PREFACE

On behalf of the Trustees of Ushagram Trust, I have great pleasure in presenting the Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 2007

Vidyaniketan Sishubihar :During this reporting year, a computer room constructed for the students of Vidyaniketan Sishubihar, Computer education made compulsory for all students from Class-III to Junior High students of Class VIII. Construction of New Toilet room also completed for Junior High Students and the students of Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya.

Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya (State Open Schooling):With increase of number of students in recent times, institution have started Higher Secondary stream as per guidelines of RMV authorities. In the year 2007, 31 student out of 109 appeared for examination and their results were satisfactory. The courses in recent days are gaining popularity among out of school student community.

Adult Literacy Scheme (Sabar Siksha Proti Gharte) :Presently the programme is implemented under the financial support from AID/USA. The Adult Literacy programme are being organized in 18 centres located in 8 villages.

Health Programme :Integral Health Programme – promotive, preventive and curative aspects based on Allopathic, Homeopathy, Auyurvedic, organization of general health, health awareness campaign, school health, family welfare, child and mother health issues, Reproductive Child Health care, Pathology Wings, X-ray Unit, clean water and environmental issues, universal immunization and similar national health programmes, special dental care cell, social worker oriented health education, awareness etc. are in progress as usual.

Training activities for SHGs :During the reporting period Jadavpur University, TEQIP Cell extended support of 10.49 lakhs for the activities of income generation of SHG members in fruit processing and food preservation. Bee Breeding unit and bee-achieve unit and training activity on Batik and Block Printing. All the above programmes have been implemented by Ushagram Loka Sikshaniketan under guidance from TEQUIP, J.U., Kolkata.

Sponsorship Programme of SAHAY, Kolkata :In addition to its usual financial support to 720 sponsored children in 10 villages, 49 bi-cycles have been distributed for the benefit of students residing in remote village areas during the current fiscal year.

Micro Credit Programme :

Self Help Groups for Marginalized Rural Women; the income generation programme continues to be successful.A sense of trust has developed, unifying the marginalized rural women in their goal to improve their life. Mobilization and motivation of marginalized rural women to work together for income generation, solve problems, community involvement as well as investment and building self-esteem towards self-reliance with collaboration from NABARD, UBI Taherpur /SBI Birnagar /Nadia Gramin Bank, Birnagar/Allahabad Bank, Chandandaha are striking features ; Self-Help Groups of youth are also functioning with success. During the reporting period NABARD, Nadia district has come forward with some schemes to motivate SHGs. Some of the groups have started venture in farming, fish cultivation and small vending from the respective group funds.

Trustees are grateful to Sri Parimal Ghosh of New Delhi and Smt. Bithika Bose of Kolkata, Dibya Jiban Trust for their generous donation to the Trust activities at Ushagram. The Trustees are also grateful to Ushagram Association, Geneva for Balwadi and village development programme, ADVO, France for

Sponsorship programme of Mira Usha Children Hostel and Arogyo Bhavan, AID/USA for Adult Literacy programme, Jadavpur University- TEQIP Cell, NABARD, Nadia and others to continue supports in our programmes.

Before, I conclude, I express gratefulness for all help, guidance and support received from all individuals, organizations and government officials for their patronage and confidence in the Trust. I also convey appreciations for valuable services and cooperation extended by our workers and I am sure they will continue to contribute their best towards achieving aims and objects of our Trust.

Date : Ushagram, Birnagar, Nadia Tanmayee Chakravarty01.04.2007 Secretary

ANNUAL REPORT – 2006-07

Introduction

USHAGRAM TRUST a multi-purpose, multi-faceted voluntary organization living since 1980. Ushagram Trust has developed an alternative and integrated rural development outlook. The characters of all activities are non-profit and non-political Voluntary Organization. This twin model of organizing and development interventions provides a cohesive perspective, with people’s participation and local leadership. The trust practices high standards of accountability and transparency.

The name of the Project is Ushagram i.e. the village of dawn (Usha) where there will be continuous experiments for a higher consciousness for the whole community. Ushagram is a dream to be realized, an aspiration to build up a conscious community as the nucleus of a brave new world.

