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Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

In a world where money defines happiness and success of an individual, we often tend to forget there are people who have put a lot of work into bringing a smile on other people’s face and that, for them is their earning of a lifetime. Nothing gives them as much happiness as helping others. India accounts for the largest number of people living below the international poverty line, as suggested by a study in 2013, with 30 percent of its population living under the $1.90-a-day poverty measure. To put this into a better perspective, almost one out of three people in India are living without the basic amenities.

India is known to be home to nearly 3 million NGOs working in different areas like health, education, rural, tribal and social development amongst others. They vary in size and focus and are one of the largest employers of people in India. Udaipur too has many NGOs working for the social and economic development of the weaker sections of the society. It is about time we all get acquainted with some of these and make a valuable contribution.

Narayan Seva Sansthan

Reaching out: NGOs in UdaipurNarayan Seva Sansthan is one of the oldest working NGOs of Udaipur and has left quite an impression through its work globally. Set-up in 1985 with the motto ‘Service of humanity is service of God’, this NGO has now over 480 branches in India and 49 abroad. The organization has till date successfully conducted 3,27,108 ‘free of cost’ surgeries through their state-of-the-art prosthetics and orthotics department for patients suffering from polio and other ‘by birth’ disabilities. It also provides ‘free of cost’ lodging and boarding facilities with free meals twice a day and has helped around 0.8 million differently-abled people by providing them with wheelchairs. Donations can be made for the cause through their website.

Source – www.narayanseva.org

Animal Aid Unlimited

Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

No one is unknown to the selfless work done by this organization working for rescuing and treating the un-owned street animals of Udaipur that have been injured or have become ill. Animal Aid was founded in 2002 with this mission has since then worked passionately towards the welfare of animals. It is truly an inspiration to a lot of people who feel for animals and want to protect and defend them. We can all contribute to this organization simply by making a call whenever we see a stray animal in need of any kind of help. Animal Aid has till date rescued over 65,000 injured/ill dogs, cows, donkeys, birds, and cats. Passionate animal lovers can volunteer and donate to this organization. Volunteering is open seven days a week from 9 to 5.

Source – www.animalaidunlimited.org

Robinhood Army

Reaching out: NGOs in UdaipurHunger is more than a missing meal. It is the lack of food available to people who need it. Hunger kills more people each year than AIDS, malaria, and terrorism combined. To combat this problem, Robinhood Army was founded in 2014 with an aim to kill hunger. It now engages over 12,550 Robins and has collectively served over 4.7 million people across 58 cities out if which the Udaipur chapter has served around 1,50,000 people alone. With a dedicated team and efforts of each and every volunteer, this organization reaches each and every such place where there is surplus food and distributes it to the weaker sections of the society. They can often be seen wearing green t-shirts serving food to the homeless and poor with a smile. Anyone with a hunger for eradicating hunger can volunteer. They do not accept monetary contributions.

Source – www.robinhoodarmy.com

Pukaar Org.

Reaching out: NGOs in UdaipurFounded in November 2013, Pukaar: Voice of Earth is a voluntary organization consisting of young students who dreamt of a Pollution free Earth, and work for city’s environmental protection and a greener world. The organization has so far dedicated 190 Sundays until January 2018 and restored life to plants in over 20 public parks. Pukaar, in future, aims at empowering rural India through the promotion of social entrepreneurship and assist farmers in learning Organic Farming techniques and other productivity measures. You can volunteer for the cause by reaching them through their Facebook page.

Source – www.facebook.com/pukaarorg

Seva Mandir

Reaching out: NGOs in UdaipurSeva Mandir aims to transform lives through the democratic and participatory development of communities. It works with 3,60,000 people across 700 villages of southern Rajasthan where most people live on less than ₹20 a day. Seva Mandir has been working closely for over 45 years with these people to improve their well-being in areas such as education, childcare, women empowerment, self-governance, health, sustainable natural resources and youth development offering primary education, maternal and child health services, and providing sustainable watersheds for good quality agricultural yields along with much needed sexual health and gender training. Volunteer for this organization and work closely with interns from different age groups, races, and nationalities.

