Dear Friends,
The familiar world around us has changed significantly after the onset of the pandemic. With shrinking spaces around us, we have experienced isolation, fear and anxiety. On the other hand, Covid-19 front line workers have displayed unquestionable moral strength, character, and hard work. India is combating the second wave of the disease, and it is critical we support community organizations in vital need of resources to defeat this pandemic.
It is in this unprecedented setting that Gitika Trust turns four.
Considering the societal inequities in our local community, the shift from physical to virtual educational activities have not been easy. However, the pandemic has forced us to go virtual and we are reaching out to academics to help us develop programs to understand key concepts of science and liberal arts. While all physical activities in the trust premises remain suspended, until the government mandated lockdown rules are lifted, we are determined to ensure that educational and research activities must go on. While this is not an extensive list, I would like to inform you about research activities we have been
engaged in this year:
-We are studying the micro level effects of Partition in octo and nona-genarians who have witnessed the dual reality of India’s Independence and Partition in August 1947. To
this date, we have recorded the testimonies of 70 individuals, and this remains a continuing project. The goal of this study is to revisit the ideals and aspirations the modern Republic of India was born with.
-In collaboration with Dr. Aditya Parekh, we have initiated a pilot food security study in several tribal dominated village of Midnapur District, West Bengal. Our primary hypothesis is that proximity and accessibility of vegetables grown in a kitchen garden may increase its consumption and consequently alleviate nutritional deficiencies. The project has targeted 250 households so far.
-We are studying attempts of reviving traditional methods of paddy farming with indigenous seed varieties in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal. Managed by Shri Abdul Rashid, this project aims at documenting the potential of indigenous paddy cultivation in making agriculture genetically diverse and environmentally sustainable.
We are committed to bridging the gap of inequities faced by the community, and believe that with your support, we will be able to bring a significant difference. Finally, please continue strict social distancing standards and get vaccinated when your turn comes. Everyone, at every age, plays an important role in stopping the spread of Covid-19. We can all do our bit in decreasing the probability of hospital wards being overstrained at this time.
Together, we will get through this.
Stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Sujata Chowdhury, Ph.D.
President, Gitika Trust
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