Guardian's Gatherings
Every year the “Guardians’ Day” is celebrated in all the schools. Take the example of one school – Chandvegan. Many guardians came from 5 to 50 km distance – mainly walking. Almost half were mothers, accompanied by small brothers and sisters of the students. Totally about 500 guardians participated in these 6 school [all] - gatherings.

The students’ performances were impressive. The students and the teachers exhibited the drawings and other creations, as well as maps of the area. There were also other charts, along with science experiments. It was so enriching to watch the kids explaining the exhibition items to their illiterate parents. The pattern was uniform in all the schools.

We explained to the audience our plan of the next 5 years and sought their cooperation. We have taken this direction – School to Home Development from last year, starting with mango and other tree plantation - a joint plan of concerned students and parents. We consider it to be the prime social obligation of the schools [emphasized by Gandhij as 'Nai Talim' - New Education]. It is all the more important in Dharampur, crushed under the weight of abject poverty. In short, our approach is: The school has to be the center of the reconstruction, not just a center for imparting various academic subjects.

They were really introspective moments, when a young man who traveled 70 km, stood up and spoke: ‘Nothing has happened after independence in our corner, far away both from Kaprada & Dharampur. Please start some thing in our villages. We will co-operate fully’. Kaprada is a new Taluka [County], carved out from original Dharampur, since last 8 years. It is far behind in development, compared to Dharampur. We aspire to reach out to as many untouched villages of Kaprada Taluka in near future.

A student there stood up and spoke rather nicely, about the education they get in general and their school in particular. His final demand was so touching: We request Kokiben to start a High School, so that we will not have to go to far away Tamachhadi.

Land - Purchase in Tamachhadi & the Back – Ground Story
Tamachhadi hill - school has an immediate problem of space for further expansion. We have started from the last June [2004] 8th standard and have planned to expand the school up to 12th standard, stage - by - stage. Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram of Dharampur is supporting Tamachhadi School – Complex.

Some 16 years ago, the community spared this hill for the project, full of shrubs. It was our first Ashram [center]. We started with a bamboo – hut. We never visualized then, that there is going to come up a big educational - cum - service centre, on that hill. Neither could we purchase land from tribes according to law, nor from government; as Dharampur is declared a Reserved Forest Area. In the situation, we approached the Valsad District Cooperative Bank, having land in their possession. Finally they approved the sale. Over and above a little over 2 hectares of land on the river – bank, adjoining the present School on the hill; they offered to sell us 3 hectares of another piece of land, in the neighboring village, for future development activities. We took the risk to purchase both the pieces. As soon as the deal was finalized, I broke the news on phone to one of the pillars of TUFF [Sweden] - our permanent and reliable supporters without a break, for the last 25 years. They started first with the schools and Balwadies for migrant kids around Valod. Further more TUFF supported Dharampur Project – first the schools and gradually all other non – schools development activities. Prompt came a question: ‘What about money?' I explained him the position. He told me not to worry about funds and asked to go ahead, with the purchase of land. It was so comforting at that stage!

On account of the prevailing government rules and regulations for the forest tribal area, the transfer of land from the bank got rather delayed. With the positive attitude of the concerned government officers, this problem is on way to resolution. One architect from Bombay and an engineer from Ahmedabad just visited Tamachhadi, to guide us with the lay – out. Her school of architecture in Bombay is going to be associated with the project. A teacher from that school has also visited Tamachhadi, in this respect.

Shrimad Rajchandra Vidya Vihar [High School]
We have just 33 students in grade 8th, in this first year. There are 3 post graduate teachers & a part - timer. 2 teachers for English and Science visit the school regularly - one coming from Bombay and another from Surat. For Mathematics 3 qualified teachers visited the school by turn. There are host of quality visitors in Tamachhadi. That in itself is offering broad education, so casually. For fine arts, agriculture in general and organic farming in particular, the school has gained mastery. The students are exposed to variety of field – experiences. There have also been various training camps. All this in to provide rare opportunity to the students for general education. We are trying to have permanent staff from next June [difficult in this corner], as we will have grades 8th and 9th from 15th June [2005] onwards.

