Praveh-English

Collective Efforts For Self-reliance in Drinking Water & Sanitation Annual Report 2008-09

Pravah Annual Report 2008-09 September 2009, 500 copies

Published by: Pravah Central Secretariat, G-2 Raksha Apartment, 200, Azad Society, Polytechnic Road, Ambavadi, Ahmedabad-15.

Phone : 079-26762590, 26763984.

E-mail: pravah@gmail.com Website: www.pravah-gujarat.org

Design: www.aalekhan.com

President’s Message Greetings to Pravah Parivar!

The concept of Pravah network emerged after the presentation of study report about “Dynamics of Drinking Water in Rural Gujarat” by Utthan in the year 1994 and about 60 people came together and tried to give it a shape. Pravah was registered in the year 1996 and a formal organization was formed. Initially, Pravah laid stress on efforts to establish drinking water only as an issue of human right. However, with the experience, it was realized that by concentrating only on the issue of drinking water, many other issues were cropping up. Because of which, necessity to pay attention to the issue of sanitation was felt and issue of sanitation was included in the activities of Pravah.

While presenting the last year, i.e., 2008-09 before you, I experience a mixed feeling. As a President of Pravah Executive committee, previous year was second and last year of my term. I sincerely thank you all for your constant cooperation in pursuing the values of Pravah during my tenure. As per my belief, value of Pravah is a thought, a philosophy of life and last year, we succeeded in allowing many people to access to this thought initiative. Statistically, last year, we could reach total 1,17,660 persons out of whom, 51,202 women were associated with us in one way or the other. Percentage wise, about 43 % women were associated with us. As mentioned earlier, there are many matters due to which, mixed feelings are emerging and one of them is women’s participation. Last year, no significant change was observed in the women’s participation, hence need is being felt of continuous efforts. But, simultaneously, I am pleased to inform you all that, due to joint efforts of the members of Pravah and the community, we have been able to raise a contribution of Rs.9,17,373 during our activities. This is unique.

Last year, Abhiyan carried out under “Khas Angbhut Yojana” in Saurashtra-1 Region, was an eye opener. This Abhiyan was planned to give voice to drinking water issues of the deprived people. At the end of the Abhiyan, a feeling is getting developed that, in spite of half a century of the independence, the issues of the deprived are in the same state. Lesser awareness about the special schemes launched for them was observed.

It was more shocking that, the people at the village level were not prepared to even discuss the issues and therefore the situation has been so created that there is no control over the usage of the funds.

Honour and respect received by playing the role of Pravah President, can not be

described in words. But, from here, it is also felt that, yet more and more efforts are necessary for our activities. During the internal meetings of Pravah, several fundamental issues are being discussed. I remember, once a in depth discussions were held about the future of Pravah. However, at this stage, on the basis of my experiences last year, I feel that, we have to go a long way on the issues of drinking water and sanitation. Joint efforts will be required in addressing the issues like participation of women, equality, and development of local sources and also industrialization.

Friends, at the end, I once again heartily express my thanks to you all for your cooperation. During my tenure as President of Pravah, I have tried my best to pursue values of Pravah. In future also, I am associated with Pravah and hence I take this opportunity to assure you that, my efforts in the direction shall continue. Issues are serious and in future other issues also may crop up, but I have immense confidence that our joint efforts would succeed in addressing the same.

Thank You, Regards.

Jaskan Chaudhry Pravah President.

Contents Preface 1. About Pravah Background of Pravah Decentralised Pravah Framework

1 1 2

2. Pravah Programme

9

Networking Advocacy Abhiyan Exchange of Information Research and Documentation Urban Initiative

9 11 13 28 29 30

3. Experiences Teamwork Contact Addresses People’s Involvement in Pravah Activities

32 33 36 37

Preface With the continuous efforts of Pravah Parivar, the year 2008-09 also was a successful year. During the year, all the members as also the colleagues of Pravah tried their best to spread the values of Pravah and resultant increase in the peoples’ participation is indicative. We are overwhelmed to take note that, besides the non financial contribution in Pravah’s activities has been invaluable.

Pravah has always supported the democratic processes. Last year, the elections for the Parliament were held. Though, the main process of the election took place in the current year, but, the period of “Code of Conduct “in the entire process slackens our activities.

It will not be exaggerating to say that during the period, dialogue with the Government almost comes to a halt. As per our recent experience, there is one or the other election every two years. Our Endeavour is, and shall be so in future to present Peoples’ demand in the best possible efficient way, before this period.

Last year, in the Saurashtra-1 Region, Abhiyan, primarily based on “Khas Angbhut Yojana“ was carried out. Existence of so many problems even after 60 years of Independence itself is an issue. We talk of rights but, we have not been able to even create an atmosphere where we can frankly talk about. Still, we have a long way to go. Issues like, continuous fall in ground water level, changing environment and irregularity of rain and Government policies already exist. Besides, activities of every region are described hereafter. But, changes in the Pravah Team at the Regional level have also affected the programs and these changes were in the Eastern Tribal Belt and South Gujarat. Effects of these were experienced in the network activities.

While the sounds of future events suggest possibilities of financially tougher years ahead, we welcome the New Year with a confidence to incessantly pursue the workflow of Pravah with involvement of all of us.

1. About Pravah

Background of Pravah Emergence In the year1994, an intensive study was carried out by Utthan Centre for Drinking Water Resource Management. Factual picture of clean drinking water in rural areas of Gujarat was shown in this study “Dynamics of Drinking Water in Rural Gujarat”. A workshop was arranged to discuss the study in which representatives of about 60 organisations, scholars and experts had participated.

During the discussion, it was felt by every member that it is necessary for all of us to get united and organised on the issue of drinking water. This organised force can help in making policies of Gujarat government people centric and also encourage decentralisation. Having hope in mind, beginning was made by “Pravah – a platform active on the issue of Drinking Water”, with which about 65 organisations and individuals showed their interest and offered to work in the field of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Gujarat.

Vision To strive to remain active, to fulfill the concept and help achieve target of Millennium Development Goal 2007-2015 by maximum and efficient use by all local groups of all local resources to ensure availability of adequate clean drinking water to 5000 villages and 10 small towns of Gujarat and making clean and healthy environment.

Mission To establish human right through people’s movement for drinking water and Sanitation in long term.

Objective 66 66 66

Pure drinking water Development of local resources Decentralisation

66 66 66 66

Equality Women participation Sustainability Policy related advocacy Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

1

Approach 66 66 66 66 66

Awareness/Sensitivity amongst People and Organisations Capacity building of people/organisations Establishment of people centric policies To raise people’s movement on large scale Demonstrations

Programmes 66 66 66 66

Networking-To raise large scale partnership Exchange of information Discussions/meetings with Government and Research and Documentation

Methods 66 66 66 66 66

Formation of institutional infrastructure Management Meetings, Seminars, Training To raise active platforms Literature preparation/Link with media

Decentralized Pravah Framework People’s Group

Board of Trustees

General Body Members

Executive Committee

Regional Centre

Coordination Committee

Central Secretariat

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Number of Members of Pravah Year 2008-09 Region Central Secretariat Saurashtra-1 Saurashtra-2 North Gujarat South Gujarat Eastern Tribal Belt Total

Districts 00 04 04 05 08 03 24

5 Yearly Members Individual Organisational 10 07 02 04 01 06 02 10 02 07 00 06 17 40

Yearly Members Individual Organisational 08 06 01 33 03 25 02 15 03 08 01 10 18 97

Total 31 40 35 29 20 17 172

Pravah Membership last five years.....

2004-05 25

2005-06 27

2006-07 27

2007-08 31

2008-09 35

Members Organisational

84

111

111

130

137

Members Total

109

138

138

161

172

Individual

Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting was held on 05-07-08, which was attended by 89 people. Objective of the General Meeting was explained by Pravah Coordinator Ameeben Mankad. Ameeben also told that the pattern of the environment is changing. Changing position of the rains would also create new issues in the future. Thereafter, presentation was made by the Trustees, wherein Nafeesaben told that the WASMO officials are to attend the General Meeting in the afternoon session. At that time the issues of water and Sanitation should be presented before them.

Lallubhai Desai told that because of our capabilities, the Government had to take several policy related changes.

Our enhanced capabilities would force the Government to make more changes. Sudarshanbhai said that Pravah is an older network then WASMO. Due to Pravah’s thoughtfulness and functioning, the State and the Central Governments were pressurized and infrastructural changes have been initiated. Commending the members of Pravah, Sudarshanbhai informed the house that, during last year, raised a non financial assistance of Rs. 8,42,227 through the members, which is a matter of appreciation and congratulations. Moreover, about the role of the members, he told that, we have till now, worked without any political strings and that is the reason why we could pull the ears of the Government. That is why our responsibility should sincerely be on our issues. Krupaben said that, since the member organisations of Pravah are directly in touch with the community, they have better understanding of issues of water and Sanitation.

She told that we should move ahead in the direction to which we intend to take Pravah. Swatiben told that, there are many water related issues in Gujarat, but till the time people are not made aware of this, they can not be Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

3

solved. Pravah has recently started to work in urban areas. It is good that Pravah is active in cities in respect of rain water storage.

