Annual Report - srujanavani.org · kabaddi, kho-kho and ... villages, getting the ground level information and zeroing down the beneficiaries ... immediate Relief measures .

Srujanavani Voluntary Association

(Organization with a human face)

Regd.no 1980/2005 Estd: 26th Sep 1996

Annual Report

(April 2009 – March 2010)

The Genesis…

Srujanavani is a non-profit organization working in the fields of Child education, integrated rural and urban

community development projects, calamity relief, and medical support to remote rural and tribal areas, supporting the

old and the challenged, etc. We believe that a change we want to see in the society starts from us and hence our primary

focus is molding socially responsible citizens. This change in every member percolates to the society as service to fellow

humans. It was officially founded on September 26th 1996 as Cops India and over time the name has been changed to

Srujanavani. Today, Srujanavani is a registered non-profit organization and all the donations to Srujanavani are tax

exempt under section 80G.

Our Mission

"Srujanavani engages itself in the creation of a progressive, responsive, representative and

invincible Indian state, through the creation of a dynamic, agile and egalitarian

society through the nurturing of people of uniform status, intellect, conduct and values"

Our Philosophy

We believe that every change we want to see has to start from us; so, we, the agents of change, are to be the change. With this simple

yet powerful philosophy being our basis, our primary focus is man-making. In this process, every Srujanavanian is mentored through

our weekly sessions, on-field service activities, social interaction and one-on-one mentoring programs. These members, the products

of this man-making process, have now become the solutions to many social issues, and started addressing them with flair and

flamboyance. The change you would notice is improved education in remote rural areas, improved health and hygiene in those

villages and awareness in the urban youth whose power if streamlined is a huge asset to the nation. Further, we are moving towards

novelty in primary and secondary education through our members’ initiatives on hands on learning. Brick-by-brick, a fort of positive

change is being built.

Executive Body

President

Sri A .V. Chandra Sekhar, Ph: 09348647942 (Vizag)

Organizing secretary

Sri Y.V. Tarak, Ph: 09346908717 (Vizag)

Chief Advisor

Sri R. Ravi Kumar, Ph: 09393212000 (Vizag)

Fund Managing

Sri B. Sreekanth, Ph: 09396879510 (Vizag)

Contact Details

Email :

[email protected]

Phone :

Head Office: 0891-2010506 (Vizag)

Mr. Tarak :93469 08717 (Vizag)

Mr. Malliswar:9394669939 (Hyd)

Address :

Srujanavani Voluntary Association Plot No. C-215 SVLN Colonoy Vepagunta (P.O.) Visakhapatnam Pin-530049,Andhra Pradesh, India

ABOUT THIS ANNUAL REPORT

Contents in a Nutshell [ Yuva Kiran Project – our

initiative to provide the rural youth with a soft skill set that will help them lead better life,

not just to find better employment or be self-employed.

Free Medical Camps – our effort

towards decreasing mortality rate in the remotest of villages by

distributing preventive medicine and giving timely medical help.

Calamity relief – our response to

the devastating floods of 2009 that includes emergency

response and rehabilitation has been phenomenal. Our unique rehabilitation programs have received special appreciation.

Accident response – our

members abstained from celebrating a festival to lend

support to fire accident victims at Aarilova Colony.

Smart Kidz Challenge – a one of a kind competition encouraging

creativity and extra- curricular activities has been organized by

Srujanavani for students of 6th to 9th standard.

Youth Awareness programs – our bit to young students that

resonates with the man-making philosophy on which Srujanavani

is built]

[THIS ANNUAL REPORT IS OUR

ATTEMPT TO INFORM OUR

BENEFICIARIES, SPONSORS,

DONORS, WELL-WISHERS AND

FRIENDS ABOUT THE PAST YEAR’S

ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED UNDER

THE BANNER OF SRUJANAVANI.

HOPE YOU WOULD LOVE READING

THIS, AND PLEASE DO NOT

FORGET TO DROP IN YOUR

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS THAT

WOULD HELP US KEEP YOU BETTER

INFORMED ABOUT OUR

ACTIVITIES]

Integrated Rural Development

Programme (IRDP)

Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) is an

ambitious program taken up by Srujanavani. The first project

was launched in the tribal areas of Madugula Mandal of

Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh. We started with two schools (alternatives schools for the children of seven

villages). We organize youth awareness programs in these areas, offer basic computer education to the youth,

organize continual medical camps and distribute solar home lights among others.

