AN ASSET CREATED FOR THE AWF PROGRAMME IN INDIA FROM THE DONATIONS RECEIVED: the Punjab–AwF–FAO Motorbike

FAO supported a study to investigate the economics of feeding cultured fish in selected Asian countries, one of which was India. Punjab State, where carp culture is growing rapidly (with an average production of more than 6,000 kg/ha/yr) was recommended for the study; Punjabi farmers are well known for their contribution to the green revolution in India and to the increase in agricultural productivity.

Dr. M.C. Nandeesha (AwF Director and Volunteer), along with staff working with him in the Central Agricultural University Fisheries College in Agartala, Tripura (Mr. Manojit Debnath, Mr. Abhijit Pal and Mr. Manidip Roy) provided the technical support for the successful completion of this project. The results of the study will be included in an FAO technical publication expected to be published in 2007. An honorarium of Rs. 27,000/- was paid for their work, which was shared among all those who contributed. However, these individuals decided to donate their honoraria to the St. Xavier’s Vocational Training Centre towards the purchase of a motorbike that could be used for AwF project work and also rented out when it is available to earn some income for the Centre. The final Rs. 10,000/- needed to complete this purchase was made available through the use of AwF project funds.

Mr.

Left to right: Mr. Manidip Roy, Dr. M.C. Nandeesha, Mr. Abhijit Pal & Mr. Manojit Debnath with the Punjab-AwF-FAO motorbike

The idea was presented to Father Joseph. Many projects suffer from the lack of resources to hire four-wheel vehicles and the non-availability of two wheelers for rental purposes has been a major hindrance for carrying out these activities. The idea was well received by Father Joseph and he suggested asking Michael New [Chairman of AwF (UK)] if part of the funds already supplied by AwF could be used for this purpose. An email was sent to him on 17 June asking if Rs. 10,000/- from project funds could be used for the purchase of the motorbike. His approval was received on the same day and the new vehicle was purchased and placed into use on 18 June.

This bike has been named as the Punjab-AwF-FAO motorbike, recognizing the source of the funds utilized – the relation to the FAO project in the Punjab project and the contribution of the AwF volunteers and AwF funds.

Mr. Manojit Debnath astride the motorbike