INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL FOUNDATION
Events and  Programmes -2007-’08

An organization devoted for the legendary leader late. Smt. Indira Gandhi, discharged its duties and responsibilities for achieving the vision cherished by our lead kindly light. With lot of proud and meekness, we submit this report for your passionate perusal which was endorsed by its apex body on 18/04/08.

A Reality Check

INF is a legal body legalized under 12th Travancore –Cochin –Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act of 1955.Its march kick started on 16th December 1998 and till this date it held its mission for moving fast forward its activity.

Bustle Status-2007-08

All our programmes were imbued by seeing the concept note for development changes, the priorities also will be catapulted. Vivid activities were planned and undertaken for achieving its objectives.

I. Women Empowerment Buzz

The new order of development has upside down all the priorities. The demand for basic amenities and necessities may give away to the best amenities and the best facilities. The weaker section may sometimes be forgotten during this process. When updating and up gradation of various sectors are going on at a faster face, we should not forget our most delicate areas like environment, values culture tradition and most fragile social security. Considering this reality, foundation fixed its priorities for organizing the unorganized sections like women and workers engaged in the insolvent traditional industry. Knitting the unorganized women in to the organization will be the first step for empowering them. Our dedicated functionaries sweat day night to form SHGs in Wayanad, Palakkad, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram in the State of Kerala. These efforts yielded to form 600 SHGs of 12000 women beneficiaries.

II. Proficiency Up Gradation Training

National and international economic development points to a new era of growth and opportunity for companies operating in Kerala. Rising costs in the far East and other world markets have also further high lighted Kerala as a good choice for both commercial and industrial entrepreneurs. Seeing this opportunity foundation organized 10 training programmes for the members of affiliated SHGs working in mannanthala, Balaramapuram, Nedumangad,Cheruvikkal,Thuruvaikal and Kanjiramkulam areas coming in the Thiruvananthapuram district. This training enabled them to under take income generation activities by investing lesser dose of capital.

III. Micro Finance and Enterprises

Kerala always used to boast itself as a centre of excellent human resource. Today even in the domestic household field, skilled people in the area of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, gardening, interior furnishing and allied fields are facing shortage of experts. On one side, kerala is facing shortage of labour and on other side the unemployment rate is skyrocketing. All developmental activities should be initiated to create a positive growth rate on both the sides. Keeping this objectives close to our chest, Indira Gandhi Family Self Help Scheme(IGFHS) a division for promoting thrift based micro finance and investment credit, organized different functions. The foundational function was conducted on 6th February 2008 from 10am to 3pm.This glorious function was witnessed by 500 SHG members belongs to the southern parts of Kerala. Noted benefactor and management connoisseur Mr.Vijayan Thomas(Managing Director Jai Hind TV) inaugurated the function and the scheme was formally started. IGFHS has accomplished the primary work of ascertaining the types of micro enterprises, quantum of capital, capacity building exercises .etc., and the credit disbursement will be starting very soon.

IV. Indira Gandhi International Research and Development Centre

The Kerala State in the Indian union is characterized by a number of significant socio-economic, industrial and political peculiarities. These include inter alia, the very high level of technically qualified and skilled manpower, near full literacy rate, extremely high level of NRI population and hence high level of foreign remittance etc. By seeing these peculiarities, foundation premeditated different schemes on rural development, woman empowerment, tourism development and education. Different projects are in pipeline with the expectation of chanalising the NRI funds to these projects. With the active resource support a research project on “Indira Gandhi’s vision on Women Empowerment” is nearing its completion. In order to attract research scholars, foundation started a library and information center. Every month books on different faculties are added to benefit the communities doing research.

V. Training Programme on Project Formulation Techniques

INF conducted a training programme for the key functionaries of NGOs at Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta. The programme was supported by CAPART. Regional Representative Shri. Guthy Jumbhunath delivered key note address. A total of 162 participants attended the programme.

VI. Computer Training

Kerala has got high PC penetration and 100 percent digital connectivity. To retain this status and to help the rural masses to find employment INF started computer training programme. The first batch of participants completed their studies and second batch is in session.

VII. Indira Gandhi Puraskaram

INF instituted a puraskaram in the name of Late. Smt. Indira Gandhi to honour the personalities and institution excelled in the field of Health Services, social Work and Women Empowerment. Mega star Sri.Bharath Suresh Gopi baged the puraskaram after considering his dedication to remove social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, Dr.P.V.Gangadharan was honored for his contribution on evolving methods to console cancer patients and finally an NGO viz DVSS Trust won award for its outstanding performance in conducting programmes for the up liftment of poor people. The function was conducted on 7th November 2007 at Priyadarsini Planetarium and Hon’ble Education and Cultural Affaires Minister Sri. M.A. Baby gave away the awards witnessing 700 people gathered for the purpose

VIII. Sensitization Programmes

An array of programmes was conducted in this reporting year.

a)Health Sector

   Priorities given to health sector in successive budgets since late 1960s aimed at building health care infrastructure and trained manpower, are widely acknowledged. Kerala is well equipped in terms of hospital bed facilities. There are nearly 33 beds per 1000 population in the State, which is equal to that in US and developed countries. But Kerala is witnessing high out break of communicable diseases. In order to control these social hazards, foundation conducted awareness programmes in Nagaroor, Pazhakutty of Thiruvananthapuram District and Sulthan Bathery of Wayanad District. The topics on life style diseases like cardio vascular problems, Hyper tension, Diabetic, smoking and Alcohol related diseases were discussed.

b) AIDS Awareness campaign

   On 1st December 2007 ,foundation conducted awareness class in Vallakadavu and participants numbering 93 were participated in the programme.

c) Literacy Programme

   In order to equip Kerala for meeting the challenges of the modern world order a clear vision for development is essential. Infrastructural facility is the kingpin of all developments. Kerala is going to witness a surprising surge forward which will bring up to- minute facilities .A host of major developmental initiatives like smart city, Transshipment terminals and other high –tech industries etc, will definitely demand changes in large scale in the Kerala society. In order to cop up with the transforming world , foundation conducted computer literacy programme for the neo-literate at Vythiri of Wayanad District and at Ranny in Pathanamthitta District.

d) Alcoholism, Smoking and De-addiction

Kerala society experiences the increased rate of alcoholism and Smoking habits. Foundation conducted a programme to sensitize the participants on the negative impacts of these habits. The programme was conducted in Mudavanmughal and 65 persons attended in it.

IX.Attendance in Seminars and workshops

Functionaries of INF attended various seminars in this reporting year. Secretary INF participated in the workshop on Project Appraisal organized by the regional office of CAPART at Bangalore. Our representatives also participated in the seminar on Right to Information Act organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra.