Sulabh Swachh Bharat - VOL: 2 | ISSUE 13

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Foundation Day

Vrindavan Widows

Sanitation in Nigeria

The Making of a Legend

Sanitation in Africa’s ‘giant’ has come a long way since its independence

A continuation of the ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ from March 2014

Sulabh recently celebrated its 48th foundation day at Sulabh Gram, Delhi

Shanti educated her kids, later they abandoned her to starve on streets

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RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561

A Good News Weekly

Vol - 2 | Issue - 13 | March 12 - 18, 2018 | Price ` 5/-

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

‘Islam’s Spiritual Ambassador To The World’ Internationally-renowned Islamic scholar based in New Delhi, 93-year-old Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has been working for decades to promote peace and dialogue and is still actively engaged in the cause

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n Urooj Fatima

s quoted by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, “In this world, unity is achievable only by learning to unite in spite of differences, rather than insisting on unity without differences.

For their total eradication is an impossibility.

The secret of attaining peace in life is tolerance of disturbance of the peace.”

I think we’re heading towards that. With information becoming more and more accessible, it’s easier for people to identify with people and cultures they previously thought had nothing to do with them.

We have to realise now that two different cultures don’t have to fight to determine which one is “right”. Rather, we should start understanding the beauty of diversity (which we cherish in nature but not yet fully in human cultures).

There is nothing wrong in diversity of opinions.

In fact, this is a positive quality that has many advantages. The beauty of the garden of life

Quick Glance Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is one of the most respected Intellectuals on Islam He has written more than 200 books and they have been translated into sixteen languages In the year 2000, he was given Padma Bhushan award, India’s third highest civilian honour

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Growing up at the height of India’s independence movement, Khan had great admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and expressed these sentiments in his book is enhanced if the flower of unity is accompanied by the thorn of diversity.

We all must work together to establish a culture of peace and mutual respect. Hate and violence can only be conquered when more and more people start holding love and peace in their hearts.

The Muslim scholar, preacher of nonviolence, Wahiduddin Khan is a modern example of India’s Muslim holy men who embody the “middle path” of Islam. Often seen dressed in a simple white robe, accented by his shaggy yet flowing grey beard and a large pair of black-rimmed glasses, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan visibly reflects the message that he teaches to his followers.

A popular writer, speaker, and recipient of numerous humanitarian awards in India and abroad, he is a vocal champion

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Peace and Pluralism His intake on Peace and Dialogue and the challenge of Pluralism

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han is among the few Indian ‘ulama to have India today which the Muslims have failed to consider. taken seriously the issue of pluralism and inter- Inter-religious dialogue assumes for him a particularly community relations, free from the polemics important role in this regard. He writes that the Qur’an and negative stereotypes that generally characterise the positively encourages Muslims to dialogue with people of response of many Muslims to people of other faiths. other faiths, on the basis of what they have in common— Writing in the mid-1970s, Wilfred Cantwell Smith had belief in the one God and the doing of righteous deeds— remarked on the seeming inability of the Muslims of India while insisting that all people have the right to their own to come to terms with a situation of being, in theory, equal faith (‘Unto you your religion, and unto me mine’ [Q: citizens in a plural, multi-religious India, arguing that 109:6])16. Every religion, he writes, upholds certain articulating a clear Islamic position on the matter was of basic human values, such as love, compassion, peace and a the greatest importance for the community. This, in fact, concern for the poor and the marginalised, and these must is precisely what Khan seeks to do in many of his writings. form the basis of any dialogue initiative.

Khan insists that Muslims must Accordingly, Khan says, Muslims come out of their ghettos, shed what Khan quotes the Qur’an must seek to build bridges with others he calls their ‘persecution complex’ on the basis of the values that they and separatist mentality, search for as saying that, ‘No one hold in common, and, in accordance opportunities that exist despite the despairs of God’s mercy with the Prophet’s example, work odds that seem to weigh heavily along with them for the establishment against them, and work along with except those who have of a more just, prosperous and people of other faiths for building peaceful society. They must concern no faith’ a new society. In other words, they themselves with the problems and should be guided by pragmatic issues concerning the country as a considerations rather than by a misplaced idealism. whole, in a spirit of enlightened patriotism and love for Muslims must not sit back in despair, for Islam forbids the country, instead of, as at present, thinking only of their despondency, branding it as a ‘grave sin’. Khan quotes the own communal interests. In the process, Muslims would Qur’an as saying that, ‘No one despairs of God’s mercy be able to convince others that Islam has viable solutions except those who have no faith’ (Q: 12:87). Khan argues to the problems affecting society at large. It is only by that Islam is synonymous with peace, and that Islam ‘proving their usefulness’ to society as a whole that others enjoins upon Muslims to explore every possible avenue would not only come to regard Muslims as valuable allies, for peaceful negotiation of conflicts before military means but would also appreciate Islam as a religious option. can be contemplated. He sees many such avenues open in Muslims should be able to contribute their services to society, and transform themselves from the status of ‘takers’ to that of ‘givers’. Further, by removing others’ misunderstandings of Islam as a violent religion, peaceful dialogue will also help facilitate Muslims being able to join the ‘mainstream’ of ‘universal life and participate in the benefits of global economic progress.

of spiritual reform and nonviolence in Islam, actively engaged in what he calls the “true jihad.” He believes that Jihad begins not with fighting the enemy in battle but overcoming your own ‘nafs’.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is one of the most respected Intellectuals on Islam. He has an extensive knowledge of Islamic religious literature, stretching across ideologies within the religion.

He is one of those rare reformers and scholars trying to interpret the texts by their spirit rather than mere letter.

A very noble and knowledgeable man, who always prefers to engage in peaceful and intellectual debate and discussion instead of mocking and ridiculing other people or their faiths.

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Glimpes Of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan’s Life • Maulana Wahiduddin Khan was born in Uttar Pradesh on 1st January 1925.

• He is a noted Islamic scholar and peace activist.

• After his father’s death in December 1929 he was brought up by his mother, and his uncle, Sufi Abdul Hamid Khan, arranged for his education.

• His family was part of the Indian nationalist movement led by the Indian National Congress endeavouring to gain freedom from the British occupation of India.

• Though his brother and cousins were educated in modern, Western-style schools, Wahiduddin Khan was admitted in the Madrasatul Islah, Azamgarh in 1938.

• The various books authored by him include The Prophet Of Peace, The Quran Of New Translation, Words Of Prophet Muhammed.

• Other books like Tazkirul Quran, A Treasury Of Quran, The Quran A New Translation etc • He graduated from a seminary of Islamic learning and contributed to articles and journals.

• He is well-versed in Traditional Disciplines and Modern Sciences • In 1970, he opened an Islamic centre in Delhi.

• The al-risala Urdu magazine was started in 1976.

• English version of the magazine started from February 1984 and Hindi version from December 1990.

• In the year 2000, he was given Padma Bhushan award, India’s third highest civilian honor.

• In the year 2015, he was conferred with Sayyidina Imam Al Hassan Ibn Ali peace award.

• His notable articles include ‘Hijacking — A Crime’, ‘Rights of Women in Islam’, ‘The Concept of Charity in Islam’ and ‘The Concept of Jihad’.

• He is the member of the Board of World Religious Leaders for The Elijah Interfaith Institute.

• His book, ‘God Arises’ has been accepted as the standard Islamic position on modern thought and has been incorporated in the curricula of universities in over six Arab countries • He contributes articles to various journals and newspapers, and has become a regular contributor to several national and international dailies and magazines.

• In 1955, he published his first book, Naye Ahd Ke Darwaze Par, or ‘On the Threshold of a New Era’

• He has authored over 200 books on Islam, prophetic wisdom, spirituality and peaceful co-existence in a multiethnic society • His books have been translated into sixteen languages • From 1967 onwards, he has been addressing public and private gatherings in order to advocate a policy, which should be constructive, nationalist and inter-nationalist in nature • To spread spiritual wisdom based on peace to mankind across the globe, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan established CPS International, i.e. Centre for Peace and Spirituality in January 2001.

• He has also been awarded the title of Ambassador of Peace by the International Federation for World Peace, Korea.

• He has translated the Quran into Urdu, English and Hindi.

Felicitations

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, who is well traveled, and the recipient of several national and International awards, has made a very great contribution to world peace in his tireless campaign to avert the danger of a nuclear conflict between various countries. To this end he put forward a proposal for a worldwide movement for nuclear disarmament at a peace forum held at Zug in Switzerland in 2002. On that occasion, he was awarded the Demiurgus Peace International Award by the Nuclear Disarmament Forum AG. He has also been awarded the title of Ambassador of Peace by the International Federation for World Peace, Korea.

Some of the other awards presented to him are the Padam Bhushan, the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award, the National Integration Award, the Communal Harmony Award, the Diwaliben Mohan Lal Mehta Award, presented by the former President of India, the National Amity Award, presented by the former Prime Minister of India, the Dilli Gaurav Award, presented by the Chief Minister of Delhi, the FIE Foundation Award, the Urdu Academy Award, the Aruna Asaf Ali Sadbhavna Award and the National Citizen’s Award, presented by Mother Teresa.

Recently he was also conferred with the Sayyidina Imam Al Hassan Ibn Ali Peace Award (2015) in Abu Dhabi and Life Time Achievement Award by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) at Chicago in September 2015.

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He always brings a new dimension to the debate whenever interpretation or application of Islamic law is considered.

He always is supportive of a positive contribution to society, and does not indulge in instigating violence. He seems like a breath of fresh air in the otherwise currently suffocating air.

He is thoroughly learned in various points of view in the subjects he explores. When he comes up with unique and original points of view, they are backed up with evidence and argument.

I have found that his tone in conversation and in writing is always scholarly. He presents his opinion in a straightforward way. He discusses ideas while never targeting individuals thus comes out as an unassuming person with his criticisms.I think his attitude sets a great example to follow, not only for ordinary individuals but also for scholars in the Islamic world.

He must be one of the most prolific Muslims who could bring enough effective mutual understanding that even some Muslims could not do.

Foremost, I appreciate his thinking for enriching the world, especially Islamic world.

He has adopted peace as the mission of his life. Known for his Gandhian views, he considers non-violence as the only method to achieve success. Khan’s conception of nonviolence is perhaps best articulated in his treatise Islam and Peace. Growing up at the height of India’s independence movement,

March 12 - 18, 2018 he had great admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and expressed these sentiments in his book. For instance, he writes, “Our greatest need is to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s mission … after political change we have to bring about social change in our country through Gandhi Andolan, that is, a nonviolent movement.”

