RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

Gramya Bhavan, Aruvankadu 643 202, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, South India

! A" #$%$"&'($NT & GANISATI&N ) #&* T A%$ S$# on T+& N, 'AT+ -or T+ $$ #$.A#$S A in #& (IN#0A S!..$SS #$/INIT$ ! A" # $A(

NG& A B I#G$ B$T1$$N G&%T and '!B"I. When we think of problem e pe!i"ll# e!onomi! "n$ $e%elopment one in r&r"l In$i" e%en in the mo$ern time ' the fir t thin( whi!h !ome to e%er#one) min$ i ' no $o&bt' M"h"tm" G"n$hi who "i$*+In$i" li%e in Vill"(e "n$ the $owntro$$en "n$ the r&r"l poor "re to be &plifte$+, Tho&(h h&n$re$ of tho& "n$ of town h"%e m& hroome$ "ll o%er the !o&ntr# "fter the In$epen$en!e' " f"r " In$i" i !on!erne$ it i till "ppropri"te to !"ll m"n# of them " -Vill"(e ." e$ Town ), .e!"& e b& ine of "ll ort in town "n$ !itie in!l&$in( Oot#' /oonoor' 0ot"(iri "n$ G&$"l&r town 1of the Nil(iri $i tri!t2 "!ro the !o&ntr# $epen$ on the p&r!h" in( !"p"!it# of the %ill"(er , If the ("te of %ill"(e "re !lo e$ for " $"#' the town will' $o $o&bt' we"r "lmo t " $e erte$ look "n$ the hopkeeper will $own the h&tter keepin( their fin(er !ro e$, A o&r belo%e$ M"h"tm" G"n$hi h"$ $re"me$' the impro%ement in %ill"(e e!onom# with b" i! f"!ilitie e pe!i"ll# e$&!"tion "n$ he"lth h"%e been (r"$&"ll# p& hin( &p the entire !o&ntr# on $e%elopment p"th th"nk to & t"ine$ effort "n$ implement"tion of r&r"l $e%elopment !heme b# the &!!e i%e !entr"l "n$ t"te (o%ernment , 3owe%er' the mi ion for " h&n$re$ per!ent $e%elopment in remote h"mlet from 0" hmir to 0"n#"k&m"ri i not #et o%er' (i%en the p"nor"m" of the !o&ntr# "t l"r(e, The &ltim"te &!!e !"n be "!hie%e$ in the lon( r&n when "ll the people' o!i"l or("ni4"tion ' non(o%ernment"l or("ni4"tion "n$ the #o&th e5ten$ their whole he"rte$ &pport "n$ !ooper"tion to the power 6th"t6be, Worl$wi$e p"rti!&l"rl# in the $e%elopin( !o&ntrie like In$i"' Non Go%ernment"l Or("ni "tion 1NGO 2 rem"in " bri$(e between the (o%ernment "n$ the people "n$ "re pl"#in( " (re"ter role in &pliftin( the r&r"l e!onom# in !oor$in"tion with the $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion "!ro the !o&ntr#, It i more rele%"nt to remember the wor$ of l"te $#n"mi! Prime Mini ter R"7i% G"n$hi68There m& t be !omplete !onfi$en!e "n$ m&t&"l tr& t between the b&re"&!r"!# "n$ the %ol&nt"r# or("ni "tion +, .ein( " $e$i!"te$ (r" root le%el NGO' the R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion 1RDO2 h" $e%elope$ " (oo$ r"pport with the Nil(iri $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion "n$ "!hie%e$ m"n# " (o"l in r&r"l po!ket 6m"n# with the or("ni "tion) & t"ine$ effort !o&ple$ with the offi!i"l ) &pport "n$ ome with " tron( fi(ht "fter pen$in( leeple ni(ht ,

#& B& N at A !%AN2A#! in 3450 R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion 1RDO2 Tr& t' whi!h w" born in 9:;< "t /oonoor on /oonoor6Mett&p"l"#"m N"tion"l 3i(hw"# Ro"$' h"%e been tr"%er in( on the thorn# p"th to fi(ht "n$ er%e the r&r"l m" e in the Nil(iri $i tri!t for the p" t three $e!"$e , Tho&(h it h" &!!ee$e$ on e$&!"tion' he"lth "n$ li%elihoo$ front in h&n$re$ of poor "n$ remote trib"l' $"lit "n$ ."$"(" %ill"(e in the hill $i tri!t to "

rem"rk"ble e5tent in the l" t thirt# #e"r ' it !ontin&e to er%e more %ill"(e "n$ "l o to work on " new pro7e!t &!h " in$i%i$&"l toilet in e"!h of one l"kh ho& ehol$ in the Nil(iri $i tri!t,

/ I$N#S +$SITAT$#, (r6 '$ !(A" !N/A7$# Mr, N, 0, Per&m"l' =o&n$er of the RDO Tr& t' re!"ll the he"rt ren$in( tor# on the emer(en!e of RDO Tr& t*+When I l"n$e$ in the e$&!"tion"ll# "n$ e!onomi!"ll# b"!kw"r$ Nil(iri hill $i tri!t in 9:>< "fter relin?&i hin( the tr"$e &nion "!ti%itie with " !le"r "n$ $efinite $re"m of M"h"tm" G"n$hi on R&r"l De%elopment in m# he"rt' I h"$ to w"lk mile "n$ mile $"il# to ee the %er# poor li%in( !on$ition of the trib"l "n$ $"lit f"milie " well " $"il# w"(e e"rner from $ifferent !omm&nitie , On eein( the p"theti! !on$ition pre%"ilin( in the remote r&r"l po!ket ' I "lmo t broke $own "n$ m# min$ w" m&!h pert&rbe$, I m"$e &p m# min$ to $o omethin( to impro%e the wor e !on$ition , I h"$ to think of perm"nent ol&tion " the b"!k6bre"kin( e5pe$ition in the r&r"l belt !on t"ntl# remin$e$ me of the &ntol$ &fferin( e5perien!e$ b# the trib"l "n$ the $owntro$$en, 8A I be!"me $i(iti(r"$e "lmo t w"lkin( on m# toe witho&t to&!hin( the (ro&n$ with m# heel in the f"r"w"# h"mlet ' Gr"m" V"l"r"!hi 1R&r"l De%elopment2 eeme$ to h"%e been n"ile$ $eep in m# he"rt, Th& ' R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion w" born with " !le"r "n$ !on!rete ob7e!ti%e to $e%elop the remote b"!kw"r$ %ill"(e , In f"!t' m# frien$ ' rel"ti%e "n$ e%en m# better h"lf Re%"thi h"$ fe"re$' he it"te$ "n$ ob7e!te$ "n$ "lmo t $i !o&r"(e$ me "#in( th"t -@o& will en$ in " fi" !o) "n$ "$%i e$ me to !ontin&e the tr"$e &nion "!ti%itie !omfort"bl# to le"$ " tre free life, 8 3owe%er l"ter' on eein( m# (en&ine tr&((le "n$ m# ment"l6ph# i!"l p"in " well " hin$r"n!e in m# p"th' m"n# in!l&$in( m# wife !"me forw"r$ to e5ten$ helpin( h"n$ , So' " e%er#bo$# "!!ept the "#in(6there i " wom"n behin$ the &!!e of e%er# m"n in the &ni%er e' m# better h"lf Re%"thi too$ b# me $&rin( $iffi!&lt time "n$ rem"ine$ " propeller whene%er I f"!e$ " et b"!k in m# mi ion, .# Go$) (r"!e' the RDO tr& t (ot the $e$i!"te$ "n$ hone t emplo#ee "n$ worker for effi!ient "$mini tr"tion "n$ effe!ti%e "n$ fr&itf&l fiel$ work, I "l&te e%er#one re pon ible for ho&l$erin( the RDO) rep&t"tion b&ilt o%er thirt# #e"r , .e!"& e' the or("ni "tion $i$ not leep on " be$ of ro e for thirt# lon( #e"r b&t toile$ h"r$ tre"$in( on the r&((e$ "n$ thorn# p"th to "!hie%e to the !ontent of o&r he"rt+,

/I ST 30 ,$A A.+I$%$($NT A /I""I' T& #& T$A( The RDO t"n$ t"ll to$"#' with "ppre!i"tion from %"rio& ?&"rter be!"& e the "!hie%ement in the fir t 9< #e"r of it A< #e"r e5i ten!e ("%e " fillip to the or("ni "tion, Otherwi e' the RDO mi(ht h"%e been " n"me6 "ke or("ni "tion "n$ the

people mi(ht h"%e ri$i!&le$ it " " !ripple$ mo%ement, A("in "n$ "("in' it i the prime $&t# of the or("ni "tion to "l&te with fol$e$ h"n$ "n$ p"t "ll who "!ti%el# took p"rt "n$ won the b"ttle to en &re 7& ti!e' free$om from l"%er#' li%elihoo$ (&"r"ntee "n$ e!onomi! empowerment of women in trib"l "n$ $"lit %ill"(e in the fir t $e!"$e69:;< to 9::<, In re"lit#' the b"ttle won in the fir t 9< #e"r were !r&!i"l "n$ "n o5#(en to the RDO, Stron(l# belie%e$ in the me "(e th"t e$&!"tion wo&l$ open the e#e of the illiter"te "n$ l"%e ' the RDO fir t opene$ "$&lt e$&!"tion !entre in 9:;9, Abo&t B>'<<< people in!l&$in( >C per!ent women benefite$ b# the "$&lt e$&!"tion initi"ti%e , Aro&n$ D'C<< per on in!l&$in( " (oo$ n&mber of women were tr"ine$ to i(n their n"me ' write "n$ re"$ to " tin# e5tent, A " re &lt of it' " te"m of r&r"l "$i%" i "n$ "$i $r"%i$" women were ent to the meetin( "tten$e$ b# the well e$&!"te$ repre ent"ti%e of En(l"n$' Netherl"n$ "n$ Irel"n$, Tho&(h the e women were &n"ble to pe"k En(li h "n$ write' the# h"$ the !"p"!it# to think "n$ e5pre their tho&(ht in their $i"le!t whi!h !o&l$ be tr"n l"te$ in re(ion"l' n"tion"l "n$ (lob"l l"n(&"(e , 3&n$re$ of women "l o were (i%en "n opport&nit# to t"ke p"rt in tr"inin( !"mp hel$ "t .en("l&r&' /henn"i' M"$&r"i' Tir&%"n"n$"p&r"m' New Delhi "n$ A(r", The &!!e of "$&lt e$&!"tion pro(r"mme "n$ the &b e?&ent "!ti%itie le$ to " !i%ili4e$ life in their remote %ill"(e , The# "pplie$ !o!on&t oil to their hitherto $irt# m&$$# h"ir' !ombe$ ne"tl#' wore w" he$ !lothe "n$ w"lke$ in " 7o#, One !"n e" il# $ifferenti"te the &n$e%elope$ "n$ l"%er# !ene een in the r&r"l belt thirt# #e"r "(o "n$ the rem"rk"ble impro%ement thirt# #e"r l"ter, All the e m"teri"li4e$ be!"& e of the RDO) re%ol&tion,

#ING, 1&($N and .+I"# $N B$.A($ #IN2, 3"%in( &!!ee$e$ in !h"n(in( the $in(# min$ et of the "$&lt ' who !o&l$ be !"lle$ " p"rent ' into the $ink#' the RDO) ne5t !le"r (o"l w" !hil$ e$&!"tion, The fiel$ worker of the RDO t"rte$ $oor to $oor !"mp"i(n' $i trib&te$ e%er"l tho& "n$ h"n$bill ' or("ni4e$ p&bli! meetin( ' en"!te$ treet $r"m" ' "n( folk on( "n$ or("ni4e$ or!he tr" to moti%"te the p"rent to en$ their !hil$ren to !hool , The h"r$ work $i$ not (o w" te, B99D !hil$ren from trib"l' !he$&le$ !" te "n$ b"!kw"r$ !l" f"milie were enrolle$, Imme$i"tel# the RDO et &p &pplement"r# !hool in %ill"(e to imp"rt e$&!"tion to the e !hil$ren, The &pplement"r# !hool were not for the "me "ke b&t the# "ime$ "t imp"rtin( ?&"lit# e$&!"tion with En(li h pe"kin( tr"inin(' pi!ni! ' me$i!"l "n$ port f"!ilitie ,

