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June 2007 : Vol.4
- Issue 2 |
Quote:”Nobody
can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can
start today and make a new ending”. -- Maria
Robinson |
Top
Stories: -
- National policy for NGOs
: The policy attempts to bring greater
transparency among NGOs and suggests the government
examine establishing an accreditation system, an independent
national self-regulatory organization, for charitable
organizations
- Six hundred NGOs under the
scanner : The tough
action against the NGOs came in the wake of reports
that around 4,000 files pertaining to unaccounted
for funds had gone missing.
- Oct 2. to be International
Day of non-violence : The idea originated
at an international conference on "Peace, Non-Violence
and Empowerment –Gandhian Philosophy in the
21st Century" convened in New Delhi in January
2007
- Dying a slow uranium death
: In the region of the uranium mines,
in villages such as Chatikocha, Dumardeeh, Telaitaand,
Echada, Bhatin, and Lipighututu, 45 of every hundred
women are suffering from spontaneous abortions.
- 2008 to be International
year of Sanitationt: It is estimated
that improved sanitation facilities could reduce diarrhoea-related
morbidity in young children by more than one-third.
- Food for thought or poison?
: There seem to be a large number of
uncertainties and lack of transparency with respect
to the US-Indo deal on agriculture
- Another Coca Cola plant
in trouble : A fact-finding team
led by the India Resource Center to a Coca-Cola bottling
plant in Sinhachawar (Uttar Pradesh) issued a report
June 10 detailing the violations.
”The plant is indiscriminately dumping its sludge,
considered to be industrial hazardous waste, across
the plant premises, in complete violation of the laws
regarding handling and disposal of industrial hazardous
waste in India.”
- The dying Yamuna :
The river Yamuna today represents all that could go
wrong with a river system – large scale pollution,
encroachment and exceedingly low level of water-flow
- Media:
The latest docus and shorts and books on development
issues
- More News
CONNECTiNG
Mumbai’s K-ward damns WB water prog
On June 3, the Municipal Corporation of Greater
Mumbai (MCGM) held a stakeholders meeting in which
the New Zealand based consultant group Castalia
(hired by the World Bank and the Public Private
Infrastructure Advisory Facility) to conduct a study
in the K-east ward of Mumbai, presented their findings
and recommendations after a year-long study, for
the Water Distribution Improvement Programme (WDIP).
The meeting was attended by the MCGM Labour Union,
K-east ward residents, ctivists,
experts in water management and a few elected representatives.
Shyamal Sarkar of the World Bank (WB) and Bhavna
Bhatia of the PPIAF were special invitees. The presence
of the citizens, labour unions and activists proved
disastrous for Castalia and the World Bank. Both
organisations were exposed for presenting a report
based on inflated data in order to push through
water privatisation.
The World Bank is associated with a project where
there is a complete lack of transparency, no updates
on website, no deliverables, and change of ToR near
the fag-end of the project.
However the Mumbai Paani (a group of concerned
citizens and organizations which took up the cause
to oppose the privatization of water in Mumbai after
the PPIAF money was given for the study) network
has worked on an action plan to educate the consumers
in the K-east ward about the Castalia report, the
MCGM officials’ hidden support to the privatisation
process and WB/PPIAF agenda to push for public private
partnership.
Mumbai Paani along with all the other civil society
organizations in the K-east plan to take out ‘Torch
March’ to build up pressure on their local
representatives in the Bombay Municipal Corporation
(also called as MCGM) to completely reject the Castalia’s
report and call for the withdrawal of the World
Bank and the PPIAF from basic necessities like water.
Mumbai Paani will also organise meetings with local
residents, MCGM Corporators and senior citizens
of Mumbai to build up pressure on the municipal
corporation to reject their plan for water reforms
through private participation and initiate a process
of public-public partnership (with the Hydraulic
Engineer of the MCGM to help evolve a proposal)
which can be the only possible solutions to deal
with the current water problems.( Afsar Jafri -Focus
on the Global South, one of the constituent groups
of the Mumbai Paani network.) <a.jafri@focusweb.org>.Tel:
6592 1141 / 51
Email: focusind@vsnl.net http://www.focusweb.org/india
Whose Law?
The demand for a law on communal violence emerged
from a brutal record of recurring violence in our
country, the increasing occurrence of gender-based
crimes in communal conflagrations, and complete
impunity for mass crimes. The reasons are many -
lack of political will to prosecute perpetrators,
State complicity in communal crimes, lack of impartial
investigation, and lack of sensitivity to victim's
experiences. But there is also, crucially, the glaring
inadequacy of the law. Today, despite huge strides
in international jurisprudence, India continues
to lack an adequate domestic legal framework, which
would allow survivors of communal violence to seek
and to secure justice.
The UPA Government's Common Minimum Programme (CMP)
had promised to give the citizens of this country
a 'comprehensive legislation' to fill this legal
vacuum. We were promised a legislation that would
strengthen the hands of the citizens in the struggle
against communalism, and allow us to prosecute for
mass crimes committed with political complicity
and intent. While the country does need a strong
law on communal violence, this present Bill is totally
misconceived. What we have before us today is a
dangerous piece of legislation called the Communal
Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation
of Victims) Bill 2005, which will not only fail
to secure justice for communal crimes, but will
actually strengthen the shield of protection enjoyed
by the State, its political leaders and its officials
for their acts of omission and commission in these
crimes. It is a Bill, which conceives of communal
violence as a 'one time' event rather than as a
long-term politically motivated process, and seeks
to prevent it only by giving greater powers to (often
communally tainted) State governments. Further,
it continues to perpetuate the silence around gender-based
crimes.
It is a travesty that a Bill of such fundamental
importance in addressing the challenges posed to
the secular character of our society and polity,
was drafted by the Government without any real consultative
process involving civil society. At this National
Consultation on the Communal Violence (Prevention,
Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill 2005,
we the undersigned, reject this Bill in its entirety.
The assumptions of the Bill are so flawed that it
cannot be remedied by amending a few components.
We therefore reject this Bill and ask the Central
Government to forthwith set up a Drafting Committee
to formulate an entirely new bill on communal violence,
with the active participation of civil society through
an open, transparent, and public process. Eminent
jurists, civil society activists, academics and
legal experts who have engaged on the ground and
in court rooms with communal crimes must be part
of such a process. A statute which is sincere about
addressing gaps in criminal jurisprudence, must
base itself on the experiences of victims of communal
violence over the last 60 years, the recommendations
of various Commissions of Enquiries and international
covenants to which India is a signatory. Stop Hate
Campaign" <anhadideas@gmail.com> Justice
A M Ahmadi, former Chief Justice, Supreme CourtJustice
Hosbet Suresh, former Judge, Mumbai High CourtJustice
K K Usha, former Chief Justice, Kerala High CourtJustice
Rajinder Sachar, former Chief Justice, Delhi High
CourtJustice Sardar Ali Khan, former Judge, AP High
Court; Professor K.N. Panikker, former VC, Shree
Shankaracharya University, Kerala
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Govt seeks to impart legitimacy
to NGOs |
The Union cabinet is likely to release India's
first national policy governing non-profit organizations
soon according to members of the task force
that helped draft the document on May 17.
Observers say it will help improve practices
and bring legitimacy to a sector increasingly
asked to plug gaps in services, from water conservation
to HIV/AIDS treatment.
The policy attempts to bring greater transparency
among NGOs and suggests the government examine
establishing an accreditation system, an independent
national self-regulatory organization, ways
to streamline and standardize registration,
and simplify income-tax exemption for charitable
organizations.
"The government is giving us the legitimacy
we have always cried for, and the spirit of
the plan will place NGOs under new obligations
to improve their governance, of which we are
in total support," said Pooran C. Pandey,
a member of the task force and chief executive
of the Voluntary Action Network of India
(Vani), a lobby group that represents 2,400
NGOs.
There are no reliable estimates for the number
of NGOs operating in India, as many groups don't
comply with the requirement of registering themselves
with the government.
Advocacy group, Participatory Research in Asia,
conducted a sample study in 2003 across five
states in the country and found as many 1.2
million NGOs, the majority of whom were not
registered. The sector is growing at between
10% and 15% a year, according to Vani's estimates.
Across the board, the policy addresses the
need of NGOs as "not so much just as agents
doing social work out in the field, but as viable
professional partners", said Viraf Mehta,
chief executive of the non-profit Partners In
Change and who also sat on the task force.
From: Rural Volunteers Centre
Comments of Rural Volunteers Centre (RVC) on
the National Policy on Voluntary Sector
* How do you perceive the National Policy on
Voluntary sector?
It is a well knitted initiative to guide the
future course through more discussions, positive
debates and consultations.