Thereafter, the financial presentation of Pravah for the year 2007-08 was made by Nitinbhai of Pravah Team. After the financial presentation, the Coordinator clarified that for want of the signature of the Trustee, the same could not be incorporated in the Annual report, and however the same has been presented in the meeting of the Board of Trustees. Answering to the questions raised by the members, the Coordinator clarified that during the last year, lesser capacity enhancing programmes could be undertaken because of conscious slackness in all the activities of Pravah. After the financial presentation, Santoshbhai submitted the working of Pravah in the year 2007-08. In addition to this Arvindbhai told that, water quality checking was carried out in all the five regions and the results thereof are available in the respective regions.

After

the

presentation

of

Pravah’s

performance in the year 2007-08, WASMO Director Shri R. K. Sama, present at the General Meeting gave an opportune lecture, in which he told that, Pravah is a network related to water and Sanitation and is much older than WASMO. Pravah is a unique network working on the issues, in India. About the drinking water, Shri Sama told that this was a very big issue.

Especially when the quality of water is concerned, awareness of the people is necessary. Pravah and WASMO have to work to pass on the information.

In addition, Shri Sama told that, chances of success are less unless people, particularly women are not involved in the water related programmes. About the challenges against the issues related to water, he told that, without the people’s participation, success can not be achieved. It is to observe as to what Pravah can do about the challenge. At the end, Shri Sama said that the issues are very tough and solution thereof is not in the hands of any individual, there is a need of collective efforts. After his presentation, Shri Sama discussed the issues with the members. After the conclusion of the round of discussions, the gathering was informed by Nafeesaben that, at the meeting of the Trustees, Shri Apoorvabhai Oza has been selected as the President of Pravah Trust. The announcement by Nafeesaben was welcomed by the members present.

Board of Trustees Pravah Trust: Pravah Board of Trustees are the source of Pravah’s ideology, values and policies. Pravah Board of Trustees play the role of guiding star in the policy making. Generally, meeting of the Board of Trustees is held once in a year, but if required by Pravah, Board of Trustees can meet more than once.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

List of Board of Trustees 66 66 66 66 66 66 66

Shri Nafeesaben Barot Shri Sudarshanbhai Iyengar Shri Apoorvabhai Oza Shri Lallubhai Desai Shri Indiraben Hirve Shri Devuben Pandya Shri Jhanviben Andhariya

Invitee Trustees 66 66 66 66

Shri Krupaben Dholakia Shri Shilpaben Vasavada Shri Swatiben Desai Shri Rajendrabhai Jayswal

Meeting of Board of Trustees At the meeting of Board of Trustees held last year on 05-07-2008, the first year’s functioning and the financial dealings of the Pravah’s new project were ratified. Moreover, Shri Apoorvabhai Oza was appointed as President of the Board of Trustees at the meeting.

Pravah’s annual report for the year 2007-08 was also ratified with several modifications.

Executive Committee Pravah Executive Committee plays a key role in guiding the Pravah network in proper direction and carrying forward the activities. Pravah Executive Committee constantly guides the Sankalan Samitis of the Regions and Pravah Team. Generally, meetings of Pravah Executive Committee are held every three months.

List of Executive Committee 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66

Shri Jaskanbhai Choudhary (President) Shri Lalllubhai Desai Shri Nafeesaben Barot Shri Devuben Pandya Shri Badribhai Joshi Shree Khetabhai Solanki Shri Laxmanbhai Vala Shri Sonalben Shroff Shri Sharmishthaben Jagavat

Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

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Co-opted Executive Members 66 66

Shri Krupaben Dholakia Shri Badribhai Joshi

66

Shri Ashokbhai Choudhary

Meeting of the Executive Committee Last year, four meetings of the Executive Committee were held. Topics mentioned Below were discussed at the meetings.

66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66

Linkage with WASMO Regarding ensuing proposal of Pravah Regarding Gender Policy Regarding Organisational Manual Regarding Ecosanitation Workshop Regarding Pravah film Regarding appointment of Co-opt member in Executive Committee Discussion regarding Pravah constitution Regarding membership fees

Regional Committee Implementation of Pravah activities is done through five regions. Regional meetings held as the General Meeting of the regions, are normally held twice in a year. Meetings held last year in all the regions are as under:

Regional Committee Meeting At the Regional Meetings held last year at the regional centres, the following topics were discussed.

66 66 66

Various activities carried out at the regions and the financial presentations were made Main future activities and the strategies were decided Formation of Sankalan Samiti

Pravah Region Saurashtra -1 Saurashtra-2 North Gujarat Tribal Eastern Belt

Besides, various issues such as Study, Lokmanch, Region vision, Linkage with WASMO etc. were discussed at the regional meetings.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Meeting May 08 July 08 June 08-March 09 May 08

Area of activity of Pravah Region Centre Regional Centre Saurashtra-1

Districts Rajkot, Surendranagar, Jamnagar,

Coordinating Agency A.K.R.S.P.(I) Sayla

Saurashtra-2

Kachchh Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh,

Utthan, Bhavnagar

South Gujarat

Ahmedabad Kheda, Anand, Bharuch, Narmada,

Motibhai Chaudhary Foundation,

Valsad, Navsari, Dang, Surat, Tapi

Mehsana

North Gujarat

Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Patan,

Independent Office

Tribal Eastern Belt

Mehsana, Gandhinagar Dahod, Panchmahal, Eastern Belt of

Independent Office

Vadodara

Sankalan Samiti One of the objectives of Pravah is, decentralisation.

For

establishment

of

the

decentralisation, the activities of Pravah have been distributed in five regions. Scrutinisation of decision making process and effectiveness of activities carried out at the region is being done by Sankalan Samiti.

Meeting of Sankalan Samiti Meetings of Sakalan Samiti of every region are normally held four times in a year. Only in Saurashtra-2 region, the same are held six times. At the meetings, besides discussions on the region’s planning and assessment of the activities, issues of local advocacies are also discussed and strategies are formed on the issues. One member from each of the Sankalan Samitis is deputed to Pravah Executive Committee for a period of two years. These Regional Centre Saurashtra -1 Regional Centre Saurashtra-2 Regional Centre North Gujarat Regional Centre South Gujarat Regional Centre Tribal Eastern Belt Regional Centre

Sakalan Samiti Meetings 3 6 4 4 4

Representative EC Member Shri Khetabhai Solanki Shri Laxmanbhai Vala Shri Jaskanbhai Choudhary Shri Sonalben Shroff Shri Sharmishthaben Jagavat

Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

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members discussed the issues of local advocacy raised at the meetings of the respective Sankalan Samitis, at the Executive Committee meetings.

Last year, issues mentioned below were discussed at the Sankalan Samiti meetings of every region.

66 66 66 66 66 66

8

Issues concerning Abhiyan and selection of the area, distribution of responsibilities, time bound planning, educational material were discussed.

Discussion about the issue of advocacy.

Discussion about data base for resource centre, booklet, pamphlet, poster, model, exhibition etc.

Discussion about the Regions’ activities in next five years 2010-15.

Discussion about new memberships.

Discussion about Lokmanch.

Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

2. Pravah Programmes

Networking District Meeting Member organisations of Pravah get an opportunity to meet each other once in a year at the time of Annual General Meeting. Considering the spread of Pravah, it is not possible to meet quite often at the state level. Moreover, Pravah being a decentralized platform, it is necessary to address local issues and to bring out these issues, it is necessary to have an infrastructure at the local level. District Meeting provides the infrastructure at the local level.

At the District NGO meetings, organisations of the concerned district come together and discuss the local level issues of advocacy and prepare strategy accordingly.

Last year, 15 District meetings were held in all the five regions by Pravah. At these meetings, different type of discussions were held, namely;

66 66 66 66 66 66 66

District Planning Local level issues of advocacy Need of studies and issues for the same.

Formation of Lokmanch and its capabilities.

Strengthening of network.

Planning of Exposure Visits.

Abhiyan planning discussions.

189 individuals of all the organisations of the regions joined all these meetings.

Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

9

District Surenrdanagar District Meeting Rajkot District Meeting

Total meeting 2 1

Persons 12 6

Jamnagar District Meeting

2

7

Amreli District Meeting

2

49

Sabarkantha District Meeting Banaskantha District Meeting Mehsana-Patan Meeting Dahod District Meeting District Meeting Bhavnagar-Ahmedabad District Meeting Amreli-Junagadh District Meeting District Meeting Total

3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 17

24 50 15 20 14 18 20 19 254

Other Right to information Abhiyan Work related to ‘Right to Information’ in Mehsana and Patan districts were jointly undertaken

by Swati organisation and Pravah. Right to Information Abhiyan is to be undertaken in both the districts in the days to come. Training programmes were planned as a preliminary arrangement, for Right to Information Abhiyan in Mehsana and Patan districts,. Moreover, a district meeting was held for planning the above training programmes,.

NGO Meeting A meeting was planned by Anarde Foundation, to introduce Pravah at the district level. NGOs of Nadiad area remained present at the meeting, who were explained the objectives, aims and activities of Pravah.