A!t&"ll#' the m"7or R&r"l E$&!"tion Pro(r"mme w" fir t t"rte$ in 9< %ill"(e in the fir t ph" e in 9:;B it elf, The %ill"(e !o%ere$ in the fir t ph" e were .ell"$"' Dikl"n$' 0il 3o "tt#' G"n$hip&r"m' 0"tter# Ro"$' So("thor"i' 0ethor"i' 0ollim"l"i' Sem"n$h"$" "n$ G"n$hip&$&r, The e!on$ ph" e !o%ere$ "nother 9< %ill"(e n"mel# Sel"k"n$#' Sen("thor"i' 0"i hol"' R"7en$r" N"("r' 0er"$" Le" e' Oorthi$&' Ambe$k"r N"("r' 0"nnim"ri"m"n 0oil Street' Ne$&(" 0omb"i "n$ Or"n"ll#, All the e B< %ill"(e were

inh"bite$ b# tribe ' !he$&le$ !" te "n$ b"!kw"r$ !omm&nitie , Ei(ht ."l%"$i were opene$ &n$er the R&r"l E$&!"tion Pro(r"mme "n$ l"ter' fi%e were h"n$e$ o%er to the (o%ernment &n$er the T"mil N"$& /hief Mini ter) N&tritio& Noon Me"l S!heme, The R&r"l E$&!"tion Pro(r"mme pro%e$ to be " &!!e "n$ pre"$ in other e$&!"tion"ll# "n$ e!onomi!"ll# b"!kw"r$ %ill"(e , The !re$it (oe to the three !ommittee 6Vill"(e /ommittee' @o&th /ommittee "n$ Women /ommittee6forme$ b# the RDO, Women /ommittee pl"#e$ " pi%ot"l role in the R&r"l E$&!"tion Pro(r"mme, The (irl "n$ bo# ' who h"$ been (r"4in( !"ttle "n$ !olle!tin( $rie$ e&!"l#pt& tree le"%e to &pplement their illiter"te p"rent ) in!ome #e"r "(o' be!"me e$&!"te$ "n$ "tt"ine$ e!onomi! in$epen$en!e b# 7oinin( the m"in tre"m, The pre ent !ene i th"t the# "re "ll $epen$in( on their own le( either thro&(h the S3G e!onomi! "!ti%itie or elf emplo#mentE!&lti%"tion, A rem"rk"ble $e%elopment i the pre ent !ene in %ill"(e ,

2N&1"$#G$ S$(INA ,I$"#$# (I"2 =&rthermore' week en$ emin"r were or("ni4e$ for the e %ill"(e , 9FF; men "n$ women p"rti!ip"te$ in the emin"r whi!h fo!& e$ on the role of women in r&r"l $e%elopment' en%ironment' o!ie"l fore tr#' elf help pro(r"mme' m"ll "%in( ' f"mil# welf"re' l"bo&r e!onomi! ' #o&th "!ti%itie "n$ n"tion"l inte(rit#, The week en$ emin"r le$ to the openin( of "%in( b"nk "!!o&nt b# more th"n AD< f"milie , The knowle$(e !re"tin( emin"r $i$ not top with the "%in( b"nk "!!o&nt b&t it went on to help the poor l"n$le l"bo&rer to p&r!h" e mil!h !ow to &it their en%ironment with the fin"n!i"l " i t"n!e from /"n"r" ."nk "n$ In$i"n ."nk to the t&ne of R F,D> l"kh, The# be!ome member of the /ooper"ti%e Milk So!ietie "n$ promptl# rep"i$ the b"nk lo"n , The Re er%e ."nk of In$i" l"&$e$ the er%i!e of the RDO,

s636 33 . & $ BASI. A($NITI$S The or("ni "tion worke$ in %ill"(e where the b" i! f"!ilitie were "lmo t 4ero, Sin!e the or("ni4"tion "lone !o&l$ not pro%i$e b" i! "menitie " h&(e f&n$ were re?&ire$' the inform"tion "bo&t the pli(ht of the %ill"(e w" bro&(ht to the knowle$(e of the $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion, Sh&nnin( the !ommon pr"!ti!e of bl"min( the offi!i"l for l"!k of f"!ilitie in %ill"(e ' the RDO emplo#ee $e%elope$ " (oo$ rel"tion hip with the offi!i"l "n$ " ke$ them to "$$re the (en&ine (rie%"n!e "mi$ t $iffi!&ltie "n$ oppo ition ,

In the lon( r&n' the (o%ernment pent $ire!tl# R , 9, AA !rore for b" i! f"!ilitie like ro"$ ' w"ter' foot p"th ' ele!tri!it#' toilet "n$ !on%er ion of h&t into p&!!" ho& e , The or("ni "tion pent R C, A; l"kh for the !on tr&!tion of !hool "n$ i till in$ebte$ to th"nk the &!!e i%e Di tri!t /olle!tor ' .lo!k De%elopment Offi!er "n$ b"nk offi!i"l ,

(AN, "I%$S SA%$# / &( #$AT+ B$#S The %ill"(e in whi!h the RDO te"m worke$ were tot"ll# &nh#(ieni!, P"rent "n$ !hil$ren were fr"(ile owin( to l"!k of n&tritio& foo$, A$e?&"te %it"min t"blet were $i trib&te$ $oor to $oor "n$ en!o&r"(e$ them to $e%o&r the %it"min t"blet $"il# witho&t f"il, E%er# month free me$i!"l !"mp were or("ni4e$ to !reen them "n$ $ete!t $i e" e , A $o!tor "n$ " e" one$ " i t"nt were in%ol%e$ in the mi ion to !he!k the he"lth of %ill"(er "n$ (&i$e them re("r$in( the he"lth problem , The timel# me$i!"l " i t"n!e e5ten$e$ b# the RDO "%e$ m"n# li%e from the $e"th be$ , .e i$e he"rt p"tient oper"te$ on' e#e tre"tment "t Imm"n&el E#e 3o pit"l "n$ pro%i ion of "rtifi!i"l !"liper to the $i "ble$' m"n# p"tient were tr"n porte$ to Oot#' /oimb"tore "n$ /henn"i for tre"tment,

$.&N&(I. $NAISSAN.$ S"ti fie$ with the re &lt of the "$&lt "n$ !hil$ e$&!"tion " well " he"lth impro%ement pro(r"mme implemente$ b# the in!ere "n$ h"r$ workin( RDO te"m whi!h !o&l$ not rem"in p" i%e "n$ i$le in the belief th"t 8We /"n)t !h"n(e their life in remote %ill"(e +' the or("ni "tion $e!i$e$ to en &re e!onomi! in$epen$en!e in in$i%i$&"l ho& ehol$ , Tho&(h the !o&ntr# h" "tt"ine$ the politi!"l "n$ o!i"l free$om' in!ome (ener"tion i the re"l free$om in e%er# in$i%i$&"l m"n) life, It $e!i$e$ to brin( "bo&t "n e!onomi! ren"i "n!e "n$ worke$ on %ill"(e b" e$ %i"ble !heme &!h " !"ttle bree$in(' bee keepin(' te" !&lti%"tion' r&nnin( pett# hop ' e&!"l#pt& oil m"n&f"!t&rin(' r"bbit bree$in( "n$ t"ilorin(, The RDO helpe$ them to obt"in b"nk lo"n worth "bo&t R C9 l"kh "n$ in "$$ition to it intere t free lo"n to the t&ne of R , A,B: l"kh for the !heme till M"r!h A' 9::<, /on e?&entl#' " h&(e "!tion pl"n w" $r"wn &p to !on%ert the w" te l"n$ into te" e t"te ' whi!h &ltim"tel# le$ to the !re"tion of " mo$el te" ("r$en pre"$in( o%er B< "!re , The mo$el te" f"rm (i%e 7ob to fift# worker "n$ $i b&r e w"(e to the t&ne of R , A l"kh per #e"r,

IN+!(AN (&N$, "$N#$ S AN A1A, Lookin( b"!k "t the e!onomi! !on$ition of the %ill"(e twent# #e"r "(o' we !o&l$ he$ te"r be!"& e "lmo t e%er# %ill"(e w" $omin"te$ b# b"rb"ro& 80"nth&%"tti+ 1ille("l mone# len$in( "t hi(he t intere t "n$ it w" then !"lle$ meter %"tti2 oper"tor from /oimb"tore' Ann&r' A%in" hi' Mett&p"l"#"m "n$ S"th#"m"n("l"m, Not onl# the $"ilt "n$ trib"l b&t "l o the "(r"ri"n ."$"(" were "ffe!te$ b# 0"nth&%"tti, The m"in re" on for the thri%in( of 0"nth&%"tti then w" the me"(re $"il# w"(e6 R ,9< to R ,B<, The $"il# w"(e e"rner !o&l$ not fin$ 7ob in "(ri!&lt&re f"rm thro&(ho&t the #e"r, A the# $i$ not h"%e " "%in( h"bit' the# h"$ to $epen$ on mone# len$er for &r(ent nee$ , The mone# len$er & e$ to %i it the %ill"(e before the %ill"(er wo&l$ le"%e for "(ri!&lt&r"l fiel$ in the mornin( , On eein( the mone# len$er enterin( their

%ill"(e ' the inno!ent people & e$ to wi h them "n$ be( for ome mone#, The men "n$ women writhe$ like fi he tr"ppe$ in the fi hermen) net " the mone# len$er infli!te$ ment"l tort&re on tho e who were &n"ble to rep"# the borrowin( "t the hi(h r"te of intere t, At " time when the !r"4# mone# len$er be!"me "n"them" to the inno!ent people' the RDO te"m "rri%e$ on the !ene, The te"m !re"te$ "n "w"rene "bo&t the $"n(er of 0"nth&%"tti whi!h wo&l$ kill m"n# f"milie , Deepl# "n"l#4in( the re?&irement of the f"milie ' the or("ni "tion ("%e " re%ol%in( f&n$ of R , C<< to women S3G (ro&p to & e the f&n$ for their &r(ent re?&irement , L"ter' the re%ol%in( f&n$ b&l(e$ to R A<<< "n$ R C<<<' f"!ilit"tin( the S3G to !omfort"bl# & e the f&n$ for their f"mil# nee$ "t "n# time, The mone# len$er be!"me !"re$ of the flow of re%ol%in( f&n$ in %ill"(e "n$ r"n "w"# from the %ill"(e , 3owe%er l"ter' the# trie$ their 0"nth&%"tti h"n$iwork in town "n$ !itie "n$ tort&re$ the e$&!"te$ emplo#ee "n$ b& ine men, We !"n "ll re!"ll the tor# th"t the (o%ernment it elf en"!te$ " l"w "("in t the k"nth&%"tti "n$ "nnihil"te$ &!h mone# len$er "t l"r(e in T"mil N"$& "fter the 0"nth&%"tti !r& he$ m"n# f"milie ,

+!(ANITA IAN S$ %I.$ #! ING 3454 /"&&# The or("ni "tion i "lw"# !ommitte$ to er%in( h&m"nkin$, When "n# m"n or wom"n' irre pe!ti%e of the !" te' !ree$ "n$ !olo&r' w" fo&n$ in $i tre ' the RDO wo&l$ imme$i"tel# emb"rk on the 7ob of "%in( their life with the pro%i ion of foo$' "!!ommo$"tion "n$ !loth, When the n"t&r"l !"l"mit# hit the Nil(iri $i tri!t in G&l# 9:;:' " n&mber of h&t !oll"p e$ in torrenti"l r"in "n$ (& t# win$ in 0&n$"h' Oonik"n$i "n$ Ann" N"("r %ill"(e , The or("ni "tion worker r& he$ to the %ill"(e "n$ not onl# $i trib&te$ foo$ p"!ket ' !lothe "n$ &ten il b&t "l o pro%i$e$ intere t free lo"n to p&r!h" e tile "n$ rep"ir their h&t , Ap"rt from thi ' to&ri t from An$hr" Pr"$e h were tr"n$e$ ne"r the RDO Offi!e " the b& in whi!h the# tr"%elle$ $e%elope$ " te!hni!"l n"(, The# h"$ to w"it for ; $"# there, The or("ni "tion "rr"n(e$ for free "!!ommo$"tion' foo$ "n$ mone# for them for ei(ht $"# , The to&ri t for(ot their or$e"l "n$ ret&rne$ to their home t"te th"nkin( the or("ni "tion for fillin( their he"rt with h"ppine ,

