Our staff are all using this extended lockdown to get ahead of the work: mulching and composting the fields, cleaning the water tanks, doing the accounts, polishing the workshop floor and sorting and airing the books in the library.

Today our vehicle went down to Kotla, 30 kms away, to deliver 20, 16 Kg food parcels to very poor migrant labour families from Bihar, MP and UP identified by the administration as in need of help. Some are being held in quarantine in the government school in Kotla. The 11 children among them were given packets of fruit. The women, many of whom were colourfully dressed in their tribal costumes were told that this supply is supposed to last them for 2 weeks.

The virus is most easily transmitted by touching your face. Wearing a mask helps you to stop touching your face.

Nishtha team making masks and preparing herbs for cough medicine. Striving to keep everyone in the community safe and well.

Recently Nishtha’s youngest employee Ankush Sharma attended a 10-day workshop called “Pahar aur hum”, to learn about the Himalayan region, local garbage problems, sensitive Kashmir issues and the culture of the region. 35 Students and fellow activists from all over Himachal Pradesh learned about each other’s problems and relating solutions, Nishtha’s plastic blocks were found the best answer for soft plastic management in small villages.

क्या आपने आपना स्वास्थ्य कार्ड बनवाया है ? आपको या आपके परिवार को इसकी कभी भी आवशयकता पड सकती है। 

At last Nishtha’s initiative to make building blocks out of soft plastic is gaining momentum with both individuals and government departments ordering blocks. Some days ago, Mohinder (Project Manager) met with the Block development officers and Panchyat Pardhan, who are very keen to construct ecosan toilets using plastic bricks in every Panchyat. Recently the Rakkar Panchyat constructed sitting platforms on their premises from plastic bricks. The next step is to convince other agencies to start making plastic blocks.

Dr Shreya has been accompanying Dr Kusum on the outreach clinics for the past three months. She reports that the clinics are a great initiative to reach people living in remote areas to promote health and well being in the community. The program raises awareness of common illnesses and the current environmental challenges faced in everyday life. It is a medium to sensitize women about their health issues and teaches them basic fitness techniques. She has really enjoyed being a part of the team but sadly will be leaving us soon.

The 2020 Rakkar cricket tournament title was won by the Barol team who defeated the Dari eleven in a thrilling match. The under 19s category saw our local Rakkar team defeated by the stronger Fathepur team.. More than 200 spectators were kept entranced on this a sunny Sunday, enjoying watching the players running between the wickets, smashing sixes all over the ground, swing and turn balling and displaying extraordinary fielding to save a single run for the victory. It was tremendous day! Finally the winner and runner-up teams received their shinning trophies and medals from the chief guest Mr. Vipin Nehria and Mr. Ankush from Nishtha distributed our final Nishtha 2020 calendars.

The school children were very excited when our team arrived on a cold winter morning with a huge bowl of boiled eggs which they ate very happily. In order to increase the protein intake of the children during the winter, Nishtha staff decided to provide roasted chickpeas or soyabeans, peanut brittle and once a week an egg to each child.