Projects in Eco Management

PROJECTS IN ECO-MANAGEMENT

India is the second most populous country in the world. In fact, it has 27% of the global population living on 2% of the Earth’s land mass. In order to cope with this sharp escalation in population, cities and towns are expanding and the agricultural lands and green areas are shrinking rapidly. This has automatically put a lot of pressure on the eco system and resulted in an increase in pollution, extinction of wild life habitats and above all, an alarming increase in Global Warming. Reduction in the green areas of the globe, combined with various other factors has resulted in drastic climatic changes all over the globe.

If we do not wake up and take appropriate measures like afforestation and conservation of natural resources, the generations to come will have to face dire consequences.

In order to contribute to the worldwide efforts that are going on to prevent an increase in global warming, Shree Public Charitable Trust has taken up the project of ‘Nurture Nature with Neem’.

NURTURE NATURE WITH NEEM

Neem is a hardy, long-living, traditional tree of India that nourishes the soil, enriches the atmosphere and helps to maintain the balance of the Eco System because it is ecologically very special. It can tolerate very high levels of pollution and has the capacity to recover even if most of its foliage is dropped. Plants with a large foliage area such as neem, remove relatively higher quantities of lead and CO2 from the atmosphere. Trees vary widely in their capacity to absorb pollutants like particulate dust, CO2, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.

A study of locations in New Delhi, done by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, India in 1996 indicated that Neem tree is one of the most suitable species for checking urban pollution in industrial locations. It has natural anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti germicidal and anti biotic properties and has been used in Indian traditional herbal remedies since centuries. The leaf fall of neem also nourishes and enriches the fertility of the soil and reduces pests.

“Nurture Nature with Neem” was launched on 15thJuly 2007 by His Holiness Shri Shri Nimishananda at the Bangalore University Campus by planting a 5,000 Neem saplings.

Shree Public Charitable Trust identifies barren stretches of land and plants Neem trees to nurture the Eco system. Many Neem trees have also been planted along road sides, around play grounds and other open spaces.

Human Resource Initiatives

Free Seminars for Professionals

Due to the hectic pace of urban life and the pressures generated by profession, more and more people suffer from physical, mental and emotional stress.

Through workshops, discourses, seminars, spiritual techniques and personal interaction His Holiness Shri Shri Nimishananda reaches out to these sections of society to transform their lives.

Shree Public Charitable Trust conducts free seminars for professionals to help them inculcate traditional, spiritual and human values in their profession, reduce their stress and tap their inner strengths, creativity and efficiency.

Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain

Education Initiatives

As part of Education initiative, we also recognise the importance of identifying and nurturing the talents of young kids and youth. So apart from sponsoring education we are also doing good progress in organising talent shows, sponsoring job based education for those who cannot afford to pay for such expensive courses.

SPONSORING JOB ORIENTED EDUCATION
To help those who are in the economically backward sections of society to start earning as soon as possible and to reduce the migration of rural population to towns and cities, Shree Public Charitable Trust sponsors the education of students who opt for rural based Job Oriented Courses like Handloom Weaving, Sericulture, Organic Farming, Water Management, School Teaching, Tailoring etc.

FOSTERING TALENTS AND SKILLS
In addition to sponsoring the formal education of children below the poverty line, Shree Public Charitable Trust also believes in fostering and encouraging their talents. Very few of them get an opportunity to display their talents as an appropriate forum is rarely available to them.

Shree Public Charitable Trust sponsored a talent show called “Pratibha Karanji” or “The Fount Of Talent” where more than 500 children from 23 Government and Aided Schools participated in this 3 day event. Free Food was provided to all the students, participants, teachers and organizers. As seen in the photograph many handicapped children also participated in this joyful event.

A special workshop was organized for the students and teachers of The National Association for the Blind, India, where they were taught special techniques to release stress and enhance their awareness and concentration. At this event the children who had collected funds for the NAB were also felicitated.

Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain!!

Education initiatives

We at Shree Public Charitable Trust understand the dire need for making education accessible for the rural kids. Like before I would like to first give you the present education scene in India.

INDIAN EDUCATION SCENARIO:

Though the Indian government is making a great effort to make education accessible to the masses, India is still lagging behind other developing nations as far as education is concerned. India's literacy rate is 64.8% (53.7% for females and 75.3% for males). The literacy rate for Youth (15-24 years of age) in the middle-income countries is 87.8 per cent whereas in India it is 73.3 per cent (Human Development Report-2003). Out of 94 developing countries, the position of India is 76th so far as educational development index is concerned. Percentage of students who enrolled in Class-1 and reached to Class-Vth standard is 77 in the developing countries, but in India it is only 60. (The State of World Children-2004). Even among the working class, 40% of the of workforce is illiterate and another 40% almost illiterate.

