Promoting ‘Manav Dharma’ (The religion of humanism) figures majorly in FMF’s agenda. We have already put in our appeal to the post & telegraphs department Government of India for bringing out a stamp on Manav Dharma with Fakir Mohan’s picture and name. This is under process & would need your patronage for it to happen. We have a logo prepared on the theme and we would be treating it as our event logo hereafter for all our events, besides using the main FMF logo.
The foundation proposes to carry out its work under three
categories or
wings of FMF, viz Language & Culture, Socio-Economic Development and
need Education for Empowerment. The
issue of language is uppermost on the FMF agenda.
Propagation of the Odiya language through ‘Make Books Your Best
Friends’ and other
Programmes:
The foundation believes that once the basics of existence are taken care of rest
falls into place and
among the basics are language, culture and heritage & environment. The Fakir
Mohan Foundation (FMF)
has various things as its mission, but the language issue is uppermost on its
agenda especially in the
context of Odisha. In order to understand and connect to one’s roots and
heritage it is imperative to
understand one’s mother tongue. The use of English and Hindi have to be there
due to many reasons other
than reasons which are market driven, but to nourish the inner core of humans,
promoting the use of
regional languages is important and seems to be the call of the day.
Incidentally statistics says
globally one language dies every fifteen days.
In view of the dying use of the regional language amongst the younger generation in particular, FMF wishes to launch a movement to encourage children to take more interest in the Odiya language- their mother tongue. Quiz competitions will be designed and other games around the Odiya language will be organized with special focus on Vyasa Kavi Fakir Mohan Senapati’s literary works. The idea is to familiarize children with the richness that exists in our literature, culture & heritage. Knowledge about Odisha also would also be woven around the quiz programmes in the proposed design. In order to motivate children prizes would be awarded. Free counseling will be provided regarding how the youth can nurture/cultivate their interest in so far as language, literature & culture etc are concerned.
This program/ movement will cover many places/schools pan Odisha. the The resource such and ban persons would be drawn from various prestigious organizations like NCERT, business, learn Delhi university, Jamia Millia and many other renowned organizations of Odisha and Delhi. ‘Siddhi Organization of Bhubaneswar, Odisha’ which is doing commendable job and is also into research and surveys concerning the use of language and general literacy will be joining hands with us in doing the needful regarding the language issue.In due course we are hopeful that many helping hands from the civil society would be forth coming to promote this endeavour and in due course of time further momentum would be gathered. This could probably be a flagship movement for other regions of India to follow or it could just add value to similar programs that might be existing at other places.
The Human Development Dutta scientist Ministry has in its programme was pipeline the library scheme to reach most villages of India. FMF is seeking association with this movement and extend its reach to the elderly and the unemployed. FMF would also like to launch a Pustkalay Andolan in collaboration with various other NGOs. measures This movement will be titled ‘Make Books Your Best Friends’. So far as the use of the regional language Odiya is concerned studies conducted by a premier organization ACER reveal that only 34% are into the use of the regional language. So, promoting the language is rather imperative.
We are also pursuing with National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) to include in their syllabus the writings of Fakir Mohan Senapati. We have applied to the head of the organization to this effect. We also plan holding book reading sessions in future on Fakir Mohan’s novels and short storiRoutes. We have spoken to PengofuFakirin and Harper Collins for the purpose and they have evinced interest in thTomeAlter, matter.
Culture & heritage
Under this wing we plan to revive the dying arts and bring about awareness
among the
youth regarding their culture and heritage. Under this we plan to mobilize
retired professors and
committed researches from India and abroad to deliver lectures in schools
and colleges on a voluntary
basis.
American Institute of Indian Studies
(AIIS)has agreed to route through Fakir Mohan
Foundation (FMF) serious researchers from USA
and other places, who are desiroulso spoke as of working on themes concerning Odisha,
its culture and heritage andoccasion.
Workshops on Manav Dharam
The envisaged Workshop is based on the premise that Literature plays an
important role in
building and promoting values, beliefs and opinions in society. The focus is
intended to be a critical
understanding of literature with special referen ce to Fakir Mohan Senapati and
its message, using multiple
methodologies and pedagogical tools beyond lectures to presentations, screening
relevant short films with an
interactive discussion woven around it, Buzz and larger group discussions, role
play, panel discussions, and
other interactive exercises like Brain storming, LCD and OHP Presentations,
group activities etc.
Oriya Music and Dance- Baithaks and Lecdems
Music and dance are an expression of the lyrics of Fakir Mohan Senapati’s
works which
transcend the mundane to the aesthetic and express all ranges an d categories of
human emotion. The Writer
has given a voice and expression to emotional trials and tribula tions. Baithak
style informal music
gatherings and lecture demonstration are proposed to explore and contextualise
Fakir Mohan Senapati’s
works.
