PREM-E-News-Vol 19 March 2016 19 March 2016.pdf · 4. Bijamrut – for seed and seedling treatment 5. Panchagavya – for resistance against diseases and infections 6. Pot compost

PREM E-News, Volume 19, March 2016

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ICDS team, Kerala visiting NRTC PREM

People’s Rural Education

Movement

E-NEWS March 2016

Volume 19

Mandiapalli, Berhampur 760007 Orissa, India

+91-680-2242266 www.prem.org.in

[email protected]

President’s Message

Dear friends and well wishers,

Greetings from PREM !

We are presenting our E- news for the period of February and March 2016. This short span of time has not created new models as in the past but the ongoing activities of all the projects are going on well. We had visitors from different states like ICDS team from Kerala and also dignitaries from abroad and also from different state to see and understand the MTMLE model which PREM has developed from 2007 onwards.

Odisha Adivasi Manch(OAM) and National Advocacy Council for Development of Indigenous People(NACDIP) are going ahead with their lobby and advocacy with state government and central government for the true implementation of MTMLECE in every Anganwadi centre of tribal areas of India. Our network group are still finding difficulties to convince mainly the WCD department for the implementation of the MTMLECE. It was promised and approved by all the state governments and the central government. PREM also sees that this year the people of the interior pockets especially in tribal areas are finding difficulties to get good drinking water due to the drought situation. If state govt and central govt invest more money to create smart villages instead of smart cities migration from villages to urban areas will be reduced and people will find sustainable livelihood in the villages itself.

We thank each and everyone who contribute for the development of the under privileged people in our state and in our country.

With best regards Sincerely, Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM

Highlight of the Month

Exposure visit to NRTC, PREM A Team of ICDS Department including Program Officer, CDPO, Supervisor, ICDS Worker and the helper from Wayanad District of Kerala visited the Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Early Childhood Education (MTMLECE) National Resource and Training Centre (NRTC) on 29th February 2016 and appreciated PREM’s innovative approach on MTMLECE for the holistic development of tribal

children. They visited the material development cell and were delighted to see the different varieties of


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ICDS team, Kerala visiting Demo centre of PREM

The Kerala team interacting with the English medium students at Ambapua hostel

Field demonstration during the agriculture training

MTMLECE context specific teaching and learning materials.

On 29th evening the team visited the Tribal Hostel, Ambapua, where the transited children of MTMLECE demo centre continue English medium education in central school. The team interacted with the children and were impressed with their performance, participation and confidence level. On 1st March 2016, the ICDS Team including Program Officer, CDPO, Supervisor, ICDS Worker and the helper from Wayanad District of Kerala visited the Demo Centre at B. Nuasahi

and they were very happy on the energetic and vibrant performance and confidence level of young tribal children and teacher in the centre. While interacting with the community members of B. Nuasahi, they were pleased with the enthusiastic involvement and support of the community to run the demo centre for the holistic development of their children. They were inspired by the activities of PREM’s MTMLECE demo centre and they told that this MTMLECE approach definitely would help the tribal children of Wayanad district and that as per the Odisha approach they will prepare the context specific teaching learning materials for the ICDS centres,and they also realised the need for various trainings for the anganwadi workers, supervisors, CDPO, for implementing MTMLECE in their respective ICDS centres. They said that they would write to the WCD department, Kerala for approving to adopt the approach in ICDS centres in tribal areas of Wayanad district of Kerala.

PREM Program Activities

Agriculture training

A ten day training program was organized on Advance Agriculture Techniques for women at Chandragiri Agriculture Training Centre on 15th February 2016. A total of 32 candidates attended the ten day long training program. Mr. U. Krishna Dora, Regional Coordinator, Mr. U. Rajendra Dora, Regional Coordinator, Mr. Balakrushna Badatya, Agriculture Training Coordinator and local CRPs such as Ms. Geetarani Dora, Ms. Minoti Missal and Mr. Pankaj Nayak along with 5 external resource persons conducted the training program. The trainers trained the trainees on different topics of the training program such as Participatory Training Techniques, medicinal

plants, Organic Farm & major benefits such as Good yield and quality crops, safe and environmental balance, increasing the fertile capacity of land; Organic Recycling Process, organic


