Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bhavnagar Science City to ignite young minds
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN/Bhavnagar: You might have explosions of a different kind coming out of here. But, children are sure to have a blast at this unique science city being set up in Bhavnagar. And, who knows, an Edison or CV Raman might emerge from this experiment. Slated to cost Rs 3 crore, construction has already begun and the centre is likely to be operational in 2009. Shri Balvant Parekh Science City aims to stimulate young minds to think and even, invent. It plans to enhance skills of comprehension and innovation along with R & D capabilities. “The science city will give students an environment where they can experiment freely and learn science practically. There are many schools which teach science, where students are not allowed to carry out experiments. How can we then expect great scientists to emerge? Children will be able to do things here they can’t do at school or home,” says Bipin Shah of Vikas Vartul Trust. The trust and Monghiben Balvihar are playing an instrumental role in establishing it. Shah is himself a scientist at Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar. How did the idea strike him? Interestingly, it was a thought-provoking question from his son that triggered the scheme. His son asked him how come he had studied so much more than Edison, but had not invented anything! “We visited many science cities across the country to incorporate their best features. Our idea is that it should not be just an exhibition centre but, a breeding ground for scientists,” says a passionate Shah. Seeing his devotion to the cause of spreading science awareness among children, industrialists and others have made donations for the project. “Pidilite Industries Ltd donated Rs 1.25 crore and Hindustan Pencils Ltd Rs 76 lakh. Tushar Vadhar of Shashi Industries has also helped shape our project,’’ says Shah According to Aswin Shah, a trustee, each day over 500 students will be able to conduct experiments and as a result, build scientific temper. “There will be a laboratory, IT computer unit, environmentagri unit, CD-toys library, mobile knowledge van, teachers’ training unit, theatre, science park, energy park, fairyland, planetarium and science museum at the venue,” he says.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Organic farmers develop rating system
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN/Ahmedabad: In a novel initiative, state farmers have established their own system for organic certification. Vadodarabased NGO Jatan and farmers associated with it are responsible for the venture. Interestingly, technical knowhow has been provided by non-resident Indian PhD student of Stanford University, Neil Patel. “He has designed a special software for the certification programme. It will scientifically evaluate organic farms giving marks for each crop,” explains Kapil Shah of Jatan. Certification will cost only Rs 20 for one acre of dry land and Rs 50 for irrigated land. Currently, the charges are so high that farmers can’t afford them. Certification should help farmers, but it has become a business. That’s why we wanted to establish farmers’ own system,’’ he adds. Jatan has been working in this field for 25 years. On Saturday, 25 farms of 12 farmers will be issued ‘Sajivkheti Pramanpatra’ by Jatan Pramanan Samiti at a function at Gujarat Vidyapith. “We have spent six years to develop the programme. Now, we will be able to implement it. Using this system, farmers will monitor and evaluate farms in their area. They have been trained for the task,” he says. Farmers who practise organic farming have been selected as evaluators. A seven-member state-level committee has been formed to give final certification to farms. Field-level monitors will recommend farms for this purpose. “For consumers, organic products are those in which chemicals and fertilisers have not been used. For us, organic farming is much more. We see it as a sustainable approach keeping environmental welfare in mind. Our ultimate goal is to conserve natural resources,” stresses Shah. Ramesh Patel, secretary of SRISTI, which promotes organic farming and traditional knowledge, feels the initiative will be very beneficial for small and marginal farmers in the state. “The best part is that farmers themselves are involved in the process. Traditionally, organic farming is done in Surendranagar, Dangs and Kutch. Since, this certification is cheap it will be accessible to small farmers too,” he adds.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Blind man opens eyes of villagers
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN/Rangpar: He may be visually impaired, but he sure does see things others don’t. Ratna Aal, 26, resident of Rangpar village, has been enlightening villagers on the inaction of panchayat for the last two years. The panchayat has claimed it has done development work like repair of road connecting village to highway, planted trees along the roadside and cut down gando baval. Aal, a farmer, got documents under Right to Information Act (RTI) to show none of these things have been done. “I’ve been trying to find solid facts that panchayat has done precious little in the village. However, talati and panchayat members have still not parted with certain information and have even given misleading information,” says Aal, who has studied till class X. In these documents the gram panchayat claims it has spent Rs 27,187 on tree plantation, Rs 18,503 on road repairs under different schemes, which have not been implemented. For instance, he says, panchayat claims there is no gando baval along the roadside, but anyone can see it growing and causing problems to passers-by. “Also, where are the new trees planted? Do you see them?” he asks this TOI correspondent while showing him around the village. Rangpar is a small village with around 750 people, 25 km from Wankaner in Rajkot district. When he first confronted the panchayat, it insulted him. Aal has met several officials with the documents but no one has taken notice so far. But, he is determined to carry on till the village gets justice and all facilities it’s entitled to under different government schemes. “Women have to walk at least two km to fetch drinking water during summer. I may be blind, but my vision is clear — no villager should suffer because of lack of basic civic amenities,” says the braveheart. Village sarpanch Ratabhai Gogia says, “We had cut down gando baval last year but it has grown rapidly. We had also repaired the road but lots of vehicles use this road so it is difficult to maintain it.” He claims to have planted trees, many of which did not survive.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Gujarat’s lifeline makes their farmland saline
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Leelapur(Surendranagar): The Narmada canal has turned many arid regions in Gujarat lush green. But in Leelapur, villagers have accused the canal of rendering 250 acres of agricultural land unusable. The village’s black clay soil, ideal for growing cotton, has started developing a white coating. Water seeping from the Narmada main canal has brought to surface the underlying salinity in the soil here. Experts say this is natural when such a large canal passes through a region that has underlying salinity. Incidentally, Leelapur is the village where the land acquired for the canal was the maximum in Surendranagar district. The saline land is turning land-holding farmers into farm labourers. Suresh Patel, one of the farmers, grew cotton on his four acres till about three years ago. He lost 1.5 acres to the Narmada canal, while the rest has become infertile. “In the last three years, we have not had a single crop because our lands have become infertile. Water seeping from the Narmada canal and two of its sub-canals has brought up underlying salinity,” he says. Ironically, Leelapur is just one km from the world’s biggest pumping station on the Saurashtra branch canal of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Project, inaugurated in 2007 at Dhanki by Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Narmada’s Vallbhipur branch canal and Maliya branch canal also pass through Leelapur lands. Says Manjibhai Patel, another farmer, “We are afraid that the problem will escalate with each passing year and engulf more land.” He first lost 10 of his 26 acres to the canal, while another eight acres have become saline. “We thought the Narmada canal would change our fortunes for ever. It did. For the worse,” says Narayan Patel. “It would have been better if the government acquired all our lands,” he adds. The farmers add they are in a bind, as they can’t even sell their lands as no one would give them a fair price as they have turned saline. “The state government should compensate us or acquire our land at the existing market price,’’ says farmer Fuljibhai Patel. “The salinity surfacing is a summer phenomenon that you will not see in the monsoon. This is not a serious problem. The salinity will go away in a while,” says superintendent engineer (Surendranagar) V Brahmkshatriya.
