The late four founders of Sarvodaya Parivar, Dr.Navneetbhai, Kantaben, Harivilasben and Kantibhai, were all originally from Mumbai. During the Bhoodan movement, Kantaben and Harivilasben responded to Vinobaji’s appeal and subsequently gave up their job, homes and towns in 1957. Kantibhai joined Vinoba’s movement in 1960 and took on the responsibility of the publication of Bhoomiputra. In 1966 and 1967, Sarvodaya workers travelled from village to village in Gujarat spreading Vinobaji’s message of Bhoodan and Gramdan. During this movement a group led by Kantaben reached Pindval and the surrounding villages. Untouched by the mark of urban civilization they came across scattered huts, dusty unpaved roads and an undulating hilly terrain. Dr.Navnit Fozdar, a young MBBS doctor from Mumbai, was a member of Kantaben’s group. Fully soaked in Gandhiji’s ideas, he had resolved that medical knowledge should not be for sale. He later joined the Sarvodaya movement.

Any comprehensive programme for uplift of Adivasi ‘s would necessarily have to encompass food, clothing, housing, health and education. The aim was, each person should at least be able to get the basic necessities of two meals a day, clothing to cover himself and a shelter to live.

Besides this, people should have access to basic medical care, an education, employment at their doorstep, and finally an overall evolution in quality of their life. Keeping these objectives in mind, the following activities were initiated.