Training for Usha Silai Local Resource Persons

27 February 2023, Bodhgaya (Gaya): Under Usha Silai School programme by NBJK with support of Usha International Limited, Local Resource Persons’ training held at Lord Buddha Home for Children, Silaunja (Bodhgaya).

LBHC is an organ of NBJK and 19 shortlisted silai school teachers from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have participated in the training.

On 23^rd Feb, the event has been inaugurated by Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) who introduced NBJK and its various programs before the trainees. He mentioned about eleven years’ long collaboration with Usha Iternational and praised Usha Silai School programme as an income oriented, skill based replicable prototype for women empowerment.

Mr. Ritesh Lohani and Mr. Felix Tirkey (Program Managers-UIL, from Bihar & Jharkhand respectively) were trainers. The participants have learnt about different modules of monitoring, organizing and reporting of Usha Silai Schools during this residential training ended on 24^th Feb.

Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital Restores Eyesight to Have-nots

24 February 2023, Deoghar-Giridih-Jamui-Lakhisarai: NBJK run Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital, Deoghar is dedicated to eradicate avoidable blindness from rural pockets of Deoghar, Giridih, Jamui, Lakhisarai districts in Jharkhand and Bihar.

Within a short period of 11-23 February, VRBEH has organized 12 screening camps at the villages like Katwara, Alodih, Nimnawda, Jaridih, Gurha, Keshabpur, Kishnitand, Jaruwadih, Mananpur, Durgadi in Jamua, Birni, Sono, Lakhisarai blocks of these districts.

The initiative ensured 331 OPD and found 22 cases of Refractive Error, 197 of Cataract, 04 with Pterygium and 01 for DCR while medicines were provided to 36 patients during the camps. People with cataracts were taken to the eye hospital, where they underwent surgery and get follow up services.

These eye checkup camps and Cataract operations are being supported by Sightsavers, Naraindas Morbai Budhrani Trust and SBI Foundation.

Teacher-Parents Meetings at Remedial Coaching Centres

23 February 2023, Hazaribagh: Teacher-Parents meeting are going on at Remedial Coaching Centres for rural school girls run by NBJK with support from UTI Mutual Fund.

Discussion upon various topics like annual academic assessment of girls, board exam preparation, future study plan, safety from child marriage, irregular attendance in classes, enrollment in class 8th, total admission target etc takes place during these meetings.

Mr. Parvez Alam (Programme Supervisor) said that more than 300 girl children from villages will appear for class 10th board exam this year and we are hopeful for their good result. Last year 75% girls from these RCCs have passed with first division in class 10th.

It may be noted that under UTI Mutual Fund supported Young India project, there are 30 such coaching centers at villages located in Sadar, Churchu and Daru blocks, where more than 1000 girl students of class 8th, 9th and 10th get free tuition facility for the subjects like English, Science and Mathematics.

Course Completion Certificate to Trainees

21 February 2023, Giridih: At Mission Rozgar Training Centre-Giridih being run by NBJK under Young India Project with support of UTI Mutual Fund, the pass out trainees of 4th batch have received their course completion certificates.

In a simple ceremony held on the occasion, Mr. Rajkumar Raj (Social Worker), Mrs. Pretty Bhaskar-Mr. Nishank Bhaskar (Educationists) and Dr. Pankaj Kumar (Entrepreneur) have awarded those certificates as well as wished all success in future.

As the chief guest, Mr. Rajkumar Raj has praised NBJK & UTI Mutual Fund for the initiative like MRTC which provides short term skill development training to youths with placement support service. He said that making youngsters as skilled workforce is a service to nation and it should be promoted by introducing new trades at the centre.

Earlier Ms. Rumana Azmat (Centre Co-ordinator) welcomed the guests, trainees and informed that 129 youths have been trained under the batch and 67 are already placed.

It’s remarkable that MRTC-Giridih offers three months practical courses on Basic Computer Applications, General Duty Assistant, Tally Based Accountancy and Beautician.

The event has been contributed by Mrs. Roselin Tudu, Mrs. Poonam Thakur, Mr. Pramod Kumar Turi, Mr. Vishal Verma (All Faculties) and Mr. Ranveer Singh (Placement Officer).

Advocacy Meeting upon Eye Health

21 February 2023, Hazaribagh: An advocacy meeting with key stakeholders held at NBJK under Rural Eye Health Programme with support of Sightsavers, NPCB, NRHM and JSLPS. This was participated by representatives from media, corporate and NGOs along with Sahia didis, DPOs & PRIs members.

