VRBEH-SBIF Make Geezerhood Easy

13 March 2023, Sono (Jamui): Mr. Bhuneshwar Majhi (70 years), father-late Giro Majhi, lives at village-Balthar, post-Sono and district-Jamui in Bihar.

He is a landless tiller from SC community, does sharecropping upon 1.25 acre land and arranges food security for nearly six months. Also he works as an agriculture labourer to fulfill family requirements. With diminishing eyesight continuously, Bhuneshwar felt troubled.

Since he needs to go to the fields regularly for agriculture related activities, one day he fell on ground due to low visibility. But Bhuneshwar was unable to guess his real problem of Cataract.

Gradually he stopped his movements and it became difficult to go toilet or to take bath even independently. My life became a burden for me, Bhuneshwar remembers.

One day he heard about the Eye Camp from Mrs. Manju Devi, a member of women’s Self-Help Group in his village. Manju told him about the Eye Screening Camp going to take place at a neighboring village namely Kendua. She informed that NBJK run Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital, Deoghar and SBI Foundation will organize this. She suggested Bhuneshwar to get his eyes checked in the camp and took him there.

He was detected with Cataract. With consent of Bhuneshwar & his family members, VRBEH medical team brought him to the base hospital at Deoghar and removed his Cataract successfully. He availed the facilities like travel, food, stay, surgery, medicines, glasses etc free of cost under SBI Eye Care, a CSR initiative by SBI Foundation through VRBEH, Deoghar. Also he got follow up service from the eye hospital.

Now Bhuneshwar’s vision has been restored completely. He is very happy, encouraged and expects to join his farming works soon.

He expresses sincere gratitude to Vimla Ramkrishna Bajaj Eye Hospital & SBI Foundation as these enabled him to be active again.

A Seminar on International Women’s Day

11 March 2023, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribagh): Under joint auspices of NBJK & Action Village India, a seminar held on the occasion of International Women’s Day and it was presided by Mr. Swarupchand Jain (Senior Advocate). The seminar started with the lighting of the lamp by AVI representatives Mrs. Jenny, Mr. Ivan Nutbrown, NBJK president Mr. Girija Satish, Mr. Swarupchand Jain and the participating rural women.

While introducing the theme, Mr. Girija Satish welcomed AVI guests, introduced them and said that in our society there was more discrimination between men and women and a tendency to underestimate women couldn’t consider their views properly but now change is coming. Opposing child marriage, he appealed to value the opinions of girls in marriage related decisions and to extend the scope of women’s reservation implemented in Panchayati Raj to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies also. Mr. Girija Satish, referring to NBJK-run girl education, women’s livelihood development programs, said that economic self-reliance has an important role in women’s empowerment.

AVI’s Mrs. Jenny said that 100 years struggle of English women has brought one-third of the women in the Parliament there today. Describing domestic violence against women as a global issue, she emphasized on stopping it and said that big changes are possible with the collective initiative of women. Prof. Lalita Rana, highlighting the condition of Indian women in various periods like pre-Vedic, post-Vedic, medieval, British rule, mentioned the existing laws and said that we need to stay away from illiteracy, superstition, dowry system, conservatism etc.  As discussing the changes, Mr. Ivan considered women’s cricket team, women’s participation in various fields and improvement in their economic status as important.

Former MLA Mr. Gautam Sagar Rana supported inter-caste/inter-religious marriages, urged women to maintain equality between sons-daughters, to oppose the practice of purdah and said that even today women’s labor force does not get the right worth. Expressing happiness over the increasing number of women office bearers in the administrative-judicial circles of Hazaribagh, Dr. P. Mishra welcomed the future change.

Mrs. Meena Devi, who came from village-Rola on this occasion, said that we do not just want respect but also employment. Mrs. Anju Devi from Sakhia village recited a self-composed poem about moving forward on the path of life, mentioning many famous women including late Indira Gandhi. Reminiscing her old days, Mrs. Razia Khatoon, a handicapped woman of Bonga village has talked about her association with tailoring training and livelihood with the help of NBJK. Mrs. Pramila Devi and Ms. Devanti Kumari also placed their views on this occasion.

