#Jharkhand

Star Citizens

Jharkhand CID's New App Helps Arrest 365 Cyber Criminals!

In a bid to combat the rising wave of cybercrime, the Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has launched the 'Pratibimb' app. Can this innovative tool effectively track down criminals and bring them to justice? Since its launch on November 8, the app has proven instrumental in apprehending a staggering 365 cyber offenders in the state of Jharkhand alone. The 'Pratibimb' app provides law enforcement agencies with a comprehensive database of mobile numbers used by criminals and maps out the areas where they operate. This valuable information can be accessed by police authorities as needed, allowing them to take prompt action against cyber outlaws. According to Director General (CID) Anurag Gupta, the app has exposed that a significant number of cyber crimes originate from Jamtara in Jharkhand, followed by Mewat and Gurugram in Haryana, as well as 24-Parganas in West Bengal. The app has led to the seizure of 1,379 SIM cards and 932 mobile phones used for fraudulent activities, and the arrest of 365 cyber criminals. The success of 'Pratibimb' extends beyond Jharkhand, as police departments across the country have also embraced this powerful tool to apprehend cyber offenders. In 2021, the Indian cyber crime coordination centre (I4C) established a helpline number, 1930, to assist victims of financial fraud. By calling this helpline, individuals can report crimes and provide crucial information, including the mobile numbers used in the offenses. The collaborative efforts between I4C and Jharkhand CID have resulted in compiling the database of mobile numbers and their current locations on the 'Pratibimb' app. This data is shared with the respective Superintendent of Police (SP) and service providers, enabling the blocking of numbers and immediate action. With 365 cyber criminals already apprehended, 'Pratibimb' has proven to be a game-changer in the fight against cybercrime, and its implementation holds the potential to significantly reduce criminal activities in the digital realm.

28 Dec 2023

Star Citizens

Student Whistleblowers: How Students are Transforming Education in Simdega

In a remarkable display of determination and community spirit, students in Simdega district, Jharkhand, have taken on the role of mentors to drive up school attendance rates. Through a unique initiative called "Siti Bajao-Upasthiti Badhao," these young whistleblowers are making a significant impact on education in the region. Not long ago, Simdega struggled with low attendance, ranking 23rd out of 24 districts in Jharkhand. However, thanks to the efforts of these student mentors, the district has recorded an impressive 76% attendance rate in the last quarter, the highest across the state. Simdega, a remote and economically backward area, faced challenges in ensuring regular attendance due to factors such as poverty and illiteracy among parents. To address this, the district administration decided to reach out to the students rather than calling them to school. As part of the initiative, a group of active students were given whistles and tasked with waking up their peers by blowing the whistle near their homes. The impact of this initiative has been astounding. Students who rarely attended school now enjoy coming together in groups, fostering a sense of responsibility to bring others along. The student mentors, affectionately known as "Buddies," lead the way, encouraging everyone to join in the education journey. Teachers and officials have also played a vital role in supporting this initiative. Additional arrangements have been made, such as teachers going to different zones to bring children to school. The combined efforts of students, teachers, and the district administration have resulted in a significant increase in attendance, with some schools reporting attendance rates as high as 92%.

4 Oct 2023

Star Citizens

How a Young Bureaucrat's Initiative Changed the Face of Gumla District Forever

A district in Jharkhand known for its extreme poverty and Naxalite insurgency has become a case study in Harvard for its ragi revolution. Ragi, a type of millet, is helping to prevent malnutrition in the district, and a new agro-industry has emerged as a result of the initiative of a young bureaucrat, Sushant Gaurav. He aims to make Gumla the Ragi capital of eastern India, and his work in the district has been selected for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. Ragi cultivation was initiated with the procurement of high-quality seeds through the National Seed Corporation. From an initial cultivation of Ragi in 1,600 acres, it was increased to 3,600 acres with a 300% net output increase. Gumla’s economy was once based on rice, but now, Ragi Laddus, Bhujia snacks, and flour are produced, which are rich in protein, calcium, and iron, and help to battle malnutrition and anaemia. Ragi processing centres, owned and operated by only women, ensure daily production of one tonne of Ragi flour, 300 packets of Ragi Laddus, and 200 packets of Ragi snacks under the brand Johar Ragi. The laddus made of Ragi are being provided to children to fight malnutrition, along with ‘saag and vegetables’ from identified 52 types, mainly moringa powder and curry leaves in mid-day meals to boost nutrition at a very affordable cost. Avinash Kumar, Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow, Ministry of Skill Development, Government of India, presented a case study at Harvard Business School on behalf of the deputy commissioner, and the institute is doing a case study on the Gumla model. It will be circulated among international business schools and will be used for training bureaucrats. The success story of the production, procurement, and processing of Ragi has spread, and more and more people have come forward to cultivate the grain. The district aims to transform from an aspirational district to a transformational and inspirational one. The success of agriculture, from farm to fork, will be the priority, and Gumla is set to become the Ragi capital of the whole eastern India.

