Our Objectives
Empowerment of Marginalised & Excluded Communities
Through awareness programmes on various local changes on the social, political, economic and environmental front.
Equal & Equitable Access to Development Opportunities
Uplift the marginalized communities via a multitude of development schemes and opportunities.
Enhancing Local Knowledge and Culture
Through different programmes among the communities.
Conservation & Management of Natural Resources
Through creative solutions in order to protect the livelihoods of the locals which is intricately linked to nature.Our Approaches
Need-based and Collective Initiatives
Considers the community to be an equal stakeholder and hence resolves their problems by involving them in the decision-making approach as well as implementation of the solution.
Merging Old & New Scientific & Technological Innovations
Encourages a blend of new and old scientific and technological methods to empower the local communities and make them self-reliant.
Continuous Dialogue
Considers various stakeholders and communities as partners and works keeping in mind the mutual trust and respect it shares with the locals.
Learning by Doing
Promotes sustainable living among the communities by equipping them with new skills via training and hand-on experiences to make them self-reliant.Focus Communities
The culture of discrimination and marginalization ingrained in the social structure of India has hindered development since decades, pushing these communities into the throes of poverty. Manthan empowers these people- backward castes, nomadic tribes, women and adolescent girls, children, youth and small farmers, who have been victims of discrimination and excluded from the mainstream society. Manthan, through its various initiatives aims to bridge the societal divide and bring everyone on an equal footing.
Women and Adolescent Girls
The deep-rooted patriarchy in our social structures has always kept women in the shadows. Organizing awareness sessions pertaining to social issues, informs them about favourable government schemes, and advises them about menstruation and other health issues. It also teaches them to be self-reliant by offering skill training opportunities like midwife, teacher, and solar training, and facilitating the setting up of SHGs.
Nomadic Tribes
The degradation of forestland has forced nomadic tribes like the Bagaria, Kalbeliya, Bhanjaraetc, whose livelihoods were dependent on nature, to adopt a settled lifestyle. By initiating a Back to Basic programme to help them ease into their new lifestyle and gradually gain acceptance into the mainstream society. This will empower them to lead an improved life.
Children
Nelson Mandela had once said “History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children”. We have instituted many programmes in place for the cause of education, childcare and health among children which has reduced malnourishment and child mortality rates. Manthan seeks to use education as a tool to help children break away from the stereotypes of the society and enrich their lives as well as help their communities.
Backward Castes
The caste divide runs deep in Rajasthan, leaving many backward castes at a disadvantage. We instituted the AmbedkarSathsang Group in Roopangarh sub block for around 25 villages to uplift the Dalit community. The group regularly conducts awareness sessions on relevant issues like health, economic growth, sustainable living and rights available to them. The children are provided educational opportunities and support to grow and make a change in the lives of their communities.
Youth
Migration for jobs is rampant in Rajasthan owing to lack of economic and social opportunities for the youth. By running youth groups, We seeks to develop a culture of brotherhood and promote development so that the youth feels empowered. Sports, skill training and educational sessions are a common feature of these youth groups which aim to help them gain self-employment and become self-reliant.
Small Farmers
Farmers are facing a threat to their traditional occupations due to two major reasons- small and marginal land holdings, and declining rainfall. We have instituted watershed programmes to aid farmers in sustaining their livelihood.