PROGRAMS
US PROGRAMS:
- Seminars and Lectures: The ORISSA FOUNDATION conducted a seminar on "Rural Development in Orissa" at the OSA convention in Columbia, MD. IAFF was invited to present its ongoing activities in rural development in Orissa. I presented a talk on "Development without government in Orissa".
- Cultural Show for Indo-American Audience: The OSA-SE (Orissa Society of Americas-South Eastern Chapter) in collaboration with IAFF hosted the Rudrakshya dance team from Orissa in a two-hour presentation of different types of Odisi dance in Cary, NC. IAFF appropriated $200 (two hundred US dollars) for this purpose. Audience from Charlotte (NC), Raleigh (NC), Cary (NC), Greensboro (NC), Washington ( DC) and several smaller communities attended the presentation.
INDIA PROGRAMS:
In India, IAFF has traditionally targeted Agriculture, Education and Health Care, with special (but not exclusive) emphasis on rural development. Each year, I visit Orissa for nearly two months (Sept. 15-Nov. 15) to offer workshops, consulting, evaluate ongoing work, and start new projects. The following is a summary of activities during my 2006 visit. These accounts do not include hundreds of hours of telephone and e-mail communication.
- MECHANISM OF OPERATION: I have a building under construction near the Bhubaneswar airport. A portion of this building has been donated to IAFF for rent-free use for as long as I am physically able to conduct IAFF activities in Orissa. As stated below, a portion of this property is being used as IAFF office plus guest room for visiting NROs. Another portion is being used as staff-quarters where a husband-wife team is housed rent-free to conduct IAFF activities and run the IAFF office as per my directions through e-mail and telephone discussion. Additionally, the husband is also paid Rs.10/hour for each hour he spends in IAFF activities. Mr. Parsuram Mohapatra (one of my nephews) has been appointed as the chief IAFF representative for Orissa. He is second in the chain of command (i.e., after me) and supervises all relevant activities, in addition to giving legal advice through his office of Attorney at law. No monetary, material or any other benefits are extended to Mr. Mohapatra for his purely voluntary service.
- MEETINGS WITH NGOs: As in previous years, I have set aside one week to meet with various NGOs who wish to start collaboration with IAFF and take advantage of the annual workshop. In this context, I was taken on an overnight tour to the rural area of Dhenkanal District by NYSASDRI. Different areas of potential collaboration were discussed during this tour. Mr. Sarangdhar Samal, its CEO has already communicated to me that some of the suggestions made by me during this tour have already been implemented in its operation area in rural Dhenkanal District. I also visited the office of BISWA in Sambalpur town but its CEO Mr. Khirode Malick was out of the country. So I conducted a brief discussion with his son who is also an officer in the organization. Upon my return, through assistance and advice from Mrs. Ranu Mahanti, these discussions were further extended to collaboration as described below.
- NGO COLLABORATION: As outlined in an earlier issue of "The IAFF FORUM", NGOs present unlimited opportunities for partnership in the development of rural Orissa. The following is a summary of IAFF's collaboration with various NGOs of Orissa.
- COLLABORATIONS DROPPED/SUSPENDED:
- SDGVS (Sarojini Devi Gram Vikas Sampraday, Gope, Puri): Collaboration with this NGO was dropped after one year because of inefficiency in operations along with unethical activities. Because IAFF does not make any advance payments to any NGO, IAFF did not face any financial loss through its collaboration with this NGO. Nevertheless, it was considered that collaboration with other NGOs might yield better results instead of pursuing collaboration with an inefficient and unethical organization.
- NEW COLLABORATIONS:
- BISWA: This NGO with headquarters in Sambalpur town is among the major NGOs with presence in all districts of Orissa. It has ongoing collaborations with other NRI organizations such as CARE and SEEDS, and is the only NGO in Orissa with a micro finance bank. IAFF has started collaboration with this NGO in the area of alternative energy strategy for rural communities.