Nonviolence, he states, begins in the mind of an individual, which is the basic unit of human society, and must be cultivated through a long and laborious struggle. This struggle (jihad) consists of many levels, but the most important is education and the development of the mind.

He writes that “to make a nonviolent world for a peaceful society, there is only one way, and that is by using educative method[ s] to convert people’s thinking from violence to nonviolence, and to enable them to see the solution to matters of controversy through peaceful means” and that “it is from such intellectual awareness alone that a nonviolent world and a peaceful society can be constructed.”

Nonviolence, he assures his readers, is completely in keeping with the teachings of the Qur’an. Pointing to chapter 2, verse 205, Khan states that

God does not love fasaad, a term he interprets to mean violence, or any action that “results in disruption of the social system, causing huge losses in terms of lives and property.” He also refers his readers to the Qur’an’s emphasis on patience (sabr) above any other virtue, noting that “patience implies a peaceful response or reaction, whereas impatience implies a violent response.”

Khan embodies what Muslims traditionally call a zaahid in Arabic.

The term refers to a person who renounces or withdraws from worldly things. This designation is appropriate not only in reference to Khan’s ascetic piety, but perhaps more so for his renunciation of violence. For Khan, Islam offers the world an ideology of peace. Islam, he teaches, always seeks a state of peace, because all that Islam aims to create — spiritual progress, intellectual development, character building, social reform, education, and above all missionary work (dawa) — can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Every teaching in Islam, he asserts, is based on the principle of peace, and any deviation from that principle is a deviation from

He is one of those rare reformers and scholars trying to interpret the texts by their spirit rather than mere letter

Islam. For, as the Qur’an states, “God guides all who seek His favour to the paths of peace and leads them out of the darkness into the light” (5: 16).

During a discussion which was held as part of an International Conference in 2015 he was asked that, “What do you consider to be the principal teaching of your religious tradition?

What has impelled you to serve your religious tradition for much of your life that one can’t simply attribute to the fact of your being connected to it by accident of birth?”

He replied: I was born in a Muslim family. My education and my upbringing were on traditional lines, but when I reached maturity I developed doubts.

I discovered I was a seeker. I became dissatisfied with the version of Islam that I had experienced in mosques, in madrasas and in Muslim society.

It was a very painful period for me. I then decided to study about religion, about philosophy, about spirituality, to discover the answer that would address my nature.

At this juncture, I read some of Swami Vivekananda’s works, including his letters. In one of his letters, Swamiji mentions Islam in very shining words.

This kindled my mind. It was one of the factors that helped me re-study Islam.

After a long study of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and other relevant literature, I discovered that Islam was my choice, and not something that I believed in by having been born in a Muslim family.

So, I’m a Muslim by choice, and here Swami Vivekananda was my benefactor.

He gave me a very important clue at a time when I was searching for the Truth.

I am a very rational person. I try to reason out everything. And because of this mindset of mine, I became dissatisfied with the prevailing version of Islam and with the existing Muslim society. But after a long study, I discovered that there is a big difference between Islam, on the one hand, and Muslims, on the other. Before this, I had conflated the two. Later, however, I realized the difference between them.

If you want to know what Islam is, you must distinguish it from Muslims.

You have to gauge Muslims in the light of Islamic teachings, and not vice versa.

In the course of my study, I discovered that there are two basic tenets in Islam.

Firstly, that man should make God his sole concern. And secondly, that one should have well-wishing for the whole of humankind.

These two are the basic tenets of Islam. And these two, I discovered, addressed my nature. In this I found my Creator. Also, I found the purpose of my life. I understood why I was settled on this planet, why God created me. All

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his writings

Excerpts from His Innumerable Inspirational Writings acceptance of the other. In this process of seeking to understand the other, if you discover that you have some differences with them—and there are bound to be differences since they are part of Nature and so it is but natural that you will find them—the best PEACE IS THE ‘GOAL OF HIS way is what the Quran says: “To you EXISTENCE’ your religion, to me mine.” (109:6) it Peace for him is not just an academic means to follow one religion and to subject. It is the goal of his existence. respect all.

There are three types of dialogue.

He is a born pacifist, and leading a The first is ‘Debate’, that is, when peace-loving life has always been a someone wants to win by showing source of great spiritual solace for him. or proving his or her theology’s It is his aim to spread the ideology of superiority.

In peace throughout the his opinion this world to usher in an It is his aim to actually is no era of global peace. dialogue at all.

According to spread the It even kills the him peace could be achieved only by ideology of peace spirit of dialogue and makes people following the law of throughout the either scream in nature. The law of nature is based on world to usher in anger or be silent.

The second is tolerance. If you want an era of global the ‘Search for to establish peace, you unity’. This means will have to tolerate peace that you try to other human beings. unite all religious It has been rightly said doctrines by seeking to eliminate that “Man is a rational animal” and also their differences. But by this people that “man is an explanation-seeking also deny their own identities animal.” Both these sayings convey the and the distinguishing thoughts, same point: that man derives mental understanding and behaviours satisfaction from his actions only when that characterize their lives and the goals at which they are aimed have communities. Nature, traditions been established as right by rational and social structures are never argument. Attempting to evolve a uniform and cannot pretend to be. complete ideology on the basis of The third form of dialogue is peace is indeed as important a goal as ‘Intellectual partnership’. In this peace itself, and vice versa. Both are case, we learn from and about interdependent. The one cannot exist each other, and even about without the other. ourselves by being shown a ABOUT ‘INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE’ mirror from another perspective.

For dialogue to be useful and meaningful This is the only genuine way requires true understanding and of dialogue. these questions were answered.

So, I can say that I am not a Muslim by birth, but by choice, and that Swami Vivekananda is my benefactor. I can say that in this regard Swamiji is my spiritual guru.

MAULANA WAHIDUDDIN KHAN’S WRITINGS REFLECT HIS DEEP REFLECTION ON THE MANY QUESTIONS AND MYSTERIES OF LIFE Peace for the sake of peace

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eace is the most discussed theme in the world. Every section of society claims that it wants to establish peace. It is difficult to find a single person who is an exception to this rule. But, why is it that peace has remained only a subject for debate, and to this day has failed to become a practical reality?

This contradiction is very strange, but it is a fact that no one can deny.

The reason is that people have bracketed other ideas along with peace, which are not directly related to it. For example, people say they want ‘peace with justice’, or ‘peace with human rights’ and so on. Such definitions of peace are unrealistic, and hence they are not practically achievable.

Peace relates to ‘means’ and not to ‘ends’. All peace does is open up opportunities. It is up to people to avail of these opportunities to achieve their goals. Peace cannot present a person with what he desires. It is for the person himself to reach his goal through planning and struggle.

According to the law of nature, the only right way to establish peace is to go all out to do so, without associating any other issue with it. Once peace is established, then it is everyone’s own task to discover opportunities and avail of them through realistic planning.

Rain cannot of itself grow fruits and vegetables, rain is only meant for the purpose of irrigation. It is for the farmer to carry out irrigation by utilizing the rainwater and sowing the seeds in the soil to yield the required end products.

The same is true of peace. Peace is like rain. Peace only provides you with the opportunities. It is up to people to avail of these opportunities by wise planning.

That is why ‘peace for the sake of peace’ is the right formula.

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Respect All Religions

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here are about a dozen major religions in the world along with thousands of other religions and sects. Differences and disagreements are bound to arise, which lead to conflict. How can we create an atmosphere of unity among the adherents of all these religions, so we can all live in peace and harmony?

The solution does not lie in removing religion altogether— that would not solve anything. The urge to believe in a greater power i s strongly inherent in human nature, and human nature cannot be changed.

The solution does not lie in accepting that all religions are true. Realistically speaking, that is not possible. To everyone, the path of truth is only one, while false paths are many and varied. Thus, this proposal is not practical.

Religion is not just a means to an end. It is the representation of Truth. If someone believes in a particular religion, it means that they are convinced that that is the Truth, and they stand in conviction of that Truth.

The proposal that all religions be considered equally true defies the inner conviction of human beings, since everyone has a particular belief and faith that is the only thing they can be confident of in this world. In this world, which is full of trials and tribulations, strife and suffering, Truth is the only thing that we can hold on to. The suggestion that we accept all religions as being true is not practical, and certainly not the solution to bring about unity.

The only answer lies in adopting a policy of religious tolerance, and respect other people’s convictions. Everyone is entitled to follow what they think is best and profess their belief in it. But this should not prejudice our opinions about others’ beliefs. There should be mutual respect for each other’s faiths.

Journey towards Spirituality

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he journey towards spirituality begins with the urge to search for the truth. When people discover the truth and learn of the plan of the Creator, their lives enter a new phase, that of building their personalities according to spiritual principles. This journey is purely intellectual in nature. Its quest is two-fold—to solve the riddle of why everyone goes through negative experiences in this world, and to offer positive solutions. It addresses the paradox of our having been given the freedom to make our own moral choices, and our frequent misuse of this freedom—actions which repeatedly present us with situations where people react in anger and incur loss.

Spirituality is based on intellectual awakening. It is not a passive experience.

By understanding the Creation Plan of God, and by developing clear thinking and the ability to re-examine any situation, we can convert negative influences and experiences into positive ones. We can take spiritual lessons from material experiences. This is the best formula for character building; it will give us great strength, promote all that is good, and destroy all that is evil.

No End To Possibility

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Non-violence: The most powerful weapon

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he freedom movement against British rule in India started in 1857. For the first fifty years, this movement was violent. Then, in 1919, Mahatma Gandhi entered the stage of Indian politics. He determined that the freedom movement in India would be conducted on a non-violent basis.

For the British rulers, Gandhi’s non-violent weapon proved to be more deadly than the violence of the “freedom warriors”. They possessed the means to put an end to violence with violence. But they did not know how to stem the tide of a movement, which was based on non-violence. When this situation became apparent, a veteran British collector telegrammed the Central Secretariat, saying: “Kindly wire instructions how to kill a tiger non-violently.”

Most people think that politics entails unending conflict with one’s rivals.

But real politics is to wear one’s opponents down, by means of quiet diplomacy, so that they are no longer able to put up a fight.

The success of the non-violent method is contained in a hadith of the Prophet. It is said that the Prophet once observed: “God grants to non-violence what He does not grant to violence.” This means that God has designed the law of nature that governs this world in such a way that peaceful approach can bring results which violence can never.

he sun was setting in the west over the mountains. Half of the orb had already dipped beneath the ridge. In a few minutes the whole sun disappeared behind the still glowing mountain range.

Then darkness descended on all sides. But just then, another light began to ascend. It was the full moon, rising in the east as the sun set in the west. Soon, the whole scene was lit up again. This is a sign of nature. When one possibility ends, another begins.

