Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc Improving Farm Based Livelihood in Remote Villages

The partnership between government and corporates dates back to decades. The bonding between the two has prospered on mutual cooperation, respect and support. The government looked upto industries for implementing socio-economic programs and the industries never shirked from their responsibilities.

Whether it has been pre or post independence era, it is so much true, the development in a nation can sustain only when both corporates and government work towards a common agenda of development.

I have seen this honour, commitment and enthusiasm in Rajasthan, where Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc, the State Government and Central Government are working hand in hand to implement various socio-economic development programs for the rural and under-privileged.

It was a bright sunny morning. I could feel the scorching bright sun indicating the arrival of summers in Rajasthan. Amidst all this, I also liked cherishing memories and this time, I was thinking of my visit in Rajasthan which had made me understand the meaning of successful, rather role-model partnership between government and industries.

Rajasthan is known for scarcity of water and one area that would have needed attention must be the agriculture & livestock development. In India about 21% of the GDP is contributed by its agriculture sector and about 72% of the population still lives in rural India. This makes it further essential to closely service and develop this sector.

In middle of my thoughts, I received a call from Urvashi – who I had met for my story on Shiksha Sambal Project in Bhilwara - the girl who was to appear for the 12th board exams. After a casual talk, I spoke to her about my thoughts on agriculture & livestock in Rajasthan. Urvashi gave me reference of her uncle, who is a farmer in Khatikheda village, Bhilwara. Urvashi said she may not be able to accompany me but she would inform her uncle about my visit tomorrow to village Khatikheda.

I reached Khatikheda quite early. Her uncle was waiting at the Village Community Centre and he informed me that BAIF – a non-profit organization, Government of Rajasthan and Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc are running joint programs for the benefit of the farmers. Rather these programs are spread across Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Rajsamand districts as well.

Urvashi’s uncle took me to Mr. Sawarlal, who is the Ward Panch of Khatikheda. Sawarlal Ji informed me that Khatikheda is a village of 50 families, wholly dependent on Agriculture and Livestock for their livelihood. The scarcity of water for irrigation and no veterinary hospitals in the nearby areas have always been a matter of concern for the villagers. But with the intervention of Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc, we have got the solution now, Sawarlal Ji said with immense satisfaction.

I wanted to see what Sawarlal Ji meant by solution. He took me to a beneficiary of agriculture development and water harvesting program, Shri Meera Baksh. Baksh Ji first showed me his lush green agriculture farm. I could see a smile of pride on his face and satisfaction of assured livelihood.

Baksh Ji then showed me a huge water tank which was connected with the terrace of his house through big pipes. This looked like water harvesting procedure. On my asking he informed, ‘initially I could produce hardly 10 quintals of crop in a year but once Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc have helped me construct this water harvesting system, I was able to save sufficient water during rains and after proper help from the company I am able to do multi-cropping and generate almost 30 - 40 quintals of crops in a year’.

Under the Private Partnership (PPP) Model canals have also been constructed in the village, Baksh Ji informed. Sawarlal Ji added that at some places Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc has also carried out other micro-irrigation & watershed projects like dry well recharge and construction of anicuts.

Sawarlal Ji also informed that training programs have been organized by BAIF and Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc in agriculture development which has helped in use of high quality seeds, rich manure and appropriate irrigation methods along with orchard development.

Baksh Ji gave me Guavas from his field to eat and said, ’Guavas of Khatikheda are very famous’. He stayed back for his work and we moved on.

I wanted to see what has been done in the cattle breed improvement in the village and Sawarlal Ji informed that there is an Artificial Insemination Camp running presently in the village and right now the doctor is examining the cow and her newly born calf at one of the beneficiary, Mahaveer’s house.

Mahaveer’s house was not far. I was delighted to see a small calf, must be just few days old, standing close to her mother who was protecting her. Sawarlal Ji introduced me to Dr. Jitendra Katyal who had come for the immunization of the new-born. ‘This calf has been born through artificial insemination that will improve its milk yielding capacity from current levels of 3-6 litres to 24 litres per day, thus increasing the income of the owner by about 70%’, said Dr. Katyal.

Mahaveer added, ‘We also receive 1500 kg of free fodder for the animals that has also helped in improvement of the breed and because of these cattle health camps there has been noteworthy decrease in the cattle mortality and morbidity rate in the village’.

