SIR RATAN TATA TRUST • ANNUAL REPORT 2002 …tatatrusts.org/upload/pdf/Annual-Report-2002-2003.pdf · SIR RATAN TATA TRUST • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 Vision His thoughts, ... Sir

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Vision

His thoughts, in 1913, on the manner in which the Trust’s

funds could be used:

“… for the advancement of Education, Learning

and Industry in all its branches, includingeducation in economy, sanitary services and art,or for the relief of human suffering or for other

works of public utility….

“To engage qualified and competent persons to

investigate into matters that pertain to the social,economic or political welfare of the Indian community,the object being to design schemes of a practical nature

calculated to promote the welfare of the said community, carebeing taken that such work is not undertaken from the stereotyped point of view butfrom the point of view of fresh light that is thrown from day to day by the advance of

science and philosophy on problems of human well-being…

Further, he also directed that:

“No experiment and no venture should be aided or undertaken unless the scheme thereofis carefully prepared…”

“No institution or organisation should be aided of which the accounts are not subject toperiodic audits and are not regularly issued and which would not be open to inspection

and examination…”

Sir Ratan Tata’s Vision

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Board of Trustees

Mr. Ratan N. Tata (Chairperson)

Mr. H. N. Sethna

Mr. N. A. Soonawala

Mr. J. N. Tata

Mr. K. B. Dadiseth

Mr. R. K. Krishna Kumar

Ms. Shirin Bharucha (with effect from February 17, 2003)

The Trust mourns the demise of Mr. Nani A. Palkhivala, who was an

esteemed member on the Board of Trustees for 34 years. A stalwart of the

Tata Group, he passed away in Mumbai on

Wednesday, December 11, 2002 after a brief illness.

He was 82.

We cherish fond memories of his long standing

association with the Trust and invaluable guidance,

over the years.

May his soul rest in peace….

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Trust Management Team

Secretary and Chief Accountant Mr. Hoshang D. Malesra

Institutional GrantsProgrammes Manager Mr. Arun Pandhi

Programme Officers Ms. Vartika Jaini

Ms. Kavita Anand

Programme Associate (Intern) Ms. Nehal Gandhi

Mr. Prodyut Mukherjee

Individual GrantsProgramme Officer Ms. Nandini Janardhanan

Senior Programme Associate Ms. Kumudini Kudalkar

Accounts Mr. Freddie P. Movdawala

Ms. Sanober N. Charna

Mr. Micky B. Billimoria

Ms. Bhanu Chidambaran

Executive Assistants Ms. Razia Khan

Ms. Meher Raghina

Office Assistants Ms. Jasmine D. Billimoria

Mr. Ravi M. Shetty

Mr. Ramesh V. Thingalaya

Mr. Navin D. Thingalaya

The Trust is grateful to the following for their valuable contributions during the year.

Bankers American Express Bank, Mumbai

State Bank of India, Main, Mumbai

UTI Bank, Main, Mumbai

Auditors Mr. D. D. Bhathena, Partner

M/s Damania, Panday and Bajan

Chartered Accountants

Solicitors Mr. Jehangir N. Mistry, Partner

M/s Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe

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Reflections

As the Trust enters its 85th year of existence, we reflect on the course of its long and eventful, yet

unfinished journey of missions and objectives, based on the vision of Sir Ratan Tata, the younger

son of Jamsetji Tata. The founder of the Tata Empire, Jamsetji was a true nationalist who foresaw the

significance of the industrial revolution for India. He had a desire to catapult India among the leading

industrial nations of the world. So was his passion to help young Indians in their higher studies. In

1892, he started giving scholarships to deserving students for higher studies abroad. Though he

could afford to give away, he preferred to loan money to deserving students so as to instil in them

a spirit of self-help1 .

Like his illustrious father, Sir Ratan too, was kind hearted and generous, always willing to lend a

helping hand to any individual and institution in distress. Blessed with the good fortune to support

a comfortable lifestyle, Sir Ratan always felt that accumulation of wealth also carried along with it a

significant responsibility. He had a true Indian outlook with a

nationalistic fervour; yet on the other hand, he possessed a

balanced, broad-minded view-point. Serious charity meant

making the effort to identify a cause one deeply cared about,

and then devoting time as well as effort and money. In his short,

but satisfying lifetime, Sir Ratan had identified several issues,

which would bear testimony to his munificence. Amongst these,

he decided to contribute towards the movement for social

awareness and upliftment that was unfolding in India, towards

the turn of the twentieth century.

On June 12, 1905, a visionary took an oath to serve his

motherland, support and promote the national interest of her

citizens. The man in question was none other than Gopal

Krishna Gokhale. He then asked his friends, Natesh Dravid,

Gopal Krishna Deodhar and Anant Vinayak Patwardhan to take

a similar oath. Thus was born the Servants of India Society, with Gokhale as its founder and the

other three as its life members. The founding of this brotherhood in Poona was the outcome of

Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s belief, that if the masses were to be liberated to function as active members

of Free India, they must have a band of selfless and intelligent workers, who would dedicate their

lives to the service of the nation.2 Gokhale, along with his trusted lieutenants, trained the volunteers

of the Society to be nationalist missionaries, infusing in them the virtues of valour, truth, courage

and resolve. Gokhale was resolute on spiritualising public life and he honed his team of workers

accordingly. With astute nobleness running through the rank of workers of the Society, it was but

In service of the Motherland…..

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1 Lala, R. M. (1981) The Creation of Wealth; I.B.H Publishing Company, Mumbai.2 Dhavse, R. (2002) Servants of India; http://www.indiatogether.org/stories/2002/rd1002.htm.

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Reflections

natural that it established a distinguished and unparalleled record of work that furthered the cause

of the nation’s welfare and Gokhale’s vision of national service.

The functioning of the Society greatly depended on the generosity of the public. There was a section

of people who considered it obligatory to lend financial support to the cause of Gokhale and his

Servants of India Society. Sir Ratan was deeply interested in the activities of the movement, and

decided to provide for the operational costs of the Society for a period of ten years, starting from its

inception in 1905. A total sum of Rs. 111,000 was disbursed during that period, which in those days

was a very large amount. Sir Ratan’s involvement in the social movement is evident from his letter

to Gokhale reiterating his support to the Servants of India Society, and enquiring about the situation

in South Africa, where Mahatma Gandhi was spearheading a movement to highlight the plight of

Indians under the prevailing regime.3 Sir Ratan went on to support the Gandhi-led agitation in South

Africa, disbursing a sum of Rs. 125,000 in the period 1909-1913.

15th October 1909

Dear Mr. Gokhale,

Perhaps you would like to have in writing the promise I made to you

when I saw you last. I now confirm my promise to contribute to your

Servants of India Society Rs. 12,000 per annum, instead of the Rs.

6,000, which I have hitherto done. The conditions under which I make

this contribution remain the same as before.

I hope you have not forgotten to move in the matter of the South

African question. I shall be glad to hear from you on the subject.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

Sir Ratan’s involvement with the Servants of India Society did not end at mere fund disbursals. He

took a keen interest in the activities of the Society and regularly appraised them. He kept in constant

touch with Gokhale, in India and in England.

During the period 1905-1915, the Society created branches across many parts of India, concentrating

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3 Tata Central Archives, Pune.

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its efforts in the areas of education, economic and social work and relief activities. Gokhale was a

firm advocate of spreading education. Being a lecturer himself in the Fergusson College, he taught

English and Mathematics, before becoming its Principal. In 1911, he was instrumental in promoting

the Elementary Education Bill, and subsequently forming the Elementary Education League in 1913,

to work for the introduction of free and compulsory education. In the very same year, the Society

established the Social Service League of Bombay. Gokhale knew that large scale illiteracy was the

reason behind most of the social ills pervading the country. With the active support of Ms. Ramabai

Ranade, several institutions were set up for education of women. The Society supported rural

education on a large scale, by running schools in villages. Education was imparted using innovative

methods, to enhance interest levels amongst the students.

With a majority of the population being rural, the main source of income was through agrarian

means. The class based society ensured that the rich land owners got richer, at the expense of

those who toiled under them. Recognising the fact that many hands are better than one, the Society

was active in starting numerous co-operative movements. The members of the Society would visit

villages, giving lectures on the causes of agricultural indebtedness and importance of co-operative

societies as a means of lightening the burden of the agriculturist and for social amelioration of the

masses. A separate class of societies was started, with the object of teaching the value of thrift

and self help to poor labourers and members of the depressed classes, so as to enable them

to throw off the load of debt. These societies were set up during 1914-1915, by a Debt

Redemption Committee, which was initiated by the Servants of India Society. In order to give a

stimulus to the study of this co-operative movement, a library was established in Bombay by the

Society, in 1914.4

Such was the stature of Gokhale’s work for the Society, that even the Mahatma held him as his

political guru. Writing about Gokhale, Gandhiji says that he was “pure as a crystal, gentle as a lamb,

brave as a lion, and chivalrous to a fault… He was and remains for me the most perfect man on the

political field.”5 As a result of his unceasing efforts, Gokhale’s health broke down and he passed

away on February 20, 1915.

In the years that followed, The Servants of India Society was involved in social, political, and relief

work that touched the lives of many, changing them for the better, and bringing around a revolution

amongst the Indian society. The traditions and legacy of the Society have been carried forward to

this day. Though the number of workers it attracts has dwindled over the years, given the selfless

nature of services expected from them, it is still active in various parts of the country.

VI

Reflections

4 Annual Reports of The Servants of India Society, 1905-1935.5 Gandhi, M. K. (1958) Gokhale, My Political Guru; Navjivan, Mumbai.

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While the concept of philanthropy has evolved over the years, the manner in which Sir Ratan helped

the Servants of India Society through its early years can be considered well ahead of its time. The

positive impact of this well-intended support is palpable from the growth of the organisation, and

the quality of work done, which led to the social awakening throughout the country. The type of

activities that Sir Ratan supported is reflected in the contemporary work of the Trust. The social and

relief work carried out by the Society during the pre-Independence period, and the contemporary

work of the Trust in its thematic areas have a common ideal in mind - to serve people through

measures that will positively impact their lives.

The Trust is constantly evolving its activities to cater to the present day needs. The areas it supports,

the values it espouses, and the grantees it associates with, reflect the vision of Sir Ratan. The Trust

realises the value and potential of the non-profit sector, in its ability to influence the future of India,

and recognises the fact that while there are options available for joining the development sector,

there is a serious paucity of well-designed, inter-linked and focussed spaces for youth, for exposure

and engagement with issues of poverty, development, and civil society. To address this issue, the

Trust supports initiatives which involve the youth in enhancing civil society.

Following a review of the period 1995-2000, the Trust now acts upon the recommendations of the

Strategic Plan 2006, which proposes that the Trust play a catalytic and instrumental role in

development, by allocating priorities within its thematic areas. In the course of its pro-active grant

bestowing, the Trust is on path with the task started by its founder, Sir Ratan, during his lifetime,

more than a hundred years ago. And we constantly remind ourselves, “It is not for us to complete

the task, but neither are we free to refrain from getting started on it”.6

LEGACY OF GOKHALE7

“What is the moral of Gokhale’s life? What legacy has he left for us? These questions were answered by Gokhale himself in his

last words to the members of the Servants of India Society, who were present beside his death bed: Don’t waste your time in

writing a biography or setting up a statue, but pour your whole soul into the service of India. Then only shall you be counted

among her true and faithful servants”.

“The man who leads the life of goodness, whose instincts are good, who is full of gentleness, who is the embodiment of truth

and who has fully shed his ego, is a Dharmatma, a man of religion, whether he knows it or not.”

…..Gandhiji – Gokhale, My Political Guru.

VII

Reflections

6 Quote by Rabbi Tarphon, circa 2 B.C.7 Gandhi, M. K. (1958) Gokhale, My Political Guru; Navjivan, Mumbai.

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VIII

An Overview: 2002 - 2003 ................................................................................................ 1

Institutional grants

Programme grant portfolio

Rural Livelihoods and Communities .................................... 9

Education ............................................................................. 22

Health ................................................................................... 30

Enhancing Civil Society and Governance .......................... 36

Arts and Culture .................................................................. 42

Endowment portfolio ..............................................................................................46

Small grant portfolio .............................................................................................. 51

Individual grants .............................................................................................. 59

Financial highlights .............................................................................................. 64

Guidelines for grant applicants .............................................................................................. 67

Contents

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1

Overview 2002 - 2003

An Overview

I The year that was : During 2002-2003, the Trust completed its first full year of activities based

on the Strategic Plan 2006 (SP 2006), which was conceptualised for the period 2001-2006. The total

disbursals made by the Trust in 2002-2003 touched an all time high, rising to Rs. 319.74 million

(US $ 6.66 million), a 52 per cent

increase over the previous year

and 100 per cent over 2000-2001.

Disbursals of Rs. 230.12 million

(US $ 4.79 million) were made on

programme grants during the year.

Endowment grant disbursals

totalled up to Rs. 7 million (US $ 0.15

million). Small grants touched

Rs. 11.48 million (US $ 0.24 million).

Thirty seven new programme

grants and forty three new small

grants were added to the Trust’s

portfolio during the year. Three organisations received endowments from the Trust. The total

disbursals to individuals were Rs. 71.14 million (US $ 1.48 million), an increase of 38 per cent over

the previous year.

Lift irrigation brings water and hope to the villagers of Jhalawar as part of theTrust grant to Sadguru Foundation

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Details of grant disbursals: 2002-2003

Type of grant Rs. in million US$ in million

Institution: Programme grants 230.12 4.79

Institution: Endowment grants 7.00 0.15

Institution: Small grants 11.48 0.24

Individual grants 71.14 1.48

Total 319.74 6.66

Rs. 10 million is Rs. 1 crore; 1 US$ is approximately equal to Rs. 48

The Trust’s main areas of engagement during 2002-2003 are highlighted below:

• The Trust developed a focus within all its thematic areas which was implemented through

the Annual Work Plan 2002-2003. This focus led to the strengthening of sub-themes within

each thematic area, and developing initiatives for significant engagement with these

sectors.

• In line with the recommenda-

tions of the Strategic Plan

2006, the Trust has re-

structured the earlier Public

Initiatives portfolio, and

focussed its grant making

through the newly created

Enhancing Civil Society and

Governance theme.

• Through the Sir Ratan Tata

Small Grants Programme, the

Trust supported 43 newBuilding professionals for the sector : The first biennial convocation atTata-Dhan Academy, Madurai

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organisations during 2002-03. The disbursals for the same period were 86 percent higher

than last year.

• Individual grants recorded a 38 per cent increase in disbursals during 2002-03, compared to

last year.

II Programme grants: The areas covered under programme grants include:

• Rural Livelihoods and

Communities

• Education

• Health

• Enhancing Civil Society and

Governance

• Arts and Culture

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Programme grant disbursals: 2002-2003

Thematic Area No. of grants Rs. in million US$ in million

Rural Livelihoods & Communities 42 107.24 2.23

Education 25 63.91 1.33

Health 19 22.60 0.47

Enhancing Civil Society & Governance 14 18.20 0.38

Arts & Culture 5 18.17 0.38

Total 105 230.12 4.79

Disbursals made towards programme grants during the year were Rs. 230.12 million (US $ 4.79

million), a 76 per cent increase over 2001-2002, and 120 percent increase over 2000-2001. In terms

of disbursals, all the thematic areas witnessed a significant rise. As can be noticed, the portfolios of

Rural Livelihoods & Communities and Education contributed 74 per cent of the total outlay towards

programme grants.

Programme grant highlights of 2002-2003:

Significant efforts were made to consolidate and bring focus within themes, by strengthening

of individual sub themes. This has resulted in a clear focus in the working of the Trust. While the

sub themes have been discussed in detail in the respective chapters, key highlights are as

follows:

• In keeping with the recommendation of the new Strategic Plan 2006, the erstwhile Public

Initiatives portfolio was restructured and broadened into the ‘Enhancing Civil Society and

Governance’ theme.

