LIFE-Rajasthan

Census Finding 2012!

2012-03-15T16:18:00.000+05:30

India better off, but what about basic needs?

Small loans add up to lethal debts: Is this micro-finance ment for?

2012-03-05T12:20:00.000+05:30

by the Hindu News paper ( 26/02/2012)

The microfinance industry pursued a path of rapid business growth inrecent years; two investigations now link it to debtor suicides

DEBT AND DEATH:Family members with a photograph of Hari Prasad, who took his own life in August 2010 by consuming pesticide in their home in Kadiri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. He had run up debts with a microfinance company. In the photograph taken last week are Sunita, the widow, 22, along with her daughter Shwetha, 5, and son Kiran, 16 months.— PHOTO: AP

First they were stripped of their utensils, furniture, mobile phones, television sets, ration cards and heirloom gold jewellery. Then, some of them drank pesticide. One woman threw herself into a pond. Another jumped into a well with her children.

Sometimes, the debt collectors watched nearby.

More than 200 poor, debt-ridden residents of Andhra Pradesh killed themselves in late 2010, according to media reports compiled by the State government. The State blamed microfinance companies which give small loans intended to lift up the very poor for fuelling a frenzy of over-indebtedness, and then pressuring borrowers so relentlessly that some took their own lives. The companies, including market leader SKS Microfinance, denied it.

Investigations

An independent investigation commissioned by the company, however, linked SKS employees to at least seven of the deaths. A second investigation commissioned by an industry umbrella group that probed the role of many microfinance companies, did not draw conclusions but pointed to SKS' involvement in two more cases that ended in suicide. Neither study has been made public.

Both reports said SKS employees had verbally harassed over-indebted borrowers, forced them to pawn valuable items, incited other borrowers to humiliate them and orchestrated sit-ins outside their homes to publicly shame them. In some cases, SKS staff physically harassed defaulters, according to the report commissioned by the company. Only in death would the debts be forgiven.

The videos and reports tell stark stories:

One woman drank pesticide and died a day after an SKS loan agent told her to prostitute her daughters to pay off her debt. She had been given Rs. 1.5 lakh in loans but only made Rs. 600 a week.

Another SKS debt collector told a delinquent borrower to drown herself in a pond if she wanted her loan waived. The next day, she did. She left behind four children.

One agent blocked a woman from bringing her young son, weak with diarrhoea, to the hospital, demanding payment first. Other borrowers, who could not get any new loans until she paid, told her that if she wanted to die, they would bring her pesticide. An SKS staff member was there when she drank the poison. She survived.

An 18-year-old girl, pressured until she handed over Rs. 150 meant for a school examination fee, also drank pesticide. She left a suicide note: “Work hard and earn money. Do not take loans.”

In all these cases, the report commissioned by SKS concluded that the company's staff members were directly or indirectly responsible. — AP

Field visit of Caritas India Project Officer to AMblipada, Bhimgarh, Nathpua & Kanajpada LIFE project villages@Banswara

2012-03-01T08:21:00.002+05:30

Life of Sita has changed.....

2012-02-29T10:01:00.003+05:30

Life of Sita of Kajalpada village ( Distt: Banswara, Rajasthan) has entirely changed from a mud house to a brick house and this has possible through our LIFE project guidance to her on availing Indira Awas Yojana ( IAY). Now she constructed a good house and planning to construct toilet and bathroom, sending her two children to school and finding her self in comfort under a secure roof in recent winter season. She is happy and it can be easily observed when someone interacts with her and she has smile on her face…..

To know more on how sita is happy now watch her on you tube!

http://youtu.be/s18_O_g--NI

Double benifit from LIFE project to the community

2012-02-29T10:01:00.000+05:30

In concern with the impact of LIFE project, now target community has started practicing organic cultivation and getting benefit from it in the form of kitchen garden.

In Kajalpada village ( Distt: Banswara, Rajasthan) with the support from LIFE project target community memebers have started practicing organic cultivation in the form of kitchen garden and are able to get good income from selling vegitables, where as on the other hand are improving the soil fertility!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WMGdyXRJ1M&feature=related

LIFE Project in NEWS for impact on MGNREGA@Banswara

2012-02-28T23:32:00.000+05:30

MONITORING CUM CAPACITY BUILDING VISIT IN LIFE PROJECT VILLAGES-MUNDADI, AMBAPADA, KHADLEEE & JAMRAI @BANSWARA BY CAARITAS INDIA ON 28/02/2012

2012-02-28T23:28:00.000+05:30

PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUR IN LIFE PROJECT VILLAGES@BANSWARA

2012-02-28T12:23:00.000+05:30

Making community the preperation of organic inputs through Farm schools

Role Clarity workshop with the LIFE team at Banswara ( 27th/02/2012)

2012-02-27T22:11:00.000+05:30

LIFE blog completed its one year!

2012-02-25T07:58:00.003+05:30

LIFE project is innovation in itself and has journeyed two years, within this two years it has gone through many innovations and specific results. One of the key innovations is its webpage i.e. www.liferajasthan.blogspot.com. Today on 25^th Feb 2012 it has completed its one year of operation. Last year in 2011 during the LIFE project review at Banswara Fr. Freddy (Designate Director-Caritas India) has launched the web page by clicking on its url address.

Cherishing the success of LIFE!

In last one year it has reached to almost 15000 viewers from almost 25 countries. The uniqueness of the webpage is its daily upadtion and feedback from viewers, where viewers do not only know about the LIFE project, but are also learning from LIFE project. Many viewers wrote comments on to learn from LIFE project and implementing the same in their areas. The supporting agency of LIFE project –Caritas Spain has also supported in making this web page technically more sound.

Strengthening Linkages

The webpage has made LIFE project an easy access to reach the district officials administrative galleries and to the offices of NABARD & KVS in Ajmer and Banswara. Infect there is good role played by the webpage in getting approval of farmers clu by NABARD in both the project districts.

Motivating others

Web page of LIFE has motivated many other NGOs and projects to initiate their own pages (this includes some of Dioceses partners), many others are in process of initiating the same.

Regular support from field

The key success of the web page is maily because of regular sharing from the partners of LIFE project ( as this gives the content for the web page on regular basis and makes it an active web-page).

Media Coverage

Dainik Bhaskar a leading national Hindi daily wants to feature the webpage , whereas already its has covered by catholic news.

…a successful strategy

Initially the web page has started with concept of sharing, but now it has become a key strategy for the better linkages, for the visibility and transparency of the project.

Now LIFE is also on facebook going to make another record of its fan followers.

Lets celebrate the successful one year of the webpage!

Lets bring the change!

India's Rural Development minister: Jairam Ramesh at Caritas India golden Jubilee!

2012-02-19T22:46:00.002+05:30

I am Self Dependent Now…

2012-02-18T14:38:00.000+05:30

Bheru Lal Bheel s/o Rabdev Bheel

Age - 27 yrs.

Village - Surajpura village (Mavashiya Panchayat)

Bheru Lal s/o Ramdev Bheel is a member of youth club in Surajpura village. He was continuously in touch of our animator Mr. Gyarsilal. He was motivated to start a self-entrepreneur and finally in this December11 he started a grocery shop. His wife and other is also member in SHG. Inspiring with the success of shop he brought a welding machine with SHG loan. Now he says that earlier he used to migrate but now he is earning 150 to 200 rupees per day in his own village.

Now I Can Better Run My Home…..

2012-02-18T13:59:00.000+05:30

Surata Devi w/o Gopal Gurjar is a member of Peepal Dev Rani Self Help Group formed in Devliya village ( Mavashiya Panchayat, Shrinagar Block, Ajmer) under Life project. She tells that they don’t have an alternative job besides cattle rearing, small land area and MGNREGA but last month she decided to start a small provisional shop in the village so he took 5000/- rupees from the SHG a/c as a loan and start a shop. Now her husband goes to MGNREGA and she runs the shop. She has deposited 1st installment of loan. She says that gradually she is extending her shop. Now she earns Rs.100/- to 150/- per day.