Centre For Cultivation of Yogic Way of Life

This centre of community living would be the spiritual growth centre of inspiration for self-restraint and self-purification as well as for all sorts of rural upliftment activities. It would herald the desire for a peaceful and progressive village life that aspires to break new path with honest and disciplined living, helpful attitude and undaunted work with ethics free from any politics. As an integral part of the Yogashram, a Dhyan Niloy for prayer is already constructed. The sacred Relics of Sri Aurobindo enshrined on 5th December; 2002.This Ashram provides the atmosphere of a Tapoban and a place of Love, Joy, Peace, and Harmony.

Project-run Primary School (Vidyaniketan Sishubihar) :

VIDYANIKETAN SISHUBIHAR has been running for the last 30 years without any financial aid from Government. This primary school has two divisions – (i) one for the poor children from neighbouring villages and (ii) the other for the children from families which are relatively better-off.

Vidyaniketan Sishubihar-founded on 2nd January 1974 – is the primary of the leading spirit of Ushagram Vikash Kendra, Sri Gopal Chandra Chakravarty. Since inception Vidyaniketan Sishubihar has been engaged in developing its child education programme on the four planks of Health, Education, Nutrition and Enlightenment.

The School edifice represents the folk architectural tradition of rural Bengal while the buildings have been named after the great souls of India. The present (2006-07) rolls strength being around 435. Vidyaniketan Sishubihar is one of the largest non-government primary school (Standards I-VIII) in the district of Nadia.

The main characteristics of its educational methodology are:

A happy blending of both formal and non-formal systems; Learning in harmony with nature for the spontaneous growth of memory, concentration, imagination and analytical power; Students are formed into groups and encouraged to develop fellow feeling and the spirit of cooperation. Principles of collective search for truth and solution of problems are also impressed upon the young minds. After each session both group and individual performances are taken into consideration for determining the success-rate, and maximum number of students are awarded prizes in order to ensure maximum student response and participation.

Ushagram Trust is trying its best to impart education to boys and girls through activity methods both in class rooms and in outside open air classes and makes all possible effort

to prepare them to life struggle ahead and relates vocational works, music drawing etc. with academic subjects Health education has been made compulsory along with yogasans. Doing, thinking and discovering these three steps in learning are followed as far as possible to make every work joyful and life centered. Both formal and non-formal atmosphere in teaching are being tried.

During the reporting period, one computer room was constructed for the students at the first floor of Aurobindo Bhavan from the financial assistance of Mr. Rajat Bhadra of USA and additional toilets are also constructed for the students of Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya from the financial assistance of Ushagram Association , Geneva.

We are happy to report that our proposals towards introducing mid day Tiffin for students and uniform for poor students, teachers training, has been sanctioned by ASHA FOR EDUCATION, USA. Following visit and survey by their representatives here.

Value formation activities like observing the birthdays of the great souls of India, study of their lives, works and messages are followed regularly. Side by side with their mental and physical development, spiritual development of the children is also given prime importance to ensure all-round growth. In order to give free flow to their leadership qualities, all the school functions like Annual sports, Tree plantation Ceremony, Prize Distribution, Raksha Bandhan, Nabanna etc. are held under the active management of the students themselves. Vidyaniketan Sishubihar is definitely an extraordinary institute with an extraordinary curriculum trying to reach an extraordinary goal, i.e., providing man-making education for the society. After 30 years of quality service, the Institute is on a steady march of progress from betterment to betterment in service to the community with greater urge and commitment.

At a Glance Vidyaniketan Sishubihar

Class Student Strength Teaching Staff Non Teaching StaffBoys Girls Total

Primary (I-IV) 60 40 100 9 2K.G Section:Nursery – Std.IV

173 138 311 9 2

Junior High (V-VIII) 16 8 24 4

Elementary Education Centres ( Balwadis ) ;

Initially in the year 1984-1985, two Balwadi Centres were introduced in Nazirpur North and South. Next year, the Irish Government made a grant on 1/4th:3/4th co-finance basis for construction of 8 (eight) Balwadi Centres in 8 adjoining villages within project area. At present Ushagram Trust operates 12 Balwadi Centres in its area of operation without any government grants.

