The Legacy of The Anandilal Podar Trust
The Anandilal Podar Trust (formerly known as The Anandilal Podar Charitable Society / Anandilal Education Society) has been a beacon of education, culture, and philanthropy for over a century. Established in 1921, the foundation of this trust is deeply intertwined with India's freedom movement and Gandhian ideals, making it one of the most historically significant charitable institutions in the country.
“The first major donation from a businessman towards the Indian independence movement, leading Mahatma Gandhi himself to accept the role of first Chairman Trustee.”
The Beginning – Contribution to India's Freedom Struggle
The Anandilal Podar Trust was founded when Mr. Anandilal Podar made an unprecedented donation of Rs. 2,01,000/- to Mahatma Gandhi for the Tilak Swaraj Fund. This fund was a crucial initiative aimed at achieving India's self-rule (Swaraj) during one of the most turbulent periods of the nation's history. Recognizing this landmark contribution, Mahatma Gandhi accepted the role of the first Chairman Trustee.
Alongside Mahatma Gandhi, the trust was co-founded by some of India's greatest visionaries:
Mr. Madan Mohan Malviya
Eminent educationist & founder of Banaras Hindu University
Mr. Jamnalal Bajaj
Freedom fighter, industrialist & Gandhi’s close confidant
Mr. Anandilal B. Podar
Visionary businessman, reformer & philanthropist
The Evolution of the Trust
In 1930, as Mahatma Gandhi and Jamnalal Bajaj became completely immersed in the nationwide Civil Disobedience movement, they stepped down from active trusteeship. Mr. Madan Mohan Malviya then assumed chairmanship, guiding its vision forward until 1946.
Successive generations of the Podar family expanded this sacred trust: Raja Ramdeo Anandilal Podar and Dr. Ramnath Anandilal Podar built higher education centers, colleges, and research hospitals. Today, the trust is steered forward by Mr. Kantikumar R. Podar, carrying forth its mission of educational empowerment and world-renowned heritage preservation at Podar Haveli Museum.
Empowering Communities Through Education, Healthcare & Recreation
The Anandilal Podar Trust is dedicated to fostering sustainable community empowerment across India. Its core operational objectives span three primary pillars:
1. Expanding Access to Quality Education
Education remains the foundation of all societal progress. To ensure accessibility from primary schooling through post-graduate research, the Trust has established over 37 educational institutions:
- Schools & Postgraduate Colleges: Academic institutions providing education across Commerce, Arts, Science, and Biotechnology.
- The First Institute of Management in Rajasthan: Pioneering executive business and leadership education in the state.
- Vocational Training Centres: Empowering youth and women with employment-ready, market-relevant vocational skills.
- Special Education Programs: Inclusive infrastructure supporting differently-abled students through dedicated institutes for the hearing and speech impaired.
Currently, more than 30,000 students actively benefit from the Trust's holistic educational network.
2. Advancing Holistic Healthcare
Delivering accessible medical care with an emphasis on both traditional Indian medicine and modern practice:
- A 260-Bed Ayurvedic Hospital: Offering patient care and clinical treatments.
- Ayurvedic Postgraduate College & Research: Advancing scientific research in traditional medicine.
- Subsidized Community Clinics: Delivering healthcare outreach to underserved rural areas.
3. Recreation & Cultural Infrastructure
- Labour Recreation Centres: Enhancing social welfare, recreational access, and quality of life for workers.
- Sports Pavilions & Public Parks: Fostering athletic training, public gardens, and open green community spaces.
Key Historical Milestones
Chronological highlights that shaped the Anandilal Podar Trust and Podar Haveli Museum:
2007
Cultural Galleries (Forts, Palaces, Marble Art, Turbans, Oriental Carts, Gandhi Philosophy) and Cultural Auditorium inaugurated on the First Floor of Podar Haveli Museum. B.Sc. Bio-Technology course launched at Seth G.B. Podar College, Nawalgarh.
2006
CBSE Affiliated English Medium Senior Secondary School established in Nawalgarh.
