Delwara Visit Report

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P e r i - U r b a n G o v e r n a n c e P r o j e c t S t u d y - D e l w a r a ( R a j s a m a n d ) Page 1

Site visit report: Peri-Urban Governance Project run by

Seva Mandir

(Rajsamand)

Date- 19/12/2011

Participants of study-

Seva Mandir team- Mr Gulabnur Khan, Mr Nitesh Anand, Chotulal yadav and other team members

Saadhna Members- Seeta bai and other women

Energy house volunteers and members (Nadeem, Tarun, Jafar, Suber, Riyaaz, Nayaj, Shambhu,Hanuman Prasad),Villagers of Delwara

(Mehrunissa, Bilkish banu, Bhur das, Ghan Sukh, Rodi bai, Shakti Singh, Ganesh lal, Govind lal, Maangi Lal, Bheru lal, Chandra Kala etc.)

NRLM team- State Resident Representative Mr Anjani Kumar, Young Professional Rajsamand

Introduction

Peri-urban area (Delwara)

Delwara is a small peri-urban area on the way to Udaipur which is 42 km away from district HQ

Rajsamand. In old time this area was known as Devkul Patan Nagari- the town of Gods. This area was

characterized by numerous Jain temples and historical monuments like Rishab dev Mandir, Indira Kund,

Shikar Badi, Trimukhi Baodi, Kaseshwar Mahdev, Parshwanath Mandir etc). This area was flourishing

when Jhala Rajputs (especially Maharana Maan Singh) reined in this region. Delwara houses temples and

architecture dating back to 10th

century. Presently 650 HHs are living at this place which mostly belong to

Hindu and Muslim religion. Among people major income source is marble business, agriculture,

MGNREGA work etc. A lot of women are involved in cloth related business through Saadhna and other

working women groups.

Seva Mandir OrganisationSeva Mandir, founded in 1968 by Dr. Mohan

Singh Mehta, is an Indian non-profit

organization based in Udaipur, South

Rajasthan. Initially, Seva Mandirs work

focused on adult education. The idea was to

equip the rural, predominantly tribal, citizens

of area with the skills and capacities that

would enable them to become active agents

of their own development. Over the years,

this expanded to include a wide range of

activities implemented within a framework

based on the Ghandhian notion of

constructive work. This Ghandhian notion,

Constructive work, entails citizens to become

engaged in the co-creation of their new social

realities.


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In the recent years, Seva Mandir has been consolidating its work in both peri-urban townships and urban

slum areas. Though these areas have distinct social, political and economic realities, the underlying

principles that characterize Seva Mandirs work are still of great relevance to bringing about positive

social change.

Mission of Sewa Mandir- To construct the conditions in which citizens of plural backgrounds andperspectives can come together and deliberate on how they can work to benefit and empower the least

advantaged in society.

Nagrik Vikas Manch

The Nagrik Vikas Manch (Peoples Development Forum) is an unregistered entity initiated collectivelyby Seva Mandir and the people of Delwara. It has been continuously functioning for for close to 7 years

and is committed towards the vision and objectives people set for them through this forum. It works in

five key areas- Water and Sanitation, Heritage, Education, Livelihood and Youth Development.

Vision

The vision of the Nagrik Vikas Manch is to promote local self-governance and responsiblecitizenship in Delwara , which can be helpful in creating a strong community of responsible

citizens who would be able to take on the responsibility of development for their own village in

the future.

Objectives

Evolving a strong, sustainable partnership of local institution with local governmentmachinery as well as other local organizations.

Creating a platform for integrated learning with space for various partners involved inrural development.

Promoting the idea of sustainability and self-help amongst various classes of people.

Water and

sanitation

Heritage

Youth

development

Livelihood

Education


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Delwara being a peri-urban settlement and has its own set of unique problems andsolutions are needed that create and cultivates a culture that promotes equity of rights andsustainable livelihood along-with mutual respect amongst the society.

