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Bubblewrapped February 2011

CONTENTS THE TIPPING POINT 08 THE ORGANIC INCLINATION Is there a market for organic products in India and does it really help the farmers? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE GREEN TONE 18 REHASHED TRASH Recycling waste and optimising our disposal systems for cleaner and greener tomorrow.

22 EVERGREEN 10 years of Greenpeace in India. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE WILD TRUTH 28 SWIMMING TO SAFETY Giving the Ganges back to their rightful owners, the dolphins.

36 ENDANGERED SPECIES The top 5 endangered species.

40 VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

EDITOR Chetna

DESIGNER Guru Munishwar

CONTRIBUTORS Akhil Sood Anushree Chatterjee Chitra Kalyani Deepa Bhasthi Elle Reynolds Giresh Nair Karanjeet Kaur Kirthana Udayan Pooja Bhula Rahul Fonseca Ridhnika Nepaul

India does have laws that protect animals, but how many of us know that? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B+ 46 CLEANING UP CITIES Citizens clean up after themselves.

55 A PICTURE OF INDIA Aham Bhumika is hosting a photo exhibition to fund the Grain School.

57 FIELDING FOR CHILD RIGHTS Project Crayons plays Gully Cricket for Children. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE CORPORATE PITCH 62 PAYBACK WITH INTEREST Standard Chartered's CSR programme has more to it than just the marathon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Produced and Published by

graffiti publishing house

DISCLAIMER Views and opinions mentioned in this eMagazine do not necessarily reflect those of Bubble Wrapped or Graffiti Publishing House.Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Bubble Wrapped and Graffiti Publishing House cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in eMagazine. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from Graffiti Publishing House is strictly prohibited.

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THE TIPPING POINT 6

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AN ORGANIC INCLINATION Author: Akhil Sood

Walk into a supermarket and ask for organic coffee, and you will be lead to an aisle stacked with organic coffee, tea, rice, pulses and more. For many customers these are just overpriced products in earthy-looking packaging. For some others it's about a healthier lifestyle. So then is it just a trend that's captivating the upper-middle class consciousness? Or is there more meat to the whole 'organic' issue? Organic food products are slowly becoming fashionable in an age where health concerns for the upwardlymobile professionals are a reality thanks to erratic lifestyles and bad eating habits. Awareness about the plight of farmers is also gaining momentum, as is the realisation of chemical materials posing a viable threat to the environment. It's no surprise then that the consumption of organic produce seems to be increasing. But is this just a fad? Or is there a sustainable model in place that can change the lives of farmers and consumers for the better?

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

ELIGIBILITY

them with the due certification. “We

middle man. She throws further light on

“The very first criterion for organic

help a lot of small-scale and individual

the subject when she says, “Indian

production is the eradication of all

farmers who want to convert to organic

farming methods were largely organic

pesticides, weed-icides and

production. The current percentage of

around the time of the Partition.

insecticides. Instead of chemical

land used for organic production in India

However, the chemicals that have been

fertilisers, the farmers need to use

is very low. I would say around 1 to 2%,

subsequently dumped onto us severely

organic manure or compost,” says

but the trend seems to be picking up as

depleted the condition of the land.”

Nakul Kiran, Manager – Agribusiness,

both producers and consumers are

Kavita, who is affiliated with various

Mysore Amalgamated Coffee Estate.

learning about its benefits. A lot of the

organisations and groups of farmers

Compost is decomposed and recycled

states in the North-East have adopted

who approach her for assistance in

plant matter which is subsequently

organic farming in a big way. In fact, the

conversion to organic practices, says

used as fertiliser serving as an

demand is steadily increasing, and

that the trend seems to be changing and

alternative to synthetic pesticides and

several retail chains catering to such

that organic methods are the way

mineral fertilisers. Once the farmer

produce are also coming up in India,”

forward.

converts to organic production, he is

says Dilip Dhaker, MD – Biocert India

required to practice these methods for a

Pvt. Ltd.,

minimum of three years before

Consumer Benefits There are several health benefits which

accreditation is given according to

BENEFITS

organic foods provide. “Various surveys

Indian standards. Nakul also informs us

Environmental Concerns

have been done to prove that

that it can take up to 10 years for the

“The land, or the zameen, is of prime

consumption of organic products could

cultivated land to be completely

concern to the farmer,” says Dilip. “Most

increase the life span of the individual. It

'organic' and for all chemical additives to

farmers today have inherited the lands

helps build up a good immune system,

be erased from the system.

that they use, and organic farming

and has good digestive properties for

methods serve as a beneficial tool in

the human body. Eventually, a consumer

The National Programme for Organic

expanding the life as well as the quality

would purchase organic products for

Production, which is a segment within

of this sacred land,” he adds. The

the sake of his own health,” says Dilip.

the Ministry of Commerce, provides

requirement for water is significantly

Organic foods are priced at a

benefits as well as support to farmers

less, and within three to four years, the

significantly higher rate, “The margin

using organic methods. Various

quality of the land begins to improve,

varies from 10 to 40%, according to the

organisations have also been set up to

which also benefits the environment.

product. Organic soya beans are priced

Kavita Mukhi organises the Farmers'

conventionally produced soya beans, while pulses range from 25 to 30%. The

help provide farmers with the proper certification which allows their goods to

around

10%

higher

than

be classified as 'organic'. Biocert India

Market every weekend in Bandra

Pvt. Ltd. is one such organisation which

providing organic farmers with a

price depends on the yield that the crop

actively assists farmers to convert to

channel for selling their products while

provides for the farmer, as well as the

organic methods as well as providing

eliminating the profits procured by the

demand, hence the difference,” says

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

Dilip. However, the health benefits

It gives an organic and chemical free

produced using chemical fertilisers.

provide a sense of balance in

alternative to snacking with various dry

Fruits and vegetables are sprayed heavily with pesticides and insecticides,

comparison with the increased prices.

fruits, such as figs, apricots and nuts

“What people do,” adds Kavita, “is that

available under the brand name. The

which is why the risks are higher. They

they purchase cheap goods adulterated

almond and pistachio nuts are prepared

need to be thoroughly washed, and

with harmful chemicals, which results in

in organic sea salts, which help to

even then, small traces of the residue

illnesses and poor health. Thus, people

preserve their nutrient value, and lower

are often accumulated in the system

tend to have their priorities mixed up,

cholesterol levels. “People end up

over a period of time, which can result in

choosing to spend a fortune on a pair of

consuming a lot of toxins in our daily

lead poisoning and various other health

shoes instead of paying slightly higher

rituals of snacking,” says Ecorico

disorders,” says Nakul. In contrast, all

for food.” In fact, Kavita informs us how

founder Megha Rawal, “so we wanted

materials used in organic farming are

the prices at the Farmers' Market that

to provide a healthier alternative to that.

harmless and completely natural.

she organises are actually lower than

The concept behind Ecorico is 'organic'

the market rates for conventional food

and 'rich'.” (Ecorico products are

products due to the recent inflation in

available at Kavita Mukhi's

vs. inorganic debate to that of ayurvedic

food items, spurring people to

Farmers' Market.)

medicine as opposed to allopathic

On the split side, inorganic foods can be

term rewards to the consumers, which is what people are slowly realising.”

switch to organic.

Dilip sums it up, comparing the organic

practices, “Organic foods provide long-

Ecorico, another innovative new

extremely harmful to the body.

initiative undertaken by Megha and Arjit

“Chemical sprays are water soluble.

Rawal provides the consumer with an

Thus, you end up consuming some

option for healthy and organic snacking.

amount of residue in foods which are

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

Advantages for the Farmer

relatively safe one, as the cost of

farmers form groups of 100, 200 or 500

The risk for a small-scale farmer, with

cultivation is significantly lower in

people, and they all cultivate the same

one or two acres of land, converting to

organic

crop. They focus on products which

farming.

The

water

organic production is significantly less

consumption is also reduced. “One of

have a high demand in the market, like

as the farmer becomes completely self-

the biggest advantages of organic

cotton or soya bean.” This further

sufficient in the production of compost

cultivation,” he says, “is the reduced

reduces the element of risk attached to

and natural fertilisers. He is not forced to

dependence on weather conditions. A

conversion. He also tells us that farmers

procure heavy loans from banks for

conventional farmer invests hefty

whose land is situated near forests are

purchase of raw materials, and thus

amounts in fertilisers, pesticides and

largely cooperative and convert easily.

prevents himself from falling into the

insecticides, and is thus dependent on

“This is due to the easy access to natural

trap of a debt cycle in case the yield is

conducive weather conditions for a

resources for compost and fertilisers.”

reduced one year. This helps to

good yield. A poor yield would naturally

Organic products have a high demand in

minimise the perils that outside

then result in large debts and profits

the export market, he adds, with

elements may pose, as the farmer is

would take a massive hit.” Dilip adds to

increase in revenue margins touching

able to cultivate his crop entirely on his

that when he states that along with the

20 to 25% depending on the product,

own. Then there is the obvious

increased lifespan and better quality of

thus providing them with a further

advantage of the 10 to 40% increase in

soil farmers too enjoy health benefits.

incentive to convert to organic farming.

revenue that the farmer will benefit from if he goes organic.

Another trend which seems to be

Nakul tells us that with the increased

constitution of farming groups. “In

margin in sales, the proposition is a

group farming, individual organic

developing, according to Dilip, is the

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DRAWBACKS AND

and the quantity of the yield to stabilise.

methods. “It is feasible only for the

DISADVANTAGES

Seeds and raw materials are not readily

smaller farmers as their risk is reduced.