Through the Shree Public Charitable Trust, Shri Chakra Foundation is engaged in sponsoring the School Education of children below the poverty line, encouraging rural based job oriented education and fostering other talents and skills in under-privileged children.

1. SPONSORING SCHOOL EDUCATION
In India it is very difficult for the under privileged to afford education even in Government schools as each poor family has many mouths to feed. When a family is unable to pay the fees, young children are often removed from school and sent to work in order to earn for the family.

According to the surveys conducted by Education Science and Technology Ministry, India, 39.70% boys and 41.90% girls drop out of school between Class I and Class V due to poverty. 53.30% of the students drop out of school before they reach Class X. As per the 7th All India Educational Survey of 2002, 17 million children in India are engaged in child labour.

Shree Public Charitable Trust identified 1695 under privileged children in Bangalore who could not afford to pay their school fees and is sponsoring their education so that they could continue their schooling. The details of the schools where these children are studying are provided below.

1. Government Primary School, Halagevadera Halli – 155 children
2. Government Primary School, Mallatha Halli – 229 children
3. Government Primary School, Uttarahalli – 353 children
4. Government Higher Primary School, Hosakerehalli – 329 children
5. Government Higher Primary School, Jnanabharati – 48 children
6. Government Higher Primary School, Channasandra – 279 children
7. Government High School, Uttarahalli – 302 children.

Our Volunteers at some of the above schools

Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain!!

Inspiring video on the importance of helping people

Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishanada Guruji, the Divine force behind Shree Public Charitable trust talks to the youth in Toronto, Canada about the importance of helping people. This was part of a question - answer session at a youth meet in Toronto, where someone asked Pujya Guruji, if its our duty to help other people in need?

I am sure youth like us, need such talks to keep us motivated in working towards our society,
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=V4odKUcX9Ns

Enjoy the Video,
Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain!

Preventive Health Care inititiatives

There is a saying prevention is better than cure and we at Shree Public Charitable Trust believe in this. We give equal importance to preventing the occurance of diseases.

To give you a background on Preventive Healthcare,

Preventive Healthcare
Prevnetive health is the science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, public and private organizations, communities and individuals. It is concerned with eradicating the threats to the overall health of a community by increasing the awareness of all the members of the community. In this context

Shree Public Charitable Trust is engaged in organizing periodical counselling Programs and awareness drives in various spheres of Public Health.

COUNSELLING PROGRAMS AND AWARENESS DRIVES

Infectious diseases are still the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India, and also Southeast Asia region. They are still a major contributor to the global burden of the disease. Acute diarrhoeal diseases have been recognised as the major cause of morbidity, under-nutrition and mortality. Nearly 0.7 million children die every year due to diarrhoea. To prevent
infectious diseases and increase awareness about nutrition, cleanliness, personal hygiene and sanitation, counselling is provided to the under-privileged, illiterate, rural dwellers and women through appropriate counselling programs.

According to the Seventh All India Educational Survey of 2002, 3 percent of Indian children are physically or mentally challenged.

Shree Public Charitable Trust organizes Counselling Programs for specially challenged children like spastics, autistic children, children with learning disabilities, mentally retarded children etc. to diagnose their problems, counsel their families and route them to the appropriate supportive and care giving facilities.

The population of India has swelled to around 1 billion now. We have 2% of world area supporting around 17% of the world population. Also it is estimated that 2 – 3.1 million Indians have been infected with HIV/AIDS so far according to National AIDS Control Organization, India. Since there is no cure for AIDS, the emphasis continues to be on educating the masses, particularly the vulnerable groups about the causes of the disease.

To meet this need, Shree Public Charitable Trust organizes Free Counselling for family planning and HIV AIDS periodically.

Awareness campaigns are initiated for the youth on the ill effects of tobacco, alcohol, drug abuse etc.

Health Care Initiatives

As most us know the health care system in India and we all must have read and seen the number of people suffering and dying each day due to lack of good medical care. Shree Public Charitable Trust is also working towards providing the medical help to the economically backward in India.

Before I go on to explain what our Trust is provinding, let me give you a reality on the health care in our country.

HEALTHCARE IN INDIA

The United Nations' World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Health is a major factor that influences the rate of growth and development of a country. There is a vast discrepancy in access to health care and public health initiatives between developed countries and developing countries. In the developing world where public health infrastructures are still in the formative stage, there may not be enough trained health workers or monetary resources to provide the required level of medical care and disease prevention that is necessary to cater to the entire population.

