Flourishing Fields: Reviving Agriculture and Hope in Gokhuldih Village

12 February 2025, Deoghar: In the heart of Gokhuldih village, Deoghar Sadar block, the lives of farmers Satya Narayan Raut and Jyoti Devi have been transformed through the SBI Gram Saksham project, implemented by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) in collaboration with SBI Foundation.

For years, the couple struggled to sustain their 1.30-acre rain-fed farm, facing water scarcity and an unreliable well that hindered their ability to cultivate crops effectively. Due to insufficient Kharif yield, they had to rely on loans and daily wage labor in Deoghar township for survival.

In 2023, under the SBI Gram Saksham initiative, their well was identified for renovation, significantly enhancing its water retention capacity. With the improved water availability, they were able to irrigate one acre of land, ensuring better farming conditions.

Furthermore, Satya Narayan and Jyoti, along with five other farmers, received an electric motor pump under the project, facilitating efficient irrigation. As a result, they could cultivate Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid crops, ensuring food security throughout the year.

The impact has been profound. The family managed to save ₹30,000, reducing their dependency on daily wage labor. Expressing their gratitude, Satya Narayan shared, “Earlier, there was less water in my well, but after the repair, there is enough water. This has changed our lives.”

The SBI Gram Saksham project, through targeted agricultural interventions, is enabling sustainable farming practices and improving the livelihoods of small farmers across rural Jharkhand. The initiative by SBI Foundation and NBJK continues to empower farmers, fostering self-reliance and economic stability.

Feeding India Provides Nutritious Meals to Students

11 February 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Feeding India, a Zomato Giveback Initiative, in partnership with Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), successfully provided 3,278 nutritious meals to approximately 1,000 students from February 7 to February 11, 2025. This initiative, aimed at fostering nutrition and education, benefitted students from the following schools:

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

As part of the initiative, students were served healthy and balanced meals, including sprouted moong/gram with milk for breakfast and rice, pulses, vegetables, and khichdi-chokha for lunch. This endeavor not only nourishes children but also enhances their educational experience by ensuring they receive the sustenance required for active learning.

In addition to daily meals, deprived girls studying in these schools receive educational sponsorship support from generous donors. Feeding India further strengthens their journey by providing essential nutrition, thereby reinforcing a commitment to equality, education, and social empowerment.

NBJK extends heartfelt gratitude to Feeding India and all benevolent donors for their unwavering support in making a difference in the lives of these children. This collaborative effort continues to uphold the values of fraternity and social upliftment through nutrition and education.

The Rise of Differently-Abled Youth: Self-Reliance through NBJK Training

04 February 2025, Hazaribagh/Ranchi: The disability training program run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) at Amrit Nagar, Hazaribagh, and Shantaman Nagar, Ranchi, has achieved remarkable success in empowering differently-abled youth. Launched in August 2024, this initiative is a collaborative effort with Bangalore-based Cheshire Disability Trust and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank to equip participants with essential computer skills, desktop publishing (DTP), sign language, communication, and life skills.

This one-month residential training program has significantly expanded employment opportunities for its trainees. According to NBJK Secretary Satish Girija, the goal is to train 200 differently-abled individuals by March 2025 and provide livelihood opportunities to at least 140. So far, the initiative has made considerable progress: the Hazaribagh center has trained 88 individuals, with 43 securing jobs, while the Ranchi center has trained 78 individuals, with 43 successfully employed across various sectors.

The impact of this training is evident in the transformation of numerous lives. Four hearing-impaired youth trained in Hazaribagh – Roshan Kumar Mandal, Rahul Kumar, Joy Robin, and Satyam Dev – have recently been offered apprenticeships at Tata Motors, Jamshedpur, with two more trainees expected to secure jobs soon. Additionally, locomotor-impaired Nova Kumari is now employed at Wipro, Kolkata, while Pramila from Latehar has secured a job at a petrol pump near her home after completing her training in Ranchi.

Other success stories include Khirgaon resident Ali Imam, who is now working at a motor binding shop near Mahavir Sthan, Anil Prasad, who has secured employment at Ujjivan Bank’s Hazaribagh branch, and Gufran Khan from Ranchi, who is working as an office assistant at a local hotel. Another trainee from Ranchi, Raza Hussain Ansari, is now employed at an ICICI Bank branch in Kolkata.

Currently, the sixth batch of training is underway at the Hazaribagh center with 15 hearing and mobility-impaired trainees, while the fifth batch at the Ranchi center consists of 22 participants. Expressing enthusiasm for the program’s success, NBJK Secretary Satish Girija emphasized that this completely free, short-term vocational and residential training is empowering differently-abled youth toward self-reliance. He urged eligible individuals to take advantage of this opportunity to become financially independent and self-confident.