Daya River cleanup program initiative of
FMF
The Daya River cleanup program initiative of FMF is in collaboration with Rivers
of the World Foundation
(ROW) and BISWA (Bharat Integrated Social Welfare Agency) of Bhubaneswar. Under
this program Dr. Subijoy
Dutta scientist from ROW, Maryland, accepted our request to conduct a test on
some of the rivers of Odisha
and in particular the Daya river. In April, 2011, on the occasion of the Earth
Day a successful
Sensitization programme on the banks of Daya river near Bhubaneswar Odisha, was
undertaken. UNDP state
programme Officer Mr. Ambica Prashad Nanda, Mr. Dilip Routrai, senior official
from Bhubaneswar Municipality
Commission Director Biswa, Mr. Prafulla Dhal, Prof. Monica Das from Delhi
University and many others had
attended the function and also addressed the villagers in the local lingo. The
river bed was cleaned up and
FMF Members joined hands in picking up the garbage from and around the river.
The gloves and garbage bags
were sent by ROW, Maryland USA.
State Head UNDP, Odisha Dr. Ambika Nanda praised the above initiative, suggesting carrying forward the campaign to all rivers of Odisha. He further suggested strengthening the campaign with the help of civil society, Government and other agencies like UNDP. He stressed the role and participation of the community & women groups in this campaign and he hoped that it would change the situation considerably. Dr. Monica Das suggested some important points for the sustainability of the campaign. I) Steps should be taken to intensify the campaign. II) Plans should be in place for carrying it forward so as to cover all the rivers of Odisha. III) To chalk out a structured program. IV) Political will needs to be stimulated by motivating public opinion. V) “Gender representation in the campaign is of utmost importance”, she said. “Both women & men especially from the younger generation need to be closely involved in this movement in order to make a dent on the problem.”
Dr. Monica Das suggested some important points for the sustainability of the campaign. I) Steps should be taken to intensify the campaign. II) Plans should be in place for carrying it forward so as to cover all the rivers of Odisha. III) To chalk out a structured program. IV) Political will needs to be stimulated by motivating public opinion. V) “Gender representation in the campaign is of utmost importance”, she said. “Both women & men especially from the younger generation need to be closely involved in this movement in order to make a dent on the problem.”
Seminar on Yamuna River
Seminar on Yamuna River, was organised by FMF at the National Foundation of
India, IHC, in
November 2011. Dr. Subijoy Dutta from Rivers of the World Foundation, Maryland,
USA presenting his study.
Among others who attended were Mr. Arya, Director, Jal Board, Mr. Vineet Narayan
(activist) - seen in the
picture.
Book Reading
The intertextuality of fiction and life is sought to be explored through the
envisaged Book Readings on
the myriad genre of Fakir Mohan Senapati’s works .
Panel Discussions on Fakir Mohan
Senapati
The complex nature of issues dealt with in Fakir Mohan Senapati‘s works, is
going to be explored by FMF
through interactive panel discussions, especially in the context of :
• Intersection of Caste and Class
• Representation of Women
• Other– Vernacular Texts
Workshops On Writing
Skills
FMF also intends to have workshops on writing skills by deconstructing the
myriad nature of Fakir Mohan
Senapati’s plays, essays, short stories, novels etc
These activities are being planned in collaboration with universities in
Delhi; Sarojini Naidu Centre
for Women’s Studies, Jamia Milllia Islamia, New Delhi, Delhi University (and
its various Colleges)
Literature and Languages Departments, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Guru
Gobind Singh University &
IGNOU amongst others to explore the gender quotient in academics.
Seminar on the Issue of Underage
Marriages
The issue of rising underage marriages and its concomitant bigamy, both of
which have an adverse effect
on socio-economic factors and eventually in some way on the Human
Development Index (HDI) and Gender
Development Index (GDI) is also sought to be explored.
FMF intends to take up the issue of child labour from a cultural perspective. Much has been voiced and aired on the topic of child labour but it has been reduced to just some laboured lamentation. It is time that we revisit the issue and see it through the cultural lens. It would serve the twin objectives of having a cultural continuity along with economic regeneration with a difference. The idea should be not to condemn child labour as such and ban it outright instead to be pragmatic enough to put it in the right perspective. What is proposed here is that children of artisans, weavers, potters and craftsmen can be encouraged to be engaged in the family business, learn the traditional skills in the secure confines of their home & in due course carry forward and enhance these traditions over time.
FAKIR MOHAN FOUNDATION Regd. Off. : 305, Nilgiri Apartment, 9 Barakhamba Road, New
Delhi-110001
We have held several meetings in Delhi. Venue for our meetings
mostly has been the conference room of NFI (National Foundation of India),
India Habitat Centre, core 4A, Upper Ground Floor, Lodhi Road, New
Delhi-110003. The meetings
were attended by trustees, committee members and student volunteers from
Delhi University. Some of the dates on which meetings were held -
25.08.2011, 14.09.2011, 09.11.2011, 07.03.2012, 03.04.2012, 03.05.2012 &
16.05.2012,
.
Regd. In Delhi in Jan, 2011
Regn. No. 21/Book No. 4, Vol No. 1, 438 / Page 77 to 97 / Dt.
13.01.2011
217, Kedar Gauri Road, Basant Niwas, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
751002.
email :
dasmonica@gmail.com