Women Convention Opposed Liquor in Jharkhand

31 March, Hazaribag: NBJK and partner organizations have called SHG members, elected women representatives and others to join a convention to oppose liquor collectively. The program was inaugurated by Mrs. Sarojini Devi (Pramukh, Sadar block), Mrs. Anushree Devi (Pramukh, Churchu block), Mrs. Agnesia S. Purty (Member, District Council), Mrs. Sharmili Ekka (In-charge, Women Police Station, Hazaribag) and Ms. Veena Sethi (Advocate). Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has welcomed all and defined liquor as the root cause of numerous problem. He supported the demand from village women of Jharkhand that the government must ban liquor like in Bihar where such ban will be imposed from very next day. Mr. Satish Girija has suggested prohibiting foreign liquor firstly and for a phase wise ban on country/homemade liquor with help of women representatives elected for more than 50% seats of PRIs.

Mrs. Sarojini Devi has branded liquor as most anti-women and demanded for a strict ban over its production and sell in the state.  The very department of excise & prohibition shows us a paradoxical system, she said. Mrs. Anushree Devi has blamed liquor for destroying people’s life and wealth in villages and insisted for the ban to save them. Mrs. Agnesia S. Purty has raised the issues of awareness, education and livelihood for a successful campaign against liquor. Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani panchayat) has supported the ban and appealed for cooperation from male members of each family to this anti-liquor drive. Mr. Mahendra Ram (Mukhiya, Silwar panchayat) has wished to make his panchayat free from liquor and regretted for less women in assembly/parliament as impedimental for delay in action desired against liquor. Mr. Jeevlal Mahto (ex-Pramukh, Sadar block) was concerned about diminishing social support for such battle due to growing number of drinkers.

Mr. Nandlal Saw (ex-Mukhiya, Oriya panchayat) has condemned the trend of liquor intake during religious functions even and supported the women. Mrs. Yashoda Devi (ex-Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat) has appealed all to oust this social vice while Mrs. Sharda Devi (Ward Member, Singhani panchayat) was for legal as well as social restrictions. Mrs. Sharmili Ekka has accused liquor for most of the crimes against women and Mrs. Veena Sethi appreciated this combined initiative for a greater cause. Also Mr. Filman Bakhla (Lok Prerna Kendra), Mr. Awdhesh Chandra Pandey (Chhotanagpur Vikas Utprerna Kendra) and Dr. Vishwanath Azad (SHARK) have addressed the convention against liquor participated by around 200 women.

Staff Training on ADL under Rights to PWDs program #ActionVillageIndia

26-29 March, Hazaribag: Under the Rights to PWDs program with support of AVI-BLF (UK), a training on ADL or Activities of Daily Living was organized for program staffs from Hazaribag, Koderma, Giridih, Nawada and Gaya districts. Mr. Prabhunath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) has inducted this through focus upon opportunities for people with disabilities and referred to such people with proven talent. A bit of self-reliance can change their perception towards life and this training will enable our staffs to orient PWDS and their carers to such skills systematically, Mr. Sharma opined.

Before this, Mr. Rajesh Ranjan (Program Manager) has greeted all participants and valued the very freedom from dependence for PWDs. He was optimistic about better performance of program staffs after completion of this training. The inaugural ceremony was attended by other program managers like Mrs. Sujata Prasad and Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh also. They have welcomed this skill sharing initiative to be delivered in field ultimately to facilitate people suffering from physical or mental limitations.

During these four days training, Mr. Paras Nath Mahto (Special Teacher) has introduced about the daily life problems for such children/people and assured to get rid of them through ADL with support of their parents or carers. He has covered daily routine, mobility, gross motor, fine motor, literacy, sign/touch language, words reiteration, socialization and communication etc. for such people with visual or hearing impairment, deafblindness, mental retardation or illness. There were 56 field staffs and district/block coordinators participated in the training.

#FamilyCounseling Center for Ban to Liquor @MinistryWCD

21 March, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag): Family Counseling Center by NBJK with support of  Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi and Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board, Ranchi has taken an initiative against domestic violence by inviting Panchayti Raj representatives and officers from Women Police Station, Hazaribag for a meeting over their support to restrict boozes and drunkards in villages.

Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has greeted all comers there and requested them to curb the menace caused by alcoholism rampant in villages. There is a correlation between liquor and violence as well as superstitious practices or other crimes against women & children, he said and appealed to ensure a safe home or neighborhood for them. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Mahendra Ram (Mukhiya, Silwar panchayat) who appreciated the idea of FCC to facilitate peace and harmony in our families. Mrs. Ameltina Ekka (In-charge, WPS) has commended village meetings to resolve family disputes and offered all possible help to the Center.  Mrs. Meera Gupta (Counselor) was conducting the meeting and made liquor responsible for most of the marital disputes and insisted for support from people of PRIs as well as administration. FCC has been providing service to settle family discords for a long time and prefers reconciliation through community intervention, Mrs. Gupta pointed out.

Also Panchayti Raj representatives like Mrs. Yashoda Devi (Ex-Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat), Mrs. Sharda Devi (Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat), Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani panchayat), Mr. Nand Lal Saw (Ex-Mukhiya, Oriya panchayat), Mr. Chhote Lal Rana, Mrs. Sharda Devi (Ward members) have supported the view for a social boycott to liquor.

#Water Digest Water Award to NBJK @TheWaterDigest

21 March, New Delhi: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra has won 10th Water Digest Water Award, 2015-16 and declared winner under the category of Best NGO for Revival of Rural Water Resources by noted media organisation Times Network in partnership with UNESCO. Also ASSOCHAM, the Central Water Commission, the Central Ground Water Board, WAPCOS Ltd. and NSF have supported the event.

The felicitation of awards was presided over by Mr. Birender Singh, Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water and Sanitation in presence of other dignitaries like Mr. Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation,  Mr. Al Amin Yusuph, Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO, Mr. G. S. Jha, Chairman, Central Water Commission, Mr. K. B. Biswas, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board, Mr. S. Masood Husain, Director General, National Water Development Agency, Mr. Sushil Khodvekar (IAS), Commissioner, Nanded Waghala Municipal Corporation and Mr. B. B. Singh, Head Water Business (South Asia), NSF International.

For NBJK, it was a celebration of the Livelihood program with support of Tata Trusts and CInI in Khunti, Jharkhand. NBJK has facilitated people of Baree village to get water of Tajna River flowing across Sudgiburu hillocks. This endeavor didn’t need any complex system, machinery, power or fuel rather gravity force is being used as Diversion Based Irrigation Management (DBIM) for the purpose. The water comes through 2 km long downward pipeline of 3 feet diameter by cutting rocks. Baree village is about 16 km from Khunti town/district headquarter and people were relying upon rainwater for agriculture. Currently they get 24 hours water supply for domestic use and are able to irrigate 200 acres of land round the year with community ownership as they contributed to the setup.

The theme for the award was Water and Jobs.  Water Digest, the magazine works towards raising awareness of the issue affecting water and revolves around the changes and problems faced by the common man as well as the solution that the water industry has worked on.

Workshop to Protect #ChildRights @CHILDLINE1098

18 March, Chouparan: Under the auspices of CIF, Kolkata and Union Ministry of Women & Child development, NBJK run Childline 1098 Sub-centre at Chouparan block (Hazaribag) has organized a workshop upon safeguarding Child rights with village level health workers like Sahiya and Anganwadi Sevikas at Community Health Center. The program was inaugurated by Mrs. Neelam Devi (Pramukh, Chouparan block) and Dr. Yogendra Singh (Block Medical Officer, Chouparan) together. Mrs. Neelam Devi has praised the very idea of Childline 1098 to rescue children trapped within trouble and appealed for community support for this noble cause. Dr. Yogendra Singh has raised the issue of child marriage and called Sahiyas/Anganwadi workers to make people aware against such customs hazardous for children.

Before this, Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) has thrown light over safety of children and their rights. On this occasion, Mr. Birendra Sinha (Coordinator, Childline team) has informed about the program started in Chouparan from April’15 and about its coverage area of Barhi, Barkattha, Padma blocks besides Chouparan. Now it became easier to help any child through this national helpline open for 24 hours all days, he said. Mr. Sinha has reported about support to 25 children by Childline 1098 within the period including 4 cases of child marriage. While talking about the work mode, Mrs. Maya Mishra (Team member) has ensured that Childline 1098 conceals all incoming information about the victim and acts within an hour from the call received. Dr. Dheeraj (Medical officer) has insisted for social awareness to support Childline 1098. Dr. Sarwar Hasan (Medical officer) has found economic pressure behind cases of child exploitation and asked for an inclusive view for their rehabilitation.

