Sunday 23 September 2018

#ChangeMakerSpeak: Amrita Sharma, Ajeevika Bureau


Amrita Sharma

Aajeevika Bureau works to ensure security and dignity for communities dependent on migration and labour. We catch up with co-director Amrita Sharma as part of our #ChangeMakerSpeak series.

1) What was the inspiration behind Aajeevika Bureau? Why is the cause so close to your heart?

The inspiration to set up Aajeevika came from a statewide study done by Rajiv Khandelwal and Krishnavatar Sharma as part of an exercise to understand how rural livelihoods were changing in Rajasthan. In the course of the study, they found that seasonal and precarious migration had emerged as a state-level phenomenon and the tribal south faced extreme vulnerability in the type of migration it undertook. There was a complete lack of government response. Nobody knew how many people were leaving the villages, the work they were doing and places they were going to. The families back home also suffered acutely and needed an institutional response. In a resolve to address the vulnerability of scores of Adivasi migrant workers and their families, Rajiv and Krishna set up Aajeevika Bureau in 2004, which has now turned into a pioneering initiative inspiring more work on migration across India.

Talking about my story, I joined Rajiv and Krishnaji in 2010 to take the task of spearheading expansion of migration services through NGO partnerships across the country. My inspiration came from a study I was carrying out as part of understanding the future of Indian agriculture. I was carrying out a rural youth perception survey and talking to young people across 15 states. I heard a lot of stories of young migrants who had returned after an unsuccessful migration experience, stories of missing persons, stories of wives and mothers back in the villages struggling to make ends meet and also stay protected. The stories stirred something inside me. I could relate to the stories of families back home and thought of my mother who lived all alone as all her children had moved on for higher education/work. I realised that this is the issue I needed to work on and then finally found Aajeevika Bureau.

2) Can you recall an act of giving that you did/experienced or witnessed that changed your life? Do tell us about it.

The episode that I recall doesn’t involve passing of any material goods but more of wisdom. This is a conversation that I had with a village elderly in Kesave village, Barauni, Bihar during my post-graduation at Institute of Rural Management Anand. I was in deep anguish over the corruption that I observed in the village institutions. Rajnarayan Singh, our host in the village would talk to us every day about our experiences and observations. That day he heard my outburst and said something, which has stayed with me as a talisman. He said, the roots of corruption are very deep; if you go to fight it you may feel exhausted and discouraged after some time. What you could do is plant a seed of integrity next to it and nurture it with all the energy, conviction and love that you can muster. One day your sapling will also grow into an equally mighty and robust tree, the benefits of which humanity and society shall reap.

Working on migration and labour issues when India is seeking faster growth rates and higher FDI by relaxing labour protection norms has not been easy. Our endeavour to find voice, visibility, dignity and safety for migrant workers is our little seed that we hope will grow and guide us on a more rewarding path.

Migrant workers waiting to be employed at a labour naka
3) Is there somebody (living or dead) whose giving/ philanthropy you admire? Why?

I would like to speak about two people – my father and Indu Da – one of my senior colleagues in my first job. They are not known philanthropists but have taught me kindness and empathy.

While I received a lot of gifts (not in the physical sense) from my doctor father, there is one act of giving that I recall in particular. One lazy afternoon, when we were reading a book together in a plush doctor’s bungalow in Bihar we were visited by a poor old lady selling snacks. I didn’t want the distraction and asked her to leave. My father stopped me, spoke to her kindly as she was quite nervous, asked me to serve her water and purchased a few packets of snacks from her. I was puzzled as I felt it was a waste of money. We didn’t really need those snacks. When the lady left and I asked my father. He said how unfortunate it was that at such an old age she was having to earn her livelihood knocking on the doors of strangers. That as a society we had failed the elderly and that it could happen to anyone – even my own grandmother. I was quite moved and also felt embarrassed. Since then I have continued the practice of asking postmen, courier boys – all strangers knocking at my door – for water, or refreshments and being kind to them.

Indu Da, is another inspiration. I did a lot of village field work with him in Anand, Gujarat during the start of my career and was moved by his capacity to love and care for everyone he met. He would be moved by the situation of anyone in pain and would try to do what was in his capacity. He was the epitome of the saying – “start where you are, use what you have, do what you can do”. It continues to inspire me.

4) Do you have a motto or mantra, or even a quote that you live by?

Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can do

5) In a perfect world, what dream do you want Aajeevika Bureau to accomplish in the next five years, and what kind of a future would you like it to be part of?

Hundreds of workers die in work site accidents, something that we read about in the newspapers but are hardly moved by. These are small costs that we need to pay to achieve higher growth and prosperity, is the common argument. I hope and dream that one day we will respect all workers, regardless of the nature of their work. Cases of labour rights violations and workplace accidents would prompt a more empathetic response - that as citizens, we would take note, stand up, and act. Loss of a single life would count, and would matter to all of us.

The future world we would like to work towards would be a world of greater equality and where work would be dignified and we will have respect for all type of labour performed. Also for women – who are again largely invisible and their contribution negated.




Sunday 16 September 2018

#ChangemakerSpeak: Mrinalini Kher


Mrinalini Kher
Mrinalini Kher is the Hon. Secretary of Kherwadi Social Welfare Association, and has been for the past 30 years. She and her husband established 'Yuva Parivartan' to provide transformative vocational training for youth in the community they serve. Read on to find out more.

