Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra
Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra
Aids & Appliances to PWDs
NBJK has distributed aids & appliances among 63 PWDs (people with disabilities) with support of Thiess Minecs India Pvt. Ltd. on 20 February at Barkagaon, Hazaribag. These beneficiaries belong to villages like Langatu, Sonbarsa, Arahara, Chepakhurd, Jugra, Churchu, Urub, Dadikala, Kankidaree, Sinduaree, Nagree, Chirudih and Hesabar under Pakri Barwadih project area of NTPC. The event was organized at premises of Government High School, Barkagaon and Mr. Ashok Kumar Chopra (Block Development Officer, Barkagaon) has handed over the aids & appliances to PWDs with well wishes. He appreciated the support to challenged people and assured for cooperation from local administration. These aids & appliances to PWDs will enable them to lead better lives and meet the very purpose of mainstreaming such alienated community, pointed out the BDO of Barkagaon. Mr. Baleshwar Ram (Principal, Govt. High School, Barkagaon) has provided local logistics for the function and praised its objective of self-reliance to needy people. Mr. Chandramouli Pandey (Coordinator, District Disability Rehabilitation Center, Hazaribag) and Mr. Mukesh Kumar (Physiotherapist, NBJK) have demonstrated about handling of equipments for PWDs. Mr. Rajeev Kr. Singh (Program Manager, NBJK), Md. Nayeem (Asst. PM-NBJK) and representatives of Thiess Minecs were present in the distribution camp of caring devices for differently able people in remote areas.
Training on Accountancy and FCRA 2011
NBJK has provided training to VOs of Bihar and Jharkhand on Accountancy & FCRA 2011 under the program of Small Initiatives supported by BFW, Germany. The training was organized from 16-20 February at its coordination office in Hazaribag. For Bihar based organizations, this was scheduled for 16-18 February as VOs of Jharkhand have got the opportunity on 19-20 February. Initially Mr. Rajiv Singh (Program Coordinator-Small Initiatives) has received the secretaries/accountants of VOs and expected their promptness to pursue government rules with adequate information and transparency after getting the training. Mr. Rampravesh Singh (Asst. Manager-Finance, NBJK) has reminded the participants about basics of accountancy and briefed them about different formats of voucher like receipt, payment, contra & journal. He elaborated regarding cash book, bank book and bank reconciliation statement along with cash verification and currency denomination. His sessions were focused upon income tax, TDS, purchase, stock, fixed and individual assets also. FCRA part of the training was covered by Mr. Sanjay Kr. Sinha (Manager-Finance, NBJK) who discussed over provisions of FCRA 2011. He has facilitated the VOs for renewal of FC Registration, on line return and other relevant practices required for any FCR holder NGO. Both the experienced accountants of NBJK have satisfied numerous queries from the trainees. The last session for VOs of Jharkhand was addressed by Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) also who updated them over FCRA 2011 and removed much confusion. The training was participated by 18 VOs from Bihar and 29 VOs from Jharkhand.
Dress for School Girls and RCC Events
24 girl students of Birsa High School, Deokuli (Ichak, Hazaribag) have received school dress from GiveIndia on 9th February under NBJK’s Girls Education program that sponsors village girls for school education till class X or Matric Board. Out of these 24 students, 7 are in class IX and 17 belong to class X. All these girls are from poor families and this dress support has motivated them to carry on their schooling despite hurdles. Before this, students from Remedial Coaching Centers (RCCs), run by NBJK with support of Axis Bank Foundation; have participated in a number of events organized at Sadar, Churchu and Chouparan blocks where these coaching centers are serving rural children. A Sports competition was organized on 27th January at Birsa High School; Dumri (Chouparan) for 12 RCCs of the area with 207 boys & girls students those took part in 100 meter race, maths race, slow cycle race and patriotic song contest. At the end, prizes were distributed to champs. On 29th January, a district level quiz competition was held among 36 block level winner students of RCCs. Those have been asked objective type questions in Science, Maths, English, GK and 15 girls-boys won prizes as per their ranks from 1st to 5th in respective classes/blocks. Another event of drawing & essay competition was organized for RCCs of Sadar block at NBJK coordination office on 14th February. 48 students have participated in English/Hindi essay, paragraph writing and spelling test while topic for drawing competition was open as per their own preference. Likewise for RCCs of Churchu block, the same event took place on 14th and 21st February respectively at Roshni Dhruv High School (Churchu) and Gyan Bharti High School (Charhi, Churchu) among 52 students representing their centers.
