The DDD Charitable Trust

(Estd. 2017)

Core Value

Knowledge empowers minds. It dispels ignorance and engenders betterment in all spheres of life.

Mission

The mission of The Devi Dayal Dhody Charitable Trust (DDD Charitable Trust) established in 2017, is to publish, create, and disseminate ancient Indian Vedic knowledge of our scriptures through books, lectures/talks, cultural programs, and audio, visual, and electronic media in order “To preserve and uphold the ancient Indian Vedic Culture”.

The trust is named after our forefather, Shri Devi Dial Dhody (Devi Dayal), whose inspiration guides the mission of this organization.

First Milestone of the Trust

Republication of The Shrī Rāma-Charita-Mānasa English Translation

The republication of Tulasī’s Rāma-Charita-Mānasa, An English Rendering: Annotated Word-for-Word Translation, written by Chandan Lal Dhody, is the first milestone in the Trust’s undertakings. This mammoth task was undertaken by the Trust with the intent of making this knowledge available to English-speaking populations across the globe.  The underlying aim is to foster peace and happiness in a conflict-ridden world and inspire people to live purposeful and inspired lives.  A worldwide launch of this book is planned for the year 2023.

The book, a one-of-a-kind, is a unique publication, presenting a popular Indian scripture in a novel manner. The elegant design and authentic content should appeal to diverse populations and age groups. In an all-colour edition, replete with images and graphics, and a coffee table feel—it is a collector’s edition, rather a work of art.

Although, publishing this monumental work has been a cost and time-intensive project—but for lovers of The Shrī Rāma-Charita-Mānasa, and those who uphold and value Vedic traditions, or for those wishing to learn about Vedic knowledge from a reliable and credible source—this is an invaluable resource. 

Being an all-colour edition, this First edition of the book in 3 volumes—with high costs of design, color printing, and shipping—is priced accordingly.  To make this book accessible to a greater number of people, the Trust plans to simultaneously publish an affordable version in black and white, and in the very near future an audiobook. At the same time, the Trust will work on making this book available to libraries and other organizations that can make this exclusive work available to larger populations.

Non-Profit
Organization

The DDD Trust is a non-profit organization. The profits made from its activities and book sales will be funneled into publishing more books and conducting other philanthropic works outlined in the Trust’s mission. 

Philanthropic Activities

Following are the philanthropic activities outlined in the Mission of the Trust, although not limited to the ones listed here:

  • Print and publish Vedic literature in various formats to further Vedic education.
  • Support meritorious students with financial needs in their regular education.
  • Provide education and support to intellectually, cognitively, and physically disabled students.
  • Provide support for the healthcare of the less privileged.

Making a difference one child at a time

Since its inception in 2017, the Trust has been supporting the education of one such deserving young student with financial needs. With 6 years of school support the young girl has progressed tremendously. Read the mother’s heart-touching testimonial as she is witnessing her daughter’s academic progress and her career prospects brighten.

I live in Shimla and have one daughter who studies in 9th standard. I am separated from my husband, and he does not provide us with any financial support. My daughter is very good at her studies. Several years back I was finding it difficult to pay her school fees and was considering pulling her out of school. But, through Rohit Sir, I met Shailja ma’am. She took on the responsibility of paying my daughter’s school fees and ever since, she has continued to do so.  At the payment time, the full fee amount is transferred to my account. Today, my daughter can study because of her. My heartfelt thanks to her! Ma’am is like God for us. Because of you my daughter can study and can become something one day.

Tamanna (Mother of the young girl student)

Reach out to us

If you wish to learn more about the trust’s activities and get engaged in this mission,

Please write to us at: [email protected]

The Inspiration behind this Trust

The story of the man behind the name
“DDD Charitable Trust” (1879–1963)

DDD Charitable Trust, stands for Devi Dayal Dhody Charitable Trust, named after Lala Devī Diāl Dhoḍy (DDD), who is reverently addressed as Mahātmā Shrī Devī Diāl Dhoḍy (Babu ji), the translator’s revered father and the inspiration behind the translation of this great classic, The Shrī-Rāma-Charita-Mānasa. Hence, his name on the Trust guides the mission of the Trust, and with whose blessings this entire venture started.

