Welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun / Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains, Arunachal Pradesh, with its snow clad peaks, high altitude meadows and vast tropical forests. In this Land of the Rising Sun, there is Sadhanarama Bana Vihara Foundation located in Diyun Circle, a small township on the rise in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh with branch centers in Chongkham under Namsai district, Bijoypur under Bordumsa Circle, Dharmapur and M’pen under Miao Circle.

Diyun is mostly inhabited by Chakma Community, a Community which takes great pride in its rich cultural heritage and pure traditional culture.  Due to the religious persecution and building of the Kaptai Dam, the Chakmas in the hope of shelter and protection for their rights, religion and culture migrated to NEFA (North Eastern Frontier Agency) now Arunachal Pradesh from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The Chakmas have their own identity and rich culture but this misfortune and adverse circumstances made their condition very pathetic and miserable. In June 2014, the Chakmas completed 50 years in Arunachal Pradesh. In spite of pathetic and miserable conditions, the Chakmas have preserved and protected the original Custom and traditions.

Why you should help or get involved?

Over four decades have elapsed since the Chakmas were settled in Arunachal Pradesh by the Government of India under a definite plan of rehabilitation. However, they remained stateless till date. The lack of citizenship has been the primary reason for their pathetic socio-economic conditions.

Project rationale and objectives
The state of education, which is generally seen as the foundation for the development and progress of any society, remained grim in Chakma inhabited areas in the state. This was largely due to state government’s repressive policy against the Chakmas since 1980s in the wake of the anti-foreigner agitation in Assam. In 1994, schools were withdrawn in Chakma areas in Changlang, Lohit and Papumpare districts, where the Chakmas inhabit and Chakma children were denied admission in other schools outside the Chakma areas. Subsequently, these schools were opened especially with the launch of the Sarva Shiksha Abiyan (SSA), a flagship programme of the Central government for universalisation of elementary education. The state government can also no longer deprive the Chakma children of elementary education which has become a “fundamental right” with the enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009.
Yet, access to especially to modern education continued to be difficult for the Chakma children.  The educational opportunities in the region are totally inadequate. Without any Govt. supports for infrastructure and other basic human necessities like Education, Health care services, roads and clean drinking water, the Chakmas are living peacefully. The major constraint for children and parents is that there is no good infrastructure and quality education. The school pass rate and school dropouts has been unsatisfactory due to various reasons. Also most of the schools are built with bamboo thatch and over crowed.

Strategies of Implementation
SBVF has taken an initiative to change this situation and is now approaching individuals/organizations in order to improve the Socio-economic conditions and Education. The SBVF’s strategy is to first construct a PRIMARY CLASS BLOCK consisting of 7 classrooms and toilets in phase I. Once construction work is completed, classrooms will be fitted with chairs in phase II of the project to prepare the school to start operating learning and teaching activities in the new building. This project will also provide the community to emulate and believe that nothing is impossible if they work hard.

Though the people are very simple, humble and devotional, they are poor economically but are very rich in terms of quality of life. Rich in terms of quality of life mean parents are honoured and respected by their children, the crime rates are relatively low, divorce and suicide are rare and traditional values like gentleness, generosity, hospitality, tolerance and respects for others are still strong. Economically backward but perhaps higher qualities of life.

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
* Quality education with moral and Value based education.
* Good learning environment with practical based education;
* Career opportunities for Teachers and jobs creation.
* Unity, solidarity, brotherhood and harmony among different Communities.
* Socio-economic and Skill developments.

Conclusion
Sadhanarama Bana Vihara Foundation will adopt the policy of good governance throughout the implementation process of this project. This will ensure accountability and transparency in the management of resources. Be a part of the Change. Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.