Sawarlal Ji informed me that with the help of Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc and BAIF, the village also has a “Green House”. It came as a surprise to me; Green House in such a remote village ? The change in times has also brought change in the reach of technology.

Sawarlal Ji took me to the Green House – it is a place where saplings and plants are grown with the controlled sunlight in the pollution free environment. At the Green House, I met Mr. Jai Prakash Partani, Subject Matter Specialist. Mr. Partani showed me a lemon plant and nearby placed a special pot called ‘Gherd’, made from 75% of sand and 25% of soil. He informed that this indigenous system has been quite successful in curtailing the wastage of water and also ensuring sufficient water for the plant. The water in the ‘Gherd’ is filled once in a week and as it is placed at a distance of about one feet from the plant, it ensures sufficient water supply.

Sawarlal Ji and Mr. Partani became busy in their conversation on new crops and I enjoyed seeing the new saplings and the rural friendly technology.

Community is the one who is benefited from such efforts where large corporate like Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc and Government join hands and ropes in NGOs and non-profit organization for further support to implement community service programs.

The respect from community for the Government and Corporates is what is expected and which was seen in Rajasthan. It takes a large effort to bridge financial support and people involvement to implement mass scale community service initiatives. But when you see them happening successfully, it gives you immense inner satisfaction.

We may live where ever, but some where or the other, we are attached to our villages.

My journey will continue….

Shobhana Singh

Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc Nourishing Students of Rural Government Schools

Daily mid-day-meal to 180,000 rural students of 2000 schools

It was morning hours and I was going through the local newspapers, just to brush-up with what is happening in the country. Generally, you tend to look for good news in the papers, after all its morning time and one has a full day ahead.

My eyes went to a news that stated “ASSOCHAM awards Hindustan Zinc with CSR Excellence Award”. The news came in the middle of my thoughts on the need for upliftment of rural poor, particularly in deep rural and tribal areas.

The news also mentioned the work being done by Hindustan Zinc in different areas. Few areas that were new to me were mid-day meal to school going children, agriculture & live-stock development, and computer education. I had seen the work done by Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc in women empowerment, nutrition to children, shiksha sambal program for students, training to rural youth for employment and health & medical facilities in rural villages.

My first fascination came for knowing about the mid-day meal program of Hindustan Zinc. The news had stated that the benefits of the same are reaching to about 180,000 rural students of government schools in Rajasthan.

It is not difficult to get information about Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan. I only needed to speak to the Principal of the school I had met for the Shiksha Sambal Program. The Principal Dr. Rupa Pareekh informed me that Hindustan Zinc has 6 mid-day-meal kitchens in Rajasthan – Chittorgarh (4), Bhilwara (1) and Udaipur (1). She also gave me the reference of Mr. Arvind Trivedi from Naandi Foundation. Naandi Foundation and Government of Rajasthan are partners of Hindustan Zinc in running the kitchens.

I called up Arvind Trivedi who invited me to visit the kitchen in Salumbar, about 90 minutes drive from Udaipur city. As Udaipur was new to me, I asked Arvind to meet me near the Udaipur Bus-stand. I reached Udaipur in the afternoon and he was waiting for me.

Arvind informed me that the basic objective of starting the mid-day meal was to provide a daily hot and healthy meal to the rural children. The meals are cooked in the most hygienic way and all measures were taken to ensure that the food reaches schools well in time. It is a responsible job, after all we are dealing with rural school children.

“Mid-day-meal program must have also impacted the attendance in the rural schools”, I asked Arvind. “Yes very much”, he replied. In fact there has been a tremendous increase in the enrollment of students and they do not miss school now, he continued. Children eagerly wait for the meals. It was not surprising that this effort would have brought a significant change in attendance, as most of these schools are in rural areas and children attending schools come from poor families.

I wanted to know how the food is made ? How are these hi-tech machines ? How many people are engaged in the process ? I wanted to see everything. Arvind informed me that the kitchen is closed during the afternoon hours and also till late evening. This is the time when the utensils that we receive back from the schools are cleaned along with the machines. The kitchen starts operating almost in the middle of night as we need to prepare the meals by 6 AM. If I need to see the kitchen then I need to visit at around 2.30 AM in the mid-night or should I say early morning.

