Starting in 1990 as a voluntary effort in remote regions
of Chohtan, SURE today works in the desert districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer,
two of largest and backward districts of India.
From the beginning SURE has focused on strengthening rural
livelihoods, strived for dignity and well being of vulnerable and marginal
communities, especially women and people with different abilities.
Interventions in improving agriculture, conservation of Thar Parkar breed of
cow, ensuring food, fodder and water security have attempted to sustain a judicious
relation with fragile ecology of the Thar. Motivation to pursue our goal,
sustain the vision and mission owes a great deal to the acceptance by rural
communities who have always reposed their faith in us. They have participated
in development initiatives of SURE with a sense of ownership and
accountability. We have been fortunate to get support from well meaning and pro poor people in the state bureaucracy
and development agencies.
Developing and sustaining of these programs has been made
possible by altruistic and relentless work over these years. What began as a
voluntary movement of a small number of people is today transformed into an
organization with more than hundred staff and hundreds of community volunteers
in villages of Barmer and Jaisalmer.
These remote districts of Thar are changing fast.
Following the discovery and drilling of oil and setting up of a power
generation unit, Barmer is poised for a period of industrial growth. There is
an increasing talk about the vast potential of reserves of solar energy. All this
modernization is sure to put further squeeze on the fragile ecology and scarce
natural resources of the region. This heightened context of resource tapping
and use has created its opportunities and challenges before rural communities.
The largely survival economy based on fragile natural base and rustic life is
volatile with possibilities of change.
At this juncture, we all fondly remember late Magraj Ji
who made SURE possible and would continue to motivate us for selfless voluntary
action. As in the past, it is my sincere hope that needs and concerns of
vulnerable and marginal communities would guide our way forward to strengthen
economy of people, and in protecting their basic rights and entitlements.
The ensuing report narrates key features of our programme
interventions over the years since the inception of SURE. I am pleased to place
before the reader this journey of SURE.
(Lata Kachhawha)
Founder Member and Joint Secretary, SURE
for more on story of SURE click here
a homage to Padamshree Shri Mag Raj Ji Jain: tenacious desert volunteer
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