www.vikasmaitri.org

website for rural and tribal development

Vikas Maitri

Voluntary Development Society in Jharkhand

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Details of infrastructure

• Farm land (total 56.48 acres) well equipped with irrigation facility of the average size of 4.70 acres has been created in 12 villages.  These farm lands are owned by village communities.
• Community houses in many villages have been created which are being used by people to discuss, plan and implement development programmes.  These houses are also being used as a training centre to enhance the skill of the farmers, artisans, women, unemployed youth etc. enhance these skill each in many trades like agriculture, marketing, forestry, epiculture, broom making etc.  All these are income generation activities.  Besides these, community houses are also being used by staff/resource persons to stay at night when they make field visits.
• Farm Equipment: hire services are provided for agricultural and transport equipment.  The income earned is used to maintain the equipment and add to the existing stock.

  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.

  Annual General Meeting of APBEN Ltd. held

  The Annual General Meeting (2008-2009) was held in the premises of Vikas Maitri at 11.30 a.m. on 18 September, 2009. A large number of people participated through presence and proxy.  Mr. Dominic Bara chaired the AGM.  The other members of the Board, Miss Roseline Kujur and Mr. Sukhair Munda were also present.  The agenda included hearing of Annual Report as well as statement of accounts, election of one of the Board Members and discussion on the programmes and activities of the company. 
  
  Please see the Annual Report.
   

   

Vikas Maitri expands its area of operation to remote area

A view from Katkahi village

With a view to expand its area of operation, a team from Vikas Maitri visited Majhatoli, Tongo, Chainpur, Noadih and Katkahi on 20 - 21 October 2009. The team met several community leaders with whom concrete action programmes were discussed pertaining to promotion of micro-business enterprise among the villagers.

Launching of "Ghar-Karobar, the Jharkhand Consciousness Magazine"

The root problems of Jharkhand - exploitation, unemployment, political instability and identity crisis - can be properly addressed only when adivasis understand the importance of their direct participation in business.  This is the main theme of this quarterly Magazine which is being launched today.  The aim is to inform people of the  rules and intricacy of the game in which they stand at the opposite end.   Besides, activities of Adivasi Pancha Bachat Ewam Nivesh Limited are highlighted.  On the lighter side, Adivasi Folk stories and other material is published.  The Magazine is priced at Rs. 4/- per copy.

Another pick-up truck added to the fleet

Our training programme on mico-business is yielding good results. The number of people joining sales activities is increasing day by day. Some have already started micro-business by their own. To fulfill the demand we purchased another pick-up truck  to supply goods. The vehicle will be plying to and fro between towns and villages. The farmers will be able to market their farm and forest produce directly.

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:

• Strengthening adivasi organisations
• Economic development as a support mechanism
• Cultural revitalization
• Awareness, confidence building through education of identity.

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.

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.

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

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.

See earlier events

This page has been designed by Mr. Dominic Bara, Vikas Maitri