So it is for individuals and nations – there is always hope. By grasping fresh opportunities and utilising them, one can arise again. Don’t ever giving up trying. The world is full of wonderful opportunities. Here, when matter perishes, it becomes energy; when darkness comes, a new light emerges from its depths; when one building falls, it leaves a place for the construction of another. So it is with events in our lives. From every failure emerges the chance of new success. No one need lose heart in this world. However uncompromising circumstances may seem, they contain somewhere the possibility of triumph for man. What one should do is seek out these possibilities and use them to turn one’s defeat into victory. Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

Remember, every dark cloud has a silver lining.

The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.

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Pious Man And A Nationalist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan recalled his ecstasy as a young man on the day India became independent on August 15, 1947 n Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr

Quick Glance

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t was in 1995 that I had met Maulana Wahiduddin Khan to do an interview-profile for the Indian Express where I was then working. He had just turned 70. I went to his home in West Nizamuddin, climbed the stairs and entered a bare, clean room on the first floor. A tall, frail man, with a bright face which could only be that of an innocent man walked in and sat on the floor. And he spoke freely, with a lot of enthusiasm and with no rancor. One could not escape the impression that here is a man who had spent all his life pursuing scholarly activities and who was not affected by the wiliness of the world around him. The other surprising thing about him was that he was religious and pious, and unlike the stereotypical image of a man of religion, there was not a trace of harshness in him.

There was an overpowering gentleness in his bearing, which leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has met him and talked to him. He was the true picture of a saintly Muslim scholar who belongs to the Islamic tradition of learning of a thousand years and more, in India as well as other parts of the Islamic world of Central Asia, Iran and the Arab world.

I remember distinctly the two things he had narrated then. First, he recalled August 15, 1947. He said that on that day he felt so ecstatic that he went about the town in sheer joy and it felt that his feet were not on the ground.

And he fondly remembered Mahatma Gandhi. There was a sense of joy in his face and in his voice as he narrated this.

The second thing he narrated was about the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1991. He said he was in a meeting in Bombay on that day and at that moment. Someone had sent him a slip asking his response, and he had written on that slip, “What fell was not the mosque, but the ego of the Muslim� and he believed that it would in no way affect the faith of Muslims in the country. It was the most unpopular stand for a Muslim to take at that moment. But he was not afraid to speak his mind. He was armed with his piety and learning.

As a consequence, many people considered him to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak sangh (RSS) and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

There was indeed a vilification campaign against him. But he was not affected by it. He was not hurt by the accusations that were hurled against him by some

The Maulana is keen to reconcile Islam and the discoveries of science He has many critics but there is no bitterness in him when he responds He is a man who has spent his whole life in study and prayer

The Maulana remains the only man who is anxious to share his thoughts and his understanding of Islam with others of his fellow-Muslims. He believed that his understanding of the issue and the situation was right because for him following Islam was not a political issue but a religious issue.

There were many others who are of the view that his Islamic scholarship was flawed and so was his understanding of modern science. But the Maulana remains above the fray and he continues to write prolifically about Islam, science and modernity. It is an intellectual passion with him to deal with the challenges that the new developments and discoveries

of science pose for his religious faith, and he has no hesitation in arguing that there is contradiction between faith and reason, between Islam and science. And as he tirelessly writes books, pamphlets, articles on this issue, there is not a note of bitterness in the tone of his arguments.

Scholars are generally vituperative when they take on their critics, but not so the Maulana.

When asked about his closeness to the RSS and the BJP, he gives the straight and simple answer that when they invite him he does not keep away. The implication is

very clear: he has no ideological enemies.

I met him the second time five years later along with my late brother Srinivas Parsa. My brother was interviewing him for the tehelka website. There was not much of a change in the man.

He was the same gentle, outgoing and communicative person, who answered every question with patience. He was not offended by critical queries. And he had a sense of humour. He said that poet Mohammed Iqbal was wrong when he described Muslims as tigers. He said the tiger was not a brave animal and that it was a cunning animal.

I met him a third time a few years back when I was working with the dna (Daily News and Analysis) newspaper. The man had grown frail, but he has not his zest for sharing his knowledge and answering questions. Now his daughter was playing the role of secretary, explaining to him about the questions that were asked.

He sat on the floor, with his turban, spectacles and thoughtful expression.

He may not bea great Islamic scholar.

There may be other people who have greater learning, and even piety. But Maulana Wahiduddin Khan remains the only man who is anxious to share his thoughts with others, his understanding of Islam with others. He is also a man who does not claim knowledge of other religions. He remains an Islamic scholar and he tries to reconcile to the best of ability the tenets of Islam and the ideas of science. He does not speak of politics or about political ideologies. There is a disarming intellectual simplicity about the man.

And each time you meet him, you come away with the feeling that you have met a pious man, whose faith in God is unshakeable, and because of this faith he seems to face the world without any fear or worry. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is the perfect image of a man of Islam, who combines piety and learning and love for fellow-human beings with humility. This is indeed the true mark of a good man.

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48th Anniversary Celebration

March 12 - 18, 2018

Sulabh international

48 Years Of Swachhata Sulabh has been working tirelessly for the past 48-years as the torchbearer of cleanliness. The leaders of Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement along with thousands of volunteers are working towards the same goal with the same destination. This intention was re-vocalised once again on Sulabh’s 48th Foundation Day celebrations n ayodhya p singh

Quick Glance

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ulabh International celebrated its 48th Foundation Day. This journey of one of the world’s largest non-governmental organisations is unique in itself.

Sulabh has been working tirelessly for cleanliness, service, and social reform without any donations or dividends for 48 years. Sulabh has changed the philosophy of cleanliness by working to support the downtrodden and scavengers in the country. Sulabh has followed its philosophy of service throughout the decades.

Sulabh’s primary purpose is to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream

Sulabh aims to eliminate the malpractice of scavenging

Sulabh is rehabilitating scavengers and bringing them to mainstream

Service is the philosophy Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement founder, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak said that Sulabh’s philosophy is to serve others. The goal to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream is what led to the birth of Sulabh. Gandhi’s dream was to end the malpractice of manual scavenging and bring the scavengers to the mainstream of society. Sulabh has been working in this direction since its inception. Sulabh has made this the cause of the entire nation.

Changed millions of lives Today, more than 60,000 volunteers are connected to Sulabh International. In Sulabh’s 48-year-long journey, more than 15 lakh household and 8,500 public toilets have been built. More than 6 crore public toilets have been made according to Sulabh’s toilet designs. Today, more than 20 million people are using Sulabh toilets daily. More than 10,000 scavengers have been rehabilitated. While Sulabh’s founder Dr Bindeshwar Pathak was born to a very conservative Brahmin family, with the establishment of Sulabh, he illuminated the darkness of countless lives. He researched and developed the two-pit-pour flush toilet in 1968. This was the catalyst that changed both the state and direction of the toilets in India.

This new kind of toilet was very useful and cheap to construct.

Since the establishment of Sulabh in 1970 and the construction of public toilets in urban areas in 1974, the two-pit model gained popularity. This model of toilets was first seen in Bihar and soon gained popularity across India. These

if Sulabh’s two-pit technology didn’t exist, the country wouldn’t have met the standards of cleanliness and sanitation access it has been able to achieve in the past decades. Today, the country is close to achieving the dream of ending open defecation altogether, and Sulabh’s twinpit model has played a crucial role in making that a reality.

Today, more than 60,000 volunteers are connected to Sulabh International. In its 48 years, more than 15 lakh household and 8,500 public toilets have been built Sulabh toilets were based on pay-anduse system and proved to be a boon for the people. These toilets have been the foundation of the improvement in sanitation in India since its inception.

A Culture of Hygiene Dr Pathak says that the biggest achievement in our 48-year journey is that we have successfully developed a culture of cleanliness. The tree that was planted 48 years ago, has now blossomed and bears flowers and fruits. Sulabh’s journey has touched countless lives. In this 48-year long journey, Sulabh has given so much to society.

Sulabh’s work opportunities The biggest dilemma faced by scavengers was that if they left the work of manual scavenging, they wouldn’t have any other way of earning a living. Since its inception, Sulabh started working towards helping those facing this dilemma.

Sulabh gave scavengers new ways of earning their livelihood. Sulabh has provided vocational training to rehabilitated scavengers and has helped them gain employment in various fields.

Sulabh’s two-pit toilet Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, underlining the 48- year journey of Sulabh, says that

Reform along with toilets Dr Pathak believes that Sulabh has become a vehicle of social reform. He said that the contribution of Sulabh isn’t limited to the toilets. Sulabh has made positive changes by bringing the oppressed scavengers into the mainstream of society along with increasing access to proper sanitation. Simultaneously, it has also played an important part in saving the environment, the rights of the widows and the downtrodden. He said that every year he plays Holi with the widowed mothers of Vrindavan. Dr Pathak said that these are also the different ways in which Sulabh has contributed to the development of the country.

From Toilets To School Chairman of Sulabh, S P Singh, speaking about Sulabh’s journey said “We have made every possible effort to change the society. When people doubted that toilets wouldn’t change the society, we opened a school, trained people, and brought them into the mainstream.” Sulabh’s Executive Chairman S Chatterjee speaking on the occasion said that when Dr Pathak developed the two-pit toilet model, scientists didn’t believe that it could end

48th Anniversary Celebration

March 12 - 18, 2018

Timeline

1968

Dr Pathak joins Bihar Gandhi Centenary Celebration Committee

1973

198081

Two individual Sulabh Shauchalayas built in Arrah, Bihar

Liberating scavengers, collaborating with government Introduced pay-and-use system public toilets

1978

Legal Protection status for Scavengers Training and Rehabilitation for scavengers. Sulabh technology implemented in different countries

198889

Invention of Sulabh two-pit ecological compost toilet and foundation of Sulabh Shauchalaya Sansthan

1992 1994

The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

2000

Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) Technology

Alwar scavenging free

2003

1990

Sulabh starts construction of toilets in villages

2001 2002

1984

Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act Social Upgradation of Scavengers

Duckweed Project. Sulabh Thermophilic Aerobic Composting (STAC)

Sulabh trains women

Historic Seminar on Scavengers

1985 1986

Awareness Campaign.

Educate, Organise and Agitate seminar for scavengers

199697

1974

Biogas from Public Toilet

Scavengers allowed in Temple. Casteless Puja

1970

2009

Sulabh University

2011 Sulabh takes up the cause of the Widows in Virndavan

2012

Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium visited the Sulabh campus

Sulabh awarded ‘Safaigiri Award’

2015

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a practice that has been going on for thousands of years. But Dr Pathak proved them wrong by helping eliminate manual scavenging in many parts of the country via Sulabh toilets. Sulabh’s famed twopit toilet is now being implemented in the entire world. Even the New York city celebrates April 14th as Dr Bindeshwar Pathak Day annually.