“Now I no need to go out of the village to meet our daily needs. I thank Mr. Ramnath for his advice and support….” Says Surata

"Total 44 SHG women are engaged in income generation activities through inter-loan and bank loan and improving their livelihood."

Public rally on MGNREGA@Banswara

2012-02-18T09:18:00.000+05:30

To have full wages and timely payment under MGNREGA, in LIFE project villages of Banswara people from 4 LIFE project villages have organized rally and demonstrated to the concerned Panchayat office. The lead members of the rally have given demands to the Panchayat for timely and full wages (119 in Rajasthan).

The rally is vital because this is first time in Kushalgarh block such rally has been organized by the community on MGNREGA

..an example of strengthening farmers club!

2012-02-14T14:36:00.000+05:30

Aatmamnthan-LEARNING CYCLE MEET

2012-02-12T14:41:00.000+05:30

Aatmamnthan-LEARNING CYCLE MEET

LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS PROJECTS

SSSS-Satna

30^th Jan-1^st Feb 2012

1. What is Aatmmanthan: LEARNING CYCLE MEET?

Learning cycle meet represents experience sharing of “community based project implementation’ from the project partners of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS project team (including community members would be). Sharing of learning would be entirely based on the result of the project and its process part”

1.2 Objective of the meet:

To enhance the effectiveness & the quality of programme through cross learning amongst the teams of LIFE, HARIT PRAYAS, Caritas India and community members from the field are of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS.

To review both the LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS project in terms of result achievement and process adoption

Both the project teams LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS have shown the desired result achievement and get capacitated for better performance of the project.

2. Where and how it has organized (process part)?

Aatmmanthan-Learning Cycle Meet has organized at SSSS-Satna from 30^th Jan to 1^st Feb 2012 where in representatives from 5 partner organizations partner’s organizations-SSSS-Satna including directors, all the project staff of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS and community members (two from each partner) along with Caritas india staff, resource person from ASK and PGSSS have involved and made the learning cycle meet more worth for the purpose being it was organized. It has started with the inauguration by VG Fr. Joseph (from Satna) and welcome of all the learners i.e. participants in the learning cycle meet. It moved ahead with the different steps of learning’s as:

Clarifying the concept of meet in the beginning
Sharing of the project progress and learning at different level
Mixed group interactions ( inter team and inter- team interactions)
Field visit to feel the progress and learning
Consolidation of learning’s
Adoption of learning’s

2.1 Day- wise process

Learning cycle meet was a three days process from 30^th Jan-1^st Feb 2012.

1^st Day: 30^th Jan 2012

Day one has initiated with the following process:

All the 5 teams of (2 of LIFE & 3 of HARIT PRAYAS) presented and shared the progress of the concerned project and learning from the same: This has given a clear cut picture of project progress of both LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS project at the concerned partners. From the presentation it has come out that HARIT PRAYAS team at Sagar has made 300+ community members to submit written application for MGNREGA, at Satna team has come out with organic at Jhansi team has good progress in community mobilization , with LIFE team at Banswara team has achieved 2^nd best award in District for the promotion of organic cultivation, where as at Ajmer team has done quite well CBOs strengthening and linkages with other stakeholders.

Members from other teams and communities from other part raised the queries and good discussion & sharing has taken place. Few of the key queries are related with: SOIL TESTING REPORT RECEIVED BY THE FARMERS, IMPORTANCE OF APPROVAL OF FARMER’S CLUB BY NABARD, AMRITPANI-a only substitute for DAP & UREA, IMPORTANCE OF OTHER LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS (especially for youth-female) and on MGNREGA wage rate.

There was a good discussion on “livelihood options for youth-female” Fr. Tony after his presentation raised query that in field it is quite difficult to find livelihood options for females youths and after an hour of discussion with the forum it has came out that not only female youth, infect both male and female youth could be promoted to involve in the promotion and cultivation of sustainable agriculture. As sustainable agriculture have much better options for income generation. Also involvement of youth in agriculture doesn’t mean that they should be denied from education.

Community members shared the impact of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS project in their concerned villages: Hardeen ( a farmer from Majhota village-HARIT PRAYAS project at Satna) has shared that with HARIT PRAYAS he is able to reduce more than 90% of input cost in agriculture, Angoori devi ( a female farmer from Jhansi) has shared about his selection as farmers club secretary, Bhairia ( a farmer from LIFE project village of Banswara) has shared the importance of sustainable agriculture and has compared SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WITH MOTHERS MILK, Meera devi ( a SHG member from LIFE project village of Ajmer) has shared about how with SHGs she has moved from a member to an entrepreneur and Luxman Singh ( Farmer club president from the HARIT PRAYAS village of Sagar) has shared about the formation of farmers club.

Input on organic certification by a resource person from PGSS-Gorakhpur: This has able to give a basic clarity on organic certification process and strengthening organic cultivation.
Consolidation of learning’s and impact of project has shared at the end of the day.

From the first day of process following are the important results concluded by entire team:

ALL PARTNERS ARE ACHIEVING RESULTS
Organic Farming - Use of organic manure and pest repellent has been extremely useful – gives life to land & cost effective
Confidence and trust of farmers on Organic agriculture has increased – critical factor for development (role of facilitators)
It takes time but sustainable in future
Farmers are not only learning and practicing organic & improved agriculture but also making others to learn
Farmers club & SHG – Community institutions has been instrumental in grounding of intervention and towards ensuring RESULT
Some partner have done excellent in context of gender whereas some partners still needs to strengthened involvement of women
Linkage with various stakeholder becomes extremely essential when our results are dependent on other stakeholder such as KVK, banks, government department
Banswara has received district award for best agriculture promotion
Organic certification is essential for getting adequate price of produces at various level and farmers needs to follow systematic & adequate practices
All partners have started using RBM framework – Implementation focused on RESULTS
Use of monitoring systems has been very useful to know actual progress of the projects
Integrating systematic project management systems – leads towards better implementation of the project and achievement of results
It important to invest on human resource to get better RESULT

2^nd Day: 31^st Jan 2012

Field visit to three HARIT PRAYAS project villages ( Majhota, Kanwar & Motigarh): Three teams were made to visit the pre-decided thre HARIT PRAYAS project villages at Chatarpur-Khajuraho. HARIT PRAYAS project villages are around 200 kms from Satna and to reach the mentioned villages we have started our journey early 6.30 and reached Majhota by 9.30, there we had a welcome from the community and as per the team division one team stayed there and other two teams left for the other two villages.
In villages there were discussion on organic cultivation (especially amrit Pani),,caste system , MGNREGA, farmers club and IGA activities in Mahila Mandals. Team members visited the field, interacted with the community members, farmers club & Mahila Mandal members.
Discussion with the LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS coordinators on individual skill development: After returning from the field there was a meeting with all the coordinators of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS and discussion on individual skill development on presentation and other aspects related with the project. Apart from this there was few work division for coordinators.

From the field visit of the 2^nd day following are the key learning’s ( these learning’s are based on the visit of three teams to the three villages and later on their sharing on learning’s)

Sustainable agriculture

Complete organic agriculture is possible in less cost– it gives proper yield in long term. Infect in Satna even in the first year it has given better yield in some of the farmers ( like in Hardeen-a farmer from Majhota village has two times better yield from organic in compare to inorganic)

We learned how to compare or differentiate organic with chemical farming.

Amrit Pani[1] – One of the ways to bring life in agriculture.

Community mobilization and excellent rapport building– through local friendly activities such as participating in their village activities, cultural activities, folk song etc.

Need to be demonstrating complete process of improved methodology such as…weeding, sowing practices….as it can reduce the input….

The comparison of action and results need to be documented well to prove….and learn…. There were good examples of change happening in the field of HARIT PRAYAS at Satna but some where team failed in documenting the whole thing. If it would be documented well, it could also be shared as an IEC material to other villages and other villages ( from near by) could also be bring to see the change and learn from it.

