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.

On the last Thursday of the month, an important meeting of our Single Women team was held, with two new assistant activists: Manju who has now completed 3 months and Vandhana who has just joined us. It is very heartening to find that the team is working cohesively and effectively and to learn that our most experienced activist Kummo will stay with us, deferring her retirement in order to offer valuable support to the younger members. This meeting was followed by our weekly staff meeting, held in cherished winter sunshine in the Community Centre courtyard.

Last Friday, as part of the local Fridays for Future Campaign , Dharamsala Waste Warriors worked alongside Nishtha in organising an awareness raising program with the students and teachers of the government school in Rakkar. Mohinder gave a talk about how our village is developing so rapidly and the quantity of garbage is becoming uncontrollable. Inspired, the students took an oath saying: “we pledge to be aware of our use of consumer materials and follow the motto: re-use, re-duce and re-cycle”. The students then went out in groups to clean up the village.

Nishtha provided crocks and two pairs of socks to each of the 47 little children who attend the 4 baby creches in the hilly area above Rakkar Village. It is very cold this year so our staff went to great lengths to buy appropriate, good quality shoes and socks so that these children from poor laboring families would be well equipped for the winter. At the same time they bought and distributed sets of blocks, a stacking tower and soft balls for each kindergarten to make the children’s days in the creche more interesting and fun.

One of our local boys who had a serious accident 2 years ago is now recovering and attempting to re-take his 10^th grade exams which he has been unable to pass in all subjects. Now he studying with the help of our tuition teacher Sanjay,who is making it his mission to prepare him for the exams in March. We really hope he does well!