The Maharashtra Women’s Health Rights Council AKA Mahila Aarogya Haq Parishad (MAHP) provides a credible forum for activists working directly at the village level to share their knowledge and experiences. However, activists frequently lack the expertise necessary to carry out this research procedure. The ‘Study Training Camp’ was held on January 18 and 19, 2025, at Mahavir Nagar, International Centre, Taluka Dahanu, Dist. Palghar, as part of the Maharashtra Women’s Health Rights Council’s preparatory process.

In the immersive two-day experience, activists and helpers from NGOs such as Masoom, Adivasi Sahaj Shiksha Sanstha, Yuva, Kashtari, Adivasi Ekta Ekalavya Parishad, Janavadi Sansthan, Sukhbhumi, Seva Vardhini, We Are For Our Health were present. Teachers and students associated with these organisations and AROEHAN’s activists actively participated in the training. Activist Kajal Jain from Masoom, gave an overview of MAHP, the Maharashtra Women’s Health Rights Conference held annually to cater to problems and preventive care for women’s health along with significant stakeholders from the state. AROEHAN activist Sujata Ayarkar spoke about the role of the council in her work and shared her thoughts on the significance of the Palghar district as the venue for the conference.

Jyoti Kelekar provided information about Palghar’s social, topographical, and economic context as well as its current state, including the rate of malnutrition, early pregnancy, mental health, issues and repercussions brought on by development projects, and the absence of water, forests, land, and health facilities.  In addition to Jyoti Kelkar’s presentation, Brian Lobo stated that women’s health should be viewed as encompassing more than only reproductive health and that public health services are insufficient. AROEHAN’s Secretary Anjali Kanitkar talked about potential research questions about women’s health in the Palghar district as well as potential study techniques such surveys, focus groups, and case studies.

Following this, Achyut Borgaonkar talked with the participants about a variety of study-related subjects. During the session certain statistics & facts were presented such as He presented important statistics such as anaemia rates in India are 27% among males, 57% among women, and 69% among teenage girls. Pressing matters such as women being forced to seek health care alternatives due to the lack of gynaecologists in Palghar district’s government hospitals, which occasionally results in situations like maternal deaths were brought up. The key topics discussed were:

• Health issues of women working at home

• Increasing mental health issues among highly educated girls in Vasai

• Addiction in tribal communities of the Chinchani area

•. Health of women working in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), insurance services

• Early marriage/cohabitation – responsibility of children at a young age and malnutrition of mothers

• Violence against female sarpanches in politics/women in power/decision-making process by husbands/other persons

• Relationship issues of young boys and girls

• Misconceptions about menstruation

• Stress in studies, games and other activities among young students

• Sexual abuse in residential ashram schools, misconception around menstruation, menstrual register, pregnancy testing after long vacations (It was suggested by the activists present that wherever such tests are conducted, the officials of the concerned ashram school can be asked whether there is a government decision in this regard or to whom this is reported.)

• Cybercrime- Increasing use of social media by young boys and girls, Sending unsolicited photos and videos on the phone, or blackmailing for the same

• If the delivery is institutional or at home without surgery, why are stitches placed in both the ways of the woman who has given birth after being brought to the hospital? What is the reason for putting stitches if the vaginal canal does not have to be cut? There is no satisfactory answer from the doctors on this.

• Endometriosis disease and its effects

• Sensitivity of the health system staff, doctors and nurses towards women’s health

• Health consequences of girls not being able to use toilets in schools, colleges, hostels and public places

• Abha Card – It is not seen being used anywhere in Maharashtra. But women who went to Gujarat and used health facilities said that Abha Card is being used there.