Community mobilization

Winning trust of community is extremely essential. At Satan we are able to see that community have developed a trust on the project and its various components, which results in better intervention and making communities’ life much better.

Capacity building of staff through field exposure is vital. This gives staff and community to think beyond the existing situation and probably they get many ideas and thought process from the same.

When we work with the specific target community we need to look into the issue of inclusion – respect of women/SC/Adivasi.

Demonstration of any organic product before promoting is essential method….as it would give us the better understanding affects ( positive & negative) on the crop

Always try to be facilitators and never try to be doers in the field. It has been observed in the field that Satna team has done quite good role of facilitator and especially in promotion of sustainable agriculture and hence the better result it is there in Satan in the form of entire villages adopting organic cultivation.

Farmers guiding other farmers – most effective strategy for change - Farmers are not only learning and practicing organic & improved agriculture but also making others to learn

Forest & Livestock

Forest residual can be used for preparation of organic manure. It would be better that there would be a proper contract with the forest department where in community could use the residuals of forest for the organic cultivation and teams working there could facilitate the same. Forest residuals have good source of organic components.

Livestock needs to be promoted – upgrading quality of livestock and it’s also lifeline for organic agriculture.

Extent focus on other project component such as alternate livelihood and entitlements…

Project villages/context

Selection of right project area and target people….

3^rd Day: 1^st Feb 2012

Sharing of field learning’s ( by the team of Directors, Coordinators , field staff and Community members): all the team members did group exercise to compile the field level learning’s.
Sharing of monitoring tools by HARIT PRAYAS & LIFE team and discussion on making monitoring tools short, time saving and economically

Presentation by all the team on different learning’s they have from the meet and what they would be taking as the learning for their entire organization: At the end of the learning cycle meet all the consolidated learning’s have been presented in front of all the team members by the resource person and all the five teams have asked to go through all the learning’s and select those learning’s which team would take it for their organization. Project organizations of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS have also decided the time line for the implementation of learning’s at their organizations. Following learning’s are taken by different teams for the development of their organization and strengthening of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS project:

· Learning’s on sustainable agriculture ( especially Amrit pani)

· Learning’s on strengthening women collectiveness through IGA

· Learning’s on strengthening linkages with other stakeholders of development project.

· Learning’s on strong community mobilization

· Learning’s on strengthening entitlements amongst the community

3. Something special about LEARNING CYCLE MEET:

Learning cycle meet was unique in itself with number of innovations and special learning’s. Some of the special aspects of the meet were:

Gallery presentation on various components of HARIT PRAYAS & LIFE project by all the five partners
Cultural evening on 30^th Jan 2012; presenting various culture of Rajasthan & Bundelkhand region
Release of first ever project based newsletter of HARIT PRAYAS by community members. The news letter has been worked out by HARIT PRAYAS JCSS-Jhansi team
Release of CD of documentary films on Organic cultivation revolution in Satna. The CD has been developed by HARIT PRAYAS SSSS-Satna team
Active involvement of community members, where every community member spoke like the owner of the projects.
Passion amongst the team to go beyond limits of development. The team has shown its all creativity and passion to do the things in highly professional way and get maximum learning from the meet for the betterment of the projects as well as the concerned organizations.
Use of bio-degradable products in meet e.g. Banners are of cloth rather than on plastic/flex
Taking back learning’s at organization level.
All communication in Hindi
Launch of e-learning programme of LIFE & HARIT PRAYAS (e-LHP)

4. What people said about the meet?

People’s voice….

It’s an interesting experience with learning cycle meet and it serves the purpose of its name. I prefer this should continue in other projects also. Fr. Tony & Mr. Mansih ( RCDSSS-Ajmer)

I would practice sustainable agriculture in such a way that it would generate hungerness amongst the other farmers to do the same. Mr. Harideen ( Farmer, Majhota village, Chatarpur-HARIT PRAYAS project village)

I am happy that I am able to learn on organic cultivation and meet with the community members from other parts country. Ms. Angoori ( Farmers club secretary, Jhansi, HARIT PRAYAS project village)

With LIFE project I have became and entrepreneur with initiating my own poultry farm, with this meet I have learnt the best practices of sustainable agriculture and would replicate the same in my farm field. Ms. Mira Devi (SHG member, Ajmer, LIFE project village)

I have not only learned the things from the meet, I have also enjoyed the evry moment of the meet. Mr. Sunil (LIFE project Field staff, RCDSSS-Ajmer)

The process of learning cycle meet was unique and I find it successful in every aspect from its design to its learning. Mr. Ratan (HARIT PRAYAS Coordinator, JCSS-Jhansi)

I have seen a unique blend of learning happening through this whole process of learning cycle meet. Mr. Prakash ( ASK, India)

I am bit surprise to see the clarity and understanding of sustainable agriculture amongst the community and staff within short period of time. Mr. Vijay ( PGSS-Gorakhpur)

It’s an interesting process of learning. Fr. Emanuel ( MVSS-Sagar)

We are taking many learning’s at organization level. Fr. Sebastian ( JCSS-Jhansi)

5. Outcome of the Aatmaanthan-Learning Cycle Meet

In terms of key achievement of the learning cycle meet, it could be concluded that the capacity of each and every member associated with both the project has increased in terms of clarity on result and working towards the change process in the context and amongst the community. In both the project there has been good result and change happening in sustainable agriculture, entitlement ( especially MGNREGA & FRA) and community mobilization in the form of CBO formation.

[1] Its an organic substitute for urea and DAP and being easily made with cow urine, jaggery, gram flour, water and neem leaves

Lady Tarzon..bring change..securing forest!

2012-01-17T17:32:00.000+05:30

Major acheivement in LIFE project in Dec 2011@RCDSSS Ajmer!

2012-01-15T09:15:00.001+05:30

a. 34 youth members got employment card in placement campaign through employment exchange.

b. 3 Vermin compost units, 5 Than are established by the selected farmers. 2 farmers also prepared than with their own motivation who are not in our target list.

c. 1 old age pension application submitted after filling the form and completing the formalities with handing holding support of our animator Ramnath.

d. 35 AI. 14 buffalos and 4 cow.

e. Performance monitoring tools have been applied to 957 targeted families to assess the half yearly results.

f. 166 farmers applied their learned practices in the field from FFS sessions.

g. 2 Farmers Clubs have been inaugurated by NABARD in function in which 150 villagers from Kesarpura & Gudha participated actively.

h. 124 farmers are trained in organic farming techniques and post harvesting practices.

i. 37 SHG women were trained on leadership development and record keeping.

LIFE project at SJVS-Banswara has received the 2nd best project of Pradrashani in Banswara district on promotion of sustainable agriculture

2012-01-15T09:13:00.000+05:30

LIFE project at SJVS-Banswara has received the 2^nd best project of Pradrashani in Banswara district on promotion of sustainable agriculture amongst the tribal belt of Banswara.

Recently an event has been organized by the district administration for the promotion of sustainable agriculture, where in 40 development organizations have been participated and show case their work on sustainable agriculture. Our LIFE project team of SJVS-Banswara has presented its organic way of doing the work and 200 model farmers of LIFE project with their participation in the event has shared the benefit received under the LIFE project for the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Event was chaired by State Rural Development & Panchyati Raj Minister & District Collector of Banswara.

Team has received a trophy and certificate.

...village level micro-plan in LIFE PROJECT VILLAGES OF AJMER!

2012-01-10T09:30:00.000+05:30

Major Achievements of LIFE project team at SJVS Banswara in December 2011

2012-01-06T15:40:00.000+05:30

Among the major achievements we can enumerate the following:

· Kissan Sammelan with 157 farmers,

· Open one farm school in Amlipada village under the Aatma pariyojana in collaboration with LIFE project

· Formation of one farmers club in Bheemgarh village.

· 12 farmers (LIFE project target families) have received agriculture equipment through agriculture department of Kushalgarh block.

