#RespectforAllReligions Symposium and @Dawat-e-Iftar

10 June 2018, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag):  A symposium upon Respect for All Religions and Dawat-e-Iftar were organised under joint auspices of District Lok Samiti & NBJK. The symposium was initiated with welcome address by Mr. Girija Satish (President, NBJK & National Lok Samiti) who appreciated the holy month of Ramadan for purification of body with soul and wished for peace and harmony in society.

Mr. Shamsher Alam said about unity as the real message of all religious faiths that deserves to be followed. Mr. Arjun Yadav (Political Activist, RJD) has appealed to not mix religions with business while Dr. Faruqui (physician) favored a separation between politics and religions. Md. Khalid (Secretary, Murda Kalyan Samiti) has called Roza as a foundation for Islam, praised the very idea of equal respect to all faiths as a superior thought and appealed the people to not brand criminals on caste or community line. Mr. Swarup Chand Jain (Advocate) has talked about prime place of democracy and rule of law that ensures for civil liberty. He said that civilians are not supposed to take law in their hands rather we have to support law enforcement agencies or local administration. Mr. Gautam Sagar Rana (Ex-Jharkhand State President, Rashtriya Janta Dal) quoted famous Urdu poet late Firaque Gorakhpuri as “Karwan Aate Gaye-Hindostan Banta Gaya…” and stressed upon strengthening of our inclusive Indian culture.

In his concluding address, Prof. R. S. Ambashtha (Retd. Head, Dept. Of Philosophy, V. B. University, Hazaribag) has described Roza as an intense prayer and said that temple or mosque are merely symbols as that Almighty lives in our hearts invisibly. Also Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) was present on the dais.

Mr. Shankar Rana (Coordinator, Jharkhand Pradesh Lok Samiti) has conducted the program and delivered vote of thanks for all the participants as well as rozedars. The symposium was followed by a Dawat-e-Iftar, a group dine for more than 200 men,women and children from Muslim, Hindu and other communities. A staff team of messrs Rajiv Singh, Md. Nayeem, Annu Kumar, Sujit Mishra, Shailesh Kumar, Manisha, Sarita and Shahjahan Khatoon has arranged the event gracefully.

#Aids&Appliances to #PeoplewithDisabilities @ActionVillageIn @BigLotteryFund

29 May 2018, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag): 25 identified PwDs of Sadar, Churchu, Ichak and Katkamsaandi blocks have received tricycles under the program on Rights of PwDs in Jharkhand & Bihar with support from Action Village India-Big Lottery Fund, UK.

Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) has graced a simple ceremony held on this occasion and said that assistive devices bring qualitative changes and self-reliance in the lives of PwDs. Mrs. Sujata Prasad (Programme Manager) opined that aids & appliances matters much in mainstreaming of the people or children with disabilities and soon we will distribute smart/foldable cane sticks, callipers, crutches, CP Walkers and wheelchairs to 68 identified PwDs of these blocks in Hazaribag district. She informed that there are many students and self-employed CwDs/PwDs recipients of tricycles today.

The programme team members like Messrs Annu Kumar (district coordinator), Neelam Sharma, Pratima Devi, Mary Hansda, Shahejehan Khatoon, Manisha Kumari, Sudip Sinha, Shailesh Kumar, Omprakash Gupta, Sujeet Mishra, Poorn Prakash Rana and Narsingh Prasad were present in this function. The same event will take place in other programme districts like Gaya, Nawada, Koderma and Giridih soon as the district programme team has identified 48, 40, 12 and 52 PwDs respectively there to disburse required aids & appliances.

#FamilyCounsellingCentre Holds #Sub-CommitteeMeeting @MinistryWCD

30 April 2018, Hazaribag: NBJK run Family Counselling Center (FCC) has called it’s Sub-Committee meeting at Women Police Station, Hazaribag. The very program of FCC is being implemented with support from Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi and Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board, Ranchi.

The meeting was chaired by Mrs. Emeltina Ekka (Officer In-Charge, Women Police Station) who suggested to stop entry of middlemen in reconciliation process for family disputes. Final settlement of such cases should be held at the premises of Women Police Station as a back up measure for suffering women, she pointed out. Ms Veena Sethi (Advocate) said that any compromise or negotiation must involve both the parties and all stakeholders including community members for any trustworthy outcome. Other members of Sub-Committee were of the view that Counsellors with FCC must investigate coming cases properly to ensure their intervention in favour of the victims.

