Site visit report: Peri-Urban Governance Project run by

Seva Mandir (Rajsamand) Date- 19/12/2011

Participants of studySeva Mandir team- Mr Gulabnur Khan, Mr Nitesh Anand, Chotulal yadav and other team members Saadhna Members- Seeta bai and other women Energy house volunteers and members (Nadeem, Tarun, Jafar, Suber, Riyaaz, Nayaj, Shambhu,Hanuman Prasad),Villagers of Delwara (Mehrunissa, Bilkish banu, Bhur das, Ghan Sukh, Rodi bai, Shakti Singh, Ganesh lal, Govind lal, Maangi Lal, Bheru lal, Chandra Kala etc.) NRLM team- State Resident Representative Mr Anjani Kumar, Young Professional Rajsamand

Introduction
Peri-urban area (Delwara) Delwara is a small peri-urban area on the way to Udaipur which is 42 km away from district HQ Rajsamand. In old time this area was known as Devkul Patan Nagari- the town of Gods. This area was characterized by numerous Jain temples and historical monuments like Rishab dev Mandir, Indira Kund, Shikar Badi, Trimukhi Baodi, Kaseshwar Mahdev, Parshwanath Mandir etc). This area was flourishing when Jhala Rajputs (especially Maharana Maan Singh) reined in this region. Delwara houses temples and architecture dating back to 10th century. Presently 650 HHs are living at this place which mostly belong to Hindu and Muslim religion. Among people major income source is marble business, agriculture, MGNREGA work etc. A lot of women are involved in cloth related business through Saadhna and other working women groups. Seva Mandir Organisation Seva Mandir, founded in 1968 by Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta, is an Indian non-profit organization based in Udaipur, South Rajasthan. Initially, Seva Mandirs work focused on adult education. The idea was to equip the rural, predominantly tribal, citizens of area with the skills and capacities that would enable them to become active agents of their own development. Over the years, this expanded to include a wide range of activities implemented within a framework based on the Ghandhian notion of constructive work. This Ghandhian notion, Constructive work, entails citizens to become engaged in the co-creation of their new social realities.

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In the recent years, Seva Mandir has been consolidating its work in both peri-urban townships and urban slum areas. Though these areas have distinct social, political and economic realities, the underlying principles that characterize Seva Mandirs work are still of great relevance to bringing about positive social change. Mission of Sewa Mandir- To construct the conditions in which citizens of plural backgrounds and perspectives can come together and deliberate on how they can work to benefit and empower the least advantaged in society.

Nagrik Vikas Manch

The Nagrik Vikas Manch (Peoples Development Forum) is an unregistered entity initiated collectively by Seva Mandir and the people of Delwara. It has been continuously functioning for for close to 7 years and is committed towards the vision and objectives people set for them through this forum. It works in five key areas- Water and Sanitation, Heritage, Education, Livelihood and Youth Development. Water and sanitation

Education

Heritage

Livelihood

Youth development

Vision The vision of the Nagrik Vikas Manch is to promote local self-governance and responsible citizenship in Delwara, which can be helpful in creating a strong community of responsible citizens who would be able to take on the responsibility of development for their own village in the future. Objectives

Evolving a strong, sustainable partnership of local institution with local government machinery as well as other local organizations. Creating a platform for integrated learning with space for various partners involved in rural development. Promoting the idea of sustainability and self-help amongst various classes of people.

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Delwara being a peri-urban settlement and has its own set of unique problems and solutions are needed that create and cultivates a culture that promotes equity of rights and sustainable livelihood along-with mutual respect amongst the society.