Mr. Narayan Rajak (Team member) has explained about Childline 1098 lucidly and said that even pregnant ladies come under its purview as we care for all children from 0 to 18 years, so such mothers suffering from malnutrition and domestic violence can inform us to get help, he was applauded. Mrs. Savita Kumari (CDPO, Chouparan) justified Childline 1098 in a changing society and pleaded for support. Mr. Ranjan Kumar (Program manager, CCCD) stood for mutual understanding among stakeholders and votaries of child rights. The workshop was anchored by Mr. Brijnandan Singh as well as a support team of Mrs. Punam Kumari, Mrs. Sulekha Devi, Mr. Birendra Giri, and Mr. Navratan Pandey has arranged all.

Workshop to Safeguard #ChildRights @CHILDLINE1098

11 March, Chouparan: NBJK run Childline sub-centre at Chouparan block (District-Hazaribag) has organized a workshop on protection of child rights. The program was supported by CIF, Kolkata and the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, New Delhi. During inaugural ceremony, Mr. Prabhunath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) has focused upon safety of children and briefed about their rights. Mr. Sanjay Kumar (District Coordinator, Childline) has described about the procedure of Childline as a team work and importance of NBJK in the setup for Chouparan block. Its significance is to call upon a toll free number 1098 of Childline for security initiative around children absconding, exploited, sick or left homes through a network and coordination between state governments, GOs & NGOs, educational institutions and other agencies. There were government officials and PRI representatives contributed to the workshop.

Mr. Sanjay Prasad (District Child Protection Officer) has informed about child marriage, child labour and juvenile justice acts including circumstances when a child needs intervention for security. Mr. Santosh Ravidas (Member, District Council) has talked about children through a poem and thanked NBJK for educational support he got from during his own childhood. Mr. Chandra Prakash (City Coordinator, Childline Hazaribag) has elaborated about Childline activities and expected for people’s support to its functioning. Mrs. Rajni Kiran (Chairperson, District Child Welfare Committee) explained about administrative-cum-legal safeguards for any child in need and stressed upon shared efforts for success. To involve children in hazardous works is a crime and we must avoid this, pointed out Mr. Prem Kumar (Labour Inspector) while Mrs. Rina Devi (Member, District Council) has welcomed the move to protect children and said about their enormous talent hidden inside.

The workshop was contributed by Md. Tahid (Dy. Pramukh), Dr. Sarwar Hasan (Medical Officer), Mr. Ramswarup Paswan (Member, District Council), Mr. Naresh Paswan (Mukhiya), Mr. Dayanand Singh (Principal), Mr. Kailash Rana (Teacher), Md. Faizan Ahmad (Member, Panchayat Committee) also. Mr. Brijnandan Singh has conducted the event and Mr. Birendra Sinha has voted for thanks. Mrs. Maya Mishra, Mrs. Punam Devi, Mr. Virendra Giri and Mr. Narayan Rajak were in the organizing team.

Aids and Appliances to #ChallengedPeople @CBMAustralia

10 March, Dumka: NBJK has distributed aids & appliances to challenged people under the program of Integrated CBR and Eye Care services with support of CBM-Ausaid. The event was inaugurated by Mrs. Amita Rakshit, Chairperson of the Dumka Town local body. She appreciated the organization for mainstreaming PWDs and rehabilitation measures for them. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) was present on the occasion and appealed PWDs including their carers to have entitlements and benefits by marking their strong presence.  He has briefed about other activities by NBJK to empower challenged people. There were 25 wheel chairs, 20 sticks, 15 walking sticks, 5 crutches, 4 Braille machines and 12 hearing aids distributed among challenged peoples in the camp.

Mr. Mayank Bhushan (Manager, NBJK Dumka) has presented a review of the wide ranged works accomplished by NBJK in last 5 years across the district and informed about the future plans to be executed. The program has honoured Vanfool SHG of Digghee (Dumka) for best management and parents of a special child Farhan Akhtar for best care taking. A team comprised of Mr. Kumar Rajan (Program Manager), Mr. Vikas Kumar (block Coordinator), Mr. Umesh Saw, Mr. VDP Singh, Mr. Nitesh (Physiotherapist), Md. Abul H. Ansari and others made the event successful.

In another activity of quiz around disability at Government Middle School, Astajod in Kathikund block, 30 students of class VII & VIII have participated and won prizes. Baby Husna Ara Khatoon, Baby Jasmine Khatoon and Master Saheb Ansari became first, second and third in the row. Mr. Alauddin Ansari (Principal), Mr. Safique Ansari (Teacher) and Kumar Rajan (Program Manager) have facilitated the quiz to sensitize children towards people suffering from disability.                        

