Ramesh Bhai – The Visionary Social Reformer and Founding President of Sarvodaya Ashram
Early Life and Inspiration
Born on May 1, 1951, in the serene village of Thamarawa, located about 24 kilometers from Hardoi, near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Ramesh Bhai Srivastava emerged as one of India’s most committed Gandhian social reformers. He was the founding president of Sarvodaya Ashram, a center that became synonymous with rural transformation, community empowerment, and Gandhian constructive work.
Ramesh Bhai was born into a humble, educated family deeply rooted in values of service and morality. His father, Shri Brijmohan Lal Srivastava, and mother, Smt. Surajmukhi Srivastava, were both teachers who instilled in him the ideals of simplicity, honesty, and education as the true path to progress. Their home was not wealthy, but it was rich with compassion and curiosity — qualities that shaped Ramesh Bhai’s lifelong mission of service to society.
From his early years, he showed unusual sensitivity toward the struggles of ordinary people. As a teenager, he began organizing small groups of villagers to resolve local issues, transcending barriers of caste and religion. This sense of inclusivity became the hallmark of his life’s philosophy — “Sarvodaya,” meaning the welfare of all.
The Seeds of Social Change
In his youth, Ramesh Bhai became actively involved in grassroots movements, inspired by the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. He was particularly drawn to the Bhoodan (land donation) and Gram Daan (village donation) movements that sought to achieve equality and justice through voluntary sharing of resources.
During his formative years, he established a college in Hardoi district, which played a significant role in bringing education to the doorstep of rural children. For many poor families in the area, this college represented their first opportunity to give their children a formal education. It was the first tangible step toward institutionalizing his dream of social equality through education.
Ramesh Bhai’s early involvement in the Gram Daan Andolan in Saharsa, Bihar, marked the beginning of his long journey as a constructive worker. As the Secretary of Tarun Shanti Sena, he mobilized hundreds of young people to work for rural reconstruction, moral reform, and social unity. His conviction was simple yet profound — true change begins at the grassroots, with the youth leading the way.
Role in Land Reforms and Rural Empowerment
One of Ramesh Bhai’s most impactful contributions came through his involvement in land reform movements across Uttar Pradesh. As an active member of the Uttar Pradesh Land Distribution Committee, he helped frame practical strategies for redistributing land to landless agricultural laborers.
He personally participated in the implementation of these programs, ensuring that the landless received legal ownership and the opportunity to cultivate their own plots. His early padyatras (foot marches) across the villages of Hardoi created awareness among the poor about their rights and responsibilities. Through these movements, he organized small farmers, artisans, and landless laborers under the banner of the All India Khet Mazdoor Kisan Parishad, giving them both voice and visibility.
Sodic Land Reclamation: A Revolutionary Concept
Ramesh Bhai’s visionary approach was not limited to redistribution of land — he was equally committed to making the land fertile and productive. Inspired by Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Andolan, he realized that simply transferring ownership of infertile land would not eradicate poverty. What was needed was a scientific and sustainable solution.
Thus, he conceived the Sodic Land Reclamation Program, which aimed to convert non-fertile, saline, and alkaline soil into cultivable farmland. His idea was to reclaim barren lands, restore them through community effort, and empower landless laborers to cultivate and earn a livelihood.
Ramesh Bhai’s efforts gradually transformed the program into a mass movement across Uttar Pradesh. The success of this innovative approach caught national and international attention and later evolved into the Sodic Land Reclamation Project, supported by the World Bank through the Uttar Pradesh Land Development Corporation (UPLDC).
In 1983, Ramesh Bhai established the Sarvodaya Ashram in Hardoi to launch this project in an organized manner across 25 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. As a Board Member of UPLDC, he supervised the reclamation of more than 1.2 million hectares of sodic land — an achievement that significantly enhanced agricultural productivity and improved the living standards of thousands of farmers.
