Ahimsa Messenger Program by National Mission for Empowerment of Women

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has initiated the programme “Ahimsa Messenger” which aims at empowering women to make India free from violence against women and children.

The objective of Ahimsa Messenger Programme is to prevent violence against women and children by generating awareness about their basic legal rights, procedures and provisions at the grassroots. The major provision of the programme includes facilitating an enabling environment for safety and security of women and children at all levels through community participation, especially of local leaders, adolescent boys and men, opinion makers, village elders etc.

The programme involves both men & women including youths so they would further educate women and children about their rights, legal provisions regarding violence against them and about general legal procedures; such that all forms of crimes and violence against women and children should be eliminated, and justice should be ensured to the women and children affected by violence and crimes against them

Ahimsa Messengers would also serve as link workers and facilitate the women to approach the concerned authorities in case of incidences of violence against them for suitable redressal and follow up on the case.

The programme aims to generate awareness among the community especially adolescent girls and boys about their civic responsibilities and duties. It envisages providing special training to Ahimsa Messengers and to the various cadres of Master Trainers comprising of grass root level workers and filed functionaries under various programmes of the government across the country.

She is high on tea - Success Story

Source:Hindustan Times Wakro, March 04, 2013
Arunachal Pradesh swears by a wonder Mishmi teeta, a herb that can’t be found anywhere else on earth. The bitter plant, locals claim, can cure almost anything. Many in Wakro thought Basamlu was making a mistake by planting tea on her five hectare land. But when her mother Gutitun was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Basamlu Krisikro went beyond the herb — that derives its name from her ethnic group Mishmi. She began giving her mother a daily cup of organic green tea sourced from a niche estate near Roing town in Lower Dibang Valley district. But it wasn’t always convenient for her to travel miles to get the chemical-free beverage. So Basamlu, 39, decided to grow tea in the backyard of her house at Wakro. A tiny, laidback town in Lohit district en route to Hindu pilgrimage Parashuramkund, Wakro is 250km northeast of state capital Itanagar. The road via Tezpur in central Assam makes the distance 690km. Many people in Wakro thought Basamlu was making a mistake when she planted tea on her five hectare land. They felt she could have planted oranges instead — the place adjoining Kamlang Reserve Forest was known for it. Better still, opium, that fetched quadruple the money for a fraction of the hard work, could have been a much better bet. Four districts of south-eastern Arunachal Pradesh — Lohit, Anjaw, Tirap and Changlang — bordering China are notorious for opium cultivation. It was the outcome of an opium war the British had unleashed in the 1800s — much like the one against China’s Qing Dynasty — to make the tribal people too intoxicated to resist colonisation. Last year, Basamlu proved the cynics wrong. She sold 8,500 kg of green tea made in a small mechanical factory she had set up. She found buyers from Canada, Australia, USA, Japan and Germany for her Wakro Organic Tea brand. More importantly, locals bought a substantial quantity of her product. “Our people are being threatened by poppy (opium) farming that is fetching them money but turning them into addicts. Anti-drug agencies don’t come here because this place is too far away, and the locals prefer opium because other produce is difficult to offload owing to lack of proper connectivity,” Basamlu, a Delhi University product, said. She had diagnosed the problem. Cultivators fancied opium because they were not aware of other high-value crops. This gave Basamlu the mantra for change: get addicted to green tea, not opium. To show that she means business, Basamlu has been supplying to ‘the converts’ tea plants from Assam on a deferred payment basis, besides inking deals with them to buy their organic harvest to process in her factory. “It’s been slow progress, but then, it is not easy to change old habits,” she said. Today, Wakro and nearby areas sport at least half a dozen small tea gardens that include a 3.6 hectare land owned by Songelum Bam, a former opium addict. Bam and others like him say few had bothered to counsel them on the perils of opium cultivation, its consumption and how the very existence of their ethnic group was at stake. The three subdivisions of the Mishmis — Idu, Digaru or Taraon and Miju or Kaman — number a few thousand. The bulk of their population is in China, where they are called Deng. Assam-based organic tea planter Binod Saharia, Basamlu’s mentor, calls her ‘cultivation crusade’ a reverse opium war. “It takes a lot of courage to go for organic tea farming in a remote place since fertilisers and chemical boosters ensure more commercial success. What she is doing, albeit on a small scale, is remarkable. More praiseworthy is her effort to change the mindset of people addicted to opium,” he said. Basamlu’s tea venture has given the Arunachal Pradesh government ideas on how they could motivate opium growers to opt for other crops. “We have identified tea and rubber as viable options for these geographically disadvantaged farmers. But we are not doing away with poppy cultivation altogether; a few strategic farms would be given license for functioning under government control, mainly to feed pharmaceutical firms,” chief minister Nabam Tuki said. The choice of tea has been prompted by industry reports that the fairly untouched Eastern Himalayan region, particularly Lohit and Anjaw districts, can replace the aromatic Darjeeling tea whose quality has been impacted by old and non-remunerative plantations. Basamlu isn’t the only one in the Krisikro family working for the people to reduce dependency on drugs, campaign for generating fruitful employment among locals and save the nearby forests. Her husband Amma, an engineer with an oil firm, son Navin pitch in. Her brother Roinso runs a school for 300 poor children from fringe villages. The lessons include the ill-effects of opium. Some professionals and other individuals, with considerable influence in the community, have joined Basamlu’s tea party. Dr Sotutlum Nayil has planted tea on his two hectare land while C Pinjinmai, a teacher, has transformed her 1.8 hectare land. The ‘tea lady’, however, downplays the changes her initiative has brought into the community. “Whatever I have done is for my family, my son who I want to see growing up in a healthy atmosphere, and of course my mother,” she said. Her mother’s cancer, medical reports say, has been arrested. For Basamlu, this is just one battle won.

For her, toilets signify dignity - Success Story

Source: Hindustan Times Sagada, March 05, 2013
You’ve probably heard of Puri, the sea-side resort in Odisha. But have you heard of Sagada, a tiny village in Puri’s Nimapada block? Kabita Nayak (44), strong and gritty, hadn’t heard of Sagada either, until she came to the village as a young bride in 1985. India was taking slow steps towards liberalisation but Sagada stood out for reasons no one would ever want to advertise. Imagine a village, an entire village that did not have a single toilet that even its women could hide behind. Not a make-shift toilet, not even a curtained area with a hole in the ground that could be disguised and used as a private area. quote unquote Nayak was appalled when she reached her husband’s home - neither her in-laws’ house nor the entire village had a single toilet. Daughter of a state government employee, habituated to using toilets in government quarters, Nayak felt very uncomfortable going out to attend to the call of nature, though it was a process ‘natural’ to others in the village. People openly defecated in fields; even the sides of the road leading to the village used to be littered with human excreta. “Being a newly married bride, I covered my face with my saree out of shame while going out for open defecation. It was so humiliating for me that I even ate less to skip my daily routine for days,” said Nayak, who finally convinced her father-in-law to construct the village’s first toilet – a small structure of bricks with a pan in the middle – at the back of their house a year later. Her own demand fulfilled, Nayak set out to persuade others about the advantage of having a toilet at home and the adverse impact of open defecation, not just on health, but also on one’s dignity. However, it was also not easy using a toilet since it was still considered taboo by most. The villagers however realised its utility during the rainy season when the situation became worse with people attending to the call of nature in muddy fields with ankle-deep water amidst snakes and insects. Few more families added toilets to their homes over the years but many still resisted — a toilet within the house was like a distant dream for the many among the 120-odd families who lived below the poverty line. Nayak tried hard, even knocking on the doors of government departments but in vain.Finally in 2011, Nayak — who had lost neither the strength nor her grit — came in contact with United Artists Association (UAA), a voluntary organisation that had partnered with non-governmental organisation Water Aid India for a project to curb open defecation in Puri district. “Nayak had already motivated the women in the village and we were confident that our support would not go waste,” said Simanchal Panda of UAA. Another local voluntary group, Rural Welfare Institute (RWI) and UAA provided financial aid of R2,200 per toilet to the villagers. The villagers then added their own resources to it and constructed the toilets on their own. Now there are 116 toilets in the village. Every single house now boasts of its own toilet. It is a remarkable achievement — with 98% of toilet coverage. In stark contrast, the percentage of households that do not own a toilet in Puri district and Odisha stand at 84.4% and 85.9% respectively as per the 2011 census report. The toilets in Sagada are modest 4x4 feet brick structures, some with just a polythene roof while some simply have bamboo curtains for doors. Nayak proudly said that each and every household, irrespective of their economic condition, contributed towards constructing their household latrines. The toilets have brought about a quantum change in the quality of life in the village and its environment. The roads, pathways and water bodies are visibly clean. Sasmita Pradhan (20), a member of Kumari Club, a body formed by young girls to ensure sanitation in the village, said, “The toilets have also added to the greenery of the village. The drainage water from the toilets have provided much required nutrients to hundreds of new fruitbearing trees, especially banana trees, that have been grown near each of them.” A contented Nayak says, “The process of making people aware of how unhygienic open defecation is was one battle. Tying toilets in with dignity for the community was another. Today, the toilet has become a symbol for the entire village.” A satisfied Nayak truly has reasons to celebrate. She has liberated an entire village and stands out as a leader in a small rural swathe that may otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Battling the veil in Khap land - Success Story