Yuva Kiran - Free Computer Education programme in Madugula mandalam Jan – Feb’10

Yuva Kiran Project is an IRDP initiative, organized in Madugula BC and SC Hostels. We have appointed a part-time volunteer Mr Murali Krishna, who is a B.Sc B.Ed qualified teacher. He works with hostels during the week days. During the weekends, Srujanavani members visit the hostels and conduct regular sessions on developing leadership skills, personality and communication development programs and introducing the students to new technologies.

Under this program we have interacted with the students from the BC hostel and started off teaching them computer fundamentals with the help of personal computers donated by SALPG. We also teach them yoga, conduct quiz competitions, team building activities, short stories and few other hands on activities.

Students of both the hostels are sharp, active and quick in receiving our inputs. With our simple yet effective program structure, we are trying to provide a kind of alternative learning approach to create interest in them towards the learning process. To rekindle their enthusiasm towards learning, we are in the process of preparing modules for the coming academic year.

Computer Training Program for Village Youth is launched to impart basic computer knowledge. It involves training the attendees with the basics of using a computer, and teaching them document processing software like MS Excel and MS Word. As an extension, they are trained in desktop publishing (DTP) works which we understand is very important for them to secure good employment and in some cases self-employment. The Program is implemented at Sankaram Panchayat of Madugula Mandal which has quite a good number of educated youth who are unemployed. In our survey, we have identified that the lack of awareness and poor soft skills like decent communication and basic computer knowledge are deterrents. Our program is aimed at creating computer awareness and improving their skill level so that they can find employment opportunity in DTP works. The program is carried out in collaboration with SALPG Company Pvt.

Ltd. SALPG has been very generous to provide 10 computers for this program.

Students of the Hostel in computer training session

Republic Day Celebrations at BC Hostel, MUDUGULA (JAN’10)

We celebrated this republic day at the BC hostel,

MADUGULA on 26 Jan ‟10 evening at 4 pm. Srujanavani

organized various games like kabaddi, kho-kho and

running. We have also organized drawing and essay

writing competitions in the hostel in the gracious presence

of the event Chief Guest, Sri. Suryanarayana, assistant BC

welfare officer.

The chief guest addressed the students after the

competition and inspired them to work hard in education

by sharing his own experiences. The students thoroughly

enjoyed the event and the speech, as was seen in their

voluntary participation to speak after the chief guest.

Flag hosting done by Sri. Suryanarayana, Assistant BC

welfare officer, Madugula on the eve of Republic Day

celebrations at BC Hostel Madugula

Free Medical Camp (JULY ’09)

During the monsoon season, rains bring with

them various seasonal diseases like malaria, dengue

and other such viral fevers. This is more prevalent in

rural Andhra Pradesh and sadly some of these villages

do not get timely medical help. If not attended to in

time, these can lead to an endemic and the villages

might have to suffer very badly. In order to address

this, Srujanavani organized a medical camp on 27 July

2009 in Rayapalem village of Madugula Mandal,

Visakhapatnam, A.P.

Patients from five different villages under the

Sankaram Panchayath, namely Rayapalem, Goppuru,

Thadivalasa, Bandhaveedhi, and Thotamamidi have

benefited from this activity. Through this activity, we

have extended aid to around 120 patients suffering

from different health ailments like malaria, dengue

and other viral fevers, malnutrition, eye infection, ear

infections and skin diseases.

Villagers undergoing checkup at medical camp in ravapalem

Calamity Relief and Rehabilitation Activities

Srujanavani has always been very responsive towards natural calamities with our meticulous relief and

rehabilitation activities. We have proved our metal by reaching the deepest corners, left unattended by anyone and

extending the support to the victims to meet their immediate and long term needs.

Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Program(OCT-NOV’09)

It was unfortunate that last year floods, as we all

know, left many people of southern Andhra Pradesh in a

hapless state. Many lost their lives and the life of the living

is adversely affected. Not only were their daily routine and

their personal health affected, but they had also to incur

huge losses of property and crop and for many that means

their livelihood is lost.

