We clubbed Governing body and general body meeting on the same day: 18th Nov 2017. Rachit, Rekha, Maggi, Sultan, Kundan, Manju, Dhaneshwari, Satyendra, Sohan, Belam - we all gathered and had a very fruitful time. Here is the brief progress report (May-Oct 2017):
1. The FCRA
renewal for next 5 years, after some effort, was successfully received on 10th
June as an online update on the FCRA official website. The Retrieving Women’s
Pride (RWP) project began from the very next day and the Manos Unidas was
promptly informed accordingly. Manos had requested the their funds back if SMTA
could not start the project soon.
2. He shared
about ongoing activities - Minority scholarship program and Open University,
Uttarakhand. These two initiatives are progressing as before. There is a public
notice from UOU, that new courses will
be offered now only to educational organizations. Under Minority scholarship
scheme, this year, the ministry has made it necessary for the schools to verify
their students through the online portal. Many schools have no clue and
therefore students are suffering. SMTA has explained the process to the schools
which have requested for help.
3. The new proposal
for Saarigad watershed was submitted to NABARD in May 2017 but we have not
heard anything yet. Rachit suggested that since selection committee must have
met in Sept/Oct, we should now find out about the outcome. It was done and
nothing has been heard so far. We will be sending another reminder soon or do a
follow up visit.
4. We were
informed by NGO friends in Dehradun about an EOI from Swajal in June 2017; SMTA
applied for it and was selected as an empanelled agency for Swajal in the state,
for Dehradun district, based on our past experince. But recently, we discovered
that due to a subsequent ‘political’ decision, this state level empanelment was
cancelled. Now, we are waiting for the district level announcement from Swajal
regarding EOI etc.
5. SMTA
explored PMGDISHA program, which offers free basic IT training for rural communities
to promote cashless transactions, like using OTP, online commerce etc. Like
many government programs, people’s response has not been good yet. We may have
to rethink it.
6. SMTA is
exploring with social organizations/NGOs in Dehradun, to rent out our halls,
for office and/or social development purposes – in consonance with SMTA’s
values and principles. This will promote better work environment and upkeep of
the Vikasnagar campus, besides generating opportunities and synergy.
7. Jakhadhar
primary school is doing well, especially after the joining of Shri Chain Singh,
our old teacher, in May 2017. At present 40 students from the nearby villages
are enrolled. Some old students have returned. Recently, it was provided with
new sports goods and two computers, which are being used by students.
8. A blog has
been started, which is being updated regularly with news, developments and
photographs. It offers updates under RWP (Retrieving women’s pride project)
too, as a separate tab. It can be accessed easily at :
https://smtachakrata.blogspot.in
.
Please keep checking this space for developments and news!
Peace!