Initially Mr. Kirti Rawat (DPC-REHP) introduced about the programme with its activities & achievements. He said that by attaching Vision Centres with CHCs, providing eye checkup devices at health centres and organizing screening camps at remote villages, we are trying to reach marginalized people suffering from eye diseases, particularly cataract and ensure their surgery at eye dept. of Sadar hospital and LNJP eye hospital (Bahera, Chouparan).

Mr. Shankar Choudhary (Retd. Eye Officer, DBCS) has discussed about simple testing methods for cataract and glaucoma without any equipment. From Sightsavers, Mr. Karunanidhi (DPM, Chatra) updated regarding eye pressure, symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and treatment support through Ayushman card while Ms. Nidhi Kshetri (DPC-Social Inclusion) has informed about the entitlements realization initiatives for visually impaired and other challenged persons.

Media-persons Mr. Murari Singh and Mr. Niranjan Kumar, who were invited in the meeting, assured cooperation by describing the eye health program in public interest. Also representatives of the NGOs like Divya Jyoti Sanstha, Drishti Foundation-Ramgarh, SHARK, GT Bharat, Janseva Parishad, Piramal Foundation etc. were also present on the occasion.

It was agreed to work with mutual cooperation over the activities like public awareness, organizing check-up camps and transport facilities in remote areas under REHP.

Alumuni Meet at MRTC-Hazaribagh

20 February 2023, Hazaribagh: As an activity by Mission Rozgar Training Centre-Hazaribagh under UTI Mutual Fund supported Young India project by NBJK, an alumuni meet has been organized at the centre premises.

Mr. Ashok Choudhary (Quality Manager, Aarogyam Hospital-Hazaribagh) was guest of honour of this event graced by Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh (State Programme Manager, YIP) also. Initially Mr. Rupesh Mallik has welcomed the guests.

There were 26 pass out trainees who participated in the meet and exchanged their ideas about this initiative of NBJK-UTI Mutual Fund to provide skill development training in different trades. They shared their work place experiences and assured to support juniors going to finish the training.

Mr. Ashok Choudhary and Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh have honoured the alumuni with mementoes-medals and motivated them to shoulder the work responsibilities as expected from their employers. They wished them for success in future.

Mr. Rupesh Mallik thanked all for their cordial presence. Mr. Mrityunjay Kumar (Placement Officer), Mr. Aniket (Mobilizer) and faculties have contributed to the meet.

Mr. Mrityunjay has informed that with four batches, MRTC-Hazaribagh has trained nearly 480 youths in the trades of Basic Computer Applications, General Duty Assistance, Tailoring, Beautician and more than 330 have been placed already.          

Carers Submit Memorandum to Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh

15 February 2023, Hazaribagh: As an advocacy initiative for the Carers in Hazaribagh district, a delegation of Caregivers met Mrs. Nancy Sahay, the Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribagh yesterday and submitted her a memorandum regarding policy support to this marginalized community.

The delegation from Pragati Carers Sewa Sanstha, a registered body or federation of the familial carers promoted under the programme of Caring for Carers by NBJK with support of Carers Worldwide, was led by Mrs. Sumitra Devi (President, PCSS). She has been accompanied with Mrs. Sunita Devi (Treasurer), Mrs. Purnima Devi (Member) and Mr. Vijay Paswan (Secretary) of the federation along with Mr. Rajkumar Gupta (Programme Co-ordinator, NBJK).

In that memorandum, the caregivers have requested the Government to pay attention over the demands like Recognition of Carers as they look after their disabled/chronic ill/old aged/mentally sick family members amid poverty or challenging situation, Governmental support or special allowance, Inclusion under MNREGA, Allocation of 5% Govt. fund under PRIs/ULBs, Establishment of well-equipped Day Care/Community Care Centres for disabled children, Training Centres to upgrade Caring/Self-Caring Skills, disability management etc, transportation facility to get medical/rehabilitation services for dependents, Health Services & Social Security to Carers, Priority under developmental/departmental schemes and Promotion of Carers’ SHGs etc.

The DC has assured the delegation for high level communication upon their Charter of Demands and to look into the matter sympathetically.

On behalf of NBJK, Mr. Rajkumar Gupta says that Caring shouldn’t be taken as granted as caregivers do a very challenging job almost free at the cost of their personal lives and deserve more from our society or the Government. This is a global issue and many south Indian states have initiated to address the problems of Carers, he mentions.