Srujanavani initiated the flood relief activity which can be

classified into two phases. The first phase involved providing

the affected with basic amenities and prevent the

occurrence of an endemic due to poor sanitary conditions.

The second phase included rehabilitation of all those who

have returned back from relief camps.

Pic. 1&2. Reaching the far corners – Srujanavani volunteers on their way to the flood hit villages of Krishna-bay village

Pic. 3 & 4. Every penny of donation is valuable - Survey team on their job in the devastated villages, getting the ground level information and zeroing down the beneficiaries

First Phase - Flood Relief Summary

Date: 7th

– 11th

, October 2009

Location: K Kothapalem, Mopidevi Mandal, Krishna District, A.P

Activities:

1. Distribution of Homeo medicine for around 500 people

2. Distribution of life supporting kits (contains essentials to survive in devastated environment) for 350 families

3. Creating awareness on water borne diseases in flood areas, health care tips etc.

A scene inside a flood affected house, everything was washed away and whatever left was unusable.

First Phase - Flood Relief Activities

7th - 11th Oct’09

The first phase involved providing the affected with

basic amenities that would help them survive the spate and

prevent the occurrence of an endemic due to poor sanitary

conditions.

On 7th October 2009, few members of Srujanavani

reached Vijayawada and started surveying in liaison with

various NGOs about the worst affected areas and visited

places in Nandigama, Mopidevi and Avanigadda Mandal.

After the survey, K.KOTHAPALEM of Mopidevi

Mandalam has been identified as a village needing

immediate Relief measures.

On 10th October 2009, a larger part of Srujanavani

members have reached Vijayawada and bought about 1.5

tons of relief material that is to be distributed on the next

day and taken to the identified village. The next day, 11th

October 2009 which was the official closing of relief camps

by Government, Srujanavani with the help of local residents

of K Kothapalem village, mostly school teachers, have

identified around 350 most needy families.

We have distributed Homeopathic medicine and

catered to the villagers immediate grocery needs by

distributing life support kit consisting of necessary groceries.

More than 500 families have been given preventive homeo

medicine. Further, sanitary items were distributed besides

creating health and hygiene awareness. Pamphlets of Dos

and Don‟ts to help create awareness on hygiene and usage

of medicine were also distributed.

In the mean time surveys are being conducted in

other villages about medical needs. It was found that

Peddalanka and Pesarlanka needed preventive medicine.

Accordingly, on 16th October 2009, another team of

Srujanavani members reached out to these villages, where

they have distributed medicines to nearly 1200 families with

proper instruction for usage.

Sri.A V Chandra Sekhar, President - Srujanavani, surveying

the flood hit fields, assessing the extent of damage.

Srujanavani volunteer explaining the villagers in K

Kothapalem about the usage of homeopathy medicine.

Srujanavani Team distributing the basic survival kit, that contains items like Edible oil, Tamarind, turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt, eatable rice (atukulu) and the sanitary items like toilet soap, detergent soap and the prime need Mosquito coils

It is rather surprising that there is not a lot of attention

paid to rehabilitation, which, we believe, is very important.

For example, many return home from temporary relief

camps, only to see that they have lost their homes, their

cattle and for many their livelihood. More importantly,

schools are not going to be the same for the students; most

would have lost their books and other school supplies. While

it is very easy to say, „all is done‟ after immediate help, we

have taken a path less traveled. We implemented a second

phase of relief activity focusing completely on rehabilitation.

Second Phase - Flood Rehabilitation Summary

Date: 10th – 11th, November 2009

Location: Kottabommavaripalem village and Hanumanpalem village, Kollipara Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

Activities: 1. Distribution of seeds to about 200 farmers of Kottabommavaripalem village and Hanumanpalem village.

2. Distribution of School Kits to more than 530 students from 10 different schools across 5 villages.

Second Phase - Flood Rehabilitation Activities

Nov’09

Seeds Distribution to the farmers

After an extensive survey spanning 10 villages during a 3 day survey period, we have identified that there is an urgent

requirement of seeds and other farm needs as most of the crops and fields have been completely devastated by floods; more so,

in Kollipara mandal of Guntur district. This, the seed distribution program, constitutes one of the major areas we have

concentrated during the second phase of our relief activity. While rehabilitating the farmer, this would also help prevent any

possible food grain shortage in the state.

