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Volume-35

Communicate Minds
15th April 2006 FORTNIGHTLY

ADVISORS
Khirod Ch. Malick Pitabasa Sethi Jogeswar Majhi Makardhwaj Sahu Shiv Prasad Meher Aurobinda Mahapatra

BISWA STEPS THE RUNGS OF SUCCESS

Since, November 29, 2004, PlaNet Finance India together with ABN AMRO Bank launched the Microfinance Process Excellence Awards 2005 to promote process based management in microfinance institutions and strengthen their professionalism and effectiveness as also to establish quality benchmarks for the industry. The MPEA 2005 is the result of a careful year long analysis of the microfinance practices and institutional needs in India based on the experiences of the Award Partners and are expected to foster a culture of process management and improve the management MPEA-2006 This year BISWA is confered the Microfinance Process Excellence Awards 2006 in Fire category, for Eastern zone. The other participant states are West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh. Mr. K.C.Malick, Chairman, BISWA received the MPEA-2006 on 7th March, with a trophy & certificate in an august function at Garden of Seven Senses, New Delhi. It is really an honour for BISWA to win such an award; which will encourage the potentiality in its microfinance program. functions. The awards being in line with the UN International Year of Microcredit 2005s theme of building inclusive financial sectors for the poor will benefit the winning Microfinance Institutions as well as the sector at large. The Award Process would soon be launched in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The program aims at completing the Awards Process in each of the seven SAARC member countries in 2005 and then to evolve to a South Asian Regional level in 2006. Having proclaimed 2005 as the International Year of Microcredit and requested all stakeholders to significantly promote microcredit programs throughout the world especially during this period of time, the United Nations consequently fosters and gives enhanced recognition to the role of microcredit in the eradication of poverty, its contribution to social development and its positive impact on the lives of people living in poverty. Underlying the Year of Microcredit objectives is the ambition of uniting Member States, UN Agencies and Microfinance Partners in their shared interest to build sustainable and inclusive financial systems, promote and give momentum to sustainable microcredit and microfinance worldwide, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Awards are be given in three Categories i.e. Flint for young and emerging institutions, Flame for mid sized established institutions preparing for rapid growth phase and Fire for the large and established institutions setting scorching standards.
Continued on page-2

In this Issue...
Editorial MPEA-2006 Integrated approach towards health sector Other BISWA News

The Link
Chief-Editor Debabrata Malick Editor Guru Prasad Nahak

Contact :The Link BISWA At-Danipali P.o-Budharaja Dist-Sambalpur, PIN-768004 Tele fax- +91-663-2533597
Email:biswamalick@rediffmail.com

kc_malick@yahoo.com www.biswa.org

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Continued from page- 1

Microfinance Process Excellence Award 2006.

In addition with a view to aid in bringing regional equilibrium to the development of microfinance in India this year regional awards would be given in addition to National Awards. In all 18 awards would be given with 3 (Flint, Flame and Fire) at the national level and 15 (5 regions into 3) at the regional level. The main objectives of the award are * Assess and promote the contribution of microfinance and microcredit to the MDGs; * Increase public awareness and understanding of microfinance and microcredit as vital parts of the development equation; * Promote inclusive financial systems; * Support sustainable access to financial services, and * Encourage innovative and new partnerships by promoting and supporting strategic partnerships to build and expand the outreach and success of microcredit and microfinance. The award process was associated with a 4 days training programme. Six month back, a training was organized at Hotel Khitij Royale, Gurgaon from 21st to 24th November 2005. The participating organizations were categorized into three categories: FIRE, FLAME and FLINT according to their existing operational framework and as decided by the Jury appointed for the purpose. The training was conducted for the first two days by Sri Sivendra Singh, Head of PlaNet Finance in India and assisted by his colleague Mrs. Pritam Patra. The last two days were conducted by Mr. Bonam Srinivasan and Mr. T. Singh jointly. In the entire programme the following major topics were discussed such as what is quality, system, procedure & process, flow chart, identification of core and non-core processes existing in an organization, develop process map, introduce Visio software to develop maps. BISWA was represented by its Project Officer (mF) Mr. Ashis Kumar Sahoo, and Consultant Mr. Aurobinda Mahapatra. BISWA teamed with Mann Deshi Mahila Bank of Satara of Maharashtra in the group work. The process map designed by the team was presented jointly by Mrs. Rekha Kulkarni, CEO of Mann Deshi and Mr. Ashis K. Sahu of BISWA and it was highly appreciated by all.

