Introduction

Vikas Bharti Bishunpur, Jharkhand is a registered non-profit, non-political, voluntary organization, established on 14^th January 1983, and operating in all 24 districts of the State of Jharkhand. 

Vikas Bharti Bishunpur has its head quarter at Bishunpur Block of Gumla District. It is a voluntary organization engaged in micro-level experiment, research and development in application of science and technology in rural India through participatory research, interdisciplinary approach and social action. The two decades of locally rooted work of Vikas Bharti Bishunpur have resulted in a tremendous change in the socio-economic status and attitude of tribal people of the area and helped in conserving traditional values, preserving natural resources and protecting social and cultural heritage of the state of Jharkhand.

Vikas Bharti Bishunpur of Gumla district is on the way to Netarhat. The campus is 123 kms. away from Ranchi the Capital town of Jharkhand State. It has unique features related to land, water and forest as is lies 3676 feet above sea level. This region is predominantly tribal and different tribal languages are spoken in this region. The main tribal languages spoken here are Asur, Kurukh, Mundari and Sadri.

The tribals residing on the hill tops (Patt) are called Asur and they are involved in the ancient indigenous technology of Iron ore smelting since centuries. However, in the present scenario this work can hardly provide them with a sustainable livelihood. Vikas Bharati has been working with these tribal groups to ensure that their skills are enhanced and updated and they are linked with the market so that they can have a sustainable livelihood.

The concept and initiation to serve the poor common mass of hard to reach tribal and PTG areas evolved in a room of IIT Kanpur. Four scholars, having zeal to serve, accepted the challenge and reached Bishunpur, Gumla under Netarhat valley. Among those who came here Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Dr. Rajnish Arora. Late Dr. Rakesh Popli were engineers from IIT whereas Mr. Ashok Bhagat was from BHU, who was a social activist and organizer.

After a comprehensive survey and situation analysis they inferred that issues like Education, Health, Poverty, Awareness and skill development needed to be focused upon for development of tribals in the area. So they formed a socio economic forum called “Vikas Bharti” and resolved to address these issues through community participation. Vikas Bharti gradually evolved as the catalyst for social change and eradication of social evils.

On the day of Makar Sankranti in 1983 Vikas Bharti was formally established as a social organization at Bishunpur, Gumla. In a very short tenure Vikas Bharti proved itself as an organization for social transformation and a friend in need for the down trodden Tribal folk. The idea to provide Education, Health, Livelihood, Social Harmony & Self Employment and to promote Self Reliance became the driving force for the organization.

Vikas Bharti has emerged as an organization which works on diverse development issues and has extensive presence in the State. It is achievement of some sorts as it won the faith of those who had no faith on modern mechanism of social change as they had previously seen many such changes gone kaput. The faith of tribal people was reinstated * reinforced on change as the change was not external but was brought from within.

Vikas Bharti was just facilitating the change as it established educational institutions like Sharam Niketan, Shaktimaan Vidyalaya, Jatra Tana Bhagat School etc. along with 11 different hostels. Not merely this but Vikas Bharti initiated Mobile Panchayat Health worker, Jeevan Jyoti Aarogya niketan for wellness of the human being in hard to reach area.

In agriculture & horticulture Vikas Bharti created an atmosphere to save and serve ecology to maintain the ecological balance. This movement was highly appreciated and rewarded by President of India.

Vikas Bharti visualized the social evils, mode of living, health and habitat and tried to provide proper education and awareness.

Above all Vikas Bharti opened the gateway of self employment and self-reliance by enhancing their traditional skills and art. Vikas Bharti supported the Rural mass with technological inputs, fiscal inputs, marketing network and human resources.

Moving on Vikas Bharti accepted the challenge of socio-economic development and awareness. This concept has emerged as GRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAAN which has become a movement for human human rights like RTI, MANREGA, BAN ADHIKARITA, EDUCATION, and HEALTH etc. Empowerment of youth and women is a mission which is apparently seen through the endeavors of their socio cultural sports and other day to day activity.

website - Vikas Bharti Bishunpur