Due to the high difference in prices and

available in the market as yet as

Smaller yield is countered by high

lack of awareness in a developing nation

compared to chemical materials. Also,

prices. It is not logistically possible to

like India, consumption of organic foods

there is no fixed pattern of practice yet,

increase production or expand the

is restricted primarily to the well-

as opposed to the scientific methods

consumer reach in India at this

educated, upper-middle class segment.

that are already in place for the use of

moment.” Chemicals required per acre

The phenomenon is yet to penetrate the

chemical raw materials.” He adds that

are much less. One “super pill” which is

masses since the current price range is

due to the miniscule percentage of land

chemically manufactured would

not affordable, which is why a large

in India which is under organic

probably be the same as 10,000 of such

number of large-scale farmers resist

cultivation, the production is limited and

organically produced fertilisers.

converting to organic methods. “The

inadequate as of now. He states though,

Production of such large amounts of

yield is significantly lower in the first

that the scale on which it is practiced

compost and manure becomes

three to four years of shifting to these

will increase with the growth in demand

impossible for the farmer, hence the

practices. Hence, big farmers are not

for organic products, and that the prices

reduced yield. In such a scenario, he

keen on taking on the added loss in

are bound to decrease once the

also believes that it would be extremely

revenue that the shift would result in,”

production is higher.

says Dilip. There is also the added

difficult to switch to completely organic practices. “Many areas are already

difficulty in maximising the yield as the

Nakul, however, maintains that a large

methods are still being tested and

scale conversion to organic cultivation

experimented, “The quality fluctuates,

is not financially viable due to the limited

and it will take some time for the quality

produce that the crop yields using these

facing severe food shortages and the

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

crisis will only escalate if the scale of

farmers will earn a larger sum. At the

option is to maintain a balance since it

chemicals-aided farming is drastically

moment, the chains procure from

does not seem logistically possible to

reduced. With the increasing

wholesalers, who in turn purchase their

do away with conventional methods for the sake of organic production.”

population, the only way of tackling food

produce from other wholesalers and so

shortage is increase of production of

on. Once these middlemen are

goods which is not possible with

removed, it would also result in better

organic farming.”

quality of foods since the product would be fresher than it is now.”

Considering the low yield the cost of food is bound to go up, and the role of

He asserts that the increasing demand

the middleman comes into play as well.

for organic goods as of now is deceptive

Nakul tells us that the farmers would, on

and there is still a long way to go, “The

an average, get around 30 to 50% of the

base for measuring demand for organic

revenue, with the rest going into

produce is extremely low as of now. So,

transportation costs and pocketed by

the smallest increase in demand will

the middlemen. He adds that as

drastically alter the figures and the

awareness increases, the role of the

percentage will shoot up while the

middleman will be reduced, or

numbers will remain low. For example, if

eliminated altogether. “Large chains like

the demand is restricted to 10 people,

Reliance and others would probably

even one added individual demanding

procure the goods directly from the

organic foods will constitute a 10%

farmer, thus bringing down prices as the

increase. Thus, as of now, the only

Farmers' Market in Bandra The market is located at Wind Chimes Play School, Bhalla House, 97 Hill Road, next to Kobe and opposite St Andrew's Church, Bandra (W) and is open from 10am to 4pm every Sunday. Provides a forum for organic farmers to sell their products to the public free of cost. · Brings exposure to the farmers. · Helps raise awareness about the benefits of organic farming to the public. · Fresher products due to the reduced transportation and storage of the goods. · Eliminates the prospect of the middleman, thus increasing revenue for the farmer. · Brings down the price of the products due to the elimination of transportation costs which constitute a large bulk of the revenue earned on organic products.

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ASLI

JANWAR

KAUN?????

He trusts you completely. He loves you without question. He will devote his entire life to you. And yet, you abandoned him on the street. To starve and fall sick. Scared and alone. To die, slowly and painfully. Every day, pets are left to die by owners who think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alright to treat a loving, innocent creature in this manner. So tell us, who is the real animal here? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be silent. Report all such cases to Animals Matter to Me on +91 9819380310 and help bring justice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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THE GREEN TONE 16

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REHASHED TRASH Author: Rahul Fonseca

Most of us have noticed the little chasing arrows in a triangle on various products or heard of the familiar three R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle being chanted by school going children, educators and a number of environment conscious organisations around the city. But if anyone stops to think about what it exactly is, the answer is very simple. Recycling is simply collecting products that have reached the end of their useful lives and then transforming them into valuable secondary raw materials that can be fed back into the manufacturing process. GOING BACK Recycling has been around in India for many years with most blissfully oblivious to it. Almost every household separates newspapers in order to sell them in bulk to recyclers or Kabariwalas, a common name for dry waste dealers. Until the recent emergence of cheap plastic containers, glass bottles were reused in Indian houses for a variety of purposes ranging from water storage to preserving spices and grain. While most recycling in India is

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

undertaken via the informal sector, it has

SO WHY RECYCLE

If that's not eye opening enough, you

always included rag-pickers,

There are opposing schools of thought

might want to consider a few other

middlemen, transporters, larger

regarding recycling. Some believe that

factors. Recycling of paper and paper

middlemen and finally, re-processors.

recycling is a waste of time and human

products reduces felling of trees. In

The rag pickers form the backbone of

resources as it just postpones at best

practice, more than 80% of the paper

this recycling industry. The material

the problems that global warming and

used in India is being collected by

picked up and recycled include plastics,

waste generation are associated with.

recyclers, of which only 20% makes it

paper, glass, and metals. Studies

Others believe that through recycling

back to the paper industry. The

indicate that rag-pickers are the base of

conservation of energy and maximum

remaining 60% is usually diverted

a large recycling pyramid, handling

utilisation of resources is not an

towards other areas like packaging and

between 9 to 15% of the solid waste

impossible dream. Studies have proved

wrapping. The recycling industry is still

generated in Indian cities. The fast

that using certain recycled metals can

developing and the support from

growth of the Indian economy comes

save up to 95% of energy as compared

corporate companies is increasing with

with a formidable increase in both

to using virgin ore. Recycling of

time. Delhi based company Pragati

recyclable and non recyclable waste.

aluminium scrap can lead to a reduction

Papers Industries Ltd, has set up a `5

According to a report by the Ministry of

of 92% of carbon dioxide emissions

billion (US$ 124 million) recycled waste-

Environment and Forests, the plastics

versus production of the metal from ore.

paper plant in Gujarat. The plant is set to

industry is growing at 10% per annum,

But does it really work? If waste is

produce 400 tonnes of newsprint from

and almost 52% of this is expected to be

effectively collected and sent in for

waste-paper, saving close to 6,800 trees

used in the packaging sector. A

recycling, savings can be achieved both

every day. Economists have found that

relatively new problem is one that

in terms of energy and in emissions into

producing recycled paper uses less

involves e-waste. This includes DVDs,

the environment.

energy and water than harvesting,

CDs, floppies, tapes and electronic

pulping, processing, and transporting

components including chips, processors, mother boards and printed

virgin trees. When less recycled paper is Material

used, additional energy is needed to

Energy Savings

Air Pollution Savings

Aluminium

95%

Cardboard

24%

set up e-waste recycling facilities in

Glass

5-30%

20%

On the flipside though, in order to

Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai as yet,

Paper

40%

73%

achieve a significant slowdown of the

none exist in the country. However, the

Plastics

70%

resource depletion recycling rates

Steel

60%

circuit boards. All of these may contain heavy metals and other materials which are hazardous to the environment if not disposed correctly. There are plans to

spurt in the IT sector is causing this toxic waste to pile up.

create and maintain farmed forests until these forests can self-sustain as virgin forests.

above 80% are required. When foresting companies cut down trees, more are planted in their place. Environmentalists say that

these

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

â&#x20AC;&#x153;farmed" forests are significantly inferior to virgin forests in several ways, because the new forests cannot effectively stop soil erosion, require fertilisers to grow and are not even close to the size of the original virgin trees they replace. THE ROLE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Much of the difficulty inherent in recycling comes from the fact that most products are not designed with recycling in mind. As part of social responsibility programmes corporates are trying to maximise the utility of the materials in their products. The Environment Initiative and Corporate Social Responsibility, showed soft drink major Coca Cola India promoting PET recycling, an effort which has been appreciated by several state pollution control boards. The objective was to develop a self sustaining system of recycling post-consumer PET bottles. A sustainable value chain has been established to ensure viability of the pricing structure at each level starting from rag pickers to scrap dealers to collection cum grinding/bailing centres to recyclers. Others such as Philips have tied up with recyclers for collecting, transporting and recycling used consumer products. They offer consumers a convenient way of recycling their unwanted, obsolete and

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

damaged products by dropping them

biodegradable garbage and dry

goals with a “chalta hai” attitude.

off at convenient locations. There are

recyclables. Fines are imposed for non

Overcoming this is easy if as a

companies looking in to new uses for

segregation. Although there are laws

collective, we enforce laws, use social pressure to compel participation in

old materials. Plastics for example are

pertaining to waste disposal the Indian

now being melted down and infused

government needs to take further steps

recycling programmes and try

into asphalt to strengthen roadways by

to bring about trash and recycling

inculcating good ideas at the school

enhancing asphalt's bonding ability, and

legislation. A simple step in this

level. American social psychologist

making the roads longer lasting by

direction would be the implementation

Shawn Burn substantiates this with his

rendering them more impervious to

of container deposit legislation offering

study that shows, once recycling

water. Biodegradable plastic is the

a refund for the return of certain

becomes a part of people’s daily

packaging material of the future. Many

containers, typically glass, plastic, and

routine, it will be easy to pass on to

companies have taken to using

metal. This process has been

future generations.

biodegradable packing “peanuts” made

successfully implemented in various

from corn starch to protect delicate

countries around the world. When a

shipments. Construction major HCC

product in such a container is

Hindustan Construction Company Ltd.

purchased, a small surcharge is added

is trying to address the issue by funding

to the price. This surcharge can be

a new project called Solid Waste

reclaimed by the consumer if the

Management (SWM) Kihim which has

container is returned to a collection

been initiated in the Kihim village in

point. Banning the improper disposal of

Maharashtra. The structure houses a

certain toxic materials such as used oil,

small-scale programme employing

and batteries as waste and creating a

village women to make handbags,

proper disposal facility for these will

mobile phone pouches, mats as well as

increase the availability of recyclable

small and large accessories and

materials. Ineffective monitoring of

furnishings from polythene bags.

such laws could lead to a failure of the recycling project and to illegal dumping.

