Amera gets facelift due to Seva Bharati efforts

Source: Newsbharati      Date: 11/6/2011 3:00:29 PM

Amera village situated in the remote mountainous region of Chhattisgarh has now become self sufficient in the aspects of education, health and employment because of the effective implementation of development projects by Seva Bharati. Seva Bharati karyakartas have saved this village from getting caught into the ugly clutches of Christian missionaries who earlier used to take disadvantage of the illiteracy prevalent among villagers for fulfilling their evil intention of conversion.
The conversion process had started in the nearby villages under the camouflage of seva. Understanding the gravity of the problem, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh karyakartas and social worker Phulchand Jain opened Vanavasi Ram Primary School for imparting value-based education to the villagers and thus began the work of saving villagers from the influence of Christian missionaries.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh shakhas are now regularly held in morning as well as in the evening. From last five years, prabhat pheris are also being regularly organized. Every Tuesday, Ramayan recital and discourse is held by Ramayan Mandali. Dharm Raksha Sena has been constituted in the village. Bolbum Samiti is constituted for holding 200-km-long padayatra from Amarkantak to Kawardha during which jalabhishek is performed at Boodha Mahadev to mark the conclusion. Festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Navaratri are celebrated with religious fervour. Earlier, such kind of programmes were not held here. Instead, Christian missionaries used to organize prayers at these places.
Conventional methods of farming are practiced. Crops such as maize, paddy, sorghum, etc are primarily cultivated. Women self help groups have been constituted for economical upliftment of women power. Under Ramkothi scheme, food grains are stored so that it can satisfy the need of poor brethren. Under the guidance of Baiga Ashram, cow urine (gomutra) is collected from a number of houses for manufacturing Kamdhenu ark and eco-friendly pesticides and thus a large amount of employment has been provided to village youths who earlier used to just wander in the village or migrate to cities in search of work. Villagers have been given training regarding this work and at present, the manufacturing work is going on in full swing at many houses. Tendu leaves, firewood, etc is also collected by the these villagers and sold in the market so as to earn their living.
There is no place for racial discrimination in the village. All brethren live together with a feeling of mutual co-operation and celebrate their religious as well as family functions with enthusiasm. All of them eat together during public functions. With the co-operation of villagers, sapling plantation programmes are undertaken from time to time and the digging work of pond has also been accomplished.
Earlier, the village was completely in the grip of illiteracy. The stream of education has now spread in the entire village and children are availing education from class one to twelve. With a view that no one should remain illiterate, various projects are implemented effectively in the village. One girl who has passed the class 10 examination is running an anganwadi centre for educating villagers. Mahavir Baiga Ashram and Navasiram Higher Secondary School are also nurturing the sapling of education. Over 100 tribal girls are studying at Vanavasi Kanya Ashram.
Annual health check-up of villagers is conducted by Bharatmata Seva Samiti and treatment is provided on every Sunday. Conventional herbal medicines are also utilized in treatment. There is a complete ban on intoxication. Disputes are sorted out in the village itself. There is hardly any scope for court cases and police investigation. Now, the nearby villages are also being greatly influenced by this transformed face of Amera.
Contact
Sewa Bharati, ‘Matruchhaya’
Vishram Ghat Commitee Trust
Swami Ramtirth Nagar, Hoshangabad Road
Bhopal - 462 011, India
Phone : 0755-2559597, 0755-2574594
Fax : 0755-2565185
E-mail : swbharti@sancharnet.in
How to reach
Amera village is situated at a distance of 40 km from Kawardha. State transport buses are available for going from Kawardha to Amera.
By air: The nearest airport is Raipur Airport that is connected to some of the main cities such as Bhopal, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad and Kolkata. Taxi is the easiest way to reach the town of Kawardha.
By train: The closest railway station is located at Bilaspur, which is located at a distance of 125 km from Kawardha. The place is connected to Chennai, Pune, Tirupathi and some other places in the state.
By bus: State transport buses ply from Bilaspur and Raipur to the town of Kawardha. The travel time will take around two hours.

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