Water Aid Dr. Ishaprasad from Water Aid visited Pravah to understand the drinking water situation and issues of Gujarat, where Trustees and members of Pravah gave him the information. Dr. Ishaprasad sought support of Pravah, in vision building process of network of Orissa, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, which are being supported by Water Aid. He has also shown willingness to link with their activities and advocacy efforts of Orissa network in respect of Sanitation.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Arghyam Members of Arghyam organisation on motor cycle tour of India visited Pravah and collected information about Pravah. Moreover, they were taken to Limbasi for field visit, where they directly interacted with the villagers and got informed about water problems. Also, Mr. Nelson from Arghyam organisation came to Central Office to gather information about Pravah.

Advocacy Lokmanch One of the objective of Pravah is that the policies about the drinking water and Sanitation should be framed by the Government, by keeping people in mind and also that this particular right of the people should be considered as Human Right. For last many years, Pravah, adhering to its objectives, has been working on four main programmes, in all the five regions, along with member organisations.

Over the years, Pravah has realised that policy based changes can be made possible only through mass movement. Policy based changes can only be made, if the policy makers are pressurised. Keeping this in mind, Lokmanchs are being raised by Pravah since 2003 to bring people to a single platform. Since the process of Lokmanch is to join communities, it has been slower. Pravah is playing a lead role in respect to Lokmanch, People are supreme in Lokmanch.

In the previous year 2008-09, the process of raising Lokmanchs was undertaken by holding meetings and workshops in Districts and Talukas.

District Lokmanch Jamnagar District Lokmanch Efforts for Lokmanch not succeeding in last three-four years in different districts, the strategy was changed by Saurashtra-1 region. It was thought to motivate active men and women for leadership from among the organisations in such districts where members have their own organisations.

As a part of which, efforts were made during the year, to activate talukawise five to seven women leaders from the organisations of Jamnagar district. Last year, sammelan was held in which women invited talukawise.

Women who were ready to take leadership were imparted training during the sammelan. At the training, overview of Lokmanch and its role was explained. Moreover, to explain to them as how to raise issues in their own village, they were given practical training by expert women. In this entire process, 30 women, who had joined the Manch, learnt many things. By actively associating the Manch with WASMO, in respect of drinking water and Sanitation, they shall supervise/monitor availability, regularity and quality of drinking water in the villages where the work is completed.

Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

11

Sabarkantha Lokmanch To clarify the concept and role of Lokmanch amongst the organisations and institutions of Sabarkantha area, as a part of raising Lokmanch in Sabarkantha, a three days workshop was arranged by North Gujarat Region at Ambaji. 33 men and 6 women from the organisations and institutions remained present at the workshop. Four representatives from each of the talukas remained present at the workshop. They opened the discussions about Lokmanch, functioning of Lokmanch, challenges before the Lokmanchs, People advocacy etc. Members present at the workshop submitted their views about the above matters and also described their experiences about the movement. At the conclusion of the workshop, formation of Lokmanch was to be decided and Lokmanchs at 11 Talukas in Sabarkantha District were formed. After that a meeting was held at Sabarkantha District that of representatives of Taluka and Lokmanch was formed which was responsible for drinking water and sanitation. The following activities were decided for Lokmanches.

66 To find out old and damaged water sources and inform District level about the present situation.

66 To inspire initiation of people of Sabarkantha to provide clean and regular water to all the villages.

66 To try to conserv rain water at every level.

Dahod and Panchmahal Lokmanch Looking to the diversity, coordination and financial viewpoint at Dahod and Panchmahal, it was observed that the District Manch would work very slow. That is the reason why Regional Sakalan Samiti of Tribal Eastern Belt decided to create Taluka Lokmanch. During the year, four meetings of Lokmanch were held in 4 talukas (Dhanpur, Debariya, Dahod and Morava). Understanding of the Sakalan Samiti about Lokmanch is that Lokmanch is a peoples’ organisation. People should have one understanding about Lokmanch, hence it may take more time to create Lokmanch in other talukas and capacitate them. Pravah can play a role of facilitator only in the process of above Manch.

Taluka Lokmanch Last year, process of Lokmanch was taken on hand by Pravah in total 22 talukas of the State. These different taluka Lokmanchs are in different stages. Some of the Lokmanchs are in primary stage, while some are carrying out effective work.

With Lokmanchs, which are in primary stage, the process of meetings and training were being carried out, wherein mainly useful information about issues of drinking water and Sanitation, Peoples’ rights, Lokmanch and its functions, local issues and their solutions etc. was given. Besides, at the meeting, people made representation of local issues and the strategy to pursue the issues further was also prepared.

Concentrated process is carried out with those Manchs which are actively working, in which, after identifying the local issues; its proper presentation is being done in the Pani Samiti Sammelan. Pravah will make all efforts to make all these Lokmanchs totally autonomous in future.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Taluka Lokmanch Dholka-Bavla Lokmanch Talaja Lokmanch Bavla Lokmanch Mahuva Lokmanch Botad Lokmanch Dhandhuka-Barvala Lokmanch Ghogha Lokmanch Dholka Lokmanch Vadali Lokmanch Prantij Lokmanch Modasa Lokmanch Medhraj Lokmanch

Activity 3 6 2 3 2 4 1 2 1 1 1 1

Taluka Lokmanch Himmatnagar Lokmanch Talod Lokmanch Idar Lokmanch Dhansura Lokmanch Vijaynagar Lokmanch Angadh Lokmanch Jambusar Lokmanch Morva(Hadaf) Lokmanch Dhanpur Lokmanch Devgadhbaria Lokmanch Bhiloda Lokmanch

Activity 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1

Abhiyan Abhiyan is one of such activities of Pravah in which large number of people get involved. People join a particular activity only if it makes difference to their lives. Keeping this in mind, getting inspiration from the past learning, every region selects the issues for Abhiyan and the process of selection of the issues is carried out by Regional Meeting and Sankalan Samiti Meeting.

Last year, total five Abhiyans were carried out by different regions of Pravah. These Abhiyans can be looked at from two perspective; Making people aware by providing them the information and by bringing people together and inspire them for Advocacy.

Activities carried out through Abhiyan Main objective of the activities carried out in Abhiyan was to bring together the maximum number of people from all the sections. To achieve this objective, gram sabha, falia meeting, gram rally, gram safai, gram panchayat meeting, meeting with the village social justice committee as also meeting with the leaders and elders of the village. To involve women, initially, meeting was arranged with the women’s organisation of the village and thereafter, along with them, a meeting was held with the other women of the village. How can you expect liveliness In any activity without the involvement of the children. To involve children in Abhiyan, along with the teachers, various activities, such as, school cleaning, rally, drawing competition, and story competition, word matching etc. were organised. Various awards were given to the children who won and also to others.

1. Drinking Water and Sanitation “Khan Angbhut Yojana” Abhiyan Our country India is full of diversities. Diversity is the identity of India, but unfortunately, the other side of the diversity laid the inequality. If we talk in context of the drinking water, the situation is such that, today, water is supplied to the cities at the cost of villages, to industries at the cost of agriculture, to riches at the cost of poor, Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

13

to develop at the cost of deprived. However, to remove this inequality, several provisions have been made by the Government, but we are aware how these provisions are being made.

Similar type of discussion was held last year, at the meeting of Pravah Sankalan Samiti of Saurashtra-1 region. It was discussed by the Sankalan Samiti at its meeting that, the funds allocated by the Government for a particular group of people and for a particular objective are in fact not utilizes for that particular community or for that particular objective. Even when it relates to a basic need like drinking water, then also at the rural level, people of a particular community or class do not l get drinking water at all or do not get in sufficient quantity.

To confirm the same, an effort was made to demand from the Government administration, the details of expenditure under the special integrated scheme of the Government, in force for the schedule cast and schedule tribe people from 1975-76 in the five talukas of Surendranagar district, in which, details of only one taluka was obtained and that too unauthenticated. After discussing the matter, it was felt by the Sankalan Samiti that, advocacy on the matter was necessary.

Hence, to carry the information about the scheme to the people and to organize them for the same, Abhiyan has to be launched at the village level. At the end of the entire discussion, it was decided that on the issue of equality for special integrated scheme, an awareness Abhiyan be launched.

Objective of the Abhiyan was to create awareness, and to make deprived group aware of the same, which is their constitutional right, in respect of proper use of funds allocated with reference to financial provision made for drinking water and Sanitation by all the departments of the Government with reference to financial provision under the “Khas Angbhut Yojana� for the schedule cast and schedule tribe people every year by the Government.

Besides information of the scheme, drinking water and Sanitation, few special issues such as, development of local source, Sanitation and women respect and equality and advocacy of decentralised arrangements, were also linked during the Abhiyan.

As preliminary arrangements, necessary literature (posters and pamphlets) was prepared, as also orientation workshop for activists of the organisations participating in the Abhiyan was held. At the workshop, detailed guidance about the objective of the Abhiyan, use of literature during the Abhiyan, information about probable issues likely to emerge from the people during various programmes, interaction with the people and also financial matters was given by experts.

