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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
Bubblewrapped January 2011
CONTENTS THE TIPPING POINT 07 JUST DO IT Social entrepreneurship is the name of the game and the internet is the new playground. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE GREEN TONE 17 SUN IS SHINING... WELL ALMOST Harnessing solar energy for daily needs distant dream or reality in the making?
21 SEEING REDD IN INDIA UN's programme to save the world from deforestation slowly clears its way into India. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WILD TRUTH 29 SAVING SHER KHAN Does the tiger really have any hope of survival?
33 THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS... AND PEOPLE Not all men are dog's best friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITOR Chetna
DESIGNER Guru Munishwar
CONTRIBUTORS Akhil Sood Anushree Chatterjee Mili Gandhi Nandini Dumaswala Nikita Sawant Pooja Bhulla Rahul Fonseca Riddhima Saxena Sakshi Sigh Tolani Sachin Rai Sheetal Paknikar
B+ 39 CHILDREN OFF THE STREET Street kids have choices. Akanksha and Childline are two of them.
43 ANYONE CAN WRITE That's what Dheera Kitchlu tells the kids she works with. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CORPORATE PITCH 47 A SOCIAL VENTURE
‘Together we can' says EdelGive - Edelweiss' CSR initiative. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Produced and Published by
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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.
THE TIPPING POINT 5
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JUST DO IT Author: Anushree Chaterjee What was once perceived as an occupation for those who had no occupation is now a sought after occupation. 20-odd years ago, when it came to social work, most people looked at it as something one who had more leftist leaning would do. The stereotypical image of an individual engaged in community service was that of a khadi kurta or sari clad, jhola carrying activist who lived a hand-tomouth existence, fighting for the rights of the downtrodden and cutting themselves away from all else. Unless you had this kind of bearing, you couldn't really be a 'social worker'. You had to look underprivileged if you wanted to fight for privileges. If you came from a well-off family and chose to enrol in a graduation programme for social studies with a leading institute, it would be an 'odd' thing. As is the case with most human issues, we ridicule what we don't know enough of. The fear of the unknown also manifests itself as derision of the unknown.
Today, there has been a 360-degree change in the way generations both young and old perceive 'social work'. Working for social betterment has become a part of life for the hip, cool and tech-savvy, for whom community service projects run parallel with school exams,
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
college festivals and five-day work weeks. The
multi-faceted plan to save the universe. All
and greenery. Choosing investigation over
country's biggest corporate houses and
that's needed is a basic idea that appeals
ignorance, Menon and his friends began to
campus recruiters like Tata Group of
with its simplicity and catches on
study the climatic effects of reckless
Companies, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. and Indian
thereafter, everywhere.
urbanisation. The study was intended to go
Oil Corporation are known for their Corporate
beyond what was discovered, converting it in
Social Responsibility (CSR) plans that exemplify
Three simple ideas, three young minds and a
to strong action. 'Batti Bandh' or 'Lights Out'
the act of using resources to better society
whole lot of out-of-the-box thinking has given
was thus born, with the slogan 'Save Electricity.
earning them the title of 'social entrepreneurs'.
rise to three separate initiatives that spurt mass
Go Green. Save Earth.’
movements at regular intervals. Batti Bandh, Young blood is taking noticeable and
The Bicycle Project and The Sapling Project
“We had read about the Earth Hour,” says
praiseworthy social initiatives, to repay society
are just three from the many social initiatives
Menon, “which was a very international
in whatever ways they can. Primary to post
thriving on the internet.
concept. What India needs is a much more
graduate, institutes have weaved in social
localised concept, intelligible to our people,
issues into their agendas, encouraging students
no matter what their level of education is.”
to participate in big and small activities that
Through designated one-hour lights out
make them conscious of humanitarian,
The Illuminati
sessions, street plays, cycling campaigns and
environmental and other relevant issues.
more, Batti Bandh engages more and more of
Moreover, icons for the generation, like Steve
India's urban youth in spreading awareness
Waugh, Salman Khan and Bill Gates are
about air pollution, conscious use of electricity
pioneering 'social entrepreneurship', without
and the message of being eco-friendly. Doesn't
cutting out on any of their unique personal or
Batti Bandh originated after a road trip that a
sound too new or revolutionary? Well, this
professional identity aspects and in fact
bunch of friends took. Amidst what could have
movement, promoting 'unplug' as a way of life,
leveraging on their 'brand value'.
been the usual chilled out getaway, normally
is fast and fabulously building on its awareness
just a good way to switch-off from the hectic
via online media. With more than 4,000
The young blood represents the dynamism that
urban life, this holiday turned into an inspiration
members on Facebook, Batti Bandh garner's a
is the face of social work today and they aren't
for Keith Menon and his friends.
lot of attention from the 20-somethings, who
sticking to age-old means; they are adapting newer ones for the larger goal. The internet, with all its wondrous networking abilities, is being used to communicate messages, gather
regularly attend as well as promote the
How would you like it if someone turned you on and then left?’ – the lament of a sorrowful light switch!
people and gain attention for several
movement. Accepting to attend the fun-filled events, sharing images of these, posting positive reviews and comments, does more than just creating awareness. With the
initiatives. Each person, like their Blackberry
The rural and semi-urban places they passed
omnipresent Blackberry handsets, word-of-
messenger and Facebook Ids, is encouraged
through in Maharashtra brought them face-to-
mouth in its fascinating virtual form, brings
to be unique but act together as one, strong
face with a severe decline in natural habitats
together the sometimes fragmented youth
force of change. 'Think global, act local' is
and resources. Experiencing torrential
opinion, as to how worthwhile campaigns like
slowly becoming 'Think local, act personal'.
downpours, these regions suffered flooding,
Batti Bandh can be.
One needn't barge in with a massive,
rising sea levels and displacement of vital trees
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Street plays engage every day, colloquial
Twitter, Flickr, etc. are all just the platforms and
that he or she will attend all the meetings, let
references and use humour to make viewers
tools that activists like Menon are using to get
alone the final event. The challenge, that
aware of what environmental threats can be
the messages across a very busy but extremely
Menon and his teammates are facing now, is
and how the effects can be well averted. For
connected population. Those who need to be
how to keep their target activists engaged
Batti Bandh, the idea is to create an
plugged in at all times need to know
and continuously interested. The youth, to put it
experience that reduces stress and not add to
electricity's essential value. Once such
plainly, are often fickle-minded getting bored
it. “The key”, Menon believes, “is in engaging
messages are out there, they create curiosity,
pretty soon, always looking for something new.
fun, interactive and dynamic methods, rather
attendance and then a genuine interest in
To communicate with them, which requires a
than shocking or didactic ones.” Their
taking things forward. In fact in many instances
two-way channel, is difficult. One has to
Facebook updates get very creative indeed.
there is a snowball effect which creates
override the mob mentality and find the more
A poster depicts a delectable fried egg on a
awareness and elicits response even from
permanent enthusiasts and also not just
pan, stating 'Turn off the heat' and another
those who may not be constantly connected
depend on technological platforms. After all,
clearly puts it out there – 'How would you like it
and are facing the brunt of
the goal is to save electricity so one has to
if someone turned you on and then left?' – the
reckless urban lifestyles.