For more information, interested candidates can contact NBJK’s training centers in Hazaribagh and Ranchi on 8877219001, 7004783223.

From Despair to Hope: Anjali’s Journey

01 February 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Anjali Kumari from Doiya village, Chouparan, once faced an uncertain future due to financial struggles. Forced to drop out of school, she lost hope—until NBJK-run Chandrakala Devi Daga High School (CDDHS), Kewaliya, stepped in.

Enrolled as a sponsored girl child in 2019, Anjali resumed her studies without financial worries. Her hard work paid off—she cleared her Class X board exams (2024) with first division and is now pursuing higher education!

Anjali dreams of becoming self-reliant and supporting her family. Education transforms lives!

#NBJK #EducationForAll #GirlsEmpowerment #TransformingLives #CDDHS

Training on Financial Sustainability and Local Resource Mobilization for Organizations

29 January 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), has taken the initiative to share its 53 years of experience with organizations across Jharkhand and Bihar by providing them with specialized training. In collaboration with Action Village India, NBJK is conducting a four-day residential training program from January 27 to 30, focusing on various aspects of institutional development.

During the first two days, resource person Mr. Adheen Mahato covered key topics such as the structural functioning of an organization, roles and responsibilities of board members and key officials, second-line leadership development, safeguarding core values, progressive institutional growth, capacity building, internal administration, donor communication, organizational policies, essential documentation, and legal compliances. He also addressed crucial areas like challenges faced by civil society, funding opportunities, project planning and budgeting, needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation, networking, fellowships, CSR, FCRA, and crowdfunding.

On the third day, Mr. Rajeev Ranjan introduced participants to the Management Information System (MIS) and its utility, data collection techniques, target areas and groups, expected outcomes, online project applications, project documentation, and website management. NBJK Secretary, Mr. Satish Girija, guided participants on identifying and leveraging local resources along with effective office management. Financial Manager, Mr. Prakash Sinha, provided insights into bookkeeping and accounting.

A total of 18 organization leaders from different districts of Jharkhand and Bihar, including Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Seraikela, Bokaro, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Godda, Nalanda, Nawada, and Patna, are participating in the training. The program is being coordinated by NBJK’s Senior Program Manager, Mr. Rajeev Singh, and Supervisor, Mr. Abhay Kumar.

On January 30, the participants will go on an exposure visit to NBJK run LNJP Eye Hospital and Surekha Prakashbhai Public School, located in Chouparan (Hazaribagh).

🌾 Zomato & NBJK: Transforming Lives in Chouparan 🌟

28 January 2025, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): Feeding India, a Zomato initiative, is making a significant impact by providing nutritious meals to over 1,000 students daily at NBJK-run schools in Chouparan, Hazaribagh. 💛

At Amoli Apurva Primary School (Prajapat Nagar), Amoli Apurva Middle School (Bahera), and Amoli Apurva High School (Mangarh), children now enjoy:
🍶 Morning: Sprouted gram/moong with milk
🍚 Afternoon: Rice, pulses, and vegetables

These schools, known for their low fees and free education for many, now ensure both learning and well-being! Parents are thrilled to see this holistic approach, combining quality education, better health care (via LNJP Eye Hospital), and irrigation support.

Mr. Birendra Sinha, Manager (NBJK-Chouparan), shares, “This partnership reflects our belief in integrated development. Thanks to Zomato, our children are healthier and happier!”

#FeedingIndia #ZomatoInitiative #NBJK #NutritiousMeals #EducationForAll #IntegratedDevelopment

Republic Day Celebrated with Fervor at NBJK Coordination Office

26 January 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) organized a grand Republic Day celebration on 26th January 2025 at its Coordination Office in Amrit Nagar, Hazaribagh. The event began with the hoisting of the national flag by NBJK’s founding member and president, Mr. Girija Satish, followed by the collective singing of the national anthem. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Satish highlighted the significance of the Indian Constitution in ensuring citizens’ fundamental rights and tackling the challenges of modern times.

Secretary Mr. Satish Girija shared NBJK’s remarkable achievements over the past year, including providing education to over 6,000 children, treating approximately 1.5 lakh eye patients, restoring the eyesight of 25,000 individuals through cataract surgeries, facilitating irrigation on 900 acres, and supporting 10,000 farmers with advanced techniques and income-generating activities. He also highlighted NBJK’s efforts in skill development for 700 women and youth and providing financial assistance to nearly 7,000 individuals for self-employment. On this occasion, he expressed pride in Mr. Girija Satish receiving the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for his contributions to community development.

Program Director Mr. Gandharva Gaurav emphasized the importance of social harmony for development, while Senior Program Manager Mr. Rajeev Singh shared details about a project in Patna supporting nearly 5,000 persons with disabilities through community-based rehabilitation and rights-focused interventions. The program was anchored by Microfinance Program Manager Mr. Sudhir Upadhyay.

