Dervan village in Konkan is situated in one of the most backward regions of Maharashtra State. Until seventies, it had all the predominant features of a neglected Indian village: being deprived of development, having lowest per capita income, lack of basic necessities of life like food, shelter, drinking water, education etc., exploitation from various quarters of the society etc. The population mainly consisted of landless laborers, which still remained in the village, after rapid migration to cities by most of the villagers for earning their livelihood.
Villagers of Dervan, like in any other backward Indian Cities, were deprived of modern medical assistance. They suffered from various diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis etc. due to impure drinking water, malnutrition, inadequate diet etc. Due to absence of education and illiteracy, people were superstitious in general and were being exploited by the unqualified Vaidus or those practicing tantra / Mantra, operating in moffusil areas.