Leelapur(Surendranagar): The Narmada canal has turned many arid regions in Gujarat lush green. But in Leelapur, villagers have accused the canal of rendering 250 acres of agricultural land unusable. The village’s black clay soil, ideal for growing cotton, has started developing a white coating. Water seeping from the Narmada main canal has brought to surface the underlying salinity in the soil here. Experts say this is natural when such a large canal passes through a region that has underlying salinity. Incidentally, Leelapur is the village where the land acquired for the canal was the maximum in Surendranagar district. The saline land is turning land-holding farmers into farm labourers. Suresh Patel, one of the farmers, grew cotton on his four acres till about three years ago. He lost 1.5 acres to the Narmada canal, while the rest has become infertile. “In the last three years, we have not had a single crop because our lands have become infertile. Water seeping from the Narmada canal and two of its sub-canals has brought up underlying salinity,” he says. Ironically, Leelapur is just one km from the world’s biggest pumping station on the Saurashtra branch canal of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Project, inaugurated in 2007 at Dhanki by Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Narmada’s Vallbhipur branch canal and Maliya branch canal also pass through Leelapur lands. Says Manjibhai Patel, another farmer, “We are afraid that the problem will escalate with each passing year and engulf more land.” He first lost 10 of his 26 acres to the canal, while another eight acres have become saline. “We thought the Narmada canal would change our fortunes for ever. It did. For the worse,” says Narayan Patel. “It would have been better if the government acquired all our lands,” he adds. The farmers add they are in a bind, as they can’t even sell their lands as no one would give them a fair price as they have turned saline. “The state government should compensate us or acquire our land at the existing market price,’’ says farmer Fuljibhai Patel. “The salinity surfacing is a summer phenomenon that you will not see in the monsoon. This is not a serious problem. The salinity will go away in a while,” says superintendent engineer (Surendranagar) V Brahmkshatriya.
Gujarat Using Only 6.4 Per Cent Of Narmada Water
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Ahmedabad: On one hand, scores of towns and villages have gone thirsty this summer. On the other, Gujarat government could only provide 6.4 per cent of water available from Sardar Sarovar Project during 2007. This information has been obtained by Him a n s h u Thakkar of ‘South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People’ under the Right to Information Act from the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited. Gujarat passed 19.91 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) of water through its Canal Head Power House (CHPH) and River Bed Power House (RBPH) during 2007. Of this, Gujarat could use only 1.285 BCM water, or 6.4 per cent. The rest flowed into the Arabian Sea because Gujarat does not have the required canal network to make full use of water at SSP dam. “Narmada water is being underutilized because of poor management. Incomplete canal network, lack of proper water management and distribution system has caused this situation to arise,” says Vidyut Joshi, sociologist and pro-Narmada dam activist. As far as canal network is concerned, the scenario is far from optimistic. Just the main canal (458 km) is complete. Out of 2,759 km of branch canals, 1,620 km have been completed. Of the 22,786 km of minor canals, 6,331 km have been completed. Of the 38,000 km sub-minor canals, only 8,000 km have been completed. “We have a long way to go in terms of proper water management system in the state,’’ says former director of Water Resources Engineering and Management Institute, MS university, Baroda, Prof GS Parthasarthi.
Ahmedabad: On one hand, scores of towns and villages have gone thirsty this summer. On the other, Gujarat government could only provide 6.4 per cent of water available from Sardar Sarovar Project during 2007. This information has been obtained by Him a n s h u Thakkar of ‘South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People’ under the Right to Information Act from the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited. Gujarat passed 19.91 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) of water through its Canal Head Power House (CHPH) and River Bed Power House (RBPH) during 2007. Of this, Gujarat could use only 1.285 BCM water, or 6.4 per cent. The rest flowed into the Arabian Sea because Gujarat does not have the required canal network to make full use of water at SSP dam. “Narmada water is being underutilized because of poor management. Incomplete canal network, lack of proper water management and distribution system has caused this situation to arise,” says Vidyut Joshi, sociologist and pro-Narmada dam activist. As far as canal network is concerned, the scenario is far from optimistic. Just the main canal (458 km) is complete. Out of 2,759 km of branch canals, 1,620 km have been completed. Of the 22,786 km of minor canals, 6,331 km have been completed. Of the 38,000 km sub-minor canals, only 8,000 km have been completed. “We have a long way to go in terms of proper water management system in the state,’’ says former director of Water Resources Engineering and Management Institute, MS university, Baroda, Prof GS Parthasarthi.
Mehsanvi buffaloes to help AP farmers
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Mevad (Mehsana district): They are the black beauties of north Gujarat showing off their stout, well-groomed bodies to the buyers from down south. The Mehsanvi buffalo, which has been the mainstay of dairies of this region, is now being looked upon to resuscitate the crisis-ridden farmers of Andhra Pradesh (AP) among whom many have committed suicide. Under the schemes floated by the Centre and the AP government for these farmers, several government veterinary doctors accompanied by farmers, have come to this village to buy the Mehsanvi buffalo. Each of these buffaloes yield 12 litres of milk in a day. In the last two months alone, an estimated 1,500 Mehsanvi buffaloes have been sent to various villages in AP. There are two schemes for farmers in AP: one is the state government scheme for those families which are below the poverty line, the other is the prime minister’s package for the families of farmers who committed suicide. “Under the PM’s package, each affected family will be given two buffaloes. As part of this scheme, I am here with farmers to buy Mehsanvi buffaloes,’’ says Dr I Balasundaram, a veterinary surgeon from Medak district of AP, adding that they also intend to develop a strong dairy industry. “This is the best business for rural folk because losses are minimised and over the years, it only grows,” says Balasundaram. Under these schemes, farmers are given buffaloes at 50 per cent subsidy and the rest on loan. Each buffalo costs Rs 30,000. Says Arvind Chaudhary, who mediates these deals and is also providing buffaloes to states other than AP, “On an average, a buffalo gives six litres of milk in the morning as well as in the evening.” Chairman of the Dudhsagar Dairy (Mehsana) Vipul Chaudhary says, “The best quality Mehsanvi buffalo is the one that gives a sustained income to the family and it does not demand much maintenance, which makes it popular.” Maleka Sankar Rao, farmer from Adilabad district, AP, feels that the state needs a strong dairy industry like Gujarat which can bail it out in the event of an agrarian crisis.
