Mahila charkha Samiti one of the first women’s institution to have come up in Bihar was started as Mahila charkha class by Prabhavati Devi on June 26, 1940. She herself had the privilege of having been trained by Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram. In the beginning the main objective of the institution was teaching women the art of playing charkha and propagating Khadi which was considered the two-main symbol of nationalism. It was hoped that besides making women self-reliant it would encourage them to associate themselves with various activities connected with the freedom movement. There was a plan to invoice more and more women in this kind of work by starting charkha classes in every district of the province.
For proper functioning of the solution a Sanchalak Mandal (Management Committee) of 10 members with Dr. Rajendra Prasad as it chairperson was constituted. Later when Rajendra Babu shifted to Delhi in 1946, to shoulder some very important responsibilities, Shri Jayaprakash Narayan was entrusted with the task of guiding the institution as its president. Under his able guidance Mahila charkha class flourished and in due course it came to have it on hand and building.
Post-independence the focus of Mahila charkha Samiti shifted to nation building and accordingly its activity where expanded. In 1952 under the societies registration act 1960, it was is registered as ‘Mahila Charkha Samiti’ with clearly laid-down aims and objective which it has been sincerely pursuing. Its Sanchalak Mandal now consists of 15 members. We can have a fairly good idea of the activities of the Samiti from the following account.
- Prabha Jayaprakash Smriti Sanghralaya: The residence of Lok Nayak and Prabhavathi ji situated on the first floor of the main building of the Samiti was converted into museum on October 11, 1980. Having on the display books, photograph, things and articles of personal use it attracts a large number of visitors every year.
- Jayaprakash Shodh and Adhyayan Kendra:
To facilitate and provide materials for research on life, thought and philosophy of Loknayak, Research Centre replete with letters, records of interviews, newspaper reports and rare books was started in 1990. Research scholar in large number avail the facilities provided there. - Prabha Mahila Shodh Kendra:
Books and materials ready to women and their problems are made available to the researcher by this centre. - Prabhavathi Mahila Pustakalaya:
Exclusively meant for women, this library is running since 1973, is the only library of its kind in the city. It has 15000 books and subscribers 25 daily new journals and 15 magazines. It also has a reading room where students can sit and study in peaceful environment.\ - Grih Udyog Prashikshan Kendra:
Started in 1952 this centre trains and help women to produce household things of daily use like papad, badi, pickles, aatta, sattu, spices, cookies and this process also helps them to earn their living. There is a sale counter to sell products thus produced. - Angan Badi Prashikshan Kendra:
Financially aided by social welfare department,Government of Bihar. a training center for Angan bari sevikas and sahayikas has been successfully running in the samiti since 1980. There is hostel and a mess to cater to the board and lodging needs of the trainees. - Crafts section:
This section imparts training in the various crafts like tailoring embroidery and painting.Examination held after completion of the courses and certificates are awarded to successful students. - Sangeet Pravah Kendra:
Music is an important part of girl’s curriculum of study. Keeping this in mind Mahila Charkha Samiti provides opportunities to girls to learn music (vocal as well as instrument) and dance from trained teachers. There is also arrangement for them to be examined and awarded degrees by recognised universities. - Prakashan Vibhag:
The samiti from time to time has been publishing books, journals, souvenirs and research papers which are of special interest to women and scholars engaged in study in this field.