Registered NGO · Maharashtra 43/2026

दिपस्तंभ ग्रामीण ग्रंथालय A library in every village.

चला वाचन करुया, अंधःकार दूर करुया

We collect donated books and establish community libraries in rural Maharashtra — so every child grows up with access to reading.

Donate Books Our Story
Children reading books in a rural village library
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About Us

By the people, for the people.

A grassroots library initiative rooted in rural Maharashtra.

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Our Story

Deepstambh Gramin Granthalaya is a registered NGO based in Akola, Maharashtra. Founded with the vision of bringing the joy of reading to every village, we believe that knowledge is the true lighthouse that can guide communities out of darkness.

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Why We Exist

Rural communities in Maharashtra often lack access to quality reading material. Children grow up without libraries, limiting their imagination and learning. Deepstambh bridges this gap by establishing community libraries run by the people themselves.

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Our Approach

We collect donated books, set up reading spaces in villages, and empower local volunteers to manage these libraries. Our model is sustainable, community-driven, and designed to foster a culture of reading from the grassroots level.

Our Mission

A Library in Every Village

Four steps. One goal. Reading wherever children grow up.

01

Collect Books

Donate readable books you no longer need. Every book finds a new home in a village library.

02

Establish Libraries

Set up community reading spaces in rural villages across Maharashtra, starting with the Akola region.

03

Empower Communities

Train local volunteers to manage libraries, organize reading sessions, and build a lasting culture of learning.

04

Transform Lives

Through reading, we aim to open new doors of knowledge, imagination, and opportunity for rural children and families.

Inspiration

Shoulders we stand on

The visionaries whose lives shape our mission.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज

"स्वराज्य हा माझा जन्मसिद्ध हक्क आहे"

Savitribai Phule

सावित्रीबाई फुले

"शिक्षण हेच खरे स्वातंत्र्याचे साधन आहे"

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर

"शिक्षण हे वाघिणीचे दूध आहे"

Shalini Tai Moghe

शालिनी ताई मोघे

Social reformer & educator

Our Founder

Prof. Varsha Chopade

The Visionary Behind Deepstambh

Prof. Varsha Chopade - Founder of Deepstambh

Prof. Varsha Chopade

Founder & President — Deepstambh Gramin Granthalay Foundation Akola, Maharashtra, India

Assistant Professor, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (RCSS),Cochin, Keralam, India

Author Writer Counsellor Poet Environmentalist YouTuber

Professional Background

Varsha Chopade holds many prestigious academic degrees and serves as an Assistant Professor at RCSS, focusing on Strategic Stakeholder Management. A multi-faceted professional, she is recognized as an author, writer, counsellor, and has undergone RJ training in Kerala. She conducted SWOT analysis of the Central Museum Library in Indore, MP, for which she received an excellent SWOT report certificate.

Author, Poet & Media

  • Authored six books and is a poet in both Hindi and Marathi
  • Special article writer for Saamana & Tarun Bharat (Maharashtra and Karnataka editions), focusing on social issues
  • Created a short documentary on the life of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, screened at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Delhi on Librarian's Day
  • Part of the short film "Paperless Library"
  • Active YouTuber sharing informative content on social topics

Social Work & Environment

  • Founded Deepstambh Gramin Granthalaya — a rural library NGO promoting literacy in villages
  • Active environmentalist and book reviewer in Hindi & Marathi

Awards & Recognitions

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Excellent Faculty Award

26 January 2017 — Bal Niketan Sangh, Indore, MP

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"Meena Tai Thakare" Inspirational Woman Award

Shivsena, Parel, Mumbai

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Excellent SWOT Report Certificate

Central Museum Library, Indore, MP

Professional Membership

Member of MANLIBNET (Management Libraries Network)

"ग्रामीण भागासाठी लोकांनी लोकांसाठी — A library by the people, for the people."
✉ varsha@rajagiri.edu ✉ deepakola481@gmail.com ☎ +91 93404 85228
🌐 Rajagiri.edu 🎓 IRINS Profile 🔗 ORCID Profile ▶ YouTube Channel
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Officially Registered NGO

Deepstambh Gramin Granthalaya is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Act 21 of 1860).

