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“Confidence”

(A project proposal for WAH 2005)

By

Asha Toledo

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Summary 3. Organizational Information

4. Proposal Information

a) Goal b) Funding c) Beneficiaries d) Itemized Budget e) Duration of Project f) Government Involvement g) Personnel Involved h) References

5. Appendix a) Site Visit – 1 (for AHAR) b) Site Visit – 2 (for VISION-II) c) Background of Directors of BCT d) Minutes of Meeting e) BCT Audit Report (2003-04) f) BCT Audit Report (2002-03) g) BCT Audit Report (2001-02)

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Introduction This proposal for WAH 2005 is being submitted to support an effort to recreate 100 villages not by geographical means but through education. It is an attempt to build confidence in the minds of youth in 100 villages around Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The proposal has been divided into 2 parts: Academy of Humans as Resources (AHAR) VISION – II The former is a full fledged institute (a center for livelihood and life skills) that will train youth in about 100 villages and the latter is a smaller version of AHAR especially for disabled. Summary Name of WAH 2005 Proposal: Confidence

Total amount required (USD): 60150.00 ($60.15K)

Target Amount from WAH 2005 (USD): 6000.00 ($6K)

Cost Type: Creation of an Academy & Provision of Educational Accessories to Blind

Number of People Served: People in 100 villages

Project Location (District): Visakhapatnam

Project Location (State): Andhra Pradesh

Category: Children (Disabled) & Youth

FCRA Approval: Yes

Nominating Chapter: Toledo

Contact Persons: Binal Shah & Srikanth Pilla

E-mail: binalshah2002@yahoo.com & skpilla@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ashanet.org/toledo/confidence.htm (In process)

Site Visit: Included

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Organization Information Name of the Organization: Bhagavatula Charitable Trust (BCT) Date of Establishment: 1976 Registration Number: 412/76 of Nov. 1976 at Visakhapatnam under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 Tax Exemption Certificate Number: H.Qrs III/100/77-78 dated 11-7-2000 of Commissioner of Income Tax, Visakhapatnam Exemption Valid Dates: 31 – 03 – 2003 (gets renewed every three years) FCRA Number: 010 350014 under Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act 1976 Brief long-term Objective: BCT works towards Universal Quality Education (UQE, Aims to provide quality education that will lead individuals to self reliance and communities to peaceful coexistence). It wants to embark on a massive meaningful training programme imparting livelihood and life skills to hundreds of youth enabling them to stand on their feet by setting up an Academy of Humans as Resources (AHAR). This is a very long term project and hence it felt appropriate to take up a short term project to train the youth in 100 villages through a pilot experiment. Once BCT is able to demonstrate the efficacy of the programme and capability of BCT, it aims at setting up the Academy as a deemed university, with the help of a large funding source or agency. Creation and Activities:

Although established in 1976, work started almost a decade earlier when Dr. Parameswara Rao after getting a Ph.D. in nuclear sciences from the USA, returned to his native village Dimili, with the sole objective of doing something for the people of his village. BCT is involved with overall integrated rural development in 3 mandals, namely Achutapuram, Rambilli and Yellamanchili in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Some of their activities include, but are not limited to: ? Education ? Wasteland Development ? Agriculture Extension ? Community Organization ? Health ? Enterprise research and marketing for women ? Community base rehabilitation for the disabled BCT has been running NFE (Non-formal education) program in partnership with the

Government of India for the last 10 yrs. With its experience in education, they have learnt several lessons over the past decade. They are pursuing a dream that every child in the

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country should have access to education and trying for a model, which will be effective and affordable with the total involvement and only responsibility by the villagers themselves. Background of founder(s): Immediately after obtaining his Ph.D., Parameswara Rao opted to return back to his ancestral home in Dimili village of Yellamanchili taluk, Visakhapatnam District, in August 1967. Settling down in the village, he undertook the unbeaten path of grass root level development work. For the first 9 years, it was a one-man mission and from 1976, it is work through BCT….it is now a known history. http://www.indiatogether.org/ppi/rao-appeal.htm http://www.deeshaa.net/node/193 http://www.ashanet.org/princeton/talks/rao.html more information can be found at http://www.bctindia.net Background of directors: See Appendix (C) Number of Staff: 4 Administrative and 8 teaching staff Annual Budget: Rs 1.5 Crores. Annual Audit reports (2001-04) can be found in Appendix E, F, G. Previous Funding: BCT is now completed 29 years of existence. The list of the co- partners from 1979 are as follows:

? Asha for Education USA ? International Development Research Center (IDRC) ? International Labour Organisation (ILO) ? Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) ? Ford Foundation ? Oxfam(UK, America and Quebec) ? Save the Children Fund, B.C., Canada ? E.Z.E., Germany ? MIBLOU, Switzerland ? GTZ(German Technical Co-operation) ? India Literacy Projects (ILP), USA ? Association for India’s Development (AID), USA ? HUDCO ? Government of Andhra Pradesh ? Sri Dorabji Tate Trust ? Ministry of Human Resource Development, (MHRD), Govt of India

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? Infosys Foundation ? Ashraya Hastha trust , Bangalore ? Heart and Hand for the Handicapped, USA

US Contact: Binal Shah 2711 West Central Ave, Apt # B10, Cedars, Toledo, OH-43606 Tel: 419-474-5918 (H) Email: binalshah2002@yahoo.com Srikanth Pilla 2830 Alisdale Drive Apt # 101 Toledo, OH-43606 Tel: 419-320-1861 (c) Email: skpilla@gmail.com India Contact: B. V. Sreenivasa Rao Chief-of-Liaison, BCT D.No.47-9-37, Near Diamond Park, Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam – 530016 Tel: 91-9346331181 (C) 91-891-2550084 (O) 91-891-2508440 (H) Email: vsrbtula@yahoo.com

Previous Sponsor(s) for the Project: This is a new project.

