By the Brahmaputra (Vol: 62) October- December 2023
Peace Award for Hazarika
Esteemed journalist, author, columnist, and Managing Trustee of C-NES, Sanjoy Hazarika, was honored with the Rotary Writing For Peace Award 2023 during a ceremony held in Mumbai on October 29th at the National Centre for Performing Arts. The distinguished accolade, bestowed by Literature Live! in collaboration with the Peace Avenue team of Rotary District 3141 at the Mumbai International Literary Festival, aims to recognize individuals dedicated to advancing the message of peace through the written word.
The Rotary Writing For Peace Award acknowledges the enduring commitment and tireless efforts of those who have dedicated their lives to promoting peace through literature. It underscores the profound understanding that fostering peace demands unwavering dedication and continuous endeavor, often spanning a lifetime.
Expressing his gratitude upon receiving the award, Mr. Hazarika remarked, “I have come to realize that the most compelling narratives emerge when we lend an ear to the voices of others, both at the grassroots and policy-making levels. In doing so, we become custodians of their lived experiences and storytellers of their struggles, enriching our understanding as we listen, read, and traverse the world. It is a humbling privilege. Yet, as writers and chroniclers, we must introspect—are we deserving of such honor when individuals entrust us with their life stories, confiding in our notebooks and recording devices? Through their narratives, we cultivate a deeper appreciation and empathy, particularly for the universal equality that binds us all. As writers, we often find ourselves in the shadows of those who confront and surmount adversities with courage and resilience. We celebrate their strength, wisdom, and resilience, for theirs is the story of humanity—the narrative less explored.”
Trust Meeting
CNES convened its Trust Meeting on November 20, 2023, followed by a field visit to a health camp organized by the Kamrup Boat Clinic the next day. G.K. Pillai, Chairman of the Board, alongside Sanjoy Hazarika, Managing Trustee, Trustees Mahfuza Rehman, HS Das, and special advisor Dr. Milan Barooah, were among those present. From the C-NES regional office, Ashok O Rao, Program Manager, Hinna Barman, Assistant Programme Manager, and Bhaswati Goswami, Communications Officer, attended the meeting.
In session: G.K. Pillai, Chairman of the Board, presides over the Trust Meeting with Sanjoy Hazarika, Managing Trustee, Trustees Mahfuza Rehman, HS Das, and special advisor Dr. Milan Barooah. Also present are Ashok O Rao, Program Manager, Hinna Barman, Assistant Programme Manager, and Bhaswati Goswami, Communications Officer
The session began with a welcome address by Sanjoy Hazarika, with Chairperson Mr. Pillai overseeing the proceedings. Discussions included the presentation of minutes from the previous Trust meeting and updates on various health initiatives, such as the boat clinic’s programs and interactions with the National Health Mission. Progress on innovative projects like Fetosense and the Population Council e-saathi program, aimed at enhancing pregnancy care, were also reviewed.
A special presentation on the upcoming Hospital Ship project was made by Dr. Ramnath Balala from Crypto Relief, addressing funding delays and construction progress. Despite challenges, it is anticipated that the project will be completed by February 2024.
On November 21, 2023, Chairman of the Board of Trustees G.K. Pillai, Managing Trustee Sanjoy Hazarika, Special Advisor Dr. Milan Barooah, Dr. Ramnath Balala, and members from the C-NES regional office visited a health camp at Bhogerdia island village alongside the Kamrup Boat Clinic. The team had to navigate across the river on a Multi Utility Vehicle due to water levels. Interactions with beneficiaries and village health workers, along with health check-ups and immunizations, were conducted at the camp. Additionally, the Trustees visited the Hospital Ship site at Amingaon and engaged in discussions with the construction team on their way back.
Executive Director of NHSRC Tours Health Camp Conducted by Kamrup Boat Clinic
Major General (Dr.) Atul Kotwal, the Executive Director of the National Health System Resource Center (NHSRC) in New Delhi, led a delegation from the Regional Resource Centre, NE, which included Dr. Pankaj Thomas, Dr. Raj Prabha Moktam, Dr. Surajit Choudhury, and Dr. Siddharth Maurya, along with officials from the National Health Mission (NHM), to visit a health camp. The camp, organized by the Kamrup Boat Clinic team in Assam, took place on December 19, 2024, at Toparpothar island village.
Accompanied by Programme Manager Ashok Rao and Communications Officer Bhaswati Goswami, the visiting team engaged with beneficiaries and health team members, interacting with Asha and Anganwadi workers. They observed the camp activities, including an awareness session on family planning conducted by community worker Lal Mahammed.
Impressed by the dedication and community engagement of the team, Dr. Kotwal wrote in the visitor’s book, “An extremely dedicated team with good community connect carrying on yeoman services under challenging circumstances. Keep it up!”
Donors Visit e-SAATHI Project in Assam
A coalition led by e-SAATHI (Strengthening ANC/PNC via AskNivi Tailored Health Information) is spearheading a digital maternal health (MH) support system initiative in Assam, aimed at empowering pregnant women with essential health information and facilitating access to quality maternal health services. The project, supported by Population Council Consulting (PCC), Nivi India, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research (SBISR), FOGSI, and C-NES, seeks to reduce maternal and early neonatal mortality rates.