Source – www.sevamandir.org

Foster Care India

Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

Foster Care India focuses on empowerment and capacity building of existing systems. Their vision – ‘Every child’s right to a family’ promotes foster care and kinship care as best practices for children in need of care and protection. They provide family preservation, foster care, adoption, and aftercare services for children in need of care and protection to make them understand what a family means. You can donate to the cause by visiting their website.

Source – www.fostercareindia.org

Development Action Awareness Nationwide: D.A.A.N. Foundation

Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

DAAN Foundation works on issues relating to awareness and education. Their focus is on youth aged 4 to 15 on issues related to gender, sexual reproductive health, differences in the body that come with age and other social issues like caste, religion, and gender. The organization works to educate children in such areas and make them independent individuals with a better understanding of such issues. Their aims include positive ambition, positive assertion, and positive alteration. Volunteers with a passion towards changing the lives of such children are welcome.

Source – www.daanfoundation.org

Shikshantar

Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

Shikshantar, a Jeevan Andolan was founded in order to challenge the schooling culture and institutions of thought control. It aims to generate meaningful critiques and revive diverse forms of learning and expressions much needed for a harmonious social regeneration. They are committed to reclaiming control over learning ecologies and imagining their own complex visions through the practice of Swaraj and all in the spirit of Vimukt Shiksha. They have many campaigns and programs for individual growth and development. Check them out on their website.

Source – www.shikshantar.org

Impetus

Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

Impetus, founded in October 2016, works for the upliftment of the society through regular weekend food distribution and classes and activities conducted for the children of slums. They organize art and craft workshops and various other activities on monthly basis for orphanages and Govt. school kids. Impetus believes in ‘bringing a smile to those faces which wouldn’t have otherwise managed that curve due to their unfortunate circumstances’. You can apply for an internship through their website and also donate to the cause.

Source – www.impetus.ngo

MaitriManthan Sansthan

Reaching out: NGOs in Udaipur

MaitriManthan strives to improve access to healthcare and education, also empowering women and young children. Founded in December 2013, it provides valuable services to deprived rural sections in areas surrounding Udaipur. The organization is all about helping and giving to transform the lives of young rural children and bring about a change in our society. As the name suggests, it is a holistic approach towards planning and executing some life-changing activities with the help of passionate people like them. Passionate people are welcome to volunteer and anyone willing can donate.

Source – www.maitrimannthan.org

Helping Youth Sansthan

Helping Youth Sansthan NGO in Udaipur

Helping Youth Sansthan was founded in 2019 by the college students of Udaipur. They are working for social welfare by organizing plantation drives, placing bird feeders in the whole city during summers, conducting rally against rapists with 1500+ girls, distributing clothes and sweaters to the underprivileged, and the mission of cleaning Udaipur’s lakes under the project “Clean Udaipur, Green Udaipur.” The NGO also worked for collecting and donating funds to areas undergoing flood and natural disasters, conducting free classes in socially backward areas to teach children, distributing stationery, etc. Helping Youth’s volunteers worked very passionately during the Covid-19 pandemic for the arrangements of blood and plasma for patients, traffic volunteering, awareness programs, distribution of food to street animals and ration kits for needy poor families. The Sansthan hosted one of the biggest painting competition and charity show “Jugnoo” highlighting topics such as acid attack, where the chief guests themselves were acid attack survivors.
The NGO believes in “Paying Back to the Society.” Passionate volunteers can reach their Instagram and Facebook channels to join them.

Source: Instagram, Facebook

 

Besides these, many other organizations, no matter big or small, work devotedly towards making the world a better place to live. Some of them are Mercy League, Karma Group, Mahesh Ashram, Asha Dham Ashram, Tara Sansthan, Warm Aid, etc.