Mevad (Mehsana district): They are the black beauties of north Gujarat showing off their stout, well-groomed bodies to the buyers from down south. The Mehsanvi buffalo, which has been the mainstay of dairies of this region, is now being looked upon to resuscitate the crisis-ridden farmers of Andhra Pradesh (AP) among whom many have committed suicide. Under the schemes floated by the Centre and the AP government for these farmers, several government veterinary doctors accompanied by farmers, have come to this village to buy the Mehsanvi buffalo. Each of these buffaloes yield 12 litres of milk in a day. In the last two months alone, an estimated 1,500 Mehsanvi buffaloes have been sent to various villages in AP. There are two schemes for farmers in AP: one is the state government scheme for those families which are below the poverty line, the other is the prime minister’s package for the families of farmers who committed suicide. “Under the PM’s package, each affected family will be given two buffaloes. As part of this scheme, I am here with farmers to buy Mehsanvi buffaloes,’’ says Dr I Balasundaram, a veterinary surgeon from Medak district of AP, adding that they also intend to develop a strong dairy industry. “This is the best business for rural folk because losses are minimised and over the years, it only grows,” says Balasundaram. Under these schemes, farmers are given buffaloes at 50 per cent subsidy and the rest on loan. Each buffalo costs Rs 30,000. Says Arvind Chaudhary, who mediates these deals and is also providing buffaloes to states other than AP, “On an average, a buffalo gives six litres of milk in the morning as well as in the evening.” Chairman of the Dudhsagar Dairy (Mehsana) Vipul Chaudhary says, “The best quality Mehsanvi buffalo is the one that gives a sustained income to the family and it does not demand much maintenance, which makes it popular.” Maleka Sankar Rao, farmer from Adilabad district, AP, feels that the state needs a strong dairy industry like Gujarat which can bail it out in the event of an agrarian crisis.
Stampedes over water kill girls here
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Tharad: If thirst does not kill you in the parched villages of Tharad and Vav talukas in north Gujarat, a stampede will. Villagers here are so desperate that they fight for every drop of water they can salvage each time a water tanker arrives or water starts flowing, however briefly, from public taps. The aggressive jostling can often lead to fights breaking out and even deadly stampedes. Ironically, large amount of water passes by these villages through the Narmada canal, supplying water to adjoining Rajasthan. Just last week, Chief Minister Narendra Modi released the waters into Rajasthan with much fanfare at a function in Tharad. Stampedes have killed at least four young girls and injuring many others in different villages of Tharad and Vav. In 2004, a six-year-old girl was killed in a stampede at Meghpura village in Vav. Last year, Rahabhai Rabari of Daiyap village lost his 18-yearold daughter, Jebar, in a stampede. His younger daughter Agar was badly wounded on her left leg. Jebar was crushed between the tanker and the wall of people trying to reach the water. Jebar’s marriage was being fixed on the day she died. Her future father-in-law was at her home to fix the date of the wedding. “After Jebar’s death, I decided never to take water from tankers,” says Rahabhai. “I will spend the rest of my life drinking brackish water from the village well.” “Stampedes kill at least a teenage girl in this area every year,” says Agar Rabari of Kundaliya village in Vav, who lost her 18-year-old daughter in a stampede last year. “We started getting some water through pipes this year,” she says, “but had it come last year, my daughter would have been alive today.” “We have to travel at least four kilometres just to get water. Our village has a pipeline but the supply is erratic, it is practically useless,” says Baldev Rajput of Ashara village.
Tharad: If thirst does not kill you in the parched villages of Tharad and Vav talukas in north Gujarat, a stampede will. Villagers here are so desperate that they fight for every drop of water they can salvage each time a water tanker arrives or water starts flowing, however briefly, from public taps. The aggressive jostling can often lead to fights breaking out and even deadly stampedes. Ironically, large amount of water passes by these villages through the Narmada canal, supplying water to adjoining Rajasthan. Just last week, Chief Minister Narendra Modi released the waters into Rajasthan with much fanfare at a function in Tharad. Stampedes have killed at least four young girls and injuring many others in different villages of Tharad and Vav. In 2004, a six-year-old girl was killed in a stampede at Meghpura village in Vav. Last year, Rahabhai Rabari of Daiyap village lost his 18-yearold daughter, Jebar, in a stampede. His younger daughter Agar was badly wounded on her left leg. Jebar was crushed between the tanker and the wall of people trying to reach the water. Jebar’s marriage was being fixed on the day she died. Her future father-in-law was at her home to fix the date of the wedding. “After Jebar’s death, I decided never to take water from tankers,” says Rahabhai. “I will spend the rest of my life drinking brackish water from the village well.” “Stampedes kill at least a teenage girl in this area every year,” says Agar Rabari of Kundaliya village in Vav, who lost her 18-year-old daughter in a stampede last year. “We started getting some water through pipes this year,” she says, “but had it come last year, my daughter would have been alive today.” “We have to travel at least four kilometres just to get water. Our village has a pipeline but the supply is erratic, it is practically useless,” says Baldev Rajput of Ashara village.
Ambani village to go dry till it pays Rs 2L
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Kukasvada (Junagadh): This is Dhirubhai Ambani’s birthplace. Located right on the coast, it is one of the hundreds of v i l l a g e s a l o n g G u j a r at ’s 1 6 0 0 - k m c o a s t l i n e which have been inflicted by salinity of soil. Kukasvada, which has a population of 10,000, does not have sweet water wells. Villagers have stopped getting drinking water in the taps. The few rich families here purchase water from private tankers at Rs 350 per 10,000-litre. Others travel several kilometres to fetch water. It does not help being the birthplace of the biggest creator of wealth in India. The Ambanis built a primary health centre and high school here. The town held non-stop prayers for Dhirubhai’s recovery after a long period of hospitalisation, before the end finally came on July 6, 2002. But, the government has stopped water supply to Ambani’s native village as the gram panchayat defaulted on payments of water cess totalling Rs two lakh. “Unless the villagers make the payments, the panchayat will not be able to clear the arrears and have the water supply restored,” says Kukasvada sarpanch Bhima Bhadarka. Dhirubhai was about 10 years old when his father, Hirachandbhai, sold off the ancestral house and moved to Chorwad, five km away, to teach in a school there. Like him, many villagers have migrated because of the harsh conditions. Those who stayed behind live in poverty. They earn an average of Rs 60 as daily wages in towns like Mangrol, Chorvad and Keshod, but travelling to and fro itself eats up Rs 10 to Rs 20. Left with no options, the panchayat has decided that till villagers pay up the water cess dues, the panchayat will not issue any documents like caste and income certificates. Villagers say if an industry was to come in, it can provide employment locally. “We are proud of the Ambanis’ rise as the richest Indians. It will be great if they can do something about water and emploment in Kukaswada,’’ says Bhardarka.
Kukasvada (Junagadh): This is Dhirubhai Ambani’s birthplace. Located right on the coast, it is one of the hundreds of v i l l a g e s a l o n g G u j a r at ’s 1 6 0 0 - k m c o a s t l i n e which have been inflicted by salinity of soil. Kukasvada, which has a population of 10,000, does not have sweet water wells. Villagers have stopped getting drinking water in the taps. The few rich families here purchase water from private tankers at Rs 350 per 10,000-litre. Others travel several kilometres to fetch water. It does not help being the birthplace of the biggest creator of wealth in India. The Ambanis built a primary health centre and high school here. The town held non-stop prayers for Dhirubhai’s recovery after a long period of hospitalisation, before the end finally came on July 6, 2002. But, the government has stopped water supply to Ambani’s native village as the gram panchayat defaulted on payments of water cess totalling Rs two lakh. “Unless the villagers make the payments, the panchayat will not be able to clear the arrears and have the water supply restored,” says Kukasvada sarpanch Bhima Bhadarka. Dhirubhai was about 10 years old when his father, Hirachandbhai, sold off the ancestral house and moved to Chorwad, five km away, to teach in a school there. Like him, many villagers have migrated because of the harsh conditions. Those who stayed behind live in poverty. They earn an average of Rs 60 as daily wages in towns like Mangrol, Chorvad and Keshod, but travelling to and fro itself eats up Rs 10 to Rs 20. Left with no options, the panchayat has decided that till villagers pay up the water cess dues, the panchayat will not issue any documents like caste and income certificates. Villagers say if an industry was to come in, it can provide employment locally. “We are proud of the Ambanis’ rise as the richest Indians. It will be great if they can do something about water and emploment in Kukaswada,’’ says Bhardarka.
