District Pune : PudhariPune, Monday 23rd February 2015
Fishing, a small-scale traditional occupation transformed into an enterprise
The Thakar and Mahadev Koli community people from Vaishnavdham (Tehsil - Junnar) indulge in fishing as a traditional occupation. Taking a note of this fact, Lupin Foundation - an NGO working for human welfare, encouraged the tribal youth to form a group and turn it in to a small enterprise.
There are many tribal families from Thakar and Mahadev communities, who reside in Vaishnavdham. The young boys from these families pursue fishing and catch crabs in the nearby lakes and dams. Lupin Foundation tapped the fact that almost 20-25 young boys are always engaged in such fishing activities. In a bid to encourage business through the activity, Lupin Foundation arranged five day training in fishing through Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Agriculture University, Ratnagiri Konkan.
The youth not only got educated in trade and business but also got inspired to form a co-operative fishing society. A 5-year contract of fishing in Parunde Village Lake was approved for the youth involved in fishing activity. The collective efforts of the youth brought in funds of Rs. 25,000 to use for further process. Fish culture was procured and dispensed in the lake under the guidance of Lupin Foundation. The youth have already started reaping financial benefits from the month of January. Since the start of the fishing exercise as a trade, 610 Kg of fish have been caught and are sold at a rate of Rs. 100 per Kg. thereby an income of Rs. 61,000 has been generated. As a result, Lupin Foundation has managed to employ the youth. It brought them financial advantage and made a valuable contribution to the progress of village.
At present, fish maintained by the youth are sold in large proportions in the surrounding areas of Junnar and Ambegaon. While talking to Pudhari, Project Manager Mr. Venkatesh Shete said, “The jobless youth were employed by harnessing the know-how and art of fishing as an effective employment channel. This was possible through the efforts and initiative of the Lupin Foundation and is definitely an achievement in itself.”
German Guests Impressed By the Hospitality of the Villagers
Junnar: Co-operation of Lupin Foundation, Pune along with the help from Indo-German Watershed or the Panlot Project and NABARD, and in consideration of model village Ralegan Siddhi and Hiware Bazar, the Project Director of the Indo-German Watershed Project Mr. Gunthar Haas, visited the village to observe the progress achieved by the villagers in the impassable region of Junnar Tehsil or taluka, Vaishnavdham (Buchakewadi) on Sunday the 30th.
Foreign guests whole-heartedly appreciated the efforts taken by the villagers, progress and results achieved through the Watershed, Panlot project. He also applauded the unity of the village. The Self Help Group (SHG), Mahila Bachat Gat leader Ms. Savita Pawar informed the visitors about the progress achieved by the village through the Women Self Help Groups.
Efforts taken by the villagers, progress and results achieved through the Watershed, Panlot project were whole-heartedly appreciated by the foreign guests. He also applauded the unity of the village. Furthermore, the German guests were completely impressed by the warm welcome extended by the villagers.
On this occasion, dignitaries like the NABARD’s Deputy General Manager - Mr. Sai Prasad, Project Manager - Mr. Venkatesh Shete, residents of Vashnavdham village and Pune District Parishad Opposition Party Leader - Mrs. Ashatai Buchake, Assistant General Manager - Mr. Jahagirdaar, Mr. Thomas Fernandez, Village Head & Sarpanch - Mrs. Varsha Dere, Mr. Suresh Gaikwad, Director of Vignahar - Mr. Santoshnana Khaire, Sanjubhaiyya Pardeshi, Dagdusheth Pawar, Sudaam Dere were present amongst others. Along with the villagers, members from Women’s Self Help Groups were also present in large numbers.
When the guests arrived in Vaishnavdham on Sunday morning at around 11.30 am, they were felicitated by the villagers in the traditional way before carrying out a grand procession with the guests riding in a bullock-cart. After the procession, the villagers gathered in the main temple and provided the guests detailed information about the activities undertaken through the Watershed Development Project. Acknowledging the efforts by the Self Help Groups (SHGs), Mahila Bachat Gat as exemplary, the guests promised to extend more help for such activities in the future. Deputy Sarpanch or Upasarpanch Mr. Suresh Gaikwad played the role of the main anchor in the program, and Mrs. Varsha Dere delivered a vote of heart-felt thanks to the guests during the occasion.
