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Eco Hut: The Eco-Friendly Store In Udaipur For Your Ganpati

Everyone talks about the environment, nature, mother earth and how it is important to protect them. But how many of us actually step up and work in that direction? We must have an answer for that.

Yes! must is the word I am using here because it’s high time to just think over and over. The Eco Hut is doing its own part in contributing towards the environment.

About Eco Hut

  • Eco Hut was founded by Guddi Prajapat, Ritesh Shekhawat, and Vishal Singh. 
  • It started in the year 2014 with an aim to encourage environment friendly products.
  • Eco Hut is a nonprofit social business that aims towards conserving the environment in the best way possible.
  • The organization also conducts workshops with children and youth on how to upcycle waste and make something creative out of it by producing and selling eco-friendly products.
  • Their products include herbal items, handmade jewelry, upcycled creative products, décor items and anything environmental and eco-friendly. 

About Eco-Friendly Ganesha Murtis

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the prominent festivals of our culture where we welcome the lord of prosperity, happiness and wisdom with open hands. So, why not bringing Lord Ganesha this year with a touch of eco-friendliness.

  • This time Eco Hut has stepped up and preferred the murtis of Lord Ganesha to be made by potters.
  • The potters have made these beautifully carved sculptures with their hands instead of using pre-designed moulds to make the sculptures more authentic.
  • Eco Hut said that with this initiative they wanted to create more employment opportunities as instead of giving the assignment to one person, giving it to 7 to 8 different potters will generate employment and will promote our culture.
  • Each design has its uniqueness and the murtis can be custom made too. 
  • The artists have used stone colors on the sculptures instead of synthetic colors.

This Ganesh Chaturthi welcome your very own eco-friendly Ganesha and take a step towards saving the environment.

Click here to know about prominent Ganesh temples of Udaipur.

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Piplantri: The Village of Eco-Feminism

It just takes a step to move forward and set a benchmark. One can work and work throughout life but to set an example, asks a lot.

There hasn’t been a moment when we are not proud of our co-citizen’s wonders, but today the chest dwells up to another level. Sh. Shyam Sundar Paliwal of Piplantri Village, Rajsamand District is no lesser than a superhero. His work in the fields of plantation, water conversation and girl child attracts the whole world down to this astounding village.

About Piplantri Village of Rajsamand

  • Piplantri is a village located in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan State, India.
  • The villagers of Piplantri plant 111 trees every time a girl child is born and the community ensures that the trees survive and rigorously take care.
  • To ensure financial security, after the birth of a girl child, the villagers contribute collectively and  from the parents and put the amount in a fixed deposit.
  • To make sure that girl child receives proper education, the villagers make the parents sign an affidavit which also restricts them from marrying her off before she attains the legal age for marriage.
  • This initiative was started by Sh. Shyam Sundar Paliwal, the former sarpanch (the village head) and a Padma Shri awardee in the memory of his daughter Kiran, who passed away a few years ago.

Benefits of the campaign

  • The initiative has also helped the village’s economy a lot.
  • Village has planted more than 2.5 million Aloe vera plants around the trees, just to keep termites away from all the trees, especially the fruit bearing one.
  • The villagers used the aloe vera as a remedy and gradually realized that it can be processed and marketed in a variety of ways.
  • After that,  the community started to produce and market aloe vera based products like juices and gels and other products.
  • The campaign has also involved building check dams on the pastures on nearby hills to recharge the groundwater level.

Not only this marvelous village has excelled in the campaign to save the girl child and make them self-reliant but also their efforts to save the ecosystem and encourage the concept of plantation and water conservation are extraordinary .

In a country where male children are blindly supported and the rate of girl child foeticide is still not decreasing, this noble step surely has brought a change, which is a lesson to each and everyone that if one tries, one can!

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जानिए घर-घर औषधि योजना के बारे में

उदयपुर में 1 अगस्त 2021, रविवार को वन विभाग और जिला प्रशासन के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में 72वां जिला स्तरीय वन महोत्सव व घर-घर औषधि योजना आगाज हुआ।

शहर के गोवर्धन विलास स्थित स्मृति वन में कोरोना गाइडलाइन के अनुसार आयोजित जिला स्तरीय समारोह में विधानसभा  नेता प्रतिपक्ष गुलाबचंद कटारिया, पूर्व सांसद रघुवीर सिंह मीणा सहित विभिन्न जनप्रतिनिधियों, वन विभाग, जिला प्रशासन के अधिकारियों ने इस अवसर पर स्वस्थ राजस्थान-हरित राजस्थान का संकल्प दोहराया।

फतहनगर-सनवाड़ नगर पालिका में कर्मचारियों सहित आम लोगो को भी पौधे बांटे गए।पूरा देश और दुनिया कोरोना संकट से जूझ रही है। कई अनुसंधानों में ये भी सिद्ध हुआ है की कई बिमारियों का सामना करने के लिए ऐलोपैथी के साथ आयुर्वेद का भी महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान है।

