#JharkhandStateLevelCarersForum Meeting @CarersWorldwide @commonwealthorg

28 February 2020, Ranchi: At the office of State Disability Commissioner, a meeting of Jharkhand State Level Carers Forum (JSLCF) was organized under the joint auspices of NBJK, Carers Worldwide, U. K. and Commonwealth Foundation, U. K. in presence of Mr. Satish Chandra (SDC, Jharkhand).

During the meeting, it was decided to form a core team for smooth functioning of JSLCF and more organizations / networks working in disability sector will be added to the forum for proper representation of the people. Next meetings will be held in the months of April and May 2020. Dr. Anil Patil (ED, Carers Worldwide) has assured for support to JSLCF till its full formation & strengthening. Mr. Satish Chandra (State Disability Commissioner, Jharkhand) has appreciated the move of NBJK & Carers Worldwide for such an initiative upon issues of the people taking care of their dependent PwDs or PwMIE. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has briefed about the program upon carers with support of Carers Worldwide and discussed about the very need of a body like JSLCF.

Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh (Program Manager, NBJK) conducted proceedings of the meeting contributed by Mrs. Sumitra Devi (President, Pragati Carers Sewa Sansthan, Hazaribag), Mr. Vijay Paswan (Secretary, PCSS, Hazaribag), Mr. Ashok Dudi-Mr. Janaki Raman (National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled, Ranchi), Mr. Vishwanath Mahto (Deepshikha, Ranchi), Mr. Sanjiv Jha (Bhawishya Kiran, Ramgarh), Mr. Vivek Singh (Blind People’s Association, Ranchi), Mr. N. K. Madhur (Trained Special Teachers’ Association, Jharkhand), Mr. Anjay Kumar (Koshish-Jharkhand Parents’ Association, Ranchi), Mr. Nikhil Kumar, Mr. Kallappa Natesh (Carers Worldwide, Bangalore) and Mr. Rajkumar (Asst. Prog. Manager, NBJK).

Convention Demands #LiquorProhibition in Jharkhand

25 February 2020, Ranchi: For complete ban upon liquor in Jharkhand, a convention held at NBJK, Ranchi by NBJK, Ranchi District Lok Samiti & Jagriti Socio-Economic Services, Ranchi with support of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Mumbai. The key-speaker of this program was Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) who expressed serious concern over liquor addiction among school children even, blamed alcoholism for most of the crimes against women as well as road accidents and demanded complete ban upon liquor by the government of Jharkhand. This is a myth that prohibiting liquor will reduce state revenue or affects tourism as denied by the government of Bihar categorically after prohibition there, he stated. Mr. Girija Satish said that Lok Samiti wants to make liquor prohibition as the issue for elections through signature campaign and women are supposed to support this initiative. A strong anti-liquor law will boost up women’s morale and an environment will be created to get rid of this evil, he mentioned.

Many PRIs’ members, social workers, intellectuals and community women have participated in the program. Mrs. Sunita Shrivastava (Deepshikha Mahila Mandal) said that about 90% of crimes take place under influence of liquor and our government must ban it. Mrs. Meena Devi was anxious about liquor taker policemen at public places while Mr. Nagendra Kumar (Ramgarh District Lok Samiti) called it as a threat for family system. Mr. Sharda Prasad objected upon liquor shops near educational institutions. Prof. Shailendra Mishra (ex-president, Ranchi district Lok Samiti) stressed upon individual counseling as a part of anti-liquor campaign. He referred about Kedal village near Ranchi where liquor has made about 200 women as widows either by road accidents, violence or diseases. Md. Akhtar correlated liquor with superstitious practice of witch-hunting and Mrs. Geeta Devi viewed liquor as a catalytic to poverty in villages.

Mr. Rajiv Singh (program manager, NBJK) delivered vote of thanks and supported liquor ban for a better society. Mr. Wazir Ahmad (Vice-President, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti) chaired the program and Mr. Shankar Rana (Coordinator, JSLS) anchored its proceedings. There were about 100 participants who supported the resolutions related to complete prohibition of liquor in Jharkhand by GoJ, community initiative against liquor during festivals, signature campaign, government purchase of Mahua and alternative livelihood options.

“Enforce #LiquorProhibition in Jharkhand” Convention

24 February 2020, Hazaribag: A convention has been organized under the joint auspices of Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra and Hazaribag District Lok Samiti with support of Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Mumbai.  Mrs. Sarojini Devi (Pramukh, Sadar Block) was the chief guest on this occasion who supported to complete prohibition of liquor in Jharkhand and raised the issues of liquor-money oriented Lok Sabha-Legislative Assembly-Local Bodies elections and liquor trapped school children. She appealed the women to adopt cow rearing or daily wage instead of making or selling liquor and to ensure anti narcotic medicines for their alcoholic family members. She warned for a big show against liquor in the state capital and urged the Government of Jharkhand to close Liquor Prohibition & Excise department.

