Vatan Seva Initiative
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Start date - End date
Brief description of the initiative
The Vatan Seva Initiative by NRG Foundation, Gujarat, seeks to target non resident Gujarati’s residing in other countries, to bring them closer to their roots through various ways of participation for the betterment of Gujarati community. The regional sentiment across the various communities is very strong, such that it often percolates in the various, socio-cultural and economic domains of the Indian society. Government of Gujarat seeks to benefit from this social phenomenon. The NRG Foundation in Gujarat was set up by the state Government of Gujarat to assist non resident Gujaratis address their problems and concerns with respect to their association with their native Gujarati land and to also support, aid development and progress and be actively involved in Gujarat.
Results and lessons learned
- Mid-day meal scheme- About 35 lakh students are covered daily under the scheme. They are supplied fresh food stuff containing minimum 300 calories alongwith 8 to 12 grammes of proteins. It has been planned to give the benefit of the scheme to the students for atleast 200 days in an academic year. It has been planned district wise to serve rice and dal, pulao, khichadi, sukhadi, upama, kansar in turn on different days of a week keeping in view the food- habit of children in different areas. A special meal is provided on days of ‘Tithi Bhojan’ as chosen by the donor on special days such as festivals. As part of the ‘Tithi Bhojan’ 2, 00, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand or Two Lakh) children have availed the benefit of “Tithi Bhojan” till to-date. The scheme has received donation of Rs.42.90 Lakhs towards food and Rs. 80.54 Lakh towards equipments till date. The flow of donation continues. A total 3.5 lakhs of students of various primary schools in Gujarat have availed the benefit of the scheme. Daily expenditure per student is Rs.3.00.
- Sardar Patel Sahbhagi Jalsanchay Yojana- According to external sourcesthis scheme has been one of the best public welfare schemes that instead of making people dependent on a government made the people the major stakeholders of water resource. This was the most successful movement of the decade that saw an all round growth of the state with the industrial growth reaching to 11.2%. It provided 60% government share and 40% by farmers or beneficiaries through participatory labour or donations. According to speech given in 2005 by Mr. Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat published in 2005, the scheme was launched after detailed discussion with farmers / beneficiaries in the year 2000, in which farmers groups have contributed approximately Rs 250 to Rs 300 crore. In addition to this, 200 big check dams have been constructed across the rivers and 300 such check dams are under progress with participation of charitable trust and industrial houses. Financial assistance is also availed from NABARD for these big check dams. Planning Commission and Central Government have already appreciated this scheme.
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, in its study has evaluated and concluded that Sardar Patel Sahbhagi Jal Sanchay Yojana is very useful for permanent solution of water crises in the State. Important Achievements of the Scheme are as follows:
- Ground water recharge - The study has indicated that recharge of 138.47 MCM of runoff water during a drought year became possible. In a normal rainfall year with 2 overflows assumed, the generated capacity could be 307.71 MCM.
- Benefit to wells - In total 62225 wells were benefited from the Checkdams constructed in the five reference districts.
- Benefits to agriculture - About 20 lac bighas of land could be protected against draught due to 10257 checkdams.
- Cost benefit - Expenditure per checkdam was Rs. 1,58,000. Total benefits of Rs. 2,51,582 could be obtained in three years.
- Drinking water problem - About 70 % of farmers opined that shortage of drinking water and of grass could be lessoned.
- Impact on land prices - Average price hike of Rs. 19,244 per bigha was estimated.
- Benefits experienced by people - In some villages, people had to buy water through tankers for ten to eleven months at the cost of Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 per month. This period was curtailed by six months due to check dams. The hand pumps which were found dried up earlier were also found live because of recharge.
The fourth phase of Sardar Patel Sahbhagi Jai Sanchay Yojana was launched on 1st April 2005, with financial contribution in proportion of 80:20 (Govt: Beneficiaries) all over the State. Overwhelming response from beneficiaries has been received to this scheme. It is targeted to construct 15000 check dams under this scheme during the year 2005-06.