• Not getting benefits of schemes despite registering during pregnancy

• Mental health problems

• Teenage pregnancy, POCSO cases, forensic cases – Cohabitation of teenage boys and girls in tribal areas – Case study

• Lack of health facilities for women who have migrated for work, lack of availability of toilets, impact on education of boys and girls

जव्हार -मोखाडा या दुर्गम तालुक्यातील दुर्बल व दुर्लक्षित आरोग्य व्यवस्थेच्या कारणामुळे दरवर्षी शेकड्याने आदिवासी माता-भगिनी-बालकांचा मृत्यू होत असतो. एखादा मृत्यू झाला की, चार आठ दिवस वरिष्ठ अधिकारी, राजकीय पुढारी, मंत्री-संत्री यांच्या  गाड्यांचा  धुरळा उडतो व त्यानंतर सारे शांत होऊन परिस्थिती ‘ये रे माझ्या मागल्या’ सारखी जैसे थे होते. आदिवासी दुर्गम भागातील हे जे मृत्यू होतात त्याबद्दल त्याच्या कारणांच्या मुळाशी जाऊन तो प्रश्न कायमचा निकाली काढावा अशी इच्छाशक्ती ना अधिकारी दाखवत ना राज्यकर्ते ! ही खरी शोकांतिका आहे.

नुकताच २०२५ या नववर्षाच्या पूर्वसंध्येला मोखाडा तालुक्यातील कोलद्याचा पाडा येथे राहणाऱ्या एका २२ वर्षीय तरुण गरोदर मातेचा उपचाराच्या हेळसांड व सोयी-सुविधा अभावी दुर्दैवी मृत्यू झाला. तिला जर जव्हार-मोखाडा येथील शासकीय रुगणालयात योग्य आरोग्य विषयक सुविधा मिळाल्या असत्या तर तिला आपल्या नवजात शिशूला वाऱ्यावर सोडून या जगाचा निरोप घ्यावा लागला नसता. परंतु याचे दुख: ना आरोग्य यंत्रणेला आहे ना राज्यकर्त्यांना! आमच्या संवेदनाच इतक्या बोथट होऊन गेल्या आहेत की एखाद्या गरीबाचा मृत्यू म्हणजे चार घटकेचा ‘धुरळा इव्हेंट’ होऊन बसला आहे.

घटनाक्रम

२२ वर्षाच्या या अतिशय गरीब आदिवासी  कुटुंबातील महिलेला बाळंतपणासाठी  तिच्या नातेवाईकांनी दिनांक २५ डिसेंबर २०२४ रोजी मोखाडा येथील ग्रामीण रुग्णालयात दाखल केले होते. दाखल केल्यानंतर तिच्याकडे नीट लक्ष दिले गेले नसल्याची तक्रार तिच्या नातेवाईकांची आहे. दुसऱ्या दिवशी तिची प्रसूती नैसर्गिक व  सुखरूप झाली. बाळाने गर्भात शी केल्याने गर्भ पिशवी साफ करताना रक्तस्राव सुरु झाला, रक्तस्राव थांबेना म्हणून तिला जव्हार येथील कुटीर रुग्णालयामध्ये संदर्भित करण्यात आले. तिथे तिला रक्त चढविण्यात आले. परंतु रक्तस्त्राव थांबत नसल्याने व रुग्णालयात व्हेन्टिलेटरची सोय उपलब्ध नसल्याने तिला नाशिक येथील सिव्हिल हॉस्पिटलमध्ये संदर्भित करण्यात आले. खरे तर तिच्या  आरोग्याची परिस्थिती अतिशय नाजूक होती, त्यामुळे मोखाड्याच्या पुढे गेल्यावर रस्त्यातच तिची प्राणज्योत मालवल्याचे नातेवाईकांचे म्हणणे आहे. परंतु तशा परिस्थितीतही तिला नाशिक येथील सिव्हिल रुग्णालयात नेण्यात आले. तिथेही त्या मातेची  परवड थांबेना, तिला वॉर्डमध्ये नेण्यासाठी स्ट्रेचर उपलब्ध होईना, बऱ्याच वेळाने उपलब्ध झाले ते दुरवस्थेने जर्जर झालेले! कोणत्या वॉर्डात दाखल करायचे याची कोणी माहिती देईना त्यामुळे दोन वेळा दोन मजले चढउतार करून तिसऱ्या ठिकाणी जेमतेम दाखल केले आणि डॉक्टरांनी सांगितले पेशंट दगावला आहे, तिला घेऊन जा. दु:खात  असलेल्या नातेवाईकांना कळेना आता काय करावे. हॉस्पिटलने शववाहिनीची अथवा गाडीची  कोणतीही सोय उपलब्ध करून दिली नाही. शेवटी नातेवाईकांना खाजगी गाडी करून शव घेऊन यावे लागले.       

