Agariya Heet-Rakshak Manch (AHRM) is a registered trust dedicated to the development and empowerment of the Agariya community in Gujarat. The organization was founded by the late Dr. Vasant Parikh, a distinguished medical professional who devoted over five decades of selfless service to underprivileged communities across Gujarat. Following his legacy, the organization was guided by the esteemed Arvindbhai Acharya, a revered Gandhian who served the Zalawad region through his Ashram Shalas and literary contributions. In their later years, both visionaries turned their focus towards the Agariya community, leaving behind a profound source of inspiration and motivation for us to continue their work after their passing.
Today, Agariya Heet-Rakshak Manch collaborates with nearly 8,000 to 10,000 Agariya families engaged in traditional salt farming in the Little Rann of Kutch and along the coast of Gujarat. AHRM’s initiatives include raising awareness, empowering the community, capacity building, connecting Agariyas with government programs and schemes, advocating for policy changes to benefit the community, and enhancing their livelihood, health, and educational opportunities.
Over the past 15 years, there have been significant improvements in the accessibility of government services, including health, education, water supply, and welfare schemes, to the workplaces of the Agariyas. We also observe a new generation of Agariya youth becoming more aware and proactive in utilizing available resources to improve their lives. Today, AHRM is recognized as a key grassroots organization and holds membership in various important committees at the district and state levels, contributing to the development programs for the community.
The credit for these achievements goes to our dedicated team, who work tirelessly in the extreme conditions of the desert, sharing the same hardships as the Agariyas themselves. However, much remains to be done for the Agariya community. The key difference today is that the Agariyas have begun to envision a brighter future for themselves and their next generation, and they are taking the initiative to make those dreams a reality.
Agariya Heet-Rakshak Manch 