* There has been much debate about the definition
of the Voluntary sector; does the current policy
effectively include the broad spectrum of organizations
working in the voluntary sector? (Section 2,
2.1)
In the current national policy for voluntary
sector, special emphasis has been made to define
the voluntary sector in sub-section 2.1 as well
as in 2.2 but still it is not specific whether
the democratic movement groups will be considered
as VOs or not. This should be clearly stated.
As defined in section 2 movement groups definitely
come under VOs, but if so then Government of
India should be ready to accept the sub section
4.1 of the policy in favor of the movement group
also.
* Do you think the policy is a trade off? For
example, by acknowledging the autonomy of the
Voluntary Organizations, the policy raises the
issue self-regulation mechanisms. (Section4,
4.1)
No. Instead we feel that to make the sub-section
4.1 more meaningful and acceptable to all ,
the policy should emphasize more on the factor
that the laws, policies, rules and regulations
relating to VOs should have transparency and
accountability factor as an inbuilt component
and also in such a manner which are acceptable
to the VOs. This would foster a strong relationship
among all the concern sectors to work collectively
* The policy encourages a national level self-regulatory
agency for the sector. Is this an extension
of the increasing public perception that Voluntary
Organizations are often questioned on accountability/
Transparency and loosely governed?
Yes. To some extend this factor is working.
* Does the policy effectively impact the Non
formal Voluntary Organizations?
? (Section 4, 4.2).
If the sub-section 4.1 covers them effectively
then yes otherwise no.
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"State wise List of
blacklisted NGOs" |
New Delhi: Cracking its whip on fake and ghost
non-government organisations, the rural development
ministry has ordered blacklisting of 600 NGOs,
lodging FIRs against 21 others and handing over
10 cases to the CBI. "We have to
stop the scam involving public money,"
rural development minister Raghuvansh Prasad
Singh said.
The tough action against the NGOs came in the
wake of reports that around 4,000 files pertaining
to unaccounted for funds had gone missing.The
600 non-governmental organizations which were
banned by the government up to March this year
were funded by the Council for Advancement of
People's Action andRural Technology, which works
as a liaison between the government and NGOs.The
council formulates projects and selects NGOs
that can implement them. It also funds projects
proposed by NGOs in different states, to take
care of various development- related tasks.
The blacklisted NGOs will not be allowed to
start functioning again.
Andhra Pradesh (175), Bihar (123), Tamil Nadu
(71), Uttar Pradesh (69) and Rajasthan (31)
are the top five states where the blacklisted
NGOs are based. Karnataka (22), West Bengal
(21), Delhi (21), Haryana (20), Orissa (19)
and Maharashtra (19) are in the top 10 states.
Singh also said the resettlement and rehabilitation
policy mooted by his ministry was likely to
see the light of day "within weeks".
The policy, which seeks to ensure prompt rehabilitation
and resettlement of those uprooted by mega-projects,
industrial units and special economic zones,
will go to the cabinet for its approval. TNN
AND AGENCIES Publication: Times of India Mumbai;:Jun
14, 2007; Page:11
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Oct. 2 is International
Non-violence Day |
The International
Day of Non-Violence will be celebrated each year
on 2 October – the birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who helped lead
India to independence and inspired movements for
civil rights and freedom across the world.
Introducing the resolution adopted by the 192-member
body, Anand Sharma, India's Minister of State
for External Relations, said the idea originated
at an international conference on "Peace,
Non-Violence and Empowerment –Gandhian
Philosophy in the 21st Century" convened
in New Delhi in January this year.
The late leader's "novel mode of mass
mobilization and non-violent action"brought
down colonialism, strengthened the roots of
popular sovereignty, of civil, political and
economic rights, and greatly influenced many
a freedom struggle and inspired leaders like
Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., Mr.
Sharma stated.
The Assembly, "desiring to secure a culture
of peace, tolerance,understanding and non-violence,
" invited States, UN bodies, regional and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals
to commemorate the Day, including through education
and public awareness.
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Dying a slow uranium death |
Ranchi, The soil of Jadugoda in the Jharkhand
region has provided uranium to run the Atomic
Energy program in the country and develop Nuclear
capabilities, but the Santhal aadivasis of this
region are dying a slow death by uranium radiation.
It is a living death that compels people to
suffer till their last breath. It is a death
the reality of which is being denied by all
Government agencies. In the region of the uranium
mines, in villages such as Chatikocha, Dumardeeh,
Telaitaand, Echada, Bhatin, and Lipighututu,
45 of every hundred women are suffering from
spontaneous abortions. The children are dying.
Most of the children are becoming physically
and mentally handicapped. People are not living
beyond 65 years of age. No one wants to marry
the girls from this area. The girls who did
get married are being abandoned for their inability
to bear children. Under the influence of radioactivity,
physical malformations, cancer and pulmonary
diseases are assuming demonic dimensions.
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2008-International
Year of Sanitation |
NEW YORK, 7 May 2007 An estimated 2.6 billion
people world wide remain without proper sanitation
facilities. This means they lack protection
against preventable diseases that claim the
lives of thousands daily, primarily children,
according to experts attending the First Preparatory
Meeting on the International Year of Sanitation
2008 today. This is a theme year set by the
UN General Assembly in December 2006 to help
accelerate progress on sanitation.
His Royal Highness, the Prince of Orange, Willem-Alexander
of the Netherlands, Chairperson for the United
Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board
on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) said. “It
is important that between now and November,
when the International Year of Sanitation will
be launched, we take the step from general objectives
to measurable targets. Targets expressed in
figures, percentages and money, and in concrete
project plans and partnerships.”
Participants at the one-day meeting included
representatives of UN Member States, NGOs, citizen
groups, academics and the private sector. The
meeting was hosted by UNSGAB, the UN Department
of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and
UNICEF, with the goal of developing an action
plan for the International Year of Sanitation
and beyond to help accelerate progress and public
awareness.
It is estimated that improved sanitation facilities
could reduce diarrhoea-related morbidity in
young children by more than one-third. If hygiene
promotion is added, such as teaching proper
hand washing, it could be reduced by two thirds.
Millions of people – especially the poor
in developing countries - are forced to defecate
in bags, buckets, fields or roadside ditches,
causing serious health risks to them and others.
Progress requires broad cooperation through
public and private partnerships, community involvement
and public awareness.
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Food for thought or poison? |
There seem to be a large number of uncertainties
and lack of transparency with respect to the
US-Indo deal on agriculture
According to the Bharat Krishi Samaj, the content
of the Agriculture Pact must be debated and
approved by the Parliament before any decision
is taken on its implementation.;. A multi-stakeholder
body of independent experts should be set up
to conduct a series of public hearings nationwide,
to discuss the content of the Agriculture Pact
and elicit people's views on it.
3. The implementation of the Agriculture Agreement
must be in consonance with Indian policy and
legislation, ensuring that Farmers Rights are
upheld and the rights of local communities over
agro biodiversity is maintained.
4. Since Agriculture is a state subject, all
matters related to it should be decided in consent
with State Legislatures before final
approval by Parliament.
5. Informed consultations with the scientific
community, farmer's organizations and elected
representatives must precede any decisions taken
in the field of agriculture.
Companies like Monsanto, Wall-Mart etc. are
on the board of the US-India Agricultural Knowledge
Initiative Agreement to monitor agricultural
research, education and dissemination and exchange
of knowledge between US and India.
The US-Indo agreement amounts to an open invitation
to the American multinationals to take over
India’s agro-rural system.They will get
access to the Germ Plasm Bank of indigenous
crop varieties and get them patented, while
Indian Agricultural Universities, K.V.Ks and
Research Centres are expected act as extension
agencies to promote the technologies of American
multinationals.
Major stakeholders in agriculture in India,
like farmer's organizations, State governments,
Standing Committees of Parliament, civil society
organizations and eminent academics, have not
been consulted in preparing the framework of
the agriculture deal nor in determining the
focus areas.
Through the Agriculture Knowledge Initiative,
the US has asked for unhindered access to the
rich biodiversity in India's gene banks. The
terms and conditions of the CBD like Prior Informed
Consent, Material Transfer Agreement and Benefit
Sharing under which our genetic resources will
be accessed must be clearly specified. America
is a notable dissenter to the CBD and has not
ratified it.
All features of the agriculture deal must be
in consonance with existing Indian policy and
legislation, the National Biodiversity Act and
the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers
Rights Act.
”It is extremely regrettable that there
is no information in the public domain about
the US-Indo Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture
in clear violation of S. 4(1) (c) which states
" Every public authority shall-Publish
all relevant facts while formulating important
policies or announcing the decisions which affect
public".
It is alarming that there is no mention in
the deal of key issues of genetic engineering,
like respecting crops in their centers of origin,
of protecting socio-economic interests of rural
and tribal communities and implementing a regime
for liability and redress incase something goes
wrong with a genetically engineered crop or
fish or animal.
