ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Introduction
Samagra is a charitable trust which was registered with the
Sub-registrar, Vikas Nagar,(District Dehradun) on 4th April 2007.
Samagra’s purpose is to promote Spiritual Sadhana along with social work.
Health, curing and giving training to stammering children, Women’s Enterprise and
Skill Development are some of its focus areas. In addition the Trust is giving
tuition to the poor children from weaker section and it has become its major
activity.
It operated
from Herbertpur till 30th October 2009. Thereafter, it was shifted to Dehradun to
serve its objectives better.
(Please see the Appendix for a copy
of the trust deed and brief introductions of the trustees.)
Past History
Year 2008-2009
The stammering awareness activities
in local schools continued from the previous year. Three months sewing/stitching training
courses were started to help women from poor families to enable them to become
self-reliant and enterprising. Canadian
students from McMaster University participated in a 4 weeks Appreciative
Inquiry Course. Awareness workshops on
stammering were organized to raise awareness among parents, teachers and common
public.
A three months sewing & cutting
training program was organized for 38 girls and women from poor socio-economic
background.
Year 2009-2010
Canadian students under SIHI (Students for International
Health Initiative) program visited Samagra in the month of May 2009 for four
weeks and studied the local culture, health issues and practices and also
volunteered in local charitable work.
The Samagra
team continued visiting local schools to conduct speech therapy for children
who stammer and children with special needs. A number of three months sewing
and stitching training courses and computer (basic) training programs were
conducted for women of low- socio- economic status.
During this year, 102 women benefited through the sewing
programs and 45 boys & girls learnt basic computer skills.
Year 2010-2011
In the month of May
2010 Canadian students from McMaster University visited Samagra under the SIHI
program and stayed here for 4 weeks. They studied local customs, culture and
health issues of the area and volunteered in tuition centre’s run by Samagra
and visited many NGO’s in the vicinity of Dehradun.
This
year a lot of work was done for social and economic upliftment of women and
children from economically weaker section of the society. Ten cutting and
sewing and beautician training and tuition programs were organized in different
villages and colonies near Dehradun In which 508 women and girls were trained as
per details -:
1 Sewing
386
2
Tuition 84
3
Beautician 38
Two foreign volunteers
visited and stayed in Samagra for one month.
Dr. Nitasha Puri was a medical student from Toronto and the other was
Ms. Heather Baer, a speech Pathologist from McGill University, Canada.
Samagra celebrated the 25th marriage Anniversary of Dr.
Pradeep and Dr. Karen in October 2011 .Dr. Pradeep is the founder of Samagra.
Dr. Pradeep and a group of 7 Canadian pilgrims visited Samagra
in February 2011.
Samagra celebrated Christmas, New
Year’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Republic Day, etc. with staff and children.
Year 2011-2012
During this year
Samagra organized 11 training programs in cutting & tailoring as well
as
beautician training. Every program
had 20 to 30 trainees. These programs were
organized in villages in the vicinity of Dehradun.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar
visited with a Pilgrims’ group of 8 Canadians from Samagra, Canada on a spiritual journey in the
month of October 2011. One more group of 5 members visited Samagra in the month
of March 2012.
Three sewing machines were donated to Samagra
by this group to make training centers more equipped. Dr. Pradeep Kumar organized mind and body
medicine workshops in Rishikesh and Mussoorie in SIDH’s premises.
Samagra
is constantly taking care of underprivileged children. After school tuition
program is being run for 30 children who are coming from a slum called Shastri
Nagar Khala.
As in the previous years, Samagra is ran many
training programs in slums and nearby villages of Dehradun. During this year 10 cutting & tailoring,
beautician training and embroidery training programs were organized and 208
women benefited from these programs. 191
girls received the sewing training and 17 completed the beautician course. All
the courses were of three months duration.
Year 2012-2013
This year has been very important for
Samagra with good & bad happenings. A permanent Samagra building was ready
by June 2012 and the office was shifted into it. The new building is situated
in New Vasant Vihar Enclave.
Mrs. Sharda Devi, mother of Dr.
Pradeep (Jivasu) and mother-in law of Mrs. Suchitra Agrawal expired suddenly on
8th October 2012. Samagra
family paid its tribute to the departed soul.
During the month of November, 5
Canadian guests under the pilgrimage program visited Samagra with Dr. Karen and
Jivasu. During their visit they participated in a meditation retreat in
Rishikesh and celebrated Diwali with the Samagra Family.
During this year
Samagra faced great difficulties in organizing training programs in villages as
lot of money and programs were offered in Dehradun and surrounding villages by
the State Government. Still we were able to run two training programs - one in
cutting- tailoring and the other in beautician training. Samagra also gave women training in pickle
making, handicraft and hand embroidery, in all 107 trainees benefited from
these programs out of which 20 received beautician training and the rest
completed the sewing program.
