Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra
Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra
Jharkhand State Lok Samiti Convention
On 20 March, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti has organized it’s convention at Jaiprakash hall of NBJK- Ranchi. Mr. Girija Satish (President, National Lok Samiti) has inaugurated the convention and reminded about the need of governance and justice for common citizens. He said that decentralization, accountability and transparency are the tools to be used for such long awaited reforms in our system responsible for services delayed or denied to people. We must have empowered PRIs & urban bodies, panchayat/block level courts for justice and a restructured IPC in order to establish a just society, he pointed out. The national president of Lok Samiti has talked about plight of rural India and land acquisition bill that discourages agriculture. Mr. Girija has supported an alternative model for development and exchange of ideas over the issue. The program was chaired by Mr. Satish Girija (President, JSLS) who expressed concern over poor performance of legislative, judiciary and executive organs of government that could neither control poverty, migration; trafficking, women atrocity and corruption, nor be able to earn people’s faith in the system. Mr. K. G. Azad (LS national coordinator) has established relevance of Lok Samiti as a platform for common sharing and way out upon public issues. The convention has offered rich tribute to late Narayan Desai, a noted Gandhian scholar and passed resolutions for withdrawal of land bill, self-government by PRIs/urban bodies, wide-ranging reforms in judiciary & election system, price/subsidy support to farmers, complete ban on liquor and membership campaign for Lok Samiti. Mrs. Wilchen Ekka, Mr. Shankar Rana (coordinator, JSLS), Mr. Wazir Ahmad (vice-president, JSLS), Mr. Bhaagwat Ravidas, Mr. Abdus Subhan, Dr. Vishwanath Azad, Dr. C A Kumar, Mr. Gautam Sagar have expressed their views during the convention participated by 105 delegates from different districts/blocks of Jharkhand.
2.5 Lacs Pairs of Shoes for School Children in Hazaribag
NBJK has already distributed around 1 lac pairs of shoes among school children in 7 blocks and the process is going on to cover 1.5 lacs more school children of other 7 blocks in the district with support from Plan India, said Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) during the shoes distribution ceremony held at Hindi Middle School, Pelawal (Hazaribag) on 19 March. He affirmed for child centered development initiative by the organization and shared related work experience from Churchu that includes families, schools and surroundings to carry child rights. Mr. Rajkumar Prasad Singh (District Education Officer) has appreciated the Shoes for Children campaign by NBJK & Plan as an impetus to school going children in villages. There were 307 children (girls-166, boys-141) who got shoes on the day. The function was addressed by Mr. Chatthu Vijay Singh (SDEO), Mr. Ghulam Samdani (BDO) and Mrs. Tejendra Kaur (BEO) also who have inspired children to use provided footwear as a dress quorum that prevents infection and keep safety for their tender feet. Mr. Ranjan Kumar (branch manager, NBJK-Churchu) has presented a brief timeline and objective of the campaign before officers, teachers and children. The event was anchored by Mr. Sanjay Tiwary (Jharkhand Education Project) while Mr. Praveen Kumar (headmaster) has offered vote of thanks. Mrs. Anupama Rani (CRP, Katkamdag), Mr. Shivesh K. Verma (Supervisor, Plan India), Mr. Pritam Soni and other staffs from NBJK have assisted school management to arrange the function.
Livelihood Project launched by NBJK-Khunti
An An inclusive program on livelihood enhancement of 2500 households in 45 villages under Khunti district was initiated by NBJK with support of Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai and CInI-Jharkhand began formally on 10 March through the project launching workshop held at CInI office, Khunti. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Edmond Minz (District Agriculture Officer, Khunti) who favored for team spirit and clear vision to make it a success. The DAO has welcomed NBJK supported farming on fallow land with cash crop like tomato, watermelon and assured for scheme based facilities to farmers. Er. Satish Girija (Founder & Secretary, NBJK) has established relevance of the program for Jharkhand where majority of people depend upon rain fed agriculture and migrate due to food insecurity. Improved agricultural practices and allied activities have enough potential to transform rural income pattern, he emphasized. Mr. Sirshendu Paul (Team Leader, Tata Trust-CInI Cell) has briefed about their activities and termed Khunti as a priority district to work with high focus, continuous funding and due commitment. Mr. Ayan Dev (Program Coordinator, Tata Trust-CInI Cell) has shared about achievements of prior work by NBJK-CInI that benefitted 2050 households with increased food security, cash crop farming, livestock rearing and more income. Mr. Ravish Chandra (District Soil Conservation Officer) has stressed over convergence of all related programs for good result. Ms. Sushma Lakra (BDO, Murhu), Ms. Rita Singh (JSLPS), Dr. S. K. Singh (Ex-Dean, BAU), Dr. R. K. Thakur (Sr. Scientist, NFSM), Dr. Ravi Shankar (AVRDC), Mr. R K Pandey (PRADAN), Mr. Umesh Rana, Ms. Garima (CInI) and others have participated in this event. The livelihood program aims for increased annual income of Rs. 1 lac 20 thousand to each beneficiary family of Murhu block within the period of five years.
