JAFS and HDSI working on the principle of ‘payback to society’ in the midst of COVID-19
On the caste based hegemonic society of India, the architect of Indian constitution Dr. B. R. Ambedkar has given an inspirational principle with a sense of social responsibility to the people namely, ‘payback to society’. When marginalised or common people were feeling hopeless because of the structural and systemic failure of that time, responsible citizens and various social organisations should have taken responsibility for empowering the marginalised. In this worst situation, governmental institutions like hospitals and so called quarantine centers in rural India were in the negative circle of question. Now, the only hope for the marginalised community are responsible citizens and social organisations. Various social organisations are working on the problems of socio-economically backward castes/communities. Two organisations namely, ‘Human Development Society of India (HDSI)’ and ‘Japan Asian Social Society (JAFS)’ are working at the grassroots level in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
In a developing country like India not only the ‘COVID-19’ pandemic but also other socio-economic problems like inaccessibility to basic resources, unemployment, livelihood and systemic discrimination against marginalised communities are important issues. For the holistic eradication of all these social problems we need to understand the model of sustainable social work which is performed by ‘Human Development society of India (HDSI) with the coalition of ‘Japan Asian Friendship Society (JAFS)’. Amidst the pandemic of ‘COVID-19’ the above-mentioned socio-economic issues have become the central problem. The social workers and volunteers of ‘HDSI’ and ‘JAFS’ are the only hope and are fearlessly doing their work for annihilating this structural hopelessness of the weaker sections.
Not only in India but also across the globe the number of patients contracted with ‘COVID-19’ are increasing. While writing this article there were more than 44,500 patients suffering from ‘COVID-19’’ in the state of Maharashtra. From this fear of pandemic common man is scared but the warriors of JAFS and HDSI are trying to do their best. They are providing all types of help and support to affected people of Amravati, Chandrapur and other parts of Vidarbha. The National lockdown was declared on 25th March 2020, since then JFSI and HDSI are providing ration and economical support to the affected people and other needy communities.
HDSI was founded in 2002 with the inspirational and hardworking leadership of Mr. Pramod Thorat with other founder members of the organisation. All were desirous to work in the remote tribal areas of Melghat, Vidarbha of Maharashtra. Since the day of inception the vision, missions and goals were to achieve the aim of ‘Inclusive, comprehensive and sustainable development of the last man standing in the society. The organisation is doing very effective and fundamental work in the field of education, human rights, health, agriculture, livelihood, water and environment, upliftment of women and children, and social leadership development.
As Dr. Ambedkar said education is the success key for social reform. HDSI has continued working on this issue till today. Today, more than 2,000 disadvantaged students have come into the mainstream of education through HDSI. More than 36, 967 civic communities in more than 45 villages of Amravati and Chandrapur districts have been part of the community development program. Through the medium of ‘Environmental Development Program’ and ‘Green Scott Summer Camp’ more than 1000 environmentally and socially literate students, youth and citizens are tremendously working in the society. Under the ‘Livelihood Development Program’ of the organization more than 1200 women and their 124 self-help groups (SHG) were trained for self-reliance. Goat farming project was also helpful for local villagers and tribal communities. In view of the drought situation in Vidarbha, handpump facilities were provided to solve the drinking water problem. More than 26,000 citizens in 13 villages have benefitted from this project and through many other sustainable development programs. In today's situation of ‘COVID-19’ HDSI is working and maintaining its legacy of commitment to the common man.
Founder director of HDSI Mr. Pramod Thorat has given the credit of his organisational social work to the Dr. Kimihiko Murakami (Founder Director of JAFS) and others. When I asked Mr. Thorat from where do you get inspiration for doing this work ? He smiled and said ‘payback to society’.
