Kawardha, Shyam Palace, March 8, 2025: The Bhuiyan – “Jimmewari aur Jatan” program was jointly organized by Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti and Samerth Charitable Trust with the primary goal of creating a platform for dialogue on community-led, all-inclusive landscape restoration based on the 4 Returns framework in Kabirdham district. The event brought together experts and distinguished guests from the fields of agriculture, environment, and social development, with the active participation of over 400 people from various communities across the district.
Distinguished Guests and Inauguration
Several esteemed guests graced the occasion, including:
- Dr. Ravi R. Saxena (Vice-Chancellor, MGUVV)
- Shashi Kumar (DFO, Kawardha)
- Vishnu Vaibhav Dwivedi (CTO, IIT Bhilai)
- Dr. Govardhan Bhatt (Asst. Prof., NIT Raipur)
- Abhishek Singh (SBC Specialist, UNICEF)
- Dr. N. Sarang (Associate Professor, Fisheries College, Kawardha)
- Akhilesh Dubey (Assistant Director of Agriculture, Kawardha)
- Dr. Shubha Banerjee (Asst. Prof., IGKV)
- Herma Rademaker & Shekhar Kolipaka (Commonland, Netherlands)
- Dr. B. L. Raj (CMHO, Kawardha)
- Isha Jhawar (CEO, Repeat Gud)
- Dr. Sanket Thakur (Agricultural Scientist & Researcher)
The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Krishna Shrinivasan, State Lead, Chhattisgarh, Samerth Charitable Trust. Following this, an introduction to the 4 Returns – PRERAK photo exhibition was presented, showcasing impactful community-driven efforts in landscape restoration.
Launch of Kavir Lab – A Milestone for Farmers
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of Kavir Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to empower local farmers. The lab integrates:
- Biotechnology for bio-input production
- A biofertilizer production training center
- A soil testing laboratory
- A behavior lab for farmer engagement
This initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem, improve soil health, and make farmers self-reliant by providing an innovative platform for knowledge-sharing, training, and research. Experts discussed the lab’s future role in community transformation and its long-term sustainability.
Cultural and Inspirational Sessions
The event featured a mesmerizing Baiga Dance performance by the Palak Baiga Nritya Group, reflecting the community’s deep-rooted connection with nature. Several inspiring change stories were shared by participants, including:
- Omprakash Chandrakar
- Kunti Bai
- Fagni Masram
- Sunita Chandravanshi
- Vijay Merawi
- Ballu Singh Baiga
These stories highlighted the positive impact of community collaboration and the 4 Returns-based interventions. Additionally, Isha Jhawar, a young entrepreneur and CEO of Repeat Gud, shared her inspiring journey of building a jaggery-based products business, motivating attendees.
Panel Discussions and Women’s Empowerment
The program hosted multiple panel discussions featuring experts who shared their insights on:
- Sustainable farming
- Water and environmental conservation
- Community development
A special dance drama on the role of women in society, performed by young girls from Kasturba Adivasi Vidyalaya, Kawardha, was a major highlight, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in rural areas.
Exhibitions, Awards & Stalls
Several stalls showcased innovative sustainable farming techniques, organic products, and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives, including:
- Kavir Kisan Stall
- Mental Health Stall
- Carbon Credit Stall
- Gender Transformation and Prerak Stall
Additionally, 25 participants of the PRERAK photo contest were felicitated with exciting prizes for their outstanding contributions.
Conclusion
The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Ravi R. Saxena and a vote of thanks by Rajnish Awasthi, appreciating the contributions of all guests, participants, and organizers.
Bhuiyan – “Jimmewari aur Jatan” proved to be a significant step in promoting sustainable farming, environmental conservation, and women’s empowerment. It successfully raised awareness and emphasized the collective effort required to ensure a better future for rural communities.
