Highlights Of The Year That Was....

Part of Deepak Foundation's Annual Report, 2001-2002

For Gujarat, the very first month of the first year of the new millennium - 2001 - was a cruel one bringing with it the killer earthquake that caused rampant destruction in Gujarat. Baroda district where Deepak Foundation is located was mercifully spared but Kutch and Surendranagar districts were not so lucky. Witnessing the near total destruction in these two districts, we felt compelled to contribute to the rehabilitation efforts. We initiated work in the village of Tikar (Ran) in Halvad taluka, Surendranagar district and were supported in this by the Deepak Group of companies, which made a contribution of Rs. 5,70,836 towards relief work. The sum comprised of donations made by the employees of one day's salary and a matching amount by the management of the companies. Starting with the initial fund contributed by the Deepak Group, we were able to generate funds (from various schemes of Government of Gujarat) to the tune of Rs. 1,01,10,750 to undertake various developmental interventions. This achievement has given us a lot of satisfaction and pride. We were able to `leverage' the initial fund given by the Deepak Group to attract funds up to 20 times more.

The other main highlight of the year has been the headway that DCT has been able to make in policy advocacy efforts regarding sexual health and semen loss concerns of men. DCT's research carried out over the past two years showed that addressing male semen loss concerns can prove to be a major strategy for behavior change process since very often these very concerns are determinants of high-risk behavior. DCT felt that the research carried out by them and the conclusions that they had arrived at should be made public and shared with policy makers and implementers. Towards this, DCT organized a national consultation meet in New Delhi in September 2001 on "Men's Sexual Health and Semen Loss Concerns". The meet was sponsored by UNAIDS. The meet was very well attended by representatives from the National and State Government organizations; NGOs working in the field of reproductive and sexual health; research institutions and agencies; medical and health care providing institutions; donor/funding agencies including UN agencies. DCT could also undertake policy level advocacy at the International level. DCT organized a satellite symposium on "Male Semen Loss Concerns in the Perspective of HIV" at the Sixth ICAAP, Melbourne in October 2001. Technical and Financial support was provided by UNAIDS India, and the Ebert Programme on Reproductive Health of Population Council, New York. There was an impressive participation from parliamentarians and politicians from India, including Members of Parliament, State Health Ministers, senior bureaucrats and administrators from the Government and international multilateral agencies such as the WHO, UN and bilateral agencies.

A feather in the cap for DCT was being conferred the award for "Environment Agriculture and Rural Development" by the Indian Merchants' Chamber Diamond Jubilee Endowment Trust. The award is in recognition of the contribution made by Deepak Charitable Trust in the field of rural development. We share this award with Tata Chemicals Ltd. - Fertilizer Division. More than the award itself it is the recognition of our approach to community development that gives us a boost.

Future Challenges...

The work in Halvad taluka, Surendranagar has been challenging - not only is this a new area for Deepak Foundation but the question of sustainability is also a challenge. Our aim is to initiate development projects, manage them well and then empower the local people to carry on these tasks once DCT has withdrawn from the area. Towards this end, a trust called the `Prerna Trust' has been formed comprising of local people, which would be trained to handle and manage their development on their own. Deepak Foundation's main areas of work still lie in Nandesari and Taloja. In following the life-cycle approach we are in touch with all segments of the community - building rapport and gaining their trust. Programme interventions are kept flexible incase felt needs of the society change. Our emphasis this year will be on increasing the involvement of men in our interventions.

But just as 2001 started on a sad note the ending too was not pleasant. With Gujarat on fire fanned by communal flames of hatred, we need to introspect and devise ways by which the extreme polarization of society can be reduced. It is this, which is going to be the main challenge for the coming years for all NGOs in Gujarat.

This year an important addition to the existing services provided by the Deepak Medical Foundation's hospital in Nandesari, was sonography. In May 2001 an ultrasound machine was installed in the hospital sanctioned by the Government of India. It took us three years to get this machine installed and it provides a very vital service for Obstetric and Gynecological patients.