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Children are displaying their projects in the camp

compost like Vermi-compost, Jeevamrutha compost, Erobi compost; Ecofriendly farming practices, Livestock Farm and Fodder Development – Vaccination, De-worming, Fodder cultivation, Milking etc. The students divided into 5 groups and demonstrated different topics such as: 1. Light trap for insect trapping 2. Mulching for maintaining the soil moisture 3. Jivamrut solution – for organic compost 4. Bijamrut – for seed and seedling treatment 5. Panchagavya – for resistance against diseases and infections 6. Pot compost – compost for rice and vegetable cultivation, pest control 7. Fish Amino Acid – a hormone for better flowering, retention, propagation and yielding 8. Amrut Pani – solution that helps paddy for extracting nitrogen 9. Zinger & garlic solution – pest control 10. vermin-wash – organic compost 11. Paper bags – eco friendly carry bags which help reducing polythene usage The trainees were taken to Panchamba nursery, Floriculture garden at Jirang, model goat shed, tail to tail model cow shed on 21st and Akkili Integrated Farming on 24th for practical demonstration.

The training program was closed on 26th February 2016. Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM distributed the certificates to the trainees. At the end the students were also distributed with 4 chicks, one bag and a packet of vegetable seeds each. This training program on agriculture and animal science increased awareness on the importance of organic farming, rearing of crossbreed animals and bio- control. This also created confidence to practice organic farming and to convert the traditional practices into scientific methods.

Children’s camp and exhibition on MTMLE

National Advocacy Council for Development of Indigenous People (NACDIP) organised a children’s camp on MTMLE strategies on rights of the young children in Tamil Nadu, in the month of February. This program was organised at NACDIP regional office along with exhibition and posters and banners on young children. The Anganwadi workers, NACDIP network members and about 150 Children from Kammakrishnapalli, Veeranguppam, Kailasagiri, Mittalam, Chinnapallikuppam, Pallitheru, Kumaramangalam and Maniyarakuppam

participated in this programme. The main discussion points in this program were, the importance of mother tongue based multilingual education and ECCE policy. Posters on MTMLECE were circulated among the participants.


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OAM team submitting memorandum to Shri Surya Narayana Patro

The trainees during group exercise in the training

This was very useful get-together of young children and it created a lot of impact among the young children to express their views, happiness, cross learning and friendship for healthy and play way methods of learning.

Memorandum Submission On February 27th 2016, the Odisha Adivasi Manch (OAM) team met with Shri Surya Narayana Patro, Former Minister and Chairman of Sub-Committee, Women and Child Development Department and submitted a memorandum on the status of supply of New Arunima Books to the Anganwadi centres and discussed regarding the situation of Anganwadi centres in tribal areas of Odisha on 27th February 2016. In response he assured to bring these topics in the next sub-Committee meeting.

Training of Master Trainers

The Training of Master Trainers was considered imperative to pave the way for and to accelerate the process toward the training of peer leaders and the subsequent sessions in the (Adolescent’s

Self Help groups) ASHGs scheduled for the project year 2016. Hence a four days’ long residential trainers’ training was held from the 16th to the 19th of February, 2016, at Bharat Mata Training and Resource Center, Parlakhemundi. Mr. Ashok Nayak, consultant, Dr. Rahul Laxman, regional coordinator, Health and Mr.Naresh Sharma, life Skill coordinator, all from UNFPA, Odisha state office, and Ms. Sanjukta Tripathy, P.M. and Valerian D’Lima, consultant, from PREM, formed a joint team of resource persons to bear the brunt of the training program. There was a mixed group of would-be master trainers

comprising 15 Panchayat Coordinators, a block coordinator and 5 freelance external trainers to participate in the training. The subject matters ,namely, unhealthy/negative relationship (Meeting#06), my health and food and drink(#7A), my health and hygiene(#7B), our rights(#8) and management of emotions(#9), that constituted the integral part of the second phase training program of the Girl Centric curriculum. The role of a trainer, training methodologies, the observation tools, clues to constructive feed backs, conceptual clarity on health, food, drinking water, rights, emotions, the 4A’s frame work, defence mechanism, handling emotions and so forth were expounded, at appropriate points, as preludes and subsidiaries to the essential and obligatory modules of the curriculum alluded

to earlier. Brainstorming, innovative recap sessions, individual assignment, group exercise, role play, case study, Power Point presentation, lecture, individual interactions, visual aids, de freezing games, singing etc were used as methodologies and channels of communication to bring home to the participants the intended central messages. Split into 4 committees –food, environmental sanitation and health, discipline and reporting and cultural program,-the trainees


