At a time when Bihar government is contemplating on calling off the relief operations, UDAI volunteers have reasons to stay back in Bihar. Team 6 of UDAI programme of University of Delhi explored new areas at Deenapatti and Kumarkhand which are still isolated and completely cut off from the mainland due to flood water. Villages like Hanumanpatti, Bhelni, Khusropatti, Santhalpatti, Rampur etc. are still waiting for the responses not only from the Bihar or Central government but also from the Civil Society Organisations. A mobile medical unit of UDAI under the leadership of Dr. Priyadarsh went to the Deenapatti area and stayed there in the night to provide the medical intervention to the villagers. The team felt helpless when the villagers said that you are the first one to reach them. The similar was the response at Kumarkhand area where in some villages nobody has not yet gone to take care of the affected population. The callousness of the state needs no description at this juncture but more saddening part of the story is that the media is also hiding the facts. For national dailies it is a dead story now – stale. For the rest of the country, it was once – long back – that the flood had come in Bihar – around three months before. However, “… when we go to the field we count each and every second, and at the end of the day, I feel simply – HELPLESS, HOPELESS & WORTHLESS,” says Mr. Vinod Koshti, team leader of team 6. Bihar needs thousands of UDAI at this time to recover from the long-term damage. Let us all unite and consolidate our efforts so that no one feels at the end of the day – hopeless, helpless and worthless…
Monday, November 3, 2008
RCH intervention intensified at Bhutahi Baandh
Initiated by team 4, the RCH component of the UDAI intervention at Bhutahi Baandh was intensified by the following teams. All the pregnant women and lactating mothers were identified by visiting each and every jhuggi at the Baandh. These identified women were given counseling by the UDAI volunteers. A special kit was made for the pregnant women which was given to all the women in their eight-nine months of pregnancy. The doctors of Hamara Asptaal are also complementing the efforts by identifying and referring such women to the UDAI counselors. Team 6 has made attempts to combine the RCH component of UDAI intervention with the Hamara Milan, wherein all such women can come together at a common platform and share their experiences as well as concerns and problems.
DEEPAWALI celebrated at Bhutahi Baandh, Dafarka village by Team 6
After the unending struggle of the people of Bhutahi Baandh, Deepawali came as a light of hope to thousands of families and especially children when the team 6 of Department of Social Work, University of Delhi planned to celebrate it with the community. For the first time a wave of happiness was found and the feelings of joy and celebration was prevailing everywhere. Team 6 discussed the idea of celebrating the Deepawali with the local people and the support came from every corner.
A grand gala cultural evening was organized in the presence of the local media which was attended by more the 1,500 children and 1000 local inhabitants. This programme had two-fold objectives – (a) to celebrate Deepawali with the community; and (b) to generate awareness in the community through the children regarding issues of health and sanitation. More than 25 cultural programmes consisting of progressive songs, dances, poems, rhymes, speeches were presented by the students of Hamari Pathshaala and members of Hamara Sankalp and Hamara Milan. All the components of the intervention of Department of Social Work converged together to organize this programme as it was a joint and collaborative effort of the Hamari Paathshaala, Hamara Milan, Hamara Sankalp, and Hamara Asptaal. The cultural programme on the eve of the Deepawali was widely appreciated across the section at Bhutahi Baandh.
On the same day, the UDAI volunteers distributed large numbers of packets to the families living on the banks of the Bhutahi Baandh. The students of Hamari Paathshaala were given new clothes and uniforms.
Hamara Milan
Hamara Milan is the similar 'meaningful engagement' but with the adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers. It was conceived by team 5 with the idea of providing some life-based domestic skills to the local girls which includes vocational training also. However, reshaped by the team 6, Hamara Milan now has a broader canvas which includes in itself also the pregnant women and lactating mothers of the community along with the adolescent girls. The core principle of the concept, Hamara Milan is to provide RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) services along with imparting the domestically useful skills. Considering the social structure of the community, it was difficult to bring the girls and boys together at a similar platform. Hence a separate platform was created for the girls of the community. Hamara Milan is a platform wherein the girls can come together to discuss their issues and get the opinion of others as well. The experiences of the initial days were very rich. It was found that initially the girls were not sharing their problems, however with the rigorous attempts of our volunteers; these girls are now actively sharing their views. Hamara Milan has also motivated two girls to volunteer for Hamari Paathshaala run by DSW. Although in its embryonic stage, the components of Hamara Sankalp and Hamara Milan are already yielding results for the process of community development at Dafarka, Triveniganj.