Barefoot warrior fights the desert and wins
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Fatehpur (Surendranagar district): Everything that touches the Little Rann of Kutch turns barren, desert-like. But not Fatehpur village that sits on the edge of the Rann. Its entrance is lined with 700 trees that remain lush green even during the summer, all because of the village’s ex-deputy sarpanch Bachubhai Gadhvi, better known as Kaviraj. He fought the vagaries of nature and an apathetic government with his bare feet. And, he won. Tired of his village’s daily struggle for something as simple as water, he vowed in 1985 not to cover his feet until every home gets ample water. During peak summer, the earth would sizzle, like burning embers. But for 23 years, Kaviraj walked the flames, till his village got cool water. “My dream has been fulfilled. I will put on shoes for the first time since 1985 at a public function in the next two months,” he says today with pride. Kaviraj, who was the village’s leader for all practical purposes, “Women had to walk three km to fetch contaminated water. In 1985, we had cholera in the village because of the water. I could not believe we had bloody fights over such water.” Kaviraj took it upon himself to get the village borewell working at any cost. “I would travel bare feet 20 km to Patdi taluka and push government officers to include us in their various schemes. And today, look at our village...” Jashabhai Thakor of Fatehpur says, “We are happy we have water even during summers. This was unthinkable before 1985. All this, thanks to one man - Kaviraj.”
Fatehpur (Surendranagar district): Everything that touches the Little Rann of Kutch turns barren, desert-like. But not Fatehpur village that sits on the edge of the Rann. Its entrance is lined with 700 trees that remain lush green even during the summer, all because of the village’s ex-deputy sarpanch Bachubhai Gadhvi, better known as Kaviraj. He fought the vagaries of nature and an apathetic government with his bare feet. And, he won. Tired of his village’s daily struggle for something as simple as water, he vowed in 1985 not to cover his feet until every home gets ample water. During peak summer, the earth would sizzle, like burning embers. But for 23 years, Kaviraj walked the flames, till his village got cool water. “My dream has been fulfilled. I will put on shoes for the first time since 1985 at a public function in the next two months,” he says today with pride. Kaviraj, who was the village’s leader for all practical purposes, “Women had to walk three km to fetch contaminated water. In 1985, we had cholera in the village because of the water. I could not believe we had bloody fights over such water.” Kaviraj took it upon himself to get the village borewell working at any cost. “I would travel bare feet 20 km to Patdi taluka and push government officers to include us in their various schemes. And today, look at our village...” Jashabhai Thakor of Fatehpur says, “We are happy we have water even during summers. This was unthinkable before 1985. All this, thanks to one man - Kaviraj.”
Here, snake charmers are denied water
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Parevda (Rajkot): The cup of woes of the nomadic Vadi community of snake charmers is brimming over. Not only are they unable to eke out a living as the government has banned their occupation, they are also being denied access to water by hostile villagers. In Parevda village, 25 km from Rajkot, 98 Vadi families have been given temporary plots. However, the villagers do not want them to settle down there. As the mercury soars, they are facing an acute shortage of drinking water as they are not even allowed to take water from traditional water sources. “We have to go to Kuvadava, which is 12 km away, to fetch drinking water. We hire a chhakda for this purpose, but villagers have threatened the chhakdawalas who help us fetch water,” says Babanath Vadi, a leader of the community. Also, since Kuvadava villagers are also facing water scarcity, they have asked the Vadis not to come there, he adds. “There is water available in nearby farmlands but we are denied access as we are considered outsiders and criminals. We are unable to earn to support ourselves since the government has banned our occupation - it is very difficult for us to purchase drinking water,” says Mansukh Vadi. The charge per chhakda is Rs 80 and they have to hire the vehicle eight times a day. “We have to go to Rajkot every day to make a living. Most of our income goes into paying for drinking water. Our children are suffering from skin diseases as they have not bathed for days. How can we afford the luxury of bathing, when we don’t even have water for drinking,” asks Babanath Vadi. Says Rajkot collector, HS Patel, “Parevda villagers have not yet consented to Vadis settling down in their village. We are trying to convince them. We will work on solving the drinking water problem.”
Parevda (Rajkot): The cup of woes of the nomadic Vadi community of snake charmers is brimming over. Not only are they unable to eke out a living as the government has banned their occupation, they are also being denied access to water by hostile villagers. In Parevda village, 25 km from Rajkot, 98 Vadi families have been given temporary plots. However, the villagers do not want them to settle down there. As the mercury soars, they are facing an acute shortage of drinking water as they are not even allowed to take water from traditional water sources. “We have to go to Kuvadava, which is 12 km away, to fetch drinking water. We hire a chhakda for this purpose, but villagers have threatened the chhakdawalas who help us fetch water,” says Babanath Vadi, a leader of the community. Also, since Kuvadava villagers are also facing water scarcity, they have asked the Vadis not to come there, he adds. “There is water available in nearby farmlands but we are denied access as we are considered outsiders and criminals. We are unable to earn to support ourselves since the government has banned our occupation - it is very difficult for us to purchase drinking water,” says Mansukh Vadi. The charge per chhakda is Rs 80 and they have to hire the vehicle eight times a day. “We have to go to Rajkot every day to make a living. Most of our income goes into paying for drinking water. Our children are suffering from skin diseases as they have not bathed for days. How can we afford the luxury of bathing, when we don’t even have water for drinking,” asks Babanath Vadi. Says Rajkot collector, HS Patel, “Parevda villagers have not yet consented to Vadis settling down in their village. We are trying to convince them. We will work on solving the drinking water problem.”