· 5 farmers ( LIFE project target families) have received Indira Awash through the effort of LIFE project team at SJVS-Banswara

· In Amlipada village INR 75000 has been sanctioned for the members of farmers club through Gramin Bank.

Courtsey: LIFE Project team-SJVS-Banwara

agitation for urea in Banswara! will it lead to promote organic cultivation?

2012-01-04T22:33:00.000+05:30

skll development for youth-From National Institute of Open Schooling!

2012-01-04T21:36:00.000+05:30

Lets bring Change this year!

2012-01-01T10:27:00.002+05:30

RFP: For Setting up of Community Radio Stations

2011-12-30T10:04:00.000+05:30

Opportunity from RMOL ( Rajasthan Mission Of Livelihood) for "Skill Development of youths"

2011-12-26T11:36:00.000+05:30

PMs last stand on Food security Bill!

2011-12-25T08:44:00.001+05:30

Food inflation has gone down to 1.8%

2011-12-23T19:23:00.000+05:30

Progress in LIFE project in Nov 2011@RCDSSS-Ajmer

2011-12-21T10:45:00.000+05:30

Name of activity	No. of units planned/no. of units achieved	Total participation (of community)	Results achieved
Inauguration of 4 Rojgar Dhaba	4 /4	- -	Formal inauguration was organized in which villagers, panchayat members and block level officials were invited. The function was organized and managed by local Youth Group.
Training on organic farming	5/5	75	· 75 farmers of 5 villages are trained in first phase training and ready to adopt some practices of organic farming such as using replacing chemical & synthetic fertilizers with organic manures and compost.
Exposure Visit to pastureland development.	1/1	48	· 48 farmers are motivated and got exposure to development pastureland.
Record keeping training for SHG members	1/1	201 SHG members in 10 villages, participated in record keeping training.	201 SHG members were trained and explained how to conduct SHG meeting, maintain SHG record like register and diary.
FFS Training	1/1	87 farmers attend ffs.	87 farmer of 10 villages got facilitation on rabi crop about sowing, seed and organic fertilizer.
Post harvesting Training at cluster level.	1/1	78 farmers were participated in post harvesting training.	78 farmers of 10 village traind on post harvesting methods, grading, value addition techniques grains as well as vegetables.

...rural minister on MGNREGA minimum wage payment!

2011-12-21T08:53:00.000+05:30

Rural Credit: Wants To Stop States From Hijacking Credit

2011-12-20T10:39:00.000+05:30

Wants To Stop States From Hijacking Credit

Subodh Ghildiyal | TNN

New Delhi: The Union rural development ministry has decided to ape Planning Commissions discussion with states for annual finances to send a stronger message about Centres authorship on welfare schemes,a move aimed at addressing the longstanding gripe of Congress that states were cornering all the credit.
The ministry has asked states to prepare for annual plan discussion for RD schemes from 2012,a consultation to finalize their budget for each scheme funded by it.It would be an elaborate process with issues of discussion being intimated to the states,seeking response.They would form the basis for official-level meetings which would then be capped by ministerial-level discussions in March.
Currently,the Centre funnels money to states on the basis of estimates provided by officials.

With states making a beeline outside Krishi Bhavan to seek their share of funds for job guarantee scheme,rural roads,rural drinking water and sanitation campaign among others,it is hoped the process will correct the perception on who funds these big-ticket schemes implemented by states.

With Rs 88,000 crore,the highest civilian expenditure of any Union ministry,Congress is cross that it does not get the credit for rural focus.While these schemes are part of a concerted attempt to woo the politically crucial rural poor,states have long outwitted the Centre with imaginative steps like changing the names of schemes.Congresss anger was most visible in UPA-1 when party chief Sonia Gandhi publicly exhorted workers to call the states bluff on flagship scheme MGNREGA.
RD minister Jairam Ramesh has taken a leaf out of Planning Commissions book where states face the highpowered panel each year to seek allocation of resources.The annual ritual leaves little doubt on who funds a states budget.The ministry,however,has couched its political intent in the need for lending seriousness and depth in the implementation of programmes.

Key schemes funded by the Centre include MGNREGA,Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana,Indira Awas Yojana,Total Sanitation Campaign and old age pension.The high expenditure makes the states dependent on RD ministry for their performance on welfare front.However,the Centres role rarely exceeds the funding part and though monitoring is its mandate,it is known that Centre will not stop funds for violations for fear of earning the wrath of beneficiaries.

However,the annual discussion will include the aspect of budget allocation,issues about implementation of schemes,problems of states as its mandate.

Source: Times of India (20/12/2011) Delhi edition

PRI members are becoming the resource person for training on MGNREGA @LIFE Banswara

2011-12-20T00:11:00.000+05:30

PRI members are becoming the resource person for training on MGNREGA

“LIFE team at Banswara has adopted a unique approach of involving PRI members as resource person (free of cost) for the enhancing the visibility and increasing the interest of participants and resource persons”

Training on MNREGA at village level: -To strengthen the capacity of target tribal families in the LIFE project villages,a training on MGNREGA has been organised under LIFE project on 21^st November 2011 in Amlipada village. Resource person in the concerned training were Sarpanch Mr. Gabbu Damor and Panchyat Secretary Mr. Mohan Kharadi from of Timeda panchayat ( the Panchayat from which village Amblipada belongs). The total of 40 participants availed the benefits of this training.

Focused On: - Focus of the training was on Job card formation, application for job cards-its procedure, wages rate, Type of work under this schemes, time of payment , unemployment allowances, security, facility in the field

Outcomes: At the end of the training a pledge in written form has been taken that participants would do the proper work ( the prescribed) and PRI would support in all sort for making MGNREGA more convenient for villages. Now within a month of this training 100% villagers in Amblipada have job cards and average payment has increase to 95 INR in Amblipada.

The great Indian Divide-in terms of inequality-We with LIFE project trying to reduce this gap!

2011-12-19T10:57:00.000+05:30

55% of India's population poor: Report

2011-12-17T19:45:00.000+05:30

Rukmini Shrinivasan, TNN Jul 15, 2010, 03.24am IST

NEW DELHI: India's abysmal track record at ensuring basic levels of nutrition is the greatest contributor to its poverty as measured by the new international Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI). About 645 million people or 55% of India's population is poor as measured by this composite indicator made up of ten markers of education, health and standard of living achievement levels.

Developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) for the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) forthcoming 2010 Human Development Report, the MPI attempts to capture more than just income poverty at the household level. It is composed of ten indicators: years of schooling and child enrollment (education); child mortality and nutrition (health); and electricity, flooring, drinking water, sanitation, cooking fuel and assets (standard of living). Each education and health indicator has a 1/6 weight, each standard of living indicator a 1/18 weight.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-15/india/28281806_1_child-mortality-nutrition-human-development-initiative

Rozgar Dhaba-securing employbility in LIFE project villages!

2011-12-17T18:38:00.000+05:30

Name - Mahipal s/o Shankar Singh

Age - 22 year old

Qualification -10^th fail

Village -Nepoli (Mavashiya Panchayat)

I was unemployed and engaged in daily labour work or mgnrega work and hardly could manage my basic needs. LIFE project staff initiated in our village and last month I came in touch with a staff Mr. Gyarasilal ( through LIFE project Rozgar Dhaba) for getting some employment opportunity when he was collecting data of unemployed youth in the village. He told me that there is a vacancy in Jaipur for driving JCB machine since I had worked some times earlier in a JCB company I got ready and with the help of Mr. Gyarasilal I applied for the vacancy. I am very glad to say that I am appointed in the company with 8000/- monthly salary with boarding lodging facility for free.