25 Apr 2023

Star Citizens

The Incredible Journey of the Woman Who Dug 93 Ponds and Empowered 2,000 Women in India's Maoist Heartland

Anyone who believes in the power of grit and perseverance should find great inspiration in Akli Tudu's life. This 35-year-old woman from the Maoist stronghold of Gudabandha in Jharkhand, India, was abandoned by her husband and threatened by Maoists. She has accomplished a feat that has won her accolades far and wide. When Akli’s husband deserted her, she returned to her maternal home and with her inner strength and confidence she integrated over 2,000 women from 120 villages and helped them become financially independent. She also played a crucial role in getting nearly 100 ponds constructed and over 1,159 ponds revived by lending technical know-how to farmers and involving village women in the tasks. She had to face several challenges, though, and her journey was not easy. The Tagore Society visited Akli's hamlet in 2012 to organize self-help organizations. Due to the effects of water scarcity on farmers, she joined the group and later dabbled in irrigation. But, Maoists who were opposed to her efforts threatened her life when she sought assistance with irrigation facilities. Notwithstanding these obstacles, Akli set up a trust and got financing for pond construction from CINI and the Tata Steel Foundation. Her work has had a good impact in Gudabandha, which was once a Maoist-affected region before she started working on pond-based integrated farming systems. She took on the Maoists on her own to make village women financially independent. Akli, who serves as the chairperson of APC Gharanj Lahanti Mahila Utpadak Producer Limited Company, has aided farmers in raising their revenue by buying their goods in bulk and reselling them to consumers. According to their contributions, the profit is divided among the women, and on average, ladies make close to Rs15,000 every month. Akli's work has not gone unnoticed, and she has received several awards, including the Social Award, Women Entrepreneur Farmer Award, Water Champion Award, and Best EPC Award from NABARD. Akli's work has truly made a difference, and she has set an example for everyone who believes in empowering women and improving the lives of farmers. Her journey is nothing short of a superhero film, and we can all learn from her determination and perseverance.

10 Mar 2023

Star Citizens

From Medical Officer to Linguistic Trailblazer: Narayan Oraon’s Journey To Preserve Adivasi Languages

A young Adivasi doctor called Narayan Oraon paid his friend Vinod Kumar Bhagat a visit one evening in 1993 at a hostel in Ranchi. During these years, the campaign for Jharkhand's separation from Bihar was rapidly gaining ground. Communities of Adivasis in the area, who had long faced social, economic, and cultural discrimination in their own state, were calling for the creation of a separate state where their rights would be protected. Oraon's friend Bhagat was a student leader and one of the most passionate supporters of the Jharkhand movement. During their conversation, Bhagat shared his doubts about the movement's purpose, questioning whether it would truly change anything in their society. But as the two friends talked, Bhagat came to a realization: if the movement could preserve the unique culture and languages of the Adivasi communities, then it would be a true success. This insight inspired Oraon to dedicate himself to developing a script for his own community's language, Kurukh. Despite having no formal training in linguistics, Oraon worked tirelessly to create a script that would honor the traditions and unique features of Kurukh. He named it Tolong Siki, after a traditional garment worn by men in Adivasi communities, and the script's design was inspired by the way the garment was wrapped. For a decade, Oraon worked on developing Tolong Siki in his free time, while also working as a medical officer for the government. His dedication paid off when eventually the Jharkhand government officially recognized Tolong Siki as the official script for the Kurukh language. Oraon's achievement was a rare feat, even for linguistic scholars. He had become a crucial figure in the history of Kurukh culture, following in the footsteps of other trailblazers who developed scripts for their own communities. With Tolong Siki, Oraon had helped to ensure that the Adivasi communities' unique languages and cultures would be preserved for generations to come.

16 Feb 2023

Star Citizens

Stories of Joy and Sorrow: How Block-level Clubs in Jharkhand Help the Elderly Deal with Loneliness

