Organization is like a human being, undergoes lifecycle changes, from infant to child, moving up as a teenager and developing into a mature adult. Samaj Vikas Sanstha as an organization is not an exception; it went through these changes and evolved into a big and mature organization. Over a decade of its existence, it has expanded its services into several spheres of the developmental activities to achieve its vision of sustainable development on a larger scale.
Now Samaj Vikas Sanstha is one of the leading non government organisation registered under the Act 21 of 1860 in Maharashtra, creating livelihood opportunities, striving for equal rights and participation of women, children, landless Dalits, Tribals and weaker sections of the society in the development process.
Since 1995, Samaj Vikas Sanstha has been passing through many phases of its growth and development in response to the challenges and issues. Each phase has involved a simultaneous process of reaffirming the founding vision of SVS: “Creating livelihood opportunities, striving for equal rights of women, children, landless Dalits, Tribals and weaker sections of the society in the development process”. Beginning with organizing women through SHG’s in 3 villages of Omerga Taluka, the developmental interventions of the SVS has now expanded over 100 villages of 4 Talukas in two districts (Osmanabad and Latur) of Maharashtra.
As the organization has passed through various challenges, it involved in became manifold which called for different sets of strategies, interventions and programmes. Under review of the developmental interventions/ programmes which the organisation implemented/involved includes: formation and strengthening of SHG’s, Income generation trainings, Goat Rearing Programme for SHG women, Promotion of Women’s Leadership, Propagation of Panchayatiraj Institution, Educational Development Programmes like Balwadis, Support Classes, strengthening of village education committees, advocacy and lobbying- highlighting the plight of government hostels for Adivasi, Tribals and Backward Students, Vatsalya Home for orphans and single parent children, and the initiative on “Liberating women from violence”.
Our efforts to help Lamani and Dalit population to become self dependent, educated and lead a life with dignity and honour is gradually yielding positive results. Programmes aimed at the socio-economic development of women have developed self confidence and integrity among the women and there is also considerable increase of interest in education amongst the children of the Lamanis and Dalits in the targeted areas.
Established in 1996, Samaj Vikas Sanstha (SVS), pursues the ideals of sustainable development for the benefit of local communities in Omerga, Lohara, Kallam, Tuljapur talukas in Osmanabad district and Nilanga taluka in Latur district of Maharashtra State, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and ethnicity.
It started its activities in a very limited way by working in 3 villages of Osmanabad District, Maharashtra State, in 1999. Encouraged by the support and the demand of the people, the activities of the organization spread, and today it works in 65 villages, apart from Omerga city.
Samaj Vikas Sanstha’s close encounter with the local communities for the past 10 years has given it a lot of insights into the basic problems of the people. This has prompted it to expand its activities into several spheres of the developmental services to achieve its vision on a larger scale – the vision of dynamic and vibrant village communities.
Mr. Bhoomiputra. Wag, who is the co-ordinator of the organization and its main inspiration, is a sincere and committed grass root social activist. “Marathwada Lok Vikas Manch” – was the launch pad of his social activism. He has been responsible for conducting village level awareness campaigns, street plays, organization of women, running credit societies etc. During and in the aftermath of Latur earthquake he was actively involved in relief and rehabilitation operations.
In 1999 he focused his attention to Omerga taluka, after seeing the plight of the poor, backward and tribal’s of the area, particularly Lamanis (a nomadic tribe) by forming the organization Samaj Vikas Sanstha. The holistic and integrated programme approach of the organization has caught the imagination of the people of the area and they are ever ready and pro-active to the suggestions, programmes and plans of the organization.