get away from their computer screens. “Seeing is believing”, Menon asserts. So, he implements
lament of a sorrowful light switch! All of these are hip, cool designs created by and for the
It's not always a rosy story for sure. While tweets
initiatives through colleges like Jai Hind,
similar-minded people. No, this doesn't mean
and buzzes do go from one buddy to another,
educational institutions like Akanksha and
that those at the frontlines or at the back-end
the rate of the awareness being converted to
several corporate houses that bring interested
of this movement wish to project Batti Bandh as
activism does not rise proportionately. Over the
people together, in flesh and blood. Qais
something exclusive or of the elite. Rather, to
past two or three years, there have been
Husein of the Jai Hind Rotaract Club agrees,
use Menon's words, “The intention is to take
several such events and campaigns being
“We also rely on word of mouth and personal
those with Blackberrys to those without
launched and so any single person gets at
persuasion to get our friends and classmates
Blackberrys.” Facebook, Blackberry messenger,
least four invites in a month. It's rather unlikely
together and participate in such events.” The
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
select few who feel the need for a change
some saplings and planted them. The Sapling
Growing Up
remain committed, acceding to him. 'Haath
Project is now a well-known initiative that runs
Mila', a human chain and canvas painting
tree planting drives across six cities, including
endeavour, saw youngsters from different
Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi.
professional, social and academic backgrounds come together for the cause of the earth. In the end, the organisers believe that it is important to stick to one's eco-friendly guns and not lose hope. Though the younger generation goes through its transitional thought processes, they remain the bastion of change for the future. One has to believe that the message that has been planted, will sprout
The Sapling Project, started by Satish Vijaykumar and Ranjeetsinh Walunj, began over a year ago, when a bunch of people realised the need to do something about the depleting greenery in major cities. Vijaykumar realised that, like the lack of trees, the urban lot have much to complain about,
sustainable response.
Save Electricity. Go Green. Save Earth.
saplings to volunteers, who have to take these back home, plant them in their own residential spaces and look after them, for at least two years. The entire idea is to engage people in a very simple and basic task that doesn't need them to go out of their way or do anything complicated. The saplings distributed are
but do little to help.
effects at some point, in some way, beyond the virtual world to create a tangible, more
During these drives, the team distributes free
evergreen, low-maintenance plants that only
60-70% of those who queue up to collect saplings, according to Vijaykumar, belong to the younger generation.
require regular watering and sunshine. In case residential areas don't have much space for trees, one can even go ahead and plant it in the office premises, if permitted. The idea is to ensure that the sapling is looked after by the
The inaction is mainly because of the lack of time to put in that kind of effort. With some friends, he pooled in some money, bought
planter and the latter sees his initiative bearing fruit. “Trees are the biggest investment we can make for our city's future and that is something our colleagues are realising,� Vijaykumar says.
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Starting with 500 saplings at their first drive, the
heartening act indeed. “They all get their
engage with a larger number of schools,
Sapling Project's last drive distributed over
updates through our regular posts online, they
colleges and corporate houses and get their
4000 saplings in six cities.
contribute to our blogs with responses and
support. The Project's core team has already
that's how more people get involved,” he says.
worked with individuals who give saplings as
Twitter, Facebook and blogging have
Moreover, an amateur gardener's queries
take away gifts for weddings and parties.
boosted The Sapling Project, claims Vijaykumar.
about looking after plants also get addressed
“Children who have their birthday parties at
Having started off in a very small way, these
in a quick, practical way. That's why one has to
restaurants, etc. can also be encouraged to
mediums were pertinent in giving the project
keep it simple, Vijaykumar believes. His intention
give their friends a plant each as a souvenir. It's
the required visibility and results. They became
is to benefit the average person who has to
free but has far-reaching effects,”
the best way to spread the word, being
battle health problems that result from pollution
states Vijaykumar.
cheap, eco-friendly, fast and far-reaching.
or global warming. So, he gives a direct
Further, they have been effective in also
solution, wherein these thousands of average,
The Sapling Project does indeed urge one to
converting the concept into action. For a
middle class citizens go ahead and plant
go from online to offline with one's actions. An
movement that is still to get its formal
thousands of fresh, life-giving saplings. Children
unimaginable number of Facebook users stress
appellation of a registered NGO, an official
of all ages have come together with great
about the state of their virtual farms in Farmville,
website and Facebook updates have been
gusto, going back as proud possessors of
worried about their strawberry patches,
ideal means of communication successfully
saplings that they will be responsible for. They,
purchasing fertilisers, and so on. If so much
attracting attention to the cause.
in all probability, would grow in to individuals
attention can be paid to a flower that can't
who respect the environment far more than their
even be smelled, think how much more will be
60-70% of those who queue up to collect
elders nurturing a sense of inherent
given to a sapling that can be
saplings, according to Vijaykumar, belong to
responsibility towards the world they live in.
carried home to cherish. This year a simple
the younger generation. When they come
Going forward, once the formal registrations
bouquet of flowers just won't do. Get yourself a
forward to do whatever they can, it's a
come through, The Sapling Project seeks to
sapling and gift some to your loved ones too.
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
Riding Towards Change
Roadsters, BMXs and BSAs poured in as kids willingly contributed towards a larger change.
students in rural schools, so that they can literally ride their way to a happier academic experience. Other surrounding villages like Wada and Thappar Pada have also
The spirit for sustainable living helped them see
benefitted from the Project. The simple gift of a
Taking absolute direct action is a very novel
that it is at the grassroots that development is
cycle that one may have just grown out of has
and effective social movement, The Bicycle
required. The children of Alonde in the
created a chain reaction in urban areas like
Project. Born out of a true need of the hour, this
Vikramgarh taluka, they observed, walked for
Mumbai and Pune, with donations pouring in
initiative was taken by Hemant and Sangeeta
miles to school. It was these children who
and volunteers cropping
Chhabra, a Mumbai-based couple, along with
wanted to attend school, during rains, harsh
up with their generosity.
their friend, journalist Simona Terron.
sunshine and winters, that needed assistance.
The Chhabras, who believe in the holistic
The best people to help were their
The Bicycle Project, a very basic and
urban counterparts.
straightforward plan, depends on social media and online networks to take its plans forward.
development of the community, are credited with HideOut, an environment-friendly, organic
This observation put into motion The Bicycle
With a 1400-strong membership on Facebook,
farmhouse in Jhadpoli village, Maharashtra.
