The activism of the activists needs some intellectual inputs for sustained activity over a prolonged period. Getting various views on a particular problem and trying to evolve a possible solution needs interaction among the experts and the activists. S.I. in its endeavour to make these two ends meet has been organizing conferences, seminars and training workshops all along. Here are some examples:
1. Awareness Through Video Film: In the year 1999, Sewa International produced a Video film “SEWA SADHANA” portraying various welfare activities like educational, medical, and livelihood. in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand & Karnataka. As being an umbrella organization for over 700 odd organizations with 80 kinds of welfare activities, SI made numerous presentations of the Video films state wise. This awareness drive helped the organization present its various ongoing activities as well as replicate such more projects in new areas.
2. Survey of Voluntary and Non-governmental Oganizations: Sewa International conducted a survey in the year 2000, of voluntary as well as non-governmental organizations that have been working in various fields and in various geographical locations throughout the country. Many of these organizations have offered yeomen service to the society and have established norms for such other organizations. Sewa International, in an effort onnect to such organizations, surveyed the activity of these organizations and has prepared a data of their activity, personnel, trustees and publications. Till now,SI has surveyed more than 700 organizations throughout all the states of India and has gathered all the data available for these numbers of organizations including their printed materials. The available data at Sewa office has helped many of our grassroot organizations as well as the donors willing to sponsor a project or activity, by providing specific information timely.
3. International Conference on Sewa in New Delhi:
Notable amongst them were Swami Dayananda Saraswatiji of Arsh Vidya Gurukulam of Coimbatore, Swami Gokulananda Maharaj of Ramkrishna Mission, Dr. Madhav Mehendale –an expert on Leprosy eradication from Pune, Sri Suryanarayan Rao – the founder trustee of Sewa International and well known personality in the field of voluntary sector from Chennai and many others. The maiden effort was to create awareness regarding importance and multi-faceted tradition of Sewa in Hindu society. This seminar proved to be a success as the theologians from Germany were impressed with the abundance of philosophical values supporting Sewa and its applications found throughout the history. Representatives from various voluntary organizations in Delhi and Maharashtra also made their presentations about the projects run by the organisations in the seminar.
The foreign delegates also visited some of the service projects the following day and had first hand exposure to the life in slums and especially to view welfare activities in Delhi. They were very much impressed by the management and the achievements of the projects.
4. Presentation at the 29th World Evangelical Congress:
Shri K. G. Parande, Secretary, Sewa International was invited to Frankfurt at the “29th World Evangelical Congress” held from June 13th to 19th of June 2001 to present a paper on the “Hindu Concept of Sewa”. In his speech, he spoke of the tradition of Sewa in India since Vedic times and contemporary service activities. His paper was so well received that many young scholars from the University of Frankfurt and some from other German universities have taken up the same topic – Traditional Hindu Charity- for their Doctoral research.
One scholar has already completed his thesis and has received his Ph. D. which is being published in German language soon. The author is also planning to publish the same in English language this year.
Thus, ‘Tradition of Charity in India’ now stands recognized internationally because of the untiring efforts of Sewa International, and we would like to mention here that this is one of the unique achievements of this organization as general impression had been that the Indian society does not have any such tradition till modern age.
5. Training the Voluntary Organizations:
Sewa International in partnership with Seva Vardhini, Pune conducted a three-day workshop on the “Empowerment of Voluntary organizations” from 29th of October to 31st October 2001 at Seva Dham Vidya Mandir, Mandoli, New Delhi. This workshop was attended by 270 voluntary service organizations from 25 different states with a total of 335 participants. There were 20 experts of different fields and observers for a smooth and fruitful conduction of the workshop. The workshop proved to be unique of its kind in many aspects, i.e. large participation of voluntary organizations from all over India; participation and guidance by 8 Union Ministers and related officers of respective ministries, renowned resource persons and the active participation by social workers in various discussion sessions. The prominent Union Ministers who addressed the sessions were Minister for HRD Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi in the inaugural session, Minister for Tribal Welfare Shri Jual Oram, Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Satya Narayan Jatia, Minister of State for HRD Smt. Sumitra Mahajan.
The participants were briefed on know how of various schemes available with the different welfare ministries and also about project proposal preparation, evaluation and qualities of a volunteer. The participants responded overwhelmingly after the completion of successful workshop and some of the beneficiary organizations have informed that they have been immensely benefited from this training.
