BIS #2361 NET PLANNING WORKSHOP AT KINISTE- MOKHADA

 Melvin Pangya

MOKHADA, APRIL 11, 2011: Walvanda: Bosco Samajik Vikas Sanstha organized a four day (i.e. 4th to 7th April 2011) workshop, in Mokhada, Kiniste village, Thane district. The staff from BSVS along with selected youth volunteers and villagers from Kiniste had participated for the workshop. Fr. Blaise, Director Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmed Nagar also attended the workshop. Mr. Swapnil Bagul from BGVK had come as a resource person for the programme. The inauguration programme began with the lighting of the lamp by Fr. Anaclete D’mello and the village Sarpanch Mrs. Lata Madake with other Panchayat memberst.

It was the festival of GOODY PADAVA. Fr. Anaclete encouraged the people to begin the New Year with a fresh approach. The villagers were cooperative and helpful in preparing their own village perspective plan.

Mr. Swapnil began the workshop by explaining the importance of watershed, and how the problems were serious in this region. The villagers had a transact walk and were shown the boundary of the village, along with the identification of the catchment areas. The villagers helped them to prepare a rough plan and suggested the area where the land required focus. The measurement taken for CCT and WAT was explained the next day.

In the evening, villagers had a meeting and decided to do Shramadan for the next day. Ten families were ready to volunteer for Shramadan. The owner of the farm along with the village Sarpanch was present during the Shramadan.

On the third day, the resource person explained how to fill the forms, and collect the information from the farmers before initiating the activities of the watershed. On the last day the ten families did the Shramadan and completed one CCT.

The entire workshop was packed with plenty of practice. The villagers were very much involved and eager to learn. At the valediction function many people spoke appreciating the process begun with BSVS. The youth expressed that it was a good learning for them. They also said that they are going to raise the issue in the coming Gramsabha and also they will contribute some money. They appreciated and recognized the support of BSVS in the process. The Gram Vikas Mandal played an important role in making this programme a success.