NBJK Expands Farmer-Centric Development Work with Support of SBI Foundation

13 June 2025, Jamui-Deoghar: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), with the support of SBI Foundation, has expanded its rural development initiatives through SBI Gram Saksham and SBI Gram Seva projects in 40 villages of Deoghar (Sadar block) and Jamui (Chakai block). These interventions have reached nearly 4,000 farmer families, focusing on sustainable agriculture, water access, education, and livelihood promotion.

Key outcomes include renovation of 269 wells, deepening of 39 ponds, and distribution of 600 electric motor pumps to farmer groups for improved irrigation. In addition, 36 new hand pumps were installed and 104 repaired to ensure safe drinking water.

NBJK also established 10 Community Information Centers equipped with computers, printers, and internet access, benefiting students and local residents. Over 10,800 saplings were planted to improve the environment. Schools were supported with computer education and clean drinking water systems. Women were trained in tailoring and mushroom cultivation, enhancing income opportunities.

These efforts underline NBJK’s commitment to inclusive rural development with strong institutional partnerships.

NBJK’s Green Commitment on World Environment Day

05 June 2025, Chakai-Deoghar: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) is making remarkable strides in environmental conservation and sustainable rural development under the SBI Gram Saksham project with the generous support of SBI Foundation. The project is being actively implemented in 30 villages (15 each) across Chakai block of Jamui district (Bihar) and Sadar block of Deoghar district (Jharkhand).

Marking World Environment Day 2025, NBJK proudly highlights the following achievements made over the past year:

• 6080 trees planted to boost green cover and combat climate change
• 400 electric motor pumps distributed among 400 farmer groups, benefitting over 2400 farmers with reliable irrigation facilities
• 102 existing wells renovated to improve rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge
• 30 ponds renovated and deepened, ensuring better water availability for irrigation and drinking purposes

These impactful interventions are not only strengthening water security and environmental resilience but also enhancing rural livelihoods by supporting agriculture and allied activities.

NBJK remains committed to promoting eco-sustainability, empowering rural communities, and building climate-smart villages in collaboration with SBI Foundation.

Certificate Distribution Ceremony Held at LNJP Paramedical Institute for 2022–24 Batch

04 June 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK)-run LNJP Paramedical Institute organized a certificate distribution ceremony for the successful students of the Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant course (2022–24 batch). The event was graced by Mr. S.K. Bhagat, General Manager, and Ms. Safeena Parveen, CSR Manager from CMPDI, who have supported these students through scholarships.

Lighting the ceremonial lamp, the guests motivated the students and highlighted how this training would not only enhance their careers but also offer them a platform to serve the community.

The programme was addressed by Mr. Anand Abhinav (Programme Manager, NBJK), Dr. Alok, Dr. Mrinal (LNJP Eye Hospital), Mr. Karunanidhi (Manager), Dr. Vikant Kumar Singh (Principal), and faculty members Mr. Ambar Nidhi, Ms. Snehashree, and Mr. Sonu Kumar.

Top performer Ms. Nandini Singh (Mayurhand), along with Kunal Kumar and Neha Soni, shared their experience, appreciating the practical training and extensive theory classes provided at the institute.

State Executive Meeting of Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti Concludes Successfully

01 June 2025, Bodhgaya (Gaya): A one-day meeting of the State Executive Committee of Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti was held at the auditorium of Lord Buddha Home for Children located in Silounja village. The meeting was presided over by noted Gandhian thinker and National President of Lok Samiti, Shri Girija Satish, and conducted by the General Secretary of Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti, Shri Shivji Singh.

At the beginning of the proceedings, Shri Shivji Singh presented the report of the previous meeting, which was unanimously approved. Following this, representatives from various districts shared reports on the programs conducted in their respective areas.

During the session, National President Shri Girija Satish proposed several key initiatives for the expansion and strengthening of the organization, which included:

1. Organizing a state-wide padyatra (foot march) in Bihar – the date will be finalized in the next meeting.
2. Condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam where innocent lives were lost after being asked their religion. He emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue to find a lasting solution.
3. Strict enforcement of prohibition laws in Bihar.
4. Raising concerns about the increasing crime rate in Bihar and demanding strong action.
5. Initiating steps to prevent rising atrocities against women.
6. Establishing a proper market system for farmers and ensuring Minimum Support Price for their produce.
7. Promoting Gandhian and JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) values and thoughts among the masses.
8. Working towards Gandhi’s alternative model of development to address the centralization of wealth and the widening gap between the rich and poor.

