Empowering Villages in Rural India

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir

Today I want to share with you two cases. These two cases show the efforts of Seva Mandir in bringing the change in so many lives.

CASE I

The initiative of GVC (Village Development Committee) against corruption: Kaucha

Kaucha is situated in the Kotra block. Pastureland work is ongoing in Kaucha under MGNREGA (a government scheme). On the first fortnight of May, 22 laborers’ names—12 women and 10 men—were enlisted in the muster rolls for pit digging activity. After completion of the fortnight the measurement was taken by the engineer but the wage rate came to only Rs. 75 per day, which is much less than the stipulated minimum wage. Each laborer’s payment came to Rs. 750. The postmaster of the local post office was authorized to pay the laborers their wage. He gave each laborer Rs. 700 and kept Rs. 50 for himself as his own commission. The postmaster had no right taking a Rs. 50 commission from each laborer’s wage.

When the GVC (Village Development Committee) heard of the matter, they approached Seva Mandir’s Zonal Worker. Together with the Zonal Worker, the GVC leaders approached the postmaster who in the beginning denied having siphoned off Rs. 50 from each labor. Subsequently, the Zonal worker as well as the GVC leaders informed the post master that they would have to take up with matter to higher officials. It was in this instance that the postmaster, perhaps out of fear as well as guilt, owned up to his mistake and returned Rs. 50 to each of the laborers. The laborers were very thankful to the GVC and as a token of their gratitude and as way to reinforce their faith in the institution, decided to contribute Rs. 50 to their village development fund.

CASE II

Struggle of Gram Samuh (village group) for legal rights: Peepad Village

Village Development Group, Peepad gave proposal for pastureland development by Seva Mandir as an implementing agency in MGNREGA (a government scheme). The work was sanctioned and Seva Mandir became the implementing agency. Previously Village Panchayat (a local government body) and Forest department had done the work of plantation and wall construction on the site. But a mines owner encroached upon the pastureland and started mining activities there. Village people told him to remove the encroachment but he adamantly told denied doing so and started throwing debris in pastureland.

A big meeting held at village in which all people from village participated and they decided to fight with the mines owner. Villagers blocked the road and did not allow labour and vehicle of mining person to enter the village. Simultaneously, villagers had various level of talks with Gram Panchayat, Patwari, Rajasthan State Mining and Minerals Ltd., BDO and Forest department and got clearance at all levels that mining in that area is totally illegal. Then again a big meeting was held at Peepad village and this time they invited mines owner for talk. First he refused to come in the meeting but later attended it when villagers warned to be ready for next action.

Villagers had talk with mines owner and told him to remove encroachment from pastureland which he finally agreed and removed the encroachment from village pastureland.

Presently, wall repairing and plantation work has been done by Seva Mandir. Now pastureland is totally secure and 2 people from village, guard the pastureland and they get paid through villagers’ contribution.

Thank you so much for supporting this program. With your support these communities are raising concerns and dealing with social problems.

We are grateful for your donation and hope to receive a continuous support from you in the future too.

Warm Regards

Atul Lekhra

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir.

 Today I thought of sharing with you the story of how in the village of Kaloda, the sense of community fostered with the help of Seva Mandir support.

Kaloda village comprises mix caste population. Villagers are in contact with Seva Mandir since last one year and they have proposed Pastureland Development work in village meeting, making Seva Mandir as the implementing agency.

Seva Mandir started the work of pastureland development as an implementing agency under MGNREGA (a government program). Initially there were many encroachments of local villagers in pastureland site so the village group (with the help of Seva Mandir) had several meetings and got the encroachments removed after many efforts. After 2 weeks some villagers again encroached on some part of pastureland. This time village women came forward and fought with the encroachers. The womenfolk of the village not only removed the encroachment but also they got completed MGNREGA work (application, wall construction, plantation etc.) on time with quality. Maximum labour on MGNREGA work on this site were women only.

It was women’s effort that they removed encroachments and completed the pastureland work. Women asked Seva Mandir to start women saving group in their village. On their request, Village Development Group was formed in Kaloda village with a current membership of 85 households. Committee elections will be held in the village once the membership is complete. Through the efforts made by women, the pastureland is now safe and one person from village has been appointed by villagers to guard it. 

As you can see, this has been an incredibly success for the villagers. Every donation helps Seva Mandir provide training and workshops so that these communities can learn how to effectively manage their own development. With your help, these communities are not simply passive recipients of aid; they are taking matters into their own hands.

Thank you so much for your help and support.

Regards

Atul Lekhra 

Links:

• Seva Mandir's official website