The pains of scavenging Hailing from Alwar in Rajasthan, Sulabh society’s president, Usha Chaumar shared her story and the pains experienced by manual scavenging. She said, “When I did carry nightsoil, I had never fathomed that anyone would ever listen to me.”

Usha said that she had lived two lives in this life -- one as a scavenger, which is very dirty and without honour and second -- after being rehabilitated, a life that has honour and happiness.

Pooja Changra, who came from the same tonk of Rajasthan, told that Sulabh gave her a new life by making her a part of the Sulabh family. She received training via Sulabh’s ‘Nai Disha’ programme and now earns her own livelihood and lives with dignity. cultural programmes Sulabh has also emphasized the role of better education in changing the society.

Sulabh Public School is a big step in this direction. Most of the children attending this school are from the backward classes of the society. These students not only receive a basic education but also receive vocational training. On the 48th Founder’s day celebration, the students of Sulabh Public School presented a variety of cultural programmes. From ‘Ganesh Vandana’ to ‘Sulabh ko Salaam’, they kept the attendees entertained throughout. rainbow decorations On the 48th Foundation Day celebrations, the entire Sulabh gram was decorated.

Sulabh’s founder, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak presented flowers at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar in the Sulabh gram. Over the years, Dr Pathak has been campaigning to enable the suffering widows to lead a normal and dignified life. Through his multiple initiatives for ameliorating these women, he has brought a tangible difference in their lives, and has thus succeeded in his mission to give them a new lease of life.

Sulabh has been providing a monthly allowance of Rs 2000/- a month for basic necessities and teaching skills.

The festival of Holi has always been a boisterous Hindu festival. Colours play a central role in the celebrations, so much so that it is commonly known as the festival of colours. But for these women it is the definition of freedom, happiness, upliftment and acceptance in the society.

It is the true achievement of good over the evil.

(Please also see Photo Feature on Page 18)

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Vrindavan Widows

March 12 - 18, 2018

shanti

“I Want To Go Back, But Not To My Children” Shanti pained her way to earning her children an educated life. In return, she was abandoned on streets to starve

n Swastika tripathi

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hen making ends meet became difficult, that is when she resorted to begging. And then when even that didn’t help, she found her way to Vrindavan. Shanti was a mere 13-yearold when she was made to tie the knot to the man best-suited for her, at least that is what the family had told her.

Life was as normal as it is scripted for any next-door-married-woman in India. Her husband was a worker at a wool factory in Benaras. They were ‘blessed’ with four children – three girls and a boy. The money wasn’t huge, but enough to meet the daily needs for six. Life was a bright and pretty hue. But normalcy was a short-span event in Shanti’s life. Her husband died of heart attack in a few years time, and things went black and white.

As it goes – poverty, hunger, helplessness, and all things gloomy hit her hard at once. Her husband’s family was least bothered with where life leads her now, and her birth family wasn’t her own family anymore following the day she tied the knot – according to Hindu religious beliefs.

With nothing in hand and four very young children to look after, Shanti started working as a labourer. The

“

Vrindavan will never let a soul sleep hungry and ‘Lal Baba’ is the God of the widows who live here

”

wages were low but enough to feed the little ones. Time went on, and the little savings added up to buy five tickets to Agra. She gathered all she could lay hands on and decided to begin a new life by moving to this new place.

Agra was fair to Shanti at first. She earned a living by washing utensils at various homes. Whatever she earned, she invested in t h e schooling of the children.

Children would go to school,

she would go to work, children would come home to a meal cooked by their mother and the five were growing out of the sorrowful past. The children grew up, and Shanti performed her duty by marrying them off in time, the three sisters followed by the youngest brother. Little did she know that her efforts were to be forgotten in a jiffy as the four ‘blessings’ would soon turn back on her as they move on with the new phase of their lives.

Soon Shanti was a burden on her son and daughter-in-law. The money “wasn’t enough to drag the burdensome mother’s expenses along”. And thus, she was shown the door.

The poverty-stricken street days were back in Shanti’s life. This time with an unbearable pain, both emotional (the heart-break by children) and physical (all the labouring had weakened her knees with age – making her unfit to work anymore). When the hunger struck beyond toleration, Shanti started begging. This helped for some time, but mostly it was days of fasting. And some days were as merciless as picking eatables from the garbage or quietly eating the chapatis placed by devotees on streets for cows. Some of her previous employers, seeing her on streets, then told her about how the holy land of Vrindavan is where she should steer her life towards and one of them got her admitted to the Sulabh International Social Service Organisationrun widows’ ashram where she

Quick Glance Shanti was 13-years-old when she got married and later had four children But in a few years her husband passed away with no one to back her family She laboured to educate her children, who later turned their back on her

stays now.

“The world is full of selfish people.

Only one in a million can understand the plight of a widow,” said Shanti as a lone tear trickled down her cheek.

Shanti – meaning thereby peace, calmness, comfort… But her life was the exact opposite of all this. She recalls her Banaras days and tears fill her eyes. There is no looking back but if given a chance, she confesses that she wants to go back to the city where once she grew up, though that doesn’t include meeting or living with her children. The four never for once tried to trace her down and so she wants nothing to do with their lives, too. She says that ‘Lal Baba’ (that is what all the women living at the ashram call Sulabh Organisation’s founder Dr Bindeshwar Pathak) is taking good care of her and all others at the ashram. Probably, at last, there is some ‘shaanti’ in her life.

“I’m not happy with how my life turned out, but at least now it is not at its worst. The ashram has put a shelter over my head. A bed to sleep, washed clothes and decent meals – life is instilled back into me. More, a monthly stipend of Rs 2000/provided by Sulabh is taking care of my medicinal needs. Vrindavan will never let a soul sleep hungry and ‘Lal Baba’ is the God of the widows who stay put here. The life goes on, and at least now there is peace,” said Shanti, wiping her tears and giving a smile.

West Bengal

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Panchayat

Bengal Panchayat Dept Earns Accolades From World Bank The bank-backed project was meant to push for upgradation of the panchayat infrastructure and services n Prasanta Paul

Quick Glance

he West Bengal Panchayat department has made the impossible possible; sounds little strange and out of place ? Not quite so.

It even appeared to be incredible to a delegation of World Bank officials when a high level Bank team led by a top official visited some of the panchayats at the grassroot level in the state early last month. The team was awestruck by the work done by the department and that too, within such a short time!

The Bank officials who are apparently highly pleased with the performance of the department, have decided to award it for its spectacular ground work. What is the award – the Bank will be sanctioning a onetime grant between Rs 1-1.5 crore to all the panchayats of the state, depending on their size and status, for upgrading the panchayats in the 21 districts.

A World Bank-financed project under Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayat(ISGP) which envisaged gradual modernisation of the panchayats in West Bengal, was launched early last year. Under the project, the Bank has proposed to invest a whooping Rs 1,350 crore in phases, beginning from the 201617 fiscal. The West Bengal Panchayat department was sanctioned Rs 350 crore in the first phase and it was supposed to spend the amount within March, 2018. In this phase, panchayats were supposed to upgrade their infrastructure and services besides making the entire working of the panchayats as transparent as possible.

However, the grant has not come without some riders; in order to be eligible for the grant, the Bank had imposed certain strict conditionalities and the individual panchayats had been categorically directed to fulfil all of them; any panchayat failing to fulfill them, would be automatically deemed as unfit to receive the grant. The riders include : each panchayat had been asked to spend at least 60 per cent of the first allotment of grant within March 2018; the list of works done under the development fund would require to be uploaded in the website of the Union Panchayat ministry; each panchayat would need to expand its

The World Bank will sanction a one-time grant of Rs 1-1.5 crore

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The grant will go to all the panchayats of the state The World Bank financed a similar project earlier this year

The bank has decided to release an additional grant to give a fillip to the work fund base independent of the grant.

These apart, there is an external evaluation of 100 marks! The external evaluation would assess whether the meeting of the gram sabha is being held on a regular basis and the rate of attendace of villagers in that sabha; attendance and participation of women in such meetings ; whether proper tenders are being called for development projects and tender norms are being followed properly as per the panchayat act; whether the village sewerage pipelines are being properly laid and finally, whether all the activities of the panchayat are being uploaded through the GIS system.

According to Soumya Purkait who has been overseeing the entire World Bank project funding and its implementation at the grassroot, the Bank has set a benchmark target of accomplishing 70 per cent of the allotted work after completion of three years. In the first year, at least fifty per cent of the panchayats ought to

complete the work; in the second year, it was fixed at 60 per cent while it had been raised to 70 in the third year. “However, West Bengal has attained 70 per cent completion of the work in the very first year of operation of the project which has evidently impressed the World Bank team,” Purkait said.

The Bank officials who personally visited some of the panchayats spread over four districts to assess the level of performance, were so surprised over the progress of the work that they had to meet in Kolkata on their return from the visit. “ After an internal meeting, the Bank officials met the West Bengal Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee and congratulated him for meeting the target barely within an year,” Purkait pointed out.

Quoting the officials Purkait said the achievement( of Bengal) was beyond their expectation and hence, the bank has decided to release additional grant

in the second year to give a fillip to the work. India is the largest client of the World Bank Group. The Bank’s India portfolio includes lending of 2.8 billion US dollars from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and 1.0 billion US dollars from the International Development Association (IDA). As of June 2016, the Bank’s net commitments to the country stood at 27 billion US dollars (IBRD $16 billion, IDA $11 billion) across 95 projects. According to panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee, the manner in which the people at the panchayats in liaison with the department have been working, will shortly usher in a revolution in the panchayats of Bengal.

The villagers will not have to seek any extra favour from the panchayat leaders for getting their respective works done as the system is being relaid in this manner.

“Once this system falls in shape, it will automatically arrest any move to sabotage or throw a spanner in the day to day work of the panchayats,” Mukherjee claimed.

In fact, this will add one more feather to the hat of Mr. Mukherjee as during his tenure as the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), he completely revamped the accounts department as a result of which the Corporation could weed out nearly 20,000 `ghost workers’ at one go and save more than Rs 100 crore per annum. Mukherjee had ordered opening of bank account for each and every employee of the Corporation where the monthly salary would be transferred and completely stopped the traditional practice of payment of salary through cash. “That was nearly two decades back,” he quipped.