Samagra is continuously
taking care of underprivileged children and is running a free tuition centre at
its premises. About 30 children from
very poor families are being served from 3 to 6 p.m. every day. Samagra is
trying to give them moral, social and religious values apart from school
education by organizing a Yajna once in a month and also teaching them Mantra
chanting. They are having regular
sessions of Yoga and meditation. Refreshments are served daily.
In addition to the above, two
bicycles were donated. One to an
adolescent girl named Pooja who is working as a domestic help and keen to learn
reading and writing. She attended our tuition classes. One more cycle was given
to a poor but bright student named Nitish Kumar.
Year 2013-2014
During this year
Samagra organized 3 training programs in cutting and tailoring. Every program
had twenty to Twenty five Trainees. We
organized these programs in villages in the vicinity of Dehradun. In which 90
girls received the training.
Samagra believes that
financial independence plays a strong role in women’s lives. It can provide
them self-respect and good living conditions. In
this direction Samagra is running many programs in slums and nearby villages of
Dehradun.
Samagra donated sweaters, shoes,
socks and shawls in Shastri Nagar slum.
Tuition classes in progress
Pilgrims group from Canada visited
Badowal training centre and interacted with trainees.
Women and girls are learning basic
drafting under cutting & tailoring program in Shastri Nagar slum.
Samagra held a Yajana at
Samagra center in March 2014 in which Canadian Pilgrims group also
participated.
Ribecca, a medical student from McGill
University, Canada visited in Samagra, for 3 weeks during the month of August
2013
Samagra always felt concerned for the
under privileged children. We are
running a free tuition centre at our premises. As in the past years about 30 children from
very poor families were given tuitions from 3 to 6 P.M. They participated in
different activities like playing games, drawing & painting and music. Regular sessions of Yoga and meditation were
held. Refreshments were served
regularly. Many activities like handmade puppet show, movie screening and eye
sight test camps were also organized.
In addition to the above two bicycles
were donated. One was given to Vinay, a student of class 4th, who was
attending our tuition classes. Another bicycle was donated to a poor student Rahul
by Dr. Neha. They both were promising students.
A Canadian Pilgrims
group consisting of 6 members visited Samagra in the month of October2013. They
visited training centers run by Samagra and donated one sewing machine to make
the training centre better equipped. They celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm,
participated in Yajna and enjoyed sweets and firecrackers.
In the month of March 2014 another group of Canadian
guests visited Samagra with Dr. Karen and Jivasu. During their visit they
celebrated Holi with Samagra family and tuition classes children.
They participated in a Meditation
retreat in Rishikesh, visited many NGOs and pilgrim places like Haridwar and
enjoyed local sightseeing.
Pilgrims group from Canada visited
Holy places Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh.
First death anniversary of Smt. Sharda Devi mother of Jivasu
The first death anniversary of Smt.
Sharda Devi was solemenised on 8th October 2013. Yajna was performed in the morning and all
the students of the tuition classes were given socks, leather School shoes and
woolen sweaters.
Help and recognition by Rotary
club Dehradun (w)
Rotary club sponsored a three months Cutting
& Tailoring and Embroidery program in village Dudhli. The Club donated one sewing machine to the best
trainee. The club delegates assured trainees to help them get interest free
loan if they wanted to start their own business.
Help by Deserving Student Support Society (DSSS)
Board Members of “Deserving Student
Support Society” visited Samagra and distributed stationary to the children who
are coming for after school tuition classes. Mrs. and Mr. Awasthi, and Mrs. and
Mr. Anil Bansal are always taking keen interest in our activities and encourage
us to serve the poor with more interest and enthusiasm.
Samagra always extends help at the times of national disasters and
calamities. Devastating floods struck the Kedar Nath hills in the month of June
2013. 600 food packets ready for
consumption containing water bottles, snacks, biscuits, etc. were prepared by
Samagra staff and sent to Kedar Nath.
N.B. - As a principle Samagra does
not take any help from any government department directly. Various government departments are running
many programs for empowerment of women and to help poor children. If we come
across any case in which the government help can be made available, we inform
the potential beneficiaries, help them in completing various formalities and in
making contact with the officials concerned. For example we made a lot of
efforts and got issued Artisan Cards from Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts) Government of India Dehradun and Health Cards from ICICI Bank to
twenty six artisans. The Artisan Cards authorized the artisans to take part in
any handicraft exhibition and the health card made them and their three family
members eligible for a reimbursement up to Rs.15000 in case of illness. It also
gave them an insurance cover of Rs.100000\=.