PATH TO RENEWD WORLD Being eco-conscious also involves a

In-spite of legislature and a good

much overlooked segment of dumping

recycling model the masses have to be

and incineration of garbage, a process

made aware of the benefits of recycling

carried unchecked for decades in India.

for it to be successful. Studies abroad

Some cities in India have adopted the

have found that people tend to not

garbage segregation at source policy

recycle when they lack the knowledge

wherein every household has to

of what can be recycled. Most Indians

separate their daily waste into wet,

are only sensitive to short term survival

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EVERGREEN Author: Anushree Chatterjee

â&#x20AC;&#x153;To ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity.â&#x20AC;? Thus remains the goal of Greenpeace, an organisation founded 40 years ago to protect the earth and all its precious natural resources. Evolving from antinuclear protests in the 1970s, Greenpeace has been tirelessly working towards causes like preservation of forests, oceanic concerns and global warming, with a presence in 42 countries. With its global headquarters in Amsterdam it has five million supporters worldwide. Today, it is one of the most largely recognised environmental organisations in the world, with offices across Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Pacific. Greenpeace India, interestingly, has completed 10 very successful years of lobbying for the environmental grievances faced by the people, flora and fauna here. With its global endeavour

independently

campaigning to change attitudes and behaviour towards the environment, Greenpeace India started out in 2001 with a focus on four broad campaign

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

strategies. These include the prevention

only save almost 50 lakhs but also a

of another nuclear catastrophe,

significant proportion of electric power

Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh as an

stopping the radical climate change,

and carbon dioxide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just by switching

opposition to the civil nuclear liability

which was to be forwarded to Prime

promotion of sustainable

to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). A

bill. What backs such bold campaigns is

agriculture and preserving the

similar activity was carried out in

the fact that Greenpeace has

oceanic surroundings of the

Mumbai, a city threatened with

maintained a stand to not accept

Indian subcontinent.

submergence if the global temperature

donations and support from any

rise is not kept below two degrees

corporations, government or political

As an organisation, Greenpeace is

centigrade. A 66-feet 'life ring' with

parties. This fiercely independent

known for its strong, committed

inflatable life savers was made in front

stance lends it considerable credibility and headway.

campaigns to attack problems at hand,

of the Gateway of India, attracting

with substantial solutions that see the

enough attention and creating

entire process of change through. The

more thinkers.

mission in every nation that the

Another threat came around September last year, when the biotech seed

organisation has been set up is to

One of the biggest and longest running

industry attempted to 'revolutionise'

identify key issues and challenges,

environmental disasters, born out of a

agriculture by introducing the

particular to that region. That said, its

criminal negligence of human concern

genetically modified (GM) brinjal into

campaigns seek to become catalysts

is the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, at the Union

the markets. While the common

for change and revolution, engaging the

Carbide plant. Initiating an online

consumer remained confused about

local public to realise the problem, want

petition series, Stop Another Bhopal,

this newcomer that might soon be on

a change and work towards achieving it.

Greenpeace's anti-nuclear campaigners

his plate, Greenpeace India's committee

Several campaigns organised by

sent emails to their supporters and

for Sustainable Agriculture saw it as a

Greenpeace all across India come to

patrons, clearly highlighting the

clear hazard to the country's agriculture,

mind. About three years ago, in its fight

injustice being meted out over the

food safety and environment. A

against global warming and climate

decades to the victims of this tragedy. It

delegation led by Rajesh Krishnan,

change in India, it launched a campaign

called for a collective action not just for

manager of this committee, met the

called Ban the Bulb, a demonstration

these helpless people but also for the

Parliamentary Standing Committee on

right in front of the famous Mysore

nation at large. The petition stated,

Agriculture and demanded a ban on GM

Palace. To phase out the situation of

"India must hold a public consultation

crops. It made a presentation using

inefficient lighting here, the Greenpeace

before changing the liability rules for any

credible evidence and research,

authorities zeroed in on one of the most

nuclear accidents caused by U.S.

outlining the threats of such crops. This

prominently lit up destinations in India.

corporations." The power, clearly, was

presentation was a key cog in the machinery of large-scale public protest

The point was very well made, since this

being sought in the hands of the

palace uses over 96,000 incandescent

common people, against the

light bulbs for its weekly illumination.

oppression of foreign arbitration. More

Avoiding this light overdose could not

than 1.8 lakh people signed the petition,

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surrounding the introduction of GM

but decided to overlook the issue.

studying its ten-year-long sojourn in

vegetables. In the face of such

Following this, Greenpeace launched

India. In an attempt to rope in more

opposition, the government suspended

the 'Turtle-versus-Tata' game – a Pacman

youth support, it has begun 'talking coal'

the plan indefinitely.

style game, launched to spread

with social network icon, Facebook.

awareness of the Oliver Ridley's plight.

While Facebook announced plans to

Before one assumes that Greenpeace's

Rather embarrassed, the Tata Group

power a massive data centre using

actions are all about petitions,

had filed a lawsuit against Greenpeace,

energy efficient computers, powered by

presentations and pleas, it's important

claiming defamation and monetary

huge amounts of coal, it probably didn't

to consider some more recent activities.

damages. On January 28, 2011, the

realise that coal is the biggest

Case in point here is the 'Turtle-versus-

Delhi High Court denied the Tata's plea

contributor to global warming. Egging it

Tata' game. The Tata Group's upcoming

for an interim injunction, postponing the

on to a greener infrastructure and

Dhamra port in Orissa is being made

hearing to a later date. The Greenpeace

i d e n t i t y, G r e e n p e a c e ' s 7 5 0 , 0 0 0

despite violating of the Forest

website states, “This case has set a

members internationally (out of which

Conservation Act. On account of its

legal precedent in India, as it is the first

over 28,000 are from India) are

proximity to the Bhitarkanika National

time that a giant corporation has sought

beginning to 'Unfriend Coal' on their FB

Park and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary,

to use trademark infringement laws to

pages. With a decade of sustained

the Dhamra port endangers the habitats

muzzle criticism of its environmental

actions for the preservation of the

and lives of rare species like the

performance”.

Sometimes,

planet, it seems probable that Mr.

saltwater crocodiles and Oliver Ridley

Greenpeace's game plans do get rather

Zuckerberg shall sit up and take keen

sea turtles. Documents obtained by

tongue-in-cheek, this proves.

notice of this development.

Greenpeace under the Right to Information Act have revealed that

Sometimes a message, Greenpeace

Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh

proves, needs to essentially be

had agreed that the port was in probable

transmitted through several mediums.

violation of the Forest Conservation Act,

This is a lesson to be learnt from

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On its official website, Greenpeace defines its mission as the following: Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace by:

· Catalysing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change. · Defending our oceans by challenging wasteful and destructive fishing, and creating a global network of marine reserves. · Protecting the world's remaining ancient forests which are depended on by many animals, plants and people. · Working for disarmament and peace by reducing dependence on finite resources and calling for the elimination of all nuclear weapons. · Creating a toxic free future with safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals in today's products and manufacturing. · Campaigning for sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.

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THE WILD TRUTH 26

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SWIMMING TO SAFETY Author: Pooja Bhulla Imagine you are a victim of ship wreck and are adrift in the middle of the ocean. Praying to God for a miracle is a given; probably even screaming out loud for help is an option in the hope that the wind and the waves will carry your voice to the nearest vessel. But after ingesting sizeable amounts of salt water, there are chances you might also hallucinate being rescued by very loving creatures, dolphins. Unfortunately today it's these gentle mammals that need to be rescued from the death traps thrown by fishermen in the Ganges as well as human infiltration into their natural habitat. The journey, for Indian scientists and conservationists trying to protect Ganges River Dolphins, has been a long and challenging one after the species made it to the 'Endangered list of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)' in 1996, owing to the continuous decline in their number. Years of relentless efforts finally paid off on 5th October 2009, when the Central Government of India declared the Ganges River Dolphin, the National

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Aquatic Animal (NAA). Though on one

about in the river. What had started off

hand, this move means great support in

as childhood curiosity and fascination,

the form of funds, on the other, a whole

became an integral part of his work in

range of issues directly impacting the

the years to come. During his research

situation of the dolphins, need to be

on the Hydrobiology of Ganga for his

addressed in order to make any real

PHD in 1980, he noticed that the

difference.

number of dolphins had decreased drastically. He says â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fishermen were my

GANGES RIVER DOLPHINS

first teachers and told me that dolphins

The scientific name for Ganges River

often get entangled in gill nets and die

Dolphins is Platanista Gangetica and

as they can't breathe in waterâ&#x20AC;?. After

they are found in Ganga, Bramhaputra

John Anderson's paper was published in

and their tributaries. The locals have

1879, no Indian had published anything

named them 'Susu' because of the

about Ganges dolphins for a century.

'Soos' sound dolphins make when they

Prof. Sinha was the first one to get basic

breathe on the water's surface. Unlike

estimates of the dolphin population in

most dolphins of the world that have

1991 under GAP (Ganga Action Plan).

sharp eye sight, Ganges River Dolphins

His research also revealed that

are blind. They have a long snout which

fishermen used dolphin oil as bait. Prof.

enables them to browse food through

Sinha tested various alternatives for

mud (a commendable adaptation

three years and found a solution in fish

because they live in muddy waters) and

oil which proved to be equally effective.

have a very small dorsal fin. The

In 1996 he was appointed Chairman of

shortcoming of their vision is mitigated

the Asian River Dolphins Committee,

by their ability to use echo to locate,

the same year in which the Ganges river

range and identify objects. Females give

dolphins were declared endangered by

birth only to one calf in two to three

IUCN. Prof. Sinha has continued

years.

working on conservation of dolphins and along with Dr. Sandeep Behera has

BEGINNING OF DOLPHIN

been a driving force for getting it the

CONSERVATION IN INDIA

status of NAA.