यंत्रणेतील उणिवा आणि कर्मचाऱ्यांची कमतरता

आरोग्य व्यवस्थेच्या उणिवा व कर्मचाऱ्यांच्या  कामतरतेमुळे अशा प्रकारच्या  घटनांतून आजवर कितीतरी   माता-बालकांना आपले प्राण गमवावे लागले आहेत. उपरोक्त घटना घडली तेव्हा हॉस्पिटलमध्ये डॉक्टरांची कमतरता होती. येथील मुख्य वैद्यकीय अधिकाऱ्याकडे मोखाडा व जव्हार अशा दोन तालुक्यांचा कार्यभार असल्याने त्यांनाही पूर्ण लक्ष देता येत नाही. मोखाडा ग्रामीण रुग्णालयाचे मुख्य वैद्यकीय अधिकारी हे निष्णात स्त्रीरोगतज्ज्ञ आहेत. त्यांच्या सेवेबद्दल जनमानसामध्ये चांगली प्रतिमा आहे. सामजिक बांधिलकी जोपासून काम करणारे अधिकारी म्हणूनही त्यांची ओळख आहे. परंतु केवळ एखाद्या आरोग्य अधिकाऱ्याच्या चांगुलपणावर सेवांचा लेखा-जोखा मांडता येत नाही किंवा समस्या सोडवता येत नाहीत. त्या ठिकाणी साधनांची उपलब्धताच नसेल तर अधिकारी तरी काय करणार, असा प्रश्न उभा राहतो. उदाहरणच द्यायचे झाले तर मोखाडा येथे आरोहन या सामाजिक संस्थेने गरोदर मातांची उपचाराची गरज लक्षात घेऊन सोनोग्राफी यंत्र पुरवले आहे. परंतु या ठिकाणी सोनोग्राफी तंत्रज्ञाची तरतूदच नसेल तर यंत्राचा उपयोग होत नाही. लोकांना गरज आहे, ती गरज भागवू शकेल अशी सुविधाही आहे, परंतु सेवा मिळत नाही. सोनोग्राफी तंत्रज्ञाअभावी या ठिकाणी आज आठवड्यातून एकच दिवस सोनोग्राफी केली जाते. तपासण्या न झाल्याने पुढे बाळंतपणाच्या वेळी अनेक गंभीर समस्या उद्भवून गरोदर मातांना प्रसंगी प्राणही गमवावे लागतात.

जव्हार-मोखाडा-विक्रमगड-वाडा या दुर्गम आदिवासी भागात आरोग्य केंद्रात नोंद झालेल्या एकूण गरोदर मातांपैकी  ३० टक्के  माता या अतिजोखमीच्या असतात, अशी आरोग्य यंत्रणेची आकडेवारी सांगते. हे प्रमाण खूप भयावह आहे. आणि त्यामुळे या भागातील आरोग्य साधन सुविधा, औषधसाठा, कर्मचाऱ्यांची संख्या या बाबींकडे गांभीर्याने लक्ष देण्याची गरज आहे. आज शासनाची स्थिती ‘कळते पण वळत नाही’ अशी झाली आहे.

सामाजिक अडथळे व आरोग्य

 एकीकडे  आरोग्य यंत्रणेच्या उणिवा तर दुसरीकडे या समाजातील विविध सामाजिक रूढी-परंपरा व अंधश्रद्धा यांचा पगडा, अशा दुहेरी कात्रीत या भागातील महिलांचे आरोग्य अडकले आहे. याचे ताजे उदाहरण जव्हार तालुक्यात नुकतेच घडले. पवनमाळमधील एक ३० वर्षीय महिला मुलाच्या हव्यासापोटी अतिरिक्त बाळंतपणाची शिकार ठरली. ७ व्या बाळंतपणाच्या वेळी अंतर्गत इन्फेक्शन झाल्याने ८ जानेवारीला २०२५ रोजी नाशिकच्या सिव्हिल रुग्णालयात उपचारादरम्यान तिला  आपले प्राण गमवावे लागले.