The process of granting the Intellectual Property
Rights on outcome of research using Indian genetic
resources should be clarified.In case of conflict
over IPRs, the Indian law should be applicable.
The technology and knowledge gained through
the collaborative research should be freely
accessible to the Indian scientific community
and remain in the public domain and pro-rata
India should have free access to the public
sector technology and research in US universities
and research institutions.
---Dr. Krishan Bir Chaudhary, Executive Chairman,
Bharat Krishak Samaj
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Another Coke Plant, More
Pollution Dumping |
In a shocking finding, another Coca-Cola bottling
plant in India has been found to be operating
in complete violation of environmental laws
and regulations in India. Communities around
this plant have begun protests at this discovery.
A fact-finding team led by the India Resource
Center to a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Sinhachawar
in the state of Uttar Pradesh issued a report
June 10 detailing the violations.
**The plant is indiscriminately dumping its
sludge, considered to be industrial hazardous
waste, across the plant premises, in complete
violation of the laws regarding handling and
disposal of industrial hazardous waste in India.
**The Effluent Treatment Plant was non-operational,
and the bottling plant was discharging its wastewater
into surrounding agricultural fields and a canal
that feeds into the river Ganges.
**The plant did not disclose the amount of
hazardous waste being used and generated, as
required by the Supreme Court of India for all
industrial units in India that deal with hazardous
waste.
Such careless disposal of the sludge and the
wastewater resulted in the pollution of the
agricultural lands, local water supplies as
well as the food chain. At stake are the very
lives and livelihoods of thousands of farmers
who live around the bottling plant.
In 2003, the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) of India assessed the sludge at eight
Coca-Cola bottling plants, and found them all
to contain excessive levels of lead, cadmium
or chromium. The British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) also tested the sludge around the Coca-Cola
bottling plant in Plachimada in Kerala in 2003,
and found it to be toxic. The BBC report found
that the toxins from the sludge had polluted
the groundwater.
“Our lives have been made much more difficult
after the Coca-Cola bottling plant began its
operations here,” said Mr. Baliram of
the locally based Coca-Cola Bhagao, Krishi Bachao
Sangharsh Samiti (Get Rid of Coke, Save Farming
Struggle Committee). “We are demanding
that the Coca-Cola plant be shut down immediately
and be investigated for any wrongdoing.”
Data from the Central Ground Water Board of
India has confirmed that groundwater levels
have dropped in the area since Coca-Cola started
operations in the area in 1999. The area around
the Coca-Cola bottling plant has also been declared
a "dark zone" by Mr. Hakim Singh,
director of the District Rural Development Agency
(DRDA). A "dark zone" category implies
that groundwater resources are overexploited,
For more information, visit www.IndiaResource.org.
Baliram, Coca-Cola Bhagao, Krishi Bachao Sangharsh
Samiti +91 94507 79325 (India) (Hindi only)
Amit Srivastava, India Resource Center +91 98103
46161 (India) +1 415 336 7584 (US) E: info@IndiaResource.org
Nandlal Master, Lok Samiti +91 94153 00520 (Hindi)
Posted by collective at June 10, 2007 07:42
PM
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Yamuna Satyagraha |
New Delhi: The river Yamuna today represents
all that could go wrong with a river system
– large scale pollution, encroachment
and exceedingly low level of water-flow in it
leave no doubt that the river is indeed dead.
Stemming from this very challenge is a movement,
the Yamuna Satyagraha, which is led by the Waterman
of India and Magsaysay Award winner, Rajendra
Singh.
The goal of the Yamuna Satyagraha underlies
the belief that rivers, belong to no one and
thus by inference actually belong to every one.
It is a common resource that, if managed well,
can meet the common good or if misused, can
become entirely extinct. The movement envisages
revival of the Yamuna river back into a vibrant
ecosystem through community action so that it
once again begins to meet the aspirations of
all those who not only revere it but are also
dependent on it.
As part of this movement, a Satyagraha Yatra
was started by Rajendra Singh on May 23 2007
from the Hathnikund Barrage where he was joined
by representatives from the bordering riparian
states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh and Haryana. During its course, the
Satyagraha Yatra traversed a length of over
200 km, passing through various towns where
it interacted with village folks, academics
and the general public to generate awareness
and build support for the revival of the Yamuna.
The Yatra culminated in Delhi on May 27 2007.
The group maintains that a law for the conservation
of the river Yamuna should be promulgated as
soon as possible.
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Media: Films |
Silver Remi Award Winner
Lukka chhuppi (Hide-n-seek)
directed by Vinod Ganatra
Luka-chhupi is a thriller that was shot entirely
in Ladakh. It is about a small kidnapped boy
who is rescued by two older boys. The film ends
in a grand climax in the middle of the magnificent
Hamis Festival and Matho Monastery of Ladakh.
The cast included children from Ladakh who were
facing camera for the first time. Contact: Vinod
Ganatra Tel . (022) 2492 2385 Telefax: 2493
6278, Email: movieman@vsnl.com,
cavef@mtnl.net.in
Story of a Golden River
40-minute, English
Dir. Soumitra Dastidar who is a documentary
film-maker from Kolkata and has been making
films on people's movements since 1999. The
film is about Subansiri, the golden river which
flows down from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh
into the Brahmaputra in the Assam valley. It
is believed that the waters of the river once
carried gold that was shifted by the people
living downstream. There are no more gold sediments
here but there is a vast resource of power.
Contact: KRITI, Tel. (011) 26027845/ 26033088,
Email: space@krititeam.org
/ krititeam@bol.net.in
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Whose Land Is This Anyway
This Land is Mine,
Free Bird Productions,
Dir. Ladly Mukhopadhyay
These are films on forced displacement The first
covers the events at Singur, and the second
on the Nandigram crisis. An important concern
is the loss of livelihood. The West Bengal Government
handed the Tata Group a plot of 997 acres to
establish an automobile factory .This will impact
not only the 5000-strong peasant population
of Singur, but will also endanger the lives
and livelihoods of working peasants who come
from neighbouring villages everyday, small tradesmen,
shopkeepers, hawkers and everyone else, with
the total number of affected persons estimated
at 50,000. How many of them can the Tata factory
employ? Not more than 800-1000 people, say the
Tatas themselves.
One Billion Eyes 2007
The 2007 Indian documentary film festival organised
by the Prakriti Foundation, Chennai
Theme “Caste” from 15– 20
Aug. 15-20.
This festival—juxtaposing screenings with
literary readings, panel discussions and interventions
from the audience—will seek to broaden
the contours of the discourse on caste. Besides
filmmakers and their films, it will feature
poets, activists, students, victims, agent provocateurs,
academicians, and of course a panel of jolly
judges who will decide on the best film for
a prize of Rs 25,000.
Preferred entry format: DVDs/ VCDs. Last date
for entries is 15 July 2007 entry form available
on www.abillioneyes.in Contact abillioneyes
@ gmail.com or anand.navayana @gmail.com
Men of Burden – Pedaling
Towards A Horizon"
Dir. Raghu Jeganathan, 66 minutes
Set in the city of Pondicherry, the documentary
uncovers the story of disappearing cycle rickshaw
drivers living in abject poverty. While India's
big cities are racing towards globalization
and technology, these men, against all odds,
remain appreciative of their modest lives by
believing in the power of now. Portraying the
immediacy and desolation of the situation the
film highlights a catalytic change revolutionizing
India's economic and social future from the
grass roots level. Juxtaposing the way of life
of these men with definitive solutions, the
film answers the question of how these changes
can trickle down to the roots of India's soil.
_____________________________
AbilityFest 2007
Org. Ability Foundation --a cross disability
organisation is organising AbilityFest 2007
the second International Disability Film Festival
in Chennai from October 5th to 8th, 2007. The
festival will screen the best films on the subject
made all over the world - cinema by, with and
about, persons with disability. Mr. P.K. Nair,
former Director of National Film Archives of
India is the Director of the Festival, and actor/director
Revathy is the vice chair person.
It will also hold for the second time '60 Seconds
to Fame!' the All India one-minute film competition
for film makers on the theme – “Celebrating
Diversity”. Selected entries will be screened
as part of AbilityFest 2007. An eminent jury
will choose three winners who will win exciting
cash prizes. The last date for entries is June
30th, 2007. Contact: Ability Foundation, Chennai
Tel. (044)24452400, Website: www.abilityfoundation.org
Third Eye Asian Film Festival
Applications invited for the Third Eye Asian
Film Festival scheduled to be held in Mumbai,
Nov 1-8 2007. Besides the regular sections:
"Spectrum Asia" of contemporary Asian
cinema, "Indian Vista" of recent Indian
films, "Reflection" of Asian classics
and "Retrospective" of Asian masters,
there will be "Competition" sections
for full-length features and short fictions
from Asia. Full length features should be the
first or second film of the Asian directors
who must have debuted not before 2005. There
is no entry fee. Last date - 15th Sept. 15 Entry
at: www.affmumbai. org. Contact: Premendra Mazumder,
Mumbai 400014, Telefax: (022) 24131918 Cell:
+919830140517. Email: pmnet@vsnl.net
INDIA UNTOUCHED - Stories of a People
Apart (pix)
108 minutes.