In the presidential address, Mr. Swarupchand Jain said that now the illusion that daughters are a burden is breaking.

A total of 68 people including most of the women participated in the seminar and Mr. Shankar Rana was conducting the stage. Mr. Rajeev Singh proposed the vote of thanks.

Rashtriya Netra Yagna Contributes to Vision Restoration

05 March 2023, Dumka: Mr. Kalu Dutta, 70 years, lives at village-Pokhariya in Shikaripara block of Dumka district in Jharkhand. He is an old aged person but runs his family of five members actively with help of his son. Kalu Dutta is a small farmer with annual income of Rs. 45,000 only.

He had vision problem for a long time unattended as per assumption of age related factor. But it was growing gradually and halted Kalu’s activities up to an alarming point. He became dependent upon others for even going to toilet or taking bath and became helpless to visit his farm plots. Kalu was much anxious about his future as he lost his eyesight.

When NBJK run LNJP Eye Hospital, Dumka has organized an Eye Screening Camp adjacent to his place and publicized about the event going to be held as Rashtriya Netra Yagna with support of Vision foundation of India, neighbours have suggested Kalu Dutta to go there for eye checkup. Kalu asked his son to accompany him and reached there.

Through checkup, he was identified Cataract in his right eye. He has been recommended for surgery without any cost and the hospital team has brought him to the base hospital at Dumka. Earlier Kalu Dutta hesitated to go there but LNJPEH counsellor made him ready for operation.

After the surgery on 14 February 2023 at LNJPEH-Dumka, he felt the change with a clear vision and got relief from all pre-conceived fears. At the hospital, he has been cared well, got food, medicines, glasses & post-surgery service and became impressed.

Now Kalu Dutta can see without any problem. He joined his daily chores and looks after agriculture work too. The change he admires a lot and thanks Vision Foundation of India-LNJP Eye Hospital, Dumka for such a timely initiative.

World Bank’s Senior Advisor & GoJ Officials Visit at MNSKPCL Operational Area

01 March 2023, Khunti: Murhu Nari Shakti Kisan Producer Company Limited, the apex community institution promoted under Lakhpati Kisan Smart Village programme by NBJK with support of CInI-Tata Trusts, has coordinated the visit of Mr. Rajeev Topno (Senior Advisor & Representative of World Bank) to operational areas of World Bank funded JOHAR Scheme with support of Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society.

Mr. Topno was accompanied by Mr. Chhavi Ranjan (IAS & Secretary with the Government of Jharkhand), Mr. Shashi Ranjan (IAS, DC-Ranchi) and Mr. Nitish Kumar (DDC-Khunti).

They visited at villages to assess impact of JOHAR Phase II on 27th February. Mrs. Mukta and the Directors of MNSKPCL have made a presentation over integrated approach of Lakhpati Kisan programme & JOHAR before the visitors.

It’s noteworthy that MNSKPCL is co-opted by JOHAR of JSLPS also.

Learning Materials to Girl Students of Birsa High School, Devkuli

28 February 2023, Devkuli (Ichak, Hazaribagh): Keeping view of coming board exam, 60 girl students of Birsa High School, Devkuli (Ichak, Hazaribagh) have received learning materials.

Mr. Abhay Kumar (Supervisor, NBJK) handed over the support books to the girls and motivated them to concentrate over planned preparation.

Among the beneficiary girl children, 22 girls are from class X, 15 from class IX and 23 are enrolled in class VIII. Mr. Baleshwar Prasad (Principal), Mr. Dashrath Prasad, Mr. Vinay Kumar and Mr. Virendra Kumar Singh (all teachers) were present on this occasion.

It’s significant that 95 girl children from poor socio-economic background are being sponsored by AVI to complete their schooling through Birsa High School.

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.