गरोदरपणात डॉक्टरांनी सांगितलेला आहार अंधश्रद्धांमुळे न घेणे, बालविवाह प्रथा, लग्नाशिवाय परस्पर संमतीने येणारे बाल मातृत्व,  दवाखान्यात उपचार न करता भगताकडे उपचारासाठी जाणे, वैद्यकीय उपचारांची वाटणारी भीती, गरिबीमुळे अतिश्रमाला पर्याय नसणे (अनेक गरोदर महिलांना अगदी नवव्या महिन्यापर्यंत वजनी व अतिश्रमाची कामे करावी लागतात), मुलाच्या हव्यासापायी नवरा व कुटुंबाकडून लादली जाणारी  अतिरेकी बाळंतपणे या सर्वांचे दुष्पपरिणाम शेवटी बाईलाच भोगावे लागतात. अनेक वेळा बाईला आपले प्राणही गमवावे लागतात. हे सामाजिक अडथळे दूर करण्यासाठी जाणीव पूर्वक प्रयत्न करावे लागतील.

काय करता येईल?

या भागातील भौगोलिक परिस्थिती, सामाजिक रूढी-परंपरा, जीवनशैली हे सर्वच वेगळे आहे. त्यामुळे या भागातील आरोग्यविषयक समस्या सोडवण्यासाठी नेहमीच्या उपाययोजना कामी येतीलच असे नाही. त्यामुळे समस्यांच्या मुळाशी जाऊन त्याचा नीट अभ्यास करून योग्य उपाययोजना करणे गरजेचे आहे असे प्रकर्षाने जाणवते. या भागातील स्वयंसेवी संस्था व शासन यांच्यातील परस्पर समन्वय अधिक दृढ करून नियोजनबद्ध काम करण्याची गरज आहे. शासनाने निर्माण केलेल्या विविध स्थानिक समित्यांचे प्रभावी प्रशिक्षण करून त्यांचा सहभाग वाढवणे गरजेचे आहे. शासकीय अधिकारी-कर्मचाऱ्यांच्या दृष्टिकोनविकासासाठीही जाणीवपूर्वक काम करण्याची गरज आहे. या भागातील भगतांना विश्वासात घेवून त्यांनी त्यांच्याकडे येणाऱ्या रुग्णांना दवाखान्यात पाठवावे यासाठी त्यांची मानसिकता तयार करणे आवश्यक आहे. महिलांच्या आरोग्यविषयक प्रश्नांवर केवळ महिलांचीच जाणीव जागृती न करता या प्रक्रियेमध्ये कुटुंबातील पुरुषांना जाणीवपूर्वक सामील करून घेतले पाहिजे. शाळा-महाविद्यालयांतून मुला-मुलींचे शरीर विज्ञान शिक्षण प्रभावीपणे होण्याची गरज आहे. रोजगाराचा प्रश्न, नागरी सुविधांची उपलब्धता याबाबतही गांभीर्याने काम करण्याची आवश्यकता आहे.

एकंदर काय, तर एखादी समस्या सोडवायची असेल तर त्या एका समस्येचा विचार न करता चारी बाजूंनी विचार करणे आवश्यक आहे. याला दुसरा पर्याय नाही. कारण कोणतीही सामाजिक समस्या एकट्याने येत नसते तर तिला अनेक कंगोरे असतात हे कायम लक्षात ठेवून काम केले पाहिजे. हे जरा अवघड आहे, परंतु अशक्य नाही. शेवटी आपल्या संतांची उक्ती कायम लक्षात ठेवली पाहिजे. ‘ प्रयत्ने वाळूचे कण रगडिता तेलही गळे…’  

-श्री. प्रदीप खैरकर ,
सामाजिक कार्यकर्ते- आरोहन

In 1996 the Parliament of India enacted Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, also known as the PESA Act. The landmark act gives rightful powers to gram sabhas in Scheduled Areas. The key feature of this act is to give native residents of these areas the ability to govern themselves through reservations for tribal individuals in Panchayati raj institution, manage natural resources through Gram Sabhas, and ensure each tier of local government is independent.