Before this Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) has introduced the theme and said that liquor is a major hurdle against development of any person-family-society-country which deserves to be prohibited. He informed about a signature campaign by Lok Samiti against liquor, requested the audience to make it an election issue as we need representatives who can oppose liquor.

Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani Panchayat) was in favour to oust liquor from our homes at first due to rising crimes around us. Dr. Vishwanath Azad (SHARC, Hazaribag) insisted for continuity in anti-liquor campaign and Mr. Awdhesh Pandey preferred to make each family free from liquor. Mrs. Geeta Devi from Lakhe village dared to say that about 90% families of her locality are engaged with liquor making/selling/taking and she demanded to ban Mahua & pouch immediately. Mrs. Pramila Devi (Oriya village) said that liquor making is a way of earning for many families and they need alternative livelihood to leave it.  Mrs. Meena Devi shared about the campaign against liquor at Tatijhariya village. Community initiatives against liquor on the occasions of marriage, social gathering or festival can bring significant result; Mr. Arjun Yadav suggested. Mr. Sunil Pandey asked for a liquor shop near Katkamdag police station as the shop became a center of criminals of the area. Mr. Krishna Kumar Saha (Officer In-charge, Women PS, Hazaribag) made it very clear that liquor is the single factor behind 80% cases of women atrocity reported at women police station.

Mr. Satish Girija (President, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti) thanked all invitees-participants and expressed commitment to make Jharkhand free from liquor. The convention has passed resolutions of a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Jharkhand after completion of signature campaign against liquor, a large scaled program against liquor at Ranchi, letter of appreciation to local volunteers active upon liquor prohibition campaign, Govt. purchase of Mahua, no liquor at home during festivals and demand to state government for passing a strong law on liquor prohibition in Jharkhand unanimously.

Women on Training to Open #UshaSwavalambanSilaiSchool @UshaIntl @sidbiofficial

18 February 2020, Hazaribag: 31women from villages in Giridih Sadar, Gandeya and Bengabad blocks of Giridih district have come to join a weeklong residential training upon tailoring & sewing machine maintenance. After completion of the training, each of them will get a new sewing machine to open Silai School. The program is being supported by Usha International & SIDBI.

Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK) inaugurated the training and applauded participant women for their spirit of financial independence. Also he appreciated their family members as the participants came to a new place for a week. He conveyed best wishes for their learning to start a new venture. Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer-NBJK & Program Coordinator) has briefed about daily routine & discipline of the training for better output.

Mr. Ritesh Lohani, Mr. Felix Tirkey, Mrs. Sandhya Agrawal, Mrs. Sangita Jayaswal from Usha team and Mr. Vikas Kr. Mishra, Mr. Rajesh Sharma and Mr. Shailesh Kumar from NBJK-giridih/Hazaribag are associated with the program.

#Lok Samiti Contributes to #LiquorFreeIndia Convention

16 February 2020, Delhi: Under the auspices of Milit Odisha Nisha Nivaran Abhiyan, a national convention upon Liquor-free India held at ISKON Auditorium. Mr. Nitish Kumar (Chief Minister, Bihar) was the key speaker who imposed complete ban upon liquor in Bihar on 5th April 2016. He advocated for nationwide ban on alcohol and referred to Supreme Court ruling that says neither consumption nor business of liquor can be treated as a fundamental right. This helped poor people, especially women to live a better life and there is no adverse effect upon revenue or tourism by putting ban on liquor, He stated. According to Mr. Kumar, Bihar has emerged as a role model for other states and India deserves to be free from alcohol.

On this occasion, Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) has quoted Indian Constitution as Article 47 directs the state to bring about prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs, likewise Article 51A (e) imposes on every citizen by way of fundamental duty the responsibility to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. He said that a major chunk of crimes against women and road accidents is caused by liquor.

Mr. Girija Satish explained about Lok Samiti’s Sharab Mukti Yatra across Jharkhand in the year 2017 which noticed positive response from women, youths & PRI members in favor of liquor prohibition. He appealed the intellectual class to be free from this feudal practice and pointed out that a liquor-free India is bound to develop with morally strong citizenry towards a least violent society.

LS National President correlated the issue of women empowerment with liquor-free India and said that a single step can change our politics, economics and society. It’s an irony that our governments promote liquor & casino in the name of revenue, he said and requested various anti alcohol organizations to work in a unified manner. Mr. Girija Satish expressed serious concern over smuggling of liquor in Bihar from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and he demanded for a strong national law for all states to make India liquor-free.

Farmers’ Shed & Village Meeting under #SBIGramSeva @SBI_FOUNDATION

12-13 February 2020, Gadi (Deoghar): Farmers’ shed construction and paint work completed at village Gadi as an activity of the project SBI Gram Seva with support of SBI Foundation, Mumbai.

Also a village meeting held to evaluate last month’s achievements and to plan monthly activities. Construction of drain, need of new hand pump and renovation of pond were the issues discussed during the meeting. The villagers decided for place & person responsible to install LED light and planned to make their village neat & clean.

