An Execution of DALIT (Depressed) empowerment Programme in Baruipur and Bisnupur Block, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal

An Execution of DALIT (Depressed) empowerment Programme in Baruipur and Bisnupur Block, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.

by

Saradindu Biswas

Introduction:
The economists have a common trend to ignore the grass root people those who are surviving at marginal stages. They have also a dogmatic tendency to assimilate the downtrodden people as unskilled labors. Thus the master plan of the economic growth is being designing without giving any place to the grass root people. They only give indulgence to the materialistic growth of the country. It emphasizes the urbanization and destroys the rural sustainability. It grabs the agricultural land and creates huge migration. It promotes new establishment without thinking of resettlement of the people. And truly, the Dalits (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Communities and Minorities) are the main victims of this imperialistic worship years after years.

Project area: 
The Dalits of Baruipur and Bisnupur Blocks of South 24 Parganas have been facing the brutal attack of land grabbing and establishing of new settlement from last decade. 

The ill effect of this kind of unscientific growth over Dalits are as follows : 
- Rich Companies have been purchasing the land with a high price.
- Companies are capturing the NATURAL RESOURCES
- Cultivable Lands are decreasing day by day
- Wait Land is being silting rapidly. 
- The pattern of labor or work culture becoming change.
- Dalit villages are being turning into slum area. 
- Dalits have been losing their land becoming rootless and leaving their hamlets. 
- The VILLAGE MICRO CREDIT and CHIT FUND companies have been spreading their traff to ransack the money of the marginal. 

Project Approach: 
Executing a sustainable approach we have started fighting against this inhuman socio-economic attack on Dalit to protect them within their hamlets. Though the work is too tough but we cannot ignore the challenge as it our social responsibility.

Our Strength : 
Blocks 2
Villages 20
Self Help Groups 42 including 555 women
Child Education Center 13 including 300 students 
Women Federations 2
Farmers Clubs 1 comprising 30 members

Women as the Protective Force: 
We emphasizes on SHG programme as a unique method of micro credit in South 24 parganas. We have formed 42 SHGs in Baruipur and Bisnupur Block. The SHGs are supporting now hundreds of people to free themselves from money lenders. They have gotten easy access to have loan from banks directly with lower interest rate. A routines guideline those are regular meeting, saving, keeping account and dealing with the banks have enhanced them to continue the social approach. It established them as the protective force of the area. Our intervention has awakened them, broken their traumatic situation and unified them on a same boat. 
As of the statement of the SHGs from Baruipur and Bisnupr Block in South 24 Paragans on 30th March 2013

Make the Child Education Joyful: 
We have started 'Child Education Centers in different villages in Baruipur and Bisnupur Block. It functions like a school support center to enable the children in their studies.
It aims to :
- Stopping of dropout. 
- Developing value based education.
- Joyful Learning.
- Exposure of inner talents.
- Building of friendship.
- Main streaming of the drop outs.

Inputs: 
• Regular class for 2 hours
• Teaching of school syllabus.
• To drive away the fear of education. 
• Using of STAG methodology.
• Emphasizing extra curriculum activities. 
• Organizing Summer Camp.
• Organizing Annual Cultural Programme. 

Outcome:
This empowerment project has produced many tangible benefits. All SHG members have learned the power of united action and the basics of group management. This has been a powerful tool to demand their rights. This has paved way to monitor their ratios. Leadership animations have an impact on the people. 
The result indicated 0% drop out in our Child Education Center during 2013-2014 session. 
1. 300 Dalit students have been getting qualitative education.
2. The School Support Center increased self confidence to the
Dalit Samaj (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward 
Castes and minorities) students as they are able to.
3. STAG method was used to teach the children so that they learnt fast.
4. Our School Support Centers reduced the financial burden of the poor families.
5. Joyful methods of learning increased the interest and retention capacity of the children.
6. We emphasized to keep cultural diversity promoting Traditional Performing Art through our School Support Centers. 

Collective Efforts: 
- Organize Training and workshop on SHG building, Leadership Training.
- Training on Jam, Jelly and Sauce. 
- Establishment of MOHILA MONDAL as Federation. 
- Organize Environment Day
- Organize International Women's Day

FEDERATION:
Federation is an independed Community Based Institution. It is a joint venture of SHGs to unite themselves. It can be functioned as a registered organization. Using this SHG members can raise their voice against corruption and malpractices. 
2 Federation comprising 555 SHG members have taken part of various Rights Based Movement especially in Right to Food Campaign from several years. It has introduced the SHG members as protective force. The leaders of the Federation have decided to take part in Panchayat Election and to participate in GRAMSAVA meeting for executing the schemes.

Conclusion : 
All the efforts in the process have empowered the SHG members to sustain their group activities. They formed FEDERATION the self dependant Social Institution to fight against corruptions and injustice. It is already gained it's position as a Social Institution. We hope it can be protected and promoted its members for their every aspect in life. The self ruling process can take place of self realization. It could be offered them to regain their identity, integrity and dignity. This self respect movement could be the cause of a great social change.