Despite being a Schedule-V territory with a 100% tribal population, several tiny villages and hamlets in Mokhada do not have PESA status. The bureaucracy is apathetic, and the public is mainly oblivious. In 2014-15, the government launched a push to declare PESA communities, and several hamlets submitted documentation for registration. These submissions were ignored. By organising meetings and designating training motivators for every village, AROEHAN’s Pada Samitis increased awareness.

With our initiatives to make people aware of the PESA Act and ensure their active participation, we have facilitated the submission of proposals for declaration of PESA villages. With regular follow-ups with the Project Officer at the Integrated Tribal Development Project (I.T.D.P) Jawhar, the submissions were accepted and villages were self-decalred as PESA villages.

In the last five years, through various initiatives, AROEHAN successfully helped 30 villages to be declared as PESA villages. Earlier this year, AROEHAN conducted a month long campaign for PESA and Panchayati Raj awareness, engaging over 3,220 individuals from 80 villages in Mokhada, Jawhar, and Dahanu.

There is a common misconception that fallow lands, also called wasteland, cannot be restored or provide habitat for biodiversity and agriculture. Owing to the hilly structures of regions in Mokhada and Jawhar, fallow lands increased. The livelihood options for local tribes were reduced, forcing them to migrate. AROHENA works closely with farmers and in the past two years, AROEHAN has specifically focused on bringing fallow lands under cultivation, enhancing soil health, and conserving water through ASHA, a collaborative project with Siemens Ltd. 41 farmers from 3 gram panchayats were part of this initiative with a mission of turning 100 hectares of land arable.

The farmers mentioned that a large quantity of soil is washed away with water during rice and paddy cultivation in monsoons. To tackle torrential flow, water structures such as earth dams, rock-fill dams, contour bunds, and trenches were built on the slope in regions with minor streams before monsoons. The embankment structures were raised for the unused land from ages, making it permeable for paddy cultivation.

At the same time, furrows were dug in orchard cultivation zones, and the water stored through dams increased the water table, helping natives throughout the year. With the soil no longer being washed away, the farmers were able to continue with diverse agriculture practices and earning a decent amount of income, thus preventing migration. Enthused by the results they have demanded the Gram Rozgar Sevak to facilitate similar works under MGNREGA, a rural employment scheme, in collaboration with the Agriculture and Forest Department, helping more villages for both local employment and agriculture.

Science exhibition provides age-appropriate possibilities for inquiry-based learning while also encouraging kids to think critically and inquisitively. Through realistic simulations, it helps mentors and educators to communicate scientific theories and facts. Students can demonstrate their understanding of complex theories and know its practical applications. Among other benefits is also skills likes project management since selecting and committing to a scientific project requires long-term planning, collaboration, and preparation.

With key focus on STEM Education in tribal areas, AROEHAN conducted school level science project exhibition at Dabosa and Eklavya Ashram Schools. Students in Dabosa demonstrated models for the following topics:

1. Satellite Communications
2. Air Exert Pressure
3. Drone
4. Air Conditioning (AC)
5. Wind Energy
6. Solar Energy
7. Oxygen is Necessary for Combustion
8. Hospital Innovations
9. Save the Planet
10. Earth Revolution and Rotation
11. Waste Water Treatment
12. Light Effects
13. Organic Farming

Whereas Students in Eklavya Ashram Schools demonstrated following topics:

1. Drip Irrigation System
2. Same Energy Used in Different Areas
3. Green house Effect
4. Neuron System
5. Plant Cell and Animal Cell Models
6. Types of Motion
7. Satellite System
8. Rain Drop Sensor
9. Drone Making
10. Volcano Model
11. Acid Rain Model
12. Newton’s Law Demonstration
13. Organic Farming
14. Light effects
15. Solar system
16. Dam model

External Moderators were invited to evaluate the projects based on creativity, scientific concept, presentation, and overall impact. The event was attended by the school trustees, principals of higher secondary and primary, teachers, who showed their support and encouragement to the students. Teachers and Higher Management lauded efforts of AROEHAN to incite creativity among students to present complex understanding of physics, chemistry, biology, and technology. Based on the moderation, prizes were distributed among students with aim of motivating and inspiring young innovators.