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Block level workshop organise at Gumma, block

carried forward the training episode as it were. The cultural committee organized cultural programs every evening for relaxation of the participants and rejuvenation for the following day’s sessions. Virtually, the trainees went through a process of thematic engagement, exploration, elaboration, explanation and evaluation for concrete learning and informed facilitation during the 4 days of training; it was rewarding indeed to know from the post training assessment that every participant had grasped the discussion matters very well.

Material development training

In March a two day training program on material development was conducted for all the preschool teachers, MPWs and program staff. The resource person from central office, PREM provided training on development of Teaching and Learning Materials including different picture cards of animals, birds, fruits, vegetables, insects, alphabets, number and story charts through demonstration. The materials developed as per their age and development. After demonstration the preschool teachers, MPWs and program staff developed the four sets of TLMs for each Anganwadi Centres which are used during centre transaction.

Block level workshop

in March, PREM in collaboration with UNFPA, organised a block level workshop at the conference hall of Gumma block. The workshop was graced by Dr. Deepa Prasad, SPC, UNFPA, Odisha State office, and Dr. Jacob Thundyil, president, PREM, and the chief guest Mr. A. Surya Rao, M.L.A, Paralakhemundi. The other key stakeholders present were the D.S.W.O., Gajapati district, Mr.

Subadar Pradhan, BDO, Guma Block, Ms. Mariom Raito, Chairperson, Guma Panchayat Samiti, Mr. Berniko Gomango, Vice chairman, Ms. Premika Mandal and Mr. Gunj Gomango, Members of the Zillah Parisad, the Sarapanches, members of the Panchayat Samitee, adolescent girls, the Panchayat coordinators and women leaders. The main objective, as spelt out by Dr. Jacob in his welcome address, was twofold: review of the project’s progress till date and dialogue for further concerted effort of all the stakeholders-government and PRIs- towards the goal and set

objectives of the project. Ms.Sanjukta Tripathy, the PM, elaborated the progress accomplished so far and appreciated the involvement of the PRIs in the process, especially in the

establishment of the AGCRCs and their functioning. Dr. Deepa Prasad highlighted the rationale behind the project. She urged every one present to extend their cooperation to make the project a model in mitigating the difficulties faced by the adolescent girls. The process ultimately, would lead us to the millennium development goal of equality between men and women in society by 2030. Dr. Deepa expressed happiness over UNFPA’s collaboration with PREM for its long-term efforts for women’s emancipation, vast field base and popularity with the tribal population. The M.L.A. laid stress upon computer education and multifarious vocational training in trades of market demand for


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The stall on MTMLE displayed in the workshop organised by AXIS Bank

ECCE policy workshop organised by NACDIP

the girls to be self-sufficient economically. The Chair person, Gumma Panchayat Samitee appreciated the AGCRCs to have provided exposure for girls from far-flung villages and opportunity to learn computer. The D.S.W.O. spoke on the significance of nutrition for the adolescent girls and the services available for girl children in ICDS centers. The B.D.O. spoke in high praise of women and their roles. He considered adolescence as an age of instability, insecurity and indecisiveness, calling for special care and consciousness building to bring about stabilization for ‘stitch in time saves nine’. Premika Gomango makes girls’ education and engagement in vocational training a prerequisite for a healthy society. The Vice-Chairman emphasized on parents’ awareness building and involvement in the program to prevent trafficking by brokers. All the speakers termed the collaborative efforts of UNFPA and PREM commendable and suggested Panchayat wise meeting of girls and parents for greater awareness and success of the project. “Awareness is escalating and we will extend all cooperation for its spread and intensity”, was the common conclusion of every speech.