1) What was the inspiration behind Kherwadi Social Welfare Association?

The Kherwadi Social Welfare Association (KSWA) was founded by Late Shri Balasaheb Kher in 1928, to help the women and children living in miserable conditions in the marshes of Bandra East. He had established a credibility amongst the community and his work and contribution is still respected. 

2) Can you recall an act of giving that you did/experienced or witnessed that changed your life? Do tell us about it.

I am the Hon. Secretary of the organization for the past 30 years. And together with my husband Kishor Kher – grandson of the late founder, we founded ‘Yuva Parivartan’ – a skills training programme for semi-literate youth to transform their livelihood prospects.

The earliest experience was an eye opener. Adult literacy classes were being held all over the community. Learning the 3R’s encouraged the women and girls to learn vocational skills. When young women became auxiliary nurses and beauticians it was the most satisfying experience. Realising the latent potential in illiterate women and girls, encouraged us to find our calling of Yuva Parivartan.

'Yuva Parivartan'. Skills training for young girls in the community.
3) Is there somebody (living or dead) whose giving/philanthropy you admire? Why?

Warren Buffet and Amit Chandra, who have given selflessly for the benefit of stakeholders only. 

4) Do you have a motto or mantra, or even a quote that you live by?

Everyone deserves a ‘second chance’. The fortunate like me should reach out to people whether rich or poor and offer our strengths.

5) In a perfect world, what dream do you want Kherwadi Social Welfare Association to accomplish in the next five years, and what kind of a future would you like it to be part of?

KSWA has the capacity to deliver more than it does. Our strengths need to be shared and hence our model of skilling youth should be replicated by small and medium size agencies. KSWA should be in the role of researcher, developer and leader to promote ‘skilling for all’. A complete national presence is the aim and dream. 




Sunday 9 September 2018

#ChangemakerSpeak: Gazala Paul, Samerth


Gazala Paul is the Managing Trustee & Director of Samerth CharitableTrust. Samerth works to leverage government programmes to enable poor and marginalized communities to get their due rights and entitlements. We catch up with Ms Paul as part of GivingTuesday India’s change-maker series.

1)    What inspired you to set up SAMERTH? Why is the cause so close to your heart?

I was always eager to work for communities and socially excluded groups such as tribals, disabled persons, children from geographically remote areas, and those who are unable to fully participate in society – leading to deprivation, lack of opportunity and denial of sources of livelihood, land, housing, education, and skills.

2)    Can you recall an act of giving that you did/experienced or witnessed that changed your life? Do tell us about it.

Instances that changed my thinking:

i. While going through the bastis in Ahmedabad city, I once saw a special child being tied to a cot while his mother went to work as a domestic help. Seeing that made me see the importance of having a service in the vicinity for children who are mentally challenged – helping them learn skills and daily living. I decided to do something about it. Today we have a day care centre that trains 70 mentally challenged children and helps them to stand on their feet.


ii. During a field visit to Rapar block of Kutch, we saw a village where there had been no water supply for 15 days. People had not bathed for 9-10 days and the water for drinking was not potable. We decided to bring the community together and work on local ways of conserving water by reviving traditional water structures, such a wells, ponds and step wells. These are sustainable community-led solutions that ensure better management and control of supply. So far, we have constructed 188 ponds, 228 dug wells and 2 step wells.

iii. On one of my trips to tribal villages in Chhattisgarh, I saw a boy of 2 or 3 years of age playing with the mouse. The child was from the Baiga community (a Particularly vulnerable tribal group)[1]. He had attached a string to the mouse and that was his game. Finally he killed it, roasted it and ate it. This incident prompted me to set up an early childhood centre in those remote villages so that children who are so creative can be meaningfully engaged. Another important initiative I started was to promote kitchen gardens to improve nutrition. In Chahattisgarh we are working with 8000 families to promote livelihoods in remote tribal areas. We also work with poor urban communities, helping them construct affordable housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana[2].

3)    Is there somebody (living or dead) whose giving/philanthropy you admire? Why?

Mr. Arun Doshi was an individual philanthropist. He passed away in November 2016. Originally from Nairobi, he was staying in an ashram near Sayla, in Gujarat. He was part of the Shree Raj Saubhagh Satsang Mandal. He helped Samerth to establish its individual donor base and was an ambassador for Samerth. He spoke to friends, family and helped Samerth to create its visibility.

4)    Do you have a motto or mantra, or even a quote that you live by?

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. - Lao Tzu

5)    In a perfect world, what dream do you want SAMERTH to accomplish in the next five years, and what kind of a future would you like it to be part of?

We would like to reach out in areas where no facilities are available. Link the communities with various government programmes, entitlements and ensure they have access to income earning assets and education.

Samerth wants to see a future that is equity sensitive. I would like to see that communities and individuals who face social and economic exclusion are given additional protection in the form of anti-discriminatory measures.  
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[1] Particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) (earlier: Primitive tribal group) is a government of India classification created with the purpose of enabling improvement in the conditions of certain communities with, particularly low development indices. The features of such a group include a pre-agricultural system of existence, that is the practice of hunting and gathering, zero or negative population growth, extremely low level of literacy in comparison with other tribal groups.

[2] Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is an initiative by Government of India in which affordable housing will be provided to the urban poor with a target of building 20 million affordable houses by 31 March 2022.