The Parivartan Kendra Model

MSVS is successfully implementing a hexagonal model of development in the Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri resource regions on the west coast Maharashtra, its initial target area.

Parivartan Kendra (PK) Model of Development is a new concept in which the benefits of development reach not only to every village but also to the inhabitants of every hamlet (colloquially knows as a wadi). It aims at providing economic opportunities and sustainable livelihood to each and every villager at his place of residence itself and also works on the other developmental aspects like health and environment to make their life truly meaningful.

The PK model:

• Is evolved on the basic principles of equality, people's participation, co-operation, sharing, self contribution and area specific grassroots level planning linked to the development needs of the region. It helps in bringing about a link between grassroots level functionaries and community for better community participation.
• Helps in empowering the poor through advocacy, awareness generation and social mobilization. As a social animator and rural organizer, Parivartan Kendra will help the poor to form their own self help groups which will be stronger than an individual, economically and otherwise.
• Helps in taking advantage of the policies and programs implemented by the governments for economic betterment of the people.
• Acts as a permanent pipeline through which information about government schemes can reach the people and feedback from the people can reach the government.
• Helps in monitoring the proper implementation of government schemes in the villages

Premise

A basic premise of the model is that there are state or national level policies/schemes for promoting development of different sections of population/area and such other groups, and there are underutilized natural and human resources at the grass root; and it is required to introduce or create links between these two aspects. MSVS exerts to introduce cadre and institutions to develop the desired link. Its purpose is to generate income, create local opportunities and empower the community.

Organizational Structure

There are 1209 villages in the project area. The MSVS model revolves around a clearly defined organizational structure, which involves a network of 105 NGOs, each looking after the development of approximately 10 to 12 villages in its area of operation through a hub of activities called Parivartan Kendra or Transformation Centre.

Managed by a reputed NGO at the grassroots level, Parivartan Kendra acts as a facilitator for bringing together the minds and hearts of the people resulting in the progress of the individual and the society of which he/ she is a part. The structure seeks to effectively implement developmental schemes of various governments.

At the block level there is a committee, which is headed by a reputed NGO, and which has volunteers of all the six target groups. This committee coordinates the activities of the Parivartan Kendras in their area of operation. There are 10 such block level committees.

At the district level, MSVS as the mother NGO is the chief coordinating agency and implements the developmental initiatives through the 10 block level committees.

Diagram 1. Organizational Structure: Parivartan Kendra




Diagram 2. Block Level Coordination Committee




Diagram 3. District Level Co-ordination Committee



Each Parivartan Kendra is therefore a stand-alone structure but it also is a part of the overall picture of a network of 105 Parivartan Kendras. This gives it more strength and organizational support besides achieving a synergic addition of efforts.

Target Groups

The population has been divided into six target groups:

• Youth,
• Women,
• Fishermen,
• Farmers
• Retired defense persons, and
• Backward classes

Representatives of each target group have been identified at the level of each Parivartan Kendra to address the specific problems and needs of their own group. Such volunteers have also been identified in each village of a given cluster to protect the interest of their own target group.

Self Help Groups (SHG) for each target group have also been created in each village. SHGs are small informal associations of poor individuals known to each other who come together for a common collective purpose at village level and hamlets. It is an approach to involve poor people in the developmental process specially in making adequate facilities available to them, out of a self managed pool of money generated through their own savings. Thus, a SHG of each of the aforesaid groups coordinates the development work at the village level pertaining to their own group. For a holistic development of an individual, the PK model works through a hexagon of developmental focuses:

• Economic,
• Physical,
• Cultural,
• Socio-spiritual,
• Intellectual and
• Environmental development.

Activities

The existing well-knit structure and geographically well-dispersed NGOs provide an excellent mechanism for carrying out different activities. There may be an endless list of activities, but a few of the activities already underway for implementation at each Parivartan Kendra are:

• Gymnasium,
• Mobile library,
• STD-PCO facility,
• Internet kiosk,
• Community Toilets,
• First Aid Centre,
• Mobile Hospital,
• Health camps,
• Centre for complaint registration and problem resolving,

PK is also a place where government schemes meant for the six target groups are publicized, studies and its progress monitored. It is a facilitation centre, marketing hub, training centre; etc.