by Avani Varia (2025)

This handmade book is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of Navajivan Trust, spanning 106 years from 1919 to 2025 — with each page representing one year of its extraordinary journey. Crafted on handmade paper and hand-stitched by the artist, the book combines traditional artistry with modern techniques, featuring a digitally printed title and jacket that beautifully showcase the first photograph of the Navajivan building inaugurated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, alongside its present-day facade.

Significant milestones and major landmarks in the Trust’s history, as personally felt by the artist, are illustrated using carefully chosen colors to reflect their unique importance and spirit.

More than a mere record, this work is a carefully woven narrative of resilience and dedication, highlighting the Trust’s unwavering commitment to Gandhian values. It acknowledges Vallabhbhai Patel’s pivotal role in guiding and strengthening the Trust during its formative years and beyond.

Through decades of challenges — political, social, and cultural — Navajivan Trust has faced adversity with steadfast resolve, emerging stronger as a beacon of education, truth, and social transformation.

This expression, a handmade book stands as both an artistic celebration and a testament to the spirit of perseverance that continues to inspire Navajivan — stitched together by hand, heart, and time.

Navajivan: A Century of Resilience, Vision, and Timeless Legacy: Born in 1919, Navajivan began its journey as a humble publication before blossoming into a formal Trust by 1929. The Trust’s early chapters were inked through the pages of Navajivan in Gujarati and Young India in English, soon expanding their literary repertoire to include books within just a year. Among the visionaries steering this ship was Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel—one of the founding trustees and the Trust’s very first Chairperson. It was under his stewardship that the land on Ashram Road was secured, laying the cornerstone for Navajivan’s enduring home. This sanctuary of words and wisdom was officially unveiled by Patel himself on October 31, 1950.

The journey hasn’t been without trials. Amidst the turbulent tides of India’s freedom struggle, the Trust weathered storms and stood firm, ensuring the publication remained accessible to the public—affordable, independent, and untouched by donations or advertisements, a principle held sacred by Gandhiji. Today, under fresh leadership, the Trust’s mission stretches far beyond its roots, embracing new endeavors while steadfastly championing the timeless values, ideals, and spirit that gave Navajivan life.

Every illustrated page tells a story—a landmark moment captured through the artist’s brush, paper, and pen, weaving the legacy of Navajivan into a vibrant tapestry of history and hope.

The Art first exhibited as part of the Group show at Satya Art Gallery, Ahmedabad – add video