Abhiyan was carried out in total 100 villages of five talukas of Surendranagar. At the time of implementation of Abhiyan, special attention was given to select only such villages which have population of Dalits. Moreover, the villages where the Abhiyan activities were to be carried out should be informed in advance and also to see that the member of the Panchayat remains present during the respective activities, so that the people can dialogue with their representative.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Experiences During the Abhiyan, it was observed that the people are afraid to speak out in public. Illiterate people were taking more interest in the Abhiyan than the literate ones. People, because of their incapability, are not ready to represent against the Government. Because of the issues of employment in the area of Abhiyan, 40% of targeted people were not present in the village.

Achievement Information of special integrated scheme could reach 10,000 Dalit families and 5,000 other families in 105 villages through Abhiyan. Because of the information, sensitivity of other people towards Dalit people were enhanced.

Base for the peoples’ organization was formed due to villagewise emergence of two volunteers. People got ready for advocating proper use of the Government funds.

2. Peoples’ movement for Sanitation and well being (Our right, our responsibility) Though Sanitation is human being’s main necessity, it is a painful fact that due attention has not been given to it. Today, because of non existence of the Sanitation facility, health of thousands of people is directly affected.

And amongst them, women and children are specially affected. For this problem, absence of peoples’ awareness and absence of political desire are the main reasons amongst many reasons. For healthy life, personal, house and village Sanitation are necessary. Only with Sanitation, healthy society can be created. So many Government schemes have been floated for Sanitation, but, in reality, there is not much of difference. Sanitation is not the responsibility of the Government only, for this joint and individual efforts are necessary. Wrong notions and dependence of the people about Sanitation, needs to be removed. Sanitation is our necessity and fundamental right, but to get it, we wait for the Government or some body else. Today, Sanitation has become complex and difficult issue and the same can be addressed only through real peoples’ participation. For this, instead of waiting for somebody, initiation is required.

Activities of Pravah are based upon the demands of its members and the people, few of which are carried out in the form of Peoples’ movement Abhiyan. Earlier, many Abhiyans were carried out by Pravah, from which many issues have emerged. People have started to think and take initiative, but even than lot of work is needed to be done. Of late, the issue of Sanitation has emerged.

Since members of Saurashtra-2 Region desired to launch Abhiyan on Sanitation, it was decided to launch peoples’ movement Abhiyan on Sanitation and well being in respect of Sanitation in the year 2009.

Objective of the Abhiyan was to sensitize every citizen at the rural level towards facilities of Sanitation and promote safe health oriented behaviour. Also to launch Abhiyan in 130 villages of Saurashtra-2 Region to create Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

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mass awareness, sensitivity by passing the message that, total Sanitation is a necessity and fundamental right.

As a part of preparation for Abhiyan, a meeting of Sankalan Samiti was arranged to decide policy matters and financial matters related to Abhiyan. Sankalan Samiti selected the institutions to join Abhiyan.

Moreover, for creating equal understanding about peoples’ awareness Abhiyan, to fix the responsibilities and to decide strategy of Abhiyan, two meetings of Bhavnagar-Ahmedabad and Amreli-Junagadh NGOs were held. As decided at the meeting, organizations had sent planning of villages of their area of operation to Regional Centre. Literature was prepared, so that, message of Abhiyan easily reaches people, every section. A workshop was arranged with an objective to create equal understanding about activities to be carried out by Abhiyan and to prepare the strategy. To ensure that the information about the activities which are to be carried out by Abhiyan, reaches many people, by contacting Principals of the schools, Teachers, Sarpanch of the villages, Talati, Mahila Mandal, Youth Club, Government Officials, every participating group was explained about the activities.

In 125 villages of Saurashtra-2 Region, the Abhiyan was launched in March, 2007. Through this Abhiyan, a message was spread that, for pure drinking water and Sanitation, instead of depending only on the Government, people should take an initiative and become self sufficient. During this Abhiyan, total 35836 persons comprising of 18740 men and 17096 women were involved in various activities.

Experiences Peoples’ movement for Sanitation and well being – People awareness Abhiyan evoked very good cooperation from the people. Even though, water and Sanitation are necessity, right, it has become a burning issue. There is a belief that, total Sanitation means only toilets. During the Abhiyan, many processes were carried out. There is a common widespread belief in our society that, water and Sanitation are the responsibility of the Government. Peoples’ indifference, dependent mentality regarding Sanitation is visible. Villagers are dependent on the Government to the extent that, even for petty matters like soak pit, they depend upon the Government. After the Abhiyan, change to a larger extent is seen in the peoples’ belief. People have started to think about and take initiative in respect of water, Sanitation and health. Villages, where, under the Abhiyan, for the first time village cleaning was done, have decided to continue the work. Especially, process of Sanitation and personal Sanitation taken up with the children, have made them aware and sensitive and for sure, the same would sustain for a longer time.

About whatever activities done during the Abhiyan, people believed that such activities should be done on a regular basis. Pravah also believes that there should be consistency in the activities and the village itself can take an initiative in the matter. Main objective of the Abhiyan was to increase peoples’ awareness and sensitivity, which has been fulfilled. Those who have started thinking seriously have become participants in the Abhiyan and also they have started to implement the same in their life. Literature of the Abhiyan has been able to increase the peoples’ understanding. Pravah is already active for sustainable solution of the issues of water and Sanitation, but for that, peoples’ participation and peoples’ ownership are main and important matter. Pravah’s learning has also come up along with that of the villagers from the peoples’ movement- peoples’ awareness about Sanitation and well being.

Abhiyan has received very good response from the people, which shall be useful in future.

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3. Maintenance of local sources of Water and Development peoples’ awareness Abhiyan Keeping the present circumstances in mind, well informed persons forecast that the next third world war shall be fought on the issue of water. Increasing population of the world, disrupting imbalance of ecology and also because of improper management of other arrangements including that of handling of preservation of water, today many of the countries of the world, including India are experiencing shortage of water. Effect of global warming is increasing day by day and because of which, the quantum of rain is becoming irregular and seasonal cycle is getting disrupted. Because of haphazard use of the natural sources now a day, the level of ground water is going down day by day and bottom of wells are seen. On the other hand, the perennial rivers have started drying out. We can not afford to ignore the day by day worsening position of water. There is a need to take firm measures in the direction. From the way, water is being carelessly used now a day, one can say that this problem is going to worsen in future. On the one hand, the level of ground water is going deeper and on the other hand, proportion of salinity in water is increasing with the same speed. Under the circumstances, it is necessary to make people aware in the direction, so that in the days to come, possible emergency of water can be avoided. Keeping this situation in mind, in 165 villages of 27 taluka of five districts, Maintenance of local sources Development People awareness Abhiyan was launched by Pravah North Gujarat Region from 2nd February to 3rd March, 2009.

Objective of the Abhiyan was to sensitize every villager of the villages for maintenance of local sources and development to get pure, safe, regular and adequate drinking water and raise large scale peoples’ demand. Planning of the Abhiyan was done by 25 voluntary organisations associated with Pravah North Gujarat Region.

Under the Abhiyan, various activities, with an objective to create awareness amongst the people, about maintenance of local sources and development and its maintenance were undertaken.

Prior preparation for Abhiyan As a part of the prior preparation of the Abhiyan, a meeting of members of Sakalan Samiti of North Gujarat Region was held with the organisations joining the Abhiyan, at which detailed information about the Abhiyan was given. After the meeting, the workers of the coordinating organizations of the Abhiyan were imparted a training about the Abhiyan, during which, the information regarding objectives of the Abhiyan and activities to be carried out during the Abhiyan for peoples’ awareness was given. Also, the literature about the Abhiyan was prepared.

A meeting with the aware villagers of the village, such as leaders of the village, Gram mitras, Sarpanch, Principal of the School, Mahila Mandal, Members of the Pani Samiti etc. was held with an objective to see that the Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

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understanding about the Abhiyan and information about the Abhiyan reaches public at large and relative literature was distributed, as also, understanding was given about various activities to be carried out on the day of the Abhiyan.

Moreover, since the programmes were to be carried out involving the children, Anganvadi and Primary schools were contacted initially. In many villages, as a part of prior preparations, information about the Abhiyan was given by writing letters to Sarpanchs of the villages.

Experiences during the Abhiyan Under the Abhiyan, scarcity of water was observed in most of the villages of all the districts. Moreover, water supplied by the Panchayat being inadequate, people had to face lot of difficulties for water. It was observed that in most of the villages, the rain water harvesting was not done. Moreover, because of increase in number of individual personal bores and wells and because of denial to villagers to draw water from individual personal bores and wells around the village, also made people run for water to very far of places. Local sources have perished and wells, ponds and stepped wells are on the verge of getting dried. Along with the problems of water connections, there is a problem of water distribution also .In those districts where the quantum of rain is by and large good, problem of water was observed there. People generally have no arrangements to percolate rain water down the earth. At the village level, more importance is given to infrastructure rather than to the distribution system. People

at the remote area of the village are deprived of the benefits, for want of information about such schemes.