• The regional micro finance initiative in Rajasthan built on the first phase of the Trust support to

organisations in the state. The Community Banking Project with Dhan Foundation has expanded

during the year, and the number of women covered by the programme has increased appreciably.

In the area of water research, the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Programme conducted


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cutting-edge studies, by engaging Indian and global scientific and resource management

institutions, in a practical agenda of water sector research and policy discussion. A major ongoing

project, Himmothan Pariyojana, addressed the issues of water, and livelihood in Uttaranchal

and Himachal Pradesh. With a view to assuage the ill effects of drought, the Trust supported

drought proofing and drought relief activities in Rajasthan.

• In the field of education, the focus has been on proactive grant making that has a significant

influence on the field. The Trust provided strategic support to the Tata-Dhan Academy, with the

aim of making it one of the leading schools in rural development management in the country.

• The Trust has made concerted efforts to develop the thematic areas of health, and enhancing

civil society and governance. In order to build capacities and develop interaction between

indigenous grant making foundations, the Trust supported initiatives on fostering local

philanthropy, with a view to enhance civil society. Similarly it supported organisations that

encouraged the youth to partake in the activities of the third sector. The Trust was also involved

in developing new health projects in community based health programmes.

• Extensive engagement of external experts was done to review ongoing projects, and peer

review proposals. In addition, the Trust made a conscious decision to organise independent

appraisals and financial audits to strengthen project design.

III Endowment grants :

Three new grants were sanctioned

during the year to J. N. Tata Parsi

Girls’ High School, Nagpur, Bai

Navajbai Tata Zoroastrian Girls’

School, Navsari, and London

School of Economics. The total

disbursal of Rs. 7 million (US $ 0.15

million) in 2002-2003 was

significantly lower than the

disbursal of Rs. 21.80 million in the

previous year. The lower disbursal


A discussion on tank irrigation in South India : The annual partners meet of theIWMI-Tata Water Policy Programme, Anand

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figures are due to the deferred endowments, which will convert into endowments, based on

performance. This allows for close monitoring to assess the performance against plans, and establish

a working relationship before endowment. In the coming years, the Trust shall endeavour to recognize

worthy institutions from its programme portfolio, and strengthen them through well designed

endowments, thereby ensuring their growth and sustainability in the future.

IV Sir Ratan Tata Small Grant Programme :

Disbursals made towards the Sir Ratan Tata Small Grant Programme in the year, touched an all-time

high of Rs. 11.48 million (US $ 0.24 million). This marked an 86 per cent increase from the disbursals

of Rs. 6.18 million in the previous year. The Sir Ratan Tata Small Grant Programme was launched in

1998-99, during which, grants worth Rs. 0.57 million were disbursed to three organisations. This

year, forty three organisations were sanctioned grants under the programme. A large majority of

the grants this year focussed on the theme of rural livelihoods. Efforts have been stepped up to

identify organisations in other thematic areas.

V Individual grants :

The Trust provides grants to individuals for medical assistance; to students to pursue undergraduate

and postgraduate courses within India; and part-travel assistance to students and professionals

going abroad for advanced studies or specialised training. Of the 6,686 applications received from

individuals during the year, 2,747 or 41% were sanctioned. The total disbursals during the year

amounted to Rs. 71.14 million (US $ 1.48 million), an increase of 38 per cent from the disbursals of

Rs. 51.65 million of last year. Currently, the Trust has linkages with 19 hospitals across the country.

Individual grant disbursals: 2002-2003

Type of grants Rs. in million US$ in million %

Medical 47.16 0.98 66.29

Education 23.98 0.50 33.71

Total 71.14 1.48 100.00

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VI Finance, property and administration :

The year under review saw a quantum rise in the Trust’s income from Rs. 316.45 million to

Rs. 379.20 million, an increase of 19.8 per cent over the previous year. Correspondingly, disbursals

made under programme grants touched an all time high of Rs. 319.74 million (US $ 6.66 million).

The general administration and programme costs were 3 per cent of the total income and 3.5 per

cent of the total disbursals. The accounts for the year ending March 31, 2003 have been finalised

and the statutory audit completed. The status of immovable properties of the Trust remains

unchanged.

VII Human Resources :

The Trust considers it important to invest in its human resources base. As a part of its human

resource development strategy, dedicated mid-career professional staff were sourced to consolidate

and expand the themes, especially education and health, as these become focused and specialised.

The Trust augmented its external resource person and consultant base significantly during the year.

It undertook campus recruitments to build its inhouse programme team and also recruited a resource

person to operationalise its communication strategy.


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VIII Experiences and lessons learnt :

By achieving the targets set in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2002-03, the Trust managed to reach a

record annual disbursement figure. The current portfolio indicates that the Trust has made a definite

effort to engage with specific fields, besides developing quantitative and qualitative initiatives which

contribute to generating knowledge and add value to the selected sectors.

Future :

In the first half of 2003-04, the focus would be on implementing the AWP 2003-04. This aims at

further strengthening the Trust portfolio with new grants that consolidate each sub thematic areas.

In addition, the AWP 2003-04 would aim to implement recommendations of the five year strategy

document and is therefore expected to be a watershed in the history of the Trust. A major focus in

2003-04 would be on strengthening projects/initiatives initiated in 2002-03 and on reviewing the

large on-going projects that commenced in 2001-02. The Trust shall also strengthen its human

resource base, both at the field and organisation levels.


Members of a Pani Samiti meet to discuss progress with the Trust’s team, as part of the Gujarat SalinityIngress Prevention and Mitigation initiative

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9

Institutional grants : Rural Livelihoods & Communities

The Indian economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, with real GDP growth averaging 6%

annually. Social indicators, such as poverty and infant mortality have also improved during the last

ten years. Despite this somewhat positive outlook, over 300 million Indians are classified as living

below the poverty line. Since India resides in her villages, it comes as no surprise that more than

three fourths of the ‘below the poverty line’ population are based in rural areas.1 Improving the

quality of their life would require meaningful funding, besides appropriate measures to improve the

health and socio-economic conditions of the rural people. It is now commonly accepted that the

involvement of the rural community in all facets, from planning to implementation to post-

implementation operation and maintenance, is imperative if interventions are to be sustainable.

Consequently, the government is now gradually shifting from being a ‘provider’ to becoming a

‘facilitator’ thereby increasingly involving panchayats, community based organisations, and non

government organisations in the development process. In view of this backdrop, enhancing rural

livelihoods remains a key test of the State, besides continuing to be a major theme in the Trust’s

grant portfolio. To facilitate the above, the Trust portfolio is focused on adding value to the sector

through innovations, initiatives, and support to institutions working towards sustainable development

to rural India. From the perspective of developing effective strategies and programme management,

the Trust supports focussed initiatives in two broad areas:

• Land and water development

• Micro finance

High quality initiatives in land and water development focus on enhancing rural livelihoods, from

natural resources and enterprises based on agrarian activities. These are supported by research

initiatives that seek solutions in water-related issues. The IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research

Programme (IWMI-Tata Programme) conducts cutting-edge studies, by engaging Indian and

global scientific and resource management institutions, in a practical agenda of water sector research

and policy discussion. During the year, the focus of research was on: (i) groundwater recharge and

rainwater harvesting; (ii) livelihoods and irrigation in tribal areas in Central India; (iii) management

and revival of tank irrigation; (iv) energy-irrigation nexus; and (v) promoting micro irrigation. Besides,

the Trust has supported the IWMI-Tata Programme to undertake a two-year pilot project called

‘North Gujarat Sustainable Groundwater Initiative’, which seeks to locate and replicate community

based local strategies to arrest groundwater depletion and to improve the livelihood of the rural

poor in Banskantha district. Dissemination was undertaken through the annual partners’ meet,

Rural Livelihoods & Communities

1 ‘Poverty Line and Related Data’: http://www.india-watch.com

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attended by partner organisations, stakeholders from government departments, and non-profit

organisations. The programme documents all its research in periodically published papers, which

are circulated amongst a wide audience. The IWMI-Tata Programme is also collaborating in a

Trust supported project with Self Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN) towards

developing a community managed model for ground water utilisation in three micro basins in

Karnataka, in co-ordination with three large projects involving drinking water and sanitation, tank

rehabilitation, and watershed activities currently underway in the state.

The Central India Initiative (CInI) was initiated to address the issues of land and water

development in resource-rich, but poor tribal areas of Central India, by supporting various

As one enters the lush green plot in Rozam village, about 12 kms from Dahod, Gujarat, the sight of flowers, fruits and

vegetables growing in abundance comes as a pleasant surprise. This is the third consecutive year of drought that

this village has experienced. Ramilaben Rathod is all smiles as she takes us around her plot, measuring roughly one-

eighth of an acre. Using drip technology, she uses water

from her dug well to irrigate her plot. On one side, one can

see roses, marigolds, spider lilies and chrysanthemums

blooming. Lemons, mango, pomegranate and papaya are

growing on another part of the plot. A few years back,

Ramilaben was a seasonal farmer. During monsoons, she

would grow wheat and maize, using only rain water for

irrigation. However, for the remaining part of the year, she

would be compelled to migrate to bigger towns in the

neighbouring areas, in search of odd jobs that could enable

her to make two ends meet. The drip irrigation technology,

along with programmes in horticulture and floriculture,

initiated by Navinchandra Mafatlal Sadguru Water andDevelopment Foundation (Sadguru), has enabled

Ramilaben to irrigate her plot throughout the year, using

just the required amount of water. In the last six months, she has earned a profit of Rs. 45,000 selling her produce

in the local markets. This year, with the technical assistance from Sadguru, she has developed a nursery, presently

having 13,000 rose saplings. Each sapling is expected to fetch Ramilaben Rs. 5 in the local market. She also grows

maize and wheat for her home consumption.

The chief objectives of Sadguru are to improve the living conditions of the rural and tribal people, chiefly by developing

environmentally sound land and water resources programmes that will arrest distress migration from rural to urban

areas. Sadguru strengthens village institutions and trains other groups in the field of natural resources management.

Sadguru initiated its activities in the tribal areas of Dahod and Jhalod talukas of Panchmahal district of Gujarat in

1974. Over the years, it has expanded its activities over three states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, in

a compact contiguous area. Its activities have reached out to more than 1,20,000 families and a tribal population of

7,50,000 people.

In its endeavour to support techniques for the optimal use of water, the Trust supports Sadguru’s efforts in rain

deficient areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Rs. 125 million grant supplements the funds required by Sadguru for

project and core organisational expenses over a five-year period, to benefit around 38,000 households in 250 villages.


A beaming Ramilaben in her field. Sadguru’s initiatives havechanged people’s lives in Rozam village

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organisations. The Trust, in collaboration

with various organisations, has

supported major land and water

development projects. During the year

under review, the Trust consolidated its

association with N M Sadguru Water

& Development Foundation

(Sadguru), which, under the

Government of India’s (GoI)

Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna

(SGSY) in Jhalawar, completed five check

dams and seven community lift irrigation

schemes, costing more than Rs. 50

million. Besides, Sadguru initiated water

resources development in Banswara

district. The Trust has supported

initiatives in watershed activities through

organisations like Action for Social

Advancement (ASA) and

Professional Assistance for

Development Action (PRADAN). ASA

in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh and

PRADAN in Purulia, West Bengal, are

engaged in enhancing rural livelihoods

through soil and moisture

conservation, and creating irrigation

infrastructure.

Launched by the Trust and its partners,

the ‘Gujarat Salinity Prevention &

Mitigation Initiative’ deals with the problem of salinity ingress, that has rendered vast tracts of

land infertile in coastal areas of Gujarat. Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) (AKRSP(I))

and Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF), with the Trust’s support, are developing long-term

solutions to this problem through changing crop patterns, promoting water saving technology, and

Kand, Kardiyana and Bagiyada are a picturesque cluster of three

villages in the Dhauladhar mountains in Himachal Pradesh. About

130 families inhabit the Bhagan Khad watershed, where the three

villages are located about 8 kms from Dharamshala, in Himachal

Pradesh. Most of these families are gaddis, a community of

traditional wool weavers who rear goats and sheep. As the villages

have grown, the pressure on forests for fuel wood and fodder has

increased mani-fold. The additional timber demand, to support

the rapid urban sprawl around Dharamshala, has severely

degraded the rich forests in this area. The once bountiful Bhagan

Khad watershed is now unable to provide the basic needs of the

gaddi community. Deforestation leading to extensive soil erosion,

landslides and drying up of natural springs has emerged as a major

ecological threat in the region.

One of the three components of the ‘Himmothan Pariyojana’is enhancing livelihoods through Participatory Watershed

Development. The Trust’s project with Peoples’ ScienceInstitute (PSI) builds the capacity of personnel from

15 non-profit organisations in Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh,

to undertake a larger programme through its local partner

organisation, and mobilises villagers in Bhagan Khad to develop

their degraded watershed. Special emphasis was laid on the active

participation of the local women through the Mahila Mangal Dals.

Led by a fiery Challo Devi, these Mahila Mangal Dals began to set

things right, even before any external funds were provided to the

project. The women have cleaned all the water tanks and irrigation

channels, besides mobilising the village Yuva Mandals to dig

rainwater harvesting structures.

The project with PSI was initiated in January 2002, to help local

communities develop a micro-watershed over a period of four

years, to meet their basic needs for food, fuel, fodder, water and

employment in a sustainable and socially just manner. PSI’s basic

role in partnering these non-profit organisations is to help build

their capacities, so that they can independently undertake natural

resource management programmes in the future. PSI has signed

a MoU with the Watershed Directorate of the Uttaranchal

Government to help institutionalise the involvement of non-profit

organisations in the watershed activities in Uttaranchal.

‘Himmothan Pariyojana’ is expected to add substantial value

to the Trust’s portfolio in the field of land and water development,

and augmenting the rural livelihoods of the marginalised.

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decreasing the rate of

g r o u n d w a t e r

extraction. AKRSP (I) is

involved in drinking

water interventions

through pani samitis

and promoting roof rain

water harvesting in

villages in Junagadh

district. Drinking water

interventions of ACF

focusses on

construction of roof

rain water harvesting structures and well sealing, to transform unusable wells through rainwater

harvesting.

Agriculture plays a major role in the livelihoods of over seventy per cent of the Indian population,

and is heavily dependent on sufficient, timely and well-spread rainfall. Due to the truant nature of

the monsoon, many areas of India continually face a drought situation. The Trust has concentrated

its efforts on preventive drought proofing measures in West Rajasthan. The Trust supports

His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust (MHSCT) to create lasting solutions,

by evolving technological and organisational innovations for integrated development of drought

prone areas. The approach is basically four pronged, with the following activities: (a) water resource

development; (b) agriculture diversification; (c) animal husbandry; and (d) income generation. Due

to a severe drought in the region this year, the Trust has pro-actively initiated an integrated drought

relief programme for West Rajasthan with MHSCT, Urmul Jyoti Sansthan (UJS) and Shanti

Maitri Mission (SMM).

The Trust is actively supporting the efforts of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in promoting

agricultural diversification in Punjab, to revive the green revolution through a three pronged approach.

The first would demonstrate alternative cropping systems; the second would demonstrate integrated

pest management technology on rice and cotton, besides identifying important cultural practices

to conserve and enhance the activity of bio-control agents. The final component would develop

high yielding, early maturing, disease and pest resistant varieties of groundnut.


Construction of a check dam at Sakat Nagar, Balesar, Jodhpur. A drought-proofing projectwith MHSCT

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The ‘Himmothan Pariyojana’ launched in 2001-02 addresses the immediate issues affecting the

Himalayan region and its people through: (a) watershed development; (b) water and sanitation

interventions; and (c) income generation activities. With the Trust’s support, Peoples’ Science

Institute (PSI) is building the capacity of select non-profit organisations in Garhwal & Himachal in

watershed development, which has resulted in the development of five 500-hectare watershed

plans, spread over Garhwal and Himachal. Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG)

has commenced similar efforts in Kumaon along with a planning phase for a natural resources

management project in Bageshwar, Uttaranchal. In the second component dealing with water and

sanitation, three organisations, namely, Himalayan Gram Vikas Samiti (HGVS), Himalayan

Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) and Society for Motivation Training and Action (SMTA) are

undertaking a one year planning phase to set and build up capacity of a registered management

society, who will plan, implement, operate, and maintain single village schemes, and sanitation and

drainage interventions in 36 villages.