Figure- Common meeting of Gram Sabha and NVM

Five key stakeholders of NVM-

1. Citizens of Delwara2. National Foundation for India3. Seva Mandir4. The Tata Trusts5. Devigarh heritage hotel

Structure of Nagrik Vikas Manch

Programme committees (Sanitation and Water committee, Health committee, Education

committee, Finance and Administration Committee and Construction Committee- eachcommittee having 5-10 members or representatives of stakeholders) are main functioning

bodies of NVM which is run by Manch Office bearers (5 +6=11 members). These NVM OB

are selected from members of Manch Executive committees (2 Nominated members amongOffice bearers from 18 Mohallas = 36 members).

Programme committees (5 types)

Manch Office bearers (11 members)

Manch Executive committees (36 members)


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Key observations and response-

Management of such Mohallah based federation is a challenge well accepted by facilitators andin the meeting held on that day it was observed that the democratic decision-making takes a deep

discussion.

The information about election process of OB is pasted on boards in all mohallas. The Manch is also planning to build capacities of office-bearers through exposure visit to other

institutions.

Women are confident about the whole process and contributing by their valuable inputs duringdiscussions.

Gram Panchayat is by and large answerable to NVM through combined meetings.Glimpse of social service initiatives of Sewa Mandir

There is an impressive history of few initiatives which were earlier supported by Seva Mandir and later

owned by community as social action. Among these following are worth mentioning-

1. Women enterprise developed in form of Saadhna brand2. Community-led sanitation campaign3. Water body restoration (Palera Talab and Tri-mukhi Baodi)4. Sanitary latrine construction5. Organisation of youth for social action-Energy House

1. Women enterprise developed in form of Saadhna brand-Saadhna was conceived with the aim to provide the women from the rural and urban slum belts of

Udaipur with an alternative means of income generation primarily as a tool for empowerment and with a

secondary goal of supporting their socio-political standing.

In 1988, Seva Mandir conceived and set up its patchwork program with 15 women, to help them combat

the draught and with the aim to provide these women with an alternative means of income generation.

With time, many women joined this work. All the member owners are part of the General Body, whichmeet once every year to discuss issues, find solutions and share their experiences. Apart from being an

integral part of the general body, the artisan members have elected representatives who constitute the

managing committee. Their quarterly meeting is an open forum for discussions and helps in deciding on

various issues of concern.

General Body (All Group Members)

Managing Committee (Group leaders)

Board of trustees (Two elected members of Managing Committee)


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The members of the managing committee play a very crucial role in the day-to-day functioning of

Saadhna. These managing committee members or group leaders have at least 10-15 women members

under them. The main role of the group leader is to co-ordinate with its members at field level, production

center in terms of quality, production, delivery and deadlines. These groups are a vital link between the

center and the artisans. They are also responsible for the quality of work that is delivered from the field.Presently any women can join the group by depositing Rs.352/- (Rs. 251/- as Registration fee and Rs

101/- as Annual fee) however women will be eligible for PF and other benefits only after six months of

satisfactory performance.

After years of low production and low sales, Saadhna finally moved into commercial viability in 1999-

2000. On 10th of December 2004, Saadhna was registered as an independent entity, a womens artisans

enterprise listed under the Mutual Benefit Trust Act. At present members are also provided with facilities

of PF, medical insurance and scholarships for brilliant children.

Figure- Seeta bai and other members of Saadhana


Almost all women in panchayat are aware of this initiative and associated with it directly orindirectly.

Saadhna is planning to open a shoppingmall featuring products of these women Women are willing to contribute in daily earning of their family Awareness about Government schemes is appreciable Currently women are not satisfied with low wages given by companies from whom they are

receiving orders. They are planning to raise this issue collectively with help of all women

associated in business

Skilled women have started forming their own enterprise separating from Saadhana Women declined to garner any benefit in economic terms with the association of famous apparel

companies like Fabindia


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2. Water body restoration-In outer periphery of habitation a small pond is located which was a source ofdrinking water to villagers

in past. In last some years pond was shrinking due to lack of water as in flow of water from tributaries

was blocked due to polythene and other waste material. People had started to use pond for washing cloths

and drinking water for animal.Some old people from village who were deeply hurt by looking at condition of pond requested Seva

Mandir to make efforts to restore the sanctity of water. Seva Mandir took this opportunity as a entry point

to organise people around sanitation issues. Panchayat was also involved to integrate their resources to

such problem.