A day long Children’s Fair (Sishumela) was organized at Integral Health Development Ground of Ushagram on 19th January 2007. Sri Amit Kr. Basu, Block Development Officer, Ranaghat-I Block, Sri Tapash Ghosh, Sabhapati Ranaght-I Panchayet Samity, Sri Nikhil Krishna Paul, Pradhan, Barasat Gram Panchayet. graced the function.. Nearly 450 children participated the programme. During the reporting period Rs. 29376/- was raised as beneficiaries contribution to make Balwadi maintenance fund ,last 3 years all the expenses of our Balwadi Programme including Monthly Honoraria for the teachers-cum-social workers has ben funded by Ushagram Association, Geneva. We are indeedvery grateful to them.

During the reporting period total student strength of Balwadi students and Teachers deployment are as follows:

Mira Usha children’s Hostel :Residence for disadvantaged children set up with support of Abbey Pearre Foundation, France; presently there are 21 children staying at Mira Usha children Hostel. All the children are sponsored by Association for the Development of Oushagram, France. The students attended Yoga Camp under the guidance of Hostel Super. They also participated in Nadia District Yoga Competition. Educational tour at Murshidabad to visit historical places. Apart from normal guidance of the three residential teachers, 3 more special coaching teachers were also engaged. Bratachari, computer training, Meditation and Yoga Class are continuing from last 3 years. The performance level of Mira Usha Children’s Hostel is satisfactory. The following celebrations were organized by the Hostel students.

i) Birthday of every resident boarders, ii) Hostel foundation Day iii),Sri Aurobindo’sBirth Day, iv) Mother’s Birthday,Raksha Bandhan & Tree Plantation

State Open School :

Vidyaniketan Sishubihar has got the affiliation of West Bengal State Council of Open Schooling (Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya) in the year 2002 for secondary. It is to be noted that status of Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya is equivalent of Madhyamik Examination under West Bengal Board of secondary Education. Further affiliation obtained for Higher Secondary in the year 2005. Financial grant to the tune of Rs. 49,950.00 was received from the authorities of Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya for the centre. At present 20 teachers are engaged for conducting classes for all subjects in Secondary & Higher Secondary courses.. Present student strength stands:

i) Madhyamik 229 ii) Higher Secondary 155

Ushagram Aurogindo Rabindra Gramin Pathagar :

A multi-purpose rural library named Ushagram Aurobindo-Rabindra Gramin Pathagar, founded in 1999 at Ushagram, with a view to propagating illiteracy and disseminating the light of education among the villagers residing in the remote corners. Ushagram Trust takes a vow to eradicate illiteracy as well as develop reading habit of the young generation, with the direct participation of the youth organizations of the villages. A mobile wing of the library has started functioning in the villages by sending books, pictures, magazines etc. of juvenile interest and various books of the interest for the villagers. Books thus sent are brought back after 3 weeks and fresh books are issued. The library functioning as a centre for spreading non-formal mass education .Our ultimate aim is to build up a small library and information

Sl. Name of Centre Inception Roll Strength Total TeachersBoys Girls

1 Mondal Smriti Sangha 1984-85 13 14 27 022 Nazirpur Tarun Sangha 1984-85 36 16 52 023 Bhaduri Sangha Sree Club 1984-85 14 22 36 024 Barasat Trinami Sangha 1984-85 20 32 52 025 Shibpur Milon Sangha 1984-85 17 16 33 026 Taherpur Vivekananda Sangha 1984-85 10 12 22 027 Singha Smriti Sangha 1984-85 39 21 60 028 Mahishdanga Nabin Sangha 1984-85 15 20 35 029 Mahishdanga Yuba Sangha 1992-93 36 31 66 0210 Gagrakhali Yuba Sangha 1996-97 26 16 42 0211 Bhaduri Balaka Sangha 2001-02 5 16 21 0212 Bhaduri Khudiram Sangha 2001-02 14 18 32 02

Total 244 234 478 24

centre in each and every village of the Gram Panchayet. Library is functioning by a separate managing committee under the control of Ushagram Trust. We are grateful to Ushagram Association towards providing partial fund for Mass Education Programme. Books have been purchased valued at Rs.10000 with the financial assistance with AID-India, USA.

