maidan summit 2011 - mandira srivastava, isha foundation
DESCRIPTION
Ms Mandira Srivastava, during her discourse at Maidan Summit 2011, introduced the Isha Foundation and talked about its impact through sport-based programmes. In her presentation, she took the audience through Isha’s activities, and explained how sport can be harnessed to create an inclusive culture that forms the basis for urban peace and global development. Using case studies and dedicated presentations, she spoke about how sport has been enjoyed with full enthusiasm in the communities that the Isha Foundation works in, and how eventually transformation happened. She made a special mention to Isha’s sport-based work during crisis situations in South India.TRANSCRIPT
Sports for Social Inclusion
Isha Foundation
•an international, non-religious, not-for-profit public service organization,
•dedicated to nurture and help every being attain its ultimate potential through individual transformation by addressing all aspects of human wellbeing .
•Isha activities are designed to create an inclusive culture that is the basis of global peace and development.
•This integral approach has gained worldwide recognition –reflected in its Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
Sports and Community games Vision:
We envision a society where people full of joy and enthusiasm become actors in the transformation of their communities.
Mission:
We teach sports and community games to promote social bonding beyond caste, creed, religion or economic status and to encourage gender equity and leadership attitude within the community
Goals:
To establish a network of local motivated trained sport coaches
To introduce health awareness programs and yoga classes including games
To form male and female sport teams and provide them weekly coaching session
To support the happenings of tournaments from village to state level organized by community leaders
Rural Community Challenges
• Exclusion of women due to cultural inhibition
• Caste barriers within the community
• No culture of sport practice
• Loss of traditional practice of community games
• Addiction of women and children to TV, and addiction of men to card games, alcohol and smoking
Methodology
Meeting the village influential
people
Introducing Games through yoga Programs
Organizing sports teams
Coaching the teams
Inter-Panchayat & district level Tournaments
Rural Olympics/ Gramotsav
Strategy Isha Rural Yoga programs (Inner Engineering Program)
• rejuvenate the individual and foster trust • raise awareness of a better way of living • Introduction to game practices
Sport Coach – in charge for • Weekly coaching of sport practice • Initiate organization of inter village tournaments
Volunteer team Leader – in charge for • Continuity of games • Play-ground maintenance and sport equipments
Impacts
Individual Level
• Improvement in conflict resolution & problem solving skills
• Development of leadership skills and attitude
Community Level
• Increasing receptivity for development programs
Improvement of health and reduction of addictions
Mr.Magudesh Aged:40 Thottipalayam
He began drinking alcohol at the age of 16 to forget his burdens. He would consume alcohol and smoke a pack of cigarettes almost every day as the only way to relax the mind. But he knew it was not good for his health. He is an agricultural laborer. All his earnings were spent on alcohol, leaving wife and family with almost nothing.
AYUSH-Isha’s Fitness and Yoga team trained Vijayakumar in yoga and volleyball. With regular visits and counseling on de-addiction by the project team, Vijayakumar was encouraged to practice yoga and play volleyball.
Mr.Vijayakumar, 26 yr old,
Vilaram village, Devanur Panchayat
His wife Thayamma, aged 23, now feels happy that her husband doesn’t drink, and goes to work regularly. She thanked the AYUSH-Isha team for transfarming the life of her husband and the family now enjoys their reputation in the village.
Improvement in family and social relationships
Enhanced self-esteem and empowerment especially among women
Mrs.Kala Aged: 28, Athani, Gobichettipalayam
School Sharing Due to the hilly terrain, no sports and games activities were conducted in the school. When Isha organized games like Kho-Kho and Kabadi. The children developed great enthusiasm in games. Interschool competition were also organized which witness the high spirit of children. The AEO of the area exclaimed that he never expected that their children could portray such enthusiasm and skills in sports and games.
Development of individual skills
Fostering united community spirit beyond gender, caste, social and economic differences
Mr.Senthilkumar Aged:39 Athani, Gobichettipalayam
Real Inclusion
Achievements since 2003
Villages reached 2,463
Rural Isha Yoga program participants 150,000
Volley ball & throw ball teams 852
Number of players ~ 10,200
District level tournaments 27
State level rural sports festival (Gramotsav) 4
Gramotsav participants ~ 1,200,000
“Wanting to win, at the same time, willing to lose if need be; handling your victory gracefully, handling your failure gracefully
are things that sport inculcates into a human being.”
-Sadhguru