In association with the Taluka Department of Agriculture, AROEHAN conducted a Wild Vegetable Festival and Culinary Exhibition and Competition in Mokhada. 30 women from 9 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) participated in this event. The Chief Guests at the event were the Chairperson of the Panchayat Committee Mokhada Mr. Yuvrah Girandhale Saheb, Deputy Chairperson Mr. Pradeep Wagh, and members of the Agriculture Department. Along with AROEHAN’s activists, the students and locals from different villages also attended the event.

The SHGs fetched wild vegetables from the forest and cooked traditional recipes while displaying various vegetables on their stall. The winning group displayed over 48 recipes and 24 wild vegetables. The Mokhada Taluka Deputy Chairman, Mr Pradeep Wagh, offered insightful advice to the women’s self-help groups and encouraged them to keep selling them while the government is also working on providing a market for these vegetables. Not only are these vegetables a healthy part of the diet but they also serve medicinal purposes. Mr. Girandhale stressed the need for these vegetables in both rural and urban areas. While there is a community nutrition deficiency in rural areas, people in urban areas are also vulnerable due to the mass consumption of unhealthy foods. Both regions need to include wild vegetables in their regular diet and should take advantage of the availability of these vegetables within the country. Agriculture Officer Mr. Salunkhe guided SHGs about the production and marketing of wild vegetable-based foods and products.

At the end of the event, all participating groups were honoured and the winning groups were given cash prizes. Suhasini Bachat Gat and Panchsheela SHG from Shirasgaon won first and second prizes respectively and Gurukripa Mahila Bachat Gat from Ghatkarpada won the third prize. The other groups participating were Sauli Women’s SHG, Samarth Women SHG, Renuka Women’s SHG, Anusaya Women’s SHG from Gharkarpada, Mogra Women’s SHG from Sakharwadi, and Jaswandi Women’s SHG from Sonarwadi.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), established as an autonomous body in 1929, celebrated its Foundation Day on July 16th, 2024. While agriculture is entering the technology revolution in India, there are various communities especially tribal farmers deprived of various needs for improved and allied livelihood practices. AROEHAN collaborates with farmers and different institutions to integrate farmers’ needs like spheres of crop production, orchard plantation, livestock management, and goat rearing, among other practices. On ICAR’s 96th Foundation Day, AROEHAN conducted a study tour for farmers of Jawhar to Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Kosbad Hill, Dahanu.

Senior Scientist Dr. Vilas Jadhav briefed farmers about Krish Vigyan Kendra (KVK) which is an integral part of the National Agriculture Research System (NARS) that aims at the assessment of location-specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement, and demonstrations. Subject Matter Agronomy Specialist Mr. Bharat Kushare talked about utilising modern technology for lower cost of rice production and gave information on nursery cultivation, tray rice, mattress steam, and modern machinery.

Mr. PV Wartha, Farm Manager at KVK, elaborated on techniques like the token method of paddy cultivation, Saguna Rice Technique, Derm Method, Benefits of mulching paper planting – which can help retain moisture in the soil, which reduces the need for irrigation. Mr Ashok Bhoir, PA of Soil Science, gave instructions about orchard plantation, and the farmers were also briefed about bee-keeping for honey production and poultry farming by Mr. Uttam Sahane- an entomology specialist.

KVKs have been functioning as a Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technology supporting initiatives of the public, private, and voluntary sectors for improving the agricultural economy of the district and linking the NARS with the extension system and farmers. 35 Farmers from Nyhale and Borale Gram Panchayats of Jawhar benefitted from AROEHAN’s expedition to Kosbad’s KVK.