R. K. Sinha, Prof. of Zoology at Patna University and Chairman of NGRBA (National Gamga River Basin Authority) recalls the first time he saw dolphins in the Ganges, at the age of 10, frolicking

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OTHER ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED, REGION CENTRIC PROBLEMS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS. World Wildlife Fund – India (WWF) WWF undertook Dolphin Conservation in 1996, after Dr. Sandeep Behera joined it. WWF formed a Dolphin Conservation Programme in 1997, which united organisations and individuals working in this field, with the aim of avoiding duplication and sharing findings, to catalyse the conservation process. In 2002 WWF funded all agencies in the committee: Patna University, Bhagalpur University, Vikramshila Sanctuary, Wildlife Institute of India and a few individuals to conduct a survey over the 6000-km stretch through which the Ganges flows. It covered seven states, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, and regions were divided among the agencies, and surveyed. A total population count of 1800-2000 was reported in the year 2005. Problems: WWF focuses on the state of Uttar Pradesh, mainly the upper Ganga region. During the survey, they were able to identify ideal habitats for dolphins, reasons for their decline in the region, and attitude of the fishermen towards them. Pollution and creation of dams and barrages have been the main culprits of habitat degradation, reducing the flow of the river and dividing dolphins into isolated pockets. Work and Achievements · The upper Ganga stretch, from Bijnor to Narora (165kms), was identified as an ideal habitat for Ganges dolphins and WWF was successful in getting it converted to a Ramsar Site (reserved site where commercial activities are prohibited.) · Awareness programmes were conducted in order to educate and sensitise fishermen and villagers towards the condition of the river and role of dolphins in maintaining the biodiversity. Local youth were trained to spread the message through films, slide shows and lectures. · Involving religious leaders in the process was very effective, stories about the dolphin's role in hailing the holy Ganga to Earth had a religious and spiritual appeal to the locals. · Most farmers here now use cow dung instead of chemical pesticides. · An awareness campaign was organised specially for children, the future stakeholders, to educate them about Ganga's ecosystem and importance of the dolphins in it. The cooperation of fishermen and conservation efforts of WWF over the past 20 years, have led to an increase in the number (20 to 56) of dolphins in the upper Ganga stretch. WWF has currently collaborated with Tokyo University and IIT Delhi for creation of equipment for Acoustic Research. The equipment picks up sound frequencies produced by dolphins and enables observers on land to view it in real time. This not only facilitates day and night observation and quicker census survey, but helps in understanding the underwater behaviour of Ganges dolphins. Dr. Sandeep Behera says “The hydrophones we use won't disturb the dolphins in anyway because they only receives signals”.

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Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Though Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary located in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India, was established in 1991, till the year 2000 very few people knew about it. The sanctuary, a 50 km stretch of the Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, is the only protected area for the Ganges River Dolphins in Asia. Problems: The complexities of this region are cyclic in nature. The impoverished state of fishermen tempts them to exploit the river's resources, leading to further decline in the fish population and ultimately greater impoverishment of fishermen. The fish population of this region drastically reduced after the Farakka Barrage was built in 1972. Today, despite having three fertile floodplains Bihar has to import more than 60% of its fish from pond culture farms in Andhra Pradesh. Not long ago fishermen in Bihar not only fished for their own livelihood but also paid water lords Rs.700 – Rs.2000 p.a. under the Panidari system. But decline in fish population made it impossible for fishermen to continue to do so. In 1982, they started the Ganga Mukti Andolan for abolishment of this unjust system. Their victory after 10 years of struggle was short lived, because soon the mafia took over. Earlier fishermen only competed amongst themselves for large fish (a rare sight today), but as they continue to shift to smaller and smaller fish, dolphins have to compete with them for prey. This overlap also leads to accidentals death of dolphins that get entangled in fishing nets. Work and Achievements: ·The sanctuary partnered with Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) for technical support and to create a campaign for conservation of dolphins. ·Ganga Yatra on foot was organised to familiarise the locals with the friendliness of dolphins and to motivate them to refrain from killing the mammal. ·Dolphins were projected as part of Ganga's heritage in an attempt to gain respect among fishermen. ·The sanctuary has created a network with fishermen who report poachers and offenders to them. Intentional killing in this region is almost negligible, in fact now many fishermen cut off their fishing nets when they realise that dolphins are entangled. Efforts of Dr. Sunil Choudhary and his team at the sanctuary have paid off and the number of dolphins has increased from 95 to 175 in the past 15 years. But the good work done by the sanctuary is being washed over by misbehaviour of cops in the name of protecting the sanctuary. When boats are ceased or fishermen are unnecessarily charged, fishermen lose their livelihood, creating anti-sanctuary sentiments. The current aim of the Sanctuary is to promote the co-existence and growth for both, fishermen and aquatic life.

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Aranayak The Brahmaputra river system in north east India, particularly in Assam is one of the major habitats of the species. In fact due to fewer anthropogenic activities there is more hope for conservation. Dr. Abdul Wakid of Aaranyak has been systematically working towards conservation of Ganges dolphins in this region. Problems: In the NE entanglement of Dolphins is not accidental but intentional. During the high flood season, dolphins migrate to tributaries and return to the main river when the water recedes. Fishermen take advantage of this pattern by blocking the mouth of tributaries with gill nets entangling dolphins. These creatures are of high market value because of the use as bait and medicinal value of dolphin oil. The remoteness of killing areas makes it difficult to take legal action against offenders. A large number of dolphins also died during the great earthquake in 1950 and building of dams has led to further habitat degradation. Work and Achievements: · Aaranyak's Gangetic Dolphin Research & Conservation Programme (GDRCP) conducted its main population status survey in the Brahmaputra Valley (Kulsi River, Subansiri River and Brahmaputra mainstream), in 2005, recording 250 dolphins. · In 2006-07, the GDRCP conducted intensive study on the habitat ecology of the dolphins in Kulsi and Subansiri River and also organised conservation training camps in Nimatighat (Jorhat district) and Jogighopa (Bongaigaon district). 70 youngsters from 10 different districts of Eastern, Central and Western Assam were trained on basic ecology, biology, behaviour, threats to Ganges dolphins and techniques for minimising the threat in the nearest dolphin habitats. · A National level Dolphin Conservation Workshop in collaboration with the Department of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Assam was also conducted in Guwahati in 2006. Participants included managers, biologists, conservationists and journalist from 15 different organisations. · Another survey was conducted in 2008 by Dr. Abdul Wakid and Gill Braulik for IUCN, which recorded 264 dolphins. The credit goes to the extensive, community-based conservation initiatives of GDRCP. · The surveys also helped in identifying eight dolphin hot spots, ideal habitats for the species that should be conserved. Halting Oil India Limited's seismic survey planned for Brahmaputra with the intent to drill for oil is one of Aaranyak's greatest achievements. A multi-disciplinary advisory committee has been formed and the project can't commence till there is better clarity and proof that the methods and equipments used will not be harmful.

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GOVERNMENT EFFORTS

is disappointed that fishermen's

after thorough research of its impact on

AND IMPLICATION OF A

interests have not been paid attention to

nature and conservationists should be

SPECIES BECOMING

and says, “No provisions have been

consulted so that there is sustainable

made for the fishermen in any of the

development.

AN EMBLEM

action plans, they are not even · The government has included

benefitting from tourism yet as they

Gangetic River Dolphins in Schedule I

haven't been made an integral part of it.

of Wild Life Act of 1972.

This falsifies the very concept of eco

· It has declared Ganges River Dolphin

tourism. Moreover, there is no clarity on

the National Aquatic Animal and

rights of the fishermen. On one hand the

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh

Wild Life Act prohibits the use of motor

during his recent trip to Patna

boats in the sanctuary area and on the

confirmed that besides conservation

other the Bihar court has passed a

of Ganges dolphins, Rs. 3000 crores

judgement in favour of those who want

will be allotted to Mission Clean Ganga.

to use it for tourism. This is harmful for

This will be implemented by

the species and confusing for the

developing areas on the riverbanks and

people. Better regulation is required.”

setting up sewage treatment plants.

Nachiket Kelkar, a marine biologist who has worked at the sanctuary believes

Though conservationists are hoping for

that there will be a lot of pressure on the

the better, their opinions of the

species now that it has been declared

government's efforts differ. Prof R.K

NAA. He says “They are expected to

Sinha considers the NAA declaration

respond in a certain way but we are not

and Mission Clean Ganga a positive

sure if they will. I have more faith in the

move in the right direction. “There are

adaptability of dolphins, which will play

problems, more changes are required

a major role in their revival.”

but we have to do something.”Dr. Sandeep Behera of WWF also

The Dolphin Conservation Action Plan

welcomes these initiatives. He says

does not mention a single solid

“We do not have the kind of capacity

recommendation that can guarantee its

and funds that the government can

success. But it has been historically

provide and organisations like WWF will

proven that in a conflict between

be helping the State Forest Department

conservation of nature and livelihood of

at every point, which is also mentioned

people, the success rate is higher when

in the action plan, this will balance out

people have alternatives to fall back on.

their inexperience.” Dr. Sunil Choudhary

Any step to modernise should be taken

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ENDANGERED SPECIES Author: Ridhnika Nepaul Illustrations: Ahmed Sikander

Super Stripey! These regal predators once ruled the planet. But today of the nine subspecies, three have already gone extinct and the remaining six are either endangered or critically endangered. The main reason for their decline is the hunting and poaching activities carried out by the so called 'Brave' humans! Today they are restricted to certain pockets of South and East Asia with India being home to the world's largest population of tigers in the wild. One of the most exotic sub-species is the white tiger. These are actually colour morphs of any sub-species caused by a recessive gene. Unfortunately, these gorgeous creatures have been wiped out from the wild and can only be found in captivity across the world.

Brother Bear! Say hello to the world's most beautiful non-vegetarian. Polar bears are the largest carnivores living on land. They are also the largest of the bear species and the most endangered one as well. There is rising fear that the Polar Bear is going the Mammoth way. Sea ice provides these white-furred bears with a home and their main food source, seals. But climatic changes are stealing their habitat. The rising heat especially in summer when they are most active causes the sea ice to melt faster making them have to swim farther to find a suitable place and much longer to find food. In our daily lives these boisterous creatures may be out of sight but that does not justify putting their plight out of mind.

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The Pacific Flippers! The Pacific Walrus are facing the same fate as its predator, the Polar Bear. These gentle giants of the Pacific Ocean will eventually have no place to rest, procreate or nurse their young, all thanks to global warming. September 2010 witnessed the death of 200 of these flippered friends on the Shore of Chukchi Sea on the northwest coast of Alaska. So it's not just the great white bear that these creatures have to fear.