At the time of installation of R.O. Plant, the villagers do not think of future.

66 Villagers of Monghari village of Vijaynagar of Sabarkantha district informed that most of the bores and wells of the village have been filled up and some buried, while few wells are in very shattered condition.

66 Villagers of Suraka village of Radhanpur taluka of Patan district demanded repairing of local sources of water like village pond and also removal of semi solid clay from the well, construction of plinth around the well and also arrangements for drawing water from the well.

66 For villagers of Bhadramal village of Danta taluka of Banaskantha district, hand pump is the only alternative for drinking water. Most of the hand pumps of the village are in non functional condition or there is no water therein. Peoples’ demand was to repair those hand pump, in which bore has water.

66 Villagers of Naranpura village of Bhiloda taluka of Sabarkantha district demanded recharging of wells to overcome the scarcity of water.

4. Water and Sanitation Abhiyan Pure drinking water and Sanitation are the fundamental rights of every citizen. For this, it is very necessary that every body becomes aware and raise their voice for their right. For mass awareness, spread of information is very necessary. Through information only, people become aware of their right. Pravah is active since many years working for the issues of drinking water and Sanitation. Pravah, through its members, is working to bring awareness

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amongst the people of remote areas through Lokabhiyan.

People start maintaining natural water sources like well, pond or river, how to save rain water and get informed about what are the Govt. schemes in force for the same, to recharge wells, ponds, bores and become aware about Sanitation and health, get information about prevention of water-borne diseases, every one in the village gets informed about effects on land and ecology due to scarcity of water. To cover all these aspects, Drinking water and Sanitation Abhiyan was organised in February, 2009 by Pravah South Gujarat Region.

Gujarat State holds top position in the country in respect of Industrial Development.

But, in this blind race of the development, we are not aware of the harm we have done to our natural resources, water, land and ecology. Shortage of water is caused in the State because of the industries. On one hand, because of withdrawal of ground water by the industrial units, the level of ground water has gone deeper, while on the other hand, because of release of polluted water getting absorbed in the land, the ground water got polluted. Though, industrial units only can not be held responsible for the same, people also are equally responsible. People, in their routine daily work misuse most of water. In addition, dirt is being spread in rivers, ponds and wells by the people. Because of this, scarcity of water has come up and because of spread of dirt in the village and falias (localities) results in epidemics and harm to health. To create awareness and sensitivity amongst the people in respect of drinking water and Sanitation and health, Abhiyan should be launched. Sankalan Samiti of South Gujarat Region felt so and organized an Abhiyan.

A main objective of the Water and Sanitation Abhiyan was to spread mass awareness in the affected area.

Save drinking water by collective efforts, safe usage, development of local sources, stop water getting polluted and to bring awareness amongst the masses about effect of polluted water on health.

Issues, activities and literature etc. of the Abhiyan were prepared by the members of the Region’s Sankalan Samiti at the meeting of Sankalan Samiti. First of all a meeting was held with the Region’s organisations, at which Abhiyan area, villages and responsibilities were finalised.

As a part of prior preparation of the Abhiyan, water testing kit training was given to the members of the participating organisations.

There after, a meeting was held with the members of the Executive Committee and Sankalan Samiti for the literature of the Abhiyan. Also additional required literature was collected from WASMO office. An analysis of the drinking water sources of the villages of the Abhiyan area was carried out and public contact in the villages of the Abhiyan area was made. Water and Sanitation Abhiyan was launched by South Gujarat Region Centre in its region between 4th to 28th February, 2009.

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Outcome of Abhiyan In the Abhiyan area, peoples’ awareness was spread, every child participated in the rally arranged by the school children and the villagers, information about the village’s drinking water Sanitation and maintenance of local sources was given to all sections of the society through publicity media, reactivate Lokmanchs were motivated and created new ones. With water testing, every village came to know whether their water is drinkable or otherwise and simple and real information about Swajaldhara scheme and activities of the Pani Samiti was provided to people of all the sections of the village. Base line survey work of every village was undertaken in which survey forms were filled in after testing the water of the natural sources of the village.

5.

“Sarvatrik Swachchhata Zumbesh” People’s awareness Campaign In the Tribal Eastern Belt area of Gujarat, there are various unresolved issues like lack of peoples’ awareness, lesser quantity of water, lack of management, bad quality of water, lack of equal justice, lesser participation of women. The only solution of drinking water and Sanitation in the area is the people centreed peoples’ participatory water management.

Besides,

because of illiterate tribal, the issue of their mentality is very big one.

Keeping these issues in mind, Tribal Eastern Belt was initiated by Pravah and member organisations in 2003. In the region, Abhiyan is launched every year on different issues. Last year in the month of January, Universal Sanitation Campaign - People Awareness Abhiyan was launched by Tribal Eastern Belt Region along with the organisations.

Aim of the Universal Sanitation Campaign – People Awareness Abhiyan was to sensitize every citizen at the rural level about the facilities of the Sanitation, to encourage their safe health related behavior and make them aware about the fundamental rights of the citizens for Sanitation and to join this subject with socialization.

Preparation of the Abhiyan A workshop of workers of the organisations joining the Abhiyan was arranged under the guidance of the Sankalan Samiti made up of member organisations engaged on the issue of drinking water of Pravah. At the workshop explaining the aim of the Abhiyan was explained, more over special information was given about the activities to be undertaken for people awareness in the Abhiyan as well. To ensure that the people at a large understand Abhiyan such as Leaders of the village, Grammitras, Sarpanch, Principal of the school, Mahila Mandal, Members of the Pani Samiti etc. Knowing about how various activities to be carried out on the day of the Abhiyan. As a part of the prior preparation of the Abhiyan, letters were given to Sarpanch and Sanitation related literature was prepared for people

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awareness. Universal Sanitation Campaign – People Awareness Abhiyan was launched in total 62 villages of Dahod and Panchmahal districts from 01 January, 2009 to 31 January, 2009.

Experiences during the Abhiyan At many villages, majority of the people had no idea about the Pani Samiti. At few of the villages, the Pani Samiti was on Panchayat’s records only. Since villagers of most of the villages covered under the Abhiyan were associated with the farming sector, it was very difficult to gather people in many of the villages. Villages where the Abhiyan was to be carried out, Sarpanchs and the Talatis of such villages were informed in advance about the Abhiyan, yet, in some villages, they did not remain present. In many villages, villagers were found to be aware about individual and public Sanitation.

More efforts should be made to see that such people, by adopting health related behavior, become active to make Nirmal village clean and happy village, successful in real sense. At many villages, the villagers were getting time at night, and hence the Gramsabhas were arranged at night. During the Abhiyan, it was observed that the villagers have become active. At many villages, people dispose off water on open roads. Instances were seen of no facility of water in areas of Dalit settlements.

Effects of Abhiyan Most of the people are aware about personal Sanitation but, people still do not think much about the public Sanitation. But, different types of meetings were held of volunteers associated with the Abhiyan, with the villagers and they got special detailed understanding about the public Sanitation. However, the volunteers faced a lot of difficulties at the village level in respect of public Sanitation. At many villages, while removing the heaps of rubbish, dumped by people around their residences, the volunteers felt that they may have to enter into conflict with the villagers. People also desired that, Government rules be framed for the same and its implementation be done by the Panchayat or higher authority.

At many villages, the villagers, for the first time, collectively undertook the village cleaning and decided to do the cleaning work on permanent basis in the same fashion. For the first time, the information about chlorination and use of powder purifying the water was given to Abhiyan. The villagers also decided to take necessary steps to ensure that, this type of arrangement be made on permanent basis. People felt that, in the villages where dependence is on external sources of water, tanks, check dams or by deepening of village ponds and making recharge bores wherein rain water can be stored, be made. Also, a demand came from the village for making sewage arrangements for disposal of dirty water, every body felt that, proper arrangements in respect of Sanitation in the village be also made. This type of activities be undertaken periodically, so that, people get more aware about the Sanitation.

Interacting with every villager, it was felt that, such Abhiyans should be undertaken in more and more villages in the days to come.

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Sammelan Pani Samiti Sammelan Last year, Pani Samiti sammelan were held in different regions by Pravah, during which, total 5 Pani Samiti sammelan, i.e. at Mahuva by Saurashtra-2 Region and at Anagarh, Jambusar and Amod by South Gujarat Region were held. At these sammelan, total 524 people, including Government officials, Pani Samiti members of the area, representatives of local voluntary organisations and also men and women from local villages remained present. At the Sammelan held at Mahuva by Saurashtra-2 region, Jaypal Sinh, CEO of WASMO remained present.

Pani Samiti members, present at the Mahuva Sammelan were informed about their role and responsibilities.

Moreover, members of the Pani Samiti present at the Sammelan presented their issues. Shree Jaypal Sinh provided guidance to the issues presented and also furnished information about WASMO and Swajaldhara. After the conclusion of the Sammelan, the Government officials and invited guests visited Ecosanitation at village Aktariya and also had a look of Swajaldhara activity at village Boda.