- CHILDRIGHT. This NGO with headquarters in Bhubaneswar has programs in Bhadrak and Phulbani districts. Although its main focus is child-welfare, it recognizes that in order to achieve these objectives, the welfare of the adults who are caregivers to the community’s children must also be taken into active consideration. This NGO is also a partner with IAFF in alternative energy strategy in rural communities.
- CONTINUING COLLABORATIONS: IAFF has accepted Nivedita Ashram Orphanage at Patalipank, Kendrapara District and ADIRE at Jahangirbad, Kendrapara District as permanent partners until either side (i.e., IAFF or the NGO) decides that no further advancement can be achieved through such collaboration. As will be described below, the Nivedita Ashram specializes in Orphan care/education while ADIRE specializes in alternative energy utilization with emphasis on solar energy. In addition, IAFF’s partnership with AICF-WNY (Asian-Indian Community Foundation- Western New York) is continuing to elevate educational and living standards at the Nivedita Ashram Orphanage.
- EDUCATION: I spent about 10 days at the Shri Eurobond Ashram at Pondichery and Auroville (an extension of Shri Aurobinda Association) to gain first hand knowledge on management procedures at both the places. The significance of this is discussed under the expanded report given below.
THE NIVEDITA ASHRAM ORPHANAGE: As reported in the 2005 annual report, the management structure at the orphanage has been restructured to several committees. During my 2006 visit to the orphanage additional activities involved formation of student government and publication of a student magazine called “The Adventure”. In addition, the orphanage was fitted with lights and ceiling fans to enhance living and educational facilities. To further enhance this objective, IAFF has given two solar lights to the Orphanage. These solar lights are used for students’ nighttime study during power outage. When power is available, the solar lights are being used in the kitchen and other places in lieu of electric light to conserve energy. The Orphanage has initiated application of new AGA (above ground agriculture) technology to produce certain vegetables for consumption at the orphanage in the rainy season, during which period the land was lying under the water and non-productive.
The orphanage is run in the tradition of Sri Aurobindo-Srima. I was concerned that my involvement might introduce aspects that would be in conflict with this spiritual approach. It was therefore incumbent upon me that I must visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondichery and gain first hand information on how the Ashram is administered. I found out that the Srima (The Mother) edits dictate that a person must reach the divine by combining spiritual growth with material accomplishments. Thus, the Ashram has numerous for-profit undertakings that include cottage industry, furniture manufacturing, utensil manufacturing etc. These concepts are further expanded at the Auroville Technology Village where advance research and application is under way in solar energy, brick making, house design and construction etc. Because this is the exact path I want the Orphanage to follow, I was pleased to know that the proposed activities in future will be completely compatible with the spirit and edicts of The Mother. I was however, disappointed that the managers at the Orphanage are only tuned in with the spiritual aspect of The Mother with total disregard to her vision on material happiness and independence. Because of this lack of awareness, it has become difficult to cultivate the willingness to move along this path at a pace I wish them to follow. I am however, optimistic that with time combining spiritual advancement with material advancement will eventually be possible as has been accomplished at the Sri Arurobindo Ashram at Pondichery and Auroville.
IAFF is now involved in not only the finance but also in the management of the orphanage in those aspects that may directly influence the social, academic and health standings of the residents known as Ashramites. Some of these have already been stated in the summary form in a preceding section. More detailed information is given below for the benefit of the current and future donors.
Before AICF got involvement in the welfare of the Orphans, the Orphanage had only a 5 acre campus to care for the following type of abandoned children: a) children abandoned at birth because they are girls and not boys; obviously b) true orphans who have lost both parents, and c) children who have at least one parent but did not have the financial means to support the child so handed over the care to the Ashram. However, for the purpose of IAFF, children of all category are called orphans. In 2006 all except one Ashramite were girls. Both Central and State Government provide funds on a limited basis; but these grants are not only not enough for all residents, but are also terminated when the child turns 18 years old. Because the orphanage does not have sufficient means for existing children, they have to ask the adult orphans to leave when they turn 18. This creates not only personal tragedies but also social tragedies because when grown up girls are thrown to the streets without support system, they immediately fall victim to different types of exploitations. To alleviate some of these problems at the Nivedita Ashram, AICF has procured additional 10 acres of land for the Ashram.
