Ram S. Arya (May 02, 2004 04:34 p.m.):
Dear Ajmer: I will try to give a brief overview of this meeting. NAJC is a charitable, non-profit, tax-exempt organization set up in US by Jats. It holds two meetings a year to discuss its ongoing work and new projects. Members usually select one or two new projects each year in addition to continuing on the old ones. Some projects or new items are emergency items and can't wait for a general meeting, and for that an emergency meeting is arranged by phone or only a few designated members decide on the course of action. NAJC has raised more that $450,000.00 mainly for educational projects in India in addition to projects like 9/11, Gujrat Earthquake etc
MEETING OF 4/11: After necessary corporation paperwork, Committee reports were heard. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTE:There were 5 new applications, three scholarships were approved in the amount of Rs30,000.00 each year to each student in India and to be continued for the duration of their schooling as long as performance was satisfactory. No limit on the number that NAJC can provide. In addition, NAJC already provides 4 other scholarships at Rs 30,000. each; it also provides 20 scholarships in a high school in Nagauri and 5 in a high school in Rathora.
MEMBERSHIP: Six new members joined. Fees are $300.00 for life or $35.00 ist yr and $25 subsequent years.
WEBSITE: Still under construction.
RATHORA SCHOOL: High School for girls near Baraut, UP. 3 yr old, started by Dr Jagbir Singh (Prof in Temple, Philadelphia) in his mother's village. Run by donations from Jagbir Singh and family. Doing well academically, some buildings under construction. Dr Singh visits the school at least 3 times a year. 5 scholarships to students topping 6th to 10th grade receive scholarships ( all expenses for the year) provided by Nitika Dabas, a student herself.
NAGAURI SCHOOL: a high school started by Dr Jaipal Rathi ( Engineer & Prof, NJ resident) in his village. Running for the last 14 years from donations by Rathi, family, NAJC and others from US. 20 Scholarships (each girl and boy topping in classes 1st thru 10th) by Ram and Santosh Arya. Dr Rathi plans to start a hospital as well in the village.
KALIRAWAN SCHOOL: Already written about it on this site.
MOJI RAM FOUNDATION: Started by Kapoor Singh (NJ resident). Scholarships in his village and Rai School (his alma mater).
Adopt-a-Project: Santosh and I visited 6 projects in India on our own in Feb and March and reported to NAJC. These institutions are all run and financed exclusively or mainly by Jats and for Jats and other rural area residents.
1.DAYANAND MAHILA SHIKSHAN SANSTHAN, JHUNJHUNU, Raj: A girls hostel started in 1985 by Dr Ghasi Ram Verma (called Crorepati Fakir by loved ones), now retired Math Prof from Rhode Island Univ. About 300 rural girls reside in this hostel at a very reasonable cost thus enabling them to finish education. Started a college for girls last year within the premises. This is a pioneering institute in the sense that it started a chain of other Jat Hostels like it all over Rajasthan. Dr Verma has donated close to Rs 60 lacs of his own money and stays there 3-4 months a year guiding it. NAJC approved a donation of Rs 4.5 lacs to this place, 2.25 this year and 2.25 next year.
2. KERU SIKHSAN SANSTHAN, KERU, JODHPUR: A science high school started and run by Hanu Ram Choudhary in his village, 20 km from Jodhpur. No Govt aid, run mainly by donations. The only science high school within 20 km. Needs science labs furnished properly and needs a liabrary. NAJC approved Rs 4.5 lacs (2.25 and 2.25) in two yrs.
3.GRAMIN MAHILA SHIKSHAN SANSTHAN, SEEKAR, RAJ: Hostel for girls like Jhunjhunu. A very well run place by Jats. Main donations from surrounding jat families. Started high school from 6th to 10th grade (a first of its kind in Raj) 6-7 yrs back. Started college from last yr. More than 300 girls live there. If you have time to visit only one institution, then I will recommend this place. Of course needs money but not that badly.
4. PARDADA PARDADI SCHOOL, ANUPSHAHAR, BULANDSHAHAR, UP: A very unique vocational school by Rajender Singh, started 3 yrs back in his native place, a NRI jat ret'd from DuPont, India. Read about it under Jat Institutions, another thread on jatland. Worth your visit and appreciation. All financing by Singh. Runs at a deficit of about Rs 70,000 per month, hopes to break even within two years.
5. SIDHANTI MEM. AYURVEDIC CHIKITSALYA,BARHANA, JHAJJAR: A free Ayurvedic clinic run by the Ahlawat framily ( all residents of NJ) in their village. NAJC will adopt this project in the near future.
6. SIR CHHOTURAM EDUC & CULTURAL SOC, GURGAON: A really wortwhile institution by some very dedicated jats. Have collected and spent about Rs one crore so far. Runs a defence academy and is very successful. Will start trainig classes for admin service exams etc. Will prove to be a very beneficial institution for jats with an impressive selfless team. Can use financial help.
Donations of $10000. plus for the above projects were pledged by the members right there and then.
Other discussions included Role of Youth in NAJC (young people are encouraged to join and folks like me were very satisfied to see a good number of young jats taking very active part in it), 2nd World Jat Convention, community news etc.
I hope it was not too long a discourse, but our meetings run 3-4 hours and are very actively participated. Usually we have to potpone some of the topics for next meeting because of time constraints.
Anyone interested in NAJC's activities and would like to know more about it please contact me at 732-294-0514 or email at R.Arya@att.net. Thanks.