A Day of Empowerment in Hazaribagh!

12 October 2023, Hazaribagh: Hazaribagh MP Shri Jayant Sinha inaugurated the historic Swavalamban Conclave-cum-Fair under the patronage of SIDBI, a celebration of local artisans’ talent and passion. We are thrilled to announce the launch of the SIDBI-supported Micro Enterprise Promotion Program by NBJK, striving to establish 1100 enterprises in five districts over four years, fostering financial growth and unleashing creativity for local entrepreneurs.

The event also marked the success of the Rural Entrepreneurship Program (1999-2006) by NBJK-SIDBI, with 2044 enterprises created, providing livelihoods for 4700 people over two decades.

Shri Sinha emphasized empowering small entrepreneurs with technical support, marketing assistance, and innovation like business credit cards. He has unveiled other projects like CSR assistance to Akshaya Patra, cooperatives supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the “Atmanirbhar Hazaribagh” campaign in partnership with HDFC Bank, aiming to replicate success in 20 more Jharkhand districts.

SIDBI Chairman Shri S. Ramann commended women’s active participation and promised to address the challenges faced by small entrepreneurs across districts.

We also shared about “Project Care” for Kohwar-Sohrai painter groups, mushroom production program for livelihood generation, and lac processing skill development for rural women by other NGOs.

Certificates were distributed among the beneficiaries of SIDBI-supported projects, and guests appreciated the local products on display. Hazaribagh, get ready for a brighter future!

Bicycles Distribution among School Girls

11 October 2023, Hazaribagh: Today, on the auspicious occasion of Loknayak Jayaprakash Jayanti and International Girl Child Day, NBJK organized a bicycle distribution ceremony among 400 girl students of 09 selected schools. The event held at Hazaribagh Stadium under the aegis of CSR initiative “Care Today” of India Today Group-TV Today Network in collaboration with Hazaribagh MP Mr. Jayant Sinha. The value of 400 bicycles distributed is approximately Rs 20 lakh.

On this occasion, the MP said that we want to serve the society and country through politics and we would have been happier if electric bicycles were available for these daughters. He said that the credibility of NBJK in the field of social service is well known and we are very happy to become a means of cooperation in the ongoing development work through them. The MP said that this is a cycle bank, in which after the holder girl passes 10th; her cycle will be transferred to another girl. He also took a round of the stadium ground on a bicycle with the girls.

Earlier, NBJK Secretary Mr. Satish Girija while welcoming them said that this ceremony of distribution of bicycles among school girls is an important moment in the lives of our daughters, which will help in removing their educational inconveniences, commuting from home to school. It will be convenient and they will get more time for studies. He told that the concept of cycle bank is associated with this programme, which will be successful in benefiting many girls with a single bicycle. Expressing his gratitude towards the MP and India Today Group, he said that today is the International Girl Child Day along with the birthday of NBJK mentor and great freedom fighter Loknayak Jayaprakash and through this collective effort, four hundred girl children have received bicycles, which is very important for us. It is a happy occasion.

The MP garlanded the picture of Loknayak and congratulated his unmatched patriotism. Advocate Mr. Swaroop Chand Jain, who has been a JP agitator, described JP’s disappearance from Hazaribagh jail during the British era, his leadership abilities after independence, student movement, emergency etc. and described his devotion to democratic values ​​as exemplary.

NBJK President Girija Satish said that we work on the ideas of Gandhi, Vinoba, JP and the solution to the current global unrest lies only in Gandhism. Mr. Shankar Rana was conducting the dais and Mr. Rajiv Singh proposed the vote of thanks.

41 women got tailoring training, will open Usha Silai School

06 October 2023, Hazaribagh: Under the Usha Silai School program run by NBJK in collaboration with Usha International Ltd., rural women have been provided inclusive training in new sewing machine along with its working, servicing, designing of clothes, cutting, sewing on machine and making various dresses.

In this sewing training organized at the NBJK coordination office premises from 25th September to 03rd October, two batches of total 25 women from two blocks like Tandwa of Chatra and Mandu in Ramgarh districts were trained separately. 15 trainees from Tandwa were sponsored by NTPC, while 10 women from Mandu participated in this residential training under the Usha Classical mode. Along with them, a woman from Aurangabad (Bihar) also received training in the Adopt mode. Earlier, during the period of 21-29 September, 15 women of Lakhisarai Sadar block in Lakhisarai (Bihar) were given similar training in Usha Classical Mode.

Each of these 41 women has received a new sewing machine along with accessories, certificate, guidebook and signboard of Usha Silai School so that they can increase their income by running a sewing school in their home or locality.