IAFF was brought in by AICF initially for technological consultation in the area of agriculture and education. However, it was soon realized that the needs are more urgent and more important than just consultation. I have written on this extensively and posted them in the Internet from time to time. In short, with the approval of the Board of Advisors, IAFF decided to plunge into the Orphan affairs of Orissa with emphasis on the Nivedita Ashram to develop a model Orphanage that can be emulated in other rural parts of Orissa. IAFF took special interest in rural Orphanages because they are more disadvantaged with respect to resources than the urban orphanages. For example, I am yet to find a rural orphanage with permission for adoption to foreign countries whereas every urban orphanage has this privilege. Because certain standards need to be met before the orphanage can be given permission for foreign adoption, and because rural orphanages are not able to meet these requirements, their residents cannot be adopted by foreign parents.
When IAFF came into picture, Ashram management AICF were pondering to transfer the Orphanage to the newly acquired site. However, following my evaluation and recommendation, it has now been decided that the orphanage will stay where it is and the acquired land will be used to generate income in support of the orphanage. This allowed improvement on the existing infrastructure rather having to start from the scratch. Thus, through financial, technological and management support from AICF and IAFF, the Ashram has accomplished the following improvements in less than one year.
- The new agricultural land was used to grow a variety of horticultural crops, in addition to rice and fish, and generated more than Rs.50,000 profit in support of the Orphanage. The yield is expected to increase gradually through the adoption of modern agricultural technology such as crop rotation, biotechnology and other components of Integrated Farming System and Controlled Environment Agriculture. The Ashram staff has already been trained in some of these new technologies. Consequently, it is anticipated that for the first time in the Orphanage's history they will be able to produce some vegetable crops in the rainy season, which was not possible heretofore.
- Previously, the Ashram was run through the leadership of one person. Now, the Ashram is run by a collection of committees with cross-membership which has brought a sense of ownership, involvement, responsibility and accountability. But most importantly, no longer one person has to carry all the burdens of management and inclusion of people of different ages will assure continuity of quality and accountability.
- The Ashramites have formed a student government to address all aspects of their lives at the Ashram. To accomplish this, they have formed "ministries" for various tasks. The Ashram management has informed me that this has not only reduced their workload considerably, but it has also improved the morale and character of the residents.
- Donations received during the reporting period has enabled IAFF to fully equip the study hall with lights and fans to create a comfortable living and study atmosphere for the children. In addition two solar lights have been provided for nighttime study during power outage. ADIRE provided funds for one of the two lights.
- The Orphanage has been provided with a digital camera, which is being used for not only supplemental income but also for children's creative work. Thus, for the first time in it's more than 20-year history, the children have been able to publish a magazine called "The Adventure". This name was adopted because "The Mother", the most prominent disciple of Sri Aurobindo, has professed that individuals should undertake all activities with a sprit of adventure.
Because the Ashram is run through the edicts of Sri Aurobindo and "The Mother", it was incumbent upon me to recognize that modernization approach does not run counter to the spiritual approach adopted from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondichery. Therefore, I spent more than 10 days at Pondichery and Auroville to gain first hand knowledge on how the SriAurobindo Ashram is run. I was pleasantly surprised that every thing IAFF wishes for the Nivedtia Ashram to do is already being done at Pondichery and Auroville albeit in a much grander scale. In fact, "The Mother" has repeatedly emphasized in her writings that wholesome growth of individuals can be accomplished only when good health, spiritual purity and entrepreneurship are combined in the service of the divine
- HEALTH CARE: As clarified in previous annual reports, IAFF has selected pediatric health, prenatal and post natal maternity care, and family planning as the main thrust in this area. Because of shortage of physicians willing to work in rural areas, this project has not been initiated yet. However, with the advances in counseling and diagnostic technologies, family planning will be initiated in 2007.