I agreed. Arvind will pick me from my hotel at 2.00 AM in the night and we shall be visiting the kitchen at Salumbar in Udaipur.

Now, I had time to see the beautiful city of Udaipur, one of the most sought after destination of foreign tourists across the world. I could see City Palace, Crystal Gallery and had camel ride at Sukhadia Circle.

Arvind came to pick me up as we decided and we departed for the Kitchen. Arvind informed that all these kitchens are hi-tech and operated by trained operators. Utmost care is taken also to ensure the hygiene of the workers and also packing of the food.

Six hi-tech kitchens are being operated by Hindustan Zinc in association with Government of Rajasthan and Naandi Foundation. The kitchen at Bhilwara is biggest, which caters to about 45,500 children of 530 schools. Kitchen at Salumbar is catering to 36,500 children of about 450 schools. Overall about 180,000 rural children of 2000 government schools are provided mid-day-meals.

We reached Hindustan Zinc’s Salumbar kitchen. It was like a small factory, very clean and hygienic. Almost 18-20 people were working, well dressed, wearing gloves, caps and aprons.

I could see chapatti making machine, vegetable making machine and large container making rice. Indeed it was all hi-tech structure. It was amazing to be a witness to chapatti making machine where hundreds of chapattis were being made instantly. I could also see large boxes lined up together. On my asking Arvind informed that these are the containers which carry the meals. Further in these containers, we would keep boxes that carry vegetables, rice and chapattis. Plates are available in the schools.

But how are these containers carried to schools, to which Arvind replied, “we have our own transport system, the mobile vans, which are responsible for delivering these large boxes on time”. I could see all of them lined up and ready to carry the boxes.

Arvind informed that besides the government department, Hindustan Zinc officials also pay surprise visit to these kitchens to ensure that the objective of setting up these kitchens is fulfilled.

I was thrilled to see the contribution of public private partnership in providing such delicious hot mid-day meal to the school going children.

Before, Arvind could say anything, I could not resist myself and picked-up a plate and went ahead to get some potato-tomato vegetable which was well cooked. With some rice and two chapattis I began my morning breakfast. You can understand the temptation of having the hot freshly cooked food, particularly when you have the steam coming out of the rice. No, I did not use a spoon for the rice, I preferred my fingers. It was too delicious to be described in words.

I wanted to speak to the Principal of a school to know the reaction and how this has helped the school and the children. Arvind informed me that I could visit a school near Jaisamand Lake in Udaipur and see the lake as well.

Together we moved to visit Mahadev Ka Phala School, near Jaisamand Lake. We met the Principal Mr. Shambu Singh Chundawat. He informed that students are quite happy with the mid-day meal and wait eagerly. The menu of the meals also changes so that meals are not monotonous for the children. He informed that there is a mid-day meal in-charge in every school that tastes the food before it is served.

On asking about the children attendance, he informed that the schools attendance has increased to almost 90% and girls alone attendance to about 70% due to the mid-day-meal program.

Arvind informed that Hindustan Zinc has also applied Waste to Wealth Concept in one of their kitchen, where an Organic Waste Converter has been set-up that converts waste into organic manure. The company is in the process of implementing it in all its kitchens.

I believe the thought to change and give value to the system is utmost important. There are many reasons and ways to find how things cannot be done. But important is putting an effort to ensure that things can be done systematically. Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc, Naandi Foundation and Government of Rajasthan were perhaps doing the same, nourishing students of deep rural schools.

The movement in the school corridors had increased. I realized it was time for them to have lunch. The students had lined up and sat in rows and sang a small prayer before starting their lunch.

My heart felt sitting with students and having one more round of meals. But I knew, I had to move and let the students enjoy their meals.

Arvind left for his work and I towards the Jaisamand Lake. But I know, my journey will continue..

SHIKSHA SAMBAL - Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc Bridging Gaps In Education In Rural Schools

I was realizing what health and medical facilities mean to villagers. It is said, prevention is better then cure, but here the villagers need only ‘care’. We reached Chanchal’s house and as I had promised her, I shall be staying at her place tonight; after all she had prepared makkai ke roti and raab for me.

As we entered her house, we were greeted by her daughter `Kapila’. I was curious to know what she was doing in her education. On my enquiring she informed me that she has done her B.Ed and now preparing for competitive examinations. I was impressed to see her confidence and the way she was conversing with me. Kapila introduced me to her cousin sister `Urvashi’ who had come from Gulabpura, district Bhilwara to stay with her for two days. Urvashi was studying in a government school in class 12th. She had to leave tomorrow as she had her school.