Canadian Students’ Visit under SIHI Program 2013-2014
Under
SIHI program, 3 students from McMaster University Canada visited Samagra in May
2012 and stayed here for a month. They
visited various places like Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar and various sites of
Dehradun and learnt about the social, cultural, educational and healthcare
aspects in India. They met doctors practicing in the field of Allopathy and
alternative medicine systems like Homeopathy and Ayurveda They visited a few
organizations like SIDH(located at Mussoorie ),an NGO working in the field of
education in Garhwal, KKM a very old organization working for leprosy patients,
Tibetan settlement etc. They also
visited some training centres run by Samagra. These students had an opportunity
to visit Gurukul Pondha, a Vedic School, teaching Sanskrit language and
Vedas. The whole teaching system of this
institute is based on our ancient model of Gurukul.
Other activities
Mrs.
Suchitra Agrawal (Managing Trustee) celebrated her 27th Marriage Anniversary on
20th February in Samagra. Drawing notebooks and crayons were distributed.
On 1st March 2014,Mr. Nitin Sood and
Mrs. Shruti Sood celebrated their elder son Avi’s birthday in Samagra with Samagra
staff and students.
A Pilgrimage group from Samagra,
Canada visited Samagra, India. This group also participated in various
activities run by Samagra, India and visited many places like Haridwar,
Rishikesh, Mussoorie and various localities of Dehradun. Dr. Pradeep Kumar organized a mind and body
medicine workshop in Rishikesh and Mussoorie at SIDH’s premises.
Dr. Neha and Pankaj threw a birthday
party. Pankaj who is an officer in Merchant Navy celebrated his birthday with
Samagra family and tuition children. Dr. Neha, Pankaj’s wife is very good at
dance and performed on many songs with the children. She donated a new bicycle
to three brothers named Rahul, Sunny and Pawan. Samagra remains grateful to
them as they volunteer very often with the Samagra children.
Kumouni Holi was
organized by one of the trustees (Mrs. Beena Joshi) to welcome the Pilgrims’
group on Feb. 28 2014. Samagra celebrated Diwali, Gandhi Jayanti (2
October), Independence Day,
Teacher’s Day, Christmas, New Year and
Basant Panchami (Day of worship of Goddess Saraswati ) with great enthusiasm with all the staff
members and children attending tuition classes .
Team Building
A compact functional team with full dedication
has emerged in the organization. Mrs.
Manju Yadav and Mrs. Radha are coordinating women income generation
programs. Miss. Sonika and Miss. Vishaka
looked after children’s tuition. Mohi , an ITI student helped in Samagra’s
activities and took care of Samagra premises. Dinesh cooks good food for
Samagra’s guests and works on part-time basis. Mrs. Beena Joshi, one of the
trustees looks after music activities.
Samagra organized an
eye test camp for underprivileged children and adults on 29th September2013 in
Samagra’s premises.
Rotary Club west sponsored one cutting
& tailoring program in Dudhli village, Doiwala and donated one sewing
machine to a best trainee.
Year 2014-2015
Basic Computer Training Courses
Knowledge of computer has become an
essential part of every child’s education. Samagra is running basic computer
courses for poor children.
This year also it organized three such courses and trained 32 children, all
coming from the poor section of the society.
The details are given blow
The basic computer
course was inaugurated by Shree Cyril Rapheal, chief advisor of Shree
Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram, Anjanisain, Tehri Garhwal.
He lit the lamp and praised the
efforts of Samagra for organizing employment oriented training courses for
girls from the weaker section of the society.
Mrs. Suchitra Agarwal,
managing trustee of Samagra briefed the gathering about the activities of
Samagra in Dehradun and surrounding villages.
Mrs. Vimla Joshi, Dr. Beena Joshi, Dr. A. K.
Gupta, Mr. N. K. Goel, Dr. Anil Bansal and some other distinguished citizens of
Dehradun were present on this occasion.
Tuition classes for under privileged students
This is the most important and reputed
project of
Samagra. We are running it for the last
four years continuously. Students coming
from the weaker section of the society and who are attending Government primary
schools need after class tuitions. Their
parents are mostly illiterate and cannot give any help to their children. In this
program about 35 such children attend our tuition classes from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
daily. In addition to the tuitions the students participate in various games,
learn music and do Yoga and Asanas. The
boys are provided with text books, stationery, bags etc. The students are also given light refreshment
after the classes.
In addition to the
school course tuition, the students are given Sanskars. They chant Gayatri
Mantra, Omkar, and Ved Mantra also. A
Yajna is organized on the first Monday of every month and all the students
participate in it.
Cutting & Tailoring Beautician Programs
Samagra ran many income generating programs in
its own premises, slums and nearby villages of Dehradun. During this year five cutting & tailoring
and two beautician training and programs were organized as per details given
blow. The cutting & Tailoring training was given by Mrs. Poonam and Mrs
Nisha Uniyal and the beautician teacher was Km. Sonika.
