NBJK and Sightsavers India Empower Community Volunteers for Eye Health in Daroo Block

28 August 2025, Daroo (Hazaribagh): With the support of Sightsavers India, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) organized a community volunteer training program under its Rural Eye Health Programme at Daroo Aajeevika Mahila Sankul Swawlambi Sahkari Samiti, Harli. The training aimed at strengthening community participation in eye health services and eliminating cataract-induced blindness in Daroo block.

A total of 65 participants, including 35 health workers, 20 JSLPS cadres, and 10 field staff, took part in the session. The initiative also marked the beginning of a campaign to make Daroo block free from cataract-related blindness.

The training was facilitated by resource persons:

Rajkumar, Block Programme Officer, JSLPS

Kirti Rawat, District Manager, Rural Eye Health Programme, NBJK

Raman Vishwakarma, District Programme Manager (Social Inclusion), Sightsavers India

Deepak Sharma, Social Facilitator, Sightsavers India

During the training, participants were sensitized on topics such as eye health awareness, identification of cataract cases, organizing eye screening camps, and ensuring referral support services.

Speaking on the occasion, the facilitators emphasized the importance of community-driven initiatives to ensure early detection, timely treatment, and prevention of avoidable blindness.

Through this collaborative effort, NBJK and Sightsavers India are working towards building a healthier and cataract-free Daroo block, setting an example for sustainable and inclusive eye health interventions in rural areas.

Training on Eye Health Awareness Organized at Keredari by NBJK and Sightsavers India

25 August 2025, Keradari (Hazaribagh): Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), under its Netra Vasant – Rural Eye Health Program supported by Sightsavers India, organized a training session today at the JSLPS office in Keradari. The program aimed to enhance awareness of basic eye health among rural women.

A total of 70 participants, including Sahiyas, health workers, and members of JSLPS Sakhi Mandals, attended the session. They were provided with essential knowledge about common eye diseases, their prevention, and treatment. Special emphasis was laid on the early detection of cataract cases, and participants were urged to refer such patients without delay to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Eye Hospital, Bahera (Chouparan) for free surgical treatment.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kirti Rawat, District Manager of Netra Vasant Program, guided the trainees on simple methods for identifying cataract patients and highlighted the importance of timely intervention.

The training session was graced by Mr. Bipin Kumar, Block Program Officer, JSLPS, as the chief guest. Resource persons included Mr. Virendra Kumar, Senior Optometrist from the Community Health Centre, Mr. Sadanand Kumar, and Mr. Madan Mohan, Local Mobilizer of Netra Vasant, who all contributed to the technical sessions.

Through such initiatives, NBJK and Sightsavers India are committed to strengthening rural eye health services and ensuring that timely treatment reaches those in need, thereby reducing avoidable blindness in the community.

NBJK Serves 9,256 Nutritious Meals to School Children with Support of Feeding India – a Zomato Giveback Initiative

22 August 2025, Hazaribagh: Between 06 August and 21 August 2025, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) served a total of 9,256 meals to school children at its four educational institutions in Chouparan block of Hazaribag district. These include Amoli Apurva High School (Mangarh), Amoli Apurva Middle School (Bahera), Amoli Apurva Middle School (Prajapat Nagar), and Chandrakala Devi Daga High School (Kewaliya).

With generous support from Feeding India – a Zomato Giveback initiative, NBJK provided nutritious food on 11 school days, reaching an average of 841 students per day. The children were served sprouted gram or green gram with milk for breakfast and a wholesome lunch comprising rice, pulses, and vegetables.

This initiative has received widespread appreciation from parents, students, and local communities. Beyond meeting nutritional needs, the program is helping create a supportive learning environment, encouraging better health, regular school attendance, and improved educational outcomes for rural children.

NBJK expresses sincere gratitude to Feeding India for their valuable support and reaffirms its commitment to combining education with nutrition for the holistic development of children in underserved regions.

🌸Netra Vasant – Inclusive Eye & Social Security Camp🌸

20 August 2025, Hazaribagh: With the support of Sightsavers India, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) organized an Inclusive Eye Screening & Social Security Camp today at Ramdev Khairka Panchayat Bhawan, Daru block in Hazaribagh district.

👁️ A total of 68 people, including 33 persons with disabilities, received eye check-ups. 16 cataract cases were identified, out of which 11 patients were referred to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Eye Hospital, Bahera (Chouparan) for free surgeries with the help of the Mobile Eye Care Unit.

🤝 The camp was supported by JSLPS, Department of Social Security, and local Panchayat members.

🔹 Services included renewal of disability certificates, UDID registration, Ayushman Health Card, pension schemes, ration cards, railway concession passes, and assistive devices like crutches, hearing aids, tricycles, and battery-operated cycles.

