About Sadhana Shikshan Mandal

Sadhana Shikshan Mandal (SSM) was founded in 1991 by Sharad Shinde, an Electronics Engineer from Manipal Institute of Technology (1985). Despite opportunities to work with multinational companies like his peers, Sharad chose a different path one of service and community transformation.

As a former trustee of the renowned Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan in Shegaon (known nationwide for discipline, charity, and integrity), Sharad witnessed the urgent need for affordable education and holistic development in rural Maharashtra. This experience shaped SSM's mission: to create self-reliant communities through education, skills, sustainable livelihoods, and values-based development.

For over three decades, SSM has remained committed to this vision, working at the grassroots level in Western Maharashtra's most underserved areas. We don't just run programs we build partnerships with communities, understanding their unique challenges and co-creating sustainable solutions.