Vedic Mahs (Brain Calculator)

Do you love mathematics? Are you good at it? By asking that, what I want to actually ask is "Do you get more than 60% in maths?"If your answers to my above questions is "Yes", then there are good news for you.If your answers to the same is "No", well, then there are good news for you too!If your answer is "yes", then you must be looking forward to improve more in mathematics. And, if your answers is different, then you must be trying hard to improve your mathematical skills.Now, what are those good news?You know, to get something 'good', you have to take 'good' or 'right' steps.So, the first good news is: You have taken the first right step by showing interest and enrolling into Vedic Mathematics Course.This free course will teach you how to do mathematical equations much easier and faster ways. After completing these seven lessons you will learn how to do additions, subtractions, divisions, multiplications of difficult numbers in just few seconds, without the help of any calculator. These lessons are meant for showing you the power of Vedic Mathematics. There are lots more to learn, but you must first check that whether you can solve your mathematical problems easily and quickly using Vedic Mathematics formulas, tricks and techniques.This free course is meant for that. Isn't that a good news?Let me first tell you, what Vedic Mathematics actually is. It is primarily about doing mathematics using formulas mentioned in Atharva Veda. You know that all the Vedas were written by Indian Rishis thousands of years ago. The great Indian Rishis are also called Scientists, you know? Do you know that "zero" was discovered by Indian Rishis? And, if that "zero" was not discovered, computers could not be developed? Because, computers actually understand only two digits, 1 and 0. So, Indian Rishis were truly scientists!Let's come back to Vedic Mathematics again. There are primarily 16 sutras or formulas and some sub-sutras. In combination of all these sutras any mathematical problem, including, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and much higher level problems can be solved in few lines in much easier and faster way. And, in many cases and with continuous practice, results can be found by calculating mentally only.So, let's start with a very easy addition. Try to calculate it mentally.

2 2

+ 2 1

_______

Right you are - it's 43.But, how do we calculate normally? We take the right side digits and add: 2+1=3. Then left side digits: 2+2=4. Then, we say 43. Right? So, we write answers from right to left, but when we say, we say it from left to right.

We can even reduce one step here. Instead of writing (even mentally) right to left, we will write from left to right. So, when we get the first left digit we can start saying our answer.

So, instead of adding 2+1 first, we will add 2+2 first and then 2+1. So, 2+2=4 (say this) and then 2+1=3 (say this). So, you have told the answer 4 3.

Don't fear with these big numbers, these are very easy ones. You can use pen(cil) and paper to write the answers. But try to say it first, then write the complete answer.But, try to calculate it mentally and from left to right. Say then write only the answer. Be silent when you are adding numbers. This will help you to start using your own BCalC. You know what BCalC is? It's pronounced as B Cal C. You know CalC is the short form of Calculator. And B is Brain - your own brain. So, BCalC is your Brain Calculator.Go through your math book or write your own addition questions and see if you can use your BCalC rightly.Using BCalC is not only for calculating mentally, it is for caculating faster also. Initially, it may not be fast at all, but if you practice it regularly, you will see that the speed of calculations of your BCalC will also increase. So, keep an eye on the watch too or ask your friend or parents to record how much time (in seconds) you take to write each answer. Then try to improve in timing. Remember: The more you practice, the faster you calculate.