Helping Hand : iCARE – CSR platform for

iSOFT

When approached by a sympathizer of

Srujanavani to support flood rehabilitation

activity, iSOFT responded very positively and

summoned the Srujanavani relief team for an

activity proposal. Our members explained the

tentative program and the need for the

proposed activities. Impressed by the extent of

impact this activity would have, iSOFT has

agreed to contribute to the cause in the best

possible manner. And later iSOFT took it on high

priority to mobilize the funds to support the

rehabilitation activities. It‟s the generosity of

each and every employee of iSOFT, we could

get the much needed funding i.e, an amount of

Rs.1,23,004/- at the right time that enabled us to

progress further in carrying out the activity.

School Kits Distribution

Activity at Arilova colony (Fire Accident), Vizag

MAR’10

It was March 14th, Ugadi – New Year‟s day according to Telugu

Calendar and the start of spring. On this day, newspapers have

reported the news of Fire accident at Aarilova colony (Totagaruvu

konda, Visakhapatnam district) where 83 families lost their homes and

their belongings, all burnt to ashes. Many read the news; some would

have shrugged it off and some would have felt sorry. But, only a few

responded. They stopped their festivities on this auspicious day and

said to themselves that there isn‟t anything more auspicious than

lending a helping hand to these unfortunate brethren. Our members

rushed to console these unfortunate ones and they assessed the

damage and the extent of help needed so that a relief activity can be

planned. On the 18th of March 2010, we distributed utensils to all the

families affected and helped them rehabilitate from this devastating

accident.

No person has gone untouched by the devastating effect of these floods. It has been identified that many children have

lost their education material and we felt it is very important to distribute school kits so that basic education is not badly

affected. Among the surveyed villages, it has been identified that Avanigadda, Bobbarlanka and Mopidevi Mandals in Krishna

District have been the most affected and the kids of these villages are in immediate need of school supplies.

Helping Hand: SALPG

South Asia LPG Company Pvt Ltd (SALPG), Visakhapatnam, who have been with us for supporting various charity activities over the past two years, especially in rural development and educational initiatives, came forward to support the rehabilitation activities. Srujanavani has explained the tentative program and the nature of the activities proposed to be conducted. SALPG has readily agreed to contribute to the cause They have donated Rs. 1,20,602/- which were duly spent on he school supplies for the kids of the aforementioned villages

Saparaya is a Srujanavani initiative to meet the emotional

and physical needs of the elderly and the aged, who cannot be

self reliant and are in need of a place to live in their later stages of

life. With the recent joining of a new inmate, Saparya is now

home for 5 elderly women aged between 50-70 years. We take

care of their medical requirements by taking them to regular

medical checkups and also meet their emotional needs by

interacting with them on a personal front.

At Vasudha love begins by taking care of the closest ones, the ones at home. It

qualifies as a family where it renders the care of mother, support of a father and the

naughty scuffles between brothers. Right now Vasudha houses 5 children with mother

and father. The children are showing a significant improvement both in their physical

conditions and also in their academics. It is worth mentioning that the relation between

the children and the mother is getting more and more natural with time. The children

are sincerely in pursuit of their education and our members are providing them the

necessary counseling. Apart from the academics the children shows keen interest in

learning classical music, painting, playing chess, acting and reciting Vedas. We take the

children to regular health checkups and closely monitor their health requirements.

VASUDHA- None is an Orphan at Home

SAPARYA- Home for the aged

Educational Initiatives

Vidyanidhi Scholarships

Youth Awareness Programmes

Vidyanidhi is a fund created to support the financial

requirements of economically poor children towards

completing education. We identify the needy children

support them financially. In addition, we assign mentors to

keep in touch with the scholarship awardees so that they

receive expert guidance in addition to money, which is

proving to be very effective. The mentor guides the student

through different phases of his/her education and makes it

easy for the child to achieve his/her academic ambitions. We

are fortunate that we have been receiving funds for these

scholarships from many philanthropists. A special mention

and many thanks to the RAVA group for being our biggest

sponsor for this activity. The main objectives of the activity

are:

I. To support financially backward students in pursuing

education by extending monetary support primarily

and by material support at times.