Project, when the Chhabras and Terron got
the project garners volunteer help by the
Their interactions with their tribal and rural
together, repaired 68 old, discarded cycles
awareness created through their posts online.
neighbours over 20 years inspired them to take
and gave them to these children. Roadsters,
Simona Terron does see a lot of young
some initiative by which they could give back
BMXs and BSAs poured in as kids willingly
volunteers come in whenever a campaign is
to a land and people from whom they have
contributed towards a larger change. Since
organised. “Facebook and Twitter remain just
gained so much.
the past two years, this trio has been
tools to reach out to maximum number of
accepting bicycles from those who don't need
people creating awareness about what we
them anymore and generously giving them to
are planning and how we want to go about it,�
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Terron clarifies. “Such platforms”, she continues,
then isn't just left unconsidered. If people have
Project's blogs help anyone who wants his
“create 80% awareness and 20% action.” Yet,
no more to donate, they even volunteer at
actions to matter, sending an eager child to
the 20% that chooses to be part of the active
collection centres across the cities, get bikes
school. Reaching out without worrying about
proportion is a great figure. The 80% remains a
repaired and have them sent to the villages.
geographical boundaries and eliciting
largely unchanging figure since those who are
This, though it is the 20% that Terron had
responses with minimum loss of time would have
made aware may not really be interested or
spoken about, is a strong hold that keeps the
been a never-ending, uphill climb were it not
available, she feels. “No matter how much noise
work of The Bicycle Project going.
for these media. Those who have organised such projects face similar problems as those
may be created, this 80-20 ratio The way forward, the organisers believe, is
who they expect help from. Apprehending such
through more on ground events that bring like-
issues, they choose to circumvent them by
Nonetheless, one can't deny that, at the initial
minded people together and join hands so
methods that benefit both parties, and, thus
stages, the boost provided through online
that the school going kids can get their much
benefit the primary target areas. Such foresight,
social media is very vital to community social
needed bicycles. These will be organised with
essentially, is what pioneers are made of.
projects like this one. The people who can
young and eager participants, who would
afford to give away an old cycle, or get an
include professionals and students for whom
As has been seen in the case of The Sapling
unused one repaired or even buy a new one
social networking has more
Project, it is the attention garnered across
belong to a certain strata of society, who are
connotations than one.
social networking channels that can aid the
doesn't change much”.
most likely frequent participants in online forums.
influx of corporate sponsorship. Moreover, it
To communicate with these large numbers, the
lends to the identity of a pro-green brand,
best thing to do is to get into the same
working as a great marketing strategy that
channel of communication. “The Bicycle Project
would attract a potential sponsor. Also, since
idea sprouted out of a lengthy discussion
there is the direct action of planting a sapling
between three people. So, there are chances
Movements to protect the environment, social
or sending across a bicycle, the sponsors and
of more and more ideas coming about when
needs and resources cannot count solely on
donors are not kept ignorant. No one remains
people start writing on the Facebook wall,
technological developments for their foray into
in the dark as to where their proceeds have
comment, join online discussions, etc.,” says
public consciousness. But their role in boosting
gone and if they have been misused or not.
Terron. The Bicycle Project started with a
their importance, intent and people
“Did my money actually fetch a kid his
problem that needed a concrete solution. The
involvement holds heavy weight. Batti Bandh's
notebooks for the coming year?” Instant
solution they have found as of now can't get
4,000 Facebook members don't immediately
gratification is available when the act is done
more concrete than this. When people around
spell a solution to power cuts but they do
individually or even by promptly posting the
see the solidity of the goals and methods to
make a statement: There are a rising number of
campaign's photographs online.
achieve them, their interest and sincerity builds.
people who won't leave their LCDs on standby
This is in opposition to a project that is fluid in
mode all night long. The Sapling Project's
The internet, new-age media and fast-
its focus and means. Here, people can actually
membership hasn't stopped the plundering of
changing technology give an idea of the
see that their contribution is helping someone
forests lands but it represents a group that
dynamics that plays out in this segment of
in need and then come back and tell
won't blindly dump chemical-filled idols into the
society: What do those capable of creating
someone about it. An event notification online
waters; a clear shift in mind-sets. The Bicycle
changes think? How are they using their best
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skills towards time management? What's the newest way to get people together for a cause? Taking this point further, any lengthy tweet can tell you how a doctor, a psychology student, a bartender and an archaeologist can get together towards a concrete social project, contributing within and in spite of their learning. Personalisation, that online social networking facilitates, can bring give any undertaking a multi-dimensional character. Let's remember, the causes being worked towards, aren't of a homogeneous nature either. If there are thousands of aspects to a problem, maybe thousands of people can help with their own ideas. Some broths are brews that need several cooks
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THE GREEN TONE 15
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SUN IS SHINING... WELL, ALMOST Author: Sheetal Paknikar & Nandini Dumaswala (www.seventwentyten.org) Photography:Nikita Sawant & Rahul Fonseca A boon can be a bane and vice versa.
Amidst the heat and dust of summer, there is a power failure. And we could still smile at the power of the sun – if we know how to use it well.
Through the floods of rain, we could harvest water to fill our diminishing reservoirs. And we could stack up water bodies to cover the shortfall – if we stopped to think and care.
According to most ‘climate scientists’ and another newly published study, our climate is changing and humans are certainly part of the reason. Will the changes in the climate force us to change the way we live?
Probably, if the past is any guide to the future. What could be the relationship between changes in the climate and human cultures?
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
On the outskirts of Bikaner, Rajasthan, North
Near Mahabalipuram in South India, in what
India, 14 year old Sakina sits by a dusty
seems like a small, but happy home – Ira, a 36
pavement in disappearing light, straining her
year old housewife has a diligent daily routine:
eyes under an invisible street lamp, peering into
to heat the food using the energy from the sun.
her text book and preparing for her class in
On medical advice that addresses a
night school. Days of scorching sun and stolen
mysterious stomach ailment, Ira experiences the
moments in hours of powerless workspaces are
benefits of harnessing solar energy.
not enough to finish her studies. Sakina is just
What is Solar Energy? ‘Solar energy’ or the radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available
one of the many labour girls working to earn a
Confirm this at Auroville, Pondicherry, South
decent meal and support their families. Her
India. The solar bowl is ‘concentrating
father, who worked for a small solar energy
technology’ employed by the solar kitchen.
project in Abu Road, passed away suddenly
Here, a stationary spherical reflector focuses
after working for a large part of his life in trying
sunlight along a line perpendicular to the
to bring light to other homes.
sphere's interior surface, and a computer control system moves the receiver to intersect
Juxtapose this against the world's largest
this line. Steam is produced in the receiver at
Scheffler-Reflector ‘solar cooking’ system in Abu
temperatures reaching 150 °C and then used
Road, Rajasthan, India. This one is capable of
for process heat in the kitchen.
cooking up to 35,000 meals a day. As of last
renewable sources of energy on the earth. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, portable water with distillation and disinfection, day-lighting, solar hot water, solar cooking and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes. For many of us, solar energy instantly conjures reflected light or solar panels – called ‘Photovoltaic’ panels. These are used in ground mounted installations, built to provide power for signal lights (thankfully, these are visible in
year, over 2,000 large Scheffler Solar cookers
Before we jump the gun in the relevance of the
had been built worldwide.
above instances, here is a little background about solar energy. And hopefully, its significance in the years ahead.
18
parts of Mumbai, India) and single homes.