Major Achievements : (Results/targeted achievements) in LIFE project @RCDSSS-Ajmer

2011-12-16T11:47:00.000+05:30

a. Ranglal S/o Suja Gurjar (OBC) recieved KCC loan Rs. 50000/- whose KCC was made with our facilitation.

b. Amari D/o Ladu Bhambi adopted grading their 400 kg. Mung yield (washing) as value-addition after training on post harvesting and grading practices. But not sold yet.

c. Krishna SHG of Nolkha recieved loan of Rs. 110000/- and deposited 10000/- as fixed deposit.

d. Jai Vishnu Mata SHG recieved loan of Rs. 150000/- and deposited 17000/- as fixed deposit.

e. 6 youth got employment card in the employment fair.

f. 5 Vermin compost units, 1 Than and 2 azola unit (livestock feeding place) are established.

g. 1 youth members got employed by Rojgar Dhaba in Nepoli village and earning Rs. 8000/- per month.

h. 2 pensions of Bharmal S/o Asharfi and Hardayal S/o Dhula vill. Kalyanipura have started.

i. 14 AI. 10 buffalos and 4 cow.

Food security bill-in NEWS!

2011-12-15T20:07:00.000+05:30

Agriculture production in LIFE project villages till Nov 2011

2011-12-14T11:14:00.002+05:30

In terms of production in agriculture following are the key results in the field:

Crop season	Set target in the project (in %)	Production increase in the field of LIFE project villages of Banswara ( in %)	Production increase in the field of LIFE project villages of Ajmer ( in %)	Total average production increase ( in %)
Kharif 2010	25	40	20	30
Rabi 2010		40	15	27.5
Kharif 2011		55 ( with organic cultivation)	65 ( with organic cultivation)	60 ( with organic cultivation)
Rabi 2011		32 ( with organic cultivation)	40 ( with organic cultivation)	36 ( with Organic cultivation)

Source: Monthly cluster reports till November 2011

It is good to observe that with the practice of organic cultivation, production has improved with compare to synthetic fertilizer based cropping.

Climate change-Durban meet: impact on India

2011-12-14T00:49:00.000+05:30

LEARNING CYCLE MEET-(30TH JAN-1ST FEB 2012)

2011-12-12T14:01:00.001+05:30

Beneficiaries from government schemes till Nov 2011 in LIFE project

2011-12-11T21:22:00.000+05:30

With the concept of making target community aware and get benefit from the livelihood schemes (being implemented by the state government & central government).

Type of scheme	Total beneficiaries in LIFE project at SJVS-Banswara	Total beneficiaries in LIFE project at RCDSSS-Ajmer	Total
Indira Awas Yojana ( IAY)	06	05	11
Old age pension	18	20	38
Widow pension	01	01	2
Disability pension	00	01	1
Jeevan Adhar Yojana ( Panchyat)	01	00	1
MGNREGA	607	938	1545
Organic pits from Panchayat	25	00	25
Total	658	965	1623

Source: Monthly cluster reports till November 2011

In total 1623 target community from the LIFE project villages of Ajmer & Banswara have been benefited from the key government livelihood schemes (all 1623 after the project intervention and with the endevour of LIFE project team and its awareness strategy).

...making tribal community aware on sustainable agriculture &MGNREGA through wall paintings@Banswara

2011-12-11T12:21:00.002+05:30

LIFE project at Banswara in NEWS!

2011-12-09T10:19:00.000+05:30

LIFE project at Banswara is strengthening every day!

SJVS-Banswara LIFE project team with the support from Krishi mandi Banswara has facilitated the KISSAN SAMMELAN in the project block of LIFE project to create a common platform for the farmers to share the knowledge and skill on farming and challanges in it. the event has been covered by the leading news paper-Rajasthan Patrika.

Progess in sustainable agriculture in LIFE project till Nov 2011

2011-12-06T07:28:00.002+05:30

In terms of progress in sustainable agriculture following are the key results achieved:

Practice	No. of farmers in LIFE project villages at Banswara	No. of farmers in LIFE project villages at Ajmer	Total
Model farmers practicing: Organic cultivation Soil testing Guidance to other farmers Technical support from KVK Water testing Use of certified/traditional seeds Proper seed treatment	160	140	300
Farmers having Kissan Credit Cards ( KCC) after project intervention	08	17	26
Farmers availed loan from KCC for agriculture purpose	03	11	14
Framers using sprinkler system for irrigation	00	01	01

Source: Monthly cluster reports till November 2011 and application of monitoring tool

LIFE Project cluster report (result Based) till Nov 2011

2011-12-04T07:57:00.000+05:30

LIFE Project cluster report (result Based) till Nov 2011
Result Indicators	Total target	Total achievement ( till September 2011)
Government schemes/Rights
No. of HH received 100 days of MGNREGA work	1240	70 as average working days till November 2011 (From increase of 65 days as an average annually)
No. of HH received INR 119 of MGNREGA work	100%	Rs.106 as an average (From increase of 70 Rs. An average). Godiyaswas Panchayat has 119 Rs. Payment to all.
No. of people availed social security schemes	300	150
No. of villages where MLP is being approved by PRI	20	2
Sustainable agriculture
Increase in the agriculture production	25% increase	60
Increase in the livestock production	25 % increase	10%
No. of model farmers be using improvised agriculture techniques	440	300
No. of model farmers educating other farmers on improved agriculture techniques	100	80
No. of farmers clubs functioning effectively (being all approved by NABARD	20	13
No. of SHGs functioning effectively	20	15
No. of youth groups functioning effectively	10	4
Employability
No. youths employed & engaged in income generation	100	30
No. of SHGs engaged in income generation	100	10
Total result achieved is: 54%

Source of data: Application of monitoring tools in October 2011 and monthly reports by the partners

..web page crossed 10000 viewership in 9 months!

2011-11-30T08:48:00.000+05:30

Dear all,

LIFE project team is glad to share that the web page of LIFE (www.liferajasthan.blogspot) has crossed the mark of 10000 (TEN THOUSAND ) viewers in 9 month span. In last 9 months LIFE project web page has following unique achievements:

Specialty

Its India’s 1^st project based web page to have daily updates and with viewer ship of 1000+ per month
Fr. Fredrick D’souza has launched the web page on 25^th Feb 2011 at SJVS Banswara
Almost daily updation of the web page on recent development in the LIFE project as well as in development sector.
Day to Day progress of the project is available on the web page.
Web page has 48 followers and 200 + fans on its facebook

Viewer ship

Maximum viewers of the web page by India, Spain, Russai, US and Bangladesh
47 case studies from the LIFE project villages have been posted on the web page
15 News paper cuttings related with LIFE project have been posted
The outlook design of web page has been changed four times keeping in concern to give freshness to the web page and its viewers.
Web page has received 14 comments from viewers for its appreciation and betterment.
Maximum viewers view the web page content on LIFE project and its progress report ( every month)

Support

Initial motivation for coming out with web page from Caritas India Head office and North zone officials
Mr. Hayden (from www.haydenchambrs.com )-one of the finest web designer from Spain has supported for its designing and outlook.
Mr. Patrick (from Caritas India) has supported for linking the web page with Caritas India official website.
Ms. Isabel from Caritas Spain has supported for the content designing of the web page.
Mr. Hemant ( Placement coordinator of LIFE project Ajmer) has supported for the promotion of web page in the Panchayat of the LIFE project in Ajmer.
All the team project team members of LIFE project has supported for providing the content of the web page on daily basis.

With the support and highly active team of LIFE project we are hoping to have crossing 250000 viewership in next 6 months. Also now the updation of the website has been managed by the entire LIFEvteam rather than just one person and for its updation and freshness in the content team works even after office hours.

I wish thanks to all the team members , viewers and people related with LIFE project for this 10000 ( ten thousand success).

Major Achievements in LIFE project in October 2011@RCDSSS Ajmer

2011-11-08T10:51:00.001+05:30

a. Rama S/o Dhanna Bhambi (SC) recieved KCC loan Rs. 85,000/- whose KCC was made with our facilitation.

b. 3 Farmers adopts grading their 500 kg. Mung yield (washing) as value-addition after training on post harvesting and grading practices. As a result the graded crop could be sold @2500/- per quintal whereas ungraded was @1200/- to 1500/- per quintal.

c. Krishna SHG of Nolkha linked to the bank.

d. Reformation of Shiv Kisan Club of Nolkha consisting of 9 men & 5 women members.

e. Aradhana SHG of Gudha has been taken over by the Life team.

f. 4 Vermin compost units and 6 Than (livestock feeding place) are established.

g. Two youth members got employed by Rojgar Dhaba in Nolkha and Kalyanipura village and earning Rs. 4000/- and 3000/- per month.