Stall on MTMLECE

PREM’s MTMLECE concept has brought high level appreciation not only from state but also from the whole nation level and from abroad. It attracts the like minded individuals, intellectuals, NGOs,

Education Insitutions, Politicians, concerned government authorities and donor agencies. They invite PREM to present the concept and its unique teaching and learning materials and methodologies. Hence the trained MTMLECE team of PREM always keep themselves ready to present for any group.

On 8th March 2016, Axis Bank Foundation, organized a workshop at Bhubaneswar where they invited PREM to set up a stall on MTMLECE at the venue of the workshop to present the concept before its participants. Accordingly PREM displayed a mother tongue based multi lingual model ECE centre. In this stall different types of new and innovative context specific teaching learning materials were displayed

which were prepared by the center facilitators, centre children, youths, local artists and parents of the communities by using locally available resources. The trained staff of PREM presented the MTMLECEC concept and its importance before the participants of the workshop. They were very happy and appreaciated PREM for such an innovative methodology of quality eduation for pre-school children.

ECCE policy workshop on implementation of MTMLECE

NACDIP organised a workshop on Mother Tongue based Multi Lingual Education and implementation of ECCE policy workshop in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala states. This program was organised for the PRI leaders, ICDS staff members, Anganwadi workers, Adivasi community leaders and representative of civil society organisations. More than 550 persons from various areas of all the states participated and all of them were involved in learning the ECCE policy and importance of the MTMLE for tribal children’s development. President,ZP, Project Director, ICDS, Child line officials and many others participated as special invitees for the programmes.


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The meeting organised on International Women’s day 2016 at Daringbadi block

In these meetings number of subjects covered related to the MTMLE specially importance of strengthening Anganwadi centres in Tribal areas and need of peoples participation-especially from Adivasi communities. The meeting covered important topics such as importance of early childhood care and education, important sections of the ECCE policy, situation of the Anganwadi centres in the tribal areas, need of peoples participation, children’s learning skills, nutrition, protection, play-way method learning, need

for promotion of mother tongue, women’s health, sanitation, traditional songs, dance, stories, opportunities, significance of the smooth transition from Anganwadi centres to formal schools and regular survey as well as monitoring of the functions of AWCs, need of facilities for the Anganwadi centres like drinking water, running water, electricity, transport, quality food, importance of village-based learning methods, survey about village development. All the participants from all the areas participated and all of them were involved in learning the ECCE policy and importance of the MTMLE for tribal children development. There were cultural programmes of the adivasi people at the consultation, which involved tribal people to sing songs, dance and music.

Ongoing Initiative

International women’s day celebration PREM celebrated the International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm on 8 March 2016 at Field Office, Dondimaha, Daringbadi. More than 250 participants from 30 villages of Daringbadi block came together to celebrate this day with true spirit. The participants were women—SHG leaders, students, adolescent girls, women, PRI members and government officials

The objectives were to create public awareness for protection and development of women and girl children; to create awareness on equality, development and peace especially for women and girl children; to create awareness among the families and community to stop family violence against women and girl children and also take necessary steps against this kind of violence; to identify the issues of women and girl children and promote and strengthen networks to address the issues.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2016 is Pledge For Parity: “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for to gender equality”


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A public meeting was organized where the participants were enlightened on, today’s position on women in the society, domestic violence, importance of women’s day and its role in building peace in the nation and creating gender equality among men and women. They were also explained about women participation in panchayat, equality among men and women, implementation of PESA act, child rights, protection of gild child at different level etc. After the meeting all the participants stood in a circle and took an oath that they will work on PESA act, attend in Palisabha and Gramsabha and give protection to girls especially on health and education. Then a memorandum was submitted to the BDO, Daringbadi block. The committee met the BDO and read the contents of the memorandum before him. The BDO was pleased with the initiative taken by the women of the block and he assured them to extend his support in this regard. This program created awareness among the women for asserting their rights in society. Notes from field

Inauguration of housing project

The newly constructed housing site (49 houses) at Kapotadiha village was inaugurated by Ms. Baroness Julia Neuberger, Board Member, BvLF Netherlands, during her visit to the project on 5th March 2016, in presence of Mr. Wim Borgdoff, Board Member, BvLF, Netherlands, Mr. Michael Feigelson, Executive Director, BvLF, Netherlands, Ms. Dharitri Patnaik, India Representative, BvLF, Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM, Special Officer, JDA and other government officials and project staff. A public meeting was also organized where government authorities, JDA, PRI members and general public and village people present on this occasion. The houses were handed over to the Juang people of Kapotadiha village and they are leaving happily with their family in the new constructed buildings and appreciated PREM-BvLF and JDA for providing them such a great opportunity.