Cutting &
Tailoring Beautician Programs 2014-2015
Duration in Months
|
Date to date
|
Programs
|
location
|
No. of Trainees
|
3 Months
|
3 Feb to 15
May
|
Sewing
|
Shastri Nagar
|
22
|
3 Months
|
1 April to 30 June
|
Sewing
|
Nehru Gram
|
25
|
3 Months
|
21 July to 6 October
|
Sewing
|
Samagra
|
23
|
3 Months
|
26 July to 6 October
|
Sewing
|
Shastri Nagar
|
15
|
3 Months
|
1 Dec to 3 March
|
Sewing
|
Shastri Nagar
|
25
|
3 Months
|
10 April to 10 June
|
Beautician
|
Samagraa
|
9
|
3 Months
|
1 May to 30 June
|
Beautician
|
Samagraa
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total 137
Samagra is running a Basic English
learning program for under privileged girls studying in Government schools.
This program is being run in collaboration with Deserving Students Support
Society Vasant Vihar. Under this program 65 students were given basic knowledge
of English. Smt. Neetu Singh who runs
her own preschool classes and Smt. Vandana who is a senior teacher in Guru
Nanak Public School Dehradun volunteered for this work and completed the training
quite satisfactorily.
Visit of Canadian Pilgrims Groups
In
the month of October 2014 a group of nine Canadian pilgrims arrived at Samagra
and stayed in India for 3 weeks. They participated in various activities of
Samagra, visited Rishikesh and also paid a visit to the Shastri Nagar slum area
Dehradun where Samagra was running a tailoring & cutting centre.
They
participated the Diwali celebrations and Yajna. Another group of 3 Canadian
pilgrims visited Samagra in March 2015. They also stayed for 3 weeks,
participated in various activities and visited several places at
Dehradun and Rishikesh.
A group of 6 Canadian
students visited Samagra in May 2015 and stayed here for about a month. During their stay they participated in
the monthly Yajna and taught the tuition class students various games and how
to speak English. They visited Shastri Nagar slum cutting & tailoring
program. They also gave a visit to Rishikesh town and went to various sacred
places.
In
the month of July 2014 a group of four Canadian Medical students visited
Samagra and stayed here for about 2 weeks.
The main purpose of their visit was to study the public health system in
India. Samagra staff helped them in
their study tour and they visited Mahant Indresh Medical Collage and Hospital
and Max Hospital Dehradun. They also participated in the Samagra activities and
interacted with our tuition class students.
Yajnas
On the first Monday of
every month a Yajna is organized in the premises of Samagra. The Yajan is
performed by Pt. Ved Vasu Shastri who is great scholar of Vedic
literature. All our tuition class
students, staff members and some others residents of nearby localities
participate in the Yajna.
Two
books, one giving the Hindi meaning and the other the English meaning of Ved
Mantras, have been published by the Samagra Publications so that every
participant can understand the meaning of the Ved Mantras.
Prasad
is distributed after the completion of the Yajna.
Birthday Celebrations
Due
to the presence of a number of poor children at Samagra, the residents of the nearby
localities like to celebrate the birthdays of their children with them. The
following birthdays were celebrated during this year
(1) Mrs. And Mr. H.B. Tuteja celebrated the
birthday of their granddaughter Navya Tuteja on 15th April
2014. Navya resides in America and it
was her 5th birthday.
The Tutejas distributed snacks and
sweets to all the children.
(2) Dr. Pradeep Kumar’s (Jivasu) and
his daughter Sonia’s birthday falls on the same day that is 23rd
August. Suchitra Agarwal organized their birthday in their absence in which all
the children, girls getting computer and cutting & tailoring training
participated. Suchitra Agarwal told them about the life journey of Jivasu. Sweets
were distributed to all.
(3) On 29th January the
students and staff of Samagra gave a surprise to the managing trustee Suchitra
Agarwal. They made all the preparations for the celebration of her birthday
without her knowledge called her at the last moment and wished her a very happy
birthday. The students sang songs and sweets were distributed.
Smt. Suchitra Agarwal also celebrated
her 28the marriage anniversary with the Samagra children.They all blessed her
and sweets were distributed.
(4 ) Smt. Radha. Our coordinator
celebrated the 16th birthday of her youngest son Subham. They
participated in the Yajna and Prasad and sweets were distributed to all.
2Nd Death Anniversary Ma Sharda Devi
The second death anniversary of the
mother of Jivasu was solemnized on eight October 2014. A Yajna was performed
and a bhandara was organized for all the children. Five pressure cookers were
donated to five poor women.
A donation of Rs. 5000/-
On 27th May Smt.
Amita Srivastava wife of late Shree Vinay Srivastava visited Samagra along with
her brother. She lost her husband in February 2014. She donated Rs. Five
thousands in the memory of her husband. She spent a few hours with the Samagra
children and distributed chocolates and bananas to them
Celebration of Festivals
Like previous years this year too we celebrated Independence Day,
Deepawali, Christmas, Subhash Chandra Bose 113th birth anniversary,
Basant Punchmi, Republic Day, Holi with great enthusiasm. Children presented cultural programs and
sweets were distributed among them.