Courtesy: LIFE team, RCDSSS-Ajmer

LIFE project at Banswara_ bringing change visible

2011-11-07T17:26:00.000+05:30

With the innovative and continuous energy of the LIFE project staff at Banswara we are making community to secure better livelihood option each and every day….now there are 8 farmers club & 1 SHG at Banswara and all have the bank registration, target community have received the benefit of Indira Awas Yojana

Here are the documents of Indira Awas Yojana beneficiaries as an outcome of LIFE project initiative…..

Government schemes by Rajasthan & Central government

2011-11-07T10:40:00.000+05:30

Rajasthan Government has released a booklet, which contain al the details of all the central & Rajasthan state government schemes basically related with Livelihood, employability, social security and health.

The booklet is in hindi and recent updated on (October 2011 version) and contain all the procedure, contact person lists and other related details.

One can download the booklet in PDF form from http://www.rajasthan.gov.in/rajgovt/events/showFrame.jsp?fileID=experiment/Flagship_book.pdf

Rajasthan Govt. Public Service Delivery Act 2011

2011-11-05T15:55:00.000+05:30

... finally the Rajasthan Government has came out with time bound system to deliver government services ( basically related with government schemes & functionaries) to combat corruption in the state through Rajasthan Govt. Public Service Delivery Act 2011. The Act envisages a time-bound performance of duties by government officials and also has a provision of cash penalty for the offenders. As per the provisions of penalty, the competent appellate officer may impose a penalty which shall not be less than Rs 500 and not more than Rs 5,000. The appellate officer may also impose a penalty of Rs 250 per day on undue delay. The applicant, whose application for particular service or work is rejected for some reasons, is also entitled to appeal his grievances under the Act. The bill was passed in the Monsoon session of the Assembly and was subsequently approved by the state cabinet. The Act would have major impact on rural Rajasthan ( with few services) and considering the same with our LIFE project in Rajasthan we would be making community to aware about the new act of Rajasthan government so that community would avail various government services on time.

For more on act log on to : http://www.rajasthan.gov.in/rajgovt/misc/newPolicy3.html

...many government schemes , but still tribals in rjasthan are hungry!

2011-11-03T16:17:00.000+05:30

...status of women in india

2011-11-03T14:29:00.001+05:30

…from Indian government another bill from government to combat corruption

2011-11-03T14:26:00.001+05:30

We all can be the part of it and can suggest measures on http://darpg.gov.in

India Country Overview -Growth

2011-11-03T10:29:00.000+05:30

With a population of just over 1.2 billion,

India

is the world’s largest democracy. In the past decade, the country has witnessed accelerated economic growth, emerged as a global player with the world’s fourth largest economy in purchasing power parity terms, and made progress towards achieving most of the Millennium Development Goals.

However, poverty remains a major challenge though it is declining steadily but slowly. Based on the new official poverty lines, 42% of people in rural areas and 26% of people in urban areas lived below the poverty line in 2004-05. Official poverty estimates for 2009-10 are not yet available but preliminary estimates suggest that in 2009-10 the combined all India poverty rate was 32% compared to 37% in 2004-05. Resources generated from recent growth are now being invested into a set of very ambitious programs to deliver services to the poor. These include programs to provide elementary education, basic health care, health insurance, rural roads and rural connectivity, and other services to the poor.

These programs are achieving partial results on the ground. Between 2003 and 2009, the number of out-of-school children declined from 25 million to 8 million (less than 5% of the 6-14 age group). Leprosy, polio, and TB are almost under control and the spread of AIDS has been kept in check. Large numbers of women have been mobilized into self-help groups to generate new livelihood opportunities. Massive new initiatives are being pioneered that are revolutionizing the way services are being delivered to low-income groups.

India

continues to grow at a rapid pace, although the government recently reduced its annual GDP growth projection from 9% to 8% for the current fiscal year ending March 2012. The slowdown is marked by a sharp drop in investment growth resulting from political uncertainties, a tightening of macroeconomic policies aimed at addressing a high fiscal deficit and high inflation (going well beyond food and fuel prices), and from renewed concerns about the European and US economies. Although the Government was quite successful in cushioning the impact of the global financial crisis on India, it is now clear that a number of MDG targets will only be met under the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17).

Source: http://www.worldbank.org.in/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/INDIAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20195738~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:295584,00.html

Planning & Implementing community based project by community itself!

2011-11-02T10:29:00.001+05:30

In present scenario development sector is full of jargons especially related with ‘Samaj Seva’ but the big question arises that are we all are really doing something better for the society or all the things are just in vague? Because most of the agencies either NGOs, government line department, funding agencies etc. has taken a lot of step for the so called ‘rural development or community development, but how many of the agencies are able to develop community to develop themselves? Hardly few! And this is because most of the agencies play the role of implementer of the development project amongst the community rather than a facilitator to the community for implementation of the project. In present scenario there is need to seed the concept amongst the community identify different key people from their own villages for the development of the concerned villages. These key people could further be trained and develop through different capacity building programmes with the help of different development agencies. To identify key people, it should be the responsibility of community to identify such volunteers who has been playing the key role/being the part different developmental activities in the concerned village. In concern with the same there is one Sholkah in Bhagvat Geeta as:

Karmanya vadhikaraste Ma falesu Kadachan l

Ma Karmfal hetu bhurma Ma te sangosta karmina ll

In short it means that do the work with your full dedication and energy without worrying about the result of it! And this is the basic concept behind the understanding of ‘volunteers’ either in the form of rural volunteers, Para-workers etc.

By LIFE team

Family planning scheme by Rajasthan Government

2011-11-02T10:17:00.001+05:30

Rajasthan-facts & figures

2011-10-30T15:19:00.002+05:30

Context & History:

History Rājasthān (Hindi: राजस्थान, Rajasthani: राजस्थाण, pronounced [raːdʒəsˈt̪ʰaːn] (listen)) the land of Rajasthanis, ("the land of kings"[1] or "the land of colours"[2]), is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert), which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with Pakistan. The state is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north. Rajasthan covers an area of 132,150 sq mi or 342,239 km². The proportion of the state's total area to the total area of the country is 10.41 per cent.

The first mention of word Rajasthan comes from the work of James Tod (Annals) in 1829 A.D. Rajasthan literally means a Land of Kingdoms. George Thomas (Military Memories) was the first in 1800 A.D., to term this region as Rajputana. John Keay in his book, India: A History stated that the Rajputana name was coined by the British, but that the word even achieved a retrospective authenticity: in an 1829 translation of Ferishta's history of early Islamic India, John Briggs discarded the phrase Indian princes, as rendered in Dow's earlier version, and substituted Rajpoot princes. Rajasthan was essentially the country of the Gurjars. R. C. Majumdar explained that the region was long known as Gurjaratra that is Country protected or ruled by the Gurjars, early form of Gujarat, before it came to be called Rajputana.

The only difference between erstwhile Rajputana and Rajasthan is that certain portions of what had been British India, in the former province of Ajmer-Merwara, were included. Portions lying geographically outside of Rajputana such as the Sumel-Tappa area were included in Madhya Pradesh.[8]

Demographics

Population Growth

Rajasthan has a mainly Rajasthani population. Hindus account for 88.8% of the population. Muslims make up 8.5%, Sikhs 1.4% and Jains 1.2% of the population. The state of Rajasthan is also populated by Sindhis, who came to Rajasthan from Sindh province (now in Pakistan) during the India-Pakistan separation in 1947.