Charity begins at home and there’d be a lot more if I went on mentioning but some choose to work behind the curtains and we are equally thankful to them.

Tell us about other organizations you know that work so selflessly, we’d love to know about them!

Categories
News Social

Training Programme for BPL People concluded

To reduce the unemployment rates, and for the upliftment of the BPL (below poverty line) population, an NGO, Vishvas, today finished off with a training as well as certification programme “Skill Training & Placement of Rural Youth Leading to Gainful Employment” for the BPL people from the rural areas of Udaipur, Rajsamand and Bundi, under Special SGSY (Swaranjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana)

100 candidates meeting the minimum requirements for the eligibility criteria were selected from these rural areas by Viashvas, and they were provided with the security guard training of one month duration, a course and certification by IGNOU. The programme was held in association with the Securities and Intelligence Services (India) ltd (SIS).

Training (2)

The candidates had one month of residential training at SIS Regional centre located at Debari. They were provided free lodging and food for the entire duration. All the candidates have been placed with a minimum salary of 4-6 thousand per month.

The certification programme was carried out yesterday at 9:30 a.m. for the persons who qualified both the written and the physical examinations. Mrs. Teena Kumar, Zila Parishad Udaipur, Mr. Pritam B. Yashwant, District Collector Rajsamand, Mr. Ram pal Sharma, Chief Executive officer, Rajsamand were present at the ceremony.

Vishvas is a Non Governmental Organisation which carries out such type of training programmes for people below poverty line for their proper employment and upliftment. This programme was funded by the Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna, a poverty eradication plan by the Government of India.

Photos by: Monika Jain

Categories
Festivals

India: Where we stand on our 62nd Republic Day

How we reached so far: from Independent to a Republic country

The foundation of independence laid before 150 years in 1857, which is described as First war of Independence got success after 100 long years of struggle and on 15th August 1947 when a new democratic country which has taken over the attention of the world with it’s principles of non-violence and peace.

India obtained its independence but did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman. A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. . This committee finally drafted with 395 Articles and 8 Schedules and it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.  After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950. On this day Rajendra Prasad was elected as first President of India. After two days i.e on 26 January 1950 the Constitution of India came into effect, a date celebrated annually as Republic Day in India. 26 January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign country.

On 26 January 1950 India developed into a democratic republic with a president, prime minister and a council of ministers, all who are elected by the public. India’s full title is The Republic of India and today it is the largest full democracy in the world.

 

India – Development since 1950

 

Agriculture

Before independence India was a country which relied heavily on agriculture. After independence this remained much the same, even today India ranks second worldwide in agricultural output. Agriculture and allied sectors like logging, forestry and fishing accounted for 15.7% of India’s GDP in 2009, employed 60% of the total workforce and despite a steady decline of its share in the GDP, is still the largest economic sector in the country. India has always been a major grower of cash crops such as tea, tobacco, coffee and spices while also being a world leader in exporting many varieties of fruit. Although India has developed many modern and innovative means of farming the agricultural sector in India remains synonymous with poverty. The majority of India’s farmers earn less than $2 (USD) per day growing rice on tiny family-owned plots.

 

Services


The services sector employs 23% of the Indian workforce and began its rapid development in the 1980s, this is in comparison with approx.4.5% in the 1960s. The stimulus for the spurt in growth in the services sector came from two main areas: a substantial stepping up of public investment and also the emergence of a highly educated Indian workforce who were willing to work for far lower wages than their European counterparts. The services sector accounted for 63% of Indian GDP in 2008-09 and as per the Central Statistical Organisation this figure has continued to grow.

