Question - “Who is blind” ?

Hello: “Myself Veerendra, I am 9 years old now, I never went to school but I heard school bell ringing, kids shouting at playground and children loudly repeating words after their teacher or classmates. Lets I introduce you to my family; Jaankilal Jatav is my papa and the lady behind me is my mummy her name is Bhabhuti Jatav, I am also having an elder brother (bhai). We live in Sikrawadi village. You know what makes me different from others; I am 100 % blind by birth even I have medical certificate in which doctors proved me that I am pure blind but sometimes I felt that others who are able to see are blind not me!

Now you are thinking why I am talking like that there is a reason. They are able to see who I am but they are ignoring me for years. We belongs from I poor background so a single penny is precious for us. My parent’s works as a labor, my father having small land merely 1-2 bigha without water facility. So we are totally dependent on labor work. Sometimes my parent has to leave me at home so I am habitual of living alone at home I play with my friends and elder brother.

I heard govt. having so many schemes for we people. I avow I am not getting a rupee from govt. my father tried to add my name in social security schemes but our Secretary asked for money. My father put an application in public hearing also but it went futile. So it was going like that we left hope that I’ll get my money.

Than Mukesh Kumar Jatav, works at JEEVIKA – Shivpuri team came to my parents and assured us for appropriate help. I with my father went with him to Janpad Panchayat office and applied under social security scheme I which I’ll get Rs. 150/month. Then we went to Jila Panchayat office also here we applied for BAHU VIKLANG PENSION in which I will get Rs. 500/month. I will give that money to my parents. You know one thing is that I’ll get these pensions from this month. But my story is not as easy, I have to put seals and signatures from Secretary and Dist. Panchayat CEO. My father went to secretary but he said he is busy now. Then I’ll have to open a joint account with my father in post office at Kuwarpur. Let’s see when I will get pensions. Let I’ll know you also whenever I get my rights. But there is a question for you people “tell me actually who is blind me or ………”

by JEEVIKA GCSS-Gwalior team

Payar ki ek Jhappi ho jaye: Caritas India experiencing staying with Sehariya Tribes in Shvpuri!

…ahhh its interesting ..I am back to our Gwalior office ( from the 2 and half days village stay and field visit of JEEVIKA at Shivpuri)! I see here a big cooler in my room, a table , proper bed and last two nights it was open sky..natural wind bit painful but a solid good rock bed…I am thinking in few minutes here I will get a cup of tea..and there we have walk a ( 1 km) to fetch water from a repaired hand pump ( repaired through the initiative of JEEVIKA with a prastav in Gram Sabha) and …..here in my room attached batroom and toilet is there…but there open sky is your bathroom ( although its difficult to take bath daily..infect I have not taken for last two days…as there is only one hand pump for 58 households and too operates quite slow)…..this all is life of Sehriya tribes in Shivnagar village of Shivpuri District of Madhya Pradesh!

Yes from outside and from living point of view you may say good mud houses are there, but when temperature rises to 47 degree no mud house work…..they have good culture of playing music..singing traditional songs and entertain them self..but in all this one will find the pain of –bonded labour …hungerness , caste and poverty! When you interact with them with bit love and affection they broke in tears that how they have been denied for entering in to temples, how just for INR 100 they have worked as bonded labour for years and years…..its was really painful…pinching and indeed beyond inhumanity…..

Onion, salt and wheat aata chapatti is their main food ..i too had only that for two days and once in a day….I was thinking I have an athletic body I can survive with one time meal…but how they survive without any athletic body…..

They said to me that they have shifted here 10 years back, but just with the efforts from JEEVIKA team they have participated in Gram sabha on 26th Jan 2013…given a prastav for electricity..did several meeting with government officials and now just few days back electricity has came their house..they thanked me…. For all JEEVIKA initiatives… ( I was feeling happy…but I think this thank was mainly for the cluster coordinators who look these village and on daily basis empower them)….

They were very happy that someone first time in their village came and stayed with them….and were quite open to share not only the pain but happiness also..I think I am good establishing and understanding human relations with more affection and love…I also feel not only Sehariya but in the entire tribal belt any where in India , most important is not the schemes and plans for tribes..importnat is being with them..with love and care…..probably more than schemes..they need love…as they have been neglected from the society from many years and the pian indepth would in their heart! Probably government could think on this aspect also. That how with love even issues of naxals could be addressed!

Yes in last 6 months with CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA initiatives we are able to bound them together with two SHGs ( not for saving and credit merely, but to take collective actions) one farmer club ( although they have very small patch of land , but could increase productivity through organic cultivation)…..25 families received the benefits of Mukhya mantri Awas Yojana ( construction is on…)..only hand pump ( one and only one source of water in village) with gram sabha prastav has been repaired ….but still many aspects to work on with Sehariya community….food security in relation with the livelihood is one of the major aspect ( although malnutrition cases are less)..survival with basis facilities of sanitation, water is another core concern….but its not that everything should be on charity basis important is how Sehariya community owns this development, then only it will be sustainable!