On 26th of January [The Indian Republic Day], when we visited Tamachadi, the students had just returned from a well – established High School. They demonstrated science experiments in front of 8 – 9 -10 grade students there. The visiting science teacher described the incident with great satisfaction. All the way to Tamachhadi, that teacher brought with him from Surat, 18 bags of teaching material for the experiments. Great.

Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram of Dharampur invited the students and the teachers of Tamachhadi School to the Ashram. There was a film – show as well as sports. The young inmates studying in higher classes and our 70 students [6-7-8 grades] mixed up with each – other, danced, sang songs and made fun. On account of the jeep accident, [not serious] I had to stay back; but Koki managed to join the informal festival, a little late. How lucky are the students, who got so much love from the Ashram! It was a great joy for them. They relished every moment.

The high - school received cassettes for learning English and a tape – recorder from a casual visitor. He saw how our teachers were struggling to teach English. The students were very happy and so excited to have this beautiful gift. Nice.

Generous Support for Check – Dams
The Bombay Central Rotary Club is coming forward with the support for the construction of 37 earthen Check – Dams. It is titled as ‘Rain Water Harvesting Project – 2005’. During their last visit, the delegation of the Club, along with 4 UK Rotarians visited a few newly constructed dams in remote villages. They also visited some old dams, before promising further involvement. We as well made a trip to Bombay for in - depth discussion with the Rotarians. Seems, the long exercise is coming to a happy end.

The project would be financed jointly by the Bombay Rotary, as well as one Rotary Club from London. It would be a little over 55 % of the total cost. The rest about 45 % is the contribution of the beneficiaries, in form of labor. It would benefit 27 villages [37 hamlets], having a population of 4895 people. Approximately 155 hectares of land would get facility of irrigation, during the dry spells in monsoon.

Soil – Bunding
The Soil - Bunding program has now been initiated in 6 villages. We are going ahead, as it is a strong and priority demand of the community. Our target is to reclaim or repair 100 hectares of land in this season. It will benefit about 556 families. Hopefully, with the completion of soil – bunding program before monsoon, the total land reclaimed may be close to 1500 hectares, in the last 11 years time.

Catchments Area Plan
An expert has prepared a 'Catchments Area Plan', to strengthen the artificial lakes that have come up, on account of the massive earthen Check - Dams program. In Dharampur & Kaprada our dam workers have just surveyed all the 230 check dams, constructed during the last 4 years. This is the fifth year of the check - dams project.

The 'Catchments Plan' is a second phase of the soil/water/forest conservation - a follow up of the Dams/Bunds Project. Perhaps this is the last phase for this composite plan of our holistic project in Dharampur/Kaprada block. We would like to concentrate next 5 years in the neglected villages in Kaprada Taluka; as deep as we could approach.

Visit of Swedish Teachers
2 Swedish teachers made an 8 days extensive trip in Valod – Dharampur area. They started with a Guardians’ Gathering at Chandvagan. Then they visited 5 other schools of Dharampur and other development programs. Their school in Sweden is working for the schools of Dharampur, for the last 3 years. They also visited 3 other schools around Valod, [earlier supported by Tuff – Sweden] and attended other interesting programs. They are now sharing information in their school in Sweden, giving Radio - Talks and informing general public.

Other Visitors
A record number of well – wishers visited Dharampur & Kaprada block in the last 3 months. What a concern of all the friends! Many of them [skilled] guided our teachers – workers. Over and above visiting schools and other development programs, the visitors were especially interested in our participatory approach. They tried mainly to understand how we coordinate socio - economic development programs, with the schools as the spring boards. It was a stimulating experience, by any standards. They included journalists, teachers, artists, researchers, Rotarians, doctors from India and abroad.

Invasion of Guest - Cows
‘Male – Buffalo’ distribution is the fastest developing project of the last 17 years. 1700 animals [Padas] have reached in remote villages to the community, at their door – steps, in the last 18 months. Still more and more demands are coming.

