'TRIBAL, DALITS AND BACKWARD MOVEMENT FOR A JUST SOCIETY'
To encourage self employment, several programmes were conducted on soap making, candle making, handicrafts etc. Several families have already began to take up various Income Generation Programmes (IGP).
The operational area of NIDS is thickly populated by Dalit and Backward communities. A small portion is covered by tribals too. Hence from the very beginning NIDS has been giving due importance to the integral growth of these marginalised communities. Self employment trainings and empowerment programmes were given major attention during the reporting period.
It is the upex body of Dalit Christians in Kerala for the upliftment of Dalits. There are 74 Dalit Catholic units (DCMS units) spread over the seven regions. Regular meetings, reflections and participatory learning sessions are conducted in these units. Regional forum meeting conducted in all 7 regions. DCMS central executive meeting has got 15 members and the meeting is conducting first Tuesday of every month.
During the year, NIDS conducts many saminaries on subjects like Dalit Christian Reservation, Latin Catholic Reservation, Self Employment, Dalit Leadership, Panchayathi Raj, Globalization etc.
Many poor students from poor families are given assistance for technical education. The scheme was introduced by NIDS in collaboration with Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) and the German benefactor Erich Ospelt. Dalit students who secured first class in higher education exams and Degree courses are given scholarships. Prior to implement the scheme awareness seminars are conducted to the students and their parents.
To bring out the traditional artistic talents of Dalits, every year NIDS organizes Dalit arts festivals at the regional and central levels.
Justice Sunday is celebrated every year in all Dalit Catholic units (DCMS units) highlighting the injustice meted out of the Dalits and Backward Communities by the authorities. Seminars, rallies, corner meetings and street plays are conducted in all villages in connection with the Justice Sunday. State level convention on constitutional right for Latin Catholics are organized at Thiruvananthapuram (Capital of Kerala). To perssurise the government for the equal justice and rights to Dalit Christians, secretariate march was conducted. Public meetings, rallies and awareness programmes are conducted in connection with this issue.
It is a one week workshop intended to give proper motivation and orientation in life to enable the youth to choose appropriate career.
Kalavedi
As a movement for cultural integration of Dalits, a forum called "Kalavedi" is functioning at Nedumanagad. This centre imparts training on skilled arts like Dance, Drama, Kadhaprasangam, Musical instruments, etc.
Onam Fair
Dalit Catholic units (DCMS units) conduct organic agriculture fair during the Onam season, which is the harvest festival of Kerala, for promoting sustainable agriculture practice among the Dalits.
''Home Tech', 'Skill Tech' and 'N Tech'
To Promote technical education among Dalit and Backward community dropout girls three training cum production centers are functioning namely 'Home Tech', 'skill Tech' and 'N Tech' respectively. 'Trainings are given on repair of home appliances like watch, clock, iron, mixi, tape, radio, grinder, TV, etc. Electronic choke are manufactured and marketed. The centers are running in collaboration with Janasikshan Sanstan (a self employment training agency, Government of India) and FVTF Bangalore (occational training promotion agency).