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Previous projects: Asha contributed approximately $30,645 during the year 2002-2003 intended for 10 pucca schools, at 1 lakh each, 1 core volunteer honorium at Rs 15 K per month and 1 doctor at Rs. 15K per month, Rs 75K for automobile, Rs 36K for petrol and driver. They were successful in constructing 1 model school, 15 low cost schools, and a resource training center, doctor and automobile for transportation. Location and Demographic details: The University will be located at the same place from where the BCT is conducting its operations namely at Haripuram. These are all rural villages in the district of Visakhapatnam. Starting with 100 villages in Rambili, Achutapuram, Yellamanchili, Kasimkota and Munagapaka Mandals of the district, BCT envisages covering the entire district of Visakhapatnam.

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Proposal Information PART-A: Academy of Humans as Resources Goal of WAH project: BCT aims at generating self employment in 100 villages. It aims at giving meaningful training programme to hundreds of youth enabling them to stand on their foot. By gathering youth from 100 villages nearby, training them with skills that would assist them in becoming self reliant, BCT will demonstrate their goal of creating self employment and would aim at extending it to all the villages in India. The courses that would be offered are:

1. Dress making for women, 2. Surf and detergent making, 3. Bakery and biscuits, 4. Washing soap production, 5. Computer operation and repair, 6. Electrical repairs and pump maintenance, 7. Etikopakka toys, 8. Hand made paper from rags, waste banana fiber, 9. Screen printing, 10. Agricultural skills like floriculture, vegetable gardening 11. Masonry and 12. Carpentry

a) Total amount required (USD): 58000.00 ($58K)

b) Target Amount from WAH 2005 (USD): 5000.00 ($5K)

Beneficiaries of the Project: This project which is for youth, both male and female, from 17 to 30 years of age, is envisaged to start with 300-500 youth coming from around 100 villages in the district of Visakhapatnam. Details of the funding requirements: Duration for which funds are requested or duration of the project: This is a short term pilot project, an experiment to explore the viability for setting of the Academy of Humans as Resources (AHAR). This is a pilot experiment envisaged for a period of one year, to start with. We are keeping the options open.

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Itemized Budget: Capital Cost (Rs 15L) Itemized Breakdown 4 workshop buildings of around 750 sq ft (Rs 2.5 L each) Rs 10L Machinery, equipment & furniture Rs 5 L Recurring Cost (Rs 10.21 L) Itemized Breakdown Principal @ Rs 15K per month R 1.8L 2 Senior Faculty @ Rs 10K Rs 2.4L 6 Master crafts men @Rs 6K per month Rs 4.32L Accountant & Office Manager @ Rs 6K per month Rs 0.72L Unforeseen Rs 0.92L Total Rs 15 L + 10.21 L = Rs 25.21 Lakhs ($58K) How long will the benefit last: It can be envisaged as a life long benefit to the people of 100 villages Number of people reached: So far, 50 youth have been reached. All are literates. This is to clarify that it is not a literacy program but a livelihood and skills program for the educated youth. Standard proficiency of the participants at the end of the project: The participants are expected to be proficient in the skill of their selection and be able to take a living, in their own villages and become examples for other youth in the area. Other sources of funding: None Duration of the project: One year Government involvement: After this pilot experiment, the establishment of Academy, AHAR, as a deemed university is expected to come from the government.

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Personnel Involved: Honorary Director To prepare and direct and organize the project Principal To head the project Senior Faculty (two in number) To teach Master Craftsman (six in number) For practical demonstration and training Accountant and Office Manager Self-explanatory Liaison (by Chief of Liaison, BCT) To act as a conduit between BCT and Asha References: B.V.Sreenivasa Rao Chief-of-Liaison, BCT D.No.47-9-37, Near Diamond Park, Dwarakanagar, , Visakhapatnam – 530016. Ph: 91-9346331181 (C), 91-891-2550084 (O), 91-891-2508440 (H)

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PART-B: VISION-II Goal of WAH project: BCT aims at providing blind students a procedure to sustain themselves by establishing a small AHAR programme in the premises of Government Residential School for Visually Challenged Girls. The project also provides tactile books that are helpful for these students to understand a better world.

c) Total amount required (USD): 2150.00 ($2K)

d) Target Amount from WAH 2005 (USD): 1000.00 ($1K)

Beneficiaries of the Project: This project is aimed at girl blind students. Details of the funding requirements: Duration for which funds are requested or duration of the project: This is a small project. It is an experiment to help the visually challenged girls to sustain themselves by training in different vocational projects. The tactile books are one time made and can be used for years to come. These girls can be shifted to higher AHAR Academy (PART-A) once they have finished training in their school. Itemized Budget: Tactile Books Itemized Breakdown Tactile Books (Rs. 1000 Each)

Rs. 26,000

Travel Expenses for Volunteers Rs. 25,000 Vocational Wing Itemized Breakdown Pressing Machine to make file pads Rs. 10,000 Machine for making envelopes Rs. 15,000 Working Capital Rs. 5000 Unforeseen expenses Rs 9,000 Total Rs 51K + 39K = Rs 90,000 ($2150)

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How long will the benefit last: Life of equipment. Number of people reached: This is a new project. TARGET people are School Strength. Standard proficiency of the participants at the end of the project: The participants are expected to be proficient in the skill of their selection and be able to take a living, in their own villages and become examples for other youth in the area. Other sources of funding: None Duration of the project: 6 months to 1 year Government involvement: Even though it is a government school….the involvement of government is not good. The principal in spite of trying a lot couldn’t succeed in his goal of establishing a vocational training center. Personnel Involved: Liaison (by Chief of Liaison, BCT) To head the project and to act as a conduit

between BCT and Asha Panchayat Secretary (Padmavathi Peri)

(India contact for VISION-I) To act as a conduit between Asha Toledo and BCT.

