#BanLiquor Issue Raised Before the Minister Concerned

08 March 2020, Nawadih (Bokaro): NBJK’s network VO Adarsh Gram Vikas Sewa Samiti has organized International Women’s Day and invited Mr. Jagarnath Mahto (Cabinet Minister for Departments of School Education & Literacy, Excise & Prohibition, Govt. of Jharkhand) as the chief guest.

Mr. Mahto has focused upon state’s initiatives for women and discussed about an appropriate educational model for Jharkhand. Mr. Vasudev Sharma (Secretary, AGVSS) welcomed honourable minister and requested him to ban liquor in favour of women. Mr. Shankar Rana (Coordinator, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti) has carried on the topic and charged liquor as responsible for various anti-women crimes, road accidents as well as superstitious mindset of the people. Alcoholism has reduced our collective power as a society and Lok Samiti appeals the state government to prohibit liquor like in Bihar, he said.

Also Mrs. Poonam Devi (Pramukh, Nawadih panchayat), PRIs members, Mukhiyas have addressed the function. Bokaro District Lok Samiti was represented by Mr. Shyam Kumar Bharti and Mr. Vijay Kumar on the occasion with a crowd of about 500 women.

#BanLiquor Convention by VOs under Banner of #LokSamiti

08 March 2020, Lariyadih (Koderma): Under banner of District Lok Samiti, Koderma, VOs like Rashtriya Jharkhand Sewa Sansthan, PDMMS, SMVM, JKSC and Veer Jharkhand Sewa Manch have celebrated International Women’s Day by organizing a Ban Liquor convention at panchayat bhawan.

This was inaugurated by Mrs. Anita Devi (Pramukh, Koderma Sadar panchayat), Mr. Ramesh Yadav (Mukhiya Representative), Mr. Manaoj Dangi (Secretary, RJSS), Mrs. Kiran Devi, Mrs. Gauri Devi, Mrs. Suman Rani and Mr. Bhola Yadav (Secretary, VJSM). Mrs. Anita Devi called liquor as an evil tool to destroy our social fabrics. She praised Lok Samiti to raise such an important issue for women on the day and said about the responsibility of society as well as of the Government to prohibit liquor completely. She warned for women’s movement in a phased manner to oppose liquor. Child marriage is a barrier to achieve girls’ education, she pointed out. Mr. Manoj Dangi opined that rising trend of liquor consumption is a major social evil that grabbed even teenagers and it must go from Jharkhand & India. Liquor prohibition is the need of time and this can reduce violence, road accidents & adultery around us by 75%, he mentioned. Mr. Ramesh Yadav has assured for all cooperation in any effort to oust liquor from Jharkhand.

Mrs. Lilawati Devi, Baswa Didi and Shobha Didi presented awareness songs against liquor. Mr. Bhola Yadav thanked to all participants present in the convention, people enjoyed pre-Holi gesture and took oath to resist liquor. Also DLSA-Koderma people have contributed to the program. Around 200 women-men have joined the program.

Fasting for #Peace&Goodwill against Riots

06 March 2020, Patna: Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti has organized one day group fast in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue inside Gandhi Maidan. Many office bearers and volunteers of Lok Samiti kept fasting for peace & goodwill against rising incidents of communal riots in India.

Mrs. Kranti Rashosh (state coordinator, women cell-Bihar State Lok Samiti), Mrs. Poonam Bharti (Madhubani dist. LS), Ms.  Akhtari Begam (Patna district LS), Mr. Kaushal Ganesh Azad (coordinator- national LS), Mr. Shivji Singh (gen. secy. BSLS), Mr. Vinod Sharma (treasurer, national LS), Mr. Ramakant Sharma (Nalanda dist. LS), Mr. Nagendra Sinha (Nawada dist. LS), Mr. Satyendra Kumar (Patna dist. LS) and many others have observed fast on the day and emphasized upon the need of peace & goodwill.

Lok Samiti’s national coordinator Mr. K. G. Azad said that we believe in fraternity among all the communities living in India and only love for each other can save us from destabilization being created in recent days.

Girl Students of #RemedialCoachingCentres Won Prizes @ActionVillageIn

29 February 2020, Amrit Nagar: The girl students of Remedial Coaching Centres (RCCs) running under AVI-UK supported Girls Education Project by NBJK have participated in a combined competition of Quiz, Essay, Drawing, Spelling & Singing. They came from 18 RCCs in different villages of Hazaribag Sadar, Katkamdaag and Katkamsaandi blocks of Hazaribag district.

Rinki Kumari (Marheta RCC), Saniya Parveen (Sultana-2 RCC) and Sanjana Kumari (Lupung RCC) have got first, second & third prizes in quiz competition. For essay competition, first, second & third prizes went to Rani Kumari (Chhadwa RCC), Arpana Bharti & Ranjana Kumari (both from Kanchanpur RCC) while in spelling test, Ritika Kumari (Sultana-2 RCC), Rani Parveen (Khutra RCC) and Lucky Parveen stood first, second and third consequently. Likewise in drawing competition, Komal Kumari (Kanchanpur RCC), Anu Kumari (Lupung RCC) and Madhu Kumari (Marheta RCC) bagged 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd prizes whereas Vatista Yadav (Gurhet-2 RCC), Sonam Kumari (Hedlag RCC) and Shabbu Parveen (Marheta RCC) obtained first, second & third prizes in singing contest. All remaining participants have got consolation prizes.

On this occasion, Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) said that such activity boosts up our interest in education and objective is to mould these girls as responsible citizens ultimately. Mr. Abhay Kumar (Supervisor, RCCs) has thanked all the participants & their teachers for their active contribution and he appealed them to deliver more output.

Total 54 girl students have participated in the competition. The programme team of Mr. Abhay Kumar, Ms. Niky Soren, Mr. Vikram Kumar and RCCs’ teachers has organized the event.

#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.