Udayani Social Action Forum

Udayani never had a place of its own till 1998, no name of its own till 2000. But Udayani was involved in the works of empowering the rural people of West Bengal in its limited capacity.

Presently Udayani emphasises on People's Empowerment, with a special focus on the tribals, dalits, rural and urban poor especially the neglected women, youth and children.

Udayani believes and promotes People's Movements for Liberation. The unique method of empowering the poor and the marginalised is through people's cultural media, such as, music, dance, drama and other forms which often express their hidden agonies and struggles.

The activities of Udayani and its extension centres aim towards a Collective struggle for Liberation of the marginalised.

The Present Head office of Udayani

Cheerful Santhal Children

The Priority Groups and involvement areas among them are:

Child Education:

• Primary education and mainstreaming of drop-outs
• Skill and vocational training
• Value and Culture based education
• Formal education of the children of prisoners inside and outside the correctional homes

Women Empowerment:

• Formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs)
• Issue based Awareness Generation Programmes (AGP)
• Income Generation Programmes (IGP)
• Forming Mahila Mandals
• Issue based actions in the villages

Youth Animation:

• Building village Youth Peace Clubs (YPC)
• Capacity building
• Social Awareness Programmes
• Issue based collective action
• Natural Resource Management

Joyful learning class for children

Udayani delegates participating in Indian Social Forum, Delhi

Youth Training in progress

To empower the above priority groups, Udayani uses the following means -

Training:

Ø Teaching Methodology especially Skill Targeted Academic Growth (STAG) method of Education and other Joyful Learning
Ø Skills Training
Ø Revival of folk, tribal music, dance and cultural richness
Ø Health, leadership, legal, social, cultural and other awareness trainings to enhance their functioning

Counseling:

Ø Individual and group counseling
Ø Family visits and case studies of correctional home inmates
Ø Legal assistance to the needy prisoners
Ø Therapeutic activities – through songs, dance, group work etc.
Ø Rehabilitation of neglected persons from the prisons

Exposures/Networking:

Ø Celebrations such as Children’s Day (Anandamela), Women’s Day, Santhal Hul etc.
Ø Exposure visits to places of importance – Historic, Scientific, Cultural etc.
Ø Networking with local, governmental, NGOs, National and International forums (Indian Social Forum, World Social Forum etc.)

Workshop on 'Humane approach to Prison' for the staff of Presidency Corre. Home

The Counsellors talking to an inmate in PCH

The slum children enjoying an educational tour to Science City