Mithila Desham Sewa Samiti

The genesis of the organisation is related with Mrs. Anima Jha, a lady with great leadership skills, who is totally devoted to make "Mithilanchal " a better place to live in.Since the time when the TLC(Total Literacy Campaign) began in the district,she was working at the grassroot level. Gradually she came into contact with several noted literacy ambassadors/functionaries who were active throughout the nation. Mrs.Jha believes in the words of Gandhiji who said, "Be the change you want to see in the world". She found that a part of society, particularly women, have been fighting with acute poverty, illiteracy and unemployment for quite a long period of time.

The need of the hour was to provide these underprivileged people with opportunities that would improve their standard of living. "Mithila" painting and other handicrafts are the best possible means for providing economic empowerment to the backward section of the society in this region. But as they say 'The road to success is full of obstacles'. The role of the middlemen continues to be a hurdle between the artisans and the market. The middlemen purchase the articles from these women folk artisans at a lower price and sell it at a much higher rate in cities, towns and even abroad also. This resulted in the exploitation of the economically weaker people and undue profit to the middlemen.

Keeping in view the above circumstances, Mrs.Anima Jha and other literacy workers who were active in the region called for an informal meeting and after the discussion it was concluded that Mithilanchal's very own "Mithila Painting 'and other folk arts should be promoted on a bigger scale. Thus a society called "Mithila Desham Sewa Samiti" was formed and got registered under the corresponding act from the government.

Initially women artisans, women neo-literates drop out students, adolescents (particularly girls) were given training in skill development. Centres have been established for women and adolescent girls to provide training opportunities to them directly. In co-ordination with DRDA (District Development Authority) and District Industry Office, Nehru Yuva Kendra has also been established.

In our way to establish direct marketing, organisations like Indian Oil, Dainik Jagran, Shankra Institute of technology (Jaipur), Alchemist (New Delhi) have joined hands with us in our mission. Today we are recognised by the Civil Societies, Panchayat Institutions, Local and Government agencies.