Whole panchayat took decision to maintain sanitation around all water bodies. Feeder channels to pond

were reformed and walls of Trimukhi Baawari were constructed with contribution of public in manual

work. A resolution was also taken to protect natural sources of water from underground sewage.

Figure-Tri mukhi baori


People approached Seva Mandir to take up the issue Seva Mandir used opportunity as a medium to rope people Convergence with MGNREGA held to renovate pond Delwara is a water-logged area in rainy

season, so special provision needs for drainage

3. Community-led sanitation campaignAny visitor from a city or town will be astonished by looking at cleanliness of this peri-urban habitation.

It is not just the awareness of people which attracts visitors attention but ownership of campaign among

people compels to gauge the efforts behind this initiative.

The daily campaign starts with all household cleaning their house and separating organic and inorganic

waste at their home. At fixed time a special cart roams around the mohallah with a Sanitation Volunteer

to collect differentiated garbage. This mechanism helped them to recycle waste through environmental

friendly practice.

The campaign is quite successful due to its own sustainable design as the remuneration to sanitation

volunteer comes from community. Each mohallah has opened a bank A/c in bank where each family


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contributes Rs 10/- monthly. Among total population 65-70% households are abided by this collective

resolution.

Figure-Aarogya-rath trolley to collect garbage


Cleanliness- The eye-catcher fact about town Daily activity to remind people to be a responsible citizen Contributory participation- sign of sustainability

4. In-house latrine construction-Like many places, people of this town were also not habitual of using in-house latrine even when they

were constructed by Government for free. Open-defecation by children in gullies of Delwara was a

common problem for pedestrian and aesthetic look of town. It was also disappointing for a tourist

destination where people cant visit local market.

Considering the need for attitudinal change in people Seva Mandir worked on creating awareness on

harms of open-defecation. In-house latrines were made on demand by families gradually. Keeping in view

lack of space in town common safety tanks were constructed and contribution was demanded from

families for regular cleaning of tanks. Till now initiative has claimed to include 90% households in

village who have in-house latrines.


A major attitudinal change brought by facilitators Potential for use of bio-gas as energy source- yet to be tapped

5.Organisation of youths for Social Action (Energy house- Urja Ghar)-To utilize the energy of youths in social action and filling their mind with a bright future, a youth oriented

initiative was taken up by Seva Mandir in 2005. The core idea was to involve young minds in planning

their own future as well as society. It emphasized on ensuring participation of youth in activities of social

awareness like discussions related to issues of development, disseminating information about

Government and NGO programmes, education promoting events etc.

Beside support of Seva Mandir, two volunteers are chosen among youths regularly participating in day to

day activities of Urja-Ghar. These volunteers own responsibility of preparing and executing action plans


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for whole year activities with the help of colleagues. At present 35 youths are actively involved in the

center.

The main activities/events organised by Urja-ghar are as follows-

Providing platform like panchayat for youth to discuss important issues related to youthsdevelopment

Promoting saving habit among youth through formation of SHGs of youths Preparing Audio-Visual material on various social issues Ratri Pathsaala for little school going children Promoting reading habit among youths through establishing library Organize events for youths to develop creative thinking, life-skills and useful hobbies like

painting, cooking, music etc

Education on computer skills through their computer lab Showing documentaries and movies on important social issues Programmes to celebrate different festivals and promote harmony among community e.g. peace

march, discussion on understanding different religion etc

Documentation- preparation and maintenanceKey observations and response-

Youths are aligned in Vision with NVM Such platform suitably can be called as Yuva Panchayat Awareness and confidence of these youths was exceptionally high Potential topromote youth leadership Employability enhancement approach of initiative


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Magazine published by Energy House Entertainment facility for children

Computer for practice of EH members Attendance in Gram Sabha marked by women

Mohalla wise display board for information Gulabnur Ji explaining about activites


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Display board featuring activities of Naagrik Vikas Manch

Documents

Delwara Visit Report