Background Of The Organization

1. Background Of The Organization Bihar witnessed an agitation in 1974 against corruption. Jay Prakash Narayan (JP) led the struggle. Thousands of youth took part in it. The agitation cooled down with the fall of Congress Party. Many youths involved in the agitation joined active politics however some remained working in the society for reconstruction of society with a dream of ‘Total Revolution” that was shown by JP. Vishwa Nath Mishra opted for social change and did not join politics. He wished to eliminate poverty of rural folk forming their co-operative society but corrupt officials were cruel to sanction a loan without a bribe. Vishwa Nath did not oblige them. It was the turning point in Vishwa Nath`s life. He took promise to do something big and formed this organization for “Total Revolution” purposes.

2. Governance and Democracy General Body – • Open membership • Volunteers Inclusion • Perspective -socially excluded group- women, Dalit, Muslims, EBC, OBC inclusion • One member- one vote: Majority decision • Annual Meeting plus emergency meeting • Election/Change of Governing Body • Containing socially excluded group for equitable participations • Review and approval of Annual Report plus financial accounts

3. Governance and Democracy contd Governing Body • Nine office bearers- President, Vice- President, Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasure and members • Consensus: Majority decision • Reporting • Accountable to GENERAL BODY and COMMUNITY as well as to DONORS. • Management- Office, Finance, Staffs, Volunteers, Documents, Assets, Outer world etc. • Involvement in right based activities whether internal or outer

4. Governance and Democracy Contd. Organization management:- Regular meeting of Governing body-Six Monthly Regular orientation and training of volunteers and staff – PIP formulation Regular monitoring – ensure PIP working Observing own HR Policy Internal Committees- Sexual Harassment, Advisory, Bal-Adhikar Sanrakshan Quarterly inter action meting with management and grass root Volunteers Learning Exchange – Reporting

5. Human Rights Human Rights Activities • Mainstreaming KANJAR community-73 families • Involvement in Lok Samiti activities • Organising “Manav Joro”, “CACL”, “Badh Mukti Abhiyan” activities • Basgit land rights to 235 families • RTI activities • Job cards- 567 families

6. Climate Change & Environment Working with environment perspective Review in Draft Water Policy of Bihar Plantation Relief/rehabilitation- crisis management Adaptation

7. Education Technology and Innovation Training to board members, staffs and volunteers Mass awareness campaign Training- TOT for community volunteers Exposure visit Learning sharing meetings IEC materials development & distribution Community group formation and strengthening for downward education

8. Economic Development, Trade and Finance SHGs formed; strengthened with trainings and micro credits SHG women involved in miscellaneous trades - cosmetic items, detergent making and selling etc. Organisation assets creation

9. Gender and Women Rights Founders of the Organisation believed in gender equality and hence the name is “Mahila Vikas Ashram” and our vision is “Women and children can make better society faster”

10. Gender and Women Rights contd It works for total empowerment of women Empowerment comes from Rights efgykvksa ds lg;ksx fcuk gj cnyko v/kqjk gS

11. Culture and Identity Giving Kanjars social identity is one of our efforts to expand diversity in unity And Unity in Diversity of our country I N D I A

12. Peace and Security Our efforts help bringing socio and religious harmony and extends reverence among each group. Our development efforts increase social security

13. Key Challenges Lack of skilled volunteers in local socially excluded community particularly among women Lack of trainings and exposures for grass root organisation Lack of resources Recurring disaster Insensitive administration and local media persons

14. Recommendations to overcome key challenges for civil society Involvement local women and Dalit in the organisation Increase transparency and accountability Increase backward and forward linkages Organisational Development activities Working with PIP with eyes open Adaption

15. Recommendations to overcome key challenges for government Advocacy for quality education in rural area schools Disaster management activities Social audit of existing flood control measures- evaluation Stop big intervention in ecology Sensitization of stakeholders and delivery system

16. Recommendations to overcome key challenges for Commonwealth Larger fund allocation to grass root organisations as well as to small organisations Outside long term residential training to local women and Dalit volunteers in various development issues Massive training to organisation workers at district level Resource management training