Some additions to the Samagra buildings:
When
Samagra was started we conceived a few programs for it and the building was
constructed accordingly. But as the work expanded there was a space crunch. As
a result two tin sheds were erected- one at the top floor and another in front
of the ground floor verandah. Both the sheds proved to be very useful and our
main events and tuition classes are held under them. The building also looks
very spacious and imposing.
Our Team
We have a very compact functional
team of workers which are fully dedicated to their work. Shree Tika Ram Bhatt office coordinator, is
doing all the accounts and typing work in the office. In addition he helps our
foreigner guests. Smt. Manju and Smt.
Radha both are coordinating the women income generation program. In addition
Smt. Manju is also looking after the up keep of the Samagra building. Smt. Hema
and Kumari Sonika are working as teachers and take a keen interest in teaching
the students in various subjects. Dinesh works as a cook when need arises and
his work is very satisfactory.
In addition to the
above regular workers we also get valuable help from some voluntary workers for
specific programs. The most prominent of them are
Dr. Neha and Vandana madam.
2015-2016
Arranging tuitions for poor students
from primary classes to 10th standard is a very important and
popular program of Samagra. Its continuing for the last 5 years. About 35
students attend this classes regularly from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. we have engaged 4
teachers for this purpose. Light refreshment is served to the students daily
after the classes.
Mrs.
Abha Srivastava distributed uniform to the girl students in memory of her late
husband Shree Vinay Srivastava.
Apart
from the above classes some special classes and workshops were also organized
for special students as per details:-
A month long English language workshop,
specially organized for the under privileged students (mostly girls),
culminated on the evening of 7th July, 2015. Twenty two students
attended the workshop. Samagra takes pride in informing that many students who
could not even introduce themselves on the first day, spoke confidently before
an audience during the program.
The
workshop was conducted by Miss Vandana Verma who is a teacher of a renowned English
Public School. She gave her services without any remuneration.
Km.
Astha Uniyal who passed her inter examination volunteered to teach maths and
science to the students.
Samagra
also ran science tuition classes for the girl student of class10th from
Bhawani Balika Vidyalaya. They were taught by a devoted teacher named Ms. Manju
Verma. It was monetarily supported by an organization called Deserving Students
Support Society (DSSS).
There
was a poor but very intelligent student named Shreya who secured 81% marks in
her inter examination. She was unable to pursue her higher studies. Samagra
arranged her admission for the bachelor in physiotherapy in a renowned college
only at 1/3rd tuition fee.
Students Taking English Tuition
Computer Tuitions
We are teaching basic computer to the
girls who have a passion for learning computer. We are trying to give them the
basic computer training. This year eight girls attended these tuition classes
for two months (from 2nd June to 30th July)
Beautician Training Program
Samagra started a beautician training
program for under privileged girls from 1st May it was inaugurated
by Dr. Nisha Gera, renowned gynecologist of Dehradun. 30 girls were trained
under this program.
On
16th July under the beautician training program, the trainees learnt
Saree wrapping. All the trainees took keen interest and learned fast. On 16th
July a Mehandi competition was also held.
A
personal grooming course was started in Smith Nagar village in Prem Nagar area
from 1st August. 20 girls participated in this program. They were trained by an experienced teacher
Smt. Kavita. It was concluded on 7th November 2016. Canadian guests
Ms. Rose, Barbara, Judy and Corinne were also present in the function. They
very much enjoyed Henna session by the trainees.
Trainees welcomed Samagra staff with flowers,
and danced with guests.
Beautician Course Trainees Were
Awarded Certificates
Sewing cutting & Tailoring Program
From 1st
July Samagra started a cutting and tailoring training program in Telpur village
(under women income generation program) of a 3 months duration. Twenty eight
trainees learnt the sewing skills. The training was completed on 10th
October. The concluding ceremony was held on 19th Oct. at Samagra
vasant Vihar center. They were all invited to Samagra core centre so that they
can understand the working of Samagra.
Smt. Suchitra Agarwal, Managing Trustee of
Samagra told them about further assistance, they can get through Samagra like
facility of interest free loan by other organizations and updated them about govt.
schemes. Sewing teacher Smt. Suneeta promised to help them whenever it was
needed. Samagra distributed certificates of completion of their training to all
of them. It also gifted them sewing kits and snacks were served.
One
girl Durga was trained by Samagra but she was not able to buy a sewing machine
So one of our volunteers Mrs. Mala donated one sewing machine to the girl.