Happy Feet! Happy Feet and his mates succeeded in getting humans on their side in the fictional realm. But their counterparts in the real world haven't been that lucky. The Magellanic Penguins are of South American origin and are native to Strait of Magellan in the cool climate of southern Chile. Once upon a time, these penguins were severely threatened by oil spills. But that's not what's ailing them now. Let's just say they are having little trouble fishing. The displacement of fish due to the warming of ocean currents has caused them to swim an extra 25 miles for food. This means they must swim an extra 50 miles before they can feed their mates that are sitting on a nest and starving. We have all heard tales about the sea washing up pearls on to its shore, but how many stories include the washing up of penguins on to its shore?

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Leatherback! The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the fourth largest modern reptile. But that may not be the case for long. Only 2300 adult females dot the oceans with their 'teardrop' shaped, bony shells. This makes the Pacific Leatherback the world's most endangered marine turtle population. It is these turtles that control the Jellyfish population as they subsist almost entirely on jellyfish. Imagine if the leatherbacks weren't there then what would happen to the jellyfish population. But theirs is a case of complete carelessness on the part of us, human beings. Many of us have heard or read about not disposing plastic bags in rivers, seas or oceans. Well the fact is these plastic bags have resulted in the endangerment of these leatherback turtles as they mistake the floating bags for jellyfish. Global warming is obviously another cause. In the case of turtles the temperature decides whether the turtle is a boy or a girl and the rising temperatures are warming the nests leading to a decrease in the number of male turtles. Here is a case of male foeticide!

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FOR HIRE To advertise here please contact Chetna at adsales@bubblewrapped.asia

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VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

Author: Giresh Nair Photography: SPCA, Thane

http://www.thanespca.org Office: +91 93 2227 1966 Hospital: +91 22 3261 2344)

In the last couple of months, while we were going about our daily lives, a couple of elephants lost their lives in TN and Kerala, supposedly due to ill treatment or lack of any treatment at all; a few puppies were drowned by Mutilated Cat - She was burned by someone whose kitchen she had entered. Neighbors got her to the hospital. Released sucessfully.

security guards of a residential colony in Chennai; dogs were beheaded and sold as meat in Kerala. While you are reading this, thousands of chickens, goats, bulls, pigs are being mercilessly slaughtered for our consumption, dogs are run over by speeding cars, elephants are beaten and abused by mahouts and elephant calves are beaten to death in Assam, newborn kittens and puppies are being abandoned at places that are miles away from where they rightfully belong and numerous other animals and birds are undergoing torture and pain at the hands of mankind, without any provocation whatsoever, from their end. Thanks to social networking sites, we are aware of such atrocities and are able

From an animal testing lab - these rabbits spend their whole lives in these single hutches lonely and with no space to move

to participate in forums and interact with like minded animal lovers / rights

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activists. Barely an hour ago, I stumbled upon a rant by a friend on Facebook. She was apparently upset after having noticed the sorry state of affairs at a

Here are some of the many punishable offences as per the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prevention of Cruelty to Animas Act, 1960â&#x20AC;? that I have borrowed from literature provided by a few animal welfare organisations / activists:

meat-stall. A young goat, she says, was found innocently staring at the hanging carcass of an older goat that was slaughtered just some time back, barely aware that its fate is going to be no different from that.

Offences under Section 11: 1.Beating, kicking, overriding, torturing or causing any animal pain or suffering by the owner or any other person (tangawallas and cart-owners). Using any animal for work when it is wounded or unfit. 2.Overloading (there are specifications of numbers and weight that vary according to the animal and the vehicle).

As much as we get agitated, it would only be prudent that we become more aware of the legal aspects of animal rights and animal welfare in India. Although killing of animals for food is (unfortunately) legally allowed in our country, there are several specifications that need to be followed when it comes to their treatment and accommodation till the moment they are 'relieved' from

3.Carrying or transporting animals in such a manner that it causes suffering. Carrying of chickens upside down on cycles, carrying of goats, pigs, cattle with their legs tied in small vehicles. 4.Failing to provide pet animals with sufficient food, water or shelter. Abandoning an animal when old or diseased, keeping it on a short leash and insufficient exercise. Pet owners are covered under this Act. 5.Mutilating an animal. 6.Organising or offering an area for animal fights or baiting of animals (Cock or ram fighting, snake and mongoose fights). Penalty: All these offences are punishable with a fine or with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three months or with both.

man-made torture in the name of food consumption.

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Under Section 38 (J): Offence: Teasing, injuring or causing disturbance in the zoo. Penalty: The offender shall be punishable with imprisonment for six months or with fine, which may extend to Two Thousand Rupees or with both. The Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 is a powerful tool that can be used to protect animal rights. Under Section 428, 429: Offence: Mischief of killing or maiming of an animal of any value above ten rupees this includes bulls, oxen, horses, mules, camels etc. Penalty: The offender shall be punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to two / five years

Lion in a circus inside this ridiculously small cage. He could not even stand up. All animals were later rescued by us and sent to the sanctuary

or with a fine or with both.

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Well this is only a tip of the iceberg. The

More than a reluctant police force that

more we read through the more aware

doesn't seem to take animal cases

we become. Being aware of these legal

seriously, what defeats our very concern

aspects will empower the animal lovers

for animals is our reluctance to take time

and animal welfare activists. While

out and speak up. Animals are voiceless

many of us empathise with our animal

and there's no way they deserve such

friends, most of us tend to turn a blind

pain and suffering just because they are

eye instead of stopping by and lending a

unable to speak for themselves.

Hit and run case

helping hand or standing up for their rights. As I see it, the reason why most

The most common grievance amongst

of us shy away from taking the initiative

animal lovers is that the police fail to

is 'consequence'.

take their cases seriously. Here's what you can do if your FIR (First Information

We are worried about the consequence:

Report) is not registered:

“What if the cops ridicule me!”, “Will this require me to visit the courts or the police station frequently?”

· You can meet the Superintendent of Police or other higher officers like Deputy Inspector General of Police or

Well, if you truly care for them, I ask,

Inspector General of Police and bring

'Why not face ridicule with pride and

your complaint to their notice.

Battered by some drug addicts

why not take time out for such a noble cause?' If not us, then who do you think will stand up for the animals?

Horse abandoned after being hit by truck. Died in hospital with broken spine

Parakeets seized from Bombay Central station. 135 of them were stuffed in these cages, only 23 of them were alive

Attacked in fight between shopkeepers

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· You can send your complaint in writing

As I conclude, I wish to share with you two most recent success stories.

and by post to the Superintendent of Po l i c e

concerned.

the

Superintendent of Police is satisfied

1. Maker of Lipton and Brooke Bond Tea Brands Ends Cruel Animal Tests: PETA announced: “… after more than 40,000 supporters of PETA and its affiliates around

with your complaint, he/she shall

the world sent e-mails to the world's largest tea maker, Unilever (and its Indian subsidiary

either investigate the case

Hindustan Unilever Ltd), urging the company to stop testing tea on animals, Unilever

himself/herself or order an

agreed to halt all such tests. Unilever sells Lipton and Brooke Bond brand teas through

investigation to be made.

Hindustan Unilever in India. In a message just posted on its website, the company states, 'Unilever is committing to no animal testing for our tea and tea-based beverages,

· You can file a private complaint before

with immediate effect'.”

the court having jurisdiction. 2. ‘We will not kill strays' - More than 600 citizens force the animal husbandry department to Having said that, at the initial stage,

clarify its suggestion of culling stray dogs:

while filing an FIR at the local police

On 12th January 2011, it was reported that an 18 month-old baby was found dead in

station, it is advisable to file it in writing,

Bagalur near Bengaluru. As most fingers pointed to the stray dogs in the neighbourhood,

retaining a copy, duly stamped

the BBMP officials came out with several options to control the situation and that included

(acknowledgement of receipt) by the

'culling of 50% of the stray dogs in the area. However, upon receiving over 600 online

police authorities.

petitions in protest from animal lovers, the BBMP has clarified that the dogs will not be killed’.

Immaterial of how powerful the law of the land may be, the success or failure

Speak up, Stand up for our voiceless friends. Spread the love.

of any such campaign for the protection of animal rights will largely depend on the conviction of the people driving

Above and Beyond the Call of Dogs (ABCD) is a group that is managed by Giresh with the

such causes. While there are several

help of a few like-minded friends. ABCD has more of an online presence in order to provide

lacunae in the implementation of the

information to on dogs (Indian dogs in particular) that are available for adoption and assists

law, being cautious and strategic will

animal lovers in the process of fostering and adopting dogs (cats too) that are orphaned,

help us go a long way in protecting the

abandoned or hurt. ABCD is striving at educating and sensitizing society at large on the

rights of our voiceless friends.

need to care for our stray dogs and is campaigning for the adoption of the Indian dog as against supporting the insensitive pet-trade. Follow ABCD on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-B-C-D/126626004060979 Follow ABCD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Dogs_Inc

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B+ 44

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CLEANING UP CITIES India's big cities are trying to expand their borders by developing areas on their outskirts. But they only seem to be shrinking with the number of people migrating to them every day. One major concern for most residents is cleanliness. However, these are the same people who walk past heaps of garbage or overflowing drains with a 'what can we do?' look on their faces. We can complain, we can express disgust, we can crib. But we can't get our hands dirty and clean up our own surroundings; we can't change our habits to ensure a cleaner environment. While a majority of us continue to ignore this problem, a few individuals and organisations have taken up the cause with determination and enthusiasm for a cleaner future. Four of our writers do the rounds of their respective cities to see the change and we at Bubble Wrapped would like to congratulate and salute them for their efforts.

