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UNICEF’s India representative danced the ‘Shammi’ way in Kondagaon

September 20, 2022

Under the mental health and child protection program “Aao Baat Kare” jointly run by UNICEF, District Administration, and Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti; volunteers of Yuvoday Kondanar Champs, Bijadutir and Manobal from Kondagaon, Bijapur and Bilaspur respectively have been organizing various programs, events, and awareness campaigns. To review the impact of their work, UNICEF’s India representative Mr. Yasumasa Kimura visited Kondagaon.

In Bade Bendri of Kondagaon district, Mr. Kimura was warmly welcomed with an Adivasi dance performance. A discussion was conducted on community mental health, wherein the mental health program- ‘Aao Baat Kare’, was discussed in detail. ‘Aao Baat Kare’ is a Community Mental Health and Child Protection Programme wherein, the first step towards betterment- talking about Mental Health is given significance. Before even trying to make a change for the better, it is important to talk about it and make people aware of what is mental health.

The volunteers also threw light on their programs ‘Hum Honge Kamyab’ – (wherein the students of class 10^thand 12^th were taught how to deal with exam-related pressures and stress), ‘Panchayat Chalo Abhiyaan’– (myths related to mental health were busted among the community) and ‘Panthak’ – (a guidebook for children’s social-emotional learning and child safe spaces) and wall writings on mental health and child-safe spaces were presented and displayed.

In the discussion, many people from the village such as high school and primary school teachers, Aanganwadi workers, and others elaborated on how Yuvoday Kondanar Champs volunteers are working for the betterment of the communities and the kind of reach and impact they have. Some volunteers shared their own stories of change. Activities like ‘Udan chu taali’ – a game wherein people clap their hands and relieve their stress into thin air, ‘Shammi dance’- a dance wherein stress is released, and ‘Snake and Ladders’- where children play the game on a human size large mat wherein the snakes represent bad habits, and the ladders represent good habits; were held. The Sarpanch with more than 500 villagers and 60+ volunteers attended the event and participated with great spirit and energy.

Even though Mr. Kimura did not understand the language, he understood the emotion. He sat down and listened to everybody, he saw the kids play, and even danced along with the people to halbi songs towards the end of the event.

From UNICEF- Chhattisgarh head- Mr. Job Zachariah, Behavioral change specialist– Mr. Abhishek Singh, Child Protection Specialist- Mrs. Chetna Desai, Health specialist- Dr. Shridhar, and CAP specialist- Mr. Sam Sudheer Bandi graced the occasion with their presence.

From Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti- Samiti’s Secretary Mr. Manas Banerjee and Program coordinator- Ms. Danish K. Hussain along with district coordinators from all 3 project areas were present.

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Khyati Mehta- The First Woman Amputee To Climb Kalsubai Peak in Maharashtra

July 11, 2022

Mumbai: Khyati Mehta, a 39-year-old amputee is the first woman to climb the Kalsubai peak with a prosthetic leg. Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra at 5,400 ft and a 6.6 km long trek that has a moderately hard difficulty level. This feat which was performed on 26^th January 2022 on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day of India to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, holds a record title under India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records, 2023.

Born with 60% disabilities including bilateral flexion contracture & bilateral varus legs, Khyati has scaled the Surkandadevi Temple trek which is a steep 3 km trek at 9000 ft in Uttarakhand. In the past, she has trekked the 5,200 ft Vaishanavdevi peak. Being modest about her achievements, Khyati says, “I am still a trekker but wish to be a mountaineer someday and reach for a more technical climbing that will help me scale unexplored summits.”

Khyati is a passionate traveller who has travelled to more than 20 countries of the world. With her disabilities and a prosthetic foot, she did sky diving in New York, trekked Taman Negara Forest in Malaysia, travelled to North Cape Norway, scuba dived at Langkawi, Malaysia and Andaman, paraglided at Bir Biling, Palampur, and did white water river rafting at the highest altitude of Ladakh. Little wonder that she is entrepreneuring as a Travel & Visa Consultant and has her travel agency in Mumbai.

Khyati has also gained the reputation of one of the Fastest Walking Marathoners with her participation in more than 20 marathons. When asked what challenges an amputee faces during the treks, marathons, and similar adventures, Khyati says “Every 30 mins or 1 hour, I have to remove my prosthetic limb and give a few minutes to relax my muscles and the stump. I often get blisters on the stump, develop bursitis on my hips or endure severe back pain. During the Kalsubai trek, there were around 6 steeply inclined ladders with wide railings. My deformed hands cannot extend to hold the railings, at the same time, my hands don’t have the ergonomic grip to hold the railings. But with the support of my co-trekkers and god’s grace, I managed to reach the top.”

Besides planning new adventures, Khyati is busy giving shape to her new startup wherein she designs uniquely curated travel packages for specially-abled communities. “Being an ardent traveller, I have experienced innumerable challenges which specially-abled people like me have to endure. With my experience and expertise, I want to design hassle-free and smooth travel for disabled people that accommodates their shortcomings while allowing them to optimally explore the destination.”