Present Status of Library is as under :

No. of workers - 2Total number of books - 6560Daily News papers - 5No of Journals - 28No. of Members - 428Regular Readers - 128

Sabar Siksha Prati Ghare :

This is our programme of “Education for All” at Rural Household Doorstep age group – 15 onwards with special emphasis on women. During the reporting period Mass Literacy Programme for adults has gained a good momentum. The main aim is to ensure elementary and fundamental education is available to all rural families. We are very grateful to AID-India & Asha Syracuse,USA for their generous cooperation and financial assistance to continue this project successfully. We are also grateful to the Department of Adult and continued Education of Kalyani University towards providing training and educational material support for this mission

All the learners take part in various programme on “World Literacy Day” at Ushagram Campus on 8th September every year. Eminent personalities join them on this occasion.

Present status of this project :No of Centre - 18No. of learner - 178No of Teaches - 18No of Coordinator - 1No of Part time Assistants - 3

Child Sponsorship Programme :

The Child Sponsorship Programme at Ushagram was started in the year 1999 for children within the area of operation of Ushagram Trust. During the reporting period total sponsored children is 662.This programme is supported by Children International through Sahay, Kolkata. The main programmes of this programme are as follows:

i) Education ; ii) Health ; iii) Nutrition ; iv) Family Assistance ; v) Value Formation

Education Programme :

During the reporting period 39 children were given Vocational Training/Skill training for self employment.

i) Tailoring – 10 ; ii) Electric wiring – 4 ; iii) Computer – 5 ; iv) Motor Driving – 8 ; v) Batick printing – 3 ; vi) Handloom – 1 ; vii) Clay modeling – 8

7 students of above average merit in their own field of interest bagged Hope Scholarship during the period.

At a Glance Education support to the Sponsored Children under the programme:

Name of Villages School Uniform School Books Khata Tuition Fees By-cycleNazirpur (North) 56 35 45 38 6Nazirpur (South) 64 42 50 48 6Shibpur 62 41 47 35 5Ushagram 106 90 97 67 6Bhaduri 141 128 138 97 8Barasat 66 50 61 45 6Taherpurpuranpara 25 12 15 13Gagrakhali 71 67 69 59 2Mahishdanga(North) 64 55 59 49 6Mahishdanga(South) 91 77 84 69 2

Total 746 597 665 520 47

Art Contest :

Art contest was organized under this programme 42 youths and 38 children have been participated in the contest on 18/6/07 ; 25/6/07 ; 17/6/07

Health Programme :

Our Integral Health Programme includes – promotive, preventive and curative aspects based on Allopathic, Homeopathy, Auyurvedic, organization of general health, health awareness campaign, school health, family welfare, child and mother health issues, Reproductive Child Health care, Pathology Wings, X-ray Unit, clean water and environmental issues, universal immunization and similar national health programmes, special dental care cell, social worker oriented health education, awareness etc.;

During the reporting year the following services have been rendered to the sponsored children :

Annual Health check up 711 Spon. ChildrenMedicine provided for general illness 720 Spon. Children

160 Non-sponsoredUnder de-worming programme 720 Spon. Children

Albendazole Tablet given 1st doze - 3623 Fam.members2nd doze – 3064 Family members

Referred to Specialist : Dental Cases 109 nos.of Sponsored child Eye Cases 48 nos.of Sponsored ChildPathological tests 68 nos.of Sponsored Child

Emergency Health Care 4 nos.of Sponsored Child

Efforts strengthened to educate the sponsored children and youths about the cleanliness of health and hygiene as well as preventive and curative measures of diseases through the Health training programme and awareness programmes. The training were conducted by the trained staff and peer educators of the project. The main objective of the programme was to train the youths so that they could act as the health person/agent in the area to help carry out community health programmes in future.