Bhoodan Samiti to release land rights
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Ahmedabad: The decades old Bhoodan (land gift) Movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave that took place in Gujarat between 1951 and 1958 is getting a refreshing touch. The Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti has decided to amicably settle the issue of illegal purchase of Bhoodan land by people, mostly builders, in the city. They propose to do this by releasing their rights of this land that they have been holding since decades. Many beneficiaries of Bhoodan land in Ahmedabad and Baroda sold off this land. Technically, however, they cannot sell it as the landlordship is that of the Bhoodan Samiti. Moreover, these tracts of land were once suitable for agriculture, are no more so due to the spread of city. “So, it has become inevitable for us to release Bhoodan land rights by taking money from the purchasers.’’says Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti’s president Jagdish Shah. The samiti will release the land rights and in turn charge market rates for the land. This money will then be used to purchase land elsewhere and hand it over to the landless and marginalized people for agriculture. Recently, the samiti acquired 25 acres land in Bharuch district for this purpose. According to sources, the samiti has collected close to Rs 2.5 crore from builders and other Bhoodan land buyers. The collections from releasing land rights are likely to go up to Rs 20 crore. The samiti will also spend this money helping those people who have been given wasteland by government in the state. “At many places, large tracts of this wasteland are not suitable for agriculture. In such places, we will help them cultivate the land by various means like levelling, giving seeds and equipment and others,” added Shah. “This is also a one kind of Bhoodan work” says Chunibhai Vaidya, the veteran Gandhian who spearheaded ‘Save the Land Movement’ (Zameen Bachao Abhiyaan) following which government allotted 18,920 acres land to 6,723 families in the state. In mid-1950s, Ravishanakar Maharaj, Babalbhai Mehta, Jugatram Dave were the leaders, who had been instrumental in Bhoodan movement in Gujarat. During this period, 50,984 acres land had been distributed to 10,230 families in the state by Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti.
Ahmedabad: The decades old Bhoodan (land gift) Movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave that took place in Gujarat between 1951 and 1958 is getting a refreshing touch. The Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti has decided to amicably settle the issue of illegal purchase of Bhoodan land by people, mostly builders, in the city. They propose to do this by releasing their rights of this land that they have been holding since decades. Many beneficiaries of Bhoodan land in Ahmedabad and Baroda sold off this land. Technically, however, they cannot sell it as the landlordship is that of the Bhoodan Samiti. Moreover, these tracts of land were once suitable for agriculture, are no more so due to the spread of city. “So, it has become inevitable for us to release Bhoodan land rights by taking money from the purchasers.’’says Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti’s president Jagdish Shah. The samiti will release the land rights and in turn charge market rates for the land. This money will then be used to purchase land elsewhere and hand it over to the landless and marginalized people for agriculture. Recently, the samiti acquired 25 acres land in Bharuch district for this purpose. According to sources, the samiti has collected close to Rs 2.5 crore from builders and other Bhoodan land buyers. The collections from releasing land rights are likely to go up to Rs 20 crore. The samiti will also spend this money helping those people who have been given wasteland by government in the state. “At many places, large tracts of this wasteland are not suitable for agriculture. In such places, we will help them cultivate the land by various means like levelling, giving seeds and equipment and others,” added Shah. “This is also a one kind of Bhoodan work” says Chunibhai Vaidya, the veteran Gandhian who spearheaded ‘Save the Land Movement’ (Zameen Bachao Abhiyaan) following which government allotted 18,920 acres land to 6,723 families in the state. In mid-1950s, Ravishanakar Maharaj, Babalbhai Mehta, Jugatram Dave were the leaders, who had been instrumental in Bhoodan movement in Gujarat. During this period, 50,984 acres land had been distributed to 10,230 families in the state by Gujarat Bhoodan Samiti.
Windmills from Assam spin success in state
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Ahmedabad: Winds of communal harmony are blowing through the corridors of innovation. Two Muslim brothers from Assam are sharing their successful invention of a lowcost windmill to lift groundwater with Gujarat farmers. Mohammed Mehtar Hussain (38) and Mushtaq Ahmad (28), residents of Darrang in Assam, have invented a low-cost alt e r n a - tive to pump water in fields — a simple w i n d m i l l made of bamboo and tin sheets. They were invited by G r a s s - roots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) to set up their windmill in Little Rann of Kutch. “We have installed two windmills in Boda village to lift groundwater for salt pans. The experiment has been quite successful. The windmill draws 3,000 litres of water an hour at wind speed of 15 km/hr. If we get an average wind speed for at least 15 hours a day, we would get about 45,000 litres of water,” says Mahesh Patel, coordinator of GIAN. The bamboo version has been modified to a metallic one that will change direction with changes in wind direction. A simple mechanism has been used to make the windmill multi-directional. Blades have been given the appropriate angle so that higher wind power can be harnessed and water can be pumped from greater depth. Aluminium blades have been reinforced with wires. The cost of manufacturing a static model made of bamboo/eucalyptus is around Rs 15,000 while the multi-direction model will cost Rs 25,000, which is half the cost of a conventional windmill. While Mehtar Hussain has installed seven units in the Northeast, GIAN plans to install 100 windmills in different villages in the state. “It’s an environment-friendly invention with low initial cost and zero operating cost. Also, it’s one of the best examples of technology transfer at grassroots level from one state to another,” says Professor Anil Gupta of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Says Patel, “The average requirement of water for a salt pan worker is about 80,000 litres. Two windmills can fulfil this requirement. Because of high crude prices, salt pan workers fall into debt trap. This windmill will be a good option for them.’’ A windmill has also been installed at Kalawad village in Junagadh district to lift water from a well. Here, it moves continuously as the site receives wind with sufficient velocity all the time. “We are recording observations of wind speed and water discharge at regular intervals. Farmers from surrounding areas have appreciated the design and are keen to install the windmill on their farms,’’ Patel adds. The Centre for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, had done a technical analysis and a feasibility study of the invention in March 2007. The report had made recommendations to improve the performance of the model.
Ahmedabad: Winds of communal harmony are blowing through the corridors of innovation. Two Muslim brothers from Assam are sharing their successful invention of a lowcost windmill to lift groundwater with Gujarat farmers. Mohammed Mehtar Hussain (38) and Mushtaq Ahmad (28), residents of Darrang in Assam, have invented a low-cost alt e r n a - tive to pump water in fields — a simple w i n d m i l l made of bamboo and tin sheets. They were invited by G r a s s - roots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) to set up their windmill in Little Rann of Kutch. “We have installed two windmills in Boda village to lift groundwater for salt pans. The experiment has been quite successful. The windmill draws 3,000 litres of water an hour at wind speed of 15 km/hr. If we get an average wind speed for at least 15 hours a day, we would get about 45,000 litres of water,” says Mahesh Patel, coordinator of GIAN. The bamboo version has been modified to a metallic one that will change direction with changes in wind direction. A simple mechanism has been used to make the windmill multi-directional. Blades have been given the appropriate angle so that higher wind power can be harnessed and water can be pumped from greater depth. Aluminium blades have been reinforced with wires. The cost of manufacturing a static model made of bamboo/eucalyptus is around Rs 15,000 while the multi-direction model will cost Rs 25,000, which is half the cost of a conventional windmill. While Mehtar Hussain has installed seven units in the Northeast, GIAN plans to install 100 windmills in different villages in the state. “It’s an environment-friendly invention with low initial cost and zero operating cost. Also, it’s one of the best examples of technology transfer at grassroots level from one state to another,” says Professor Anil Gupta of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Says Patel, “The average requirement of water for a salt pan worker is about 80,000 litres. Two windmills can fulfil this requirement. Because of high crude prices, salt pan workers fall into debt trap. This windmill will be a good option for them.’’ A windmill has also been installed at Kalawad village in Junagadh district to lift water from a well. Here, it moves continuously as the site receives wind with sufficient velocity all the time. “We are recording observations of wind speed and water discharge at regular intervals. Farmers from surrounding areas have appreciated the design and are keen to install the windmill on their farms,’’ Patel adds. The Centre for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, had done a technical analysis and a feasibility study of the invention in March 2007. The report had made recommendations to improve the performance of the model.
