Dr. Nirupma Deshpande

Understanding the importance of self-reliance to develop the society, Dr. Nirupama Sunil Deshpande established the Sampoorna Bamboo Centre in the Amravati district of Melghat, Maharashtra. This provided employment to the youth from the tribal community. Dr. Deshpande Ji asserts that it was not easy for her to move towards self-reliance. There was a linguistic barrier while working for tribal self-sufficiency. Additionally, the languages of the tribal communities were different and their traditions too were different. In due time the institution gradually facilitating trust building. Due to a lack of faith, some people of the village used to obstruct the work of the institution. However, when they realised the importance of the institution, they also started supporting it.

Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra (SBK) has been working in Melghat (Amravati district of Maharashtra) since 1995 with the objective of providing employment to local youth on the basis of bamboo. Further, the Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra (SBK) started a training programme, production activities and promoted artisan cooperatives for marketing products. Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra (SBK) developed various aspects of the bamboo sector, involving the construction and design of low-cost bamboo housing ranging from artisan skill upgradation to marketing of bamboo handicraft products. Vishwakarma Vidyalaya was established for various employment from bamboo through Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra. The underlying objective is training and skill upgradation in the Melghat tribal area, an interior region of Maharashtra to create environmentally friendly and sustainable rural employment where no such training exists. The generated employment takes advantage of both, local renewable materials as well as local manpower. Therefore, India’s youth is employed in a responsible manner, and a kind of environment is bred. The entire Bamboo Centre in the Melghat area started favourable work along the same lines.

More than 4500 youth has been imparted training in the art of Bamboo work in Melghat by Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra. Also, the institution has formed 251 self-help groups in Melghat. Currently, efforts for women employment are being undertaken. The institute has made bamboo bathrooms considering female health issues. For the development of children, Lok Kala Sanskar Camp is also organized every year in village Jnanpith.

EFFECT OF WORK DONE BY THE INSTITUTION ON SOCIETY

The tribal women and artisans have received employment from multiple homes in their village. Constant work is being done for the cultural enhancement of the tribals. About 2000 women in the 252 groups have been associated with this work by self-help savings group. Regular savings are being made by women and new bank accounts have been opened. Apart from this, they have also obtained loans. Women have become self-reliant and they have also discontinued taking money from the moneylender.

Instead of having only formal relations with her companion women, Dr. Nirupama Deshpande Ji has intimate feelings and takes care of each other in every happiness and sorrow. Owing to this mutual bond, she effectively collaborates with women Shakti Sanstha and is continuously furthering their strength and economic independence. Dr. Nirupama Deshpande Ji has been awarded several awards for her incomparable contribution which has been registered for women empowerment and self-sufficiency through the institution.

In continuation with this, to further encourage the efforts of Dr. Nirupama Sunil Deshpande Ji in the social sector, Sant Eshwer Foundation has honoured her with Sant Eshwer Varisht Award for the year 2021.