About Sehariya tribes:Saharia, Sahar, Sehariya, or Sahariya is an indigenous Munda-speaking tribe in the Madhya Pradesh province of India. he etymology of " Saharia " is uncertain but many possibilities exist. Some believe that the tribe's name means "companion of the tiger", where SA means companion, and HARIA means tiger. The most common view is that the present designation of tribe name is said to given by some Muslim rulers (probably by Ruler of Shahbad) who found them residing in the jungle: the Arabic word 'sahara' means 'desert' or 'wilderness'.

The history of the Saharia tribe is dotted and in many places, completely lost. The older generations of known Saharia tribespeople fail to give any account of their history, and written records of ancestry are virtually nonexistent. Although traditionally they trace back their beginnings to the days of the Ramayana and even beyond. They trace their origin from Shabri of the Ramayan. Another theory suggests that 'Brahma, the creator was busy casting the Universe. He made out a place to seat all persons. In the centre of the place he placed one Sahariya who was a Simpleton. As others came, they also began to sit and gradually pushed the Sahariya to the further end of the square. By the time all had come, the Sahariya was pushed to an extreme corner or khoont...' The story goes on to say that an annoyed Brahma chided the Sahariya for his inability to cope with the pressure and decreed that he would henceforth live in forests and such other out of the way places. Others claim descent from Baiju Bheel, a worshiper of the Hindu god Shiva.

With my two day with them I experienced important is love for marginaloised..lets give them a Payar ki Jhapi…before any development initiative!

You can see field and status of Sehariya and caritas India experience at http://www.facebook.com/jeevika.caritas/photos?collection_token=100004018438588%3A2305272732%3A6

Regards Vinod with Sehariya’

The first time voice of voice less echoed @JEEVIKA Ujjain

Utesara is a village which come under the Caritas India JEEVIKA project. As the project implementation is progressing in the village the support of community, Sarpanch and Secretary is getting better. Utesara village is situated around 25 kms away from the district quarter. Utesara itself is a Panchyat. Mrs. Vasanta Bai Rajoria was elected us the sarpanch in the last panchayat election. Interaction of coordinator and assistant coordinator with Sarpanch and the panchayat secretary (Mr. Atmaram) made it very clear that they never called any proper Gram Sabha. The same way People were also least bothered Gram Sabha and its importance for the development of the village. Sarpanch did not know much about Gram Sabha and its procedures. They never had any Gram Sabha with common people but on paper everything was shown.

Process:The Jeevika project team gave awareness to the villagers on Gram Sabha and its functioning for the development of the villages. When the team taught villagers about the Garm Sabha that time people were ready to participate in the Garm Sabha. Later inter actions helped us to know that the effort of the team through classes are not going to bring much changes in the mentality of the people. So team made meeting with small groups and concentised the people and made regular follow up. Interaction with Sarpanch and village secretary also continued. So as a result panchayat called Gram Sabha on 19th April 2013. Unfortunately very few people participated in the Garm Sabha. So Gram Sabha was cancelled and decided that Gram Sabha will be held on 29th April 2013. The same day decision was exhibited in the notice board of the village panchayt informing about the forth coming Gram Sabha. it was the first time information was exhibited in a notice board.

By JEEVIKA Kripa Ujjain Team

A must watch film on NREGA by JEEVIKA project team member-Nagendera!

We have started JEEVIKA process in June 2012 and one of the key aspect was to recruit the best possible Human Resource for projects like JEEVIKA, which in turn not only supports JEEVIKA but also contributes for professional growth of the concerned partner organisation and today sitting in my house gallery when I watch a documentary film made by one of our JEEVIKA project Coordinator Mr. Nagendera ( GCSS-Gwalior), I really feel proud the JEEVIKA staff and their multiple talent and skills…..and believe they are the best possible staff I have ever met in any of the project!

We request you all PLEASE watch this documentary film on NREGA-How with JEEVIKA we have strengthened NREGA in one of the most deprived region of Madhya Pradesh –Shivpuri. Documentary film on NREGA by JEEVIKA GCSS-Gwalior team: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt9ShXETUJs The film made here is FREE OF COST and indeed a hard effort by Nagendera. It took 4-5 days to complete this film and about 2 days to upload this film on youtube!

THIS FILM COULD BE USED IN OTHER PROJECTS ALSO AS RESOUCE MATERIAL!

Nagendera who has developed this film is 28, unmarried, native of Guna ( Madhya Pradesh), Masters in communications, holds university position in his bachelor’s degree, worked with TISS-Mumbai, lives nearby Project village in shivpuri and operates from Cluster office there in. He loves watching films, spending time with community, writing poems and reading on media and governance.

To meet and interact with Nagendera you may write to him at "Jeevika Gcss" jeevikagcssgwl@gmail.com

Some knowledge about short film Work under MGNREGA ( by Mr. Nagendera)

Subject of film: This film is based on how community people get work under MGNREGA at Khorghar Panchayat (Dhakrola Pond).

