Community Development Project
After a fulfilling five years, 2024 brought a new spirit and sense of direction to the Auromir community work.
To celebrate the completion of five years of community work and togetherness, the entire team travelled to Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. It was not just a fun trip but an emotionally charged one too as we, both old and new associates, reflected on our personal journeys, and what connected each of us to Auromir. For some of our women members, this trip was the first one they had taken without their families; for some others, it was the first trip to the hills, and for some the first trip with friends only. These were small personal breakthroughs, but important steps towards confidence and empowerment.
We celebrated India’s 76th Independence Day on 15th August at the Centre. The event began with the ceremonial flag hoisting. Savita and Renu Bala compèred the program with great elan, though it was a first time experience for both of them in public speaking. The children of the Center performed songs and dances on patriotic themes. Three students from a local school volunteered to perform patriotic songs on this day. Two of our women learners, Rajveer and Suman, were given certificates for completing the basic tailoring course from the Center.
A mark of love, a promise of protection of a brother to his sister, Rakshabandhan, marked for us all a beautiful moment when the young girls of our Center offered to tie Rakhi to Salim and Shakil, two of our carpentry team members. In turn they both also showered the girls with promise of protection and graced them with shagun (money).
On October 21st, Auromir organized an awareness workshop on domestic violence and protection of child rights in association with State Legal Authority (SLA) and Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) at the Bal Bhawan. Ms. Navneet Klair, CJM-cum-Secretary, DSLA, Ms. Shipra Bansal, Chairperson CCPCR, and Inspector Balbir Singh, Women’s Cell, Chandigarh, and three councillors from the SLA, Chandigarh, were present at this important event. All the members of the Center actively participated in spreading awareness of the event and encouraging women and young girls from all sections of society to attend the session. Students from various schools, NGOs and many local residents attended the workshop.
It was indeed an important workshop as we learned about women and children’s legal rights. There were several important questions from the audience, and many shared overwhelming experiences. Some women participants of the workshop shared later with us that the clarity and strength they had gained from the workshop gave them the conviction and courage to confront challenges in their own family situations without fear or guilt.
As a follow up of our relationship with the CCPCR, thanks to Ms. Shipra Bansal, we were given the chance to participate in an exhibition at Kalagram, Chandigarh, from December 1st to 10th. It was a National Crafts Mela where our artisans also got an opportunity to showcase their work for two days.
The winter this year was exceptionally cold and we felt the need to extend help to all those homeless poor sleeping on roadsides without shelter. Auromir initiated ‘Project Support’ (‘आयोजन सहारा’) on January 12th. We distributed blankets, clothes and shoes to men women and children sleeping on road sides outside hospitals and markets. The experience humbled us all and made us realize our blessings as we experienced the challenging conditions in which so many people still live.
Auromir also initiated a cleanliness project ‘Swachta Abhiyaan’. The Foundation started cleaning and maintaining the area around our Community Center, starting 21st January. Two members were hired to do this job on a daily basis. We approached all the neighbouring shops and offices to help us maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the environment.
We celebrated the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Jan 22 by decorating our Center with lamps and rangoli, distributing sweets and visiting the local Ram temple.
The Republic Day celebration this year on January 26th was a notch above the last one. The flag unfurling was preceded by a children’s parade. The children had practiced marching for the parade for nearly two months with keen interest. Each women associate of our Center shared their thoughts on how women’s freedom contributes to national progress. This was also the first time many of these women associates were speaking in public. Baies, from our carpentry team, compèred the program with great confidence, and it was his first time too. The children performed a martial arts demonstration which was much appreciated.
We participated this year at the world famous Jaipur Literature Festival from 1st to 5th February exhibiting and selling our handmade products. This was our first outstation exhibition. Four of our women associates travelled to Jaipur by road to set up and manage our stall. The response was overwhelming. We got a lot of appreciation for the quality of our designs and products, and the cause behind our work.
We are glad to share with you that the children of our Center are continuing to grow wonderfully. They have become more responsible as individuals and have improved considerably in their studies; personal hygiene and discipline have also improved. The children have become calmer and more receptive to learning. Parents’ confidence in us has grown and more families want to send their children to us.
This year the women and artisans were trained in stock keeping, production planning and resource management. This has helped them considerably in understanding better the processes involved in their own work.
It was, over all, a very fulfilling year and we look forward to the future.
Geetanjali
Founder & CEO