Draft:Neelam Patel

Neelam Patel (born 22 March 1984) is an Indian Rural Development Activist working in various fields like Education, Health, Agriculture, Tribal Development, etc. at Khoba, He is a founder of the Lokmangalam Charitable Trust. He is a firm believer when it comes to education and social service, where education predominantly plays an important role in awakening of human emotions and duty as a social worker works as a catalyst which can ultimately benefit the whole society in overall development of local people. He has completed Masters. He is Economics from Gujarat Vidyapith University. After that he sacrificed his career in M. Philosophy and decided to devote his valuable time and energy to the remote village of Valsad  city in Dharampur district. He turned this village as his workplace for the years to come. The present age is the age of transformation age. The present changes have been touching different sectors such as education, health, areas of economic and social service. These visible changes and development in various sectors is not only beneficial but also necessary to all the citizens of India and yet it has been found that some communities have been left behind. There are few social workers who are concerned about these societies that are left behind and now they are coming forward to help the people of this amazing village named Khoba, located in Dharampur district, which is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain range and where one can experience serene atmosphere. Neelam Patel who is a strong believer of Mahatma Gandhi wants to fulfill dreams of Gandhiji  and is considered inspirational personality of Gujarat Vidyapith. As a founder of the Lokmangalam Charitable Trust, Neelam has been providing social service through this trust from past 13 years and aims to shape the future of the Local community.

Early life
Neelam Patel was born at Gundlav village of Valsad, Gujarat, India on 22 March 1984 in a Gujarati family. His father Dhirubhai Patel and his mother Savitaben Patel were farmers and his wife Vaishaliben Patel is Social Worker. Neelam has two brothers – Nitin, a businessman and Naresh, who is a teacher.

Foundation of Lokmangalam Charitable Trust
Being a Gramshilpi, Neelam Patel and Ajay Patel (personal assistant) in Khoba Village, the necessities and problems faced by local people came into light and an organization or NGO  was required to mitigate the problems. As a result, LCT  was formed to fulfill the needs of local peoples.

Work area of Khoba
Khoba village is located in dharampur  the tehsil of  Valsad  district in Gujarat, India. It is situated 55 kms away from sub-district headquarter Dharampur and 79 km away from district headquarter, Valsad. It is also located on the border of Gujarat  and  Maharashtra  state. Even after 67 years of Independence, primary necessities along with modern technologies are still not made available in this Village, however some people are making efforts to make it available.

Gyaan Mangalam
Education stimulates unity, group work and human moral values. Children in Khoba have to walk for 25 kms to go for studies after completing 5th grade which is a point of concern as per Neelambhai and consequently he focused on Education  to be made available locally. Provision was made with the help of the government regarding the availability of teachers on regular basis. Free education is provided even to the children of nearby villages. Provision of Village library (Gram Granthalay), LCT works as catalyst between locals and the government in implementing government schemes. The work on awareness among the locals about laws of RTE  &  RTI, Inspirational & Educational Tours, Assistance in Youth Skill Development Program and Organizing Education Camps. To spread the thoughts of wisdom of Gandhiji in Schools and Colleges by organizing Children's’ Fairs, LCT provides guidance and motivation to students seeking for higher education i.e. after 5th grade, general awareness to adult as well as elderly people.

Jan Mangalam
For the benefit and happiness of people of all ages, LCT is trying to bring together programs which will be useful to everyone. To develop the society with the help of communication among locals and state officials, to fasten the program on women’s rights, to develop and run activities by creating teams of Youth, Saving Association and Women  Saving association, Program to eradicate usage of tobacco such as smoking, eating pan masala, awareness on superstitious beliefs and its negative effects, etc. With the help of social togetherness and annual savings, Group marriages  are organized, Work Opportunities are provided to  Men  and Women of the local area, LCT motivates Unity among locals for peace by organizing various activities, Queries of locals are presented to government through rallies, plays, discussion and Meetings, to help find solutions created due to communal fights among people for example quarrel regarding distribution of lands, 41 nos. of toilet are erected to make village hygienic.

krishi Mangalam
Mini farming is the primary livelihood for the local people. The production of Crop  is limited. Fertilizers and pesticides are not used which can deteriorate health. Different farming techniques and modern farming facilities are being introduced to maximize the outcome which will improve their economic background, farming tools are provided on rent by Farming tools bank locally, to reach farmers in terms of information on variety of crops through Krishivigyan  program, farmer’s camp, supply of seed distribution kit, to help provide irrigation equipment, use of natural fertilizers are used such as worms and dung compost fertilizer, distribution of vegetable plants, distribution of common product such as Taadpatri (Shade Net) among the local, farming with the help of domestic animals such as buffalo on hilly  areas which is hard to farm with modern machines, distribution of Mango stems, more weightage given to Vegitable  farming instead of legume farming, to work as a mediator for any government farming scheme introduced to village Beekeeping

Jal Mangalam
Water is our primary necessity and essential source of  Life. Farming in India is mostly based on seasonal rainfall. It is quite hard to supply water to each and every village especially during summer months which determines the survival of farmers. Therefore it is crucial to supply water for irrigation as well as for drinking purpose, To achieve these goals and to protect every drop of water including its source, Jal Mangalam program has been developed. Check dams are constructed with the help of government to conserve water , development of small reservoirs and raw check Dam  with help of LCT, borewell, well, expansion of reservoirs are done by LCT with help of government, and other government water schemes such as construction of underground tanks are done by government. Water tanks and taps are provided to supply drinkable water, protection of local water source, awareness regarding water conservation techniques, etc.

Arogya Mangalam
Health is wealth. In present times, if one has to live happy and healthy life then, physical well-being and strong immune system is needed to fight against common diseases. However, even basic medical treatments are a rarity in this village, Children, for example, die because of shortage of medicines and  patients  have to walk miles to reach nearest hospitals and unfortunately many of them suffer death before they make it to the hospitals. As a result health Lok mangalam is established to fulfill at least the basic medical facilities, prohibition on consumption of alcohol with the help of Gram Panchayat, organizing blood donation camps, etc. About 300 surgical operations were assisted by LCT, Therapeutic programs for eliminating diseases, has opened 6 more Health Care centers for basic treatments, Information of family planning, Organizing  yoga  camps, Steps to mitigate Malnutrition, Special care for anemic patients, Provisions for pregnant women, Distribution of Nutritious Meal kit, Provisions for disadvantaged people, etc.

Awards

 * 2014 - J  Jagrut Jan Award, by the JagrutJan Trust recognition of his To a person with excellent service.
 * 2016 - Gandhi Mitra Award by the Vichaar Trust recognition of His Gandhian activity was rewarded with a Gandhian-friendly award.
 * 2017 - Dharti Ratna Award by Ashirwad Education Foundation It was given by the Chief Minister of Gujarat
 * 2018 - Mahadevbhai Desai Social Service Award
 * 2018 - Bharat Jyot Award
 * 2020 - Sewa Puraskar Award
 * 2020 - Gandhian Society Award
 * 2021 - Media Award

Honor Cards

 * 2011 - Young Men's Gandhian Association Rajkot Certificate
 * 2016 - “Sugmya Bharat sashakt Bharat” Campaign Certificate
 * 2017 - Dharampur Taluka patrakaar vartul Samman Patra
 * 2017 - Samast Adwasi Samaj Gujarat Sanman Patra
 * 2018 - Dharampur Municipality Certificate