#PhotographyTraining for #VoluntaryOrganizations @ActionVillageIn

06 January 2019, Hazaribag: One day training on photography was held for NBJK & partner VOs for documentation purpose. Ms Esther Trienekins and Mrs. Thea Sallaekts from Action Village India (U. K.) were the resource persons for the training who shared tips & techniques to get good photographs from simple cameras even.

They focused upon footwork of the photographers rather than to zoom out or zoom in with their cameras. They suggested to draw the photographs as specific as possible and to discard generic imagery. The pictures with too many people do not serve our purpose and any photo with just one or two people is normally the best, Ms Esther said to the participants. She discussed about the significance of ISO numbers in camera and warned that any source of light should be behind the photographer. About features of any good photograph, the resource persons advised that it should be active and helpful to tell the story. Such photograph should be positive, dignified, real, neither manufactured nor too posed, smiling with positive impact, should be expressive and caring about feelings, they told and shown such photographs with help of the projector. Ms Esther was concerned about facial reaction in a natural way that could be possible with the snaps to be taken while the subject talks or works whatever we want to show. We must care about his/her open eyes, not too much light or too much background, she cautioned.

At the outset of the training, both the resource persons were greeted by Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) and Mr. Rajeev Kr. Singh (Program Manager, NBJK). Mr. Satish Girija has appreciated the training on photography and said that our phtographs shouldn’t capture the actions only but those must reflect expressions also for value addition.

The training was participated by Messrs Krishna Prasad Kushwaha (Head Master, Birsa High School, Devkuli, Ichak, Hazaribag), Pankaj Kumar Sinha (Vikas Foundation Trust, Jarmundi, Dumka), Ramadhar Singh & Abhay Kumar (Lok Shakti Shikshan Kendra, Paraiya, Gaya), Bilchen Ekka & Sushana Kujur (Arohi, Ranchi), Chandan Kumar (Stri Shakti, Hazaribag), Filman Bakhla (Lok Prerna Kendra, Simariya, Chatra), Shankar Rana & Vinay Kumar Bhatta (NBJK, Hazaribag). After theory sessions, all the trainees got a small exposure for practical handling of the situation with their cameras. This training on photography will be helpful to our documentation work, most of the trainees have confirmed.

#AdolescentSummit Held @UNICEFIndia

17 December 2018, Ranchi: UNICEF Jharkhand and NBJK have organized an Adolescent Summit for Child Reporters at hotel Capitol Hill, Ranchi. The program was inaugurated by Mr. Jeetu Charan Ram (MLA, Kanke) and Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) jointly.

Mr. Jeetu Charan Ram appreciated UNICEF with NBJK for the program of Child Reporters that provided such a platform for school children to express themselves so productively and brushing up their talent with skill and creativity. These Child Reporters are really impressive as they are writing against topics like child marriage & child labour so amazingly, the MLA said. Mr. Ram advocated for protection and encouragement of child rights for  allround development of the society. Mr. Satish Girija termed Child Reporters as a different program among various programs by NBJK and valued it as a channel to reshape children’s lives through a positive perspective.

Mr. Rajesh Jha (Media Coordinator, UNICEF-Ranchi) has explained about Child Rights in detail and focused upon the need to eradicate Child Marriage as a social obligation for all members of the society. He congratulated the Child Reporters to be a part of the campaign against violation of their rights. Mrs. Sushmita Bhattacharjee (Program Manager, NBJK) has briefed about the objectives of Child Reporter program and presented a summary of the annual achievements.

Also many Child Reporters have come on the dais and shared their experience with the audience. The Adolescent Summit was anchored by Surabhi Lohra and Shubham (both Child reporters) remarkably and the vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Vivek Kumar (MIS Coordinator, NBJK). The organizing team was comprised of Messrs Anup, Sarita, Puja, Shivcharan Munda and more than 150 Child Reporters & teachers from 60 schools of Ranchi district have participated in the event.