Access to financial services underlies most livelihood interventions. With increasing recognition of

the role of savings and credit groups for livelihood promotion and socio-economic development,

and acceptance of standard design of such programmes, the Trust’s grant making in micro-finance

encourages developing contextually relevant client-centric programmes for serving the poor,

especially in underserved regions.

Capacity building activities conducted for water and sanitation management societiesby SMTA, as part of Himmothan Pariyojana.

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A regional initiative in Rajasthan for strengthening livelihoods and reducing vulnerabilities builds on

the first phase of the Trust support in the area. Field projects of Jan Shiksha Evam Vikas Sangathan

(PEDO), Prayatna Samiti and Ibtada would: (a) increase viability by consolidation and evolving

apex structures for reduced dependence on non-profit organisation staff; (b) increase livelihood

opportunities for members; and (c) strengthen staff capacity. A grant to Association for Rural

Advancement through Voluntary Action and Local Involvement (ARAVALI) supports sourcing

of young professionals and training of staff to support field projects, besides building organisational

capacities in micro-finance in two historically underserved districts of Rajasthan. ARAVALI will also

organise an annual Sir Ratan Tata Trust Colloquium on Development Finance to reflect on the micro

finance scenario in the state. Other grants to Society for Sustainable Development (SSD),

Hanuman Van Vikas Samiti (HVVS), and Prayas support provision of credit services to their

project areas. Through the grant to DHAN Foundation, the Trust supports provision of member-

centered micro-finance services, and ground laying for promotion of federations in 38 blocks across

three states in South India. The Trust support covered over 75,000 women through 4,974 groups

who have generated Rs. 107 million.

To bolster these efforts, a research programme has been seeded pro-actively at Indian Institute

of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). This programme adds value to field level projects, and

creates space for critical reflection that can foster innovation. In the first year the programme would

focus on study of financial products and policy environment for micro finance institutions.


Women performing a ritual dance before a Kalanjiam meeting promoted byDhan Foundation

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Emergency health expenses contribute heavily to indebtedness, especially in the case of

marginalised communities. To alleviate the ill-effects, the Trust has initiated support to

programmes in community based health financing. A grant to Association for Health &

Welfare in the Nilgiris (ASHWINI) supports its efforts in developing a financing plan for

13,000 member tribals.

The Trust disbursed Rs. 107.24 million (US $ 2.23 million) towards 42 grants, as against a disbursal of

Rs. 75.93 million towards 41 grants in 2001-2002, a 41 per cent increase from last year. In the coming

year, the Trust shall further strengthen the Gujarat salinity, Himmothan Pariyojana, Central India

initiatives, and water sector policy and research, besides consolidating its work in the Rajasthan

micro finance portfolio and in community based health financing.

Rs.

in

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WATER SECTOR RESEARCHRs.

IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Programme, AnandTowards the IWMI-Tata Water Research Programme to engage Indian and globalscientific and research management institutions in water sector researchand policy. 18,000,000

International Water Management Institute, AnandTowards augmenting water availability in North Gujarat through communityparticipation, in promotion of low-cost micro-irrigation and water savingtechnologies in Banaskantha district, in partnership with the DairyCo-operatives. 2,000,000

Self Reliant Initiatives Through Joint Action (SRIJAN), New DelhiTowards developing a community managed model for ground water utilisationin three micro basins in Karnataka, in co-ordination with three large projectsinvolving drinking water and sanitation, tank rehabilitation, and watershedactivities currently underway in the state. 1,000,000

India Natural Resource Economics & Management Foundation (INREM),AnandTowards developing case studies on water and energy saving micro irrigationtechnologies in Gujarat. No disbursals

CENTRAL INDIA INITIATIVE (CInI)

Navinchandra Mafatlal Sadguru Water & Development Foundation(SWDF), DahodA multi-year Rs. 125 million grant, focussing on community managed integratedland and water resources development activities in Dahod, Gujarat, andBanswara and Jhalawar in Rajasthan. 20,744,166

Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), New DelhiTowards a watershed development programme in Purulia district, West Bengal,benefiting over 8,000 families, largely tribal and small, or marginal farmers andthe landless. 2,600,000

Action for Social Advancement (ASA), DahodFor a comprehensive land and water management programme in 3 villages ofJhabua district, Madhya Pradesh.

1,600,000GUJARAT SALINITY INGRESS PREVENTION AND MITIGATION INITIATIVE

Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) (AKRSP(I)), AhmedabadTo develop a model on salinity management through a pilot on the Mangroltaluka of the Junagadh district, which would involve agricultural and drinkingwater interventions in 5 and 15 villages respectively. 5,000,000

Rural Livelihoods & Communities:Details of grants made in 2002-2003


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Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF),KodinarTo develop a model on salinity management through a pilot on the Kodinartaluka of the Junagadh district, which would involve agricultural and drinkingwater interventions in 5 and 20 villages respectively. 1,800,000

HIMMOTHAN PARIYOJANA

Peoples’ Science Institute, DehradunTowards a multi year grant for undertaking the capacity building of non-profitorganisations in Himachal and Garhwal regions in community managedwatershed development. 3,700,000

Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG), SitlaTowards undertaking the capacity building of non profit organisations in Kumaonregion in community managed watershed development, and developing a naturalresources management project in Bageshwar district, Uttaranchal. 2,900,000

Himalayan Gram Vikas Samiti (HGVS), GangolihatTowards a one year planning phase that sets up management societies in12 villages in Bageshwar and Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal, which plan,implement, operate and maintain drinking water and sanitation schemes. 1,716,257

Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT), Jolly GrantTowards a one year planning phase that sets up management societies in13 villages in Tehri-Garhwal district, Uttaranchal, which plan, implement, operateand maintain their own drinking water and sanitation schemes. 2,122,290

Society for Motivation Training & Action (SMTA), Vikas NagarTowards a one year planning phase that sets up management societies in 11villages in Dehradun and Uttarkashi district, Uttaranchal, which plan, implement,operate and maintain their own drinking water and sanitation schemes. 1,779,269

Himalayan Action Research Centre (HARC), DehradunTowards a collaboration with the Government of Uttaranchal, to promote organicactivities in the state, by establishing the Centre for Organic Farming (COF) No disbursals

REVIVING THE GREEN REVOLUTION

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), LudhianaTowards demonstrating alternate cropping systems to rice-wheat; demonstratingintegrated pest management technology on rice and cotton; and developinghigh yielding, early maturing and pest resistant varieties of groundnut. 3,400,000

DROUGHT PROOFING IN RAJASTHAN

Jan Shiksha Evam Vikas Sangathan (PEDO), DungarpurTowards drought relief works in two blocks of Dungarpur district, Rajasthan. 55,847

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His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust (MHSCT),JodhpurTowards drought proofing in 15 villages in Balesar block of Jodhpur district, WestRajasthan, through ground water recharging, supplementing drinking water, anddiversifying and sustaining livelihoods. 4,000,000

His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust (MHSCT),JodhpurTowards an integrated drought relief programme for West Rajasthan. The focuswould be on installation of hand pumps for drinking water, purchase anddistribution of cattle feed and fodder, and holding veterinary camps for livestockin seven tehsils in Jodhpur district. 1,000,000

Urmul Jyoti Sansthan (UJS), NokhaTowards an integrated drought relief programme for West Rajasthan. This wouldgive support for providing drinking water to 10 villages from April-June 2003 andseed and sowing cost support for 300 poor farmers in 16 project villages, all inBikaner district. 500,000

Shanti Maitri Mission (SMM), PugalTowards an integrated drought relief programme for West Rajasthan. This wouldprovide feed and fodder for 2000 livestock through camps in 5 panchayats,plantation of green fodder, and seed and sowing support for 100 poor farmersin 30 project villages, all in Bikaner district. 500,000

RAJASTHAN MICRO FINANCE

Jan Shiksha Evam Vikas Sangathan (PEDO), DungarpurTowards formation and strengthening of 245 women’s credit groups in theSimalwara and Aspur blocks, Dungarpur district, Rajasthan. 650,000

Jan Shiksha Evam Vikas Sangathan (PEDO), DungarpurTowards strengthening livelihoods and reducing vulnerabilities in Dungarpurdistrict, Rajasthan, covering 4,550 women through 245 Self Help Groups (SHGs). 700,000

Prayatna Samiti, GudliTowards strengthening livelihoods and reducing vulnerabilities in 30 villages inUdaipur district, covering 82 women’s groups. 800,000

Ibtada, AlwarTowards the promotion and consolidation of 20 clusters called Mahila Sabhas,in Alwar district, Rajasthan, each comprising of ten groups, to address micro-credit needs, as well as make them financially sustainable. 450,000


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Hanuman Van Vikas Samiti (HVVS), SakrodaTowards consolidation of a micro-credit programme including strengtheningof 100 women’s savings and credit groups in villages in Udaipur district. 90,000

Association for Rural Advancement through Voluntary Action & LocalInvolvement (ARAVALI), JaipurTowards enhancing effectiveness of 20 field level organisations and their microfinance programmes, through placement of young professionals, training, andorganisational development support; augmenting ARAVALI’s capacity as aresource agency; and organising an annual micro finance retreat. 1,800,000

Society for Sustainable Development (SSD), KarauliProgramme for initiating and strengthening of 16 existing and 34 new savingsand credit groups in Karauli district, Rajasthan. 60,000

Prayas, ChittorgarhFor strengthening the organisational capacity of 150 groups in 112 villages inPratapgarh and Dhariyawad blocks of Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan. 640,000

Vishaka Mahila Shiksha Avam Shodh Samiti, JaipurTowards formation of 55 savings and credit groups in Phaagi block, Jaipur district,Rajasthan. 400,000

SOUTH INDIA MICRO FINANCE

Development of Humane Action Foundation (DHAN), MaduraiSupport towards consolidation and expansion of the community-bankingprogramme in 30 specified locations in South India, covering 90,000 membersthrough 4,500 groups. 14,326,680

Participative Watershed and Rural Development Agency (PRAWARDA),BasavakalyanTowards formation and strengthening of 100 savings and credit groups benefiting2,800 families in 10 villages of Basavakalyan block, Bidar district, Karnataka. 400,000

SAVINGS AND CREDIT (Maharashtra, M.P., W. Bengal and Orissa)

Navchetna, YavatmalTowards formation and strengthening of 60 savings and credit groups, covering900 women from 64 villages in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. 320,000

Samgra Gram Vikas Sanstha (SAGRAS), PusadTowards formation and strengthening of 90 savings and credit groups, benefiting1,350 members from 40 villages in Pusad, Maharashtra. 200,000

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Adarsha Social & Health Services Association (ASHA), JharsugudaTowards formation of 150 new savings and credit groups and strengthening theexisting 150 groups. The grant is expected to benefit a total of 3,300 women ofrural Orissa. 420,000

Vikas Anusandhan avam Shekshanik Pragati Sansthan (VASPS), IndoreTowards the formation of 100 women’s savings and credit groups in Umarbanblock of Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. The grant is expected to benefit 2,000women belonging to the tribal communities. 400,000

Jamgoria Sevabrata, Gopal NagarFor the formation and challenging of 450 women’s savings and credit groups inPurulia district, West Bengal. 600,000

RESEARCH ON MICRO FINANCE

Indian Institute of Management (IIM), AhmedabadTowards a research programme in the area of micro finance that develops acomprehensive research agenda around identified themes, including financialproducts and the policy environment for micro finance institutions.This initiatesthe SRTT fund for research collaborations in micro finance. 4,700,000

HEALTH AND MICRO FINANCE

Association for Health & Welfare in the Nilgiris (ASHWINI), NilgirisTowards a community based health insurance programme, for provision ofin-patient health care services to tribals accessing care at the GudalurAdivasi Hospital. 1,500,000

OTHERS

Pragya, GurgaonTowards promotion of large scale cultivation of endangered medicinal plants atfour sites in Lahaul valley, in Himachal Pradesh, thereby enhancing the livelihoodopportunities of the local farmers. 1,200,000

Centre for Entrepreneurship Development – Andhra Pradesh (CED-AP),HyderabadTowards a training programme in entrepreneurship, focussing on setting uprural based enterprises. 150,000

Development Support Centre (DSC), AhmedabadTo strengthen village level institutions in 30 villages in Bhavnagar and Amrelidistricts, focussing on activities relating to watershed development through anetwork of locally based non-profit organisations. 1,450,000


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Rajasthan Forest Produce Collectors & Processors Groups SupportSociety (Samarthak Samiti), UdaipurTowards core organisational support for this federation of tendu leaf pickers’co-operatives to enable the consolidation, expansion and diversification of itslivelihood generation activities in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. 100,000

Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN), GuwahatiTowards operating costs of development support teams that provide financialsupport to voluntary agencies engaged in enhancement of livelihoods in thenorth-eastern states of India. 700,000

National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New DelhiTowards a research programme on rural infrastructure as part of the ‘Centrefor Infrastructure Studies’ at the NCAER. No disbursals

Nishalkhedi Checkdam in Jhalawar, Rajasthan : Waterharvesting by Sadguru Foundation

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Institutional grants : Education

Education is not merely learning to read and write. It implies empowerment, dignity and better

quality of life. One cannot discount the role of education as the vital catalyst behind the progress of

the society and the growth of the economy. Despite the on-going efforts of the Central Government

to create opportunities for all to access basic or primary education, the Census of 2001 indicates

that over one third of India’s population remains illiterate. There is a growing belief that community

controlled education has yielded better results than the government controlled counterpart. The

Trust’s portfolio balances between promoting innovative community led and controlled initiatives,

while enhancing quality of service in government schools. The Trust reflects on the above backdrop

in deciding its agenda in education. Drawing on the Strategic Plan-2006, the Trust’s grants in the

field of education follow a focussed approach in the following areas:

• Enhancing the quality of service delivery and value additions in government schools through

innovative pedagogy, teaching methods, curriculum and textbooks

• Promoting initiatives to educate out-of-school children

• Education management and

research

• Supporting institutes of higher

education through fellowships

and strengthening their

re-engineering efforts

The Trust supports the activities of

institutions that are involved in

enhancing the quality of education

and making value additions to the

teaching process in government

schools. It has emphasised on innovations in service delivery in order to reach out to a large number

of children in a meaningful manner with community involvement. With Trust support, Education

Support Organisation (ESO) is developing a cost effective community based model of primary

education for the urban poor, in the slums of Ahmedabad. The Trust supported Lokmitra in its

efforts to enhance community engagement in raising the quality of government run village schools.

During the year, training was given to supplementary teachers located in government-run schools

in areas around Jaunpur and Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh. An integrated education programme for

tribal children carried out by Viswa Bharathi Vidyodaya Trust (VBVT), with support from the

Education

Children involved in an environmental activity promoted by Centre forEnvironment Education, Andhra Pradesh

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Trust, has enhanced the quality of education in the tribal schools in eight tribal areas of Tamil Nadu

significantly. The Trust has partnered with Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission (RGSM), in which 225

Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) schools in Madhya Pradesh are supported through capacity

building of their parent-teacher associations, to monitor progress and enhance the facilities and

material available at the schools. Eklavya made efforts in mainstreaming their educational models

in government and rural schools in Madhya Pradesh, with support from the Trust, besides acting as

The atmosphere was poignant, but charged with anxiety and expectation. The event was planned to see twenty

runaway children – some vulnerable and exploited, some well fed and anxious – reunited with their families. Of these,

parents of twelve children had come to take their child home. As the children entered the room, the anxious eyes

of the parents could not resist a tear, as they recognised their

children. One parent adorned his son with a new shirt whilst

another caressed his son, with tears of joy streaming down

both their faces.

Raju, a ten year old runaway kid, pondered openly, “Running

away isn’t an answer, but sometimes you wonder why it is so

much easier to survive like that, than to fix the problems we

face through appropriate means. What do we do when our

parents won’t help us, and all we have is ourselves to turn to?