References: B.V.Sreenivasa Rao Chief-of-Liaison, BCT D.No.47-9-37, Near Diamond Park, Dwarakanagar, , Visakhapatnam – 530016. Ph: 91-9346331181 (C), 91-891-2550084 (O), 91-891-2508440 (H)

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Appendix (A) Project Confidence

Part – A: AHAR Site Visit Report

Conducted by

D P Prakash

In cooperation with Akhil Nigam, Srinivas Adavikonalu, Chandrika Nimmagadda, Ram Tekumalla

asha-confidence@yahoogroups.com

Yellamanchili, Vishakapatnam District, India Dec 29th – 31st, 2005

D P Prakash has been an Asha volunteer since 1992. He envisions an India in which no child or village is left behind. He looks forward to site visits as exciting avenues to facilitate India-wide teamwork towards UQE* 2047. *UQE (Universal Quality Education) Universal = All 700,000 villages of India; Quality Education = that which leads individuals to self reliance and communities to peaceful coexistence Contents I. Background II. Getting to the site III. Use of Asha Funds IV. Site visits IVa. Uppavaram, Duputhuru, Natayaapalem, Thota Veedhi IVb. Focused on Self Reliance IVc. Resource Training Center – A model to emulate IVd. Future of BCT – Asha Partnership IVe. Yoga – the need for right form & attire IVf. A fine Birthday gift – Song of affection

IVg. Inaugurating innovative School V. Takeaways VI. Next Steps

VIa. Proposal AHAR* Proposal for a Center for Livelihood & Life Skills (*Academy of Humans as Resources)

VIII. References VIIIa. Report in The HINDU - NGO motivates youth to explore job opportunities VIIIb. Ram Krishnan’s site visit report & photos – http://nri-home-coming.com/TrainJourneyByRamKrishnan.html#SS16

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I. Background http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=33 It was from Dr. Parameshwar Rao in the 1999 Asha Boston conference that I came to know the concept of “common action agenda”. After nearly 30 years of grass roots work, he had realized that unless we begin with the end of taking entire India forward, solutions offered will always be fragmentary and inadequate. “work together with other NGOs”. “Only a genius can keep India poor”. “Need value based, skill oriented, and transformative education for self reliance”. “The age old common sense of India and the native genius of villagers is still there”. His words kept ringing in my ears for a long time. The concept of UQE began to take shape soon after and has now become the guiding principle for some of us volunteers in Asha. Akhil, Chandrika, Srinivas, Ram and others in the focus group came together and we were able to facilitate a funds transfer of about $30,645 in support of the large scale schooling initiatives pioneered by BCT. The objective of the site visit was to gather lessons learnt, bring feedback about the results, and prepare for the future BCT – Asha partnership. II. Getting to the site I was finishing up a site visit at Chintalapudi village in Tenali district. Took a train to Vishakapatnam. After a 6 hour journey crossing the amazingly wide (3KMs wide it is said! ) Godavari river, I took the stop at Anakapalli close to Yellamanchili. It was 7 PM when Sreenivasagaru picked me up at the station and we went to Haripuram, the site of BCT. Boarding facility for visitors was well taken care of – a sign of maturity of this organization – they have done this many many times. Soon we went to meet Parameshwar Rao garu and began discussing the developments from Asha’s support while walking to the dining room for dinner. On the way I saw kids everywhere studying under BCT’s street lights – this was the Model High School of BCT. It was a touching experience to be introduced to the BCT kids. Some volunteers of BCT were coaching the kids. Never mind it was 9 PM. These kids are happy and very hard working…and as I learnt later on multifaceted too. III. Use of Asha Funds Asha contribution $30,645 (14.71 Lakhs) made during 2002-2003 with Akhil’s participation in Asha General Funds focus group. Intended for 10 Pucca schools at 1 Lakh each + 1 core volunteer honorarium at Rs 15K per month + 1 Doctor at Rs 15K per month + Rs 75K for automobile + Rs 36K for Petrol and Driver

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Actual End use 1 Model school constructed + 15 low cost schools + Resource Training Center + Core staff member + Doctor + Automobile Changes in gameplan (i) Govt discontinued support for BCT school. This impacted the overall budget planned for BCT. (ii) One model school was built and then villagers were encouraged to build their own schools. Matching funds from community was required – to ensure buy in and responsible participation from the community. Some provided 20 Rs per month and joined the village education committee and participated. The cost per school this way was brought down to 4000-8000 Rs per school vs 1 Lakh for a pucca school. (iii) Change of guard – enter Dr. Parameswar Rao garu from his 4 year sabbatical. He felt the funds are better utilized on the children and mobilizing youth for self reliance and governance instead of buildings. Resource training center was found a better fit for the changing times. Village motivation, skills training, value based curriculum development were found more important. Impact 3000 children in 62 villages have benefited from Asha’s support IV. Site visits IVa. Uppavaram, Duputhuru, Natayaapalem, Thota Veedhi In the morning we covered several village schools constructed with Asha’s support including those at Uppavaram, Duputhuru, Natayaapalem, Thota Veedhi. The village schools here have thatched roof that reach down so low that one has to bend quite a bit to get in. I learnt that this design was most robust given that this is a cyclone prone area. At every school I quizzed the kids with questions covering Math, Geography, poetry and art. Invariably I found the students have indeed developed confidence to answer without fear or hesitation. Some were stars – answering all the questions instantly. I witnessed the noon meal distribution and it was a touching experience as little tiny kids lined up to have their simple but nutritious meals. There is something about being with kids – one gets to feel purity and truth; there is some intrinsic goodness that makes the heart smile. IVb. Focused on Self Reliance We met with village youth who are making their own detergent powder and selling in nearby villages. This is when I began to understand the concept of self reliance in action. In most other places I visited self reliance was a goal – here it was in action. “what else would you like to explore and study?” I asked the youth. “Not so fast; let them grow on

