NBJK Serves Over 13,000 Nutritious Meals to School Children in Chouparan Block under Feeding India – a Zomato Initiative

20 May 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), in collaboration with Feeding India – a Zomato initiative, has successfully served 6,835 breakfasts and the same number of lunches to school children across four schools in the Chouparan block of Hazaribagh district between 09 May and 20 May 2025.

The schools benefiting from this program are:

• Amoli Apurva High School, Mangarh – 2,647 meals (9 school days)
• Amoli Apurva Middle School, Bahera – 1,549 meals (7 school days)
• Amoli Apurva Middle School, Prajapat Nagar – 1,393 meals (9 school days)
• Chandrakala Devi Daga High School, Kewaliya – 1,246 meals (7 school days)

Each school day, students are provided with nutritious breakfasts comprising sprouted gram, green gram, or groundnuts along with milk. Lunch includes rice, pulses, and vegetables—ensuring a balanced diet that supports the physical and mental development of the students.

This initiative has become extremely popular among students and parents alike. It plays a pivotal role in reducing dropout rates and absenteeism, particularly among children from economically disadvantaged families. By providing daily nutritious meals, the program is helping students stay healthy, focused, and motivated to attend school regularly.

NBJK expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Feeding India and Zomato for their invaluable support in promoting child nutrition, health, and education in rural Jharkhand.

SBI Foundation Official Visits Villages Under SBI Gram Saksham and Gram Seva Projects in Jamui, Bihar

17 May 2025, Chakai (Jamui): Mr. Suman Gair, Assistant Manager at SBI Foundation, Mumbai, conducted a field visit to the target villages under the ongoing SBI Gram Saksham and previously implemented SBI Gram Seva projects in Chakai block of Jamui district, Bihar. These projects are being implemented by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) to promote sustainable rural development and community empowerment.

Mr. Gair was accompanied by Mr. Anand Abhinav, Program Director, and Mr. S. K. Yajal, Program Manager at NBJK. The delegation visited the villages of Binjha, Gadhara, Garhi, Mamtadih, and Ghormo, where they observed the progress of current activities such as the renovation of ponds and wells under the SBI Gram Saksham project. They interacted with local villagers and beneficiaries to collect feedback on the impact of these initiatives.

As part of the visit, Mr. Gair also reviewed the infrastructure and assets developed under the earlier SBI Gram Seva project. This included a tour of Community Information Centers, Community Bathrooms, Hand Pumps, Community Platforms, and Tree Plantation sites in Mamtadih and Garhi villages. The team engaged with community members to understand the long-term benefits and challenges related to these facilities.

The visit concluded with a community meeting in Ghormo village, where villagers expressed their appreciation and shared their experiences regarding the developmental work. Mr. Gair acknowledged the active participation of the communities and emphasized the importance of such collaborative efforts in achieving holistic rural development.

These visits reaffirm SBI Foundation’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth in rural India, in partnership with grassroots organizations like NBJK.

Commendable Performance by Students of Surekha Prakash Bhai Public School in CBSE Board Examinations

14 May 2025, Bahera (chouparan, Hazaribagh): The students of Surekha Prakash Bhai Public School, an English-medium senior secondary institution managed by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), have showcased remarkable academic performance in the CBSE Class XII and X board examinations.

Principal Ms. Rina Pandey shared that out of 42 students (20 girls and 22 boys) who appeared in Class XII, 41 passed, achieving a 98% success rate. Vidhi Singh and Shivani Kumari Gupta emerged as school toppers with 92% marks, followed by Sufiyan Mudassir (91%), Shweta Gupta (86%), and Nikhil Kumar Singh (84%). Thirty-five students scored above 60%.

The school also recorded a 100% pass rate in the Class X board examination, where 197 students (74 girls and 123 boys) appeared. Shreya Verma topped with 90%, followed by Amank Kumar Singh (89%), Rishikesh Kumar (89%), and Vansh Kumar Singh (87%). A total of 108 students secured more than 60%.

Surekha Prakash Bhai Public School continues to provide quality education in rural Jharkhand with the dedicated support of NBJK.

For more details, visit: https://www.spbps.com

Child Reporters Engage with Ranchi DC in an Interactive Session Organized by NBJK and UNICEF Jharkhand

08 May 2025, Ranchi: Under the Child Reporters Programme run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) with support from UNICEF Jharkhand, an interactive dialogue session was held at the Conference Hall, Block-A, Ranchi Collectorate. Ten child reporters from government schools across the district got the rare opportunity to meet and interact directly with the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Mr. Manjunath Bhajantri.

During the interaction, Mr. Bhajantri motivated the young reporters to never underestimate themselves, regardless of their background or language barriers. He emphasized the importance of facing life’s challenges with courage and focusing on becoming responsible citizens. “Your success will one day make your parents feel proud,” he remarked.