There should be a better choice.” A repentant parent opined,

“I never knew that my son would run away. I was so busy

making ends meet at home, that I did not have any time for

my son. One day he was gone and I looked for him all over the

village and the neighbouring areas, spending a lot of money.

Then I received a telegram from SATHI, informing me that

they were in charge of my son. I have got my son back due

to SATHI’s efforts. I can never thank them enough, but

assure them that I shall give my family enough time and love,

in future”.

The Society for Assistance to Children in DifficultSituation (SATHI), has been in existence since the past seven

years, and is actively involved in Pune, Guntakal, Wadi and

Raichur in working towards the resettlement of runaway children on railway platforms, with their families. Once

contacted, the child is made to understand the futility of his actions by running away from home. Till date, over 700

run-away children have been happily resettled with their families. SATHI recently started its operations at Mumbai

Central station and has also partnered with other existing street children organisations. Apart from the initial contact

work at railway platforms (currently Mumbai Central), their main task is to help children to be reunited with their

families where possible, or to bring them into the care of appropriate children’s organisations.

In its endeavour to promote initiatives to educate out-of-school children, the Trust supports SATHI, in the latter’s

efforts to counsel disillusioned run-away children living on railway platforms to return home, through camps and

other educational inputs, circumventing the need to set up institutional dependencies. The grant provided by the Trust

will expand SATHI’s work to new geographical areas and strengthen its work with government remand homes and

railway staff.

An emotional father is reunited with his runaway son,with help from SATHI

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a resource agency to develop independent resource groups in Gujarat and Assam. With Trust support,

Comet Media Foundation would take its child focused exhibitions in Mumbai, Nasik, Surat and

smaller towns in Maharashtra, and provide a platform for the Trust’s grantees in education to meet,

disseminate their work, and peer review the material developed by them with educationists. The

grant to Pravah helps conduct a life skills education programme in schools located in Delhi, Jaipur

and the tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Centre for Environment Education (CEE)

supported environmental education in 975 schools in Andhra Pradesh, with Trust support.

The Trust supports Society for Assistance to Children in Difficult Situation (SATHI), in

counselling and helping run-away children living on railway platforms to return home through camps

and other motivational inputs. During the year, SATHI expanded its direct programmes through

shelters at Guntakal, Raichur, Wadi and Pune and networking with other organisations at Mumbai.

In Rajasthan, due to prevalent gender bias and early marriages, it is common that parents do not

send their girls to school. Urmul Jyothi Sansthan (UJS) set up camps in villages in Rajasthan, to

train such adolescent girls, with life-skills and knowledge to help them in life.


Anitha belongs to a middle class family, hailing from a small town in northern Tamil Nadu. She nursed an ambition

of becoming a medical practitioner, to serve people. But destiny willed otherwise and Anitha ended up doing her

graduation in an agricultural college. However, Anitha had a desire to reach out to people and serve them in a

meaningful manner. The opportunity came two years ago, when she secured admission in the Post-graduate diploma

course in Development Management (PDM) at the newly set up Tata-Dhan Academy. The sylvan ambience and the

genial culture of the Academy invigorated Anitha. Starting with a morning session on yoga, the days would be filled

with classroom learning, fieldwork and management traineeship, adding new perspectives, and range of ideas to her

outlook. Management Accounting, Quantitative Techniques, Project Management and Communication were some of

the courses that Anitha undertook, during her stint at the Academy, under the astute guidance of a well-focussed

and qualified faculty. The fieldwork that Anitha undertook gave an experience of real village life, one which she will

always cherish. After graduating in the first batch of the Tata-Dhan Academy, Anitha was offered a job as a project

executive at the Dhan Foundation. Using the skills gathered at the Tata-Dhan Academy, Anitha has aided Dhan

Foundation in the past few months, to promote 50 people’s organisations in community banking, besides six self help

groups devoted to development of dry land and irrigated farming.

In 2001, the Trust seeded a programme with Development of Humane Action Foundation (DHAN) for the development

of dedicated management professionals, through setting up the Tata-Dhan Academy. The purpose behind setting

up this Academy was to establish itself as a unique academic institution of social development and management of

international repute, attract young blood in the sector and groom them as development professionals, as well as

preparing professionals for people’s institutions. Following a satisfactory year, the Trust sanctioned a grant of Rs. 81

million in 2002, spread over three years, for development of the Academy.

Through its education portfolio, the Trust has worked with many such institutes in the country. It is convinced of the

need to seed a new institution that is close to the ground and instils values, attitudes and skills among its

graduates, and believes that its higher education portfolio would be significantly strengthened by setting up the

Tata-Dhan Academy.

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The Trust supports research initiatives that promote management training for the education

department and school administrators. An ongoing grant to the Centre for Education

Management and Development (CEMD), New Delhi, supports their interventions for reform

in government schools,

through management

training for the senior staff,

as well as government

officers of the education

department. Similarly, a

pro-actively developed

grant to the National

Institute of Advanced

Studies (NIAS), involves

a feasibility study for

developing and piloting a

new curriculum for in-

service training for

administrators and teachers in Chamrajnagar district in Karnataka. The Trust also supported Ravi J.

Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation (RJMCEI) towards creating the Educational

Innovations Bank, to promote a teacher development approach for training institutions.

The Trust’s efforts in the field of higher education help build programme execution capacities of

institutions. The Trust’s grant to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, promotes

research in science as a career option, by providing fellowship support to young scientists and

engineers, besides encouraging research projects through exposure in laboratories and industries.

Indian Council of Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi,

is engaged in research on World Trade Organisation related issues, with a focus on the implications

for India. A review carried out during the year commended the quality and relevance of research

outputs. The Trust has collaborated with the Society for Education, Welfare and Action –

Rural (SEWA-Rural), for its vocational programme for tribal youth. This programme trains students

and places them in various industries in and around the Bharuch - Ankleshwar belt. During the year,

SEWA-Rural had an evaluation of their training programme which reviewed the quality of

training and its appropriateness, besides assessing the programme’s success with regard to its

objectives.


SAHMET promotes activities which educate children in interesting and innovative ways

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The Trust provides strategic support to the Tata-Dhan Academy, an institution formed in

collaboration with the Development of Humane Action Foundation (DHAN), Madurai. The

Trust augmented its nurturing support to the Tata Dhan Academy through a new grant. A consultation

comprising acknowledged experts in the field reviewed and gave inputs into developing the business

plan. The Tata-Dhan Academy is slated to become a centre of excellence in development education

and training that integrates cutting edge management skills with an in depth understanding of the

field and the community.

During the year under review, the Trust disbursed Rs. 63.91 million (US $ 1.33 million) towards

25 grants, as against Rs. 32.78 million towards 23 grants last year, an increase of 95 per cent. In the

future, the Trust would constructively employ its experiences of the ongoing programmes, whilst

consolidating its portfolio through impact assessments.

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Education: Details of grants made in 2002-2003

SCHOOL BASED EDUCATIONRs.

Viswa Bharathi Vidyodaya Trust (VBVT), GudalurTowards an integrated programme for children in tribal communities. The grantalso includes a start-up contribution to the Adivasi Munetra Sangam (AMS)Education Fund. 550,000

Education Support Organisation (ESO), AhmedabadTowards the Gyan Shala project which seeks to evolve a low cost educationprogramme for school children, in the slums of Ahmedabad. The grant builds amodel of education that has a low per unit cost, communityinvolvement, and measurable outcomes based on a set of in-house developedworkbooks. 1,500,000

Lokmitra, RaebarelliTo enhance community engagement in raising the quality of government-runvillage schools in Uttar Pradesh, by focussing on improving teacher to studentratio, and teaching learning environment. 850,000

Sir Albert Howard Memorial Trust (SAHMET), SecunderabadTo improve rural school education in tribal villages of Hoshangabad district,Madhya Pradesh, through the involvement of youth in educationalactivities, community interface, supplementary teaching and village-basedlibraries. 1,400,000

Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission (RGSM), BhopalTowards a programme to support 225 schools in Madhya Pradeshthrough capacity building of their parent-teacher associations, to monitorprogress and enhance the facilities and material available at theschools. 1,800,000

Eklavya, BhopalContinued support for mainstreaming their educational model in schools ofMadhya Pradesh; providing expertise and resources to the sector; improvingpublications; conducting action research and textbook revisions. The grantprovides a bridge fund to help tide over cash flow problems as a result of delaysin release of sanctioned government funds. 2,060,000

Comet Media Foundation, MumbaiTowards support for nurturing and promoting educational innovations andeducators, through child focused exhibitions which are expected to reach peoplein Mumbai, Surat, Nasik, and rural areas of Maharashtra. 800,000

Suvidya, BangaloreTowards a pilot programme for introducing knowledge of computers in 14 ruralgovernment schools in Kolar district, Karnataka, through customisation of trainingmaterial, e-mail based collaborative projects, and community involvement. No disbursals

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Rishi Valley Rural Education Centre (RVREC), MadanapalleTowards the preparation of a training package for use by trainers in multi-gradeeducation programmes in rural schools. 381,612

Vidya Bhawan Society (VBS), UdaipurTowards their programme for action research in pedagogical innovations, andstrengthening project management capacities. It includes a challengecomponent for raising funds from other sources. 775,000

Pravah, New DelhiTowards implementation of a sensitisation programme for high school studentsat 25 schools located in Delhi, Jaipur and towns in Madhya Pradesh. 1,000,000

Centre for Environment Education (CEE), HyderabadIn collaboration with the government of Andhra Pradesh for environmentaleducation in 1,000 schools in the state, through the training of 40 NGOs, covering2,000 teachers and several representatives of the education department. 1,800,000

Sambhav Shiksha Evam Janonnayan Samiti (Sambhav), JaipurTowards developing and mainstreaming a drama-based methodology in primaryschools, to provide opportunities for holistic child development, as a structuredpart of the classroom situation. 500,000

Ravi J. Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation (RJMCEI), AhmedabadTowards creating the Educational Innovations Bank, to promote teacher-sdevelopment approach for use by teacher institutions. Dissemination of thisdatabase will motivate new teachers and positively influence mainstreampractices and policies in education. 300,000

National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), DelhiTo enable graduates from the United States of America to study different facetsof the Indian economy through research and field work in India. No disbursals

OUT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

Society for Assistance to Children in Difficult Situation (SATHI), RaichurTowards their programme for resettlement of runaway children living on railwayplatforms in Raichur and neighbouring railway stations. 1,050,000

Muskaan, BhopalTowards developing a model of intervention in slums, which strategicallyemphasises community responsibility in improving the level of education of itschildren. 700,000

Urmul Jyoti Sansthan (UJS), NokhaTowards their programme for education and awareness building throughresidential camps for adolescent girls. 1,198,559


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Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS), RajasthanTo support innovative continuing education programmes in four districts ofRajasthan. This would provide BGVS the strategic and operational aspects ofcommunity-led education centres. 750,000

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT

Centre for Education Management and Development (CEMD),New DelhiTowards enhancement of their intervention for reform in government schools,through research on existing educational collaborations between thegovernment and non-profit organisations. 500,000

National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), BangaloreTowards a nine-month programme planning phase in Chamrajnagar district,Karnataka, to undertake a feasibility study for developing and piloting a newcurriculum for in-service training for administrators and teachers. 1,800,000

HIGHER EDUCATION

Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Foundation, MaduraiTowards strategic start-up support for the Tata-Dhan Academy and itsdevelopment, with the aim to make it one of the leading schools in ruraldevelopment management in the country. 20,500,000

Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations(ICRIER), New DelhiTowards research on World Trade Organisation (WTO) related issues, focussingon the implications for India, and dissemination of the same. 3,500,000

Society for Education, Welfare and Action- Rural (SEWA-Rural), JhagadiaTowards the vocational training programme of the tribal youth. The grant benefitsstudents, by assisting them to secure employment in various industries locatedin the Bharuch-Ankleshwar belt. 900,000

Institute for Social & Economic Change (ISEC), BangaloreTowards creation of the Sir Ratan Tata deferred Endowment Fund. Initially, theinterest accrued will be used towards enhancement of the library facilities andinfrastructure. 7,500,000

Indian Institute of Science, BangaloreTowards promoting research in science as a career, by providing fellowshipsupport for 180 young scientists and engineers. 1,000,000


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Institutional grants : Health

The achievement of positive health among people is a vital component of community development.

With rapid advances in the basic and applied biological sciences, a variety of tenable solutions to

major health problems have been elucidated. However, even today, the benefits of modern medicine

are available to a select few. Health care accessibility and affordability is subject to extreme

imbalances, especially between urban and rural areas. There is a need to reorient medical education

and service away from a top-heavy, clinic-intensive approach to one involving greater and continued

application of epidemiology and public health principles for the masses. This necessitates a fresh

outlook towards quality health services, preventive health programmes, and public health research.

Such initiatives should focus on poor, excluded, and vulnerable groups, to strengthen their access

to low cost health care. To deal with these challenges, the Trust draws upon its Health Strategy to

focus its efforts in the following areas:

• Community based health programmes, including evolving new delivery systems

• Innovative strategies for institutions reaching specialist care for the disadvantaged

• Building organisational capacities and human resources towards programme effectiveness

• Research in public health issues

The Trust supports organisations that provide high quality comprehensive services to vulnerable

populations, with consciousness on creating linkages with public sector systems and financial self

sufficiency. The grant made to Rural Women’s Social Education Centre (RUWSEC), has helped

meet operational costs of a reproductive health clinic providing traditional and allopathic treatment,

a laboratory, and ambulance services in Tamil Nadu. Aarohi has built capacities of traditional birth

attendants, besides providing health education inputs to women and youth, through support from

the Trust, in Nainital district in Uttaranchal. Renewed support has been provided to Action Research

& Training for Health (ARTH), through a repeat grant, to further consolidate delivery of quality

and timely reproductive healthcare services through trained nurse-midwives in Udaipur district in

Rajasthan. The grant would also support ARTH to initiate efforts in involving savings and credit

groups for health care and nutrition. The grant to Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) supports a

comprehensive community based health programme in Chhattisgarh, to address local issues of

malaria, tuberculosis, and child nutrition, as well as use alternative technologies to supplement

efforts. The Trust has encouraged support within the grants, for well designed research and

dissemination, to influence policy and practice.

Health

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Continuing its endeavours to help specialist care reach the disadvantaged, the Trust has built on its

initial efforts in the field of mental health. The Banyan, which resettles destitute mentally ill women,

continues to be supported by the Trust. A comprehensive review of the programme by National

Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), undertaken during the year, is expected

to further strengthen their programme. Digdarshika Institute of Rehabilitation and Research

(DIRR) continued their efforts in treatment and rehabilitation of mentally ill patients in Madhya

Pradesh. In the field of mental disability, a grant to Latika Roy Memorial Foundation (LRMF)

seeds an early intervention centre for mentally challenged children, and dissemination on their

inclusion in mainstream schools. The Trust supports The WZO Trust Funds for provision of care to

the growing geriatric population of the Zoroastrian faith, at a home in Navsari.

Kamala was a poor 59 year old woman, suffering from stomach cancer. Her family approached The BangaloreHospice Trust (BHT) to help her, when the disease was at a fairly advanced stage. The Home Care service team

created by BHT looked after Kamala in her own home for nearly five months, providing her with help and succour,

besides counselling her family on how to deal with the disease. As her condition worsened and the pain became

acute, they suggested she be placed at Karunashraya, the 55-bed hospice run by the BHT. At the Karunashraya,

Kamala was given professional medical treatment. Responding positively to the treatment and pain control measures,

she was soon in a position to return to her home, to be with her loved ones. She continued receiving help from the

Home Care team. Hospitalisation had

to be repeated thrice, as Kamala’s

cancer progressed. Drawing strength

from the supportive professional

help from the Home Care team, and

the medical treatment at

Karunashraya, she fought the cancer

for nine months, before finally

succumbing to it. Her family was

grateful that BHT could provide the

best possible care, when needed the

most, at a very nominal cost.