II. To support and meet the expenses of Vasudha (Children

Home)

III. To create a reserve which will help in meeting the

education, medical and emergency expenses of children

at children home.

Presently 10 students are being benefitted through this

scholarship program.

Student Name Education This Year Released

This Year

Till date

Vasudha

Children(4 in

no)

Upper Primary 1,50,000 50,000 Every Year

B Naresh Diploma II year 23,000 6,000 One More year

M Ramana Degree II year 23,000 7,000 One More Year

B Ravi Kumar B Tech III Year 18,000 6,000 One More Year

B Karthik Inter I year 6,000 4,500 One More Year

D Ganesh Diploma III Year 6,500 3,000 This is Last year

Shanthi Degree I year 10,000 2,000 Two More Years

Total 2,36,500 78,500

This is a Srujanavani initiative evolved with a motive to channelize the randomly oriented youth towards a path of building indomitable nation, strong on values and ethics. The programs are organized at various professional degree colleges. They are designed so that students are given an insight into the challenges that await them as they finish their courses and further inform them about the importance of being a responsible citizen. The sessions are planned to be interactive so that a chance is given for the students to speak up.

At Gayathri Vidya Parishad College (July’09)

As part of it, the first program was conducted last year at Gayathri Vidya Parishad (GVP) on 22/07/09, with the support of the faculty from Chemical Department. Our team delivered a presentation in the college auditorium in presence of more than 150 students. The presentation is a type of interactive session, so that student could come up with their thoughts, ideas, questions or suggestions. This program received a very good response from them. It is very pleasing to see that the students are receptive to constructive and benevolent ideas and thoughts from our presentation.

At Andhra University (Aug’09)

The program was conducted at Andhra University (AU) on 21/08/09 with support from Smt. Indira, Assistant Principal of AU College of Engineering. More than 70 students from the college participated in this program. A presentation sharing an insight into the character building and self-evaluation was shared with the students. During these interactive sessions many points were discussed and shared mutually.

Smart Kidz Challenge is an initiative designed to kindle creative thinking in children and to create a platform to exhibit their talents, share their ideas and exchange their views via interaction with peers from different schools of the city. The event was conducted for the students of 6th to 9th class on March 7, 2010. About 600 students from over 70 schools in the city participated in the event.

The event was divided into two sessions - first session had drawing and painting competitions and the second session was the Smart Kidz Challenge.

Chief guest for the first session was Sri Ravi Shankar Patnaik, Head of the Department, Dept of fine arts, Andhra University and guest of honor was Sri Uday Shankar, Head of the Department, Physics and Computers Dept, BVK College. Nearly 350 entries for the drawing competition were pre-screened by our jury on the spot and a final selection from the best was done by our chief guest.

During the second session i.e., for the Smart Kidz Challenge, nearly 80 teams of three students each participated. A written test followed by a visual round and a rapid fire round decided the winners for the event.

We thank our sponsors, Welfare Group, AIM (Animation Training Institute), Britannia biscuits, Pidilite, Techno Soft Solutions and our Media Partners Radio Mirchi, Hindu, Saakshi, Eenadu and Andhrajyothi for helping us in making this event a success.

Smart Kidz Challenge

Mar’10

Visit to Ashray Akruthi

Feb’10

About Ashray Akruti :

Ashray Akruti is a registered nonprofit organization

working for hearing impaired children and for children from

underprivileged backgrounds. It was started in 1996 in

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Ashray Akruti runs a school

with a residential facility for hearing impaired children. Since

their inception in 1996, more than 75 hearing-impaired

children have been integrated into mainstream schools and

colleges. Srujanavani members spent time with these special

children teaching Origami (paper crafts) and entertaining

them.

Plantation on Environment Day (June’09)

Srujanavani organized and participated in the plantation program on the World Environment Day, 5th Jun 2009 at three different places, Gajuwaka Police station, Port Hospital and Oxford Talent School in Vepagunta. We had formed three separate teams for executing the activity at three different places simultaneously. About 60 participants including both members and non-members actively participated in the activity.

