Akanksha Model Village

Akanksha Village Initiative

Our flagship project at the district level is to adopt villages which have poor development indicators, particularly related to women and girls, and focus Akanksha activities towards improving health, education, gender and social protection indicators in these villages. Akanksha villages have been adopted in seven districts:

Agra, Banda, Barabanki, Kannuaj, Kanpur, Lucknow and Sitapur.

Agra Village "Nagla Nathu" Activities

Folllowing the visit of Dr. Farah Usmani,to Village Nagla Nathu (Block Barauli Ahir),a meeting of Akanksha Samiti members was held which discussed the goals and guidelines for the Akanksha Village Initiatives Team ( AVIT). Nagla Nathu ,which is also identified as a backward village under UP Government's Samargya Gram Vikas scheme and has a woman Gram Pradhan, was adopted by the team.Currently a survey is underway to identify (a) gaps in implementation by the Govt. agencies and (b) our target groups for Literacy and Health coverage. A health camp was organised on Sept.26 for all the villagers. A ‘ listening tour’ by AVIT has been scheduled for Sept.30 to formulate our work plan and form a resource group/first response team which will facilitate communication and implementation on the ground.

For details contact: Akanksha Agra Division President Ms. Sangeeta Bhatnagar.

Banda Village "Gansha" Activities

Akanksha members are regularly visiting the chosen Gansha Village, in Banda district and engaging with the villagers. As an initiative to spread awareness of Government Schemes to create a model village in Banda District, a workshop / seminar was held in collaboration with the local administration on 16 March 2013 for knowledge of Samragya Gram Vikas Yojna for the Akanksha members, A Booklet on SGY was distributed and documentaries on Govt. schemes were also shown. The workshop was also attended by Gansha village Gram Pradhan-Sushila Devi, Anganwadi workers and sahayikas , NSS students and Akanksha student volunteers.

For details contact: Akanksha Village Initiative Coordinator Dr. Chitwan Varma

Sitapur Village "Virsinghpur" Activities

Akanksha has adopted Virsinghpur village in Sitapur district with an aim to develop it as a ‘model village’ where all Government Schemes are accessible to all especially women, adolescent girls and children of the village. A visit by the team members which included Mrs Usha Sharma, Mrs Neeva Kumar, Dr. Ratna Bhatia & Dr. Aarti Aggarwal witnessed a huge gathering. A health check up camp along with various stalls for information and distribution of forms on all Government schemes was attended extensively and enthusiastically. Then a discussion between the villagers and team members ensued and problems areas were identified. These issues are being looked at with the help from the local administration. Moreover, women in small batches are being taught about health services, education & aaganwadi services.

For details contact: Akanksha-UP Health Committee Focal Point Ms. Aarti Agarwal

Kannuaj Village "Saro Top " Activities

Saro top village (Block: Kannauj, Tehsil: Kannauj;) has been selected for the Akanksha Village Initiative Project in Kannauj district. As per the guidelines of the Akanksha village initiative project, Saro top village is a Samragya Gram [village low in development index] with Smt Gul Jahaan as the Pradhan.Village cleanliness drive has been started with effect from 26th September, 2013 under the guidance of the village Pradhan.A tree plantation ceremony was held on 27th September, 2013 to be followed by a larger scale program in which trees will be planted on the sides of major streets of the village. Akanksha team visited the village primary school and three Anganwadi centers today and interacted with the students as well as the staff. A 30- member strong team has been formed in the village compromising young volunteers who will assist Akanksha team members in their programmes henceforth. Agarbatti training shall be provided to the landless females of the village some of whom are already involved in the Bidi making, at the FFDC, Kannauj. A health camp is on the cards to focus on women and girls.

For details contact: Akanksha Kannauj District President Dr. Poorvi Kulshrestha

Lucknow Village "Shahpur Majhigaon " Activities

Shahput Majhigaon village (Block: Sarojni Nagar, Tehsil: Lucknow) has been selected for the Akanksha Village Initiative Project in Lucknow district. This is also a Lohia Samragya Gram.Our village is ridden with numerous economic and social problems which need to be alleviated. Akanksa Lucknow is all set to work with the goals of [1] Creating awareness about Empowerment of Women, Education of Girl Child and prevention of Female Foeticide.[2] Zero tolerance against domestic violence[3] Reduced infant mortality and improved maternal health.[4] Increasing attendance of girls in primary school [5] Improving rates of adult literacy. Some of the planned activities include- Teaching sewing skills and set up a unit for stitching school bags; Organise health camp in the village primary school. Creating awareness about solar power, Self defence workshop for girls, Awareness against female foeticide .

For details contact: Akanksha Lucknow District President Ms. Preety Chowdhuri

Kanpur Village " Sunehla" Activities

"Sunhela" has been selected in Kanpur Nagar for Akansha Village Initiative Project. It has a total population of 1605 persons and a mahila gram pradhan Smt. Suman Singh. An exploratory visit by the Akanksha team in August revealed some key issues. The female literarcy rate here is is 45% only which needs special attention. The economic condition of village is also not good. Health related projects needs special supervision. Immunization of infants and kids needs to be monitored robustly regularly. Progressive farming needs to be promoted and rewarded and for this land farmers need to be educated well. The team will continue its analysis to develop a relevant work plan for value added Akanksha interventions focussing on women and girls.

For details contact: Akanksha Kanpur District President Ms. Ruchi Verma

Barabanki Village " Dawpur" Activities

The Barabanki village initiative is coordinated by Akanksha headquarters in Lucknow in collaboration with the District Magistrate of Barabanki Ms. Ministhy Nair. A first visit to the Barabanki Dawpur village was conducted on 22 August 2013 by the Akanksha UP team comprising of Dr Farah Usmani, Ms Neva Kumar, Ms Usha Gupta, Dr Chitwan Varma. Barabanki DM Ms Ministhy Nair has introduced several schemes for women and girls, particularly for maternal /reproductive health which were inaugurated by Dr Farah Usmani. These included distribution of sanitary napkins to adolescent girls, nutrition for pregnant women including community participation and contribution. Skill building on embroidery/zardosi work for girls has also been initiated and the team talked with the mahila pradhan of the village. Data on the village statistics and indicators was collected by the team for further analysis and to develop a work plan for appropriate Akanksha interventions.

For details contact: Akanksha-UP Focal Point Ms. Neva Kumar/Ms Hima Bindu