AKHAR-SOH (Journey Towards change )

Adult education is part of education , It helps in improving the school drop out rate. by virtue of this programe we train young mothers and to be mothers in basics of one or 2 languages and basics of mathematics. A mother is first teacher of child and if we have mothers who know little bit can always teach there wards. If a mother is educated she can take care of her children. Ideally it should not have been mentioned seperately and should be one of the core things of our programe. Idea behind mentioning it seperately is to bring focus on adult education, so that workers shall also plan and see how they can implement it in there project areas. We cant suceed in education untill we create conducive atmosphere for education. We shall have Adult education, Preventive health care and skill devlopment programs running in tandem. All these have cummalative effect on the overall living standard of people which in turn aids education which is our primary focus.

continued from Part-1... 3 days passed... I came home after work, and around 6pm, Ravinder Singh called that he will come around 8pm. He came exactly at 8pm and then shared what he saw there... RS: So, Veerji, the trip was good and informative, but their condition is far worse than I expected. Me: Why? Tell me about it. RS: They are way below poverty line and the condition is live in is just like slums. He mentioned the following points: 1. They don't have basic hygiene, like no personal bathroom or toilets. For such, they use municipality toilets and pay Re.1 per use. 2. They use timber as fuel instead of gas. 3. Most of their kids don’t go to school. The ones who go are not doing well. 4. School Dropout ratio is very high – could be poverty or peer-pressure 5. Basic amenities are lacking Me: How much timber as fuel cost per month? RS: About Rs.450-500/- Me: Gas is cheaper as it comes around Rs.400/- and will be more efficient than wood, why don’t they use Gas? RS: They don’t have...

It was around early June of 2007. I was riding back on my motorcycle from Ulsoor Gurudwara towards my home, when I met Ravinder Singh all set with his backpack standing alone outside his house. As we are good friends, I stopped the bike and asked his whereabouts and what he was upto? Ravinder(RS): I am going to Sholapur. Me: Why? What is the occasion? RS: Nothing, but I need to know the status of Siklighar Sikhs. Me: (wondering what are those) Who are they? RS: They are forgotten Sikhs who belong to nomadic tribes and are living below poverty. Their children cannot study as they cannot afford them for studies! Me: What? Sikhs living below poverty? (I was getting awakened from my sleep of ignorance) I thought Sikhs in India are doing good, if not good, then atleast they are average but not below poverty! RS: No, there are many thousands of Sikhs who are below poverty. Me: Hmm... that is not good. So, when are you coming back? RS: After 3 days Me: What is your objective of going there? R...

Tomorow Morning at 8.0 AM in Alwar, organisations and workers working for the Mariganized Sikh communities are meeting. To discuss and evolve new strategies for the welfare of our less fortunate brothers and Sisters. Akhar being one of the Key constituents of the forum will be represented by. 1) Balvinder Singh. 2) S Kulwant Singh jee ( Mumbai) 3) S Harmeet Singh jee Dabra. Akhar Soh will propose Objectives and Structure of the Forum. We will try in meet and in coming months so that a formal structure is in place by next meet. We are hereby posting the structure of the forum. All the Members are requested to study it and give there comments. We will try to incorporate comments in the objectives of the forum Objectives of the Forum :- 1) Talk on behalf of weaker sections and organizations working for them with Center , state and concerned authorities. So as to ensure that the benefits of govt schemes are made available to Weaker Sections. 2) Liason with religious bodies like SGPC,DSGPC ...