Hamara Sankalp
Initiated by team 5, Hamara Sankalp was basically a meaningful engagement of the youth of the community. Through Hamara Sankalp, the youth of Dafarka community are provided significant exposures to lots of critical issues related to rights, health, society, environment, as well as career opportunities. One of such session conducted at Hamara Sankalp was on Right to Information Act, 2005 also. Through this forum, a cadre of volunteers was being prepared which can act as a social construction agent in building a new social fabric based on the secular-democratic ethos of our Constitution. At least 15-20 youths of the community attend sessions of Hamara Sankalp everyday at Bhutahi Baandh, Dafarka village, Triveniganj Block, Supaul District.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Team 6 reaches Saharsa on 13th
Team 6 reached Saharsa base camp on 13th October 2008 under the leadership of Mr. Vinod Koshti, Department of Social Work, University of Delhi. The team comprised of 10 members – Mr. Jeet Sankalp, Mr. Amarjeet, Ms. Anjali, Ms. Nazia, Ms. Priyanka and Ms. Suchi from Department of Social Work, and Mr. Aashish Kumar, Mr. Amjad Khan, Mr. Pratap Singh and Mr. Rajan from B R Ambedkar College. The team took along with them 126 big sacks of relief materials which include clothes, biscuits, medicines, ORS, bedsheets and towels.
खास लोग, आम लोग
कुछ खास होते हैं उनके जन्म, भाग्य और परिवार से ।
कुछ खास हो जाते हैं उनके कर्म, सोच और विचार से।
ऐसे ही एक आम शख्स को मैंने खास होते देखा हैं ।
मैंने एक इंसान को, सच में इंसान देखा हैं ।
सुनामी, भूकंप, सुखा, बाढ़ ये भी रंग हैं कुदरत के।
महज़ फूल ही नहीं खारे भी हैं बेशुमार इसके दामन में।
मैंने लोगों को मौत से लड़ते झगड़ते देखा हैं
मैंने बिहार को कोसी झूझते देखा हैं।
जब आम इंसान घिर गए पानी से।
तो खेल शुरु हुआ मौत , लाश और मातम का।
हज़ारो घर टूटे लाखो लोग तबाह हुए।
कितने लोग रहे? जो रहे कब तक रहे? मालूम नहीं!
आम लोग मरते रहे, खपते रहे, बिलखते रहे, पर क्या हासील!
कुछ लोग जो खास होते हैं जन्म, भाग्य और परिवार से वो मौन रहे।
देखते रहे भद्दा तमाशा मौत, मातम और मसीहाई का।
पर एक शख्स और चंद लोग जो आम होकर भी आम न रहे ।
वो उठे, बढे, वो चले एक सहारा बनने।
एक छोटा सा सहारा ही, मगर हैं तो सही!
लोग जुड़ते गए और चंद लोग 'हम' बन गए।
फ़िर सिलसिला शुरू हुआ लोगो की लोटती मुस्कान का।
घर बने, तन ढके, भूख मिटि, रोग कटे और सबसे खासम- खास कुछ अपने मिले।
डबडबाती आखों में खुशी, सूखे- फीके होठो पे मुस्कान , दिल में अहसास अपने पन का देकर,
हम लोग और वो शख्स जो आम दिखता था ,
सब मिसाल बन गए ज़माने के लिए ।
हम आम लोग खास बन गए ज़माने के लिए...
हम आम लोग खास बन गए ज़माने के लिए ...
--
अजय सैनी
Ajay Saini, M.A (P)
Department of Social Work
University of Delhi
कुछ चूल्हे जले हैं कुछ को जलाना है, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के प्रयास को आगे बढ़ाना है
A Visit Report by Sh. Shyam Pandey from Qatar - on the bank of Bhutahi Baandh
I extend my sincere thanks to Professor Sanjai Bhatt for his project UDAI-II and wish him great success for the noble cause of serving community.
Finally I conclude with the saying
Views of our visitor from Saat samunder paar
It was an unique experience to get associated with the Delhi University team and visit the site to meet the flood victims and boost the morale of the volunteers.
I travelled all the way from Doha -Mumbai-Delhi-Patna-Saharsa to join the team. Saharsa is the base camp for all voluntary organisations. I was carrying 4 cartons containing baby food ( Lactogen) and Torches. In fact these items were suggested by Dr. Manoj Jha before the start of my journey. This is an good advice to all philanthropists visiting the relief camp to get prior information of the items immediately needed. I have seen people travel with loads of material which are either in surplus or do not have immediate requirement. A typical example was the over supply of blankets in the month of September/October.