AROEHAN is paying special attention to bridging the gap between tribal groups and technology by using modern technology in all aspects like water conservation, agriculture and agro-based livelihood tools. Through AROEHAN’s Resource Centre – Shramik Adivasi Bachat Gat, Mokhada – the local farmers, self-help groups and other beneficiaries witness demonstrations of various technologies as well as the state-of-the-art farming methods. The latest installation in our centre are Hydroponics for growing green fodder.
An evolving technology, hydroponics is a method of growing green fodder without soil in an environmentally controlled machine or space. This device has been estimated to utilise 98% less water than traditional methods, and the water is recycled. It is possible to generate up to 1000 kg of green fodder per day from 480 square feet of area, which is comparable to 25 acres of cultivable land producing 25 acres of traditional fodder. Fodder can be produced round the year irrespective of the failure of monsoon, land availability, natural calamities, labour shortage. The green fodder is more palatable, digestible and nutritious, it enhances the immune system of animals and augments their productive and reproductive performance.
After thorough testing of the machines, AROEHAN aims to provide training to local tribal farmers in technology usage and maintenance. This will enable ease in adopting new technology and fulfil their requirements for livestock-feeding as well as endorse cultivation in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

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When we think of summer in childhood, we remember playing games, meeting friends, drinking refreshments, eating sour foods, listening to stories by elders, road trips and so on. Children in tribal areas do not always have luxury of vacation trips or summer camps during vacation. AROEHAN decided to bring summer fun to them through an initiative called Bal Anand Melava. 21 such camps were held from 15th April to 29th April, 2024 at Zilla Parishad Schools in Mokhada.

In Bal Melava, children were taught to make simple drinks on their own like lemon juice and Rasana. They made them and excitedly shared it with their friends. To ignite their creativity the participants were taught the art of origami and were guided through the process of creating intricate paper hats, boats, and planes. Old newspapers were used for these crafts and children were instructed to ensure zero waste to imbibe environmentally responsible behaviour. They were encouraged to perform local folklore and sing songs in front of their peers as a way to foster confidence. In an attempt to demonstrate the importance of sports in school, we organised a variety of enjoyable, classic activities to encourage physical activity and well-being.

While the study break is important, recreational activities during this period are just as valuable and crucial in poverty-stricken areas to prevent children from being pushed into child labour and domestic work, as they lose touch with their learning capacities. 96 students, between 1st to 7th Grade, were a part of this initiative. The Bal Melava were held in 21 Zilla Parishads in Swaminagar, Bhowadi, Adoshi, Saprewadi, Sadakwadi, Dudhgaon, Dhamanshet, Vasind, Behtwadi, Pendakwadi, Bramhangaon, Bedukpada, Thakurwadi, Amle, Ikharichapada, Bhawaniwadi, Sakharwadi, Dolhara, Shelampada, Kakdoshi and many other places.

Ragi (Nachni), also known as finger millets, are highly regarded as nutritious yield and incorporating millets in the diet could tackle malnutrition, and digestion issues, reduce the risk of heart diseases, and aid a myriad of occurring ailments. Finger millet crops are drought-resistant, tolerate adverse weather, and are a primary crop and a staple in hilly regions like Mokhada. While crops like rice and wheat have dominated the Indian market for decades, due to their nutritional value, finger millet and its products have gained a significant market value in recent years.

In light of the same, AROEHAN conducted Food Production & Processing workshops for Women’s
Self Help Groups in Mokhada. Food expert Ujwala Bhore and her colleagues from Jawhar Farm facilitated two workshops on March 13th and March 27th respectively. With on-ground demonstrations, they covered essential topics like manufacturing, packaging, and marketing. They gave elaborate information on the recipes while demonstrating how to make ragi-based chocolates, laddoos, and papads.

“Earlier we used to make papads only to eat at home, but now we will use this training to make
more such products through our self-help groups and earn profits by selling them,”
affirmed the participants.

The participants also made products like chocolate and ladoos on the spot, giving them practical
understanding as the facilitators encouraged them to ask questions. The women’s concerns were allayed after the training was over. The Nachni papad was kept in the sun to aid the cooking process. These papads were loved by everyone during lunchtime. 52 women from 6 villages participated in the first training and 39 women from other 4 villages in the second training. The main objectives of the training sessions were to make ragi-based products as well as gain an understanding of selling them in the market. This could be a game-changer for millet-based products to enter the mainstream market and provide delicious yet healthy snacks to consumers.