Gravis

In continuation of ongoing work of the past, GRAVIS will take up a number of new initiatives in the current year, will sustain ongoing interventions and will organize some important events. 

GRAVIS to partner in MPOWER project of Government of Rajasthan

MPOWER is a long-term, Government of Rajasthan project funded by IFAD and SRTT which focuses on poverty mitigation. GRAVIS is the implementing partner for the project in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer Districts. The project will go on till 2015.

Silico-tuberculosis research completed

GRAVIS has recently completed above research. The study has been published entitled as "Silco-tuberculosis: burdening the lives of miners". The study has been supported by our partner MISEREOR.

GRAVIS and EDC

GRAVIS and EDC are working together to promote school education and vocational trainings in children of minorities, especially Muslims. The project is known as the Mega-Sky project.

GRAVIS’ study on Village Health Funds completed

GRAVIS has recently completed a study on Village Health Funds (VHF). Supported by the Finland Government and our partner Tamy, the study reviews existing models of health funds and suggests ways ahead. Please see the full version. 

“Women miners of Rajasthan” is ready to read

Another GRAVIS study focusing on women mineworkers has been completed. This study discusses women miners’ plights and details and describes ongoing efforts to improve the situation. Click here to read the full version.   

2010 Wells for India Fellowship Award for Community Health Workers 

Supported by Angela Huggett and other supporters of Wells for India, the above award is given every year to nurses and community health workers for their outstanding community health work. This year's award function took place in February at GRAVIS hospital, in which two deserving health workers were awarded. Dr. Mary Grey, founder of WFI, gave the awards. 

Exchange visit to Bangladesh

A 9-members team of community leaders and GRAVIS representatives went to Bangladesh on an exposure visit to observe projects for older people in Bangladesh. The visit took places in January 2010 and was hosted by Help Age International and RIC. 

New laboratory at GRAVIS Hospital

A fully equipped laboratory has now been set up at GRAVIS Hospital in Tinwari. The lab will help us in diagnosing various diseases of our rural patients with precision. 

L. C. Tyagi Fellowship awards 2010 are given

For the academic year of 2010, the L. C. Tyagi Fellowship awards have been given on July 1, 2010. Ms. Geeta Rajput and Mr. Shravan Kumar were given the awards to persue undergraduate education. The award ceremony was presided by Jugal Kabra, Om Kumari Gehlot and  Radha Bhatt.
 

Shashi Tyagi receives Dalmiya Award

For the outstanding work on environment and natural resources, on behalf of GRAVIS, Shashi Tyagi received the prestgious Dalimya Environmenrt Award of 2009. The award was given on November 13, 2009.

Drought in Thar

2009 is proving yet another drought year in Thar. The rainfall has been about 50% below normal. Coming months will be of severe food and fodder crisis. GRAVIS is working to launch a response to drought focusing on drinking water supply, fodder availablity, food supplies, healthcare and support to the winter crops of rabi season.   

4th anniversary of L. C. Tyagi

27th July, 2009 marked 4th anniversary of GRAVIS founder L. C. Tyagi. Entire GRAVIS team and the Thar Desert community remembered Tyagi Ji for his selfless commitment to the people of Thar and for his invaluable contribution to GRAVIS to make it what it is today.

GRAVIS to construct farmers’ community centres  

In partnership with Martin Bauer, Germany and Traditional Medicinals, USA, GRAVIS will construct 6 farmers’ community centres in Jodhpur district. The process of planning and designing has started. The community centres will act as storage facilities as well as training and awareness generation centres.

Expansion of work with Wells for India on empowering women and drought mitigation

Wells for India (WFI), UK has been one of the most important supporters of GRAVIS. WFI and GRAVIS have recently commenced the new phases of Women Organized for Reconstruction and Knowledge (WORK) project and Kolayat Watershed Project. Aiming on women empowerment and drought mitigation, these two projects will be implemented in 20 villages of arid parts in Jodhpur and Bikaner Districts.