National Convenor of Lok Samiti, Shri Kaushal Ganesh Azad, presented a resolution condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack and incorporated Shri Girija Satish’s suggestions into a list of resolutions, which were unanimously passed by the house.

Prominent attendees included Babunand Sharma (Motihari), John Filkush (Kaimur), Dhirendra Kumar Dheeraj (Jamui), Putul Kumari, Rajendra Manjhi, Bishundhari Yadav, Dinesh Prasad (Gaya), Rituraj (Motihari), Makbool Ahmad (Muzaffarpur), Suresh Prasad, Mathura Singh, Bhanuprakash Rai (Rohtas), Dr. Hemant Kumar (Patna), Hiralal Rai (Buxar), Hrishikesh (Sitamarhi), Neelam Rani, Ajay Kumar Srivastava, Ajay Kumar Santoshi (Aurangabad), Nagendra Kumar Sinha (Nawada), Provincial & National Treasurer Vinod Sharma (Nalanda), Sajjan Kumar, Nitish Kumar, Deepak Kumar (Delhi Pradesh Unit), and others who shared their views.

It was also decided during the meeting that the 48th Foundation Day celebration of Lok Samiti will be held on 30th June in Aurangabad.

The meeting concluded with a two-minute silent tribute in memory of the innocent tourists who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Free Eye Screening Camps Conducted at Hazaribagh Old Age Home and Spastic School

31 May 2025, Hazaribagh: A free eye screening camp was organized today at the Hazaribagh Old Age Home under the joint initiative of the SightSavers-supported Netra Vasant Programme and the Department of Social Welfare, conducted by Loknayak Jayaprakash Eye Hospital, Bahera Ashram, Chouparan, which is run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK).

A total of 22 elderly individuals underwent eye examinations. The screening revealed 13 cases of cataracts, 1 case with retinal disorder, and 4 with refractive errors.

On the same day, an eye screening camp was also conducted at the Spastic School, Hazaribagh, where 31 children with disabilities were examined. Among them, 1 child was diagnosed with cataract and 6 with refractive errors. All screenings were carried out using advanced ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to ensure accurate results.

The medical team included Santosh Kumar Puri (Hospital Manager), Praveen Kumar Singh (Optometrist), Ram Lakhan Bhuiyan (Camp Promoter), Virendra Dangi (Driver cum Multi-tasking Staff), and Sunita Devi and Nirjara Kumari (Ophthalmic Clinical Assistants). The camps were conducted under the supervision of Mr. Kirti Rawat, District Programme Coordinator, NBJK.

Patients diagnosed with cataracts during the camps will undergo free-of-cost cataract surgeries at LNJP Eye Hospital, Bahera Ashram, after necessary approvals from the concerned authorities.

NBJK remains committed to making quality eye care accessible for all, especially for the elderly and children with disabilities.

Successful Summer Camp Organized at Surekha Prakash Bhai Public School

28 May 2025, Bahera (Chouparan, Hazaribagh): A vibrant Summer Camp was successfully organized at Surekha Prakash Bhai Public School, operated by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK). The camp was inaugurated by Principal Ms. Reena Pandey in the presence of teachers, youth volunteers, and enthusiastic students.

The camp aimed to foster creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence among students through a series of engaging and fun-filled activities.

Highlights of the Camp:

• Yoga and Aerobics: The camp began with energizing yoga and aerobics sessions, setting a positive and active tone for the day.
• Food without Fire: Students showcased their entrepreneurial and culinary skills by preparing and selling a variety of dishes without using fire.
• Music and Art: The camp featured music competitions, rangoli designs, and painting contests, giving students a platform to express their creativity.
• Sports: Exciting games like Tug of War, Leg Cricket, and Short Boundary Cricket matches between teachers and students boosted team spirit and physical activity.
• Creative Hand Activities: Kindergarten students (LKG and UKG) participated in handprint painting and vegetable-stamp artwork, enhancing their fine motor skills and imaginative thinking.