योजना

  • घर-घर औषधि योजना के तहत वन विभाग द्वारा संभाग भर में 80 लाख औषधीय पौधे बाटे जाएंगे।
  • योजना के तहत प्रत्येक परिवार को पांच साल में तीन बार तुलसी , अश्वगंधा, कालमेघ और गिलोय केआठ-आठ औषधीय पौधे निःशुल्क वितरित किए जाएंगे।
  • पौधों का वितरण घर-घर जा के किया जायेगा। अगर आपको इन पौधों की आवश्यकता अभी है तो ये चारों पौधे वन विभाग की सभी नर्सरियों में निःशुल्क उपलब्ध है। पुरे संभाग में आप कही से भी ले सकते है। 

उदयपुर में वन विभाग की पौधशालाएं

नर्सरी का नाम नर्सरी इंचार्ज कॉन्टैक्ट नंबर
कालकमता ज्योति वशिष्ठ 9414248404
चौकडिया रणवीर सिंह राठौर 8890565657
गोवर्धन सागर प्रदीप सिंह चौहान 8107040448
हल्दूघाटी नीतू राठौर 6350136805
कैलाशपुरी सुधीर कुमार 9991307515
शिल्पग्राम भावना कँवर 9680199606
अरण्य कुटीर भेरू लाल गाँधी 9694964069
सीतामाता राहुल पटेल 9166813737

प्रमुख उद्देश्य

  • प्रदेश में औषधीय गुण वाले पौधे अपने घरों में उगाने के इच्छुक लोगों को वन विभाग की पौधाशालाओं में पौधे उपलब्ध कराया जाना।
  • इम्यूनिटी बढ़ाने तथा चिकित्सा के लिए उपयोगी औषधीय पौधों की उपयोगिता के बारे में बताकर आमजन को जागरुक करना।
  • औषधीय पौधों के प्राथमिक उपयोग को बढ़ावा देने के लिए आयुर्वेद एवं भारतीय चिकित्सा विभाग के सहयोग से प्रमाण-आधारित जानकारी उपलब्ध कराना।
  • जन-प्रतिनिधियों, पंचायतीराज संस्थाओं, विभिन्न राजकीय विभागों व संस्थानों, विद्यालयों और औद्योगिक घरानों का सहयोग लेकर क्रियान्वित करना।
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UB A Hero: Biggest Blood Donation Drive of Udaipur in Association with Raktdata Yuva Vahini

To help resolve the shortage of blood in Udaipur, 136 units of blood was collected and distributed by Rakt Data Yuva Vahini to the patients who were in dire need of it.

Since the first wave began, Rakt Data Yuva Vahini is encouraging people to donate blood whenever they can to save people’s lives. With the help of more than 1000 volunteer, Rakt Data Yuva Vahini has successfully pulled off the biggest blood drive in Udaipur. Keeping the spirit of the charitable and noble work alive, the members of Rakt Data Yuva Vahini were available day and night whenever there was a request for blood. Fortunately, the blood donors associated with the organization were ready to donate whenever requested. All the blood donors belonging to the group together have given their selfless support for a noble cause, like blood donation.

All of this was possible because the donors of Udaipur and the Rakt Data Yuva Vahini Team are like a strong pillar that worked together to pull off a remarkably successful campaign. The organization has always been striving for blood donation and will continue to do so. In the recent blood donation drive that started from June 1, 2021, to June 15, 2021, 136 units of blood were distributed by the organization to needy patients, as well as 139 units (127 units VD (voluntary distribution) + 12-unit SDP/single donation process) Blood in total has been collected.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini aims to grow better in the near future to continue donating blood in and around the city. It is their goal to try their best to help every patient who needs blood to stay alive.

UdaipurBlog, being a digital outreach partner has helped Rakt Data Yuva Vahini to reach as many audiences as possible. #Ubahero campaign supported the blood donation organization to enhance their digital presence and create a major influence with the help of regular and vigorous campaigning.

Here are some pictures from the biggest blood donation drive in Udaipur organized by Rakt Data Yuva Vahini in association with UdaipurBlog:

biggest blood donation drive in Udaipur by rakt data yuva vahini

biggest blood donation drive in Udaipur by rakt data yuva vahini

biggest blood donation drive in Udaipur by rakt data yuva vahini

biggest blood donation drive in Udaipur by rakt data yuva vahini

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Making a Difference: Meet the Selfless COVID-19 Heroes of Udaipur

The greatest pandemic the world has seen in 100 years has dominated the year 2020 and 2021. The coronavirus outbreak immobilised people all around the world. This is also the year in which the world came together to fight the Coronavirus. As the pandemic increased and more fighters with an incredible work ethic stood up bravely to face the challenge front on, the year brought forth some remarkable work being done by organisations and individuals at this tough time. This year is devoted to all Coronavirus warriors who, in some way or another, have taken it upon themselves to rid the world of this highly infectious disease. Our doctors and other healthcare workers are among the frontline fighters against COVID-19. They have selflessly dedicated their time and energy to save lives.