 

Industrialization


Before independence India was a largely agriculture-based country. Post-independence, the Indian private sector began attempts to expand. It has since handled the change by squeezing costs, revamping management, focusing on designing new products and relying on low labour costs and technology. Technology has been one of the main cornerstones of India’s industrial development. Information Technology sector accounted for 5.9% GDP. Mining and other energy exploits have also been one of the main areas which have pushed the industrialization of India since independence. India has the third largest coal reserves in the world. Nuclear power is a very large source of electrical consumption in India. As of 2010, India has 19 nuclear power plants in operation generating 4,560 MW while four other are under construction and are expected to generate an additional 6000 MW. This recent development has coincided with further industrialization of many of India’s cities.

The development of India since independence has changed it into a democratic, industrial country at the forefront of becoming a big global power. However due to this rapid change and urbanization, India faces many problems. The country is facing many sustainability issues in the near future which will be discussed below.

 

India and Future Sustainable Development

Poverty

Poverty is an everyday sight in India but something which must be addressed or it will negatively affect the country’s future sustainability. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate 42% of the Indian population fall below the international poverty line. Although this is a major increase on the figure of 87% in 1980 it is still a shocking statistic. If India is to become a truly developed country it must develop a form of social welfare scheme, this means that at current poverty levels close to 240 million people would be availing of welfare benefits. This is a figure which is simply not viable, therefore if India is to sustain development into the future it must do something to lower poverty levels.

 

The Environment and Pollution

Although India is low on the carbon emissions scale compared to countries such as America its carbon levels are still very high and steadily increasing. India is emitting 1.17 tonnes of CO2 per person per year and this is an ever-increasing figure. Most of these carbon emissions are coming from factories and industry. India’s main fossil fuel is coal (a very high polluter) means that air pollution levels will probably continue to increase. However there have been some encouraging signs in recent years as the government and legislators have begun a major drive to invest in clean technology and recycling facilities.

 

Water

India has huge problems with water pollution. The river Ganges is considered to be one of the world’s dirtiest rivers and still an estimated 2 million people bathe in its waters everyday due to Hindi beliefs and culture. Some sources even say that India’s water pollution problem is so bad that 70% of available water in India is contaminated. Indian officials must act to create sewerage treatment plants in order to reverse the country’s unprecedented levels of water pollution.

Another Sustainability issue which India faces in the future is the problem of water availability. According to World Watch Institute, Indian demand for water in urban areas is expected to triple by 2025. Another big problem is that actual water reserves look set to deteriorate due to global warming. 80% of India’s water comes from the Himalayas, either from rainwater or melting glaciers. If current projections are correct global warming will melt many of the Himalayan glaciers away by 2030 and this would result in the level of many of India’s main rivers dropping further pushing water demand.

Poverty and the Environment

The links between poverty and pollution and environmental-damage can be seen everywhere in India. The use of rivers as sewers is common to Indian slum areas. However to blame India’s poor for the environmental degradation would be a huge mistake. It is the lack of resources and facilities provided to the poor which results in the level of damage occurring in India. However there are many methods which the Indian government could use to tackle both problems i.e. reduce poverty by tackling environmental degradation.

  • Strengthen participation by the poor in decision-making related to access to environmental resources: People in India’s poorest areas should be involved in deciding where sewerage should be provided and how best to provide clean water as their local expertise would be vital.
  • Employ only local people in the building of environmental resources in their slum areas: This would boost the local economy and also create a sense of pride in environmental resources within the community.
  • Expand the natural asset base of the poor: By providing free plots of land to the countries poor India could promote a sense of environmentalism and a respect for nature while also providing economic assistance to the poor.

 

Conclusion

India has developed from an agricultural country into an urbanized, industrialized country. However this has led to many problems for the country including poverty and environmental damage. However it is not too late for India to fix its problems and hopefully in the future we will see this happening.

“Mother Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed”

– Mohandas Gandhi.

Appeal to people of India

We the people of India should participate in development of Indian directly or indirectly. Instead of always finding negative things and only talk over that, we should work together to eradicate the negative things and polish positive things.

 

Team UdaipurBlog wishes all the readers a very Happy Republic Day

– By Monika Jain