The successful execution of the camp was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the school staff, including teachers Amrita Massey, Anand Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Arjun Kumar Dubey, Prashant Mishra, Pawan Kumar, Vyas Pandey, Purnima Kumari, Ashish Pandey, Vivek Kumar, Vishal Kumar, Mohabbat Waris, Gangadhar, Shailendra Guru, and many others.

Special acknowledgment goes to the Physical Education team comprising Rakesh Ranjan, Ashutosh Kumar, Umesh Bhagat, and others for conducting various sports and fitness activities.

Principal Ms. Reena Pandey congratulated the students and teachers for their enthusiastic participation and praised their commitment to making the camp a success. She emphasized that such camps are vital for the holistic development of students and assured continued efforts to provide enriching extracurricular experiences in the future.

“Voices of Change” – Child Reporters’ Conference Organized in Ranchi

23 May 2025, Ranchi: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), with the support of UNICEF Jharkhand, organized a one-day conference titled “Voices of Change” under its Child Reporters Program at Hotel Holiday Home, Ranchi. The event saw the participation of 170 child reporters from 100 government schools across Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts.

The young participants creatively highlighted key issues related to child rights, focusing on the need for better healthcare, education, nutrition, and protection for all children.

The program began with Mrs. Aastha Alang, Communication Specialist at UNICEF Jharkhand, who outlined the objectives of the Child Reporters Program. Mr. Anand Abhinav, Program Director at NBJK, called the initiative a unique platform that promotes child leadership and empowers children to assert their rights. He lauded the role of child reporters in raising awareness against child labor and child marriage, and noted their growing confidence in engaging with government officials and representatives.

Mr. Shashiranjan (IAS), Project Director of Jharkhand Education Project Council, served as the Chief Guest. He commended the children’s confidence and their role in bringing positive change in their communities through rights-based storytelling.

The event was also addressed by Dr. Kaninika Mitra, Chief of UNICEF Jharkhand, education officials from both districts, and participating parents. Mr. Rajesh Jha, Consultant at UNICEF Jharkhand, delivered the vote of thanks.

Eradicating Avoidable Blindness: VRB Eye Hospital Reaches 807 Rural Patients in One Month

23 May 2025, Deoghar: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK)-run Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital has successfully conducted 26 outreach eye screening camps across remote villages of Giridih, Deoghar, and Bhagalpur districts, along with 22 screening sessions at its Vision Center in Jamua block, Giridih, from 22 April to 21 May 2025.

During this period, 807 individuals were provided eye care services. Among them, 254 Cataract cases were identified, alongside 403 individuals with refractive errors and 27 with pterygium. A total of 97 patients received medicines, 74 were provided with spectacles, and 8 were referred to the base hospital for further treatment.

Crucially, all cataract patients received completely free surgeries, including medication, food, transportation, and follow-up care—part of the hospital’s commitment to comprehensive eye care and the eradication of avoidable blindness.

This initiative was made possible with the invaluable support of Sightsavers India, Seva Foundation, Kotak Securities, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), whose contributions have helped restore vision and hope to many underserved communities.

NBJK and Usha International Launch Training for Rural Women under Usha Silai School Program

22 May 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), in collaboration with Usha International Ltd., has launched a 9-day residential training under the Adopt Silai School segment of the Usha Silai School Program. The training began on 20 May 2025 at NBJK’s Coordination Office in Amritnagar, Hazaribagh.

A total of 11 rural women from various blocks of Giridih district are participating to learn tailoring, embroidery, garment cutting, and sewing machine repair.

Inaugurating the training, Mr. Satish Girija, Secretary of NBJK, highlighted the program’s role in women’s empowerment and income generation, noting that many trained women now earn ₹8,000–₹10,000 per month.

Mr. Felix Tirkey, State Program Officer from Usha International, commended the partnership with NBJK that has empowered over 20,000 women in Jharkhand and Bihar.

The sessions are being conducted by Mrs. Pinky Sharma, Master Trainer, and Mr. Kamaljeet, Service Engineer, with coordination by Mr. Shailesh Kumar, Program In-charge at NBJK.

The training will conclude on 28 May 2025, after which each participant will receive a certificate, guidebook, Usha Silai School signage, and a new sewing machine to help them establish their own tailoring school.