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.

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.