We all had dinner together, served by Kapila and Urvashi. I came to know that both of them had cooked it for me. I was touched.

Schools in deep rural areas have their own challenges in terms of providing education to students. First and the foremost, it is difficult to convince villagers to send their children to schools, particularly the girls. The discrimination still lives. Secondly, it is evenly difficult to get qualified and experienced teachers. Finally, even if you get both, the infrastructure in the schools needs to change.

Perhaps, Urvashi must have gone through the same process of struggle. On the pretext to ask how her education was going, I touched upon the issue of quality of the schools. `The government has provided schools in deep rural areas and that is really commendable. But the point is how well these schools are equipped to provide quality education’, she started. `The schools have building but infrastructure needs upgradation. The teachers are not available for certain subjects and thus either we have to leave those subjects and choose the subjects available in the school or even change our stream of education’ she continued.

It did not sound new to me. Schools have subjects but no teachers at all? How could this happen? May be it was for a temporary period but what happens in case of students appearing for board examination. Urvashi confirmed that I was right. The biggest problem comes to students of class 10th to 12th who have their future on line.

I was eager to know what had happened to her and how she managed. Urvashi started, `while I was in 9th class I had the dream of pursuing science and then be either engineer or architect. My school is in Hurda, a place about 15 minutes distance from Gulabpura. I was searching for a school which can provide me Physics, Chemistry and Maths, the combination. Unfortunately there was no school offering such combination. On finding more, I came to know that even if the schools were keen to offer these subjects, the teachers were unavailable.’

My obvious thought was, does it mean, no students could pursue science in this combination? This was quite disturbing as it meant future for these students who have limited means of livelihood were not to struggle for education as well.

I asked Urvashi about the options available to a student who still wished to pursue science with Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

`The circumstances left hardly any choice. Either, we change our subjects, or be ready to leave our houses and search for schools in cities like Ajmer or Vijayanagar, the nearby developed cities, to get the subjects of our choice’ Urvashi informed.

I was wondering about the life in such villages. Government is an institution and is of course very keen to provide the best possible facilities in village schools. But you do need the support of people, here, teachers, to run these schools in most successful manners. It is like government sanctions a post of teacher but it becomes difficult to find an incumbent.

But then, what is the solution. I was wishing if the organizations like Vedanta group company Hindustan Zinc also thought on these lines as well.

As we were talking, Kapila joined us, `oh so you narrating your empathy of school subjects’, we could not stop laughing. I addressed my question to Chanchal, `Urvashi did not find her subjects in her school, don’t you think her future is spoiled?’ Before Chanchal could reply, Urvashi interrupted me, `who said my future is spoiled, I am studying the subjects that I wanted to study’. I was confused.

Kapila explained me, `her school did have the problems of getting the teachers in certain subjects and Maths happened to be one of them but her problem was resolved. `Meaning, the school finally got the teacher’, I enquired. `No’ came the reply, the solution came from our Hindustan Zinc.

It was my turn to smile now. I was wondering how much attachment these people have with the company. Urvashi informed me that while we were wondering what to do, one of the company people from Hindustan Zinc approached our principal. He informed that under the company’s community service initiatives, there is a project called `Shiksha Sambal’ under which the company will arrange to provide remedial classes to students appearing for Rajasthan Board Examination, i.e. students of 10th to 12th classes. This project is aimed to provide special subject classes like Maths, Science, Political Science, English and Accounts.

But what is the point of teaching these subjects if the school does not count these subjects as part of their course curriculum, I asked. Urvashi smiled, `who said school did not count these subjects in their course curriculum’? Once Hindustan Zinc arranged these remedial classes, the schools came forward and regularized these subjects as part of their regular course curriculum. These classes became at par with regular classes in the school.

Astonishing, it is just simply unbelievable. An organization gets in the teacher from external sources and provides regular classes to students appearing for board examination so that they not only improve their grade but also go for streams which they actually want to.

`But from where these teachers came? When schools were unable to get teachers, how come Hindustan Zinc arranged them?’, I asked. Urvashi informed that Hindustan Zinc contacted the educated youths in the near-by villages who were unemployed and struggling to get jobs, in spite of getting a good degree.