UdaipurBlog appreciates all those NGO workers, selfless individuals, and communities who came forward to provide help and support to the sufferers and their families.

Let’s take a moment to thank the COVID Heroes of Udaipur!

1. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar donated a hi-tech ambulance to the Indian Army

 

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Being a philanthropist himself, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar has set another example by donating a hi-tech ambulance to the Indian Army. To talk about his various contributions towards society, Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar donated 12,508 personal hygiene products in an hour distinguished as biodegradable sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper rolls, tissue papers, hand wash and hand sanitisers in an hour, which counted as the Fourth Guinness World Record set by him.

Moreover, this year Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar has set an example by presenting a high-tech ambulance worth about 22 lakh rupees to the Indian Army. Lakshyaraj Singh on Saturday presented this new ambulance to Brigadier Shekhar of Eklinggarh Cantonment, Udaipur, so that the Army can use this ambulance for the treatment of serious patients suffering from other diseases, including the Corona patients. Lakshyaraj Singh says that in this second wave of the Coronavirus, the Army has done a commendable job at the ground level to rescue and treat the people across the country. Significantly, the member of the Mewar royal family, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, has been continuously engaged in public service activities since the first wave of Coronavirus. He has also presented lakhs of rupees to the district administration so that the district administration can help the needy. Mewar is ready to help the financially weak people in every village.

 

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On 03 June 2021, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar gave wheat, rice, pulses, sugar, dog food, oil, ghee, and water bottles to Dr. Rajiv Pachar, S. P., for further distribution in Udaipur. “The police have been vigorously working for the last 15 months to provide food and essential items to the underprivileged, and now the team can work harder to reach more people with the help of Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar and his donation of 2000 kgs of ration”, says Dr. Pachar.

2. Vegetable Vendors in Mandi Delivering Free Produce to the Institutions Providing Food to the Corona Patients

 

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Amidst the lockdown and the pandemic, a lot of institutions and communities are delivering tiffin or food to the patients suffering from the Coronavirus. However, the rates of groceries and other products are constantly rising. In such dire times, to control the persistent issue of high prices, the vegetable vendors in mandi stood up to support the cause. Free of cost vegetables and fresh produce is delivered to the COVID relief tiffin centres by the vegetable vendors in mandi. They have also delivered free vegetables on a mandi holiday. The President of Shree Sabzi-Phal Vyapari Sangh, Mr. Mukesh Khilwani, said 400 to 50 kg of vegetables are sent to the institutions free of cost every day.

Furthermore, they supplied vegetables to the food institutions last year (2020) for three months during the lockdown. The workers working in the mandi are also getting a Ration Kit (Packet) as per the requirement. Approximately 50 to 60 merchants are involved as a part of this free distribution process. They all contact with the help of a social media group where all the food institutions are added.

3. World Vision India organisation donated 25 Oxygen Concentrators to the CMHO office

 

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During the growing transition of Corona, 25 oxygen concentrators were presented to the CMHO office by the World Vision India organisation to strengthen the oxygen system in Udaipur’s hospitals. These 25 oxygen concentrators visited by the organisation will be used at the Covid Consultation Care Centre set up in rural areas.

4. Gamerlal Rajdhani Velawat Charitable Trust Donated 1.83 Lakhs

 

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On Tuesday, a check of INR 1.83 Lakhs was handed over to the District Collector, Chetan Deora, by the Gamerlal Rajdhani Velawat Charitable Trust for oxygen pipeline installation work at the satellite hospital. Additionally, Oxygen pipeline installation work has been done at Satellite Hospital Hiran Magri on behalf of the Trust.

5. An Initiative by NGO Round Table India: Free Oxygen Bank

 

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Free Oxygen Concentrator Bank facility has been started by Round Table India NGO in Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer and Bhilwara. It is essential to submit a Covid report, a prescription written for 72 hours, a copy of the patient’s Aadhaar card and an Aadhar card of the attendant in order to get the Oxygen Concentrator. The machine will be given free for seven days, and at the time of taking it, the security amount will have to be deposited, which will be refunded after the return. The NGO can be contacted through a WhatsApp helpline number. The helpline number for various cities are given in the following list:

  • Udaipur: +91-90249 53539
  • Jaipur: +91-70141 48914
  • Ajmer: +91-91163 61184
  • Bhilwara: +91-75683 21240

6. Making a Difference: Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta Group Provided 500 Oxygen Concentrator

 

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Hindustan Zinc, a company of Vedanta group, is providing 500 oxygen concentrators to the state due to the shortage of oxygen in hospitals in Rajasthan. In the first wave, 200 oxygen concentrators were offered to the district administration of Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur.