A recent incident is simply unprecedented. About 2 weeks back we were approaching to Bilpudi, exhausted, after 3 days’ hectic trip, along with 2 Swedish friends. On the narrow stony road, leading to our residence from the main road, we saw ahead of us a big truck. We could not believe our eyes. But one person informed us that they were searching our place since 4 hours. By chance he met them on main road and was directing the truck to Samarpada – the hamlet where we live. Within moments we were home.
 

Surprisingly, the truck was loaded with young cows. All the year round, a number of trucks have arrived from long distances. They always reached directly to the fixed villages. Every time the complicated distribution business was handled smoothly, by the volunteers of the concerned villages. Never did animals arrive to our place directly, like this. There was some communication gap. Any way, we had to tackle the ticklish problem. There was no escape.

The entire hamlet plunged into action, running after the angry guests with fodder and water, as soon as the cows were unloaded. But they became crazy and were on Hunger Strike – may be on account of long lock - up. They were simply uncontrollable and went astray running very fast, here and there, in a large area. The people did not have extra ropes. We drove to Dharampur town and purchased the ropes – a new experience. The chase between the adamant cows and our neighbors continued till mid - night. We gave up and retired to bed, in seer desperation. Yes, all this was unthinkable and obviously exciting for our Swedish guests. They tried to film the event, when it was almost dark.

Next morning we came to know that 14 out of 18 cows were brought back or returned on their on. 8 of the lot were taken by some families at nominal price of one - way transportation [as is our normal practice]. What to do with the 6 left – outs? Koki had an old dream of setting up a cow – shed. Struck an idea to her, to send cows to GKVP Ashram School in Khanda. All the 8 cows were reloaded in our lorry with great difficulty; as they were not prepared to move an inch. But our neighbors managed it any how. Any way, a cow – shed [Gau - Shala] is set up in Khanda School. What an outcome of the invasion!

Approaching the Farthest Cluster of Kaprada
One fine afternoon, 2 youngsters rushed to Bilpudi, with a firm resolve to take us to their cluster of villages. Earlier they met us in one of the Guardians’ Gatherings referred above. We had a preliminary talk there about the typical situation of their area. As we were to be away for the rest of the day, they stayed on in our home.

After a brief discussion at night, we decided to follow them, the next morning. Accordingly, we were off for much talked - about Tukvada village, with those 2 motivated youngsters. It was a long jeep - drive of about 80 km. The cluster being cut - off from Kaprada, on account of the construction of giant Madhuban Dam and in the absence of direct jeepable road, we had to take very long round rout. First we crossed Daman Ganga River and reached Selvasa. It is a Capital of Dadera - Nager Haveli Central Government Territory. We further carried on the journey by the side of Madhuban Dam and reached Kupvada block of villages in the afternoon. The cluster is surrounded on one side by the Central Govt. Territory, on the other side by Maharashtra and the rest was Gujarat. As if the 7 villages were sand – witched like no body’s land – totally isolated and ignored.

We were convinced that these villages [again divided by Damn Ganga], lived in the most complicated geography and difficult logistics. Obviously they were completely neglected and unnoticed by Kaprada administration and Gujarat state, to which they technically belonged. As if they did not exist in Gujarat.

Being a Weekly Fair, a big number of people rushed to us, with host of questions. Not going into details, as there was nothing but genuine complaints. It requires a separate chapter. If not us, some voluntary group should start work there, giving the cluster some hope and a special treatment. We talked to the youngsters about our work. They new a bit, as a few students from here are there in our schools. We asked the young leaders to prepare a broad plan of mango plantation, new seeds, check – dams and bunding. The most acute problem was that of schooling. Walking about 8 -10 km, the students go to a primary school in one Dadera – Nagar Haveli village – as second class citizens. We saw all this while moving in the area. One person rushed to us with an offer of a piece of land, with a request to start a school, just on the bank of the beautiful river. It could be a repeat of Tamachhadi. At the moment we have asked them to form a working - group and keep in touch regularly with our coordinator. Of course, some development programs would definitely be initiated, before long.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Eye – Camp in Virekshetra School
RNC Eye – Hospital of Valsad & Atul Development Foundation jointly organized free Eye – Camp in our farthest school Virkshetra, on the border of Maharashtra. 182 patients took advantage of the camp. Out of them 21 patients were taken in the bus of the hospital to Valsad, for cataract operation. They were returned to their homes safe, in the same way. All the expenses were born by the Trusts. 40 patients got free glasses. Good. 2 more camps are on the cards.