Hindi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu,
Malayalam with English sub-titles.
Dir Stalin K.
This is perhaps the most comprehensive look
at untouchability ever undertaken on film.
Director Stalin K. spent four years traveling
the length and breadth of the country to expose
the continued oppression of 'Dalits,' the 'broken
people' who suffer under a 4000 year-old religious
system. Spanning eight states and four religions,
this film will make it impossible for anyone
to deny that untouchability continues to be
practiced in India. This film is produced by
DRISHTI-Media, Arts and Human Rights and presented
by Navsarjan Trust which is a leading Dalit
human rights organisation, working in over 3000
villages in Gujarat. www.navsarjan.org
BOOKS
EXHIBITIONS
Earth Bound- land water people
(pix)
Res. & Design: Jackfruit
Publ: welt hunger wilfe
Photographs :Claire Arni
The exhibition showcases experiences of GAAs
presence in rural India and are case studies
from eight German Agro Action-supported projects
all over India: SCRIA (Social Centre for Rural
Initiative and Advancement), Rajasthan; Chaitanya
Shravanti, AP;Myrada, Karnataka;Sikshasandhan,
Orissa;Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, WB;Swadhina,
Jharkhand. The exhibition has already been held
in Bangalore, Hyderbad, Delhi and Kolkota and
this year travelsto Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur/Jamshedpur.
Childline in India-
An analysis of calls to 1098
Childline India Foundation, 022-23841098
Childline services over 2 million calls a year
in 75 cities across 24 states…and these
calls represent thesingle largest record In
India of children’s concerns and needs.
The analysis of these calls covers 56 cities
over a 2-year period from 2003-5. Soft copy
can be downloaded from www.childlineindia.org.in
The book was supported by PLAN>For copies
Email: Dial1098@childlineindia.org.in
Freedom from Fear: Investment in Human
Dignity and Security.
This Amnesty International Report documents
the state of human rights in 153 countries during
2006. It reveals a world ravaged by armed conflict,
repression and discrimination, where women are
at constant risk or violence, where entire communities
are mired in poverty and social exclusion. The
report also points to the crucial achievements
of human rights activists around the world in
countering these abuses and tackling impunity.
Contact: Amnesty International India, Delhi
Tel: (01) 41642501, 26854763. amnestyinternational.india@gmail.com
www.amnesty.org.in
(1) Foretelling the Crisis: HIV/AIDS,
Sexual and Reproductive Health & Women in
India
Based on the baseline Knowledge, Attitudes and
Practices (KAP) survey undertaken by Alliance
India in 2006 in 5 States, on the situation
of women relating to their sexual and reproductive
health and HIV/AIDS It recommends specific actions
to help alleviate the negative impact of HIV
and AIDS on women, their partners and their
families in India. http://www.aidsallianceindia.
net/
(2) Common Cause, Collective Strength:
Findings of an evaluation of support
groups of women and children living with and/or
affected by HIV/AIDS in three Indian States
A key activity for Alliance India has been the
formation of community support groups- an effective
mechanism for providing psychosocial and emotional
support amongst members who are affected by
and/or living with HIV/AIDS.This report is an
assessment of the impact of support groups of
women and children in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
and Delhi Alliance India has also produced a
poster, and flip books in 6 languages on sexual
and reproductive health rights http://www.aidsalli
anceindia.net
Strategies to combat violence against
women
Hindi
Kriti Publications
'Aurato ke Khilaf Hinsa: Dhrishtikon aur Rannitiyan'
is the Hindi version of Kriti’s publication
From Thought to Action: Strategies to combat
Violence against Women. This book is based on
an in-depth, field-based study of the nature,
the extent, the causes of physical violence
faced by women and the different responses to
it, and was conducted over a period of one year
across eight villages and three slums located
in different parts of India. The book also suggests
strategies that can be used by fieldworkers/activists
with voluntary organisations/ NGOs to prevent
and eliminate this form of violence at home,
at workplaces, on the streets and society in
general. Contact: Kriti, Delhi Tel. (011)-26027845/
26213088. Email: space@krititeam.org/
krititeam@bol.net.in
Contributions for Peace Journal-Praxis
WISCOMP (Women in Security, Conflict Management
and Peace) invites
contributions for the first edition of its Annual
South Asia Peacebuilding Journal, The journal
publishes Academic essays/research articles
(3000 and 5000 words).Perspectives from the
Field: (3000 to 5000 words). Reviews of books
on issues of peace and conflict (1200 to 1500
words)
In addition to the article, the contributor
is requested to send an abstract (100 words,
bio-note (60-70 words) and coordinates. Contributions
should be mailed to WISCOMP at wiscomp2006@gmail.com
by August 13, 2007 with “peacebuilding
journal” in the subject line. contact:
Manjri Sewak, Sr. Program Officer,WISCOMP, Foundation
for Universal Responsibility of HH The Dalai
Lama, New Delhi – 110003. Tel. (011)24648450,
Email: wiscomp2006@gmail.com,
manjri_sewak@yahoo.com
Green Tapism
This is a review of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Notification – 2006. It comprehensively
analyses the legal, historical and political
basis of the formulation of the controversial
Environment Impact Assessment Notification --
2006, a critical legislation supporting consideration
of environmental and social justice in developmental
decision making. Read the Introduction Chapter
to Green Tapism at www.esgindia.org
Contact: Environment Support Group, Bangalore,Tel.
(080)22441977/ 26531339 Email: esg@esgindia.org
or esg@bgl.vsnl.net.in
Theory and Praxis of Dalit Politics
by M C Raj and Jyothi
Published by Ambedkar Resource Center, Tumkur
Pp 275, price Rs.250/-, Pre-publication Price
Rs.150/-
This book provides a history of dalit politics
beginning with the political conflict between
Ambedkar and Gandhi on the issue of Separate
Electorate for the depressed classes which has
thrown up many bitter lessons for future generations.
It examines Dalit political theory. The book
also gives a good analysis and looks at how
dalits can sustain the power they have gained
in the recent UP elections to govern. Contact:Rural
Education for Development Society, Shanthinagar
Tumkur 572102, Karnataka. Cell phone: Raj-(0)9845144893
Probing the Jihadi Mindset
By Sohail Abbas
National Book Foundation, Islamabad
ISBN 969-37-0236- 0 207pp. Rs 250
Well-known psychologist Dr Sohail Abbas, enjoys
a unique position amongst studies on Muslim
militants in and around Pakistan. Dr Abbas and
his team of researchers interviewed 517 men
who had left their homes and families to fight
in Afghanistan who were detained in Haripur
and Peshawar jails. The study demolishes the
commonly-held view that the men who went to
fight in Afghanistan were poor, illiterate and
unemployed young men or madressah students.
The study also examines the jihadi groups' psychological
characteristics (morbidity, sociability, emotional
stability, prejudice, etc) .
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More News : |
NGO office raided, workers beaten up
Bangalore: On June 2, police from the Chennapatna
police station (Bangalore Rural dist) raided
the house of one person and arrested two women
who had gathered there. These two women were
staff of Suraksha, (an NGO working to prevent
the spread of HIV/AIDS), had been booked under
section 3,4,5 and 7 of Immoral Trafficking Prevention
Act.
The police allowed a local TV channel, TV9,
to do a live coverage of the arrest within the
premises of the police station and this was
telecast in the 6.00 p.m. news without either
the permission of the 4 women accused or without
masking their faces. Immediately after the arrest
the police led by the deputy superintendent
of police, Mr. Devaraj D. unlawfully entered
Suraksha’s Chennapatna office and went
through clinical records and data of sex workers.This
search was conducted without a search warrant.
On June 3, the Karnataka Sex Workers' Union
along with representatives from Suraksha,
Sangama, Sadhane, Samara, Sanchaya Nele
and other social justice organisations assembled
in front of the Chennapatna police station to
stage a peaceful protest when they were attacked
by the police and 50-60 local goondas, beaten
up, women were manhandled, sexually harrassed
and filthily abused. On June 4, a meeting was
organised at Centre for Youth and Cultural Development
(CYCD) demanding action against the police affoicers.
Contact Sangama,Bangalore Tel:.080- 23438843
/ 23438840
e-mail: advocacy@sangama.
org
100 child labourers rehabilitated
Ramgarh (Jharkhand),: Over hundred girl child
labourers, rescued from various shops and roadside
eateries, are now living a rehabilitated life
at Ramgarh in Jharkhand. thanks to the initiatives
taken by the NGO Jan Seva Parishad,
which is making the rehabilitation of such children
possible with the support of the Jharkhand authorities.