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WILL TO CHANGE MUMBAI Author: Chitra Kalyani

Social change begins when a single

would replicate the conditions of

“green ups” in the area, the group also

person commits to a shared need. At

Versova beach, another one of

documented areas designated as public

least, such has been the case with

Mumbai's suburban beaches which has

spaces. If an area is reserved to be built

Hansel D'Souza, who is one of the

been ruined by residents and squatters

as a park or a playground, then the

founders of the Juhu Citizen's Welfare

over time.

group also collects private funds to try and ensure that it is used for the

Group in 2000, starting with the desire

intended purpose. Besides activism,

to rid Juhu, a popular suburb of Mumbai

First, Hansel and others approached the

of garbage. “I was sick of living in a dirty

Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC)

the Juhu group also engages people

city,” says Hansel adding that he was

with a model to eradicate garbage

through cultural festivals, such as the

“miserable” to see the city of his birth

dumps in Juhu. The group requested

annual Juhu Hamara Fest where

not living up to its potential. Mumbai has

the BMC to provide pick-up trucks

classical music is served alongside

sufficient funds, he said, to line its

instead of allowing garbage to

community-oriented seminars.

pavements with gold. It also does not

aggregate. When the BMC agreed to

take an expert to improve one's

arrange for vans on the condition that

environment, as exemplified by him, a

the garbage would be separated, the

the garbage problem, the citizens felt

professor of management, and a brand

group went back to citizens informing

empowered to take on other regional

Following the success in dealing with

consultant by profession. All it takes is

and educating them on garbage

issues. Cleaning 2.5 lakh sq. ft of beach

“people with the will to change.”

separation. “Now, Juhu Chowpatty is

land, six parks have also been built on

one of the cleanest stretches of sand,”

the greener parts. Another park is due to

Cleaning Juhu was a shared need. “Tens

says Hansel, “and the Juhu garbage-

be inaugurated in February. The Juhu

of thousands of people congregate at

collection model is supported and

airport project, which would have

Juhu for fresh air every day,” says

adopted by BMC in other parts

concretised part of the beach, was

Hansel. Unsanitary conditions and

of Mumbai.”

stalled and scrapped through the group's petitions.

garbage as well as hawkers, stalls, and slums made for both an eyesore and a

The group is not only concerned with

health hazard at the beach. Allowed to

the proper disposal of garbage, it also

In order to bypass bureaucratic

continue, Hansel foresaw that Juhu too

implements projects ensuring the

procedures, and almost organically out

garbage is composted and recycled.

of a process of self-government, the

Besides organising “clean ups” and

Juhu group elected a member Adolf

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D'Souza as citizen corporator. Thus,

“It has been a long haul, and a steep

starting with a model for garbage

climb, and sometimes it seems

removal, the organisation has now

impossible,” he admits. Next up on the

produced a model for governance

list of projects where the Juhu group

based on Urban Panchayati Raj. Local

wants to intervene is the extension of

bimonthly meetings are held to solve

Bandra-Worli sea link to Khar. The

area problems, providing effective

project would mean running a coastal

governance. Three factors are needed

road through Juhu beach. Yet while

to bring about change says Hansel,

facing its challenges and by the time

“ Pa r t i c i p a t i o n o f t h e p e o p l e ,

this issue of Bubble Wrapped goes live,

accountability of leaders and

Juhu Citizen's Welfare Group will

transparency of procedure. There is no

celebrate its successes, inaugurating a

dearth of intelligent leaders, but few are

park on 12th February and also

willing to rock the boat.”

celebrate Juhu Hamara Fest on 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th February.

Although successful in many of its campaigns, Hansel notes that the “victories have come at a huge cost.” On a more personal note, and despite the aforementioned successes, he admits to feeling like a Don Quixote deluded into chasing shadows. The failure of some projects disheartens him. A recent case involved protesting against cutting a city forest. Of the 1,300 tress, around 1,000 have been hacked down to build a private club “in active collaboration with the BMC.” Many battles need to be fought in court, and despite pro-bono aid from lawyers, costs run as high as 10 lakhs per case. “Members are also not protected from harassment,” says Hansel who has had an FIR report filed against him.

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CHALO DELHI! Author: Karanjeet Kaur

The Capital of the world's largest

during the run up to the Commonwealth

support – help comes in the form of

economy with the fabled 8% growth

Games, Let's Do It Delhi (LDID)

manpower as well as logistical

rate is like one of those nightmarish

organised a massive clean-up drive, but

assistance such as waste collection

video game monsters intent upon

Anita clarifies that the association did

bags and gloves for volunteers. The

consuming everything within its line of

not take birth because of the CWG, as so

Bhikaiji Cama Place clean-up, for

vision. In these cultures (and video

many others did, in a bid to

instance, was divided into different

games) the by-products of that

grab headlines.

areas and each area was shared by two corporates. “We are always happy to let

consumption often remain ignored – and the dearth of cleanliness is only one

Anita moved from California seven years

them use their own banners and never

of them. That problem plagues almost

ago, where she was heading PayPal's

insist that they use ours – the purpose is

every strategic city in the world, but the

data warehousing division. She says

to just clean,” explains Anita. One of the

scale and magnitude that it hits in Delhi

she was struck by the fact people here

companies involved was the Radisson

and Mumbai is mind-boggling. Yet, it

complained all the time about the dirt

group of hotels, who brought their own

acts as a clarion call for a few

and ugliness, but refused to do anything

power cleaners. Meanwhile, KPMG

responsible citizens and organisations

constructive about it. “LDID has no

gave the organisation one person to work with them full time.

that decide to go out of their way and

formal structure. But our motto is

rectify these problems, instead of

'Blame no one, inspire everyone',” says

simply turning up their noses in disgust

Anita. Their first drive was undertaken at

Now, Bhargava keeps busy adopting

at the sight of a garbage heap, much like

the Rose Garden near IIT, with 100

areas with low-income residents and

the rest of us. One such person is Anita Bhargava, who

people – a site Anita used to frequent for

working with the RWAs or other

running. The volunteers gathered close

associations, such as Mahila Mandal

to three tonnes of garbage in just two

and the local youth club, at keeping the

founded and runs the collective Let's Do

hours, from a seemingly clean park. “I

areas clean. She also encourages

It Delhi (www.letsdoitdelhi.org). The

initially wondered whether people

schools to take up cleanliness drives

organisation, only a little more than a

would turn up or enjoy their duty. But

close to their locations. Her prime

year old, has organised 125 clean-up

everyone had fun,” she says sanguinely.

motivation however, is to ensure that

drives all over the city, where the

All of LDID's drives, including the rather

people do not get desensitised to the

number of volunteers could be anything

famous one for Bhikaji Cama Place,

filth around them. “When I first moved

between 200 and 2,000. Last year,

have been organised with corporate

back from California, I could feel the

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grime on my fingertips whenever I used

community to create garbage-free

the computer – now I no longer feel it. It

zones. RWAs or individuals can contact

is so easy to shut yourself to

the NGO, and they send a research team

something,” she says. But thanks to

to study the area. Rag pickers and other

initiatives like LDID, that won't be

under-privileged youngsters are

happening anytime soon.

enlisted to collect and segregate the

If Anita's winning formula includes

Biodegradable waste is composted in a

garbage

for

nominal

fee.

working with corporates, Dr Iqbal

patch of land within the colony, while

Malik's method involves staying away

recyclable materials are discharged of

from them. The founder and director of

appropriately.

Vatavaran (www.vatavaran.org), an NGO that sets up cleaning brigades in

So far, Vatavaran has “converted

several areas of the Capital (among

Jawaharlal Nehru University into zero

other initiatives) recalls that the one

garbage area” and has supervised

time the organisation tried associating

waste management schemes at the

with a company, they realised that the

Asian Games Village, Vasant Kunj,

company was only interested in getting

Mahipalpur Complex and Sector 15A

their photographs clicked.

Noida, among others. Apart from that,

Even so, Vatavaran, one of the oldest

model by training NGOs and

and most consistent volunteer-driven

educational institutions in managing

organisations in a city that sprouts a

their waste.

Vatavaran also follows a pay-it-forward

new NGO every other day, has done fairly well without any outside support. It has been the recipient of the 'Best Practices Award' by the United Nations Cell on Human Settlements (UNCHS) twice – in 2000 as well as 2006. Their website describes their model of a 'Zero Garbage Area' as a “decentralised, employment generating, low investment, resident friendly, labour intensive” initiative “without any heavy equipments or land fill sites”. The organisation attempts to involve the

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

ON BEHALF OF BENGALURU’S STREET Author: Deepa Bhasthi

restaurants, fashionable people

You almost can never walk a certain

about anonymity and secrecy. Take a

distance on a street in Bangalore (or any

peek into their interactive website

strutting up and down its length and is

(www.theuglyindian.com) and they tell

generally considering a rather up-

other Indian city for that matter) without skirting around trash, wrinkling your

you that they are a group of ugly Indians

market area. Go see the website for the

nose at the stench of drying urine or

who feel strongly about the state of filth

before and after pictures. It was ''a

being disgusted at the sheer magnitude

in the cities.

combination of espionage, persuasion, emotional blackmail and leading by

of filth on the sides of the streets. What do most of us do? “We are like this only.”

Cynics are not welcome, they warn you.

example. And of course, dogged

That one statement that almost defines

The group, spread across professions,

persistence.'' That was all it took to

Indian attitude towards civic

age groups and other demographics,

change habits and instill a sense of civic

responsibilities was what The Ugly

identify a problem spot and descend on

responsibility in businesses and

the area one fine morning to clean it up,

individuals on Church Street.

Indian started with.

paint the walls, remove the trash and The Group of people who start work on a

The Ugly Indian is anonymous and takes

beautify it. If the problem persists, as it

pains to remain so. He or she is one of

sometimes does, they come back again

problem area do not sit around asking each other's names or professions.

us, or all of us. We are ugly for using the

and do the whole thing. Again. That is

cute excuse of “we are like this only”

what happened on Church Street in

There are no tall speeches, no

and trying to shrink away from it. A

Bangalore, one of their first projects.

pamphlets, and no advocacy of any

group of young people decided one fine

Considering it is parallel to the famous

sorts. They arrive at a place, stop talking

day to not give that excuse anymore and

M G Road, you would expect it to be

and do the work. That is the essence of

thus started The Ugly Indian movement.

clean, if not spic-and-span clean. But

The Ugly Indian. There are cheap pots

The group is not available for comment.

what The Ugly Indian found was a street

that are installed to lend a plain street an

But in one mail they insist that they are

with pan-stained walls, trash left to spill

aesthetic appeal. A section of the

not an NGO and are keen not to be

out into the streets and open drains.

footpath that was popular for public

perceived as one. They claim that their

They write the Church Street story on

urination was transformed and large

approach is different from the 'archaic

their website, about how a few of them

blue footprints were painted on. For the

division of society and civic initiatives

started cleaning up and soon, curious

smokers, they designed a simple

into government and non-government

onlookers joined in to give them a hand.

cigarette bin and installed it in cafes and

organisations' and say that they are all

Now Church Street has some fine

other youth hang outs.