Promotion of Peace, Gandhian Values, and Social Harmony
Ramesh Bhai’s mission extended far beyond economic upliftment. He was a staunch advocate of peace, communal harmony, and nonviolence. He believed that social transformation could not be achieved without moral transformation.
In pursuit of peace, he even visited Pakistan to spread Gandhian values of brotherhood and mutual respect. Throughout his life, he undertook countless padyatras and rallies across Uttar Pradesh, personally visiting almost every tehsil and village in Hardoi district. People remember him for his charismatic personality combined with humility and compassion, qualities that earned him immense respect and trust among all communities.
National Recognition and Organizational Leadership
Along with founding Sarvodaya Ashram, Ramesh Bhai also served as General Secretary of the All India Harijan Sevak Sangh, an organization established by Mahatma Gandhi to promote the welfare and education of Dalits and eradicate untouchability. His relentless work for social justice and empowerment earned him the prestigious Sewak Award, presented by the Chief Justice of India for his extensive work in 30 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Over the years, he also held several prominent positions:
Advisor to Akashvani (All India Radio), Lucknow
Member, Upper Ganga Zone, Planning Commission
National Executive Board Member, CAPART (Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology)
Trustee, Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad
Member, National Board of Elementary Education, Government of India
His tireless service drew attention from several dignitaries. Leaders like Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Governor Motilal Vora personally visited Sarvodaya Ashram to witness his remarkable contributions to rural development. He also shared platforms with national leaders such as Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi during Rachnatmak Samaj conferences in Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.
Transforming Rural India: His Vision and Legacy
Ramesh Bhai’s work in rural India left a deep and lasting legacy. He firmly believed that land, education, and empowerment were the three pillars of sustainable development. His initiatives not only transformed barren lands into fertile fields but also turned neglected villages into models of self-reliance.
He was instrumental in changing the landholding patterns of Uttar Pradesh by redistributing land from wealthy landlords to the poor and ensuring its productivity. This process, supported by the World Bank and implemented through UPLDC, stands as one of the most successful examples of people-driven land reform in India’s history.
Empowerment Through Education and Women’s Upliftment
Ramesh Bhai was deeply concerned about the status of women in rural society. He understood that true development is incomplete without the empowerment of women. To this end, he established residential schools for girls, providing access to education and dignity to those who had been long denied both.
For Ramesh Bhai, education went beyond academic learning. He believed schools should be centers of moral and human development, instilling honesty, discipline, and compassion in young minds. His institutions became known not only for teaching but also for shaping socially responsible citizens.
A Poet, Philosopher, and True Gandhian Worker
Few people know that Ramesh Bhai was also a poet. His verses reflected the social injustices he witnessed and his determination to fight them through constructive action. He frequently participated in Kavi Sammelans, where his poetry became a medium to spread messages of peace, equality, and humanity.
Despite his growing influence, Ramesh Bhai lived a simple and austere life. He wore khadi, practiced minimalism, and never sought political office, even though many political leaders admired and consulted him. His selflessness and unwavering commitment to Gandhian ideals drew the admiration of Didi Nirmala Deshpande, one of India’s greatest social reformers. She considered him a trusted associate and entrusted him with key responsibilities, including the Secretaryship of All India Harijan Sevak Sangh and the General Secretaryship of Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj, positions he held with distinction until his last days.
The Enduring Spirit of Ramesh Bhai
Ramesh Bhai’s life was not just about social service — it was about transforming society through compassion, conviction, and collective effort. His tireless dedication to the poor, his scientific approach to rural problems, and his Gandhian way of living continue to inspire countless individuals and organizations across India.
The Sarvodaya Ashram, which he founded, remains a living monument to his ideals — a place where education, empowerment, and environmental restoration converge to uplift rural lives. His name has become synonymous with constructive work, peace, and human dignity.
Even today, the people of Hardoi and beyond remember him as “Ramesh Bhai – the man who turned barren land into hope.” His journey stands as a timeless reminder that true leadership lies not in power, but in service to humanity.