The State Government spends Rs18 on each of
the young student-cum-apprentices at the institutions
being run by Jan SevaParishad.
The girls are given a nine-month training that
includes formal education till fifth standard
along with vocational training like candle making,
stitching, embroidery and others.
"We bring these girls from coal mines,
roadside eateries and other places. We have
a training centre since 2005 to a batch of 50
girls every nine month. Here, these girls learn
candle making, stitching, soap making etc,"
said Manju Devi, a Jan Seva Parishad staff.
Once the students prepare some items, these
are marketed by the Jan SevaParishad and the
money earned is distributed among these working
children as per their due.
Jan Seva Parishad, has taken up the social responsibility
to effectively utilize the Central government's
policy prohibiting employment of children below
14years of age in domestic as well as industrial
and commercial spheres.
Founded in 2005, the Jharkhand Government endorsed
Jan Seva Parishad in the ambit of NationalChild
Labourer Rehabilitation Centre, on June 15,
2006.
RTI
BCAS Foundation (Bombay Chartered Accountants'
Society) operates RTI Clinic to provide help
and guidance to citizens for making applications
/ appeals etc. under the RTI Act and also assist
in resolving any related difficulties on the
subject of RTI. The clinic operates on 3 Saturdays
of every month i.e 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays
between 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at BCAS, Ground
Floor, 7, Jolly Bhavan no. 2, New Marine Lines,
Mumbai - 400 020. Call to fix your appointment
on 66595601-05
Obit Sanjai Sangvai
Numerous admirers, colleagues and friends have
poured their heart out at the passing of Sanjai
Sangvai.. Last two decades of his work with
Narmada Bachao Andolan and National Alliance
of People's Movements as well as his professional
contribution through various organizations like
Abhivyakti, National Centre for Advocacy Studies
(NCAS) has proved that Sanjay was an activist
of a different caliber, of unique capacities
and rare commitment. He was not merely a ground
level activist but also a journalist, writer
and litterateur. He passed away at the age of
48, due to a long lasting sickness of heart
and lungs, on Tuesday, 29th May around 7 a.m.
The funeral took place on 30th May at Pune.
Sanjay was not just academic but a man of vision,
strategy for transformation, and culture. His
cultural moorings into Indian and Asian way
of life made him committed to not mere preaching
but practicing simple living, closeness to nature
and sustainability in extraction. He raised
the voice of the people of Narmada valley by
becoming a part of their struggle .
Sanjay was a man of ethics. His commitment were
not merely verbalized but practiced. His sensitivity
and creativity was enabling him to lead a life
committed to the common people- farmers, labourers,
adivasis, dalits and others- and also gain aesthetic
sense in every aspect. His deep interest in
and knowledge of classical music, Sanskrit,
Indian literature etc was a result of the same,
and indeed led a 'progressive' life which was
his goal, not just an avowed glamorous slogan.
The most unfortunate barrier in Sanjay's path
of progress was his critically ill-health. Many
activists' organizations- supporters held condolence
meetings in various parts of Maharashtra and
other states too, all of whom, will take inspiration
from Sanjay's life and carry forward his mission.
Another Taal centre in Pune
Pune: Actress Riya Sen on June 2 inaugurated
the new Taal centre which is run by HIV positive
people for HIV positive people. Taal is a unique
care and support centre set up in association
with Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Network of Maharashtra
by People Living with HIV/AIDS (NMP+) and Human
Resource Development Network (HRDN).
The first Taal centre was inaugurated in Pune
in January 2006. Within a short span, Taal-Pune
has not only been serving more than 1,000 positive
people but has become a model centre for others
to replicate. Taal-Pune has become self-sustainable
and financially independent. Making it a one-stop
shop for HIV positive people, Taal has acquired
additional facilities like laboratory for testing/monitoring,
daily doctor service and peer group counselling.
Indo-German body for UP's
development
Lucknow: "Transporting Gandhi to 21st century",
is the aim of the International Institute for
Holistic Research and Voluntary Action (Indo-Germany)
, which is going to start work in Uttar Pradesh.
"We have worked in south India mainly.
But, have toured MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
and UP extensively. " said Irmel Marla,
chairperson of the institute.The institute offers
consultancy services for cutting down the widening
gap between the haves and have-nots in the remote
areas it selects for work. The institute works
through network of experts who are from different
fields like medical, educational, administrative
and focusses on holistic development. "For
that can only assure sustainability. And this
is also what Gandhian principles talk about,"
added Marla.
Programmes initiated by the institute have worked
on public-private partnership model.
The development action plan for UP would focus
on evolving entrepreneurship through action-oriented
training programmes, at local and grassroot
level converging all activities with local banks
and other financial agencies and stressing self-employment.
Akshay Bhai, state president of Confederation
of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI) was also present
on the occasion.
Home Based Care for HIV/AIDS infected
patients
We are running an NGO Aids Combat International
in Malad, Mumbai giving home based care for
HIV/AIDS patients that includes counseling ,nursing
care, treatment for opportunistic infection
,guidance for nutrition and diet and try to
reduce the stigma from the mind set of family
members and prepare them to give care and support
to the infected family member. Any NGO or individual
who needs Home Based Care for an HIV/AIDS infected
person can contact on email or phone. "Mamta
Trivedi" aids.combat@gmail.com
or - Dr. Girish Trivedi Mobile - 98210 81138
98700 81138
Conf held
Population First organised a three-day residential
training workshop,titled 'Power Media- For Social
Justice' for print and electronic media persons
at the HDFC Training centre, Lonavala from June
8 to 10, 2007. The workshop provided a gender
perspective on all socially relevant events
and developments in the field of education,
health, youth, employment, budget etc http://www.populationfirst.org
For details, email
info@populationfirst.org or call Nivedita/
Preeti on 2262 6672/ 6/ 6507.
Bangalore: Human Rights Law Network organized
a 3-day seminar on Violence against women and
the Law April 26-29. Various women’s organizations
and students fora participated in discussions
on matrimonial laws and sexual harassment at
the workplace.
Ranchi: From June 17 to 25
an Right to Information (RTI) awareness
camp was organized in 8 districts of
Jharkhand. near the office of district magistrate
in that district Contact: Ranchi Md. Rizwan
9934399341
International Resources for Fairer Trade organized
a 3 day residential training programmme on MDP
on Business plan /project Proposal Writing
from June 18 to 20th at Hyderabad. Contact:
Ms.Sayantani Das / Mr. Nagraj Swamy
(IRFT)Hyderabad Cell: 09949363044 / 09849638153
Ph: 040-64561475
APMAS (Mahila Abhivruddhi Society, Andhra Pradesh)
held the 2nd National TOT on Participatory
Training Methodologies (PTM) in the
context of SHGs and SHG Federations, from July
2-7 at Hyderabad attended by staff of SHPIs
(Self Help Promoting Institutions) including
NGOs, Bankers and Government Agencies.mail qetrainings@yahoo.com.
website www.apmas.org.
International Conference on 'Ethnographic
Discourse of the other', 3rd-5th July
2007 at University of Hyderabad, India*University
of Hyderabad
Emails: *kasieswar@gmail.com*,
*ramesmalik@gmail.com*
An online discussion on the theme "Financing
for gender equality and the empowerment of women",
was organized by the United Nations Division
for the Advancement of
An online discussion on the theme "Financing
for gender equality and the empowerment of women",
was organized by the United Nations Division
for the Advancement of Women from June 18 to
July 15. The purpose of the online discussion
is to identify good practices and lessons learned
and highlight gaps and challenges requiring
further action.
The online discussion is part of the preparatory
process of the 52nd session of the Commission
on the Status of Women (CSW) to be held from
25 February to 7 March 2008, which will consider
"Financing for gender equality and the
empowerment of women" as its priority theme.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/forum/forum-daw-financing.htm
Contact: Charmaine Williams-Carter [williams-carter@
un.org]
Info-Market for cancer
Mumbai: The International
Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parents Organisations
(ICCCPO) at the last SIOP conference at Geneva,
started an Info-Market to share information
and services. The goal is to open up the communication
and to make it easier to share projects and
ideas that are working, as well as finding new
ideas. In the NCPA in Mumbai, the Info-Market
will be held in the “Sunken Garden”from
Oct. 29-Nov.2.
If you would like to participate, contact Shubha
Maudgal shubha.maudgal@cpaaindia.org
The Model Police Act 2006
The Police Act of 1861 is to be revised and
a Drafting Committee of the Ministry of Home
Affairs has circulated a "Model Police
Act 2006". Shri S R Sankaran, Convenor
of the Committee of Concerned Citizens in Andhra
Pradesh, and a member of the PUCL has prepared
a Commentary on the Draft according to his ideas.
Discussions treating this document as Background
Paper are needed for comments. These will be
compiled and all the comments sent to the MHA.
