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Community Development Initiatives at Lucknow
At the Tata Motors plant in Lucknow, community development activities are carried out by two registered societies: Samaj Vikas Kendra (SVK) and Jan Parivar Kalyan Sansthan (JPKS). Integrating rural development and health care, especially for displaced villagers has been the motto for SVK and JPKS. From building roads and drains, adult literacy and safe drinking water programmes to tree plantation drives, income generation programmes and health care, the initiatives cover the entire gamut of community development activities.
- Samaj Vikas Kendra (SVK)
In order to ascertain the felt needs of villagers, the Lucknow plant conducted a survey in the year 1993-94 and consequently worked out a community initiative plan to address various issues of displaced villagers in surrounding villages including: infrastructure, employment, health care, environment etc. The Samaj Vikas Kendra was then set up and registered as a non-Government organization in 1995 at Lucknow. SVK began their community development activities in the year 1996-97, which continues even today.
- Infrastructure and safe drinking water
SVK linked villages by constructing 4 kms. of kharanjas during 1996-2004. Due to the lack of a proper drainage system in several villages, SVK have also constructed 1.5 kms. of drains during the same period. SVK also took up the task of providing safe drinking water in many villages. Since 1996, SVK has installed 18 hand pumps and renovated 6 wells with the government's support.
- Tree plantation programme
SVK roots for greenery, carrying out regular tree plantation drives in the villages. Till date over 7000 trees have been planted with the active participation of District Forest Officials and Vriksha Suraksha Samitis.
- Entrepreneurship programme
SVK strives to promote economic prosperity among villagers through income generation training programmes for unemployed village youth. This has been done with the active participation of the Company's dealerships and the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (EDP). Two EDP programmes have also been conducted for 55 village youth. The trained youth have set-up enterprises or undertaken income generation initiatives, while the rest are in escorting stages. The dealerships have trained youths as mechanics and drivers.
- Vocational training for women and youth
SVK has been taking special steps to empower village women by upgrading their skills, through 8 Mahila Mandals with a total strength of 200 women. Members of these Mahila Mandals are imparted training in stitching, embroidery, fabric painting and preparation of food preservatives. The Samaj Vikas Kendra also organises literacy and vocational training camps for women, with Jan Shiksha Sansthan.
Every year, SVK provides vocational training for village youth to upgrade their skills. These training programmes in electrical, electronics, computers, etc, helping the youth gain employment in different agencies.
- Adult Education
SVK is committed to eradicating illiteracy and to this end adult education and school development programmes are organised. These programmes are organised in co-coordination with the Government Education Department. The society has also partnered with the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (Ministry of HRD, GOI) to organise adult literacy programmes and skill training for women.
- Sports & cultural committees
SVK encouraged villagers to form five sports and six cultural committees in the villages. These committees organize various sporting activities and cultural events in the villages, especially during festivals.
- Jan Parivar Kalyan Sansthan (JPKS)
To address the health related issues, Jan Parivar Kalyan Sansthan was formed and was registered in September 2001.
Since then JPKS has organized regular health checkup camps in partnership with nearby dental colleges and hospitals and daily OPD visits (Mobile medical van with society doctor, nurse and compounder). Awareness camps are organised in the villages, addressing the health care needs of the villagers. Every year, around 10,000 patients are being treated at the OPD and mobile vans, while 2500 patients are imparted health education at health camps.
The society has also initiated an arrangement with Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi in 2004, wherein a team of doctors & para-medical staff organise free heart check-up camps for villagers.
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