Jyotigram Yojana- According to external resource Jyotigram is an innovative scheme to make available 24 hours three-phase power supply to over 18,000 Gujarat’s villages. As per the report titled ‘Feeding a Thirsty World: Challenges and Opportunities for a Water and Food Secure Future’, has been published in 2012 World Water Week in Stockholm from August 26 to 31 published by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the report indicates that Jyotigram is a scheme that has proved to be an optimal and innovative initiative by Gujarat that solves the dual problems of water scarcity and electricity supply. Earlier in 2010, the scheme had won the award for “Innovation for India-2010” in the public services category. In addition, Government of India had declared in past to adopt “Jyotigram Yojana” as a flagship scheme for the 12th five year plan.
Status
Main thematic areas
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Other partners
Main objectives
NRG Foundation seeks to:
- To establish effective communication with NRGs outside Gujarat.
- To prepare and maintain a comprehensive NRG data base
- To study, from time to time ,social and cultural issues of NRGs and take steps to formulate schemes that meet their specific requirements
- To take effective steps to survey and assess the technical and professional skills of NRGs and to dovetail those into Gujarat's development efforts
- To tap the technological, managerial and financial resources of the NRGs so as to upgrade technical and professional skills and human resources of the state
- To channelize the saving and surplus financial resources of the NRGs into Gujarat’s development efforts for mutual gains.
- To monitor the general welfare of NRGs and, in times of crises, identify specific problems of Gujarati NRI groups and take them up with appropriate authorities.
Country
Main activities
The NRG foundation has organized many activities and projects, since its initiation to achieve the above mentioned objectives. These projects, events and activities, as per the information provided by NRG Foundation are given below (refer to annex 1.4 for more details)-
- Vibrant Gujarat Summit- the Summit was last organized in 2012, to invite infrastructural investment in Gujarat from companies established in other countries, by non resident Gujaratis. In 2011, Canadian company, DMS consulting (headed by Mr. Devesh Sharma) signed an MOU with the Government of Gujarat for mutual exchange of information related to World Class/Best Practices in water and waste water infrastructure management. In 2013, the summit will witness participation of delegates from more than 100 countries
- NRG MahaSammelan in 2010 & 2011- the event was organized as a common meeting platform from NRG’s across the world for the celebration of Golden Jubilee year of Gujarat in 2011. A total of 533 NRG participated from India and 332 NRIs participated
- Creation and maintenance of NRG Database- NRG Foundation maintains a database of non resident Gujarati, collected from their participation in various events organized by Government of Gujarat
- Establishment of NRG Centres- Government of Gujarat has established NRG Centers to be a link with NRIs/NRGs, act as a facilitator and a forum to resolve their issues/problems at local level. There are 6 such centres spread across the various districts in the state of Gujarat. These centres provide information on travel and accommodation in Gujarat and assist in tourism related activities. Besides these, the centres also provide information regarding the foundation and its various schemes. The centres are also responsible for issuing of Gujarat cards and for foreign exchange. They are also responsible for addressing problems of non-resident Gujaratis, and organize meets and lectures for non-resident Gujaratis
- Financial Aid for Gujarati Samaj Bhavan in other States- The scheme puts a ceiling of contribution of up to Rs. 10, 00, 000 (Rupees Ten Lakh or Rupees One Million) towards building, renovation or expansion of the Gujarati Samaj Bhavan. The Gujarati Samaj Bhavan acts as community centre located in various states across India, to bring them closer to the Gujarati community and ignite a sense of belongingness.
- Vatan Seva Projects- The Vatan Seva project, by the government of Gujarat has floated several schemes, for the non resident Gujaratis to participate in. These schemes accept donations of behalf of Government of Gujarat and the proceeds of the scheme are contributed towards social and public welfare in Gujarat.