On behalf of UIL, Mrs. Sandhya Agarwal, Mrs. Meera Tripathi, Mrs. Sarita Devi (trainers), Mr. Kamaljeet Sharma, Mr. Gopal Mishra, Mr. Himanshu Pandey (Service Engineers), Mr. Ritesh Lohani (Program Officer-Bihar), Mr. Felix Tirkey (Program Officer-Jharkhand) were involved in the training. Along with them Mr. Shailesh Kumar (Program Coordinator), Ms. Neelu Kumari (Local Coordinator, Lakhisarai) and Mr. Mithilesh Kumar (Branch Manager) from NBJK had commendable contributions.

NGO Leadership Award to NBJK

04 October 2023, Kolkata: We are thrilled to announce that Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) has been awarded the prestigious NGO Leadership Award!

Mr. Girija Satish, the founder and President of NBJK, proudly received this honor on behalf of our organization at a grand ceremony held at Taj Bengal, Kolkata, on 4th October 2023.

This recognition is part of the Eastern India Leadership Awards Series, presented under the esteemed banner of EIILM-Kolkata. The award acknowledges NBJK’s consistent excellence in various domains, including sustainable resource mobilization for public utility programs, effective management, ethical operations, transparency, impactful communication, community collaboration, and environmental protection.

We are truly grateful to the event organizers for this recognition, and we want to assure you that we remain committed to striving for even greater excellence in the future, Mr. Girija Satish said.

Thank to all for continued support, and let’s continue to make a positive impact together!

Outreach Eye Screening Camps by Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital

03 October 2023, Deoghar-Giridih-Jamui: NBJK’s Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital-Deoghar, with support from Sightsavers India and SBI Foundation, recently organized 15 eye screening camps from 23rd Sept to 3rd Oct 2023. These camps reached remote villages in Deoghar, Giridih, and Jamui districts of Jharkhand & Bihar.

In total, 290 individuals received crucial eye check-ups, with 130 diagnosed with cataracts. Additionally, 62 cases of refractive errors, 13 with pterygium, and 1 case of glaucoma were identified. Medicines were distributed to 48 patients, while cataract patients were referred to our base hospital.

We also conducted eye care training for ASHAs in Mohanpur (Deoghar) and Gandey (Giridih) on 23rd and 27th Sept. Together, we’re making a difference in eye health!

Commemorating the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

02 October 2023, Hazaribagh: On the occasion of the 154th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, a wreath-laying-cum-seminar program was organized by Lok Samiti and Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra at Gandhi Smriti Sthal in Kumhartoli. The seminar was presided over by Mr. Girija Satish, President of Rashtriya Lok Samiti and NBJK. Describing Gandhiji’s Satyagraha as a unique experiment in world history, he said that his non-violent struggle based on truth has played an important role in solving problems like untouchability, slavery, apartheid not only in India but also in countries like America, South Africa and  produced public leaders Mr. Martin Luther King and Mr. Nelson Mandela.

Mr. Manoj Verma said that today the land mafia has their eyes on a sacred land like this venue, which has to be stopped. The district administration team that reached the seminar for some time under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Nancy Sahay and Superintendent of Police Mr. Manoj Rattan Chouthe was also informed about this conspiracy and they assured appropriate action. The Deputy Commissioner said that today is also World Non-Violence Day and whatever work we do, it can be done in a better way with the help of Gandhi’s thoughts.

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Jagdish Sahu considered his hold on the public, Mr. Shamsher Alam remembered his role in establishing humanitarianism-communal harmony and Mr. Arvind Jha recalled Gandhiji’s ability to understand the pain and suffering of others as unmatched. Considering prohibition as Gandhi’s dream, Mr. Swaroop Chand Jain urged the government to immediately implement prohibition in Jharkhand and the entire country.

Dozens of people including Mr. Krishna Ram Thakur, Mrs. Poonam Rana, Mr. Shankar Rana, Mr. Rahul Pathak, Mr. Jagdish Sahu, Mr. Khirodhar Prasad Mehta, Mr. Ashok Sahu, Mr. Chandrika Sahu, Mr. Umesh Tiwari, Mr. Bateshwar P. Mehta etc. were present in the seminar.

After this, apart from the statue of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Indrapuri Chowk, the Team Lok Samiti-NBJK also garlanded the statues of Gandhiji at the lake and the new collectorate.

6th AGM of Murhu Nari Shakti Kisan Producer Co. Ltd.

29 September 2023, Khunti: Murhu Nari Shakti Kisan Producer Company Limited, the FPC promoted under NBJK-CInI-Tata Trusts run Lakhpati Kisan project, has organized its sixth annual general meeting at Town Hall, Khunti. This was inaugurated by the District Agriculture Officer-Khunti Mr. Santosh Lakra.  He appreciated MNSKPCL for its works and assured for constant support from agriculture department if the farmers need advanced seeds, agricultural equipments or drip irrigation system etc. Also he shared his mobile number in case of any problem in service delivery.