There was a very good response from people towards this program. Radio Mirchi acted as our media partner by telecasting our show and radio campaigning to create environmental awareness reaching several thousands in the city.

Environmental Initiatives

Plant SAP Analysis Kit – Project Office Opening

Nov’10

Yet another milestone to add to our list of achievements is the opening of our PSA (Plant Sap Analysis) office/Lab at Simhapuri colony Vepagunta. Plant sap analysis kit project is being developed and operated by Mr D.Kondal Rao under the guidance of Dr K. Ramesh. Mr Raghavulu (CGM, NABARD) inaugurated the Project office. He was accompanied by Mr.Uday Bhaskar (Regional AGM, NABARD). Jyothi prajwalana (lighting of lamp) was done by Mr Raghavulu followed by Srujanavani‟s President Mr AV Chandrasekhar and other prominent attendees.

Mr Ram Mohan, Director of Horticulture participated in

the lab opening ceremony and discussed various issues connected to analysis. Mr Vishwam (Vikas), Mr Murali Mohan (V.P, GITAM) and many other professionals from bio-technology and horticulture participated in the event.

The kit contains all the hardware, test tubes, funnels, knife, reagent bottles, filter papers etc., that are required for farmer to carry over the test in his field.

We demonstrated this Kit to Prof. Anil K Guptha, Executive President of National Innovation Foundation and Brigadier Ganesham and Shri Durga Prasad of NIF, Andhra Pradesh. Presently, the project is under documentation and we are planning for the next stage of project, i.e., training and awareness programs in villages.

More Activities

Children’s day Celebrations – (Nov’09)

There are two schools selected on pilot basis for our SRUJANA project (Participation with Govt schools). They are Appanapalem elementary school and the Vepagunta ZPH School. As to initiate the project, we have conducted some competitions in those schools on the occasion of Children‟s Day.

Competitions conducted:

1. Quiz and Essay writing at ZPH School. (The topic for essay is “The hurdles faced by India in becoming a developed nation”)

2. Drawing and debate in the Elementary school. The papers on the essay have revealed the trends in the thinking of tender minds and their understanding of our society.

A very interesting, but alarming trend is that many of the students believe that corruption is a huge problem in the country. Further, they think that they might not be able to find employment after they grow up.

Winter cloth distribution (NOV’09) Srujanavani distributed 1500 pairs of cloths (which include clothes for gents, ladies and children) in the following areas:

S.No Area

1 Simhachalam to GopalaPatnam

2 GopalaPatnam to Pendurthi

3 GopalaPatnam to NAD

4 NAD to Gajuwaka

5 NAD to Convent

6 Convent to RTC Complex

7 RTC Complex to P.O.

8 RTC Complex to Beach Road

9 RTC Complex to Akkayyapalem

Athithi Devo Bhava

Visitors to Srujanavani

Session on Documentation with Anna

(July’09)

Ms. Anna Remillard, a post graduate student in Human Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania visited our organization and spent time with us in sharing her experiences and helped us with organization and document preparation during her free time. She was here in Visakhapatnam as part of her curriculum to learn Telugu, sponsored by her University. Impressed by the way we work voluntarily for our organization, Ms. Remillard decided to help us improve our document writing and oral presentation skills.

She reminded us of a few thumb rules to remember during document preparation. She had mainly emphasized on the grammar part of the report - tense usage, parallel sentences and grouped sentences. She had particularly advocated not using flowery language in reports

Meeting with Sri. Sarvodaya Prasad, National Coordinator and South India General Secretary of SARVODAYA

(July’09)

On Aug 30th, our members had a wonderful opportunity to interact with an eminent personality Dr. Sarvodaya Prasad gaaru, National Coordinator and South India General Secretary of Sarvodaya. Sarvodaya is a Gandhian organization which is striving for better education and organizes workshops on Gandhian philosophy.

He shared his views and enriching experiences, along with questioning our members about their lifestyles and valuable suggestions to our senior members. He also shared his plans of starting a political party with the same SARVODAYA along with few important points in manifesto.

