ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 Step to sustainable development 7 SOCIETY TO UPLIFT RURAL ECONOMY (SURE) Gurudwara Road, Post Box No. 29 Barmer (Rajasthan) 344 001 Phone : 02982-230801/231103, Email: [email protected] I. Historical Background II. Development Indicators of Barmer III. Challenges IV. Areas of Intervention Rural Livelihood Disaster Management and Ensuring Water Security Empowerment of women and community Education Health Advocacy Mainstreaming Disability Training and workshops V. Partners VI. SURE Record and facts 2 Historical Background A far important kingdoms flourished at various times and many places in the district which are unimportant today were centres of great activity in Barmer district. These include Khed (near Balotra), Kiradu (near Barmer) , Siwana, Pachpadra, Jasol, Tilwara, Sheo and Mallani. When the Panwars (Parmaras ) captured Mandor, they later brought Siwana, Sheo, 36 of expedition of Mahmud of Ghazani, The Pratihars, Solankis, Parmaras and Guhils held the area of Mallani, Khed, Siwana and Kiradu. Pachpadra was at first in the hands of the Panwars, but later it was occupied by the Chouhans and the the Guhils. The same was the case with Sheo and Mallani. Many scholars state that the Pargana of Mallani derived its name from the Malli, Malloi or Malava clan. Other historian conclude that the place was called Mallani after Mallinath. Rao Siha : founder of Rathore clan in this area conquered Khed and planted the " Standard of the Rathores amidst the sand hills of the Luni in 1212 AD." This area was regained by Pratap Singh (Guhil) and Rao Asthan ( Rathore) respectively later on Rao Dhuhar succeeded his father Asthan and after the death of Dhuhar in 1309, Raypal succeeded him. He was succeeded by his son Kanhad at Khed. Kanhad died and was succeeded by his son Trivhuvansi, where upon th ambitious Mallinath ( nephew of Kanhad & son of Salkha) appealed to Delhi for help. With the assistance of Muslim forces, he defeated Tribhuvansi in 1374 AD . After his victory, Mallinath entrusted the fort of Siwana to his brother Jaitmal and jagir of Biradkot to another brother, Viram. Khemkaran another nephew of Mallinath (son of Jaitmal) wrested Guda and Nagar from the chief of Soras in 1397 AD. Mallinath died in 1399 AD. Ojha concludes that the conquered the whole of the area which later became known as Mallani. He was the first chief of the area to take the title of Rawal. Mallani came under British control in 1836 and was managed by a superintendent. He also commanded a detachment of regular troops , consisting of one squadron of Bombay regulars. Mallani was completely integrated with Jodhpur on Aug. 1. 1891. The administration was at the same time re-organised and Hakims were placed in charge of each hukumat in the area now comprising the district viz. Pachpadra, Siwana , Sheo and Mallani. 3 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT : POPULATION 2001 Total Person 1963758 Male 1035813 Female 927945 Rural Person 1818517 Male 957632 Female 880885 Urban Person 145241 Male 78181 Female 67060 Sex Ratio (2001 ) 896 Area 28387 Population Density 69 Decadal Growth Rate (1981-91) +28.27 Crude Birth Rate 1991 31.60 Total Fertility Rate 4.5 Infant Mortality Rate 86 Life expectancy at birth 1991 54 yrs Age at Marriage (F) 1991 13 yrs Name of Panchyat Total Sr.No. Population Samiti Villages 1 Barmer 265 171158 2 Balotra 189 192132 3 Siwana 97 134488 4 Dhorimana 252 181025 5 Baitu 248 151787 6 Sindhari 240 167810 7 Shiv 167 121551 8 Chohtan 167 171105 4 TOURISM INFORMATION:- Information Officer, Suchana Kendra, Near Collectorate, Barmer . Tel. 20485. Residence Telephone 20168. District Informatics Officer, National Informatics Centre, Collectorate Barmer. Tel. 20973. DISTANCES TO IMPORTANT CITIES BY ROAD : Jodhpur 224 Km. (via Balotra) Jodhpur ` 198 Km ( via Pachpadra) Jaisalmer 157 Km. Jalore 204 Km. Udaipur 462 Km. Jhunjhunu 625 Km. Jaipur 588 Km. Ahmedabad 485 Km. Balotra 100 Km. OTHER INFORMATION : Climate : Summer Mean Max 43 degree C Winter Mean Min. 10 degree C Rainfall : 277 mm Season : August to March Clothing : Summer - Light Tropical Winter - Woolen Language : Rajasthani, Hindi, English 5 Overview how the organization started Working area of SURE has been the Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jaipur district and the projects areas since 1991, SURE started working some 18 years ago and took up projects supported by Government and Non-government agencies to implement Rural development, Health, Income generation programme, Natural Resource Management, Livestock improvement, Conservation of Bio- diversity etc. SURE is the firm believed that the development efforts must be pro-poor and pro-environment. Its holistic development of human nature is to be achieved. The organization has been successful