State Level #Farmers’Convention by #LokSamiti

10 December 2018, Patna: A state level farmers’ convention was organized by Bihar State Lok Samiti at IMA Hall, Patna. The main speaker of this program was Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) who called farming as an uncertain occupation with deficit and expressed deep concern over issues like drought-flood including suicide by farmers. He made adverse governmental policies responsible for the mess in agriculture sector which is relied by 60% population, provides livelihood for 50% labour force and contributes about 17-18% to our GDP. He said that people migrated from villages become victims of atrocity-diseases at other places and its necessary to uplift the farmers if we are really intended to develop our country. The national president of Lok Samiti has considered farmers’ disappointments as the government is unable to procure farm products, couldn’t provide them profitable price and failed to irrigate their land through worthless irrigation projects spending millions of rupees. Mr. Girija Satish referred about every year draught in Bihar and complained that the farmers are suffering a lot as they don’t have any crop and lack a viable support system from the government. He stressed upon strong organization of farmers, long-peaceful campaigning for their causes and opined that all farmers belong to one caste i.e., farmer caste and their votes must go to the person or party that can safeguard their interest. He suggested for filling up of Resolution Letter by political parties-candidates and about stake of farmers’ bodies for pricing of agriculture products.

As the chief guest of this convention, Mr. Sachin Sharma (Resident Editor, “Prabhat Khabar”, Patna) has requested all to think over farmers’ problem irrespective of mainstream politics. Mr. Kaushal Ganesh Azad (National Coordinator, Lok Samiti) weeded out about agriculture sector that generates maximum employment but passing through a bad phase. He supported the reccomendation of Swaminathan Committee that suggests for minimum support price as one and a half times more than the cost price of agricultural products. Mr. Vijay Kumar (President, Bihar State Lok Samiti) has chaired the convention and called for the need of non-political movement and benefit of profitable pricing to farmers. The program was anchored by Mr. Sheoji Singh (General Secretary, Bihar State Lok Samiti) who tabled a 15-points letter of demand for the state government.

Bihar State Lok Samiti demanded for market price of paddy, wheat, rabi, pulses, oilseeds, milk etc. as one & a half times more that their cost price, a comprehensive irrigation program through micro irrigation-borewells-canal & value added finishing of incomplete projects, employment oriented program in drought affected areas, 95% subsidy for farmers to install solar pumps and other steps in favor of the peasants. Local community leaders like messrs Raghwendra Prasad Singh (ex-district councillor), Ramayan Singh, Chandrabhushan, Kranti Rasosh, Godawari, Manjushree, Meean Devi, Subodh Pandey, Kalyani Sharma, Parmeshwar Yadav, Mantosh Kumar, Radheshyam Filkus, Satyendra Kumar, Jagannath Singh, Vinod Sharma,  Mani Pandey, Dr. Umesh Prasad, Manti Verma, Ramakant, Shankar Rana, Ray Sunderdev Sharma were other speakers on the occasion. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Saudagar Das (Coordinator, BSLS). About 400 farmers from different districts of Bihar have participated in the convention.

Internship for PGDRD Students from IRMA @IRMAOfficial79

28 November 2018, Dumka & Hazaribag: 11 students of PGDRD from Institute of Rural Management Anand or IRMA (Gujrat) have completed their internship at NBJK successfully. They started since 11 October as two teams for Dumka as well as Hazaribag branches of NBJK and spent their time at Virajpur, Nurui Bathan, Meru, Oriya and Rola villages in both the districts.

The IRMA students have collected a lot of information regarding land, agriculture, revenue, inhabitants, their occupation/employment and Government schemes. Also they studied about NBJK’s intervention in these villages with programs on Eye Care, Disability, Micro Credit, Livelihood Plan Development etc. There were 4 students at Dumka and 7 among them have preferred for Hazaribag. The students have worked hard, they lived in the villages and made an effective rapport with the people to complete their assignments.

Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay (Program Manager, NBJK) was their Reporting Officer while the entire program was monitored and evaluated by Mr. Anand Abhinav (Program Director, NBJk), an alumni of IRMA. The students participated in the internship were Ms Akshata Kar, Ms Nikita Sarin, Mr. Mrityunjay Kr. Pandey, Mr. Tanmay Ghoshal, Ms Priya Agrawal, Ms Neha Ray, Ms Varsha Katela, Mr. Abhey Kumar, Mr. Ashish Toppo, Ms Priti Verma and Ms Bhoomi RK Prajapati. All these youths belong to Rajsthan, Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, UP and Jharkhand. The Internship was concluded with presentations before Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK), who observed the findings and blessed the youths for their bright future.

#SBIGramSeva’s #CommunityInformationCenters Make #DigitalVillages @SBI_FOUNDATION

05 November 2018,  Chakai (Jamui) & Deoghar: Community Information Centers (CICs) inside villages by SBI Gram Seva project proved a tool to initiate digitalization of the people in need of mainstreaming. In Chakai block of Jamui district (Bihar), 5 villages under Ramchandradih panchayat have established own CICs  and these are well equipped with computers and internet connectivity. Many village children & youths are enrolled there to learn basic knowledge of computers & net surfing. There are 72, 67, 36, 36 and 62 students at Heth Chakai, Patjori, Garhi, Mamtadih and Chhachudih villages based CICs respectively, who joined computer classes there. Likewise in Barsatiya, Gadi, Nawadih, Ramaldih and Sahri villages of Andhrigadar panchayat under Deoghar Sadar block (district-Deoghar), such CICs are catering 17, 15, 17, 13 & 12 children/youths there in order. These centers are making people hopeful and serving them at their door step.

All these CICs are part of an itegrated project for community development as SBI Gram Seva, an CSR initiative of State Bank of India. There are services like making photocopies, scanning & access to important documents as Adhar/Ration/PAN Cards/Passport Size Photograph/Color Print Out, linkage to the Govt. Schemes like Old Age Pesion/Ujjwala Gas/Kisan Credit Card/Crop Insurance/Diesel Subsidy, Mobile Recharge, Money Transfer etc. available at CICs and they provide other Internet based facilities like searching website, youtube or e-mail also. The youths come here to know train time-table, journey reservation or to fill online application also. In evening time, villagers sit together at CIC premises and watch TV programs upon agriculture or any social issue.

These CICs were initiated in April 2018 but took few months to be fully functional and now became a hub for smooth communication as well as exchange of information timely. Earlier the village people from these panchayats used to go to Chakai or Deoghar about 10-15 km from their places but now they enjoy most of the new age technology at own village. The CICs are facilitating digital literacy in rural areas and people responded well.

#HDBFS Officials amid Students of #RemedialCoachingCenter @hdbfsl

02 November 2018, MandaiKhurd (Hazaribag): State level officials of HDB Financial Services, Mumabai, have visited Remedial Coaching Center (RCC) at village–MandaiKhurd (Hazaribag Sadar Block) to see the students and their activities. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK), Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK), Mr. Vikram Kumar, Mr. Pintu Kumar (Project Staffs) and Mr. Yogendra Prasad (RCC Teacher) accompanied them on the occasion in presence of 33 girls students from Govt. Middle School, DAV High School, St. Robert’s Girls School and Aarakshi Girls School (Mandai & Hazaribag) enrolled in the RCC.

These girls and their teacher greeted the guests and organized painting & song competitions along with revealing individual talent in sketching, dance etc. For painting on the themes of Sanitation and Water Harvesting Ms Anisha, Ms Kajal and Ms Hina Parveen won first, second & third prizes while the songs by Ms Hina, Ms Stuti and Ms Rupa have awarded them with the same positions.