📜 An awareness session was also held on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Together, we strive for vision, inclusion & dignity for all. 💙

Independence Day Celebrations at NBJK

15 August 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) celebrated the 79th Independence Day with great enthusiasm at its Coordination Office, Amritnagar. The ceremony began with flag hoisting by NBJK President Shri Girija Satish, followed by the national anthem with staff, villagers, and children.

In his address, Shri Satish extended greetings and reflected on global peace, rural challenges, and the role of collective effort in nation-building. He urged the youth to stay away from alcohol and drugs and appealed for a strict ban on such substances. Program Director Shri Gandharv Gaurav emphasized the need to eliminate casteism, communalism, superstition, and to ensure women’s safety in a truly free India.

The event was conducted by Shri Pravesh Singh with the participation of Shri Anand Abhinav, NBJK staff, villagers, and children. Independence Day was also celebrated with joy at NBJK’s schools, eye hospitals, and branch offices. 🌿🌸

Mid-Day Meals Empower Rural Students at NBJK Schools in Chouparan Block

05 August 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): With the generous support of Feeding India – a Zomato Giveback initiative, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK)has successfully provided 12,097 breakfasts and an equal number of lunches to students in its schools across the Chouparan block of Hazaribagh district between 19 July and 04 August 2025.

The initiative covered four schools:

Amoli Apurva High School – Mangarh (4,015 meals)

Amoli Apurva Middle School – Bahera (2,959 meals)

Amoli Apurva Middle School – Prajapat Nagar (2,681 meals)

Chandrakala Devi Daga High School – Kewaliya (2,442 meals)

For breakfast, students were served sprouted gram or green gram with milk, while lunch included rice, pulses, and vegetables – ensuring a nutritious and balanced diet.

Most of the students hail from rural, economically challenged backgrounds. The regular provision of wholesome meals at school has brought relief to parents who are now able to dedicate more time to agricultural activities, knowing their children are fed well.

Teachers have observed that serving the same food to all students promotes a sense of equality and togetherness among them. The initiative has not only enhanced nutrition and health but also contributed to better attendance and concentration in classrooms.

NBJK sincerely thanks Feeding India by Zomato for supporting this impactful initiative and looks forward to continued collaboration for the betterment of rural education.

Centenary of All India Charkha Sangh Celebrated at NBJK Ranchi Office

30 July 2025, Ranchi: To commemorate 100 years of the All India Charkha Sangh, a special workshop was organized on  30th July 2025 at the Ranchi office of Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) under the aegis of Sarva Seva Sangh, Sevagram (Wardha). The event was supported by Jharkhand Sarvodaya Mandal, Pradesh Lok Samiti, and Chhotanagpur Khadi Gramodyog Sangh, Ranchi.

The workshop was inaugurated with floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait and lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Shri Ashok Sharan (National Coordinator of the Centenary Celebrations), Shri Girija Satish (President, Rashtriya Lok Samiti), Shri Abhay Kumar Choudhary (President, Chhotanagpur Khadi Gramodyog Sangh), Shri Shankar Rana (President, Jharkhand Sarvodaya Mandal), and Shri Wazir Ahmad (Vice-President, Jharkhand Sarvodaya Mandal).

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Ashok Sharan highlighted that the All India Charkha Sangh, established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1925, has completed a century of service to the nation. He emphasized the need to reimagine khadi in the context of modern challenges while preserving its essence, tracing its roots back to Vedic times.

In his presidential address, Shri Girija Satish stressed the importance of using improved spinning wheels and solar energy in khadi production. He also called for restructuring of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to reduce bureaucratic interference and empower grassroots institutions.

Shri Abhay Kumar Choudhary pointed out serious concerns regarding delays in rebate payments owed to khadi institutions and urged the government for immediate disbursement. Shri Wazir Ahmad drew attention to the financial hardships faced by weavers in Jharkhand and advocated for easy access to grants and low-interest loans.

Prof. Shailendra Mishra proposed mandatory use of khadi uniforms in government departments, schools, and colleges to promote the khadi movement.

Other prominent contributors during the workshop included Shri Rampravesh Pathak, Shri Parshuram Singh, Dr. Sita Soren, Shri Manzoor Ansari, Shri Vasudev Sharma, Shri Vimlesh Thakur, and Shri Shyam Narayan, who shared constructive suggestions to strengthen the khadi sector.

The workshop witnessed active participation from representatives of khadi institutions in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, and Dhanbad, along with Sarvodaya Mandal members from 10 districts of Jharkhand.

The event was moderated by Shri Shankar Rana, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Shri Sukhchandra Jha, President, Singhbhum District Sarvodaya Mandal.