I wanted to believe every word that she was saying. On one hand the problem of students was being resolved and on the other hand, the unemployed youths were getting employment. Perhaps some of them must have taken teaching as their profession later.

I was inclined to meet students and ascertain myself before I could conclude anything. Urvashi sensed my restlessness. She smiled, `I know it is difficult to believe. Let’s go to my school in Gulabpura tomorrow, as such I am leaving tomorrow morning’. I agreed, perhaps this is what I only wanted.

Even though the day was quite satisfying, the sleep only understand tiredness. I slept to be woken by Chanchal at 5.00 AM. It was time to leave for Gulabpura. About 2 hours of travelling and we reached Urvashi’s school – the Rajkiya Uach Madhyameek Vidyalaya, Hurda. She introduced me to her Principal, Dr. Rupa Pareek.

Dr. Rupa seemed quite grateful to Hindustan Zinc for the helping hand in a structured manner as the Shiksha Sambal project has been running successfully for the past about 4 years now. The Shiksha Sambal project has been introduced under the Self Finance Scheme and is being funded by Hindustan Zinc. The teachers are also appointed by Hindustan Zinc. Dr. Rupa was proud to mention that her school has now the distinction of being the only government school in the nearby villages that offers Physics, Chemistry and Maths.

Dr. Rupa also informed that Hindustan Zinc also arranges for career counseling and special attention is given to weaker students. `I do not need private coaching classes for my students any more’, she proudly mentioned. The company has also provided help in building infrastructure like physics lab, library, playground, computer lab and even class rooms. To strengthen the computer education, Hindustan Zinc has provided 5 computers.

But what about the result, I asked her? `Oh that has been just unbelievable. In 2007-08 the grades were less then 40% and now the students touch upon 90-92%.

Urvashi took me to her class where I could see about 50 students. Urvashi introduced me to some of her friends who were also from Gulabpura. Pooja informed that she wants to become engineer and Aditi wants to become Doctor. Anita wants to become architect like Urvashi. The stories of all girls seemed same as they would have either left the education due to house pressures or left the city to pursue their dreams, if Hindustan Zinc had not come forward to provide these remedial classes.

I could not find Urvashi as she had mixed up with her friends in the class.

Hindustan Zinc is reaching out to more than 50 schools in about 35 villages in Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Udaipur and by now more than 5000 students have been benefited. The pass percentage of schools which was just about 45% in 2007 has gone up to 85-87% now.

One question that kept me awake whole night was, what if you don’t get a partners in prosperity like Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc to partner with the government’s vision of bringing prosperity in rural and tribal areas?

When you see the smiling and satisfied faces of these children, who are budding for their career, you actually appreciate and understand the healthy relationship between private and government sector.

It was time to leave.. My Journey will continue….

(The story published in `Down to Earth' magazine - issue 16-29, 2012)

Hindustan Zinc Organizing Regular Health Camps In Deep Rural Areas In Rajasthan

Health & Medical Facilities in Villages

(In continuation of the story "Welcome to the Land of Women Entrepreneurs")

My thoughts were engaged still with the people I have been meeting in rural Rajasthan. Children of Anganwadi Centres, youths being imparted training, women learning vocations skills and the simplicity of acceptance of being simple. We often feel that as these people belong to rural India, they may have deficiencies of skills and caliber. I feel they only lack the opportunities.

When you travel distance alone, the silence within makes you a thought leader.

My mind was thinking of basic facilities that these remote villages either have or thrive for. Health and medical attention are the primary ones, clubbed with safe drinking water and sanitation. It is easier for the villagers to reach out to city hospitals where the villages are located near towns but how are the health and medical related problems addressed in remote villages? I was sure, Government takes care of well being of the villagers at the remotest places, but what has been the role of private companies in enhancing these efforts, my question was direct.

Remote villages do suffer from most of the seasonal diseases like fever, throat infection, stomach infection, malaria, diarrhea, skin diseases and deficiencies of calcium / iron or may be other vitamins. Though these diseases may be seasonal but certainly cannot be ignored.

I do not recollect when I slept but I was awake with the first ray of sun. Women in villages get-up much early then us who live in big cities, may be I was also adapting to this culture.