Remedial Coaching Centres for Girls at Villages in Chouparan Block

14 February 2023, Chouparan (Hazaribagh): With CSR support of SBI General Insurance Company Limited, NBJK is running 10 Remedial Coaching Centres for marginalized & poor girls enrolled at village based Hindi medium Government/Govt. aided/Community run High Schools in Chouparan block of Hazaribagh district.

These RCCs are exclusively for class 10th girls students to upgrade their academic standard for the subjects like English, Maths and Science. The centres provide convenient study timing of 2.5 hrs before or after school periods and currently 382 girls avail this free tuition facility. Since 10% of total strength is allowed for boys also, there are 18 boy students also at these RCCs situated at Amoli Apurva high School-Mangarh, CDD High School-Kewalia, Birsa High School-Singhrawan, Girl Middle School-Chouparan, Vishwakarma Girl High School-Pandeywara, Project Girl High School-Papro, Upgraded Middle School-Harijan Karma and Kasturba Gandhi Awasiya Balika Vidyalaya-Lohandi. At Amoli Aapurva High School and CDD High School, NBJK conducts two RCCs for each at morning & evening times.

Mr. Birendra Kumar Sinha (Programme Manager) says about the focus upon better result in class 10th board exam for the girls, disabled students as impaired mobility, household works and the very custom of child marriage are like hindrances for them to get proper education.

Like it’s all other programmes, NBJK ensures quality delivery with training to teachers, periodical tests, review of development, feedback, documentation, support materials to students and overall monitoring of the programme etc.

Recently on 7th February, Mr. Chifford D’Costa (Manager-CSR, SBI General Insurance) has visited Remedial Coaching Centres and interacted with their students. He met teachers, programme team and got impressed with the activities.

Grassroots Intervention against Cataract

13 Feberuary 2023, Hazaribagh: Mr. Ranchandra Saw (65 years), son of Mr. Budhan Saw, village-Purni Peto, block-Keredari and district-Hazaribagh, is a farmer by profession. His place is around 55 km away from district headquarters.

He has developed Cataract in both of his eyes. Because of slowly diminishing eyesight, he didn’t take any notice initially. It continued for approximately one & half year but made him nearly blind at last.

This was very painful to think that now I can’t see anything, Ramchandra remembers and says regarding the major challenge before his works.

One day he reached to NBJK run Vision Centre situated near block office and explained about his problem. This centre is associated with the organization run LNJP Eye Hospital, Bahera (Chouparan, Hazaribagh) and established under Sightsavers supported Netra Vasanta-Rural Eye Health program by LNJPEH in Hazaribagh district.

The checkup has confirmed of Cataract inside his eyes. Ramchandra became very anxious when he was recommended for surgery but the VC in-charge has consoled him and said that a minor operation will restore his eyesight.

On 25th January 2023, Ramchandra was brought to LNJPEH and got rid of the Cataract from one of his eyes through surgery sponsored by Vision Foundation of India. The operation was successful and enabled him to see far better. The doctor suggested him for the surgery in other eye too, so that his vision could be trouble free completely.

Observing the outcome, Ramchandra is interested for Cataract removal from unoperated eye also and conveys heartfelt gratitude to the Vision Centre, LNJPEH and Vision Foundation of India.

19 Camps, 595 OPD and 351 Cataract Surgeries

11 February 2023, Giridih-Jamui-Lakhisarai-Deoghar: NBJK run Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital, Deoghar is conducting outreach screening camps for free Cataract surgery. The initiative has the back up of Sightsavers supported Vision Centre, Bengabad (Giridih), Naraindas Morbai Budhrani Trust and SBI Foundation separately.

During the period of 25 January-10 February 2023, VRBEH has organized 19 eye screening camps at remote villages of Giridih, new places like Sono, Simutala, Jhajha in Jamui and Mananpur in Lakhisarai districts of Jharkhand & Bihar. The covered villages fall under Jamua, Bengabad, Birni, Sono, Jhajha, Lakhisarai blocks and lack eye care facility at all.

These outreach camps have ensured eye checkup for 595 persons and detected 351 with Cataract. Also Refractive Error was found with 27, Pterygium with 02, DCR with 02 while 45 persons have availed medicines on the spot. All Cataract ridden eye patients met surgery at VRBEH and their vision have been restored free of cost.

The sponsor agencies have afforded all the expenditures on behalf of the patients. NBJK, VRBEH and the beneficiaries express sincere gratitude to Sightsavers, Naraindas Morbai Budhrani Trust and SBI Foundation for such an important support to make quality lives.