Miss. Shreya Shinde , D.ed
Both parents are famers.

Master. Anuj Uday Sarmalkar ,Std- I
Low income family with three children.

Miss. Suman Suresh Mohite.

Mr. Vikrant Dinker Sutar.

Miss. Sunanada Vasudev Salonke
For support of their S.T bus pass. Parents are small farmers with low income group.

Maharashtra Aikyawardhak Mandal Vidya Mandir

Dutt Vidyalaya, Zilla Parishad Prarthamik School no. 6

10 day Rural Camp in Kalsuli Village Date:

November 30th- 11th December 2007 Venue:

Kendriya Shala , Dindavne, Kalsuli.

The Service Civil International organization which was formed during the Second World War and which is actively involved in the interaction of social and cultural exchange, had selected Kendriya Shala, Dindavne, as their rural camp site. About 25 volunteers from different countries and different parts of India had participated. Their provision of accommodation, food arrangement and guidance for the field work was arranged by Sawant Foundation. In 1998, also, this organization had visited the same site and had a good experience.

This time, this organization helped to construct the school fence and did the leveling of the playground. They had a lot of cultural and social exchange programs and were highly impressed by the arrangement and the services offered by the local people and the Sawant Foundation. With their experience of the last two camps, they have requested for this location as a regular camp site for their organization.

The members of the Sawant Foundation had decided to publish a book on the History of their family where all the generations are highly associated with the social work. The family has always been sensitive to the social problems and development. The intention to publish this book is to create awareness among the new generation of the family regarding their inherent qualities of the family.

The most senior member of the foundation, Pandurang Sitaram Sawant has narrated his experience and many other peoples' opinion has been counted in the book. Book highlights the association and the support of many social workers and Sarvodaya Mandal volunteers who have contributed to the development of this family. Our family is obliged to the similar kind of social work for the upliftment of the society. The book wants to create the awareness among the youth regarding the values of co-operation, co-ordination and the importance of social life. It also highlights the contribution of our ancestral thoughts, ideas, culture, customs, traditions etc.

It tries to realize the importance of such things in our successful life and also makes us to follow the right path for achieving every goal and the core part of life is the unity and understanding among the Hindu joint family. The book gives importance to agriculture and its allied activities, development and it shows that all such developments are possible through mainly education. Therefore, to get education, everybody should be ready to go through the hardships.

Guruji has spent his whole life for the upliftment of his family, village and other friends and relatives and he has given importance to human relations and education. He always says that the basic needs are to be provided to everyone and comforts and luxuries have to be avoided in the process of development.

The members of the foundation had decided to organize an annual get-together named as Sneh Milan. The idea behind this was to encourage and motivate the values of social work among the people. As a part of the cultural program, Marathi songs were performed by some upcoming artists, Mr. Mahendra Karale Mrs. Atmaja Dalvi and professionals like Pandit Shivkumar and his team.

One of the members of the foundation, Mr. Vijay Mahadeo Sawant, had completed 60 years of age and entered the senior citizen group. Thus, on this occasion, he was felicitated for the same.

The scholarship proposal and plans were displayed onscreen. About 150 people were present for the function. People enjoyed Pandit Shivkumar's programme and requested him to organize it again.

One of the important activities of the Sawant Foundation is to conduct various experiments in Agriculture which will be conducive to the present environment. The major objective of rural project is sustainable development i.e. Environmental, Cultural and Social. Sawant Foundation has experimented co-operative, collective farmings with vegetables, rice crops, vermiculture, dairy farming, horticulture etc.

Mr. Shrikrishna Mahadeo Sawant, who is one of the active members of the Sawant Foundation and M sc. in Agriculture from The Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli . He has a wide experience of last 20 years in The Sindhudurga District Co-operative Agriculture Multipurpose Development Bank. Under his able guidance the above projects have been conducted.

The Foundation experimented new seeds, Suruchi 5445, of MAHICO in 2007 securing the second rank in obtaining highest yield per hectare in Kankavil taluka.

Foundation has participated in Sindhu Mahotsav which is organized in the month of May in Sindhudurg at Wagda every year.

Use of polythene in groundnut cultivation with the help of Krishi Vidnyan Kendra, Kirlosk has been experimented, December 2007 ( Rabi season)

Demonstration was organized for the public regarding vermiculture and organic farming, November 2006 ( Rabi season)

Different varieties of turmeric, bananas, vegetables, mangoes, cashews, bamboos, teak plantation have been experimented on the fields of Sawant Brothers.

Foundation is planning to buy its own land for the experimentation of different agricultural projects in the near future.

