Sitaram Maroo

Early Life and Background

Sitaram Maroo was born on October 11, 1925, in Ranchi. His father, Chauthmal Maroo, originally hailed from Renwal in Rajasthan and migrated to Ranchi in 1920 in pursuit of business opportunities. From a young age, Sitaram Maroo imbibed the values of discipline, patriotism, and service, becoming an active volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Commitment to Social Welfare

Alongside his business interests, Sitaram Maroo nurtured a strong inclination towards social service. His journey in community work began early:

• 1951: Appointed Secretary of the Marwari Sahayak Samiti, one of Ranchi’s most respected social organisations.
• 1958: Played a key role with other visionaries in establishing the Nagarmal Modi Seva Sadan, a charitable hospital dedicated to serving the needy.

Promotion of Culture and National Values

Driven by nationalist ideals and cultural renaissance, Sitaram Maroo took several initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s cultural roots:

• Launched a weekly publication titled “Jai Matribhoomi” in Patna, spreading nationalistic thought and awareness.
• 1986: Became President of Sanskriti Vihar, the oldest cultural institution in South Bihar (now Jharkhand).
  Under his leadership, Sanskriti Vihar expanded its outreach by starting:
  • Night schools for underprivileged students
  • Rural medical camps
  • Eye-care services
  • Welfare programmes for leprosy patients and marginalised communities

Spiritual and Educational Initiatives

In 1986, Sitaram Maroo laid the foundation of a spiritual centre dedicated to Lord Bhuvan Bhaskar (Surya Narayan) on a hill near NH-33, between Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Today, this centre is a respected spiritual, cultural, and tourist destination in Jharkhand.

From this centre, he initiated Shishu Mandirs, promoting value-based education rooted in Indian culture. Presently, more than 2,000 students across eight schools are being educated from Classes 1 to 10.

Recognition and Honours

Sitaram Maroo’s humanitarian contributions earned him notable accolades:

• Manav Mitra Samman – January 25, 1997
• In the same year, the Rajasthan Parishad, Kolkata, honoured him with the title “Social Worker of South Bihar” during Pratap Jayanti

To encourage the spread of Indian culture and spiritual knowledge, he also launched a Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) Sales Centre from his office, making spiritual literature accessible to the masses.

Legacy

Sitaram Maroo passed away on December 6, 2003, leaving behind a rich legacy of service, cultural revival, and nation-building.

Philatelic Tribute

The Department of Posts proudly releases a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Sitaram Maroo—a visionary who dedicated his life to social service, cultural enrichment, and nurturing national values.