Archive for the ‘People’s Management School’ Category

Series on Gandhi ji & Swaraj – ek Khoj

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

A series of sessions were organized for Seva Mandir’s employees and volunteers on “Gandhi ji and Swaraj – an exploration”.

A total of 14 sessions were held mentored by Mr. Kishore Saint. The objective of this course was to acquaint the partcipants with the true meaning of Swaraj (self rule) and its implications in our work approach. Seva Mandir’s approach to development work is much influenced by Gandhi. During the course the book “Hind Swaraj” was explored and discussed in depth. Various other articles, Gandhi ji’s own writings, the context in which Gandhi ji used the term “Swaraj”, what it meant to others and how everyone interpreted it, were some other key points that were discussed in detail.

These fourteen sessions were held between January to June 2011 and a total of 22 employees and volunteers of Seva Mandir participated in the course. The sessions were very helpful in developing an understanding of the relevance of Swaraj in today’s context and the work that Seva Mandir does.

Seva Mandir’s constructive work approach has a very close relation to Gandhi’s philosophy of constructive work. The sessions also attempted to delve into the ‘man’ Gandhi and the journey of him realizing the life’s truth. The participants were able to know more about India’s history in reference to pre and post independence times and connecting these ideas with development and the evolution of Seva Mandir’s philosophy for its development approach.

A valedictory was organized on the 16th July 2011 in Seva Mandir’s conference hall for the the first batch of the participants of this course. Everyone shared their learning and experiences. Many of them have written articles which will be complied and published. A few participants have developed a script for acting out a drama on the learning of this course. Two other participants have produced short movies and power point presentation about Gandhi ji and the learning of this course.

Mr. Ajay S. Mehta (President Seva Mandir), Ms. Neelima Khetan (Trustee Seva Mandir), Prof. Shah (Director, IIM Delhi) and Mr. Kishore Saint (mentor of the course) gave away the certificates of participation to all the participants.

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Orientation Training of Vikas Mitra Fellows

Monday, July 11th, 2011

On 20th and 21st July 2011, an orientation training of the Vikas Mitra Fellows has been organized. The training will include presentations on past fellows’ experiences of working on social issues in their region. They will also be oriented about the recent Right to Education Act, NREGA, ICDS and other welfare schemes and programs by the Government. The objective is to provide these fellows with information on these issues so as they can address problems with the implementation of these programs in their villages. The training will also aim to acquaint them about the expectations from them in this fellowship program including their roles and responsibilities. Each fellow will have access to a mentor while working on social issues in his/her village.

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Champa won the “Woman Exemplar Award”

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Champa Devi  was honored  with “Woman Exemplar Award 2011” on 8th April 2011 in New Delhi. The award promotes women’s empowerment at the community level by discovering  and recognizing those who have against all odds, excelled and contributed significantly to the development process in India. The award is given in the field of 1) education & literacy, 2) health and 3) micro enterprise.

Champa Devi  hails from a small village Vasela  in Kotra Tehsil, Udaipur. Kotra Tehsil is one of the most impoverished regions in Udaipur District. The area is affected  by poor livelihood opportunities and redundant agricultural viability, alongside oppressive customs and attitudes, deterrent  to development.

Born in a tribal family , Champa Devi is one of the lucky women who were able to get themselves educated. She had to walk 15 Kms to attend school. However after getting married she moved to Vasela village, where there were no opportunities for education and the attitude towards women was even more repressive. Champa Devi always had a positive inclination towards improving the status of women and girls in her village. She along with immense support from her husband joined hands with Seva Mandir and initiated voluntary education and guidance for adolescent girls. Soon she was successful in mobilizing women towards micro enterprise through Self-help Groups(SHGs).

Endless efforts were put in to bring about such a movement, all the more she had questioned an orthodox & strict value system, where women were suppressed. With every stepping stone Champa Devi succeeded in creating a niche for women’s empowerement  with an extending network of women joining hands with her. She actively encouraged women towards financial autonomy through SHGs and since then many women have started their small businesses and taking care of their financial needs.

Soon, Champa Devi contested for the elections and was elected the Head of Gram Panchayat and member of Zilla Panchayat. The win provided her with a broader platform to take up development initiatives at a larger level . She used her position to improve educational institutions in her Panchayat and promoted participatory grassroot democracy. Her enthusiasm has strengthened the presence of women’s network in her Panchayat. Not only she has supported women in her Panchayat, the network has spread to surrounding villages reaching out to more and more women and uplifting their status in the society.

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