The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram was founded in 1952 by Ramakant Keshav Deshpande (also known as Balasaheb Deshpande), an official of the Orissa State Department of Tribal Welfare, with the support of the State Government and the RSS. After Independence, Balasaheb was appointed by the then Ravi Shankar Shukla Government to work in tribal-dominated Jashpur area as ‘Regional Officer’ of the ‘Tribal Development Scheme’. This particular area had gone into the iron grip of the Christian missionaries who had converted the simple tribal people to their religion by using all means fair and foul. Their conversion to Christianity had alienated them from the cultural and national moorings. Its aim was to counter the appeal of Christian missionary schools to the tribals. Based in Jashpur (214 km from Raigarh), it established schools in Raigarh and Surguja districts – areas with large tribal populations. The Ashram grew rapidly and a permanent office was established in 1963, inaugurated by the RSS chief M. S. Golwalkar.

Ramchandra Kharadi ji , the national president, was born on 15th January 1955 in the Bheel Janajati in Kharbar village, Udaipur, Rajasthan. He joined the government service after completion of his graduation. He worked on various government posts like Tahsildar, Sub-divisional magistrate, Additional district collector etc in many districts of Rajasthan. He did commendable job related to settlement of land disputes while working in the government service. Due to this he was well-known in the government sector.

He took the voluntary retirement from government service in 2014 and remained active in the religious and social work. In 1995 he came across the Gayatri Pariwar in addition to his work of protecting the heritage of the Janajati people. Under the leadership of Kharadiji the Gayatri Mata Mandir was constructed at 17 places. He played the role of host in 108 Kundiy Gayatri Mahayadnya. He also played a key role in the community marriages at various places.

He came in contact with the Kalyan Aashram in 2003 when the Aashram Bhavan was being constructed in Dungarpur. He was selected as the President of Rajashthan unit in 2016. He was reappointed on the same post in 2019.

He had participated in the seminar of learned Janajati members arranged in Nashik. He also attended the camp for media spoke-persons (Delhi), the workshop on PESA act under the Hitaraksha Aayam (Hyderabad) and the seminar to prepare the Vision Document (Mumbai) and shared his experiences.

The workers from entire India could interact with him during many all India programmes in last 5 years. He has established good rapport with all the main workers spread over the country. His is well-known among the workers for his clarity of thoughts and impressive oratory.

Shri Kharadiji was honoured with the Sant EshvarSeva Purskar in 2017. Shri Ramchandra Kharadiji is supposed to take forward the great work of Aashram following the footprints of Hon. Balasaheb Deshpandeji and Hon. Jagadevramji.

The central executive committee has selected Ramchandra Kharadi, a resident of Pratapgadh ( Rajasthan) , as the third president of the Kalyan Aashram. Hon. Jagadevramji Urav lead the Aashram for 25 long years after the death of Hon. Balasaheb Deshpandeji in 1995. The post was vacant after passing away of Hon. Jagadevramji in Jashpur on 15th July 2020.

Dr. Bharat Kelkar. Renowned Orthopaedist of Nashik. Involved in many social activities. Currently President of Kalyan Ashram Paschim Maharashtra unit.

Shri Chetaram ji Devchand Pawar has an important role in the model village of Baripada in Dhule district of Maharashtra. Presently, President of Devagiri Prant of Kalyan Ashram

Prof. Laxman Dhavalu Tople. Retired Principal of Vikramgad Junior College. A well known writer. He has written many books on janajati issue. Currently President of Konkan Region.