Introduction

It was pre-independence period, when Gandhiji accompanied Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to Pune for his treatment at Dr. Dinshaw Mehta's Nature cure center near Pune railway station. Gandhiji founded "Society of Servants of Gods" along with Dinshaw Mehta. While in Pune Gandhiji was deeply impressed by simple ways of Natural Cure. He thought cities like Pune have all medical facilities but villages do not have access to medical facility. He wrote an article in Harijan, "I made a mistake, I should have gone to the village to popularize simple ways of Nature Cure, therefore I want to shift." Search began for a proper place around Pune. Late Shri. Balkoba Bhave, Dr. Mehta, Dr. Sushila Nair,Dr. Manibhai Desai came to Uruli Kanchan. To their disappointment they found that social atmosphere was not conducive for establishing a Nature Cure Center, but Gandhiji insisted that he wanted the village like Uruli, because unless he is able to improve condition of rural India, he will not be able to work at Delhi for independent India. Gandhiji came to Uruli Kanchan on 22nd March 1946 at 16.00hrs. and stayed for up to 30th March 1946. He treated hundreds of patients with the help of Dr. Mehta, Balkobaji Bhave, Manibhai Desai , Dr. Sushila Nair and other disciples. On 30th March 1946, Mahatma Gandhi departed for Delhi for the final negotiations with British Government regarding Independent India. Gandhiji founded Nisargopchar Gramsudhar Trust on 1st April 1946, with the help of kind donations in the form of Land by local people like late shri Mahadev Tatyaba Kanchan. The team under the dynamic leadership of Manibhaiji preached sound health and hygienic practices and also studied various problems in rural areas and identified suitable solutions to uplift the rural poor. Over last fifty years the Ashram has made remarkable progress. The institute has set up the unique example in the field of Naturopathy i.e. "The way of Life". People from every corner of India and abroad come here and experience the miracles of the unique drugless holistic approach for management of chronic functional diseases. Patients suffering from Arthritis, Cardio Vascular diseases, Diabetes, Bronchitis, skin diseases, Asthma. Digestive and Gynaecological problems, Neuro muscular disorders & obesity are very well managed by simple ways of nature cure. Day in the Ashram begins with prayer & yoga and ends with prayer. Thus along with other physical treatments, psychological and spiritual aspect is taken care of to make the treatment complete. Every day lectures on nature cure principles, dietetics,yoga and various chronic diseases are arranged to educate the patients and make them aware about the importance of laws of nature. Round the year Ashram has indoor capacity of 200 patients per day.