BHT introduced its Home Care

Service in 1995, to improve the

quality of life for terminally-ill patients

and their families, and has helped

over 880 patients at home, since

then. The Karunashraya, set up in

1999, has provided palliative care to over 1,450 patients since inception. This includes psychological support to patients

and their families through counselling, helping them deal with the trauma of the disease and the impending end.

The Trust recognises that death is a severe stress factor, and families of terminally ill patients need as much support

as the patient. In its efforts to support institutions providing specialised care to the disadvantaged, the Trust has

sanctioned a multi-year grant of Rs. 6 million to BHT to provide palliative care to terminally ill cancer patients, through

their Home Care team and Karunashraya.

Father Christmas brings cheer to the inmates of Karunashraya, a hospital run bythe Bangalore Hospice Trust

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Support to these areas is linked with a concurrent effort to build professional and organisational

capacity in the health sector. Grants to Medical Research Foundation (MRF) and Hyderabad

Eye Institute (L V Prasad Eye Institute) are focussed on ophthalmologists, for building specialist

skills in eye care. A fellowship programme in partnership with Community Health Cell (CHC) was

launched to promote careers in health.

Rajesh Singh, a ten year old boy

lives in the slums of Beawar, a

small town which is 60 kms.

from Ajmer, with his family.

Rajesh’s mother had a difficult

pregnancy, and hence, Rajesh

developed certain

complications during infancy,

leading to mental retardation

and limiting his development.

The parents, who were

unaware of the disability,

started doubting his survival.

They performed superstitious

rituals, observed fasts, visited

sadhus, besides conducting

services in the local temple, in

the hope that Rajesh’s

condition would improve. When

Rajesh was nine years old, his

parents learnt about the

Rajasthan Mahila KalyanMandal (RMKM) centre in Ajmer. They visited the centre and learned that Rajesh’s condition could be improved

through intensive therapy. However, due to lack of funds and family support, they were unable to travel the distance

everyday with their son. Fortunately for them, a home-based therapy programme had been initiated by RMKM, and

Rajesh began receiving regular physiotherapy by the community worker sent to his house. His mother has also been

trained by this worker to provide specified exercises on a continued basis. The resultant improvement in his condition

has boosted the self-confidence of Rajesh and brought a ray of hope into the lives of his parents for the first time

in ten years. It has also brought the young boy closer to his parents, who now feel that they are taking positive steps

towards the betterment of their son’s condition.

Community based education for the mentally challenged has been the key objective for RMKM since 1991. Under

their innovative programme, specially trained educators give training to parents of the handicapped children at home,

in which they are taught basic approaches to correct the handicap, to the extent possible, thus helping the child

manage himself. In this manner, over 250 children have been helped over the last decade, in their homes.

In its endeavour to promote innovative strategies for institutions reaching specialist care to the disadvantaged, the

Trust supports this never-say-die attempt made by RMKM to set up a home-based programme and a day care centre

catering to 100 mentally challenged children in and around Beawar block of Ajmer district. Keeping in mind the lack

of institutions in rural areas, and trained personnel for assessing the ability, disability and attitude of such children,

RMKM’s work in this area assumes greater importance for the field of mental disability.

A speech therapy session conducted by RMKM in progress

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In its efforts to promote relevant research to support the areas of its interest, the Trust has supported

The Cancer Institute (WIA), in its research on limb conservation, related to primary malignant

tumour of the bone. A grant to the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research

(INCTR) for a networked research programme, in association with Cancer Institute, Chennai, Tata

Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, improves and

contextualises the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in India. The grant to Tuberculosis

Research Centre (TRC) supports its research on the post treatment, lung function disorders of

TB patients.

In the year under review, the Trust disbursed Rs. 22.60 million (US $ 0.47 million) towards

19 grants, as against a disbursal of Rs. 16.17 million towards 16 grants in the year 2001-2002. During

this period, the Trust consolidated its portfolio through external reviews of 11 grantees and further

refined priorities in this theme. In the coming year, this process would be continued, while developing

focussed initiatives.

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Health: Details of grants made in 2002-2003

COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH PROGRAMMESRs.

Action Research & Training for Health (ARTH), UdaipurTowards improvement of maternal and neonatal survival of the rural tribalpopulation of 30 villages in Rajsamand district, by training nurse midwives. 250,000

Action Research & Training for Health (ARTH), UdaipurTowards improvement of maternal and child health through trained nursemidwives and savings and credit groups, in Rajsamand district, by strengtheningoutreach programmes, refining training material and developing manuals. 1,000,000

Aarohi, MukteswarTowards provision of primary health care services, with a focus on preventivecare, in 10 villages of Uttaranchal. 800,000

Rural Women’s Social Education Centre (RUWSEC), ChengalpettuTowards meeting operating costs of a reproductive health clinic in both,traditional and allopathic treatment, laboratory and ambulance services inChengalpettu block of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. 2,300,000

Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), BilaspurTowards an innovative primary health care initiative in 30 villages of Chhattisgarh,which is aimed at decreasing mortality and fatal consequencesdue to tuberculosis and malaria, besides decreasing child mortality. 1,000,000

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, NarainpurTowards treatment of tuberculosis patients from 150 villages of Narainpur blockin Bastar district. No disbursals

Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, IndoreTowards an integrated health and development programme in 6 villages ofMhow and Barwaha blocks of Indore and Khargone districts respectively. 500,000

SPECIALIST CARE FOR THE DISADVANTAGED

Digdarshika Institute of Rehabilitation & Research (DIRR), BhopalTowards treatment and rehabilitation of mentally ill patients and the disabled infive panchayats of Phanda block in Bhopal district. 700,000

Rajasthan Mahila Kalyan Mandal (RMKM), AjmerTowards their programme for education and training assistance to mentallychallenged children in Beawar block. 550,000

Latika Roy Memorial Foundation (LRMF), DehradunTowards seeding an early intervention care centre for mentally disabledchildren, for provision of services for assessment, diagnosis and therapy, parentalcounselling and outreach to medical professionals. 900,000


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The Banyan, ChennaiTowards part operating costs of a shelter for 160 mentally ill destitute women. 1,600,000

Bangalore Hospice Trust (BHT), BangaloreTowards the part operating costs of Karunashraya, a 55 bed hospice, andfor the continuation of home-based palliative care for cancer patients. 1,000,000

The W.Z.O. Trust Funds, MumbaiTowards meeting part costs of residents of the Bai Maneckbai P.B. JeejeebhoyCentre for Senior Citizens, Navsari. 840,000

BUILDING ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITIES AND HUMAN RESOURCESTOWARDS PROGRAMME EFFECTIVENESS

Medical Research Foundation (Sankara Nethralaya), ChennaiTowards the Sir Ratan Tata Trust Community Ophthalmology FellowshipProgramme.The grant also supports conducting 3,000 sight restoring cataractsurgeries on poor patients. 1,000,000

Medical Research Foundation (Sankara Nethralaya), ChennaiTowards the second phase of a three-year fellowship programme to train 180ophthalmologists. The grant also supports conducting 4,500 sight restoringcataract surgeries on deserving poor. 3,500,000

Hyderabad Eye Institute, (L V Prasad Eye Institute), HyderabadTowards fellowship support, enabling 108 eye-care professionals to undergotraining on low vision related issues. 500,000

Community Health Cell (CHC), Society For Community HealthAwareness, Research And Action, BangaloreTowards promoting careers in community and public health through fellowshipsto six professionals each year. 700,000

RESEARCH IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Indian Council of Medical Research - Tuberculosis Research Centre,ChennaiTowards a research programme on post-treatment lung disorders of tuberculosispatients and to assess the effect of inhaled steroids as a treatment protocol. 100,000

Cancer Institute, Adyar, ChennaiTowards the limb conservation programme for young adults. 1,200,000

International Network for Cancer Treatment & Research (INCTR),New DelhiTowards developing improved protocol for the treatment of acute LymphoblasticLeukaemia in India. 2,100,000

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Institutional grants : Enhancing Civil Society & Governance

The idea of ‘civil society’ has achieved prominence in political and developmental discourse over

the past two decades. It is widely seen as a critical agent for reducing the socially atomising and

unsettling effects of market forces, enforcing political accountability, and improving the quality and

inclusiveness of governance. Reconsideration of the limits of state action has also led to an increased

awareness of the potential role of such organisations in service delivery, either separately or in a

synergistic relationship with state institutions. The Trust has supported such groups through its

Public Initiatives portfolio. As a cross-cutting concern, it has emphasised organisation effectiveness

and professionalism in the non-profit sector. To consolidate these efforts and in line with the

recommendations of the Strategic Plan 2006, the Trust has re-structured this portfolio and focussed

its grant-making around the following:

• Encouraging Citizen Interface with Public Systems

• Professionalizing the Third Sector

• Building Knowledge and Awareness on Non-profit Sector

• Governance

To encourage citizens’ interaction with public systems and societal issues, the Trust has supported

Mahila Punarvaas Samooh Samiti (MPSS) and Foundation for Democratic Reforms (FDR)

- Lok Satta, through a second phase of support. Initial efforts by MPSS to seed the resource and

documentation centre on women have been further strengthened by a focus on issues related to

media and women, and violence against women, with a spotlight on smaller towns and youth

involvement in Rajasthan. FDR-

Lok Satta builds on the election

watch programme, first initiated in

Andhra Pradesh during 1999. The

second phase encourages citizen

involvement in the electoral

process, and governance reforms

in the state.

For enhancing the quality of non

profit action, it is imperative that

development personnel are

equipped with appropriate skills.

Enhancing Civil Society and Governance

Women participants at a capacity building training exercise conducted by Sahayias part of the Trust’s projects in governance in Kerala

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The Trust addresses this challenge by encouraging young professionals, through instituting

fellowships at Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) and the Amul Tata

Deferred Fellowship at Institute of Rural Management (IRMA). Grants to Prerana, Grameen

Development Services (GDS) and Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) were

made to leverage skills of larger professional organisations, to offer fellowship support to more

nascent initiatives to bring clarity of purpose and strengthen programmes. The grant to Gandhigram

Trust, Dindigul, for a review exercise, supports their efforts at re-examining relevance, and

performance for organisational renewal.

In life, we come across people who

devote their time and resources

selflessly, to help others who are not

so fortunate. Raghu Tikot, a faculty

member in a commerce college in

Dharwad, Karnataka, is always

surrounded by students, counselling

them, and arranging books and fees,

if needed. Over five years, he

counselled several hundred

students, and raised nearly one lakh

rupees as donations from family and

friends, to help 14 students with their

studies. Besides, he referred 11

students to a philanthropic

institution, for scholarships. Preranasupported Raghu to set up an

organisation called Vidya Poshak, in

order to give stability and an impetus

to his solo effort. Prerana helped

Vidya Poshak in setting up systems and developing a vision for longer term and larger scale achievements. Support

was provided through extensive personal interaction, on leveraging funds from other philanthropic institutions,

streamlining their accounts, writing reports and drawing annual plans. It also encouraged Vidya Poshak to increase

outreach, especially in villages, and helped set systems to identify deserving students. In 2001, Vidya Poshak helped

119 meritorious, but poor students pursue their higher education. Encouraged by the success of the programme,

Vidya Poshak expanded the programme to Dharwad district. The very next year, 161 meritorious students received

scholarships from Vidya Poshak. Prerana’s involvement with Vidya Poshak metamorphosed the organisation from

an individual’s initiative engaged in isolated small scale charity, to a more organised, effective, and far-reaching

programme. In the coming year, Vidya Poshak has made ambitious plans to identify and help 600 deserving students

from seven districts in Karnataka.

Besides Vidya Poshak, Prerana has also provided comprehensive support to other smaller non-profits through modest

financial support and/or mentoring. These fledgling voluntary initiatives which could be either committed individuals

or groups, require encouragement, besides inputs including visioning, planning, monitoring and networking. The Trust

supports Prerana in its endeavour to professionalise the non-profit sector through fellowships, and is confident that

these initiatives will help channelising individual efforts into more focussed and significant development actions.

A student shares her experiences at a scholarship distribution function organisedby Vidya Poshak

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To build capacities and develop interaction between indigenous grant making foundations, the Trust

has supported National Foundation for India (NFI) and Sampradaan – Indian Centre for

Philanthropy (SICP) under its initiative on Fostering Local Philanthropy. Through this, the Trust

would support foundations, in their move towards higher levels of effectiveness in grant making,

while initiating a dialogue across foundations in the country on issues such as governance, human

resources, institution building, and grant-making effectiveness. The grant to NFI would establish

the Sir Ratan Tata Trust Fund for onward grantmaking in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, in addition to

support towards research and strengthening it’s grant making capacities. SICP would, with the

Trust’s support, revisit its client base for more needs-based programmes, and launch a training

programme for professional staff of grant making foundations in India.

While encouraging careers in development, the Trust recognises the serious paucity of well-designed,

inter-linked and focussed spaces for youth, for exposure and engagement with issues of poverty,

development, and civil society. The grant to Centre for Civil Society (CCS), which organises well

designed programmes for college students and those in schools of journalism and media, marks

the inception of the Youth and Civil Society initiative to address this need, and build awareness

on the sector.

Grants to Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Society for Participatory Research

in Asia (PRIA), and Centre for Education & Documentation (CED) support the Trust’s efforts

in building knowledge and awareness on the non-profit sector. The “Sir Ratan Tata Chair on Civil

Society and Globalisation” at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, supports the

work of Dr. Gita Sen in this area. PRIA researched India’s non-profit sector, as part of a larger study

across 43 countries by the Johns Hopkins University. The grant to CED aims at building relevant

documentation for the non profit sector.

In the area of governance, the Trust supported Sahayi, Sahbaghi Shikshan Kendra (SSK), and

Samarthan in enhancing the capacities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI). While Sahayi focuses

on the training of women elected leaders, SSK supports awareness building, planning, and training

in 40 panchayats over eight districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh, through non-profit organisations.

Samarthan has undertaken promotion of people’s participation in governance through

strengthening of panchayats.

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In the year under review, the Trust disbursed Rs. 18.20 million (US $ 0.38 million) towards 14 grants

as against Rs. 2.6 million towards five grants in 2001-2002. The increase reflects concerted efforts of

the Trust to strengthen this portfolio by meeting challenges set out last year. In the coming year, the

Trust will consolidate this growth in the areas so identified, by supporting the initiatives launched in

this year. It will build on the work done in encouraging civic groups on focussed issues, and review

its grants for providing fellowships to young professionals and organisations. Finally, the governance

theme will be developed further through research and action projects, with a focus on community

based organisations.

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CITIZEN INTERFACE WITH PUBLIC SYSTEMSRs.