Mrs Meera Gupta (Counsellor, FCC) has tabled the Quarterly Report of FCC for February – April 2018 and informed the Sub-Committee about cases during the period. There were cases like Conflict with Son/Daughter-In-Law (03), Mental/Physical Torture (14), Alcoholism (03), Clash with Neighbors (01), Land Dispute(02), Marital Dispute (12), Additional Marriage (01) and 15 out of 36 such cases have been dealt successfully by FCC within the period, she explained. The meeting was participated by Mrs. Usha Devi, Mr. Arvind Jha, Mrs. Anny Thomas, Mrs. Sheela Kumari, Ms Sunita, Mrs. Saraswati, Mrs. Seema (all members) and Mr. Sanjay Kumar (Counsellor) also.                                       

#SensitizationWorkshop for #ReligiousLeaders on #ChildProtection & #ChildMarriage @Plan_India

12 April 2018, Amrit Nagar: A sensitization workshop for community religious leaders on child protection with special reference to child marriage was held under the program of Child Centered Community Development with support of Plan India, Delhi. Mr. Tribhuvan Sharma (resource person) opined that violence, misbehaviour, negligence and exploitation of children are most impious acts and child marriage encourages all these brazenly. The laws upon child protection need social support too and we must shun mischievous customs those can spoil our children’s future, he pointed out during the workshop.

There was a discussion over bad effects of child marriage, harmful social impact and negative consequences like poor health-educational status of girl children along with main features of The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The law  declares child marriage as a crime and there is a punishment of 2 years imprisonment, penalty of Rs. 1 lakh or both for all concerned people including parents, relatives, pandit/quazi etc. The resource person has requested all the participants to inform any one among local BDO (designated Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, Child Welfare Police Officer at area police station, Dy. Commissioner, CJM, Dist. Child Welfare Committee and Childline 1098   about any child marriage in their villages. The participants have assured to make people aware about this social evil and they will inform concerned officers if such marriage takes place in villages.

Messrs Babulal Thakur (Chichikhurd), Meghnath Mahto (Aango), Kailu Manjhi (Lara), Rajesh Besra (Jordag), Lalji Hembram (Bujurgnano), Tulsi Yadav (Khurandih), Jitan Manjhi (Bela) were few among 15 community religious leaders attended the workshop. Mr. Anshuman Kumar (Project Officer) and Mr. Ashok Mishra (Field Staff) have arranged the induction event.

#LokSamiti observes #Fasting for #CommunalHarmony in Bihar

06 April 2018, Patna: In wake of growing incidents of communal unrest, Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti has observed 12 hours goodwill fasting at the premises of Bihar State Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Congress Maidan, Patna. Also a symposium was held on this occasion and noted Gandhiaite thinker Mr. Girija Satish (President, National Lok Samiti) has expressed deep concern over violent clashes between two communities at several places in Bihar under cover of religion. We have a rich tradition of peaceful co-living, communal harmony and respect for each other but vested interests can spoil our inclusive culture if get free hand, he warned. Mr. Girija Satish called communalism as an enemy for development and appealed to support humanity, the core value of every religious faith.

Mr. Vijay Kumar (President, BPLS) has presided the meeting and said about ideology of Gadhi, Vinoba & JP that allows for nonviolent protest to divisive forces and to work in favour of social synchronization. Mr. Kaushal Ganesh Azad (National Coordinator, Lok Samiti) asked youths to know about the aim of religion and to contribute for peace in public life. Most of us want to live together, we need sharing of happiness or grief collectively and we all are made for each other, he said. Mr. Shivji Singh (General Secretary, BPLS) reiterated the very conviction of Lok Samiti to promote communal harmony and non-violence.

This token fasting program was attended by Mrs. Kranti Rashosh (State Coordinator, Women’s Lok Samiti), Mrs. Pushpa Kumari, Mr. Saudagar Das (State Coordinator, Lok Samiti), Mr. Chandra Bhushan (Secretary, National Lok Samiti), Dr. Umesh Prasad, Er. Mahendra Yadav, Mr. Vidya Bhushan (Ex-MLA), Mr. Ramayan Singh, Mr. Satyendra Kumar and Mr. Mitihilesh Kumar.

Farewell to Trainees of #SkillforLife @WeareSwades @HSBC

31 March 2018, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag): 9th batch trainees of Skill for Life program have received their course completion certificates and support kits on the very last day of their two months residential training. On this occasion, Mr. Prabhu Nath Sharma (Treasurer–cum-Program Director) said that learning is a life long process and if we do a work or learn any new skill with interest, success must come. Good behaviour and prompt service through the skill you learnt here can provide a plenty of opportunities for livelihood and personality development, he addressed the passing out trainees. Mr. Sharma has distributed certificates with support kits among youths completed their two months training  during February – March this year in the trades of BCA (Basic Computer Applications) / GDA (General Duty Assistant) / Mobile Phone Repair and conveyed them his best wishes.

Mr. Kirti Rawat (Placement Officer, Skill for Life) has informed that 18 out of 20 trainees in GDA, 9 among 11 trainees of Mobile Repair and 9 from 14 learners of BCA course will get their placement soon. Most trainees of Mobile Repair prefer for self-employment, private nursing homes/hospitals employ GDA pupils and BCA students have prospect at business organizations and BPO sector, he pointed out. Its remarkable that placement ensured for 36 out of total 45 trainees at the end of their courses under Skill for Life program.

During farewell ceremony, all the trainees have introduced themselves and talked about their future plans. Messrs Sandhya Kumari, Subodh Kumar Chanchal, Rohit Kumar, Md. Asif and Vikram Kumar (Program Faculties) have contributed in the observance.

#Farmers’Training upon #AgricultureDevelopment & #FoodSecurity @bread4theworld

28 – 30 March 2018, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag) : 3 days training upon Agriculture Development and Food Security for farmers was held under the Program of Support to Small NGOs with help of BFW, Germany. 62 women – men farmers from Churchu, Tatijhariya, Vishnugarh, Simariya and Domchanch blocks of Hazaribag, Chatra and Koderma districts have participated in this training.

They were updated towards innovative / profitable agriculture, animal husbandry, advanced seeds, organic farming – pesticides, crops cycle and their safety measures etc. Also they shared farm experience and planning for coming days. Mr. Rajeev Singh (Program Manager, NBJK) said that our partner organizations work with villagers upon advance farming that enabled around 700 – 800 farmers to achieve food security in Hazaribag Commissionary. The program has checked migration from many remote, backward areas and tribal youths in Tatijhariya, Vishnugarh blocks now take interest in agriculture, he informed.

The training was participated by farmers from villages like Simargundi, Katiyo (Domchanch block), Hathibaar, Bedam, Budbariya, Jababaari, Paraiya (Vishnugarh, Tatijhariya blocks), Choupe and Birhu (Simariya blocks) from all these three districts.

The farmers are associated with partner organizations i.e. Jan Sahyog Kendra (Churchu, Hazaribag), Stri Shakti (Sadar, Hazaribag), Rashtriya Jharkhand Sewa Sansthan (Satgawan, Koderma) and Lok Prerna Kendra (Simariya, Chatra). Messrs Surendra Ram, Ramchandra and Azad were resource persons while Shankar Rana has supported for local logistics.

#Outing for #DeafblindChildren @senseindia

21 March 2018, Hazaribag: An outing for children with deafblindness & multi-sensory impairments was organized at Cafeteria premises under the program of their education & training with support of Sense India, Ahmedabad. The event was participated by 16 deafblind children and 6 adults with their parents or carers from different villages of Sadar, Katkamdaag, Daroo blocks and urban pockets like Korra, Matwari, Pagmal, Hurhuru etc. of Hazaribag.

Md. Nayeem (Program Coordinator) has informed about such outing or picnic for DB/MSI children in every three months to make them acquainted with feelings like entertainment, courage, participation and freedom. Generally such children don’t get exposure due to their physical, mental constraints and they enjoy these events naturally. During the picnic, these children met each other, played together, had swings, made drawings and conveyed their happiness over the feast.

The parents have shared about progress of their children and praised the project activities as a morale booster for them. Mrs. Sadhna Mishra (mother of Mona, a blind girl child) from Korra said that Mona couldn’t see but becomes happy if she touches trees, plants or even leaves. Mrs. Azmat Tara (mother of Musharraf Alam, a DB boy from Matwari) admits that NBJK workers have taught my son about Activities of Daily Living and drawing making. She was anxious for her son as the program is to be closed in June 2018. This picnic makes my child happy and a mother can feel that glee, Mrs. Sarita Devi, another mom from Meru has pointed out with poise.

The team of Messrs Paras Nath Mahto, Rashmi Parween, Indu Gupta, Tanuja Khatoon, Payag Mahto and Dr. Mukesh Suman has arranged for the outing. In Ramgarh, a similar outing for DB children was held on 17th and at Kuju (Ramgarh), a DB youth Aman started off own shop of bike lubricants & spare parts on 19th March.

