Lok Samiti Upholds Gandhian Ideals and People’s Power within Jharkhand & Bihar

12 November 2025,Ranchi, Jharkhand: Founded by freedom fighter and Sarvodaya leader Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) on 30 June 1977, Lok Samiti continues to champion Gandhian values of non-violence, peace, and social harmony. Supported by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) and likeminded voluntary organizations of Jharkhand and Bihar, Lok Samiti remains a vibrant non-political, non-registered people’s movement empowering citizens to take collective action on grassroots issues.

Over the past year, Lok Samiti has organized 14 impactful events across multiple states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Odisha, drawing the participation of around 2,000 individuals. The initiatives included symposiums on farmers’ and laborers’ welfare, thematic seminars on women’s rights, communal harmony, and social equality, and commemorations of JP, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi.

The organization also extended strong support to the peaceful Satyagrah of Sarva Seva Sangh against the forced occupation of its Rajghat campus in Varanasi by Indian Railways — reaffirming its commitment to non-violent civic action.

Highlighting the organization’s legacy, National President Mr. Girija Satish was conferred with the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for outstanding Gandhian social work and felicitated at public ceremonies in Ranchi and Bodhgaya.

Through its continued grassroots engagement and Gandhian approach, Lok Samiti stands as a testament to JP’s vision of a just, self-reliant, and participatory democracy.

Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Eye Hospital, Gaya Bringing Light to Thousands across Bihar

11 November 2025, Kajha (Wazirganj,Gaya), Bihar: Lok Nayak Jay Prakash (LNJP) Eye Hospital, run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) and supported by Mission for Vision, Sightsavers India, DBCS, Ayushman Bharat, See International, Combat Blindness, Standard Chartered Bank, Vision Foundation of India, Seva Foundation, and Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care, continues to make quality eye care accessible to people across Bihar.

Located in Kajha village of Wazirganj block, the 80-bedded hospital serves nearly 7,000 villages across 55 blocks in five districts — Gaya, Nawada, Jehanabad, Nalanda, and Aurangabad. With modern infrastructure, skilled ophthalmologists, and outreach through 750 screening camps and Vision Centres, the hospital ensures eye care reaches the most remote areas.

In last one year, LNJP Eye Hospital achieved:

• 28,386 OPD consultations
• 13,877 cataract surgeries
• 785 other eye surgeries
• 13,724 individuals treated for refractive errors
• 23,091 spectacles distributed

These efforts reflect NBJK’s mission to restore sight, prevent blindness, and bring hope to thousands.

MP Kali Charan Munda Visits Semialata Cultivation in Murhu, Khunti

09 November 2025, Murhu (Khunti): Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Khunti, Shri Kali Charan Munda, visited Jiwri village under Kuda Panchayat, Murhu Block, on Sunday. During his visit, he inspected Semialata cultivation fields developed with the efforts of Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) in collaboration with NABARD. In Jiwri village, 20 farmers from both hamlets have adopted Semialata cultivation, and the plants are now fully grown.

While interacting with the farmers, Shri Munda praised their initiative and hard work, stating that Semialata cultivation holds great promise for enhancing lac production in the region. He assured that similar efforts would be encouraged in other villages to strengthen rural livelihoods through sustainable farming practices.

It is noteworthy that Shri Soto Manki, a farmer from Jiwri, had pioneered Semialata cultivation in the area years ago, inspiring many others. Following his example, Gram Pradhan Binsai Munda and several farmers have adopted the practice, bringing recognition to the village’s progressive farming model.

The MP was accompanied by Md. Naimuddin Khan (State General Secretary, Congress Cooperative Cell and associated with the lac industry), Amar Mundu, Binsai Munda, and a large number of villagers. The program concluded with a collective pledge by the participants to work together for rural development and agricultural advancement.

Transforming Rural Women through Usha Silai School Program

06 November 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) continues to empower rural women in Jharkhand and Bihar through the Usha Silai School Program, helping them become self-reliant entrepreneurs. The initiative provides free residential training in tailoring, sewing machine repair, life skills, and business management, enabling women to start their own Usha Silai Schools.

