A Memorable Field Visit to Lokabharti Gram Vidyapith – One of the Best College Tours

 Introduction :

Can one institution truly combine education, nature, discipline, research, and service into a single life-changing experience?

On 19 February 2026, I discovered the answer during our unforgettable field visit to Lokbharti Gramvidyapith Trust and Lokbharati University for Rural Innovation in Sanosara, near Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

We travelled together by bus with many students and teachers, excited to explore one of India’s most unique rural universities.

Our entire day was guided beautifully by Dr. Nitinbhai Bhingaradiya, Associate Professor of Gujarati, who showed us every department and explained the institution’s philosophy, history, and working with patience and warmth.

 History & Ideals of Lokbharti:

Lokbharti was founded in 1953 by great Gandhian educationist Nanabhai Bhatt, with support from scholars like Manubhai Pancholi and Mulshankar Dave.

Before establishing Lokbharti, Nanabhai experimented with rural education at Gram Dakshinamurti in Bhavnagar and Ambla. But he realised higher education also needed rural values—so he created Lokbharti at Sanosara.

Its philosophy is based on Gandhiji’s Nai Talim and Sarvodaya: 

•  Education through work
•  Character building
•  Community living
• Self-reliance

In 2022, Lokbharti became a private university, strengthening its role as India’s first university dedicated to rural innovation.

 Our First Stop – Saraswat Bhavan

We first entered Saraswat Bhavan, the heart of Lokbharti.

Here Dr. Nitin Sir explained:  Institution’s history

•  Working system
•  Purpose of rural education

This building has three functions in one:

 • Lecture Hall

• Prayer Hall

• Library

Many great speakers like Nanabhai Bhatt, Manubhai Pancholi, Mulshankar Dave, Morai Bapu and others have spoken here. The old structure gave us a deep spiritual and historical feeling.

The library contains books from every field—literature, agriculture, philosophy, science—showing Lokbharti’s holistic education.

We also visited reading areas with newspapers and books for students.

 Daily Life of Lokbharti Students:

Lokbharti students live in hostels and follow disciplined life:

• Wake up at 5 AM
•  Self-work & campus cleaning
•  Morning prayer
•  Classes + Practical training
• Community work

Around 750 students live in about 10 hostels, and teachers live with families like one big family. Education here is learning life, not only textbooks.

 Courses Offered at Lokbharati University:

Lokbharati University focuses on rural development and innovation.

 Undergraduate Courses

• BRS – Bachelor of Rural Studies

• B.Sc Agriculture

• BA – Gujarati, Hindi, English, Psychology

• B.Com / Skill B.Com

• BBA – Agri-Business

• B.Voc – Natural Farming, Agro-Processing

Postgraduate Courses

• MRS – Masters in Rural Studies

• MA – Gujarati / Hindi / English

• MSW – Social Work

• PG Diploma – Seed Production, NGO & CSR

 PhD Programs

• Rural Studies

• Social Sciences

These courses prepare students to solve real rural problems and become self-reliant.

 Agriculture Research & Farming

We visited the Agriculture Research Centre where Dr. Nitin Sir explained everything.

• Anyone—even Arts students—can do research.
• Farmers get training and new methods.

 Famous wheat variety Lok-1 was discovered here by scientist Zaverbhai Patel, later improved into varieties like Lok-79 and Lok Bold.

We also saw tomato farming and plant cultivation helping farmers increase income.

Then we visited the institution farm and saw natural farming methods.

 Krishi Vigyan Kendra Visit

Next we visited Krishi Vigyan Kendra where farmers come for training.We saw: 

•  Bordi plants
• Chikoo plants
• Sitaphal plants
• Organic farming nursery 

Sir told us about Rajendra Tekri, named after India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who once stayed there for reflection. Students still go there for meditation. Sometimes lions and leopards are seen near the hill.

Natural farming input resource centre:

 Go-Sanvardhan & Cow Research Centre

We visited the cow research centre.

Here we learned: 

•  Different cow breeds kept separately
•  Special care for pregnant cows
•  Special area for calves
• Dairy training for students

Students learn milking and dairy production and even earn money.

Every cow has a full record—name, parents, milk production.

