Success Stories




SP Singh Memorial Scholarship : New Initiative of JanMitram


JanMitram is running variety of programme in field. Each and every member and volunteer of JanMitram feels empathy with poor and deprived people. Our primary focus is combating poverty; however, it is sometimes necessary to help people in those areas which are not out primary focus.  Education is foundation of a successful life.  We have seen many youth and girls dropping out of education due to financial constraints. Therefore, the managing board decided to establish a fund for providing scholarship to student belonging ultra poor families.

 JanMitram Scholarship for ultra poor

Four categories of scholarship were decided. For Boy’s higher and professional education i.e. MBA, BE, Medical etc, The S.P.Singh Memorial scholarship is started. Mrs. Janak Dulari Scholarship is for girls in same category. Both scholarships are established on name of parents of organization’s Secretary, Mr. Manish Singh.

Shri K.G.Goswami Scholarship for boys and Keser Goswami Scholarship for girls are founded in school education category. Both are parents of our President Dr. M.G.Goswami.

This was the first year of scholarship and four students got assistance for Engineering collage fee.  In School Education Category 74 Student assistance for Fees, uniforms, Books etc. one Handicapped was provided wheel chair to facilitate his collage visits.


Its for Pinkey

Ahalya, a pious woman gets up before sun rise and performs her daily routines supplemented by worshiping god & goddesses. She is very honest to her work that keeps her energetic and enthusiastic to do more. This nature led her to take training on Lac Handicraft while in leisure.

Uttarabali a friend of Ahalaya let her know about Lac Handicraft Training to be undertaken in her village Chhotegumda. She collected all information in relation to join the training Programme. Then she enrolled her name and took training. Ahalya completed the course and topped among all trainees for her honesty and sincerity during training.


4 to 5 thousand rupees income in a month surprises the family members of Ahalya. Now they encouraged Ahalya for it. Ahalya is so happy to carry out this small industry and growing day by day. Her daughter Pinki is a school going girl and Ahalya possesses a lot dream for her




WADI - Wonderful Livelihood Security for Tribals

The “Wadi” project, named after a system for land-based production in local parlance, is doing wonders for rural livelihoods in northeastern distirct of Raigarh in chhattsigarh state. The programme has especially promoted agro-horticulture and agro-forestry, thereby enhancing the socio-economic status of the resource-poor families, and has so far helped about 200 households in improving their livelihoods and crossing the poverty line. This project is sponsored by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and running in 4 villages of the tribal-dominated Gharghoda block . Raigarh based non-government organization JanMitram is implementing the project sanctioned by NABARD under its Tribal Development Fund with the objective of bringing about a transformation in the rural landscape within the next couple of years. The initial results have depicted an increased access to nutritive food, better resource maintenance and reduction in migration to cities.


Talking of Development 
The project's main beneficiaries are Below Poverty Line (BPL) families whose annual income is below Rs.25,000 per anuum. Their livelihood portfolio comprises agriculture, animal husbandry and labour, which is only of subsistence type due to small land holding, degraded pasture and forests, low-yielding animals and large extent of wasteland farms. Except during the monsoon, people in the region do not get any work opportunities and their livelihood shifts to uncertainties, forcing them to depend mainly on daily wages in distant labour hubs. JanMitram’s President Dr. Mukesh Goswami says the project's main strategy is to initiate plantation of permanent nature, including fruit, fodder, timber and fuel trees, with an integrated resource management. Other activities have addressed important aspects of horticulture, forestry and allied systems, which can yield high productivity.

The project is bringing a steady improvement in family resource management as well as in the productivity of land and water units for the poor families, says Dr. Goswami. The project is also designed to address vulnerability of target families, including those in the BPL and near poverty line, against fluctuating climatic conditions. it shall strengthened the rural livelihood scenario by successfully connecting missing links of resource management in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry,  and fruits.