Within a year, 193 women from 10 districts were trained under different modules, including Satellite, Classical, WestBridge, and Adopt a Silai School programs. Training sessions were organized in Saraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Gumla, Ramgarh, Katihar, Lakhisarai, and Hazaribagh districts.

Each participant received a Signage Board, Syllabus Guide, Service Manual, and Certificate, while 83 women were gifted new sewing machines to begin their entrepreneurial journey.

Through this initiative, NBJK—with support from its partners—continues to promote women’s empowerment and livelihood generation in rural India.

#NBJK #UshaSilaiSchool #WomenEmpowerment #SkillDevelopment #RuralEntrepreneurship #UshaInternational #WestBridgeCapital

Poverty Reduction through Self-Help Groups & Joint Liability Groups

04 November 2025, Hazaribagh: Since 1991, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) has been empowering rural and underserved communities through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) to promote financial inclusion and self-reliance. The initiative operates across 12 blocks of Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Ramgarh, and Khunti districts in Jharkhand, and 15 urban slum pockets of Patna, Bihar.

Currently, 746 SHGs with 14,934 members and 283 JLGs involving 1,170 men are active. Among them, 4,996 women and 1,170 men have accessed microcredit support for income-generating activities. With an average recovery rate of 87.03%, the program reflects strong community ownership and accountability.

Through this initiative, NBJK has supported 6,171 families—81% of them women-led—fostering economic stability, leadership, and poverty reduction at the grassroots level.

LNJP Eye Hospital, Dumka — Delivering Inclusive Eye Care Across Santhal Pargana

03 November 2025, Dumka (Jharkhand): Lok Nayak Jay Prakash (LNJP) Eye Hospital, Dumka, supported by Sightsavers India, CBM India, DBCS and Ayushman Bharat, continues to be a trusted centre for comprehensive eye care in the Santhal Pargana region. With 30 beds, advanced equipment, and skilled specialists, the hospital serves patients from over 8,000 villages across 36 blocks of Dumka, Jamtara, Deoghar, and Godda districts, as well as neighbouring Bihar.

Under the CBM India-supported Comprehensive Disability Inclusive Eye Care (CDIEC) program, 1,185 Sahiyas (ASHAs) were trained on primary eye care, 22 school camps screened 3,160 children, and 165 received free spectacles. The program also facilitated 3,144 cataract surgeries, 24 minor surgeries, and trained 68 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on rehabilitation and government entitlements.

Through the Sightsavers India-supported National Rural Eye Health (NREH) program, 80 Sahiyas were trained, 8 BCC and 20 screening camps organized, and 2,117 cataract surgeries performed — including 681 free and 1,115 subsidized.

At the base hospital, 46 outreach camps were held, benefitting 16,902 individuals through door-to-door OPD services and 3,617 cataract surgeries.

With dedicated efforts and strong partnerships, LNJP Eye Hospital, Dumka, continues to restore sight and bring hope to thousands across Jharkhand.

Nutritious Meals Continue to Support Rural Students under Feeding India – A Zomato Giveback Initiative

01 November 2025, Hazaribagh: Under Feeding India – A Zomato Giveback Initiative, NBJK-run schools in Chouparan block of Hazaribagh district served a total of 4,357 breakfasts and lunches to their students over eight school days in the second fortnight of November 2025.

At Amoli Apurva High School–Mangarh, 1,320 breakfasts and an equal number of lunches were provided, followed by 1,120 meals at Amoli Apurva Middle School–Bahera, 952 meals at Amoli Apurva Middle School–Prajapat Nagar, and 965 meals at Chandrakala Devi Daga High School–Kewaliya.

Mr. Birendra Sinha, Manager, NBJK Head Office (Bahera, Chouparan), informed that due to Diwali and Chhath Puja holidays, the schools remained closed for several days, and attendance was lower than usual. Despite this, the initiative ensured that enrolled children received wholesome meals.