6. First International Sewa Meet held Karnavati (Ahmedabad) from Dec. 30th 2002 to Jan. 2nd 2003: With a determination to enhance efficiency and effectiveness through better planning and coordination of Sewa activities world over, a two day meet was attended by delegates from several countries around the world. Important among them were Shri Suryanaryan Rao, Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi, Shri Suresh Joshi, Shri Sitaram Kedilaya, Just. (Retd.) Jitendra Vir Gupta, Shri Shyam Parande from Bharat, Shri Shanti Bhai Mistry, Smt. Jasu Ben Mistry, Shri Arjun Lal Sharma, Shri Bharat Vadukul, Shri Bacchu Bhai Patel from UK, Dr. Vinod Prakash, Smt. Sarla Prakash, Shri and Srimati Mohan Gupta, Dr. Suresh Jain, Shri Vijay Mallampati and Smt. Bharathi Mallampati from USA, Shri Pradip Rajaram from Netherlands, Shri Ravi Kumar from Australia, Shri Nemchand Shah, Ms. Naitika and Ms. Nilpa Shah from Kenya.
Speaking at the inaugural session Shri Suryanarayan Rao said that Sewa was the biggest gift of the God to mankind. Later, delegates from different countries reported about Sewa activities in their respective countries with future plans. Methodology for better coordination among different organizations involved in Sewa activities was also explored.
Second day, all the Sewa Pramukhs (State heads of Sewa) presented reports of Sewa activities in their respective areas and briefed about future priorities. A need to set priorities and to enhance efficiency in project formulation and execution was felt by everybody.
The meeting preceded by two days visit of earthquake rehabilitation sites in Kutch, Gujarat. Sewa Bharati Gujarat has reconstructed 14 villages with the help of Sewa International UK, IDRF USA and few other agencies. All delegates were satisfied with the quality and pace of the rehabilitation work and thanked the volunteers of Sewa Bharati Gujarat. They were very happy interacting with the beneficiaries, who shared their experiences and thanked the donors for their support all through.
While handing over of the village Chapredi, George Fernandes, a veteran socialist leader praised the good quality of work done in minimum time, with least amount of overhead expenses.
7. Conference And Training Program for Micro-Enterprise Development:
Sewa International and Centre for Bharatiya Marketing Development (CBMD) organized one-day state level conference of the promotion for micro-enterprises through women SHGs at Bhuj, Gujarat on April 5, 2005.
The conference was held in the premises of district panchayat of Bhuj, attended by more than 100 delegates from NGOs, banks, government departments, media and academic community. Inaugural session was addressed by Smt. Jaya Jaitley, Shri Murlidhar Rao, District Collector of Kutch, Chairman of Kutch Gramin Bank and Local MLAs. Inaugural as well as working sessions highlighted different issues and challenges of SHG movement and its graduation from micro-credit to micro-enterprise.
In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2005 the International Year of micro-credit. International Year of micro-credit 2005 provided an opportunity for the development sector to raise awareness about the importance of micro-credit and accelerate the pace of rural development through micro-credit and micro-enterprise. With the financial support from IDRF, Sewa International and CBMD has taken up this task in Kutch, Gujarat.
Immediately after the conference a week long training program was held at Navi Dhamaya village of Nakhatrana, Kutch in which 50 women got training in the production of handicrafts.
In the training program women members from SHGs were motivated to start their own enterprises rather than working as wage laborers for village and city based traders. They were also given training in the designing, procurement of raw materials, marketing, and bank linkage. This training will continue to be held at different intervals while project coordinators will be in constant touch with the SHGs. The objective of producing 100 entrepreneurs within 3 years has been fulfilled.
8. Sewa International Ranchi Organizes A Seminar
Sewa International Ranchi unit organized a seminar on May 8, 2005 in which Sewa Bharati, Birsa Seva Foundation and Sewa International showcased their activities. A VCD on Tsunami relief activities was also shown. Audience comprised cross sections of the society and supporters of sewa organizations. Sewa International Ranchi unit is running one weekly health clinic at Niwaranpur for the benefit of deprived section of society and has a plan to start a mobile medical unit in future.
9. Conference on Promotion of Micro Enterprises in Gujarat Through SHGs
Sewa International in association with Centre for Bharatiya Marketing Development (CBMD) organized a one-day conference cum workshop on “Promotion of Micro Enterprises in Gujarat through SHG” on 23rd September 2005 at Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The main purpose of the conference was to strengthen the SHG movement and promote micro enterprises through SHG. The conference was inaugurated by Smt. Rabari Ben, a well known social worker, on the request of Shri Narendra Modi, Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the presence of Shri Muralidhar Rao of CBMD and Shri Shyam Parande of Sewa International. 250 members, from NGOs, Banks, and Government agencies, Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) and SHG leaders and members attended this conference. About 20 resource persons attended and presented their papers.
The conference was organized in four key thematic areas and presentations were made on respective themes. Following were themes of each session, Session I: Role of Government in promotion of micro enterprise through SHG’s in Gujarat, Session II: Role of Banks in graduation of SHG’s from Micro credit to Micro enterprise development in Gujarat, Session III: Role of NGOs & Marketing organization in promoting SHG Products, Session IV: Documentary on Micro enterprises development by women SHGs. At the end of the each theme observations were made and given clear message to participants that the role of Government, Banks, NGOs and marketing agencies and their problem are discussed with the views of the local SHGs. Important participants were from Department of Rural Development – Gujarat, Khadi & Village Industries Commission, DENA Bank, NABARD, International Resources for Fairer Trade, M.S University – Vadadora and Malaria Research Centre. Finally the following recommendations were made:
* Networking of more SHGs and NGOs.