Source: Hindustan Times Fatehabad, March 03, 2013
If women bodies are the epitome of liberation for the fairer sex, in many villages and hamlets of Haryana, women are increasingly shunning ghunghat (veil) and leading an example. Sushma Bhadu of Dhani Miyan Khan village in Fatehabad district not only fought to swagger among bête noires, but also took a pop at the centuries-old cultural tradition that dictates she be covered with aghunghat in public places. A state where khap panchayats have a final say on almost all issues and a district that is considered to be one of the most backward ones, the task required extraordinary courage. “With the backing of my mother-in-law and husband, I went against the grain and lifted my ghunghat amid 2,000 people from 25 neighbouring villages on June 22, 2012,” Sushma said. “Initially, I was a tad apprehensive of my wife's step as all women in the village followed the custom. But the day she discussed things with me openly, I decided to stand by her and trigger a social change. Now, when I see 98% of women here without a veil, I also spot a sense of equality in men's eyes for their partners,” said Sushma's 35-year-old husband Bhagwan Das. Elected sarpanch of three villages - Salam Khera, Chablamori and Dhani Miyan Khan - on June 12, 2010, this 30-year-old mother of three had been telling her husband since long that the piece of fabric had nothing to do with respect. “Izzat to dil se hoti hai, muh chupaane se nahi (respect comes from the heart, not by hiding faces),” she said. Nurtured in an atmosphere away from such “hollow traditions” at Chikanwas village of Hisar, she complained of failing to understand the logic behind covering one's face and exhorted women of her village to shun the practice. This included convincing her 70-year-old mother-in-law. “Meri bahu ne bahut achcha kaam karyo. Main iske saath hun(My daughter-in-law has done a great job. I stand by her),” said Ram Kumari, Sushma's mother-in-law. “All men who force their wives behind purdah should also wear the veil,” chipped in Sushma's supporter Sopat Singh, 35. Challenging the patriarchal set-up and urging women not to shy away from “showing their face to the world”, Sushma aims at eradicating female foeticide, dowry menace, illiteracy and alcoholism from her tiny hamlet. And, the district is already showing signs of improvement in terms of literacy rate, which stands at 69.10% in the 2011 census against 58% in 2001. The sex ratio stands at 903 per 1,000 men in 2011 census as against 884 in 2001. Defying the trend in the state, Dhani Miyan Khan has a zero dropout rate at the village's only school. A Class-7 dropout, Sushma got the school upgraded to Class 8 in August and makes sure that every child in the village attends school. She even chased Rs. 10-lakh grant to build a sewing training centre last year and 15 girls had availed of the benefits over the past six months. Taking a cue from Sushma, 30-year-old Kamla Devi, an anganwadi worker, not only gave up the ghunghat but also married off her two sons without taking dowry. Shaking hands with women and folding them in front of men, the unveiled sarpanch has no objection to her daughters wearing western outfits, which she admits she is also fond of. Kaithal joins in too Following suit but unaware of the initiative taken by Sushma Bhadu in Fatehabad, Seema Devi, the sarpanch of Chausala village in Kaithal district, also cast aside the customary piece of cloth on October 5, 2012. Crediting deputy commissioner Chander Shekhar as the sinew of her step, she realised that a ghunghat was a fetter to shackle a woman's body and mind. “Jo hum dekh nahi paayenge, wo kabhi samajh nahi paayenge (Things we won't see will never be clear to us),” she said. To instill confidence in those still “wailing behind the veil”, she organises skits and traditional raagini. “Initially, people of the area were shocked when my wife decided to step out of the ghunghat. Now, a majority of them support her. There are some women, particularly the elderly, who find comfort in the tradition. It has become a habit for them. But now they have a choice,” said Baldev Singh, Seema's husband.