Advance Agriculture Techniques and Organic Farming PREM in collaboration with KNH organized a training program on Advance Agriculture Techniques and Organic Farming. The training for the rural Youths was organized from 26th to

31st March 2016 at Dandimaha field office, Daringbadi. The main objectives of the training were to generate and disseminate the organic based agriculture knowledge, practices and provide technical inputs among the farmers for short term and long term environmental, social and economical benefits. By adopting the skills the yield will be enhanced and farmers will be ensured of their sustainable income. Before starting the training various issues and problems of the farmers were identified by the participants


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Ms. Meena Patra, CDPO Daringbadi, Kondhmal visited together with Supervisors, Workers and Helpers on 19th Febuary 2016 and she expressed her happiness as, “This is an innovative idea as well as useful to pre‐school children and teacher for improvement their education and develop all the physical, mental and emotional.”

through group discussion such as low rain fall, low fertile soil, pest and disease in vegetable and fruit cultivation, pest and disease in turmeric and zinger, low yield in paddy cultivation, low awareness on Govt. schemes and lack of market communication skill. The topics covered were agro climatic condition, Organic farming, Integrated land and water management, Integrated food and nutrient management for crop production, methods of preparation and application of FYM and compost, different components of the food and nutrients, Crop diversifications, inter cropping, Crop residues, soil acid management, soil testing, integrated pest and disease management, SRI Paddy cultivation, preparation of Panchagabya, Magic Compost (Handi Khata), Jeebamruta and amrit Pani, methods of Ginger and turmeric cultivation, Vegetable cultivation and mixed horticulture, goatry and poultry, cattle management,

vaccination and insemination etc. In the last day they made to realise the importance of farmers club and its role in successful marketing and Liasoning with various Government departments to access the schemes and benefits. In this training program different methodologies were adopted i.e. lecturer, group discussion, case study presentation, bran storming and demonstration At the end of the session follow up actions were prepared by the trainees and suggested to carryout activities in village level.

In the feedback session all the participants unanimously expressed that the training was a very good opportunity for them to get knowledge about different agricultural aspects which would be helpful for their better livelihood and ensure the sustainable income of the farmers. They also requested for organizing an exposure to the agriculture and horticulture department.

NRTC Highlights

Appreciation of Visitors during their visit to NRTC of PREM for MTMLE

The main motto of establishing the National Resource and Training Center(NRTC) was to bring more understanding among the different stakeholders on MT ML ECE and to enhance the skill and knowledge of existing ICDS workers in tribal areas of Odisha and India on the transaction of MT ML ECE. The Resource centre is a Learning centre as well as an information hub where different stake holders of the state as well as other parts of India get the opportunity to understand Mother Tongue Based Multi Lingual Early Childhood Education, get idea on different teaching and learning materials for transaction of the mother tongue based multilingual early childhood education in the existing ICDS centres of tribal areas and to receive quality training on MTMLECE.

In these two months individuals and groups from different sectors from India and abroad visited the resource centre.


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Mr. Sudhakar Sadasya, DSW, Ganjam District visited on 23rd February 2016 and he expressed, “Really glad to visit the organization. Very innovative and modern ideas developed for quality education learning. Hope for the best. Wish the organization a very bright future.”

Ms. Meenakshi, Ambedkar University, New Delhi visited with the evaluation team on 24th February 2016 and she expressed as, “Very well organized resource centre to see the culture of Odisha and see how from locally available materials we can create play and learning materials for children to teach them different languages.”