Training on Communication and #FundRaising @senseindia

7-8 March, Hazaribag: Two days training on Communication and Fund Raising was organized for NBJK staff with support of Sense India, Ahmadabad as their initiative for capacity building of partner VOs. Sense India’s communication team members Mrs. Daniella Ayesha and Ms. Sherine Stanly have contributed the training with their expertise and suggested for individual fund raising to run the programs like eye care, girls’ education and others. They have observed organizational documents like annual report, newsletter, brochures etc. and provided feedback for better presentation with credibility that facilitates people to come forward and support for the cause we communicate through materials before them.

The resource persons have shared their own work experience and the strategy evolved against hindrances to raise fund locally. It’s significant to know that Sense India supported program of Services to Deafblind Children by NBJK is being met mostly by the fund generated from individual donors by Sense. We need to develop a personalized image of our organization through ICE materials to make people interested, engaged and associated to our works in interest of common people, pointed out Ms. Sherine Stanly. She went through the intricacies of some specially designed materials by Sense in course of fund raising through better concepts. Mrs. Daniella Ayesha has favored for a strong presence of NBJK on social media and called to initiate for digital fund raising. She advocated for a better website and efficient donation page there to grab attention of the people who can support good work financially.

The training was attended by Mr. Gandharv Gaurav (Program Director), Mr. Vinay K. Bhatta (Media Cell), Mr. Rupesh Mallik (Advance Planning), Mr. Uma Shankar (Lord Buddha Home for Children), Mr. Kirti Rawat and Mr. Ankit (Rojgar Training Center). The Sense team has visited deafblind children getting services in Hazaribag, Ramgarh and Ranchi later on.

Honour to Social Work at LBHC

A seasoned social worker Mr. Ramswarup Bhai who hails from Paraiya, Gaya and heads Lok Shakti Shikshan Kendra there, was honored by his friends from United Kingdom in a simple ceremony held at Lord Buddha Home for Children, Bodhgaya on 9^th February.

Mr. Ivan Nutbrown (a follower of Mahatma Gandhi) has presented a bunch of citations on behalf of others also to Ramswarup Bhai as a compiled and framed collection of memoirs around him. Mr. Nutbrown remembered his 50 years old friendship with Ramswarup Bhai and called him a person committed to social cause and love to downtrodden. His other friends like Mary Holmes, Susan Holden, Yuan, Simon, Louise, Nigel, Jim, Jennie too have sent him their good wishes and expressed solidarity with the simple old man supported by NBJK too in his effort. Mr. Tony and Ms Cathy Siddle have attended the program and expressed their experiences with a person opts low profile.

Mr Girija Satish (President, NBJK) has thrown light over the old days of Ramswarup Bhai and found him an inspiring personality forever. The program has attracted a number of social figures of the area like Mr. Dwarko Sundrani, Mr. K. N. Giri, Rampadarath Jee, Shivyatan Bhai, Baleshwar Jee, Putul Kumari, Upendra Singh, Rajendra Manjhi  and many more.  The event is supposed to be a morale booster for grass root social workers.                             

A Field Visit to VO under Support to Small Initiatives @bread4theworld

2 March, Bokaro: Adarsh Gram Sewa Samiti (village-Kanjkeri, block-Nawadih, district-Bokaro, Jharkhand) was visited by an NBJK team under Support to Small Initiatives program designed to promote small grass root VOs and their capacity building. Mr. Basudev Sharma (Secretary, AGSS) is a recipient of the fellowship provided through the program with support of BFW (Germany).

Mr. Rajeev Singh (program manager) and Mr. Shankar Rana (asst. program manager) have visited SHGs of mushroom grower women and provided them some tips for smooth marketing and more income. They took a stock of office management and documentation process of the organization to ensure execution of standard practices needed by the government or donor agencies. Also they went to Usha Silai School running in the area for village girls by the woman teacher selected and trained by NBJK and AGSS with help of Usha International Ltd. The Silai School is able to cater 48 girls and women as a learning point for tailoring as the most popular skill they want to be familiar with at ease. They met villagers and found them aware for any dig demonstrated as social audit or facts finding tool for the partner VO.

Under Support to Small Initiatives Program, we work upon capacity building of VOs and try to streamline them in accordance with the requirements of regulatory bodies to ensure transparency and a work culture to deliver result, pointed out Mr. Rajeev Singh (program manager) after the field visit. The program support goes to 29 VOs across Jharkhand and Bihar to strengthen people’s initiative for development.