One Eye and one Dental check up camp have been organized in the project campus with a number of 139 participants.2 nos. of Reproductive Child health Training Camp have been organized in two villages with a number of 112 participants.Awareness Camp on personal & community health and hygiene organized – Hygiene kits distributed to 40 children.Awareness Programme has been undertaken on STD/HIV. 5 Camps have been organized during the reporting period with a number of 163 participants. These 5 camps have been organized separately one camp for father 2camps for mothers and 2 camps for adolescent girls.Adolescent health training and distribution of sanitary napkins to 646 Spon. Children with Siblings.

Special Need Donation/Special Gifts :

Special gift is direct benefit to the sponsored children by their respective sponsorors. 13 children received special gifts duringt the year. Special need donation is a Lump Sum amount of financial assistance from sponsorors direct to the child and its family. The number of beneficiaries in this year was 8.

Family Assistance :

The following construction works have been undertaken in the villages under this programme :

Activity Sponsored Non Sponsored

Home Repair 23 3 Bathroom for adolescent girls 51 Low Cost Sanitary Latrines 20 4

50 numbers of Cycle have been distributed to the 49 Sponsored and 1 non Sponsored children during the reporting period.

Regular Benefits for sponsored Children :

Benefits Annual Programme support to all sponsored studentBeneficiries Gift Category Items

Benefit-B 746 Birthday Clothings, Umbrella & ShoeBenefit-C 713 Christmass Quilt, Bed Sheet & MaflerBenefit-D 697 Special Hug Pressure CookerBenefit –E 746 Easter Uniform, School Bag, Hurricane

Nutrition :Under this programme, all malnourished and undernourished children are provided with need based rich nutritious food and medicines. Seasonal fruits,boiled eggs, and other nutritious food are supplied to the malnourished children. Cooking demonstrations are organized in villages whenever need be through our Social Workers.

Name of Centre I Grade II Grade III Grade Centre

Bhaduri Khudiram Sangha 6 3 0Gagrakhali Yuba Sangha 3 1 0Bhaduri Balaka Sangha 5 3 0

Bhaduri Sangha Sree Club 11 2 0Mahishdanga Nabin Sangha 1 0Mahishdanga Yuba Sangha 3 2 0

Shibpur Milon Sangha 1 0Total 34 12

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Micro Credit Programme :

For Self Help Groups for Marginalized Rural Women; the income generation programme continues to be successful with necessary initiatives of Ushagram. A sense of trust has developed, unifying the marginalized rural women in their goal to improve their life. Mobilization and motivation of marginalized rural women to work together for income generation, solve problems, investment by groups and building self-esteem towards self-reliance with collaboration of NABARD, UBI Taherpur /SBI Birnagar/NGB, Birnagar/Allahabad Bank, Chandandaha are striking features; Self-Help Groups of youth are also functioning with success.

During the reporting year 4 numbers of workshops on SHG Accounts and refresher training for SHG Group leaders were organized at Ushagram campus. Evaluation of SHGs was made by the representative of Ushagram Trust and Banks for credit linkage. During the year 2006-07 NABARD had sanctioned towards formation and linkage of 100 SHGs in the area of our operation. The total project cost is 1.47 lakh. With the financial assistance of Nadia Zilla Parishad and NABARD, Ushagram Trust organized two residential training cum workshop on Flower Cultivation and Bee Keeping at Udyog Bhavan. Partial amount of Rs. 34748.00 was utilized towards honorarium and training programme from the fund of Ushagram Association, Geneva.

At a Glance

Groups formed during the period 61Total Number of Group formed 262Total number of members 3025Savings mobilized 24,57,950.00Savings Bank Account of groups 262Credit Linkage 22,17,000.00# of group availing loan from bank 131

Farm & Dairy :

Agriculture, Dairy, Pisciculture - these activities are the multifunctional role foundation for rural economic development in a cluster of villages adopted by Ushagram Trust. A programme has been taken up on soil testing to identify soil requirements and to encourage soil situation specific principal crops, promotion of location appropriate vegetable and fruit crops, vermi-composting, , rain water harvesting.. Rural youth are provided with technical and resource support to take up reclamation of semi-derelict and derelict tanks followed by Pisciculture for income generation;