Financial Assistance through Gram Sabha

1. Background
Project is working on the promotion of sustainable livelihoods of poor peoples and is making good efforts to strengthen capacity of PRI representatives as well as village Institutions. The project is also focusing towards developing strong system and procedure at village level so that, Gram Sabha can take appropriate decisions, manage and mobilize resources as an institution of local self governance.
The project's learning reveals that, the financial need in the project villages is much diversified (approx Rs. 15-20 thousand per annum is required for a family). Currently, in MPRLP, Gram Sabha provides direct support to selected /targeted families for livelihoods activities on individual basis and also started financial capital fund support to SHGs. The short term objective of providing capital support to SHGs through Gram Sabha is, to enable them to generate their own resources in due course of time. In long term, the SHGs will have a comparative advantage of having more resources and better linkages with financial institutions, enabling them to provide financial services for asset creation/livelihoods activities. Given this, it is also expected that SHGs would provide a strong platform for savings and credit for small and daily needs as well as other financial services.
MPRLP Community Based Livelihoods Support Programme has engaged professional MFIs such as ACCESS and BISWA with their tested models to deliver pro-poor financial services in MPRLP villages. These MFIs in turn will leverage more funds in project villages and will sustain even after the withdrawal of project.
2. Objective
· Provide safety net to the poor and extremely poor families through grant/ soft loan.
· Strengthen and up scale livelihoods of targeted families on sustainable basis by providing financial assistance for asset creation and offering more choices for better livelihoods.
· Enabling Gram Sabha to manage its resources on a sustainable manner.
3. Loan Vs Grant
· The grant should be given to D and to limited households of C category as a safety net to protect them to fall into the D category. They have no or limited resource to invest on any productive purpose. The repayment and risk bearing capacity of these households are minimal.
· The loan should be given to C, B and SHGs for asset transfer and productive purposes in order to promote livelihoods.
4. Financial Assistance through Gram Sabha
50 % of total financial assistance (Direct Benefit) should be provided to women under each case.
4.1. Enabling grant to C and D
The financial assistance through Gram Sabha should primarily be focused on uplifting of destitute households to bring them to subsistence level and enhancing capacity of poor for asset building and access other government schemes such as pension, housing etc and to become an active member of self help groups. The grant will be given to the limited number of C category households to protect them from vulnerability.
4.2. Enabling loan
The purpose of this type of Gram Sabha funding is to build SHG capacity and enable villagers to access mainstream financial markets and this loan should enable villagers through to access financial services. Gram Sabha can provide loan to SHGs on the basis of repayment performance and recommendation of Village Development Committee.
FA (Loan) will be provided to B and C categories of households through GS for asset creation and livelihoods promotion.
4.3. FA to Community Infrastructure
Gram Sabha should use its funds for development of community infrastructure/capacity of families, as set out in the micro plan. Entry point activities in new villages should also be funded through this window. VDC should be actively involved in the process of planning and procurement of material and services as required. Community infrastructure could be: repairing and construction of community water facilities, approach roads, plantations, meeting hall, pasture development, building community shade, school building repairs, arrangement of tutor for school children, etc.
4.4 Capacity Development
This provision will provide to enhance capacity of the gram sabha and its institutions to function effectively to manage and implement development programs more effectively in the villages. This will provide opportunity to include A & B families
LPs and SPs facilitation skills and capacity to manage self help groups and liaisoning with financial institutions will be developed through training and exposure visits.
5. Indicative allocation of Gram Kosh fund
The MIS data indicates the following WBR %
D – 10%, C- 55%, B- 25%, A- 10%
Based on the existing WBR categories in the project villages, each Gram Sabha should allocate the following portfolio limit for different purposes and category of households:
· Enabling Grant to D and C category (D-20% and C10%) 30%
· Enabling Loan 45%
· Community Infrastructure development 15%
· Capacity development 10%
6. Financial Management Strategy through Gram Sabha Financing
Gram Sabha should have financial assistance policy (FA Policy) for FA provision for different category, rate of loan interest, repayment schedule, roles and responsibilities of VDC, LPs and transparent system and procedures. Gram Sabha should monitor the implementation of FA policy. FA policy should be a dynamic document and can be reviewed/ changed according to the need, demand and decision of GS. Village development committee and livelihood promoter should be governed by the Gram Sabha directives and decisions.
6.1. Role of Village Development Committee (VDC)
As per Panchayati Raj Act, Village Development Committee (VDC) is responsible for resource based planning and providing recommendations to Gram Sabha. As per provisions, apart from Sarpanch and Sachiv VDC must have at least two more members. In the act, the GS is empowered to select more than two members which may include representation from all the Hamlets/ Wards/ categories/ institutions/ women of the village with representation of all section, castes and classes of the society. Taking advantage of this provision, PFTs should facilitate Gram Sabha to ensure representation from all hamlets/ categories in the VDC. VDC will be responsible to execute the financial management as per FA Policy, disbursement and timely repayment of loans etc. It will also appraise all loan/ Grant Proposals based on criteria and financial product approved by GS and provide recommendation to GS for sanction or rejection of the proposal received with reasons. However, the final decision will remain with the GS.
The capacity of Village development Committee on financial management and system procedures related to fund disbursement and repayment will be done by the project. VDC will develop and recommend FA policy (eligibility criteria, loan amount ceiling, repayment schedule, interest rate, purpose of loan, documentation and agreement procedure etc.) for approval to the GS. Project team will provide necessary technical support to VDC in developing FA policy at the village level.
6.2. Role of Livelihood Promoter
Livelihood promoter has important role of preparing proposal and conduct preliminary negotiation with HHS/Groups for FA support. LP will be responsible for providing financial disbursement and repayment related services at door step. S/He will be eligible to get service charge approved by GS from the individual/ group/ Gram Sabha on the basis of deliverance/ performance made by him/her. LP will be responsible for the book keeping and maintaining records of all financial transactions for the individual/ group. DPSU/PFT will capacitate LP on their key service (responsibility) area. LP will report to VDC during regular meeting (Fortnightly/Monthly) and will update the VDC on current status and progress during the period.
7. Assumptions
The above concept note is built upon the assumption that the Gram Kosh fund will not provide any direct grant support to 'A & B' category households. 'A' category families can obtain loan through SHGs only. where as B category families have option to avail loan facility from Gram Kosh as well as from SHGs. In fact any category family can obtain loan through SHGs.
8. Limitations
The concept paper explains the ideal situation but the greatest limiting factor would be facilitation of Gramsabha where A and B category plays a pivotal role in organizing the Gram Sabha regularly and providing leadership and facilitating the decision making process.