Summary of film: This film shows how collective efforts of community made a big change, community demanded work and they got it work under MGNREGA with full wages. Work for 62 community people. It’s possible with efforts of Community members, Sarpanch – Mr. Arjun Singh Rawat, Secretary, Panchayat members and of course Balveer Singh (Cluster Coordinator in JEEVIKA-GCSS). In a row of Wednesday’s Jan Samasya Nivaran Divas (It is an initiative started after a proposal in 1st Gram Sabha of this year for hearing and solution of problems of villagers) at Khorghar Panchayat Hall.Where community members orally put their proposal for work under MNREGA in their village. After discussion Sarpanch decided that villagers who really want to work should work on Dhakrona pond and they will be paid according to MNREGA schemes.On 21st March 2013 Sarpanch reached at village at 8:30 am in morning and grouped community people to work on pond. People seen very happy and enthusiastic, nobody took time and 70 people left villages with Tractor-Trolley and by walk around 9 am with their lunch. Sarpanch explain them about work and 62 community people from youth to elder male-female started working there. Some of them are digging mud with sharp hoes and others are busy in collecting mud with help of mattocks in shiny pans. Arjun Singh is closely watching and encouraging them for work. Some youths have seen playing songs on their mobiles for time pass, some community people passing light jokes on each others. It created a happy environment there. At afternoon the Sun was on its peak and trying to slowdown them with straight heat but they have shown thumb at nose to Sun with their unstoppable hard work. Mr. Balveer Singh found busy with writing their names.

How I made film: When I came to know about this work I thought why not I shoot this subject. So I went with a camcorder at Dhakrola pond and started shooting there. After shoot I found usable footage and decided to edit videos. With my past experiences I edited film just a day before going to Indore (IDSSS) for review meet. Now searching more interesting subjects which shows all how JEEVIKA changing life of community.

For more and daily updates on CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE feel happy log on to www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com

Jaydeep! JEEVIKA project staff passionate for bringing change!

He is Jaydeep, a masters in Social work from Indore school of Social Work, works as Project Coordinator in CARITAS JEEVIKA development initiative (project) at IDSSS-Indore. Expert in livelihood planning He beleive in bring change in community by adopting change at his level. With JEEVIKA he is associated from last 8 months and works for a sustainable change in 14 tribal villages of Dhar-Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. He has spent his life in cities, but at present his passion for bringing out change made him to stay in village and operates JEEVIKA initiatve through a cluster office near by project villages. He loves wearing formal attire, but do not hesitate to sit on ground and walk on foot for kilometers.....he believe JEEVIKA has changed his profile and now he is a change agent to bring change in communities livelihood!

Work-plan of Caritas India Project officer for JEEVIKA field ( June 2013)

5th-8th June 2013: GCSS-Gwalior and visit to 5 project villages of JEEVIKA Shivpuri , night stay in village, meeting with NABARD, KVK and district collector and workshop with Project team on Result –expenditure-progress of Madhya Pradesh

12th-14th June 2013: ANWC-Bhopal and visit to 3 project villages at Shehore, night stay in village, meeting with NABARD, KVK and other concerned govt officials and workshop with team on Result –expenditure-progress of Madhya Pradesh

17th-19th June 2013: KDSSS-Khandwa and visit to 3 project villages at Khanlwa block, night stay in village, meeting with NABARD, KVK and other concerned govt officials and workshop with team on Result –expenditure-progress of Madhya Pradesh

By Caritas India Project officer

Collaborating with State Rural Development Department to build up capacity of community on accessing MGNREGA@JEEVIKA Umariya

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an Indian job guarantee scheme, enacted by legislation on 25 August 2005. The scheme provides a legal guarantee for at least one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage of 120 (US$2.20) per day in 2009 prices. If they fail to do so the govt. has to pay the salary at their homes. The Central government outlay for scheme is 4000 billion (US$73 billion) in FY 2010–11. This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or un-skilled work to people living in rural India, whether or not they are below the poverty line. Around one-third of the stipulated work force is women. The law was initially called the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) but was renamed on 2 October 2009. To strengthen the concept of MGNREGA ( especially in terms of accessing work through written application and timely payment) JEEVIKA Pali team has organized a one day Training program on MGNREGA in support with Rural development Department ( madhya Pradesh) at Barhai village ( Umariya-Pali) where in JEEVIKA project team of , SHGs member ,farmer club member and PRI member have attended it and on the spot applications fililing has been done to demand work.

In the program JEEVIKA-Umariya Project Coordinator Mr. Rjesh and Mr. Gouri Shanker Pal ( MNREGA Manager from JILA PANCHAYAT BALAGHAT ) have oriented community and CBMOs ( Community Based and Managed Organizations). Mr. Gauri has suggested to all participants to develop connectivity with Jan pad Panchayat, Gram Panchayat and other Rural Development agency for improving their information and develop knowledge for the holistic development of our rural area as the growth in better way.

During the training session, Mr.Pal also emphasized on the following points- Gramsabha, Role of Panchayat, Sachive, Gram Sahayak,, Village level Document, Social Audit Process, formation of labor Group, Mate and their responsibility, Linkages between Gram Panchayat and other Line Deportment.. This is the first time JEEVIKA team at Umariya conducted a training programme cum workshop for targeted community in collaboration with rural development department.

By JEEVIKA UMARIYA (JDSSS-Jabalpur) team on 25th/May/ 2013