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their own; we want them to stay in their villages and help”, said an annoyed Sreenivasagaru. I was learning. After lunch back at Haripuram we went to Dimili village school – where it all began. Dr. Parameshwar Rao garu’s family had given up their ancestral home to start a school. Many productive activities were going on and I saw young teachers producing their own charts and toys instead of buying readmade ones off the shelf. The charkas that Gandhi made famous were there at every school and kids were skilled at spinning. Many hours of spinning produces a small quantity of thread which can be sold in the market. Children laboring for themselves and preparing for their future – this is what I saw. This was unlike anything I have seen till then. A constant focus is there on equipping the children with diverse vocational skill sets and perhaps this is part of the reason why they feel so confident. IVc. Resource Training Center – A model to emulate We returned to the Haripuram village and visited the Resource training center. BCT has its teachers printing their own books. Once again an emphasis on self reliance is all pervading here. Dr. Rao himself writes songs and sings with the kids. And the way these children sing with such talent and giggles and sincerity reminds one what volunteering in Asha is all about. Need to record these songs for Asha films, I thought to myself. There is a quality in their voice and intonations that speaks to the heart. One comes face to face with the depth of truth. There are various vocational training classes being taught here including stitching, etikopa toys making, electrical wiring, organic leaf cups production, making bags and so on. These are open to students with disability as well as I learned the next day morning at the BCT’s Venkatesan Center for the challenged. A deaf and mute girl stitches lovely skirts; a young man impacted by polio stitches perfectly fitting khadi kurtas/pyjamas and so on. I was falling in love with BCT. While most of the nation has left the disabled behind, here they were taken care of and given options with skill sets that make them second to none. Curious about the breadth of work covered by BCT, I insisted on looking at every corner of the farm. There is also a nursery with active research on higher yielding crops, smarter cultivation techniques for bananas, 40 varieties of mangoes, more productive sunflower, dairy, chicken and so on. Children are given training with agriculture first thing in the morning soon after yoga. Anyway, it was past 6 PM and getting dark. “naja naja comes

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here sometimes”, said the watchman, himself a seasoned villager. “who?”, I said. “King cobra”, he said. I bolted from there. IVd. Future of BCT – Asha Partnership That night Dr. Rao, Sreenivasagaru and myself sat down and spoke about the future needs of BCT. See ProposalI, Proposal II attached in the end for details. I proposed we explore an Asha-AID-RIM conference in Dec 2005 to which he readily agreed. I took this up for discussion at Asha conference in Raja Talab. More discussions about this in end of March. IVe. Yoga – the need for right form & attire The next day was Dec 31st and my birthday. I had to be home or face wrath from my mom for being a “casual visitor” who is a no show in family events. I woke up at 4:30 AM to do yoga with the kids. One the 11th grade kids served as the yoga master and some 75 of us including boys and girls practiced…or tried to. Clearly their yoga training needed to be refined as the “teacher” kid was completely unfocused on breathing and instead was relying on relatively set patterns that sometime made no harmonious sense. I demonstrated to the kids the better way – fluid, vinyasa style, unbroken flow of body and breath in harmony and focused on prana. They watched with awe. Lokesh, the Ashtanga Yoga trainee and volunteer I am working with at Chennai, needed to be brought here to spend time with these kids and teach them a more refined form. Also girls wearing skirts will stop when they come to certain postures for obvious reasons – clearly they need yoga attire that is more suitable. All these to be taken care when Lokesh visits next. IVf. A fine Birthday gift – Song of affection As I was getting ready after a nice bath (it always feels great after yoga!) I heard voices at the door. Ten little girls of BCT came and gave me a bouquet – that they themselves had made – and sang a lovely song. I could not understand the Telugu words but I had no difficulty understanding their affection, the universal language. I later asked Parameshwar Rao garu to translate it and he did, while sending me off at the Railway station in a hurry. See exhibit VII for the translation. ”Will you come again?”, they said giggling and bubbling with life. “sooner than you think”, I said, knowing I must return in search of a part of my heart that is being stolen by these little angels I am leaving behind. IVg. Inaugurating inovative School Inauguration of the Asha Supported Innovative Primary School Complex.

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Just as though they were saving the best for last, I was taken to village of Haripuram where the new model pucca school stood. I was asked to inaugurate on behalf of Asha and I did along with a tiny little girl student. The entire village education committee and its young teachers had assembled. They honored Asha for contributing to the welfare of the kids. A stone engraving remains there with Asha’s name in it. The BCT team had meticulously planned these events and yet they hardly breathed a word about it until it all dawned on me. V. Takeaways 1. Productive Partnership Asha-BCT partnership is producing very good results for 3000 underserved children in 62 villages of Yellamanchili area. 2. Self Reliance The self reliance training work going on here is mature and replicable across India. 3. It is all about Scale This is an organization that any volunteer serious about large scale development work in India must visit. Having survived for over 27 years, BCT has had many cycles of learning and it shows in the wisdom of the place, its people and their approach of participatory democracy in cooperation with the villagers. 4. Titans It is a real honor to work with people like Parameshwar Rao garu, Sreenivasa garu & family. These are humble titans among us who have a lot to teach. These are the only social change workers I know in India who start with India as a whole in mind and actually attempt to cover hundreds of villages. VI. Next Steps Via. Proposal AHAR Proposal for a Center for Livelihood & Life Skills The youth in the country are left to feed for themselves without proper employment opportunities, even when they are educated. Self employment could be a panacea. BCT with all its experiences wants to embark on a massive meaningful training programme imparting livelihood and life skills to hundreds of youth enabling them to stand on their feet, setting up an Academy of Humans as Resources (AHAR). Before taking up the long time work, BCT felt it appropriate to take up a short term project to train the youth in 100 villages through a pilot experiment. When once BCT is able to demonstrate the efficacy of the programme and capability of BCT, it would be possible to