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Sanitation: Nigeria

March 12 - 18, 2018

nigeria

Sanitation in Africa’s ‘Giant’ Nigeria is investing heavily into implementing creative solutions to improve sanitation access nationwide

National policies and initiatives

Mihir Paul

S

anitation is essential to the health, wealth and well-being of any country. Nigeria has a huge population and extremely rapid rural–urban migration. Economic development and urban planning have somewhat kept pace with the sheer volumes of people arriving – and being born – every day in its towns and cities.

While Nigeria has come a long way in terms of developing its economy, in

Quick Glance The need for sanitation solutions in Nigeria has inspired creative ways Number of new people gaining access to sanitation in Nigeria is 0.7 million CLTS and its adaptations were piloted in Nigeria from 2004 to 2007

From community-led total sanitation programmes to dignified mobile toilets, Nigeria is doing its best to improve access to sanitation terms of sanitation, there’s still a lot to do. The need for sanitation solutions in Nigeria has inspired some rather creative ways the country is dealing with sanitation. From communityled sanitation programs to dignified mobile toilets, Nigeria is doing its best to improve access to sanitation.

As far as urban sanitation access goes, the numbers have improved in recent times. Currently, the total number of new people gaining access to sanitation in Nigeria is 0.7 million.

However, a massive 14 million people extra per year must gain access in order to reach the 2030 target of everyone, everywhere. Nigeria needs to measure up to its status as Africa’s giant and finance its infrastructure accordingly.

With only 14 years to achieve the

UN goals, there’s no time to waste.

Nigeria has made substantial progress in developing policies and strategies for water supply and sanitation service delivery.

Stating Statistics

In 2015, 67% of the total population had access to “at least basic water supply”. This was 82% of the urban population and 54% of the rural population. In 2015, around 60 million people lacked access to “at least basic” water. As for sanitation, 33% of the total population had access to “at least basic” sanitation. This was 39% of the urban population and 27% of the rural population. In urban areas, access to standpipes substituted to a large extent to piped water access.

Nigeria’s National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, approved in 2000, encourages privatesector participation and envisages institutional and policy reforms at the state level. However, little has happened in both respects. As of 2007, only four of the 37 states – Lagos, Cross River, Kaduna and Ogun States – began to introduce publicprivate partnerships (PPP) in the form of service contracts, a form of PPP where the responsibility of the private sector is limited to operating infrastructure without performance incentives.

In 2011 the government voted in the United Nations in favor of a resolution making water and sanitation a human right. However, it has not passed legislation to enshrine the human right to water and sanitation in national law.

The country is not on track to reach the Millennium Development Goal for water and sanitation.

Since 2008 community-led total sanitation has been introduced in six states, with the support of UNICEF and the EU. While not being a national policy, apparently this grass-roots initiative has met with some success.

More than 17,000 latrines have been built in 836 communities, and more than 100 of these communities have attained the goal of being declared free of open defecation.

Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS)

Past approaches in implementing sanitation and hygiene programmes such as subsidy based promotional slabs, sani-centre operations, hand washing campaigns, among others, yielded little results in enhancing the national sanitation coverage. The shortcomings of these approaches led to the adoption of approaches such as Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and WASH in Schools to scale up access to improved sanitation and hygiene in the country.

March 12 - 18, 2018

Beginning

CLTS and its adaptations were piloted in Nigeria from 2004 to 2007 in several communities. The pilot interventions were carried out by several organizations such as UNICEF, WaterAid, State and Local governments in collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation. Based on the outcome, CLTS was adopted as a major approach for rural sanitation development in the government approved Strategy for Scaling up Sanitation and Hygiene to meet the MDGs in Nigeria (2007).

The scaling up of CLTS in most states effectively commenced in 2008 coinciding with the International Year of Sanitation.

Institutional Arrangement

Major institutions supporting CLTS implementation in the country are: the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), National Water Resources Institute, the State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS), the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSA), the Local Government Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Departments or Units, the Community Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs) and many Community Based Organizations. 28 States have established Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies; 24 States have LGA WASH Units while 7 States have WASH Departments.

The NTGS was established in 2002 under the direction of the Department of Water Quality Control and Sanitation of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources as a coordinating

Sanitation: Nigeria

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The ‘Iron Lady’ of Water & Sanitation Zainabu Abubaker is known as the ‘Iron Lady’ of water and sanitation in Nigeria. She has been instrumental in helping her community become free of open defecation (ODF)

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n Nigeria’s rural communities, open defecation is a common problem, creating serious public health risks. Zainabu Abubaker, who leads the water and sanitation department in her local government, has helped her community become almost entirely open defecation free.

“They call me the Iron Lady, I don’t know why,” laughs Zainabu Abubakar. “I’m not ferocious or anything, I’m just doing my job.”

“I studied nursing back in college because I was always really passionate about improving community health – especially for women and children.

This was the perfect role for me,” she says.

Zainabu is a mother of four living in Katsina State in northern Nigeria.

Back in 2009, the State Governor appointed her to become the Director of the newly formed Local Government Area (LGA) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Department in Bakori, an unusual move in a region which has very few female decision makers.

ODF Free Status

Zainabu’s job is particularly important in a country like Nigeria. According to the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey, 28.7 per cent of Nigeria’s population practised open defecation, while another 37.3 per cent was using unimproved latrines.

Since then, Zainabu and her team have gone on to roll out an extensive Water and Sanitation programme in the district. One of the first initiatives to be introduced was Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS). Back in 2009, it was considered a new and innovative approach, inspiring communities to construct their own latrines and eliminate the practice of open defecation – a common problem, particularly in rural areas. The ongoing SHAWN II project (Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria) is being run in collaboration with UNICEF and NGO partners, with funding from UK Aid.

Since 2008 community-led total sanitation has been introduced in six states of Nigeria with the support of UNICEF and the EU

body and a national platform for the promotion of sanitation and hygiene in the country. Members are drawn from relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (Education, Environment, Health, Housing and Urban Development, Water Resources, Women Affairs, NAFDAC, NPHCDA, NPC); Development Partners (UNICEF, DFID, JICA, World Bank, EU); CSOs (NEWSAN, Youth WASH, WASH Media Network); and the Private Sector (Unilever). The Group meets regularly; and facilitates as well as participates in national and international events on sanitation and hygiene.

There have been increased levels of subscriptions from governments at national and sub-national levels. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources is providing the required leadership in the promotion and advocacy for CLTS in the country in collaboration with other members of the NTGS for more funding from States and Local Governments to scale up CLTS implementation in the country.

Capacity Building

Over the years and with all the 36 states and FCT now implementing CLTS at different scales, close to 10,000 personnel at Local, State and Federal levels have undergone training or re-training on the approach. Also the capacity of over 10,000 Natural Leaders (NLs), Voluntary Hygiene Promoters (VHPs) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs) had been built at the community level across the country.

Some Natural Leaders are also engaged as Community Consultants to facilitate CLTS promotion in neighbouring communities.

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Sanitation: Nigeria

ODF Certification

With the support of UNICEF, a Guideline for certification of ODF communities was developed and is being applied in all the states implementing CLTS. The certification process involves the participation of WASHCOMs at the community level, WASH Departments/Units at the Local Government level and; RUWASSA and STGS at the State level. Based on field observations, the Guideline was reviewed to increase the effectiveness of the certification process.

Third Party Certification

The acceptance of CLTS in the country led to many communities claiming ODF status which requires certification. The NTGS, with the support of UNICEF, introduced the third party certification and validation process which involves an independent body supporting the certification institution i.e the STGS, in the certification process. This is followed by Third party validation: an independent body spot-checks and visits 10% of the total certified ODF communities in a State. This system was designed to instill credibility and transparency in the implementation and certification process. It also enhances the efficiency of triggering process, sustainability of communities’ ODF status and lower slippage rate. Other innovations introduced into CLTS implementation include the Hygiene Improvement Framework (HIF) aimed at reducing high risk hygiene practices; development of technology options to address problem of difficult terrains e.g Ecosan and sanitation marketing to cater for the increased demand for sanitation services.

Achievements

As of August 2014, over 20,000 communities in 301 LGAs in 36 States

March 12 - 18, 2018

The acceptance of CLTS in the country led to many communities claiming ODF status which requires certification are implementing CLTS. More than 12,000 communities have attained ODF with over 3,000 of them certified.

Also 66 out of the 410 communities claiming total sanitation status have been certified as totally sanitized communities. An additional 894,998 latrines have also been built across the CLTS communities out of which 317,252 are improved technology options. However, efforts are being made to integrate CLTS data into the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Information Management System (WASHIMS), a real time database being developed with support from UNICEF. As of June 2015, data from 48 LGAs populated on the WASHIMS showed that 9,962 communities have been triggered, of which 4,255 are certified ODF and 1,864 are claiming ODF status. A national CLTS Training Manual is being finalized as a guide for the development of skilled trainers and facilitators for CLTS implementation.

Community engagement

In less than six years, almost 90 per cent of Bakori’s communities have now been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF).

This also means that residents practise handwashing and have access to safe water through the installation of new water points. “CLTS is something that I am most proud of. It’s doing really well, you can really see a difference in the communities – diarrhoea and vomiting have decreased drastically in the last few years. When I visit the ODF communities, this is one of the first things they always tell me.”

As behaviour change is a long-term process, Ward Health Officers visit communities every few weeks to check on their progress. Reports are then carefully vetted by Zainabu’s team. “I really keep track of what’s happening at the community level – I know all the communities and I’m lucky because I know I have a great team who are supporting them.”

Dignified Mobile Toilets – Startup Success Story

Popularly known by his friends as ‘Otunba Gaddafi’, Isaac Agbetusin trained as a Graphic artist and worked as a security professional before he decided to get into the ‘toilet business’ in 1996.

His inspiration came while he was making arrangements for a friend’s wedding party which would have over 10,000 guests in attendance.

How would these people answer nature’s call after all the eating and drinking?

After searching for nearly four weeks, he couldn’t find any company that provides mobile toilet facilities for parties and public events. That’s when he decided to start his own mobile toilet company, Dignified Mobile Toilets, popularly known by its acronym – DMT. To date, his company has manufactured over 3,000 mobile private toilets. It produces about 200 units every month for sale and for hire across Nigeria and in the West Africa region.

DMT has also spread beyond Lagos (where it started) to over 20 cities in Nigeria and is present in seven countries

in West Africa.

Popular for his favourite tagline ‘Shit Business is Serious Business’; Otunba Gaddafi has given a professional face to human waste disposal. By working with widows and unemployed youths in several parts of the city, his company gives out these private toilet units on hire.

Because they often do not have the capital to pay for the units, these widows and youths pay a fixed amount to the company every month over a two-year period after which they become full owners of a thriving mobile toilet business!