7. Mukesh Sharma – Oxygen Cylinder Supply

 

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As the second wave of the novel coronavirus hit the City of Lakes, Udaipur, and when people were in dire need of oxygen, Mukesh Sharma stood up to lend a hand. He started delivering and supplying oxygen cylinders to the homes of people who were suffering from the COVID-19 and were isolated or quarantined. Mukesh started the noble service on April 2, 2021, and to do this, he started collecting oxygen cylinders from vendors and then supplied them to the houses of people who were in excessive need of the same.

8. Mission Madad – Ration Kits

 

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In view of the impending Covid-19 pandemic, a team of young enthusiasts under the support of Helping Youth Sansthan, Udaipur, is helping the underprivileged to provide at least 2 times meal a day. Diyesh Bandwaal and the team of Mission Madad prepared ration kits which were delivered to the underprivileged. They have delivered 76 ration kits till now around Udaipur, and meanwhile, they were also providing food to the animals. Animal lovers Ankit Agrawal, Hardik Bandwaal, Rishabh Jain, Vishwas Dhiwar, Luv Sharma, Nitin Sukhwal, Shubahm Kumawat, Pratham Sahu, Umesh Kumawat, Kunal Malviya, Dipesh Kumawat, Hitesh Kumawat, Kiran Khatri, Jyoti Trivedi, and more team members contributed for the social cause.

9. Free Tea by Roadways Staff

 

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Roadways employees have also joined hands to help the corona warriors and hospital staff. These employees are providing free tea to the attendants, hospital staff, police personnel, etc., from 6 am to 8 am in MB and ESIC Hospital from 10th May. Basant Lohar, Mohammad Yusuf, Devilal Tank, Abdul Salim, Rashan Tawar are helping in the service work.

The Final Say!

All of us have done something or the other things, tangible or intangible, to help the patients or families cope up with the challenges presented by the pandemic. If you have done any such deed that deserves a shoutout, then write to us at info@udaipurblog.com, and we shall include you in our upcoming part 2 dedicated to the Covid-19 Heroes in Udaipur.

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World Day Against Child Labour 2021: NGOs in Udaipur Fighting Against Child Labour!

For the first time in two decades, the number of children working has increased to 160 million worldwide, up to 8.4 million in only four years, while millions more are at risk owing to the COVID-19 pandemic lately. Therefore, there is a dire need to promote social protection programmes to help children get out of the labour market and back into schools. In 2002, the International Labour Organization (ILO) established the World Day Against Child Labour to draw attention to the global scope of child labour and the actions and efforts required to end it. Each year on 12th June, thousands of people across the country plead to rescue the child labourers. “Act Now: End Child Labour” is considered the theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour.

NGOs in Udaipur to protect Children from Child Labour

The burgeoning issue of child labour in Udaipur has been an eye-opener for many of us. Child labour deprives children of their dignity and is bad for their physical and mental wellbeing. Moreover, child labour is morally unacceptable and deprives children of the opportunity to go to school. Children are commonly engaged in non-harmful work, both paid and unpaid, across the city. They are categorised as child labourers; however, they are either too young to work or are engaged in dangerous activities that could jeopardise their physical, mental, social, or educational development.

To eradicate the situation and act against child labour, the NGOs based in Udaipur are vigorously working. If you ever come across any situation where you see a child working or involved in any hazardous activity, you can call any of the NGOs listed below.

Prayas Centre for Labour Research and Action

Name of the NGO: Prayas Centre for Labour Research and Action

Contact: +91-94142 96542

Email: info@clra.in

Address: Fatehpura, Udaipur

Operational Areas: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.

Gayatri Seva Sansthan

Name of the NGO: Gayatri Seva Sansthan

Contact: +91-99826 17296

Emergency Helpline Number: +91- 88909 26243

Email: info@gayatrisansthan.org

Address: Hiran Magri, Sector-6, Udaipur

Operational Areas: Rajasthan, Haryana, and Himachal.

World of Humanity – Narayan Seva Sansthan

Name of the NGO: World of Humanity – Narayan Seva Sansthan

Contact: 0294-662 2222

Email: info@narayanseva.org

Address: Head Office, Narayan Seva Sansthan Seva Dham Seva Nagar, Hiran Magri, Sector-4, Udaipur

Operational Areas: All over India and abroad (total 480 branches across India)

ARTH (Action Research and Training for Health)

Name of the NGO: ARTH (Action Research and Training for Health)

Contact: 0294-298 0075

Email: arth@arth.in

Address: Udaipur

Operational Areas: Udaipur (Mainly Badgaon)

Jatan Sansthan

Name of the NGO: Jatan Sansthan

Connect with them on FacebookTwitterInstagram, Pledge

Address: Udaipur

Operational Areas: Udaipur

 

As active citizens of Udaipur, we are required to put a lid on the increasing issue of Child Labour in our city. If you ever encounter any incident where a child is being enslaved and exposed to serious harm or illness, please contact any of the NGOs given in the above list. It is time for us to Act now and End Child Labour!