- THE 3-W PROGRAM: The recently initiated income generation program represents 3-W (win-win-win) situation where the rural clients are the first tier winners, the collaborating NGO is the second tier winner and the IAFF is the third tier winner. This program is now in operation through two NGOs (the Nivedita Ashram and Childright) in partnership with ADIRE and deals with rural lighting. IAFF-ADIRE funds were used to purchase four units of solar lights. Two of these lights were supplied to the Nivedita Ashram and two to Childright. Each NGO is required to pay a rent of Rs.60 each month for each light. This rent must be generated by renting the lights to rural users called clients. The clients will be charged for a minimum of two hours at the rate of Rs. 2/hour but for no more than half the hours beyond the 2-hour period.. Thus, the clients not only benefit from clean energy, but they also save money if they use more than 2 hours per night. Because the NGO does not pay more than Rs.2 per night, it earns certain amount of money each night and keeps it as generated income. Thus, the NGO makes an income without any financial investment. IAFF will collect the rent of Rs. 60/device/month for as long as it takes to recover the purchase price plus 10% interest. After that, the NGO will pay Rs.30 per month/device, thus enabling it to increase its generated income. Because the lights will remain as IAFF’s property until they are purchased by the NGO, IAFF will have the right to stop the program any time and repossess the light if there are indications of abuse or noncompliance. Attempts are under way to explore other means through which the 3W program can be expanded.
- ORPHAN EDUCATION FUND: My association with the Nivedita Ashram Orphanage opened my eyes to the plights of Orphans of not only this orphanage but throughout the state of Orissa. I was shocked to learn that newborn girls (but not boys) were being abandoned in the roadside in the middle of the night. Thus, many a girls rescued at the Nivedita Ashram Orphanage had still the umbilical chord attached to them. Although government has support programs for these orphans it is not only available to a limited number of orphans, but not support is available when the orphan reaches age 18. Because most orphanages do not have financial means and physical facilities to support infant orphans, the adult orphans have to leave the orphanage and be on their own. This is when the 18-year old girls face all types of exploitation. To mitigate this situation AICF and IAFF have started an ORPHAN EDUCATION FUND. The objective is to raise funds through letter campaign and various fund-raising activities so the female orphans will be given higher education once they become 18 years old. The cruel reality, however, is that they cannot get admission to institutions of higher education unless they have proper academic credentials. Therefore it has become necessary to also emphasize early education to prepare them for higher education. The letter writing campaign will be an annual event. As shown in the financial statement, the 2006 campaign generated considerable interest both in the USA and Orissa. Although the Nivedita Ashram is being used as a model orphanage for the purpose of program development, this program will be expanded statewide once its operational components are optimized.
- AGRICULTURE: As in previous years, three workshops were offered on Integrated Farming System and Controlled Environment Agriculture. Fifteen people were trained in the 2006 workshop where ADIRE was also a partner and offered training on how to use solar energy for various rural operations such as irrigation, TV, Refrigeration and Room lighting etc. ADIRE has also adopted the AGA (above ground agriculture) technology for vegetable production at Jahangirbad.
- IAFF-AICF PARTNERSHIP: As stated in the 2006 annual report, AICF-NY has helped the Nivedita Ashram to purchase nearly 10 acres of agricultural land to promote the orphanage’s sustainability. The utilization of this land is being developed in collaboration with IAFF. The 10 acres are split in 2 acres near the orphanage and 8 across in a farther location. The 2-acre site is being used to develop as a model for production scheme at all other places. Initial emphasis is being given to crop rotation because it is envisioned that productivity can be enhanced by more than 20% through adoption of proper crop rotation scheme. If this can be done successfully, high production will release some land that can be used for new crops or new methods, as may be feasible.
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