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Reach out to un-reached sector & serving the unserved people is no doubt a Herculean task. When we speak about sustainable development, then it obviously means empowering the unprivileged people. In such a need based scenario microfinance is an effective system to fulfill the dreams. This system is in almost infancy in our state. So there is a large gap to be covered and a lot to be done in affectively implementing microfinance system for the benefit of needy people. BISWA has taken some affective steps in this direction. Since there are not many players to compete not only in the state but also in the whole of eastern zone of the country, so performance of BISWA in this field is lauded. The token of appreciation by PlaNet Finance India and ABN AMRO Bank for this performance in the shape of Microfinance Process Excellence Awards-2006 (MPEA) has come to BISWA this year. The other competitors of this zone are states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh. So it cannot be a mean achievement by BISWA, when it represent Orissa , which is identified as the most backward state of India. This small achievement may work as a moral booster for other players in the field of microfinance in Orissa. It is a good begining of course.

Integrated Approach towards Health Sector

Health is an important aspect of our life. If the health condition is good than the quality of life will be improved no doubt. The increased environmental pollution and population are the major causes of declining health conditions of mankind. Not only physical health but also there is an decrease in mental health condition could bother intelligentsia. The present need is to improve our health system & create awareness among the people towards the positive health. So, we could accomplish the great saying health is wealth. In this connection BISWA thinks about this & strides integrated approach towards healthy & wealthy life & particularly to provide the good health for the deprived. In the last decade BISWA has organized many health camps, RCH mela, create awareness campaign on health etc. BISWA has been implementing Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) program of Government of India through the Mother NGO, MY HEART of Bhubaneswar since 1999. The activities carried out in 10 Grampanchayat of Sambalpur district, covering a total population of more than fifty thousands. The main objective of the program is to Generate awareness regarding Ante-Natal & Post-Natal Care, RTI, STD & HIV/AIDS, decreasing infant & maternal mortality, decrease in Crude Birth Rate and increasing acceptance of contraceptive. BISWAs greatest achievement of implementing RCH & child health program is to drive out the fear of diseases from mind of the beneficiaries. It is a privilege that BISWA got the sanction for implementing the RCH phase II. BISWA also gave emphasis to establish Community Based Drug Distribution Centers (CBDs) under RCH program in Maneswar & Jujumora blocks of Sambalpur district. Many health & eye camps are being organized by BISWA to check on prevailing health disorders & generate awareness on healthy living, hygiene and sanitary practices. Recently, on the occasion of World Health Day 7th April, BISWA supported Nari Seba Sangha, a voluntary women organisation to organize a health camp at Sakhigopal Mandir, Sambalpur. Dr. Anil Mishra & Dr. Kalyan Gupta examined the patients in the camp. There were 135 patients treated by doctors and medicines were distributed to them at no cost on that occasion. On behalf of BISWA Sri S.S.Dalpat, District Coordinator, Sri Ajaya Badgayan, Area Coordinator, Sri Satrughana Swain, Area coordinator, Sri Bhawani Sankar Mishra, Program Manager participated in it. ***

PRIs SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP

In a democratic country like India, the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) plays a vital role in functioning the government. In this connection BISWA organized a sensitization workshop for PRIs members on 31st March, 2006 at Tampargarh GP, of Jujumura block with support from My-Heart, Bhubaneswar. The main objective of the workshop was to convince the PRI members in improving health & sanitation conditions, to establish Community Based Drug Distribution (CBD) centers in their villages. This workshop was inaugurated by Ms. Sabita Mirdha, Sarpanch, Tampargarh GP. Mr. Bhabani Sankar Mishra, Program Manager, coordinated the program on behalf of BISWA. Other PRI members of the locality were also participated in the workshop. ***