One
1st August Samagra organized orientation program for the trainees
who took training in personal grooming, cutting and tailoring and computer
(basic). Shree S.S. Negi from Directorate of District Industries updated the
trainees about government policies to make girls and women self-supporting by
self- employment. He told about loan system for different trades, subsidies and
how to make projects to get govt. grants. Shree Negi assured us to take
personal interest if candidates came through Samagra. He was very much
impressed by Samagra’s work for the underprivileged section.
Cutting &
Tailoring Beautician, English and Computer Programs 2015-2016
Duration in Months
|
Date to date
|
Programs
|
location
|
No. of Trainees
|
3 Months
|
1 May to 31
July
|
Beautician
|
Samagra centre
|
23
|
2 Months
|
22 May to 22
July
|
Sewing
|
Samagra centre
|
7
|
1 Months
|
1 June to 30 June
|
English T. C.
|
Samagra centre
|
20
|
2 Months
|
2 June to 30
July
|
computer
|
Samagra centre
|
8
|
3 Months
|
1 July to 10 October
|
Sewing
|
Telpur
|
24
|
3 Months
|
1 August to 30 October
|
Beautician
|
Smith Nagar
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total 99
Trainees from Telpur at Certificates
Distribution Ceremony
Trainees from Telpur
showing their Products
Sewing and
Beautician Course Trainees Were Awarded Certificates
Student International Health Initiative (SIHI)
Every year some Canadian students- Medical
and non Medical-visit India to apprise themselves of the health facilities
provided to the general public and the health system of India. These visits
sponsored by the universities and schools of Canada. These students stay at
Samagra centre Dehradun and their visit is facilitated by it.
This
year in May a Canadian student named Alok Shah stayed at Samagra for 3 weeks
for this purpose. He not only studied the health system but mixed with the
Samagra children and visited a number of places like Mussoorie, Rishikesh etc.
On the completion of his visit he was given a touching farewell. Children
performed dances for him and Mrs. Suchitra Agrawal presented him a hand embroidered
table cloth as memento. Alok distributed chocolates among the children.
A
group of four medical students from McMaster University Hamilton, Canada
arrived at Samagra in the month of July. They visited different hospitals,
including Mahant Inderesh Medical College to study the system of medical
education and treatment given to patients in India They stayed here for 2 weeks
and immensely enjoyed their visit.
Medical Students Under SIHI Program
Visit
of Canadian Cultural Pilgrims
Every year some
citizens of Canada come to Samagra centre to visit the sacred places, NGO’s and
pilgrims centers. They are not interested in the visit of exotic places or to
entertain themselves. They want to see understand the culture of India and to
learn about Yoga and philosophy.
Two
such groups of Canadian citizens visited Samagra in the month of November2015
and March 2016. The first group was comprised of four members and the second
group had six members. They visited the Budha Temple and KKM at Dehradun and also
visited Rishikesh and Haridwar. At Rishikesh they stayed for more than a week
and visited Kuanja Puri Devi. They also went to Mussoorie and visited Dhanoulty
and Surkanda Devi Temple.
Cultural Pilgrims from Canada Visited
Akshardam Temple at Delhi
Cultural Pilgrims from Canada with
Smt. Suchitra Agrawal and Dr. Karen
Professional Competency Course at KGMU Lucknow
McMaster University-Canada joined hands with
KG Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow to establish a centre of excellence in
KGMU campus. The centre will introduce
communication and compassion in medicine for health professionals.
Dr
Karen, Pradeep & Dr. Shally Awasthi (KGMU) facilitated a four day workshop
in KGMU, from November 17-20. 45 faculty members attended the highly successful
gathering to move towards the above goal.
Dr. Karen Kumar Attending the
Workshop at KGMU Lucknow
Annual function
On 22nd
November Samagra celebrated its 8th
Annual Function at Hotel Kamla Palace situated at G.M.S. Road Dehradun. Shree
Suryakant Dhasmana Vice President State Congress Committee and his wife Dr.
Priyanka Dhasmana were the chief guest
and Shree Rajeev Oberoi Secretary SPD (Society for Public Devlopment) and Shree
Prem Chandra Agarwal retired district judge and presently chairman Cheshire
Home and his wife Mrs. Agarwal were among special guests. Our Canadian guests
were also present and appreciated the work of Samagra. Smt. Suchitra Agarwal
told about Samagra India's work and read the Annual Report. Dr.Pradeep Kumar
Jivasu spoke about spirituality and meditation. Miss. Vandana presented this
program. A number of like minded people and Board members of other NGO's were
also present. They were welcomed with flowers. Samagra children performed under
the choreography of Mrs. Anita Gupta.
Mrs. Anita Gupta also performed a folk dance. All the performances were immensely
appreciated by the audience. Shree. Suresh
Chandra told about Samagra Publication.
The function
was concluded by the vote of thanks presented by Dr. Karen Kumar.