The Physics Solar energy is now being used to generate the much wanted electricity using ‘photovoltaic
times to around 10%. Just for the record, recent advancements in research have raised this further to a little over 40%.
made from silicon alloys, which produce electrical energy when sunlight falls on it. The sun’s rays are composed of photons, which contain various degrees of energy, and this energy corresponds to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When sunlight strikes a photocell, the photons falling on it are
Even as the new-age phrase ‘alternative energy’ is being brandished through discussions and debates – as a result of power companies
energy’, converting the sun's rays to generate electric power. These photo cells are devices,
The Future Is Here
In perspective, what started as an experiment with alternative energy more than a century ago, is still being used on a very small scale – for, solar energy represents only 1% of energy used today. However, the International Energy Agency estimates that solar may provide a significant 25% of global energy by the year 2050. That is food for thought.
warning of shortfall for the cities, does it really affect those of us living here in big cities where there is happy overuse of power? Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, in parts of interior India, there are hopeless power cuts with as many as 12 hours in a few villages across the length & breadth of the country. Here, solar energy is being used to fill in – but
either absorbed, reflected, or pass through. It is
the installation costs are still reasonably high.
those photons that get absorbed which
Government policies are currently addressing
produce electricity. As the sun's rays strike the surface of the photovoltaic cell, electron migration takes place and this creates imbalance of charge - which appears as a voltage potential at the output. Large arrays of photovoltaic cells are used to produce enough electricity to light up a small house. Sunlight is therefore a renewable energy source, which is being harnessed to provide power.
Big Deal: When will the use of solar energy be more visible around us? “Why should I conserve power? I pay for it, so I will not put off my supply” “I cannot imagine living without an AC in the heat of summer”
the same and will probably speed up once there is serious threat of reducing power to the homes of the rich and famous. And that alone, may be a while. From our side, let’s stop talking and think how we can educate ourselves in using solar energy as one of the more powerful ways of using light provided to us naturally by the sun. If nothing else, it may help keep our children cool in the rising warmth of the globe
“As long as I have power in my house, I do not have time to think of alternative sources” “We are now used to the 12-hour power cuts. A solar energy project has been promised in
The Beginning Apparently, French physicist Antoine-César Becquerel went ‘eureka’ when he experimented with a solid electrode in an electrolyte solution way back in 1839 to discover the first solar
our village three years ago, we hope it will happen soon”
Plug Into the Sun Arihant Enterprises, Bandra (W)
No prizes for guessing: people sentiments
Nikhil Padhiyar 02267306821
conclude that we will cross the bridge when we
Complete Solar light Solutions
come to it.
Satyam Appliance Agency, Borivili (W) 02267305774
cell. And through the next five decades, the
Solar Water Heaters
efficiency of early solar cells increased ten Chips and Bytes Solutions India Ltd, Grant Road (E) 02261630326 Solar Energy Equipment Dealers honour in 1957.
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 20 www.bubblewrapped.asia
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SEEING REDD IN INDIA Author: Pooja Bhulla Photography: Rhett Butler The UN-REDD Programme – United Nations collaborative initiative to Reduce Emissions through Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries – was launched in 2008 and in a small span of two years is turning out to be a double edged sword. While on paper it aims to change the planet’s carbon footprint for the better and protecting the world’s forests, the reality is not so rosy.
29 partner countries from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America of which 12 have been identified as pilot countries - Bolivia, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Indonesia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zambia. Seven of these have received funds and are in the implementation stage. That’s a global preview; but what’s the Indian story?
As of today the forest and tree cover of the country is estimated at 78.37 Mha accounting 23.8% of the country’s geographic area, of which the forest cover is 69.09 Mha i.e. 21.02% of the country’s geographic area. Though India only has 2% of the global forest area, it is faced with demands of 16% of the world’s
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
document to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) called "REDD, Sustainable Management of Forest, and Afforestation and Reforestation". During the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP 13), India used this situation as a basis for making forest conservation central to negotiations of REDD and the proposal found place in the preamble as well as the operative part of the COP’s decision. India advocates two main approaches to REDD, ‘compensated reduction’ and ‘compensated conservation’, which means that carbon saved from reducing deforestation and degradation, and carbon added through conservation, afforestation and reforestation, have to be compensated equally.
Superficial Greenery India projects the image of a low deforestation country, but the loss of dense to moderately dense forests within the recorded forest area hides under the garb of increasing forest and tree cover. In Indian enumeration reports forest cover comprises of all lands more than one hectare in area, with a canopy density of more than 10%, irrespective of land use and ownership. Therefore all perennial woody vegetation and lands with tree crops are considered forests. The 2003 assessment reveals an overall increase of 2,795 km in forest cover but a decrease of 26,245 km in dense forest cover, across the country. The additional increase in forest and tree cover is a result of industrial plantations on degraded forests and non-forest land.
parts of the country, which are plagued by riots, rebellion and separatism, the doing of Maoists and other groups. Executing REDD projects in such areas will be very difficult. However there is another view which advocates giving tribals and inhabitants more control and proprietorship over these forests. This can be done if a profit-sharing model is implemented giving them a right over their immediate vicinity and the means to earn from it. A point is case is Governor Irwandi Jusuf from the Indonesian province of Aceh, a former rebel and one of only 40 to have survived after the December 2004 tsunami struck the prison where he was incarcerated, who has become the country's leading supporter of forest conservation funded through carbon credits.
COP 16 held in Cancun, Mexico, resulted in an agreement on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+). The Indian
...there is another view which advocates giving tribals and inhabitants more control and proprietorship over these forests.
government now proposes to use REDD+ as part of its 'Green India Mission' to restore 20 million hectares (Mha) of land into forests in the next 10 years. The approximate cost will be $10 billion and will annually sequester 43 million tonnes of carbon. Under its climate change policies, a national REDD+ coordinating agency and a national forest carbon accounting program
Similarly UN's definition of forests in context of REDD, that forests can be as small as 0.05-1 hectare in size, where at least 10%-30% of the area is covered with trees reaching a minimum height of 2-5m, gives countries like India the opportunity to manipulate and project a green image despite destructive logging and
The Indian government now proposes to use REDD+ as part of its 'Green India Mission' to restore 20 million hectares (Mha) of land into forests in the next 10 years. The approximate cost will be $10 billion and will annually sequester 43 million tonnes of carbon.
Distribution of Funds and Rights of Communities After failure of the 1988 Forest Policy to gratify the concerns of ecological necessities of
diversion practices.
are being institutionalised.
forests, and involvement of village communities in the regeneration of degraded forests, The
Insurgency Another concern is that most of India's dense forests are in the central and the north eastern
Forest Rights Act (2006) served as an answer to the forest communities' historic struggle in India. For the first time, the Government of India
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through the Scheduled Tribes and the Other
though the PNG landowners who own 97% of
Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, admitted to the
the rainforests had not been consulted. This
injustice suffered by these tribes, during and
challenges the Bank's claim that all plans
post, the colonial period. The Government also
would be subject to wide consultation.
recognised their right to ancestral lands. This Act was a step in the right direction, after the
Further, commercialisation of the forest has the
previous displacement and marginalisation of
potential to adversely affect the conservation
tribes, not only for passing age-old rights back
of biodiversity and wildlife and to accelerate
to the forest communities, but also for
the problem in Third World countries including
protecting, conserving and ensuring
India. Malaysia and Indonesia have already
sustainable use of the forests and its ecosystem.
declared industrial monoculture plantations of rubber and palm oil as forests. Indonesia has
But the hesitation of the Forest Department to
the highest deforestation rate in the world at a
share their power with the forest communities is
loss of 51 sq.kms of forest daily, yet on paper it
a constant hindrance in implementation
can show otherwise. Ironically, the Guinness
of the Act.
Book of World Records has made Indonesia (in)famous in its 2008 edition for this record.
Indonesia has the highest deforestation rate in the world at a loss of 51 sq.kms of forest daily, yet on paper it can show otherwise.
