30 years of SEEDS mark empowerment and change in Jharkhand

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, August 29: Reputed NGO SEEDS completed three decades of service with its 30th Annual General Body Meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Ruchi Narendran.

In her address, Narendran reflected on the journey since 1995, when SEEDS began as a small initiative for justice and equity and grew into a movement rooted in compassion, action, and inclusion. She emphasized SEEDS’ unwavering commitment to addressing gender-based violence, supporting survivors, breaking silences with advocacy, and uplifting children by ensuring safe spaces for learning, growth, and opportunity.

Dr. Shubhra Dwivedy, Secretary of SEEDS, presented the Annual Report through a power point presentation. Over the years, SEEDS reached nearly 728 villages and hamlets across five districts of Jharkhand, supporting 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. From poverty alleviation to climate action, the NGO’s initiatives spanned a wide spectrum.

This year, SEEDS facilitated over 10,000 applications from 124 villages for schemes such as PM Awas Yojna, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Widow and Old Age Pensions, Matrivandana Yojna, Family Benefit Scheme, and others. The organization also runs 41 children’s circles in remote villages, engaging over 1,200 children in educational and social activities while addressing gender inequality at the household level.

On women’s empowerment, SEEDS reached 135 villages and 300 hamlets through Women’s Forums and Barefoot Counselors, registering 792 cases of gender-based violence in the past year—83% related to domestic violence. With 64% cases resolved, SEEDS continued to strive towards its vision of violence-free villages, with eight villages nearing that goal.

Board members present included Fr. E. Augustine, Tina Bodhanwala, Ronald Dcosta, Dr. Rashne Tata, Dr. Pushpa Tiwary, Jagabandhu Sanda, Devika Singh, and Sanjana Patro.