One Day Workshop on Fundraising
One day workshop on fundraising was held at NBJK, Ranchi with support of The Resource Alliance, New Delhi on 30th January. 22 NGOs of Jharkhand have shared the event as per initiative of NBJK through its network partnership. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has welcomed Maj. Gen. Surat Singh Sandhu (Chairman, TRA) and all member representatives from voluntary sector in Jharkhand. He praised Gen. Sandhu and The Resource Alliance for awareness building among NGOs over changing trends of philanthropy and social work across India. Mr. Satish has put a brief introduction of Gen. Sandhu with Helpage India, the organization he headed and strengthened earlier by innovative fundraising initiatives. Maj. Gen. S. S. Sandhu said with Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 getting effectively implemented from this year, more than 16000 corporates will have to dole out 2% of their profit towards corporate social responsibility (CSR). “It’s going to be huge amount, somewhere around Rs. 20,000 crore and here lies an opportunity for the credible NGOs to take the money and help in nation building,” he said. Due to dearth of such NGOs many corporate are setting up their own foundations but NGOs with lot of experience and community involvement have far more ability to assist corporate in delivering their CSR activities, opined the TRA Chairman during this workshop. He suggested the NGOs or VOs to come forward with suitable work model and communicate more like participation in events as India NGO Award with many more. Maj. Gen. Sandhu has stressed over the need of Fundraising organizations for resource mobilization as well as of grass root organizations to work with community deeply. The program was applauded widely by VOs in the state.
Republic Day Celebration
NBJK has observed 66th anniversary of nation’s Republic Day at its offices. Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) has hoisted national flag in the premises of Coordination office and addressed the gathering of staffs, local people and children. He called the occasion as a gift of democracy that stands for equality but jeopardized due to over concentration of wealth to few people worldwide. He put stress over the harmonized culture of India and expressed concern over unemployment that adds to social upheaval. He said that villages are still neglected and our programs must symbolize their progress. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has greeted all, emboldened them with people’s feeling to voluntary sector and extended best wishes to Nobel laureate Mr. Kailsh Satyarthi along with Mr. Ashok Bhagat for his nomination for Padmashri award. Mr. Satish Girija has mentioned CSR by companies as a tool for VOs to facilitate services and referred the program of sustainable livelihood for youths by making them as a skilled workforce with support of Axis Bank Foundation. Health and education facilities in villages will be our future line of action, he said. Mr. Rampravesh Singh (Asst. Finance Manager) has conducted the event.
Interface Meeting on Rural Health-Education in Chouparan
On 6 January, an Interface meeting was organized at NBJK under the program of Strengthening Primary Health and Education for 20 villages of Chouparan block with support of Oxfam India, Patna. The meeting with concerned government officials was focused upon differences between allocated budget and actual expenses by VHSNCs (Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Committees) and SMCs (School Management Committees). Before this, 5 villages namely Bahera, Mahudi, Bara, Baradih and Navdiha have been surveyed and a comprehensive analysis of available facilities took place. Their outcomes were discussed during the meeting began with an initial say from Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) who termed people’s participation as a major criterion for successful government schemes. He insisted for dialogue to fill up the gaps in course of their execution. The meeting has considered last two years’ budget and expenditure for mid-day meal and development plan for village schools; untied fund for VHSNCs, JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojna), immunization and other entitlements as the agenda for discussion. Mr. Jageshwar Sharma (Block Health Program Officer) and Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta (Block Education Extension Officer) have suggested for attitudinal changes to maintain the quality of service in case of differences between budgetary allocation and actual expense. There were 20 stakeholders like school teachers, Sahiyas and members of VHSNCs/SMCs present in the meeting.
Shri Ramchandra Choudhary: Memory Remains
A prominent follower of Loknayak Jaiprakash, Sarvodaya leader and veteran ideologue of Gandhian thoughts, Mr. Ramchandra Choudhary has left for heavenly abode on 1 January at Patna. His last rituals were performed at ancestral village Shahpur in Madhubani district of Bihar. He was 80 years old and led an active life till his last breath. Mr. Ramchandra Choudhary has shouldered various responsibilities in his lifetime and served as Mantree of Bihar Sarvodaya Mandal, Mahamantree of Rashtriya Lok Samiti, Pradhanmantree of Gram Nirman Mandal like bodies or organizations of Gandhian line. Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti has called a condolence meeting and expressed deep grief over loss of an experienced leader like him. On 8 January in Ranchi, Mr. Girija Satish (President, Rashtriya Lok Samiti) and senior members of Lok Samiti have offered flowers to the portrait of Late Choudharyji. They paid homage to their deceased leader and remembered his contribution. Mr. Girija Satish has recalled Late Ramchandra Choudhary as a simple person with high ideals who devoted his life for social service. Mrs. Sheela Kumari (President, Mahila Lok Samiti), Mrs. Wilchen Ekka, Mr. Schchidanand (General Secretary), Mr. Chandrapati Yadav (Treasurer), Mr. Wazeer Ahmad (Vice President), Mr. Shankar Rana (Coordinator) from Jharkhand State Lok Samiti, Mr. Shivji Singh (General Secretary, Bihar State Lok Samiti) and Mr. Kaushal Ganesh Azad (Coordinator, National Lok Samiti) were present on this mournful occasion. In a meeting, it was decided that the manuscript of “Manjhdhaar mein Swaraaj”, a booklet by Late Choudharyji will be published by Lok Samiti. Also the resolutions for his statue in Patna and publication of a souvenir upon him were passed in Lok Samiti meeting.