Two Day Workshop - For Senior Citizens: 5th and 6th November,2008

Venue: Draupadi Nivas, Kalsuli, Kankavli.

Day -1, Morning - Life After Retirement
The workshop was especially organized for the retired teachers from the district. More than 70 teachers participated in the workshop. The workshop was inaugurated by Sailes Mishra , who is the president of Silver Inning ,Mumba, an organization for the senior citizens. Dr. Sharad Kulkarni was also present and narrated his experience with his ashram that he is running in the Sindhudurg district. Number of teachers came forward and expressed their problems and their way of life after the retirement and also their involvement in many other social causes. Ms. Amruta Lovekar, MSW , a Gerontologist, conducted the workshop along with Sailes Mishra. They had discussed the problems and solutions of the elderly. According to them, "Senior citizens have to change their lifestyle and keep themselves mentally and physically fit to make India successful, a dream of the former President of India, A13.1 Abdul Kalam". With increasing population of the senior citizens, the economy of our country will not be able to sustain without active involvement of the elderly people. It will create number problems if we do not change our attitude towards our lifestyle after retirement. Mr. Sailes Mishra, explained various government policies and programs for the betterment of elderly. He has stressed on the organized elderly people to fight for welfare schemes of elderly. According to him , even with60 years of Independence, there are no proper government policies, so elderly should be united and fight for that. The young generation sometimes forgets the contribution of the elderly in developing the nation.

Day-1 Evening Appreciation of Arts and Skills of senior citizens
This session was again conducted by Mr. Sailes Mishra and Ms. Amruta Lovekar to explore the hidden talents among the elderly. Some of them came forward and performed mimicry, drama, music, singing etc. This session was enjoyed by everyone and they realized they are no more old, but ,still capable of providing enjoyment and entertainment to others. All of them had forgotten their age, medical problems and any other miseries.
Everybody suggested the organization to conduct such type of workshops every year so that they will have interaction and get information regarding current issues and government policies which will help them to solve their problems.

Late evening session- Cultural program by local students.
After a small break, evening visit to local to spots and dinner, there was an entertainment session organized by the local people. Number of participants performed dance, drama , singing, mimicry etc. Prizes were given to the best performers and consolation prizes were given to all other participants.

Day-2, Morning- Role of teachers in present society
This session was conducted by Dr. Mrs. Aparna Lovekar. About 50 teachers from the district has participated in the workshop. Madam had taken references from the ancient Indian epics and culture and she tried to project the images of Rishi Munis and their role in society.
According to Prof. Aparna Lovekar, whatever may be the changes taking place in the society, we teachers ( gurus) should give first importance to basic human values, though the functional education is very important from our survival, we should not forget human and environmental values while performing our role.
Number of teachers had narrated their good and bad experiences during the session and there was very good interaction among the teachers. It was a brainstorming session.

Day-2,Evening-New Horizon in Careers
This session was conducted by : Prof K. Venkateswaralu Chairperson) Senior grade lecturer in Economics, L.S. Raheja College, Santacruz, Mumbai.
Dr. Ramesh Sawant Head of the Department of Radio Chemistry BARC, Chembur, Mumbai.
Principal. Ms.Sharayu Sawant MAM Vidya Mandir Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai
Ms Rajlaxmi Sawant, Asst Teacher, Aspee Nutan Vidya Mandir Malad, Mumbai- 60.
Dr. Aparna Lovekar Head of the Dept of Marathi, L S Reheja College, Santacruz, Mumbai.
Prof S M Sawant. Head of Dept of Economics, L.S Reheja College Santacruz, Mumbai
About 50 students from various faculties participated in this workshop. Initially a lecture in 'New horizon in careers 'was given by Prof. Venkateswaralu, then the groups were formed according to the age and faculties of the students. Different delegates were allotted the groups as per their specialization and they have discussed their interests, method of setting goals and planning and type of efforts required to achieve the goals.
Students were given the opportunities to express their opinions regarding the workshop and most of them were enlightened.

Survey conducted by Amruta and Sailes:
Door to door survey was conducted to understand the problems of elderly people in rural areas and it is found that most of the people have nobody to take care as their children have migrated to urban areas. Most of them were crippled were not able to even visit the doctor. Problems of rural elderly people are more severe than that of urban.

Late evening session- Cultural program by local students.
The most popular cultural programme was once again presented in the late evening session on Day-2.The local students were very enthusiastic to present their skills and arts. Everybody tried to participate and also received a very good response from the senior citizens. The programme was a very good exposure for the personality development of that age group of students.