The session aimed to educate child reporters on the crucial role they can play in spreading awareness about government welfare schemes and maintaining peace in society. The children were also taken on a guided tour of the District Collectorate, where they were briefed on the functioning of various departments. Ms. Surbhi Singh (District Social Welfare Officer) and Mr. Badal Raj (District Education Superintendent) explained how governance mechanisms ensure service delivery for all, including children.

This initiative provided the child reporters with a meaningful platform to understand governance and share their perspectives—helping bridge the gap between the administration and young changemakers.

Key attendees included Ms. Aastha Alang (Communication Specialist, UNICEF), Ms. Preeti Srivastava (Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF), Mr. Rajesh Jha (Communication Consultant), Ms. Debanjali Mandal (Knowledge Management Consultant), Ms. Sushmita Bhattacharya (Program Manager, NBJK), and Mr. Vivek Kumar (Assistant Program Manager, NBJK).

807 Children Served Nutritious Meals Daily by NBJK with Support from Feeding India – A Zomato Giveback Initiative

08 May 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) has successfully provided daily nutritious meals to an average of 807 schoolchildren across nine school days from 28 April to 08 May 2025 at its four rural schools in Chouparan block, Hazaribagh district. These schools include Amoli Apurva High School – Mangarh, Amoli Apurva Middle School – Bahera, Amoli Apurva Middle School – Prajapat Nagar, and Chandrakala Devi Daga High School – Kewaliya.

The children, who come from 45 remote villages, received sprouted gram or moong with milk in the morning and a wholesome lunch of rice, pulse, and vegetables. This initiative was made possible through the generous support of Feeding India, a Zomato Giveback initiative, which aims to combat classroom hunger and promote education.

During this period, the schools collectively served 7,264 breakfasts and 7,264 lunches. The meal distribution figures are as follows:

• Amoli Apurva High School, Mangarh – 2,278 meals
• Amoli Apurva Middle School, Bahera – 1,910 meals
• Amoli Apurva Middle School, Prajapat Nagar – 1,476 meals
• Chandrakala Devi Daga High School, Kewaliya – 1,600 meals

NBJK places utmost emphasis on hygiene, nutrition, and health in food preparation, recognizing the significant impact of daily meals on student learning, school attendance, and retention. This initiative has also relieved families of the burden of arranging meals at home, leading to greater parental satisfaction and improved focus among students.

NBJK remains committed to nurturing the potential of rural children through such impactful programs and thanks Feeding India for its continued support in the fight against hunger and illiteracy.

NBJK Hosts “Jagte Raho” Bharat Yatra in Support of Women’s Safety and Dignity

07 May 2025, Hazaribagh: NBJK today hosted a stop of the “Jagte Raho” Bharat Yatra at its coordination office in Amritnagar. The 100-day nationwide campaign, launched on 8th March 2025 from Mount Abu, Rajasthan—International Women’s Day—is aimed at promoting women’s safety and dignity. Covering 21,000 kilometers across 21 Indian states, the Yatra will conclude in New Delhi on 7th June.

Welcoming the Yatra, NBJK Secretary Mr. Satish Girija described it as a timely and essential initiative in light of growing concerns around women’s security. He emphasized that while women must be empowered to stand up for their rights, support from both society and the government is equally important. Mr. Girija also highlighted NBJK’s long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment through initiatives such as microcredit, Usha Silai Schools, and advanced agricultural practices, which have enabled thousands of women to achieve economic self-reliance.

A moving moment came when 75-year-old participant Ms. Jammuben from Gujarat performed a heartfelt song centered on peace and human compassion, earning admiration from the audience.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Shatrughan Jha, Bihar Coordinator of the Yatra and a noted Gandhian activist, spoke about the historical significance of women’s power in Indian culture. Quoting the Vedas, he noted that over 200 female sages have been mentioned in the scriptures. He stressed the importance of nurturing strong values in children, sharing the example of Rukmini Devi, mother of Vinoba Bhave, who raised three sons who all became scholars and ascetics.

Mr. Rajendra Yadav, National Coordinator of the Yatra from Haryana, commended NBJK for upholding timeless values such as compassion and love. He also addressed the grim reality of gender-based violence in India, where over 90 incidents of rape or sexual assault are reported daily, many ending in death. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that the safety of women reflects a truly independent nation, Mr. Yadav called for urgent societal change and stronger legal measures to protect women’s dignity.

The event also saw participation from community members, including Anganwadi worker Ms. Aarti Devi from Rola and Self-Help Group member Ms. Meena Devi, who shared their perspectives on women’s issues.

The event was moderated by Mr. Rajeev Singh, Senior Program Manager at NBJK, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Geeta, Jharkhand Coordinator of the “Jagte Raho” Bharat Yatra.

