About us
‘SAMVAD’ is a creative initiative to promote indigenous cultural awareness in the society. It is a group of people who rely more on collective efforts. It is committed to promote sustainable community based resource management and is involved in participatory action and research for Self-Rule and Self-reliant society.
‘SAMVAD’ provides collective platform to the Identity, Art and Culture. It is an initiative for collectivity, gender equality, community rights on Natural Resources and establishment of a people’s democracy through collective action. As a research centre it examines critical issues in the media and communication sector and their implications for development, as reflected through its publications. As a resource centre it gathers and disseminates knowledge about communication and its effects upon people. By conducting, training and professional consultations it is active in capacity building for the media and their users. Samvad has been unwavering in its commitments in these sectors and over the years has broadened its expertise base to encompass new challenges reflective of the changing scenario within media and society in general.
One of Samvad’s key strength is that, in addition to having major development partners and strong academic c#a92727entials, it is also actively involved in working with other like-minded organizations and networks in facilitating dedicated efforts to restore livelihood security, discuss indigenous governance system and discuss emerging issues like Climate Change. We use human rights and gender based approach in analysing and understanding the fundamental problems in social justice, self-rule and gender equality in society. It is the main plank of our advocacy work.
Vision
SAMVAD envisions a society where relations between human beings and nature is balanced for preservation of the indigenous social values and creation of sustainable livelihood for people towards establishment of a society on a communitarian lifestyle, labour-oriented and egalitarianism which accepts the diversity and differences among human beings. This is the society of Indigenocracy.
Mission
SAMVAD strives for self-reliant and self-respectful society based on equality, gender-equity, labour-oriented universe and self-governance by strengthening the communitarian lifestyle of the indigenous and marginalized people. Efforts are on to empower Gram Sabhas and traditional governance systems in the villages of Adivasis, Dalits, Minorities and the poor as a whole. It ensures equal representation and participation of women and men in community level decision-making and development processes.
Legal Status
- Registered under Trust Registration Act- 1882, No. IV 278/2001/Ranchi, on 21.03.2001
- Registered under FCRA, 1976, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, No. 337800125, Dated 24 May 2004.
- Registered under Income Tax Act 1961, 12A-VIII-48/12A/03-04 on 18 June 2004.
- PAN (Permanent Account Number): AADTS7279Q
- TAN (Tax Deduction at Source Account Number): RCHS03187C
- ISO 9001:2008 : 1014QO03
Objective
- To promote and strengthen Self-Rule through Empowerment of Gram Sabha and People’s Oraganisations.
- To empower indigenous skills and technology for promoting sustainable livelihood and resilient development.
- To capacitate youth for Gender Sensitivity, Social Justice and Communal harmony.
- To preserve & rejuvenate Indigenous Art & Culture from de-culturisation.
- To develop a training and resource center for documenting and promoting regional Art, Culture and Crafts.
- To develop Audio-Visual materials for awareness of the people.
- To promote Networks with like-minded groups and individual for policy cente#a92727 Advocacy.
- To promote Child Rights for joyful life of children.
Strategy
- Alliance building with like-minded groups and promote networks for social transformation.
- Public policy analysis, discourse, and dissemination.
- Capacity building for sustainable livelihood.
- Resource material collection, compilation, and dissemination for awareness generation.
- Developing potential human resource base.
- Promotion and strengthening of local institutions and youth groups.
- Promote development models for encouraging sustainable livelihood.
Our Reach
SAMVAD is working directly in 14 district of Jharkhand and three district of Bihar. Apart from this we are part of "Swashashan abhiyan" which is a network in eastern India region to promote and strengthen governance and indigenocracy. We are also part of national level network like INSAF, NAFRE, NCDHR as well as active member and partner of south Asia level network on climate change related issue "CANSA"
Areas in Jharkhand
| Sl.No | District | Block |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deoghar | Madhupur, Karon, Margomunda, Devipur and Deoghar |
| 2 | Dumka | Dumka Sadar, Shikaripada, |
| 3 | Pakur | Maheshpur |
| 4 | Sahebganj | Mandro and Borio |
| 5 | Giridih | Giridih Sadar, Bengabad, Jamua |
| 6 | Dhanbad | Baghmara |
| 7 | Bokaro | Gomia |
| 8 | Kodarma | Domchanch |
| 9 | Hazaribagh | Katkumsandi |
| 10 | East Singhbhum | Potka, Musabani |
| 11 | West Singhbhum | Chaibasa Sadar |
| 12 | Gumla | Sisai |
| 13 | Ramgarh | Shankarpur |
| 14 | Ranchi | Sadar |
Areas in Bihar
| Sl.No | District | Block |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaya | Dobhi |
| 2 | W.Champaran | Bairia |
| 3 | Madhepura | Shankarpur |
Empowering Gram Sabha
Objective
To strengthen and empower Gram Sabhas in 350 villages in 14 districts and 23 Blocks of Jharkhand.
