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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Women of NWGEL Church organise Mina Bazar The women of North Western Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ranchi, organised a Mina Bazar in the Church campus from 18 March 2010 with the assistance from Adivasi Pancha Bachat Ewam Niwesh (APBEN) Ltd. The Mina Bazar was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Nirdosh Lakra. Along with reputed handloom sarees various garments were displaced for sale. The sale is going on very successfully. This was a direct result of the short training organised by Vikas Maitri(see below).
Reception counter on road from where prospective customers are directed to the sale venue.
Participants of the one day workshop on mico-business of 10 April 2010 Short training on how to start a small business The training was a full success. The participants numbered 88. It was inaugurated by Fr. Sikander Tirkey, Asst. Director of Catholic Cooperative Society Ranchi. Here are some photos:
Sales Training Golden opportunity to local youth of Jharkhand Short training on how to start a small business Dear Friends, Rural areas of Jharkhand are rich in resources, yet due to lack of motivation of the people, these are contributing to the development of already better off places at the cost of the local areas. We are organising a short motivational training for local youth both male and female from 23 -25 February 2010 at our programme centre building on how to start business. In case you are somehow connected to Jharkhand, may we request you to please sponsor suitable candidates and help us in the good cause. After the training, we will help the candidates through practical advice and service support. The participants are expected to contribute Rs.200/- towards cost which include food and accommodation.
A new mini transport vehicle Tata Ace HT was purchased by us on behalf of APBEN Ltd for our programme of supporting youth in self employment.
On the course of our work of development, in the past, we did receive assistance from donor agencies (we thank them very much) in procuring vehicle, but it is for the first time a vehicle has been procured without any assistance from outside. We hope this may give impetus to other N.G.Os. to similarly take self initiatives. I thank all my colleagues for their cooperation in pursuing the new strategy. Achievement Motivation
A view of trainee demonstrating achievement motivation through game in programme held from 21 - 23 April 2009 at Vikas Maitri.
Vikas Maitri has organized the Entrepreneurship and Micro Business Training in rural area at the following places and dates:
Konbir Noatoli
- 13-14 March 2009 This arrangement has been made so that maximum number of people could attend and in view of saving the cost of training on travel and food. Thank you participants All together, 47 participants were benefited by the two batches of training organized one after the other beginning 14 January 2009. Micro business course was found to be exciting and very interesting. It prepared the trainees to do business by joining hands together. Since it was attended by representatives of NGOs, topics like fund raining through business was also covered. It inspires us to organize training on Micro business catering to the needs of fund raising of small NGOs in future. All trainees felt equipped and eager to earn income and become self reliant. The next planned training course will be on Social Leadership Development in March 2009. Workshop on Human Rights, HIV/AIDS and Capacity Building The Workshop was organised by Diakonia Thailand from 10-13 Nov.2008 at United Theological College, Bangalore. The theme of the workshop was to share information and experiences amoung Diakonia partners in India. The workshop was conducted by Ms. Ankin Ljungman, Programme Manager, Mr.Y. Bandit, Project Officer,both of Thailand office, Mr. Gilbert Ravichander, Project Officer and Mr.B.R. Moharana, Administrative Officer of India Office. On 12 November was free day to visit historical sights of Mysore such as the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan and Mysore Palace and other important places.
Mr. Dominic Bara and Mr. Parmanand Choudhary of Vikas Maitri attended the workshop.
In the context of Jharkhand direct selling is the marketing of products to village consumers through face to face interaction in the village itself. It is a powerful means to protect adivasis from unscrupulous middle men and establishments. It also generates employment which could be satisfying to rural youth for fulfillment and showing their entrepreneurial talents.
This theme was discussed in a practical settings in the training organised from 4 - 6 November 2008 in which 35 trainees participated.
Workshop on Adivasi Society and Culture of Jharkhand Mrs. Rama Khalkho, Mayor of Ranchi inaugurated the workshop by lighting up the traditional torch of the workshop which was held from 28-30 July 2008 at Vikas Maitri Programme Centre, Ranchi. His Eminence Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi was also present on this occasion as Guest of Honour.
In his message Cardinal Toppo expounded his views that language is soul of any culture or society. He emphasized on the need for teaching young children in their mother tongue at least at the lower level of educational system. Mrs. Rama Khalkho stressed the need for unity of all adivasis irrespective of their religions. We have to guard ourselves against the divisive forces which try to create misunderstanding between Sarna and Christian tribals who have been living as one community for long time, she said. On this occasion the book Jharkhand Educational Directory was also released. We are planning to publish the report of the workshop in the form of a book. Those interested kindly contact us. 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. New Character, Position and Approach of Vikas Maitri Vikas Maitri for the last many years was heavily dependent for finances on donor agencies abroad . While this has definitely contributed to the well being of village people, the recent crunch in fund pushed us to take a different course in generating own funds. In view of the above stand the matter is being discussed with our village partners. In Chatakpur Cluster village we had a one day meeting on 30 April 2009 in which some one hundred men and women participated. The picture shows some participants sitting on the community farm land. The participants generously contributed towards the community lunch.
Rev. Fr. Tobias Soreng, Director, Vikas Kendra, Samtoli, Simdega distributing certificates to participants at the closing function. Mr. Dominic Bara, Course Director and Mrs. Ursela Nag, Conductor, look on. Some 80 participants attended the course.