An unlettered revolution in the hills - Success Story

Source: Hindustan Times Dehradun, March 06, 2013
An unlettered revolution in the hills Can a woman who is unlettered and from a poor family dare take on the dangerous forest mafia in a fiercely male dominated society? Kalavati Devi Rawat, a resident of Bacher, a remote village in Uttarakhand’s border district of Chamoli dared and succeeded. Now in her mid-forties, Kalavati Devi was barely 17 when she took on the timber criminals, out to destroy the forests of Bacher. She tamed the out-of-control alcoholics in the mountain village, once a prototype of Uttarakhand’s brutally male-dominated hill society. Kalavati Devi Rawat gave an opportunity to the women in her village to dream big. Devi’s success lies, perhaps in her inherent honesty. “I am absolutely unlettered, I can’t read or write and my parents were too poor to send me to school,” she admits rather disarmingly. The same unlettered but fiercely passionate Devi went on to win the Women's World Summit Foundation's prestigious ‘Prize for women's creativity in rural life.’ The secret behind the success story of this peasant woman, as one soon discovers, is her open-mindedness and inherent keenness to learn. She considers ‘Chipko’ leader Chandi Prasad Bhatt her inspiration. The Chipko movement, the world’s pioneering green campaign, began in Uttarakhand sometime in 1970. It presented a unique sight with the hill women hugging trees to save forests from the forest mafia’s onslaught. Kalavati Devi’s crusade against timber criminals was inspired by the same campaign. But she discovered only later that a ‘Chipko’-like non-violent struggle could also help humble the forest mafia. She had the realisation during her informal training as a budding social activist when she went about trying to solve the day-today problems of the village. The first problem she confronted when she arrived in Bacher after getting married was the lack of electricity. Power was yet to reach the remote village and caused discontent among residents. “We started looking for a solution and, one day, my village sarpanch and I trekked 25km to Gopeshwar where we met Bhattji (Chipko leader) at his residence and discussed our problem with him”, recalls Devi. He took them to the officer concerned and reasoned with him. In a few days, the entire village was bathed in light; it had been connected to an electrical grid. “I had learnt my lessons: Never give up and keep pursuing things doggedly,” says Kalawati Devi animatedly. Experiences such as these were, in fact, gradually preparing her for future challenges, she says. One such challenge presented itself soon. The year was 1985. One morning, a group of women from Bacher set out on the five-km trek up to the panchayat forest of Taantri to bring fodder. “As we entered the jungle we were shocked to see a strange sight,” recollects Devi. “The foresters present there had marked rows and rows of dead trees for felling. They were around 1000 in number”, she adds. “That's the last thing we wanted", recalls Radha Devi Rawat, a village forest panchayat member. “For, in the absence of deadwood, we would be forced to cut green trees for fuel and our forests — the only source of sustenance for us-would be finished,”she adds. The foresters were, therefore, repeatedly urged to not fell trees, but to no effect. There was a heated exchange of words between both sides. “The foresters tried all tricks to browbeat us", recalls Kalavati Devi. “They tried to offer us a bribe and even threatened to kill us but we refused to be cowed down.” As the impasse continued, the village women decided to launch an agitation in favour of their demand. “One morning, we women set out on a 25-km hilly trek to the district headquarters' town (Gopeshwar) chanting slogans ‘Chipko Andolan Jindabad’ (Hail the Chipko Movement), Ped Lagao, Desh Bachao (Plant Trees, Save the Nation)”, recalls Radha Devi. A 12-hour dharna later, the administration acquiesced. Trees won’t be felled in the Taantari forest, the district magistrate announced. A war had been won. But a bigger problem persisted: the nexus between the forest mafia and the ‘alcoholics’ of Bacher. It continued to torment the women. “Kalavati Devi had a novel solution to that problem too”, recalls Chandi Prasad Bhatt. “She knew the only way to break this nexus was by controlling the village forest panchayat,” he adds. The then sub-divisional magistrate did put up some resistance to Kalavati Devi’s demand that women be allowed to contest the panchayat election. “The official concerned fell in line when I forcefully argued that women had been legally empowered to contest the panchayat elections”, she recalls. Kalavati Devi was, in fact, referring to the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments enacted in the early nineties. The panchayat polls were soon announced. The long tormented women of Bacher contested and literally swept the village forest panchayat election. Since then, their hold over the local body has been intact. Now, armed with power, the women act tough with the alcoholics. “Earlier, the women confined themselves to breaking their crude distilleries. After their entry into the panchayats, they became tougher… and started hitting them with stinging nettle grass”, says Kalavati Devi who has been the president of the Mahila Mangal Dal, (an all-women group) of her village for the past three decades. “Almost all our menfolk have now given up liquor,” she adds with her trademark smile, “There is also no trace of the timber mafia.”

A village that plants 111 trees for every girl born in Rajasthan - Success Story

In an atmosphere where every morning, our newspapers greet us with stories of girls being tormented, raped, killed or treated like a doormat in one way or another, trust India's “village republics” to bring in some good news from time to time. One such village in southern Rajasthan's Rajsamand district is quietly practicing its own, homegrown brand of Ecofeminism and achieving spectacular results. For the last several years, Piplantri village panchayat has been saving girl children and increasing the green cover in and around it at the same time. Here, villagers plant 111 trees every time a girl is born and the community ensures these trees survive, attaining fruition as the girls grow up. Over the last six years, people here have managed to plant over a quarter million trees on the village's grazing commons- inlcuding neem, sheesham, mango, Amla among others. On an average 60 girls are born here every year, according to the village's former sarpanch Shyam Sundar Paliwal, who was instrumental in starting this initiative in the memory of his daughter Kiran, who died a few years ago. In about half these cases, parents are reluctant to accept the girl children, he says. Such families are identified by a village committee comprising the village school principal along with panchayat and Anganwadi members. Rs. 21,000 is collected from the village residents and Rs.10,000 from the girl's father and this sum of Rs. 31,000 is made into a fixed deposit for the girl, with a maturity period of 20 years. But here's the best part. “We make these parents sign an affidavit promising that they would not marry her off before the legal age, send her to school regularly and take care of the trees planted in her name,” says Mr. Paliwal. People also plant 11 trees whenever a family member dies. But this village of 8,000 did not just stop at planting trees and greening their commons. To prevent these trees from being infested with termite, the residents planted over two and a half million Aloevera plants around them. Now these trees, especially the Aloevera, are a source of livelihood for several residents. “Gradually, we realized that aloevera could be processed and marketed in a variety of ways. So we invited some experts and asked them to train our women. Now residents make and market aloevera products like juice, gel, pickle etc,” he says. The village panchayat, which has a studio-recorded anthem and a website of its own, has completely banned alcohol, open grazing of animals and cutting of trees. Villagers claim there has not been any police case here for the last 7-8 years. Mr. Paliwal recalls the visit of social activist Anna Hazare, who was very happy with the progress made by the village, he says. “But Rajasthan is quite backward in terms of village development compared to panchayats in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. So we need to work hard towards creating more and more empowered villages,” says the former sarpanch, hoping the government listens to him.

National organizations empowering women entrepreneurs

1. FIWE: The Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs

Based out of Delhi, FIWE was established in 1993. It now has over 15000 members and around 28 member associations. The aim of this organization is to help empower women entrepreneurs through training on technical know-how, industry research, expertise, and skill development. They concentrate largely on the SME segment.

2. TREAD: Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development

The MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Ministry runs a scheme in both urban and rural areas to help overcome the developmental hurdles faced by women. This organization helps develop the entrepreneurship skills of women in non-farm activities by providing them with information and counselling with respect to trade.

3. CWEI: Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India

A leading organization in the field, CWEI works with UN Women, the MSME Ministry and the Ministry of Rural Development. They are in the forefront of all initiatives concerned with assisting women entrepreneurs – help them learn better marketing skills, work with tribal and backward women to integrate them with urban organizations and devising new and innovative methods for arranging financing for women run businesses.

4. Stree Shakti by Tie

The Indus Entrepreneurs movement ‘Stree Shakti’ aims at connecting and enabling enterprising women from different classes of society through a series of on-ground focused programs. They are a leading organization in mentoring, educating and providing inspiration.