in involving people in planning and implementation sure makes special efforts to maintain dignity of poor people especially backward class women by awakening and involving them on different fronts which we consider paramount in any developing society. Natural calamities like drought and Recurring famine after every three years badly causes the lives of the people especially to their economy because they depend on land, water and animal for their livelihood. People have the craft skills with them but they never be took it commercially, they use this skill only for the house decoration and marriages. With the view of potentiality to work for change the lives of people through development of skills for livelihood like commercialization of handicraft, animal husbandry and alternative source of income which ultimately contribute towards the economic upliftment of society and with this Society to Uplift Rural Economy (SURE) came into existence. Society to Uplift Rural Economy (SURE) was established as an NGO in 1990 by Shri Magraj Jain, who hails from Barmer and who was with Nehru Yuva Kendra as its District Coordinator and later its Regional Coordinator. He was awarded by Central Government a “Padmashree” for his outstanding service with devotion and commitment in promotion of development initiatives for the youth of the district. SURE started from the border villages of Barmer district which are the most deprived areas of one of the poorest districts in the country. SURE initiated its work for craft development with Action Aid since 1991, with the refugees from the Pakistan who brought craft activity with them, but they were exploited by 6 the local traders. SURE organized these artisans and upgraded their skills through trainings and workshops and also provided them market through organizing exhibitions. In 1992 SURE started work in education with the Shiksha Karmi program of the Rajasthan Government. Also contributed a lot in mobilizing people at the village level in the Lok jumbish program of the Rajasthan Government that began in 1994.In 1992-93, with support from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), SURE established a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) to promote appropriate technologies in agriculture and in Animal husbandry specially in Tharparkar cow breed up gradation and conservation program. Action Aid helped to launch a long- term integrated development project in 18 villages of the Chouhtan block in 1993.This program brought stability to the working of SURE team could learn a lot on organizing work in different sectors in an integrated manner and had a learning experience in sponsorship program. We have good experiences in Health and hygiene, education specially girls education recently we are running 33 girls residential girls camp. Also covered other issues of girl’s health awareness, BAL panchayat, Kishori manch, we are preparing them as a resource person to encourage and to promote the community. We are also working in Sustainable Livelihood related projects Credit support group (SHG) savings, animal husbandry, dairy development, drinking water and sanitation project, women development and empowerment, women legal issues, public advocacy. 7 SURE’s Vision is a society where All social and economic relationships must be non exploitative There is a ‘just’ social order Women are empowered There is opportunity for the downtrodden to develop by their own efforts SURE’s Mission is To work for sustainable development of the villages and the improvement in quality of life of deprived people (tribal, SC and other backward communities, especially women of all castes and class) through capacity building and appropriate programme interventions. Goal To ensure the participation of the poor and marginalized in the development process through collective decision making and development of democratic leadership within the ambit of local community institutions and Panchayati Raj Institutions and to ensure that the process of development is sustainable. 8 Challenges Social challenge Gender discrimination Caste Discrimination Impact of feudalism Male dominance society Tradition of female foeticide Tradition of alcoholism and drug/opium usage Community are poor, disabled, marginal and minor Unawareness and non - approach of government health schemes and services. Muslim community were not interested in education and women development. Lack of confidence, superstition, illiteracy, rites and rituals were the major constraints for the women and child health. Myths about the immunization. Economic Challenge Lack of opportunity of employment Dependent on animal husbandry and agriculture Farmers are regularly facing drought Due to the above problems, migration is continuously done by the community. Geographical Challenge Barmer district