It was the Dashehra when I spent my day with children of Hamari Pathshala and the patients at Hmara Aspatal - excellent piece of idea of DU. We distributed sweets among the children and celebrated the festival. It was a memorable occasion as some of the parents who were watching us could not control themselves. One can imagine the people staying on the bank of canal for last one and half month after loosing every thing and suddenly some one is reminding them of their festival. It was the wonderful efforts of Delhi University who brought solace to the children and their family. I would like to share the photo of the smiling faces of the children.
I had spend and discussed with the other flood victims and found some interesting things. There was no food shortage due to voluntary organizations and government supply. I have not heard any news of epidemic. Water was still flowing but soon the situation will change and the stagnant water would cause real concern. Winter is on next door, therefore government must do to shift them in some megacamps till their houses are built up. Till that time the job of relief work must go uninterrupted. I met couple of students of class 10 and 12 who are scheduled to appear final examination in March 09. Their fate are still unknown.
It was an unique experience to get associated with the Delhi University team and visit the site to meet the flood victims and boost the morale of the volunteers.
I travelled all the way from Doha -Mumbai-Delhi-Patna-Saharsa to join the team. Saharsa is the base camp for all voluntary organisations. I was carrying 4 cartons containing baby food ( Lactogen) and Torches. In fact these items were suggested by Dr. Manoj Jha before the start of my journey. This is an good advice to all philanthropists visiting the relief camp to get prior information of the items immediately needed. I have seen people travel with loads of material which are either in surplus or do not have immediate requirement. A typical example was the over supply of blankets in the month of September/October.
It was the Dashehra when I spent my day with children of Hamari Pathshala and the patients at Hmara Aspatal - excellent piece of idea of DU. We distributed sweets among the children and celebrated the festival. It was a memorable occasion as some of the parents who were watching us could not control themselves. One can imagine the people staying on the bank of canal for last one and half month after loosing every thing and suddenly some one is reminding them of their festival. It was the wonderful efforts of Delhi University who brought solace to the children and their family. I would like to share the photo of the smiling faces of the children.
I extend my sincere thanks to Professor Sanjai Bhatt for his project UDAI-II and wish him great success for the noble cause of serving community.
Finally I conclude with the saying
कुछ चूल्हे जले हैं
कुछ को जलाना है,
दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के प्रयास को
आगे बढ़ाना है
Shyam Pandey
Doha Qatar
Shyam Pandey
Doha Qatar
Saturday, October 11, 2008
बांस बोला
मैं हूँ बांस, बांस हूँ मैं ।
बांस - एक कच्चा, खोखला, व्यर्थ नाम तुम्हारे लिए ।
बांसवारी में उगता, फिर बिकता भाव कौडियों के ।
देवदार, साल, शीशम से आँका जाता, वो बताते मुझको मेरी औकात ।
हरदम कम समझा जाता 'थोथा' मेरा नाम बजता ।
पर अब मान है होता इस थोथेपन पे मुझे ।
मैं थोथा बन्सू लोगो के देखो क्या काम आया ।
जब आई बाढ़ बिहार में , डूबे शहर बस्ती गाँव ।
बेघर हुए घर वाले, टूटे सपने, छूटे अपने, छुटे मुहँ के निवाले ।
फसलें, इंसां, मवेशी, पक्षी, समा गए सब जल थल में ।
कभी न देखा न सुना था ऐसा मंजर गज़ब का कहर ढा गई कोसी ।
जब लोग थे बेघर, हताश, आश्रयहीन, और व्याकुल
तो में थोथा बन्सू कटा और बना आश्रय उनके लिए ।
भूख से बिलखते मवेशियों को पाला मैंने पत्तों से अपने
मैं कटा, चीरा, मिटा लोगों के लिए ।
मुझसे बाँध, नौका, पलंग, मचान, और नीढ बने इंसानों के
अब भूतही, जीरवा - देवदार, साल, शीशम को उनकी औकात बताते हैं ।
महिमा मेरी देख देख सब विस्मित रह जाते हैं ।
और आज मैं जब बने घर, झूलते बाँध, चलते नौका, पलते मवेशी और इंसा पता हूँ ।
सच कहूँ तो खुशी से 'थोथा बन्सू' मैं झूम झूम इतराता हूँ ।