FCC Prevents Marital Dispute
Family Counseling Center (FCC) by NBJK with support of Central & State Social Welfare Boards has prevented a marital dispute between Anil Kumar Das (husband) and Radha Devi (wife) in Hazaribag recently. On 9th January, Anil (father-Ghameshwar Ram, village-Khirgaon, police station & post-Sadar, Hazaribag) came at FCC and lodged a complaint against his wife Radha (father-late Jageshwar Ram, village-Bijaya, post-Gorio, police station-Barhee, Hazaribag) for family dispute. He was taken seriously by the counselors and they have paid home visits to know detail about the case. It was found that the couple was married in the year 2008 conventionally and they have 3 children also. Anil is a daily laborer while Radha is a housewife and they were sharing a joint family with parents and unmarried younger brother of Anil also. Anil’s father works as a truck driver with CRPF in Madhya Pradesh, once his mother went there and the brother was in home. He is an auto driver and shouldered family responsibility during those days. Due to bad company at work place, Anil has developed liquor addiction and became suspicious for illicit relationship in between his wife and younger brother. The problem became so grave that Radha has tried to end her life and went to her parent’s place. Mrs. Meera Gupta and Mr. Sanjay Kumar (Counselors) have called all family members on 24th January at FCC for a meeting. They talked to neighbors also. Anil’s mother stood by her daughter-in-law and charged the son for his liquor taking habit. It was decided collectively that Anil and his wife Radha will have to leave the old joint family, they did so and live together peacefully with their children.
Focus upon Children & Families
Plan India supported Child Centered Community Development (CCCD) program has put children at the helm of affairs by making 5 selected schools more friendly for them in villages of Churchu block, Hazaribag. Under the initiative “Support My School”, a lot of construction work is going on to install WASH & play facilities for children amid greenery through plantation. Toilets, rain water harvesting structure, boundary wall, playground, swings and hand washing points for these schools are in progress and children will enjoy them shortly. With the scheme of VWSS (Village Water Safety & Security), NBJK facilitated Gram Sabha meetings for approval of toilet construction in 12 villages. Also on site support for crop planning and pest management to 58 farmers in two villages was provided to ensure food security. Vulnerability assessment of families in 2 villages was conducted for their livelihood profiling. Extra curricular activities for children was organized in 2 villages for 78 children and interactive sessions of VCPC (Village Child Protection Committee) members with children have added to communication within the community. During Feb’15, there were 33 meetings with CBOs like SHG, farmers club, mata samiti, youth & adolescent group, children club, CPC, SMC etc. held under CCCD to ensure community participation.
Media Advocacy Meeting on MLE & ECC
Under the program of Strengthening Primary Health & Education with support of Oxfam India, partner organizations like NBJK, SPAR and CINI have organized a media advocacy meeting on 3 March’15 at NBJK coordination office, Hazaribag. This was specially focused upon MLE (Multi Lingual Education) and ECC (Early Childhood Care) in tribal areas where children have no choice for their mother tongue but to start with Hindi or English as the medium of instruction. They find it difficult for conception and face cognitive problem, said Mr. Binod Kr. Horo (Project In-Charge, SPAR) during the meeting participated by 15 journalists from different newspapers & TV channels. He was in favor of multilingual education for pre-school children so that they could be taught in mother tongue to respond their curiosity naturally. Ms. Manisha Jamuar (Advocacy Manager, SPAR) has referred to various studies which suggests for mother tongue in pre-school learning tool. Earlier all media people were greeted by Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) who introduced about the program being implemented at West Singhbhum, Hazaribag and Gumla districts by partner NGOs of Oxfam India. He said that learning initiated with mother language can reduce drop out rate in tribal areas and adds quality to such crucial phase of learning by child. The meeting was concluded with the idea to continue with advocacy for MLE and follow up to Odisha model that combines Aanganwadi Center with primary schools to support ECC also.
LNJP Eye Hospital Supports Sahiyas
Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Eye Hospital, Bahera (Chouparan) will orient village health workers or Sahiyas to make people aware of eye care and related services existing within their reach, said Mr. Asim Ali (Manager, LNJPEH) during the District level Sahiya convention at Town Hall, Hazaribag on 2nd March. He added that 80% cases of blindness can be prevented or cured with timely medical intervention and a Sahiya will be instrumental as the link person for people suffering from eye problem in villages. Sahiya convention was organized by District Health Committee, Hazaribag and inaugurated by Dr. Dharmveer (Civil Surgeon, Hazaribag) who appreciated village women working as Sahiya to facilitate essential health services for mothers & children. He has briefed about Pentavalent vaccine for children that can save them from deadly diseases. The civil surgeon has visited LNJPEH stall also and asked about services available at the hospital or its satellite centers. He has assured about access to health services for marginalized people in remote villages under National Health Mission. It is noteworthy that cataract is a major cause of blindness in rural areas and LNJPEH will support Sahiyas in detection and treatment of people suffering from eye diseases.
