Report of October 2008

Report of Shantanu’s work
Duration: 5th to 19th Oct.2008 at Vivekananda Kendra, Pimplad.

Get an instructor in place and start training him:
As per plan we have fixed up 7th Oct is a date for an interviews, Sujata Tai and Amit Tillu were suppose to find and call candidates who are interested. But on the day of interview no one arrived only Mr. Vasant Patil whom we have interviewed previously was appeared. He is good & is meeting all the objectives; but salary demand was quite high (Rs.4000/- per month). 7th Oct. ended with no instructor in hand.
In next two day with some more efforts, we received two names, Hemant Mahale from Ganeshgaon and Suresh Rawat from Pagulghar. After interviewing both we selected Suresh and asked him to join immediately. Suresh joined us on 15th Oct.
Suresh has completed a course in I.T.I. with Mechanical Fitter tread. He is also graduated in Arts with subject Political science. He has technical work experience where he worked on arc welding and leth machine. He use to organize Sanskar Varga in village with the philosophy of Shri. Panduranga-Shsastri Athavle.

Meeting with Abhilash Gorhe –
Abhilash is a Agricultural businessman who work in Nashik, Dhule, Aurangabad, Jalgaon and Nandurbar. We got his reference from Mr. Dinesh Kulkarni, Arun’s friend who works for Bhartiya Kisaan Snagha.
Abhilash runs one NGO called Samruddhi foundation and a company Samruddhi Agro farming Pvt. Ltd. Rohit kokil from our group first met Abhilash around 3 months back. During first meet only he shown an interest to know more and work for project.
Abhilash provided a design for Nursery and also immediately connected with shed net dealer. He also gave tips on how to make beds inside nursery.
He visited Pimplad on 18th while Arun was there. He recommended few suggestions on nursery project and future water treatment and storage project. It really added values in it. Abhilash now planned next visit after Diwali. Before that our nursery is expected to be functional. Abhilash also suggested starting a Varmi compost production unit; this will fulfill our requirement of vermi compost and varmi wash.
He also suggested starting making Jeevamrut, We have done it in past, need to start again. Our instructor Suresh also carries experience in making Jeevamrut and Vermi compost. We have to start both ASAP.
Looks like Abhilash’s consultancy will be quite useful for us. We need to follow his instructions.

Meeting with Mrs. Vandana Atrey:
Mrs. Atrey was ex. Co-editor of Gavkari and now free. She was active Karyakarti of VK few years back. She shown interest in our project, we need to see where and how she can help us. Mighty be helpful to us in publishing and fund raising activities.

Shed net Project.
It was one of the goal that during my stay shednet structure should be ready and get working. I suppose to start working on it from day one, but as we didn’t have instructor during first half of my stay, that delayed it. We took in on high priority as Suresh joined and taken a charge. We got design from Abhilash, as per design we estimated necessary things with the help of Sanju, Valu and Waghmare.

On 15th of Oct our instructor took his charge on 15’th and 16th onwards started working on shed net design n learn more details. On 18th we started constructing shed net which suppose to be complete on 22nd.
We have planned a shed net of size 13mtrs * 6mtrs with max height of 7ft. It will have four bed inside with approx. size of 11.ft. * 2.5ft each. We have planned to prepare saplings of Chilly, Bringal, Karela, Dodka etc. We are also planning to shift on fruit crops saplings during summer season.

Soil Testing Kit
Nothing happened on Soil testing kit. There was huge rainfall in first half which kept soil wet for longer time.

Irrigation – (expected a base work)
I was to meet Mr. Sagun patil who happens to be in Nashik and working for
IDL-India. This meet didn’t happen. But during a visit to Agri Exhibition at Nashik, we got one more low cost option of drip irrigation. Later Abhilash also recommended same. We have to study and compare both the technologies; probably we can invite both the representatives and get the information. This action are part of rohits action plan for 14-20th Nov 2008.

Water Storage Tanks and filtration:
Fero-Cement tank technology and design to get from Vigyan Ashram, I had word with Yogesh Kulkarni and he suggested sending Instructor to Instructors training program in first week of November. There our instructor will get trained on making of water tanks along with all other training. Let’s see if we can send him.
With the discussions with Amit and Abhilash, we found its better to do two filters at the backside of two bathrooms and reuse that water for agriculture purpose. It will not add much cost but will serve our agri- training and production purpose, also saves water and energy.

Computers and Internet Connectivity:
Computers at Pimplad center are not working. We found SMPS were get damaged due to un-stabilized power supply. We have sent SMPS to repair. Its with VK’s karyakarta Parag Ghamandi. Rohit has to follow it.
We should have good stabilizers which can stabilize an input power to computers. Along with good stabilizers we should have one person who can look after the maintenance of the PCs.
Computer Hardware Training (CTP- Vigyan Ashram): Vigyan Ashram has developed a Multimedia based Computer Training program, we have to get CDs from Vigyan Ashram. Instructor Suresh has got interest and ready to learn computer. We have to keep it mandatory for him. He has to learn CTP (Computer Hardware) and MS Office in 3 months probation period.
Internet Connectivity:
Dial up through GPRS connectivity is good solution. Need to purchase a BSNL Card with a GPRS enabled handset which can act as a modem. BSNL had put up a line till Pimplad but during road construction work it got damaged and now not working. If it would have worked we would have got broadband connectivity at Pimplad. BSNL prefers and promotes to use WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) connectivity. WLL has limitations on internet speed. Its always better to get GPRS connectivity than WLL.

Vyavasaya Prashikshan Kendra – Detailed planning.
Yes we have done it and attached separately