‘MASS’
is the acronym for our new mission. On 28th July 2007, our new
mission was officially launched by our Provincial, Fr.
Francis, who in the presence of Vinayalaya community blessed
me and the new Jeep before sending me to begin our new mission
in Amravati Diocese. After a cursory survey of four Districts,
and after much reflection with many people concerned, and
consultation with the Provincial, Pandarkavda, a remote and
backward tribal belt of Yavatmal District was chosen for our
new mission.
On 09 October 2007, our new mission was officially promoted as
a Society and Trust and was named as ‘Manav Shakti Sanstha’
(MASS), by the first Governing Body Members at a meeting
(supposedly) held at Vinayalaya and today, 03 December, the
Feast of our great Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier, (and
my patron saint), our new mission has been legally registered
under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, as a Society,
bearing registration number ‘MH / 807 / 2007’. May the spirit
of St. Francis Xavier always inspire us to launch out into
newer frontiers, where our services are most required.
I have with me a local social worker (MSW), Mr. Atul Pitulkar,
who is quite committed and dedicated to his work. In the month
of October - November, we had animation programmes in over 15
villages of two Talukas to introduce ourselves and to reflect
with the villagers on key issues or problems to be addressed.
Two members of “Mahila Shakti Kendra” (MASK) a registered
Federation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) I had promoted in Assam,
had come to enthuse the women folk by sharing their experience
of women’s empowerment. The Kolams, a very backward tribe, is
the predominant tribe in Pandarkavda area. The following three
basic issues were identified in our reflections with the
tribals.
* Land problems - Two generations of heirs names are not
recorded; no legal ownership for encroached lands; etc;
* Water problems : Lack of water, for cotton crops when most
required, leading to crop failure;
* Exploitation of women’s SHGs - of their bank loans and
subsidies.
Addressing these issues would be an uphill task, because the
literacy rate among the Kolams is very low (just 1.5%) and the
response of the community is very slow. Mobilising or
organizing them for addressing these issues would therefore be
difficult. But this precisely is the challenge.
We are now busy conducting a survey of about 20 villages of
two Talukas, after which I shall submit a project proposal for
some activities and for an infrastructure. At the Current
Events moment, I am staying in a rented place at Pandarkavda,
which is also the office for MASS. You are most welcomed to
visit our new mission or to support us in any way.
My Address is:
Karmachari Vasahat,
Plot No. 17,
P.O.Pandarkavda,
Dist Yavatmal - 445 302
Mobile 9969072801
Events
‘MASS’
is the acronym for our new mission. On 28th July 2007, our new
mission was officially launched by our Provincial, Fr.
Francis, who in the presence of Vinayalaya community blessed
me and the new Jeep before sending me to begin our new mission
in Amravati Diocese. After a cursory survey of four Districts,
and after much reflection with many people concerned, and
consultation with the Provincial, Pandarkavda, a remote and
backward tribal belt of Yavatmal District was chosen for our
new mission.