Farmers turn inventors with their mini tractors
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Ahmedabad: A small 10 horsepower tractor that can do the work of bullocks many not be news. But, if it’s been invented by a class X dropout, it is! Moreover, this farmer is not the only clever innovator around. There are more than 8,000 mini tractors being used in the state developed by farmers. Bachubhai Thesia (50) of Kalavad in Jamnagar district was looking for a machine to replace bullocks to till his fouracre farm. He did not find conventional tractors suitable and so made his own. “My tractor does the same work as bullocks. When we use a conventional tractor, the farm’s borders remained untilled as the tractor needs space to turn. But, I have devised revolving wheels in front which can be turned 180 degrees. Also, the tractor weighs less, which is good for the soil,” says the budding innovator. The tractor cost only Rs 70,000, while branded tractors cost between Rs 1-5 lakh powered by 45 HP engines. Bachubhai’s innovation is making waves among farmers of the region. Farmers across the state have developed mini tractors customized to their needs. Sometimes, they use branded engines and fit them into a locally-fabricated body. Bharat Agravat from Pikhor village in Junagadh district has recently invented a multipurpose 12 HP tractor. “It can be used for sowing, ploughing and transporting to peripheral areas. The tractor has a hydraulic system and a system of balance which works better than other models. The idea is how to get more work from a small engine. I’m in the process of improving the device,’’ he says. “There are over 50 people, mostly farmers, in Saurashtra, who have made different models of small tractors,’’ says Mansukh Jagani of Mota Devalia village in Amreli district, who is himself one of the inventors. The demand for innovative models is increasing among small and marginal farmers who can neither afford bullocks (as they involve personal care and considerable expense) nor branded tractors, says Pravin Panchal of Idar in Sabarkantha district. Panchal, who has studied up to class VII, recently developed a tractor powered by a 7 HP engine. Bhanjibhai Mathukia of Kalavad village patented his three-tyre small tractor in India and the US. He was among the first farmers who made this model and he even received inputs from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. “The government should encourage farmers who are making innovative agricultural equipment which is cost-effective and easy to adopt. A farmer can’t afford the fees and lengthy process of licensing,’’ says Prof Anil Gupta of Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), who is known for promoting grassroots innovations.
Ahmedabad: A small 10 horsepower tractor that can do the work of bullocks many not be news. But, if it’s been invented by a class X dropout, it is! Moreover, this farmer is not the only clever innovator around. There are more than 8,000 mini tractors being used in the state developed by farmers. Bachubhai Thesia (50) of Kalavad in Jamnagar district was looking for a machine to replace bullocks to till his fouracre farm. He did not find conventional tractors suitable and so made his own. “My tractor does the same work as bullocks. When we use a conventional tractor, the farm’s borders remained untilled as the tractor needs space to turn. But, I have devised revolving wheels in front which can be turned 180 degrees. Also, the tractor weighs less, which is good for the soil,” says the budding innovator. The tractor cost only Rs 70,000, while branded tractors cost between Rs 1-5 lakh powered by 45 HP engines. Bachubhai’s innovation is making waves among farmers of the region. Farmers across the state have developed mini tractors customized to their needs. Sometimes, they use branded engines and fit them into a locally-fabricated body. Bharat Agravat from Pikhor village in Junagadh district has recently invented a multipurpose 12 HP tractor. “It can be used for sowing, ploughing and transporting to peripheral areas. The tractor has a hydraulic system and a system of balance which works better than other models. The idea is how to get more work from a small engine. I’m in the process of improving the device,’’ he says. “There are over 50 people, mostly farmers, in Saurashtra, who have made different models of small tractors,’’ says Mansukh Jagani of Mota Devalia village in Amreli district, who is himself one of the inventors. The demand for innovative models is increasing among small and marginal farmers who can neither afford bullocks (as they involve personal care and considerable expense) nor branded tractors, says Pravin Panchal of Idar in Sabarkantha district. Panchal, who has studied up to class VII, recently developed a tractor powered by a 7 HP engine. Bhanjibhai Mathukia of Kalavad village patented his three-tyre small tractor in India and the US. He was among the first farmers who made this model and he even received inputs from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. “The government should encourage farmers who are making innovative agricultural equipment which is cost-effective and easy to adopt. A farmer can’t afford the fees and lengthy process of licensing,’’ says Prof Anil Gupta of Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), who is known for promoting grassroots innovations.
Bullet-loving farmers set up biker club
Vijaysinh Parmar TNN
Ahmedabad: When Mansukh Jagani, farmer from Amreli district invented ‘Bullet Santi’ in early ’90s, he didn’t know he was sparking a revolution of sorts. Bullet Santi is basically a motorcycle-driven multipurpose farm machine. His innovation inspired many others to follow suit and has led to formation of a club in Gujarat called Technology Commons. The club will comprise innovator and those who improvize the technology. They will critically analyze and improve on each other’s models. Such an initiative is being taken for the first time in the country and the institution behind it is National Innovation Foundation. “In May, we organized a meeting of innovators in Rajkot and the idea of setting up this club emerged,” said Anil Gupta, executive vice-chairman of NIF and faculty member of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). There would be no restrictions on club members learning from each other, but if a company wants to use their technology, it would have to get a licence, he added. Licensing would require consent from the lead innovator and all those who made improvements. Jagani fabricated an attachment so that a farm machine could be powered by an Enfield Bullet motorcycle. The innovation was patented by Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) in US as well as India. “The idea was to have the flexibility of using a motorcycle for farming. Several fabricators in Saurashtra and Kutch found this a very attractive idea,’’ says Riya Sinha, who has done a case study on motorcycle-based ploughing machines. She is president of SRISTI Innovations and senior advisor of newsletter ‘Honey Bee’ that documents grassroots innovations. There are at least 50 motorcycle-driven farm machine fabricators in Saurashtra alone, and more than 8,000 farmers using such machines.
SETTING STANDARDS
Technology Commons will bring in standardization in grassroots innovations which is the best thing that could happen, saysProfessor Gupta. “It will make innovations competitive and cost-effective. And, offer affordable solutions to the expanding market. It raises the interesting possibility of combining customization (so necessary for farm machinery) with standardization,” he added. NIF encourages people to imitate and build on each other's designs. The only precondition is that each innovator making derivative changes will put the improvements in the Technology Commons database.