2004
Teacher's Training College established to empower educators in Rajasthan.
2003
Dedicated modern hostel complexes added for both boys and girls.
2000
Dr. Ramnath A. Podar Haveli Museum inaugurated its specialized regional galleries: Musical Instruments, Rajasthani Living Style, Gems & Jewellery, Fairs & Festivals, Bridal Costumes, and Miniature Paintings.
1998
Post-Graduate degree programs (M.A. and M.Sc.) introduced at Seth G.B. Podar College, Nawalgarh.
1997
Three landmark institutions inaugurated on Jan 31: R.A. Podar Institute of Management Studies, Smt. Godavaribai Ramdeo Podar School, and the Women’s Vocational Training Centre. Hon. Vice-President of India, Shri K.R. Narayanan, visited Podar Haveli.
1996
Over 7,000 international visitors toured the Haveli to study its fresco murals, earning wide global media acclaim.
1992
Mr. Kantikumar R. Podar initiated the historic conservation of more than 750 century-old frescoes across the ancestral family haveli.
1974
Dr. Shigeo Nagano, Chairman of Nippon Steel and Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, visited the Podar Family temple in Jaipur.
1966
Dr. Ramnath A. Podar dedicated the ancestral haveli to public education and heritage welfare.
1955
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, visited Nawalgarh to officially perform the opening ceremony of Smruti Bhawan.
1942
Podar College established in Nawalgarh (affiliated with Agra University prior to the existence of a University in Rajasthan).
1922
First Podar educational schools commence classes in Nawalgarh.
1921
Anandilal Podar donates Rs. 2,01,000/- to the Tilak Swaraj Fund. Mahatma Gandhi presides as Founder Chairman Trustee.
Established Institutions
Shri Anandilal Podar and his family have founded 37 institutions across Rajasthan and Maharashtra, encompassing schools, degree colleges, management academies, vocational centres, hospitals, and libraries serving over 30,000 active students.
01
Seth Gyaniram Bansidhar Podar College – Commerce (Post Graduate)
02
Seth Gyaniram Bansidhar Podar College – Arts
03
Seth Gyaniram Bansidhar Podar College – Science
04
Rambilas Anandilal Podar Institute of Management Studies
05
Panabai Ramnath Podar Senior Higher Secondary School
06
Seth Gyaniram Bansidhar Podar Primary School
07
Smt. Godavaribai Ramdeo Podar School (English Medium)
08
Dr. Ramnath A. Podar Teacher's Training Institute
09
Raja Ramdeo Podar Smruti Bhawan (Auditorium & Pavilion)
10
Raja Ramdeo Podar Library
11
Dr. Ramnath Podar Sabhagar
13
Smt. Gyanwatibai Rambilas Podar Ladies Vocational Centre
14
Raja Ramdeo Podar Senior Secondary School
15
Ramnath Anandilal Podar Institute of Management (MBA)
16
Seth Anandilal Podar Institute for Deaf & Dumb
17
Anandilal Podar Vocational Training Centre For Dumb & Deaf
18
Seth Anandilal Podar High School
19
Shri Ganesh Girl's Middle School
20
Raja Ramdeo Podar Ayurvedic Research Institute (50 Beds)
21
Raja Ramdeo Podar Shala
22
Smt. Godavaribai Ramdeo Podar Vocational Training Centre
23
Rambilas Anandilal Podar Medical College (Ayurvedic)
24
Mahdevi Anandilal Podar Hospital (Ayurvedic - 260 Beds)
25
Smt. Panabai Ramnath Podar Outpatients' Clinic (Ayurvedic)
26
Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce & Economics
27
Seth Anandilal Podar Junior College of Commerce & Economics
28
Seth Anandilal Podar Vidyalaya
29
Ramniranjan Podar School
Sacred Temples & Shrines
Temples established and dedicated by the Anandilal Podar family and trust:
01
Bhagwan Shri Laxminarayan Mandir
Santacruz West, Mumbai
02
Bhagwan Shri Ram Mandir
Jaipur, Rajasthan