An Opportunity for Make a Real Difference to the Lives of People you will never Know

Imagine, if you will, what it must be like to live and grow up as a young girl or boy in rural India ?

In the UK and other western worlds, there is so much we take for granted :-

* The freedom to choose our partner for marriage

* The expectation of a wonderful education from the age of 3 right through to adulthood in well resourced schools

* The ability to decide when and how to start a family

* Access to support for sexual health and birth control

* The opportunity to take control of our own lives through education, opportunity, training, parental support, and further education.

* Supermarkets that supply year round food . This area has just been hit by a freak locust swarm so much of their staple diet will have been lost

India is seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, one of the fastest growing world-class economies and the most populous democracy in the world.

My Project

In February 2020, I shall be privileged to visit an area on the River Narmada in the state of Gujarat, India’s most western state. Gujarat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi whose philosophy of non violent resistance continues to be relevant today inspiring the actions of bodies such as Extinction Rebellion, and the civil rights movements of South Africa and the USA.

It is a less well fact that Gandhi inspired many rural communities in India to work together, irrespective of belief or caste, for their common good. It was also a principle to discourage rural depopulation, promote vibrant rural communities, and encourage self-help rather than to rely on State intervention.

Sarvangin Gramvikas Mandal

Sarvangin Gramvikas Mandal (literal translation – “an organization for all round development of villages”) has been active for 40+ years in the state of Gujarat, India. The trustees apply the principles of Vinoba Bhave, a close friend of Gandhi, whose work transformed many Indian villages in the 60s and 70s.

The Trust seeks to promote community self help in 5 distinct areas :-

Alternative  Education for Young People

On an average, approx. 1000+ 6 to 10 year old students per annum benefit from this programme. Known as “Gunjatu Ghar” (literal meaning – “Singing Home”), children are taught confidence by way of acting, singing, speaking, poem reciting with acting, painting, drawing and making things from waste, etc. Dramas helps those who cannot yet read to remember things , while acting makes them confident and teaches communication skills.

Issues of Young Girls

Young girls in villages tend to elope with boys, returning after realising the gravity of their mistakes. The trust tries to build a bridge with them. Regular meetings are done with help of outside specialists to guide them towards self help & informed decision making.

Issues of women

Strange and outdated beliefs prevail in most villages – inherited from generations. Orthodox traditions coupled with caste based emotional blackmail ensures that they cannot break free. They are also not organised to resist outdated beliefs. Lack of education ensures that they don’t understand their ignorance. The trust tries to bring them into mainstream by providing a platform for discussion. Gynaecologist s are regularly brought from cities to help them become aware about issues related to their age. They are also taught social skills based on Gandhian principles. The trust tries to bring them out of their age old orthodox beliefs & traditions.

Providing small equipment to farmers

Farmers in villages have really small areas land to farm. Even this land is further being divided into smaller lots as land is passed to younger generations. They cannnot afford large and costly equipment. The trust tries to give them small equipment which help make their farming more productive.

Other Social Issues

These relate to hygiene, cleanliness, waste management, and practices which lead to a better life in villages.

Will You Help Me Make A Difference ?

So often, we look at the enormity of the worlds social injustice and in-equalities, and feel we are helpless to make a difference.

Once in a while, as individuals, we do have a chance to do something to dispel that feeling.

My opportunity comes next February when a personal friend ( herself a women who has risen by education, self-determination and opportunity to become a successful business leader and photographer) will show me the work of this impressive voluntary organisation.

* A donation of £10 to £20 will help fund school books for education of a child for an entire year.

* A donation of £50 will help improve the environmental and sanitory quality of these communities which regularly face epidemics due to poor water quality, sanitation, or waste disposal methods. It can also help buy education resources, bringing new hope and skills to young children, so that they start to make their own way in the world as part of India’s rapidly growing new economy.

* A donation of £100 will help either :-

+ Buy agricultural tools so that family farmers can become self-sufficient through their own labours.

+ Help train a lady in Gunjatu Ghar ( see above - Alternative Education).

+ Help eradicate orthodox beliefs through regular seminars and group discussions.

+ Help fund a doctor visit (ENT/Dentist/Eye Specialists/Gynecologist etc) to a village for a day which will in turn benefit 50+ patients per visit.

A donation of £500 will help either :-

+ Pay for sexual education, sexual health and birth control initiatives for young ladies in the age group of 18 to 25. This will empower either : them to be able to make individual choices for their own lives.

+ Help create a sustainable mechanism for organic fertilizer making in a village.

A Realistic Target

I have deliberately set this appeal at a realistic level, and will personally ensure that your kindness and generosity is delivered in an effective and accountable manner.

Nothing will give me more pleasure than to exceed my target in which case you will, with me, help deliver so much to a community which has so little, and yet deserves so a lot..

Remember the well known expression - it says say much :-

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks go to the following for the resources to produce this appeal :-

Sonali Dalal - all images except the last. All are Copyright Sonali Dalal. The last is copyright Mr Majumdar.

Mr Shilpeen Majumdar : Trustee : Sarvangin Gramvikas Mandal