If you are an organisation/group or know any that fights against child labour, then write to us at info@udaipurblog.com

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Meet the Organization that donates 4000+ Units of Blood Every Year!

The idea of donating blood is still foreign to some people. When asked, “Have you ever donated blood?” the answer wasn’t exactly yes, but no one was against the idea either. India is a country known for its generous and compassionate people, yet only 1% of our entire population donates blood every year. This results in blood scarcity, as cancer patients, accident victims, and surgical patients all require blood transfusions. In addition, certain fallacies regarding blood donation, as well as a lack of knowledge about the health advantages of blood donation, deter most people from donating blood.

Well, I recently got a chance to speak with Mr. Arpit Kothari, a notable person known to work for donating blood through his uncountable blood donation drives. Arpit works with a team of more than 1000 people, tirelessly working to supply blood to as many patients as they can. Being in this charitable and donation organization in Udaipur for more than a decade now, Arpit and his team have been a life saviour for patients suffering from the deathly Coronavirus. Since the first wave began, he is encouraging people to donate blood whenever they can to save the lives of people who are in dire need of it. So, not wasting further time with the pleasantries, let’s listen to his journey of supplying blood to thousands of people in and around Udaipur and what’s his story so far.

Tell me something about Rakt Data Yuva Vahini and how did you start the blood donation drives?

We started this organization in the year 2012, and we were five people who initially came up with the idea of helping people who needed blood. Dinesh Soni, Kamlesh Acharya, Dilip Sahu, Kapil Daya, and I were the first five people to start Rakt Data Yuva Vahini. It has almost been a decade since we started the organization, and now, we have a team of 13 people who are actively involved in looking after the major cases and a team of 1000+ volunteers who work selflessly with us every day. Initially, we made a small group on WhatsApp to identify the blood requirement and for the planning of blood donation camps in and around Udaipur. We have a large tribal group or community residing in the remote areas of Udaipur, and they have no idea where to go or whom to reach if they need blood. Thus, it became my goal at that time to raise awareness about blood donation and supply.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

What encouraged you to start a blood donation service?

Seeing the shortage of blood in Udaipur and listening about the tribal groups as well as people migrating from villages in search of blood motivated me to reach out to them and help find blood without any hassle.

How many people do you reach recently, and what is the number of regular blood donation drives you have executed so far?

As I said, we started at a very small level, so back then, our team could hardly reach 30 to 40 people a month who were willing to donate blood. However, if I compare that number with the recent statistics, it is surely 10 to 15 times higher than what we used to get earlier. Fortunately, we are now able to get at least 20 cases per day on average. With the support of everyone, our organization has grown immensely. Earlier, we were connected with one or two blood banks. Now we can proudly say that Rakt Data Yuva Vahini is the only organization connected to seven blood banks in Udaipur, which is the total number of existing blood banks in the city.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

How do you conduct regular blood donation camps, and what is the response so far?

We conduct two types of campaigns; one is the regular blood donation drives, and the other is live blood donation. Well, to talk about the current scenario, we are not having a larger number of turnoffs with the blood banks in the city. However, we are fulfilling the daily blood requirement through Live Blood Donations. Our donors are aware of our urgent requirements and are always available for help whenever asked.

The negative group is hard to store compared to the positive group, and it has a less storage period, which is why we mostly prefer live donations for negative groups. I would thank the donors associated with us, especially those who have donated blood even after midnight.

If we talk about the current scenario, how have you helped the Corona patients, and what was the success rate?

Honestly, people weren’t aware of blood donation when we started in 2012, but after the influence of social media and city-oriented platforms such as UdaipurBlog, we are able to get more requests for blood donation. It has been an absolute honour to say that every year we are able to give 4000+ units of blood, both regular blood donation camps and live donation camps. I am proud that Rakt Data Yuva Vahini is the only organization that has conducted blood donation camps outside Udaipur, especially in the tribal belts and rural areas around the district. We have worked very hard for plasma donation, especially when it comes to finding the right blood type. People from Udaipur and beyond had reached out to us for plasma (when the practice was in use) even after midnight, and our donors and team members never faltered a step to reach them as soon as possible.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

What is that one incident that inspired you and encouraged you to keep working for blood donation?

I have conducted a lot of camps in many locations in Rajasthan, and there is an ample number of incidents that have inspired me to keep working for the selfless and noble cause. To tell you one incident from so many would be hard for me, but I am going to say that the passion and willpower of people in Sadri have blown my mind. There was not a single family or member of the village that did not donate or come forward to help when we went to the blood donation camp. Seeing those people and their passion for helping others without any awareness inspired me the most.

What are the myths about blood donation, and how do you deal with them?