India has several biodiversity hotspots that are
Lack of clarity regarding the ownership of
The UN's REDD project though stems from right
carbon and the role of communities in
intentions, it is polluted with many loopholes
decisions related to participation in carbon
that countries use to their advantage at the
markets, in REDD context, will cause the
cost of the environment. Unless addressed, the
undertaking of community lands for plantations
programme might end up as the main catalyst
in the name of increasing forest cover. Rather
in the further destruction of the planet. In India,
than conserving natural old growth forests or
REDD can churn out results reflecting the true
regenerating forests, REDD may undermine the
vision only if old growth forests are
rights and entitlements of communities and act
safeguarded, the indigenous forest dwellers
as a disincentive towards the decentralisation
and local communities are made
of forest governance. For instance, recently,
accountable, monoculture plantations are
Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government's
excluded from the fund allocation and the
Readiness Plan Idea Note (R-PIN) was
entire project is subject to approval and
approved for funding by the World Bank's
transparency with all involved being held
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), even
accountable
rich in flora and support thousands of species of wildlife which need to be protected and not put in further danger of extinction.
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LEASE
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THE WILD TRUTH 27
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SAVING SHER KHAN Author: Rahul Fonseca Photography: Sachin Rai Mowgli, Bagera, Baloo and Sher Khan. Would Rudyard Kipling’s story be the same without its two central characters, Mowgli, the man cub and Sher Khan, the Royal Bengal tiger? With the count, down to 1400 pan-India, one wonders if future generations will know anything but old photographs of this gold and black pelted big cat.
According to The Wildlife Protection Society of India, the country has lost almost 53 tigers, 26 of them to poaching alone this year. Wildlife reserves like the Panna Tiger Reserve (TR) in Madhya Pradesh and Sariska TR in Rajasthan have been forced to admit that all of the big cats under their protection have disappeared. Recent efforts to relocate tigers have meant further dwindling of the population. The Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg this year (2010) saw participation from 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRC), including India, set itself the target of doubling the population of the endangered animal in the wild by 2022. However after accepting the failure of 40-years of tiger conservation efforts can these commitments be trusted?
The Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 enabled government agencies to take strict
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measures to ensure the conservation of tigers
NGOs in dispensing compensation as the
previously hunted for sport by the wealthy. A
governments process is long and drawn out.
government initiative, The Tiger Project was set
The WWF compensation program began in
up in 1973 and the first few census of tiger
1997 in Corbett TR and was soon
population in the country proved to be flawed
implemented in Ranthambore TR in 1999.
as it depended on outdated techniques of
Compensation is usually paid within 48 hours of
identification, which led to erroneous data.
the cattle being killed to avoid any delay that
Results of the census conducted in 2007-08
might lead to poisoning of the predator. The
showed that urgent steps are essential to
same cannot be said for a reverse
protect the species from complete elimination
situation, poaching.
in India. Unfortunately, today there are more NGOs campaigning worldwide to save tigers than the actual number of tigers in the wild. Urban awareness to the plight of the tiger is at
To date, only 16 people out of the hundreds caught have ever been convicted of killing a tiger.
an all time high. But what most people fail to
A point in case Pioneers in tiger conservation like author Jim Corbett started off as tiger killers in the late 1800s, heroes of the masses, eliminating the man-eaters. It was only in 1920 armed with a camera instead of his usual weapon, that his admiration for his once arch-enemy grew to a point when he vowed never to shoot another tiger. His efforts in the 1930s with F.W. Champion resulted in the establishment of India’s first national park in 1936. Then named the Hailey National Park after Lord Malcolm Hailey, it was renamed Jim
understand is that more needs to be done in
Tigers are killed to supply the black markets with
tiger habitat than in the city.
organs, pelts and bones. Scarcity has only served to fire the demand for these items that
Tiger reserves in India are very large and
are highly valued in eastern medicine. Today,
effectively monitoring them requires immense
due to sparsely guarded reserve areas even
manpower and infrastructure. Ill-equipped forest
tribals have taken to poaching tigers as a
rangers, strict but ineffective gun control laws,
quick source of income. NGOs such as Tiger
poachers under protection of local political
Watch have implemented undercover
goons and a general apathy on the part of
operations and found that gangs of poachers
the government has lead to regular poaching
operate unchecked in the core areas of the
activities within the boundaries of these
reserve. Along with the local police, Tiger
reserves. Eco- tourism, which was developed to
Watch helped stop a large number of
actively promote awareness, was the favourite
poachers in Ranthambore. The Kaziranga Park
scapegoat of the officials when quizzed about
officials have recently also granted authority to
the failure of government initiatives. Even NGOs
rangers to shoot poachers on sight, an act
that reveal flaws in the system are promptly
which has lead to many fatalities on both sides.
denied access to the reserves.
Most of the poachers in India are poor tribals
Corbett National Park in his honour in 1957.
who know the terrain well and are willing to kill The unfortunate truth is that its people against
a big cat for the right price. Their hunting
tigers. A tiger kills a man’s cattle and he
talents and knowledge is exploited by greedy
receives compensation from the government.
traders and despite severe penalties for
Organisations such as WWF support smaller
poaching, the laws are difficult to enforce. To
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date, only 16 people out of the hundreds
The need of the hour is education and
generating revenue that can compensate for
caught have ever been
empowerment of the people in and around
its keep. But this will only happen if the people
convicted of killing a tiger.
tiger habitats with specific focus on the wild
living in its vicinity have some form of property
cats. Organisations such as the Tiger
right and ownership over the animal and its
India today has less than 1400 tigers left, a
Foundation help set up education facilities in
habitat, and can legitimately claim
widely publicised fact in campaigns launched
villages so as to help alleviate poverty
a share of the profits.
by Aircel in collaboration with NDTV, World
provide for self-sufficiency and help them to
Wildlife Fund (India) and some of the 10 wildlife
lead productive lives. Educating the villagers
The future might seem bleak, but in a realm that
organisations currently active in the country.
on the fringes of the reserves helps instil respect
follows the mantra of 'survival of the fittest', this
Prominent actors were featured in
for the big cats and in turn curb poaching. The
wild cat is more resilient than we give it credit
advertisements to help spread the news. Print
Bandhavgarh Wildlife Tiger Trust has set up an
for. Let each person contribute to the
media carried similar messages. Websites
education centre at Kailash Sankhala
protection of this species and let these big
sprung up and the tech savvy citizens 'roared
Conservation Centre at Kanha to provide
cats worry about fighting extinction
online' and plastered networking sites with pro
guidance for the children of underprivileged
tiger slogans and videos. But as with most
families helping to inculcate respect and
campaigns of this nature, everyone involved
responsibility towards the park.
except the chief protagonists, the tigers, have had their day in the sun. Though these
Today, the tiger is perceived as more valuable
initiatives are successfully in raising much-
dead. But it is just as valuable alive and not
needed funds that aid conservation efforts,
only for environmental reasons. In the wild, it is
poaching goes on and tigers continue to be
one of the most popular attractions for tourists
poisoned in India's reserves.
and nature lovers and is capable of
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THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS.... & PEOPLE Author: Mili Gandhi Mumbai is a jungle, maybe a concrete one, but a jungle nonetheless. Along with humans and sparse flora, this urban forest is home to many other species. While the main city is home to cats, dogs, birds, horses, cattle and donkeys; snakes, jackals and leopards are found on its fringes. And we, humans aren’t the only ones struggling in Mumbai. These animals struggle to survive in this challenging place they share with us, cars, buildings, laws and lawlessness. Helping them silently and unflinchingly are several groups of young and old, men, women and children, faces unrecognizable but not easily deterred.