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approach a large funding source like the govt or a funding agency to set up the Academy, even as a deemed university. The short term courses likely to be offered: (i) Dress making for women (ii) Surf & Detergent making (iii) Bakery & Biscuits (iv) Washing soap production (v) Computer operation & repair (vi) Electrical repairs & Pump maintenance (vii) Etikoppaka toys (viii) Hand made paper from rags, waste banana fibre (ix) Screen printing (x) Agricultural skills like floriculture, vegetable gardening (xi) Masonry (xii) Carpentry Capital Cost (Rs 15L) Itemized Breakdown 4 workshop buildings of around 750 sq ft (Rs 2.5 L each) Rs 10L Machinery, equipment & furniture Rs 5 L Recurring Cost (Rs 10.21 L) Itemized Breakdown Principal @ Rs 15K per month R 1.8L 2 Senior Faculty @ Rs 10K Rs 2.4L 6 Master crafts men @Rs 6K per month Rs 4.32L Accountant & Office Manager @ Rs 6K per month Rs 0.72L Unforeseen Rs 0.92L Total Rs 15 L + 10.21 L = Rs 25.21 Lakhs ($58K) VII. Birthday Song Sung by 10 children of BCT Model High School On Dec 31st, 2005 The goal of your life is to build your country You have offered your body, mind and wealth for this mother You do not care for titles like Desa Bhakta, Desodharaka, Desa Ratna

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Not do you take any rest You desire the greatness of your mother county You live every moment of your live living dharma You strive to get rid of immorality in national life You remove cruelty that is hidden behind dharma You distribute equality you spread affection You set right the eagles that lead us astray You make the illiterate literate You strive to work for the downtrodden You make the backward villages move forward You establish Gandhiji’s gram rajya in our country Hurried translation from Telugu by Parameshwar Rao garu at Anakapalli Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh VIII. NGO motivates youth to explore job opportunities in villages http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/bline/2004/01/13/stories/2004011302131700.htm Ch. R.S. Sarma

Mr Bhagavathula Venkata Parameswara Rao

Visakhapatnam , Jan. 12 BHAGAVATHULA Charitable Trust (BCT), a prominent NGO working in the villages of Visakhapatnam district for rural development for the past 27 years, has launched a drive to educate the rural youth on the need to corner the leaders of all political parties for generating employment. Mr Bhagavathula Venkata Parameswara Rao, the founder of the trust and a nuclear scientist who gave up a lucrative job in the US in the late sixties to take up rural development work in his native village Dimili near Elamanchili in Visakhapatnam

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district, said in an interview here on Monday that "the right parameter for measuring India's economic growth is employment generation alone and all the current euphoria over the country moving into the fast lane is of no consequence, if the rural youth are not gainfully employed.'' He said the BCT had launched a youth fortnight from Monday, Swami Vivekananda's birthday, and "we are motivating the youth in a 100 villages or so to explore the employment opportunities in the villages and to motivate them to pin down the political parties on the issue.'' "BCT is planning to set up academies for livelihood in four districts of the State to create employment opportunities for youth,'' he said and added that concept was still in the embryonic stage. Each academy might cost Rs 50 crore or so and the BCT was planning to mobilise resources from the Government agencies as well as the foreign agencies, he added. Referring to the promise of the BJP to create one-crore jobs per annum, he said employment, preferably self-employment, should be generated in villages. "The farm labour in the country does not have work for nearly 200 days a year and therefore it is meaningless to talk of one crore jobs. The potential of the labour should be fully used. In the first plan, 4 per cent of the Budget was allocated for cottage industries and now it has gone down below 1 per cent. Such is the importance given to rural employment,'' he lamented. He asserted that BCT was completely apolitical and would urge the youth to vote for any party which would give them jobs. Mr Parameswara Rao was chosen `Man of the year' by The Week magazine in 1988 and his work in Visakhapatnam district gained nationwide recognition. The trust is engaged in wasteland development, running educational institutions, promoting self-help groups in the villages and introducing the scientific farm practices through a Krishi Vijnan Kendra run by it.

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Appendix (B)