In India, though the Government has set up many progressive health programs, the ever increasing regional, economic and gender disparities continue to pose challenges to the health sector in the country. About 75% of health infrastructure, medical man power and other health resources are concentrated in high income urban areas where 27% of the population lives. The people in the rural areas and slums still suffer from ill health due to lack of awareness, inaccessibility of health care facilities and poverty. This is where the non governmental organizations play a crucial role in reaching out to the masses.

Our initiatives:
A. Curative Healthcare
PERIODICAL FREE MEDICAL CAMPS

Free medical camps are arranged periodically for the slum dwellers in Bangalore where more than 1500 patients are treated at each camp.
Starting one week before the medical camp, an awareness drive is launched in the chosen slum by putting up posters, distributing leaflets, public audio-announcements and door to door visits.
Free transport is arranged to bring the patients from the slums and drop them back and they are also given a good nutritious meal.
Medical Specialists from the fields of general medicine, surgery, ENT, gynaecology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, dentistry, geriatrics, orthopaedics, oncology and dermatology offer their expertise to the patients.
Basic diagnostic facilities and medicines are also provided free of cost to all the patients.
Free eye check up and spectacles are provided to patients with eye defects.
In special cases where there is a requirement for surgery like kidney transplantation, cardiac surgery, cancer surgery etc., the entire expenditure of the surgery and post surgical treatment like chemotherapy, radiation etc. is taken care of.
Medical Camps are also conducted on special days such as World Heart Day, World Diabetes Day etc. to address specific health problems.

We also believe in providing preventive health care facilities, about which I will write in my next post!

Till then, Lets Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain!

Current and Ongoing Project - Visiting Old Age Homes

It must be sad when your children, whom you raised and brought up show their back on you in your old age , or they decide to move to another country and leave you on your own terms or it can even be that your other half has left the world and your children live in the other side of the world. Living in an old aged home can be extremely difficult, lonely and depressing.

We at Shree Public Charitable Trust recognise this and we visit old age homes in Bangalore to interact and cheer up the inmates. We sing with them, dance with them, distribute sweets and celebrate festivals and special days like Diwali, New Years etc.

Current and Ongoing Projects - Supporting Orphanages

According to the Times Group, India, there are more than 11 million abandoned children in India as per the survey conducted in 2007. Support structures like orphanages are needed on a large scale to care and nurture the growth of these children.

Shree Public Charitable Trust is supporting an orphanage called Geetha Chowdappa Ashram with 130 children in Bapuji Nagar, Bangalore. We provide them with all the necessary and required groceries every month. We also donate blankets, books and other stationery items which the orphans need at the beginning of each academic year.

Volunteers at Geeta Ashram

Our Trust is always looking for opportunities to support other organisations who are engaged in charitable activities. We, volunteers periodically visit different orphanages and spend time with the young children by playing, singing bhajans etc. This also helps us in understanding their needs and requirements so we can equip them with it.

Our Volunteers at other Orphanages

Ongoing projects - Daily mass feeding project

Daily Mass Feeding project

Did you know that every 3.6 seconds a person dies of starvation, and it is usually a child under the age of 5 and about 300 million children go to sleep hungry every day? UNICEF states – “Poverty contributes to malnutrition, which in turn is a contributing factor in over half of the under-five deaths in developing countries. Such is the situation of our country. Many families in our country are living below the poverty line are not fortunate enough to have even one meal a day. It hurts to see people go hungry and beg for foodSo to address this issue, Shree Public Charitable Trust, started this project of Daily Mass Feeding Project in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore, where free lunch is provided every day to the under-privileged. More than 24,000 people benefit from this program every month.

A step towards Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain

Om Jai Matha, Om Jai Gurudeva!

‘Wipe a Tear, Remove a Pain’ - a mission that Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji has been relentlessly working towards and this has become my mission for life. Pujya Guruji has been so kind to constantly give me opportunities to practice and contribute towards this mission.

I would like to share one small opportunity that Pujya Guruji gave me to spread this message across. As a part of my curriculum at college, I had to make a presentation on any topic of my choice. When Pujya Guruji was here in Canada, I asked him on what topic I should chose and he advised me to speak on the beautiful feeling of Compassion. Initially I was a little confused on what I should include in my presentation. Confused because I was speaking to an audience who knew nothing on spirituality. So I had to make my presentation very simple so that everyone in my class could understand the feeling behind this beautiful word. I realised that the best way to spread one of Pujya Guruji’s teaching is by sharing my experiences! I wanted everyone to understand that there are so many people in this world who really need our love and compassion and so I put together a small video. I have uploaded this video on the you tube also, the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ1UYjeA4MA

Just as I was walking up to the podium to give out my presentation, I was a little nervous and hoped that I remembered all the points I had noted down. I immediately began the chanting the mantra 'Om Jai Gurudeva' and even before I realised the presentation was over! My classmates and my Prof gave me an excellent feedback with a very good grade. I know this was possible only because it was Pujya Guruji speaking, not me! I feel so fortunate to have got this opportunity and pray that Pujya Guruji gives us all more such opportunities to serve him and spread his teachings!