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Police/2007/
model-police-act-comments.html
Counselling for Alzheimers Disease
The Society for Service to Voluntary Agencies
(SOSVA) has started a Health Counselling Centre
for Alzheimer’s disease at its office
at Petit School, Opposite Bhabha Hospital, Bandra.
The Centre is offering Counselling and a Caregiver
Support Group for caregivers of those suffering
from Alzheimer’s Disease. The counselling
is completely free of charge.
Counselling for Alzheimers disease is offered
from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on 2nd and 4th
Saturdays of the month. Caregivers are required
to take prior appointment.
The focus is on supporting the caregivers as
they play an important role in the well being
of the patient. The Centre is part of SOSVA’s
larger plan to set up an Apex Support Society
to promote new health support societies where
no support for a particular segment of disease-affected
population exists. Our partners in this endeavor
would be existing support groups, the medical
fraternity and NGOs.Contact: Society for Service
to Voluntary Agencies (SOSVA) Tel. no. 2655
5704 / 2641 1205 Email: sosva@hotmail.com
Website: www.sosva.org
Volunteers
VOLACT (a part of SOSVA) is in touch with over
100 NGOs and have placed 1500 volunteers in
various situations since a decade now. E.g.
volunteers provide educational help to the orphaned
children of Prem Sangh and
Nivara at Borivali, hospital
visits through Make a Wish Foundation,
help in administrative work at Foundation
for Excellence, Powai and at Indian
Association for Promotion of Adoption,
Grant Road. A senior citizen, enjoys teaching
the children at Bangur Nagar Vidyalaya,
Goregaon and at Sunbeam –
for street children at Bandra.
Volunteers also have provided legal advice
to women at Aadhar in Malad.
vocal music teaching to the desitutes at Shraddhananad
Mahila Ashram, Matunga; office administration
at Akshara, Dadar, and help
in Library organizing at Vaccha
based in Vile Parle and a volunteer teaches
Marathi to the students at Seva Sadan
Society for girls in South Mumbai.
Even senior citizen volunteers conduct recreational
games, teach yoga and have friendly visits at
Sharan – Home for the aged and paraphlegics
in Vashi,organize birthday parties for the aged
at All Saints Home, Dockyard besides regular
reading for the blind at Industrial Blind Home,
Andheri and at MNB Home, for the blind at Jogeshwari
thus helping the students of Law and standard
12th in realizing their dreams. A retired technocrat
does case study analysis at Naseoh an organization
for the disabled in Chembur. Another senior
citizen volunteer provides regular teaching
assistance for the mentally challenged at Child
Reach in Santacruz. Professional volunteers
teach the art of cooking Indian and Continental
cuisines, instrumental music like tabla, embroidery
and computers to the deaf and mute children
of Sanskardham at Goregaon. A volunteer teaches
arts and crafts for the mentally challenged
students of Sulabha School at Chembur. If you
want to volunteer, or need volunteers contact:
26555704 / 26411205 Email at: sosva@hotmail.com
/ volact@hotmail.com
Visit: www.sosva.org
RTI bank to come up in Bangalore
Bangalore: On the lines of blood banks and eye-banks,
there will soon be a Right to
Information (RTI) bank in Bangalore through
which documents can be accessed by both activists
and the general public.
The bank, which is said to be the first of its
kind in India, will come into existence by July.
NGO, Mahiti Hakku Adhyayana Kendra
(RTI Study Centre), which floated the idea has
assigned 50 RTI activists to collect the documents
obtained by people through the RTI Act. Initially,
the collection will be spread over 26 other
districts in Karnataka, said Vikram Simha, trustee
of the RTI Study Centre. "We found that
there were many applications for similar documents
in the past. We then thought of establishing
a bank which would collect documents from those
people," said BH Veeresh member of the
study centre.
"Every activist will collect documents
from a department and we will then build a library
of documents. Anybody can walk in and ask for
the documents they need after they specify the
reason," said Veeresh.
The RTI Study Centre is also looking towards
spreading its net to other states too. "We
are in talks with a couple of RTI activist friends
in Pune and Gujarat. If the concept works in
Karnataka, they might think of establishing
such a bank in their state too," said Simha.
The RTI users in India are increasing and hence
building a bank is essential, say activists.
Recreation centre for seniors
Goa: Lions Club of Margao in collaboration with
the department of Social Welfare, government
of Goa is starting the Narayan Rajaram Bandekar
senior citizens recreation centre at Pedda-Margao.
The centre would be a facility where senior
citizens can spend thier day-time hours in fruitful
activity,and take care of the physical, psychological
and spiritual needs of the senior citizens.
Contact: Dr Fernandes on 2736109/9422058741
ART centre for every district soon
Chennai: Soon, an Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART)
centre for every district will become a reality
in Tamil Nadu. There are 19 centres as on date…With
access to the ART becoming better, Supriya Sahu,
project director of the Tamil Nadu State AIDS
Control Society (TANSACS), said, the facility
would be expanded, making it a travelling distance
for the people in the State. She was speaking
at a function on June 9 to commemorate a decade
of the Indian Network for People Living with
HIV/AIDS (INP+). "At present, 19,000 persons
are covered by the ART…In fact, 3,500
children were registered at our ART centres,
of which 1,200 are eligible for the treatment,"
she added.
PETA on Bears (pix- 1col.)
Remembering Navlin
Mumbai: Sathya vijay seva sanstha
organized a program on June 19 to remember the
late Navlin Kumar who was brutally murdered
five years ago. Navlin Kumar’s commitment
and dedication towards the marginalized section
of society, particularly the tribal in Thane
Dist was legendary, and to continue her work,
the Sathya vijay seva sanstha Trust was formed.
The organization takes up land issues of the
tribals and slum dwellers, conducts training
programs for girls and women, works for street
children and their education, occasional training
programs for Adivasi youth and various other
socio-economic issues. Contact Gandhali Naik
on 9890088148 or Adv. Jaya Menon.
jaya11200@yahoo.co.in
Consumer helpline
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 1800-11-4000
(toll-free no.)
receives complaints against various service
providers and guides consumers in finding solutions
to problems related to products and services.
Female condoms sold by SHG
Sampooran Nagar (Lakhimpur
Kheri) . In 2006 medical aid and female condom
centres were set up in 80 blocks of Sampooran
Nagar and Nighasan by Rahi Foundation.
The centres, part of HIV AIDS and female condom
promotion programme were supported by Manav
Seva Sansthan (MSS) of Gorakhpur and
Department for International Development (DFID),
New Delhi.
A medical 'suvidha kit, consisting of Dettol,
bandages,ORS packets, iron and multivitamin
tablets along with female condoms and a manual
(Mahila Condom: Ek digdarshika), was distributed
among the women. The kit went a long way in
breaking the ice.
While most urban areas are still reluctant to
use female condom, the women of Sampooran Nagar
town in Lakhimpur Kheri district accepted it
without much fuss. At the Sewa Swasthya Kendra
in Shinghai Khurd block, run by Navchetna
Swayam Sahayta Samuh over 1,000 female
condoms were sold in the past year.The female
condoms, imported from UK, are sold at a subsidised
rate of Rs 2 per piece. How long the condoms
will be available is the moot point.
Kala Dalen
Pune: Mr. Anna Hazare inaugurated
Maher’s " Kala Dalen " ( Training
in Handicraft ) at its centre at Vadu on June
16,
Children address press meet
(pix)
Delhi: Children have formed
various platforms to save themselves or build
their future and media and civil society organizations
are playing a significant role in aiding the
children's fights. At a press meet at Rajendra
Bhawan organisesd by Plan International,
CASP, Delhi and Grassroots Media Initiative,
Bal Panchayat, a children's group addressed
the press meet 'Children as change agents'.
The children from Badarpur, Sangam Vihar and
Madanpur Khadar have constituted 5 bal panchyats
and 10 bal sabhas comprising 1500 children.
Bal sabhas have children of 8-12 years age group,
while bal panchayats are formed by 12-18 year
children. A single unit of bal panchayat or
bal sabha consists of groups of 40-50 children.
Through this platform the participating children
work for the mental and physical development
of poor and undernourished children of squatters
and slums. They also coerce the parents to change
their attitude and behavior towards children.
Some children present their work in international
fora.
Child Rights Information Centre (CRIC) is a
crucial unit of the Bal panchayat that not only
collects information on various issues affecting
children but also publishes it.
Panel on senior citizen health insurance
Chennai: The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority (IRDA) announced the constitution
of a committee to go into issues connected with
health insurance for senior citizens.
