Regions: VRO in Rajastan Region

ORISSA-I & II ## RAJAHMUNDRY-III ## GUNTUR-IV ## NELLORE-V ## CUDDAPAH-VI

TAMIL NADU-VII & VIII ## HYDERABAD–IX A ## SURYAPET-IX B ## WARDHA-X

RAJASTAN-XI ## VIZAG-XII

RAJASTHAN REGION (North India)

The awareness and appeal of the Northern India villages was with us from the time we responded to the requests of various official and non-official people in Delhi. AVARD, GPF, IGSSS and friends in the AFCI, UNDP and other social agencies, like the Delhi school for Social work smoothed the way. We can only briefly recall the stages and various VRO activities achieved in the first ten years. Though development cannot be measured on the clock or the calendar it helps to compare the landscapes of our efforts and our progress.

In the preparatory period(1983-87)only intermittent and casual contacts could be made intended to gain a normal understanding of the state, its rural policy and outstanding problems. It was the chief secretary of the chief minister and the Governor of Rajasthan who shared with us ideas and dreams. Everything was done from the Delhi office with AP staff. A tentative women’s handicraft support programme ran in Tijara Tahsil.

In 1987-90 extensive survey of the region was conducted systematically by Prasad and Sridhar with the help of SJ brothers under the supervision of Prof. Windey in the 4districts. A temporary office was opened in Moti Dungri. Special liaison was sought with Nehru Yuva Kendra organisation and a few Government programmes. The out come was the establishment of substantial library.

In 1990-93 the work intensified around Alwar itself in a radius of 35km. A new office was opened in Kakakaun. Various villages in 5 blocks were tested. A study document was prepared on the Death and Birth of Rajasthani villages by Mr.Augustene. the hopes were concentrated around 2 villages on the road to Jaliha Muslim village and a Harijan village Dhanwala. Various attempts were made at recruitment camps with Nehry Yuva kendra with little success.

In 1994-95 our focus shifted to 3 seemingly responsive very poor villages. In the first Chindhwa ka Bas a dual community of Muslims and Hindu families cohabited. In spite of repeated meeting , the hope of establishing a community based on the participation of all, stalled and stopped. Second Kishanpur was successfully rebuilt and completed, with the assistance of an overseas volunteer Mr.Justin Carrol in 1995. It has became really show piece in spite of initial handicaps and delays. In the third Naren Charan village we prepared plans for BPTC, in spite of Anchrya help, it was kept on the shelf. In neighboring villages the slow testing process was begun.

In 1996-97 efforts were made to set up a small advisory committee and 2 or 3 meetings were held. This is a slow growth process. Meanwhile the town was shifted to Kishanpur village, the closer to the people and to reduce establishment over head.

At present, we have to consider mainly one issue: the local volunteers recruitment and training. Mentalities in Rajasthan are very different from Andhra: the whole sharing process is more difficult there and post partition community suspicion is not yet gone. Hence we may direct our efforts in the future to more deserving and responsive villages in the South. Our friends form Belgium have been supporting us there steadily and quietly since 4 years.

In the lone village of Kishanpur in Alwar district of Rajasthan the environment is good with a lot of trees and good roads. Here in the village both VRO and Government helped the villagers in digging an open well.