Mr. Satya Narayan Panda, Advocate, Supreme Court & Cash Consultant visited on 24th February 2016 and he expressed as, “Good to see the innovative ideas for the children of tribal areas. Efforts are appropriate as per present requirement. Needs development analyzing the feedback received from field. Wish for a good, best

Mr. Vijay Nayak, Provincial & President, De‐Paul School, Berhampur visited on 27th February 2016. He expressed as, “I am really inspired by the activities carried out by PREM. I am very much thankful to Fr. Jacob and the team for innovative way of imparting knowledge to children.”


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Mr. Meena Mandal, Chairman, Nuagada Block visited with other PRI members on 12th March 2016 and he expressed as, “We the team of PRI members of Nuagada Block of Gajapati district visited the resource centre. The teaching and learning materials kept in the centre are more useful for the development of children.”

Ms. Chithralekha Premachandran, Program Officer together with CDPO, Anganwadi Supervisors and Workers of Wayanad District of Kerala State visited on 29th February 2016 and she gave her feedback as, “We the team from Kerala, ICDS functionaries are inspired by the activities designed and exhibited here in the resource centre. Though some of the preschool materials are using by the ICDS team in Kerala, still we find some of the innovative ideas in materials and useful details that can be incorporated in registers used in Anganwadis. Best wishes for PREM team lead by Dr. Jacob Thundyil and team. Thank you all.”

Mr. Bernik Gomango, Vice‐Chairman, Gumma Block visited with other PRI members on 12th March 2016 and expressed his appreciation as, “We the team of PRI members of Gumma Block of Gajapati district visited the resource centre and enjoyed the decorated teaching and learning materials suitable for 3‐6 years children education. It is definitely helpful for the children of early childhood education and certainly children develop more and more using these materials.”

Ms. Smita Bahinipati together with MSW students of Berhampur University visited on 12th March 2016 and she expressed her happiness as, “The resource centre teaching and learning materials are very useful for the development of children.”


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Mr. Kiran Jena, Program Manager, BvLF, Bhubaneswar visited together with Ms. Dharitri Pattnaik, India Representative, BvLF on 31st March 2016 and he expressed his happiness as, “It’s good. Hope, children must learn very well using these context specific teaching and learning materials. Also hope it will certainly help to develop the future of

Activities done by children in Demo Centre.

Interaction during Home visit by PREM staff

The visitors interacted with President and the program team of PREM. PREM’s development approaches, demonstration project of MTMLECE. They understood how PREM was able to influence the state and national level policy makers for policy change for introduction of MTMLECE. The visitors appreciated the good work of PREM, CBCD centre setup, teaching methodology and admired PREM for adopting such a vibrant approach in early childhood education system in the state and outside states to strengthen the tribal and bring the children from marginalized communities to main stream society. Photo Gallery

Mr. Kumar Prasant, Director, Bikalp visited on 29th March 2016 and he expressed his happiness as, “Wonderful to see! This shows how creative the process of teaching, learning can be and this would ensure the involvement of children the fullest.”


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Kitchen garden at Suganketa block

Children’s participation in CMCJ National Consultation at Bangalore

Health check up during VHND camp

Children’s activity board at Demo centre

Construction of ECE toilet at Suganketa village, Daringbadi block

Distribution of Paddy to existing Grain Bank communities of Daringbadi block

Orange Day celebration at Daringbadi block to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls

Seeds Distribution at Saleju village of Daringbadi block


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SHA Final Assessment by KNH, Germany Block level networking workshop with PHC & CHC

Quote of the Month

Cultivate clarity, strength, vitality and power from natural, beautiful and organic living foods

--Bryant McGill (November 7, 1969)

American author, aphorist, speaker, and activist in the fields of self-development, personal freedom, and human rights

PREM E-NEWS

Editing Team: Himani Dash and Kailash Padhi To subscribe to PREM E-News, send an email to [email protected] Visit the PREM website at www.prem.org.in People’s Rural Education Movement is a registered voluntary organization under the Societies Registration Act of India. PREM is also registered with the Credibility Alliance of NGOs in India.

PREM-E-News-Vol 19 March 2016 19 March 2016.pdf · 4. Bijamrut – for seed and seedling treatment 5. Panchagavya – for resistance against diseases and infections 6. Pot compost

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