By Atul Lekhra | Manager- Resource Mobilization
Dear Friend,
Strong village institutions are the nucleus for all of Seva Mandir’s work. For over 50 years, Seva Mandir has slowly built its alternative village governments into spaces where people are able to participate actively and ethically in the decisions which affect their lives. Our Village Development Forums and Village Development Funds manage local development projects, co-fund projects and act as pressure groups on the state. At a deeper level, they build community ownership of the development process, unite communities and ensure the long-term sustainability of Seva Mandir’s work.
Naro ka Kheda, a village in Badgaon block, is situated 20 kms from Udaipur. Naro ka Kheda first got associated with Seva Mandir with adult education program in the year 1979 and the association continued with the formation of Village Development Committee, development of 2 pasturelands, wasteland development, watershed, 3 water harvesting structures, Non formal education center, Balwadi (pre-school), Self-help groups and a Trained Birth Attendant.
In the year 2014-15, Seva Mandir got a project under Clean Drinking Water (CDW) program for which Naro ka Kheda was one of the villages where the project was to be implemented. In the village there was only one source of water-an open well- which was located 800m downhill. As per the CDW program of Seva Mandir, the water from the source is pumped to a reservoir where it can be chlorinated. The only obstacle in starting the work was the unavailability of electricity in the village. Out of concern the community members applied for electricity connection to the panchayat (local government body) and regularly followed up. Seeing their continuous follow-up, Seva Mandir went forward with the well restoration and tank construction work. In the meanwhile, Seva Mandir was writing proposals to funders for installing a solar powered pump.
The community members felt that a water tank is an asset to the village and it will be used by future generation as well, so 6000 litres proposed under the program would not suffice and so they decided to construct a 10000 liter tank and the extra cost that would be willingly incurred by the community. However, the tank could not be used unless an arrangement was made to pump water to it, but there was no certainty when it would happen.
Two years passed, the people didn’t get their electricity connection but Seva Mandir in the meanwhile got funds for installing a solar powered pump in their village. In no time, community members voluntarily dug pits for the pipelines from the well to the tank and for the stand posts. They also voluntarily did all the masonry work for solar plate installation and refused to run a muster roll for labour payments. They instead asked Seva Mandir if that money could be transferred to Village Development Fund so that they will have enough money for other development works and for their future generations.
Naro ka kheda is a perfect example of a village taking responsibility for their own development and of participatory action.
We would like to thank you for letting us meet our commitments at the field. All this has been possible due to your consistent support and trust in us. Together we can make a difference for these villages.
Best Wishes,
Atul Lekhra and the Seva Mandir Team
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