Trainees of 1st batch of Micro business/Self Employment Course (14 - 16 January 2009)
Trainees of 2nd batch of Micro business/Self Employment Course (19-21 January, 2009) Thank you Community Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Purchasers Our heartfelt thanks to all. It was a small beginning but a sure success. As announced we encouraged unemployed youth organizing special Christmas garments sales (7-15 days duration) in December 2008. On the initiative of mostly Community Leaders, Parish Priests and others 103 youth came forward and did business in 17 selected localities all over the region. They did a turnover sale of Rs. 3,58,600.00 within this very short period. They earned a total profit of Rs. 41,796.00. Congratulations and good luck for future. Besides there were many youth who did individual business during this period the report of which is yet to come. Venue of the training shifted to Village Farm Seeing the overwhelming response to the training on Entrepreneurship and Business Management for Village Youth (14 - 17 October 2008, see below) the venue of the programme has been shifted from Ranchi to the Organic Farm of Vikas Maitri at village Dumardaga some 40 kilometres from Ranchi. Some 200 candidates have already enrolled for the training. To house all of them in the city would have been quite expensive. Our thanks to the following Heads of Institutions who have so far contributed to the programme -
Fr. Emmanuel Baxla, Director, Catholic Mission
Cooperative Society, Ranchi Rev. Fr. Dr. Beni A. Ekka, Director, Xavier Institute of Social Service has kindly accepted to be the Chief Guest for the inaugural session. Mr. Dominic Bara, Mr. Binkas Ecka and Mr. Ashok Tirkey will be the resource persons. Training on how to promote saving among Rural Folk The training was organized by Vikas Maitri from 3 -5 September 2008. In this training 54 selected young candidates from rural area participated. After the training these young people are expected to provide out-sourcing facilities to APBEN Ltd. in its deposit mobilization programme.
In this training various ways and means were discussed that are essential to convince the rural people of the importance of family saving. An understanding was given to them of the business attitude that is necessary to do the job. The purpose of APBEN Ltd. was explained viz how local resources are mobilized and invested in local business activities with the full participation of the local people, giving them employment as well as share of profit. It may be noted that at present share holding in APBEN Ltd. has gone up by 3600. Community Organizers as Entrepreneurs? Is it possible for the Community Organizers to be Entrepreneurs at the same time? Or the other way round : Entrepreneurs to be Community Organizers. It had been the policy of Vikas Maitri in the past to pay an honourarium to Community Organizers for their voluntary work. We have however, observed that once a person starts receiving honourarium, he may become quite dependent on it, an undesirable situation.
Therefore, Vikas Maitri is experimenting another model for Community Organizers. Instead of receiving honourarium they can become Entrepreneurs for a living. With this objective in mind a short training programme was organized from 18 - 20 August, 2008 in which 27 village young men and women participated. It is possible that the Community Organizers can become self supporting in the community without necessarily exploiting the people. In the training programme different avenues were explored by which the Community Organizers can generate own income. These are:
1. Traditional agriculture as a sustainable livelihood These were some of the points that were discussed and appreciated by the participants. The participants were also given practical training on organizing sale of cloths and garments during festivals by APBEN Ltd., a company owned by the rural people. 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. Training of Extension Workers on micro-business salesmanship
The Extension Workers are basically responsible for supervising development work assigned to their particular rural area. Micro Business is part of the programme of overall development including agriculture. In this the Extension Worker's main job is to motivate, facilitate and train people to accept the idea of micro business as a means of becoming self employed. From the feed back, it comes out clearly that people who have already started micro business need help to develop their skills of salesmanship. Therefore, we thought it proper to conduct a salesmanship training for the Extension Workers themselves. This training programme was held from 6-8 April, 2009. Therewere 17 participants. The course covered topics like qualities and attitudes required for good salesman/woman, art of selling goods, organizing, advertising and the importance of proper display of materials. Practical were an integral part of the training course. 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.
Vikas Maitri is organising a 3 day workshop on women and Human Rights in Jharkhand beginning 17 January 2007 at Vikas Maitri premises. About 50 women activists are likely to participate in the workshop. The workshop aims at giving a forum for human rights activists specially women to think about various strategies to be adopted for preventing human rights violations in this region. In Jharkhand the situation of human right violations is critical. With the transformation of tradition society and the phenomenon of globalization the human right situation is deteriorating rapidly. Mrs. Lakshmi Singh former Chief Secretary of Jharkhand Government and Chairperson of State Women's Commission has kindly consented to inaugurate the workshop. Introducing "System of Rice Intensification" System of Rice Intensification (SRI) was developed in the 80s by private initiatives in Madagascar. In this method of rice cultivation, indigenous tropical tall varieties of rice are selected for transplantation. The method yields large root volume of plant, profuse and strong tillering, big panicles and higher grain weight. The characteristics of this method of rice plantation: none puddling of water, young nursery plant and design of spacing of plants. I had heard about this method by a foreign visitor in the year 1999. He visited our rice fields and was very much impressed by our own system of rice transplantation which we called "directional double row planting" which we developed in the early 80s. The rain fall condition of our country is different from Madagascar but we decided to experiment with this method this year. We had some discussion with local farmers about the new method and they reacted that since the watering in the fields is heavier the young plant would not survive. The SRI system assumes that rice is a non aquatic plant. However, we suggested for earlier transplantation with control of artificial irrigation. In cooperation with the farmers and their women we have succeeded in transplanting in a field prepared especially for this purpose. Let us see and watch how it comes up. |