Foundation for Democratic Reforms(FDR), HyderabadTowards promoting citizen’s initiatives for better governance through trainingprogrammes, workshops and meetings. Planned activities include identifyingand training concerned citizens on issues relating to governance, throughworkshops, meetings, and cultural programmes. 1,000,000

Mahila Punarvaas Samooh Samiti (MPSS), JaipurTowards strengthening the resource and documentation centre on women,which would respond to the immediate needs of the women’s movement andstrengthen the study of media and women, and violence and women. 800,000

PROFESSIONALISING THE THIRD SECTOR (FELLOWSHIPS)

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), AhmedabadTowards fellowship support to 24 participants of EDI’s year-long programme on‘Management of Non-governmental Organisations’. 500,000

Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), AnandTowards fellowships for the doctoral programme and deferred fellowships forpost graduate diploma in rural management, referred to as Amul-Tatafellowships. No disbursals

Prerana, RaichurTowards providing fellowships and comprehensive support to ten fledglingvoluntary initiatives, over a period of three years. The grant is expected to offeran opportunity for strengthening individual spirit and citizen action. No disbursals

Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), BhubaneshwarTowards supporting ten, two-year fellowships, which are expected to lead tolaunching of credible and action oriented development initiatives in Orissa. 700,000

Grameen Development Services (GDS), LucknowTowards a fellowship programme intended to seed livelihood initiatives in EastIndia, through field orientation, identification of location, structuredtraining on thematic issues, and formulating a project. 500,000

Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), BhopalTowards fellowship support for capacity building of personnel from governmentand non-government agencies, through training programmes on topical issuesof forest and other related sectors. No disbursals

Sampradaan – Indian Centre for Philanthropy (SICP), New DelhiTowards undertaking a strategic review of the organisation and launching atraining programme for professional staff of grant making foundations in India,thereby building their capacities and developing interaction between them. 400,000

Enhancing Civil Society & Governance:Details of grants made in 2002-2003

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Gandhigram Trust, DindigulTowards a review exercise, supporting their efforts at re-examining relevance,and performance for organisational renewal. 400,000

National Foundation for India (NFI), New DelhiTowards a grant making partnership for onward grant-making in Jharkhand andChhattisgarh, besides providing support towards research and documentation,and enhancing its capacities. 9,000,000

Centre for Civil Society, New DelhiTowards a programme encouraging youth participation in civil society, throughwell designed programmes for college students and those in schools ofjournalism and media. 2,000,000

BUILDING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ON NON-PROFIT SECTOR

Indian Institute of Management (IIM), BangaloreTowards instituting the Sir Ratan Tata Chair on Civil Society and Globalisation fora period of five years. 900,000

Centre for Education & Documentation (CED), BangaloreTowards strengthening financial self sufficiency of its programmes, and buildingrelevant documentation for knowledge and awareness of the non-profit sector. 2,500,000

Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), New DelhiTowards the Johns Hopkins comparative research project on the non-profitsector to strengthen the information base on the sector in India. 200,000

GOVERNANCE

Sahayi Centre for Collective Learning & Action, TrivandrumTowards building leadership in women and for strengthening local self-governance in 19 panchayats in districts of Kerala. 350,000

Samarthan: Centre for Development Support, BhopalTowards strengthening panchayats in Sehore and Majhgaon blocks of Sehoreand Satna districts respectively. Activities involve formation of clusters of grampanchayats at the block level, and identification of priority areas within blocks. 1,550,000

Magra Mewar Vikas Sansthan (MMVS), AjmerTowards supporting and strengthening of ten panchayats in Jawaja block ofAjmer district. Amongst other initiatives, MMVS would improve co-ordinationbetween government and panchayati raj functionaries. No disbursals

Sahbaghi Shikshan Kendra (SSK), LucknowTowards intervention in 40 select panchayats spread over eight districts ofeastern Uttar Pradesh. No disbursals

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India has a rich tradition of theatre, music,

dance, painting and sculpture. In the wake

of emerging technologies and changing

preferences, opportunities to artisans to

portray and improve their art forms are

greatly diminishing. To invigorate institutions

and work towards developing new

audiences, the Trust concentrates its

support on the following areas:

• Energizing Traditional Arts

• Supporting Contemporary Art Forms

• Archives and Preservation

• Research and Education

The Trust supports institutions that give a

fresh lease of life to traditional art and craft

forms in India, by taking them to the people.

The grant to Ustad Allauddin Khan

Sangeet Academy (UAKSA) enables it to

organise concerts of reputed artistes in

smaller towns of Madhya Pradesh, such as

Khandwa and Satna. The Trust has supported Bala Balaga Srujansheela Shikshana Trust, in

reviving the lost art of leather shadow puppetry, by choosing contemporary stories and portraying

them through innovative puppet shows and workshops. India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)

sanctioned grants to three individuals, enabling them expand their creative horizons, by drawing

from the Sir Ratan Tata Trust Draw-down Fund created in 2000.

The Trust supports contemporary art forms, in order to break new ground and actively develop the

field. A large grant to Attakkalari Public Charitable Trust of Contemporary Performing Arts,

institutionalised the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (ACMA) in Bangalore. ACMA is committed

to interdisciplinary performance work and is involved in facilitating and producing international

events of dance and choreography. A major part of this grant will be known as the ‘Sir Ratan Tata

Trust Revolving Fund’.

Arts and Culture

Sanjay, a 23 year old young technical student from Bangalore,

was very interested in studying movement arts, having been

inspired by Bruce Lee films to train for eleven years in karate.

He joined Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (ACMA)as a trainee, after reading an article on the organisation in the

newspaper. ACMA was interested in working with him, since

his body language was powerful and he had great flexibility.

Like all the Indian students at ACMA, Sanjay too was given a

partial scholarship. He began to study contemporary dance

from the core team members of ACMA. He showed a natural

inclination towards the dance form due to his martial arts

training, though the new techniques were far more subtle than

the pure physicality of karate. The challenging part for Sanjay

was to imitate the movements of the teachers and respond

with his variations. “This was most important aspect that I had

to deal with – the ideational content of contemporary dance

which required me to ‘think physically’”, he said. As part of

the scholarship, Sanjay helped ACMA for their annual festival,

which gave him greater exposure in understanding the

importance of infrastructure in dance, and the number of

aspects that had to be co-ordinated in order to let the artistes

perform creatively. Today, Sanjay’s understanding of dance has

shifted from solely an individual expression to an organisational

endeavour.

ACMA is committed to interdisciplinary work and is an

umbrella organisation facilitating and producing international

arts events. It is engaged in creating a context for

contemporary physical expressions in India, by making

information from Indian performance traditions, as well as the

international performing arts scene available in an accessible

format, for emerging young artistes.

Institutional grants : Arts & Culture

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Many works of art and literature have been irretrievably lost or damaged, for want of proper

restoration and preservation. The grant to The Asiatic Society of Bombay towards the ‘Adopt a

Book’ scheme has helped the institution to preserve valuable books through tissue coating, besides

micro filming the rarer ones.

To promote research in the field of arts, the Trust supports institutions building knowledge of

indigenous cultural practices. The Centre for the Study of Culture and Society (CSCS), with

support from the Trust offers a doctoral programme in interdisciplinary cultural studies, through an

affiliation with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. CSCS also undertook two assignments

It is a summer night in Satna, and a programme of classical music and dance is in progress. For the young music

starved audience of this small town, the concert is a rare programme, but with a difference. For the first time perhaps,

they are listening to a veena recital by an established exponent. The traditional folk dance that follows has the audience

clamouring for more. This is one of the music and dance programmes organised in small cities of Madhya Pradesh,

by the Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Academy(UAKSA), under the banner of ‘Sangeet Nratyotsava’.

Similar cultural programmes where both, budding and

established artistes perform together on the same

platform , have enthralled the audiences across towns

in Madhya Pradesh.

The scenario for the spread of classical music and

dance twenty five years back, was not as encouraging

as it is today. In a far-sighted move, UAKSA was

constituted in April 1979 by the Department of Culture,

Government of Madhya Pradesh, with the objective of

spreading, promoting and encouraging classical music

and dance. The greatest achievement of UAKSA has

been the creation of interest in Indian classical music

amongst the youth. The objectives of UAKSA are:

(a) to inculcate a taste amongst the younger generation

towards the art of classical music and dance; (b) to organise programmes for the spread of these ancient arts; (c)

to encourage rare styles of classical music and nourish them; and (d) to devise ways for the spread of this ancient

art, in the form of a cultural revolution. Today, UAKSA has carved a niche for itself, both in the national and international

arena. Its current activities include: (a) continuation of the gurushishya parampara, through the establishment and

operation of the Dhrupad Kendra and Chakradhar Dance Centre, both in Bhopal; (b) providing fellowships to young

and promising musicians; (c) organisation of music and dance festivals; and (d) creation of archives for researchers.

In its endeavour to support organisations that revitalise traditional art forms of India, the Trust sanctioned a grant to

UAKSA, spread over a period of three year years, which would focus on: (a) fellowship support to 20 promising young

musicians and dancers to undergo training at the Dhrupad Kendra and Chakradhar Dance Centre for a three year

period; (b) fellowship support to 20 interested students for training on rare musical styles and instruments under the

guidance of senior artistes for a two-year period; and (c) organisation of 10 concerts of established exponents, in

smaller towns of Madhya Pradesh. The Trust is confident that the support to UAKSA would help the latter’s efforts

to promote and spread our glorious cultural tradition.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia performing at a concert organisedin Satna, Madhya Pradesh, by UAKSA


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for the Trust during the

year under review.

During 2002-2003, the

Trust disbursed

Rs. 18.17 million

(US $ 0.38 million)

towards five grants, as

against Rs. 3.32 million

towards four grants

during 2001-2002. This

increase vindicates the

efforts of the Trust to

promote the arts and

take it to the people.

Children participating in a theatre workshop conducted by Bala Balaga


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Arts & Culture:Details of grants made in 2002-2003

ENERGISING TRADITIONAL ARTSRs.

Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Academy, BhopalEnables the Academy to train 20 young musicians and dancers in traditionalforms, extend fellowship support to promising musicians to train on rare musicalinstruments, and organise performances of established artists in ten small townsof Madhya Pradesh. 1,000,000

Balabalaga Srujansheela Shikshana Trust, DharwadTowards operating costs of their programme to sustain and promote shadowpuppetry, a traditional folk art form of Karnataka. The grant aids renewal ofpuppetry as a contemporary performing art for children. 350,000

India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), BangaloreFor a draw-down fund to enhance grant-making across their thematic areas.The grant includes a challenge for IFA to raise matching funds from other Indiansources. No disbursals

Grants made by the India Foundation for the Arts, Bangalore, during 2002-2003, utilising Rs. 1.4million of the income earned from the endowment grant made by the Trust in 1997-1998.• T. Pankajaksha, Bangalore For publishing a book on South Indian sculptural traditions.• Navjot Altaf, Mumbai Towards producing new sculptural works in wood.• Kristine Michael, New Delhi Towards a project involving a fusion of clay and textiles.

SUPPORTING CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS

Attakkalari Public Charitable Trust of Contemporary Performing Arts,BangaloreTowards a Centre for contemporary movement arts in Bangalore, which willenable it to function as a training institute for professional dancers, develop arepertory company to create innovative performance works that break newground, and organise festivals of art for the public. 13,000,000

ARCHIVES AND PRESERVATION

The Asiatic Society of Bombay, MumbaiTowards the ‘Adopt a Book’ programme of the Society. The grant will helppreserve 100 rare books over a three-year period using conservation andmicrofilming techniques. 320,000

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN PRACTISING ARTS

Centre for the Study of Culture & Society (CSCS), BangaloreTowards part support for its doctoral (Ph.D) programme through an affiliationwith the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The grant will support three‘Sir Ratan Tata Trust Fellowships’ for Ph. D. guides and course professors. 4,000,000


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Mission driven civil society institutions need to be sustained and fostered, so that they can continue

to make meaningful contributions to the sector. This view forms the basis of the Trust’s strategy of

making endowment grants, formulated in 1997. The strategy illustrates the need of a well designed

endowment grant that enables grantee organisations to concentrate their efforts towards their

tasks and long term goals. Since 1995, the Trust has made endowment grants to 25 non-profit

organisations, mainly towards

corpus, and in some cases, capital

grants.

During 2001-2002, a review of nine

endowment grants was carried

out. Based on the

recommendations of the review,

the Trust linked its endowment

programme to its thematic grant

making. The Trust considers

endowments to institutions that,

among others, have:

(a) activities that are closely

integrated with the thematic

areas of the Trust, along with

a satisfactory and mutually

rewarding programme

partnership; (b) far reaching

impact on society or are strategic

in a sector of the field;

(c) demonstrated staying power;

(d) an established tradition of collective leadership; and (e) a proven track record of being mission

driven.

In 1912, Sir Ratan Tata had made an offer of financial help to the University of London, if they would

be willing to institute a Chair in the University, for investigation and research into causes of destitution

and poverty and for suggestions for relief. The Sir Ratan Tata Foundation at the London School of

Economics and Political Science (LSE) continues supporting the Sir Ratan Tata Fellowships,

Endowments

Established in 1989, Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research(ALTAR) has built a formidable performance repertoire that integrates

traditional performing arts, musical instruments, folklore and mythology,

with a modern sensibility. The repertory has performed widely, sharing

their research findings through lecture demonstrations, workshops and

seminars with traditional performers, contemporary actors, students of

premier institutions and international artistes.

The Trust supported the creation of a ‘Theatre Centre for a New Aesthetics

in Performance’. The Centre includes two structures, namely a workplace

and a residential facility for artistes who would collaborate on future

productions and research, besides facilitating ALTAR’s experiments with

movement, text, sound and light, and in evolving new musical instrumentsfor the theatre. The Department of Culture, Government of India provided

partial support to the Centre.

ALTAR’s philosophy of resurrecting ancient knowledge and putting them

to contemporary use, led them to explore the traditional Tamil technique

of building walls with rammed earth. They have successfully built the

two-storied structure with mud technology, and found it superior to

cement in many ways. Besides being cost effective, eco-friendly and far

more earthquake resistant, mud technology restores the aesthetic and

artistic components to what is increasingly becoming strictly functional

architecture. Ms. Veenapani Chawla, Artistic Director at ALTAR believes

that, “mud technology is a whole new housing initiative for lower and

middle income groups in rural and semi-urban areas – even in a large

town like Pondicherry”. Work on construction of the two buildings is

expected to go on till April’03, after which work on the interiors would be

undertaken.

Institutional grants : Endowments

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awarded to post doctoral scholars in the social science discipline with experience of research in

India. In the year 2002-2003, the Trust enhanced its contribution to the endowment at LSE by adding

Rs. 3 million, to the amount of Rs. 10 million given earlier in 1996.

The Trust realises that endowment grants need to be carefully developed to avoid organisational

complascence. Grants are designed with appropriate challenges that encourage dynamism, besides

requiring the organisation to raise funds from other sources, against which a matching amount is

disbursed by the Trust. The Trust’s endowment to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)

As one steps inside the tranquil surroundings of the aesthetically designed Vrindaban Gurukul, the sweet notes of

the flute come wafting through, filling the morning air with its melodic resonance. Upon entering the large, spacious

hall, one is treated to a sight of a music lesson in progress. Squatting on the floor are some twenty odd musicians,

from all over the globe, in the midst of a flute recital by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. He demonstrates the fine art

of improvisation of a raga, with a skill that has made him an internationally acknowledged maestro.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia

dedicated his life to the flute. He

nursed a dream of creating a modern

day gurukul , where students and

teachers from all over the world

would stay and learn in true guru

shishya parampara.

In its endeavour to enable renowned

practioners in the field of music to

sustain the great traditions of India in

a contemporary context, the Trust

made an endowment to the

Vrindaban Charitable Trust (VCT)towards the construction of the

Vrindaban Gurukul.

Vrindaban Gurukul is a harmoniously combined, spacious building, designed to house eight students, two guests and

caretakers, besides the Guruji himself. Apart from the flute, other aspects of music, presentation, and expression of

individuality as an artiste, are taught by Pandit Chaurasia in the Vrindaban Gurukul.

For the students at the gurukul, it is a cherished opportunity to learn music from one of the finest exponents of the

flute. For the shishyas, this is their home. Besides learning and practicing music, they cook their own food and look

after the cleanliness of their home. Melissa, an Australian student, finds this is a totally different experience. Raj, a

flautist, has come from Kolkatta to improvise his skills under Panditji’s guidance. He wishes to propagate the techniques

he learns at the gurukul, back home. For Pandit Chaurasia, it is a dream come true. He says emotionally, “This beautiful

building is like my most cherished dream come true. I bless all those (in the Trust) who have made this a reality.”

With the support of the Trust, Vrindaban Gurukul will realise Panditji’s dream of producing world class flautists, who

will contribute to the progress and spread of the art, throughout the world.


Vrindaban Gurukul : A dream sings its tune

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requires the organisation to raise a particular amount from other sources, in order to receive matching

instalments from the Trust. The support coupled with CSE’s efforts has developed an endowment

of meaningful size, commensurate with its scale of operations and growth plans.

The Trust also makes deferred endowments to institutions. This enables the Trust to assess the

institutions on suitability of criteria for endowments, specifically the satisfactory grant performance

over a predetermined period. The Trust has found this useful, especially for grants that support

re-engineering efforts.

