social Development. As these projects envision a community renewal and revival, they serve to commemorate the memory of Job Mar Philoxenos whose primary vision continues to guide them. As such they agree with the aspirations of the multi-religious community of Mandawar. There are three explicit objectives by which it was formed.

1. Basic Education: establish crèche, pre-school, primary education and non-formal classes.
2. Community health: set up morning clinic, a hospital and have field based education in health, nutrition, sanitation and family planning.
3. Economic security: create income generating activities and establish women group and actions for self-employment, a safe environment and other related concerns.

Indeed, it is a people-centered, multi-sectorial and holistic social support system, for and with the rural community.

The Shantigram Project entered a new phase on April 1, 2025, with the blessings of the Diocesan Metropolitan, H. G. Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios. The Delhi Orthodox Syrian Church Society, Hauz Khas, took over the administration of Shantigram Vidya Niketan School to facilitate its development and growth, leveraging its long-standing expertise in successfully running St. Paul’s School at Hauz Khas and Aya Nagar.