‘Marriage for the Poor’ Project
The project supported 7 tribal couples in a small way, to get benefit of the mass – marriage, organized jointly by one voluntary agency and the state government. It may turn out to be an innovative support-program for poor tribal couples, later on. That would avoid wasteful expenditure.

The Cycles in the Schools
A staunch supporter from Bombay was so keen that all the schools should have bicycles: 1 normal, 1 medium and 1 for girls. His son also joined the crusade. Now all the 7 schools have 3 cycles each. As most of the students did not know cycling, many have learnt it by now – what an education! It is such an excitement and joy for the students, while cycling.

Two Libraries
The construction work for Library Building is in progress in Chandvagan School under the guidance of a reputed architect of Bombay M/S Samira Rathod. She just visited the school [on 20th], along with an engineer from Ahmedabad. Next would be ‘Robert Library Building’ in Tamachhadi, now that the land possession issue would be sorted out soon. We have received funds for the library from TUFF – Sweden.

Rain Water Harvesting Tank
At one of our schools – Khadakval - Underground Rain Water Harvesting Tank is coming up, with the support of Jashoda Narottam Charitable Trust [Parley Biscuit Trusts]

Application for 2 Primary Schools
We have approached the state government to recognize our primary schools in Tamachhadi & Chandvagan. We are planning to run them independently as regular day schools, along with our hostel schools. We are in touch with the state government.

Seeds for Re-plantation
There were unprecedented floods in last monsoon, washing away standing crops in a large area, in Dharampur and Kaprada. The representatives of the affected villages met in Bilpudi to review the damage and for further relief planning. 2 programs were discussed in depth. Accordingly, soil – bunding is on, as a long – term program. The short term program was of giving away free seeds, where ever replantation was possible. 3500 kilograms of seeds of different varieties of grams [cereals] for winter - cropping in 300 hectares were distributed. We have seen many a fields while moving in the villages. The result is simply wonderful according to the reports of our coordinators.

What a Dream!
‘What a dream - even though difficult to fulfill! How exciting and a great delight it could have been, if all of us together could have walked in this Salt March! Yes, we have our commitments and are aging no doubt. But we are young enough to still have dreams'. [From a letter of Ake Sandin of TUFF - Sweden, while inquiring about the ‘March’.]

[From my reply to Ake and others]
‘How very appropriate your radio column of the last week was! "Better to light candle, even if it is small, than cursing the darkness". As you said, our grass - roots workers in Dharampur are trying to light many candles for many years, in our modest way.

It is the communities of Dharampur & Kaprada who are determined to make progress happen; helped and guided by their local leadership. We are all instruments. Development is knocking at the doors of the remote hamlets. We have simply to follow it and accelerate the process in motion. We have finally to cope up, as best as we could.

In Dharampur some thing positive happens for the community every day. There is wonderful cooperation of Tuff - Sweden [our traditional supporters] and involvement of 'Friends of Dharampur'. Again Dharampur is getting more and more attraction [since last 5 years]. In the roots is Tuff – Sweden. In this wonderful development, we have got to maintain the speed and tempo to carry on the mission; unmindful of every thing else.

The comprehensive results [emotional and in materialistic terms] deserve all the efforts we are putting in. The outcome is so rich and rewarding! It is nothing but unmatched internal satisfaction. Health and family life are none of the price, compared to what we get in return, both on personal level as well as on community level. Even if it is termed as a price [?], we should gladly pay it, for the marvelous accomplishment’.



Bhikhu Vyas & Kokila Vyas

bhikhu@satyam.net.in

Phone No: [02625] 220154