జన్మభూమి సేవలో ఎన్నారైలు…

NRI philanthropists – ​forging ties with their native lands in India with a will to give back something

A larger percentage of India’s population is making charitable donations to their home states to support causes such as education, healthcare, social inclusion and the like with steady humanitarian efforts.

Non-Resident Indians are famed the world over for being an exemplary migrant group in whichever host countries they set up base in. India’s affinity for IT, science, academia, and business has translated into high white-collar employment rates. This, combined with ‘traditional Indian values​’ has enabled peaceful assimilation at various parts of the globe and has therefore drawn praise from international communities.

NRIs, over the years, have played a prominent role in assisting various initiatives of the Indian Government in developmental, educational and social projects.

About AP Janmabhoomi Initiative

The NRI telugu community in North America alone comprises 4 lakh individuals. Most of them, having spent a significant portion of their formative years in Government schools, wished to contribute towards the betterment of the same. The Andhra Pradesh Janmabhoomi Initiative ​which commenced on Jan 18th, 2016 was created in alignment with the vision of the Chief Minister, N.Chandrababu Naidu​ and the Government of Andhra Pradesh​, alongside the Special Representative for North America, Shri Jayaram Komati.​ The initiative ​has enabled a means to connect the NRIs to their own soil with an aim of providing them with an opportunity to give back to the land of their ancestors.

It is the flagship social initiative of the Government of Andhra Pradesh comprising of three schemes- Digital Classrooms, Anganwadi Centers and Crematoriums.​ The Andhra Pradesh Government facilitates this platform by providing aid covering 70% of the total cost. The remaining 30% is funded by NRIs.

Establishing Digitised Schools

The objective of the AP Janmabhoomi Digitised School Initiative ​is for the Andhra Pradesh Government to assist schools in co-opting a technology-driven study environment so that children can learn and perform better. Recognising the importance of being digitally empowered in today’s age, the programme aims at equipping schools to give students exciting, effective and comprehensive classroom learning experiences, using tools such as interactive whiteboards, digital content and classroom software. The initiative is aimed at working towards providing digital content from leading service providers in both English and Telugu.

The objective seeks to establish 5000 digital schools by 2018.

It is also initiated to train the teachers at schools using undergraduate students as part of an Internship Program for 30 hours in 5 Modules . Around 1000 UG students associated themselves with the “digital literacy programme” which aimed at equipping the teachers at the schools to be able to use the digital aids imparted to them efficiently.

“2400 Schools are digitized since October 2016; on an average 6 digital classrooms are added every day impacting over 7 Lakh Students which also improved attendance rates by 17%.”

An exemplification of the same can be seen through a recent event wherein to celebrate the true spirit of Janmabhoomi- Maa Vooru, five non-resident Telugus from Prakasam district donated digital classrooms to their former schools in the villages. Local MLAs inaugurated the digital classrooms for the students. Post the inauguration, one of the donors praised the initiative and its team for their sincere efforts.

“Jayaram is uniting the non-resident Telugus abroad and collecting funds for this noble cause to provide infrastructure in schools and villages under the banner of AP Janmabhoomi,” he declared. The donors said that it was their sincere will to support their native place through the AP Janmabhoomi Initiative that made them contribute for the digital classrooms. They promised to extend more support in the future.

Development of Pre-School Education and Healthcare in Anganwadi Centres

Another example is one such kind patron, an NRI from North America, who was seeking opportunities to contribute and support the rural education system of her home state.

“India is my home and I am concerned about the growth and progress of the young diaspora. I would like to help strengthen the education system in a way which brings about holistic development to the young minds so that they can grow up to become responsible citizens of the country. These concerns are ignored by many because of limitations of income or facilities. I appreciate the Andhra Pradesh Government for taking requisite steps for improving the infrastructure of Anganwadi Centres and in the process providing people like me a means to help the rural communities of my state by give back to my native land through the AP Janmabhoomi Initiative”, she said.

She, donated Rs 3 lakh for the construction of Anganwadi Centre at Kavuluru village of Krishna district.

