Coming from one of those grim lanes of Jammu & Kashmir which keeps hitting the headlines for some or other not so favourable reasons, Md. Musa is a story of emerging from darkness and transforming into light. 

Moved by his own transformation with the help of Art of Living he now became the reason for transformation for so many under Project Trayodashi in his state of Jammu & Kashmir. Project Trayodashi launched in cooperation with Rashtriya Rifles 48 under Mission Sadbhawana at Poonch, Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir, the crown of India revolved around 11 major interventions for the people of Jammu & Kashmir with the objective of checking radicalisation and nudging the youth of Kashmir on a path that can shape their future in the right direction. 

Major interventions undertaken by our Community Coordinator Md. Musa in Poonch, Rajouri – 

 

• Youth Leadership Training Program – Facilitated Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) for 243 youths in 5 YLTPs. Youths learned the magical experience of living drug free and stress free through this program. It helped them become aware of their potential, take leadership and plan for a better future. They were also made aware of their constitutional rights as a  citizen of the nation. A major part of the program was to help them understand the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions in order to enable them to participate in the development of their panchayat and seek the best out of it for themselves. 

The participants of the first YLTP program were so inspired that they wanted more youth to get benefitted by it and took no time in organising another YLTP for their neighbours and friends on their own. 

 

• Women Leadership Training Program – 5 Women Leadership Training Program (WLTP) was conducted for 119  women where they learned the art of maintaining a calm, peaceful and productive mind. Project Pavitra, the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Program was an integral part of the program that helped them understand the ways to handle their mind and body better during their monthly cycles through exercises, mudras and pranayama. Sessions on functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions was also an integral part of this program. The girls and women attending the WLTP were excited to share the knowledge and techniques learned with women in their friends and family. 

 

• Stress Management Workshop for Troops – 120+ army personnel through 7 different workshops learned the techniques of stress management. The workshop not only helped them become peaceful and centred but also enhanced their productivity at work by making them more aware and present in the moment.

 

• Stress Free Teaching – Stress free teaching sessions were organised for the teachers of 19 Schools and colleges in which 227 teachers participated and learned to keep themselves stress free with yoga and meditation amid the challenging socio – political situation that they live in.

 

• Zero Budget Natural Farming –  97 workshops on Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) were conducted in which 2033 villagers participated and learned the techniques of increasing their farm produce with natural practices without using chemicals and pesticides. Through ZBNF the villagers not only learned the techniques of natural farming but also made farming more sustainable and cost effective.

 

• Panchayati Raj Institution Training – Separate sessions on Panchayati Raj Institution were conducted in 70 villages to awaken and enlighten people about the potential of Panchayati Raj Institutions and the development that can happen if PRIs work on their full efficiency. The sessions were attended by 1500+ villagers and 300+ panchayat members. 

 

• Solar Electrification of Schools – 3 Schools were provided with Solar Electricity to free them from disturbances of frequent power outages leading to disruption in studies for students. A total number of 1200 students benefited with the initiative. 

 

• Smart Classroom Set Up – 5 schools were provided with Smart Classroom to allow students to learn what their syllabus taught them and more in an interesting and technologically advanced manner. These smart classrooms were connected with Byju’s Learning Set top Box that they can play without internet connection and learn beyond limit. The teachers of these schools were trained in efficient operation of Smart Boards to help children learn better. 

 

• Solar and Electrical Skill Training Program – 84 youths were skilled as Solar and Electrical Technicians from 7 skill training programs. They not only took the training but also became efficient enough to help our program coordinators in Solar Panel installation at schools and could do it efficiently within a 15 days training period. 

 

• Drug Free Youth – 20 + campaigns in schools, colleges and in villages on drug De Addiction were organised to make youths aware about the perils of drug addiction and on the importance of staying drug for mental awareness and physical fitness. 

 

• Cleanliness Drive – Cleanliness Drive was organised in more than 9 villages with the participation of villagers and they were made aware of the importance of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness for a better mental and physical health. Villagers were excited to take part in these drive and surprise to learn the big impact of their small efforts

Various other stand alone activities were organised and conducted to bring the smallest possible change. The project was not only successful in bringing a change among the youth locally but it was also successful in taking 3 batches of 15 students i.e., 45 youths from various YLTP programs go to Bangalore Skill Training Centre and provide them advance training in various skills. Many of them have got full time employment in Bangalore and other parts of the country and are living a new life with gratitude. 

Kashmir is a land of dichotomy and our Community Coordinator had to face various challenges on the way of implementation of the project. Starting from harsh weather conditions to unknown project locations, from tough terrains to paucity of transportation facilities, from challenging socio – political conditions to extremist threats and from unpredictable border area situations to terrorist attacks. Yes, the team had to go through it all and with the support of Rashtriya Rifles 48 Md. Musa along with the team proudly stood the test of time to make Project Trayodashi happen.