Navin Desai Memorial Fund

Shri Dorabjee Tata Trust Mumbai donated Rs. 4.95 lakhs (Appx $11,800) for conducting vocational training programme for poor boys and girls of the area around Navin Desai Residential School.  Accordingly a programme was conducted from 11 May 08 to 11 Jun 08 for 287 children above 16 years of age.  The children were given choice of discipline from amongst 11 different vocational training that was organized.

Mr. Ramesh Kacholia and myself visited the school from 02 to 04 June 2008 and were impressed by the training being imparted there.  The list of 11 disciplines is given at Annexure 1, along with names of the instructors.  Photographs of students undergoing training for some of the disciplines are placed at Annuxure 2.  Most of the instructors were practicing their vocations at Nagpur and were well qualified.  There were honorary volunteers from the area who gave their full time in administration of the training.  Photographs of these volunteers and some of the instructors are placed at Annexure 3.

The training consisted of lectures, giving notes and practical training in the morning hours followed by lunch for all students.  This was followed by a combined lecture in the afternoon by guest speaker on common subjects like Character building, quality of life, social service etc for 2 hours.  One such lecture by a renowned speaker was witnessed by the undersigned (Annuxure 4).  Evenings were spent in sports and physical training.  Nearly 120 children who came from far off villages stayed back at the school at night and were provided with dinner.

Some of the products made by students are shown in Annexure 5.  Arrangements are being made for their manufacture by the students who will be provided raw material procured centrally and their marketing through stores in Nagpur.  Some students who have been trained as electricians and fabricators are likely to be absorbed by the workshop and contractors in Nagpur.  They are being helped to find a place to stay in Nagpur.  Selected students trained in light motor vehicle driving will be given training as body guards in Bhosala Military School Nagpur to improve their job prospects. Some of them will also be assisted in future for training in heavy vehicles to get absorbed in the stone quarries.

The programme was highly successful and with active follow up, will result in finding gainful employment for these students.  Navin Desai Residential  School has received added reputation through this programme as an institution created for helping the needy people of the area selflessly.