SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES AND MINORITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
The organization has been striving to ensure the all-around development of SC/ STs and minorities. To achieve the said objective, the organization had gone into various programmes and initiatives for them. Special training programs on skill and trade development had been organized in order to help them become economically independent. Besides these awareness camps on health, literacy and income generation programs have been taken up from time to time. Health education on family welfare was organized for Muslim communities to bring them in conformity with small family norms. The concept was duly accepted by the members of these communities and was reflected in the increase in sterilisation operations by the members of these communities.
Socio-economic development program for the women of ST communities: In 5 GP of Khurda block of Khurda district, special programmes have been taken up to ensure the development of tribal women. Awareness generation, village meetings, formation of groups and organizing training programs were done to achieve the said objective.
Protection of Local culture — IYS realise the fact that, owing to globalisation, the tribal culture is badly affected and in many areas it is actually losing its original essence. IYS makes constant efforts to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the tribal people. It takes special care to see that its initiatives are properly informed and are in accordance with the cultural norms of the area. Cultural teams formed with the initiative of the project play crucial roles in disseminating information and knowledge on issues relating to development and social change. As part of its efforts to promote folk culture, IYS has helped people to form two new cultural groups this year. The groups include the women’s palla team and a dance group. The program conducted by the Palla team concentrated on the 3-tier Panchayati Raj System, on strengthening the role of Panchayat Sabha and Gram Sabha. The dance team made efforts to revive their culture. The old general cultural group organized shows that focused on local issues such as alcoholism, education, exploitation, saving habits and superstitious beliefs. In addition to giving cash incentives for organizing cultural shows, the project provided the groups with various materials. Altogether 6 street plays were organized and were observed by around twelve thousand village people.