Vikas Maitri
Voluntary Development Society in Jharkhand
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www.vikasmaitri.org |
website for rural and tribal development |
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Vikas Maitri |
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Voluntary Development Society in Jharkhand |
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Action
Programmes
Workshop to promote Traditional Variety of Rice A three day workshop was held at the Programme Centre of Vikas Maitri beginning 19th February 2008. This workshop was attended by Extension Workers and farmers from selected areas of Jharkhand. The main outcome of the workshop was the resolution to promote 'Kalamdani' Rice in 500 acres this year. Last year this rice was cultivated in around 100 acres by local farmers.
Kalamdani Rice is traditional variety of rice known for its nutritious and taste preferences. Traditionally it was so famous that it found a place in the cultural songs of Jharkhand. Unfortunately, due to the onslaught of the so called high yielding varieties (actually hybrid seeds) in the 70s and 80s of the last Century the cultivation of Kalamdani Rice rapidly marginalized. The aim of the workshop was to revive this wonderful variety of rice and to make it popular among the farmers. This rice with all its attributes has also a potential to become a successful commercial variety giving more income to the small farmers.
Self-help project for non-student working village children One of the basic ideas of development is the concept of self help. If a project is started only with outside ideas and financial assistance with no inputs of sustenance, then the very idea of development is defeated. It is a fact that there are many children in villages who are unable to go to school because they have to assist the family in economic activities i.e. grazing cattle, caring for younger brothers and sisters etc. These children remain illiterate and have no future in life.
What can be done locally for such children? One
answer is to start a non-formal school which suits the free hour of such
children. A locally available educated person can act as a teacher and
whole villages could pledge support to the teacher. The financial
aspects could be handled by raising local donations. Initially, the
community centre building can be used for holding classes. Business and the Adivasi One of the causes of sufferings among adivasis of Jharkhand is the fact that they are not business oriented. There is a huge vacancy, so to say, in this occupation and therefore hordes of people from outside are coming to Jharkhand to take up the job. In the last few years the immigration has reached to such an extent that the local population has been reduced to insignificant minority. The women of Jharkhand, however, are better oriented to take up business, given the opportunity. They can come out as a better business person than their men folk. We in Vikas Maitri have started a programme to give training to adivasi women to sell village items by going from door to door and earn a hefty commission. In the last two months, the total turnover of sale came to about three lakh rupees. Because of the rice transplanting season the sale activity is being held back temporarily. Once this agricultural operation is over the business activity will again start with full swing. Rice of Jharkhand We are in the midst of rainy season and soon will be busy with transplantation of rice. This is a very hectic period of the year for all adivasis whose main occupation is farming. This year we have decided to promote a traditional variety of rice which has made a name for itself in the past. However, due to import of rice from outside the cultivation of this rice has declined. Therefore, at the beginning of the monsoon season we conducted a workshop of selected farmers from all over the Chotanagpur region in order to motivate them to again restart cultivating this rice using our tested techniques. As a result farmers have promised and are already proceeding to cultivate this rice in more than 100 acres. Are you curious to know the name of this rice? Yes, it is called "kalamdani". Our forefathers were very passionate about this rice which tastes very good and is mainly used to prepare sweets and eatables during marriages and other festive occasions. Many of traditional adivasi songs refer to the name of kalamdani rice. We have procured the seeds of this rice and distributed to the farmers together with organic fertilizer. If you have any comments to contribute please write to us. Infrastructure for Community Development Community assets have been created at strategic locations in many villages. These assets are focal point for the people to meet and discuss their problem and take appropriate actions. The assets have been created in the four districts of Jharkhand namely, Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga and Simdega.
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Key Focus Areas From facts and also from historical perspectives, Vikas Maitri has come to the conclusion that Adivasis in Jharkhand are in danger of losing their identity. It is possible to check the loss of identity through various programmes namely enabling the community to regain the economic self reliance, revival of their self governance system, instilling a sense of cultural pride and through a state of awareness in their own history and through enhancing their confidence level through education. Therefore Vikas Maitri wants to work in the fillowing four areas:
At present we have identified two areas (a) strengthening of existing newly formed village institutions, so that village affairs will be manged by the people themselves. This management will ultimately lead to self governance. (b) Economic development as a support mechanism through self help activities and the public limited company.