And how much does it cost any regular person to use these mobile toilets? For only 20 Naira (about 10 US cents) anyone with an urge to answer nature’s call can use these toilets rather than pollute the environment!

It’s a cheap and convenient option for anyone who is caught in the hustle of Lagos busy streets and markets.

The company also rents out mobile toilet units for private parties, weddings, trade fairs, conventions and all kinds of events.

In a bid to consolidate the successes of this brilliant business, DMT is currently planning to build a biogas production plant which will convert all the human waste it collects from across the city into gas that will be used to generate electricity.

If this is achieved, it would be one of the greatest and few attempts by any African entrepreneur to produce sustainable energy from human waste.

The company has also been approached by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to work on projects that will provide easy access to decent toilet facilities which will help to improve personal hygiene and fight endemic diseases such as polio and malaria.

Swachhta

March 12 - 18, 2018

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Swachh Bharat Mission

Swachhta Status In 2018 From Swachh Shakti 2018 to Ganga Gram Project, the Swachh Bharat Mission has seen a lot of progress in the past few months Quick Glance Swachh Shakti was launched in UP to commemorate International Women’s Day The Swajal project was launched in Uttarakhand and Rajasthan Gangotri has been declared as a Swachh Iconic Place

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he Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, organized a Women’s Convention – called Swachh Shakti 2018 – , on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018 at Lucknow. 8000 women sarpanches, 3000 women Swachhagrahis, 2000 mahila samakhyas from Uttar Pradesh and women sarpanches from across the country were invited to recognize their outstanding contribution towards making Swachh Bharat a reality in rural India.

The Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, along with other Ministers and dignitaries most of them women addressed and honoured the women champions on this occasion.

Last year, 6000 women sarpanches from across the country had assembled in Gujarat on the occasion of International Women’s Day under the banner Swachh Shakti 2017. They were directly addressed and honouredby the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

This year, Uttar Pradesh hosted Swachh Shakti 2018 as the largest State in the country, with a massive rural populace. The event was presided over

by Uma Bharti, Minister Drinking Water and Sanitation. Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh was the Chief Guest for the occasion. The included special exhibitions, films and other activities dedicated to women’s role in Swachh Bharat Mission. It is expected that Swachh Shakti 2018 will provide momentum to the sanitation coverage in UP where the task is quite large. 37 Swachhata Shakti Raths were flagged off to run and trigger various districts in

Swachh Bharat is close to reaching its 2019 goals and 2018 has already seen some very significant initiatives come into light the state. Meanwhile, across the country, many States held public events to honour Women Swachhata Champions in their States as a part of Swachh Shakti 2018.

The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2nd, 2014, by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is aimed at achieving a clean and open defecation free (ODF) India. With all-round efforts, 314 districts and 3.23 lakh villages which include 9 States and 2 UTs have been declared ODF and the sanitation coverage has more than doubled from 38.70% to 78.98% since the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched.

initiatives In Uttarakhand Ganga Gram As a special initiative, Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Uma Bharti, recently launched the Bagori Ganga Gram project, New Swajal Project at Bagori and Gangotri Iconic

Place at Dunda village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Besides creating cleanliness, providing basic amenities to the people of Ganga bank villages, these projects would also generate employment.

ODF village Bagori is one of the 24 pilot Ganga Villages picked up to be transformed into Ganga Grams this year. As a first step to it, the Minister inaugurated solid and liquid waste management scheme of Rs 11.88 lakh at Bagori. She urged the people to join in the mission of making Ganga villages true in complete sense. To give huge momentum to tree plantation in Ganga catchment area, Uma Bharati along with Prakash Pant, Drinking and Sanitation Minister, Uttarakhand, Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, MDWS , local MLA and other central and state government officials participated in tree plantation programme at Dharasu NMCG Nursery.

More than 1.5 lac saplings are ready to

be planted in Ganga Catchment area in Uttarkashi this year.

The Minister urged people that tree plantation on river bank is also the responsibility of people. She further said that integrated development by engaging communities is in the heart of Ganga Gram Concept.

Swajal Project Uma Bharati also inaugurated new Swajal Project at Bagori with a budget of more than 32 lakh rupees. Swajal is a community owned drinking water programme for sustained drinking water supply. Prakash Pant also told that the state is planning to provide water supply to hundreds of villages in Uttarakhand.

He also urged people to come forward and adopt this New Swajal Project as it adopted the old Swajal scheme.

Later, Uma Bharti also visited village Sadag, where Swajal scheme is successfully running since 1996.

Gangotri, Swachh Iconic PlacE The Union Minister also launched Gangotri as Swachh Iconic Places.

ONGC with its CSR fund will help in taking Gangotri to a higher level of swachhta.

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March 12 - 18, 2018

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

Swastika tripathi Swastika is a budding journalist and an aspirant storyteller

Harriett Jackson Brown Jr.,

VIEWPOINT

American author best known for his inspirational book, Life’s Little Instruction Book

Consumer Rights – for continued success of digital economy

Learn About Pi… You may not realise it, but Pi Day is a real, nationally recognised holiday

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eally!

It’s official. The date March 14 (that is, 3/14) was designated Pi Day by House Resolution 224 of the first session of the 111th Congress of the United States. It begins “Whereas the Greek letter (Pi) is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter,” and is followed by 11 more whereasesbefore it resolves to support the designation of “Pi Day” to encourage “schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.”

The earliest known official, or large-scale celebration of Pi Day, was organized by Larry Shaw in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium. The Exploratorium continues to hold Pi Day celebrations.

Pi has 6.4 billion known digits that would take approximately 133 years to recite without stopping. Even if they do manage to make it to the next Super Pi Day (thanks to advanced in medical science, probably, we’re just guessing), they’ll probably be too old to enjoy it.

Today pi has been calculated to 10 trillion decimal places. You can even smell it. In its modern olfactory form, it is a cologne.

Editor-in-Chief

Kumar Dilip Edited, Printed and Published by: Monika Jain on behalf of Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation, owned by Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation Printed at: The Indian Express Limited A - 8, Sector -7, NOIDA (UP) Published at: RZ - 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam - Dabri Road, New Delhi - 110045 (India) Corporate Office: 819, Wave Silver Tower, Sector - 18, NOIDA (UP) Phone: +91-120-6500425 Email: editor@sulabhswachhbharat.com, ssbweekly@gmail.com

Building a digital world consumers can trust

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one are the days when machines like the telephone and PC took time to reach the masses. Nowadays, consumers are ready to grab the next big thing in the digital space. This is probably because invention has become the mother of necessity and not vice-versa. People today consume for different reasons, be it for their satisfaction, luxury, or simple needs. On one-hand, a knowledgeable consumer makes a wise decision regarding services and commodities; but on the other hand, often the right information isn’t provided to the consumers which can be misleading.

Many consumers are facing the real challenges in their everyday lives, including a lack of access or unsafe goods and services, and unfair practices. Hence raising awareness of consumer rights amongst consumers, businesses and governments is an important step in helping to put consumer protection in place.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE & DIGITAL ECONOMY Former US President John F Kennedy said on March 15, 1962: “Consumers by definition include us all.

They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group… whose views are often not heard.” Consumer confidence and trust are central to the success of the digital economy.

The rapid development of digital technology has delivered social and economic benefits for millions of consumers around the world.

It has connected people within and between countries, enabled people to easily access information and services and created choice and convenience in ways that could not be

imagined a generation ago.

However, the continued success of the digital economy will only be possible if further developments are not just available to all but trusted enough to be integrated into people’s everyday lives.

The responsibility for ensuring that consumers’ rights are protected online, and autonomy and personal freedom are upheld, cannot be managed by one country alone; it requires collaboration across governments, international organisations and businesses.

Consumers are offered protection from a variety of sources, such as legislation, industry codes of practice, standards, enforcement agencies and consumer groups. But the system is most effective when everyone is working towards common principles and goals.

Sound measurement Countries should agree to progress towards the development of open and complementary standards. A sound measurement of how the digital economy affects consumer trust and confidence is essential. Strong, effective, proportionate and easily accessible legal and judicial or supervisory mechanisms should exist to protect consumers from fraud and unfair treatment online and to provide sanction against abuse, technical failures and errors.Fair treatment with special attention to vulnerable Treating consumers fairly should be an integral part of the objectives, good governance and corporate culture of all digital providers, and they should be held responsible for upholding digital consumer protection. Any practices that increase the risk of harm to consumers should be avoided, with special attention given to the needs of disadvantaged groups or consumers in situations of vulnerability.

March 12 - 18, 2018

People today consume for different reasons, be it for their satisfaction, luxury, or simple needs

Ofcourse, Digital Education The outright change in the mindsets of the consumers makes it mandatory for them to be educated about the digital space. Plus, education and awareness provision should complement rather than replace regulatory and legislative protection. Digital education and awareness should support consumers to develop the skills and confidence to be able to manage risks and opportunities, make informed choices, know how to get assistance and advice and take action to protect and improve their well-being and identity online.

Competition for choice Nationally and internationally competitive markets should be promoted in order to provide consumers with a meaningful choice of digital providers, products and services and support the delivery of better prices, enhanced innovation and high service quality. To enhance consumers’ ability to easily compare and switch providers, interoperable and compatible device and software standards and rights to access and transfer data between services should be prioritised and research supported to establish best practice in this area globally.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Consumers are privileged to have rights and access to all those common goals and principles. However, they come with certain responsibilities.

Consumers should be concerned with securing, protecting, and asserting their rights in the marketplace while trading and transacting business to obtain fair value for goods and services. Meanwhile, consumers should not have to worry about the safety of the item they purchase, or contend with false and misleading advertising.

Consumers have the responsibility to seek, to evaluate and to use available information on products and services to make sound buying decisions.

56 years to the day Kennedy called for consumer rights, and a lot has happened on the back of the inspired new generation leaders to fight for greater protections in the areas of food, finances, auto, and product safety — protections that the world enjoys today. But there are miles to go and our job is to fight to preserve these achievements and protect our hard-earned rights. Fighting the good fight together, the day will come when consumer rights will succeed.

OpEd

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Tolerance: A Noble Virtue

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan A world-renowned Islamic scholar who writes prolifically about the positive aspects of faith in science

upfront

Tolerance implies unswerving respect for others, whether in agreement or disagreement with them

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olerance is a noble humanitarian virtue. Its practice means making concessions to others. Intolerance, on the other hand, means showing a self-centered unconcern for the needs of others. Tolerance is a worthy, humane virtue, which has been described in different terms in Islam. For instance, gentle behavior, showing concern for others, being soft-hearted and being compassionate.