- Gujarat Card- The NRGF is issuing "GUJARAT CARD" to Non-Resident Gujarati outside Gujarat and India. "Gujarat Card" is issued at the fees of $5.00 US or its equivalent amount in Indian currency on filling the prescribed application format and submitting attested copies of recent passport and photographs. "Gujarat Card" holders can avail of several rebates / discounts on products, purchases and services etc. that have been negotiated by the NRG Foundation. 10,252 Gujarat Cards have been issued till date. Out of this 690 cards have been issued in Quarter of Current year itself and the number is increasing day by day.
- Gujarat Diaspora Seminar- An annual seminar on the Gujarati Diaspora is arranged by the State Government through the Different Universities of Gujarat. 4 such seminars have been held so far from 2008-2012
- General awareness on issues relation to NRI marriages- Government of India has published a book to create public awareness on issues to consider before marrying NRIs, status of married women under foreign laws, rules for prevention of harassment etc. This book has been translated in Gujarati of which 20,000 copies have been distributed so far. A seminar on ‘Guidance on Marriage with NRI’ is arranged every year in co-ordination with NRG Center, NGOs and Gujarat Women Economic Development Corporation. 4 such seminars have been organized so far from 2008-2012.
- Support for fluency in Gujarati Language- NRGF has initiated a project to develop Gujarati learning CDs. The Foundation distributes CDs free of cost to NRIs for self-teaching of Gujarati language and creation of awareness about Gujarat, it’s past and present. These CDs are specifically useful to those Overseas Gujaratis who have not received formal education in Gujarati language, and also second or third generation Gujaratis settled abroad. This CD is distributed to NRGs in Several Programs also.
- District NRG committee- Government has formed NRG committee chaired by District Collector in all the districts of the state. The objective is to resolve any problems/issues faced by the NRGs, including those related to their native place. NRGs can directly approach the Member Secretary of the committee or the NRG Centers or the NRG Foundation with their problems/issues. The committee consists of District Superintendent of Police, District Development Officers, Resident Additional Collector and 4 representatives of NRGs residing in the district, as members.
- Publications- The Gujarat NRG Foundation has published various books for the benefit of NRIs
- A guide to NRI marriage
- Vatan Seva
- Beyond the Boundaries
- Vatan Ni Vate (Towards Homeland)
- Global Gujarat - Coffee table Book
- Provide support to NRG/ NRI complaints- The Gujarat NRG Foundation provides support to the complaints related to Property/Land and other issues of NRG / NRI, provides Guidance to NRGs related to investment in the state, provides Support with co-ordination of Collector / Department / offices and Foundation also makes efforts to solve queries arise to the district NRG committee with consultation of relevant department/offices. The NRG Centers are also play intermediate role for solving the Complains of NRGs.
- Co-ordinate and participate in Government programmes related to NRG/ NRI- The NRG Foundation takes active part in Government programmes like Kite Festival and Vibrant Gujarat.
- Programmes Organised / Participated
- NRG Mahasamelan 2010
- Opening Ceremony at Mahatma mandir 2010
- Swarnim Jayanti Year opening Ceremony 2010
- Closing Ceremony 2010
- Programmes held at Udaipur Gujarati Samaj 2011
- Celebration of Swarnim Year at Nagpur 2011
- Gujarati Diaspora Seminar, Vallabhvidhya Nagar- Anand-2012
- Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2012
- Dharmaj Day Celebration 2012
- Sadakal Gujarat Programme, Mumbai-2012
- NRI Marriage Seminar -Surat 2012
- Creation and Maintainence of NGO list- After the office of Director, Voluntary Agencies closed in the year 2004, the work related to NGOs was transferred to NRG Foundation. At present 7111 NGOs are registered with the NRG Foundation. These NGOs contribute to development and working of various activities related to public welfare and social development.
Main beneficiaries
The Vatan Seva Initiative seeks to target most NRG and NRI to receive funds, although no information is available about how much funding has been received. The main beneficiaries under this scheme are the people of the state of Gujarat, whose population according to 2011 census is 60,383,628.
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