We tasted ice-candy made from fresh milk—it was delicious!

Women Empowerment & Rural Craft:

We visited a house where a woman makes peacock art from real pearls and feathers. One peacock priced ₹50,000 received government recognition. Lokbharti supports rural artisans and women empowerment.

Healthy Lokbharti Food:

Lunch included roti, sabji, dal-chawal, salad, khaman-dhokla, laddu and chhas( ButterMilk). Simple and healthy food in peaceful environment felt like home.

After lunch we explored the campus, took photos, played games, and enjoyed nature.

 Balwant Bhavan & Reading Centres:

We visited Balwant Bhavan, a research centre for community studies and rural projects, and newspaper reading areas for students.

 Campus Beauty & Eco-System:

The campus spreads across 165 acres near Sindri river, surrounded by hills and reservoirs built by students.

There is an open bathing gat where water is filtered and reused for gardens—showing eco-friendly thinking.

Students also go on village tours to understand rural problems.

 My Personal Experience:

Walking through Saraswat Bhavan, farms, research centres, hostels, and gaushala, I felt deep inspiration.

Lokbharti is not just a university—it is a life philosophy.

It teaches simplicity, discipline, service, and love for nature.

The feeling we experienced there cannot be explained—it must be lived.

Conclusion

Lokbharti Gramvidyapith proves that true education builds character, village, and nation together.

Our field visit on 19 February 2026 became one of the most meaningful experiences of my student life. It showed me that education is powerful only when it serves society.

Thank you for visiting my blog !

NSS – Seven Days, A Lifetime of Learning

Hello, dear reader… 

Have you ever lived a week that quietly reshapes your thinking, your habits, and even your understanding of life? I experienced such a transformation during my unforgettable seven-day National Service Scheme (NSS) camp, held from 2nd to 8th January 2026 at Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay, Maydhar, managed by Lokabharti Gram Vidhyapeeth Trust.

I participated in this camp as part of my internship programme, but it became much more than an academic task—it became a journey of discipline, service, awareness, and personal growth that I will always cherish.

 About the School – A Place of Values and Inspiration

Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay is located in Maydhar, Taluka Palitana, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat, and provides education from Standard 9 to 12 for both boys and girls, with hostel facilities available. The campus is clean, green, and well-maintained, with a solar system, a large assembly hall called Santhagar, and residential quarters for teachers.

Students often study outdoors under the shade of trees, creating a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere. Prayer is conducted twice a day, which builds discipline and spiritual focus among students.

The school strongly follows Gandhian values and organizes programmes like Gandhi Gunjan, which promote teamwork, empathy, and moral character. It also has special learning centres such as the Aavishkar Science Center, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and computer classes, encouraging practical and experiential learning.

In 2025, the school received the prestigious Darshak Sanman (Audience Award) presented by Morari Bapu for its excellent work in education and community service. He praised the institution for nurturing the five essential principles of education—Vidya, Vinay, Gun, Nipun, and Sheel (knowledge, humility, virtue, skill, and character).

Being in such an environment during the NSS camp felt truly inspiring.

 Purpose of the NSS Camp – Learning Through Service

The NSS camp aimed to develop discipline, leadership qualities, environmental awareness, social responsibility, and the spirit of selfless service through community living and experiential learning.

The main focus was awareness about Global Warming. Through Shram Karya, village interaction, educational visits, Baudhik Satra, and academic activities, we learned about its causes, effects, and preventive measures while understanding rural life closely.

We realized that protecting nature is not just theory—it is our responsibility.

Inaugural Ceremony – A Meaningful Beginning

The NSS camp began with a formal inauguration ceremony in the presence of respected dignitaries. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. BharatSinh Gohil, NSS Director of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Bhavanagar (MKBU).

The chief guests included Dr. Manisha Shah, Principal of Government College, Talaja. Special guests such as Dr. Bhavnaben Pathak and Punaben Dangar also graced the occasion.

They encouraged us to serve society with dedication and explained the true spirit of NSS—Not Me But You. Their inspiring words motivated us to participate actively and sincerely in every activity of the camp.

The ceremony created enthusiasm, discipline, and a sense of responsibility among all volunteers, marking a beautiful beginning of our NSS journey.