As per our 5 year Improvement plan of the Farm and Dairy, 75% reduction in application of chemical fertilizer to the farm land continued. Production of vermi composting and leaf composting started to cater the need of our farm and also to meet outside demand Green fodder cultivation for milch cow continued. No pesticide is used in the cultivation. We are using vermi compost, farmyard manure, slurry of bio-gas plant, mustard cake in our farm land. We have 3 numbers of Bio-gas plants. Recently one more bio-gas plant has been installed in our place with the financial assistance of Ushagram Association, Geneva. Workshops and motivation camps have been organized on Vermi compost making, Sustainable

agriculture at village Bhaduri. Vegetable Seeds & saplings have been distributed to the villagers for biological kitchen gardening. Bio-fertilizers worth Rs. 45000.00 have been distributed to the farmer for organic farming to reduce use of chemical fertilizer & pesticides.

Main crops of the farm are paddy, jute, flower, banana, mustared, linseed and pulses (leguminous). These activities at Bhaduri were supported by Ushagram Assoiciation, Geneva.

Construction work –compoleted at a glance ::

Activities Location Funded by

Smokeless chulla 6 nos Bhaduri Ushagram Association, GenevaUpgradation of Vidyaniketan Vidyaniketan Ushagram Association, GenevaBio-Gas Plant Ushagram Ushagram Association, GenevaLatrine Nazirpur Ushagram Association, GenevaCommunity Centre Bhaduri AID-India, USACommunity Centre Bhaduri Asha Syracuse, USA

Present Board of Trustees of Ushagram Trust

1. Dr.(Prof.) Sankar Kumar Sen, President

2. Smt. Tanmayee Chakravarty, Secretary

3. Sri Bimal Kumar Biswas, Assistant Secretary

4. Sri Krishnalal Talukdar, Treasurer

5. Sri Amar Kumar Dutta

6. Dr. Rita Dutta

7. Dr. Ardhendu Sekhar Biswas

Acknowledgement of contributions in particular

1 Ushagram Association, Geneva2 A.D.V.O., France3 AID, USA4. Asha for Education, CNJ Chapter, New Jercy,USA5 Asha Syracuse, USA6 Ms. Ute Szemeitat, Germany7 Mr. Andre Ellenberger, Geneva8 Rabindra Mukta Vidyalaya, Govt. of West Bengal 9 Sri Aurobindo Education Society, New Delhi10 Sri Pabitra Kumar Bhattacharjee, New Delhi11 Sri Parimal Kumar Ghosh, New Delhi12 Smt. Bithika Bose, Kolkata13 Children International , USA14 SAHAY, Kolkata15 NABARD, Kolkata16 AOI, France17 Hon’ble Government of West Bengal18 Hon’ble Government of India19 Sabhadhipati, Nadia Zilla Parishad, Nadia20 Sabhapati, Ranaghat-I Panchayet Samity, Nadia21 Pradhan, Barasat Gram Panchayet, Nadia22 Block Development Officer, Ranaghat-I Block, Nadia23 S.D.O., Ranaghat Sub Division, Nadia24 District Magistrate, Nadia25 Suman Mitra, Kolkata-926 Ashok Prasun Chattopadhyay, Kalyani27 Aviprasun Chottyopadhyay ,Kolkata-1928 Kamala Roy ,Kolkata29 Shwetav Agrawal ,Regent park, Kolkata30 Secretary, Bhaduri Khudiram Sangha ,Nadia31 Ratna Roy, Kalyani32 M/S Texpro (India) Ltd. Kolkata- 8933 Rita Dutta Kolkata-2834 Dr. Sankar Kumar Sen ,Kolkata-2935 Ushagram Loka Sikshaniketan,Ushagram, 36 Subrata Dey ,Kolkata-5937 Sri M.K.Jana ,Kalyani38 Sri Gouranga Das Kol.-5439 Kiron Joshi & Monoj Joshi,Delhi-11003040 Piku Roy, Kolkata-700 00341 Manika Chatterjee, Kolkata-742 Nirupam Halder Krishnagar, Nadia43 Dipankar Kumar ,Bansberia44 Niranjan Biswas, Kolkata-89