International Noble Work Development and Investigation Association (INDIA) is a non-profit, democratic and secular voluntary organization that has its presence in the State of Odisha for nearly two decades. With the combined effort of some youth volunteers who are deeply committed to fight for the causes of the dalits, the poor and marginalized, the organization was shaped and registered in 1996-97 under the Society Registration Act 1860. Over the years it has been engaged in advocating the rights and privileges of the unprivileged sections of the society and fighting for the issues related to their development with emphasis on the rights of children and women. The organization currently has its presence in Kandhamal, Ganjam,Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of Odisha and works mostly in remote areas where the marginalized sections are most vulnerable.
The organization was formed to carry the crusade against the heinous practice of caste discrimination and atrocities related to such act. Denial of entry into the temples, pulling out water from the open well or using the hand pumps installed in the area dominated by upper caste communities, and most importantly, untouchability at the household and community level and in educational institutions as well called for a concerted effort by a group of Dalit youths who were victimized along with their family members.
The social boycott of Dalits and caste violence with regard to the entry of Dalits into the village temples in Badua intensified Dalit youth action to protect against and protect the rights of Dalit community in 1994. In 1995-96, the urge to fight against caste violence, caste atrocities further called for organized and concerted effort to emancipate and liberate the community from the ravaged caste practice and victimization of Dalits by upper caste communities. The guiding philosophy of such social movement was to educate, agitate and organize. A network of Dalit advocates, intellectuals, students, journalists, social activists, educationists, community leaders and small and marginalized farmers was developed in 1995-96 under the banner of Orissa Dalit Forum (ODF). The association with the network and exposure on the issue resulted in the formation and registration of INDIA as a social organization in the year 1996. INDIA focused its intervention initially in the district of Ganjam and then keeping in view of the persistent problem in contiguous patches of the district and adjoining areas, the district of Phulbani was included in the area of operation. Today the organisation operates more intensively in 36 villages of districts Ganjam and Phulbani.
Vision:
INDIA visualizes a society based on universal brotherhood, peace, communal harmony, gender equality and social justice without discrimination against caste, creed or colour.
Being located at Buguda in Ganjam district of Odisha the organization is well equipped with minimum infrastructure . It has a team of professional staff and cadres of grass roots volunteers in respective districts to spearhead its activities. Although fund is required to strategically move towards achieving the goal and objectives of the society, its paucity at difficult times has not so far deterred the commitment and motivation of the organizers.
It encompasses mostly Dalit and tribal dominated villages deprived of the mainstream socio-economic benefits of development. While intervention against social discrimination, caste related violence and atrocities against the Dalits and weaker sections still remains a major focus area , education, health , livelihood , land and forest rights, right to NTFP , women empowerment and youth action from the core programme approach and development intervention. Most of our programmes are primarly designed for the development empowerment of children and women in view of their vulnerability and marginalization in multiple spheres.
Mission:
Improving the socio-economic condition of the downtrodden by liberating the people from social injustice, gender inequality and casteism as well as alleviating poverty through generation of livelihood opportunities consistent with sustainable development.
Objectives:
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To promote overall development of the people, especially of the weaker sections of the society- the dalits and tribal population.
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To promote accountability and transparency in development administration.
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To equip the masses for participatory programme planning and implementation.
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To alleviate rural poverty and enhance livelihood opportunities.
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To promote health and educational well-being of the rural/tribal people.
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To undertake issue based advocacy and networking