When true God-worship and religiosity is born within a person, he reaches above all those evils which emanate from selfishness. Instead of living within the confines of the self, he begins to live in the world of reality. The truly pious person begins to look upon people with love and compassion. He does not expect anything from anyone that is why even when others differ from him or do not behave well towards him, he continues nevertheless to make concessions to them, and continues to be tolerant towards them. Tolerance implies unswerving respect for others, whether in

agreement or disagreement with them. The tolerant person will always consider the case of others sympathetically, be they relatives or friends, and irrespective of the treatment he is given by them, be it of a positive or a negative nature.

Tolerance means, in essence, to give consideration to others.

In social life, friction between people does occur in every society, differences arising from religion, culture, tradition and personal tastes persist. In such a situation the superior cause of action is to adopt the ways of concession and large-heartedness without any compromise of principle. That is to say that the pious man should be a man of principle as far as he

himself, is concerned, but should be tolerant towards others. He should judge himself in the light of the ideal but in the matter of his fellow men he should show tolerance and broad-mindedness.

This being inseparable from human gentility and nobility, Islam aims to produce this fine human quality of gentlemanliness by preaching tolerance.

Whenever any negative situation arises one way of dealing with it is a head-on clash, i.e. an attempt to solve the problem by direct confrontation. Such attempts are abortive as they only aggravate the problem. In no way will they improve matters. Experience shows that on such occasions instead of behaving violently and fighting, we should opt for the course of tolerance and forbearance; instead of combating violence with violence, we should adopt the policy of avoidance; remaining united in spite of differences.

letters to the editor

fair deal The new Issue of your esteemed paper has given a pleasantly comprehensive view to the fact that women in modern India are competing

equally and fairly with the men in the country. Their will-power is their very commitment and brain power. The lists of women working in the various strands or sectors of life call was unknown to many like me. It made me re-realise that the world that revolves around one’s confined quarters is not the only world; there is a bigger and more amazing world outside.

I would request to print more detailed information regarding these ladies and what all problems they faced in succeeding in their field of work.

Prabal Tripathi, Noida

salute dr pathak The section ‘Sulabh’s Contribution’ provides one with a more detailed and commendable work done

by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak Ji for the women of different castes, ages and professions.

I salute him for his hard work and initiative in breaking the taboos and age-old costums followed in India. He is a real pioneer in this crusade for women empowerment.

Many women who were otherwise disadvantaged, now work for their families proudly and equally, along with others. Awaiting to see Dr Pathak’s biopic soon.

Vijay Sharma, Jaipur

Please mail your opinion to - ssbweekly@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 9868807712

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Photo Feature

March 12 - 18, 2018

Sulabh: 48 Years Of Service Sulabh recently celebrated its 48th Foundation Day at the Sulabh Gram in Delhi.

Commemorating its 48 years of selfless service and dedication to the cause of sanitation.

Sulabh has indeed come a long way since its inception in 1970 Photo: montu

March 12 - 18, 2018

Sulabh has not only constructed thousands of toilets across the country, it has also liberated and rehabilitated scavengers. The foundation day celebrations were full of heart-warming speeches by the organisation’s leaders along with cultural programmes organised by the students of Sulabh Public School

Photo Feature

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Science & Technology

March 12 - 18, 2018

Climate Trends

Ancient Eclipses Can Unveil Past Climate Trends Ancient eclipse records in epigraphical inscriptions can help scientists understand climate change in historical time scales n Dr TV Venkateswaran

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or a long time now, historians have been using epigraphy to infer the political and economic aspect of the past. In recent times, astronomers have come to realise that it can be a potent tool to also understand the history of astronomy as well as for inferring minute changes in the motion of Earth.

Addressing a workshop on ‘Ancient eclipses’ held at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium at Bengaluru, Prof Kiyotaka Tanikawa from National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, noted that “Ancient eclipse records in epigraphical inscriptions can help us understand climate change in historical time scales.”

Explaining the underlying science, he said, “It had to do with the fact that the total angular momentum cannot change.

Hence, during ice ages, when the Earth is compact with more water frozen at the poles, it rotates faster making the length of the day shorter by several seconds. Conversely, during warm periods, more water melts and the sea level rises resulting in sluggish rotation of the Earth making the day length to increase. The imprint of perturbations in Earth’s rotation, called delta T, can

be deciphered from records of ancient eclipses.”

Climate scientists can infer the average sea level that might have happened many lakhs of years ago from geochemical measurements of radioisotopes derived from ice cores, sediment, rock cores, coral growth rings and tree rings. However these methods utterly fail to guess the sea level during the historical times, say during Gupta period or Vijayanagara dynasty. “Study of ancient eclipses and occultations can help us decipher climate change in last thousand to five hundred years,” Prof.

Tanikawa said. Researchers are also studying ancient eclipse to understand

the movement of moon. Currently, the moon is moving away from Earth at a rate of about 3.8 cm per year.

Researchers are studying whether or not the Moon’s tidal acceleration has been constant since ancient times.

Prof Mitsuru Soma, also from National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, said, “Our study of ancient records of solar eclipses between 198 and 181 BC in China and in Rome show that the lunar tidal acceleration is consistent with the current rate”.

He also noted that records of lunar occultation of Venus and Saturn in AD 503 and 513 in China are useful for our studies of the Earth’s rotation.

Prof Balachandra Rao, Honorary Director of Gandhi Centre for the Study of Sciences and Human values, referred to the practice of some epigraphists to dismiss inscriptions which do not fit the ephemeris as irregular and said this was not correct “While copper plate inscriptions may have some spurious interpolations, epigraphical records of eclipses are invariably true and reliable. The mismatch is most likely due to our wrong interpretation. In India, we follow hundreds of calendars. We need to check the data carefully with

Quick Glance The ‘Ancient Eclipses’ workshop was held in Jawaharla Nehru Planetarium The perturbations in Earth’s rotation can be deciphered from eclipses Scientists can use the data to infer average sea levels various calendrical traditions before we dismiss the epigraphical claim”, he said. Dr BS Shylaja, visiting scientist at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru, who had organised the workshop, said that their team had undertaken an extensive survey of Kannada inscriptions and identified hundreds of solar and lunar eclipses as well as astronomical phenomena like solstices, equinoxes and occultation of Moon with bright stars like Rohini.

She said “Epigraphical inscription mentioning total solar eclipse clearly imply that in ancient time people in that area witnessed the cosmic event.

We can compare the predicted path of the totality with the place at which it was actually visible from the location of the epigraphy. The difference would indicate the perturbations in the motion of Earth”.

She further pointed out “The survey we undertook covered only 10% of available epigraphy. Inscriptions in various Indian languages await extensive study from this perspective.

Such a study worldwide would provide us with much better understanding of historical climate change and contribute to our understanding of the history of astronomy.”

4G Network

Moon To Have 4G Network In 2019

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n SSB BUREAU

he moon will have its first 4G cell phone network in 2019, the network builder Vadafone has said.

The German branch of the multinational telecommunication company has teamed up with Nokia to do the mission, Londonheadquartered Vadafone said in

Network provider Vodafone released a statement that the moon would have its first 4G cell phone network by 2019 a statement. The network is to support a private lunar rover mission

by PTScientists, a private space company based in Berlin, which plans to launch a lander and two small rovers to the moon on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Xinhua news agency reported.

The PTScientists said their team

is committed to bringing down the cost of space exploration and democratising access to the moon.

The moon rover plan aims to study the lunar rover used by the Apollo astronauts during their historic landing in December 1972.

Nokia will create a space-grade Ultra Compact Network that is said

to be the lightest ever developed weighing around one kg, the same as a bag of sugar, according to the statement. The planned network will enable PTScientists’ lander to broadcast a live video from lunar surface to the audience on earth and facilitate the communication among the lander and rovers.

Under previous communication technologies used in moon exploration, such as analogue radio, transmitting data consumes considerable energy reserves and requires rovers to be stationary.

“The great thing about this... is that it saves so much power, and the less energy we use sending data, the more we have to do science!” said Robert Bohme, CEO and Founder of PTScientists.

Science & Technology

March 12 - 18, 2018

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Harappan

Harappans Had Knowledge Of Hydraulic Engineering Indian researchers have found buried archeological features at Dholavira, one of the important sites of Harappan civilisation in India n Dr Vaishali Lavekar

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team of archeologists at Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, conducted a survey of an unexplored area of around 12,276 square meter at Dholavira using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique which helps scanning of the ground and reveals objects buried underground.

The GPR data suggests existence of a set of small and shallow reservoirs possibly connected with the existing Eastern Reservoir. The depth of these reservoirs has been estimated to be around 2.5 meter below the present ground level. In addition, some structures have been found containing rubble with some features. These findings suggest the possible existence of check dams in the past, which may have collapsed due to flash floods in Manhar river.

The studied area is surrounded

by Manhar river flowing from east to west. The overall site is gently sloping towards west, thus during

floods the overflow water could have only flowed towards the area which may have caused damage in some of the structures, researchers have pointed out. “The presence of the grand East Reservoir and a series of reservoirs excavated earlier suggests that the Harappans had a good waterharvesting system.The studied area is expected to have similar kinds of reservoirs, bunds, check dams, channels, drains and water tanks,” the study has noted. Moreover, the observed features in the GPR data are of large dimension and resemble reservoir-type of structures, unlike residential structures of smaller size.

The present study provides

Quick Glance The archeologists at IIT-Gandhinagar conducted a survey They used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Reservoirs at Dholavira suggest hydraulics engineering knowledge

evidence that the Harappans had an excellent knowledge of hydraulic engineering. Check dams were built to control flow of water during floods while small reservoirs protected the East Reservoir. This investigation suggests that check dams and small reservoirs may have sustained partial damage due to a major flood at some point of time, but most of the East reservoir could still survive.

Therefore, the study says, the purpose of engineering design behind these structures was well served under extreme conditions too.

Dholavira is one of the largest and the most prominent archaeological sites of Harappan civilization in India situated at Khadirbet in Bhachau taluka, Kutch district, Gujarat. The site is surrounded by salt pans of the Great Rann of Kutch and consists of the ruins of an ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The city existed from about 3000 to 1700 BCE, in an area of around 100 ha with 48 ha under fortification.

There were several unexplored areas inside the city

space which may contain ruins of the ancient city.

“The buried structures in Dholavira are probably made of stones and bricks, which is why there is low contrast between objects and medium. Such weak radar signals were analyzed using special processing tool developed by us. This tool can pinpoint objects better by magnifying the signals at local level by looking at it in time-frequency domain. The structures are mostly broken and therefore resulted into indistinct or uncommon reflection patterns. We then correlated our findings with the structures seen in exposed part of the site,” Dr. Amit Prashant, who led the study team, told India Science Wire.