A View of the Annual Function Held at
Kamla Palace Dehradun
Celebration of festivals
Independence Day
Samagra
celebrated the Independence Day in its premises. Children and staff of Samagra
gave performances. Everybody enjoyed speech, dances, poems and short plays. Dr.
Sudha Mishra, the Yoga expert and Smt. Parmila Arya delivered speeches. Smt.
Suchitra Agarwal told about the history of freedom struggle. Mrs. Hema Mehta
hosted the party to celebrate her husband’s new tenure in Merchant Navy.
Samagra family and guests wished good luck to her family.
Teachers’ Day
Samagra children
celebrated Teachers’ day on 5th September 2015. It was interesting
to see that children performed very well with their own theme, direction and
choreography. Class 9th students told about alcoholism through a
play. It was so touching that everybody had tears in his eyes. Samagra honored
teachers and gave them gifts. Children danced, recited poems and sang songs
which were dedicated to their teachers.
Suchitra and Canadian guests were
invited at Mrs. Anita Gupta’s home for evening party. It was a pre-diwali celebration
full of dances choreographed by Anita Gupta. Samagra children also performed.
Nitin and Sunayan gave a warm welcome with flowers.
Deepawali
Dewali
festival was celebrated in Samagra on 9th Nov 2015. Children made
beautiful Rangoli, lit oil Diyas decorated by them and sang Arti dedicated to
Goddess Luxmi. Dr. Neha and Pankaj gifted crackers, and enjoyed display of fire
crackers with Samagra children. Gifts were distributed by Miss. Vandana.
A
Gathering of Samagra Children with Teachers and Staff.
25th December Christmas
Celebrations at Samagra
Christmas was celebrated at
Samagra with great enthusiasm and traditional solemnity. On this day the annual
sports meet was also held. Games like changing the dress for the boys and doing
the makeup for the girls were held. A Quiz competition was also organized. For
the junior students ‘spoon with lime race’ was also held. The children
presented Christmas songs.
Prizes were given to the winning competitors by Shri
Suresh Chandra.
A cake was cut and toffees and
gifts were distributed among all the participants.
Samagra Children Celebrating
Christmas
Holi
Every year Mrs. Beena Joshi
organized traditional Kumaoni Holi from Uttarakhand at her home for pilgrims. Samagra children celebrated Holi with great
enthusiasm on 22 nd March as Samagra was closed for next 3 days. Everybody
played Holi with dry colors. Children were warned about to the danger of
accidents during Holi.
Children
danced on Holi songs. Smt. Suchitra Agarwal told about significance of Holi.
Special sweet ‘Gujia’ was enjoyed with other snacks.
Samgra Staff and Children Celebrating
Holi
Birthdays
Many families from Dehradun
and sometimes from outside as well celebrate the birthdays of the members of
their families with the children of Samagra. It gives immense happiness to the
children and the family members.
Samagra celebrated the birthday of
Mr. Nitin Gupta with great fanfare on 23rd September. Nitin is a
cousin brother of Smt. Suchitra Agarawal and resides at Delhi. He expressed a
desire to celebrate his birthday with the children of Samagra but due to
unavoidable reasons could not come to Dehradun. But that did not dampen the
zeal of Samagra’s children and they celebrated the occasion with great
enthusiasm. They presented dances and songs and said Happy Birthday to Nitin. A
cake was also cut by the children and a gala party was organized.
A mega birthday card signed by all
the children and photographs of the celebrations were sent to Nitin.
28th September 29, 2015
Smt. Suchitra Agrawal celebrated the birthday
of her husband Piyush Kumar on 28th September with children and
staff of Samagra. Children and teachers and staff danced and sang songs.
Everybody had great fun. Children enjoyed cake and snacks and wished Piyush
Kumar a very happy birthday.
16 October 2015
Dr. Neha celebrated her
husband Pankaj;s birthday with Samagra children. Neha is a strong motivational
force behind children's programme. She came with her whole family. Everybody
danced with children and had fun. She gifted Lowers to all the children and
threw a lavish party.
Samagra gifted a handmade
article made by Samagra women and a special birthday card was given containing
wishes of each and every member.
9th November2015
Samagra celebrated Dr. Rajiv Verma’s
birthday with great enthusiasm. Dr. Rajiv is a renowned anesthetist of the city
and his wife Dr. Dr Nisha Gera celebrated her husband’s birthday with Samagra
family. Rajiv Verma donated winter jackets to every child who comes to Samagra
and threw a party. Children danced and sang the birthday song. Samagra family
wished him a happy birthday by giving a gift and a card signed by all the
members.
24th December
2015
Dr. Nisha Gera celebrated
her son Debashish’s 26th birthday with Samagra children. She came
with her husband Mr. Rajiv Verma and Dr. Neha.
The Samagra children played some games with the visitors and also danced
with them. The atmosphere was full of fun and gaiety. The cake was cut by the
parents of Debashish in his absence.