Figure- Common meeting of Gram Sabha and NVM Five key stakeholders of NVM1. Citizens of Delwara 2. National Foundation for India
3. Seva Mandir 4. The Tata Trusts 5. Devigarh heritage hotel

Structure of Nagrik Vikas Manch Programme committees (Sanitation and Water committee, Health committee, Education committee, Finance and Administration Committee and Construction Committee- each committee having 5-10 members or representatives of stakeholders) are main functioning bodies of NVM which is run by Manch Office bearers (5 +6=11 members). These NVM OB are selected from members of Manch Executive committees (2 Nominated members among Office bearers from 18 Mohallas = 36 members).
Programme committees (5 types)

Manch Office bearers (11 members)

Manch Executive committees (36 members)

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Key observations and response Management of such Mohallah based federation is a challenge well accepted by facilitators and in the meeting held on that day it was observed that the democratic decision-making takes a deep discussion. The information about election process of OB is pasted on boards in all mohallas. The Manch is also planning to build capacities of office-bearers through exposure visit to other institutions. Women are confident about the whole process and contributing by their valuable inputs during discussions. Gram Panchayat is by and large answerable to NVM through combined meetings.

Glimpse of social service initiatives of Sewa Mandir There is an impressive history of few initiatives which were earlier supported by Seva Mandir and later owned by community as social action. Among these following are worth mentioning1. Women enterprise developed in form of Saadhna brand 2. Community-led sanitation campaign 3. Water body restoration (Palera Talab and Tri-mukhi Baodi) 4. Sanitary latrine construction 5. Organisation of youth for social action-Energy House 1. Women enterprise developed in form of Saadhna brandSaadhna was conceived with the aim to provide the women from the rural and urban slum belts of Udaipur with an alternative means of income generation primarily as a tool for empowerment and with a secondary goal of supporting their socio-political standing. In 1988, Seva Mandir conceived and set up its patchwork program with 15 women, to help them combat the draught and with the aim to provide these women with an alternative means of income generation. With time, many women joined this work. All the member owners are part of the General Body, which meet once every year to discuss issues, find solutions and share their experiences. Apart from being an integral part of the general body, the artisan members have elected representatives who constitute the managing committee. Their quarterly meeting is an open forum for discussions and helps in deciding on various issues of concern. General Body (All Group Members)

Managing Committee (Group leaders)

Board of trustees (Two elected members of Managing Committee)

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The members of the managing committee play a very crucial role in the day-to-day functioning of Saadhna. These managing committee members or group leaders have at least 10-15 women members under them. The main role of the group leader is to co-ordinate with its members at field level, production center in terms of quality, production, delivery and deadlines. These groups are a vital link between the center and the artisans. They are also responsible for the quality of work that is delivered from the field. Presently any women can join the group by depositing Rs.352/- (Rs. 251/- as Registration fee and Rs 101/- as Annual fee) however women will be eligible for PF and other benefits only after six months of satisfactory performance. After years of low production and low sales, Saadhna finally moved into commercial viability in 19992000. On 10th of December 2004, Saadhna was registered as an independent entity, a womens artisans enterprise listed under the Mutual Benefit Trust Act. At present members are also provided with facilities of PF, medical insurance and scholarships for brilliant children.

Figure- Seeta bai and other members of Saadhana Key observations and response Almost all women in panchayat are aware of this initiative and associated with it directly or indirectly. Saadhna is planning to open a shopping mall featuring products of these women Women are willing to contribute in daily earning of their family Awareness about Government schemes is appreciable Currently women are not satisfied with low wages given by companies from whom they are receiving orders. They are planning to raise this issue collectively with help of all women associated in business Skilled women have started forming their own enterprise separating from Saadhana Women declined to garner any benefit in economic terms with the association of famous apparel companies like Fabindia

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2. Water body restorationIn outer periphery of habitation a small pond is located which was a source of drinking water to villagers in past. In last some years pond was shrinking due to lack of water as in flow of water from tributaries was blocked due to polythene and other waste material. People had started to use pond for washing cloths and drinking water for animal. Some old people from village who were deeply hurt by looking at condition of pond requested Seva Mandir to make efforts to restore the sanctity of water. Seva Mandir took this opportunity as a entry point to organise people around sanitation issues. Panchayat was also involved to integrate their resources to such problem. Whole panchayat took decision to maintain sanitation around all water bodies. Feeder channels to pond were reformed and walls of Trimukhi Baawari were constructed with contribution of public in manual work. A resolution was also taken to protect natural sources of water from underground sewage.