A '&"I& +IT #A"IT B&, T! N$# A '&!"T , &1N$ The life of Si%"r"7' " $i "ble$ $"lit bo#' mi(ht h"%e (one to the hell, .&t the timel# inter%ention of the RDO te"m m"$e him " mini po&ltr# owner who impro%e$ hi fr"il he"lth b# e"tin( e(( from hi own po&ltr# "n$ e"rne$ mone# for &r%i%"l, When the or("ni "tion t"rte$ workin( in Ar"n(ip&$&r %ill"(e in 0ook"l p"n!h"#"t of the Nil(iri $i tri!t' it he"r$ " "$ tor# "bo&t the f"mil# of ."nn"ri' " l"n$le

l"bo&rer' who w" $e7e!te$ in life " hi el$e t on Si%"r"7 w" " polio %i!tim, Si%"r"7 w" !onfine$ to h&t " he !o&l$ not w"lk to !hool b&t eeme$ to be intere te$ in (oin( to !hool, The or("ni "tion pro%i$e$ !r&t!he to w"lk "n$ "$mitte$ him in " !hool r&n b# it, 3e e%in!e$ keen intere t in t&$ie with elf !onfi$en!e "n$ o&tperforme$ hi fellow t&$ent , Arr"n(ement were m"$e to "$mit him in /l" IV in the ne"rb# (o%ernment !hool, A the bo#) he"lth w" we"k' $o!tor "$%i e$ him to e"t "tle" t "n e(( " $"#, The RDO le"$er hip' known for "n inno%"ti%e thinkin( e%en $&rin( !ri i ' hit &pon "n i$e" to help Si%"r"7 to p&r!h" e " few !hi!ken "n$ look "fter them o th"t he !o&l$ e"t the e(( l"i$ b# the !hi!ken "n$ pro$&!e more bir$ "n$ ell them, The i$e" worke$ o&t, 3e $"il# !olle!te$ left o%er in noon me"l !entre in hi !hool "n$ (r"in from the %ill"(e !ooper"ti%e tore "n$ fe$ the bir$ , @e"r rolle$ b# "n$ Si%"r"7 (r"$&"ll# in!re" e$ the pop&l"tion of bir$ , When the RDO fiel$ t"ff !"& "ll# %i ite$ him one $"#' he w" "ll pr"i e for RDO Per&m"l "n$ howe$ hi po&ltr# &nit with FC bir$ ' "#in( th"t 8I "m t"n$in( on m# own le( th"t i po&ltr#+,

!NIT, &/ 8#I.2"AN#9 /A(I"I$S "$# T& S!..$SS Di!kl"n$ $"lit h"mlet with " pop&l"tion of 9F: with F: f"milie w" orph"ne$ when the RDO te"m et foot there, It w" "lmo t in"!!e ible to the o&t i$e worl$ " one h"$ to w"lk thro&(h fore t to re"!h the h"mlet, Determine$ th"t it w" the ri(ht h"mlet to be $e%elope$' the or("ni "tion $rew &p " n&mber of pl"n to (ener"te elf emplo#ment "n$ "ppro"!h the b"nk for lo"n to the e poor f"milie , The b"nk he it"te$ to (i%e lo"n b&t the RDO $i$ not lo e he"rt "n$ $epo ite$ R BC' <<< "t /"n"r" ."nk " e!&rit# "n$ "ppe"le$ to the b"nk m"n"(er to "n!tion lo"n to the e f"milie , The b"nk in%ite$ FB f"milie "n$ ("%e lo"n for p&r!h" in( mil!h !ow , E"rnin( the $e!ent in!ome b# w"# of ellin( milk' the# be("n to re"li4e th"t their f&t&re !o&l$ be f&rther impro%e$ if the# worke$ to(ether, Sen in( the &nit# of the f"milie ' the RDO moti%"te$ them to !&lti%"te "n "!re of w" te l"n$ in the %i!init# of their h"mlet, L&!kil# there w" " link ro"$ to the h"mlet "n$ the hrew$ people b&ilt " !hool for their !hil$ren b# !"rr#in( !on tr&!tion m"teri"l on their he"$ , L"ter' the# remo%e$ the wil$ b& he "n$ hr&b "n$ !&lti%"te$ te"' !&t flower "n$ fr&it in the w" te l"n$ , When the# were "bo&t to pe"k "bo&t their enh"n!e$ t"n$"r$ of li%in( "n$ e5pre th"nk to the or("ni "tion' the# be!"me $i "ppointe$ " " te"m of fore t offi!i"l b"r(e$ into the h"mlet "n$ or$ere$ them to %"!"te within no min&te, The fore t offi!i"l !l"ime$ th"t the l"n$ belon(e$ to the fore t $ep"rtment, All the f"milie !onfronte$ the offi!i"l "#in( 8We won)t %"!"te the pl"!e, We toile$ h"r$ "n$ impro%e$ o&r life t"n$"r$, We h"%e e%er# ri(ht to li%e here pe"!ef&ll#+, On eein( the tron( &nit# of the f"milie ' the fore t $ep"rtment !o&l$ not for!e them o&t "n$ in te"$' file$ " !o&rt !" e, Unf"4e$' the or("ni "tion en("(e$ " l"w#er to $efen$ the !" e "n$ brin( 7& ti!e to them, After fi%e #e"r ' the !o&rt ("%e " %er$i!t in f"%o&r of the Di!kl"n$ f"milie ,

BATT"$ :ith a (N. IN a 'ANI,A %I""AG$ The RDO h"$ won m"n# " b"ttle for o!i"l' e!onomi! "n$ empowerment of the trib"l' !he$&le$ !" te "n$ the in$i(ent f"milie , .&t the fi(ht with .rook .on$ E t"te in 0o&n$"nkolli P"ni#" Trib"l Vill"(e w" the rem"rk"ble one in the hi tor# of the or("ni "tion, Till BC #e"r "(o' " P"ni#" trib"l %ill"(e !"lle$ 0o&n$"nkolli' >< km from Oot#' w" po%ert# tri!ken "n$ illiter"te, CB f"milie h"$ been li%in( in their m&$ h&t with th"t!he$ roof in " p"theti! !on$ition witho&t b" i! f"!ilitie &!h " pot"ble w"ter "n$ ele!tri!it#, The# h"$ to w"lk more th"n B km in fore t to re"!h b& top with " b"te$ bre"th on eein( eleph"nt her$ e%er# $"#, BC #e"r h"%e rolle$ $own "n$ now the "me trib"l %ill"(e i e!onomi!"ll# in$epen$ent "n$ liter"te " the f"milie "re pro&$ owner of F< "!re of te" e t"te "n$ their !hil$ren "re e$&!"te$, If the p"(e of the p" t BC #e"r hi tor# of the %ill"(e "re t&rne$ one b# one' the (re"t m"n will "ppe"r in the min$ of the p&bli!' who h"$ t"ken & t"ine$ effort "n$ fo&(ht " $o or $ie b"ttle with mone# powere$ people to &plift thi %ill"(e, The m"n i none other th"n R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion) fo&n$er !h"irm"n N,0,Per&m"l who h" been pro%in( th"t "n NGO !o&l$ &plift "n# po%ert# tri!ken remote trib"l %ill"(e , Mr,Per&m"l re!"ll *+One &mmer "fternoon in April 9:;>' the RDO te"m w" in A"l"%"#"l Trib"l %ill"(e ne"r P"$"nth&r"i to repl"!e the th"t!he$ roof of P"ni#" trib"l h&t with tile , A P"ni#" #o&th n"me$ ."l"n met me "n$ n"rr"te$ the t"le of hi %ill"(e 0o&n$"nkolli ne"rb# "n$ re?&e te$ me to %i it hi %ill"(e, We w"lke$ C km in the fore t "n$ re"!he$ 0o&n$"nkolli %ill"(e &rro&n$e$ b# l& h (reen hill lope, The !ene of CB f"milie li%in( in m&$ h&t with th"t!he$ roof witho&t b" i! "menitie to&!he$ m# he"rt, Their !hil$ren t"#e$ "w"# from the !hool " the# $i$ not like to t"# in ho tel , The (o%ernment effort to p&t them in trib"l re i$enti"l !hool pro%e$ to be " 3er!&le"n t" k+, The tribe le$ " pre!"rio& life "n$ worke$ in the %e(et"ble f"rm ' p"$$# fiel$ "n$ m"ll te" ("r$en in "n$ "ro&n$ their %ill"(e, The# & e$ to t"ke their !hil$ren "l o with them to the fiel$ "n$ h"re the me"l offere$ to them b# the l"n$ owner with their !hil$ren, When fiel$ work w" not "%"il"ble the# !olle!te$ firewoo$ in the ne"rb# 7&n(le "n$ ol$ it in the b"4""r , The# "l o & e$ to t"ke their !hil$ren with them for firewoo$ !olle!tion,

At thi it&"tion' Per&m"l %ol&nteere$ to inter"!t with "bo&t B<< P"ni#" trib"l &n$er " h&(e 7&n(le tree "n$ en!o&r"(e$ them to e$&!"te their !hil$ren "n$ & e n"t&r"l re o&r!e "n$ !&lti%"te w" te l"n$ for their li%elihoo$, Ne5t $"#' Per&m"l "("in %i ite$ the %ill"(e "n$ forme$ " !ommittee' p"i$ R C<<< "n$ entr& te$ the 7ob of b&il$in( " prim"r# !hool to the !ommittee, Within " week the trib"l p&t &p " he$ with m&$ w"ll

"n$ th"t!he$ roof to t"rt " !hool' whi!h w" opene$ on T"mil New @e"r D"#' 9F April in 9:;>, Per&m"l h"ppil# ret&rne$ home, 3i h"ppine $i$ not l" t e%en for BF ho&r " ne5t $"# the m"n"(ement of .rook .on$ /omp"n# re$&!e$ the !hool to " he !l"imin( th"t the l"n$ belon(e$ to it, The !omp"n# re7e!te$ Per&m"l) re?&e t to re tore the !hool t"tin( the entire 0o&n$"nkolli %ill"(e belon(e$ to it, Unf"4e$' Per&m"l tron(l# "r(&e$ th"t the P"ni#" Trib"l !omm&nit# w" primiti%e "n$ the .rook .on$ /omp"n# !"me from En(l"n$ "n$ en!ro"!he$ the tribe) l"n$, A hi effort like filin( of !" e "n$ meetin( lo!"l tr"$e &nion le"$er $i$ not work o&t "ti f"!toril#' Per&m"l $e!i$e$ to t"# in the %ill"(e to fi(ht for the ri(ht of the Trib"l , 3e lept &n$er the tree for D $"# "n$ le$ the "(it"tion $e pite (oon$" &rro&n$e$ them, .elie%in( in the me$i"' Per&m"l w"rne$ the "$"m"nt !omp"n# th"t he wo&l$ "ppro"!h the ../ to fl" h the inh&m"n "n$ b"rb"ri"n "ttit&$e of the .rook .on$ !omp"n#, After " ten ho&r he"te$ "r(&ment between Per&m"l "n$ the !omp"n# re pre en"ti%e ' the !omp"n# "(ree$ to "llo!"te one "!re per f"mil# tho&(h Per&m"l $em"n$e$ fi%e "!re e"!h to " f"mil#, The trib"l $"n!e$ "n$ b&r t !r"!ker " the# be!"me owner of "n "!re e"!h, The RDO tr& t initi"te$ "n "!tion to p&t to f&ll & e of their CB "!re of %"!"nt l"n$ t"ken o%er from .ook .on$ E t"te, 3i(h bree$ te" "plin( were r"i e$ in RDO) own n&r er# "n$ the te" ee$lin( were pl"nte$ in their l"n$ , It took fo&r #e"r to (i%e the fir t #iel$ of (reen te" le"f, The tr& t enrolle$ "ll the trib"l " member of S"li b&r# IND/O Te" /o6op ="!tor#, The trib"l t"rte$ &ppl#in( their (reen te" le"f "n$ (ot f"ir pri!e "n$ (o%ernment &b i$#, Now' the 0o&n$"nkolli trib"l f"milie "re pro&$ owner of F< "!re of te" pl"nt"tion "n$ 9B "!re of p"$$# "n$ (in(er fiel$, The m"rket %"l&e i R C< million, A!t&"ll# it took more th"n fo&r #e"r for the or("ni "tion to re"li4e the $re"m of m"kin( the trib"l to be the 7&bil"nt owner of te" ("r$en ,