Inaugural L. C. Tyagi Fellowship Awards given

On June 29, 2009, the Inaugural L. C. Tyagi Fellowship Awards were given to Mr. Mohan Lal and Ms. Geeta Rajput. The ceremony was presided by Mr. Navin Mahajan (District Collector, Jodhpur), Dr. Ravi Chopra (Director, PSI), GRAVIS Chairperson - Bandhu Ji and Dr. S. M. Mohnot of SDS.

New researches on silico-tuberculosis and Village Health Funds

As a part of its health programme, GRAVIS is set to initiate the above two research studies in the second half of 2009. A study on silico-tuberculosis will attempt on understanding the origion and pathogenesis of the diseases with an overall focus on suggesting remedial measures in the context of prevention and palliative support to the affected. Village Health Funds research will focus on exploring the feasibility and potential of the concept in Thar Desert and on drawing lessons from successful models from around the world.

Flood relief for Bihar 

In 2008, the East Indian State of Bihar had to brace a severe flood. The flood caused widespread damage to property and human life. WFI, UK, with its deep concern for India, came forward to help the flood affected areas in partnership with GRAVIS. The flood relief operations started with providing emergency medical and material support to over 1,500 affected people in Supaul area. In the phase of rehabilitation, low cost houses were constructed for those who lost their homes in the flood water. The programme has been completed in July, 2009.

A Global Learning Program on Health

The need to develop the skills and capacity of pubic health professionals around the world has never been more acute.  Many organizations involved in implementing health programs in the field find that the level of skills of their staff, their partners and government organizations is a critical barrier to success and self-sustainability. This does not mean that field practitioners have no skills – often they have a deep practical knowledge about their communities, their projects and the practices that work best in their local contexts. But without a formal learning structure, this knowledge can be disjointed and unfocused and may not result in sustainable skill building of the health care workforce.

The Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, US is piloting a distance-based global learning program that blends the best aspects of traditional instruction with facilitated sharing of practical field-based knowledge. This program is designed for professionals working in health programs with NGOs and the government.

GRAVIS is an external steering committee member that is partnering with UNC to design this pilot program. The other partners are Plan USA and IntraHealth International. In 2009, the steering committee will work with Dr. Rohit Ramaswamy, Gillings Visiting Clinical Associate Professor at UNC who is leading this project to develop a list of topics that will be covered in this program. In addition, GRAVIS will be participating in the design and testing of one of the learning units.

GRAVIS and Traditional Medicinals working together

Traditional Medicinals is one the largest herbal medicines company in the world. GRAVIS will work with Traditional Medicinals for the empowerment of farming community of Thar Desert, through a project called "REVIVE". Other partners in the project will be Martin Bauer, Germany, Women Serve, US and Umalaxmi Udyog, India. The project will have an integrated approach and will focus on water and food security, empowering women, healthcare and education.

Older people's health - a regional research initiative 

As a part of Help Age International's Health Working Group (HWG), GRAVIS continues a health research in India, focusing on older people’s health needs and improvement in service. This is a multi-country initiative and is being jointly implemented by GRAVIS, University of Jakarta (Indonesia), Vietnam Women Union (Vietnam), SISD (Vietnam), Tsao Foundation (Singapore) and Help Age International.

Wells for India Fellowship Award for Community Health Workers

Supported by Angela Huggett and other supporters of Wells for India, the above award is given every year to nurses and community health workers for their outstanding community health work. This year's award function took place on February 9, 2009 at GRAVIS hospital, in which two deserving health workers were awarded for their outstanding contribution to community based health work in the region.

DMP semi-annual meeting

CRS has been a long standing GRAVIS partner. GRAVIS and a number of CRS partners are organizing a Drought Mitigation Programme. GRAVIS hosted the fourth semi-annual meeting of the DMP project in January, 2009. All project partners and important guests from CRS participated in the four days meeting.

New partnership with the Government on HIV/AIDS

GRAVIS has started a new partnership with the Government of Rajasthan focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. This initiative will focus on awareness generation and capacity building on HIV/AIDS.