Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Morabadi, Ranchi

This ashrama, started in 1927 and made a branch of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1930, has evolved into a centre for agricultural, educational, vocational, and rural development activities, especially focused on tribal and rural upliftment.

Activities:

1. Divyayan, a free residential training institute with a Krishi Vigyan Kendra, provides vocational training to village youths in 15 disciplines including mali & horticulture, organic/natural farming & seed production, dairy, poultry, pump repair, soil testing, bee keeping, mushroom cultivation, etc.
2. Publication of Prabudhha Gram, a quarterly bilingual magazine in Hindi and English.
3. Activities at the off-campus centre of RKMVERI (Deemed University), Belur:
   a. Courses under the Faculty of Agriculture, Rural and Tribal Development (FARTD):
   • PhD in Agricultural Extension, Horticulture, Agricultural Entomology, Agricultural Economics, and Rural Development
   • Five-year Integrated MSc in Agriculture, Rural & Tribal Development
   • Two-year MSc in Agriculture, Rural and Tribal Development
   • Two-year MA/MSc in Rural Development and Management
   • One-year PG Diploma in Rural Development Practices
   • Four-year BSc (Hons) in Agriculture
   • Three-year BVoc in Sustainable Agriculture
   • One-year Diploma in Organic Farming
   • Six-month Certificate Course in Agriculture
     b. Research & development projects funded by the Dept. of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), and Dr. Ramdayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute, Govt. of Jharkhand
     c. A library with 5402 books and 7 periodicals
     d. Skill development training programmes for rural tribal youths
4. A distance education centre of the National Institute of Open Schooling.
5. An NSDC-approved skill development centre offering courses in Solar PV Installer–Electrical, Data Entry Operator, and Tally with GST Accounting.
6. A public library with 23,766 books and 70 periodicals.
7. A mobile audio-visual unit which screened educational and awareness-based video shows in villages.
8. Village extension and follow-up programmes:
   a. Agricultural camps (Kisan Gosthis)
   b. Farmers’ fairs (Kisan Melas)
   c. Front-line demonstration and cluster front-line demonstration camps
   d. On-farm trials for local technology adaptation
   e. Awareness programmes on health, social and civil values, and environment
   f. Soil testing; distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, tools & equipment; and veterinary services
9. a. An allopathic-cum-homeopathic dispensary
   b. Eye camps for cataract detection and treatment
10. A mobile medical unit for serving nearby villages.
11. Nine units of Gadadhar Abhyudaya Prakalpa for holistic development of underprivileged children.
12. A unit of Vivekananda Abhyudaya Prakalpa for underprivileged students from class 7 to 10.
13. Forty-four coaching centres for academic support to rural students.
14. Two agricultural farms at Maheshpur and Getalsud for demonstrations on seed production, soil enrichment, and other farming practices.
15. Welfare activities: Scholarships and educational assistance to students.
16. Religious activities: Regular worship, religious discourses, spiritual retreats, and celebration of the birthdays of the Holy Trio and other spiritual luminaries.