Ashram

I want to undestand what people in India understand by the term "ashram". In a novel I am reading, there is a talk about an ashram in Mumbai; it is however not a place for espiritual retreat or something like that, but a care center for girls that have been trafficked and rescued. On the other side, it is not related with Hinduism since the managers of this ashram are Christian Nuns. 

My question is if this author (an american one) has used the word as a literary licence or it is indeed used as such for this charitable organizations.

In general Christian organizations choose to use "center" for such a place and not "aashram" because aashram has connotations with Hindu organizations (not religious necessarily; it can be social also). But people differ in opinion and if someone has used this term for a christian organisation or a social one supported by them, then I don't think many will raise any objections...

If you wonder if "Ashram" should mean "a place of refuge" and hence could be used by all, "a place of refuge" is best represented in the word "ashray" rather than in "ashram".

From ancient times, sages and rishis used to establish ashrams to impart education to their disciples. I don't know if there was any other term for their establishment.

"Ashray" best means a house, but it is closer to being a "refuge". The term "aashrit" would come close to it, meaning one who is seeking or got a refuge.

The terms like vriddhashram perhaps came up because old people spend their remaining years of life remembering God or practicing piousness.

For terms like Sudhar Grih (for jail) or for many other related terms, "grih" or "ashray" are used and not "ashram"..

Even the right term is "grihastha ashram", for married life, and brahmcharya ashram for unmarried student life. Because the four phases of life are seen as in connected with ideal life as prescribed in the Hindu scriptures. So I think the word ashram has a connection (and hence connotation) of association with Hinduism...

Here are the dictionary meanings of "ashram":
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ash·ram    [ahsh-ruhm]
noun
1. a secluded building, often the residence of a guru, used for religious retreat or instruction in Hinduism.
2. the persons instructed there.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ashram

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Definition of ASHRAM

1 : a secluded dwelling of a Hindu sage; also : the group of disciples instructed there
2 : a religious retreat

Origin of ASHRAM

Sanskrit āśrama, from śrama religious exercise
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ashram

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ashram [ˈæʃrəm ˈɑːʃ-]
n

1. (Non-Christian Religions / Hinduism) a religious retreat or community where a Hindu holy man lives

2. a house that provides accommodation for destitute people
[from Sanskrit āśrama, from ā- near + śrama religious exertion]
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ashram

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ASHRAM<===> प्रार्थना स्थल (pr. \\prarthana sthal \\ )[Noun]

Example:The saint had an ashram on teh hill top.
http://dict.hinkhoj.com/words/meanin...-in-hindi.html

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The dictionaries make it very clear that ashram is connected to Hinduism. There is no penalty to use it in literal terms for "a house", but in its original and apt meaning, it is only connected to Hinduism.