I reached the house of Chanchal around 8 AM. She was waiting for me with few other women and I could see two of them were pregnant. I greeted them with a warm hug. Before I could speak to Chanchal about my queries, she informed me that there is a 3-day `Health & Medical Camp’ being organized in the village and today is the second day. All these women are going for the regular health & medical check-up and I can accompany them. My questions and queries were being addressed before I could ask.

Traveling a small distance, we all reached the `Medical & Health Camp’ organized for the villagers of nearby villages. I could see a huge number of people, from small children to old people, standing in the queue to meet their respective doctors.

The people did not seem to be suffering from any chronic disease and seemed like visiting for regular check-ups.

Chanchal took me to a lady doctor who was seeing children and women. I could see a broad refreshing smile on the doctor’s face, perhaps this is the satisfaction of working for these villagers who have very little resources. On enquiring, she told her name as Dr. Sonia Jain, a doctor employed in Hindustan Zinc. She is a regular visitor to these villages.

I sat near her and waited for the right time to speak to her. Small children, women all were narrating their small & big health issues. The women who came along also showed her. In a temporary shed built separately within the shelter, Dr. Sonia did a thorough check-up of both these pregnant women. Everything was fine, the mother and the child were in good health. She prescribed some medicine and a lady sitting next to the doctor simultaneously handed over those medicines to these women. I realized, the medicine is being distributed free of cost.

Dr. Sonia started with the health & medical condition of these villagers. Referring to the women and children she said, `though in general the villagers are quite fine in health but as the season changes the typical diseases like fever, infections, skin problem, constant headache become prevalent. This is the time where the number of people coming for the check up also increases’. On regular basis Hindustan Zinc keeps organizing such camps for routine check-ups.

But during seasonal variations, Hindustan Zinc increases the frequency of health camps. The villagers also visit Hindustan Zinc’s health posts for check-ups.
On my enquiring about the visit of external doctors, Dr. Sonia informed that doctors from Public Health Centre also visit regularly in such camps. We try to set-up these camps in as much deep rural areas where the villagers find difficulty to visit hospitals located in far cities. These camps are attended by villagers of other villages also, there is no restriction.

Who primarily organizes these camps? Whose responsibilities is it anyways? Dr. Sonia smiled, `why do we question everything, why can’t things be without any simple motive’. Government is doing its role but Hindustan Zinc is also a large corporate in Rajasthan. It is only human to look after the people residing near your business locations. Their health, sanitation, education, basic infrastructure are all necessities. The company in association with Rajasthan Government and also some time with Central Government and NGOs works towards achieving these common objectives.

Just when she was explaining, a small child came with his finger bleeding. ‘You don’t need to stand in the queue to get medical attention in such case’ she gently scolded the child. The child smiled, the pain was gone. A neat bandage dressing was given to the finger. She enquired from the accompanying mother about the child’s tetanus immunization. The mother nodded affirmative, the child has been vaccinated at regular intervals.

I wanted to meet the doctors attending the men of the villages. Chanchal took me to the other side of the camp where Dr. Surendra Srivastawa was looking after the male gentry of the villages. Dr. Srivastawa was an external doctor specially invited to attend this camp.

Most of them are suffering from mouth infection due to tobacco eating, said Dr. Srivastawa. Few had problem relating to eye infection. Chanchal told me that a dedicated effort is made to educate the male members in the villages about the ill effects of tobacco eating. Some have been eating for quite a long period that it is difficult for them to get rid of them now. But it is also true that the young population is quite aware and away from such addictions.

What happens when the case is serious and it is out of the purview of these doctors, I asked. `In such cases we refer them to the city hospitals. In the camps we are able to cater to their routine health problems but chronic cases need to be dealt at the city hospitals’, said Dr. Srivastawa.

I was also informed by villagers that specific camps like `eye care camps’, `family planning camps’, ‘cattle care camps’ are also organized to address the needs of the villages.

Identifying small concerns of these villagers and care is what is needed. More than anything it is the effort being made by Hindustan Zinc for the well being of these villagers and on the other side by the villagers who come forward and avail benefits out of these efforts is what makes the ultimate objective successful.

I had promised Chanchal that I would stay with her tonight. She promised to make makkai ke roti and raab with gud besides.

It was time to leave, but my journey will continue…

* Story also in `Down to Earth' magazine - Issue January 16-31, 2012