Bundelkhand Lok Manch Trust
Bundelkhand area of Uttar Pradesh comprising of seven districts is a very backward region of the State. It is characterised by rampant poverty. Recurring drought, subsistence agriculture, industrial backwardness, languishing traditional household/cottage industries and inadequate infrastructure have kept the region as one of the most poverty stricken areas. Employment and income generation programs run by government, hardly reach the poor. The feudal mind set of the society has further complicated the situation. Migration is a common feature. But migration to other states doesn't solve the problems when the population living below poverty line is very large. Bundelkhand has become synonymous with drought, poverty, unemployment and perennial water stress. Lalitpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Banda and Chitrakoot Districts receive scanty rainfall and consecutive years of drought have resulted in repeated crop failures, thus complicating the whole situation.
Keeping the above facts in mind, the Bundelkhand Lok Manch Trust was created and has started functioning in Orai from 3rd February, 2017 on a rented property. The Trust has opened:
- Silai Kendra for imparting training to women of economically weaker sections of the society.
- Computer Training Centre for children of deprived sections of the society in the region.
Steps Planned for the Coming Days
- Purchase of 10 (Ten) acres of land for building activities etc.
- Establishment of a school initially up to 8th class. Later on to be upgraded up to 10 + 2
- Yoga classes
- Rendering advice on health and hygiene primarily through ayurvedic and homoeopathic systems of medicine.
- Training for skill development
- Water harvesting and water conservation.
- Establishment of Sr. Citizen's Home
- Orphanage Home.
No doubt, Noida Lok Manch Trust has a team of volunteers residing in Noida and Bundelkhand regions and drawn from different walks of life like administrators, educationists, armed forces, naval forces, air forces, judiciary, sport & cultural fields as well as the corporate world. They are experts in different fields and have a deep desire to serve the society with their dedicated and committed efforts. With the support of the public at large, we have been and will be able to serve the society in a meaningful way.
Current Focus
- Skill Development (Computer Training Centre) for the unemployed youth/students.
- Skill Development (Silai Training School) for the unemployed women/girls/students.
The above two training centres are in full swing and some of the trainee women are now earning between Rs. 1000 – 1500/- pm – thus making them self-reliant.
- Silai Kendra in which 20 sewing machines will be given free of cost to women of economically weaker sections of the society along with clothes. They will be trained by an expert tailor-master for a USHA Certificate Course for a year, enabling them to be financially empowered. During the training, they will make daily-use bags (which will be environment friendly) and sell them to consumers at a very low price, thus making themselves self-reliant. This will stop the use of polythene bags and thus protect the environment.
- Computer Learning Centre in which ten computers will be installed and children of deprived society will be given computer training, net surfing etc. as per their demands.
- Establishment of a Beauty Parlour Training Centre.
- Centre for making pickles etc.
Medium Term Planning
Under the medium term planning, land for the school will be acquired in an area where there is no school. Initially, the school will be opened for up to 8th standard, which in the long term will be upgraded up to High School and Intermediate. It will be a role model public school with morning and afternoon shifts. The morning shift will be for the privileged group with fee etc. and the evening shift for the under-privileged group without any fee. This will enable the school to become financially sustainable within a period of 3-5 years.
Long Term Planning
Under the long term planning, Bundelkhand Lok Manch intends to establish:
- Orphanage Home, and
- Senior Citizen/Old Age Home
In the ultimate analysis, a nationally renowned institution would be in the offing.
Orphanage Home
After visiting the region, we have seen that children aged from 3 to 15 do not have a parent or guardian in sight. They are completely left to themselves. These children have no family, no proper clothing and no sense of stability whatsoever. They need a place like home, and we are determined to make that happen so that children can grow up in a secure family environment.
Senior Citizen/Old Age Home
The nuclear family system has merely replaced the age-old joint family system which used to take care of children and old members of the family. We are in a period of transition. The old system has nearly vanished, but the institution of old age homes has not taken deep root in our country.
Keeping this in view, Bundelkhand Lok Manch Trust has decided to set up a Senior Citizen/Old Age Home in Orai, Distt. Jalaun (Bundelkhand), where senior citizens can live in a dignified way.