“Empowering the Rajpurohit Community: Challenges, Aspirations, and Opportunities”
This study aims to identify challenges, aspirations, and opportunities for targeted development initiatives in the Rajpurohit community, focusing on improving their social status. Through observations, interviews, and case studies, several key themes and needs have emerged. These include the lack of productive community engagement, the need for youth empowerment, financial assistance for education and business, addressing gender-related challenges and dealing with mental health issues.
The study also examined existing social institutions like Rajpurohit Seva Nyas and Brahmdham Tirth Asotra. Comparisons were made with the Jain community, which highlighted their strong networking, high literacy rates, and more large-scale companies being the reason for their success. These comparisons provide valuable insights for developing tailored interventions to uplift the Rajpurohit community.
Result of the study:
1. 32% of people between the age group (18–35) in the Rajpurohit community feel the need for Youth Empowerment Initiatives.
2. 20% of people between the age group (18–35) in the Rajpurohit community feel the need for the Women Empowerment Initiative and another 20% feel the need for Access to Financial aid for Education and Business.
3. 12% of people between the age group (18–35) in the Rajpurohit community feel the need for Productive Community engagement and another 12% feel the need for Access to Financial aid for Education and Business.
4. 4% of people feel the need for Mental Health related initiatives.
Data Source: Primary Research with the community members
Key Themes and Needs that emerged from the study:
1. Lack of Productive Community engagement: Members feel disconnected and express a desire for more meaningful interaction and activities in the community rather than just Holi and Diwali get-togethers.
2. Lack of Community support and Encouragement: There is a perceived lack of support and encouragement within the community, particularly when individuals are trying new things or pursuing non-traditional paths.
3. Youth Empowerment: Efforts are taken in the community to support youth (Rajpurohit seva nyas, Brahmdhamtirth ashotra dham). A more focused initiative covering all youth is requested by a majority of youth. They prefer mentoring and career counselling as the immediate need.
4. Lack of financial aid for Education and Business: There are concerns about access to financial aid from the community for Educational purposes or business purposes.
5. Gender-related challenges: Women in the community face gender-based challenges and lack support for pursuing their aspirations and Careers.
6. Mental health: There are significant issues of societal pressure leading to mental health challenges, as seen in cases like the one where a person took his own life due to the pressure of societal norms and personal setbacks.
Existing Social Institution in Rajpurohit Community:
1. Rajpurohit Seva Nyas:
About the Institution: Rajpurohit Seva Nyas, a registered charitable trust, is helping and encouraging student community by rewarding meritorious students who excel in Academic and extra-curricular activity.
Website: rajpurohitsevanyas
Project: Students reward scheme — Reward students who score above 80%
2. Brahmdham tirth Asotra:
About the Institution:
Website: brahmdhamtirth
Project:
· Shree Kheteshwar Yuva Pratibha Protsahan Yojana — Support students in preparing for Central and State Services Exams
· Pratibha Samman Evm Arthik Sahayata — Financial aid of INR 15,000 is provided to meritorious students in 12th grade, while INR 25,000 is provided to students pursuing college or higher studies.
· Samaj Shiksha Nidhi Samarpan Yojana
Why Jain as a community is successful and widely recognised throughout India?
1. Strong Networking and Power of Community:
Rationale — Way before the Start-up ecosystem became mainstream, the social institutions of Jains like temples, community meetings and learning centres were a mainstream spot for giving people a boost towards their goals.
2. High Literacy rate among Jains:
Rationale
· The literacy rate among Jains is 94.1% way above the National average of 65.38%.
· The female literacy rate among Jains is 90.4% against the National average of 54.16%.
3. Jains have more medium and large-scale industries/ organisations compared to other communities:
Rationale
· 20% of India’s Textile Industry is owned by Jains
· 50% of India’s Diamond market is contributed by Jains
· 46% of India Stock Brokers are Jains.
Sources:
· https://www.allresearchjournal.com/archives/2020/vol6issue3/PartD/6-3-83-338.pdf
· https://forum.jinswara.com/t/jains-contribution-to-indian-economy/324
· https://youtu.be/lvsv5dT_BqE?si=ILnR8VGVzcFlQ0-u
· https://youtu.be/uWyrsaQuOs8?si=9QxIhFCEJcZRxXYK
· https://youtu.be/chOzWLoazko?si=FdKWPuri_uWLPFA1
Methodology of the study: Observations, Interviews and Case Study approach.
People from the community between the age group (18–35) were reached out through LinkedIn, Email and reference. Interviews and case studies were conducted to understand 3 major points.
1. Asking about their professional Journey and what is the one key learning that helped them achieve it.
2. One Social Problem in the community which they can relate with.
3. In their current circumstances what are the ways they can contribute to improve the community?
Testimonials of people from the community:
1.
Name: Hradyanshu Rajpurohit
Highest Education: Student at the school of law
Current Career/ interest: Looking for an internship to gain professional experience
key learning from my journey: NA
Problem I relate to:
· There was this person from my village Nangwada in Abhu Road Rajasthan. He has been preparing for government jobs for the past 5 years and has cleared the physical exam for the constable post. Shortly after this he got engaged. He scored low marks in the written exam and hence the overall score went below par. After which his engagement was also broken from the other side. One afternoon he went to the farm alone drank poison and killed himself.
· If we as a community didn’t have such societal norms or pressure we could have prevented the loss of a life. One could easily get a 15–20K job and earn a living. But the pressure of facing people after failing to secure a job, and broken engagement all added to him taking such a step.
Overall Theme of the Problem: Mental health, Lack of support from the community during crisis
Ways I can Contribute: I can mentor people on how to prepare for the CLAT exam.
2.
Name: Rahul Singh Rajpurohit
Highest Education: CA
Current Career/Interest: Assistant Director at GST Commissionerate, Vadodara.
Key learning from my journey: “Confidence is essential for accomplishing anything in life. Regardless of how weak or unfamiliar we are with a task, having confidence enables us to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.”
Problem I relate to:
· There are efforts taken to grow our community through a Student reward scheme, Financial aid for bright students, and establishing gurukul by Institutions like Rajpurohit Seva Nyas in Mumbai, Brahmdham-tirth organisation in Asotra but the growth of a community does not suffice to improve the individual’s capacity and his/her prospects for moving upward.
· Many individuals within our community work well below their potential, these prospects are dimmed. The rate of growth is lower in such situations, and progress in poverty reduction is slower and more tenuous. People climb out of poverty individually- they are not ‘lifted out’ by other people.
Overall Theme: Youth Empowerment and Poverty
Ways I can Contribute: I can mentor youth on civil service preparation showing them how to do smart study to crack the exam.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the importance of addressing societal pressures, fostering community support, empowering youth, and promoting gender equality within the community. By focusing on these areas, targeted development initiatives can enhance social cohesion and pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive community.