Loans offered by Public Sector Banks to Women

Andhra Bank Name of the loan: AB Vanitha Vahan AB Vanitha Vahan Scheme is mainly for Salaried women (permanently employed / professional and self-employed having an income proof). As per the name indicates this scheme is open exclusively to women for purchasing new four wheelers / two wheelers as well as on second sale. For purchasing four wheelers, income should be more than Rs.1,00,000 /- p.a, and for purchasing two wheelers, income should be more than Rs.60,000 /- p.a . 50% of the husband's salary will be taken for computing eligibility provided he is a co-obligant. Margin amount is 10% on road price. Quantum of Finance for a New Vehicle is 90% on road price, which includes Invoice price, Life tax, Registration charges, Insurance and accessories, if any, worth Rs.5,000 /- or 3 years gross salary whichever is lower. For Second Sale, Four wheelers (not more than three years old); 60% of garage value or 3 years gross income whichever is lower. Repayment of this scheme for four wheelers is between minimum 12 months and maximum 72 months (EMI) and for two wheelers is between minimum 12 months and maximum 60 months (EMI). Interest rate is as applicable on the date of loan with 0.50% concession in rate of interest for prompt payment. Co-obligation of  husband or father or any third party is acceptable to the bank. Hypothecation of vehicle purchased is considered as security. Documents needed are Driving License, Proof of Income ie; (Salary Slip/ IT Returns/ Assessment Order, Proforma Invoice) and valuation certificate from reputed garage for second sale. No processing charges and administrative charges is applicable.      Bank of India Name of the loan: Star Mahila Gold Loan Scheme Purpose of Star Mahila Gold Loan Scheme is for purchase of Gold ornaments, preferably hallmarked, from reputed Jewellers and/or Gold coins of Bank of India. This scheme mainly target the group of Resident Indian Women, working or non working, between 18 year and 60 years of age. Working women ie; Women permanently employed in Central/State Govt./PSUs/ Scheduled Banks/Teachers of Government/ Aided Institutions or include professionals like Doctors/ CAs/Chartered Engineers etc., Non Working Women : Not having income proof, Spouse/other close relative who satisfy income criteria to join as co-borrower. Applicant should get minimum 20 marks, under banks rating exercise, to be eligible for loan under this scheme. Quantum of Advance in Demand/ Term loan is 10 times of monthly net emoluments (take home salary of self / spouse, in case of non working women) and 50% of Gross Annual Income as per latest Income Tax Return for professional women i.e Minimum Rs.50000/- Maximum Rs.2 lakhs. 20% of the cost of Jewellery or Gold may be considered as Margin. Interest which effect from 01.04.09 is 1.75% below BPLR,presently 10.25% p.a., at monthly rests. Repayment of this loan may be made in maximum of 60 EMIs. However, repayment period should not exceed the age of 65 or retirement age of the borrower, whichever is earlier. Repayment can be made through salary deduction /post dated cheques. Net take home pay (net of EMI ) minimum 50% of the gross income of the applicant/ spouse, in the case of non-working women. Liquid securities [NSC / KVP/ Insurance Policies-surrender value] are accepted as security for Loan over Rs.50,000/-. Proforma invoice required for a loan amount of Rs.1 lakhs and over. Disbursement should be done by DD/ Pay Order favoring the seller ( with the name of the Bank and Account Number). Stamped Receipt/ Invoice for the total cost of jewellery (i.e Loan Amount plus Margin ) to be obtained. Processing Charge for loans upto Rs.50,000 is Rs.500/- and above Rs.50,000 is 1.10% of the loan amount. Minimum Rs.500/-is charged as stamp charge for documents at actual, and loan agreement copy charges are also applicable. Canara Bank Name of the loan : Can Mahila This was a loan to meet the financial needs of women such as any personal financial needs, such as to buy house hold articles, gold, jewellery, computers etc. But this scheme was discontinued with effect from 01.01.2009. For the existing customer interest rate may be 14.50%. Central Bank of India Name of the loan : Cent Kalyani This is a scheme launched to benefit women entrepreneurs and women professionals. This scheme offer financial assistance for economic pursuits in Industry, Agricultural and Allied Activities, Business or Profession. The Bank with a network of branches spread throughout the country welcomes women entrepreneurs to avail financial assistance for pursuing vocations of their choice.  Credit facilities are available for Women Entrepreneurs for the following: Small Business : For entrepreneurs who intend to provide service (not a professional service) such as setting up a small lunch/canteen, mobile restaurant, circulating library etc.  Professional and Self Employed : Entrepreneurs who are specially qualified/skilled and experienced like Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Engineers or trained in Art or Craft etc.  Retail Trade : For entrepreneurs who intend to engage in retail trading of various commodities.  Village and Cottage/Tiny Industries : For entrepreneurs who are engaged in manufacturing, processing, preservation and services such as Handloom, Weaving Handicraft, Food-Processing, Garment making etc. in village and small towns with a population not exceeding 50,000 utilizing locally available resources/skills.  Small Scale Industries : To start a unit engaged in manufacture, processing or preservation of goods.  Agriculture & Allied Activities : For women entrepreneurs who are engaged/intend to engage in agricultural and allied activities, such as raising of crops, floriculture, fisheries, bee-keeping, nursery, sericulture etc. and also trading in agricultural inputs.  Government Sponsored Programmes : Apart from the above schemes, women entrepreneurs are also financed under the various Government Sponsored Programmes where Capital subsidies are available. Karur Vysya Bank Name of the loan: KVB Mahila Swarna Loan Karur Vysya Bank has introduced or offers installment loan to working women within the age of 18-50 yrs, permanently employed in Central/State Govt. offices, Public Sector undertakings, reputed Public & Pvt. Ltd companies, Teachers, Lecturers, Professors and employees of schools Colleges and Universities and other reputed institutions for purchase of gold / diamond ornaments / silver wares. Minimum loan amount is Rs.10,000/- and maximum is Rs.1 Lakh with 15% as margin. Interest rate with effect from 10th May 2009 is 14.00% p.a. Repayment of the loan may be settled with in 36 equated monthly installments. DPN/ Personal may be considered as primary security. Collateral security up to Rs.25,000/- is nil and above Rs.25,000/- shall be collaterally secured to the full extent; beyond Rs.25,000/- by way of NSCs/LIC policies (surrender value)/IVP/KVP or Term deposit of Karur Vysya Bank or the gold ornaments to be purchased.  Guarantee may be given by the husband of the borrower. In case husband is not there, guarantee from father or any other earning member of the family or third party guarantee should be obtained. In case of fully secured loans, the guarantee may be waived. UCO Bank Name of the loan : Nari Sakthi This scheme is to provide financial assistance to salaried women. Concession is offered on interest and the repayment can be made in 5years in equated monthly installments. This is a modified version of UCO Cash scheme. Applicant should be either a permanent employee or should have completed 3 years of service. Minimum take-home pay should be 40% of gross salary after all deductions including EMI against this loan. Regular income other than Salary Income may also be reckoned for considering the eligible amount. Quantum of loan is 90% of the proposed expenditure or Rs.2 Lakhs whichever is lower. Additional loan amount may be allowed within the quantum ceiling to the existing borrower for the purpose the earlier loan was sanctioned. Loan will be on clean basis with two guarantors including that of Spouse/Nominee of PF/Gratuity. One guarantor other than spouse may be waived if additional liquid security is provided up to 40% of the loan amount. The rate of Interest is 12.50% p.a. The loan amount with interest is repayable in 60 equated monthly installments but one year before retirement. Service Charge 1% (Min. Rs.500/-) is also applicable. United Bank Of India Name of the loan: United Nari Samman Yojana United Bank of India brings a special loan scheme to cater to all personal financial needs of women who is either a salaried person or a self-employed/ professional. This Scheme is mainly for buying gold ornaments, diamonds, precious stones, purchase of consumer durables/ household goods etc. And also to meet the expenses of wedding, domestic trip and other personal expenses. Women eligible for the scheme should be 18 years and above, maintain a Savings/ Current Deposit/ Term Deposit A/c with the Bank and fulfill the following criteria: Any working woman (service holder/ professional & self-employed person) with a minimum take home salary of Rs.5,000/- OR a house wife jointly with her husband/working son or daughter within the eligible limit of income. Quantum of loan given is minimum Rs.0.10 lakhs and Maximum Rs.0.50 lakhs (may be extended upto Rs.1.00 Lakhs in deserving cases), subject to the condition that the total deductions shall not exceed 60% of borrower-customer’s gross salary. 5% of the cost of article to be purchased as a margin. Primary security is Hypothecation of the Article(s) to be purchased with the Loan. And collateral security i) For salaried - In case of an individual whose salary is disbursed through the branch no additional security is required. ii) Professional & Self-employed- the loan should be additionally secured by 30 to 50% of the loan amount by way of assignment of LIC Policy (SV)/ Bank’s own T.D./ N.S.C./ K.V.P., RBI Relief Bond etc. or personal guarantee of at least one person acceptable to the bank. Rate of Interest  with effect from 09.04.2007 is 14.00% p.a. i.e. BPLR + 0.75% at present. Concession of 0.25% for a group of borrowers (minimum 10) from single organization shall be allowed provided the employer undertakes to deduct EMI from salary and remit the same to the financing branch or the accounts are maintained under United Salary Payment Scheme. Interest rate revised with effect from 01.04.2009 is BPLR + 0.75% i.e. 13.00% p. a. Loan amount may be repaid with in maximum period of 36 months by equated monthly installments, the loan shall be liquidated within the age of 60 years. 0.5% of the loan amount may be considered as a processing fee. Vijaya Bank Name of the loan: Assistance to Rural Women in Non-Farm Development (ARWIND) The scheme of Assistance to Rural Women in Non-Farm Development (ARWIND) is being introduced mainly to support their economic activities in Non-Farm sector on a cluster or group basis by rural women. This scheme has two components- Credit Components, Promotional Components. Under Credit component, a voluntary agency having minimum 3 years of proven track record in assisting women’s groups, women’s development corporation set up by the Central or State governments, KVIC/KVIBs or any institutions under the KVIC/KVIB fold, any other registered institution including cooperatives, trusts and corporations set up by Central or State governments for the purpose may evolve a scheme to organize rural women’s groups for undertaking any productive activity in the non-farm sector and assist them in setting up their own units and /or provide such other backward or forward linkages including training as are considered necessary for improving viability of individual or group enterprises.  The loan assistance under this scheme to the individuals, would not normally exceed Rs.50000/- per borrower or say Rs.10 lakhs for a group activity involving 20 rural women. As per Reserve Bank of India guidelines, for loans upto Rs.25000/- per borrower, no margin money or collateral security or third party guarantee will be insisted upon by the financing banks except hypothecation of assets created out of the loans. The rate of interest chargeable to the beneficiaries or banks will be those as may be specially by the Reserve Bank of India / NABARD from time to time. Repayable may be subject to the cash flow of the scheme, the loan repayment period will be between 3 to 10 years with a moratorium of 6 to 12 months. Name of the loan: Assistance For Marketing Of Non Farm Products Of Rural Women (MAHIMA) Assistance For Marketing Of Non Farm Products Of Rural Women (MAHIMA) scheme envisages providing loan and also assistance in grant to the Registered Voluntary Agencies (VA), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other promotional organisations engaged in marketing the products of rural women. Voluntary Agencies (VA), Non-Governmental Organisations and other promotional organisations including co-operatives, federations of marketing organisations engaged in the business of marketing of women’s products are eligible to be covered under the scheme. The organisations should have been working for at least 3 years with proven track record and experience in production or marketing of rural products and should satisfy the norms of the financing banks and NABARD prescribed from time to time. NABARD will provide 100% refinance for the bank loans and maximum refinance is restricted to Rs.10 lakh only. The quantum of assistance by way of promotional grant would normally be restricted to Rs.5000/- per women entrepreneur to be covered by the agency concerned or up to 25% of the minimum sales turnover of Rs.10 lakh envisaged to be achieved within 3 years, whichever is lower. In other words would mean that the promotional grant assistance would normally be limited to Rs.2.50 lakhs per agency, in case the agency is able to cover a minimum of 50 women individually or in groups, with a turnover of Rs.10 lakhs in order to make it operationally viable, at least, over a period of 3 years.