#LokSamiti Demands for #LiquorProhibitionAct in #India

18 – 19 March 2018, Delhi: National Lok Samiti has called 2 days Anti-Liquor Convention in Tagore Hall of Gandhi Darshan at Raj Ghat, New Delhi. The convention was participated by more than hundred delegates & representatives from different state units of Lok Samiti and other Gandhiaite organizations. The program was chaired by Mr. Girija Satish, President, National Lok Samiti and anchored by Mr. Kaushal Ganesh Azad, National Coordinator, Lok Samiti. On this occassion, Mr. Ashok Sharan (Coordinator, Sarvoday Mandal) said about the need of a complete ban over liquor across India to save our young generation from this evil and Mr. Sajjan Kumar (Secretary, Delhi State Lok Samiti) has honored National President of Lok Samiti by infusing him with a shawl for his tireless efforts towards Anti-liquor / anti-drug movement in India.

In the convention, Mr. Girija Satish has opined that India must frame a strong law to curb liquor completely and referred Mahatma Gandhi who considered liquor intake as more damnable than thieving and prostitution and as the parent of both! He said that 85% of anti-women crimes and 70% of road accidents in India are caused by liquor only. Also he mentioned about Lok Samiti’s advocacy campaign against liquor in Bihar where state government has made it illegal and ensured for a socio-economic transformation. Our central government must follow such an example to make India liquor free, Mr. Girija Satish opined.

This anti-liquor convention was addressed by Mr. Sanjay Singh (Secretary, Kendriya Gandhi Smarak Nidhi) also who termed liquor as a complex problem for India and appealed for awareness campaign by Lok Samiti with other likeminded organizations. The very greed for revenue from liquor can’t be justified as its spoiling our young generation and women must be supported to oust this evil from India, he maintained. Mr. A. K. Manjhi (Advocate, Supreme Court) has supported the idea to make an anti-liquor law for India and stressed upon people’s education to boycott it. Mr. Vijay Kumar (President, Bihar State Lok Samiti) has opposed not only liquor but all types of addiction. Mr. N. D. Pancholi (Advocate, Supreme Court) raised the issue of laborours’ rights alongwith liquor prohibition.

The program was graced by Messrs Agam Kumar Layak (Odisha), Jagdish Jee (Gandhi Smarak Nidhi), Saloni Hembram (General Secretary, Jharkhand State Lok Samiti), Ray Sunder Dev Sharma (East Champaran District Lok Samiti), Vidyabhushan Singh (Ex-MLA, Bihar), Chandra Bhushan (Secreatary, National Lok Samiti), Vinod Ranjan (Mantri, Bihar Gandhi Smarak Nidhi), Devendra Bharti (General Secretary, Delhi State Lok Samiti) and many others who supported the resolution to Prohibit Liquor in India. At last, Mr. Sajjan Kumar (Secretary, Delhi State Lok Samiti) has thanked all and appealed to work together against liquor massively.

#SanitationFortnightAwareness Campaign by #FamilyCounsellingCentre @MinistryWCD

14 March 2018, Churchu (Hazaribag): A workshop with villagers was organized on Toilets-wash & Hygiene at Charkatua in village Oriya of Churchu block by Family Counselling Centre, the programme of Central & Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board executed by NBJK.

Initially Mrs. Meera Gupta (Counsellor, FCC) and Mr. Alok Toppo (Sanitation Staff, NBJK-Churchu) have visited the village, drawn the village map on ground and pointed out about the need of voluntary contribution by people for cleanliness drive, their personal hygiene, hygienic habits among children & adults along with freedom from open defecation for all. They focused upon sanitation for all members in a family to keep sound health and to retain body immune. Mr. Sanjay Kumar (Counsellor, FCC) has insisted for soap washing of hands after toilet and before meal every time. Open defecation is always hazardous as human excreta spreads disease carrier bacterias through flies and intake of contaminated food can make us sick easily, Mr. Alok Toppo added.

Ms Solma Kumari Kisku (a school girl of the village) has demonstrated about 8 stages of hand washing with soap before the villagers and impressed them about need of personal hygiene categorically. There were other demonstrations like waste collection, their sorting as biodegradable / non-biodegradable and management like organic compost making or proper disposal.These activities were carried out by Messrs Meera Gupta, Sanjay Kumar, Mahesh Murmu, Preeti Besra and Sheela Hembram.

Many villagers like Messrs Jeewan Murmu, Ganesh Manjhi, Jhari Manjhi, sukhdev Kisku, Malti Devi, Parvati Murmu, Kiran Devi, Surajmukhi Devi, Manju Hembram, Kiran Tudu, Anshu, Mahesh Murmu etc. have explained about their village during map drawing process and participated in the workshop actively. Mr. Alok Toppo and Mr. Arun Kisku (Sanitation Staffs, NBJK-Churchu) have provided their vital support to organize the workshop.