Activities Implemented
- 293 (Female – 143 and Male – 159) Gram Sabha leaders and concerned Volunteers trained in 9 workshops on Indigenocracy (Communitarian Democracy).
- 267 (Female – 136 and Male – 131) Gram Sabha leaders and concerned Volunteers trained in 9 workshops on Village Micro Planning & Budgeting
- 129 women leaders & Volunteers trained on Communitarian Democracy and Self Rule in 4 workshops.
- 1 Gram Sabha Federation of North Chotanagpur Region formed.
- 1 meeting of Eastern India Dialogue Forum held.
- 1 Akhra (Indigenous cultural event) held in Dumka participated by 264 cultural activists and artiste.
Objective
To improve sustainable on-farm & off-farm livelihood in 250 intensive villages in 14 districts and 23 Blocks of Jharkhand.
Activities Implemented and Achievement
- 9 Blocks (Madhupur, Margo Munda, Karon, Dumka, Jama, Maheshpur, and Borio of 4 districts Deoghar, Dumka, Pakur and Sahibganj) covered under advocacy Campaign for MNREGA.
- Booklets and Posters on FRA and MNREGA developed, printed and disseminated in target villages.
- 39 (Female – 17 and Male – 22) people from forest villages trained on FRA.
- 44 women trained in 2 SHG Skill Development Training on Tailoring.
- 166 women trained in 3 SHG Skill Development Training on Goat Raring.
- 29 women trained in 1 SHG Skill Development Training on Vermi-Compost.
- 69 women trained in 1 SHG Skill Development Training on Income Enhancement.
Objective
Market access to Marginalized producers and landless laborers (Primarily Women) to develop more resilient livelihood
Activities Implemented and Achievement
- 2397 (Female – 1058 and Male –1339) were linked to local Haat and urban market (Making materials from forest produce – leaf plate, tooth stick, Mahua, Silk Cocoon, Fruits and roots, fire wood, Tendu leaves etc) for better returns. Sale value increased by 25%.
- 1133 (Female headed HH-46 and Other –1087) household started producing various crop and vegetables were linked to local Haat and urban market. Sale value increased by 30%.
- 2478 (Female – 1282 and Male – 1196) engaged in cattle raring and are linked to local Haat and urban market. Sale value increased by 30%.
- 88 (Female headed HH-12 and Other –76) engaged in Puffed rice production and linked to local Haat and urban market. Sale value increased by 30%.
- 212 (Female headed HH-117 and Other –95) engaged in Goatery and Chicken raring and linked to local Haat and urban market. Sale value increased by 40%.
- 105 (Female – 35 and Male –70) engaged in Fishery and linked to local Haat and urban market. Sale value increased by 40%.
- 135 (Female – 64 and Male –71) engaged in Bamboo Craft production and linked to local Haat and urban market. Sale value increased by 40%.
Objective
Strengthening Livelihood Options
Achievement
- 3251(Female headed HH-284 and Other –2967) household got job under MNREGS. Average 85 days work was availed in PPA project area.
Objective
Diversifying Livelihood Options
Achievement
- 643 (Female –463 and Male –180) engaged in Bidi making and linked to private Bidi company. Sale value incresed by 15%.
- 14 HHs engaged in carpentry. Linked to village market and urban market. Sale value increased by 20%.
- 366 HHs are earning daily wages. Increase in their income by 30%.
- 91 (Female – 44 and Male –47) are engaged in pottery work. Increase in income by 30 %.
- 6 HHs are engaged in occupation of Barber. Increased in income by 40%.
- 2691 (Female –892 and Male –1799) engaged as Agriculture labour. Increase in income by 35%.
- 151 HHs engaged in rickshaw/thela pulling. Increase in income by 40%.
- 26HHs engaged in shoe making .Increase in income by 40%.
- 7HHs engaged in tailoring. Increase in income by 50%.
Securing the natural asset base, including land title
Achievement
- In Jharkhand, 446 HHs got forest land Patta. Area of land covered is 68.06 acres. 456 applied for patta and is under process. Total land which will be covered is 80.56 acres. And in Bihar 38 HHs have received revenue patta, Total land covered 1.14 acres.
Social Protection
Achievement
- 570 (Female – 184 and Male –386) covered under old age pension.
- 367 women covered under widow pension.
- 160 (Female – 85 and Male –75) covered under disability pension.
- 271 (Female – 72 and Male –199) covered under Annapurna yojana.
- 840 (Female – 226 and Male –614) received Red Card under BPL.
- 557 (Female – 286 and Male –271) received Scholarship.