Headed by V.Hariharan (former President, Sundram
Fasteners), the committee will make recommendations
relating to possible abolition of age limit,
"portability" of health insurance
from one scheme to another, "pre-existing"
conditions and deductibles, medical treatment
on a "cashless" basis, incorporation
of alternative systems of medicine into the
insurance system, possible incentives to senior
citizens for adopting healthier life styles
and incorporation of the concept of the "family
doctor" in insurance schemes and integration
of travel insurance like mediclaim into the
health insurance schemes.
Members of the public and other stakeholders
are requested to send their views to R.Srinivasan,
Officer on Special Duty at rsrinivasan@irda.gov.in.
Donations for an orphanage
Delta Air Lines in the USA is sponsoring a
new project named "Project Snuggles"
in which they adopt an orphanage in one of their
partner countries and contribute clothing, hygiene
needs, handmade dolls, etc.
The following information is required:•
Number of girls in residence;• Ages and
sizes of girls etc.
Personnel plan to visit each orphanage personally
the first time.•” We would appreciate
any literature about the orphanage and the children
housed there at the earliest”. Contact
Sandra.H.Griffin@delta.com
Address change
Hyderabad: Mithrudu has shifted
its office from Himayathnagar to Abids . Pls
note the news address and tel. nos. Mithrudu
(MSM CBO) ,An HIV/AIDS & STI Prevention
Project ,H.No.5-8-595/ B/16, Nasar Chambers,
Mubarak Bazar lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001
Ph: +91 40 23202303,Fax: +91 40 30224432 ,Mobile:
9396262300
Email: mithrudu@yahoo.com,
mail@mithrudu.org
Web Site: www.mithrudu.org
The Humsafar Trust, Head Office
has shifted to a new building because the Municipal
Corporation of Mumbai have decided to re-develop
the building. The new postal address and contact
details are: The Humsafar Trust,III and IV floor,
Municipal Transit Building, Nehru Road, Vakola,
Santacruz (East), MUMBAI - 400 055 Telephone
numbers, E-Mail address will remain the same.
Jumbled for dogs
Mumbai: The Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) an animal
welfare NGO that sterilises and immunizes stray
dogs, has an adoption program for abandoned
pets and pariahs, and on-site first–aid
program and an education and awareness programme
in schools, colleges, streets and slums has
so far sterilised more than 30,500 stray dogs
and impacted the lives of thousands more through
first-aid and adoption.
One of the methods of raising funds is their
regular garage/jumble sale in various loacalities.The
last one from May 25-27, 2007 at Bandra
Reclamation.For information call WSD on 23733433
or e-mail wsd@wsdindia.org
Global AIDS Week of Action
Bangalore HIV & AIDS Forum
with AIDS Activists across the world observed
Global AIDS Week of Action from 20-26 May demanding
stronger response, greater accountability and
more resources; demanding the state to ensure
the right to life and dignity of all people
living with and affected by HIV-AIDS. Among
the events held was a Candle Light Memorial,
on May 20 at Cubbon Park, remembering all the
people who lost their lives to AIDS and a cultural
program by 'Gana Vinodini'. On May 21 at the
Urban Health Reserach and Training Institute,
a Convention on Food Security and HIV-AIDS was
held concluding with a Public Rally on May 24
from Chamarajpet with a Public Meeting.
Nagpur: The local International
AIDS Candlelight Memorial event was held by
YMCA Nagpur on May 24 2007.The theme of this
year's International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
is "Leading the way to a world without
AIDS." The memorial was followed by a
Community dialogue about HIV/AIDS,• Street
Theatre• Presentation by speakers •
Screening of documentary film• Call for
community action followed by dinner
contact: 9923414559, 9860784400, 9960127766
or 9890915857.
Chennai: A collective of NGOs
working among persons living with HIV/AIDS,
sex workers and transgenders took part in a
candle light ceremony held here on May 19 to
mark the commencement of the Global AIDS Week
of Action.
The campaign is aimed at ensuring quality treatment
of and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS,
in the State, according to A.J. Hariharan, chairperson,
TamilNadu AIDS Solidarity Action (TASA). Esther
Mariaselvam, programme manager, Action Aid India,
said the campaign should end all human rights
violations against the persons living with HIV/AIDS
and women
Noorie, secretary, TASA, and A. Bhakthavatsalam,
vice-chairperson, TASA, addressed the participants
of the ceremony that was held in Thiru. Vi.
Ka. Park at Shenoy Nagar.
Actor Prashanth lit the first candle and inaugurated
the campaign. Over 150 people lit candles at
Abhirami Mega mall on Sunday evening to mark
the passing away of people with HIV/AIDS.
Kolkata International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial Day 2007 presented by Prantakatha
and SAATHII, Courtesy: Elton
John AIDS Foundation, London on May 21, 2007.
at Gyan Mancha was about Fighting for Affordable
Medicines and Treatment for One and All and
that all sections of society must become aware
and alert about the implications of the revised
Indian Patents Act.
At the welcome address members of SPARSHA shared
their experiences, focussing on the urgent need
for affordable access to life saving drugs.
The Candlelight Ceremony at 7 pm honoured the
struggles of those whom lost to HIV and those
still living with it. Followed by a Film Screening
(7.25 pm): “Patents, R&D and Damned
Li(v)es”, Contact information for AMTC
Helpline: Phone: 98309 07208 Email: saathiihelpline@rediffmail.com
Pranthakatha Bappaditya Mukherjee, 98309 07208,
98307 80051; prantakatha@yahoo.co.in;
www.prantakatha.org
SAATHII Pawan Dhall, Subhadip Roy; 033 2334
7329; saathii@yahoo.com
; www.saathii.org
Pawan Dhall
Nandan: The Bengal Network
for People living with HIV/AIDS (BNP+)organized
a three hour-long programme on May 21, 2007
at Nandan-Rabindra Sadan Prangon
Assam: At least 29 different
civil society groups, including people living
with HIV, have formed an alliance in Assam to
jointly fight HIV/AIDS .As part of the awareness
drive, the Alliance is organising the Global
AIDS Week of Action from May 20 to 26 in Assam
beginning with the 24th International Candlelight
Memorial march in the state in memory of those
who died of AIDS.
Peoples News Network
The People's News Network is an attempt to set
up a public service media organization. Many
persons including Dr. Banwari Lal Sharma, Dr.
Vandana Shiva, Arundhati Roy, Prashant Bhushan,
Sanjay Kak, Harsh Dobhal (of Human Rights Law
Network), Amit Sengupta, Bharat Gogra, Javed
Nagvi, Madhu Bhaduri, Shivakant Jha, V P Srivastava
are involved in setting up this network. To
begin with, PNN would be run essentially as
a news service which would disseminate information,
news, analysis and views of major interest to
organizations and individuals working on and
interested in public interest issues, as well
as to small and medium newspapers, magazines
and media organizations who might be interested
in carrying news, information, analysis and
views of this kind. PNN Hindi is the Hindi language
news service of People's News Network.
Welcome to list pnnhindi@lists.riseup.net.
www.peoplesnewsnetwork.org
Eye Camp in WBengal (pix)
It was on Sunday, the 8th April, 2007, an eye
camp was organized at SHIS Eye Care Hospital
with joint collaboration of Pragati Sangha.
697 patients were examined and the deserving
ones were operated upon for cataract surgery.
The operated patients were checked up as a part
of follow up, on 18th April.
The camp was inaugurated by the Chairman
of Rajarhat Gopalpur Municipal Corporation,
Sri Tapas Chattopadhyay in presence of MA Wohab,
Director SHIS, the Secretary of Pragati Sangha
Sri Bapi Ray and many other distinguished personalities.
Positive Women Network (PWN+) organised the
programme in association with Satyam Foundation,
a corporate social responsibility (CSR) group
of Satyam Computers.
S. Swaminathan, general manager, Satyam Computer,
said: "Within the CSR group, we have a
red ribbon club on AIDS awareness. We chose
a mall as the young have misconceptions about
AIDS. Satyam has an AIDS workplace policy against
discrimination of HIV positive."
About 20 employees and their families were at
the mall interacting with volunteers from PWN+.
A street play was also staged.Source:The Hindu,Chennai,
May 21,2007
Shristi - now goes to the villages
(pix)
Bangalore: Newer programmes have been added
to Shristi Special Academy for the mentally
challenged and autistic. Sathi, the early interventionprogramme
for children0-6 years for chidlrenwith delayed
development to minimize deficits and preventing
secondary handicaps trhough training. Prakruthi
is the program where autistics are offered an
intensive funcational programme that includes
sensory integration and behaviour modification.
Prayathna is the Respite Care Unit that provides
exclusive rehabilitation therapy for children
who have severe mentalretardation…and
Dhruti gives vocational training for those above
12 years. Presently 120 mentally challenged
and autistic individuals come to their two campuses.