Traditionally and decades ago this task was the domain of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) which could not effectively handle the slew of cases and matters pertaining to animals in the street thrown at them. Today the BMC outsources all matters related to Mumbai’s animals to one of several hundred animal rights and welfare organisations. Thus several new and old animal rights and rescue organisations have made
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
their place in this city and continue to carry out
a large number of us don’t consider ourselves
work despite several odds - financial, physical
to be ‘animal-people’.
This is an Animal Hospital in the premises of the
and cultural. They encourage participation
BMC Cattle Compound in Mumabai -
from citizens and show them how animals can
We may not be the direct perpetrators but
be helped in various ways. Outreach and
walking past an animal in distress is not right
education programs for schools, colleges and
either. For those of us who don’t want to get
corporates are carried out frequently by some
our hands dirty, well, the least we can do is call
of them. In the internet age it becomes easier
one of the many organisations that exist for this
with tools like Facebook, Twitter and similar
very purpose. They have a widespread
social networking sites that help connect with
network of volunteers and will guide one or
millions economically and quickly. Most
send someone to assist the troubled/
organisations these days have active social
injured animal.
Malad West. Contact: 02228823742, 28802682, 28821972
Animals Matter to Me AMTM was created with the vision of providing a safe refuge for abused, unwanted, orphaned animals and, supporting NGO's and Animal Welfare Association's to reach out to places
networking pages where a host of information is available on their activities and participation.
Ahimsa
faster and better. Assistance to societies and In situations where a dog, cat or other animal is causing a nuisance to members of a society or
There are people who and times when dogs
locality it is most prudent to call the Mumbai
and cats are considered a nuisance. We see
SPCA or any of the animal organisations for
horses being ill-treated and just walk past. We
assistance. There have been several cases in
see an elephant making his way through the
the recent press where residents with little
traffic jam and can only nod our heads in awe
knowledge of animals have harmed them
or exasperation. We don’t have time for our
grievously and subsequently been charged by
own people leave alone having time animals.
the police for violation. Yes, they too are
Most of us don’t have a clue about animal
protected by the law.
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firms for vaccinations and recovery is given by their volunteers in any emergency for strays and abandoned animals. Facebook: Animals Matter to Me Mumbai Contact: 091-9819380310 (available 24x7)
In Defence of Animals
Mumbai SPCA
Welfare of Stray dogs
IDA INDIA is a non-profit grass root level animal
Situated in Parel behind KEM Hospital this is
The Welfare of Stray Dogs is a Mumbai-based
protection organisation, dedicated towards
Mumbai's largest animal hospital and veterinary
non-profit organisation working to eradicate
establishing and defending their rights. They
college tackling all kinds of animal cases from
rabies and control the street-dog population
have several ambulances and can be
cattle, equine, canine, feline and that of the
in a humane, scientific way. Their focus is the
contacted round-the-clock.
avian and wildlife variety as well.
Animal Birth Control (ABC) program,
Website: www.idaindia.org
Website: www.bombayspca.com
vaccinations and disease control amongst
Karuna
Thane SPCA
Free onsite medical treatment, rescue,
Set up in 2002 by like minded people from
rehabilitation and awareness through a
Thane, it is their endeavour to bring medical
network of mobile ambulance equipped with
aid and relief to street animals on
vets and helpers to assist all animals in distress.
the roads itself.
An animal helpline that runs from 9am to 6pm
Website: www.thanespca.org
street dog populations. Website: www.wsdindia.org
answers calls and ensures help reaches as fast as possible. Website: www.karunaforanimals.org
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CHILDREN OFF THE STREET Author: Riddhima Saxena Photography: Nikita Sawant Survival of the fittest is the name of the game and the street children are made to learn the rules really fast to survive the tough game. India is emerging as an economic power house and one of the reasons is its huge young population. However it maybe noted that 18 million of this productive set lives on the streets as per the estimate of the international agencies.
‘Street children’ is a term used to refer to children who live on the streets of a city, deprived of family care and protection. Most of these children are between the age group of 5 to 17 years. “The definition of street children has also undergone a change”, said Kajol Menon executive director Childline India Foundation, a 24-hour emergency helpline for children in need of care and protection. The new meaning indicates street children are children with families, earning salaries and living on streets.
Poverty, abuse and disturbed family situations are catalysts that provoke children to run away from their homes and very often seek their fortune in urban areas. Mumbai is still the largest recipient of street kids with twenty five of them
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arriving on trains from around the country. Many
widespread use of cellphones, the number has
Pretty much all of us use social networking sites
of the street children who have run away from
received Category l service (similar to the fire,
of some sort. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter,
home have done so because they were
police, ambulance units) in national
Orkut , Linked In or one of the many other sites
beaten or sexually abused. Most Indian street
numbering plan”, said Menon.
out there, social networking sites provide a way
children work and some of the common jobs
for us to interact with friends and meet new
are rag-picking, in which boys and girls sift
Similarly, Aakanksha began in 1990 with a
people. But these sites also double up as a
through garbage in order to collect recyclable
simple idea. There were thousands of slum
platform for social causes and social
material, begging, street vending, dyeing and
children who needed and wanted to be
entrepreneurship. “It reaches out to an
prostitution. There are fewer girls than boys
educated. There were thousands of college
interesting group of individuals “the youth” who
actually living on the streets as there is higher
students who had the energy, enthusiasm and
are extremely passionate and committed once
pressure on girls to be confined to homes and
time to teach. There existed pockets of
they get involved”, said Menon. “Earlier to get
put up with more abuse. Girls are also less
available spaces located in schools that
the attention of the people one would
visible on the streets as they are often forced
seemed ideal teaching environments. The
need to figure out where and how,
or lured into brothels.
simple idea then, was to bring together the
which is no longer a hurdle”.
three - kids, student volunteers and spaces - in For years now this problem has been
schools for less privileged children run by
Similarly, Akanksha has been able to reach out
acknowledged and efforts have been made
college students.
to retired people wanting to volunteer and
by various organisations and individuals to improve the situation. A number of organisations in the country to name a few
teach in the centre. According to Pandit, it has
...18 million of this productive set lives on the streets...