बांस - एक कच्चा, खोखला, व्यर्थ नाम तुम्हारे लिए ।
बांसवारी में उगता, फिर बिकता भाव कौडियों के ।
देवदार, साल, शीशम से आँका जाता, वो बताते मुझको मेरी औकात ।
हरदम कम समझा जाता 'थोथा' मेरा नाम बजता ।
पर अब मान है होता इस थोथेपन पे मुझे ।
मैं थोथा बन्सू लोगो के देखो क्या काम आया ।
जब आई बाढ़ बिहार में , डूबे शहर बस्ती गाँव ।
बेघर हुए घर वाले, टूटे सपने, छूटे अपने, छुटे मुहँ के निवाले ।
फसलें, इंसां, मवेशी, पक्षी, समा गए सब जल थल में ।
कभी न देखा न सुना था ऐसा मंजर गज़ब का कहर ढा गई कोसी ।
जब लोग थे बेघर, हताश, आश्रयहीन, और व्याकुल
तो में थोथा बन्सू कटा और बना आश्रय उनके लिए ।
भूख से बिलखते मवेशियों को पाला मैंने पत्तों से अपने
मैं कटा, चीरा, मिटा लोगों के लिए ।
मुझसे बाँध, नौका, पलंग, मचान, और नीढ बने इंसानों के
अब भूतही, जीरवा - देवदार, साल, शीशम को उनकी औकात बताते हैं ।
महिमा मेरी देख देख सब विस्मित रह जाते हैं ।
और आज मैं जब बने घर, झूलते बाँध, चलते नौका, पलते मवेशी और इंसा पता हूँ ।
सच कहूँ तो खुशी से 'थोथा बन्सू' मैं झूम झूम इतराता हूँ ।
अजय सैनी
This poem is written by Mr. Ajay Saini, M.A. (Previous) who went to Saharsa with Team 4 of DSW and worked there for 17 days
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Team 5 of DSW reaches Saharsa on 7th September 2008
Dr. Atul Pratap Singh of B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi, is leading the team 5 which reached Saharsa with medical and other reinforcements for the school and hospital run by the Department volunteers. The members include Mr. Zaheer Ahmad, Ms. Mayuri Kakoti, Ms. Nida Siddiqui, Ms. Prabhleen, Ms. Mali Devi and Ms. Preeti from Department of Social Work, University and Mr. Azeem, Mr. Junaid, Mr. Ovais and Mr. Pratibh from B R Ambedkar College and Ashish Kumar and Mr. Chandra Bhusan from the Department of Politcal Science, University of Delhi. The members will work along with Team 4 for a couple of days before taking over from them.
Smiles Break Out
Hindustan Times, 30th September 2008
Smiles Break Out on the faces of children as they sing a nationalist song at an informal class run by volunteers of Delhi University's School of Social Work attempting to recreate a sense of normalcy at a settlement which is a home to 20,000 flood refugees. Lakhs of children are out of school since families fled villages, government schools have morphed into refugee camps, and education is badly hit. - Hindustan Times, 30th September 2008
Disaster in Bihar: A Report from TISS Assessment Team
This report is prepared on the basis of a 5-day visit to the flood affected parts of Bihar by a four-member team from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The team visited three districts of Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura during the period September 3 to 7, 2008. The TISS team was initially based in Saharsa for data collection purposes and moved from there to nearby districts. The team worked in collaboration with a team of faculty and students from the Delhi School of Social Work, Delhi University. Some of the data presented in this report is therefore, based on the shared data from both the institutions.
RCH Intervention at Bhutahi Baandh
Team 4 started its operations with an extensive training on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Care focussing on the victims of the flood affected area. Two team members Ms. Abhishweta and Sister Teresa went to the interiors of the community at the Bhutahi Baandh and identified around 18-20 pregnant women for intervention. A group of the pregnant women was formed and a RCH awareness programme was started in "Humari Paathshaala" in the afternoon.
Team 4 has started intensive intervention on maternal health issues identifying the fact that the pregnant women and lactating mothers are the most vulnerable section among the flood affected population. After an initial effort and using the skills of community mobilisation a group of 15 women cadre has also been formed to take this RCH initiative further. "The team recieved immense local support from all corners and the initiative was widely appreciated by everyone" says team leader, Dr. Shahid from B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi.