Australian Retina Specialist at LNJP Eye Hospital
Dr. (Mrs.) Sudha Cugati, an experienced and royal fellow ophthalmologist from Australia has arrived at Loknayak Jaiprakash Eye Hospital, Bahera (Chouparan), Hazaribag to serve patients in need of eye care voluntarily. From 22 – 31 December, she provided her expertise and consultancy to more than 365 patients at OPD, 65 patients for medical retina and performed 25 cataract surgeries at the hospital. Dr. Sudha belongs to Ranchi (Jharkhand) basically and has a deep sense of belongingness for people of her home state. During her stay, she has addressed a press conference also and stressed over precaution for various eye diseases, particularly Diabetic Retinopathy; the blindness caused by diabetes. Dr. Sudha has said that there are around 6.5 million Indians with diabetes and 1.5 million are suffering from diabetic retinopathy that damages their retina with no alternatives. She suggested for regular check up and life style changes. Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) has welcomed Dr. Sudha Cugati and appreciated her spirit for service. He briefed her about LNJPEH and it’s commitment for quality service at low cost to fulfill the need of poor people who otherwise can’t get such specialized services at the base hospital including satellite centres at districts towns like Hazaribag, Chatra, Koderma and Sherghati (Gaya). Dr. Sudha Cugati was supported by LNJPEH team that includes Dr. Umesh, Asim Ali, Karunanidhi, Madhubala, Poonam Pandey, Rajendra Verma and others to perform her professional acumen.
Warm Clothes for Birhors
NBJK and Stri Shakti have distributed warm and all-purpose clothes among people of Birhor community, a primitive and nomadic tribe settled at Birhor Tanda near Badwar village of Daru block (Hazaribag) some years before. These people are still following their own rules to lead their lives and do not wear proper clothes during even winter season. On 14 December, a relief team of both the NGOs led by Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) has visited the hamlet and met Birhor families living without adequate clothing. All they were provided 20 Sarees, 25 lady suits, 60 full shirts and more than 100 woolen garments including 4 hand knitted sweaters sent by Ms. Jennie of Action Village India, UK. This initiative has benefitted women, children, adolescent girls and old aged members of 19 families there. Mr. Girija Satish has assured them for further help also if they need and accept that willingly. Mr. Shankar Rana, Mr. Kamal Kant Pandey and Mr. Chandan Kumar (all from NBJK & Stri Shakti) have organized the people and persuaded them to avoid cold exposure for safety. In another event held on 23 January at NBJK run Roshni Dhruv High School (Churchu, Hazaribag), 25 poor tribal children were given sweaters as the support from Ms. Payal Sonawane, an individual donor. The recipients are regular students of class VI to IX at RDHS, Churchu.
Inaugural Ceremony of Sustainable Livelihood Program
Mr. C. Babu Joseph (Trustee & CEO, ABF) has inaugurated Sustainable Livelihood Program of skill development among youths by NBJK with support of Axis Bank Foundation, Mumbai. He has called Jharkhand as an important state for the foundation and embraced NBJK as a reliable partner to run 100 Remedial Coaching Centers in villages of Hazaribag to strengthen academic base of high school students, especially girls. Mr. Joseph has appreciated the coming program of sustainable livelihood for youths to enable them with different vocational skills and said that ABF runs such programs with 1% income of Axis Bank and donations from its staffs to make changes in lives of more than 1 million people every year. We would like to take this opportunity as not only providing livelihood skills for youths but to instill some human values also among them, he expressed. On this occasion, Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has welcomed all guests and briefed them about the program. There are training centers at Hazaribag, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Dumka, Deoghar, Koderma, Khunti and Ramgarh with 3 months practical training facilities on computer software/hardware, cell phone servicing, bedside patient attendant, beautician, driving, agriculture, electrician, call centre, tailoring etc. for each batch. He declared that these centers will prepare 5400 skilled youths per year and a work force of 21,600 youths will be ready within next 4 years with the target of at least 70% placement. Mr. Rajesh Jha (Head, Axis Bank-Patna Circle) has valued the program for humanitarian approach and as a public contact means for Axis bank also. Mr. Jaison Jacob (Asst. Vice President, ABF) has offered best wishes and all possible support. Other dignitaries like Mr. G. Venkateshwar Rao (Asst. GM, SBI), Mr. Rajesh Singh (Chief Manager, LIC), Mr. Akhilesh Jha (Manager, Axis Bank-Hazaribag), Dr. (Mrs.) Vandana, Dr. Hiralal Saha, Mr. Ajay Jain and Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) have blessed the event held on 29 November at Hazaribag.