Under the umbrella of Sri Ramachandrapura Math

GRAMOTHAN SEVA CENTERS

HOSANAGARA MUJUNGAVU BADIADKA URUVALU MUROOR

ANNUAL - ACTIVITY REPORT (2016-17)

Under the CSR activity of

Emami Limited

Implementing partners

Sri Siddhantha Foundation Gramothan India Foundation

With the Blessings of Jagathguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthana

Vision: To create a new India, in which our indigenous rural community will have the ability to manage their destiny and have the opportunity to

prosper economically in a responsible and sustainable way, remain connected to their roots in harmony with nature and become self-belief

citizens so that they can raise themselves by themselves.

Mission: To create a self-sustainable hub called Gramothan Resource Center ( GRC ) – which trains and facilitates skill development and creates an eco-

system of progress converging all the stakeholders like farmers, village community, local leaders, Women's groups, Govt., Banks, Corporate,

Knowledge providers, Technical Institutes, Foundations and NGOs.

Core Values: Sustainability, Self Reliance, Integrity, Partnership, Inclusivity, Transparency.

Gramothan Seva Centers:

It is our endeavor to provide opportunities to rural village community to prosper economically in a responsible and sustainable way and

remain connected to their roots in harmony with nature. And most importantly, become self-belief citizens so that they can raise themselves

by themselves.

To achieve the above vision and mission of Gramothan India, 5 Seva Centers (3 in Karnataka and 2 in Kerala) has been set up as follows:

(1) Hosanagara, Shivamogga (2) Badiadka, Kasargod (3) Mujungavu, Kasargod

(4) Uruvalu, Mangalore and (5) Muroor, Uttar Kannada

Areca Plate Making Training Programme – Hosanagara

Silk Garland Making Training Programme- Hosanagara

Formation of Gramothan Seva Samithi (GSS):

To form GSS visits were done by Gramothan staff members to Hosanagara, Mujungavu, Badiadka, Uruvalu and Muroor centers to meet key

persons, local experts, block and gram panchayath members and other officers. We introduced them about Gramothan and our seva projects.

Got list of panchayaths & villages and from that, villages were identified and chosen for interventions in consultation with local Community.

We interacted with the committee before forming Gramothan Seva Samithi. Jointly with Samithi President, Vice-President, Secretary and

members were selected for each GSS. We have built good rapport with various stakeholders in the villages.

Monthly Meetings of GSS:

Gramothan Seva Samithi meetings are held on monthly. Committee members discuss and decide on Seva Programs. Committee members are

actively involved in implementation of Seva programs. They also assist identifying resource persons, local NGOs and volunteers.

Human Resources:

Two Program Managers and 3 Field officers were recruited, who are responsible for day to day planning and implementation of Gramothan

plans. Local experts, resource persons were identified and their services used for conducting seva programs in the region. With the help of

GSS members and Gram Panchayaths, Youth, Volunteers were identified to organize seva programs in GSCs.

Insight/Learning:

1. Individual household survey is being conducted in our chosen villages. However, wherever the villages are very scattered, individual

household survey becomes time consuming and expensive. Hence, interactions with SHG groups, Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and

Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) are conducted to understand the needs and aspirations of village community.

2. Active participation of community members is critical in effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the Seva programs.

3. Conducting Gramothan Seva programs in schools helps to involve parents’ participation. This helps bringing the village community closer to the school which helps in getting newer admissions of students, which is critical for growth of our schools.

Computer Training Programme for Govt. School Students – Hosanagara

Beautician Training Programme – Hosanagara

Creating New Micro Enterprises: Gramothan’s main focus is now on self employment of youth through creation of micro enterprises in villages which uses local raw materials

and talent.

During the current year we have helped start 98 micro enterprises spread over 23 villages. We not only trained youth on various skills, we also

provide capital to buy equipments and working capital. Most importantly we connect them with the buyers and exporters, so that they get

the best prices. Gramothan takes pride in changing the lives of unemployed youth in villages to business owners with the help of EMAMI.

Details of various types of businesses by micro enterprises supported by Gramothan are given below: There is a huge potential to create 100s

of village based micro enterprises and Gramothan will continue to expand this program in years to come.

Tailoring

Gramothan Seva Centers have started Tailoring Training Program. This is an intensive 6 months course conducted by experts. Currently we

have 7 training centers in different villages. This year we have trained 163 women and most of them are now self employed with their own

sewing machines. 48 women entrepreneurs were provided machines on loan basis by us. They got together and started their own micro

business of piece work for Garment exporters as well as doing job work for the local people.

Areca Plate Making @ Hosanagara GSC

This year 4 entrepreneurs were identified and Areca plate making machine with 2 dies each (Equivalent to 8 units) were provided as loan.

Marketing of the finished product also tied up with large exporters from the region.

Honey Bee Cultivation @ Uruvalu GSC

Expanding from the previous year, training programs and entrepreneurs’ selections were done and 10 honey bee farmers have been provided

with a total of 25 boxes. Currently we are getting honey from 45 boxes and the produce is being sold in the local market with the support of

Dakshin Kannada Honeybee Cooperative society.