About Department cum Centre for Women's Studies & Development - Panjab University

The Department-cum-Centre for Women's Studies and Development was originally set up as a Centre for Women's Studies and Development in 1987 with Prof Pam Rajput as its Founding Director. It was one of the first five Centres set up by the University Grants Commission in 1987. On the basis of its excellent performance, it was one of the six Centres placed in Phase III by the UGC. Recently, i.e. in the year 2009, it has been upgraded to the status of a full-fledged Department of the University and is now referred to as Department-cum-Centre for Women's Studies and Development.

The Department seeks both to interpret Women's experiences as well as to change Women's condition, through a transformation of consciousness, social forms and modes of action. It seeks to interrogate the entire system of socio-economic- political and cultural subordination of women as well as influence, reshape and recast dominant ideologies. It visualizes itself as a catalyst to transform an unjust, inegalitarian society into one where gender justice and equality would be the norm.

The Department has been conceived as "an instrument of social engineering" in bringing about both academic and social development. It seeks to bring to the University the new scholarship that has emerged from the inquiries into the causes and consequences of inequality and oppression of women and is to serve as a nucleus and a source of ideas, information and inspiration. The aim is to create and maintain a teaching/learning environment for feminist and gender studies, and provide an impetus for sustaining a research community that contributes to the development of women's and gender scholarship within the two-thirds world/Indian context. The trine objectives are to create awareness, to intellectually equip students and to empower all.

Teaching, Training, Research, Extension, Dissemination, and Advocacy are the core activities. It serves as a resource and nodal Centre for the region and true to its mandate, has developed as a strong academic Centre of teaching and learning, generating new thinking and knowledge on feminist theory and initiating courses in women's studies.

The Department-cum- Centre has taken a lead in the region in introducing the formal degree programmes in Women's Studies. The programmes continuing at present are:
M.A. in Women's Studies
Ph.D. Programme in Women's Studies

A few significant aspects of the teaching programme:
The Department-cum- Centre, through its teaching programme not only sensitises the students to gender issues and attempts to ensure a commitment to the empowerment of women, it also provides training in various skills through its curricula. The emphasis is on Practical skill training in Project formulation, designing, monitoring, budget formulation and analysis as well as on research training normally given in Research degree courses such as M.Phil.

Most significantly, the course is multidisciplinary, which stands the students in good stead in any field of activity which they may decide to pursue, viz. development studies, law, human rights or any other.

Where students are concerned, the focus is on quality not on quantity, and the Department-cum- Centre is pleased to report that the students who are graduating from the Department-cum- Centre are indeed thoroughly infused with the fundamentals of women's studies, so much so that they can be likened to candles lighting the path for others.

It must also be pointed out that at least 40 per cent of the students are male.

The alumni of the Department-cum- Centre have all found good placements in various bodies such as the Commonwealth, NGOs, and even the University itself.

There is also a lot of demand for Ph.D in Women's Studies. 14 research scholars are presently enrolled for pursuing Ph.D in Women's Studies. Mention may be made of the fact that out of these 9 are post-graduates in women's studies, while the others come from diverse disciplines. While two are Senior Lecturers in Colleges of Chandigarh, one scholar is from Iran.

Apart from having Ph.D scholars enrolled specifically in Women's Studies, the Department-cum- Centre has also been instrumental in providing guidance to scholars in other Social Science disciplines working on women's issues. As a result, a whole lot of researches have been undertaken which focus on women's issues, with the Centre providing the gender input.

Enquiry No(s): 1800-180-2064, +91 172 2534818, 2534866 (from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm on working days including Saturday)

Social Welfare Chandigarh

Set up in the year 1978, this Department is responsible for welfare of Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disabilities, Women and Children and other vulnerable sections of the Society. The Department is managing one Nari Niketan, one Juvenile Home under the Juvenile Justice Act.

The Welfare of SC/ST and OBC, includes Post Delivery Financial Assistance to Women for Nutrition; Stitching Charges of School uniform for S.C. Children, Free Education for Meritorious SC and OBC students; Apni Beti Apna Dhan; Holiday Camps for Scheduled Caste; Encouragement to inter-caste Marriage; Development of Skills amongst SC children living in Jhugies and Slum Areas; Seminar on Life, Mission & Work of Baba Saheb Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, Monetary Relief/ Rehabilitation of Victims of Atrocities; Strengthening of Machinery for the enforcement of PCR Act, Housing Scheme for Scheduled Castes (Dr.Ambedkar Awas Yojana) etc..

For Social Security and Welfare of Women and Children, there are schemes like Creches for the Children of Working Mothers; Construction of Anganwari Centre; Home for Delinquent/Neglected Children; Children in need of care and protection; Financial Assistance to Widows/Destitute Women; Nari Niketan etc.