He added that students were served sprouted gram or green gram with milk for breakfast and rice, pulses, and vegetables for lunch. On Saturdays, as per local tradition, they enjoyed khichdi-chokha.

This initiative reflects NBJK’s and Zomato’s shared commitment to promoting child health and education through nutritious food support in rural schools.

#NBJK #FeedingIndia #ZomatoGiveback #NutritionForEducation #HealthyMeals #ChildWelfare #Chouparan

Empowering Women through Integrated Menstrual Hygiene Management

30 October 2025, Khunti (Jharkhand): NBJK, with support from Collective for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI) – Tata Trusts, is implementing Women Empowerment through Integrated Menstrual Hygiene Management – Phase II under the Lakhpati Kisan™ Smart Village initiative in Murhu and Khunti blocks.

Within a year, the program has reached over 10,000 women and adolescent girls, enhancing menstrual hygiene awareness, promoting sustainable sanitary products, and ensuring safe waste disposal practices. It conducted 750+ training sessions, strengthened 150+ frontline workers, and promoted local pad production, with 758 reusable pads stitched and 516 Matka Incinerators installed.

The initiative also celebrated Menstrual Hygiene Day across 13 villages, fostering community participation through creative awareness activities. By integrating health, dignity, and livelihood, NBJK and CInI–Tata Trusts continue to empower rural women towards a healthier and more confident future.

#NBJK #CInI #TataTrusts #LakhpatiKisan #WomenEmpowerment #MenstrualHygiene #Jharkhand

Nav Jagriti Project Empowers Musahar Community to End Child Labour and Child Marriage

28 October 2025, Gaya, Bihar: The Nav Jagriti Project, run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) with support from Kindernothilfe, has made remarkable progress during 2024–25 in empowering children and communities across 10 Musahar (SC) caste populated villages of Bodhgaya and Mohanpur blocks.

The project reached 1,600 children (6–14 years) with child rights education, 800 adolescents (15–18 years) with life skills and livelihood training, and 1,600 young children (0–5 years) with improved health, nutrition, and preschooling. It established 10 Setu Vidyalayas enrolling 300 out-of-school children (202 girls & 98 boys) for reintegration into mainstream education.

In addition, 50 Self-Help Groups and 50 Mothers’ Associations were strengthened through capacity building on child rights and protection. The project also conducted awareness campaigns, workshops, and competitions with over 1,000 children and 1,500 mothers, while 167 youth received vocational training for sustainable livelihoods.

Through continuous community engagement, Nav Jagriti is fostering child-friendly villages—free from child labour and child marriage—ensuring every child’s right to education, safety, and dignity.

#NBJK #Kindernothilfe #NavJagriti #ChildRights #CommunityEmpowerment #EndChildLabour #StopChildMarriage #Musahar

NBJK’s Child Reporters Program Empowers 12,500 Children in Ranchi & West Singhbhum

25 October 2025, Ranchi/West Singhbhum: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), supported by UNICEF Jharkhand, successfully implemented its Child Reporters Program during 2024–25, reaching 12,500 children (7,807 girls & 4,693 boys) across 100 government schools and 15 KGBVs in 22 blocks of Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts.

The program strengthened children’s understanding of rights, protection, education, health, and mental well-being, while building capacities of teachers, parents, and community members. Highlights include:

* 1,155 capacity-building sessions with 99,136 participations on child rights, school safety, health, and government schemes.

* 84 school-level quizzes and 127 participants in workshops on priority child issues.

* Community engagement: 99 village events, 20 cluster-level experience-sharing sessions, and 100 home- and community-based activities led by child reporters.

* Exposure & leadership: 22 visits to public institutions, UNICEF office visit, and a meeting with Jharkhand Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri Ravindra Nath Mahto.

* Child-led initiatives: Radio programs on nutrition, protection, mental health, and ending child marriage.

The program continues to amplify children’s voices, foster leadership, and promote child-centric awareness in schools and communities.