Tulasi Munda, the founder of Adivasi Vikash Samiti (AVS), has dedicated her life to the welfare of women and children using the Gandhian value framework. She is a firm believer that the rights of women, children or Adivasis can be tackled better if people have a higher level of education.

 

She was not an ordinary child and wanted to get educated. Tulasi Munda had an independent way of thinking from her childhood, and her heart was set on her ambition to educate herself and learn new things. In 1961, her passion for learning catapulted her into the orbit of eminent Gandhian women. She joined them in the nationwide freedom struggle. Inspired by Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s commitment to bhoodan, Tulasi Munda participated in the Bhoodan movement.

 

As to her contribution to educational development of tribal children, Tulasi Munda started AVS Vidya Mandir at Serenda, in 1964 followed by a residential school for non-school going children. The children of mining workers, daily wage earners and nomads were brought under the folds of education. Besides setting satellite schools for children in remote areas, balwadi and community education centres in different villages, Tulasi Munda has ensured skill and higher education for hundreds of tribal youths. It is a tribute to her indomitable will and untiring energy that over the next 40 years, Tulasi Munda helped establish 17 schools and succeeded in educating more than 20,000 boys and girls.

 

Following the vision of Gandhian principle of Gram Swaraj, Tulasi Munda also worked on formulating Gram Sabha and organising communities for sustainable life jointly with the administration, politicians and local elites to converge development schemes and grants and to work for village development. Mahila Mandals in each of the Gram Sabha villages were formed to make the women self-dependent. Similarly, Youth Clubs were formed in many villages. The government, mining companies and community leaders look upon her for her excellent motivation and mitigation skills.