For the disabled, schemes of Scholarship, Subsidy on Petrol/Diesel; Prosthetic aid, Unemployment Allowance; Free Vocational Training in Computer and Beauty Culture etc. are being implemented. For the aged, scheme of Old Age Pension is being implemented and Identity Cards to Senior Citizens are also being issued. An ex-gratia payment to the family of deceased Govt. servants is being released by this department. The following institutions are functioning in the Union Territory of Chandigarh for providing shelter to the aged:-

• A Senior Citizens Home has been set up Sector 43, Chandigarh which is being managed by Chandigarh Child & Women Development Corporation.
• A Home for Old & Destitute People is functioning in Sector 15, Chandigarh in the Govt. building which is being managed by the Lions Club Chandigarh (Central).

More Details

WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES

• ENCOURAGEMENT TO INTER-CASTE MARRIAGE

A sum of Rs.5000/- is granted to the married couples provided that one of the spouse belongs to S.C. Community. The applicant shall apply on plain paper alongwith SC certificate, marriage Registration Certificate and proof of their residence in Chandigarh with photographs of their marriage.

• POST NATAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR SCHEDULED CASTES WOMEN.

The scheme aims at providing direct benefit to Scheduled Caste Women who are living below poverty line to enable them to maintain their health after delivery. Under the scheme a sum of Rs.1000/- is being given to the S.C. Women at the time of first and second delivery. Criteria for this benefit is as under:-

(i) Family income should not exceeds Rs.24,000/-(ii) Applicant should be resident of Chandigarh for the last 3 years.

• STITCHING CHARGES OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR S.C. CHILDREN.

Under this scheme, Chandigarh Child & Women Finance Development Corporation will meet the cost of stitching charges of school uniforms in respect of approximately 15,000 S.C. children studying in various Government School at Chandigarh. The uniforms are being supplied by the Education Department.

• APNI BETI APNA DHAN

A Scheme known as Apni Beti Apna Dhan was introduced during 1997-98 for the Scheduled Caste families whose annual income is upto 40,000. An amount of Rs.3000/- on the birth of girls child is being deposited in the name of girl child in the children growth fund. This benefit is given subject to the following criteria :-

1. Either of the parents of the girl should not a Govt. employee or of any Govt. Board or Corporation or any Public Sector Undertaking or organization having Class I or Class II status.
2. Either of parents is not income tax payee.
3. The total income of family does not exceed Rs.40,000 p.a. if either of the parents is not covered under above two clauses.
4. The girl child is either the first or second child of the family. Family having more than two children will not be eligible.

• SCHEME OF FREE EDUCATION FOR MERITORIOUS SCHEDULED CASTES AND OTHER BACKWARD STUDENTS.

This scheme has been introduced to provide benefit of free education to meritorious Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Classes students whose family income from all source does not exceed Rs.2,50,000/- p.a. and who are seeking admission to the courses viz. MBBS, BDS, BVSc, BAMS, DHMS, B.E., B.Architecture, Bachelor of Fine Arts, B.Pharmacy, B.Sc (Nursing), Degree/ Diploma in Hotel Management, Degree Diploma in Laboratory Technology, B.Ed, M.Ed, LL.B, LLM, MBA, MCA and any other course decided by the Committee. Such students who fulfill the requirement of the scheme shall be eligible for the following benefits:-

1. A lumpsum annual allowance of Rs.5,000/- payable in one instalment in the start of the academic session.
2. Full reimbursement of tuition fees upto a maximum of Rs.30,000/- per annum and other non refundable charges payable to the institution.
3. A monthly pocket allowance of Rs.500/- for day students.
4. A monthly allowance of Rs.1000/- for hostellers.
5. For students taking admission in cities other than Chandigarh, reimbursement of actual journey fare will be admissible thrice in one academic year provided fare for to and fro journey by ordinary bus or ordinary class rail does not exceed Rs.150/-.
6. Minimum essential books and stationery.
7. Any other allowance considered necessary by Administration from time to time.

• FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE MARRIAGE OF DAUGHTERS OF WIDOWS/ DESTITUTE WOMEN.

Financial Assistance of Rs.10,000/- is provided for the marriage of daughters of Widows/ Destitute Women belonging to the Scheduled Caste Communities who are living below poverty line. The assistance is admissible for the marriage of two daughters in a family.

• DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS AMONGST SC CHILDREN LIVING IN JHUGIES AND SLUM AREAS.

Under this scheme training in Stenography, Cutting, Tailoring, Computer Course, Beautician course etc. is provided to the SC children living in slum and Juggis. This scheme is being implemented through the Chandigarh Child & Women Development Corporation.

• WELFARE OF CHILDREN

1. Balika Samridhi Yojana
   Under this scheme Rs.500/- is given to the newly born girl child in the families whose monthly income is below the poverty line.
   
    
2. Bal Niketan Society
   This society is running a Home for the Destitute Children in a Govt. building in Sector 15, Chandigarh under the Govt. of India's Scheme Welfare of Children in need of Care and Protection. The Social Welfare Department bears the 90% cost of expenditure on the maintenance of inmates.

• WELFARE OF WOMEN

I. Pension to Widows and Destitute Women

This is a U.T. budget scheme and each beneficiaries is given Rs.200/- p.m. The eligibility criteria for the grant of this benefit is as under:-

1. The applicant (women) in the age group of 18-59 years who have been left without sufficient means of subsistence after the demise of her husband or has been deprived of financial support from her husband because of his continues absence or because of physical/mental incapacity or desertion by her husband or any other reasons.
2. The applicant must have been resided in UT, Chandigarh for more than 3 years at the time of making an application.
3. The women who belong to the family wherein their family income does not exceed Rs.1000/- p.m excluding the income of sons who are living separately.

II. Creches for the children of working mothers

44 creches for children of working mothers are being run through various voluntary organizations as per approved norms.

III. National Family Benefit Scheme

The family of the household below the poverty line get an assistance of Rs.10,000/- on the death of its primary bread winner if the age of deceased exceeds 18 years and is less than 65 years.

IV. Nari Niketan

Nari Niketan at Sector 26 Chandigarh has been set up to provide shelter and protection to destitute, deprived, socially marginalized women in difficult circumstances for motivation of better life by way of earning income. Mathii making project are being carried out in the institution by the Chandigarh Child & Women Development Corporation. A vocational Training Centre has also been constructed in the premises of Nari Niketan.

• WELFARE OF HANDICAPPED

I. Pension to disabled persons

Persons who are blind, deaf, orthopaedically handicapped who suffer from 40% disability and more are given financial assistance of Rs.200 p.m. The eligibility criteria for availing this benefit is as under:-

(i) The applicant should be resident of Chandigarh for the last three years.

(ii) Income limit for getting Handicapped Pension is:-

(a) Rs.1000 of the person concerned

(b) If married, total income of both husband and wife should not exceed Rs.1500/- p.m.

(c) If not earning, then income of his/her parents, in case of one child should not exceed Rs.500/- p.m. and if two or more children, then Rs.3000/- p.m.

II. Petrol Subsidy

Handicapped persons who are owner of motorized vehicles are entitled to 50% subsidy on actual expenditure on purchase of petrol/ diesel. The physically handicapped persons having an income upto Rs.2500/- per month from all sources are eligible for subsidy. Those physically handicapped persons who are already in receipt of the conveyance allowance either from any voluntary or State source shall not be eligible for grant of subsidy on purchase of petrol/ diesel.

III. Assistance to handicapped persons purchase of AIDS/Appliances

The financial assistance is provided to physically handicapped persons for purchase of Aids/ Appliances to increase their mobility in their day to day working. The quantum of assistance is determined in proportion to the income of the applicant. Monthly income of the applicant from all sources should not exceed Rs.8,000/-. The applicant is entitled for the 100% cost on purchase of artificial limbs/ aids/ appliances subject to maximum of Rs.20,000/-

IV. State Resource Centre

A State Resource Centre-cum-District Rehabilitation Centre has been set up in Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh under the Government of India Scheme, National Programme for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (NPRPD). The main objective behind setting up of the center is to deliver medical, social vocational and educational rehabilitative services to the physically and mentally challenged by providing access to these services through community based functionaries.

