Asha for Education

Project Brief: Nandlal Master is a grassroots social activist who has been working with the communities near Rajatalab, Varanasi since 1994. Most people in Rajatalab engage in Banarasi saree weaving to earn their livelihoods. In 1994, Nandlal started evening schools for
Project Type: Fellowships (description)
Primary Focus: creating resources (description)

Secondary Focus: children who are working

Area: Rural
Supporting Chapter Contact: Bangalore

Status: current / ongoing
Project Steward: Padmanava Sen
Project Partner(s): Nandlal Master
Other Contacts: Anjana Mohan
Project Address: , Lok Samiti Office,Nagipur,, Post Behinipur,
Uttar Pradesh  221307
Tel: 05422632433 9415300520
Stewarding Chapter: Bangalore

Nandlal Master is a grassroots social activist who has been working with the communities near Rajatalab, Varanasi since 1994. Most people in Rajatalab engage in Banarasi saree weaving to earn their livelihoods. In 1994, Nandlal started evening schools for the children, most of whom work to make sarees. At present, there are 10 night schools and 2 day schools that reach out to around 500 children. The schools are run under the name of an organization called Navjyoti Swavlamban Seva Sansthan and more information about the schools can be found on the NJSS project page.

In 1999, Nandlal and his colleagues founded Lok Samiti in Rajatalab. Lok Samiti has spread to 25 villages today and the various Lok Samiti groups focus on educating the people about their rights, raising awareness about problems specific to each village. They believe that to bring about economic, social and political change, groups like Lok Samiti need to act as watchdogs, demanding that their elected officials truly represent them. Lok Samiti raises awareness of social issues through the street play team, Kala Manch. Lok Samiti has also played an important role in the creation of 35 self-help groups for women.

After a Coca Cola plant started its extensive bottling activities in Rajatalab, the communities in the neighboring areas have been suffering from water shortages and health problems due to the harmful waste from the plant. Since 2003, Lok Samiti has been actively campaigning for control over its water. More details about this struggle can be found at: www.mehdiganj.org

Nandlal is also actively involved in the National Alliance for People's Movements (NAPM).

Dec 2021 Site Visit Report
Jul 2021 Proposal 2021-2022
May 2021 Annual Report 2020-2021
Mar 2021 Site Visit Report
Oct 2020 Progress Report
Jun 2020 COVID19 Response Report
Jun 2020 Annual Report 2019-2020
May 2020 Proposal Apr20 to Mar21
Mar 2020 Site Visit Report
Jul 2019 Asha USA Visit
Jul 2019 Proposal Aug19 to Mar20
Jun 2019 Annual Report
Aug 2018 Proposal Aug18 to Jul19
Jul 2018 Annual Report 2018
Jun 2018 Educational Visit 2018
Nov 2017 Visit by Padmanava
Sep 2017 Site Visit 2017
Jul 2017 Annual Report
Jun 2016 Annual Report (2015-2016)
Jul 2015 New Initiative Details (2015-2016)
Jun 2015 Annual Report (2014-2015)
Jul 2014 Annual Report (2013-2014)
Oct 2013 Report (August 2012 - October 2013)
Jan 2013 Public Information Center Launched
Jan 2013 Chance India half-yearly exam and results
Dec 2012 6 monthly report of activities of NJSS/Lok Samiti in Nagepur
Oct 2012 Chance India students program
Oct 2012 3 Day RTI program in Varanasi
Oct 2012 Chance India students celebrate Durga Pooja
Jul 2012 Fellowship Nomination - Gaurav Agarwal
Jul 2012 Application form to renew fellowship
Jun 2012 RTE conference in Varanasi
Jun 2012 Summer camp for adolescent girls
May 2012 Dowry-free weddings organized by Lok Samati
Mar 2012 Fellowship approval - chapter minutes
Sep 2011 Review of Fellowship Nandlal - 2011 - Part 2
Sep 2011 Review of Fellowship Nandlal - 2011 - Part 1
Sep 2011 Q&A - Chapter Meeting - Sep18 2011
Aug 2011 NREGA Baseline Survey Report - Part 2
Jun 2011 Kishori Kendra Summer Camp - 2011
May 2011 Community Marriage Program - 2011
Apr 2011 Fellowship Update - Apr 2011
Oct 2010 Q&A - Chapter Meeting - Sep26 2010
Oct 2010 Fellowship Update - Sep 2010 and Renewal
Sep 2010 NREGA Baseline Survey Report - 1
Sep 2010 NREGA Survey - District-wise charts
Jan 2010 Half yearly update - Jan 2010
Jul 2009 Half yearly updates - July 2009
Jun 2009 Summer Camp - Kishori Kendras
May 2009 Community Marriage Program - 2009
Mar 2009 Water Awareness Program and World Water Day
Feb 2009 Seminar: Water Scarcity and its Solutions
Feb 2009 NREGA Progress Report
Jan 2009 Bihar Flood Relief Work
Jan 2009 Half yearly updates
Dec 2008 School Update: Balmela and Tour
Jun 2008 Fellowship Review for 2008
May 2008 Community Marriage Program - 2008
Apr 2008 Site Visit Report - Santhosh
Mar 2008 Water Rights Conference
Jun 2007 Update: ASV Sewing Center
Jun 2007 Teacher Training: Jeevan Vidya Workshop
May 2007 Report on the community marriage
May 2007 Review of Nandlal's work - 2006 - 07
Apr 2007 Proposal for marriage assistance for poor families
Jan 2007 Site Visit Report - Gaurav
Jan 2007 Pictures from site visit - Gaurav
Oct 2006 Report on Jal Adhikar Yatra
Sep 2006 Update on Jal Adhikaar Yatra
Jul 2006 Report on 100 day protest
Jun 2006 Question and Answers on fellowship
May 2006 Nandlal Fellowship Application
May 2006 Fellowship Proposal - Asha Austin
May 2006 Nomination of Fellowship