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RELIEF TO FIRE VICTIMS AT KANDHERIAPADA

An accidental fire broke out in the late evening of March 31st 2006, Friday at Kandheriapada near Jamtangi chowk in Boudh district, which rendered about 200 homeless after turning about 80 house roofs into cinder and ash. Sri S.Mishra, District Magistrate and Collector, Boudh rushed to the effected village the next day and extended all possible helps to the fire victims. The weather was just adverse then as the day was hot with a strong and harsh sunlight where as the night was unexpectedly chill. So it was a hard time for the poor homeless villagers to remain without any roof over their heads. Incidentally there is many an SHGs functioning and formed by BISWA in and around that village. Thus it was obvious that Sri D.C.Panigrahi, Boudh District Coordinator, BISWA rushed to the spot and to organize the expected relief works. Intervention in the shape of relief for the village converged from many quarters, on after the incident resulting the abundant supply of foods (rice & chuda), clothing (sari & dhothi) and roofing materials (polythene sheets) there, but none could think about the poor children. Who had also lost their personal belongings including clothing and study materials in that mishap. So it was an appropriate intervention by BISWA in shape of readymade dress for

PARTICIPATION

the victim children, as suggested by Mr. Panigrahi, after and in-depth study of the situation there at. Ultimately the relief for the children was distributed on April 3rd there at. Sri Shiv Prasad Meher, Public Relation Officer, BISWA, went there to supervise the relief distribution work. He met some prominent journalists of Boudh district on that occasion and discussed with them about ongoing activity of BISWA in that district. He also met the Collector that evening at his residential office and appraised him about various activities of BISWA in Boudh district. * * *

Mr. Bhabani Sankar Mishra, Program Manager, took active participation in a bicycle rally jointly organized by district administration & Red Cross Society, on 7th March on the occasion of World Health Day. Mr. Debadatta Singh, IPS, Superintendent of Police flagged up the bicycle rally. A welcome meeting was also arranged at the Collectorate at the end of the rally. Mr. Vishal Gagan, IAS, District Magistrate & Collector, joined there as the Chief Guest and Dr. R.C.Nanda, CDMO, Sambalpur presided over the meeting. Dr. Naryani Panda, Vice-Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, District Branch, Dr. Diptibala Pattnaik, Mr. Joy George, Honourary Secretary addressed the meeting. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr.B.S.Mishra, Joint CONGRATULATION Sri Duryodhan Mallik, got a promotion Secretary Indian Red Cross, District with the ushering new financial year. He Branch & Program Manager BISWA.

is promoted as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). Till now he was functioning as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the central office of BISWA. The change in the status came into being after an announcement made by Sri Khirod Chandra Malick, Chairman. He complimented the new COO for his new incumbency and said that his sincere and hard work has coveted him the new assignment. Reciprocating the compliments, Sri D.Mallik expressed his gratitude to all staffs for the achievement and said without their cooperation it would have not been possible.

ANC/PNC CAMP & ONE TO ONE COUNSELING CAMP Under the RCH-II program an Ante Natal Care & Post Natal Care & One to One counseling camp was organized by BISWA, at Lorabira village of Chhamunda GP of Jujumura block with the support from MY HEART, Bhubaneswar. The main objective of the camp was to create awareness among the participants about the Reproductive Child Health and Ante Natal & Post Natal Care. Mr. Sekhar Dalpat, District Coordinator welcomed the participants & Ms. Malaya Manjari Nanda, Health Worker illustrated about the aim & objective of the camp.

The Link BISWA At-Danipali P.O-Budharaja Dist-Sambalpur PIN-768004

91+663-2533597(O)

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Printed and Published by Debabrata Malick, Chief Editor. The Link, at BISWA Computer Section, Danipali, Budharaja, Sambalpur. PIN- 768004 Ph. No- 0663-2533597