CRY (Child Relief and You) Childline India
become so much easier to spread awareness, get reactions, fundraising, branding and most importantly mobilise volunteers. Akanksha runs its
Foundation, Aakanksha, Butterflies, Prayas,
“Shaheen Mistry, the founder of Aakanksha
campaigns and volunteer initiatives regularly
Magic Bus, are dedicated towards uplifting
mobilised friends, youth in colleges and like-
and has been successful in receiving positive
these children and fighting for their basic rights.
minded people to volunteer in centres and
responses from potential volunteers.
started towards building an organisation that “Childline was built on networking and it spring
has 54 centres and 7 schools”, said Chitra
Pandit cited its recent intitiative with Kodak, the
boarded on the technology available when it
Pandit, director marketing. While the core
photographic company to promote awareness
started in 1996”, said Menon. Telephone was
activities continue to happen with the target
and importance of education. It used the
the connecting medium and an easy-to-
group, sustaining these projects does require
social networking platform to invite
remember toll free number 1098 was available
constant communication, awareness, support
photographer across India to send in pictures
round the clock for street children in the city of
both financially and morally. The evolution of
of children in schools and classrooms. Another
Mumbai. With its success, it evolved into a
technology has not only bought everyone
successful online campaign was that of
service for children in need and protection
closer but also made it easier to nurture a
Akanksha and MTV, the entertainment channel
spreading across 83 cities across the country
support group that helps by way of spreading
where every comment posted on their page
carrying the same number. 14 years on, it
the word getting people involved
generated revenues for Akanksha. The
continues to spread its network reaching out to
and raising funds.
campaign generated 10 lakh hits and even
more in need every day. “Today with the
more monies.
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Social networking, while it provides branding and reach, is a front end to all the core work that the NGOs are doing, agreed Menon and Pandit. According to Menon, while mobile and telephone connects us to a million children, it is the fact that we reach out to the distressed children that defines Childline. “Connecting to several volunteers and fundraising online is convenient but to nurture longer term commitment from such individuals they have to come to our 54 centres and 7 schools across the city”, said Pandit.
The target audiences that both Childline and Akanksha work with are not the internet using population. After all, the internet medium is limited to 1-2% of the population. But it has definitely provided a great network for what they do. Feel very strongly about certain issues? Feel the need to make your voice heard? It’s so much easier to do that now than ever before. Come forward to lend your support… as Mistry put it “together we can make a difference"
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DHEERA KITCHLU
ANYONE CAN WRITE Author: Akhil Sood “Anyone can write,” stresses Dheera Kitchlu, as she explains the purpose behind her latest initiative that goes by the same name. The programme, launched in March '10, aims at encouraging young children to write, and provides them with an opportunity to get published. She is aiming at compiling an anthology of 30 pieces sent in by children, and launching it by the middle of 2011. “Once children see their name in print, they'll get the taste of blood, making it difficult for them to resist the temptation of writing more. Soon, we'll have budding young authors all over the place!” she says with childlike enthusiasm. Dheera, a published author with eight books, for both children and adults, to her credit, wants to harness the talent that children of today may have, and further nurture it through constant interaction with them, and provide them this channel for articulation. “I've been corresponding with around a hundred kids, and the point of the interaction is not to teach or correct them,” she says, “but to suggest ways to improve their work. My role is to merely offer another perspective, and help bring the child's talent to the fore. Even if it's a work in progress, that sense of accomplishment helps drive the child forward”
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The programme, in collaboration with Serene
years of age, to tell him that he's adopted.
clever children, but also the ones “who may be
Woods, a publishing platform for promising
“Parents find this task daunting, but the book is
quiet and reticent, and have an interest in
writers and photographers, is slowly gaining
written in a way which makes the child feel
writing.” She's comfortable with children
momentum through a steady campaign to raise
special.” She has also authored From Darkness
dropping out of the programme if they lack the
awareness. Dheera has addressed several
to Light, a non-fiction book profiling 25 women
necessary patience and discipline. “They have
schools, including her alma mater, Welham in
who have accomplished a great deal despite
the liberty to leave if they begin to lose interest;
Dehradun, to alert students and teachers
their disability, commissioned by the National
it makes me glad to know that they tried,” she
about the campaign, and proudly informs us
Association of the Blind.
says. Her own dyslexia makes her empathise
that the idea has been welcomed by all.
with children suffering from the same, and she
“Aside from that, we are aiming at promotion
The intention behind creating this platform for
wants such students to approach her for
through word of mouth, as well as a
children stems partly from Dheera's own difficulty
guidance. And she assures us that she prefers
widespread Facebook campaign. While
as a child suffering from undiagnosed dyslexia.
children writing to her themselves. “Once the
Dheera interacts with the children and posts
“I couldn't write well, and I had trouble reading.”
parents come in, they insist and put undue
writing tips on the website, the promotion is
she says. She became aware of her learning
pressure on the child.”
handled primarily by Swapnil Chugh, the
disability while undertaking a teaching course,
founder of Serene Woods, which will be
and tells us, “All the tension that was bubbling
releasing the anthology for the programme.
up inside me came out through my writing, and
“He's the one taking the movement forward. I
now this programme.” She has also penned
took him on for the quality of his work,” she
and illustrated a largely autobiographical story
gushes. “Once the first anthology is released,
about a dyslexic child, called Maya. She
we can further expand the programme as
explains the difficulties she faces, telling us how
children will realise the possibility of getting
she's unable to read in front of an audience,
published, giving them a huge boost.”
and requires lengthy periods of time to pen her
We quiz her on whether the initiative is
thoughts down. “I have a passion for it, and a
restricted only to the English-speaking upper-
Dheera has already published two of her
discipline. I write all day. If you embrace your
middle class, and she duly responds that she
books with the Serene Woods publication,
difficulties, and enjoy the process, then you
has enlisted the services of several Hindi
'Ouch!' Cried Planet Earth, a story about how
can't call them difficulties anymore,” she says
scholars for children interested in writing in Hindi,
children can contribute to awareness about
determinedly. She states that awareness about
while she hasn't yet found people to help with
the earth since they hold untapped potential
learning disabilities is a lot higher today among
Marathi writers. “We are aiming at spreading
for change, and a collection of her poetry
the urban populace, and the attitude of the
the word in Hindi-medium schools in Delhi, but
called Nippy, Nipper & Others. Aside from
people is definitely changing, but most schools
we don't have access to these schools as yet,”
several children's books, Dheera has also
lack a separate wing for students with these
she says. She freely admits that she's in no rush
written Your Story, a book commissioned by the
disabilities, and not enough is being done
to expand the movement, “I don't want to take
Indian Association for Promotion of Adoption &
to help them.
on anything I can't deliver. I believe it is very
Child Welfare. It's distributed free of cost to
“My role is to merely offer another perspective, and help bring the child’s talent to the fore. Even if it’s a work in progress, that sense of accomplishment helps drive the child forward”
important for me to reply immediately to every
anyone adopting a child at the centre. It is
She tells us that the aim of the Anyone Can
child who writes in and make sure they don't
meant to be read to the child when he's three
Write programme is not simply to focus on the
feel neglected
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THE CORPORATE 45
E PITCH 45
A SOCIAL VENTURE Author: Sakshi Singh Tolani A typical day in EdelGive starts at 8:30am and ends by 9pm. Spending time with investees on ground, their sites, centers and offices, counseling them, working with them, figuring out their challenges and providing them quality inputs are some of the things Aditi Thorat, CEO EdelGive, and her team do through that fairly long working day.
So what's the big deal? Many companies have long working hours and multi-task through their day. The EdelGive Foundation is the not-forprofit subsidiary of financial services company, Edelweiss Capital, and focuses on providing capacity and capital to non-profit organisations working in the sectors of education and employability. Using the venture capital approach in the social sphere, EdelGive has found its innovative and effective way of bringing about what they call systemic change.