The disbursals during the year under review totalled Rs. 7 million (US $ 0.15 million), as against

Rs. 21.8 million in the previous year. In the coming years, the Trust shall endeavour to recognise

worthy institutions from its programme portfolio, and strengthen them through well designed

endowments, thereby ensuring their growth and sustainability in the future.


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Organisations which have received endowment grants from Sir Ratan Tata Trust since 1995

• Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), New Delhi

• Bombay City Policy Research Foundation – Bombay First, Mumbai

• Ratan Tata Foundation at the London School of Economics (LSE), United Kingdom

• University of Pennsylvania Institute for the Advance Study of India (UPIASI), New Delhi

• Indian Centre for Philanthropy, (ICP), New Delhi

• N.R. Tata Bandra Agiary Trust, Mumbai

• Sir Ratan Tata Buildings, CJ Colony, Mumbai

• National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi

• Eklavya Foundation, Bhopal

• Child Relief and You (CRY), Mumbai

• Viswa Bharati, Santiniketan

• Co-operative Development Foundation (CDF), Hyderabad

• Indian Grameen Services (IGS), Hyderabad

• Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP), Mumbai

• India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), Bangalore

• Eight rural schools set up by the Society for Integrated Development of the Himalayas

(SIDH), Mussoorie

• Amar Seva Sangam, Ayikudy

• Navinchandra Mafatlal Sadguru Water and Development Foundation (Sadguru), Dahod

• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi

• Society for Rural Urban and Tribal Initiatives (SRUTI), New Delhi

• Children’s Book Trust (CBT), New Delhi

• Various tank farmers associations in south India through the DHAN Foundation

• Vrindaban Charitable Trust (VCT), Mumbai

• Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research (ALTAR), Pondicherry

• Higher Education Committee (HEC), Mumbai

• J.N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School, Nagpur

• Bai Navajbai Tata Zoroastrian Girls’ School, Navsari

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Institutional grants : Endowments / Allied Trusts

Endowments: Details of grants made in 2002-2003

Rs.Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research (ALTAR), PondicherryCapital grant for a theatre centre creating a new aesthetics in performance. Thegrant will be used for construction of two buildings and their maintenance andupkeep. 500,000

Bai Navajbai Tata Zoroastrian Girls’ School, NavsariTowards the cost of major structural repairs and related renovations to the schoolbuildings. Part of the endowment would also be towards the corpus for upkeep,maintenance and further advancement of the school. No disbursals

Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), New DelhiFinal instalment released against matching amounts transferred by CSE fromits publications unit towards its endowment fund. The grant helps CSE developan endowment of meaningful size, commensurate with its scale of operationsand growth plans. 2,500,000

Dhan Foundation, MaduraiThis ongoing multi-year grant enables Dhan Foundation to provide endowmentgrants to Tank Farmers’ Federations and Tank Farmers’ Associations in TamilNadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. No disbursals

J.N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School, NagpurTo enable the institution to purchase a plot of land for a sports field, therebypromoting its sporting and extra-curricular activities. No disbursals

London School of Economics (LSE), U.K.Towards boosting up the existing endowment made to the Sir Ratan TataFoundation at the LSE, which awards Sir Ratan Tata Fellowships to post doctoralscholars in the social science discipline, with experience of research on India. 3,000,000

N.M. Sadguru Water & Development Foundation (Sadguru), DahodFinal instalment of a multi-year grant released against a challenge amounttransferred by them to their endowment. 1,000,000

Vrindaban Charitable Trust (VCT), MumbaiTowards a capital grant for the construction of a gurukul, which will enable therenowned flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, promote Indian classical musicthrough the guru-shishya parampara. No disbursals

• Bai Hirabai Tata Memorial Trust, Tata Blocks, Bandra, MumbaiTowards part costs of repair and restoration work of a housing colony. No disbursals

Allied Trusts

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Institutional grants : Small Grant Programme

There are many small and embryonic non-profit organisations in the country. Though their reach

and scale of operations are limited, these entities contribute through their strong field presence

and unrelenting efforts. With a view to cater to the needs of these organisations, which were generally

unable to access funds from donors, the Sir Ratan Tata Small Grant Programme was launched in

1998-99, during which, grants worth Rs. 0.57 million were disbursed. The programme also gave an

opportunity to be used as a tool by the Trust, to test new organisations and its ideas. Since then, the

Small Grant Programme has disbursed nearly Rs. 31 million to over 150 organisations in the thematic

areas of the Trust. The programme has evolved based on experience of the Trust. While number,

spread and average grant size has increased, the Trust has fine tuned appraisal and monitoring

systems.

Modifications were made in terms of eligibility criteria regarding annual expenditure of the

organisation and grant size.The programme has been expanded to also include strategic support to

Small Grant Programme

Nirmal, aged 9, had cerebral palsy, along with severe adductor tightness and an abnormal knee contracture. He was

unable to move unaided and could not indicate his toilet needs. His family, tied down by their socio-economic difficulties,

did not have the time or resources to deal with his condition.

Nirmal was discovered by the Aakanksha team, in the course of their

efforts of improving the lives of disabled children in the villages of Raipur

district. He was lying on the floor of his home, naked waist downwards,

filthy and soiled. The team took Nirmal to the rural centre set up by

Aakanksha, that provides needs-based services to children with

disabilities. Nirmal was given specialised customised inputs. As the

programme progressed, he started indicating his toilet needs. He became

more aware of his condition and demanded to be dressed fully. With

regular therapy sessions, he started walking, with the aid of a walker.

Nirmal’s parents also received counselling on accepting him and

supporting his efforts. Seeing the positive developments in their child’s

condition, the family displayed a change in their attitude towards him

and accepted Nirmal more lovingly.

Aakanksha is a day care school run by the Lions Club Raipur Sewa

Samiti, catering to the overall development needs of children with mental

disabilities. Established in 1994 with 13 children and 2 teachers, the

number of children has increased to 80 in the current academic year,

along with 11 trained teachers. To reach out to a greater number of

needy rural children, Aakanksha has started decentralised rural services

since October 2000.

In its endeavour to promote innovative strategies for institutions reaching specialist care to the disadvantaged, the

Trust supports the positive attempts made by Aakanksha to improve the lives of mentally challenged children,

across six villages in Dhariswa block of Raipur district, in Chhattisgarh.

An Aakanksha volunteer helps a physicallychallenged child with physiotherapy

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larger organisations for programme planning,

mainstreaming innovations, focussed research

and streamlining internal systems.

During the year under review, the Trust

disbursed Rs. 11.48 million (US $ 0.24 million)

towards 55 grants, as against Rs. 6.18 million

towards 31 grants in the previous year. The

average grants size was Rs. 0.2 million.

A large majority of the grants this year focussed on the theme of rural livelihoods. Efforts have been

stepped up to identify organisations in other thematic areas. The Trust has made attempts to have

a pan-Indian reach, and has supported organisations even from states as far as Tripura. Efforts will

be made to bring in geographic focus, whilst supporting new organisations in future.


Youth activities at the Phakama workshop organised by PrithviTheatre

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RURAL LIVELIHOODS & COMMUNITIESRs.

Youth for Voluntary Action (YUVA), LucknowTowards a project for the promotion of self-help groups in Hydergarh block,Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh. 62,500

Gramya Vikas Samiti, AmbedkarnagarTowards formation of 16 new women SHGs in selected villages of Tarun block,Faizabad district,Uttar Pradesh, to provide financial security for women. 100,000

Society for Promotion of Grass Root Environment & Social Action(PROGRESS), BanswaraTowards enhancing livelihood strategies of 50 SHGs set up in 2000-01 in Banswaradistrict, Rajasthan. 100,000

Samaj Evam Paryavaran Vikas Sansthan (SEPVS), JodhpurTowards formation of 30 SHGs and strengthening existing 25 SHGs in 25 villagesof Jodhpur district, Rajasthan. 254,000

Social Work & Environment for Rural Advancement (SWERA), JaipurTowards economic empowerment of women in 11 villages of Ajmer district,through formation of 50 self help groups. 266,000

Development Initiative for Self Help and Awakening (DISHA), AkurdiTowards developing infrastructure and extending the micro-credit programme which covers 90 women in four villages in Pune district, Maharashtra. 60,000

Sahayog Nirmitee, LaturTo make women self sufficient through self-help groups in 25 villages of Laturand Osmanabad districts, Maharashtra. 64,000

Prayas, HazaribagTowards promoting women’s education through self-help groups in theKatkamsandi, Barhi, Barkattha and Chauparan blocks of Hazaribag district,Jharkhand. 112,000

Shristi, BhubaneshwarTowards a project for strengthening livelihoods of rural women, located in 10panchayats in Sadar block, Keonjhar district, Orissa, by promoting sustainablewomen self help micro finance co-operatives. 200,000

Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT), DehradunTowards a pre-feasibility survey and impact assessment study in 18 and 43villages respectively, for its water and sanitation projects in Uttaranchal. 392,000

Himaliyan Gram Vikas Samiti (HGVS), PithoragarhTowards a pre-feasibility survey in 18 villages in Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal. 90,000

Small Grant Programme:Details of grants made in 2002-2003

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Society for Integrated Management of All Resources (SIMAR), ChamoliTowards a project for empowering women for sustainable natural resourcemanagement, through 10 self-help groups in the Pinder valley in Chamoli district,Uttaranchal. 80,000

Society for Motivational Training and Action (SMTA), DehradunTowards a pre-feasibility survey in twelve villages, in 6 blocks of Uttarkashi andDehradun districts in Uttaranchal, for sanitation and drinking waterinterventions. 60,000

Jai Nanda Devi Swarojgar Shikshan Sansthan (JANDESH),UttaranchalTowards setting up a vegetable production centre in 4 villages of Joshimathblock, Chamoli district, Uttaranchal, to develop region specific technology inenhancing vegetable production. 150,000

Kassar Trust, UttaranchalTowards a pre-feasibility survey in 18 villages in Bageshwar district,Uttaranchal, for sanitation and drinking water interventions. 90,000

Appropriate Technology India (ATI), New DelhiTowards a project to assess demand for oak tasar based products, test marketnew products, and create a brand identity for Himalayan silk, in three watershedsin the Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Uttaranchal. 250,000

Cummins Foundation – Indian Institute of Management (IIM),AhmedabadTowards research on development of green houses, suited for hot arid areas inKutch, Gujarat. 300,000

Shree Vivekanand Research and Training Institute (VRTI), KutchTowards project planning and appraisal of a six-month pilot project on salinityprevention and mitigation in Kutch, Gujarat. 480,590

Samrakshan in Harmony with Nature, New DelhiTowards a soil and water conservation project in 24 villages in Vijeypur block,Sheopur Kalan district, Madhya Pradesh. 140,000

Andrews Palli Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), BirbhumTowards sustainable tribal development, with a focus on sanitation, health andwomen and child care, in three blocks of Birbhum district, West Bengal. 100,000

Om Shiksha Samiti , SidhiTowards improving women’s conditions through education and training inRampur and Sidhi blocks of Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. 100,000

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Motilal Jan Sahyog Samiti (MJSS), AllahabadTowards improving vegetable cultivation in 5 villages in Allahabad district,Uttar Pradesh. 187,250

EDUCATION

Kisan Sabha Trust, KarkalaTowards operating expenses for students of the Mahatma Gandhi ResidentialHigh School, Karkala, Bangalore, Karnataka. 80,000

Ananya Trust, BangaloreTowards consolidating the activities carried out in the earlier grant, which wasfor operating costs of its school and teacher training programme in Karnataka. 300,000

Kala Raksha, KutchTowards strengthening and expanding its basic education programme, focusedon women and adolescent girls, on preservation of traditional arts in Gujarat. 333,000

Better Education Through Innovation (BETI) Foundation, LucknowTowards supporting a baseline survey through participatory methods, forpromoting sustainable livelihoods of girls through integrated education, inShravasti and Balrampur districts of Uttar Pradesh. 400,000

Better Education Through Innovation (BETI) Foundation, LucknowTowards the next phase of BETI’s project for promoting sustainable livelihoodsof girls through integrated education, in Shravasti and Balrampur districts ofUttar Pradesh. 250,000

Sutradhar, BangaloreTowards supporting the activities of a three-year exercise on early childhoodcare and education in Karnataka, through a diagnostic study on the functioningof anganwadis in Bangalore, Karnataka. 140,000

Regional Institute for Education Development and Health (RIEDH),AjmerTowards facilitating the organisation to operate its open school project foradolescent girls in Rajasthan, while it mobilises alternative financial resources. 150,000

Society for Assistance to Children in Difficult Situation (SATHI), RaichurTowards a documentary on resettlement of runaway children living on railwayplatforms in Karnataka. 280,000

Pravah, New DelhiTowards an evaluation exercise of the ‘Making Change-Makers’ (MCM)programme. 130,000

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Vidya Bhawan Society, UdaipurTowards a project which evaluates the findings of the research projectsundertaken in the Basic Education programme, and the fund raising strategiesof VBS. 190,000

HEALTH

Manav Sansadhan Sanskruti Vikash Parishad, ChhatisgarhTowards organising awareness generation and capacity building programmeson ante-natal and post-natal care in 30 panchayats in Surguja district,Chhattisgarh. 125,000

The Action Northeast Trust (ANT), BongaigaonTowards a programme for provision of essential, preventive and curative healthcare services in Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts in Assam. 255,000

Jan Chetna Manch, BokaroTowards self help strategies for micro credit groups, in Chas and Chandankiariblocks of Bokaro district, Jharkhand, which will empower women to access tobetter and affordable health care services. 280,000

The International Institute for Population Sciences, MumbaiTowards their study, in association with other medical institutions, on prevalenceof Gall bladder Cancer in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. 400,000

The Banyan, ChennaiTowards an external review undertaken by NIMHANS to evaluate the mentalhealth care services and rehabilitation of homeless mentally ill women carriedout by Banyan. 185,000

Aakanksha Lions School for Mentally Handicapped, RaipurTowards an early intervention programme for children with mental retardationand cerebral palsy, in Dharsiwa Block, Raipur District, Chhattisgarh. 200,000

The Enabling Centre, Lady Irwin College, New DelhiTo support a rehabilitation programme for disabled and disadvantagedadolescents. 211,101

Cognition and Behavioural Neurology Centre (CBNC), and Sree ChitraTirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST),TrivandrumTowards the research project for estimating prevalence and types of dementiaand cognitive impairment in elderly persons, in Trivandrum. No disbursals


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Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), DelhiTowards a study which evolves an effective approach model towardsconvergence of services for appropriate sustainable district level health care,and suggests more sensitive health indicators. 250,000

ARTS & CULTURE

Shree Prithviraj Kapoor Memorial Trust & Research Foundation (PrithviTheatre), MumbaiTowards supporting a workshop for developing an arts education programme,involving arts practitioners, teachers, community workers and young people. 158,000

Mandala Space for Arts Collaboration Research & Education(MANDALA), MumbaiTowards audio-visual documention of its programmes with rescued traffickedgirls, with an aim of creating relevant material for influencing policy and spreadingmethodology. 260,000

Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, MumbaiTowards the project ‘Early Years’, that will bring music education to 5 pre-primaryand primary schools, and introduce western classical music to youngchildren in Mumbai. 237,000

Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI), MumbaiTowards establishing a research and resource centre for architecture, urbanplanning and central archives, for research and city oriented projects carriedout by UDRI. 250,000

CIVIL SOCIETY AND GOVERNANCE

Craftsworld, AgartalaTowards building the capacities of 10 voluntary organisations in Tripura, providingtraining programmes for documentation, management skill development andproject formulation. 300,000

Women’s India Trust (WIT), MumbaiTowards strengthening their internal systems and provision of livelihoodopportunities to women from the lower economic strata of society in Panvel,Maharashtra. 235,000

Indian Grameen Services (IGS), HyderabadTowards their 18 month Organisational Learning and Evolution (OLE) process tomanage their next phase of growth and development. 452,000

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Shri Bhuvaneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA), Tehri GarhwalTowards its project, ‘Mountain Children’s Forum’ to enable developmentof child friendly policies in Uttaranchal. 267,000

Jhalod Talukani Udvahan Sinchai Sahkari Mandaliono Sahakari SanghLtd., JhalodAimed at building the management capacity of a Lift Irrigation Federation,in Jhalod taluka, Dahod district, Gujarat. 150,000

Parivartan, DelhiTowards advocacy and action against corruption in Delhi Vidyut Board’s officesin Jhilmil and Nandnagari districts, Delhi. 80,000

Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), Adayar, ChennaiTowards consumer education for school teachers in ten schools in Chennaiwhich would help create awareness on rights of consumers. 430,000

The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA),MumbaiTowards a histo-pathological laboratory which enables BSPCA to meetimmediate needs of animals in distress. 232,000

Centre for Development, AhmedabadTo ensure continuation of education of riot affected children in Ahmedabad,and healing the psychological scars caused by violence, through recreationcentres and counselling. 154,400

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), AhmedabadTowards advertising expenses for ‘Gujarat Election Watch’, which collectedinformation on criminal antecedents of candidates and helped voters decideon their suitability. 500,000

Elgar Pratishthan, ChandrapurTowards strengthening 10 centres for children and youth activities in Sindewahiblock of Chandrapur district. 257,000

Gyandoot Samiti, DharTowards the ‘Healthy Child’ and ‘Milk Productivity’ competitions aimed toencourage the usage of Information Technology in 30 kiosks in rural areas ofDhar district, Madhya Pradesh. No disbursals


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Individual grants

In continuation of the philanthropic outlook of Sir Ratan Tata, the Trust has, over the years, extended

support to individuals in times of financial need and crises. It has emphasised professional

management of the programme in setting systems while being sensitive to the needs of those it

supports, especially people in difficult circumstances. For all programmes, it has established

institutional linkages that enable appropriate identification and streamlining of procedures. Over

the years, it has expanded this network and built closer working relationships with collaborators. It

has increasingly endeavoured to synergise with specialist institutions catering to similar clientele.