Narayan Poddar, a sixty-year-old man, looks upon a group of attentive students. Taking them back sixty years, he begins to tell them stories of his days as a student. His audience is the Jamtara Deputy Commissioner, Faiz Ahmed Mumtaz, who is listening with rapt attention. Mumtaz has been instrumental in setting up block-level clubs in each of Jharkhand’s six blocks. Through these clubs, the elderly can spend time together and share their sorrows and joys. Poddar, the president of the elders club in Narayanpur block, is one of the many who benefit. About 10% of Jharkhand’s population (nine lakh) is over the age of sixty. With these clubs, the elderly can engage in activities like reading, playing board games and watching television, combatting loneliness and sharing stories. Mumtaz’s efforts were recognized and he was awarded The Indian Express Excellence in Governance Awards. The biennial awards recognize the outstanding work done by District Magistrates, men and women who are regarded as the backbone of the government and who direct change that affects the lives of countless people all over the nation. The cost of renovating each building for the club was 3-3.5 lakhs, with other amenities such as TVs and refrigerators being crowd-sourced. Each of the 25 members at the Narayanpur club takes on the responsibility to maintain the club. While some people clean, others water the plants, and some people, like Poddar, chat with the occasional visitor. They all have stories to tell, which is something they have in common. Poddar remarks, “I talk to my friend. I try to understand what his faith is. He tries to understand mine.” The block-level clubs in Jharkhand are a gift of togetherness, bringing the elderly out of loneliness and offering them a platform to share their wisdom and experiences.

7 Feb 2023

Star Citizens

How an Ex IAS Officer Saved a Tribal Community From Becoming Extinct

The Sabar tribe residing in Jharkhand is one of the most primitive and endangered tribes in India. The British due to some reason had named them as one of the 68 de-notified languishing communities and also designated them as criminals. As a result, the indigenous people were abandoned and they somehow managed to survive with the meager forest resources and donations. While the tribe seemed to be on the brink of extinction, former IAS officer, Suchitra Sinha took notice and devoted her energies to helping them lead decent lives. She realized that they had excellent weaving skills and could weave brooms and baskets from kanji grass, palm, date, and bamboo plants. The tribals would sell them and earn barely Rs 2000 a month. Seeing their plight, Suchitra ensured that funds are released under the tribal schemes to enable them to earn a livelihood through food, poultry, and other means. She encouraged them to continue weaving baskets and also helped them exhibit their products at popular exhibitions as well as the International Trade Fair. The tribal’s efforts paid off as demand for their products grew. Suchitra arranged to train the tribals and now these artisans could make over a hundred items paper holders, files, bags, and more. To give a further thrust to the artisans, she formed an NGO Ambalika in 2002 to promote their work. Thanks to her efforts, the artisans now earn around Rs 8000 every month. Their products are also available online on Amazon and the Ambalika website under the brand name Kraftribe. Suchitra Sinha, through her relentless efforts, helped to render a life of dignity for the tribals whose survival itself was in jeopardy.

19 Dec 2022

Star Citizens

Positive Reads

Jharkhand's "Operation Salvage Ultra-poor" Empowers Thousands to Escape Extreme Poverty

In a pioneering effort to combat extreme poverty, the Jharkhand State Livelihoods Promotion Society (JSLPS) has launched "Operation Salvage Ultra-poor." This ambitious project, implemented under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), aims to empower around 4,000 ultra-poor families in Jharkhand to break free from the shackles of destitution. Living in abject conditions with limited skills and little or no productive assets, these families are trapped in a cycle of unpredictable wages and social isolation. The Ultra Poor Graduation Approach in Jharkhand (UPAJ) identifies these vulnerable households, providing them with a comprehensive support system over three years. The project encompasses a range of interventions, including supporting livelihood activities such as chicken farming, goat farming, and kitchen gardening. Additionally, the families are connected with government welfare schemes, provided with financial assistance, and receive five-month consumption support. With an investment of Rs 20,000 per household, Jharkhand's Operation Salvage Ultra-poor demonstrates a steadfast commitment to uplift the most vulnerable sections of society, offering them a pathway to a more secure and prosperous future.

7 Sep 2023

Positive Reads

Gumla's Silent Revolution: Ragi Cultivation Transforms Lives of Farmers

Gumla, a former Maoist hotbed in Jharkhand, is experiencing a remarkable transformation as thousands of farmers embrace the cultivation of Ragi, a crop once considered worthless. This silent revolution has been made possible by the district administration's initiative, led by former deputy commissioner Sushant Gaurav, which distributed free high-quality Ragi seeds to over 25,000 farmers, covering 30,000 acres of land. The outstanding success of this endeavor earned Gumla the prestigious 'Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration.' Previously reliant on rain-fed one-crop agriculture focused on paddy, Gumla's economy has now shifted to cultivating high-quality Ragi on a vast scale. Ragi-based products such as laddoos, bhujia, mixture, and flour have contributed to addressing malnutrition issues as Ragi is rich in protein, calcium, and iron. Remarkably, Ragi processing units are exclusively owned and operated by self-help groups (SHGs) of women, churning out daily productions of one tonne of Ragi flour, 300 packets of laddoos, and 200 packets of snacks under the brand 'Johar.' Guidance and support were provided to the farmers at various stages of cultivation, with the produce collected from 17 centers and transported to Ragi processing centers equipped with machines of varying capacities. The sudden surge in demand for Ragi prompted the procurement of 50 tonnes of high-quality Ragi seeds from Karnataka, which were distributed among the farmers and sown across 3,600 acres of land the following year. This remarkable success in Gumla's Ragi cultivation is seen as a self-sustaining model and has led to the establishment of the first Ragi processing center in Jharkhand. Ragi-based products not only address malnutrition and anemia but also offer a lucrative income source for farmers, with the cultivation area expanding from 1,500 to 3,500 hectares. Gumla's silent revolution in Ragi cultivation is poised to become a thriving business model for the entire country, setting an inspiring example of agricultural transformation and rural empowerment.

