MISCELLANEOUS

AGAMEE –A Society for Help for Self Help

Theatre Performances
In addition to our regular school activities, we have always tried to engage students with different extracurricular activities. Our previous experience suggested that any kind of cultural medium builds a friendly and healthy learning atmosphere for students and build their personality. Theatre is one such very strong medium. Our holistic approach, therefore, includes traditional dancing and theatre classes which has reflected positive influence on building self-confidence and gender awareness. For our non formal school children we had organized cultural programme in collaboration with the Sangbartra Group Theatre.

In this respect, a theatre production was performed at Bishnubati village in Birbhum district (17 June, 2022, 11 May 2023, and 3 March at Baragora village in Purulia district ). On 16 February, 2022 the theatre production was staged at Baragora village in Purulia district. Another theatrical performance for creating awareness on violence against women was performed by Agamee at ‘Gender Mela’ organised by Porichiti at Dhakuria, Kolkata (10 December, 2022), at International conference in New York, USA (13th October, 2023) and ‘Women’s Day Celebration’ organised by Luthran World Service India Trust at Ulltodanga, Kolkata (7 March, 2024).

Activities towards Eco Feminism

Agamee has taken up the issue of the relationship between women and nature (ECOFEMINISM) with much respect and seriousness. Some of the activities, therefore, have been designed from the lens of the same. Two field surveys have been conducted in the month of December, 2022 and March, 2023 at two localities in the village of Birbhum district, namely ‘Bishnubati’. The survey focussed on the relationship between women and nature (ECOFEMINISM). Altogether 150 household were covered by that survey. Another 200 household at Baragora and Matiyal Sahar village in Purulia was also surveyed for the same purpose.

Very recently, on 17 Feb, 2024, two Kolkata based NGOs, namely South Kolkata Sannidhya and Sutanutir Sakkhyo jointly organized a study circle on Eco feminism. One of the resource persons of this study circle was from Agamee.

Participation in Seminars/Workshops

  • 13 December 2021 -This year as a member organisation, ‘Agamee’ has actively participated in the Public Hearing on “Domestic Violence during COVID-19- impact on Women and the Response of State Agencies”. This hearing was organised by ‘Aman Global Network for Peace at home’ at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata.
  • 30 April, 2022 – a member of Agamee A Society for Help for Self Help participated and presented a paper in a seminar ‘Gender Differential of Opinion on Women Empowerment and the Role of Theatre: A Study in Two Tribal Villages in Purulia District of West Bengal at Tripura University, Paper was written on based of a field survey conducted by people of Agamee’s Purulia project area.
  • 24 September, 2022- A member of Agamee A Society for Help for Self Help participated and presented a paper on a webinar ‘A Study on Awareness Regarding Eco-feminism
    at Two Villages in Purulia District of West Bengal, India’at Kiyoto University, Japan. Paper was written on based of a field survey conducted by people of Agamee’s Purulia project area.
  • 11 March, 2023 – Two students as youth leaders and one member of Agamee have actively participated in a National Youth Mela/ Festival organized by Talash Foundation at Seva Kendra , Kolkata.
Field Surveys
A field survey on Child Marriage was conducted in Kolkata and Purulia. About 50 and 70 respondents were surveyed to find out the reason of child marriage respectively. This study was done on behalf of Bhabna network.
Health Survey
Agamee, in collaboration with The Biomedical Science Centre, working for promoting medical and scientific research in any manner or field and to encourage education in persons undertook a baseline study in Mistiripukur slum area in Chetla, Alipore, Kolkata. The objective of this study was to measure the socio economic, health and nutritional status of the community people- both men women.
Relief work during pandemic
During Pandemic years 2020-2021, Agamee provided relief to people of their Purulia project.375 household were covered. On 25 May, 2020 dry ration was distributed which included rice, wheat, oil, soya bin, spices and soap and 28 September, 2021 executive members of Agamee A Society for Help for Self Help organised ‘Mask Distribution Program’ at Baragora and Metyal Sahar Village, in Purulia district.
Sports
Two sports events were organized with the students of Govardanga Adivasi Non formal school and Agamee Puila Marshal English Coaching Class. The first sports event was organized on 5 March, 2024 and the second event was held on 17 March, 2024 in Purulia. 35 participants joined in Purulia event. The events were organized keeping gender issues in mind.
Counselling Centre
Agamee alongwith another NGO, Institute of Social Works (ISW) has jointly started a legal counselling centre at Chetla Head office of Agamee.

Conducting Awareness Programmes/Workshops/Seminars
Many awareness programmes were and are being organized by Agamee-A Society for Help for Self Help focussing on issues like gender discrimination, gender violence, financial literacy and women empowerment in collaborations with NGOs and communities.

  • On 15 August, 2022 an awareness program on gender discrimination and gender violence was organised in collaboration with ‘Ma Saroda Seva Sangha’, Chandrakona Road, West Midnapur.
  • On 19 August 2022 a Legal Awareness Program on gender discrimination and gender violence was organised in Baragora village, Purulia.
  • 27 March 2022 an awareness program on gender discrimination and gender violence was organised in collaboration with ‘Alingon Samajik Sangha’ at Agartala, Tripura.
  • On 24 September, 2022 another Legal Awareness Program on gender discrimination and gender violence was organised in Bishnubati village, Birbhum.
  • For the first time, Agamee had organised 5 day Residential Educational Workshop in Kolkata for the students of Purulia. The workshop commenced from 28 October, 2022 and continued till 2 November. 12 students participated in this training. Other than discussion on gender and other social issues, the participants were given training on many co curricular activities and theatre which resulted in the production of a new drama. They were also given a tour of the city.
  • On 8 March 2023 on the occasion of ‘International Women’s Day, member of Agamee delivered a speech on the significance of the day at Luthran world Service India Trust, Kolkata.
  • On 7 March, 2024 on the occasion of ‘International Women’s Day, member of Agamee delivered a speech on the significance of the day at K.K. Das College, Kolkata.

Observation of memorable events

  • Celebrating Saraswati Puja at Chetla School
  • Prize Distribution after annual examination at Chandanpur School
  • Prize Distribution at Gobordanga School
  • Celebrating Independence Day with national flag hoisting at Chetla School
  • Awarding Teaching and non teaching  staff of all schools at ‘Tapan Theatre Hall’ on 12 October 2017 for their contribution and good conduct.
  • Flag hoisting ceremony at Agamee’s  ‘Gobordanga Pre-primary School’ and ‘Puila Marshal English Coaching Centre, Purulia’ on 15 August, 2022. 2023.
  • Swaraswati Puja celebration at Agamee’s’ Gobordanga Pre-primary school’ and Puila Marshal English Coaching Centre, Purulia’ On 28 January, 2023.
  • Raksha Bandhan Utsav celebrated by students and teachers of Agamee’s Baragora ‘Puila Marshal Coaching Centre’ on 12 August, 2022 and 30 August, 2023.