His Life

In his professional life, Devī Diāl (Devi Dayal or DD) started his career in the land settlement organization for the Punjab Government, Attock District (now in Pakistan). Later he was sent on a deputation to the Princely state of Mandi.  All such land settlement assignments could not last longer than 5 years. However, in the case of DD, the Raja of Mandi, who was so impressed with DD’s work ethic, did not want to let him go. So, on one pretext or another, he kept seeking an extension for Devi Dayal from the Punjab Government to continue staying on in Mandi. Hence Devi Dayal served the ruler of Mandi in various capacities—Personal Assistant; Administrative Officer; Finance Secretary; Supervisor, State Salt Mines; Registrar, Cooperative Societies; and Land Acquisition Officer until his retirement in 1932. 

He retired with a distinguished record to his credit. His professional notebook was full of comments with words lauding and describing him for his fairness, impartiality, trustworthiness, and devotion to duty. Comments like these were repeated year after year for DD by every supervisor: “He is scrupulously honest, painstaking, and thoroughly reliable.”

The Inspiring Personality of DDD

Chandan Lal (CL), in a personal letter, describes DD’s spiritual personality a little further.

With him, he always kept a copy each of The Shrī Rāma-Charita-Mānasa and The Bhagavad Gītā and constantly kept writing or chanting the “Rāma” Nāma (The Name).  After retirement when he was in Shimla, he used to visit the Hanumān temple at the top of Jakhu Hill every day. The Jakhu temple was quite a trek from Chotta Shimla where they lived—about 5-6 kms. But for DD who was, then in his 70’s, it was no hindrance to visiting his Lord Hanumān.

On Tuesdays, he would spend the entire night in the temple. On these occasions, CL often walked stealthily behind his father to ensure that his father safely got to the temple. When they later moved to Chandigarh, he would offer his daily obeisance at Sector 23, Sanatana Dharma Mandir (Radha Krishna Temple).

In his writings, DDD constantly encourages everyone to read the discourses of Shabarī and Vālmīki from The Rāma-Charita-Mānasa, which detail the nine-fold Bhakti and the essence of all Vedic scriptures.

Mahātmā Devi Dayal’s life story is a shining example of a true Karm Yogi, detached from the world he was in, yet performing his worldly duties to perfection. With his mind always in God consciousness, he was a saint living in the householder’s garb. His strong work ethic and spiritual inclination were in turn emulated by his son, Chandan Lal.

When he left for his heavenly abode, the congregation around him noticed his hands clasped in prayer and a beautiful smile playing on his lips that they had never witnessed before. At the sight, they joyously broke into chanting “Shrī Rāma Jaya Rāma Jaya Jaya Rāma.”

My mother, then a young girl, fondly remembers her grandfather in his late life, and recollects an old man who had just one purpose and one relation in life, that is Lord Shrī Rāma—in whose thoughts, words, and teachings he remained immersed day in and day out, completely oblivious to the world around him. He simply greeted and blessed everyone with “Rāma Rāma” as they sought his blessings while going about their lives. He himself just remained immersed in his contemplations of “Rāma”.

Such principled personalities, while living in the world, leading lives of integrity and high ideals, are shining role models for society and the pride of our hearts.

The DDD Community Interest Company

(Estd. 2023)

Core Value

Knowledge empowers minds. It dispels ignorance and engenders betterment in all spheres of life.

Mission

The Devi Dayal Dhody Community Interest Company (DDD Community InterestCompany, or DDD CIC) is a sister concern of The DDD Charitable Trust, also named after our great-grandfather, Shri Devi Dial Dhody (Devi Dayal), the inspiration behind this mission.

DDD CIC was set up in 2023, in London, UK, to help support the DDD Charitable Trust’s mission and activities on a global scale—that is to publish, create, and disseminate ancient Indian Vedic knowledge of our scriptures through books, lectures/talks, cultural programs, and audio, visual, and electronic media in order “To preserve and uphold the ancient Indian Vedic Culture”.  

The two organizations work hand in hand in realizing this goal.

To know how you can support our mission, please reach out to shailja@dddcharitable trust.com.

 

Copyright@ DDD Charitable Trust, 2023