Mahesh Pahadsingh, The district Development Manager of NABARD in raigarh, says that major component of the strategy is poverty reduction through improved access of resource-poor families, which also take part in formulation, implementation and monitoring. A cluster approach has been adopted for implementation so as to have better replication, while long-lasting effects of sustainability of the promoted practices will be attained through family-based livelihood planning for effective use of existing resources.
A Wadi Site, showing fruit plantation with inter cropping 

Mr Pahadsingh told that activities undertaken as part of the project include plantation, construction of piped water courses and storage tanks, vermicomposting, nutritional gardening, field training camps, gender sensitization, chlorination of water sources, installation of solar lighting systems and awareness camps on water-borne diseases and control.A survey conducted at the project's initiation included the indicators of agricultural production and economic value, existing trees and their productivity, cattle population, farm practices and fodder production. On the basis on these inputs, the results of livelihood interventions shall be estimated. The project is all set to reduce input costs in agriculture and animal husbandry systems on the one hand and enhance production on the other in the years to come. Support in the shape of Wadi would strengthen the economy of primary production in wastelands.

Dr. Goswami says -JanMitram had laid emphasis on providing an important role to women in decision-making and involved them in a big way in economic activities and non-traditional roles. Besides, the village communities have been organized under Village planning committee,  so as to sustain efforts for production enhancement and equitable benefits. He tell that cost of the project was initially estimated at Rs.80 Lakh, while the community's contribution during the implementation would bring it down to Rs.73 Lakh. The economic changes would especially benefit the poor community, whose major land holdings are the sloping wastelands and eroded stream banks.
Onsite Training of Farmers 
Additionally, the village development programme (VDP) is also running parallel in these villages for  the families  who did not covered under WADI. This prgramme is designed to build capacity of farmers and availing assistance through convergence of different government schemes. This has brought an environment of cooperation among various departments i.e. Agriculture, Horticulture and animal husbandry. all such departments are now reaching these villages to make demonstration of techniques. Over 200 acres of land has now brought under SRI ( Seed intensification in rice), over 50 acre land under vegetable cultivation. 3 New farmers clubs have been formed.     

While tribal communities in the region earlier had a forest resource based livelihood, large-scale deforestation forced them to shift to farming activities on a sloping land and caused degradation. Continued and damaging run-off resulted in the loss of agricultural land along the stream course and led to an adverse effect on the ground water conditions in the district.

According to Dr. Goswami, NABARD had extended financial help to JanMitram for enhancing skills, improving resources and building new institutions in the field of land-based production mainly through resource development and management. “Recycling of nutrients is an added advantage of the project,” he says.

On its conclusion, the project is expected to make the target tribal households “drought-proof” with better nutritional resources and increase per hectare unit yield of different crops. With the livelihood available locally, production efficiency is set to improve and linkages for sustainable development strengthened.



Where is the will   .......

There is nothing uncommon in Dhangarpara, a hamlet situated in outskirts of Gharghoda. There is also noting uncommon in siyabai, a Dalit, illiterate widow, trying to up-bring her two children and lives with her in-laws in dhangarpara.

Mrs. Sushila Thakur, Local Mitanin Prsahishika (Mitanin trainer) of Janmitram, Conducted a meeting at dhangarpara In mid 2003.. She was looking for an Educated, Effective and communicative women who can volunteer herself as Mitanin. Ladies listen, discussed and few come foreword. Mrs. Thakur asked wllingful ladies to talk the issue at home and take consent of family. The next meeting was scheduled 3 days later.

The next meeting has lower attendance. In Mrs. Thakur’s experience, it was common. Mitanin has to take care of 40-50 families, need to take trainings and pour energy in social good, to get nothing in return. None of the ladies come forward this time.

Two days later, Mrs. Thakur, Sitting at home, learnt a lady want to meet her. She came out to find Siyabai waiting. Reluctant siyabai offered herself as mitinin, and Mrs Thakur, was even more reluctant to accept. the uncommon happened.

Panchyat was more anxious to accept an illiterate lady as Mitanin. Few panch suggested their ladies, but Mrs thakur knew that siyabai is even better in comparison. Ultimately her name was accepted and she started to take trainings.

