LUMDING, July 13 � Gharoa, a non-profit organisation of Lumding celebrated its 21st foundation day at its office complex recently.
On the occasion, Swapan Kar, newly-elected MLA of Lumding was felicitated by Krishna Dutta and Manjushri Nanda of Gharoa along with Gautam Banerjee, Dilip Bhattacharjee, Uttam Acharjee for their contributions in the society. Swapan Kar released a book Practical guide to RTI authored by Ashish Kumar Dey, secretary of Gharoa and a social activist. The book was earlier released in December 2010 at Delhi by the publisher Voluntary Health Association of India which has been termed an organisation par excellence by the Government of India. The guide book is for the citizens who like to invoke the Act for personal reasons or for the society in general. It contains all the background information, achievements and brief history of how the act became a tool to end corruption along with the RTI Act, addresses of the activist with contacts and standard application modules. It may be recalled that Lumding under the banner of Gharoa launched the first massive RTI movement in Assam from July 1 to 14 during the �Anti bribery campaign�.
Gharoa was formed by some eminent and reasonable noble railwaymen in 1991 at Lumding who came to serve at this Railway Division in different capacities ranging from DRM to clerk, doctor to engineer and teachers. Beginning the journey with social and cultural affairs highlighting classical music at its core and innovative writing, soon a paradigm shift occurred and it became a pioneer institute for conservation of environment and promotion of community health.
Since 2008 it is the mother NGO of RCH at Dimahassao district and is working closely on reproductive and child health through the four credible field NGOs namely: Backward Area Development Society (BADS), Rural Area Development Agency (RADA), Bosco Reach Out (BRO) and Paribesh Surakhya Samity (PSS) for achieving the goal of RCH.
In Nagaon it is implementing one of the most challenging programmes among the Injecting Drug Users (IDU) through its targeted intervention projects to stop spread of HIV/AIDS-with a functional Drop in Centre (DIC) and sexual transmitted infection (STI) clinical. It has managed 328 IDUs those are potential threat for the society if not counselled and restrained from sharing needles among them. A visible change has occurred and more IDUs are coming to the DIC.
Deliberating on the occasion, Swapan Kar, described Gharoa as on oasis at Lumding that has irrigated the need of the people whether it is environment, community health, education and domestic violence. The people of Lumding were immensely benefitted with formation of large number of SHGs and training them for utilising micro credit. With the Farmers Clubs, the cultivators have not only been trained but initiated preparing of vermi-composting and organic manures and pesticide.
Gharoa had intervened in the conflict at neighbouring districts and play a crucial role in restoring normalcy with relief and social rehabilitation programmes along with international aids organisation actionaid � it has always ventured to work among the difficult areas knowing the obstacles. The programme was inaugurated with the chorus presented by the ICDS workers of the theme of Mother and Child Health. The programme concluded with the screening of the docu-film �Redefining peace � women lead the way� and speeches of the dignitaries.