N& S.+&&" # &'&!T IN 'ANI,A %I""AG$ The RDO tr& t !on tr&!te$ " !hool "t 0o&n$"nkolli "n$ "ppointe$ two te"!her ,The RDO !hool te"!her h"$ " to&(h time !on%in!in( the trib"l to en$ their !hil$ren to the !hool, The !hool r&n b# the RDO "!hie%e$ " h&n$re$ per!ent "tten$"n!e, The !hil$ren who !omplete$ fo&r #e"r of !hoolin( "t the RDO !hool were "$mitte$ in the ne"rb# (o%ernment hi(h "n$ hi(her e!on$"r# !hool , There i no !hool $ropo&t in thi %ill"(e,

.elie%in( th"t NGO !"nnot &pplement the Go%ernment b&t &ppl"nt the Go%ernment effort ' Per&m"l w"nt the NGO to 7oin h"n$ with the Go%ernment to er"$i!"te po%ert# "n$ enh"n!e r&r"l infr" tr&!t&re &tili4in( the (o%ernment f&n$ , 3e point o&t th"t the RDO tr& t i !lo el# workin( with the Go%ernment in!e it in!eption, When Mr S&pri#" S"h& w" the /olle!tor of Nil(iri "n$ Mr, Pr"$eep @"$"% w" the

10

pro7e!t $ire!tor of 3ADP' the# "!!epte$ the RDO Tr& t) re?&e t "n$ helpe$ to "n!tion f&n$ for b&il$in( ho& e for e"!h f"mil# in 0o&n$"nkolli %ill"(e,

.T # .A

I$S &!T #& 1& 2

The /entre for Tribe "n$ R&r"l De%elopment 1/TRD2' whi!h i workin( in G&$"l&r "re" for the p" t BC #e"r ' h" $one !ommen$"ble er%i!e to &plift the trib"l !omm&nit# in El"m"nn" ne"r G&$"l&r, Sin!e B<9B' the /TRD h" in%ol%e$ in 0o&n$"nkolli %ill"(e "n$ h" been followin( the $e%elopment work !"rrie$ o&t b# RDO Tr& t, The UPASI "n$ 3orti!&lt&re $ep"rtment "re "l o workin( in 0o&n$"nkolli with the &pport of /TRD, /"re In$i" i to be th"nke$ for l"&n!hin( il%er tip &nit "t 0o&n$"nkolli thro&(h /TRD, Sil%er tip pro7e!t will fet!h "n in!ome of R , 9<'<<< for e"!h f"mil# per month,

T$STING TI($ /& 2A(A A; NAGA /A(I"I$S0 #& AGAIN 1&N Tire$ of ro"min( from one pl"!e to "nother in e"r!h of emplo#ment for e%er"l #e"r ' DAB l"n$le l"bo&rer fin"ll# ettle$ in 0"m"r"7 N"("r in 0il 0&n$"h, The# b&ilt m&$ h&t "n$ eke$ o&t " li%in( b# $oin( !" &"l work, 3owe%er' their te tin( time !ontin&e$ " the e t"te owner %ehementl# $i t&rbe$ their omewh"t pe"!ef&l life "n$ "$opte$ terror t"!ti! to $ri%e them "w"#, Another "$ in!i$ent w" th"t the prie t of " ne"rb# temple !on i$ere$ the e l"n$le $"lit l"bo&rer " " b"$ omen "n$ $i like$ their pre en!e, 3e openl# in i te$ th"t the# ho&l$ be remo%e$ from the pl"!e " he !o&l$ not ee the f"!e of the worker e%er# mornin(, At thi t"(e' one ni(ht when the# were " leep' their h&t were et on fire, The# r& he$ o&t "n$ too$ on the ro"$ " the r"(in( fire re$&!e$ the h&t "n$ "rti!le to " he , The RDO /h"irm"n Per&m"l r& he$ to the pot' mobili4e$ the people from the nei(hbo&rin( %ill"(e "n$ prote te$ the e%il $e i(n of the l"n$lor$ , The or("ni "tion pro%i$e$ tempor"r# helter' !lothe "n$ foo$ to the "ffe!te$ f"milie , With it &pport' the h&t were reb&ilt, The# "ll %owe$ to &nite "n$ p&l%eri4e the inh&m"n $e i(n of the "ffl&ent who mo%e$ the !o&rt to e%i!t them, The or("ni "tion en("(e$ " note$ l"w#er to fi(ht the !" e in Oot# !o&rt, The or("ni "tion "!ti%i t "n$ the "ffe!te$ f"milie pr"#e$ for 7& ti!e, The le("l b"ttle' whi!h l" te$ for two #e"r ' en$e$ in f"%o&r of the "ffe!te$, Te tin( time %"ni he$ "n$ pe"!ef&l time !"me in,

#& SAT,AG AGA SA%$# 82& AN&& 9 $SI#$NTS A m"n# " BA $"lit l"bo&r f"milie from /oimb"tore $i tri!t mi(r"te$ to the Nil(iri to toil in "(ri!&lt&r"l fiel$ fi%e $e!"$e "(o, Toile$ for " me"(re w"(e for e%er"l #e"r witho&t " !eilin( o%er their he"$' the# m"n"(e$ to b&il$ h&t in 0or"noor' B< km from

11

Oot#' "n$ were li%in( pe"!ef&ll#, S&$$enl#' their h&t were b&rnt "n$ " fore t (&"r$ for!e$ them to %"!"te the "re" !l"min( th"t the l"n$ belon(e$ to the fore t $ep"rtment, The re i$ent "lon( with the RDO fiel$ t"ff w"lke$ B< km "n$ re"!he$ the !olle!tor"te "n$ t"(e$ " "t#"(r"(", The then !olle!tor w" kin$ eno&(h to &n$er t"n$ their p"theti! !on$ition "n$ permitte$ them to li%e in the re%en&e l"n$ in the %i!init# of the problem"ti! l"n$, L"ter' the $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion i &e$ ho& e ite p"tt" to the f"milie "n$ " i te$ them to b&il$ ho& e &n$er NREP, The or("ni "tion e5ten$e$ "n " i t"n!e of R , 9,D; l"kh to them to re"r (o"t "n$ !ow "n$ tr"ine$ i5teen women to &n$ert"ke !olle!ti%e f"rmin( in "n "re" of ten "!re w" te l"n$ ne"r their %ill"(e, An intere t free lo"n of R , >D'C<< w" (i%en to women who worke$ h"r$ "lon( with their h& b"n$ to !&lti%"te pot"to "n$ prote!t the !rop from wil$ bo"r on rot"tion b" i , The b&mper #iel$ fet!he$ them " (oo$ profit "n$ e"!h wom"n re!ei%e$ " !" h of R , 9;'D>;, The# rep"i$ the lo"n to the or("ni "tion, The 0or"noor !olle!ti%e f"rmin( &!!e w" repe"te$ in Ar"m"n$& %ill"(e with " fin"n!i"l " i t"n!e to t"ke &p (er"ni&m !&lti%"tion, A%in" hilin("m 3ome S!ien!e Uni%er it# !oll"bor"te$ with the RDO to " i t two Self 3elp Gro&p for !olle!ti%e f"rmin( &n$er R" htri#" M"hil" 0o h pro(r"mme,

#& $T I$%$# 2! !(BA T IBA" "AN# in B$""AT+,.&(BAI The 0&r&mb" trib"l f"milie in .ell"th#!omb"i %ill"(e were (&llible "n$ %&lner"ble for !he"tin( b# non trib"l $&e to l"!k of e$&!"tion "n$ "w"rene of l"n$ %"l&e "n$ (o%ernment r&le till the RDO fiel$ worker "rri%e$ there, Their !hil$ren rem"ine$ i$le "t home or went with their p"tient to !olle!t firewoo$ in fore t "n$ ell "t ne"rb# M"n7oor town, The or("ni "tion !on$&!te$ " t&$# on the problem pl"(&in( the 0&r&mb" %ill"(e "n$ AF re i$ent , The t&$# re%e"le$ th"t ome non trib"l p&r!h" e$ their l"n$ "n$ r"i e$ !rop for e%er"l #e"r , A the or("ni "tion initi"te$ " le("l "!tion to retrie%e the l"n$ ' the non trib"l "(ree$ for "n "mi!"ble ettlement to (i%e b"!k the l"n$ to the 0&r&mb" f"milie , Imme$i"tel#' the RDO p"i$ R FB'<<<' re$eeme$ the l"n$ "n$ helpe$ the trib"l to r"i e te" in their l"n$ , E"!h f"mil# t"rte$ e"rnin( more th"n R 9B'<<< from the te" !&lti%"tion "n$ " &re$ the or("ni "tion to rep"# the "mo&nt (i%en for re$emption of their l"n$ , The or("ni "tion $i$ not top with the retrie%"l of the l"n$ b&t !on tr&!te$ " !hool "n$ "ppointe$ " f&ll time te"!her to imp"rt e$&!"tion to the 0&r&mb" !hil$ren, It "l o pro%i$e$ noon me"l to BF !hil$ren for fo&r #e"r , After th"t' it took po iti%e tep to !on%in!e the (o%ernment to open " noon me"l !entre in the %ill"(e,

#& .&1S0"I/$"IN$ /& B'" /A(I"I$S IN 2&""I(A"AI

12

A wor$ whi!h the RDO "lw"# weep &n$er !"rpet i /h"rit# be!"& e it firml# belie%e th"t 8/h"rit# will $e tro# $e%elopment "n$ in te"$' fin"n!i"l help in the form of lo"n will boo t .elow Po%ert# Line 1.PL2 f"milie to work h"r$' e"rn more' rep"# $&e "n$ fin"ll# t"n$ on their own, Thi i the or("ni "tion) m"ntr" whi!h pro%e$ " &!!e in 0ollim"l"i 0ot" trib"l %ill"(e "n$ &rro&n$in( re i$enti"l !olonie &!h " Sem"nth"$" "n$ G"n$hi P&$&r, The or("ni "tion hopef&ll# !ommen!e$ the !ow bree$in( !heme in the %ill"(e "fter it (ot " no$ from /"n"r" ."nk "n$ Di tri!t R&r"l De%elopment A(en!# 1DRDA2, It "l o m"$e the &ne$&!"te$ people to p"rti!ip"te in "$&lt e$&!"tion pro(r"mme "n$ "w"rene !"mp to !on%in!e them th"t the# !o&l$ re"r !ow "n$ "tt"in o!i"l "n$ e!onomi! in$epen$en!e, :< f"milie were below .PL "n$ !ow bree$in( eeme$ to be more &it"ble for them in the lo!"lit#, DRDA !"me forw"r$ to (r"nt C< per!ent &b i$# to p&r!h" e !ow , The .PL f"milie howe$ keen intere t in lookin( "fter !ow "n$ pro$&!e$ more milk t&rnin( their %ill"(e "lmo t " the l"n$ of milk, NIl(iri Di tri!t /ooper"ti%e Milk Pro$&!er Union 1ND/MPU2 ent Lorrie twi!e $"il#6mornin( "n$ e%enin(6to tr"n port milk from the %ill"(e to the ND/MPU' now !"lle$ A"%in, A t&$# !on$&!te$ ei(ht month "fter the !heme w" t"rte$ re%e"le$ th"t for the fir t time' the# t"rte$ !on &min( milk' b&tter milk "n$ !&r$ " p"rt of their foo$, S"ti fie$ with the perform"n!e of the %ill"(e' /oonoor /"n"r" ."nk !"me forw"r$ to "n!tion lo"n for mil!h !ow for the e!on$ time, The b"nk "n!tione$ lo"n to the t&ne of R 9B l"kh $&e to the effort of the or("ni "tion, The %ill"(e rem"in bri(ht,

<(A"IGAI 2A#AI= .+ANG$# T+$ "I/$ &/ A(ASA(, IN %&. NAGA R"m" "m#' " l"n$le l"bo&rer in VO/ N"("r in Ne$&k&l" P"n!h"#"t of the Nil(iri $i tri!t' w" tr&((lin( e%er# $"# to fee$ hi i5 !hil$ren6fo&r on "n$ two $"&(hter , 3e w" &n"ble to en$ hi !hil$ren to !hool "n$ fee$ them "$e?&"tel# " hi in!ome w" too in"$e?&"te, When the RDO or("ni4e$ "w"rene !"mp "bo&t e$&!"tion' elf emplo#ment "n$ e!onomi! $e%elopment' R"m" "m# o&(ht " fin"n!i"l " i t"n!e to oper"te " mini M"li("i 0"$"i 1(ro!er# hop2 " there w" no &!h " hop in the %ill"(e, Alon( with R"m" "m#' one more per on !"lle$ R"m"kri hn"n from the "me %ill"(e "l o e5pre e$ hi willin(ne to r&n " m"li("i k"$"i, The 7&bil"nt or("ni "tion ("%e "n intere t free lo"n of R FBC< "n$ the $&o opene$ " m"l"i("i k"$"i, The# $i$ " ro"rin( b& ine " there were no &!h hop in "n$ "ro&n$ the %ill"(e, The# e"rne$ " "ti f"!tor# in!ome "n$ promptl# rep"i$ the lo"n,

