Nandkumar Mohite, a farmer\'s contribution to higher education of Ratnagiri

Rapidly growing population, shortages of teachers, books, and basic facilities are some of the nation's toughest challenges to meeting many national problems including education. Education in villages is a priority for the government but still many villages do not have the facility for higher education and many a time the students from these villages stop their education post-schooling and do not go for higher education. Our country has a deep need of brining education to the grass-root level, so that every individual could educate themselves and become financially independent.

Mr. Nandkumar D. Mohite who is a farmer by profession had to leave education post-schooling. As he is very well conversant with the difficulties faced in getting higher education in villages especially by the children of labourers, farmers and fishermen, he started a trust called Shramik Kisan Seva Samiti in the year 1991.

The trust in located at Shivar Amber, a village which is a remote hilly area in Tehsil of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. Shramik Kisan Seva Samiti is an educational society started to fulfil the need for higher education and English medium schooling needs of the children of that region. Shramik Kisan Seva Samiti looks after Shramik Vidyalya, Krantijyoti Savitrimal Phule an English Meduim School and Loknete Shamraoi Hamraoji PEJE (Arts, Commerce, Science) JUNIOR COLLEGE.

Mr. Nandkumar D. Mohite is a HSC passed who wanted to continue his studies but could not do it due to his poor family background. This is his dream to empower the students of his village by proving them with higher education through the Samiti.

Initially, the College was supported by the donations received from patrons but as the number of students grew and requirement of basic amenities and infrastructure grew, Mr. Mohite realised that they need more funds. But since he is not much educated and was unaware of internet and the magic of crowdfunding till the time someone suggested him to raise funds through Filaantro, a leading crowdfunding organization in India.

Since Filaantro has supported many individuals and organizations with social causes along with educational institutions, the team guided Mr. Mohite and did the required hand-holding for raising funds. Through Filaantro he successfully raised the targeted amount of INR 3.53 crore in December 2021.

Talking about Filaantro support and guidance, Mr. Nandkumar D. Mohite said “When we met the Filaantro representative we were not aware about the possibility to raise funds online by sharing a fundraiser link. After we published our story on Filaantro we were able to reach many of our ex-students, ex teachers and well-wishers for seeking funds.”

In this huge success, Filaantro’s campaign manager, Mr. Shashi Bhushan guided him at each and every step and explained him the power of the social media and crowdfunding platforms.

With the help of Mr. Shashi Bhushan, Mr. Nandkumar D. Mohite was able to share his campaign with groups of people in Maharashtra. In the span of just 45 days, he was able to raise ₹89,900 and this happened by creating awareness amongst children of his school, teachers, his known circle of people and reaching out to the unknown circles of people through Filaantro. They together they achieved this target that has been impossible for many.

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