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the activities of the Trust kept increasing, a separate society
by name Uttarakhand Seva Nidhi Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan
was started in 1999. With a single-minded focus and unmatched
dedication, the Sansthan has brought about an unimaginable
progress in five years. Education leads to enlightenment and
a woman emancipated is a woman empowered. With these as their
motive, the organization works in the spheres of education
and women’s empowerment as the first steps towards developing
the community.
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specific needs of the community had to be borne in mind in
any development project that was designed and implemented.
In the field of education, the Community Education Programme
was started with a course designed to suit the needs of the
local people. The innovative approach was to have their village
as a living example of ecosystem and hence analyze and deal
with issues specific to the same. These courses were introduced
in classes 6, 7 and 8. Initially started in one school as
a non-formal and experimental method of teaching, it is presently
being offered in 1500 schools. The state government has accepted
it as a regular course and hence more than 1500 teachers were
trained to impart education by this method. This has benefited
nearly 1.5 lakh students.
What
was started as a tiny spark has grown into a far-reaching
flame, spreading its glow onto increasing number of children.
With 350 balwadis functioning in the villages, nearly 7000
students, most of them girls, have been trained by the pre-primary
education schemes. The education has truly enlightened a number
of youngsters. It has not only educated the girls in the academic
sense but has given them confidence and a sense of responsibility
towards their community. This is evident from the fact that
the girls who attended these programmes, have studied further
and have come back to be the resource persons for the same
programmes. Besides, girls who never stepped out of their
houses have gained self-worth and confidence and are guiding
others and helping them in attending training programmes.
USNPSS
works in tandem with various women’s groups. It has brought
about a revolution in the mindset of the villagers, especially
the men, at the same time humbly accepting its limitations
as a development catalyst. The women are encouraged to participate
in decision-making processes that affect them at the local,
district and national levels. It did not take long for the
women to realize their collective power. Thus they have started
revolting against alcoholism and the changes are slowly emerging.
The women have also brought about a change in the attitude
of men, regarding child development. So men, who are not employed,
take care of the children at home – though reluctantly
– while women attend to their duties.
Management
of land and water resources is crucial in Uttaranchal since
most of the population depends on agriculture, which in turn
depends on the forest cover and availability of water. With
the efforts of USNPSS, the villagers have learnt that shortage
in natural resources will lead to ecological poverty. The
Sansthan is working towards alleviating this ecological poverty
and achieving ecological security.
As interlinked as they are, education has improved the economic
status of the women, which in turn has improved their health.
Thus the Sansthan has changed the lives of the community of
hill people of Uttaranchal with sustained efforts. The Bhagwan
Mahaveer Foundation, conferring its award for Education and
Medicine, congratulates the Sansthan’s dedication.
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