Ahmedabad: When Mansukh Jagani, farmer from Amreli district invented ‘Bullet Santi’ in early ’90s, he didn’t know he was sparking a revolution of sorts. Bullet Santi is basically a motorcycle-driven multipurpose farm machine. His innovation inspired many others to follow suit and has led to formation of a club in Gujarat called Technology Commons. The club will comprise innovator and those who improvize the technology. They will critically analyze and improve on each other’s models. Such an initiative is being taken for the first time in the country and the institution behind it is National Innovation Foundation. “In May, we organized a meeting of innovators in Rajkot and the idea of setting up this club emerged,” said Anil Gupta, executive vice-chairman of NIF and faculty member of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). There would be no restrictions on club members learning from each other, but if a company wants to use their technology, it would have to get a licence, he added. Licensing would require consent from the lead innovator and all those who made improvements. Jagani fabricated an attachment so that a farm machine could be powered by an Enfield Bullet motorcycle. The innovation was patented by Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) in US as well as India. “The idea was to have the flexibility of using a motorcycle for farming. Several fabricators in Saurashtra and Kutch found this a very attractive idea,’’ says Riya Sinha, who has done a case study on motorcycle-based ploughing machines. She is president of SRISTI Innovations and senior advisor of newsletter ‘Honey Bee’ that documents grassroots innovations. There are at least 50 motorcycle-driven farm machine fabricators in Saurashtra alone, and more than 8,000 farmers using such machines.
SETTING STANDARDS
Technology Commons will bring in standardization in grassroots innovations which is the best thing that could happen, saysProfessor Gupta. “It will make innovations competitive and cost-effective. And, offer affordable solutions to the expanding market. It raises the interesting possibility of combining customization (so necessary for farm machinery) with standardization,” he added. NIF encourages people to imitate and build on each other's designs. The only precondition is that each innovator making derivative changes will put the improvements in the Technology Commons database.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
DOWN to EARTH
How many youngsters do you know who not only wax eloquent on the Gandhian ideal of ‘Gram Swaraj’, but also put their words into action? Well, if you don’t know any, you haven’t met this breed of new-age Gandhians, who are trying to revive the Mahatma’s dream of making villages self-reliant. Vijaysinh Parmar met four students of Gandhian institute, affiliated to Gujarat Vidhyapith who have been working in villages as part of the Vidhyapith’s ‘Gramshilpi’ scheme. Under the scheme, students have to live in remote and backward villages and try and make it self-reliant for which they get a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 for two years. After this they have to themselves become self-reliant and devote their life for construtive work in villages. For the record, all of them could have easily got a cushy job in a corporate or NGO, which they turned down for this challenge.
Jaldeep Thakar, 23 Village Pedhamali, Mehsana Challenges Healthcare, high drop-out rate in primary school, unemployment Ayear ago, Jaldeep Thakar used a unique Gandhian way of convincing a small girl, Asmita Raval from Padhamali village, who had dropped out of school, to start attending classes again. He told her he would fast in the true Gandhian tradition until she returned to class VII in school. By evening, the girl’s family had decided to send her back to school. A post graduated in rural management, Jaldeep says, “There are 20 children who are not going to school in the village. Their fathers hardly get Rs 70 as daily wage. Most children suffer from one disease or another. I want to address these issue.” Vinod Vaghari, 13, was suffering from ear aches. His father, a labourer, could not afford the Rs 50,000 that doctors asked to treat the boy. Jaldeep brought him to Ahmedabad civil hospital. The procedure was completed in Rs 500! Jaldeep has even started a savings bank for children called ‘Sva Shilp Bal Bachat Bank’ which has 60 members. He was given land by social worker Sanjay-Tula.
Chandrika Solanki, 26 Village Bhagapur, Detroj Challenges Caste discrimination, drinking water, sanitation, school drop-out rate Gambling and a serious liquor problem - these issues are a major struggle in this village. Only five families have proper sanitation facilities. Chandrika took up the challenge of providing a better life to these villagers. So under-developed is this village that it is not even on the map of state transport buses. Chandrika started working here after forming a self-help group. “I took up sanitation first. After meeting local officials, I took advantage of various government schemes, which villagers were unaware of.” Chandrika , who hails from the Rajput community, has now chalked out a plan of providing toilets to 22 families in the first phase. “My efforts would be to bring Dalits into the mainstream. I know this is a slow process and I have just one life to do it in.” After her day’s work, Chandrika keeps herself busy by teaching children as there are just two teachers in the village school with 76 students from standard I to VII.
Nikhil Prajapati, 24 Village Rampura, Gandhinagar Challenges Irrigation, loan for farmers, education, unemployment Nikhil Prajapati, a post graduate in rural management is ushering silent revolution in small Rampura village near Gandhinagar. “Banks don’t lend money to these villagers, either because they are landless or are debtridden. So, six month ago we started two self help groups — one for men and another for women. Within a short period, we are getting results,’’ says Nikhil, whose selfless work has got him a house by villagers. Four women members of the group have already acquired three acres land on lease. “On half the land we experimented with organic farming and on the other, we used fertilisers and realized that the organic way was more beneficial for us. We spend only Rs 8,000 to cultivate juvar crop and got Rs 25,000 from the harvest,” says Bhikhiben Thakore, one of the members of the group. “Every month, 21 women members give 50 Rs to the group, while 12 members give Rs 100. “The total savings of two banks is about to Rs 45,000. We are now going to established a dairy in village. For this our groups will give us loans to purchase cows, establish, bio-gas systems and vermicompost banks. All three systems help in self-sustenance,” adds Nikhil.
Mahesh Maheria, 24 Village Amarapur, Gandhinagar Challenges Irrigation , Loan for small farmers, unemployment Mahesh’s family condition doesn’t permit him to do social work. He lost his father in young age and his mother, a farm labourer manages to earn two meals a day. But for him there are people who need him and are in more trouble then himself and has decided to give life to margizalised in the Gandhian way. Farmers in his village don’t have water for irrigation and is working on a low-cost permanent solution for it with villagers “We started a self-help group with 32 young villagers called ‘The Rathod Yuvan Mandal’ and have collected Rs 15,000. We will use the money to set up a floormill. This group will also fuel the further developmental activities for the village.” The village also has large tract of land, which can not be titled due to water scarcity. “I am having meeting with villagers and studying models adapted by different villages to get the proper irrigation facilities. My goal is that in two years time I get farmers all the resources to cultivate their farms.’’ Rathod believes that though times have changed fast Gandhian thoughts and way of working are still relevant for developmental activities.
Jaldeep Thakar, 23 Village Pedhamali, Mehsana Challenges Healthcare, high drop-out rate in primary school, unemployment Ayear ago, Jaldeep Thakar used a unique Gandhian way of convincing a small girl, Asmita Raval from Padhamali village, who had dropped out of school, to start attending classes again. He told her he would fast in the true Gandhian tradition until she returned to class VII in school. By evening, the girl’s family had decided to send her back to school. A post graduated in rural management, Jaldeep says, “There are 20 children who are not going to school in the village. Their fathers hardly get Rs 70 as daily wage. Most children suffer from one disease or another. I want to address these issue.” Vinod Vaghari, 13, was suffering from ear aches. His father, a labourer, could not afford the Rs 50,000 that doctors asked to treat the boy. Jaldeep brought him to Ahmedabad civil hospital. The procedure was completed in Rs 500! Jaldeep has even started a savings bank for children called ‘Sva Shilp Bal Bachat Bank’ which has 60 members. He was given land by social worker Sanjay-Tula.