The coordinating agencies other than Government Medical College are Government Institute of Mentally Retarded Children, Sector 32, Chandigarh, Nevedic prosthetic Centre, Zirakpur, Institute for the Blind, Sector 26 and PRAYAAS Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped Children.

V. Unemployment allowance to the disabled persons

The Social Welfare department is providing Unemployment Allowance to the disabled persons. Rates of unemployment allowance are given below:

Rates of Unemployment Allowance

Sr.No.	Qualification	For visually Handicapped and Deaf & Dumb Persons.	Others categories of Handicapped persons.
1.	For Matriculate and under Graduate applicants.	Rs.300/-- per month	Rs.150/- per month
2.	For Graduate/Post Graduate applicants	Rs.400/- per month	Rs.200/- per month

VI. Scholarship to disabled persons

The Social Welfare Department is providing Scholarship to the disabled students. From Class-I to VIII, the scholarship is provided by the Education Department and from Class 9th onwards, by the Social Welfare Department in the range of Rs.50/- to Rs.500/- depending upon the class of study.

• WELFARE OF AGED

(I) Old Age Pension Scheme

Old Age Pension @ Rs.200/- p.m. is being given to the eligible old age persons in U.T. Chandigarh, whose minimum age is 60 in case of both male and female. The eligibility criteria for grant of old age pension is as under:-

(i) Monthly income should not exceeds Rs.1000/- if spouse is not living and Rs.1,500/- if spouse is living excluding the income of sons who are living separately.

(ii) Domicile in U.T, Chandigarh and have resided in Chandigarh for more than three years.

(II) Senior Citizens Home

Senior Citizens Home is situated in Sector 43-A, Chandigarh. The main objective behind setting up this home was to give secure and homely atmosphere to the well off citizens who have paying capacity but living alone in Chandigarh. There are 24 rooms with attached toilets, a health center, Multi-purpose hall and a Day Club. In case of emergency, there is medical tie up and ambulance arrangement with the Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh. This home is being managed by the Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation.

(III) Old Age Home

Grant in aid is being given by the Social Welfare Department for running the Management of Old Age Home in Sector 15, Chandigarh. At present, the Home is being managed by the Lions Club Chandigarh Central. All the needs of the Old & Destitute People are being looked after well in this Home.

CHANDIGARH SCHEDULED CASTES, BACKWARD CLASSES AND MINORITIES FINANCIAL AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED.

Chandigarh Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Minorities Financial & Development Corporation Limited is providing loans for self-employment ventures to poor eligible applicants i.e. Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Minorities and dependents of Safai Karamcharis and free training in various field with stipend such as Computer, Community Health Workers, Driving, Stenography, Tailoring, Dress Designing, Beauty Culture etc.

CHANDIGARH CHILD & WOMEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED, CHANDIGARH.

The Chandigarh Child & Women Development Corporation is engaged in the economic development and welfare of women and children in U.T., Chandigarh. This Corporation is also the channelising agency of National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation for Welfare of Handicapped persons. The corporation has provided loan for self employment, It provides training in tailoring courses Dress Designing course, Computer course, Beauty Culture and Stenography course. This Corporation has a Tailoring Production Centre, which undertakes sewing work from general public Govt. Institutions and other organization. This Corporation is also running a working women hostel in Sector 24 which can accommodate 72 inmates.

THE APPLICATION FORMS FOR AVAILING BENEFITS UNDER THE SCHEMES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF COST AT THE GIVEN ADDRESS:-

Director Social Welfare
Chandigarh Administration
Town Hall Extension Building,
3rd Floor, Sector 17, Chandigarh

INFORMATION ON THE NON-GOVERNMENT VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

About 50 Non-Government Voluntary Organisations are working in the Chandigarh and are engaged in various welfare activities and getting grant-in-aid of Rs.20,000/- from the Social Welfare Department, Chandigarh Administration. Some of these NGOs are detailed as under:-