Kirishi Mela – Hosanagara

Health Awareness Program and Distribution on Medicine to Malnutrition Childrens’ – Hosanagara

Artificial Jewellery Making

All our Gramothan Seva Centers provided training and few of the them have started their own business in artificial jewellery making and

selling to fancy stores in nearby towns.

Silk Garland Making @ Hosanagara GSC

This year provided training in Hosanagara Gramothan Seva Centre. 5 Micro entrepreneurs are making silk garland and selling near temples for

decorating to God. Has potential to expand and market tie up is in process.

Beautician @ Hosanagara GSC

2 batches total of 40 women have been provided training in the beautician course of 6 months duration. Currently they are providing the

service in their neighborhood and in marriage functions. Around 10 of them are working in nearby town beauty parlours. (In the coming year

plans are made to start their own beauty parlours).

Kum Kum Making @ Muroor & Badiadka GSC

Most of the women who got trained are producing very good quality of Kum Kum using locally grown turmeric. This is being sold in local

market & temples.

Note book Making @ Hosanagara & Mujungavu GSC

Note book making from left out blank pages from previous academic years and also by buying new sheets has been trained in our DCS schools

in Mujungavu, Badiadka and other local Govt. schools. This has been very successful and helped in avoiding wastage and also brought

involvement from the students, teachers and parents. This helped many families making it themselves instead of buying from outside.

Workshop on Pepper and Turmeric Cultivation & Animal Husbandry Programme @ Uruvalu

Agricultural Training Programme- Muroor

Paper Bag Making @ Mujungavu

Old newspapers were converted to paper bags by the training provided to 35 interested SHG members. 4 SHG members as a group have

started making paper bag and supplying to local shops.

Papad Making @ Badiadka

Jackfruit is grown in abundance in this area. Papad is in good demand, however, due to quick monsoon setting in, drying of papad is difficult

and production is less. To overcome this, we have provided a drier machine to Mahilodaya SHG in Badiadka. In the coming year it will used on

community basis by nearby ladies for making papads of different varieties.

Embroidery

Selected members who completed tailoring programs were further trained in embroidery work. They are assisting local tailors by providing

value added design to finished blouses and dress materials.

Candle Making @ Muroor GSC We conducted training programs with resources from local NGO. 7 of them have setup micro enterprise. We have arranged marketing

support with buyers from nearby towns.

Tree Plantation & Bonsai Method of Drafting Programme - Muroor

Herbal Garden Inauguration @ Uruvalu DCS School by Sri. Swamiji

Category Wise Seva Program Summary: 2016-17

Category

Hosanagara & Muroor Uruvalu, Badiadka &

Mujungavu Total

No. of Program

No. of Beneficiaries

No. of Program

No. of Beneficiaries

No. of Program

No. of Beneficiaries

Skill Development 44 1434 27 921 71 2355

Micro Enterprise Training & Startup

24 561 9 246 33 807

Health Camps 18 2396 21 3237 39 5633

Agriculture–New Knowledge & Training

17 7368 7 325 24 7693

Personal Development Program

4 253 4 253

Women Empowerment 18 397 25 1583 43 1980

Awareness Program 52 3103 9 581 61 3684

Ecology & Natural Resource Management

7 979 7 891 14 1870

Arts & Cultural 3 880 1 110 4 990

Others 19 1098 26 2008 45 3106

Total 202 18216 136 10155 338 28371

Gramothan Seva Centers Hosanagara, Muroor, Uruvalu, Badiadka & Munjungavu

Honey Bee Cultivation Training Programme – Uruvalu

Swatch Bharath Abhiyan - Badiadka

List of Programs under different categories:

Skill Development: Tailoring, Embroidering, Computer, Spoken English, Etc.,

Micro Enterprise Training & Startup: Eco Plate, Candle Making, Artificial Jewellery Making, Soap Oil and Phenyl Making,Kum Kum Making,Note

book Making, Phenyl Making,

Health Camps: Eye, Dental, Ayurvedic, Heart, ENT, Yoga & Meditation camp, General (BP, Diabetic, Skin, Blood Group Checking), Etc., We are

help in treatment, wherever possible, for the needy.

Agriculture – New Knowledge & Training: Kitchen Gardening, Organic farming, Nutritional Gardening, Traditional Vegetable Seed Kit Distribution Mushroom Cultivation Etc., Honey Bee Cultivation, Food Processing Kitchen Gardening, Participation in Kirishi Melas, Etc.,

Personal Development Programs: Positive attitude, Personality Development, Carrier Guidance and Leadership Training Etc.,

Women Empowerment: Orientation to SHG Women, Income generation Program, Child Development programs, Financial Management,

Adolescent Awareness Program

Awareness Programs:, Health & Sanitation Program, Awareness on HIV, Adolescent Awareness Program, Gas Safety Awareness Program,

Awareness on Nutritional Food, Orientation program for parents, Health of Pregnant women & New Born,Etc.,

Ecology & Natural Resource Management: Tree Plantation, Solar, Herbal Gardening, Water Conservation, Solar Homes in Village, Solar light for

Students (@ Schools), Water Filtration Community Project @ Villages, Etc.,

Arts & Culture: Sanskrit, Folk and Patriotic Song Workshop, Independence Day, Rakshabandhan, Local arts and cultural Etc.