The CEO of the company Mr. Praveen Kumar while presenting the financial details, said that we have made turnover of Rs 1,28,87,197 till the month of August in current financial year and registered a turnover of Rs. 03 crore 13 lakh during the year 2022-23. He informed about 3110 shareholders as members of 102 producer groups in 15 panchayats of Murhu block and operation of a wide ranged activities from high value agriculture based services with training & inputs for livestock rearing, lac farming with output and marketing arrangement. We will initiate branding of Ragi/Madua in this International Year of Millets and other activities to get support price from the government, he said.

JSLPS DPM Mr. Gaurav Jaiswal, JSLPS Johar Program DPO Mr. Abhishek Gupta, RPO Mr. Pankaj Kumar have encouraged the women participating in the function. Also Mr. Sanjeev Shatpati from CInI-Tata Trust, Mr. Chaitanya Ganjhu, Mukhiya of Godatoli Panchayat Mrs. Parti Tooti, ​​Branch Manager of NBJK Mr. Mohit Purti and Chairperson of MNSKPCL Mrs. Dayamani Nag, Mr. Anil Hassa etc have contributed to the event.

Family Counseling Center Sub-Committee Meeting Highlights

29 September 2023, Hazaribagh: In its Sub-committee meeting, the Family Counseling Center, a program by NBJK in collaboration with Central and Jharkhand State Social Welfare Boards, addressed crucial issues. NBJK Secretary, Mr. Satish Girija, emphasized the negative impact of mobile phones on school children and called for the end of online studies and homework introduced during the COVID era.

Concerns for the elderly residing in old age homes, abandoned by their families, were also discussed. The meeting stressed the need for better management, cleanliness, and comprehensive legal, financial, and medical support for these seniors.

Mrs. Meera Gupta, the Family Counseling Center Counselor, reported on 36 registered family dispute cases, with 23 successfully resolved. The cases spanned husband-wife disputes, alcoholism, domestic disturbances, disputes with in-laws, and land disputes.

We’re grateful for the dedication of committee members, including Mrs. Sheela Kumari, Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Mrs. Usha Bahen, Mrs. Sharda Devi, Mrs. Poonam Gupta, Mr. Arvind Jha, Mr. Tulsi Dubey, and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, in working towards healthier family dynamics and better support for the elderly.

NBJK run Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital-Deoghar making a difference!!

22 September 2023, Deoghar-Giridih-Jamui: With support of Sightsavers and SBI Foundation, from 14th to 21st September 2023, we’ve been on the move, bringing eye care to the doorsteps of those in need.

• 11 screening camps in Giridih, Jamui, and Deoghar districts, 248 OPD consultations, 103 Cataract detections, early intervention is key! 72 individuals with Refractive Errors identified. 04 cases of Pterygium discovered.
• 37 patients received essential medicines on the spot. Those requiring surgeries are now on their way to our base hospital for expert care.
• On 20th September, ASHAs received training on basic eye healthcare in Jhajha, Jamui district. Their knowledge will help spread awareness and connect communities to preventive, curative, or referral services.

Empowering Rural Women Through Skill Development

13 September 2023, Kharsawan (Jharkhand): A remarkable initiative is taking place under the Usha Silai School program, in collaboration with NBJK and supported by Usha International Limited.

Thirty talented and determined rural women from Seraikela Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts are embarking on a transformative journey in two batches.

In the spirit of the Usha Classical Silai School Training, 15 women from Kharsawan block and 15 from Khuntpani block are receiving comprehensive training. They are mastering everything from sewing machine installation and understanding its intricate parts to proficiently repairing it and crafting beautiful apparel.

This residential training commenced on the 11th of September and will continue until the 19th. During this period, these inspiring women will learn forward-backward sewing, intricate garment designs, and the art of cutting and stitching a wide range of clothing items, including pants, shirts, blouses, petticoats, children’s undergarments, frocks, salwar-suits, bags, purses, kurtas, paijamas, and skirts.

Upon successfully completing their training, each participant will be equipped with a sewing machine, service manual book, tailoring guide book, a certificate of achievement, and a signage board to establish their very own Usha Silai School in their respective communities.

Leading this incredible transformation are Mrs. Renu Devi and Mrs. Nusrat Parveen, our dedicated trainers, along with the skilled service engineers, Mr. Kamaljeet Sharma and Mr. Gopal Kumar Mishra.

On the inaugural day, we were honored to have Mr. Felix Tirkey (State Program Manager, UIL), Mr. Angura Mahto & Mrs. Kunri Devi (Lokhit Santha), Mr. Alfons Khakha & Mr. Lorens Hazare (STEP) join us and inspire our village women to successfully complete this course.

The event was coordinated by Mr. Shailesh Kumar (NBJK).

Let’s applaud the spirit of these women as they take steps toward self-reliance and empowerment. Together, we are stitching a brighter future, one skill at a time.