SPBPS Alumnus Makes His School Proud on National Stage

03 May 2025, Bahera, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Surekha Prakash Bhai Public School (SPBPS), Bahera—run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK)—is proud to share the remarkable achievement of its former student Mr. Amit Kumar Dangi, who has brought immense honor to the school and his community.

Amit Kumar Dangi, hailing from Daihar village in Chouparan block, completed his Plus Two from SPBPS. He then graduated from Annada College, Hazaribagh, and pursued a professional course in Physical Education Teaching from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand. Deeply passionate about service and discipline, Amit joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which proved to be a turning point in his life.

Thanks to his outstanding performance in NCC, Amit was selected to participate in the prestigious Republic Day Parade held on 26th January in New Delhi, where he had the rare opportunity to march before the Hon’ble President of India and was awarded a medal in recognition of his excellence.

Recently, Amit returned to SPBPS to complete his internship. The school welcomed him with pride and affection. On this occasion, Ms. Rina Pandey, Principal of SPBPS, felicitated Amit with a citation for his inspirational journey. She also announced that the school will honor Amit’s parents, Mrs. Anita Devi and Mr. Ajit Dangi, for their support and encouragement in shaping such a dedicated young achiever.

SPBPS and NBJK celebrate Amit’s achievements as a shining example for all students and youth in the region. His journey is a testament to hard work, discipline, and the value of education.

Local Youth Becomes Entrepreneur with Support from NBJK-SIDBI and PMFME Scheme

29 April 2025, Hazaribagh: Saurabh Kumar, a young resident of Hazaribagh, has successfully transformed from a street marketer of whole spices to a budding entrepreneur, thanks to the support of NBJK-SIDBI’s Micro Enterprise Promotion Program (MEPP) and the PMFME scheme under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India.

After completing his intermediate education, Saurabh worked for over seven years delivering spices to households and shops in and around Hazaribagh to support his family. A turning point came when he met Mr. Anurag, Supervisor of the MEPP program, who introduced him to the PMFME scheme and helped him prepare necessary documentation.

Saurabh received a loan of ₹1.4 lakh, which enabled him to start Shree Enterprises, a packaged spice manufacturing unit. Today, his brand is gaining popularity, and he employs five support staff.

Saurabh credits the timely support of NBJK-SIDBI and Anurag for this positive transformation in his life.

Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra Organizes Free Health Camps at Vegetable Markets in Hazaribagh

28 April 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) organized free health camps today at the vegetable markets located in Korrah and Gandhi Maidan, Hazaribagh. Through the Mobile Medical Unit operated by the organization, a total of 60 patients were examined and provided with free medicines. The beneficiaries included men and women suffering primarily from diabetes, hypertension, and gynecological ailments.

The initiative proved to be highly beneficial for both vendors and customers frequenting the vegetable markets.
The health camp team comprised Dr. Banshidhar Pandey, pharmacist Harishchandra Yadav, lab technician W. Kumar Paswan, ANM Roma Ragini Tirkey, and van driver Surendra Yadav. Chandan Kumar and Program Manager Shailesh Kumar played key roles in organizing the camps.

Program Manager Shailesh Kumar informed that NBJK currently conducts regular free health camps in 80 villages across the districts of Gaya, Chatra, Pakur, Godda, and Jamtara, offering on-site pathological tests and free medicines.

NBJK and Feeding India Ensure Nutritious Meals for Rural School Children in Hazaribagh

26 April 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), in collaboration with Feeding India, a Zomato Giveback Initiative, has successfully provided breakfast and lunch to the students of its schools in Chouparan block of Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.

The beneficiary schools include:

• Amoli Apurva High School, Managarh
• Amoli Apurva Middle School, Bahera
• Amoli Apurva Middle School, Prajapat Nagar
• Chandrakala Devi Daga High School, Kewaliya

Most of the students enrolled in these schools come from economically disadvantaged rural backgrounds. Along with quality education and a low-fee structure, the meal program has significantly benefited the children by improving their school attendance and reducing the financial burden on their families.

Between 17 and 26 April 2025, a total of 6090 meals were served. The students received sprouted gram or moong with milk for breakfast, and rice, pulses, and vegetables for lunch. The school-wise distribution of meals was:

• 1976 meals at Amoli Apurva High School, Mangarh
• 1515 meals at Amoli Apurva Middle School, Bahera
• 1249 meals at Amoli Apurva Middle School, Prajapat Nagar
• 1350 meals at Chandrakala Devi Daga High School, Kewaliya

Parents and community members have expressed their deep appreciation for the initiative. Many have noted that such a nutritious meal program has created a positive impact that is praised even among private schools.

NBJK sincerely thanks Feeding India for their generous support in making this vision a reality, nourishing the children and paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.