About Founders:- Ramesh Bhaiya and Vimla Bahan, a husband–wife duo inspired by the philosophy of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, have been the driving force behind the transformation of Bartara village—once among the most crime-ridden and neglected areas of Uttar Pradesh—into a model of rural development and self-reliance.
In 1980, following a Padyatra aimed at understanding and uplifting rural communities, they chose the neglected village of Ban-ka-Tara (now Bartara) to establish Vinoba Seva Ashram. The Ashram began humbly patience, persistence, and close engagement with the community, the Ashram gradually earned the trust and participation of villagers.
At the time, many women depended on illicit liquor distillation for survival. With the objective of creating alcohol-free villages, Ramesh Bhaiya and Vimla Bahan introduced alternative livelihood options, beginning with sewing and tailoring training. These initiatives not only generated sustainable income but also restored dignity and confidence among women.
Vimla Bahan works shoulder-to-shoulder with Ramesh Bhaiya, managing administration and grassroots coordination. Together, they envision a society rooted in self-sustainable, rural-based development, with women’s empowerment at its core. The Ashram’s guiding philosophy is captured in its motto:
“Andhkar ko na dhikkaren, accha hai ek deep jalayein”
(It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness).
Today, Vinoba Seva Ashram spans 11 acres and implements diverse development initiatives across Uttar Pradesh. The Ashram focuses on:
•  Imparting knowledge and awareness
•  Bringing attitudinal and behavioral change
•  Promoting social and economic self-reliance
After 46 year, Vinoba Seva Ashram stands as a living example of Gram Swaraj, where villagers and Ashramites consider each other family, and a neglected village has become a beacon of self-reliant rural development.