NBJK Organizes Bankers’ Orientation & Dialogue Workshop under SIDBI-Supported Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme

29 July 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), with support from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), organized a Bankers’ Orientation cum Dialogue Workshop at its Coordination Office in Amritnagar, Hazaribagh, under the ongoing Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme (MEPP).

The workshop began with a welcome address by Programme Manager Mr. Vikas Joseph, who shared insights into the programme’s vision. Launched in October 2023, MEPP aims to promote 1,100 micro-entrepreneurs across five districts—Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Giridih, Khunti, and West Singhbhum—over a period of five years. So far, 453 entrepreneurs, including 170 from Hazaribagh, have successfully initiated enterprises with financial assistance from banks under various government schemes such as PMEGP, PMFME, Vishwakarma Yojana, and MUDRA.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shirish Tripathi, Coordinator of the District Industries Centre (DIC), Hazaribagh, emphasized the critical role played by banks, particularly public sector banks, in enabling the success of government enterprise schemes. He highlighted the vast potential in packaged food production units and the attractiveness of the Vishwakarma Yojana due to its low 5% annual interest rate.

SIDBI representative Mr. Sandeep Kumar urged bank officials to extend handholding support to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially in documentation, and to ensure timely disbursal of margin money. He also stressed the importance of connecting entrepreneurs to the broader MSME ecosystem for sustained growth.

Two local entrepreneurs, Mr. Saurabh Jaiswal, a spice manufacturer, and Mr. Mukesh Sahu, who runs a bike service centre, shared their success stories. Both received financial assistance through MEPP and are now generating employment for others.

Mr. Devendra Kumar from Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank’s Babugaon branch acknowledged the MSME sector’s contribution to GDP and advocated for piggery as a highly profitable rural enterprise.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Girija Satish, President of NBJK. The event saw participation from representatives of 22 banks, including Bank of India, Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Federal Bank, SBI, and UCO Bank, among others.

This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening rural entrepreneurship and building an ecosystem of self-reliant micro-enterprises in Jharkhand.

Transforming Rural Lives: Model Village Project at Chhotabanki

26 July 2025, Chhotabanki (East Singhbhum): With the vision of fostering inclusive and sustainable development, the Model Village Project at Chhotabanki under Golmuri Block, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, is creating a lasting impact across 246 rural and tribal households. Supported by Cummins India Foundation, the project focuses on enhancing livelihood opportunities, improving food security and nutrition, and ensuring access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and healthcare.

A key thrust of the project is to promote sustainable income-generating activities and skill development through community participation. Ground-level interventions have included:

• Renovation of 2 village ponds, repair of a branch canal, and installation of 3 solar-based lift irrigation systems to support agriculture
• Goat farming promotion among 50 women for diversified income
• Drip patch farming and exposure visits for 58 farmers to learn improved agricultural techniques
• Access to clean drinking water via the establishment of a Water ATM

To further strengthen livelihoods, the project has facilitated vocational trainings such as a 6-week Jute Bag Production Training (in collaboration with the National Jute Board, Government of India) for 20 participants and a 5-day Mushroom Production Training (with the Horticulture Department, Government of Jharkhand).

An inspiring outcome is the formation of the Sunehari Jute Bag Production Center, run by 15 trained women entrepreneurs. The center manufactures 30+ eco-friendly jute products, enabling each woman to earn up to ₹400 per day, significantly boosting their economic independence.

The project continues to encourage community-led water conservation, irrigation, and educational initiatives, aiming to build long-term resilience and empowered local institutions.

This model village stands as a beacon of community-driven transformation, marking a significant step toward a self-reliant and prosperous rural Jharkhand.

Training on Grafted Tomato Cultivation Empowers Rural Farmers

25 July 2025, Chanho (Ranch): Under the Focused Rural Development Program run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) with CSR support from HDFC Bank, a hands-on training session on Grafted Tomato Cultivation through Soil-less Nursery Techniques was conducted on 24th July 2025 at the Farmer Field School, Karkat in Chanho block of Ranchi district.

A total of 25 farmers from Karkat and nearby villages participated in this session. The objective of the training was to introduce farmers to grafted tomato plants, which are climate-resilient, disease-resistant, and offer higher yields. The session included step-by-step demonstrations of grafting techniques, insights into soil-less nursery practices, and an interactive Q&A to address farmers’ doubts.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Alok Kumar Kundu (Program Manager) and Mr. Avinash Kumar (Assistant Program Manager), who played a key role in delivering the content in a practical and farmer-friendly manner.

Along with technical knowledge, the farmers were also encouraged to become members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for better market access, shared resources, and stronger collective voices in agri-business.

This training not only enhanced the technical capacity of farmers but also inspired them to adopt sustainable and innovative farming practices in response to climate challenges.

NBJK remains committed to empowering rural communities through knowledge, innovation, and collective action.