Dharamsala
NGO project a success
If the enthusiastic participation by the villagers is any barometer,
the programme of rural awareness started by a non-government social
organisation, the Science Awareness Trust (SAT), is a huge success in
the remote villages of Nagrota Surian block in Kangra district of
Himachal.
SAT was set up in 1999, the motivating force being Dr Prem Chandra. In
December, 2001, the Dalai Lama inaugurated the SAT main centre in
Sanauran village of Nagrota Surian block. The organisation planned to
educate the illiterate adults by using Devnagri script in computers
and also to train rural youths in computer applications. A project —
ASHA -2005 — was launched this year with the intention of reaching the
most backward villages of Nagrota Surian block and help the villagers
by imparting education and training in health, social welfare and
environment. Surprisingly, the response in all three villages where
camps have been organised has been heartening.
According to Dr Prem Chandra, Nagrota Surian has a high percentage of
physically challenged persons with rampant poverty. More than 25 per
cent families are registered under the IRDP or Antyodaya poverty
alleviation programmes. Only villages on the banks of Pong Dam are
economically better. Keeping this in mind, SAT decided to launch
ASHA-2005 with a target of training 2,100 persons in three years and
with their help educate 15,000 illiterate adults. ASHA-2005 decided to
go out of Sanauran and hold regular camps in villages where rural
people, particularly women, are to be educated and trained. ASHA-2005
has successfully held three camps till date. The first camp was
organised in Dhangar panchayat of Nagrota Surian in April. The next
was in Bilaspur village panchayat, which concluded recently. The third
camp was started on July 10 in Gatuthar panchayat. According to SAT,
women are more responsive to adopt new technologies while men are not
so forthcoming. Computer education is catching up fast amongst the
education unemployed in these villages. SAT also invites officials of
the district administration and other departments so that problems of
the area are discussed at a platform and solutions found.