Training for Usha Master Trainers
3 days training for Master Trainers under Usha Silai School program was held at NBJK coordination office, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag) from 25-27 February. These trainees will be Master Trainers for block level Satellite Silai Schools going to be opened shortly. Mrs. Radha Pandey (Tailoring Teacher) has upgraded their skill during a workshop for cutting and sewing of cushion-mobile-pillow covers, bag, nighty, half pant, baba suit, skirt and other dress items. All 12 trainees are already working under the program and conducting Usha Silai Schools in their villages successfully. They belong to Simdega, Hazaribag, Pakur, Ramgarh, Dhanbad, Giridih, Chatra and Jamtara districts of Jharkhand. Mr. Ritesh Lohani (Project Coordinator, Usha Social Services) has confirmed about reaching the target set by Usha Social Services to open 1100 Satellite Silai Schools in Bihar and 117 such schools in Jharkhand where NBJK plays a significant role to run the schools. It’s noteworthy that with support of Usha Social Services (Delhi), NBJK has associated 200 women in 20 districts of Bihar and 175 women in 17 districts of Jharkhand with livelihood activity through Usha Silai Schools. Most of the women are widows or separated, physically challenged or poverty stricken and having responsibility to look after their children. They got training for designing, cutting, stitching of clothes, sewing machine servicing and were provided sewing machines also for each to run Usha Silai Schools at their places. This enabled them to work as paid service providers where women or girls get tailored garments and tailoring training also.
RTCs Inaugurated at Deoghar and Koderma
On 19 February, opening ceremony of Rozgar Training Center (RTC) at Deoghar was graced by Mr. Narayan Das (MLA, Deoghar) who valued the initiative for employment generation and as a positive pro youth engagement. Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) has introduced about the organization, its programs and Sustainable Livelihood Program with support of Axis Bank Foundation particularly. A wise range of convenient training on computer for DCA & Tally, cell phone repair, tailoring and bed side patient attendant (BSPA) for 3 months against a minimum fee of Rs. 500 can support to shape up young lives at RTC-Deoghar, added Mr. Girija. Dr. Diwakar Kaamat (Civil Surgeon, Deoghar) and Mr. Rajiv Gupta (Manager, Axis Bank-Deoghar) have graced the event with their inspiring words. Mr. Vikram Rana (Centre Coordinator), all faculties and trainees have contributed to make the happening successful. Before this, RTC was inaugurated by Mr. Rajiv Jain (Manager, Axis Bank-Koderma) on 8 January at Surya Complex, Koderma. In his brief address to trainees of RTC, Mr. Jain has motivated them to follow some rules for self-discipline to achieve the objective out of skill development courses to be provided here. Earlier Mr. Amit Kumar (Manager-NBJK, Koderma) has welcomed all the guests and trainees. He said that to make youths ready for livelihood through skill up gradation is the prime purpose of this program. RTC-Koderma has training facilities on computer software & hardware, BSPA, beautician and innovative agriculture. Mr. Ajay Kumar (Center Coordinator), faculty members and around 100 trainees were present on the occasion. These events have played as a moral booster to RTC trainees.
VOs are Important and Accessible: Giridih MP
Voluntary organizations play important role in development process and people can access there easily, said Mr. Ravindra Pandey, Member of Parliament from Giridih Lok Sabha seat, during a function organized by Bokaro Unit of Jharkhand Swaichhik Manch on 12 February. He recognized involvement of voluntary sector in different areas of work from environment protection to livelihood promotion and child rights to women empowerment. The MP has offered his sincere support to VOs of Bokaro district over the issue of development. The meeting was held at Sahyogini, Bahadurpur (Bokaro) and Mr. Pandey was greeted by member VOs of the Manch. Mr. Vijay Kumar has informed him about Swaichhik Manch and its activities of development through 30 associated organizations of the district unit. Mr. Gautam Sagar regretted for the indifference shown by district administration on various occasions when VOs could have been selected to implement development schemes. Mrs. Anjana Singh has requested the MP for women centered development projects as they care for children and family also. The meeting was attended by Mrs. Arti Jaiswal, Mrs. Ranju Verma, Mrs. Rupa Devi, Mr. Vasudev Mishra, Mr. Suraj Yadav, Md. Usman Ansari, Mr. Ravi Roy, Mr. Tapan Kr. Addy and more members of Bokaro District Swaichhik Manch.