- 38 HHs benefited from the Mada scheme.28 HHs received cow , 10 HHs received Poultry set under the scheme.
- In Bihar 182 HHs got Flood relief benefit.
Increasing access to cred
Achievement
- In total of 46 SHGs, 19 SHGs got 1st grading ( Rs 25000/ - received from Bank by each SHG ) and 14 SHGs got 2nd grading ( Total amount received by 14 SHGs Rs. 28,50,000/-) Total saving of 46 SHGs Rs.10,50,000/-
- 124 farmer of 14 Kisan clubs got KCC ( Kisan cred card) and Rs. 37,20,000 received from Bank as loan.
Adapting Livelihoods to Climate Issues
Achievement
- 41 Hand pumps installed in 16 Villages, benefiting 344 HHs.
Objective
Preservation and development of Indigenous languages and Literature.
Activities Implemented
- Campaign for Pre-School Education in Mother Tongue and Multi Language Teaching A state level consultation on Pre-School Education in Mother Tongue and Multi-Language Teaching was organized by NAC-DIP, SAMVAD, and SWADHIK on June 9, 2013 at Social Development Centre, Camil Bulke Path, Ranchi. After deliberations and discussion on the subject a committee was formed by the name of Jharkhand Adivasi Manch (JAM) to continue the campaign effectively.
Advocacy for Jharkhand State Agriculture Policy
- A one day consultation on the draft Agriculture Policy of the state was organized by SAMVAD, supported by ACTION AID on September 19, 2013, at HPDC, Bahubazar, Ranchi. The consultation was attended by 69 participants of 16 districts including the like minded friends from Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. The main focus of the discussion was - 1. To discern the new Agriculture Policy , 2. How to protect our agriculture from corporate assault and for this how to have solidarity, 3. What to experiment new as alternative for chemical farming.
After discussion and deliberations following solutions were recommended:
- To promote Vermi-Compost in lieu of Chemical Fertilizers.
- Preservation and development of Traditional Seeds.
- Preservation and rejuvenation of traditional irrigation resources such as Pond, Ahar Pine etc.
- Farming according to the geographical environment of the place.
- No use of agricultural land for other purposes.
- Agriculture yield would enhance by change of farming pattern (SRI, Vermi Compost etc.).
- Farmers be introduced to co-operative society.
- Establishment of Seed Banks at village level.
- Multi crop farming be adopted.
- Farmers be trained on agriculture based knowledge and practices.
- Leveling of land and provision of irrigation facilities through MNREGS.
Publication
- "Aadhi Duniya "a women based quarterly magazine in Hindi. Published 3 issues.
- Two type of Postesr on MANREGA developed and printed for public awareness.
- Handbooks on FRA & MANREGA developed and printed and distributed among village youth leaders and GS leaders and CBOs.
- Folder on MANREGA developed and printed for general distribution for generating awareness.
- Folder on Child Rights in PRI process developed and printed for distribution among PRI members, child right activists and social workers.
Publication & Launching of the book 'Khushhaal Ho Bachpan'
A book 'Khushhaal Ho Bachpan' was launched on August 18, 2013 at HPDC Hall, Bahubazar, Ranchi. The book was published by Samvad in association with Child Rights Alliance. The book consists of contributions from students of 15 private and government schools of Ranchi city Samvad had organized an essay and painting completion on the subject of 'Child Rights' through which around 700 paintings and articles were submitted by the students. Out of which 23 best articles and 38 paintings, representing view point of the children's status in the society have been published. Appreciating the effort the Principal of Ranchi Women's College and member of Jharkhand State Child Welfare Council, Dr. Manju Sinha said 'It is a beautiful and thought provoking book.'
Observation of 16 days Activism Against Violence on Women
The event is being observed since 1995 in 195 countries of the world between November 25 and December 10 every year. Accordingly a 16 days Activism Against Violence on Women was observed at Ranchi Women's College on November 25, 2013, Iraqi Urdu Girls High School, Ranchi on December 19, 2013 and at Anchi Devi Vidyalaya, Madhupur, Deoghar on December 21, 2013 by SAMVAD in association with Mahila Garima Abhiyaan on. During this two week program girl students were given knowledge on how to curb violence on them. A debate, discussion and speech competition was organized on the subject disseminating information about female feticide, Witch Branding and eve teasing and how to check these incidences.
One Billion Rising Pledge Programme
On February 19, 2014 Samvad in association with Mahila Garima Abhiyan organized the program. The students of St. Margaret Girls School, Ranchi were made aware about this world wide program and the students pledged the following :
- I will not discriminate against women and girls in any way.
- I will not be violent towards anyone, especially women and girls.
- I will not keep quite if violence is done to me and will demand justice for myself.
- I will actively oppose violence being done to any woman/girl.