The Trust provides financial support to individuals for

• Meeting medical expenses

• Educational needs for higher education within the country and assistance for travel overseas.

Medical

Advances in medical sciences and increasing awareness among people on accessing curative

services place increasing demands on the health system. While costs of specialist treatment have

increased, reduced availability of welfare funds to support those with limited means have made the

Trust’s support towards relief even

more relevant today.

The Trust has established systems

through the network of social

workers and doctors at hospitals

to reach those in need, established

criteria for nature and quantum of

support and instituted processes

for approval and monitoring.

During the year under review, the

Trust expanded its network of

hospitals, especially those outside

of Mumbai. New linkages were

established with Ruby Hall Clinic,

Individual Grants

Sunil Bhosale, a 30 year old field labourer in a small village near Belgaum,

had undergone open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve in 1990. He

was doing well until 1999, after which he started having breathlessness

on exertion, followed by chest pain. On investigations, it was revealed

that the valve which had been previously replaced, had developed a

mechanical fault and was not functioning optimally, leading to his current

symptoms and related problems. The doctors at Wanless Hospital, Miraj

opined that this defective valve needed to be replaced, if Sunil were to

have any chance of survival. The Bhosale family consisting of Sunil, his

wife, three school-going children and his mother, were poor with an annual

income of Rs. 8,000, since Sunil was the sole bread earner. They had

already incurred considerable expenditure in 1990 for Sunil’s first surgery.

The second surgery was estimated to cost Rs. 160,000 which they could

not afford. In June 2002, the doctor at the Wanless Hospital referred Sunil’s

case to the Trust, for financial assistance. The family had applied to several

other charitable institutions, and already received Rs. 45,000 from three

of them. They expected further aid from the other institutions. The Trust

sanctioned Rs. 50,000 to Sunil, after which he successfully underwent

open heart surgery. Today, he leads a normal life and through the doctors

at Wanless Hospital, has expressed his gratitude to the Trust for the

financial assistance, without which this miracle in his life would not have

been possible.

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Individual grants

Pune; Chottanikkara

Medical Relief Society,

Ernakulam; and the

Narmada Kidney

Foundation, Mumbai. It

now receives applications

through 19 hospitals and

medical institutions across

the country, through formal

agreements. Appraisal

systems were

strengthened with an

increase in number of

house visits to meet with

applicants, streamlining

management information

systems. The application

form was redesigned

based on feedback

received from users and is

now more patient friendly.

Peter Vaz, a 25 year old marine officer, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour

on the left hip in February 2002. He underwent an operation to remove the tumour

at a private hospital in Mumbai, following which, two chemotherapy cycles were

administered. After three months, a MRI revealed that the tumour was still present.

Peter was operated for the second time, at another private hospital, following

which, radiation therapy was suggested for six weeks. However in September, he

developed complications due to which fluid accumulated in his lungs. During the

aspiration of the fluid, it was found that blood was also present; leading to further

deterioration of the condition and acute kidney failure and hence, Peter had to be

readmitted to the hospital immediately for treatment, along with dialysis.

Since the initial diagnosis in February, his family had already spent over Rs. 200,000

on two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with medications

required for chemotherapy, besides a further Rs. 67,000 on investigations and

pathology tests. Though admitted in the economy class of a renowned hospital in

Mumbai, Peter’s expenses came to nearly Rs. 300,000, in just ten days of

hospitalisation. The doctors at the hospital then opined that Peter’s case could not

be treated further and hence the family was constrained to get Peter admitted to

a charitable hospital in Mumbai. The Vaz family consists of Peter’s father, drawing

a monthly income of Rs. 10,000, mother who is a housewife and younger brother

earning Rs. 7,000 a month. Seven months of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation,

pleurisy tapping and dialysis had left the Vaz family mentally, physically and

financially drained. Having already spent over Rs. 500,000 on the treatment, after

borrowing from relatives and friends, besides exhausting their own personal

savings, Peter’s family approached the Trust for help. In spite of the unhealthy

prognosis on Peter’s survival, the Trust realised the huge amount that the family

had spent, as well as emotional trauma undergone, in order to ensure the best

possible treatment, as per the doctors’ directives. It sanctioned a medical grant

of Rs. 200,000, the maximum amount sanctionable, to partly reimburse the Vaz

family for the large sum they had spent on Peter’s treatment. The family also

managed to get Rs. 55,000 as help from other charitable institutions.

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Individual grants

Qualitative assessments of grants are made through house visits and regular reports from

collaborating hospitals.

While the number of grants have risen from 646 during 1997-98 to 973 in 2002-03, an increase of

50%, the grant amount sanctioned has increased from Rs 9.98 million in 1997-98 to Rs 59.55 million

(US$ 1.24 million) in 2002-03, an increase of almost 500%. This reflects the Trust’s response to

increasing costs of treatment and reducing burden of fund raising on those supported.

In the coming year, the Trust would further expand this network, especially with institutions outside

of Mumbai and NGO-run hospitals. The Trust will also institute a regular assessment of grants made

to individuals, to assess effectiveness of grant making systems and impact.

Medical: Details of grants made from April 2002 to March 2003

No. of applications No. sanctioned Rs. in million* %

Heart 1,569 416 23.58 39.60

Kidney 469 102 4.19 7.04

Cancer 439 201 17.95 30.14

Burns 10 8 0.56 0.94

Tuberculosis 20 18 0.86 1.44

Others 454 228 12.41 20.84

Total 2,961 973 59.55 100.00

* The amount mentioned is for grants sanctioned and may vary from actual disbursals.

Education

The Trust supports merit in scholars through:

• Scholarships to students to pursue professional studies in India

• Travel grants to provide part fare for studies and professional development abroad

For scholarships, the Trust manages direct applications on predetermined criteria from students

through a three-stage appraisal process. Select house visits are also made. Over 70% of support is

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Ajay Mehta, 20 years, is presently pursuing his second year of Engineering from the

Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Ajay was only

nineteen, when he lost his father in May 2001 and mother in October 2001. The

untimely death of his parents did not deter him from excelling in his academics. It

was due to his sheer determination and will power that he scored 85% in his Diploma

in Computer Engineering. Based on his merit, he secured direct admission to the

second year of the degree course in Computer Engineering. Since he fulfilled the

criteria of the Trust’s Scholarship in India programme, he applied to the Trust for

merit based scholarship for the year 2002-03. The Mehta family, consisting of brother-

sister is trying to overcome the untimely death of their parents, and sustaining their

expenses on the monthly interest of approximately Rs. 9,000 on the fixed deposit

at the bank, which they received as their father’s Provident Fund. Since Ajay’s

application form did not provide sufficient crucial information, a visit to his residence

was carried out to ascertain the facts as mentioned in the application form, and to

gather more relevant information. Based on the appraisal process, the Trust

sanctioned Rs. 40,000 to Ajay, against the college tuition and related fees of

Rs. 51,321. As he had received scholarships from other organisations, the Trust

released an award of Rs. 36,200 towards tuition and related fees for the academic

year 2002-03.

Individual grants

for higher studies

in medicine and

engineering. It has also

provided 38 scholarships

through linkages with 14

premier professional

institutions, especially in

the field of management,

across the country.

Besides supporting

applications received, the

Trust is proactively

attempting to offer travel

grants in collaboration with organisations providing services, especially scholarships to students/

professionals. During the year, the partnership with British Council continued for Chevening Scholars

and Higher Education Link Scheme. A new programme has been established with the International

Development Programme (IDP) Education Australia Limited, which promotes education and training

in Australia among students and professionals.

The Trust continued to support professional development, especially of those involved in social

sciences, through provision of partial international airfare for attending relevant short term

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Individual grants

K. Narender is a Programme Leader at the DHAN Foundation, with seventeen years of experience in promotion of

federations of savings and credit groups. Dhan Foundation has been engaged in enhancing and promoting livelihood

opportunities among marginalised communities, and has been supported by the Trust since inception. DHAN Foundation

was invited to speak at the Micro Credit Summit to be held in New York, USA, and share its experiences with participants

from all over the world, on the various aspects of community based approaches of micro finance. Narender represented

Dhan at the summit. Being one of the speakers at the conference, Narender received a waiver of the registration fees.

He contributed towards his boarding and lodging in USA, and applied to the Trust for the return international airfare

expenses, which were approximately Rs. 82,000. Since he also received financial assistance from other organisations,

the Trust awarded him a travel grant of Rs. 45,000 for attending the conference. Upon his return, Narender wrote to

the Trust, “Our participation has definitely provided an opportunity to highlight the uniqueness of the Indian experience,

especially to address the development of poor through ‘enabling the poor’. The visit was immensely useful in terms

of sharing the Indian experience of self help groups and federations, and also learning from others working in the

field of microfinance from different parts of the world”. The Trust has similarly helped professionals in different fields,

by sanctioning travel grants, enabling them attend meaningful conferences and short term courses abroad.

conferences. This support is provided very selectively as only 18% of applications received support

during the year.

In the year under review the Trust supported 1,774 individuals to pursue their educational goals

through a total grant outlay of Rs 25.69 million (US$ 0.54 million), as against Rs 23.26 million to 1,792

applicants in 2001-02.

In the coming year, the Trust would take a critical look at the scholarships programme and take

steps to maintain its relevance and enhance its impact in promoting merit and individual endeavour.

Education: Details of grants made from April 2002 to March 2003

No. of applications No. sanctioned Rs. in million* %

Studies in India 3,022 1,633 21.60 84.08

Studies abroad 566 108 3.06 11.91

Short term courses/Mid-career training

abroad 35 15 0.51 1.99

Conferences /presentations 89 16 0.47 1.83

Others 13 2 0.05 0.19

Total 3,725 1,774 25.69 100.00

* The amount mentioned is for grants sanctioned and may vary from actual disbursals.

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Income

Financial highlights: 2002-2003

April 2002 – March 2003

2001-2002 Particulars 2002-2003

Rs. in % Rs. in %

million million

220.7 69.8 Dividend Income 307.2 81.00

94.4 29.8 Interest 69.9 18.40

0.1 – Property Income 0.1 –

1.2 0.4 Rebate / Incentive on Investment 2.0 0.60

– – Interest on Income Tax Refund – –

316.4 100.00 379.2 100.00

ExpenditureApril 2002 – March 2003

2001-2002 Particulars 2002-2003

Rs. in % Rs. in %

million million

210.4 66.5 Programme Grants / Charities 319.7 84.3

9.6 3.0 Administrative Expenses 11.3 3.0

1.0 0.3 Property Expenses 0.6 0.1

– – Contribution to Charity Commissioner 3.6 1.0

0.3 0.1 Depreciation 0.4 0.1

95.1 30.1 Balance surplus 43.6 11.5

316.4 100.00 379.2 100.00

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Financial highlights: 2002-2003

LiabilitiesAs on March 31, 2003

March Particulars March2002 2003

Rs. in Rs. inmillion million

42.4 Trust Fund 42.4

322.9 Investment Reserve Fund and Other funds 319.0

0.2 Other Credit Balances 0.1

518.2 Income and Expenditure Account 559.6

883.7 921.1

AssetsAs on March 31, 2003

March Particulars March2002 2003

Rs. in Rs. inmillion million

15.2 Immovable Properties 15.2

2.1 Movable Properties 2.0

720.5 Investments 811.5

70.0 Other Debit Balances 0.6

25.8 Outstanding Income 34.7

50.1 Cash and Bank Balances 57.1

883.7 921.1

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The Strategic Plan 2006 of the Trust has identified Education, Health, Rural Livelihoods andCommunities, Civil Society and Governance, and Arts and Culture as its five thematic areas. TheTrust supports its thematic areas through:

l Programme Grantsl Endowment Grantsl Small Grants

For Programme Grants, the Trust gives preference to projects that:l are from enterprising organisations, willing to innovatel have a close bond with the communityl aim at mainstreaming innovations on scalel build in long-term sustainability in design and cost-effectiveness in deliveryl have clear reporting parameters and monitoring milestonesl make effective use of human resourcesl strategically position their intervention in the field

Organisations seeking programme grants should write to the Trust with a concise concept note,clearly stating the purpose for which funding is sought, the problems to be addressed, and a briefoutline of the proposed project, stating its rationale, objectives, approach, strategies, milestones,expected outcomes and the estimated budget.The concept note should be accompanied by the following documents:

l Narrative report and audited statement of accounts for three previous yearsl Registration certificate under the Societies Act or the Public Trust Actl List of present funding agenciesl List of members of the Boardl The Curriculum Vitae of the project leader

Subsequent to assessment of the concept note, the Trust invites a proposal, which is meticulouslyappraised and used as the detailed operational document for programme implementation. TheTrust does not sanction all the proposals invited by it. Please note, concept notes and proposalsshould not be sent through e-mail.

Endowment grants are made selectively, usually after a programmatic relationship with the Trust,to those mission-driven institutions which have exhibited enterprise and initiative for at least tenyears, who meet the criteria laid down in the 1997 Endowment Strategy and the follow-up StrategicPlanning Exercise, carried out in 2001.The grant will be made after a rigorous and thorough appraisalof the institution.

Grants under the Sir Ratan Tata Small Grant Programme are made to organisations with anannual expenditure of less than Rs. 2 million and employing not more than 20 people, for seedsupport to implement new and innovative ideas. Larger organisations can also apply to the SmallGrant Programme for: (a) strategic planning and/or evaluation; (b) focused research activities; (c)mainstreaming of innovations; (d) setting up or strengthening of internal systems; and (e) projectplanning and appraisal. A letter of enquiry should be sent to the Trust along with a brief descriptionof the past and present activities of the organisation and the purpose for which the funds aresought.

All communication should be addressed to:The SecretarySir Ratan Tata Trust, Bombay House,24, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400 001

Guidelines

Guidelines for Grant Applicants

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Layout and printing by Impress, Mumbai

The Trust is grateful to its grantees for the photographs used in the report.

Cover photo credit : Regional Institute for Education Development and Health (RIEDH), Ajmer

Documents

SIR RATAN TATA TRUST • ANNUAL REPORT 2002 …tatatrusts.org/upload/pdf/Annual-Report-2002-2003.pdf · SIR RATAN TATA TRUST • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 Vision His thoughts, ... Sir