Project Confidence Part-B: Vision - II Site Visit Report

Conducted by

B. V. Sreenivasa Rao* and Padmavathi Peri**

In Co-operation with S. Ram Gopala Sastry

Yendada, Visakhapatnam District, India

March 1st 2005

*B. V. Sreenivasa Rao is currently the secretary of Bhagavatula Charitable Trust (BCT). He has started social work right from student life in 1954. Before taking up social work as his full time profession he worked as an officer in Rourkela Steel Plant. He held many positions from organizing secretary to chairman in Red Cross before joining BCT as secretary. Sreenivasa Rao, with teams of volunteers, actively participated in relief and rehabilitation, in the tidal devastation of 1977 in Andhra as well as floods in 1980, (Srikakulam Dist) 1985 (West Godavari Dist), 1990 (Vizag Dist) and floods in Orissa four years ago. He is a full time worker, standing by the Secretary, in all the activities of BCT. Liaison & bringing out the Souvenirs are his exclusive jobs. He is the Chief of Liaison of BCT from day one of its inception. He has completed 50 years of service as a social worker in December 2004. **Padmavathi Peri currently works as Panchayat Secretary in Sabbavaram Mandal of Visakhapatnam District. In the past, she worked in Women and Child Welfare Department and took part in many social activities on behalf of Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. She, in association with Asha Toledo took up the first part of Project Vision (http://www.ashanet.org/toledo/Vision.htm) aimed at building a floor on existing Helen Keller Blind school at Visakhapatnam to accommodate more female blind students and is likely to be completed by end of March 2005. S. Ram Gopala Sastry is over 80 years and is a respectable citizen of Visakhapatnam. He is a Chartered Engineer by profession. He has been involved with social work for the past 50 years. It is he who initiated Vision – II.

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Contents I. Background of BCT

II. Site III. Funding Details IV. Photographs of visit

I. Background Immediately after obtaining his Ph.D., B. V. Parameswara Rao, opted to return back to his ancestral home in Dimili village of Yellamanchili taluk, Visakhapatnam District, in August 1967. Settling down in the village, he undertook the unbeaten path of grass-root level development work. For the first 9 years, it was a one-man mission and from 1976, it is work through BCT…. now a known history. http://www.indiatogether.org/ppi/rao-appeal.htm http://www.deeshaa.net/node/193 http://www.ashanet.org/princeton/talks/rao.html http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=33

II. Site On, March, 1st, 2005, Sri Gopala Sastry, Sreenivasa Rao and Padmavathi Peri

visited Government residential school for visually challenged girls, Yenda Beach Road, Visakhapatnam – 530045. They traveled in a car to reach the school. The school is located on the shore of Bay of Bengal. On one side of the road is school and on other side is the beach.

They met the principal, Mr. V. Venkata Raman, a nice gentleman, with a concern for students who tries his best to see that the students get the maximum benefit by talking and involving local people, organizations, public undertakings etc. This visit was made to primarily help the visually challenged for operations to be conducted at L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital at Hyderabad. However, earlier tests performed found that only 3 girls were eligible for eye operation that would improve their visibility. The cost of these operations can be taken by local people. However, Sreenivasa Rao and Padmavathi Peri were touched by the techniques used to teach the girls. They use tactile books, which is different from conventional Braille books. It is a joyful play-way method of education and is not readily available. Each book requires a lot of meticulous care and is to be made by an experienced teacher,

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spending two months time. There is an urgent need for the textbooks (requirements are mentioned in Table 1). The strength of the classes from 1 to 5 is about 10 each. For classes 1 and 2, they teach subjects like Mathematics, Telugu, Social Studies and Sciences, for classes 3 to 5; they also teach English in addition to these subjects. They need about 2 tactile books for classes 1 and 2 in each subject and 3 tactile books for classes 3 to 5 for each subject and additional three books for class 1. This makes a total need of 26 books and cost per book is about 1000 Rs. which is only the labour cost as this book needs to be made with utmost care. They also found that the students are capable of understanding, assimilating and remember the points when someone reads out to them. However, there aren’t enough volunteers who would come and explain to them. The school needs funds to bear the traveling expenses to motivate well-educated citizens including housewives from neighbouring villages to spare two hours with them. Sreenivasa Rao explained to the principal the need for making the children, capable enough to stand on their own and face the world after completion of their education. The school has a vocational wing for the children however; they don’t have the necessary equipment and trained personal to assist the children. Sreenivasa Rao suggested a grant of Rs. 30,000/- will be of great help to them. An itemized split up of the funding required for this school is given in Table 1 followed by the photographs of the school.

III. Funding Details (Requirement)

Support required

Tactile books (Rs. 1000/- each)

26,000

Travel expenses for volunteers 25,000

Vocational Wing Pressing machine to make file pads Machine for making envelopes Working capital

10,000 15,000 5,000

Unforseen events 9,000

Total 90,000

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IV. Photographs of Visit

School Entrance

Padmavathi Peri with School Students

*- Date mentioned in photograph is in-correct. The photograph was taken on the day of site visit.

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School Students

School Students with Braille and Tactile Books

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School Students

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Appendix (C)

Background of Directors of BCT

Names and Backgrounds of the Members of the Governing Body (2003-2005): I. Sri D.Bandyopadhyaya, IAS (Retd) – PRESIDENT of BCT He retired as the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi and was also the Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank. He is a most respected Civil Servant of West Bengal Cadre. He is the Brain behind the Land Reforms in West Bengal which brought so many encomiums to Sri Jyoti Basu, Chief Minister of West Bengal. II. Sri V.P.Rama Rao, IAS (Retd) – Imm. Past President He retired as the Chief Secretary of Government of Andhra Pradesh -a very popular and consciousous IAS Officer of the State. III. Dr. (M.S) C.V.Ramani, M.D., D.G.O. – Vice-President She retired as the Director of Medical and Health Services, Government of Andhra Pradesh. A famous Gynecologist, immediately after her retirement surprised the villagers to be at the Door Fronts to give her services. She is responsible in introducing Health Care Systems for Pregnant Women and young children by training the local dais with scientific delivery system and introducing Bare-Foot Doctors in the villages. IV. Sri R.Adinarayana Rao, B.E., M.Sc., (Engg) MEM, SAE (USA) – Executive Vice-President At the zenith of his career Sri Adinarayana Rao resigned his lucrative and prestigious job at Bombay and joined BCT as Project Administrator in 1977. As he was one of the top most authorities in Petroleum Additives, he was requested by the Government of India to kindly allow the nation to use his expertise in that special field (for which there is no other Indian available) and had taken him back into Service after 3 years. His last stint in official career was as Executive Director of Indian Additives Ltd., Madras. He continues to be the Technical Advisor and is a Guest faculty of IIT’ s and Universities dealing with Tribology and Petroleum product application. He is the Past President of Tribology Society of India.