The mother tongue of the majority of people in Rajasthan is Rajasthani. Rajasthani and Hindi are the most widely used languages in Rajasthan. Rajasthani is used as a medium of instruction, along with Hindi and English, in some schools. Some other languages used in Rajasthan are Gujarati, Sindhi and Punjabi.

Education

Non-formal education center in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Educational program by Seva Mandir, an NGO working for the development of the rural and tribal population in Udaipur and Rajsamand districts of southern Rajasthan

During recent years, Rajasthan has made significant progress in the area of education. The state government has been making sustained efforts to improve the educational standard. In recent decades, the literacy rate of Rajasthan has increased significantly. In 1991, the state's literacy rate was only 38.55% (54.99% male and 20.44% female). In 2001, the literacy rate increased to 60.41% (75.70% male and 43.85% female). This was the highest leap in the percentage of literacy recorded in India (the rise in female literacy being 23%). At the Census 2011, Rajasthan had a literacy rate of 67.06% (80.51% male and 52.66% female). Although Rajasthan's literacy rate is below the national average of 74.04% and although its female literacy rate is the lowest in the country (closely followed by Bihar at 53.33%), the state has been praised for its efforts and achievements in raising both male and female literacy rates.

Key information:

• Population: 68.6 million (2011 Census, estimated at more than 68 million now)

• Cities and Towns: 222

• Major cities: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner Bharatpur, Alwar, Bhilwara, Sri Ganganagar, Sikar and Hanumangarh.

• Roads: 1,51,914 km. (8,798 km National Highway)

• National highways crossing Rajasthan: Delhi-Ahmedabad, Agra-Bikaner, Jaipur-Bhopal, Bhatinda-Kandla, Shivpuri-Kota, Kota-Udaipur and Pali-Ambala.

• Climate: Generally dry with monsoon during July–August

• Districts: 33

• Languages: English and Hindi commonly used, as well as indigenous Rajasthani languages, Braj Bhasha etc.

• Literacy: 67.063%(According to Census2011)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan

meeting with youth group members of naulakha village@Ajmer

2011-10-30T12:39:00.000+05:30

Planning commision report on hunger & poverty

2011-10-28T13:18:00.000+05:30

India could well be one of the two fastest growing economies of the world. But for the poor, matters have only turned worse.The Human Development Report released by the Planning Commission on Friday (21/10/2011)has shockingly revealed that the poor in rural India were better fed about 30 years ago. The eye-opening figures render meaningless the controversy over Planning Commission's poverty line cut-offs - those spending over Rs 26 a day in rural areas and over Rs 32 a day in urban areas would no longer be considered to be below the poverty line.

In fact, on the hunger front it has been one long slide downwards. All states, according to the report, are facing "a serious to extremely alarming situation of hunger." Even as the Indian economy boasts of an average growth rate of over 6 per cent per annum, the calorie and protein intake of the poor has declined consistently, according to figures for 1983 to 2004-05 which were taken into account to prepare the report.

The telling impact of this on health is all too evident. During 2000-07, nearly half of India's children under the age of five years were malnourished.

This is the worst in South Asia and, shockingly, worse than the worst performer in the African region - a dubious distinction that dents India's image. Further, the eleventh five year plan document says that the absolute weight and height of Indians, on an average, have not shown any significant improvement over the last 25 years.

The Human Development Report, which was released a day ahead of the National Development Council (NDC) meeting to be attended by the Prime Minister - it was released by Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh - paints a dark picture of the Indian situation.

Sample this: Rural calorie consumption per day has fallen from 2,221 calories in 1983 to 2047 calories in 2004-05, a decline of 8 per cent. The urban calorie consumption fell by 3.3 per cent from 2,080 calories in 1983 to 2,020 calories in 2004-05. While the rural protein consumption registered a fall of 8 per cent, it remained unchanged in the urban areas.

The government had faced acute embarrassment over Planning Commission's estimate, based on the Tendulkar Committee report, which said that a daily expenditure of more than Rs 26 in rural areas (and Rs 32 in urban areas) did not classify a family as poor. As the government was lampooned over this, the plan panel, in sync with the rural development ministry, said the ongoing socio economic caste census (SECC) would provide a more realistic basis of identifying the country's poor.

The Human Development Report comes as an obvious dampener.

The human development report holds out no glimmer of hope, saying even seemingly well-off states faced a desperate hunger situation.

"The best performing (state) is Punjab, with a Hunger Index (HI) of 13.63, categorised as having a serious problem of hunger, in spite of its fairly high per capita income," says the report.

Similarly, Gujarat, though an economically prosperous state, has turned out to be worse than a poor state like Assam in this respect.

The HI is a tool to calculate hunger and malnutrition at the regional level in India. It based on the proportion of underweight children under the age of five years and the mortality rate of children under the age of five years.

The lower the Hunger Index, the better off a state is. So Punjab with an HI of 13.63 is the best performing state and MP with an HI of 30.87 is the worst.

The nutritional requirement recommends a national norm of 2,400 kilo calories a day for rural areas and 2,100 calories a day for urban areas, the difference being attributed to the lower rate of physical activity in urban areas. Even 20 years ago, an Indian's consumption of calories on average was way below the requirement.

In rural areas about 81 per cent of the population does not consume the recommended levels and for urban areas, the figure is 57 per cent. The calorie consumption for the poorest chunk of the population is significantly lower than the top quartile despite the poor needing more calories because of more manual work they need to do.

The share of food in total expenditure continued to fall throughout the three decades prior to 2004-05 in both rural and urban India with no compensatory rise in non-cereal consumption.

This, along with decreased calorie intake, has contributed to the intensity of hunger in India.

The findings of the report 2011, which were prepared by the Planning Commission over two years, is the second in the series of the human development reports released by the commission. It was prepared with the intention of indicating the wellbeing of the people in the country based on three indicators - consumption expenditure, education and health.

Though the HDI between 1999-2000 and 2007-08 increased by 21 per cent, the major driver of improvement is the education sector. The report clearly states that nutrition, sanitation and health remain areas of concern.

source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/poverty-malnutrition-india-hunger-index/1/157110.html

