Shabari Seva Samiti realizes them meaning of Independence

Source: News Bharati      Date: 8/31/2011 4:52:50 PM

Agriculture is the spinal chord of of India economy. However, the people engaged in agricultural work are still living in deprived condition and the condition is worse in tribal belts where the basic facilities are at bay. The condition of women in these regions is the worst. Shabari Seva Samiti decided to bring them out of this plight and initiated a step in this direction a few decades ago.
Poverty is the root cause of all problems prevailing in the rural life of Maharashtra’s Karjat taluka. Most of them work as farm labourers to earn their living. Their poor economic condition is the reason behind lack of education and negligence towards health. To liberate them from this cycle of poverty, Shabari Seva Samiti gave them a helping hand by implementing several agricultural development schemes for their economic empowerment.
Women in Mirchul Wadi were supplied seed worth Rs 20,000 each. They sowed that seed, took proper care of it and their efforts yielded fruits. By selling the vegetables that were grown, each of them earned Rs 28,000. This boosted their confidence and now they began to work with double enthusiasm. Thus Shabari Seva Samiti yielded success in triggering their passion to earn by working together with a feeling of mutual co-operation. They are now getting a proper return for their work. Indeed, this sweat-earned money plays a great importance in one’s life rather than the wealth earned by the forefathers. Women in urban areas should at least visit this region once to view this progress made by these women and encourage the work of their tribal sisters. It also becomes a matter of pride for them that well educated women from cities are coming to them for giving them encouragement. The sphere of joy of these tribal people is very small. We can help in widening it by uttering at least a few words of love and sympathy.
The samiti provided financial assistance to these women for manufacturing bamboo baskets. Seven women started manufacturing the baskets and earned Rs 21,000 by selling the product. Thus because of the herculean efforts initiated by the samiti, now each and every woman of the tribal community has become self sufficient in earning her livelihood. The samiti has made them stand on their own feet. It has made them realize the real meaning of Independence. Now earning has no longer remained a serious problem for them.
These women have developed a sense of belongingness towards samiti karyakartas. Karyakartas have become even more valuable for them than their relatives. These women treat them like their family members; like a brother who comes for the rescue of his sister at the time of difficulty. This strong bond of love also encourages the karyakartas to widen the spectrum of their work.
To catalyze this seva work further, everybody thinks that there should be an official centre of the samiti in each village. In order to bring this idea into reality, on June 1, 2008, a centre of Shabari Seva Samti was established at village Kashele in Karjat taluka. The samiti’s efforts for the economic empowerment of the village soon started yielding good results. 10 sewing machines have been kept at the centre and women were provided training in tailoring free of cost. Now they have got a source of living because of this training. Thus the samiti is keeping no stone unturned for transforming the entire face of the region.
Contact:
Shabari Seva Samiti
‘Anand’, Dr Phadke Hospital
Kotwal Nagar, Karjat
District Raigad, Maharashtra, India
Phone no: 02148-222102
E-mail: shabarisevasamiti@yahoo.co.in
Contact person
sushama phadke, E-mail:Nsphadke@gmail.com
How to reach:
By air: Mumbai Airport is the nearest airport located at a distance of 90 km.
By train: Local trains are available from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai at frequent intervals.
By road: State Transport are available from all major cities such as Pune, Mumbai and Nasik.
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