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He is currently the Chairman of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Committee PCD 3 on Petroleum-Products, and Convener of BIS Sub-Committee PCD 4:5 on Automotive Lubricants. He represents INDIA on the ISO TC 28 AG Committee on Petroleum and is the Chairman of its SC 4 working group WG-10. He is also a member of SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers, USA. V. Dr. S.Satyamurty, B.Tech. (Hons) IIT-KGP Dr.Ing. (T.U-Munich-Germany) – Vice President After 16 years stay in Germany where he obtained Doctorate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Satyamurty, returned to India. After a stint in TELCO, he joined the Eicher. He became the Director of Research and Development, Eicher Tractor Ltd. He was instrumental in setting up the first comprehensive design and development, laboratory in Indian Tractor Industry and embarked upon completely indigenous and cost effective designing for a range of tractors, machine tools, and electrical machines. He was member of top management team of the company and undertook several assignments in India as well as evaluation missions for collaborations to Japan, France, UK and Germany. He was member in various committees of Indian Standard Institute and also was the Chairman of the automobiles suspension and steering committee. He was on the Scientific Advisory panel of Indian Institution of Petroleum at Dehradun and the Industrial Tribology and Machine Maintenance Centre at IIT, Delhi. After a long spell of service to the Automobile Industry, he retired as the Director Quality and Engineering, Eicher group of Companies. He was one of the few experts of the Total Quality Management in India. He continued as Advisor / Consultant in TQM and R & D to Eicher for several years. He turned down lucrative corporate offers to give his time to rural India. He was Secretary of BCT from 1994 until 2003 VI. Sri G.V.Subramanyam, M.A.,B.L.,F.I.C.W.A., I.R.A.S (Retd) – TREASURER He retired from the Indian Revenue Administrative Services after occupying the position of Member (Finance) of Indian Railway Board at New Delhi. Like his predecessors who held top positions of Finance Department in major industries and Government, it takes keen interest to look after the Financial Budget and Controls of BCT.

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VII. Sri M.Ramakrishnayya, IAS (Retd) He was the first Chairman of the National Agricultural Bank of Rural Development (NABARD) and former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India. He was the President of BCT from the year 1990-1994. VIII. Prof. B.Sarveswara Rao, M.A., Ph.D (Cantab), D.Litt (A.U. & N.U) He is associated with BCT right from the second year of its inception, first as Treasurer and later as President from 1981-1990. He is the most reputed Economist of the Country and was the President of Indian Economic Association. He held the position of Vice Chancellor of Nagarjuna University for one term. IX. Sri A.S.N. Prasad, B.E.,F.I.E Joint Secretary An active member of the Lions Club of Visakhapatnam and a businessman. He is involved in many educational and philanthrophical organizations of Visakhapatnam city and holding responsible positions in them X. Dr. V.Hanumantha Rao, M.D., M.Sc., FICP Right from 1985, as a reputed Physician of Visakhapatnam, he has given his services, every weakened for the villages served by BCT. He is the Honorary Director of the Grama Aragyolaya activities of the Trust for over 10 years. He retired as the Superintendent of King George Hospital, a 2000-bedded Hospital and continues his interest in the villagers XI. Sri B.Venkateswara Rao, B.E., M.S., PGDCS, MBA With the inspiration of Dr. B.V.Parameswara Rao, he opted to return from USA after working there 20 years. He served BCT as a Project Co-coordinator for one and half years. He has started a Rural Development Trust in his native District of Karimnagar, A.P. XII. Mrs. P.Jagan Mohini, B.A.,B.L. A leading advocate of Visakhapatnam Bar for over 40 years and an active lady with association with many social and developmental organizations in the city as well as villages around. XIII. Smt. Kamala Chitra, B.Sc., A teacher interested in developmental organizations and an active Red Cross worker of Visakhapatnam for over 4 decades.

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XIV. Smt.Yellapu Ramanamma A dynamic President of the Mahila Mandal of the village Moolajampa. She is an active participant of all the development activities of the Mahila Mandal in Thrift, Education and Income Generation activities. XV. Smt. P.Sarojini Unlettered Dalit women whom Dr. B.V.Parameswara Rao developed into an excellent teacher and a strong activist for the welfare of the women of her village Melipaka. She is also now a teacher in the village. XVI. Smt. M.Chellayyamma Again a lady of the village who is nurtured and developed into a formidable activist. She rose to the position of the President of Panchayat of Rajakoduru and also as the Vice President of the Federation of Panchayats of Visakhapatnam District. From a silent honor lady, she became a vocal activist. XVII. Sri Kommu Jogulu A cobbler by profession, this Dalit gentleman is a member of the Governing body for many terms. He takes lively interest in the meetings and participates actively in the discussions. Invariably his suggestions are sought for the Grass Root activities of the Trust. XVIII. Sri Senapathi Appa Rao An active youth worker in the village of Dimili, has profound common sense and concerned for the welfare of the people. He is also the President of the Village Education Society of Dimili which is the FIRST village to have constructed its own building for the School (for which we are now planning to get the support of you all). XIX. Sri Karanam Ramana Rao http://www.ashanet.org/houston/bct/Proposal_BCT_WAH2002.htm An active youth worker of Mamidada and is strong pillar for the activities for the Income Generation Programmes in the area. Governing Body appreciates his deep sense of commitment and sagacious advises. He is a strong support and active participant of the Village Education Society.

