Employment of some people from Chargheri at various hotels

We have missed out on highlighting to you the news of another important bit of support that we could provide to some people of Chargheri over the past 2 visits. I am including Kaustuv's email below which some of you may have already received. It is self-explanatory. This is a very effective initiative for which PAKT's Khelaghar and Biswajit da have taken a leading role.

Inspite of the desperate condition that they find themselves in, people of Chargheri have generally shown mixed responses when presented with the option of moving out for a job. Hopefully a feedback from the four people, who have already moved out by taking up jobs at Sikkim, will help some others make up their minds on taking up the remaining offers available.

--------------

"As per the commitment made by PAKT to the local people of Chargheri, we have successfully placed 4 men from Chargheri into Hotel jobs at Rinchenpong, West Sikkim. These guys halted overnight at Kolkata
on 8th Sep'09. On 9th Sep'09 they departed for Sikkim via Darjeeling Mail and on 10th Sep'09 they have reached the hotels at Rinchenpong, safely and in good health.

All the arrangements for these 4 men, since they reached Kolkata, have been done by the Hotel owner Mr. Dibbendu Ghosh. He has also arranged for garments, shoes and other necessities of these 4 men. At present these 4 men are working in two Hotels at Rinchenpong. They will undergo a training cycle of 2/3 months, after which they will be fully functional to serve the Hotel & its customers.

The names of these 4 men are - Harekrishna Mondal, Surajit Mondal, Manab Mondal & Ranjan Mondal. They are placed in the hotels, "Rinchenpong Nest" & "Norla", at Rinchenpong, West Sikkim.

This is just the beginning of the PAKT's Employment Rehabilitation program. We are planning to provide such placements to 15 more villagers from the Aila affected Chargheri area and hopefully this shall be accomplished within a month's time. At present, we are satisfied to be able to save at least 4 families by providing them an alternative livelihood.

Regards,

Kaustuv (on behalf of
PAKT)"