Team 4 has started intensive intervention on maternal health issues identifying the fact that the pregnant women and lactating mothers are the most vulnerable section among the flood affected population. After an initial effort and using the skills of community mobilisation a group of 15 women cadre has also been formed to take this RCH initiative further. "The team recieved immense local support from all corners and the initiative was widely appreciated by everyone" says team leader, Dr. Shahid from B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi.
Eid Celebrated at Saharsa by Team 4
Update from the field: 02 October 2008
On the festive occasion of Eid, the Team 4 of Department of Social Work distributed specially made packets to the flood victims at Saharsa Urdu Madhyamik Vidyalaya. These packets contained eatables and clothes which was distributed on the last iftaar before Eid. The team also celebrated Eid with the flood affected families in their intervention area.
On the festive occasion of Eid, the Team 4 of Department of Social Work distributed specially made packets to the flood victims at Saharsa Urdu Madhyamik Vidyalaya. These packets contained eatables and clothes which was distributed on the last iftaar before Eid. The team also celebrated Eid with the flood affected families in their intervention area.
New Spot identified for further relief operations
Jirwa Morh, Saharsa was identified by the Team 4 as a new spot for further relief operations. The place is 35 kilometers from Sharasa Base Camp of UDAI-II. Till date this place has received no relief from any agency and is equally affected with flood. The team is in the process of preparing a strategy plan for the area.
As things get tough, the tough get going...
Update from the field: 30th September 2008
There was heavy storm and thunder to add on to the plight of the flood victims of Bihar. Since morning the team was contemplating whether to go to the site or not as the adverse weather condition had blocked all the practical ways to reach the site. Finally a small team was sent under the leadership of Mr. Aditya Choubey. The team took with them tarpaulin sheets and emergency medicines and reached Bhutahi Baandh with great difficulties. On reaching the site at Bhutahi Baandh it was found that no other agency had gone there for relief in the entire stretch. The local people were eagerly waiting for our team and seeing our volunteers they shouted with joy and felt relieved. The team distributed tarpaulin sheets and medicines to the most needy. The condition was so worse there that one tarpaulin sheet was shared by atleast 50 affected persons. Those people had no clothes to wear as all their clothes got drenched in rain. Targetted intervention was required as the team was short of the relief materials at that time. The team had some cotton towels (gamchha) with them. Those were given to the new born babies. Next day the team went all prepared to distribute the relief materials to the identified families.
There was heavy storm and thunder to add on to the plight of the flood victims of Bihar. Since morning the team was contemplating whether to go to the site or not as the adverse weather condition had blocked all the practical ways to reach the site. Finally a small team was sent under the leadership of Mr. Aditya Choubey. The team took with them tarpaulin sheets and emergency medicines and reached Bhutahi Baandh with great difficulties. On reaching the site at Bhutahi Baandh it was found that no other agency had gone there for relief in the entire stretch. The local people were eagerly waiting for our team and seeing our volunteers they shouted with joy and felt relieved. The team distributed tarpaulin sheets and medicines to the most needy. The condition was so worse there that one tarpaulin sheet was shared by atleast 50 affected persons. Those people had no clothes to wear as all their clothes got drenched in rain. Targetted intervention was required as the team was short of the relief materials at that time. The team had some cotton towels (gamchha) with them. Those were given to the new born babies. Next day the team went all prepared to distribute the relief materials to the identified families.
Amity Students collaborated with Team 4 at Saharsa
Students from Amity reached Saharsa with a bus load of relief materials. They joined our Team 4 and worked for a day at Bhutahi Baandh. After visiting all our intervetion areas they decided to hand over all their relief materials for distribution to us. They were highly satisfied with our acceptance in the community. Amity students have assured the team 4 for further collaboration with project UDAI-II in Delhi.
Team 4 Reaches Saharsa on 24th September 2008
A highly energetic and dedicated team of volunteers under the leadership of Dr. Md. Shahid reached Saharsa on 24th September 2008. The team included Mr. Aditya Kumar, Ms. Abhishweta, Sister Teresa, Ms. Malvika, Ms. Tanya Jain, Mr. Ajay Saini, and Mr. Sanjay Kumar Bharti from Department of Social Work, University of Delhi and Mr. Kumar Satyam, Mr. Kaustav Ranjan, and Mr. Abhishek Tiwari from B R Ambedkar College, University of Delhi. The Team immediately upon reaching base camp did an extensive training on components of Reproductive and Child Health for the volunteers.
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