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XX. Smt. Asha Nori, M.Sc., B.Ed, A highly vivacious lady with a deep concern for the welfare of the village women. She was the Editor of the BCT news for over 6 years. XXI. Rtn. C.Hanumantha Rao, B.Sc., (Pharm) A Past Rotary Governor of Visakhapatnam region with a deep concern for the villages. XXII. Dr. B.V. Parameswara Rao , MSc. , Phd (USA) SECRETARY Immediately after obtaining his Ph.D., Parameswara Rao opted to return back to his ancestral home in Dimili village of Yellamanchili taluk, Visakhapatnam District, in August 1967. Settling down in the village, he undertook the unbeaten path of grassroot level development work. For the first 9 years, it was a one-man mission and from 1976, it is work through BCT….it is now a known history. http://www.indiatogether.org/ppi/rao-appeal.htm http://www.deeshaa.net/node/193 http://www.ashanet.org/princeton/talks/rao.html XXIII. Sri. B.V. Sreenivasa Rao, MA, MSc. JOINT SECRETARY His social work started right from his student career itself, from December 1954. He was Chairman, Junior Red Cross of Vizag District from 1957 to 1964, Honorary Secretary of Indian Red Cross Society, Vizag Dist. branch from 1963-“65 and Organising Secreary of Junior Red Cross, Gujarat State Branch. He moved then to Rourkela, was an Officer of Rourkela Steel Plant till 1979(he was in all the social activities at Rourkela), when he decided to leave the job and join for whole time participation in BCT activities. Only for one year, worked as a paid worker….it is honorary services and the work is full time. He was instrumental in starting the Chapter of Computer Society of India at Rourkela in Orissa and was made its Senior Member. He was President of the Computer Society of India, Visakhapatnam Chapter for two terms. Sreenivasa Rao, with teams of volunteers, actively participated in giving relief and working for rehabilitaion,in the tidal devastation of 1977 in Andhra as well as floods in 1980,(Srikakulam Dist) 1985 (West Godavari Dist), 1990 (Vizag Dist) and floods in Orissa four years ago.

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His is a full time work, standing by the Secretary, in all the activities of BCT. Liaison &bringing out the Souvenirs are his exclusive jobs.He is the Chief of Liaison of BCT from day one of its inception. He has completed 50 years of service as a social worker in December 2004.

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Appendix (D)

Minutes of the Meeting Minutes of meeting on Saturday Feb 19th, 2005 ======================================= Ganesh's Apartment Attended by: Ganesh, Raj, Unmesh, Srikanth Pilla, Dr. Srikanth, Ananth, Pallavi, Binal & Srivatsan 1. Ragalahari 2005 updates-Mr. Ramesh has said that he will speak to Joe Lucido and get back to Asha Toledo. He and Mr. Kishore may accompany Joe with Flute and Tabla. Ganesh and Vatsan will meet Dr. Nandini on monday to check about the Odissi dancer. One Ms.Shyamala had contacted about Pandit Chaurasia's group visit to US. Pallavi to check on those details. 2. Newsletter: Pallavi has made the draft copy of newsletter. Vatsan will check options of printing with the UT press. Also need to check the prices of color catridges to see if it is feasible to print in color. Pilla will talk to reddy stores for sponsoring printing and mailing costs. Need to finalize newsletter by Friday. Will hopefully get released on maha sivatri-Mar 8th by the new toledo temple president . 3. Project Vision updates: Slab work has been completed, Mr. Sastry will need an additional 1.5 lakh to finish th last phase of project. This is lesser than the initial estimate. It was decided to send 1.6L through BCT, additional money will act as buffer and get refunded if not used. 4. Project Vision II: Ms. Padmavati Peri will check with Mr. Susurla and Mr. Srinivasa Rao(from Bagavatula charitable trust-Vizag) if a site visit is possible this week. Pilla will let the group know by Sunday evening. BCT will be the main contact for the project. After the site visit, Asha Toledo will have a conference call with these three people. Detailed site visit and proposal will be made by Binal and Pilla. This proposal will be posted for WAH 2005 along with the proposal sent by DP Prakash for BCT AHAR Academy. Srivatsan Kannan

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Minutes of Meeting--friday 18th March ===========================

Student Union Attended by : Srikanth Pilla, Anirban Das, Pallavi, Javed, Raj & Srivatsan 1. WAH 2005 Update: Deadline for submitting proposal for WAH 2005 has been extended to march 30. All questions from conference call with DP have been answered by Mr. Srinivasa Rao from Bhagavathula Charitable trust. Binal will be out of town this week. Srikanth Pilla to take care of the proposal writing. 2. Project Freedom: Raj spoke to Jeba last week. Funds will go to Bharati Trust this week. Vatsan to follow up on that. 3. Ragalahari : Dr Subba Rao contacted Asha Toledo to host a rasaleela type dance-drama function. Artisits will be from Cleveland. They will be accompanied by a musical troupe for live music background. It will cost $1800 for the musicians. Tentative date of availability is Sept 3rd. We will be inviiting Dr Rao for our next meeting on friday to talk about the logistics. He has some plans for mobilizing upto $2000 for artists from temple/community. 4. Project Vision: Remaining amount of $3700 has been sent for the construction work. Mr Sastry continued work without the money. Pilla to confirm if the proposal included any arranged for beds. 5. Tsunami update: $400 for operational expenses has been requested to be sent. 6. Newsletter: Newsletters have been mailed to all Toledo community members. Javed/Anirban to take care of distributing one copy per desi apartment in Kenwood. Srivatsan Kannan

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Appendix (E)

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Appendix (F)

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Appendix (G)

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