R"m" "m#' with fol$e$ h"n$ ' re!"lle$ hi te"rf&l ol$ tor# "n$ RDO m"$e new h"pp# tor#*+In f"!t' M"l"ik"i 0"$"i i " rebirth to me be!"& e I !o&l$ "tle" t en$ m# #o&n(er !hil$ren to !hool $&e to the in!ome $eri%e$ from the hop, E"rlier' m# el$er !hil$ren rem"ine$ i$le' t"#in( "w"# from !hool , I "m till h"pp# be!"& e m# #o&n(er w"r$ be!ome (r"$&"te , I pe"k from m# he"rt th"t RDO i " li(ht in m# $"rk life+,

13

2&#ANA#! ANNA NAGA a (&#$" %I""AG$ in INSTA""($NT S.+$($ Sit&"te$ from AF km from Oot#' 0o$"n"$& in 0ot"(iri t"l&k of the Nil(iri $i tri!t i to$"# pop&l"r "mon( the to&ri t be!"& e 0o$"n"$& %iew point i the perenni"l fe" t to the e#e of the to&ri t "n$ the lo!"l , In 9:;< Ann" N"("r in 0o$"n"$& w" poor "n$ the re i$ent were in $in(# !on$ition , The RDO forme$ Vill"(e Pl"nnin( !ommittee' Women /ommittee "n$ @o&th /ommittee "n$ "!ti%"te$ them to $e%elop their %ill"(e "n$ their life, The or("ni "tion ("%e R C<< " " lo"n to the women !ommittee for meetin( &r(ent nee$ "n$ rep"#in( on in t"llment b" i , In 9:;< R C<< w" " h&(e "mo&nt $&e to it mone# %"l&e, Relie%e$ from the $ebt tr"p of !r&el mone# len$er ' the Ann" N"("r re i$ent !"me forw"r$ to p"# ome "mo&nt e%er# month to !re"te " oli$ f&n$ for emer(en!# nee$ , A the mone# pool b"lloone$' the h"pp# re i$ent $rew " lot "n$ ("%e R ><< to " l&!k# per on to b&# two (r"m (ol$ perio$i!"ll#, The# "l o form&l"te$ " r&le f"!ilit"tin( "n# member to borrow mone# from the %ill"(e pool for m"rri"(e p&rpo e on in t"llment b" i , The %ill"(e women !ommittee "l o $e%elope$ the pr"!ti!e of !on(r"t&l"tin( the newl# m"rrie$ !o&ple with " (ift, Th& ' the %ill"(e be!"me " role mo$el in lo"n in t"llment !heme,

#& A#%&.AT$# -or a S(A"" /A(I", N& ( RDO initi"ti%e $i$ not top with the e!onomi! empowerment of women b&t went be#on$ it to moti%"te women to opt "n$ "$%o!"te for " m"ll f"mil# norm thro&(h f"mil# pl"nnin( oper"tion, =ort&n"tel#' when the RDO or("ni4e$ "n "w"rene !"mp"i(n in In$ir" N"("r' 9F km from Oot#' it fo&n$ " $#n"mi! wom"n n"me$ Th&l" i"mm"l' who !"me here from /oimb"tore in e"r!h of emplo#ment to fee$ her fo&r !hil$ren6two on "n$ two $"&(hter , E%en her two on were !hool $ropo&t , 3"%in( writhe$ in po%ert#' he o&(ht the help of the or("ni "tion to b&# " mil!h !ow, Imme$i"tel#' "rr"n(ement w" m"$e for the p&r!h" e of " mil!h !ow' her h"r$ work bore fr&it in " few #e"r , The n&mber of mil!h !ow in!re" e$ to three, 3er on "n$ $"&(hter (ot m"rrie$ be!"& e of her & t"ine$ effort , She en!o&r"(e$ her $"&(hter to "!!ept " m"ll f"mil# norm "n$ m"$e them to &n$er(o f"mil# pl"nnin( oper"tion, She bo" te$ of the !h"n(e in her f"mil# "n$ $e!i$e$ to !"mp"i(n "bo&t " m"ll f"mil# norm on beh"lf of the R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion, She met e%er# wom"n ep"r"tel# "n$ e5pl"ine$ "bo&t the !h"n(e in her f"mil# "n$ "l o "bo&t the f"mil# pl"nnin( oper"tion her two $"&(hter h"$ &n$erwent "n$ the benefit , In the initi"l t"(e' onl# one or women li tene$ to her b&t he !ontin&e$ her !"mp"i(n not onl# "bo&t the import"n!e of f"mil# pl"nnin( b&t "l o "("in t the h& b"n$ "tt"!kin( wi%e in the %ill"(e,

14

The "w"rene !"mp"i(n b# Th&l" i"mm"l with the f&ll b"!kin( of the or("ni "tion #iel$e$ "ti f"!tor# re &lt , Men toppe$ r"i in( their h"n$ "n$ t"rte$ lo%in( their wi%e "n$ "!!epte$ the m"ll f"mil# norm,

S2I"" T AINING -or the $#!.AT$# -or S$"/ $('"&,($NT Sin!e the e$&!"te$ #o&th in the r&r"l "re" were &n"ble to fin$ &it"ble 7ob not onl# in the hill $i tri!t b&t "l o in the pl"in ' the RDO tho&(ht th"t it w" imper"ti%e to imp"rt kill tr"inin( in ei(ht tr"$e , Serio& effort were initi"te$ to tr"in the e$&!"te$ bo# "n$ (irl in the tr"$e n"mel# /&ttin(' T"ilorin( "n$ Embroi$er#' 3"n$ 0nittin( "n$ M"!hine 0nittin(' T#pewritin( "n$ Se!ret"ri"l !o&r e' S#ntheti! Gem /&ttin(' /oir M"t M"kin(' Potter#' Motor Vehi!le Dri%in(' Steel ="bri!"tion "n$ Steel Work "n$ /"rpentr#,

+A I#ASS a B$ST $>am?le in S$"/ $('"&,($NT After the tr"inin( w" !omplete$' h&n$re$ of bo# "n$ (irl t"rte$ elf emplo#ment "n$ hone in life, One be t e5"mple w" 3"ri$" of Do$$"ni %ill"(e' 9> km from 0ot"(iri, 3e &n$erwent tr"inin( in heet met"l "n$ teel f"bri!"tion work "n$ "l o &n$erwent "n "pprenti!e in one of the heet met"l &nit in /oimb"tore "n$ ret&rne$ home, 3e e5pre e$ hi $e ire to t"rt " work hop in hi %ill"(e "n$ (i%e 7ob to the e$&!"te$ #o&th , Wel!omin( the i$e"' the RDO t&$ie$ the fe" ibilit# of the propo "l "n$ !"me to " !on!l& ion th"t it wo&l$ be " %i"ble one, It e5ten$e$ " fin"n!i"l " i t"n!e "n$ other ne!e "r# help to e t"bli h " work hop, =&rther' it re!ommen$e$ him to "%"il " lo"n from Di tri!t In$& tr# /entre 1DI/2' whi!h w" kin$ eno&(h to "n!tion " lo"n of R , AC'<<<, 3"ri$" re"!he$ the pinn"!le of h"ppine "n$ pro%i$e$ 7ob to i5 #o&th in hi %ill"(e, Thi "p"rt' " few other were (i%en tr"inin( on heet met"l "n$ teel f"bri!"tion in the work hop, Like 3"ri$" ' m"n# e$&!"te$ #o&th e%in!e$ keen intere t in elf emplo#ment,

BA#AGA (&T+$ 9s "AST 1IS+ at #$AT+ B$# With the RDO ren$erin( it er%i!e in "ll %ill"(e irre pe!ti%e of !" te' !omm&nit# "n$ reli(ion in the hill $i tri!t' the (en&ine o!io6e!onomi! $e%elopment work !"rrie$ o&t b# the RDO le$ b# it fo&n$er Dr, N, 0, Per&m"l to&!he$ the he"rt of the el$erl# per on "n$ !hil$ren, M"n# $e !ribe$ Per&m"l " " tr&e $i !iple of M"h"tm" G"n$hi "n$ ="ther of /on tit&tion Ambe$k"r,

After h"%in( impro%e$ the b" i! f"!ilitie "n$ li%elihoo$ in illiter"teEle e$&!"te$ trib"l "n$ $"lit %ill"(e ' Per&m"l et hi foot in the b"!kw"r$ ."$"(" %ill"(e where "(ri!&lt&re i till m"in o!!&p"tion b&t the# l"!ke$ b" i! "menitie in 9:;< , The RDO opene$ ."l%"$i ' !on tr&!te$ !omm&nit# h"ll 'pro%i$e$ ro"$ ' toilet "n$ lo"n for elf

15

emplo#ment in .ell"$"h' 0il O "tt# "n$ 0"i hol" ."$"(" %ill"(e , Go(hee Gow$er' R"m" Gow$er' Si%"lin("m "n$ .elli of 0il O "tt# %ill"(e' M"th" Gow$er "n$ R"m" of .ell"$"h "n$ .ell" Gow$er of 0"i hol" h"$ e5ten$e$ their whole he"rte$ &pport "n$ !ooper"tion "n$ pl"#e$ " i(nifi!"nt role in implementin( the or("ni "tion) work &!!e f&ll#, D&rin( one mi$6ni(ht' 0"il hol" %ill"(e .ell" Gow$er) wife h"$ premonition th"t he ho&l$ "tt"in S"m"$hi in the ne5t few ho&r , She e5pre e$ hi l" t wi h to ee Per&m"l before Go$) in%it"tion to the he"%en, .ell" Gow$er) on in l"w r& he$ to the re i$en!e of Per&m"l "t mi$ ni(ht "n$ n"rr"te$ the tor#, St&nne$' Per&m"l too$ motionle for " few e!on$ ' r& he$ to the %ill"(e "n$ he$ te"r on eein( the ."$"(" mother "t $e"th be$, With the te"r flowin( $own her !heek ' the ."$"(" mother ble e$ Per&m"l in ."$"(" $i"le!t, All the re i$ent ("there$ "n$ he$ te"r , Within the few ho&r of the in!i$ent' the ."$"(" mother $ep"rte$ from the worl$ perm"nentl#,

#& SA%$# the "I/$ &/ a 32 ,$A &"# GI " 'ATI$NT RDO Per&m"l' the n"me f"mili"r with the people of the Nil(iri be!"& e of RDO) h&m"ne er%i!e "n$ e!onomi! $e%elopment "!ti%itie ' i kin$ eno&(h to (o to "n# e5tent to "%e the life of the poor !hil$ren, Tho&(h tho& "n$ of people benefite$ b# the RDO me$i!"l !"mp ' it took tit"ni! effort to mobili4e "$e?&"te f&n$ for the tre"tment of Sel%i' " 9B #e"r ol$ $"&(hter of " l"n$le l"bo&rer P"l"ni "m# of G"n$hip&$&r N"("r' 9F km from Oot#, Sel%i h"$ often !ompl"ine$ of !he t p"in "n$ h"$ been !ontin&o& l# &fferin( " the p"in kept in!re" in(, When the RDO me$i!"l !"mp w" in pro(re in the %ill"(e' P"l"ni "m# bro&(ht hi $"&(hter Sel%i "n$ re?&e te$ the $o!tor to !reen her, She w" referre$ to Oot# Go%ernment 3e"$?&"rter 3o pit"l "t the me$i!"l !"mp, A ner%o& P"l"ni "m# r& he$ Sel%i to the (o%ernment ho pit"l where the $o!tor "$%i e$ him to !on &lt " !"r$iolo(i t "t /oimb"tore, 3e met Mr, Per&m"l "n$ ple"$e$ hi in"bilit# to "ffor$ b& f"re to /oimb"tore, Per&m"l imme$i"tel# ("%e eno&(h mone# to meet the tr"n port "n$ other e5pen e to !&re the (irl, 3e "l o "$%i e$ P"l"ni "m# to t"ke her $"&(hter to G 0&pp& "m# N"i$& Memori"l 1G0NM2 3o pit"l, A te"m of pe!i"li t in G0NM ho pit"l re!ommen$e$ &r(er# for Atri"l Sept"l Defe!t "n$ " ke$ Seli%) f"ther to p"# R AD'<<< for "n imme$i"te oper"tion, P"l"ni "m# w" ho!ke$ "n$ w" w"ilin( witho&t knowin( wh"t to $o, The m"tter w" bro&(ht to the knowle$(e of Per&m"l who %owe$ to "%e the life of the (irl, Per&m"l &!!ee$e$ in mobili4in( the f&n$ thro&(h hi & t"ine$ effort , 3e him elf !ontrib&te$ R ;<<< "n$ the rem"inin( !"me from Prime Mini ter) Relief =&n$6R ,9A'<<<' /hief Mini ter) Relief =&n$6R ,99'<<<' /oonoor /hen("pp"6R ,9<<<' Lion .ori"h6R ,9<<<' Lion /l&b of Oot#6 R ,><< "n$ P"rent of the p"tient6R , B'<<<, The tot"l "mo&nt w" R AD'><< whi!h w" the e5"!t fee for the &!!e f&l &r(er# performe$ on M"# 99' 9::A,

