India's economic success has impressed the world - we can hold our heads high! Yet while thousand are getting richer the new wealth has skipped our village millions. The disparity needs to be addresses before t reaches dangerous level.

An Indian scientist led the team that won the Nobel Prize for showing the world the alarming facts about global worming. Action is urgently needed to save the world from chocking.

Grampari is being established to address these twin issues, which affect all of us and ought to be everyone's concern.

For the last 40 years Asia Plateau the MRA - IofC international training and conference centre at Panchgani, Maharashtra has held regular programmes which have helped people find a purpose in life, discover and play their role in finding answers to seemingly impossible problems at personal family, work, community ad other situations. Initiatives of Change (IofC), formerly familiar as Moral Re-Armament (MRA) seeks to inspire people to become change agents in the society in the spirit: "be the change you want to see in the world".

Grampari has started its operations by addressing the rural issues. The farm buildings which have been in disuse are being altered and adopted to make them suitable for training programmes. Facilities will be basic but of high standards. Everything is being converted to be 'eco-friendly'. Part of the old chicken shed is now an attractive meeting hall-cum-dormitory.

Photo: The old 'dome' godown is a clean kitchen with smokeless chullas.

Photo: Women and children programmes have started. As we increase the facilities residential programmes for both genders will be started.

Photo: Old Farm House and one of the 1st volunteers

Photo: smoke-less chullahs (stoves)

Photo: Women serving food for 100

Photo: Programs for village children



Objectives of Grampari:

• Strengthening Panchayati Raj institution.
• Women empowerment.
• Generating youth employment.
• Conservation of the natural resources and creating awareness of ecological issues.
• Preservation and documentation of traditional rural knowledge, wisdom and culture.
• Networking and capacity building of NGOs.
• Promotion of the highest moral and ethical standards, transparency, dedication n local governance.

Areas of Training

• Inner Development, bridging divides, creating peace in families and communities and related issues by IofC personnel.
  
• Panchayati Raj - objectives, governance powers and responsibilities of the body and members and office bearers etc., by specialised NGOs.
  
• Women's issues by specialists.
  
• Health, hygiene and nutrition.
  
• Issues of micro and macro environment as relation to the village.
  
• Discussions demonstrations and learning from each other different farming methods medicinal and aromatic plants, traditional usage of natural products etc.
  
• Employment worthy skills - IT, ICT, computer and other modern aids for youth.
  
• Programmes and training modules will be developed to meet specific requirements of a community or village obtaining the requisite knowledge and expertise by networking with NGOs.

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