Figure-Tri mukhi baori Key observations and response People approached Seva Mandir to take up the issue Seva Mandir used opportunity as a medium to rope people Convergence with MGNREGA held to renovate pond Delwara is a water-logged area in rainy season, so special provision needs for drainage 3. Community-led sanitation campaign Any visitor from a city or town will be astonished by looking at cleanliness of this peri-urban habitation. It is not just the awareness of people which attracts visitors attention but ownership of campaign among people compels to gauge the efforts behind this initiative. The daily campaign starts with all household cleaning their house and separating organic and inorganic waste at their home. At fixed time a special cart roams around the mohallah with a Sanitation Volunteer to collect differentiated garbage. This mechanism helped them to recycle waste through environmental friendly practice. The campaign is quite successful due to its own sustainable design as the remuneration to sanitation volunteer comes from community. Each mohallah has opened a bank A/c in bank where each family

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contributes Rs 10/- monthly. Among total population 65-70% households are abided by this collective resolution.

Figure-Aarogya-rath trolley to collect garbage Key observations and response Cleanliness- The eye-catcher fact about town Daily activity to remind people to be a responsible citizen Contributory participation- sign of sustainability 4. In-house latrine constructionLike many places, people of this town were also not habitual of using in-house latrine even when they were constructed by Government for free. Open-defecation by children in gullies of Delwara was a common problem for pedestrian and aesthetic look of town. It was also disappointing for a tourist destination where people cant visit local market. Considering the need for attitudinal change in people Seva Mandir worked on creating awareness on harms of open-defecation. In-house latrines were made on demand by families gradually. Keeping in view lack of space in town common safety tanks were constructed and contribution was demanded from families for regular cleaning of tanks. Till now initiative has claimed to include 90% households in village who have in-house latrines. Key observations and response A major attitudinal change brought by facilitators Potential for use of bio-gas as energy source- yet to be tapped 5. Organisation of youths for Social Action (Energy house- Urja Ghar)To utilize the energy of youths in social action and filling their mind with a bright future, a youth oriented initiative was taken up by Seva Mandir in 2005. The core idea was to involve young minds in planning their own future as well as society. It emphasized on ensuring participation of youth in activities of social awareness like discussions related to issues of development, disseminating information about Government and NGO programmes, education promoting events etc. Beside support of Seva Mandir, two volunteers are chosen among youths regularly participating in day to day activities of Urja-Ghar. These volunteers own responsibility of preparing and executing action plans

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for whole year activities with the help of colleagues. At present 35 youths are actively involved in the center.

The main activities/events organised by Urja-ghar are as follows Providing platform like panchayat for youth to discuss important issues related to youths development Promoting saving habit among youth through formation of SHGs of youths Preparing Audio-Visual material on various social issues Ratri Pathsaala for little school going children Promoting reading habit among youths through establishing library Organize events for youths to develop creative thinking, life-skills and useful hobbies like painting, cooking, music etc Education on computer skills through their computer lab Showing documentaries and movies on important social issues Programmes to celebrate different festivals and promote harmony among community e.g. peace march, discussion on understanding different religion etc Documentation- preparation and maintenance Key observations and response Youths are aligned in Vision with NVM Such platform suitably can be called as Yuva Panchayat Awareness and confidence of these youths was exceptionally high Potential to promote youth leadership Employability enhancement approach of initiative

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Magazine published by Energy House

Entertainment facility for children

Computer for practice of EH members

Attendance in Gram Sabha marked by women

Mohalla wise display board for information

Gulabnur Ji explaining about activites

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Display board featuring activities of Naagrik Vikas Manch

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