A lot of people are afraid that donating blood would cause them fatigue. They even come up with the worse and say that they would die if they donated blood. It makes me sad to hear that most of us are unwilling to help others, even if it’s for a good cause. However, to answer the question, I would say that there are many myths associated with blood donation, and all of them leads to one thing that is “What if we die or catch some other disease?” but let me tell you, by donating blood you are saving yourself. In fact, donating blood makes you stronger and helps you fight deadly diseases in the future. After you donate blood, your blood becomes thinner, and it starts producing new cells, making you even healthier.

What message would you like to give to our audience?

I would like to say that you donate blood whenever you get a chance and try to be someone’s hero! We can see the visible demands such as accident cases, pregnancy case, etc., but we don’t know about the invisible demands of blood, such as children who are suffering from thalassemia. They require blood every 15 days or a month, depending on the severity of the condition. Around 400 children in Udaipur are suffering from thalassemia, and they do not have access to blood. It is my dream to help those 300 to 400 children who are going through this challenging disease alone and provide them with a constant source of blood supply so that they can keep up with their lives.

So, I request people to come forward and donate blood for these children so that they can have a beautiful future.

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Social

Few ways you can deal with post lockdown anxiety, depression and negativity

The one who said, “covid cases are just numbers until they become a name you know”, has well said and very much appropriate. We’ve just seen a very dark time, like never seen before and it has disturbed all of us to our very core. 

This might be my personal opinion, but having to think everyone will relate to the anxiety at this point, to the negativity we were surrounded with, especially when we are in our ‘work from home and not to socialise’ modes.

Couldn’t help, but think of things that can reduce the developing anxiety and depression due to the curfews, the lockdown and the pandemic. It is necessary and It’s not even easy but here are a few things we can do to keep ourselves calm and positive. We can always try!

Give yourself a routine

Now, this is the time to be self-obsessed. Set short goals for each day or a week. Engage yourself in self-care. Do not sleep too much or too little, exercise more, meditate, set reminders to drink water, and eat adequately. Neither skipping a meal will help nor overeating. Eating healthy food also boosts your mood, so switch to a healthy routine. A proper schedule definitely helps in reducing stress and keeps you mentally busy; so no space for overthinking. A healthy lifestyle is the key to a healthy mind.

How to deal with anxiety and depression during lockdown
Source: Pexels

Turn on your ‘fun’ channel

If things are getting to you, hold strong and find a reason to smile every day. Watch more stand up comedy shows, funny videos, comedy films; give yourself a reason to laugh. That is an instant freshener. Play with the kids, play with pets, spend more time with nature, in fact, do something to preserve it; it’ll make you happy from deep inside. And most of all change to some upbeat, happy music. A change in the playlist brings an instant change in the mood and you can even jump and dance around. Do not think much, have fun, you’ll see your surroundings in a fresh mood.

How to deal with anxiety and depression during lockdown
Source: Pexels

Stop over-consuming the news

We are surrounded by all kinds of Covid related news, which is ultimately affecting our mental peace in one or another way. We need to just stay informative, so take all the information needed and then stop the extra news to get to you. For starters, we all scroll down the Instagram search feed. Try and change it into things that make you feel good, like surfing for sports, food, Bollywood, music etc. anything that distracts you from unwanted information.

How to deal with anxiety and depression during lockdown
Source: Pexels

No blame game

Blaming someone else always results in more and more negativity. Instead of blaming the world, people in higher authoritative positions, making a person feel that he/she is responsible for it, we should see the positives. Do your bit to make this place better for living. Stay affirmative that the good is going to come. 

How to deal with anxiety and depression during lockdown
Source: Pexels

Express yourself

It is the most important exercise to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and other mental issues that you express, tell your feelings. We have to stay in our homes to be safe, less socialising, less personal touch and that leads to frustration. Surround yourself with people you can talk to; friends, family, anyone. Indulge in long talks instead of chatting. 

Like I am sharing my opinion and feelings with you all in this format, you can also choose your mode of expression. It can be through painting, writing, speaking, working, anything that takes that burden out, setting within you.

How to deal with anxiety and depression during lockdown
Source: Pexels

These all measures have been personally practised, so stay at home and do give it a try. And do not let the darks fill the void with all the wrongs that are coming to you, fill the emptiness with your beautiful heart and the creative brain god has gifted to us humans.

The process of unlocking has begun. Sooner or later we will be heading out according to the guidelines and protocols. We just need to be patient and take care of ourselves and our families.

We can always start afresh. Nothing is easy but slowly and steadily we are the ones who stand firm on the virtue of perfection. We are all in this together. You’re always welcome to share your feelings with us. You need to just push that ‘go’ button. 

Note: All these measures are the writer’s opinion. Every person is different; we do not claim for these measures to work on each and every one. But if you feel you need help, do not hesitate to contact a professional.