Others: Swatch Bharath Abhiyan - Cleaning Programme, Digital Payment: Cashless Village Training Programme, Etc.,

State Level Kabadi Competition - Badiadka

Note Book Making Training Programme - Mujungavu

Gramothan Seva Center Wise Beneficiary Reach out Details: 2016-17

S.N Gramothan Seva Centre (GSC)

No. of Villages /

Wards

Total No. of Households

Total Population

Details of Beneficiaries through Seva Programs 2015-16

Women Youth /

Students Farmer All Total

1

Hosanagara

33 Villages

3517

16069 5728 3861 2858 1348 13795

2

Muroor

22 Villages

1732

6580 1607 2114 432 268 4421

3

Uruvalu

21 Wards

5977

28561 515 1399 424 661 2999

4

Badiadka

24 Wards

4594

18659 1163 2260 119 323 3865

5

Mujungavu

7 Wards

3183

13586 1786 796 102 607 3291

TOTAL

55 Villages & 52 Wards

19003

83455 10799 10430 3935 3207 28371

Gramothan Seva Centers Hosanagara, Muroor, Uruvalu, Badiadka & Munjungavu

Wildlife & Environmental Protection Awareness Programme- Mujungavu

Digital Payment: Cashless Village Project - Mujungavu

Testimonials/ Feedback from the Community members:

1. The Areca Plate making training and machinery support from Gramothan has made me to earn and support my family. I like them for

help in selling also to outside India. – Nataraj, Hosanagara GSC.

2. “I was suffering from teeth pain for many days; this camp has helped me to take proper treatment. I got Green card for further free

treatment at Yenepoya hospital………..” –Ms. Janaki, Housewife –Padmunja village, Uruvalu.

3. “I was much impressed by Dr. Geetha’s session on women’s health, I learnt how to take care of my own health, how to feed children,

importance of nutritional food during pregnancy etc. The program was excellent ……. Thanks to Gramothan” –Ms. Suvarna,

Melinabesige village, Hosanagara

4. We always have light problem in our village and difficult for our children to study. After Gramothan gave us solar light we are very

happy and children also studying well . Even smoke from kerosene lamp is not there anymore. – Prahalad, Panchayat Councellor,

Melina Besige Grampanchayath.

5. Herbal garden set up by Gramothana in our ashram and school is a very useful project. The students learn about the importance of our

traditional herbs and also learnt discipline of how to take care and protect plants and environment. – Shri Mahesh Ji, Principal,

Gurukulam, Hosanagara

6. Gramothan training programme for women under Self Help Group is very useful. It gives us good idea of what is happening and what

we can do and where we can take help. - Smt. Radha, Mujungavu GSC

7. The Personality Development programme has helped me to plan about my career, to have positive attitude and use of body language

while talking. - Megharaj, Govt Arts College, Hosanagara

Health Camp - Badiadka

Tailoring Machine distribution program@ Mujungavu

8. “Spoken English classes implemented by Gramothan has helped me a lot, I learnt to communicate in English, improved my writing skills

and this helped to score more marks in preparatory examinations” –Kumari Madhu, Muroor GSC

9. The Adolescent awareness Program was excellent and benefitted our village students. Session conducted by Mrs. Ninny was very useful

to us. I have learnt how to take care of my own health, how to maintain hygiene and importance of Cleanness etc. The program was

very good. Thanks to Gramothan. - Kum. Geetha Ilanthila Village, Uruvalu GSC

10. Yoga camp conducted by Gramothan in our school is very useful. They have conducted the camp for six months. I have suffered from

respiratory problem, after continuously attending the camp, I feel lot of change. Thanks to Gramothan. Suresh, Padmunja High School.

Uruvalu GSC very thankful to them. - Smt. Asha, Muroor GSC

11. Financial Management program conducted by Gramothan is very useful to us, especially to ladies who are in SHG. Now our view

towards savings changed a lot. - Smt. Durga, Badiadka GSC

Conclusion:

From April’16 to March’17, Gramothan has made substantial programs in five GSC centers. Rural women, youth, farmers, students and other

community members benefitted from the program. Through various programs at the 5 Gramothan Seva Centers, 28371 villagers have

benefitted, which comprises of women, youth, farmers and more than 33% of the population. Efforts are made to build rapport with local Self

Help Groups, Panchayath members, and key leaders and like -minded NGOs to partner with us.

Our thanks to all the GSC Team members and volunteers for their time & talent for the successful implementation of the programs. We hope

to improve our offerings and reach out in the coming years.

Gramothan Activity – Media Coverage:-