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

The Ugly Indian does not believe in talking or wasting time finding people to blame for the state of Indian streets. They get down on their haunches and get their hands dirty to change habits. There are skeptics who stop by to say that what they are doing will not work. But The Ugly Indian has proved them all wrong. It does work. When you persist, as they like to say, 'The Ugly Indian is not that ugly after all.'

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

PICKING UP AFTER CHENNAI Author: Kirthana Udayan

to use their creativity to innovate and

I remember when Chennai was the

they wanted to create this city as the

black and white city called Madras, the

first place to use eco friendly products

invent various ways to work for the

pollution and dirt that infested this city

and introduced eco friendly pens and

nation and nature. H2O Exnora focuses

was larger than what it is today.

pencils.

on creating awareness among the

Traditional old dusty buildings are still a

A buzz among people and three small

public about water consumption, its

part of Chennai but that's where we

ways that helped this city transform into

quality and protection. Exnora's

came from. Today Chennai is ranked the

a cleaner place were:

objectives are to:

over 18 state capitals and this has taken

1.Stop throwing garbage at streets;

a) Generate ideas for building a better

a lot of hard work not by the government

2.Pick whatever garbage and find a bin

second cleanest city (with 118 points) in

alone but also by the motivation and

to throw it in; and

determination of its people who have

3.If you find someone dirtying the place,

learned to love their city and make it a

go up to them and tell them otherwise.

b) Create civic and environmental awareness among its citizens; and c) Help provide a service to public to turn the 'excellent Novel Radical'

cleaner and greener place to live in. Exnora International (NGO) stands for Our government has taken measures to

living environment;

ideas into practice.

'Excellent, Novel, Radical' and is a

reduce pollution and has placed the

voluntary, non-governmental, non-

Exnora began to develop a strategy and action plan in 1989 for Chennai to

heavy industries in places outside the

political, non-profit, 'global head

city limits. It has improved forestation, in

environmental service organisation' that

ensure garbage was not dumped all

2010 the city experienced a proud

has played a very important role in

over the streets and 'Yes' they

moment when many colleges and their

making this city a cleaner place. Some

successfully made the change. Marina

students started a movement called

of the events at Exnora are â&#x20AC;&#x201C; voluntary

beach, the world's second longest

' Va n a m o h o t s a v a ' a p r o c e s s o f

sacrifice to save the planet from being

beach had a beautification project. Five

forestation and planted trees in their

sacrificed, 106 families were gifted with

reverse osmosis plants capable of

campus and around the city in selected

light as a part of Exnora's mission to light

providing 30,000 litres of drinking water

areas. June 5th is World Environment

one million homes with solar lamps,

an hour, free of cost for its visitors. The

Day and every year over 350 students

Women Exnora is of the women for the

project was proposed in 2007 and is still

participate in the rallies held in Chennai

women, 7th Sense Society is a teaching

on-going. The future holds waterways

to promote a clean and green Chennai,

program that educates people on how

cleaning and restoration projects that

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

have already begun. The Cooum, Chennai's most polluted river is being cleaned as well. It's great news for the city's people that the government has finally decided to flush the river clean using seawater. Another noteworthy project is the 'Semmozhi Poonga' a botanical garden spread over 20 acres in the heart of the city. The garden holds more than 500 species of plants and 80 trees that are over a 100 years old. Small gardens and parks are also being built to help in and around the city to help restore the lost trees. This is our city and if every person who walks through this place holds in their mind that 'it's mine' then there would only be growth towards achieving a cleaner and greener surrounding.

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

A PICTURE OF INDIA Author: Karanjeet Kaur

Aham Bhumika's vision statement consists of three simple lines – “No one should die due to lack of proper clothing. No one should sleep on an empty stomach. The importance of education should be spread far and wide.” Anyone who keeps their eyes and ears open, however, will realise just how complex and challenging achieving these objectives really is. Yet, the twoyear old, Bhopal-based NGO soldiers on and their latest initiative is a photography exhibition that draws twopronged attention to rural women. Founded in 2007 by Subrat Goswami and a few friends, Aham Bhumika (www.ahambhumika.org) operates in a few villages on the outskirts of Bhopal. The NGO provides clothes and toys to the needy in the village. One of their main programmes is named Grain School, aimed at making women, mostly employed as stone crushers and daily wage labourers in brick kilns, literate. The women are taught basic Hindi, but with the acknowledgement that there has to be an incentive for them to attend classes. The

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

either through CD or by emailing the file. All the details are available on the website. The photographs will initially be displayed on the website, in an e-gallery. Dependent on whether the organisation can find a sponsor, they will consider a physical exhibition as well. The proceeds from the exhibition will be utilised to fund the Grain School. “We need at least `12,000 per month to smoothly run the Grain School. In fact, the objective of the exhibition is to create awareness of the programme among the people of Bhopal, and elicit organisation then, provides them with a

further support from them,” says

little bit of grain at the end of the day.

Subrat. He says he chose a photography

According to Subrat, whose day job is

exhibition to meet this objective

with the Archaeological Survey of India,

because “it is one of the strongest

the women no longer put down their

mediums to influence and impress”.

thumb impressions at the ration shop, instead they use their signature.

The exhibition is being put together with

The photography exhibition has three

engineer

themes – the first attempts to showcase

Microelectronics, with a passion for

the help of Rahul Nayak, an electrical working

for

IBM

rural areas as 'India Shining' with

photography. Rahul believes that the

examples of child nutrition, education

exhibition will not only benefit the

and empowerment for women as well

organisation, it will also provide an

as employment, health and sanitation.

appropriate platform to amateur

The other one will be diametrically

photographers to showcase their talent.

opposite, with instances of malnutrition

So far, the exhibition has received 30

and Illiteracy, child labour and lack of

entries from amateur as well as semi-

infrastructure among others. The last

professional photographers, and are

one is the beauty of the countryside.

expecting more in the coming few days.

Photographers can send in their entries

The exhibition goes underway on

with the dimensions 1800 x 2700 pixel,

February 18. 56

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

FIELDING FOR CHILD RIGHTS Author: Chetna

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to create platforms which are sustainable as well as fun to participate in and using sports as a social development tool,â&#x20AC;? says Pavan SK, CEO, Project Crayons.

The recently organised Gully Cricket tournament is a testament to their motto and efforts with all resources that were raised, being directed towards building the Devikaben Charitable Hospital Research Centre for Homeless and the Young Women's Welfare Centre, which would be set up at

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

Malwani, Malad. Project Crayons is a 12 year old NGO working to empower marginalised communities through Health, Education and Rights. The event saw teams comprising of less privileged children from the Ambujwadi, Malwani and Mankhurd communities, and corporate executives making a run or shall we say few runs for the charitable cause over a period of three weeks. The grand finale was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd of 55,000 people at the D.Y. Patil stadium on January 29th making it a roaring success. The final match was played between the Junior Friends Cricket Club (JFCC) from the Ambujwadi Community and a team made up of corporate of RMP Infotec Pvt. Ltd. Aftab Shivdasani played for the JFCC, who won the match by 4 wickets. Bollywood actors, local communitybased schools and corporate executives cheered at every six and four hit while screaming at every catch, to create an atmosphere electric enough for people to confuse it for a one-day international match. As for the Project Crayons team, their belief that long-term improvements and change can only be sustained if children and youth are 'development actors' â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they participate, voice their opinions, are heard and are taken seriously â&#x20AC;&#x201C; motivates them to create innovative models through which they can advocate and sensitise people to child rights and human rights. 58

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FOR RENT To advertise here please contact Chetna at adsales@bubblewrapped.asia

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

THE CORPORATE P 60

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PAY BACK WITH INTEREST Author: Elle Reynolds

This is not the first time an international athlete like Cathy Freeman, Olympic champion for 400m in the 2000 Sydney games, travelled across the world to run through the streets of Mumbai. Hard to believe? Well hardly. Various members of the media present can easily verify this fact by dipping into their photographs of the recently conducted 8th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011 at which Freeman along with Bollywood actor John Abraham was an event ambassador. The concept of giving back to society is not novel to the 21st century. What is refreshing though, is that now, it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the sole responsibility of a small segment of society who is willing to stand up for a cause. Gucci clad businessmen and track suit attired celebrities have replaced the idealised khadi clad notion of the community service workforce. Large corporate houses are now taking as much responsibility for their role in society as social workers and human rights activists.

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

Among these is international financial

Those who didn’t train or participate in

institution Standard Chartered Bank.

the event like Tina Ambani and Deepika

Over the past year alone, the bank has

Padukone showed up to cheer

won a number of accolades such as the

participants on and draw some

ET Great Place to Work CSR Excellence

attention to some of their own causes.