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
How it all began… organisation and provide the much-needed
“Bringing the venture capital approach to the social sector”
financial support, it's more challenging and
Aditi says, “What we mean by this is that like
demanding to work with them closely. EdelGive
venture capitalists work closely with companies
started off by doing what most corporates do
they invest in with not just money but also their
which is finance a non-profit organisations or a
time, expertise, networks, we too do the same
social entrepreneur, however the need to do
thing. Our focus is on organisation capacity
more was not easy to ignore. “We believed
building and associated areas because we
that whatever we do has to be strategic and
believe that what we call 'venture philanthropy'
to make systemic change in the sector, we
is crucial to accelerating the growth of
believe that we need to work closely with the
social enterprises.”
While it's easier to adopt a non-profit
the organisations think through 5-year budgets and helping them understand how they can raise money as well as leverage additional funding. Impact Assessment - A crucial aspect for social organisations, this demonstrates how EdelGive works closely with organisations to develop systems around this.
Aditi says, “Each of the above areas we have Edelweiss employees closely involved and mentoring the social entrepreneurs we work
organisation in both financial and operational
through research was that although funding
Model EdelGive: How it works!
constraints were there, most organisations
With so many different ways and means to work
hurdles to overcome such as structures,
with a non-profit organisations, EdelGive has to
systems, processes, technology, MIS, impact
choose its expertise zones while working closely
assessment, financial reporting, monitoring.
with a social entrepreneur
aspects. The other thing that we discovered
Financial Planning and sustainability - Helping
Considering that these are the very areas Edelweiss had to work on to sustain the rapid
Strategy and leadership – Developing second
growth it experienced, we knew what it was like
line leadership among the team and also help
to work with these entrepreneurs. We saw an
develop a five-year vision and plan for the
opportunity to do more and decided to apply
organisation.
our strengths to the social sector”, says Aditi.
Human resources - HR strategies, talent
with. It actually works like a beautiful win-win situation where Edelweiss employees get exposure to the social sector and social entrepreneurs are able to draw from the corporate world as well.”
The criteria EdelGive is currently working closely with 20 non-profit organisations and has relationships with 28-30 organisations through their annual
acquisition, retention, helping them with hiring, job prospects and building sustainable
awards program which identifies and honours innovative organisations that are working to deliver essential services to women and the girl child. They receive more than just financial
The concept
organisations.
The EdelGive vision is to support high potential
Systems and processes - This includes
social entrepreneurs and non-profit
technology and MIS. For e.g., EdelGive has
organisations, to achieve systemic and
built two different technology systems for two
sustainable social change. The key approach
different non-profit organisations - an
is a combination of financial capacity and
automated payroll system for a large
hands-on building support for social
organisation and a web based MIS for the
entrepreneurs and non-profit organisations.
Aangan Trust.
support from EdelGive. The organisation follows a rigorous process before it decides to work with a non-profit firm and a social entrepreneur. “We have a rigorous investment committee process which we call as due diligence. We basically work like a fund. Before we reach the investment committee stage we start off with the
48
process of desk based research moving on to extensive discussions on the phone through meetings. Then we actually make a stage where we make a field visit. Based on this assessment which is very critical aspect of our due diligence process; we take a call whether we should put up this organisation through our investment committee process or not. The next step is to define the purpose of funding, the measurement metrics and present it to the
We get reviewed by Edelweiss on a quarterly
Challenges A not so conventional CSR initiative is bound to have its own share of challenges. EdelGive confronted many obstacles. In fact most came
basis and we follow a strict disciplined approach in our day to day functioning”, says Aditi.
from the organisations themselves. “It was difficult for the non-profit organisations to understand that we weren't just pure funders for
Future plans
them. To convince them that unlike most donors
EdelGive has a well charted out plan of action
we are going to be around and work closely
for the next five years until 2016. Aditi says, “We
with them is a task in itself”, says Aditi.
have an ambitious plan for 2016 of being a
investment committee. It's a layered process
100-crore platform. We will leverage money
where we also identify the key risks involved
through corporates, international organisations,
and list down the mitigation strategies.
and individual donors getting them to invest in
Checking balance sheets, annual reports,
The journey so far
the entrepreneurs and non-profits we believe
EdelGive is a relatively new name in the CSR
in. Apart from this we want to look inwards,
management team are some of the things that
initiatives being only two and half years old.
become better, evaluate and monitor our
impact our decision process.”
Working on a new foundation with a fresh team
processes and forge strategic partnerships
and starting from scratch is not just challenging
and networks.”
doing web based research, meeting the core
but extremely exciting and demanding. Aditi says, “Last two and a half years have been the
The criteria
Having found their own unique methodology of
real journey. We have learnt and innovated
bringing the venture capitalism strength to the
- Key management team
every day, and unlike other organisations that
social sector, EdelGive Foundation has paved
- Are these organizations hungry for growth?
come with baggage, we had to set up systems
a new way for other organisations to conduct
- Are they hungry to expand, grow and scale?
and process from scratch.”
their corporate social responsibility initiatives
- Are they looking to engage with us on a non-financial level?
With limited budgets, the team strives to work
- Do they fall in our sectors?
with discipline and is conscious of how they
- Are they really thinking about systemic impact
manage their finances. “We function like any
not just individual and community impact? - Are they game changers and innovative?
other line of business. We have KRA's as our review mechanisms, key performance indicators.
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VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
50
VOLUME I, ISSUE I, JANUARY 2011 www.bubblewrapped.asia
A few days ago Economic Times carried an
THE BEGINNING
article on The Future of Philanthropy discussing
Walunj, Hemant and Sangeeta Chhabra, and
The next issue will cover the organic vs.
the shift in India Inc's mindset from just creating
Simona Terron who have changed the way the
inorganic products' debate, the plight of the
wealth to actually giving back to the society.
business of social causes is conducted. A
river dolphin, the recycling mechanism or the
Corporate Social Responsibility is now a full-
simple idea, a lot of determination and a little
lack of it in our country as well as another CSR
fledged career option. Social work has moved
help from friends and well-wishers is all it takes
programme that is successfully helping those in
onto a larger platform called 'social
to bring about positive change.
need. If there is any topic you would like Bubble Wrapped to touch upon do write in to
entrepreneurship'. Fighting for a cause, making change possible, working for a better tomorrow
Discussing pros and cons of the UN's REDD
me. Also, your feedback and constructive
is suddenly very 'cool'. It looks to me, people
programme and the country's fight to save the
criticism is always welcome as it will only help us
have taken the idea of “being the change�
tiger to highlighting the availability and
improve this eMagazine that is truly yours.
quite seriously!
benefits of switching to solar energy as well as
Until next time...
giving due credit to Edelweiss for its CSR
Cheers!
So I've decided to join the bandwagon and
division called EdelGive, Bubble Wrapped
Bubble Wrapped is my way of giving back. I
through every subsequent issue hopes to
Chetna
started this eMagazine with the intention of
create awareness and elicit constructive
editor@bubblewrapped.asia
creating a platform for information sharing,
responses towards many problems that need
highlighting problem areas and celebrating
to be addressed. I hope this eMagazine
those who are the change. In its very first issue
becomes the mode of communication for
Bubble Wrapped has showcased people like
people involved in protecting our planet and
Keith Menon, Satish Vijaykumar, Ranjeetsinh
the lives of those that inhabit it.
50 51
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