The lady alone walked 5 Km for training and often want to Mrs. Thkur’s house. Mrs Thakur also took special care of her, despite she had 23 other Mitanins to look after. Mitanin literature has lot of pictures, which help siyabai to overcome the reading inability . Day by day, trust on siyabai started to prove worthwhile. Her enthusiasm to louder and commitment was stronger.

Siyabai was given medicine kit in December 2005. She remembers day fondly. Block medical officer Dr. Bodalkar, recognized her, as she have taken 4 ladies for institutional deliveries. She is appointed as dot provider for TB. She is also selected for midwife training, by health department. She is keen and active in immunization, pulse polio etc.
She regularly visits each house of dhangarpara, telling mothers for nutritional requirements of children, keeping eye on hygiene, sanitation, and water. she had gain n-precedent respect and reputation. She constituted two women self help groups. With help of Janmitram both groups were linked to RRB Gharhgoda Once unable to find courage for speaking her mind, now is a motherly figure in the area..
Where is the will, there is the way..
Creeping Revolution

“Haman to kabhi soche bhi ni rahin ki  char kandi khet la rehan rakhbo”.  (We couldn’t have even thought of keeping two acres of land in mortgage), Savitri Bai says.
Savitri is president of Janmitram Mangla SHG in Chhote gumda village of Gharghoda block. NABARD is Assisting a Janmitram, for SHPI project in which savitri’s group formed. it had lent RS 10,000 to local landlord and mortgaged the land. They are planning to raise paddy this year and expecting profit of Rs. 25000.

Satyavati, the secretary of SHG remembers the days when the local facilitator of Janmitram, asked if they were willing to form a self help group. She and her friends talked about the concept. Few of them raised doubts and few refused to trust. However, after few discussions and meetings, their group reluctantly agreed to start with a small and ‘safe’ amount of thrift viz. Rs 2.50 per week. They opened their account in RRB Tenda Navapara in April 2004.

The group was given a compiled SHG register having attendance register, meeting and resolution register, loan ledger etc, and individual pass book far each member. Week by week the trust and confidence inside the members raised and thrift was unanimously doubled. Few other ladies requested to join the group and they were incorporated. In October 2004, the group applied for credit linkage and bank happily credited Rs. 4000 to the group.

The group started cultivation of potato on member’s land and by February all the loan amount was comfortably repaid. Group earned Rs 7000 and benefit was shared. Group also contributed Rs 2500 and labor to construct a temple at village pond. Rs 2000 was used for inter-loaning.

One day, one of the member told to group that local landlord is having a tough time and looking for Rs 10000, against his 2 acre of land. Group decided to reap the opportunity. They again requested to bank for a loan of the same and bank was only too happy to grant it.  Group is now having this land for at least one year and they now growing paddy on it. They are expecting the profit of Rs 25000 by november 2005. Members of the group fulmati, mohini, devmoti, paro, savitri, satyvati, mangli and others feel the decision to get in a SHG was the turning point of their life. These women have got new social status after the land deal, which they never dreamed of.

Santosh Vishi, the facilitator of Janmitram, says the success of the group has mobilized the other women. Mr. Sinha, the branch manger of RRB Gharghoda confirms that not a single SHG of Janmitram went defaulter. He feels this way a revolution is creeping in villages of Gharghoda.

Indeed, a revolution is creeping in India.
CHANGING DESTINY BY SELF-HELP

The value of my stock is 28000” Samundri tells you with a smile. Samundri Bai, is proud owner of a grocery shop at Rumkra, an ST dominated village, 51 Km south of Raigarh.
Married to an un-employed youth, Samudri and her husband used to make broom to earn daily bread. With an monthly income of Rs 700-800  life  was not easy for young couple.
Samundri joined Rani Janmitram self help group in December04.  an SHG formed under  NABARD assisted project. Mona Pandey, DRP (District Resource person) of Janmitram and frequent visitor in the area, to SHG once suggested her to start a grocery shop. “ Fine! But where is the money.” asked samundri.