The celebration witnessed active participation from NBJK staff, local residents, and children. Republic Day events were also held across NBJK’s branch offices, schools, and eye hospitals located in various parts of Jharkhand and Bihar, including Chauparan, Churchu, Ichak, Bodh Gaya, Gaya, Patna, Ranchi, Chakla, Chanho, Deoghar, Dumka, and Jamui.

Course Completion Certificates Awarded to Successful Students of LNJP Paramedical Institute

24 January 2025, Chauparan (Hazaribagh): Twenty students from the 2022–24 batch of LNJP Paramedical Institute, recognized by the Government of Jharkhand and operated by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra at the Loknayak Jayaprakash Eye Hospital campus, were awarded course completion certificates with the support of CMPDI, Ranchi.

On this occasion, CMPDI’s Director (T/P & D), Mr. Ajay Kumar, and General Manager (HRD/CSR), Mr. R.K. Mahapatra, distributed the certificates. Mr. Kumar congratulated the students and wished them a bright future. The program was presided over by NBJK Secretary, Mr. Satish Girija, who appreciated CMPDI’s support and highlighted how this initiative has brought new hope to socio-economically disadvantaged rural youth.

Ms. Anshu and Ms. Nandini, the pass out students of the Ophthalmic Assistant course, expressed how the course has positively transformed their lives.

It’s noteworthy that CMPDI has also provided financial assistance to 20 more students from the 2023–25 batch for pursuing the Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant course. Among all these students, 50% are girls. These young professionals are now contributing to addressing the shortage of eye care specialists in Jharkhand by working with reputed organizations, private hospitals, or through self-employment.

The event was graced by CMPDI representatives Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Mr. Jaspal, and Mrs. Safina, along with LNJPPI faculty members, LNJPEH Manager Mr. Santosh Puri, and other health workers.

Job Fair at Rozgar Training Center Bridges the Gap between Industry and Trainees

24 January 2025, Hazaribagh: A two-day Job Fair organized at Mission Rozgar Training Center, Sardar Chowk, operated by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) with support from SBI Life, successfully provided a platform to connect skilled trainees with potential employers. The objective of this event was to bridge the gap between market demands and the skills of trainees, as well as to provide employment opportunities at the entry level.

The program witnessed the participation of esteemed establishments such as Bajaj Allianz, Divine Salon, Blue Sky Salon, Shri Textile Company, and Vishweshwar Nursing Home. These organizations conducted interviews and recruited 20 trainees across various sectors. Additionally, 10 trainees were shortlisted for the next round. On January 25, other companies, including RK Tailors, Kalyani Book Depot, and Life Insurance Corporation of India, are expected to participate, creating employment opportunities for at least 20 more trainees.

Furthermore, on January 23, the Rozgar Training Center organized an Employer Meet, which included representatives from business organizations such as Bajaj Allianz, Kalra Printers, and Shriram Finance. During this session, the participants shared insights on market expectations, job trends, and career readiness. This interaction provided trainees with valuable exposure to real-world opportunities and helped establish stronger connections with employers.

The employers appreciated the initiative and expressed their interest in collaborating further in the future.

LNJP Eye Hospital Camp at Block-Level Health Fair

22 January 2025, Hazaribagh: Under the aegis of the National Health Mission, Jharkhand, the LokNayak JayPrakash (LNJP) Eye Hospital, Bahera (Chouparan, Hazaribagh), operated by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra, actively participated in the block-level health fair.

Today, at the Primary Health Center in Oriya village, Sadar block, LNJP Eye Hospital organized a camp where 59 eye patients, including Sadar Block Deputy Chief Mr. Ravikant Singh, were examined. Among them, six were diagnosed with cataracts, and they will receive free surgeries at LNJP Eye Hospital.

The health fair was graced by the presence of Sadar MLA Mr. Pradeep Prasad, Block Chief Ms. Neeta Kumari, Oriya Village Head Ms. Rekha Devi, In-Charge Medical Officers of Sadar and Daru Blocks, Dr. Amresh Kumar, NBJK-Sightsavers India’s District Rural Eye Health Program Coordinator Mr. Kirti Rawat, Optometrist Mr. Akash Kumar, Mobilizer Mr. Seva Ram, ANM Ms. Anita Kumari, and others. Their active participation ensured significant benefits for the attendees.

Mr. Kirti Rawat shared that in a similar health fair held yesterday in Daru Block, 43 individuals underwent eye examinations. Among them, five were identified with cataracts, and their surgeries will be conducted free of cost tomorrow at LNJP Eye Hospital, Bahera.