SSC: Untouchable farmers development network (India) Agriculture Development program

(ESTD 1982)

*****************************************************************************************************

April 2, 2002

Untouchable farmers development network (India) Agriculture Development program

We are Indian former untouchable young group we are working with the Indian rural former Indian untouchables for his life development. We are working for health education and quality of life to ex untouchables in the rural India so that they live with self respect and dignity please give visit our organization and look our area and work.

We have started the village program Human support project at the village level. This program is very important for the changing the Indian untouchable’s world and his life.

Yours Sincerely

A.B.Suryawanshi

Introduction :

Indian social system since ages kept the untouchables away from political power property education and social status. This system treats them as slaves and inflicts on then injustice and atrocities. Dr B.R.Ambedkar, through out his life struggled for these untouchables for their libration from these bondages and he made them aware of this oppressed social system.

Those who were made aware by Dr.Ambedkar embraced Buddhism and now living a dignified life. The organization is working in Latur district since last 7 years. Organization conducted a study of the issue of this unholy system of untouchability and identified the causes for the prevalence of this system. The main reason of the poverty of untouchables and landless labour is their economic backwardness. No body can deny this reality. We also endeavourered to find out the reasons of this economic backwardness. It revealed that in rural area the means for economic development is land. But the land is distributed unequally the land holdings are not conducive to social equality and social justice. Therefore, untouchables are living a miserable life. Some of the untouchables do possess lands. But their land holdings are so small that even a pair of bullocks cannot stand on it.

Therefore, instead of cultivating that land, they work as wage labours on others lands, or migrate to cities in search of livelihood. Hence our organization is trying to help them by improving their lands. Organization is trying to form cooperatives of landless untouchable for their economic self reliance. This cooperativeness will generate employment for them. For leading a respectable life they should become economically self-reliant.

Those who are dependant on others, live a life of helpless person, therefore organization will help those having lands to improve their lands and those, who do not possess lands will be supported by generating employment for them. Along with this, organization will also help the people in improving their education and health status, which may result in improving their standard of living.

Salient features of the project :

1. Land development of untouchable

2. Self employment for landless.

3. Health

4. Education

5. Contour burding, leveling of land and tree plantations on the bunds. Providing water for irrigation, providing agriculture implements, seeds and promoting natural farming, they will also be trained in bio-gas.

Education:

Organization will run balwadies, Adult education center, libraries consumer educations, centers etc. Organization will educate people about human rights, it will also try to build their capacities and potentials. In general Organization will work with the people for their integrated development.

We will start other program for Indian former untouchables, his family development. Many Indian former untouchable are homeless so we will start the shelter program. Our institution supports indigenous people project and implements it’s programme at the local level through them.

Home and the family:

The home is where a child is nurtured, where a family finds security and shelter from the natural elements and the larger community or society. It is in the home that the tradition, culture of that community or society is passed on to the next generations. As the family is the smallest and most essential social unit, the home is the most basic spatial location for the family too survive in. Each individual will prosper or suffer according to his or her sense of belonging to a family and of having a place to call home.

The meaning of Home: Gautama Buddha, the ancient sage and philosopher, once described shelter as 'the root of happiness', perhaps because he knew that without a home, human beings cannot fully develop emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

The home is the first place where human beings learn to establish relations among themselves, with society and with their environment. As aptly pointed out by a homeless Pakistani man recently, " A house is not just a place to eat and sleep in . It gives me an identity. In our house , I can socialize, we can ask my friends to come over and we can be proud. Without this we are not human but just animal."

UNTOUCHABLE FARMER'S DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

UNTOUCHABLE SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN VILLAGE:

Untouchable Support Programme focuses primarily on issues related to health, education and quality of life. These main issues comprise literacy, self -employment, health care, women and child growth, safe drinking water, water for household use and agriculture, self help groups, income generations activities based on agriculture, fisheries, live stock, diary farming, crafts, forest management, cooperatives of users, producers, consumers etc.

Sub issues, priorities, practical implementation etc are decided by the local structure, which is an important factor while implementing any activity, project or programme.

IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION:

1) Literacy committee (for adults)

Each volunteer takes charge of one student to ensure his/her regular attendance. Dropouts are encouraged to attend school regularly. The committee can use various methods like reading writing, posters, drawings, TV, video films, etc.

2) Pre-school committee (for children)

Use of innovative and creative methods like posters, poetry, drawing, theater, music, toys, charts etc for learning.

3) Knowledge committee

The objective is to increase knowledge and awareness of surrounding world and its change. Information covers subjects like technology, science, agriculture, human, civil and legal rights, etc. The committee can use of news papers, notice board, circulars, cultural programmes, circulating library, books, TV, films etc.

4) Civic awareness committee

Bringing practical awareness on human, civil and legal rights and obligations. Ways to readdress breaches of the same, to comply with existing laws, ways to satisfy legal requisites, how to obtain information, how to present cases, duties and obligations of elected representatives, etc. It may work through meetings campaigns, door-to-door, training, etc.

IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH:

1) Medical Prevention Committee

Prevention committee can organize specific health check up camps, for early diagnosis of TB, diabetes, cancer, endemic diseases, physical disabilities, standard vaccinations, etc.

Meetings, campaigns, door-to-door visits, training, etc. can create awareness on preventive measures and lifestyle (sanitation, diet, first-aid, drug-addiction, alcoholism, tobacco chewing, Aids, etc,) Medicines and other requirements are procured from government organizations or from donors.

2) Medical Assistance Committee

Improvement of medical treatment.

To build and organize resources for a faster and more effective treatment.

Acquisition of basic equipment/facilities for emergencies.

Volunteers can receive training as health workers (as paramedics) from qualified nurses or public hospitals or through organizations working for public health.

Medicines and other requirements are procured from government organizations or from donors.

3) Pre-marital Training Committee

Preparation for marriage, pregnancy, delivery, motherhood, childcare, household hygiene, household economy, family planning, women health, healthy diet, etc.

IN THE FIELD OF QUALITY OF LIFE:

1) Women's Committee or Mahila Mandal

The objective is to empower women. To resolve women issues in a non-violent way, such as domestic violence, social discrimination, molestation, eaves teasing, sexual harassment at work, etc. To educate a new point of view free from personal blame and guilt (discrimination as social evil, crime, assault, etc. not as personal dishonor, blemish, etc.).

Home News Home