HDFS Officials have distributed Lunch Box, Pencil Box, Sketch Pens for each student and provided Football (02 nos.) and Skipping Rope (06 nos.) also for groups. During interaction with the students, Mrs. Ruchi Raj (HR RM – Patna) encouraged them and said that over foundation of student life, we can shape our future brightly. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) cautioned about the hazards of Child Marriage as harmful effects upon body & mind if such marriage takes palce. Our daughters must be saved from this social evil, he suggested. Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer & Project In-charge) recommended for Childline’s toll-free number 1098 to be contacted in case of any unexpected problem with the children / students.

HDFS visitors team was included with Mrs Ruchi Raj (HR-RM, Patna), Mr. Amarnath Gupta  (Culuster Manager-CV, Ranchi), Mr. Manish Kumar Sharma (Area Manager-CV, Ranchi), Mr. Sachin Kumar (Collection Manager, Ranchi), Mr. Mukesh Kumar Mahto (Area Sales Manager, SF-Ranchi), Mr. Samir Ranjan Srivastava (Territory Manager, CV-Hazaribag), Mr. Anuj Kumar Singh (Senior Sales Officer, CV-Hazaribag), Mr. Dilip Kumar Dubey (Territory Manager, CV-Jhumritelaiya), Mr. Pranay Sahay (Area Manager, CV-Patna) and Mr. Ankit Kumar (Sales Officer, CV-Patna).

Its noteworthy that with support of HDB Financial Services, Mumbai, NBJK runs 30 RCCs in villages of Sadar and Churchu blocks of Hazaribag district. The very program caters about 1000 girl students of class 8, 9 & 10 and offers them special classes for Science, Maths and English to make their schooling better.

#MagadhDivision #Farmers’Convention by #LokSamiti

27 October 2018, Silaunja (Bodhgaya): Under auspices of Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti, a convention of farmers from Magadh Division was held at the premises of Lord Buddha Home for Children in Silaunja village near Bodhgaya (Gaya). The program was presided by Mr. Girija Satish, President, Rashtriya Lok Samiti. During opening speech, Mr. Kaushal Ganesh Azad (National Coordinator, Lok Samiti) has thrown light over the adverse situation being tolerated by farmers and pointed out that Minimum Support Price is for these people only while other producers can decide the price of their products. This equation must be changed, Mr. Azad said.

As the chief guest of this farmers’ convention, Mrs. Kusum Kumari (Vice-Chancellor, Munger University) opined that the issues like agriculture, education, unemployment are interconnected and people should question over misuse of public/govt. money. She described skill development, student focused education, self-reliance as need of the time and appealed for women’s participation. Mr. Ray Madan Kishor (Ex-Dy. Dev. Commissioner) was the guest of honour who expressed concern above less contribution from agriculture to our GDP and a larger population’s dependence to this sector. He suggested to implement the recommendations by Swaminathan Committee which includes land reform, assured irrigation, water conservation, easy loan etc. From chair, Mr. Girija Satish suggested for major reforms in agriculture policy of the governmeent and a special drive to boost our farmers. He supported for alternatives, 90% subsidy for irrigation and strong organization for them. The national president of Lok Samiti said that agriculture development schemes should be planned by farmers themselves.

There were community delegates like Mrs. Godavari Devi, Mr. Vishnu Singh, Mr. Jagannath Singh, Mr. Dhananjay Singh, Mr. Ram Sagar Bhai, Mr. Parmeshwar Yadav, Mr. Nagendra Sinha, Mr. Ram Vilas, Mr. Upendra Prasad, Mr. Vishnudev Paswan, Mr. Angrej Kumar, Mr. Raj Kumar, Mr. Kailash Prasad, Mr. Sanjay Kumar from Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Alwar, Barachatti, Nawada who demanded for industry like category for agriculture, water conservation and speedy way out for local issues. Also they proposed for a strong vote bank of farmers as the community. Mr. Sheoji Singh (General Secretary, Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti) has anchored the dais while Mr. Saudagar (Coordinator, BPLS) thanked all the guests, participants, media  people and supporters at the end. There were about 150 farmers attended the convention.