On October 28, 2023, Mark Allen and Pompy Shreedhar from MSD Global, Ben Bellows from Nivi, along with Dr. Jitender Nagpal,Deputy Medical Director and Swapnil Rawat, Research Scientist from from SBISR, Dr Sowmya Ramesh, Executive Director and Ashita Munjral, National Programme Manager from PCC, visited Guwahati to observe the e-SAATHI project. Accompanied by Namrata Goswami, State Programme Manager,PCC, Ashok O Rao, Programme Manager, C-NES and Special Advisor, C-NES, and Dr. Milan Barooah, they toured the Marwari Maternity Hospital, the current site of e-SAATHI implementation, with the management of the hospital graciously hosting the visit.
The Donors visited the WOMEN Ambassador Forum members at Chakreswar Community. They interacted with the women on how they are supporting the program and also felicitated them with a token of appreciation
During their visit, the donors witnessed the onboarding process of women into the project. They were also joined by Dr. Panchanand Das (President GOGs) and Dr. Neelakshi Phukan (ex-president GOGS). Additionally, the donors engaged with members of the WOMEN Ambassador Forum at Chakreswar Community, discussing their support for the program and presenting them with tokens of appreciation.
Glenmark Foundation Shows Interest in Supporting Boat Clinics
During a visit to a health camp organized by the Kamrup Boat Clinic on December 21, 2023, Abhishek Mali and Tincy George from the Glenmark Foundation expressed admiration for C-NES’s visionary approach in addressing grassroots healthcare needs. Tincy George commended the dedicated and motivated team, describing the initiative as truly visionary and reaching the last mile of under-served communities.
Accompanied by Programme Manager Ashok O Rao, the visitors observed the operational process of the Boat Clinics at Kaladia, where 42 general check-ups, 14 routine immunizations, and 8 antenatal care (ANC) services were provided. They also participated in an awareness session conducted by the health team, a standard practice before each camp.
District Programme Officer, Kamrup Boat Clinic Sanghamitra Kalita delivering an awareness talk to the beneficiaries while the visitors listen and observe the camp proceedings
Expressing interest in supporting a boat clinic in either Darrang or Barpeta district, the Glenmark Foundation, following a need assessment in Assam, requested C-NES to choose Darrang district, as the organization already operates two boat clinic units in Barpeta. According to the foundation’s policy, projects related to maternal and child health are implemented through local NGOs, and they have expressed keenness in selecting C-NES as the implementing partner for Assam.
On November 11, 2023, Sanjoy Hazarika delivered the valedictory address at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi.
National Deworming Day(NDD) being observed on 18th October 2023 through loudspeaker along with awareness generation at 6 no Bahir island village by Bongaigaon Boat Clinic
Health camp conducted at island village Bhekeli 1 with a home visit for post natal check up by the Majuli Boat Clinic.
A camp at remote Laika-Rigbi and Phasidiya island village by the Tinsukia Boat Clinic
A mother with her child waiting for their turn at a health and immunization camp at Ramhori Char 2 by the Goalpara Boat Clinic
A health and immunization camp conducted by the Barpeta Boat Clinic Unit 1 at Pampara Char
An immunization camp at Rosomari East by the newly inducted boat clinic at South Salmara Mankachar in October 2023
A new boat for the Goalpara Boat Clinic unit was launched on the 18thof October,2023 by the District Joint Director Health Dr. Jayanta Kumar Das in the presence of District and Block Officials along with Officer in Charge of Chunari Police Station and members of Gaon Panchayat and the Boat Clinic team. Associate Programme Manager Hinna Barman was present from the regional C-NES office. This boat has been donated by the Black Chain Impact Organization.
An ANC check being conducted at a health camp by the Dhubri Boat Clinic Unit-I at the Boldiaralga N/C island village.
A group photograph after an awareness session on Dengu Malaria and Leprosy in presence of the District Malaria Officer and team at Morigaon’s Chitolmari island village conducted by the district boat clinic team on 8th November 2023
Women carrying infants gather for a health camp cum immunization session at Majuli’s Kankur 1 and 2 island villages by the district boat clinic
A child happily sitting on his mother’s lap at a health and immunization camp at Majuli’s Bhekeli 2 no island village
A child watching her mother as she undergoes an ante natal check up at an island village in Majuli.
Beneficiaries gather for a health and RI session at Mesaki island by the Dhemaji Boat Clinic
IIT Guwahati Research Scholar at West Aduri Char to see the working of the boat clinic and the benefits for beneficiaries for their research purposes. The camp was conducted by the Barpeta Boat Clinic I on 29th November 2024
As part of the Polio Sub-National Immunization Day, a Health cum Routine Immunization along related health activities and awareness sessions being carried out on SNID in the island villages by Boat Clinic, Dibrugarh
The District Programme Management Unit, Majuli visited a camp conducted by the boat clinic team at Bhekeli 1 island village.District Community Mobilizer Ghanashyam Ozah , Coordinator RBSK Mitrajyoti Konwar and Epidemiologist Barsha Baruah joined in the camp. The visitors interacted closely with the ASHAs and the beneficiaries.
On November 10, 2023, Antoni Das of Azim Premji University, Bangalore, engaged in discussions with PMU members Ashok Rao, Bhaswati Goswami, and Hinna Barman during his visit to the C-NES regional office. The purpose of the visit was to explore potential collaborations and synergies with C-NES.
Aziza Begum, a sixth-grade student from Kabaitari island village in Bongaigaon, has been unable to walk for the past six months due to an accident. The incident was brought to the attention of the district Boat Clinic team in December 2023. The team promptly forwarded a message summarizing the accident to the coordinator of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), also known as the National Health Insurance Programme, which is a government-sponsored scheme aimed at providing healthcare support to low-income Indian citizens, particularly those below the poverty line (BPL). Thanks to the intervention of the boat clinic team, Aziza is now receiving proper treatment for her condition.