Nirman
NIRMAN is a youth initiative started by Dr. Abhay and Dr. Rani Bang in June 2006 to identify, nurture and organize the young change agents to solve various societal challenges. NIRMAN provides guidance, expertise and environment to inculcate self learning and encourages youth for social action. It is an educational process. Inspired by the 'Nai Talim' system of education started by Mahatma Gandhi, Nirman aims at training youths to take up challenges and crucial issues of the society. Nirman is providing a common platform for youth to engage, self-educate and decide on how they can make a difference to the society.
History
SEARCH (Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health) started in 1986 by Dr. Abhay and Dr. Rani Bang for rural health care and research, is the organization of NIRMAN.
As it was felt that there was a lack of emerging youth leadership to take on various developmental challenges in the state of Maharashtra, NIRMAN was started as a program under SEARCH in the year 2006.
Vision
NIRMAN aims to create a large group of young professionals having the desire and the capability to understand and solve the burning social problems. In the process, NIRMAN strives to facilitate a deeper search for leading a purposeful life. NIRMAN believes that such a pursuit of social problem solving will bring out the best in those individuals.
Educational Philosophy
The NIRMAN educational philosophy finds its roots in the Nai Talim principle proposed by Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. As compared to the conventional educational system, which compartmentalize formal education and real life, NIRMAN aims to bridge this gap and achieve education through real problem solving.
Staying true to the very purpose of education, NIRMAN encourages self – search for the development of one’s life mission, something which is intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying.
Nirman process asks certain questions as - What is the meaning of life? What should I do with this life? Does only completing education and getting a good job and a good home and other comforts fulfills my dreams? Does life have any other meaning then earning more and more money? How can I make my life more meaningful?
Nirman acts as a torch bearer for restless youth who have these kinds of questions. It serves as a platform to answer these questions in the minds of youth.
It is probably, a Nirman (to build) of a better India in the future.
NIRMAN Educational Process
As part of the NIRMAN educational process, camps, fellowships, study visits, educative sessions, internships, individual mentoring, group actions and various other activities are carried out. They help sensitize the youth towards societal challenges through exposure and experience. Participants from different regional, economic and academic backgrounds are expected to add depth and breadth to this process.
Selection Process
The participants aspiring to join NIRMAN fill up an introspective questionnaire which includes questions regarding their values, goals in life, personality characteristics, decisions, interaction with social realities, etc. Based on the applications, the participants are screened for personal interviews.
Structure
Nirman includes a series of 4 camps. Each camp is of 7 – 10 days and is separated by 6 months. So in this way a batch of Nirman goes through a series of 4 camps. A batch of Nirman generally has 40 to 70 youths. Youths for the camp come from various parts of Maharshtra. They go through interviews before coming for the camp. Amrut, Bang's younger son actively manages Nirman.
Camps
Young boys and girls from Mumbai, Pune, Nanded, Nashik, Kolhapur, Ahmednagar, Parbhani, Solapur, Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati and Gadchiroli go to gadchiroli. As part of the training they spend a week in a village. Camps takes place at SEARCH, Gadchiroli which is surrounded by lush green forests.
Nirmanites and their work
Nirmaanites and their work:
After having gone through the NIRMAN process, the participants can take up any of the following four work options:
- Joining the government system
- Working with different non-profit organizations
- Social entrepreneurship
- Fellowships
Some of the work domains in which Nirmaanites have started their work are
Education
- Sayali Tamane
- Kalyani - Science education
- Raju - New experiments in education
- Sharad - Education (By selling books)
- Sukhada Lodha
Environment
- Tanmay - Environment
- Mukta - Waste Management
- Santosh - Rural Development
Food Security
- Dr. Priyadarsh - Malnutrition in tribal parts Maharashtra
- Dr. Amit - Malnutrition
- Sachin - Against food based alcohol production
- Dr. Vaibhav - Health
Rural Electrification
- Amol Patil - Providing electricity to villages
Reducing transmission of Malaria
Charuta is working for reducing transmission of Malaria in rural parts of Gadchiroli. She is a microbiology graduate and has completed her post graduation in health sciences. She is working in rural parts of Gadchiroli on malaria. She is able to find the link between her education and work.
Against food grain based alcohol
Nirman protested against food grain based alcohol production policy of government of Maharashtra. As part of protest Nirmaniets and people across India voluntarily fasted for 24 hours. With similar protests across Maharashtra, Government of Maharashtra had to revisit its decision of permitting food grain based alcohol production.
Right of health in rural areas
It is mandetory for MBBS doctors to work for one year in rural areas. Many of them don't do so or don't even pay the fine of 5 lack rupees. This information was received by activist Amrut Bang and Dr. Vitthal.
Establishing reading culture
Mr. Sharad Ashtekar is a youth from Maharashtra who is engaged in establishing reading culture in villages of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. He found that availability of the books in rural areas is very less. He found the opportunity in this problem and he has started the business of selling books in rural areas of Maharashtra. Initially he did not get success but gradually he is getting success in the field. He has many memorable experiences in the journey. He himself is interested in reading books so he guides people about good books. He has a great sense about liking of people in terms of books which helps him to run this business. he has plans to start a book shop in Gadchiroli.
Associations
Following people and organizations are associated with Nirman.
People associated with Nirman
- Dr. Abhay and Rani Bang
- Dr. Anil Awachat
- Arun Deshpande
- Kumar Ketkar
- Dr. Ramesh Panse
- Vijay Javndhiya
Organizations associated with Nirman
- BAIF Development Research Foundation
- SEARCH
- Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation
Documentary film
There are 3 documenty films made on Nirman. One of the film has been made by Jaiprad Desai, grandson of Vasant Desai.
See also
- Abhay and Rani Bang
- SEARCH
- MKCL
- Vivek Sawant
- Kumar Ketkar
- Nai Talim
- Mahatma Gandhi
External links
Video links
- Jayprad's Interview on IBN Lokmat
- Amrut's interview on satara news channel
- Dr. Abhay Bang on Nirman
- Girish Sohani in Nirman Workshop
- I have a dream,a song at Nirman Camp
- Nirman documentary trailer
- Nirman documentary in 2008
- Vivek Sawant on facing frustrations in social life in Nirman Camp
- Nirman documentary film in 2012
- Kumar Ketkar on 'Whose am I' in Nirman camp
- Girish Sohani on learning in Nirman camp
- Suresh Sawant on how to tackle the system in Nirman 2.2
- Dr. Ramesh Panse speaking on Education in Nirman camp
- Anti alcohol street play 2 at shahanurwadi A'bad under NIRMAN.3
- Nirman Coverage at ABP Mazha
- Interview of Amrut Bang on Maayboli.com