At the Anagadh, Jambusar and Amod Sammelan, people were given information about water and Sanitation and industrial pollution. Also, people present, submitted their village issues before the WASMO Official and also understood situation of water on the basis of surveys, inferences and figures of water. Government officials replied to their queries. While at the Anagadh local Lokmanch was organized at the end of the Sammelan.

Banaskantha “Jalchetana” Sammelan Last year, with an objective to raise peoples’ movement for drinking water and Sanitation, Pravah North Gujarat region along with District Milk Producers Co-operative Society, held Jalchetana Sammelan in every district in 2008. Under

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which, this Sammelan was held in April, 2008 in Banaskantha district. 750 rural men and women participated in Banaskantha Jalchetana Sammelan. At the Sammelan, Water Supply Secretary Shri V. S. Gadhavi, Banaskantha Collector Shri Shamjibhai Antala, MLA Shri Govindbhai remained present.

Peoples’ representatives, present at the Sammelan, presented the problems of drinking water of the area, in response to which, Shri Gadhavi told that as far as the Government is concerned, it is active in the matter, but these are our issues and we have to solve the same with joint efforts. The Collector present at the Sammelan expressed his willingness to try for commencement of Jalchetana Information Centre initiated by Pravah North Gujarat Region at Ambaji. The demand for constructing 3 big check dams for 3 villages were immediately approved. During the Sammelan, on presentation by the Peoples’ representative for formation of a Lokmanch, the same was formed from amongst the people present.

Sammelan on Water and Sanitation A District level Sammelan was held at Dhandhuka of Ahmedabad District, by Saurashtra-2 Region, with an aim that, there may be a dialogue between the Government and the people and there are authentic solutions of the peoples’ issues regarding water and Sanitation. Total 450 persons including the villagers, workers of the organisations, Government officials, Women Federation remained present at the Sammelan. At the Sammelan, Water Supply and Sewerage Board Secretary Shri V. S. Gadhavi, Shri Kaumudiniben, Information Director Shri Devuben Pandya, Executive Engineer, Dhandhuka-Ahmedabad’s WASMO unit, Voluntary Organisations of the District remained present.

At the Sammelan, the villagers presented issues of their villages and area. Speaking about the issues raised by the villagers, Shri Gadhavi told that, for these issues, it is necessary that the people and the Government to work together. He told that, keeping the issue of Bhal area in mind, whatever proposals for underground tanks comes from the people, would be sanctioned. Moreover, he told that, WASMO’s taluka unit has been started for speedy planning and implementation of the schemes. At the end, Shri Gadhavi assured the people present that, whatever efforts made by you shall have every type of coordination from the Government.

Thereafter, a signature campaign was undertaken for self-reliance and development of local sources during the Abhiyan carried out by saurashtra-2 Region in 2008, during which, by holding Gramsabhas in 140 villages, keeping values like Self-reliance, Local source, Swajaldhara, peoples’ participation in mind, a representation was prepared by passing a resolution, which was handed over to Shri Gadhavi at the end of the Sammelan. Shri Gadhavi assured to do needful in respect of the representation.

Sammelan For advocacy of the issues emerged from the Universal Sanitation Campaign-People Awareness Abhiyan held at Tribal Eastern Belt Region in January, 2009, out of all two villagers were selected who found to be aware and active. For addressing the issues of the village leaders, a Sammelan was held at M. N. Sadguru Water and Development Foundation, Chausala, Dahod, at which, total about 135 men and women village leaders remained present.

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Issues of local village level drinking water and Sanitation were represented by the peoples’ representatives at the Sammelan. Besides, the villagers present at the Sammelan were explained about the quality of water, health and Sanitation by the Pravah Trustees. Also, sense was developed about sustainable and permanent solutions of drinking water and the information about the Government’s drinking water and Sanitation schemes were exchanged.

Women were present at the Sammelan and they made frank representation of their issues. Villagers present, showed their willingness for advocacy with the Government for solution of their issues. However, the Government official’s absence was conspicuous. Hence it was decided by the leaders present that, after two three months, such a Sammelan be reconvened and with the presence of the Government officials and by presenting the issues before them, efforts be made to solve the same.

Mahila Sammelan To make women aware in respect of drinking water and Sanitation and enable them to play a role of equality in decision making, A Mahila Sammelan was held at Bagasara of Amreli District by Saurashtra-2 Region.

55 women attended the Sammelan. At the Sammelan, information guidance was given in respect of subjects like, diseases caused by water and Sanitation, precautionary measures to stop them, house hold remedies, soakpit. In addition, guidance was given about functioning of women and their organisations, rights etc. Also, information about Swajaldhara and total Sanitation Abhiyan was given.

Wankaner Sammelan Morbi and Wankaner area of Saurashtra are known as industrial area. In this area it appears that there is a race to as if destroy the natural sources.

On the one hand legal- illegal excavation of minerals, dauntless withdrawal of ground water by industries, disposal of industrial waste, on one side by the sea and on the other side by industries, from both the sides, the natural water sources are being destroyed. To make ignorant people aware of this and to prepare them to know and advocate the problems of the villages affected by the industrial pollution, a Sammelan was held at Wankaner in February, 09. Workers of the local organisations, local affected people as also the WASMO Team remained present in the Sammelan.

People present at the Sammelan were informed of the above situation. Village leaders present at the Sammelan expressed their anger over this. As told by them, this illegal activity is dauntlessly carried out, inspite of its knowledge to the Government and no body listens to the voice of an ordinary citizens. At the end of the Sammelan, it was decided to prepare the next strategy after holding a meeting with the people.

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Fishermen’s Sammelan Today the issues of drinking water has To become terrible everywhere and especially for fishermen who are dependent upon sea and those who are connected with the salt business, the seriousness of the issues is very alarming. A Sammelan was held by Saurashtra-1 Region for fishermen and people engaged in salt business, of Maliya taluka for issues of drinking water and Sanitation and its advocacy.

A simple survey was carried out for various issues of fishermen working at 15 sites (pata) of Maliya area. Analysing the survey, it was observed that they have no facilities available for drinking water, Sanitation, education or health.At the Sammelan, discussion of all these issues was taken up with Fisheries Commissioner Shri Dave Saheb, present at the Sammelan. He solaced for the solution of all the issues. Health Officer of Maliya Taluka assured solution of health related issues.

Capacity Building Pani Samiti capacity Building In Gujarat State, since 2002, planning and implementation of various schemes of water and Sanitation has been entrusted to Pani Samiti. Formation of Pani Samiti is compulsory in every Gram Panchayat, but the rural public was unaware of its role. Efforts are being made by Pravah to make such Pani Samitis aware of its role.

Pani Samiti workshop / Exposure Visit During the last year, training with an objective of capacity enhancement of Pani Samiti of total 13 talukas was held. Total 150 persons took part in this training and meetings. Role, responsibilities and functioning of the Pani Samiti were explained to people who attended the training programmes and also useful literature was distributed to them.

During the training, guidance was given about Swajaldhara scheme, activities done there under, peoples’ contribution, peoples’ participation, financial dealings, drinking water issues and its alternative solution etc. Besides, attempt was made to arrange dialogue between the members of the Pani Samiti and the Government representative, whose presence was arranged at the training.

Moreover, at the meeting of the Pani Samiti, discussion was held on the confrontation and the difficulties of the Committee. Also, as a part of an exercise to give voice to their issues, Pani Samiti Sammelan were organised.

Through these trainings, besides drinking water and Sanitation, the Pani Samitis got better understanding of the administration also, whose effects were observed in their working during the year.

Exposure Visit with total 18 members of Pani Samitis of eight villages of Jambusar taluka was arranged, in which the information was given about sustainability and rural planning.

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Member’s Capacity Building Workshop/Training with Pravah Members Pravah is a network working on essential matter like water and Sanitation in the state of Gujarat, which today has a membership of 172. All these members of Pravah are either individuals or voluntary organisations. They all work in their area of operation/jurisdiction as per its requirements. Some of these organisations are working on a very large scale since long and some in a limited proportion. Every organisations or individuals do not have equal capacity; hence, Pravah, from time to time, carries out capacity enhancement in all the regions for organisations attached with them.

Capacity Building workshop about Abhiyan Abhiyan is carried out by Pravah in most of the Regions every year on different subjects. In this Abhiyan, different activities are carried out by Pravah members. To clarify the objectives and functioning of the Abhiyan amongst the employees of these organisations and stake holders of the Abhiyan, workshops are being arranged with them.

Last year in every Region, total 5 workshops were held for Abhiyan capacity enhancement. At the workshops, information was provided in respect of planning of the entire Abhiyan, literature to be used during the Abhiyan, water testing to be carried out in villages during the Abhiyan, about questions to come from the villagers during the Abhiyan, about documentation and accounts and T O R were entered in to with the organisations. Workers of total 52 organisations remained present in all these workshops.

Right to Information Capacity Building workshop Right to Information Workshop, jointly sponsored by Pravah and Swati institution was arranged in North Gujarat Region. 50 workers of total 30 coordinating organisations of Mehsana and Patan districts remained present at the workshop. Though, the organisations are aware of the Right to Information Act, a very little use of the same has been made by them. At the workshop, every participating worker was given detailed information about Right to Information. This gave the workers an opportunity to exchange their experiences. Members of all the organisations present at the workshop gave an assurance that, they shall make use of the act for addressing the issues of drinking water and Sanitation, if need be.

Exposure Visit

Last year, an Exposure Visit of Rajasthan Alwar, with an objective to enhance capacity, was arranged

with the members of Pravah North Gujarat Region and Lokmanch, during which, the members were taken to a visit to Tarun Bharat Sangh, Bhikampura. Representatives of total 22 NGOs of the Region participated in the tour.

During the tour, visit to work carried out by Tarun Bharat Sangh, such as, check dam, various Johada (ponds),

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Nala plug, work of preservation of rain water, revived rivers,, as also the people associated with the work and villages were made and an understanding was created. 25 % of total tour expense was financially supported by the members. Besides, Total 9 members of Sakalan Samiti and Lokmanch were taken for Exposure Visit of Khijura, Rajasthan by South Gujarat Region, aim of which was to develop Sankalan Samiti and Lokmanch members’ understanding and make use of the same in addressing the issues of their area.

Ecosan Workshop A workshop about Ecosan was arranged at Bhavnagar from 25th to 27th February by Pravah and Lok Shikshan Kendra (Utthan). At the workshop, 48 persons from different regions of Pravah and different organisations of D R G, Bhavnagar remained present. Moreover, to boost up the tempo of the members of Pravah, Nafeesaben, Trustee of Pravah, specially remained present at the workshop. To facilitate the workshop, two Resource Persons, Dr. D K Yadav (Technical Person- ESF, Pune) and Shri Vishvanath (Rain Water Club and Arghyam, Bangalore) remained present. At the workshop, Ecosan and related different subjects such as, What is Ecological Sanitation ( Ecosan)?, Ecosan and environment, From rags to resources, Need of natural manure, Health and Ecosan etc. were explained by both the Facilitators. At the three day workshop, on one day an Ecosan demonstration visit to Akhtariya village of Mahuva taluka of Bhavnagar was arranged. After the visit, information as to where Ecosan can be made, methods of making it, maintenance and preservation of Eco Sanitation was given.

All members present at the workshop expressed their satisfaction over the information about Ecosan. It was planned at the workshop, to link this information with different activities and take it to the people.

Personality Development Workshop Team Capacity Enhancement Pravah Central Office arranged a three day Personality Development Workshop at Ahmedabad. Total 26 persons comprising of the entire Pravah Team and also Members of the Coordinating Committee of all the five Regions participated in the Workshop. The Workshop was conducted by Dr. Surani and Vivek Surani. Awareness was created about Personal Planning, Communication, Team work during the Workshop.

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Exchange of Information Information Centre Information centre, loaded with all types of various information about water and Sanitation were raised in every Region by Pravah. Types of information to be made available in these Information Centres are decided by the concerned Sankalan Samiti of the Region. Last year, below mentioned activities were carried out at Information Centre.

At present, information mentioned below is available at every Information Centre.

66 66 66

Permanent exhibitions have been made available about water and Sanitation at the Information Centre by every Region.

Different working models of drinking water and Sanitation.

Various Research Papers.

66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66

Training Literature about different subjects.

Water quality testing kit.

Modern library full of good books.

Various posters and pamphlets with reference to water and Sanitation.

Banners and stickers of the Information Centre have been prepared.

Data collection activity is being done.

As a part of Pani Samiti capacity enhancement, booklet has been prepared.

Literature related with Eco sanitation has been kept at the Information Centre.

Pani Samiti guidelines have been prepared.

Information Centres “Parab Information Centre”

Location – Saurashtra-1 Regional Office

“Information Centre”

Location – Saurashtra-2 Regional Office

“Jalchetana Information Centre”

Location – North Gujarat Regional Office

“Information Centre”

Location – South Gujarat Regional Office

“Information Centre”

Location – Eastern Tribal Belt Regional Office

Exchange of Information Besides, The Information Centre, the information is also exchanged by Pravah at the programmes arranged by the members as also programmes arranged by other organisations. Details of incidents of exchange of information last year is given below, At the Annual General Meeting of Mahiti Sanstha managed Bhal Cooperative Society, literature about water and Sanitation as also about Government schemes etc was provided by Regional Centre. Also, the information was given about construction of toilets through Government schemes and obtaining loans from other sources. A visit to Social Work Department of J C Kumarappa Vidyalaya was made. During the visit, 120 students and 10 professors were given information about situation of water and Sanitation, issues, effects, solutions.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Research and Documentation Documentation Pravah carries out various activities in terms of its objectives, such as, General Meeting, Lokmanch, Abhiyan, Sammelan, Capacity enhancement programmes, Studies etc.

All these activities are documented in different styles, such as, Minutes, Reports, Photography and Videography. Prepared Reports of the activities are forwarded to Pravah members of the Regions and attached Government Officials.

Publication Last year, during the Abhiyan carried out by all the five Regions, various pamphlets, booklets, posters, small papers, banners, stickers etc. on subjects like, diseases caused due to polluted water, lack of proper Sanitation etc. were published on a large scale and were distributed at the village level. A Brochure showing activities of Pravah and every Region is prepared by every Region.

66 66 66 66 66 66

Annual Report for 2007-08 of every Region has been prepared.

Pani Samiti Booklet has been prepared.

A Booklet shall be prepared, after obtaining information about various methods of local water storage.

A Handbill for soak pit has been prepared.

Handbills of Tanka for Rain water storage were prepared.

Handbills of rural development welfare schemes of drinking water and sanitation were prepared.

In addition, various publications prepared by Pravah Central Office are as under,

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Brochure furnishing information about Pravah After preparing a presentation, furnishing the information about Pravah, the same has been uploaded on YouTube.

Gujarati translation of Dr. Kalam’s presentation about future issues of water.

Pravah Annual Report was prepared.

Pravah website was started again.

Swawlamban news letter has been started, three volumes of which have been published till now.

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Urban Initiative Since last decade and a half, Pravah is engaged in the activity of advocacy in the field of drinking water and Sanitation and during the activity, many a time issues of urban areas are emerging. At present, the speed at which the urbanisation is taking place, it is necessary to have peoples’ awareness in the field of drinking water and Sanitation in the urban areas also, and with this objective, activity of Urban Initiative has been started by Pravah from December, 07. Work done for Urban Initiative, last year is as under,

Awareness programme about Sanitation amongst the children in slum area Under Pravah Urban Initiative, training programmes were organised, with an aim to, develop understanding about drinking water and Sanitation, amongst the children of slum area and also to ensure that these children start taking precaution about their health and lead a disease less life. 323 children were covered in total 7 programmes, which included 168 boys and 123 girls.

No.

Partner Organisation

Area of Activity Saraspur Khanpur

No. of Children Boys Girls Total 21 8 29 11 6 17

1 2

Bharat Sevak Samaj, Gujarat Bharat Sevak Samaj, Gujarat

3 4

Samarth Sanstha Saath Sanstha

Vejalpur Guptanagar

11 18

33 24

44 42

5 6 7

(Uday Urban Resource Centre) Vishvas Charitable Trust Shri Mahakali Charitable Trust Shri Mahakali Charitable Trust Total

Gomatipur Saijpur Naroda

22 18 22 123

23 32 42 168

45 50 64 291

Shri Devendrabhai remained present at the training programmes as a Resource Person. In the training programmes, as a part of encouragement, to make them understand the value of Sanitation and follow/implement the same, a Sanitation kit ( which included one bag, nail cutter, soap, comb, napkin and a booklet giving information about Sanitation ) was given.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Other Activities 66

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66

By coordinating with Dr. Anup Nagar of Central Ground Water Corporation, information about rain water harvesting was given to Pruthvi Tower Society of Jodhpur area of Ahmedabad.

In the month of March, information to study situation of water and Sanitation, was called for from 23 cities, out of which information was received from 8 cities. It was decided that after analyzing the information, to take three cities from each of the Regions and from them to select one city from each of them to represent the concerned Region and make its study.

By visiting Pravah member organisations working in the urban area and to collect information about the issues of that area where they are working and of the cities, Loksewa Yuva Trust (Vadali ), Sewa Bharati Sanstha (Modasa ), Dharati Charitable Trust (Mehsana ), Aashara Sanstha (Morava ) and Navjivan Gram Vikas Kendra (Borsad ) were visited.

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31

3. Experiences Pravah is a platform active since 1994. Objective behind the emergence of Pravah was to create mass awareness in respect of issues of drinking water and Sanitation in the State and for its advocacy.

In the State of Gujarat, at the time when Pravah was initiated, the issues were many and the solutions were very few, in respect of drinking water. In the State of Gujarat, the Government was supplying water for the name sake only. During the summer, water was brought by train from other States and supplied through tankers. Since there was no Government policy regarding water, there were many issues about its distribution. People in the remote areas had to wait only for a drop of water.

