(ICA) THE INSTITUTE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS: INDIA Activity report of year 2015-16 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Khamboli Human Development Project, Mulshi taluka continue its work on their own with very invisible support of ICA India. The work is in 4 villages- Khamboli, Katarkhadak, Kemsewadi & Andhale. Lift Irrigation scheme in Katarkhadak is run by farmers cooperative. Farmers are taking second crop and their income is increased, and helping families economically. Women s Self Help Group monthly meetings held to see on going activities, plan monthly activity plan and discuss any problems they have. The restaurant in Khamboli run by women is doing well, women are selling extra products like snacks and Sarees to women. Few women make some other products such as Masala, sweet chapatti, sell eggs, hand pounded rice, flavored papad etc. Women continue monthly fund collection individually and uses for lending it to needy women in the village. Government Agriculture department conducted a meeting with women and farmers for providing them information of agriculture support and crop information. A tailoring class of 3 months for 12 girls from village held in Khamboli village, teaching them women s clothes stitching. Tailoring machines given to women for practicing at their home. Education study tour from Japan visited project, saw the activities and discussed with beneficiaries of their work and success stories. Funding agency JICA, Japan International cooperation agency team visited project to see the progress of development activities and found that the Lift Irrigation Scheme in Katarkhadak is running successfully by farmers cooperative and provided great economical support to families by taking agriculture crops, such as wheat, vegetables, potato, ground nuts etc. ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTRE- is playing role for training various people in different techniques. A 10 day Yoga training held in November 1 st to 10 th, participants from Mumbai. Womens Empowerment training for 3 days from NGO in Talegaon, a three days women s training in capacity building from Patalganga, Khopoli. Various guests visited centre. A proposal for re building kitchen and dining is submitted to Consulate Japan in Mumbai.
TECHNOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION TRAINING- held in Panchgani at Asia Plateau training centre in September where about 35 participants from different parts of countries participated. This was sharing the technology of participation methods to trainers. A two days training also held in Mumbai with Cry Foundation for about 25 participants around India to share the method to trainers. RAYLA- Rotary Youth Leadership training programmes held at EEC- Environment Education Centre on 17 th and 18 th December for 66 students from different schools in Talegaon Dabhade. This was to provide innovative Education approach to schools and study approach, and carrier building to students. ICAI ASIA PACIFIC MEETING held on 4-9 December, 2016, at Environment Education Centre, hosted by ICA India. Purpose was to have a face to face meeting for planning the future of Asia region. There were 9 Asian countries represented. Initiatives of Change organization also participated in the meeting and talked about partnering community development work in India and abroad with ICA. HCDI is already an associate member of ICAI, who also participated the meeting and shared their work.
Post meeting, a 3 days training on Facilitators Skills was organized for 20 facilitators who are working in and around Maharashtra, facilitating training programmes. Larry and Evelyn Faculty from ICA Taiwan were invited to facilitate. Coimbatore city Smart City planning conducted for two days with about 170 people from different sectors, creating their common future and the city has been selected by government as Smart city. Hi Tech farming (Japanese Strawberry Project) is extended in Hyderabad- half a acre polyhouse project began in October with plantation about 14,000 plants. ICA is monitoring and providing training to their staff. This project is Japanese strawberry promoting for India farmers. Polyhouse at EEC, renovated, changing Top Plastic and putting both side curtains and a Dark room constructed inside old polyhouse for treating baby plants before plantation. Funds for this project are received from NEC Japan who has been partner since 2011 in Strawberry project. GRA Inc. Japan and GRA India is partnering the Strawberry project in Talegaon and Hyderabad providing technical support and monitoring the project.
Chikhale Adivashi Ashram School upto 12 standard, having about 700 students is successfully operating. Time to time trainings conducted for teachers and students for motivating and providing teaching and learning skills. USA based school students are connected to the school to exchange the cultural learnings to each other. FUTURE PLAN for year 2017: a) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Women s Empowerment activities will continue. Encourage women to expand Restaurant with other products for sale. Encourage group farming, arrange speakers on group farming information and government schemes benefits. Study tour to Exhibitions and Success group farming place. Hand pounded rice making and selling. Irrigation Schemes upgrading by farmers. Invite CSR companies for particular projects partnership in villages. Arrange a leadership training course for Men and Women together at Environment Centre, Talegaon Dabhade. Continue monthly meetings to provide updated information and activity planning. Publishing progress report of development activities. b) Hi TECH FARMING, STRAWBERRY PROJECT- Prepare baby plants for next year Strawberry project at Environment Centre. Continue training and guidance to Hyderabad Strawberry project. c) (EEC) ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTRE AS TRAINING INSTITUTE- Allow Farmers training at EEC by Govind Greenhouse in partnership with ICA. Initiate announced trainings of Technology of Participation, Capacity building, Education Innovation and Hi Tech farming methods by ICA. Renovation / painting of EEC. d) PARTNERING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION- Follow up with Initiatives of Change in Panchgani to initiate projects. Inviting CSR companies, writing proposals for funding.