Friday, 16 November 2012

After staying in the village for few days, we got so much connected to the villagers and their environment, that we ourselves became the "GAONWALA".

There were pros and cons that we came across during our stay in that village. We experienced stress-free, peaceful and pure environment of which we were completely new to. 

The other strengths and positives of the village that we observed are:
A solar lamp in the village.
  • People are primarily educated.
  • No gender discrimination.
  • Easily available local building materials.
  • People are highly motivated
  • Unity amongst the villagers.
  • Use of solar street lamps
House in the village built by locally available materials.



The things that we thought could be improved or can be the areas of concern are:
  • Lack of opportunities.
  • Lack of health care facilities.
  • Water and sanitation problems.
  • No development in agricultural techniques.
  • Not easily accessible.
Women working in the fields.

On one hand village life seems to be easy; on the other hand they face equal no. of challenges for their livelihood.

So with the help of this project, we make an attempt to:
  • Improve the standard of living by providing opportunities.
  • Improvement in quality of life in terms of health.
  • Provision for interactive and gathering spaces.
  • Promoting local features and handicrafts.

Sunday, 11 November 2012

As we moved ahead, we spotted a well and saw a few ladies working there. We went towards them and started asking them about their daily routine chores. After a little interaction, we learned that this village has water issues. There are in total 23 wells shared between the 5 villages. These wells run dry during the summer. The water in these wells is not safe for drinking. Therefore, the villagers have adopted a method of purification in which they add some powdery substance to the water. This powdery substance to them is provided to them by gram panchayat.

Women filling water from the well.

As there is no water supply to the houses in the village, they also face sanitation problem.
A temporary. bathroom behind a villagers house.
The other problem that we came across was related to healthcare. There is no proper medical facility available in any of these villages. The nearest dispensary is about 35-40 mins away. For immediate cure, the villagers use traditional methods of curing and various other home remedies.


Friday, 9 November 2012

With different thoughts and questions in our mind, we commenced our interaction with the people of the village. Since it was our first time we were a little hesitant whether we will get proper co-operation from their side or not.

We were lucky enough to meet a school teacher on our way. She easily understood what we intended to ask and do for the village.

 As we were proceeding with our conversation with her, we came to know that this village was a part of Group Gram Panchayat. The group panchayat consists of 5 villages namely Ghatim, Navghar, Dahiwale, Penand and Kandarvan and 3 padas(small settlements) namely Bhramanpada, Velpada and Jambulpada.
Each village has one primary school and these villages have a common high school at Ghatim which also has main panchayat office.


Primary school in Ghatim
Common secondary school at Ghatim



We were happy knowing about the educational provisions offered to them but  then we asked about the participation of the villagers for the same. She smiled and told us with pride that there are children regularly coming for the primary education and there are even few graduates in the village but.... And she stopped. On insisting, with a disappointed face she continued that due to lack of opportunities they did not yield any fruits.
This was the first issue of the village that we came across.

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

ASLI INDIA EXPERIENCE...

On the eve of our journey, we were all very anxious, eager and excited. As urban citizens, village to us meant : Fresh air, farms, cattle and cow-dung, fragrance of the soil, a healthy and a stress-free life. With this thought in our mind, we started with the journey.


We met at 7 in the morning and caught a train for SAPHALE. It took us two hours to reach there.


Another 30 mins of state transport bus journey made us reach our destination GHATIM.

The condition of the bus, the unpaved road, the houses we saw on the way, people working in the fields, women filling water from the well are the things that we saw and experienced on our way.

After getting down from the bus, we started walking towards the village. As we were passing by the houses, the fields, the wells we got an overview about the lifestyle of the villager.



Little did we know that it would be completely different then what we imagined it to be. It was truely an eye-opening experience.

The only question coming into our mind was: IS THIS THE REAL INDIA...????


Saturday, 20 October 2012


"Let us touch the needy, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted. According to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work"

                   -Mother Teresa








Introduction


         At distance of 90kms from a global city of Mumbai lies the village of GHATIM. It is situated in Palghar Taluka ,Thane district, Maharashtra. The nearest town is Saphale which is around 10-12 kms away. The Sahyadri mountain ranges and the Vaitarna river nearby adds to the beauty of the village.
Geographically it is located at 19°34′40″N 72°49′9″E. The climatic condition is hot and humid.