The Village of Second Chances: Inside Mangav’s Lifelong Haven for the Discarded

In the heart of Maharashtra, a unique commune provides a permanent sanctuary for hundreds of women and children abandoned by society and the state.

The highway is a brutal place for the invisible. For Dr. Rajendra Bajirao Dhamane and his wife, Dr. Sucheta Dhamane, the sight of mentally and physically ill women wandering near railway stations and marketplaces wasn't just a grim reality of urban India—it was a call to action. Two decades ago, their response evolved from simple emergency medical intervention into something far more structural: the creation of Mangav. Located in Ahilyanagar, formerly Ahmednagar, this self-sustainable commune serves as a lifeline for those the system has long forgotten.

A Model Beyond the Institution

Inside Mangav, the atmosphere is defined by community rather than clinical sterility. Currently, 477 women and 43 children call this village home. Many of the residents were rescued from streets while pregnant, often as victims of systemic violence or exploitation. The Dhamanes realized early on that a standard, short-stay shelter was insufficient. Trauma, particularly when compounded by severe mental illness or cognitive impairment, does not vanish in a few weeks.

"Many families refuse to accept these women back," Dr. Rajendra explains. By shifting the focus to lifelong care and rehabilitation, the couple has moved away from the traditional NGO model, instead fostering a space where "Mauli"—the Marathi word for mother—is not just a name but a functional philosophy. Dr. Sucheta, who pivoted from a career in medical academia, oversees the essential pillars of maternal health and continuous rehabilitation, ensuring that the commune remains a place of dignity rather than mere containment.

Why It Matters

The existence of Mangav exposes a glaring gap in India’s public welfare infrastructure: the lack of long-term, state-supported care for the mentally ill and the destitute. While government policies often focus on short-term rescue or temporary shelters, Mangav highlights that true rehabilitation for the most vulnerable requires permanence. The commune acts as a surrogate social safety net for women who have been completely severed from their families and lack documentation, effectively existing outside the reach of conventional bureaucratic support.

This village model poses a critical question for policymakers: can such community-led initiatives be scaled or integrated into broader national health frameworks? As the burden on public hospitals grows, the "Mangav approach" offers a blueprint for treating health not as a series of isolated procedures, but as a commitment to the human condition. It is a reminder that for those suffering from chronic instability, the greatest medical intervention is often the security of a permanent roof over their heads.