A Non Governmental Organization (NGO)

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‘PAPN’ Generating Awareness in Rural Areas

A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level to plug in the gaps left by the government. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. India as a nation still has a large population that is vulnerable in terms of health, education, jobs and opportunities in general. This has also seen a large proliferation of NGOs. By some estimates, India has 3.3 million NGOs or one NGO for every 400 individuals. Out of it 312 NGOs operate in Himachal alone. Himachal This Week has tried to bring to fore the working of genuine NGOs who work for the welfare of masses. This week will find the mention of ‘People’s Action For People in Need (PAPN), Sirmaur’ which is working for the welfare of poor and ignorant people in the remote areas of Sirmaur district by making them aware of several policies and schemes run by the state and centre government for their benefit.

‘PAPN’ Made Nirmla’s Life Easier

The NGO emerged as saviour to Nirmla Devi, hailing from a poor and underprivileged section of the society. Mother of eight kids, she however has married her four children. Her husband Zalim Singh is living with some other women for the past 16 years and does not give any money for running house. Life had become extremely difficult for her as she had the responsibility of food and education of her children. Nirmla came in contact with ‘PAPN’ in 2012-13 through the meetings conducted by the NGO. Members of the NGO encouraged her to register in MNREGA. Initially she was a little hesitant but agreed to work in MNREGA. She completed 100 days work under the scheme in 2012 and 2013 which helped her to run things properly and made herself self reliant.

Helping People by Creating Awareness of Government Run Schemes

People’s Action For people in Need (PAPN) has been working for the welfare of people residing in rural areas of Sangrah development block of Sirmaur district since 1983. The NGO makes the life of poor people living in remote areas of the district easier by making them aware of policies and schemes run by the state and centre government for their benefit. This is done by organising meetings with the rural community living in the villages, organizing workshops and by providing training. The NGO coordinates with the School Management Committees, elected representatives of Panchayati Raj, various organizations and Government employees and officials in its endeavour to extend maximum benefit to the people of Sirmaur. Members of the NGO aware people from remote area of the district about policies like MNREGA and encourage them to register in such policies to make their life easier and ensure financial empowerment. The NGO is working for women, children, underprivileged section of the society and other section of the society left from development.

PAPN at present is working on three projects:

Local Rural Project

Under the project, the NGO is working to generate awareness about Forest Right Act among people of Giripar area and rural areas in Paonta Sahib in association with Action Aid India. New Delhi. The objectives of the NGO in this project are:

* To work for socio-economic change in the area

* Creating awareness and sensitization to attain different rights under law

* To reduce disparity and bring uniformity in the society

* To extend benefits of various policy and schemes of the state and centre government to poor and exploited section of the society

* Extending reach of the community to various departments, government and media

* Imparting education about various rights like MNREGA, Food Security, RTI Act, Forest Right Act, Domestic Violence Act, RTE Act, SC/ST Atrocity Act, Child Labour etc. to the ignorant section  of the society

The NGO also conducts research on the aforesaid points and publishes it in association and help from the administration and government

Child Right and You Project

PAPN is working for the rights of children like Right to Education, Right to Security etc. in two panchayats of Paonta block and three panchayats in Sangrah block through the medium of Cry Agency, New Delhi. As a result being the participation and responsibility of education and health department has increased. The NGO also carried out a research on the above mentioned rights and send the report to High Court, Shimla. On the basis of report, Public Interest Litigation was registered and court directed state government to take required steps for ensuring the rights of children. As a result the concerned department too have gone active in the direction.

Child Line Project

PAPN is working on this union government’s project in Sirmaur, the main objective of which is to stop the practice of child labour and no kid is eluded of education. About 72 complaints of various types including child labour, exploitation, regarding education. Child marriage, registration of children and missing children came through the toll free number 1098. However out of a total of 72 cases, justice has been awarded in 57 cases