Manisha Mandir

There are so many destitute girls in our society who for want of proper protection and guidance go astray and are forced to lead a miserable life. 'Manisha Mandir' provides protection to such helpless girls.When Dr. Sarojini Agrawal lost her eight-year daughter Manisha in a hit and run road accident. Deep in trauma, an inner voice led Sarojini to realize that there were many girls who needed care and affection. Although, she was shocked by the loss of her beloved daughter, she made up her mind to start a home for the helpless girls.

In the beginning there was a lot of hassle, teething troubles of space, finance and helping hands. At the same time Dr. Sarojini had the responsibility of a family (comprising of three sons aged 8, 13 and 15 years), which was going through a state of shock. Manisha Mandir finally took shape in 1985.

Ever since, the ashram (Manisha Mandir) has been catering to the needs and requirements of the destitute girls. These girls are not just provided shelter, clothing and food by Sarojini but also limitless love, warmth and all that a mother can possibly give. Her aim was to ensured the girls, over all confidence and self-dependence. She made up her mind:
To make provision for their lodging, food and other daily requirements.
To impart training and education in their upliftment according to ethical values and culture.
To train them in various arts and crafts and provide knowledge of technical subject.
To educate them to make them self-reliant in their lives and to get them married with suitable persons if they desire or to help them choosing independent jobs for their livelihood.
To undertake any other work which may found suitable for the welfare of these wretched girls.
It was not an easy journey for Dr. Agrawal, a PhD and an eminent writer. She advertised in newspapers and magazines urging people to admit orphan girls under the age of 10 at Manisha Mandir. Slowly the number of girls increased. Till date more than 650 destitute girls got shelter in this Ashram. They are all like Manisha for Dr. Sarojini. Manisha Mandir is not an orphanage, but a home for the girls. At present, there are 42 girls residing in Manisha Mandir aged between 5 and 17 years, the girls live together as a part of a huge family, where Dr. Agrawal is the mummy and her husband, Mr. V.C. Agrawal, a retired engineer, the papa. The girls have a common surname, Bhartiy, which binds them into a family bond. They live together, play, fight and learn to lead a good life.