Chandrika Solanki, 26 Village Bhagapur, Detroj Challenges Caste discrimination, drinking water, sanitation, school drop-out rate Gambling and a serious liquor problem - these issues are a major struggle in this village. Only five families have proper sanitation facilities. Chandrika took up the challenge of providing a better life to these villagers. So under-developed is this village that it is not even on the map of state transport buses. Chandrika started working here after forming a self-help group. “I took up sanitation first. After meeting local officials, I took advantage of various government schemes, which villagers were unaware of.” Chandrika , who hails from the Rajput community, has now chalked out a plan of providing toilets to 22 families in the first phase. “My efforts would be to bring Dalits into the mainstream. I know this is a slow process and I have just one life to do it in.” After her day’s work, Chandrika keeps herself busy by teaching children as there are just two teachers in the village school with 76 students from standard I to VII.
Nikhil Prajapati, 24 Village Rampura, Gandhinagar Challenges Irrigation, loan for farmers, education, unemployment Nikhil Prajapati, a post graduate in rural management is ushering silent revolution in small Rampura village near Gandhinagar. “Banks don’t lend money to these villagers, either because they are landless or are debtridden. So, six month ago we started two self help groups — one for men and another for women. Within a short period, we are getting results,’’ says Nikhil, whose selfless work has got him a house by villagers. Four women members of the group have already acquired three acres land on lease. “On half the land we experimented with organic farming and on the other, we used fertilisers and realized that the organic way was more beneficial for us. We spend only Rs 8,000 to cultivate juvar crop and got Rs 25,000 from the harvest,” says Bhikhiben Thakore, one of the members of the group. “Every month, 21 women members give 50 Rs to the group, while 12 members give Rs 100. “The total savings of two banks is about to Rs 45,000. We are now going to established a dairy in village. For this our groups will give us loans to purchase cows, establish, bio-gas systems and vermicompost banks. All three systems help in self-sustenance,” adds Nikhil.
Mahesh Maheria, 24 Village Amarapur, Gandhinagar Challenges Irrigation , Loan for small farmers, unemployment Mahesh’s family condition doesn’t permit him to do social work. He lost his father in young age and his mother, a farm labourer manages to earn two meals a day. But for him there are people who need him and are in more trouble then himself and has decided to give life to margizalised in the Gandhian way. Farmers in his village don’t have water for irrigation and is working on a low-cost permanent solution for it with villagers “We started a self-help group with 32 young villagers called ‘The Rathod Yuvan Mandal’ and have collected Rs 15,000. We will use the money to set up a floormill. This group will also fuel the further developmental activities for the village.” The village also has large tract of land, which can not be titled due to water scarcity. “I am having meeting with villagers and studying models adapted by different villages to get the proper irrigation facilities. My goal is that in two years time I get farmers all the resources to cultivate their farms.’’ Rathod believes that though times have changed fast Gandhian thoughts and way of working are still relevant for developmental activities.
Saving water on a prayer
Vijaysinh Parmar, TNNAHMEDABAD: This is a temple where every offering helps you secure the future. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chandreshwar Mahadev Temple near Gujarat Vidyapith on Ashram road, is swarmed with devotees in the holy month of Shravan. All the water that is offered to the Shivling is directed into a percolating well to recharge the ground water. This mechanism began working in February this year and hopes to help sustain the water supply for the temple in future. "We noticed that lots of water from the temple had been going waste into a gutter. As part of the puja we offer water continuously to the Shivling but we thought it was not environment friendly. So we decided to direct it to a percolating well to help ground water recharge," says Bakul Patel, one of the trustees of the temple, who is also a civil engineer. "We wanted to link science with religion. Nurturing environment is also a one kind of prayer," says Patel. According to an estimate, at least 200 litres of water were offered here every day and the amount increases in the month of Shravan. There is a sieve in which solid particles can be removed manually and only pure water is allowed to go through this system. "Our experience of ground water recharge has been very good. One of the reasons for the success of this experiment is there is sandy soil in the ground which helps water to percolate. This pipe goes down into the well 45 feet deep," says Patel. The entire infrastructure costs just Rs 10,000, adds Patel.
Here, Dalits are still denied water
Vijaysinh Parmar ,TNNJETPARDA (WANKANER): People particularly in Saurashtra rejoice after the second spell of the long awaited rain. But this fresh water can't quench thirst of the Dalits in the Jetparda village of Wankaner taluka in Rajkot district. Caste discrimination still haunts Dalits in this village, where many a time they have to go thirsty as they are left with no option. "We have drinking water pipelines in our village and most of the villagers fetch water from the water tapes. But for Dalits there is a separate water tap, which is being blocked many time. Also we are allowed to take water only when others have got enough to quench their thirst,'' says Damaji Parmar, a Dalit and a member of the Gram Panchayat . "Just a month ago, during my daughter's marriage I had to purchase water from a private supplier as I did not get sufficient water from village,'' adds Parmar . "Villagers have to rely only on government for their drinking water needs as ground water is extremely saline here. But we often prefer drinking the saline water or have to go at least 2 km to fetch drinking water. Also if there is water in a well, Dalits have to wait for other villagers as we can't touch their wells," says Mina Parmar, who is one of the 2,000 odd villagers of Jetparda. According to Parmar, many Dalit families are suffering from water related disease as they end up drinking contaminated water. Dalits from the village say that they have even given applications to the concerned government authority over the discrimination done to them but still no action has been taken so far. When contacted, said work assistant, Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Wankaner ) P N Chikaliya, "The drinking water problem of Dalits in Jetparda will be solved shortly. We have already mooted a proposal so that Dalits get a proper water supply.''
Nurturing love and peace
Vijaysinh Parmar ,TNNJAGUDAN (MEHSANA): What will a typical child answer if asked what the essential things in life are? Air, water and food, probably. But, a child nurtured in Karunagram replied: "Love and peace." Karunagram, set up by Sanjay Bhavsar and wife Tula, cares for and educates 12 children at present . Many of these children don't know their father's name. But that is no problem - they adopt the surname 'Bhartiya' . "Most of these children come from Childline and have been physically abused by parents or people they worked for. Here, they are allowed to enjoy their childhood freely," says Sanjay, a mechanical engineer who plunged into social work. A month ago, a circus artiste came to Jagudan village to leave his five-year-old son Meghraj, with the couple. The reason - he wanted them to educate the child so that he didn't enter the same profession. At present, the institution is located in an old-age home. A new campus on the new Mehsana-Visnagar Road, which will accommodate 50 children, is being built with funds donated by a non-resident Gujarati impressed by the couple's work. Education is imparted through shibirs (camps) on science, nature, farming, painting and even birdwatching ! "When we organised a coastal camp, we went to coastal areas for five days and an expert explained things to us. This approach yielded encouraging results,'' says Pravin Dulera, a teacher and caretaker at the institute. "The children are disciplined - they even cook their meals together . We assess their progress regularly, and it's positive,'' says Balbhadra Gohil, another teacher. Six teachers from different schools volunteer on weekends at Karunagram . The plan is to enrol them in regular schools from class VIII. "They can decide on their careers later. First, the aim is to make them good human beings," adds the idealistic educator.
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