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Article contributed by: Nivedita Rai

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People Social

World Environmental Day special Weekend Read: UB Baatcheet with Bhuvnesh Ojha, founder of Pukaar

As we mark World Environment Day (WED) on 5th June, we should pay attention to warnings and take them seriously. And environmental alarm bells are no exception! On biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and climate change, there are a plethora of startling statistics. Facts to which we can no longer turn a blind eye. So, in the lead up to World Environment Day, we bring you another episode of UB Baatcheet. We have all heard about how important it is to plant trees, but we aren’t so quick to implement. Therefore, to know about the dos and don’ts of plantation, we have an expert who will educate us about the same. Today, our guest is Mr. Bhuvnesh Ojha, Founder of Pukaar Foundation, an exceptional environmentalist and has inspired everyone around us. Let’s hear about how they started and what inspired him to work for the environment.

Watch the full video below:

Highlight transcript from the video:

How did you start Pukaar?

It has always been my dream to work for the environment. This thought came into my mind when I was in 8th grade, and I saw that my village (near Bhilwara) has a lot of uncultivated and barren land. I used to hear from my grandfather and father that many farmers are committing suicide due to lack of land and crop production, so I thought, why not make the barren land useful by giving it some attention. But obviously, when I discussed this idea with my friends, they told me that I would need capital/money to start social work. I heard about some guys who went to IIT and got a package of 1 crore per year, and I thought, why not do something like this to raise money for my social work. I went to Kota for higher studies, and there I found motivation from various experiences that now is the time to start doing something for the environment. I still remember that quote from Steve Jobs – “If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?” and that hit me hard. We planted the first plant of Pukaar on 10th March 2013; at that time, we were not even sure about the name of this foundation, and we were just a bunch of friends from my colony. Slowly and gradually, the children in the neighbourhood also started taking part in the plantation drive. We started buying plants from our pocket money and planted 20 to 30 plants. Our work slowly got viral on social media, and we got a lot of requests for volunteer work. So, on 10th November 2013, we did a plantation drive outside our colony (100 ft. road, Udaipur), and we dedicated a Sunday for planting trees. After that, it became our motive to dedicate every Sunday to plantation drives with as many people. From 2013, we have dedicated 310 Sundays till now.

What challenges has Pukaar faced till now?

The biggest challenge was to raise awareness about planting trees and explaining to people why it is such a big deal. I was a teenager when I started plantation drives in Udaipur and when we used to talk to senior people or give them advice about which plant to use, they had this sense of superiority that was a challenge. Funding was another challenge we faced, and I believe a lot of non-profits face the issue where they cannot get enough funding to support the cause. Also, after receiving the funding, the implementation process further becomes a challenge. However, when there is a team spirit and passion for making a difference, the obstacles seem smaller.

When did you know that you can make a difference on a bigger scale?

Even after working for a decade, I still can’t make peace with what we have done so far. When your targets are bigger, then getting every accomplishment to feel small. However, when I see that the forests we planted and cultivated are now home to honeybees and birds, that makes me immensely happy and motivated me to do more and more plantation drives.

What is Miyawaki Forestation, and what steps did you take in this direction?

Miyawaki is a technique where you can plant a forest even in a tiny, room-size area. The technique is immensely helpful for your health as well as your biodiversity. Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese Botanist, invented this technique in the 1970s, and he followed the natural process to make this standard method of growing a tiny forest near you. It is imperative to plan local crops or plants because only those will help the ecosystem around you. Every soil has its own components, and it is vital to understand the same and plant trees that are suitable for the environment. So, first, we try to extract a lot of forests near Udaipur, such as the Jaisamand area, Chirwa, Sajjangarh, and nearby regions. Then, we study the region’s soil and plant only those trees that can naturally grow there. These forests tend to grow denser with time and eventually helps to absorb the microbes and pollution around us. Basically, they act as a filter wall for you, which is why the Miyawaki technique became so popular.

What can we do, or the steps can we take to protect the environment?

The first thing I would like to say is that don’t plant non-native species around your home and switch to native species since only those plants contribute to the environment around you. Some of the best choices for a home garden or nearby areas are moulshree or Bosali, Amaltas, Kachnar or Bauhinia, Shehtoot or Mulberries, Harsingar or Night Jasmine, or Moringa (Sejan ki Phali) or Drumsticks.

What message would you like to give the readers of UdaipurBlog?

Firstly, I would like to say that whenever we want to achieve something big, we have to take baby steps. So, if we want to save ourselves and the earth, then we must restore the oxygen banks that is our forests and vegetation around us.

Let’s reconnect with our villages and stop the carbon footprint around us! More power to the people who are working for plantation drives and trying to make a difference.

Categories
Featured Social

Expert Advice on How to Deal with Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

While the Corona outbreak in the country is at its peak, it is rather difficult for some people to maintain their sanity during these testing times. It is natural for anyone to feel elevated levels of depression and anxiety during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to social isolation. Physicians and other frontline health care workers are especially vulnerable to detrimental mental health outcomes when they try to reconcile the responsibility of caring for patients with questions for their own health and well-being.

