Archbishop of Ranchi, Most Rev. Felix Toppo presided over the launching ceremony of Gram Nirman Second phase supported by Caritas Australia and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) at Ranchi, Jharkhand.

He said it is our explicit responsibility to reach out to the marginalized communities and uplift them for a better life by helping them to improve their economic and social life. He stressed getting prepared for Post Pandemic consequences and focusing on mitigating the ill effect of the pandemic by creating rural livelihood opportunities, promotion of progressive farming linked with markets, access to better health systems and development and wellbeing of youths etc.

Gram Nirman in its second phase aims to create a prosperous, harmonious, and resilient community that grows its assets collectively and sustainably. It also promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development by providing access to justice to all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

On 16th November  2021, 50 Gram Nirman staff members from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Delhi along with the programme support team from Caritas India Head Office and members from the Caritas India management team, attended the launching of the Gram Nirman Programme followed by staff orientation in Ranchi (Jharkhand) from November 17th to 18th 2021.

Bishop of Hazaribagh and the Chairman of Jharkhand Forum Most Rev. Anand Jojo addressed the participants and encouraged everyone to be more courageous and keep looking for chances and collaborate to work for the common good of the unprivileged.

“Solidarity, Social friendship and Social justice can bring change in the lives of people affected with different calamities,” shared Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India. He was speaking on the migration issue of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand emphasizing the reality of migration which cannot be put to an end but we together as a Church can put a safe trend to our migrant brothers and sisters.

Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director, Caritas India highlighted the ‘Perspectives & new Paradigm of promoting social work ministry in the Dioceses & Regions’. While interacting with Gram Nirman Team, he said that Joy of Service is the motto of Caritas India and he encouraged the Gram Nirman team to imbibe this thought in their lives and get involved in bringing change in the lives of people.

Mr. Glen Galstaun, Member of Legislative Assembly was also present for the regional assembly and shared his valuable thoughts with all present in the gathering. He said that Church needs to be more vocal and tell people what good works have been done for the people. He encouraged everyone to initiate dialogue with duty bearers without any hesitation.

The new phase of Gram Nirman started with the new approach of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), a new tool for participatory community development. Community educators during a sharing session expressed their experiences of the Gram Nirman programme design process. They said ABCD is a new practice in the village to identify their resources and make a plan to develop their village. ABCD exercise in the villages created an ambient of relationship and cooperation with each other. Sharing of thoughts, envisioning the future of the village collectively was new learning for the communities.

It is mentionable that Gram Nirman Phase II (2021-2026) is the culmination of all previous learning and insights gained throughout the implementation of Phase I, which took place between 2017 and 2020. Caritas India will work in 165 villages and 18 urban slums in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi during this phase. The program will support the inclusive socio-economic growth of marginalised and vulnerable populations, particularly tribal communities and people living with HIV and AIDS, to achieve wellbeing and harmony through dynamic participation in planning and decision-making processes.