Now from their Channenahalli branch, Shristi
has undertaken to provide holistic Community
based rehabilitation services to the villages
around their Channenahalli campus in Bangalore
South District. Their multidisciplinary team
of special educators, psychologists and therapists
will work with parents, medical specialists
and dieticians to help parents achieve goals
with their children. Presently 40 normal children
attend their balwadi. Contact Shristi, Bangalore
080- 2830524 or email
shristi_ssa@vsnl.net
Interact Worldwide, an international NGO with
30 years of experience of working on SRH&R
and HIV/AIDS in developing countries seeks "Expression
of Interest" from firms/organizations having
past experience in reviewing and evaluating
NGO related programmes.
Sealed offers are invited from professional
agencies, organizations and research institutions
having expertise in conducting midterm review
of a comprehensive community based initiative
implemented through a leading NGO of Orissa.
Professional agencies, organizations and research
institutions with expertise are requested to
offer their organization profile, CVs of the
experts working in the organization and their
contact telephone number. This should reach
the undersigned by post or email within 7 days
of publication of the advertisement. Short listed
organization/ agencies will be asked to develop
a proposal. The details of the proposal(ToR)
can be obtained through the website www.nysasdri.
Org Interested firms/institutions/ organizations
having the requisite expertise may submit their
EOI on or before 28.6.07 to the following address.
National Youth Service and Social Development
Research Institute (NYSASDRI)
Plot No.138, Flat No.301
Narayani VIP Enclave
VIP Area, IRC Village
Bhubaneswar- 751015
Email: nysasdri@yahoo.com
Ph. No. 0674 2553885
NREG scheme get tamper-proof
identity cards
Chennai: 170 workers under
the National Rural Employment Guarantee programme
(NREG) in two villages will be the first to
be registered as NREG members through a foolproof
biometric verification device. After the initial
hostility and scepticism, villagers in Kurkuri
and Dhuparchak Mushahari in Phulwarisharif block
of Patna district, gathered at the Panchayat
office to place their fingers (all 10) on a
Korean-made biometric device. Each finger was
registered twice for getting the best value
of minutiae counts (the whorls and ridges on
a finger).Then the villagers were photographed
and all their personal data was registered on
their NREG Card. With the photograph and details
scanned and attached to their names, the state
created a permanent database on the workers.
After the registration process was completed,
the verification was done immediately by entering
the NREG ID number, and the beneficiary was
asked to place any finger on the biometric device,
a small machine that is easily portable to the
worksite. The individual's photograph instantly
popped up from the database on the computer
monitor.
"The technology has been proven through
a transparent system. Now we have to link it
to our NREG process which will give every member
a job card or a smart card and cover entire
Bihar," Anup Mukherji, Commissioner of
the Rural Development Department, told The Indian
Express.
All that a panchayat would need for implementing
a fool-proof registration and verification process
is a biometric device costing about Rs. 20,000,
a laptop computer of about Rs. 25,000, a webcam
or a digital camera and a personnel for operating
the devices.
An article on Kris Dev, a Chennai-based e-governance
consultant, caught the attention of the Bihar
administration. Mukherji got in touch with Kris
Dev and asked him to prove to the state government
that the technology worked at the ground level.
"If your solution does all that the article
describes, it would be ideal for Bihar where
people find ways to beat all systems,"
Mukherji told Kris Dev.
Garbage Concern website
Mumbai: Garbage Concern NGO has now begun several
projects under it’s Pro-Active Waste to
Wealth Programme to convert organic waste into
life giving compost through cost effective EM-Vermiculture
Technology. In order to reach out to more people
their Web Site was launched on June 13 by The
Mayor of Mumbai,Dr. (Mrs). S Raul. Students
of BMS, and B.Sc IT of St. Xavier's and St.
Andrew's Colleges designed the website.. Those
interested in Waste Management for Housing Societies,
Institutions and Malls can contact 9820702096/28680636
initiative, which helps those hesitant to buy
condoms from shops to get them at home
PEOPLE
Board of Sakshi has appointed Mr. V. Nandagopal
as Director of Saskhi from June 1
Mr. V. Nandagopal was the co-Founder and Co-Director
of Sakshi for a few years, has ample grass-root
experience in the development field, good knowledge
of and exposure to Dalit human rights situations
and monitoring mechanisms. He is also worked
as Secretary of Union which is our primary collaborating
organization and he is also play critical role
in Dappu process.
Obit
CNDP Condoles the Untimely Passing
Away of R Gopalakrishnan
The Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace
(CNDP) - an all-national coalition of anti-nuclear
peace activists in India, deeply condoles the
untimely death of Sri R Gopalakrishnan, one
of its leading members.
RG, as he was popularly known, was the moving
spirit behind the Movement Against Nuclear Weapons
(MANW) - the major constituent of the CNDP from
Chennai, and also the Movement for People’s
Union (MPU). RG was actively engaged with the
CNDP, as one of its major props, from its very
inception in November 2000 in its determined
fight for a nuclear weapon free India, South
Asia and the world in his very own incredibly
self-effacing and completely unselfish manner.
He was ever unflagging in his determination
to actively engage with the promotion of the
cause despite heavy commitments of his professional
career as a very senior journalist working with
a major media house in India.
He fought nuclear militarism in India and South
Asia without ever compromising in his opposition
to the major nuclear warlords of the world.
Similarly, he opposed communal fascism in India,
without ever mocking at the simple faith of
the common people. The CNDP conveys its heartfelt
condolences to his wife Geeta, daughters Bhuvana
and Saranya and all other members of his family.
Achin Vanaik cndpindia@gmail.com
Abhaas new project
Lucknow: A local NGO, Abhaas,
realsiesd that there is a need to carry out
HIV tests on girls and
women living in protection homes, who are mostly
trafficking victims, . Undertaking this first-of-its-
kind project, Abhaas has started organising
HIV check-up camps at various protection homes
and orphanages across the state capital.The
first such camp was organised at the Leelavati
Munshi Balgrih at Moti Nagar. Similar camps
will be organised at other homes where trafficking
victims are sent. Pre-marriage tests in Assam
Guwahati, : The state government has decided
to introduce a law that will make it mandatory
for couples to undergo an HIV test before marriage.
The decision came with a scheme for the rehabilitation
of orphans whose parents have died of the AIDS
virus as well as incentives for those who undergo
anti-retroviral treatment (ART).
This was announced by chief minister Tarun
Gogoi at a meeting of the Legislative Forum
on HIV/AIDS, of which he is the chairman. The
objective of the proposed law is to control
the spread of AIDS in the state.
Speed post FP
Jharkhand: The Jharkhand postal
department has decided to step into the family
planning programme and has started delivering
condoms and contraceptives to people, especially
in remote areas. The department has tied up
with Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion
Trust in this initiative, which helps those
hesitant to buy condoms from shops to get them
at home.
"The idea is to promote family planning.
Through post offices we deliver 16 products,
including condoms, contraceptives, sanitary
napkins and nappies, to people in remote areas,"
said Anil Kumar, director of the head post office
in Ranchi. "We (postal department) will
get 30 percent as commission on the products
sold," Kumar said.
The postmen who carry out the innovative idea
are enthusiastic about their additional responsibility.
Said Deendayal, a postman: "We interact
with people and make them aware about the importance
of using condoms."
World environmental day
“World Environmental day” was celebrated
on June 5th it was by Maher children and staff
in a very special and meaningful manner.. Each
child was welcomed with a plant instead of flowers
The 300 women and children who stay together
when it come to bathing, washing, sanitation,
drainage and cooking channelize the water. Peels
of vegetables and fruits are fermented for vermiculture,
which is chemical free manure. This is being
introduced to all the village. Even the human
excreta is being used as bio gas for cooking
besides cow dung and the residue goes as manure
in the fields. The goal is to have a ‘Plastic
Free Zone” where every tiny waste is turned
into something useful.
Voices from the Waters (pix)
Bangalore: The 2nd International
Film festival on water got off to a flying start
a Guru Nanak Bhavan from June 7-11. Inaugurated
by Nandita Das and Girish Karnad, there were
house-full shows every morning for school children,
followed by screenings for the public in the
afternoons and evening. In between there was
a public discussion in the lobby led by NGOs
who spoke of their experiences on the field.
The festival organized by the Bangalore Film
Society, Films for freedom, FLEFF, Water Journeys,
Urban Resource Centre and sponsored by Arghyam
showcased 3 feature films, 27 documentaries,
32 short films and an exhibition of photographs
in the lobby that showed Water in drought, flood,
rain and relief. The last day featured a conference
focusing on Water ecology and equity held at
Ashirwad.
Contact bfs@bgl.vsnl.net.in
Paraplegic Sports
Mumbai: The Paraplegic Foundation organized
Wheelchair sports on March 18 with cricket in
the morning and throw ball and basketball in
the afternoon. This was followed by a cultural
programme and prize distribution. The finals
was won by Laxmi Narayan Club, with Nina Foundation
reaching the semi-finals. (Nina Foundation newsletter
May 07)
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