* Approaching to the government, banks and markets for their production.
* Promoting micro-savings into micro-enterprises.
SHG Mela (Fair) is an effort to infuse faith and confidence in Micro Enterprises promoted by SHGs and Artisans. SHG mela was organised jointly by Sewa International and Centre for Bhartiya Marketing Development (CBMD) at Keshav Memorial Campus, Narayanguda, Hyderabad from 26th November to 2nd December 2005. The mela was attended by 25 artisans from Gujarat who showcased their magnificent products in Hyderabad. The SHG mela was inaugurated by Shri D. Srinivas, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Andhra Pradesh with several other dignitaries present for the occasion. KVIC Director, Shri Koteshwara Rao, Shri. Naresh noted film actor, Shri. Chakradhar famous Music Director and representatives of NABARD and other state level agencies were present.
In the SHG Pavilion a range of diversified handicraft and other SHG products were displayed. It included lifestyle products, Ayurvedic Products, Handloom and other Textile products along with different varieties and motifs of Kutch Handicraft products. Kutch Handicraft products got very good response there. As Hyderabad is a place, where the highest Kutchi population resides, next to Mumbai outside Gujarat, it is a highly potential market for all Kutch products. At the end of the Mela all participant artisans were happy and were carrying a live experience in understanding the market.
During the seven days of Mela more than 15,000 people visited and the exhibitors could develop very good contacts, bagged bulk orders and also had substantial counter sales. These orders can later be converted into a channel for regular orders and sales. Therefore the Mela was a successful event which met the objective of marketing support to individual entrepreneur artisans and SHGs products.
SHG Mela played a major role in developing, utilizing, strengthening, upgrading skills and capabilities of SHGs. Grass root level development forms the backbone of national development and this Mela highlighted the valuable contribution of artisans being part of SHGs in terms of rich art, culture, crafts and other life styles accessories. This is a prospective market having enormous scope for expansion.
11. National Conference on Promotion of SHGs to Micro-Enterprises:
In order to understand the effectiveness of SHGs in the promotion of Micro enterprises, Sewa International, Centre for Bharatiya Marketing Development (CBMD), and Yashvantarao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA) organized a National level Conference cum Workshop on “Self Help Groups (SHGs) & Micro Enterprise Development: Issues & Challenges” on 20th January 2006 at Lejhim Hall, YASHDA, Pune. The main emphasis of the conference was on Promotion and Marketing of SHG Products.
* SHG concept should target the holistic development of women members.
* Economic empowerment of women is the need of the hour.
* Social developmental issues related to the quality of life of the poor need immediate attention. Therefore, programs targeting holistic development should be conceptualized and even the existing programs may be oriented towards this.
It is felt that efficiency and effectiveness of SHG should be regularly monitored by a qualified and designated body to give corrective input wherever necessary as well as encourage the deserving ones. The experience from southern states where SHG movement has now taken strong roots suggests that forming SHGs and pooling savings are easy. However, utilization of these savings for building micro enterprises requires considerable policy and program support. Exposure visits to areas where SHG movement has taken off should be a critical component of SHG development programs. We got a very good participation of the Local Banks and Bank of Maharashtra agreed on the various issues to be implemented for the betterment of SHGs and their conversion into Micro Enterprise Development.
This conference provided an opportunity for SI to learn an important lesson of product diversification i.e. many products of Maharashtra can be transferred to the artisans of Gujarat and vice versa for technology transfer. There was an immense idea sharing as well as work sharing between the NGOs from all over the Country.
12. Second International Sewa Meet:
A three days 2nd International Sewa Meet of Sewa Karyakartas of Sewa International was concluded in Bangalore, Karnataka on 30th December 2007. Several participants and representatives from various countries including U.K., U.S.A, Australia, Kenya & Guyana had participated in the meet. Ma.Suryanarayan Rao, the then chairman, Sewa International inaugurated the meet. Shri K. G. Parande Secretary, Sewa International introduced the dignitaries and delegates to the audience. Other prominent figures who attended the meet were Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi Sah-sarkaryawah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi, International Coordinator of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Lt. Gen. K. K. Nanda, Trustee Sewa International, Shri Jaiprakash Agrawal, Present Chairman Sewa International, Shri Bimal Kedia, Present Treasurer, Sewa International, Justice (Retd.) M. Rama Jois, Member Advisory Body Sewa International, Shri Shantibhai Mistry, Chairman SI UK, Shri Gautam Desai, Chairman Sewa USA. Accountability and reporting of Sewa activities emerged as two main concerns to be considered.