16

The (irl ret&rne$ home h"ppil# "n$ the whole %ill"(e e5pre e$ th"nk "n$ "i$ in one %oi!e th"t the# were (r"tef&l "n$ in$ebte$ to the R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion,

A'' $.IATI&NS / &( AB &A# -or #& The RDO won the "ppl"& e of the In$i"n "n$ =orei(ner for it be t work "n$ er%i!e in r&r"l b"!kw"r$ "re" , Vim"l" De%i .e!h"rr# P"n"r# of M"&riti& !ribble$68There "re no wor$ of how to e5pre m# "$mir"tion for wh"t #o& "n$ #o&r or("ni "tion "re $oin( for the r&r"l people, In$ee$' I "m th"nkf&l to #o& for "ll the (oo$ $ee$ #o& "re $oin( to !ome into the help for the e poor people, M"# Go$ ble #o& "n$ #o&r or("ni "tion "n$ m"# #o&r Or("ni "tion pro per more "n$ more+, Simi"rl#' Ge"nne 0 No#et"b&r" of T"n4"ni" penne$68I wi h to e5pre m# "ppre!i"tion for the work $one in the RDO b&t I wo&l$ like to !ommen$ #o& "l o for the o&tre"!hin( he"rt "n$ the "!rifi!i"l !"& e #o& h"%e t"ken &p for the benefit of the mo t $i "$%"nt"(e$ people, M"# Go$ ble #o& "b&n$"ntl#+,

%ISIT o- #IGNITA I$S to #& The $i(nit"rie who p"i$ " %i it to the R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion were Mr .or7e S%en on' Gener"l Se!ret"r# of the I=PAAW' Gene%"' S P 0&m"r"%el' A i"n Re(ion"l Repre en"ti%e of I=PAAW' M A(net" ."(lin "n$ Mr .o e' T/O of Swe$en' M .elin$" ."nnet' Senior /on &lt"nt' Tr"inin( /entre for Entreprene&r De%elopment' M"$&r"i 0"m"r"7 Uni%er it#' Mr S Gop"l"n' Dire!tor Gener"l' /APART' New Delhi' / S P"n$e#' Dep&t# Dire!tor 1En((,2' /APART' New Delhi' Mr P M"ri" el%"m'Gener"l Se!ret"r# of People) A(ri!&ltr"l ="rm' P&$&kott"i' 0 Pr"$h"ni' /h"irm"n of the P"rli"ment"r# /ommittee on Welf"re of S!he$&le$ /" te "n$ S!he$&le$ Tribe ' Mr Deni e Ge"n P"&l of =r"n!e' DPA N"i$&' Re(ion"l A$%i or on R&r"l Worker ) A!ti%itie ' Intern"tion"l L"bo&r Or("ni "tion' ."n(kok' "n$ Ar&n Sh"h' A i t"nt Dire!tor' /APART' Mr ,H Mr,R"%i Sh"nk"r Ai ol" I=S' /on &l"te Gener"l of In$i"' V"n!o&r' /"n"$"' R,S"thi#" &n$"r"m' IPS' ATI' M# ore' G,V,Sh"nk"r 1IAS2' Prin!iple A$%i or on In$i"n Aff"ir to Premier of S" k"t!h&%"n' /"n"$"'Nirm"l" $in IPS' M"h"r" tr"'Dr,S,.oop"thi' ATI' M# ore, Mr,S"mir Ro#' E5e!&ti%e Dire!tor' In tit&te for Pl"nt"tion A(ri!&lt&r"l R&r"l Worker ' We t .en("l' Mr,P,P,Si%"pr"(" "m' 3&m"n De%elopment Or("ni "tion' 0"n$#, $.&(($N#ATI&NS T& .&""$.T& AT+I(&&"A( B& $ / !ITS The RDO h"$ tron(l# re!ommen$e$ to the then $#n"mi! /olle!tor N Athimool"m th"t in!e the N"tion"l R&r"l Emplo#ment Pro("rmme w" pl"#in( " i(nifi!"nt role in the $e%elopment of %ill"(e ' "n emph" i ho&l$ be l"i$ on thi , It &((e te$ th"t in te"$ of p&ttin( &p more !on tr&!tion in r&r"l "re" where "lre"$# &ffi!ient b&il$in( were "%"il"ble' " &r%e# ho&l$ be !on$&!te$ to i$entif# %ill"(e to b&il$ !omm&nit# h"ll "n$ b"l%"$i with " !le"r fo!& on $"lit' trib"l "n$ ."$"(" %ill"(e ,

17

Pointin( o&t th"t the Nil(iri h"$ "!!ommo$"te$ more th"n C<'<<< Sri L"nk"n rep"tri"te ' the or("ni "tion tre e$ th"t f&rther mi(r"tion ho&l$ be b"nne$ to m"int"in the e!olo(# of the hill re(ion, It e5pre e$ the !on!ern o%er the $e(r"$"tion of the pri tine be"&t# of Oot# "n$ !"lle$ for "n imme$i"te me" &re to prote!t it, More import"nt w" the Nil(iri $i tri!t ho&l$ be e5empte$ from power !&t in or$er to en &re &ninterr&pte$ oper"tion of Te" f"!torie be!"& e B l"kh people were $epen$in( on "(ri!&lt&re "n$ "llie$ in$& trie , The e &((e tion h"%e been e%en now rele%"nt "n$ implemente$ b# the &!!e i%e (o%ernment , The pre ent t"te (o%ernment permitte$ the Nil(iri $i tri!t to be e5empte$ from power !&t , The en%ironment "n$ e!olo(# $e(r"$"tion h" been pre%ente$ to " po ible e5tent,

.&""$.T&

A;2!(A GA%$ an I('$T!S to NG&

The RDO felt the nee$ to re!"ll ome of hi "!hie%ement be!"& e he belie%e$ "n$ en!o&r"(e$ the NGO to &pport the $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion to implement welf"re "n$ $e%elopment !heme in r&r"l po!ket , /olle!tor G A R"7k&m"r %i ite$ 9:B %ill"(e "n$ re$re e$ (rie%"n!e to the "ti f"!tion of the people "n$ or("ni "tion within " #e"r, 3e i &e$ AF<< ho& e ite p"tt" to the poor within ei(ht month , It w" " rem"rk"ble "!hie%ement, A m"n# " 9>'DC: t&$ent benefite$ b# free b& p" in the tin# hill $i tri!t, /ommitte$ to prote!tin( the en%ironment' Mr,R"7k&m"r pre%ente$ fellin( of tree "n$ pre er%e$ fore t , 3e!ti! "ttempt of M&ltin"tion"l /omp"nie "n$ infl&enti"l timber mer!h"nt to obt"in tree !&ttin( permit from thi !olle!tor en$e$ in " fi" !o, 3e took " tern "!tion "("in t the timber mer!h"nt who %iol"te$ the r&le , 3i p&t "n en$ to the !ommon pr"!ti!e of the 0er"l" "n$ 0"rn"t"k" people (r"bbin( the (o%ernment l"n$ in G&$"l&r blo!k of the Nil(iri $i tri!t, 3e en &re$ mooth b& er%i!e to %ill"(e from town "n$ "l o or$ere$ "$e?&"te b& er%i!e from %ill"(e to %ill"(e, 3e tre"mline$ the P&bli! Di trib&tion S# tem 1PDS2 thro&(h perio$i!"l in pe!tion in !i%il &pplie $ep"rtment, The r"tion item were $i trib&te$ to the !"r$ hol$er , E%en %ill"(e !ommittee were forme$ to monitor the PDS, 3e opene$ BB new r"tion hop to meet the nee$ of the people "n$ e enti"l !ommo$itie were &pplie$ thro&(h Lorrie in remote "re" , 3e er"$i!"te$ illi!it "rr"!k brewin( "n$ "le in the $i tri!t "n$ the prote!te$ the he"lth of the poor l"bo&rer "n$ their f"milie , B';BB per on were "rre te$ in thi !onne!tion,

Like the e !olle!tor ' &!!e i%e $i tri!t !olle!tor h"%e $one " !ommen$"ble work in the $i tri!t, The NGO h"%e e5ten$e$ f&ll !ooper"tion to the $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion for welf"re of the people,

18

A .om?rehensive Study on Tri@al +ealth Tradition A /olk (ediBine R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion i pre entl# m"kin( " !omprehen i%e t&$# on Re%it"li "tion of Lo!"l Trib"l 3e"lth Tr"$ition "n$ =olk Me$i!ine &n$er the Mini tr# of 3e"lth "n$ ="mil# Welf"re' Go%ernment of In$i", The o&t!ome of the t&$# will be $o!&mente$ "n$ pre er%e$ for the f&t&re (ener"tion of the trib"l !omm&nitie of the Nil(iri $i tri!t, The $o!&ment will be immen el# & ef&l to the t&$ent of Si$$"h "n$ A#&r%e$" /olle(e "!ro In$i",

;AN!A , 6, 2006 a $# "$TT$ #A, G"n&"r# D' B<<D i " re$ letter $"# in the &!!e f&l hi tor# of the RDO be!"& e the $"# m"rke$ the Sil%er G&bilee, Thi $"# !"n not be for(otten b# the people of the hill $i tri!t in (ener"l "n$ the or("ni "tion he"$ "n$ t"ff in p"rti!&l"r be!"& e "lmo t the entire hill t"tion !on(re("te$ "t G"n$hi M"i$"n "t M"rket .& St"n$' pop&l"rl# known " AT/ .& St"n$ to witne the Sil%er G&bilee /elebr"tion , Abo&t A<'<<< people from e%er# nook "n$ !orner of the !ool"nt Nil(iri $i tri!t took " !olo&rf&l me(" pro!e ion, The pro!e ion t"rte$ from AT/' went thro&(h M"in ."44"r "n$ termin"te$ "t 3ADP Open Air St"$i&m' better known " .reek S!hool Gro&n$' on the Go%ernment .ot"ni!"l G"r$en Ro"$, The !row$ w" pont"neo& , The to&ri t town of Oot# wore " fe ti%e look, The h"ppine on the f"!e of r&r"l men "n$ women kept the hill town of Oot# milin(, Mr ,/l"ir /"l" i' Se!ret"r# Gener"l' Ai$e et A!tion' Mr,/hir&' IAS' then Pro7e!t Dire!tor of 3ill Are" De%elopment Pro(r"mme 13ADP2' "n$ Mr,M"he h D"#"l' IPS' then &perinten$ent of Poli!e' Nil(iri ' m"$e " f"nt" ti! pee!h "n$ kept the h&(e !row$ " pellbo&n$, The VIP were o h"pp# th"t the# poke from their $eep he"rt th"t the# h"$ not een &!h " bi( "n$ well $i !ipline$ !row$, The men "n$ women who "!ti%el# "n$ h"ppil# p"rti!ip"te$ in the 7&bil"nt pro!e ion $i$ " (oo$ 7ob "t the en$ of the pro(r"mme, The# !olle!te$ R , 9,DC l"kh "n$ $on"te$ to $i tri!t "$mini tr"tion for T &n"mi relief work , Mr N0 Per&m"l' =o&n$er of the RDO' e5pre e$ he"rt6f&ll th"nk to the Or("ni "tion /row$ whi!h e5ten$e$ help in the term of p&bli! $on"tion to the T &n"mi "ffe!te$ people,