S.No	Name of the Org.		Activities undertaken by the Organisations
1.	Youth Technical Training Society, Karuna Sadan Building, Sector 11, Chandigarh.		PUSTAK School for Street Children and VAMA Project for Women's Empowerment working at Burail Community Centre, Sector 45, New Indira Colony Community Centre, Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Ph.I, Maulijagran Community Centre
2.	Sadhna Society for Mentally Retarded Children, Rain Basera Building, Manimajra, Chandigarh.		School & Vocational Training Centre for Mentally Retarded Children at Rain Basera Building, Manimajra, Chandigarh.
3.	Action Research & Training Institute, #824, Sector 38-A, Chandigarh.		The Society is works for providing assistance, help or aid for Self Help Group Formation, Atrocities against Women, Computer Education for Women, free Education, Professional Training to poor girls in slum & rural areas.
4.	Bharat Educational and Peace Promotion Society, SCF 4, Sector 14, Panjab University, Chandigarh.		Institute for Orthopaedically handicapped at Dhanas for promoting education, training and rehabilitation of the handicapped.
5.	Humanity Welfare Society, #152, Sector 9-B, Chandigarh.		Creches for children of working mother and Bal Bahar School in Bapudham Colony.
6.	Build India Group, #29, Sector 7, Chandigarh.		The society is undertaking activities in the field of national integration environment protection, health, medical facilities, organising medical camps at Mauli Jagran.
7.	Ambedkar Social Justice Forum India, #315, Sector 35-A, Chandigarh.		Awareness generation camps for women and girls regarding welfare schemes for poor and other weaker section of society, teaching of Baba Sahib Ambedkar on National and Emotional Integration. The Forum is also running Tailoring and Embroidery School for girls in Ramdarbar.
8.	Rural Environmental Enterprises Dev. Society (REEDS), #1116, Sector 33-C, Chandigarh.		Awareness generation camps on value of girl child & counseling to provide information and education for a happy and healthy life for the girl child.
9.	Navjyoti Welfare Society, Quiet Office No.6 Cabin No.5, II nd Floor, Sector 35-A, Chandigarh.		Engaged for the welfare of women's, destitute, orphan's and handicapped people.
10.	Shubkarman Health Care Society, #3610, Sector 35-D, Chandigarh.		Stitching and Tailoring centre at its headquarter.
11.	Hitkari Social Welfare Society, #2524, Sector 37-C, Chandigarh.		Engaged for the welfare of women children, aged and infirm.
12.	Global Social Concern, #405, Sector 43-A, Chandigarh.		Organising free Eye-Operation Camps and Awareness Generation Camps in Rural and Slum area of Union Territory of Chandigarh.
13.	New Kiran Social Welfare Society, Shop No.218, Patel Market, Sector 15, Chandigarh.		Arranging marriages for poor girls and settling cases of matrimonial conflicts.
14.	Mother India Educational Welfare & Industrial Society.		The NGO is working to organise short training courses in Computer for Women in the slums of UT, Chandigarh
15.	Capital Christian Welfare Association, 1064, Sector 21-B, Chandigarh.		Cutting & Tailoring training centre at village Hallomajra, Chandigarh.
16.	Society for the Rehabilitation of Handicapped and Persons Suffering from Social Evils, #417, Sector 44-A, Chandigarh.		Awareness camps for general hygiene and cleanliness of surroundings.
17.	Jan Kalyan Sansthan. #417, Sector 44-A, Chandigarh.		Counseling to girls and women facing moral danger and matrimonial conflicts.
18.	Rural Institute of Health Care, # SCO 80, IInd Floor, Sector 40-C, Chandigarh.		Awareness generation camps in schools on dental care, hygiene & prevention of communicable diseases.
19.	Theatre for Theatre, #3111, Sector 19-D, Chandigarh.		Imparting theatrical skills to slum children.
20.	Chandigarh Senior Citizen Association, Room No.2, Karuna Sadan Building, Sector 11, Chandigarh.		Welfare of Older Persons. Organised free medical camps and assistance to Senior Citizens at nominated hospitals/ dispensary. Four Physiotherapy centres are also being run by this association.
21.	Indian Council for Child Welfare, UT, Branch, Sector 23, Chandigarh.		Engaged in the field of welfare of children. The Council is running Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped children, Balwadis/ Creches for Children of Working mothers, Hobby Classes in Dance, Music, Tailoring, Art Craft Centres and working women hostel in sector 23, Chandigarh.
22.	K.L. Vishvas Sewa Kender, #1586, Main Bazar, Manimajra, Chandigarh.		Running Free Tailoring Training Centre for the upliftment of poor and downtroden women and girls at Manimajra.
23.	Cheshire Homes India, Foreign Students Hostel, Sector 15-A, Chandigarh.		Cheshire Home to provide shelter and vocational training to Disabled boys.
24.	All India Women's Conference, Sector 11, Chandigarh.		Running a Working Women Hostel, Sector 11, Chandigarh. One Year Computer Training Course for Women. First-aid Home Nursing Course.Free Legal Aid to women. Awareness Generation Programme and seminar. Tailoring and Embroidery Training course. Seminars on the eradication of illiteracy amongst women.
25.	Aastha Foundation, #1345, Sector 19-B, Chandigarh.		Awareness Generation Camps, AIDS Awareness Camps, Educational Books for Slum Children, Help to Poor and Needy People.
26.	Social Works Society, #3016, Housing Board Colony, Dhanas, Chandigarh.		Free Typewriting and Beauty Culture Training Centre at village Dhanas and Sarangpur.
27.	Theatre Age, #86, Sector 48, Chandigarh.		Vocational training, non-formal education and theater training workshop with slums children.
28.	Society for the Care of Blind, Sector 26, Chandigarh.		Providing Education to visually impaired person upto 10+2th level and vocational training in weaving, candle making, music, computer etc.
29.	Vatika School for Deaf & Dumb, Sector 19, Chandigarh.		School & Vocational Training Centre for Mentally Retarded Children in Sector 19, Chandigarh.
30.	Survival of Young & Adolescent Foundation (SURYA), #3139, Sector 28-D, Chandigarh.		The NGO is organising Counselling Sessions with the adolescent girls of the Urban slums of UT, Chandigarh. Taken up the cause of Breast Feeding Promotion in a big way and is celebrating Breast Feeding Week from Ist to 8th August for the last 4 years. Running a Beauty Care Centre, Stitching and Tailoring Centre in villages Raipur Khurd, Hallomajra and Behlana
31.	Society for the Social Health, #206/2, Sector 41-A, Chandigarh.		Afternoon school for poor slum children who are engaged in rag picking in the morning hours and sewing training centres in Sector 52, Chandigarh.
32.	The Environment Society of India, Karuna Sadan Building, Sector 11, Chandigarh.		Environmental protection and nature conservation to save the planet and for the welfare of the human beings including Environmental training, planning and education.
33.	North West Zone Special Olympics Society, #202, Sector 36-A, Chandigarh.		Vocational Training Centre for mentally retarded children at Karuna Sadan, Sector 11, Chandigarh and a school for mentally retarded children at Bhawan Vidhalaya, Sector 27, Chandigarh.
34.	Society for Health for All, #1071,Sector 37-B, Chandigarh.		Tailoring and Stitching training centre at Dadumajra Colony, Chandigarh.
35.	Morning Star Fellowship Society, #1738, Maulijagran.		This society is running sewing and tailoring training centre for poor women in Maulijgaran and organising awareness generation camps.
36.	Sewa Bharti, Plot No.1, Sector 29, Chandigarh.		Running a free mobile dispensary covering labour colonies of Chandigarh. It has also set up a clinical dispensary in Sewa Dham in sector 29, Chandigarh. The other activities of Sewa Bharti is running of creches for children of working mothers and to provide medicines to the poor patients in the P.G.I.
37.	Indian Council for Social Welfare, Room No.16, Ist Floor, Karuna Sadan Building , Sector 11, Chandigarh.		The society is running four creches, the vocational training courses in computers and readymade garments for the girls of economically weaker section, a family counseling centre, awareness generation camps, AIDS awareness camp, helpline for elderly and school for slum children.
38.	Citizens Association for Relief Education & Services (CARES), #1541, Sector 36-D, Chandigarh.		Creches for children of working mothers and organising awareness camps for women in rural and slums areas.
39.	Holiday Home Society, Indira Holiday Home, Sector 24, Chandigarh.		Holiday camp and cultural activities for socially handicapped and backward children, cultural and social function, charitable diagnostic centre, Art and Music centre.
40.	Indian National Portage Association, Karuan Sadan, Sector 11, Chandigarh.		Short term courses of rehabilitation council of India.
41.	Servants of the People Society, Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15, Chandigarh.		Counseling centre for drug addicts and Physiotherapy centre & dispensary for aged people at Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Chandigarh. A helpline for drug addicts is also functioning.
42.	YUVSATTA, #3265, Sector 35-D, Chandigarh.		Condom Promotion Campaign, Street Plays to eradicates social evils and a multi discipline school for slum children at Janta Colony, Sector 25, Chandigarh.
43.	Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Sector 11, Chandigarh.		Running a Working Women Hostel, Sector 11, Chandigarh. One Year Tailoring Training Course for Women. First-aid Home Nursing Course.Free Legal Aid to women. Awareness Generation Programme and seminar. Tailoring and Embroidery Training course. Seminars on the eradication of illiteracy amongst women.
44.	Gandhi Samrak Nidhi, Gandhi Samrak Bhawan, Sector 16, Chandigarh.		Helping the needy women and imparting training in various trades.
45.	Bharat Sewak Samaj, Sector 24, Chandigarh.		Training centre and Balwadis for slum children in village Dadumajra.
46.	Women & Child Care Society, #621, Kumhar Mohalla , Burail, Chandigarh.		A Craft Centre of tailoring and cutting is being run by the Society in Village Burail.
47.	Sahayata Charitable Welfare Organisation, #1220, Sector 18-C, Chandigarh.		Emotional, Financial help to Cancer Patients and Destitute Children.
48.	CHETNA, Karuna Sadan , Sector 11, Chandigarh.		To undertake schemes for the education, training and rehabilitation of adolescent girls. To provide for settling of family disputes and counseling to deserted and divorced women. To provide institutional service to widows, destitute, divorced and deserted women. To help victimised women against atrocities.
49.	KARUNA, #1343, Sector 22-D, Chandigarh.		Two tailoring training centres one in Palsora, Ph.I and the second in Sector 47, imparted training in tailoring to eighty five (85) girls and women including widows and divorced free of charges, to make them capable of earning their livelihood.
50.	Bal Niketan Society, Sector 15-C, Chandigarh.		Bal Niketan Society is running a Home for the Children in need of Care and Protection in Sector 15, Chandigarh.

• List of Anganwadi Centres
• List of Beneficiaries identified under the Government of India's Scheme "Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme" in the UT of Chandigarh
• Consolidated Monthly Progress Report: Year 2010-11 (November 2010 - March 2011) National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
• Old Age Pension above 65 (Period 04/11 to 06/11)
• Disabled Pension above 18 (Period 04/11 to 06/11)
• Widow above 45 (Pension Period 04/11 to 06/11)