Pravah through its values, decided to address the issues. Inspired people to be self reliant rather than be dependent. Inspired by these values of Pravah, many voluntary organisations of the State, decided to join the Pravah family. To make these values reach the people, Pravah along with its members, launched several campaigns like self-reliance (Swavlamban) Abhiyan, resulting in to peoples’ demand to get free from dependence and move towards self-reliance.

Members of Pravah included Values of Pravah in to their functioning and proved its propriety and practicability, due to which, the Government was compelled to think about peoples’ participation in respect of drinking water.

There after, as an admission of its incapability, adopted the role of Pravah in the sector and established WASMO. After the establishment of WASMO, availability of water in the rural areas became possible, but, peoples’ dependence in another form continued. WASMO laid stress on the pipelines and the local sources were getting forgotten. Pravah undertook the process of dialogue with WASMO about the issues of local sources and distribution and mass awareness. At present, on the one hand, the above situation is there and on the other hand, due to global warming there is a change in the environment.

In the year 2003, the idea of Lokmanch was implemented by Pravah. Lokmanch is such a platform where there are people only from base to top. People should understand their issues and try to solve the same. As a part of the efforts, if required, to launch a movement also against the Government.

With this ideology of Lokmanch and through an initiative of Pravah, few Lokmanchs have been started.

Out of these initiated Lokmanchs, few Lokmanchs have done very good work, while few Lokmanchs have failed.

However, efforts are made to start new Lokmanchs.

About the last year’s experiences of Lokmanchs, it can be said that, need of Lokmanch is to those who are economically backward. Those who are economically capable are able to solve their issues due to their economic strength and therefore they do not need any Manch. Idea behind Lokmanch is that people come together and carry on the activity of their own, but a gap is observed between the ideology and the practicability. Members of the Lokmanch have a feeling that, it is not easy to sacrifice their wages and incur/bear other expenses. If people are able to carry on activity on their own, then support of Pravah is not at all necessary for them. If, Pravah does not change

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

this role, the Lokmanchs may come up but will not sustain/survive. Pravah’s experiences since 2003 also suggest that, there is a need for Pravah to rethink with reference to Lokmanchs.

Last year was very fruitful with reference to other activities. If we look at the greatest achievement, it was involvement of 1,17,660 persons in various activities of Pravah last year, in which 51,202 women were included.

Total women present were approximately 43 %. If we look at the last year with reference to Abhiyan, some startling facts have surfaced in Abhiyans carried out in Saurashtra-2 Region.

Moreover, in Abhiyans carried out in other regions, organisations and villagers had positively joined the same. It is important as to how we pursue further this positivity and issues.

In Sammelan held last year, besides us, Government Officials, WASMO’s CEO Shri Jaypal Sinh and also WASMO Chairperson and Secretary of Water Supply Board Shri Gadhavi remained present. Listening to the peoples’ representation and assuring of taking positive measures could be considered as a matter of achievement of Pravah for the people.

In capacity enhancement programmes, light was thrown on subjects like Ecosanitation, because of which, members of Pravah took an initiative about Ecosanitation, which is a commendable matter.

In the conclusion, we wish to express that, Pravah’s march towards its aim shall be firmer, if members and people continue to support in a similar fashion in the years to come.

Teamwork Last year, for the purpose of capacity enhancement, Team participated in various workshops, conferences and other programmes, details of which are as under.

Sr. No. 1 2

Programme State Resource Group

Particulars State Resource Group Formed by Peoples

Resource Person Amee Mankad

J.C. Kumarappa

Learning Centre organize Training J.C. Kumarappa School Organize Two Day

Arvind Panot

School- Bhavnagar

Training Programme on Water and Sanitation.

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Last year, for the purpose of capacity enhancement, Team participated in various workshops, conferences and other programs, details of which are as under.

No.

Programme

Particulars

Place

Participant

1

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop

Workshop organized by G.W.S.S.B.

Mehsana

Rajendra Patel

2

Total Sanitation Campaign Workshop

Exhibition of ICE material created for all District of Gujarat

Mehasana

Rajendra Patel

3

Capart Workshop

Gathered Information of Capart various Scheme and Proposal

Dantivada

Rajendra Patel

4

Post SACOSAN Workshop

Post SACOSAN Workshop organised by Ahmedabad A.K.P.B.S. There was discussion about the sanitation in Gujarat

Amee Mankad Daxesh Shah

5

Rashtriya safai kamdar sammelan

sammelan for Rashtiy safai kamdar s right and self reliance.

Surat

Madhavi Olkar Nayan Dabhi

6

Water Aid

National Sammelan on Drinking Waters sustainable source

New Delhi

Amee Mankad

7

Workshop on Mumbais water issue.

Uthhan, G.W.A. And SOPECOM Organize workshop on Mumbai’s water issue.

Mumbai

Jayanti Makadia Pravah President Jaskanbhai Arvind Panot

8

Solution Exchange Annual Meeting

Bengaluru

Amee Mankad

9

HIVOS .

Attend Solution Exchange Annual meeting and Field visit of slum aria where activity done by local organization Account and finance management Workshop

Bangalore

Nitin Thakkar

10

Water Portal

Inauguration of Hindi Water Portal

New Delhi

Amee Mankad and Daxesh Shah

11

Community radio Workshop

Department of Information and Broadcasting of India organized workshop on Community radio. Information of Community radio given in this workshop

Ahmedabad

Daxesh Shah Nitin Thakkar

12

Water Aid Consultation Workshop

Consultation Workshop on Urban Sanitation and Water Supply.

Bhopal

Amee Mankad

13

SACOSAN -3 Third South Asian Sanitation Sammelan

Teams participated in different seminar and New Delhi get information of sanitation issue.

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

Pravah President Jaskanbhai and Programmeme team

Team Pravah Team

Central

Region Centre

Female

Male

16

Secretariat 5

11

2

14

Programme Team Amee Mankad Jayanti Makadia Arvind Panot Rajendra Patel Puna Rathod Ratan Damor Daxesh Shah Nayan Dabhi

State Coordinator Saurastra-1 Region Coordinator Saurastra-2 Region Coordinator North Gujarat Region Coordinator South Gujarat Region Coordinator Eaten Tribal belt Region Coordinator Programme Associate Documentation Region Coordinator Asst. Coordinator

Admin and Accountant Team Darshna Patel Nitin Thakkar Yasin Multani Rahul Limbad Naresh Chodhry Denish Khatri Farookh Shaikh Sadik Shaikh

Chief Administrator Central Secretariat Chief Accountant Central Secretariat Saurastra-1 Region Accountant / Administrator Saurastra-2 Region Accountant / Administrator North Gujarat Region Accountant / Administrator South Gujarat Region Accountant / Administrator Eaten Tribal belt Region Accountant / Administrator Office Assistant Central Secretariat

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Contact Addresses Central Secretariat G-2 Raksha Apartment, 200 Azad Society, Polytechnic Road, Ambavadi, Ahmedabad-15. Phone : 079-26762590, 26763984.

E-mail: pravah@gmail.com Pravah Saurashtra-1 Region Centre C/O A.K.R.S.P.(I), Near Raj Sobhag Ashram. National Highway-8, Sayla- 363430, Dist. Surendranagar.

Phone: (02755) 280745 Mob: 9825829066 Email: pravah.sayala@gmail.com Pravah Saurashtra-2 Region Centre C-1157, Manuraja Chamardiwala, Lane, Opp. SBS , Santosh Provision Lane, Kaliyabid, Bhavnagar.

Phone: (0278) 2573061 Mob: 9825626860 Email: arvind.panot@gmail.com Pravah North Gujarat Region Centre C/O Shri Motibhai Choudhary Foundation, DoodhSagar Dairy, Radhanpur Cross Road, National Highway, Mehsana, Phone: (02762) 247412 Mob: 99250 25902 Email- pravah_ng@yahoo.co.in Pravah South Gujarat Region Centre 307, Sitaram Nagar Society, Archna School to Parbat Pariya Road., B/h Labhuba Nagar, Varachha, Surat- 394210 Mob: 9909782032.

Email: pravah.sg@gmail.com Pravah Eaten Tribal belt Region Centre 2nd Floor, Bhargav Online Complex, Godhra Road, Dahod- 389151.

Mob: 9099815025 Email: pravahetb@gmail.com

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

People’s involvement in Pravah Activities No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Activity Annual General Meeting Trusty Meeting Exicutive Commity Meeting Regional Meeting Sankalan Samiti Meeting District Meeting Lokmanch Abhiyaan (Campaign) Sammelan (Sammelan) Capacity Building Total

No. of Activity 1 1 4 3 20 17 41 5 10 14 131

Villages

Male

Female

Total

NA NA NA

68 4 14 61 128 153 915 63838 1080 217 66,478

21 8 11 17 48 27 455 49734 812 69 51,202

89 12 25 78 176 180 1370 111572 1892 283 1,17,660

550 514 101 1,165

This year we witnesed a heartening fact that we all have started contibuting in evey possible way to the activities of Pravah. This year, many organisations and individual members contributed in various ways and hence, we could generate about Rs. 9,17,373.

Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09

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Pravah Annual Report : 2008-09