Daily Routine – Discipline in Action

Each morning began with Prabhat Feri and prayer, filling us with positivity and energy. Living together in a disciplined routine taught us punctuality, teamwork, patience, and respect for time.

 Shram Karya – Service with Dedication

Community service was the heart of the camp. Activities included:

• Cleaning the village temple, Moksha Dham, and streets

• Writing awareness slogans on village walls

• Visiting primary schools to interact with children

• Assisting in cooking work

These activities taught us humility, teamwork, and the dignity of labour. We realized that real service is done silently, with love.

 Village Interaction & Educational Visits

We conducted a Village Survey on Global Warming, collecting and documenting environmental practices of villagers.

We also visited:

• STEM Avishkar Vigyan Kendra

• KVK (Krushi Vikas Kendra)

• Mojlilu Shikshan Kendra

These visits gave practical exposure to science, agriculture, and innovative education.

Daily report reading, games, and group activities strengthened confidence, discipline, and friendship.

 Active Participation as NSS Volunteers

As NSS volunteers, we actively participated in:

• Shram Karya – cleaning, slogan writing, school visits

• Village survey – data collection and documentation

• Baudhik Satra – attending lectures

• Academic project – translation presentation

• Daily activities – report reading, group discussions, games

All activities were conducted under Programme Officers with discipline and teamwork.

Baudhik Satra – Learning Beyond Books

The intellectual sessions conducted during the NSS Camp were highly inspiring and informative.

• Dr. Arunbhai Dave (Arun Dada), Managing Trustee of Lokbharti Gramvidhya Peeth, Sanosara, explained Global Warming and sustainable living with practical examples, creating strong awareness about environmental responsibility.

• Dr. Hasmukhbhai Devmurari, along with Dhartiben Jograna, conducted the “Brahmand Darshan” session through a detailed PowerPoint presentation. They explained the universe, planets, constellations, and astronomical concepts in a simple way. At night, they organized a naked-eye sky observation (Tara Darshan), where we observed stars and constellations directly. They also connected astronomy with both Indian and Western studies, explaining traditional Indian knowledge along with modern scientific understanding.

• Dr. Manharbhai Thakar, former Principal of Shri Gulabray Sanghvi B.Ed. College, Bhavnagar, spoke about Personality Development and Youth Empowerment, motivating students to build confidence, discipline, and positive thinking.

• Dr. Bhavanaben Pathak, Centre Coordinator and educationist of Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay, explained Biodiversity through interesting activities and practical examples, helping us understand the importance of nature conservation.

These intellectual sessions broadened our knowledge, improved our scientific thinking, and inspired us to become responsible and aware citizens.

✍️ Academic Project – Translation Presentation

As Sem-6 English students, we worked on a translation project based on selected letters written by Manubhai Pancholi (Darshak) from his book Chetovistarni Yatra, which contains thoughtful letters addressed to his disciple Mrudulaben. The original letters were in Gujarati, and our task was to translate them into Hindi and English. From our group work, we selected one letter and prepared three versions—Gujarati (original), Hindi translation, and English translation. During the Baudhik Satra, I presented the English translation. This activity improved my translation skills, language accuracy, communication ability, presentation confidence, and understanding of Manubhai Pancholi’s educational philosophy and values. Overall, the project gave us practical experience in translation and helped us understand how ideas, culture, and emotions are expressed through different languages.

 Personal Growth Through NSS

Through interaction with villagers, teachers, and fellow volunteers, I improved:

• Communication skills

• Translation ability

• Presentation confidence

• Listening and speaking skills

This camp helped me grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

 Life Lessons from NSS Camp

• Discipline – following routine sincerely
• Teamwork – working together in Shram Karya
•  Social Responsibility – understanding community needs
• Environmental Awareness – learning sustainability
•  Leadership – taking initiative with confidence

These lessons will guide my life.

 Conclusion – Memories for a Lifetime

The NSS camp was well-organized, educational, and deeply inspiring. It strengthened my understanding of community service, environmental responsibility, teamwork, and personal development.

I sincerely thank the Principal, faculty members, Programme Officers, and everyone who guided us during the NSS camp.

Because sometimes…

Seven days are enough to teach a lifetime of values.