The children were offered eatables and gifts.
Samagra children and staff
gifted a handmade birthday card and wished a very happy birthday to Debashish.
7th March 2016
It was the Maha Shiv Ratri Day and was also the birthday
of Ashish Gupta (Son of Mrs. And Mr. Rajeev). The family decided to celebrate
the day with Samagra children. Children sang and played birthday songs for
Ashish and wished him their best wishes through a card signed by all the
participants. Our Canadian group also participated in this celebration.
Dr
Rajeev Verma was Presented a Birthday Card by the Samagra
Performance of Yajna
At the Samagra centre a Yajna is
performed on the 1st Monday of every month. All the staff and
children of the Samagra take part in the Yajna. Ved Mantras and Gaytri Mantra
are recited by the children and staff.
Some guests also take part of in the ceremony. Bhajans are also recited.
Prasad is distributed at the end of Yajna.
Yajna is Performed on the First Monday of Every Month
Gulluck-Coin Bank
Gulluck-Coin Bank is a
unique venture of Samagra to promote micro savings among children. It is
essentially a money box and every child has his/her own money box. Children are
instructed to deposit money, in coins, in their respective boxes as and when
they wish to and Samagra will deposit coins of equal value as incentive. This
is how the savings of children will grow. Samagra will maintain a written
record of all these deposits. These money boxes will be opened on 14th
November 2016 (Children’s Day). Samagra will help children to buy things that
they need or desire.
Third
Death Anniversary of Ma Sahrda Devi
8th
October 2015,
Samagra paid tributes to Mrs. Sharda
Devi wife of Shree Suresh Chandra, (dadaji) in Samagra premises.
A Yajna was organized
and Shree Ved Vasu Shastri was the priest who performed Yajna and chanted Ved
mantras for the peace of the departed soul. Five old and helpless women were
honored and house hold utensils were given to them.
A Bhoj (feast) was
organized for all the participants.
Samagra Prakashan
For the last two years Samagra Trust
is publishing books on philosophy, religion, Yoga etc. The following books have
been published so far:-
1 Naturality (Sahajta)-Living According to Our
Nature- Jivasu Pradeep Kumar
2 From Death to Immortality -Jivasu
Pradeep Kumar
3 Meditation- Jivasu Pradeep Kumar
4 Teaching Compassion and Self-Care
in Medical Education-
Dr. Karen Trollope Kumar and Dr. Pradeep Kumar
(Jivasu)
5 Vanprastha ( Ek Naye Jeevan ka Prarambh) Hindi- Dr. Pradeep Kumar (Jivasu)
6 Yajna Evam Om- Hindi- Suresh
Chandra
7 Yajan Evam Om English – Suresh
Chandra
ANNEXURE
Trustee details
Dr. Pradeep Kumar, founder trustee is a NRI
based in Canada and practices as an Acupuncturist in Hamilton, Ontario. After completing his training in medicine
(pediatrics) in India, Dr. Pradeep joined a Hindu monastery in the foothills of
Himalayas where he experienced his first awakening. During 13 years of
voluntary and social work in the villages of Himalayan foothills along with his
wife Karen, his search deepened and put him firmly on a mystical-spiritual path
which continues to this day but in a radically different way which he calls as
Biological Transformation. He also studied at Mind-Body Medical Institute at
Harvard University USA. Currently he is
practicing and teaching acupuncture, meditation and mind-body medicine both in
McMaster University and in the city of Hamilton and surrounding areas. He is the author of many books including;
Meditation-A Path of Healing and Transformation, Stillness and Action and
Freedom from Fear.
His contact address in India is:
c/o Samagara – New Vasant Vihar
Enclave , Lane No.4 , House No. 9
DEHRADUN Phone No. 8826023588
Mrs. Suchitra Agarwal is the third trustee inducted into
the Board of Trustees in December2008.
She took her Masters Degree in Home Science and taught in a college for
10 years. She was always touched by the
plight of the underprivileged women and wanted to do something for them through
income generation activities. In her
view, financial independence is an important key factor to improve the
condition of women. For three years she worked with rural women by teaching
them how to make handmade greeting cards. She is deeply interested in integral
spirituality and would like to explore it further with herself and others. Suchitra with her husband and two sons lives
in Dehradun, Uttrakhand.
Contact Address:
C/O Shri Piyush Kumar, H.No. 13, lane 14, Mohit Nagar, Dehradun (Ph:
9319216375)
Dr. Beena Joshi, M.A. (English), Ph.D. Has
been working at D.A.V.(P.G.) College, Dehradun as an Associate Professor for
the past 20 years. She hails from the Almora District of Uttrakhand. She organized E.H.V. (Education in Human
Values) classes at various places in the city.
She is keen to contribute to the society by joining welfare groups.
(Suchitra Agrawal)