Finance Management Training

(Oct, 2009)

As an every growing and evolving organization we felt that there is a need to equip ourselves with better book keeping practices. BalaVikasa in Warangal is meeting this need of ours with their workshop on financial management for NGOs, in the month of October 2009. Our members, Sri. D Durga Kumar and Sri T Narsinga Rao have been chosen to attend this workshop which they found very useful. The lecturer for this workshop, Sri. Shanmuganathan, has come from the Institute of Finance Management, Bangalore. The workshop was held on he 30th and 31st of October.

Topics Dealt:

Expectations Sharing

Functions of Finance Management Financial planning

Mobilization & Utilization of funds Accounting & FABS

Finance Monitoring & Reviewing FCRA

IT Exemption for NGOs

Visit to Deendayal Research Institute, Chitrakoot.

(Feb’10) As part of our knowledge sharing initiative some of the members of our organization have visited the Deendayal Research Institute, Chitrakoot, U.P. DRI is an institution founded by Sri. Nanaji Deshmukh , a great philanthropist, visionary and a social reformer, who worked all his life for the development of rural institutions in India. DRI took-up research towards uplifting and making rural areas self-reliant. It had established 5 village shed in 1972.

DRI incorporated modern management methods into its working area to establish definable and measurable out puts for each of its parameters. They have established some bench marks in all parameters to make a village self reliant. They have chosen villages which were all below these bench marks and served relentlessly to meet the bench marks in all fronts (finance, education, agriculture and health and hygiene)

DRI had designed pioneering concept, widely known as the SAMAJA SILPI DAMPATHI, which translates as social architect couple. DRI recruits couples with a sense of commitment towards community service. These selected couples live in a selected village for 5 years. They would work in a cluster of 5 villages. After orientation and training camp, the couple live in a village with a family or in a primary school. Initially, concentration will be on children activities like teaching shlokas and religious songs. Later, they work to gain the trust of villagers and their open commitment towards the betterment of all in the village.

Visit to Chitrika (Dec’09)

Our member V.Santosh has visited this Organization which is working for artists in Attapur, Hyderabad as part of Srujanavani‟s Integrated Rural development program (IRDP). Chitrika is an artisan support organization working in Andhra Pradesh. The organization was founded to support artisans in marketing, production and institutional aspects. Apart from support to artisans in their current livelihoods, Chitrika will also help them in accessing better livelihood options outside the value-chain. Chitrika‟s focus is to create self-sustaining institutions of the artisans for supporting the marketing and production initiatives. Transferring marketing skills, building market intelligence network and providing access to technology are crucial to translating market knowledge into marketing skills. When such kind of systems are created where the artisans are in direct contact with the dynamic scenarios, a way to sustainable artisan livelihoods will emerge and this sums up Chitrika‟s core philosophy. Chitrika will primarily work in Andhra Pradesh covering five artisan livelihoods by the year 2015. Its key activities are: 1) Collectives Promotion. 2) Linking artisans to vectors – market, technology and finance. 3) Education of producer, user and marketer. 4) Enhancing the current artisan practices through – better technology, environmental friendly processes and producer-controlled interventions. Chitrika will reach out to artisans through direct implementation and through partnering with other artisan NGOs. It will

support and groom professionals at each cluster level either through its own pool of human resources or through partnerships where hand-holding support will be provided to the staff of NGOs. The emphasis will be on developing local professionals. Teams will be developed at the headquarters to provide support in the direct implementation. Chitrika currently works with three cooperatives in Srikakulam and Vishakapatnam Districts. It works with 53 artisan households across the two districts out of which 41 are weaver households and rest are lacquer ware artisans of Etikoppaka.

Interactions with Other Organizations

Visit to Navadarshanam

(July’09 – Aug’09)

Navadarshanam is a small village where people live by utilizing all natural energy resources like Bio-gas, charcoal, solar energy, etc. In particular, they felt the need to explore the possibility of a new kind of science and technology: a science that would recognize the realities of spiritual dimensions, and concomitant technologies that would enhance rather than destroy ecology. Central to this way of thinking is the recognition that there exist forces which are invisible to our physical senses, but are nevertheless the centers of power in shaping our universe and in taking care of its ecological balance.