Details of infrastructure
Village institutions The tribals have been organized into three tier structure which gives them strength and collective voice. These village organizations function as a partner of Vikas Maitri and share an equal stake to plan and execute development activities. Each village has been organized into Gram Sabha, which has own elected representatives. 12-15 Gram Sabhas come together and form a federation who have their own elected office bearers. All the federations come together and form Adivasi Sanyojan. The Adivasi Sanyojan has its own elected representatives. Right now one Adivasi Sanyojan, 13 federations, 150 Gram Sabhas are functioning. Many trained Catalytic Organizers A strong cadre of organizers has been developed in the villages who are directly working under the guidance of village committees. These organizers have undergone intensive training on development issues and have long years of experience in community development, agricultural development, extension work, organizational work and farm managerial work. All these catalytic agents are from the local communities and help village committee in development work. Organic farming Because of the vulnerability of soil to hard technologies organic farming is the most appropriate technology to be adopted for this region. The Jaivik Khad (organic manure) is being promoted, and for that purpose a plant has been set up to supply readymade organic manure. The principles of organic farming are quite revealing. See What is Organic Farming.
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Workshop on Adivasi Culture Vikas Maitri organized a workshop for village leaders on adivasi culture and its contribution to building a just society from 1 - 3 April 2008 at Vikas Maitri Programme Centre at Ranchi. There were 30 participants among them a few were traditional adivasi priests (Pahan). Some six women participated in the workshop. The workshop came to the confirmation that the culture of adivasis is rich and has the potential to contribute profusely to building up a well balanced and developed society.
With assistance from APBEN Ltd. and Vikas Maitri, the women's club of Dorma parish organised a stall for garments sale from 12-17 March, 2008 preparatory to Easter. It was for the first time that such an enterprise was made in the parish. The local women were given some training on handling the sale activity. The parishners of Dorma extended their full cooperation. Another such programme is being organized by trainees of Catechist Training Centre at Govindpur. The purpose of Vikas Maitri is to motivate adivasis to enter into business.
Workshop on Project Proposal writing Mr. Dominic Bara and Mr. Parmanand Choudhary of Vikas Maitri were invited by Christian Medical Association of India, Chotanagpur Health and Development Project to conduct workshop on Project Proposal writing for key persons of Church Partners and Project Managers organized at HRDC, GEL Church Complex, Ranchi from 28 - 30 January 2008. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Suranjan Prasad of CMAI. There were altogether twenty participants among them some were priests and medical doctors. In the workshop the main concepts of project writing were explained to the participants with opportunity for exercises. In the end, despite the short duration of the workshop the participants were satisfied with the idea of project proposal writing. The feedback of the programme shows that participants expressed confidence on drawing up a project proposal. Mr. Manoranjan Nayak, Senior Programme Officer, CMAI supervised the whole programme. Social Leadership Workshop: Business Prospects for Local Communities Vikas Maitri organised a two day workshop from 15-16 January 2008. The purpose of the workshop was to invite social leaders to discuss the present scenario of business and its implication on local political power play. The workshop addressed itself to the problems of displacement in Jharkhand, alternative models of development and business prospects for local communities. The participants came to the conclusion that it is crucial for local communities to collectively get involved in business. The workshop was addressed by Fr. Stan Swami, Director, Bagaicha, Fr. Alex Ekka, Research Department, XISS and Mr. Dominic Bara, Executive Director of Vikas Maitri, Mr. Premanand Soreng, Treasurer of Vikas Maitri was the Chief Guest. Micro Insurance for the poor Food, cloth and shelter are the basic pre-requisites for the human beings to live. It is however, security in these provisions which provide human beings dignity and quality of life. The poor people in rural areas have hardly any security especially in terms of occurrence of calamity, death or crop failure. Keeping this fact in mind we have introduced since the last few months micro insurance policies to the rural people in collaboration with Tata Aig company. It is a challenge in so far as it is very hard to convince the people the benefits of security. Micro insurance has the possibility of lowest premium payment (starts with Rs. 5/- per month) in order to cover life. Our field workers so far have insured only 290 people till July 2007. Good relationship among the Churches The Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches have become more open with each other and co-ordinating for the development of the adivasis. This is a historical achievement. |
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This page has been designed by Mr. Dominic Bara, Vikas Maitri |