TS!NA(I

$+ABI"ITATI&N 1& 2

A few prominent intern"tion"l Ai$e "(en!ie "ppro"!he$ RDO "n$ &r(e$ it to t"ke &p T &n"mi Reh"bilit"tion work , Mr, Per&m"l &((e te$ th"t onl# lo!"l NGO ho&l$ be en("(e$ in T &n"mi "ffe!te$ "re" to work in " f" t w"# be!"& e the# were "w"re of the imme$i"te problem "n$ re?&irement of the fi hermen "n$ their "re" $&e to their $ire!t !onne!tion with them, 3owe%er' Mr, Per&m"l %ol&nteere$ to %i it the T &n"mi "ffe!te$ "re" "n$ i$entif# lo!"l NGO to t"ke &p the !h"llen(in( t" k, 3e t"#e$ in T &n"mi "ffe!te$ "re" in Sri L"nk" 1 G"lle "n$ Tri!om"le2 "n$ N"("p"ttin"m "n$ /&$$"lore in T"mil N"$& for three month

19

"n$ i$entifie$ fo&r NGO ' two in Sri L"nk" "n$ two in T"mil N"$&, The e NGO h"$ !omplete$ the T &n"mi reh"bilit"tion work to the "ti f"!tion of the (o%ernment "n$ the p&bli!,

A#%&.A., and "&BB,ING .e i$e bein( "!ti%e in the Nil(iri ' the RDO !ontin&e to in%ol%e it elf in A$%o!"!# "n$ Lobb#in( "t the n"tion"l "n$ (lob"l le%el for the betterment of the people "n$ implement"tion of the rele%"nt pro7e!t , It i "ppropri"te to re!"ll th"t the RDO h"$ pl"#e$ " i(nifi!"nt role in en"!tin( M"h"tm" G"n$hi Emplo#ment G&"r"ntee A!t, In 9:;:' " $e$i!"te$ te"m from T"mil N"$& le$ b# Mr Per&m"l t"#e$ "t P&ne in M"h"r" tr" "n$ m"$e "n in$epth t&$# on M"h"r" tr" Emplo#ment G&"r"ntee A!t, S&b e?&entl#' the RDO bro&(ht BFD (r" root le%el NGO in T"mil N"$& &n$er the b"nner of Goint A!tion /o&n!il of Vol&nt"r# A(en!ie 1GA/VA2, The GA/VA te"m %i ite$ e%er# nook "n$ !orner of T"mil N"$& "n$ mobili4e$ the "(ri!&lt&r"l worker to lobb# for M"h"r" tr" p"ttern of Emplo#ment G&"r"ntee A!t, =ormer Prime Mini ter R"7i% G"n$hi rele" e$ the "&$io !" ette pro$&!e$ b# RDO in the pre en!e of h"lf " million people in R"7"p"l"#"m, /on e?&ent to the effort m"$e b# GA/VA' T"mil N"$& Go%ernment intro$&!e$ Emplo#ment G&"r"ntee S!heme, =ollowin( thi ' the Go%ernment of In$i" en"!te$ the R&r"l emplo#ment G&"r"ntee A!t,

1& 2$ S9 '"IG+T '!T in I"& RDO i workin( with A i" /on &lt"nt =or&m to hi(hli(ht the pli(ht of m"ll te" (rower in In$i"' P"ki t"n' ."n(l"$e h' Sri L"nk"' Vietn"m "n$ In$one i", The pli(ht of te" (rower "n$ pl"nt"tion worker i bein( t"ken &p "t Intern"tion"l L"bo&r Or("ni "tion 1ILO2 for ?&i!k ol&tion ,

#& /&.!S$S &N $#!.ATI&N /& (IG AT& , .+I"# $N )$(.* A("in "n$ A("in' the R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion i pro&$ of it "!hie%ement in the fiel$ of prim"r# e$&!"tion whi!h i the in$elible root to m"ke e%er# !hil$ " !omplete m"n, The $e%ote$ RDO te"m w"lke$ to the e!onomi!"ll# "n$ e$&!"tion"ll# b"!kw"r$ h"mlet "n$ t"rte$ CC !hool "n$ pro%i$e$ ?&"lit# "n$ %"l&e e$&!"tion for the poor !hil$ren in the l" t AB #e"r , ;C'<<< !hil$ren h"%e benefite$ in the Nil(iri $i tri!t o f"r,

Sin!e it i the motto of the RDO in!e it in!eption th"t "ll the !hil$ren ho&l$ be ent to !hool "t "n# !o t' it i h"pp# now to ee lo!"l !hil$ren from e%er# nook "n$ !orner of the hill $i tri!t w"lkin( or tr"%ellin( to !hool in r&r"l "re" , 3owe%er' the or("ni "tion fo&n$ in the re!ent #e"r th"t the !hil$ren of the po%ert# "n$ M"oi t tri!ken mi(r"tor# l"bo&rer from Gh"rkh"n$' .ih"r' Ori "' /hh"ti ("rh "n$ We t .en("l were w"n$erin( in "n$ "ro&n$ te" e t"te "n$ 7&n(le in the Nil(iri hill ,

20

=e"rin( th"t the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren m"# be tr"ppe$ b# the "nti o!i"l element " In$i" i one of the %&lner"ble !o&ntrie for !hil$ tr"ffi!kin(' the RDO $e!i$e$ to imp"rt e$&!"tion to the e !hil$ren, It "ppro"!he$ Ve$"nt" whi!h' in t&rn' in%ite$ Te"m RDO to Delhi to m"ke " pre ent"tion "bo&t the pli(ht of the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren before it p"nel member , A fo&r member RDO te"m le$ it fo&n$er Mr, N,0,Per&m"l $i$ o on April 9;' B<99, S"ti fie$ with the p" t "n$ pre ent perform"n!e of the RDO' L"ke!it# Vent&re P%t Lt$ 1" (ro&p of Ve$"nt"2 i(ne$ " MoU on A&(& t 9;' B<99, Imme$i"tel#' the or("ni "tion w&n( into "!tion,

#& B &2$ B&TT$"N$.2S in $m. A the o&t i$er in!l&$in( NGO !"nnot enter pri%"te te" e t"te witho&t prior permi ion of the m"n"(ement' the RDO "ppro"!he$ the Nil(iri Pl"nter A o!i"tion 1NPA2 "n$ "ppri e$ of it pl"n to enroll the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren in !hool in April B<99, Mr, N, 0, Per&m"l per on"ll# e t"bli he$ " (oo$ r"pport with the /h"irm"n of NPA' Giten P"reek "n$ e5pl"ine$ "t len(th "bo&t E$&!"tion of Mi(r"tor# /hil$ren 1Em/2, Mr Per&m"l "l o met NPA Se!ret"r# for the (oo$ !"& e, The NPA ("%e " (reen i(n"l to the or(r"ni "tion to implement the Em/ pro7e!t effi!ientl#, The m"in ob7e!ti%e of the Em/ pro7e!t "re to inte(r"te the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren with lo!"l !hil$ren "n$ elimin"te home i!k feelin( from their min$ "n$ "tt"in holi ti! $e%elopment of the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren thro&(h ?&"lit# e$&!"tion with !omm&nit# p"rti!ip"tion, The Em/ pro7e!t i implemente$ b# not onl# $e%elopin( !lo e !oor$in"tion with the $i tri!t !olle!tor "n$ Di tri!t E$&!"tion Offi!er b&t "l o in%ol%in( the e t"te m"n"(ement in the pro7e!t "n$ er%i!e !l&b "n$ S3G ,

6C3 (IG AT& , .+I"# $N ST!#,ING in 33 S.+&&"S The &ltim"te "im of the RDO i to prep"re the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren "n$ enroll them in (o%ernment !hool , 3owe%er' it enroll the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren where%er po ible, In &!h !" e ' it will "ppoint "$$ition"l te"!her for the p&rpo e, If the !hool h"%e no pro%i ion to offer l&n!h to the mi(r"tor# !hil$ren' the RDO will p"# R 9C per !hil$ren per $"# for l&n!h "lon( with lo!"l !hil$ren, Mr, Per&m"l re!r&ite$ new t"ff for the &!!e f&l implement"tion of the pro7e!t "n$ t"&(ht the t"ff "bo&t the hi tor# of mi(r"tion' min$ et of mi(r"tor# worker ' home i!k' !&lt&r"l "n$ l"n(&"(e b"rrier , Mr V"nith" /h"rle ' A i t"nt Profe or' Pro%i$en!e /olle(e' /oonoor' !on$&!te$ " tr"inin( pro(r"mme on !hil$ p #!holo(#' te"!hin( metho$ ' pl"# w"# metho$ ' (o%ernment #ll"b& ' e5tr" !&rri!&l"r "!ti%itie , Mr , Re%"th# e5pl"ine$ "bo&t per on"l h#(iene' n&tritio& foo$ "n$ te"!her 6p"rent rel"tion hip, The or("ni "tion i h"pp# th"t while the e t"te m"n"(ement h"%e pro%i$e$ b&il$in( to r&n !hool ' /olle!tor of Nil(iri ' Ar!h"n" P"tn"ik' "n$ Di tri!t E$&!"tion Offi!er "re e5ten$in( e5!ellent !ooper"tion to e5e!&te the Em/ pro(r"mme, The RDO h" "l o i(ne$ " MoU with the Di tri!t E$&!"tion Dep"rtment to in%ol%e the (o%ernment "i$e$

21

!hool in pri%"te pl"nt"tion to t"ke pe!i"l !"re to te"!h mi(r"tor# !hil$ren, The MoU h" p"%e$ the w"# to "ppoint 3in$i te"!her "n$ pro%i$e noon me"l "n$ n&tritio& foo$, At pre ent' D>9 mi(r"tor# !hil$ren "re t&$#in( in A9 !hool $&e to & t"ine$ effort of the or("ni "tion,

#& A#%&.AT$S -or a (inimum S!''& T ' I.$ -or G $$N T$A "$A/ The mi(r"tion of the Nil(iri bo# "n$ (irl to other $i tri!t in e"r!h of emplo#ment in ("rment "n$ ho pit"lit# in$& trie i on the ri e l"r(el# be!"& e of &n6rem&ner"ti%e pri!e for (reen te" le"%e , A per the B<99 !en & ' the Nil(iri pop&l"tion i >'AC'<>9 whi!h i min& A,CC !omp"re$ to the B<<9 !en & , It i "n in$i!"tion th"t the mi(r"tion will !ontin&e in the #e"r to !ome, If the tren$ (oe &n!he!ke$ "n$ reme$i"l me" &re "re not t"ken' the te" e t"te ' the lifeline for A<'<<< m"ll (rower f"milie !ompri in( 9,C< l"kh member "n$ tho& "n$ of pl"nt"tion l"bo&rer ' will be in the h"n$ of o&t i$er for promotin( re"l e t"te b& ine , Alre"$#' m"n# h"%e ol$ their m"ll te" ("r$en "n$ %e(et"ble f"rm for !on tr&!tion of !ommer!i"l b&il$in( &!h " !ott"(e "n$ (&e t ho& e , The m"ll (rower "re not (ettin( f"ir pri!e for their (reen te" le"%e $&e to (lob"li4"tion "n$ poor ?&"lit# of te" le"%e in the hill $i tri!t, A< per!ent of te" b& he in m"ll (rower ) te" ("r$en "re D< to 9<< #e"r ol$ "n$ the re t "re B< to F< #e"r ol$ th"t h"%e not been m"int"ine$ profe ion"ll#, A " re &lt' ?&"lit# te" le"%e !"nnot be pro$&!e$, It i " f"!t th"t &nle the m"ll te" (rower &proot their $e!"$e ol$ te" b& he "n$ repl"!e with hi(h ?&"lit# te" ee$lin( ' " (oo$ pri!e !"nnot be e5pe!te$, The f&t&re of the m"ll te" (rower ) !hil$ren will be!ome " ?&e tion m"rk,