The lockdown days and the impact of COVID-19 have been adverse on us, and some of you might feel both physically and mentally exhausted. However, a few of us would criticize for raising mental health issues since it is not that consequential for them. We say you block out those people from your lives, pronto, and start taking care of yourself mentally!

A Weekend Read: Conversation with Dr. Sushil Kherada about Mental Health During COVID-19 in Udaipur

These times are depressing for sure, so we got in touch with a mental health expert, Dr. Sushil Kherada. He is a senior professor and head of the department in RNT Medical college, department of psychiatry, and we connected with him live on our platform. Let’s hear out the experts’ thoughts on the issue of mental health among the people.

People have different perceptions about mental health and don’t tend to give it much importance. What are your thoughts on the same, and what can you tell us about mental health?

“A healthy body comes with a healthy mind, and vice versa”, says Dr. Sushil when asked about the burgeoning issue of mental health during the pandemic in our country. There is a chemical reaction in your body to every negative thought you have, and studies have found that poor mental health conditions also lead to deadly diseases such as Cancer. A person cannot be productive or, say, can actively contribute to the lifestyle if he or she is not mentally healthy, which is why it is quite unfortunate that people don’t give much importance to mental health.

Sadly, people who are experiencing stress or exhaustion often don’t recognize the reason behind their inability to perform the mundane tasks and are afraid of taking help from a Mental Health Expert. Only 25-30% of the total number of people experiencing mental health issues tend to reach expert help. The Indian society calls mental health patients “Insane” or “Mad”, which makes it hard for them to cope with their issues.

How many people do you think are aware of the issue or concept of Mental Health in Udaipur?

People experiencing fever or cough would consult their physician immediately, but those undergoing mental health issues would not be that enthusiastic about reaching a Mental Health Expert. 75% of individuals do not tend to reach for mental care or help due to society’s preconceived notions about the same. It is especially important to bridge the gap between the mental health patients and get the right help so that more and more patients can get the right treatment in our city and beyond. This can only happen if people start accepting that poor mental health also makes a person unfit or sick.

People have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; they have to hassle for fulfilling even the mundane or daily chores, affecting their mental health. So, how do you suggest a common man can cope with the current situation?

Social media is full of news about the Coronavirus, and in today’s age, news travels faster on social media than any other platform. “I would call the current situation an Infodemic rather than Pandemic because there is a flood of both accurate and inaccurate information on the social media platforms, which is a major cause of panic among the masses”, says Dr. Kherada. Media plays an important role in keeping the population sane by forwarding positive and accurate news to avoid fear and fallacy. Boredom, frustration, irritation, hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), suicide, etc., are some reactions that are commonly identified in people due to confinement in their homes during the lockdown.

Many patients suffering from Coronavirus are in home isolation, and their family is afraid to go near them, so how do you suggest overcoming this fear and panic?

Staying positive should be the topmost priority to gain strength to overcome this phase. Following the right information and taking the necessary precautions will help people to overcome the fear. “Maintain Social Distancing, not Emotional Distancing. Be emotionally available, talk to your friends, family members, neighbours, etc. and be in touch with them virtually”, says Dr. Sushil. Set a routine, try out new things, indulge yourself with your hobbies, and do yoga or exercise to keep yourself busy. It will help you take away your mind from the rising fear and panic in the country. Love and compassion towards the patients and each other are the keys to fighting this pandemic and keeping you mentally fit and healthy.

What impact do you think the COVID-19 Pandemic would have on us in the future? Can it create more and new mental health issues in the near future?

A key to overcome mental illness is to prepare the person to fight upcoming challenges effectively. Thus, we need to prepare ourselves to fight these issues with patience and empathy. “The current phase is a test for us to become a better citizen, a better person for our family and close ones. So, let’s utilize this time to change your life for the better”, says Dr. Sushil.

How can students and employees working from home overcome the feeling of helplessness and depression and be mentally fit?

People often say that “I am busy and don’t have time for any additional things”, so this is your time to do what you love. Be it a hobby or a new thing that you wanted to learn for a long time but couldn’t get time to do so, this is your chance to actually practice those things.

How to deal with anxiety and procrastination?

There are some relaxation exercises that you can practice to reduce anxiety. Changing our mindset can be a great help to fight anxiety.

Inner peace and motivation are low during the time of lockdown. What do you suggest our viewers can do to cope with the same?

Lack of spiritual values can be a factor that leads to a lack of inner peace. Meditation and indulging yourself in positive activities can be helpful to motivate yourself. Reducing anger, balancing your life, and not feeling competitive towards your peers can help you gain inner peace.

Coming to an end to our conversation with Dr. Sushil, the foremost thing we have learnt is to reduce our fear and panic caused by COVID-19 by being positive and hopeful. The conversation has been very enlightening and valuable for people who are experiencing mental health issues. Hope you find the suggestions and recommendations helpful, and start prioritizing your mental health first!