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Farmer's friend
 Set
up in 2000 in Punjab, Kheti Virasat is a non governmental organisation (NGO) which looks
into the propagation of sustainable agriculture, water and conservation of natural
resources, sustainable development and eco-friendly life systems amongst the farmers. The
organisation makes farmers aware about the advantages of sustainable agriculture systems,
organic farming, usage of native needs and indigenous varieties of agriculture. They also
provide training to farmers on the various methods of sustainable agriculture. Kheti
Virasat has set up Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Development (CSAD) — a
research, documentation and training unit at Nabha, district Patiala, which demonstrates
to the farmers the various systems of composting right within its campus. It also aims to
create awareness among general masses and to sensitise medicos about the ill effects of
agro-chemicals on human health and livestock. Kheti Virasat also disseminates information
through the setting up of study circles among farmers and students. Seven study centers
have already been set up in Punjab. The NGO is associated with Khadi and Village
Industries Commission, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Centre for Occupational
and Environmental Health and the Ministry of Youth Affairs. A pilot survey "Ecology
Fact Sheet Punjab" in about 200 villages of Punjab was undertaken for compiling the
data and facts about depletion and destruction of ecology, bio-diversity and natural
resources.
The working group on ecology and natural resource conservation recently organised a
workshop on devising strategy for the conservation of ground water and to check
unauthorised construction on traditional water structures in Punjab.
The future plans of this NGO include the setting up of extension centers in Malwa,
Majha and Doaba, and an organic production center, thus extending their reach in almost
all the geo-cultural regions of Punjab. It also plans to work for the development of an
eco-sustainable and biodiversity farm in other districts.
To know more, contact:
Umendra Dutt
B-36 / G-1, Dilshad Garden
Delhi-110 095
Ph: 011-22570982
E-mail: umendradutt@khetivirasat.com
Student power
 Involving students in health matters and also including the medical community
to promote health awareness, is what HRIDAY (Health Related Information Dissemination
Amongst Youth) and SHAN (Student Health Action Network) does. It strongly believes that
community mobilisation through health education is a key element in bringing about health
changes and the youth, in particular, have to be assisted in learning to live healthy and
stay healthy. A group of health professionals at the All India Institute of Medical
Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, got together with the objective of disseminating information
related to behaviours which influence health (like diet, physical activity and avoidance
of addictions like tobacco) and the disorders caused by unhealthy behaviours (such as
heart diseases, cancers, diabetes and obesity), among school children. The logic behind
targeting school going children was that behaviours get etched during early school days
and can be positively influenced by providing appropriate information in an engaging
manner. Students also respond to this learnt information with conviction and commitment
and serve as effective agents of change in family and community settings. School teachers
have also been activated to bring about a positive health behaviour change by promoting
informed and enabling interactions amongst children. The NGO conducts for students and
teachers, assembly talks & interactive sessions, quiz programmes, poster &
elocution contests, and project work. Environmental barriers are identified and addressed
by health promoting policies, through enabling regulatory or legislative measures.
SHAN is a network of high school students (14-17 years) of Delhi.The objectives of SHAN
include promotion of informed debates on health related issues and encourages students to
actively articulate demands for appropriate governmental policy (legislation/regulation)
which will be conducive to their present and future health. HRIDAY SHAN has been awarded
the WHO Tobacco Free World Award 2002 and the programme now involves 180 government and
120 private schools of Delhi.
For more information, contact:
Dr K Srinath Reddy
Director, HRIDAY SHAN
T-17, Green Park Extension, New Delhi 110 016
Ph: 011- 26167459, 26176230
E-mail: ksreddy@ccdcindia.org |
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