T+AN2S -or .+I$/ (INIST$ ;A,A"A"IT+A 3owe%er "t pre ent' there i " !on ole for the te" (rower " 3ono&r"ble /hief Mini ter G, G"#"l"lith" h" !ome forw"r$ to re !&e the m"ll te" (rower b# pro%i$in( " &b i$# of R ,B per k(, The RDO th"nk 3ono&r"ble /hief Mini ter G, G"#"l"lith"" on beh"lf of the Nil(iri people, .&t' fi5in( " minim&m floor pri!e for (reen te" le"%e i the perm"nent ol&tion to pre%ent mi(r"tion "n$ er"$i!"te po%ert#, The (o%ernment ho&l$ fi5 " pri!e for (reen te" le"%e on the line of the &pport pri!e fi5e$ for p"$$# "n$ &("r !"ne "n$ perio$i!"l enh"n!ement, The floor pri!e i %er# po ible if the Defen!e Mini tr# !ome forw"r$ to b&# te" $ire!tl# from te" f"!torie in the Nil(iri r"ther th"n b&#in( from mi$$lemen for it one million t"ff in In$i",

#& A.TI&N '"AN to I(' &%$ S(A"" T$A GA #$NS IThe RDO &((e t "n "!tion pl"n to impro%e the m"ll te" ("r$en "n$ pl&!k ?&"lit# te" le"f to en &re " (oo$ pri!e,

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IA<'<<< m"ll te" (rower in the Nil(iri $i tri!t ho&l$ be " i te$ to &proot D< #e"r ol$ te" b& he !"tterin( o%er A<'<<< "!re , I9C< million hi(h #iel$in( te" ee$lin( b& he in A<'<<< "!re , ho&l$ be repl"nte$ to repl"!e the ol$ te"

IThe pro$&!tion ho&l$ be in!re" e$ from B<<< k( of te" le"f per "!re to D<<< k( hi(h ?&"lit# (reen te" le"f per "!re, IThe "nn&"l in!ome of " f"mil# m& t in!re" e from R , B<'<<< to R 9'<<' <<<, I3i(hl# ?&"lifie$ profe ion"l pro$&!e hi(h ?&"lit# te" le"f, ho&l$ be "ppointe$ to e$&!"te the m"ll te" (rower to

I9DB bo&(ht te" le"f f"!torie ' whi!h "re b&#in( (reen te" le"%e from the m"ll (rower ' ho&l$ be moti%"te$ thro&(h Te" .o"r$ to mo$erni4e with l"te t m"!hinerie in or$er to m"n&f"!t&re hi(h ?&"lit# te", I8On the pot+ or fiel$ tr"inin( ho&l$ be or("ni4e$ to f"!ilit"te the m"ll (rower to pro$&!e "n$ pl&!k ?&"lit# te" le"f, IThe m"ll (rower ho&l$ be " i te$ to "%"il f"!ilitie "%"il"ble with Te" .o"r$' UPASI6 0V0 "n$ 3orti!&lt&re Dep"rtment, IMi(r"tion of m"ll (rower ) f"milie "n$ pl"nt"tion l"bo&rer pre%ente$ on!e the "!tion pl"n i p&t in motion, ho&l$ be !he!ke$ "n$

&'$N #$/$.ATI&N / $$ )&#/* #IST I.T ' &G A( The RDO !ontin&e to be "!ti%e "t the (ro root le%el in!e it in!eption in 9:;<, It feel pro&$ of it "!hie%ement "("in "n$ "("in' th"nk to the tirele effort of the $e$i!"te$ t"ff' like min$e$ &pporter "n$ p"rtner , 3"%in( pl"#e$ " p"r"mo&nt role in the $e%elopment of m"n# " pro7e!t for the welf"re of the poor "n$ the $owntro$$en' the or("ni4"tion i !ommitte$ to m"kin( the Nil(iri " $efe!"tion free $i tri!t, =or the p&rpo e' it h" t"ken " !on!rete $e!i ion to " i t one l"kh f"milie to !on tr&!t toilet in the $i tri!t in ne5t 9< #e"r , Mr,N,0, Per&m"l' Dire!tor of R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion' h" $eepl# t&$ie$ the fe" ibilit# of the Open Defe!"tion =ree 1OD=2 pro(r"mme "n$ $r"wn &p "n "!tion to implement it in " tr"n p"rent m"nner, Sin!e it i " h&(e pro7e!t to be e5e!&te$ in%ol%in( m"le "n$ fem"le member in e"!h of one l"kh f"milie in the $i tri!t' tr"n p"ren!# i p"r"mo&nt "t e"!h t"(e, 3en!e' the or("ni "tion h" " !on!rete pl"n to " i t 9<'<<< f"milie to b&il$ toilet per #e"r " in"$e?&"te "nit"tion i " i(nifi!"nt problem in the $i tri!t, It i r"mp"nt p"rti!&l"rl# in the r&r"l "n$ trib"l belt of the $i tri!t $&e to l"!k of knowle$(e "n$ re o&r!e , Appro5im"tel# >B per!ent of the tot"l pop&l"tion of >'AC'<>9 li%in( in B'AD'<B9 ho& e h"%e no "!!e to "nit"tion f"!ilitie , Thi problem nee$ to be "$$re e$ before the !"le of $i e" e re"!he "n epi$emi! proportion, ,

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3en!e' in or$er to "!hie%e open $efe!"tion free in the Nil(iri hill ' the or("ni "tion i workin( with the r&r"l m" e "n$ moti%"tin( them to b&il$ in$i%i$&"l ho& ehol$ l"trine , The ob7e!ti%e of the or("ni "tion "re to "!hie%e open $efe!"tion free in t"r(et "re"' pre%ent he"lth h"4"r$ th"t "ffe!t the r&r"l people e pe!i"ll# women "n$ (irl $&e to non6"%"il"bilit# of l"trine "t home "n$ !hool ' impro%e the %ill"(e "tmo phere' prote!t the en%ironment "n$ pre%ent poll&tion of ri%er ' tre"m "n$ well ,

+&N&! -or #& The Go%ernment of T"mil N"$& "ppointe$ RDO fo&n$er Mr,N,0,Per&m"l " /h"irm"n of T"mil N"$& St"te %ol&nt"r# Re o&r!e /entre "n$ Dire!tor of T"mil N"$& !orpor"tion for Women De%elopment in re!o(nition of RDO) er%i!e "n$ "!hie%ement , Ai$e et A!tion intern"tion"l "ppointe$ Per&m"l " it .ro"$ Member, 3e i the onl# bo"r$ member from NGO e!tor in the worl$, The =INIS3 pon ore$ b# the Netherl"n$ b" e$ WASTE "l o "ppointe$ Per&m"l " it .o"r$ member, Mr,Per&m"l) pee!h on S"nit"tion $eli%ere$ "t &nite$ N"tion Uni%er it# 1UNU2 M"" tri!ht' 3oll"n$ i hi(hli(hte$ in =INIS3 Net, The or("ni "tion i pre entl# repre entin( e%er"l !ommittee in the Nil(iri $i tri!t,

T AINING S+Gs to D!A"I/, -or T&I"$T "&AN To implement the pro7e!t &!!e f&ll#' more th"n ><'<<< Trib"l' D"lit "n$ ."$"(" women !"ttere$ in %"rio& p"rt of the Nil(iri $i tri!t "re bein( bro&(ht &n$er Self6 help Gro&p 1S3G2 b# the or("ni "tion, It i "l o tr"inin( the S3G to r&n their (ro&p profe ion"ll# to "%"il lo"n from the fin"n!i"l in tit&tion to !on tr&!t ho& ehol$ toilet , The tr"inin( will help the S3G to ?&"lif# for lo"n ' in!re" e S3G in pro7e!t "re"' re pon$ to !h"n(e in o!i"l !& tom ' help t&$ent to &r(e their p"rent to !on tr&!t toilet "n$ &ltim"tel# help to r"i e R , B< !rore to !on tr&!t 9<'<<< ho& ehol$ toilet per #e"r /ontr"!tor will not be "llowe$ in the !on tr&!tion of ho& ehol$ l"trine "n$ the benefi!i"rie them el%e will be en!o&r"(e$ to b&il$, .efore benefi!i"rie t"ke &p the !on tr&!tion work ' the profe ion"l will (i%e tr"inin( to lo!"l m" on to !on tr&!t !o t effe!ti%e "n$ t"ble toilet b# & in( "ppropri"te r&r"l te!hnolo(#, Sin!e the Nil(iri e5perien!e (& t# win$ "n$ r"in for > month ' toilet m& t be !on tr&!te$ with oli$ m"teri"l "n$ !on!rete roof, The lo!"l e5perien!e e tim"te the minim&m !o t to !on tr&!t " ho& ehol$ toilet "t R BC'<<<, Therefore' it i m"n$"tor# for e"!h benefi!i"r# to !ontrib&te l"bo&r worth R C<<<,

To "!!ompli h the "mbitio& (o"l' it h" 7oine$ h"n$ with b"nk p"rti!&l"rl# I/I/I ."nk, The or("ni4"tion " i te$ BF<< f"milie to b&il$ toilet $&rin( the #e"r B<9969B with

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b"nk " i t"n!e , It h" pl"nne$ to in%ol%e Sm"ll Te" Grower A o!i"tion ' N"kk&bett" ."$"(" A o!i"tion' S3G ' @o&th /l&b' /olle(e "n$ hi(h !hool in implementin( Open Defe!"tion =ree pro(r"mme,

I.I.I BAN2 "&AN -or &N$ "A2+ +&!S$+&"# T&I"$TS I/I/I ."nk h" " &re$ to (i%e lo"n to the t&ne of R , B<< !rore to !on tr&!t one l"kh in$i%i$&"l toilet "t ho& ehol$ &n$er R&r"l De%elopment O("ni "tion) S"nit"tion pro(r"mme in the $i tri!t in 9< #e"r t"rtin( from B<9B, The or("ni "tion h" "lre"$# b&ilt BF<< ho& ehol$ toilet in b"!kw"r$ %ill"(e like Porthih"$", Work on !on tr&!tin( 9<<< ho& ehol$ toilet i in pro(re "t 0ot"(iri, In or$er to implement the "nit"tion pro7e!t in r&r"l "re" &!!e f&ll#' the or("ni "tion h" 7oine$ h"n$ with the (o%ernment, .e!"& e thi or("ni "tion tron(l# belie%e th"t o!i"l' e$&!"tion "n$ e!onomi! &plift of the &n$erpri%ile(e$ !o&l$ be implemente$ effe!ti%el# with the (o%ernment &pport "n$ !ooper"tion, The R&r"l De%elopment Or("ni "tion h" rele" e$ " book on "nit"tion pro(r"mme, While " &rin( to (i%e lo"n for !on tr&!tion of toilet $&rin( or("ni "tion) "nit"tion pro(r"mme' Mr,S"r"t @"$"%' AGM' I/I/I ."nk' emph" i4e$ th"t impro%in( "nit"tion in r&r"l "re" w" imper"ti%e " open $efe!tion w" the !"& e for pre"$ of $i e" e , 3e "i$ th"t f&n$ w" not " !on tr"int "n$ the people ho&l$ p"rti!ip"te in the ho& ehol$ "nit"tion pro(r"mme "!ti%el#, Oot# m&ni!ip"l !h"irm"n Mr , 0, S"th#"bh"m" note$ th"t the t"te (o%ernment w" !ommitte$ to impro%in( "nit"tion not onl# in !i%i! bo$ie b&t "l o in !hool , Mr , A, Men"k"' Di tri!t P"n!h"#"t /h"irm"n' "n$ Mr,D,M&r&("n' Re(ion"l 3e"$' I/I/I ."nk' "l o e5pl"ine$ "bo&t the import"n!e of ho& ehol$ "nit"tion, The RDO rem"in th"nkf&l to Mr, S"r"t @"$"%' " enior offi!er of I/I/I ."nk' for h"%in( p"rti!ip"te$ in the "nit"tion pro(r"mme "n$ " &re$ to e5ten$ lo"n in the pre en!e of " l"r(e n&mber of women S3G , Tho&(h the !"p"!it# b&il$in( "n$ !on tr&!tion of toilet will be !omplete$ in " %ill"(e within D Month ' RDO i !ommitte$ to workin( with the t"r(et (ro&p for A to 9< #e"r be!"& e of the b"nk link"(e , RDO h" to t"ke mor"l re pon ibilitie for rep"#ment of Lo"n ' whi!h will t"ke A #e"r to !le"r $&e , On!e the "nit"tion lo"n i !lo e$' the t"r(et (ro&p will be " i te$ for ne5t lo"n for "$$ition"l infr" tr&!t&re "n$ e!onomi! "!ti%itie ,

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