Initiatives are projects whose goals fulfill our organization’s
mission.
UANA is a non-profit organization and we balance our mission
in pursuit of our goals and objectives. It invests in the
needs of the community it serves.
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Back home Uttarakhand focus:
UANA Award for Academic Excellence
UANA has
actively supported this project with an aim
to promote and recognizes academic
excellence in Uttarakhandi youth, by
awarding two students at the grade level of
12th and 10th selected from each of the 13
districts of Uttarakhand.
Helping those who need it the most - The
UANA has actively supported victims of Sweet
Village tragedy in Uttarakhand and proposes
to continue to support this project with a
primary goal to help those who need it the
most.
UANA North America focus and Community
Outreach:
UANA Service Award
UANA is
proud to propose the UANA service award that
recognizes those individuals who have
significantly contributed to the promotion
and dissemination of UANA's mission by their
exemplary and sustained selfless activities.
UANA Mentoring
Program
UANA is
proud to propose the UANA mentoring program
where insights from experienced and seasoned
professional’s background and achievements
can be used in the professional and personal
development of community members and youth..
Information on the nomination process is
provided
here. |
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Partenering with NGOs
Appropriate Technology India (ATI)
UANA provided funding of $2,500 to Appropriate Technology
India (ATI), a NGO working on the implementation of bio-diversity
conservation program, through an active economic and enterprise
development mechanism. Dr. JackCroucher provided an update
on ATI activities at the Fifth UANA Annual Convention held
in Greater Washington D.C. in August 2003.
For more information on activities of ATI refer to this
document.
Society for the Integrated Management of All Resources
(SIMAR)
UANA has approved funding of $2,250 for a project proposal
submitted by SIMAR, an NGO working on introducing
and implementing improved agricultural technology in remote
areas of Uttaranchal. The money will be targeted to
support a SIMAR project to implement improved agricultural
technology in the Pindar valley of Garwhal Himalayas.
Mr. Deepak Nautiyal, Board of Directors UANA visited the
SIMAR headquarters at Dehradun in 2003 and conducted a project
evaluation for UANA.
For more information on the project please refer to this
document.
One of the main objectives of UANA is to support and foster
the development of educational opportunities in Uttaranchal
by building bridges between UANA and educational institutions
in the state.
UANA Education Projects
Department of Business Management (Kumaon University,
Bhimtal)
UANA donated a comprehensive set of books for a MBA curriculum
to the libraries of Department of Business Management (Kumaon
University, Bhimtal & KIT, Kathgodam in November 2002.
The donated collection included books in accounting, finance,
management, organizational behavior, management information
system, operations research, and marketing in use in leading
MBA program at the US universities. Dr. Ajay Adhikari,
an associate professor of business at American University
arranged for the books that were donated.
Department of Computer Science, Garhwal University
Working with the Computer Science Department at Garhwal
University, UANA identified important books that would enrich
the library holding of the University in this critical area.
In November 2003, UANA presented a comprehensive collection
of computer science books (37 books) to the Computer Science
Department at Garhwal University. The donated collection
includes books in computer architecture, computer networks,
telecommunication, advanced programming languages, and other
areas of computer science. Mr. Vinod Jakhmola, Secretary
of UANA, presented the books on behalf of UANA. Accepting
the books, Dr. N. Natarajan, Vice Chancellor of Garhwal
University, thanked UANA for this thoughtful action and
remarked that a new beginning to promote academic, cultural,
and scholastic interaction had been made.
Click here
to see list of donated books.
Geology Department, Kumaon University
In early 2004, UANA gifted a collection of research books
and annals requested by the Geology Department of Kumaon
University. The books presented covered topics in
petrology, sedimentology, and tectonics. Thanks are
due to Mr. Chandan Dangi, social activitist who arranged
for purchase of the books and their subsequent presentation
on behalf of UANA.
Centre of Vocational Studies, Kumaon University
Dr. Roop Singh Bhakuni, Chair Education Committee – UANA,
is assisting the newly created College of Vocational Studies
at Kumaon University. The prime objective of the centre
is to offer specifically designed vocational courses that
fit “real world” needs. The centre is a self-financed
unit and Dr. Bhakuni is assisting the centre by providing
strategic guidance as well as donating a comprehensive set
of business books and subscription journals required by
the centre.
Click here
to see list of donated books.
UANA Health Project
UANA Health Project in Uttaranchal
Shrimati Kamla Pant, a member of UANA has donated $15,000
(in three installments) to Mehta Charitable Hospital - a
non-profit and charitable organization to buy equipment
such as "Vedio-Endoscope" and other equipment
for the gastro lab of the hospital. It is understood that
this facility is not available in the region. With the purchase
of this machinery, the hospital is now able to serve the
poor Uttaranchalis of that area, who can’t afford to go
to Delhi/Lucknow for the treatment. The Gastro lab of the
hospital bears the inscription " In loving memory
of Shri Tara Nath Joshi" (her late father).
Funds donated by Shrimati Kamla Pant for this purpose were
channelized through the "Uttaranchal Association of
North America" (UANA), with UANA providing all the
logistic support.
The Gastro Lab is now fully operational and providing
much needed specialized medical care to the poor.
The Board of Directors of UANA take this opportunity to
thank Shrimati Kamla Pant for donating funds for the
1st UANA Health Project in Uttaranchal and, thereby,
serving the people of Uttaranchal.
UANA Special Projects
Hindi Classes for ChildrenWashington
D.C. Metropolitan area UANA Chapter
Starting
from October 14, 2001, the UANA chapter has arranged free
Hindi classes for children on Sundays from 5 to 6 PM in
the Meeting Room No. 1, Centreville Regional Library, 14200
St. Germaine Drive, Centreville, VA 20121. Eight to ten
students attend the Hindi lessons regularly.
Members
assist in Voter Education in Uttarakhand
January
16, 2002
Members of the Boston chapter of UANA and Uttarakhandis
living in California recently donated $1300 to the Friends
of Uttarakhand (FOU) group based in Delhi to
help prepare for voter education efforts ahead of the first
ever state elections in Uttaranchal. As a forum of concerned
citizens, researchers, students, and scholars, FOU planned
to intervene in the electoral process by initiating a debate
on the pro-people issues in the region -- natural resources
(jal, jungle, jameen), unemployment, dismal education scenario,
liquor mafia, land mafia, widespread displacement due to
the apparent development activities (dams, mining etc),
etc. to gather the reflections of people as to their aspirations
and expectations from the new government. Noting that this
election's exercise of democracy would determined the style
and responsiveness of governance for years to come, FOU's
efforts represented one way for NRUs to get involved and
to have a say in the future of Uttarakhand.
More information available at:
http://uttarakhand.org,
http://friendsofuttarakhand.org
Kargil
Victims Fund
A sum
of $1,551 was collected by the youth wing of UANA and the
money was remitted to the Ministry of Defense, New Delhi.
Gujrat
Earthquake Disaster Relief
Funds
and clothes were collected by the Greater Washington Area
chapter of UANA and donated on behalf of UANA.