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Agricon supports IRRI to perform On-Farm Trials with Chhattisgarh’s farmers

January 13, 2022

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi collaborated with Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti, to perform direct on-ground trials with farmers of 2 districts of Chhattisgarh, Raipur & Durg. Varieties developed by scientists and state agriculture universities were put on trial directly into farmer’s fields. Through this practical approach not only variety’s performance in the field was observed but also feedback from farmers group and their observation was given consideration.

Starting of Trials: Trials started in July 2021. These trials were conducted in 2 different modes: On-farm trials (OFT)and Varietal Cafeteria (VC). In OFT 7 paddy varieties provided by IRRI and a local popular variety of the area was distributed to farmers by team members of Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti. These varieties were cultivated in farmers land, using farmer’s regular package of practices. Demonstration of VC was done with one farmer in Raipur in which 30 on-trial varieties were demonstrated. In varietal cafeteria farmers and other stakeholders like agriculture department, scientists, interact, learn, evaluate, and decide on their favourite varieties.

“Farmers training cum evaluation” was organised at the varietal cafeteria and other OFT sites. Field visit and feedback session was conducted during October 2021 in the presence of scientists of IRRI(Varanasi) Dr. Kuntal Das, Dr. Sarvesh Shukla, and Dr. Sanket Thakur of Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti. Farmers shared their feedback and problems related to the varieties with the scientists.

In the varietal cafeteria, an evaluation training and feedback workshop was conducted before harvesting of the crop. 50 farmers participated in the event along with Mr. Gayaraam joint director agriculture, Raipur, dr. Sanket Thakur (agriculture scientists) Mr. Gajendra Chandrakar agricultural scientist from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Mr. R.K Kashyap Deputy Director Agriculture. The evaluation process involved aspects like the height of the crop, number of panicles, number of grains per panicle, and other agronomical observations along with ease of cultivation.

The workshop encouraged farmers to identify preferred characteristics in the paddy plant. Evidence-based trial and evaluation improved awareness about various new and improved varieties among farmers.

Training on “Quality Seed Production”

Quality Seed Production and inclusion of women

This trial of paddy varieties was formulated with an approach of “providing seeds to producing seeds”. After harvesting and evaluation by farmers, a farmer’s favourite variety was selected for seed production. The training was conducted on “Quality Seed Production of Rice” by Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti.45-50 women participated in this training and learnt to produce quality seeds. These seeds will be used for OFT in Rabi season. These trials are now being carried out for rabi season with 45 farmers of Raipur and Durg.

Positive Outcomes:

Farmers were supported and motivated in the adaption of emerging and improved varieties of paddy along with aspiring them for quality seed production.

IRRI received performance analysis, farmers’ acceptance, and behavioural analysis from the trial which will support them for further research.

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NOIDA RANKED INDIA’S CLEANEST MEDIUM CITY

January 10, 2022

Also awarded 5-star garbage-free city rating

Noida, December: We all aspire to live in the cleanest possible surroundings, but seldom take ownership for it. Noida, a part of the NCR that has been emerging as a well-planned global city for both residents and businesses, set an example for all the rapidly developing cities with its miraculous display of grit, determination and responsibility. The city recently bagged the Cleanest Medium City (population of 3-10 Lakh) in Swachh Survekshan 2021, an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in India.

“Noida deserves rank 1 in the list of cleanest cities, and I hope all the NGOs will work even harder to make it happen. Big thanks to HCLF’s Clean Noida project for establishing Noida’s Integrated Command Control Centre. HCLF has a huge role in helping us to sensitise villages and making sure that this movement reaches the rural areas of Noida,” said Ms Ritu Maheshwari, Chief, Noida Authority, as she thanked and congratulated all the partners working for this movement. The high rank achieved in Swachh Survekshan Survey 2021, is a miraculous victory as in 2018 the city was at 384th position and is the 4th cleanest in the country now.

This has been a result of months of organised and structured efforts by the foundation. On-ground campaigns and door-to-door awareness surveys were conducted to drive behavioral change in citizens. Cleanliness staff was trained regularly on how to segregate waste and best practices to manage solid waste. HCLF not only trained the staff and residents through campaigns, it also distributed litter bins, collection carts and was involved in city beautification activities through wall art and graffiti.

“The Clean Noida Project works with over 90 RWAs across the city. The residents of these sectors are grateful for the initiatives and knowledge imparted by the foundation. It takes years to drive a behavioral change. Clean Noida has been working rigorously since 2018 to ensure Noida emerges as a clean city. Our aim is to look at development, hygiene and ensure people live in peace and harmony,” said Mr Laxmi Narayin, President, RWA, Sector 19.

The city has also received a 5-star garbage-free city rating, a higher achievement from having received a 3-star garbage-free city rating in 2020. They have adopted about 8 villages as part of their Chakachak Village initiative. The workers have worked relentlessly to ensure these areas are converted into model villages. The village homes have their own composting pits and are being trained to convert into zero waste villages.

There have been celebratory events in marketplaces, villages and RWAs to keep the awareness going. Cleanliness is equal to Godliness – the adage comes alive as you see the Clean Noida team in action. One can only hope the whole country takes an inspiration from their exemplary work.