9 Aug 2023

Positive Reads

Good News

Jharkhand's Gumla Sets a Historic First with State-Owned Library Exclusively for Women

Gumla, a town in the Indian state of Jharkhand, has set up a first-of-its-kind library exclusively for women to help them prepare for competitive examinations. The library is self-sustaining and free from government interference. The facility is named after Savitri Bai Phule, the country's first woman teacher and social worker. It has a sitting capacity of 400 women at a time and will be managed by a steering committee with members from within the society. The library is equipped with all basic facilities like free Wi-Fi and computer systems along with books on various subjects, helpful for all types of competitive examinations. It has around 7,000 books related to competitive exams and various professions and eight computers. Students can sit in the library for 13 hours continuously and study. According to Gumla Deputy Commissioner Sushant Gaurav, the decision was taken considering the necessity to provide women with a space in which they can prepare fearlessly for competitive examinations and excel in their careers. "Motivational classes will also be conducted in the library, which will focus on girls. They will also be trained on issues like menstrual hygiene, anaemia, etc.," said the DC. The library has been started only for girls to give them a comfortable environment and help them make their dreams come true. It has three group discussion rooms. Free Wi-Fi will be made available to the girls with a minimum speed of 100 Mbps along with a 24-hour electricity supply with solar backup. As a beacon of progress, this initiative in Gumla serves as an inspiration for other communities to create inclusive spaces, empowering women to chase their dreams and chart their own path to success.

27 Jul 2023

Good News

Know How This DFO Helps To Conserve Birds by Finding Their Names

Every year, a large number of birds migrate to Jharkhand including Jamtara from the Himalayan area and Central Asia. However, due to a tradition of bird hunting and poachers who hunt birds for food, the birds frequently fall victim to poachers and local villagers. The dwindling number of birds became a cause of worry for Ajinkya Bankar, the DFO for Jamtara who came up with a novel way of protecting them. To safeguard the feathered creatures, he began a mission to identify birds and give them their traditional names so that locals could relate to them. Additionally, it was found that using the birds' traditional names rather than their English or zoological ones was more appealing to the locals. Therefore, the DFO with the assistance of local teachers, Van Samiti members, and members of the forest service in the district put together a list of birds with their traditional names. In addition, they have planted more than 35 species of trees, which is a natural habitat for birds. It was a tradition in the tribal society to carry slingshots to hunt birds. These were seized by the forest officials as another step towards protecting birds. All these efforts soon bore fruits. When birds were called by their traditional names, locals started correlating them with their culture. Gradually, the hunting of birds came down significantly. People stopped killing the birds as they could now identify them with their own culture and society.

8 Nov 2022

Good News

Wanderlust

The Scenic Wonderland Which Gives the Best Sight for a Sunrise and Sunset

Netarhat in Jharkhand has emerged as a hot spot for tourism in recent years. Located at an altitude of 4,000 feet above sea level, this quaint hill station is often referred to as the 'Queen of Chotanagpur'. With its picturesque landscape, pleasant climate, and lush green forests, Netarhat has become a favorite among travelers who seek to escape the chaos of city life. One of the main attractions of Netarhat is its magnificent sunset point, which offers a stunning view of the horizon. Tourists can also visit the Upper Ghaghri Waterfall, located just a few kilometers from the town, to experience the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Netarhat is also known for its unique flora and fauna, which includes several species of rare and endangered birds. Apart from its natural beauty, Netarhat has a rich cultural heritage as well. The town is home to several ancient temples, such as the Mahadev Temple and the Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir. The Netarhat Vidyalaya, which was established in 1954, is one of the most prestigious schools in the country and has produced several notable alumni. The Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) has been working to promote Netarhat as a tourist destination, and has developed several facilities to cater to the needs of visitors. The JTDC operates several guest houses and resorts in the area, which provide comfortable accommodation to tourists. The local administration has also taken steps to improve the infrastructure, including the construction of new roads and the upgrading of existing ones.

14 Mar 2023

Wanderlust