“ I took six more months to reply” says Mona. This SHG was financed Rs 15000 by SBI, Gharghoda. Group lent Rs 3500 to samundri.  A month later, Smiling mona was inaugurating her shop.

Soon the shop became a success.  Samundri not only repaid the lone, but also raised the stock. In a year, material in the shop reached worth 28000 and monthly income up to 2500-3000. More furniture, new cloths and moreover, with new confidence she was showing us her shop.

Samundri is also serving as Mitanin in her village. “When you think about people, god thinks about you” she says with a grin


JISAD-“Guiding youth, Spurring smiles”.

Acquiring and developing the skills that provided employment is need of hour, especially for rural youth. JanMitram undertakes different skill development for the school drop-outs and existing workers especially in the informal sector. This is done in close consultation with industry, micro enterprises in the informal sector, experts and academia. This year , over 500 youth were trained in different programme assisted by NABARD, State and Central Government funds. Also we implemented Skill development programmes for SBI sponsorship R-seti this year.  

Establishment of JISAD

 Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh is repidly growing as industrial hub and more than 200 industries in different sectors have set foot in the area. This has also spurred growth of ancillaries, finance and service sectors. Thereby, demand of skilled man power has risen steeply.

A decade back, Raigarh was a backward district and scenario regarding education, entrepreneurship and skills was grim. Since then, it has shown the little development, forcing industries to fetch skilled people from outside. This poses a threat of local unrest in coming times. However, Industries and ancillaries cannot hire all land-looser, affected people who are unskilled merely to meet demand of employment. Industry affected people and general youth has to take-up the opportunities of wage or self employment in other institutions, doing business with industries or getting benefit of their existence by any means. The district needs tremendous number of Computer accountants, Computer operators, Tax return preparers,(Finance industry) HMV and LMV Drivers, Automobile mechanics(Transportation industry), Mesons, plumbers, Electricians, (Construction industry),welders, fitters, Machinist (Ancillaries), Stenos, Security guards and house-maid (Services) etc.
JanMitram Institute of Skills and Development 
However, the mindset of youth leans towards white collar wage employment. One has to fight with this mindset and also develop entrepreneurship and skills to counter the unrest growing in peoples mind. The conventional mechanism of skill development viz. ITIs in the district is paralyzed and suffering with own problems. Therefore JanMitram, last year started JISAD- JanMitram Institute for skill development. The JISAD provides Carrier Counseling, Vocational Trainings and skill development services, with a motto of “Guiding youth, Spurring smiles”.

The JISAD is now entrusted to conduct all skill development and vocation trainings of JanMitram. This year JISAD conducted many in house and External Training this year.

 NABARD Assisted SDP on lac handicrafts
In last few years, JanMitram has successfully promoted lac handicrafts in Raigarh district. Over 300 SHG women and youth have got training in this trade and most of them are working successfully. Raigarh integrated shellac association and JanMitra Marketing and consultancy limited, are providing handholding and marketing support to these trainees.
With time, it was felt that product range is limited and also many of artisan need improved training and equipments, for achieving better finishing. Nabard came forward and sanctioned a skill development programme for thirty trainees in Chhote gumda and Bade gumda villages. (also see http://janmitram.blogspot.com/2011/07/success-stories-from-lac-handicraft.html)

The training curriculum consisted making of jewelries, application of dyes and moulds, making new colures etc. The training went on for 45 days. DDM –NABARD regularly visited the programme and finally all the trainees were awarded with certificates.
Distribution of Handicraft Tool kits to Lac Handicraft Artisans
Distribution of Handicraft Toolkits: It is worth mentioning that DRDA Raigarh assisted all handicraft artisans by providing toolkits to all lac handicraft trainees. The toolkits were supported by BRGF livelihood component. Block Development officer of Gharghoda attended the programme and distributed toolkits to all beneficiaries. APO-ZP Mr. D.K.Makwana , I/C of BRGF programme also attended the ceremony.