Registration Number Maharashtra 43/2026 (Akola)
Date of Registration 18 February 2026
Registered At Asst. Registrar of Societies, Akola Division, Akola
Our Team

Members & Leadership

The dedicated people behind Deepstambh

Core Members

Prof. Varsha Chopade
Founder & President

Prof. Varsha Chopade

Asst. Professor, RCSS

Cochin, Keralam, India
Aaditi Chopade
Vice President

Aaditi Chopade

 

USA
Shri. Manoharrao Baliramji Shegokar
Member

Shri. Manoharrao Baliramji Shegokar

Sonala

Maharashtra, India
Mrs. Meena Rameshrao Bundile
Member

Mrs. Meena Rameshrao Bundile

Anjangaon Surji, Amravati

Maharashtra, India
Shri. Vijay Shegokar
Member

Shri. Vijay Shegokar

Agricultural Officer, Akola

Maharashtra, India
Saimira Chopade
Member

Saimira Chopade

 

USA
Shri. Kisan Chopade
Member

Shri. Kisan Chopade

DGM, BPCL

India

Special Thanks & Advisors

Prof. Fr. Saju MD, Ph.D

Principal & Professor, RCSS

Cochin, Keralam, India

Dr. Binoy Joseph

Associate Director & Professor, RCSS

Cochin, Keralam, India

Shri Ganesh Bhorkade

Registrar, IIT Bombay

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Prof. Jaya Bhorkade

Educator

India

Dr. Prof. Nandkishor Chandan

Ph.D, University of Oxford

Oxford, England, UK

Dr. Akhtar Parvej

Gyan Bharatam

Delhi, India

Dr. Vidhya & Dr. Sahebrao Ingle

 

Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India

Prof. Dr. Deelip Mestri

CSMU, Panvel

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Dr. Vijesh P V

Librarian, RCSS

Cochin, Keralam, India

Dr. Anil Kumar Jharotia

 

Delhi, India

Dr. Nileema & Dr. Vinayak Admane

 

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

Ruchika Ankalikar

Software Engineer & Project Manager

Toronto, Canada
In the News

Media Coverage

Deepstambh's work recognized by leading Marathi newspapers

Ajinkya Bharat newspaper coverage - Deepstambh library inauguration at Yelvan
अजिंक्य भारत 30 November 2025 | Page 10

ग्रामपंचायत येळवणमध्ये दीपस्तंभ वाचनालय सुरू; गावासमोर नवा आदर्श

Deepstambh Library inaugurated at Gram Panchayat Yelvan under the Chief Minister's Samruddha Panchayatraj Abhiyan. The library was set up as a model initiative for the village, providing access to stories, novels, biographies, and educational books for children, youth, and adults alike. Prof. Varsha Chopade provided the essential books for the library.

Lokmat newspaper coverage - New library at Yelvan Gram Panchayat
लोकमत 03 December 2025 | Page 4

ग्रामपंचायत येळवणमध्ये नवे वाचनालय सुरू

Under the Chief Minister's Samruddha Panchayatraj initiative, a new library was started at Gram Panchayat Yelvan, Akola. Prof. Varsha Chopade provided the necessary books, while the Gram Panchayat supplemented with additional reading material. Sarpanch Kajal Dinesh Madavi and community members participated in the inauguration.

Newspaper feature on Prof. Varsha Chopade's selfless contribution
Featured Profile Special Feature

स्वतःचे स्त्रीधन आणि बाळाचे दागिने विकून दिरला शिकवणारी निःस्वार्थ स्त्री

A powerful feature story about Prof. Varsha Chopade — a selfless woman who sold her own jewelry and her child's ornaments to fund education. The article by Sou. Madhuri Ingale (Pune) highlights her extraordinary journey of sacrifice, resilience, and dedication to empowering rural communities through education and literacy.

Contact Us

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you

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Address

Varsha Chopade
Aadisai Nivas, Ranpise Nagar,
Akola - 444001,
Maharashtra, India

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Email

deepakola481@gmail.com

varsha@rajagiri.edu

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Phone

+91 93404 85228