Agriculture Promotion under the Program of #CommunityBasedInclusiveDevelopmentForPwDs @CBMIndia @dfat

12-13 February 2020, Dumka: Agriculture is being promoted among differently able villagers and their family members under the program of Community Based Inclusive Development for PwDs with support of CBM India-Bangalore. The program is going on in Dumka Sadar, Kathikund, Jarmundi and Jama blocks of the district. There are Kisan Clubs to organize such farmers and District Horticulture Department supports them with seeds including other inputs. These farmers grow cauliflower, chilli, brinjal, tomato, radish etc.

Recently in Kerabani village, a Kisan Club was formed and the program team participated in a meeting of the club at Sarsabad village. The farmers have been informed about seasonal crops, irrigation and group farming for better output. In Hethbahiyari village, Kisan Club members have performed well in vegetable growing. The program beneficiaries are confident enough to show their crops in famous Hijla Mela of Dumka.

As allied activities in Baghmara and Baliya villages, PwDs families are associated with goat rearing and program promoted SHG took active part in making of village organization as linked with Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion society. Likewise for community sensitization, disability based film show was organized at Jangla village where villagers have been motivated to attend a quiz and became happy to get prizes.

#LokSamiti Keeps Fast against Demolishing of Gandhi Statue

13 February 2020, Hazaribag: Under the banner of Hazaribag District Lok Samiti, one day self-starvation program was organized as a non-violent resistance to the sad incident of destroying Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in the campus of Gandhi Smarak Trust, Kumhartoli at Hazaribag. This was combined with prayer for good sense to the offenders.

This group fasting was led by Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) who said that Gandhiji’s contribution is not limited to independence of India rather he lived for a peaceful world, truth, non-violence and compassion for all creatures. Damaging his statue is a heartbreaking incident and Lok Samiti demands for proper safety measures by the administration for this site.

Mr. Swarup Chand Jain (Senior Advocate) referred to non-violence based Jain sect, Gandhi’s multidimensional personality and his commitment for freedom of thought. Prof. R. S. Ambashtha has considered Gandhi’s love for all behind his approach of non-violence and harmony with the nature. Mr. Arjun Yadav was of the view that a strong boundary wall must be erected around the campus and Dy. Commissioner or Sub-Divisional Officer should be Ex Officio patron of Gandhi Smarak Trust. Md. Khalid (Murda Kalyan Samiti) said that if we follow even a small part of Gandhi’s ideology, it will be sufficient to counter evil thinking and violence in our daily life. Mr. Shamsher Alam applauded Mahatma Gandhi’s respect for all religions and his service to lepers.

On this occasion, Mr. Krishna Ram and Ms. Sonali Prabha have presented Mahatma’s favourite hymns and made a sweet atmosphere. About 50 citizens and social workers including Sister Rosily (Holy Cross), Mrs. Meera Gupta, Ms. Nikky Soren, Mrs. Reeta Kumari, Mrs. Shyamli Suman, Mr. Satish Girija (President, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti), Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma, Dr. Vishwanath Azad, Mr. Philman Bakhla, Mr. Bateshwar Mehta, Mr. Anand Abhinav, Mr. Rajiv Singh, Mr. Shankar Rana, Mr. Sudhir Upadhayay, Mr. Arvind Jha, Mr. Rajesh Kapoor, Mr. Manoj Verma, Mr. Rajkumar, Md. Alauddin, Mr. Shivnandan Ram Modi and others have shown solidarity with Lok Samiti’s hunger protest.

Meeting of Jharkhand State #LokSamiti

11 February 2020, Ranchi: The meeting of Jharkhand State Lok Samiti held at JP Hall of NBJK Ranchi office. Liquor prohibition in Jharkhand was the issue discussed during this meeting participated by office bearers of different district units of the state.

Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) called liquor as a major social evil which is much harmful to individuals, families and ultimately entire society. He charged liquor for disorientation of young generation, road accidents and crimes against women. If Jharkhand wants to be developed, our state government should ban it completely, he suggested. As a Gandhian organization, Lok Samiti is all against liquor and we want to oust it from India, LS national president declared.

After listening to views of the delegates, it was decided unanimously that all district units of Lok Samiti will celebrate International Women Day on 8th March, 2020 as the day against liquor with support of women. Also the resolutions related to make people aware with signature campaign, convention, meeting and individual contact against liquor in all districts have been passed here.

Mr. Wazir Ahmad (Vice-President, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti) has presided the meeting, Mr. Arun Manjhi from Delhi State Lok Samiti joined this as an observer delegate while Mrs. Kunti Bahen, Mrs. Arti Jayaswal, Mrs. Kunti Lohara, Mr. Bhagwat Ravidas, Mr. Angura Mahto, Mr. Filman Bakhla, Mr. Rajeev Singh, Mr. Shankar Rana, Mr. Sudarshan Kumar, Mr. Praveen Charan Pahadi, Mr. Pashupati Nath Sharma, Mr. Mr. Shailendra Mishra, Mr. Sharda Prasad have represented various district units of Jharkhand State Lok Samiti.