Award and the Financial Times Arcellor

The attitude of people who participate

Mittal Boldness in Business Award 2010

and the companies that initiate these

to name a few. “The marathon was a

events have seen a dramatic overhaul

great platform to generate funds and

over the past few decades. People now

increase awareness. In fact, the

think of it as their contribution to a

Mumbai marathon is India’s single

worthy cause and if you gain a little

largest fund raising platform with Rs 43

publicity in the process, that’s always an

crores raised for charity in the first seven

added perk. Maharashtra State Public

editions alone,” said Sreeram Iyer,

Works Department Minister, Chhagan

Regional Chief Operating Officer - India

Bhujbal flagged off this year’s Dream

& South Asia, Standard

Run which included celebrity

Chartered Bank.

participation from the likes of Indian film actresses Neha Dhupia and Mini

The scale, reach and infrastructure

Mathur, members of the media like

would raise a few eyebrows in days

Shobha De and business heads like Anil

gone by. Now, it would hardly surprise

Ambani and Anand Mahindra. Close to

you to learn that participation for the

179 NGO’s and over 100 corporate

marathon included over 1,00,000

houses participated in the event to raise

registrations with close to 38,500

funds for various causes.

people actually running in the various

borders of metropolitan Mumbai. Aside from the marathon, the company initiates and supports a number of other programmes like Seeing is Believing (SiB), Living with HIV (LwH), Goal and Access to Financial Services. It also encourages eco-friendly programmes and provides all staff with two days of paid leave apart from annual leave to volunteer for causes that are important to them. This has proved to be a positive step with staff totals for volunteering totalling close to 8,000 days last year. Local teams have conducted clinics for the visually challenged, built schools in rural areas, set up water taps in areas facing water shortages, recorded audio books for the blind and educated underprivileged girls about financial matters to name a few. “We have a unique opportunity to reach out to people, in spite of a busy work day. We use the extra days of leave to

categories, 1,800 senior citizens and

A big question that looms over such a

even 300 wheelchair participants. With

large event is what next? How is the

prize money of $325,000 and the added

next one going to be bigger and better?

attraction of possibly running alongside

Standard Chartered sponsors

your favourite celebrity, few could resist

marathons in key cities across the

the lure. Training for the event began

globe. Said Sreeram, “For us, the

months in advance and many

Mumbai Marathon is just a small start in

enthusiasts were often spotted

our larger efforts to engage the broader

stretching and jogging at popular parks

community in active social service.”

and gyms around the city.

This engagement goes well beyond the

volunteer the Premdan School in Colaba,” said Nileema Sequeira, Asst. Manager

–

Pa y m e n t s ,

Cash

Management Services, India. The school works towards nutrition and education of underprivileged children. A group of close to 200 employees come together to draw up a schedule to ensure at least one member goes to the school for a few hours every day to work with underprivileged children.

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

Facilitating employee volunteering is

women and children weren’t walking

of sending their children to school. They

the intranet helper ‘iVolunteer’, which

miles to collect water. They now had

even reached out to one of the existing

allows all staff to post interesting

time to spare and could send their

schools in the area. What they found

volunteering opportunities and invite

children to school,” said Saurabh

was that attendance in schools was

participation from other colleagues. It

Kumar, Associate, Financial Markets,

dismal as children needed to walk over

helps them share experiences and ideas

Standard Chartered Bank, India who is

three kilometres through hilly terrain to

across countries, and open up many

part of the team spearheading the

get to school. A school bus was recently

more ideas. The bank also tries to

programme. The bank has tied up with

organised at the cost of Rs 25,000 per

provide skill based volunteering

the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Trust from the

month and while attendance is still not

opportunities where staff can share

area to re-build a dilapidated primary

100%, it has doubled since the

their knowledge and expertise with

school and start a tutorial centre in

service started.

others. This allows NGOs to add value to

the area.

their programs without dipping into funds which may be utilised elsewhere.

“As an individual, it gives you an Phase one involved, supplementing and

immense sense of satisfaction to solve

improving the infrastructure with inputs

problems and enable an entire

Two of the bank’s key staff projects

from the Government appointed

community. Educating children is a long

include, the Financial Markets Burjwadi

teachers. The curriculum was modified

term plan, but it is also one that is most

Literacy Initiative and the Group

to include subjects like Computer

likely to be successful,” said Saurabh. “If

Technology and Operations’ Eye

Science, English, Mathematics and

a model is successful, it can be

Sight Camps.

Science and additional teaching staff. A

replicated in other areas and nothing is a

typical school day will begin with up to

better motivator for me than the hope of

BURJEWADI LITERACY

an hour of the specialised subjects

improving the face of rural India.” The

INITIATIVE

followed by the rest of the school’s

team that visits the area almost every

A day’s wage and the willingness to

curriculum. The bank has donated two

week has seen tangible change in a

reach out is all it took for the Financial

computers to the school and through an

relatively short period. Enrolment at the

Markets (FM) team to start change in

internal collection has also provided

school is at an all time high and daily

Karjat, 90kms or an hour and a half

sporting equipment for the children to

attendance has improved. The

from Mumbai. Almost 100 employees

use in their free time.

programme puts together kits with

“But getting the community involved

given to each student at the beginning

willingly offered a day’s wage to raise the Rs 10 lakh necessary to kick start

necessary school supplies, which are

the project. Led by a five member

proved to be the biggest challenge of all,

of the academic year. But there is more

team, the project was undertaken

as people did not feel like they had a

to a community than its children.

because they heard about the area

personal stake in the project,” added

There is a large population of youth who

through another NGO that set up

Saurabh. The team conducted a mini

are illiterate and mostly farm for some

water supply facilities in the area. “This

census in the area, visited every home,

part of the year and are employed as

was an opportune moment, now that

and spoke to parents about the benefits

daily wage labourers for the remaining

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

months. In the course of the team’s

services for millions more in multiple

Tr a n s p o r t ( S T ) b u s s t a n d . I n

interaction with the youth, they

cities across the country. The bank

collaboration with a hospital nearby, the

expressed the need for vocational

launched the Kolkata Urban

centre provides the necessary eye care

training. The FC team approached one

Comprehensive Eye care Project in

facilities. Since its inception, almost 400

of the driving schools in the area,

October 2010 under SiB and hopes to

people have visited the clinic. The

explained the situation. 3 of the 10

raise close to USD one million for the

centre will provide eye care services in

young men who wanted to learn to drive

project by 2015.

now have licences and are employed as

the area and will be funded largely by employee contributions for three years

drivers. Few have even applied to the

The Group Technology & Operations’

BEST to be employed as drivers. “I am

(GTO) team is one of the bank’s largest,

inspired by the fact that the bank’s

youngest and most energetic teams

Goal is a community investment

brand values are in sync with the kind of

who have conducted several

initiative that works towards

from May 2010 to April 2013.

projects we undertake. It makes me

volunteering sessions for SiB. After

empowering young women. The

proud to be part of something that I can

these sessions at Bank-sponsored

programme works to build confidence

see continuing my efforts even in the

vision centres in Mumbai, the team

by giving underprivileged women basic

worked to start several similar projects

skills. Education includes modules to

across the country. The Revdanda

help them attain financial literacy,

future,” adds Saurabh. SIB

Project involved the purchase a

improve communication skills, and

1.99% of Maharashtra’s population is

refractometer at the Revdanda Vision

explain the importance of health and

sightless. Partial or complete visual

Centre being run by KB Bachooali

hygiene. The programme has reached

impairment in adults is caused by

Hospital and Sightsavers International.

close to 1600 women across Mumbai,

cataract (63%), refractive error (20%)

This was followed up with the adoption

Delhi and Chennai with plans to reach an

and glaucoma (6%).

of a vision centre in Jawhar, 123 km from

additional 100,000 young women worldwide.

While the state

government provides some eye care

Mumbai. While the area is not very far

services in remote areas, the

from the city, the community is largely

infrastructure and human resources

tribal. “Money is a big constraint and

The sluggish state of the country’s

necessary is sorely inadequate. As there

while there are eye hospitals they are

economy recovering from the pressures

is currently no private service available

located almost 80 kilometres away from

of recession didn’t stop 2010 from being

in the area, Standard Chartered’s SiB

the area and are too expensive for

a year of many achievements. Through

campaign came to

people in the area to afford,”

the Access to Finance initiative,

the rescue.

said Nileema.

Standard Chartered has committed to

Since its launch in 2003, the SiB

USD 500 million to microfinance

programme has helped restore the

The project is a work in progress and the

eyesight of close to two million people

team is constantly monitoring its

Middle East. Being proactive isn’t

in India. The programme is also working

viability. The centre has been set up at a

always easy and the benefits are often

towards providing affordable eye care

convenient location close to a State

not easily visible. Even so, the bank is

institutions in Asia, Africa and the

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

one of India’s leading organisations in terms of its CSR programmes. The organisation leads by example and has adopted a number of energy conservation methods which include installing LED based solar lights and signboards, a sewage treatment plant in Mumbai and a paper recycling initiative that reuses almost 100 tons of paper every year. The Bank’s commitment to these processes has helped it earn the LEED Gold certification for SCOPE Chennai and the ISO14001 Certification (Environment Management System) for Standard Chartered Towers, Goregaon, Mumbai. While CSR might have its roots in the West, the concept is being reinvented routinely in India in some of the most unlikely ways. A wonderful side-effect of many of these programmes is an increase in investors for the projects the bank undertakes. With the company’s reputation gaining favour in the public domain, people want to be associated with the brand and recruitment, retention and brand loyalty becomes easier. So the next time you see a bunch of people planting saplings, reading for the blind, or running for a cause, spare a moment and pitch in, if only to stop and cheer.

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

The response has been overwhelming. "Thank you" to everyone who read the first issue, sent me their valuable feedback and helped spread the word. The February issue gave me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and share my vision for Bubble Wrapped with many like-minded individuals.

recycling we have also tried to highlight the case of our river dolphins and their polluted

THE BEGINNING

habitat which needs urgent efforts from our end. Kudos to Greenpeace for 10 years of successful campaigns and we wish them all the luck for their future endeavours. Last but not the

The photo-feature on Project Crayons' Gully Cricket initiative and the piece on Bhopalbased NGO, Aham Bhumika's photography exhibition are our first few steps in making this

least I would personally like to salute all those individuals and organisations that are working to make our cities cleaner and are ensuring residents change their ways for the better.

eMagazine a platform for communication and information exchange for the social sector. We hope with every new issue individuals and organisations will use the magazine to create awareness, garner support and elicit response for their events and causes. We also hope to share more event previews than reviews giving

On that note I'd like to sign off for this issue. Do let me know what you think of this month's Bubble Wrapped and I look forward to receiving updates on upcoming events so that we can extend our support and be a catalyst to change.

our readers a chance to participate and be more involved in the process of change. While we have touched upon topics like

Chetna editor@bubblewrapped.asia

organic foods in India and our outlook towards

VOLUME I, ISSUE II, FEBRUARY 2011, www.bubblewrapped.asia

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