AP Janmabhoomi has been working to restructure traditional Anganwadi Centers. The primary aim of this project is improving nutrition & healthcare among pre-school going kids and lactating & pregnant women in alignment to providing quality education.

The project is scaling its reach to ensure maternal healthcare and early childhood care along with an emphasis on holistic development of children. For the same reason, training to Anganwadi workers is provided which particularly focuses on pre-school education and provision of nutritional aid as it is essential to nurture the young mind for it to transform into a conscientious being. The training is carried out in collaboration with the NGO Sodhana. Facilities like toys, educational aids, TV, medical check-up examination and the like are provided to the Anganwadi centres as part of the initiative.

“100 Anganwadi Centers are in process in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram Districts.”

Shri Jayaram Komati, said “NRIs are giving assistance to set up facilities for pre-school education and healthcare in numerous Anganwadi Centres on the request of the State Government and will increase their service activities in future.”

Construction of Crematoriums

He also said that some NRIs are coming forward to develop the crematoriums in the villages and thanked the latter. This is another important initiative that the Andhra Pradesh Government is focusing on – construction of Crematoriums​, referred as Mahaprasthanam. The initaitive is working towards spreading awareness among NRI community on the need for one of the most essential facility for every village/town to make the last rites paid in a dignified manner in a aesthetic place to rest. Government is now matching upto 70% of contributions for these projects, the rest is contributed by NRI donors.

“With an ambitious target to complete 1500 crematoriums with 3 Lakh rupees, construction of 50 Crematoriums is in process.”

Fostering Social Development Through Sports among Tribal Communities

The AP Janmabhoomi initiative has also successfully carried out various initiatives with an intention of uplifting the tribal communities of the state. It firmly believes that by supporting the socially secluded populace it is possible to achieve the ambitious aim of achieving an absolute form of progress and development.

With the help of 51 NRI patrons the AP Janmabhoomi team reached out to the Kothavalasa community​, a remote hamlet located in Korrai panchayat of Dumbriguda mandal in Visakhapatnam district. This marked the first Tribal Development Project ​of AP Janmabhoomi which resulted in the construction of a sports playground in the area which fulfilled its core purpose of connecting the communities, fostering a sense of belongingness, impacting their social life and harbouring a sense of team building in the youth and children through sports.

The AP Janmabhoomi Initiative also gives due importance to the need for carrying out engagement events and outreach activities. The NRI Cell​ was brought into being with the same purpose. Under the Chairmanship of Commissioner PR & RD Shri B.Ramajaneyulu and Mr. Jayaram Komati AP Special Representative for North America the cell helps to strengthen the activities of NRIs in rural development.

In addition to that, several “Meet and Greet” sessions are arranged to establish a dialogue between the NRI community and public representatives. It allows to promote the activities being carried out under the initiative. Over 100 Meet and Greet events are organized so far covering 30 states in USA.

Numerous “Donor Engagement” sessions are also carried out to allow the NRI diaspora to directly connect with beneficiaries of the initiatives so as to enable interchange of feedback along with their thoughts and experiences so that the donors can understand the impact of their efforts.

The Difference Created so Far

• The initiative has been successful in engaging over 1500 NRIs and NRI Organizations.
• 2400 Schools are digitized since the commencement of the initiative
• 100 Anganwadi Centers are created as yet and more are underway.
• 50 Crematoriums constructed by now and more are in process of being built.

Conclusion

The aid and encouragement of the NRIs has played a prominent role in shaping the journey of the Andhra Pradesh Janmabhoomi Initiative. Their constant support has underpinned the efforts of the state Government in advancing the mission of Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu ​to make Andhra Pradesh better for the coming generations.

And it is to commemorate such altruistic spirits ​the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)​ is celebrated every year to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government, reconnecting them with their roots and celebrating their achievements and contributions.

Diaspora communities have one thing in common – their love for their ethnic identities, their roots. When they seek to give back to the hometowns where they have formative memories, many look to ensuring that every dollar makes a difference.

Click here for AP Janmabhoomi PDF

Click here for Photogallery