Computer Accountancy Training
Computer Accountancy is a potential trade for wage employment in given scenario of Raigarh. Therefore 50 educated unemployed youth from rural areas were taken for training in these trades.

The training was assisted by DRDA under BRGF-Capacity building component. The traiing was tow months long and trainees learnt basic accounting, Tally based accounting, Tax calculation etc.. This was followed by apprenticeship in local chartered accountants’ offices.


Heavy industrial vehicle driving training
Contraction and industrial activities are increasing in Raigarh and nearby areas. There are about 300 JCBs, 200 Dozers, 50 Hydra, 35-50 pokleins in Raigarh, Tamnar and nearby area. These vehicles are Very costly and need careful operation. However, no training facility for drivers is available. Unskilled drivers are accident-prone and most of the time brings damage to costly heavy-duty machines. Therefore there is a good demand for trained drivers.

JISAD initiated the training with assistance of DRDA’s BRGF scheme. M/S dynamic Engineering, Sole distributor of JCBs in Chhattisgarh, collaborated with programme.  50 schools dropped, unemployed youth joined the trainings

Industrial Vehicle Driving Course is a huge success 
 Theory and practical session went on for one month and then apprentice with JCB owners was provided. Poor student also got assistance for obtaining HMV driving license.


MFI Sangwari Training
Microfinance is a growing business in rural areas. Microfinance agents need to know group approach for thrift; saving etc. they also need to learn motivation of Self help groups, Joint liability groups, common interest groups etc. we found it a unique wage employment orientated trade.Therefore , training for 50 youth and elders, having inertest for social service were chosen from all over the district and with this eight weeks training, learn the group handling technique. Theory and practical went side by side. 



After training two month apprenticeship was given inside JanMitram, under Sanjivani Programme (Discussed earlier.) this not only provided employment opportunity to trainees, but also a village resource person to SHGs at village level.

Computer operation – MADA Pocket Scheme 
Computer literacy has become essential for youth to get wage employment in most of sectors. MADA pocket scheme, which is developmental scheme of CG government for some specific tribes, is running in selected villages.  JISAD has conducted computer operation training in two villages this year. 


The programme was coordinated by District employment officer. This ninety days training trained 20 student in basic computer operation, especially MS-office and some other regular software.


R-SETI Trainings: Government of India is started comprehensive skill development initiative in collaboration with banks. Rural Self employment training institute has been started in the district under this initiative and State bank of India is hosting it in Raigarh. JanMitam is chosen partner for implementation of training programmes. In this year, following trainings were conducted with SBI-R-Seti. Details of training carried out by JISAD in collaboration with R-SETI   are hear-under. 
Motor Winding and pump set Repairing
Skilled servicemen for Motor winding and pump set repairing are unavailable in rural areas. These causes loss of time and maony for farmers. Under banner of SBI-Rseti, JISAD conducted a training for same in which 37 rural unemployed youth participated. Residential arrangement for trainees was made. 



Training conducted by skilled resource person and arrangement for regular test, Certification and apprenticeship were made.


Dairy Farming
Agriculture and allied activities still hold key of rural economy. Dairy activity is prominent livelihood option having tremendous potential. Therefore, SBI sponsored Rural self employment training institute took a batch of 30 young animal rearers, chiefly from pussure and baramkela block for weeklong course on dearly farming. 

Trainees learnt about cattle-feeding, rearing, Economics and many different aspects of dairy. One day  exposure visit was also organized at Jindal Dairy. The training started on 23rd Dec. and concluded on 30th December.  


 H. Advanced mobile repairing   
In this age of rapid communication, Mobiles are almost universal in people’s hands. Therefore, skill for repairing of mobile handsets is good source of self employment. Under banner of R-Seti, JanMitram conducted advanced mobile repairing training, started on 28th march. A total of 21 youth coming across the district participated in the training. 

A month-long training covered the handset technology, common faults, repairing, replacement, software downloading and many more issues enabling candidates to provide satisfactory service to clients. Beside, all the trainees got linked with successful mobile repairing shops for apprenticeship.  

Based on Annual Raport of 2010-11 

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