Community News
Yuva Junction, an AKRSP initiative
8 July 2018
Yuva Junction is an Aga Khan Rural Support Programme initiative that gives youth in remote areas of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar the opportunity to explore their dreams through proper training and access to alternate sources of livelihood. This training has helped youth get into good organisations to channel their capabilities, provide economic support to their families, and break out of poverty in Gujarat, Yuva Junction has trained many youth and has provided meaningful employment to youth over the years.
Creating a wave of change in urban Patna: Project Lehar A project of the Aga Khan Foundation
2 July 2018
Project Lehar enables adolescent girls from disadvantaged communities in the Phulwarisharief and Danapur blocks of urban Patna to pursue either scholastic or vocational skills training. The scholastic support being provided in centres established by AKF aims to build the girls’ learning levels so that they can either re-join formal schooling or prepare for their Class 10 Board examinations through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
A new beginning towards Green Habitat
27 June 2018
With the intent of doing something for other living creatures in the habitat, a team of members got together and brainstormed of a way to help our aviary neighbours – nature’s flying machines - by providing Bird water feeders for our winged friends, to get a little respite, particularly in the hot, dry summer when water can be hard to find.
Aashayein - Hope Can Make You Fly
20 June 2018
Aashayein, a 20-day residential camp is conducted every year for the Ismaili youth between 16 - 22 years who live in the rural belts of Northern and Southern Saurashtra. Southern India Region has been hosting this camp for the last two years; this year the camp was held from 6th to 25th May. Aashayein includes Personality Development and Self Enhancement Programs, English Training, Computer Training, City Skills, Entrepreneurial Development and Adventure Zone Activities for the youth
‘Breakfast with the President’- A unique opportunity
2 June 2018
When opportunity knocks, you not only run like an athlete to unbolt the door but also pull yourself a chair and sit with a huge vessel to collect the drops of knowledge trickling overhead. A program designed by the National Communications Team called "Breakfast with the President" for age groups between 18-35 years was conducted in Ahmedabad recently which I was privileged to attend.
Tuning in to glory
25 May 2018
For generations the Ismaili community is known for their love for music. The stage was set at the Hasanabad grounds in Mazgaon for an all-India band competition of Scouts and Guides bands from Mumbai, Secunderabad, Surat, Hyderabad and Pune. A total of 14 bands took centre stage. The competition was an opportunity for the Scouters and Guiders who have been playing for the band and also training other kids to play in the band to fulfil a time-honoured tradition.
Service in Action: The story of India’s ‘Taj Volunteers’
21 May 2018
As much as India needs the rain, it doesn’t need the floods. Last year’s monsoon season saw several major cities paralysed by the onslaught of endless rains, bringing havoc and devastation to several communities.
In Gujarat alone, as 17 districts witnessed extensive flooding, the government launched an extensive relief campaign and in the small town of Babra, as the Indian Air Force air dropped relief packages, the Ismaili community’s Taj volunteers joined them side-by-side.
A step towards Clean India
7 May 2018
A step towards Clean India: Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India administers oath of cleanliness to 3000 participants at a public meeting held at Rajula in Gujarat.
The Golden Generation: Giving Back to Seniors
7 May 2018
The older generation has made us who we are. They have moulded the lives of the generations that came after them – giving them better education, better opportunities, and the possibilities of better lives. For our part, the present generation can return this invaluable gift by helping to make the lives of their parents and seniors more comfortable and enjoyable in this - the ‘golden phase’ of their lives.
The first step towards a big dream.
5 May 2018
With the objective of English literacy for all women in Thane council jurisdiction, a small batch of twenty women were selected to impart lessons in English with two trainers, as a pilot project.
Break For A Day
16 April 2018
Council for Junagadh in partnership with the Women’s Activity Portfolio, initiated a program called ‘Break For A Day’ at Junagadh Dhal road Jamatkhana. The sole objective of the programme was to encourage women to spend some time for their own happiness. Me-time is absolutely essential as is the time for others. Women of the community were encouraged to not develop a sense of guilt if they were spending some quality time for themselves.
The Heritage walk
11 April 2018
With the arrival of our 46th Imam Hasanali Shah in India in the mid nineteenth century from Iran, there was a turning point in Ismaili history. The Imamat base shifted from Iran to India, and remained here till our 48th Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah shifted base to Europe in the early 20th Century. Various structures and monuments were established and maintained during this period in India. ’The Heritage walk’, one of the programs by the Communications team of the National Council for India aims to make our community and particularly the youth aware of the importance of our cultural and historical heritage and inculcate a sense of pride and appreciation of our historic cultural heritage. It also aims to help the community develop a harmonious relationship with our historical past. In pursuit of this objective, the Communications team has been regularly conducting walks in three historic areas of Darkhana, Agahall and Hasanabad in Mumbai since June 2017.