I would like to share with you all the presentation I gave out in class that day.

Compassion is stretching oneself beyond one’s selfish needs, to help anyone & everyone. It is a tender gentle feeling which we experience when we love someone deeply.

You might ask why I selected this topic, This noble quality is very close to my heart. Close to my heart because I realise and understand the great value of compassion not only for human beings but also to animals and mother earth. I have been able to understand the importance of compassion only after I got involved in with a charitable trust named Shree Public Charitable Trust, which is based in Bangalore, India. I have been actively involved with them for the last 2 years now and taken part in all their initiatives which include conducting programs for the economically backward people like free medical camps, supporting orphanages, promoting the girl child education and financially support them. Infact the Canadians have been instrumental in sending around 1000 Indian children to school for a year, just by contributing $20. A small amount of $20 can go a long way to sponsor a girl’s education.

This involvement with the Charitable Trust brings a great sense of satisfaction, in doing something selfless to the society. At the end of each day you feel good about yourself because you have brought a smile on some ones face. A small gesture of a thank you, or a hug or helping an elderly man or woman cross the street, or giving up your seat in the bus to an elderly, or helping a child receive an education, or providing the less fortunate with a meal, – these acts are by neither minor nor insignificant. In fact, these are the “small” acts of kindness and compassion which we can practice everyday.

The trust I am associated with has the mission and vision of Wipe a Tear, Remove a pain, and that has become my mission and vision for life of wiping a tear and removing the pain.

As Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji says – “Even if we have wiped a single tear, and removed a single pain, we have made a single being feel better, we have helped one person feel God’s love – we have made a difference in the world.”

So let’s all join our hands to make this world a beautiful place. Let’s all wipe a tear, remove a pain and heal the world with our compassion!!

Jai Guru Nimishananda!

Shree Public Charitable Trust

SHREE PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST
“Wipe a tear; Remove a Pain”

Parma Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji who is the divine inspiration behind Shree Public Charitable Trust says – “When we care about somebody, sharing is the most natural thing that happens in this world. The greatest joy in life comes from sharing what we have with others”


“Wipe a tear, Remove a pain” is the mission and vision of Shree Public Charitable Trust. Our commitment to this cause is total and anyone who would like to join hands with us or contribute in any way is most welcome. One loving act can transform many lives. Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji says – “We come into this world with empty hands and leave this world with empty hands. Nothing really belongs to us except our love. Let our unconditional love flow to the world in an unending stream.”
Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji has been working relentlessly to promote the welfare of the underprivileged and needy in society. To mention just a few of the projects which have been undertaken under his compassionate guidance:

‘Nimishapada’, an ambulance, was donated to the West Lions Eye Hospital in Bangalore in 2000. Among other things this ambulance also collects corneas from donors within the stipulated time limit which is so crucial in corneal transplants.

Periodical Free Medical Camps are being conducted where hundreds of slum dwellers are treated by Medical Specialists in all areas of medicine. Simple diagnostic tests, eye tests and free distribution of prescribed medicines are also a part of these Medical Camps.

An orphanage with 130 children has been adopted and the food requirements of the orphanage are being supplied every month.

We have several ongoing projects and to mention a few are:

- Everyday, hundreds of people are served free food under the ‘Daily Mass Feeding programme launched at Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore.

- Free clothes distribution programme was conducted in a slum where six hundred sets of clothes for children, men and women were distributed to the needy along with sweets.

- ‘Nurture Nature With Neem’, a Neem Plantation drive is being organized where over 100 Neem saplings will be planted in the city.

- Free Medical Camp is being conducted in association with a leading corporate to treat and heal the needy with free diagnosis and medicines.

While continuing these on going projects, Shree Public Charitable Trust also proposes to launch many more in the areas of medical care, education, geriartric care, disaster help and support, rehabilitation, sanitation and hygiene, creation of support systems for the specially abled etc

All contributions to Shree Public Charitable Trust are exempt under Sec 80 G of the Income Tax Act.

To make contributions and more information contact:
SHREE PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST
294/C, 17th Cross, Ideal Homes Township,
Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore 560 098.
Phone: + 91 9341259083
Email: reachus@wipeatearremoveapain.org

Website: www.wipeatearremoveapain.org