अच्छा मूल्य देने से परहेज क्यों

2011-10-24T13:43:00.001+05:30

पिछले कुछ समय से सरकारी हलकों में यह बहस चल रही है कि किसानों को दिए जाने वाले समर्थन मूल्य में कितनी वृद्धि की जाए। हाल ही में कृषि लागत एवं मूल्य आयोग ने यह सिफारिश की है कि गेहूं का समर्थन मूल्य पिछले वर्ष के समर्थन मूल्य 1120 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल से बढ़ाकर 1350 प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया जाए। उधर, पंजाब के मुख्यमंत्री ने इस वृद्धि को अपर्याप्त माना है और यह कहा है कि गेहूं के समर्थन मूल्य को कम से कम 2200 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल किया जाना चाहिए। समर्थन मूल्य को कम बढ़ाए जाने के पीछे तर्क यह दिया जा रहा है कि देश में खाद्य पदार्थो की कीमतों में जो वृद्धि पिछले कुछ समय से हो रही है, इससे और अधिक बढ़ावा मिलेगा। इसलिए किसानों को मिलने वाला समर्थन मूल्य नहीं बढ़ना चाहिए। सरकार कुछ कृषि जींसों के लिए समर्थन मूल्य की घोषणा करती है और बाजार में मांग की कमी होने पर उस समर्थन मूल्य पर उस कृषि उत्पादों की खरीद भी करती है। इसके अतिरिक्त सरकार सार्वजनिक वितरण प्रणाली या रोजगार कार्यक्रमों के निमित्त उपयोग होने वाले अनाज की खरीद भी करती है। सरकार द्वारा समर्थन मूल्य पर खरीद होने के कारण उस उपज का बाजार मूल्य नहीं गिरता है और किसान को उसकी उपज के न्यूनतम मूल्य मिलने की गारंटी हो जाती है। सरकार द्वारा समर्थन मूल्य घोषित करने के कारण किसान को उस कृषि उत्पाद का उत्पादन बढ़ाने के लिए उत्साह भी मिलता है। किसान को गारंटीशुदा मूल्य मिलने की आशा से उन वस्तुओं का उत्पादन भी बढ़ता है। हरित क्रांति के साथ सरकार की समर्थन कीमत देने की नीति के चलते देश में खाद्यान्नों, विशेषतौर पर गेहूं और चावल का उत्पादन बढ़ा और देश खाद्यान्नों के मामले में आत्मनिर्भर हो गया। किसान खुशहाल हुआ और उसकी आमदनी में होने वाली वृद्धि से देश में वस्तुओं और सेवाओं की मांग भी बढ़ी और देश की आर्थिक संवृद्धि दर में सुधार हुआ। लेकिन नई आर्थिक नीति के बाद कृषि के विकास पर तो सरकार का ध्यान कम हुआ ही, साथ ही साथ सरकार द्वारा दिए जाने वाले समर्थन मूल्य में होने वाली वृद्धि कम होती गई। दूसरी ओर किसान की उत्पादन लागत में वृद्धि कहीं ज्यादा दर्ज हुई, जिसके चलते किसानों की आमदनी दिनोंदिन कम होती गई। राष्ट्रीय आय में होने वाली वृद्धि का लाभ गैर कृषि क्षेत्रों में ज्यादा पहुंचा और जहां 1980-81 में कृषि से 38 प्रतिषत जीडीपी प्राप्त होती थी, 2010-11 तक आते-आते कृषि का जीडीपी में योगदान घटकर मात्र 14.2 प्रतिशत ही रह गया। जाहिर है कि कुल श्रम शक्ति का लगभग 57 प्रतिशत हिस्सा जो कृषि में संलग्न हैं, देश की आर्थिक संवृद्धि के लाभों से वंचित रह गया। आज कृषि कोई बहुत फायदे का व्यवसाय नहीं है। अगर देखा जाए तो देश में प्रति हेक्टेयर गेहूं की उत्पादकता आज भी औसतन 29 क्विंटल है, चावल की उत्पादकता तो 22 क्विंटल से भी कम है। दालों की उत्पादकता अब भी मात्र छह क्विंटल ही है। ऐसे में गेहूं की कीमत 1200 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल होने पर भी किसान को 35,000 से भी कम प्रति हेक्टेयर मिलते हैं। उस पर किसान का कृषि पर होने वाला खर्च और उसकी मजदूरी निकाल दी जाए तो उसके लिए कुछ बचता नहीं है, लेकिन इस बात में कोई संदेह नहीं है कि कृषि में विकास के बिना इस देश की खाद्य सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित नहीं की जा सकती। 121 करोड़ से भी अधिक लोगों का यह देश अपनी खाद्य जरूरतों की आपूर्ति के लिए विदेशों पर निर्भर नहीं रह सकता। इतिहास गवाह है कि जब-जब भारत में विदेशों से खाद्यान्न का आयात किया गया है, तब-तब वैश्विक बाजार में खाद्य पदार्थो की कीमतें बढ़ जाती हैं। इसलिए कृषि विकास के लिए अच्छी कीमतों सहित सभी प्रकार के प्रोत्साहनों की भारी जरूरत है। ऐसे में हिसाब लगाया जाए तो किसान को कृषि कार्य करने में फायदे की बजाय नुकसान ही अधिक होता है। अगर पिछले दो वर्षो का अपवाद छोड़ दिया जाए तो देखने में आता है कि सरकार पिछले लगभग 7-8 वर्षो से कृषि उत्पादों की खरीद के अपने दायित्व से विमुख होने का प्रयास करती रही है। ऐसे में निजी कंपनियों द्वारा कृषि वस्तुओं की खरीद को बढ़ावा मिला और उनके द्वारा जमाखोरी में भारी वृद्धि हुई। ऐसे में उपभोक्ताओं का स्वभाविक रूप से शोषण हुआ। किसानों को भी निजी कंपनियों द्वारा खरीद से कोई लाभ नहीं मिला, क्योंकि निजी कंपनियों ने किसानों से समर्थन मूल्य के आसपास भारी खरीद की। हम जानते हैं कि गेहूं का समर्थन और खरीद मूल्य पिछले वर्ष 1120 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल के आसपास था, जबकि बाजार में आटे की कीमत लगभग 20 से 30 रुपये प्रति किलो रही। आज विश्व में खाद्य असुरक्षा बढ़ती जा रही है। भारत में तो यह खतरनाक स्तर पर पहुंच चुकी है। खाद्यान्नों का उत्पादन घटने की सूरत में देश फिर से विदेशों पर निर्भर होना शुरू हो गया है। खाद्यान्नों के खालिस निर्यातक से भारत आज खाद्यान्नों का खालिस आयातक बन चुका है। सरकार की कृषि के प्रति बेरुखी इस बात से परिलक्षित होती है कि जहां 1987 में सरकार अपने कुल बजट का 27 प्रतिशत कृषि पर खर्च करती थी, अब वह मात्र 5 प्रतिशत ही कृषि पर खर्च करती है। सरकार द्वारा दिए जाने वाला समर्थन मूल्य उसकी लागत की पूर्ति करने में भी असमर्थ है। ऐसे में किसान द्वारा कृषि का परित्याग और तदनुसार घटता कृषि उत्पादन देश में खाद्य मुद्रा स्फीति का प्रमुख कारण है। किसानों में बढ़ती असुरक्षा की भावना इस बात से परिलक्षित होती है कि पिछले एक दशक में लगभग तीन लाख किसानों ने आत्महत्या कर ली। किसानों की यह बदहाली देश में खाद्य असुरक्षा को तो बढ़ा ही रही है, आम जन के लिए भारी महंगाई का भी कारण बन रही है। ऐसे में सरकार में बैठे नीति-निर्माताओं को यह विचार करना होगा कि कृषि के प्रति बेरुखी देश के लिए भारी खतरे का कारण बन रही है। देश में खाद्य सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने के लिए किसानों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करनी होगी। इसके लिए गेहूं, चावल, गन्ना इत्यादि के समर्थन मूल्य में वृद्धि करना तो आवश्यक है ही, तिलहनों, मोटे अनाजों, दालों और तमाम प्रकार के कृषि उत्पादों की सरकारी खरीद और न्यूनतम कीमत को सुनिश्चित करना देश की खाद्य सुरक्षा की न्यूनतम शर्त है। सरकार द्वारा किसानों को दिए जाने वाले लाभकारी मूल्य के माध्यम से ही देश में कृषि उत्पादन बढ़ाया जा सकता है। यह सिद्ध हो चुका है कि बाजारी शक्तियों के कारण कीमतों में वृद्धि वास्तव में बिचौलियों को तो लाभ देती है, किसान को इसका कोई लाभ नहीं मिलता। इतिहास गवाह है कि जब भी आलू, टमाटर या अन्य प्रकार के कृषि उत्पादों के बाजार मूल्य में आए उछाल से प्रभावित होकर किसान द्वारा जब-जब उत्पादन बढ़ाया गया है, उसे भारी नुकसान सहना पड़ा है और बाजार से उचित मूल्य के अभाव में किसानों द्वारा आलू, टमाटर और अन्य प्रकार की सब्जियों को फेंकने के लिए बाध्य होना पड़ा है। जरूरत इस बात की है कि किसान को निरंतर उचित कीमत मिलने की गारंटी हो।

हैं)

अश्विनी महाजन

(लेखक आर्थिक मामलों के जानकार

Source: Dainik Jagran (Rashtriya-24/10/2011)

Farmers forced to sell produce cheap!

2011-10-22T12:26:00.000+05:30

Hindustan times ( 22nd October 2011)

VIC@ Banswara in news!

2011-10-22T12:23:00.000+05:30

The Village Information Center at Banswara been promoted by LIFE project is in the news. Please find the attached news paper cutting of the same. The center is committed for providing information on various government schemes and programmes for the benefit of poor and tribal community.

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2011-10-18T07:14:00.001+05:30

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