The radar data will assist archaeologists to plan further excavations without damaging the underground structures. The study has been published in journal Current Science. The research team included Silky Agrawal, Mantu Majumder, Ravindra Singh Bisht and Amit Prashant.

in retrospective can shrink to the size of an extremely small “subatomic ball” known as the singularity.

Hawking said that the laws of physics and time cease to function inside that tiny particle of heat and energy.

In other words, the ordinary real time as we know now shrinks infinitely as the universe becomes ever smaller but never reaches a definable starting point.

During the show, Hawking argued

that before the Big Bang, real ordinary time was replaced by imaginary time and was in a bent form.

“It was always reaching closer to nothing but didn’t become nothing,” he said. Further, Hawking drew an analogy between the distorted time with Ancient Greek philosopher Euclid’s theory of space-time, a closed surface without end.

Taking the example of Earth, he said: “One can regard imaginary and real-time beginning at the South Pole ... There is nothing south of the South Pole, so there was nothing around before the Big Bang.”

“There was never a Big Bang that produced something from nothing. It just seemed that way from mankind’s perspective,” Hawking said, hinting that a lot of what we believe is derived from a human-centric perspective, which might limit the scope of human knowledge of the world.

Stephen Hawking

Nothing Was Around Before Origin Of Universe Renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking suggests that there was nothing around before the ‘Big Bang’ ians

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here was nothing around before the Big Bang, according to renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking.

Speaking during a TV talk show “Star Talk”, aired recently on the National Geographic Channel, Hawking propounded his theory on what happened before the universe came into existence.

Hawking’s theory lies upon the

assumption that the universe has no boundaries, the Xinhua reported late on Sunday.

“The boundary condition of the universe... is that it has no boundary,” he told TV host Neil deGrasse Tyson.

The Big Bang is the rapid expansion of matter from a state of extremely high density and temperature which according to current cosmological theories marked the origin of the universe.

The theory holds that the universe

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Health

Ear Care

March 12 - 18, 2018 Research

Antibiotic Targeting Gut Bacteria May Treat Autoimmune Disease Researchers could suppress autoimmunity in mice with a vaccine aimed at E. gallinarum

Ear Care For 10 Million Poor Medontric is going to provide ear care to 10 million poor people in India by 2025 n ssb bureau

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edical technology company Medtronic recently said it has committed itself to providing ear care to 10 million poor people in the country through its Indian subsidiary by 2025.

“India Medtronic Private Limited aims to provide quality ear care to 10 million people from the underserved community of India by 2025 through its innovative ear care programme called ‘Shruti’,” the company said in a statement.

According to the Indian Journal of Otology, almost 80 per cent of hearing loss is preventable, yet many individuals do not have the awareness, or access to quality, affordable ear care. “There is about six per cent of India’s population that suffers from hearing disability who need urgent intervention. ‘Shruti’ is a health system innovation from Medtronic and aligns with the government’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’,” said India Medtronic Managing Director Madan Krishnan.

The Medtronic ear screening kit is designed in Bengaluru and manufactured in Chennai, he said. The ‘Shruti’ programme uses information technology to drive down the costs and expand last mile access to quality healthcare, added Krishnan.

Medtronic launched ‘Shruti’ in 2013 to provide low-cost ear care that includes awareness, screening, diagnosis and low-cost treatment to the underserved in urban settlements and rural areas. With its presence in 25 hospitals across 18 cities in India and in Dhaka, Bangladesh and with the network of community health workers, more than 390,000 people have been screened and more than 8,000 people have received treatment at reduced cost, the company said.

nIANS

Quick Glance

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argeting certain gut bacteria with an antibiotic or vaccine may offer a promising new treatment approach for autoimmune diseases, a new research suggests.

The findings, published in the journal Science, showed that bacteria found in the small intestines of mice and humans can travel to other organs and trigger an autoimmune response.

“Treatment with an antibiotic and other approaches such as vaccination are promising ways to improve the lives of patients with autoimmune disease,” said senior study author Martin Kriegel from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, US. Gut bacteria have been linked to a range of diseases, including autoimmune conditions characterised by immune system attack of healthy tissue.

To shed light on this link, the research team focused on Enterococcus gallinarum, a bacterium they discovered is able to spontaneously “translocate” outside of the gut to lymph nodes, the liver, and spleen.

Researchers were able to suppress bacterium growth in tissues Then they blunted its effects on the immune system The findings are for systemic lupus and autoimmune liver disease In models of genetically susceptible mice, the researchers observed that in tissues outside the gut, E. gallinarum initiated the production of auto-antibodies and inflammation -- hallmarks of the autoimmune response. They confirmed the same mechanism of inflammation in cultured liver cells of healthy people, and the presence of this bacterium in livers of patients with autoimmune disease. Through further experiments, the research team found that they could suppress autoimmunity in mice with an antibiotic or a vaccine aimed at E. gallinarum.

With either approach, the researchers were able to suppress the

growth of the bacterium in the tissues and blunt its effects on the immune system.

“When we blocked the pathway leading to inflammation, we could reverse the effect of this bug on autoimmunity,” Kriegel said.

“The vaccine against E. gallinarum was a specific approach, as vaccinations against other bacteria we investigated did not prevent mortality and autoimmunity,” he noted.

The vaccine was delivered through injection in muscle to avoid targeting other bacteria that reside in the gut.

The findings have relevance for systemic lupus and autoimmune liver disease, the researchers said.

women health

Apple’s healthcare programme to target 1 mn women by 2020 In 2017, Apple introduced the special health programme for women with suppliers in India and China

nIANS

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pple is aiming to expand the benefits of an awareness programme, launched in India and China last year to encourage women workers to focus on personal health, to over 1 million women by 2020, the technology giant said.

In 2017, Apple introduced the special health programme for women with suppliers in India and China.

The programme focuses on women because they have an outsized impact on their families and communities and because women are often underserved.

“Beyond ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, we believe that all employees in our supply chain should have the opportunity to learn more about personal wellness and preventive healthcare,” Apple said in its 12th annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report.

In the programme, participants learn about nutritional, maternal, and preventive healthcare and are encouraged to share what they learn with their coworkers, families and friends.“Our goal is to enable women in factories to take charge of their personal health and well-being by becoming well-informed of risks specific to women. The programme also encourages them to take a leadership role by sharing their new health awareness with their colleagues, friends, and community,” the report said.

Health

March 12 - 18, 2018

energy-boosting

jumping gene

Jumping Genes Related To Ageing

The jumping gene is called LINE-1

Scientists have discovered a jumping gene that is associated with behavioural and cognitive changes that occur due to ageing

This concludes the alteration of neuronal genome due to ageing

Quick Glance

The LINE-1 retrotransposons become highly active with ageing

Music May Help You Exercise Longer

Researchers have discovered that music can signal the brainto release feel-good and energy-boosting chemicals that can prolong workout sessions

n Vaishali Lavekar

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ging is a complex phenomenon. Scientists have been trying to figure out mechanisms underlying changes that occur in behaviour and cognition processes due to aging. Among various possibilities, the role of retrotransposons - popularly known as jumping genes - is suspected to be critical in the process of aging.

Now a group of Indian scientists have found that a jumping gene known as LINE-1 retrotransposons becomes highly active with age in different anatomical regions of the human brain like frontal cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia. This indicates that alteration of neuronal genome occurs as age advances. The group is now engaged in finding out correlation between activation of retrotransposons in human brain and its possible effects on behaviour.

“We have demonstrated that LINE1 jumping gene is highly active in different anatomical regions of normal human brain like frontal cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia as compared to other non-brain tissues like kidney, heart, liver and lung,” explained Dr Prabhat Mandal from Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.

The experiments were conducted using post-mortem tissue obtained National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore.

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n ssb bureau

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Transposon is a piece of DNA sequence with an inherent ability to move from one genomic location to another. Its discovery in 1956 went against the notion of genome being static. There are two types of transposons - DNA transposon where a piece of DNA sequence moves from one place in the genome to another either by ‘cut and paste’ or ‘copy and paste’ mechanism; and RNA transposons also called retrotransposonwhich move within a genome using RNA as an

from one place of the genome to another place.

Studies on jumping genes are significant as it can cause insertional mutations leading to several diseases.

Till date more than 100 disease causing jumping gene insertions have been identified.

“Our work reveals that the number of L1 copies are more in neurons compared to other somatic cells. This work also pointed that the copy number of L1 retrotransposon might increases with age and making neuronal genome plastic as we get older,” he added. The research results have been published in journal Mobile DNA. The study was done by IIT Roorkee in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Human Brain Tissue Repository (HBTR), Neurobiology Centre at NIMHANS. The research team included Debpali Sur, Raj Kishor Kustwar, Savita Budania, Anita Mahadevan, Dustin C. Hancks, Vijay Yadav, S. K. Shankar and Dr. Prabhat K. Mandal. The study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

LINE-1 genes have led scientists to conclude that neural genes do alter due to ageing and cause a plethora of cognitive changes

intermediate.

LINE-1 or Long INterpersed Element-1 is the most abundant and active jumping gene sequence in human genome. Almost 500,000 copies of LINE1 sequences are present in human genome with 100 to 150 copies actively jumping.

An active LINE-1 encodes two proteins designated as ORF1p and ORF2p; both proteins are required for jumping LINE-1 sequences

istening to music while exercising can help you work out for a longer time than those who do not have music playing in their ears, a team of researchers, including one of Indian origin, suggested.

Music can have a powerful impact on our mood, signalling the brain to release feel-good and energy-boosting chemicals. Being inactive or not exercising ranks alongside high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity as one of the five major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

“At least on a small scale, this study provides some evidence that music may help serve as an extra tool to help motivate someone to exercise more, which is critical to heart health,” said lead author Waseem Shami, cardiology fellow at Texas Tech University Health Sciences in the US. For the study, to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session in Orlando, the team randomly selected 127 heart patients in two groups for a routine electrocardiogram (ECG) treadmill stress test and assigned to either listen to up-tempo music or have no music playing during their stress tests. The results showed that the exercise time was significantly longer in the music group compared with the control group, 505.8 versus 455.2 seconds, respectively -- an absolute difference of about 50.6 seconds.

Adults need to get at least 30 minutes of moderate (aerobic) activity most days, including taking a brisk walk, swimming, playing tennis, riding a bicycle, dancing, water aerobics, gardening and even busy housework, experts suggested.

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North East

March 12 - 18, 2018 Industrial Corridor

Assam Declares Unique Industrial Corridor The state government declared industrial zones in the state to facilitate easy transfer of land for setting up industries

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n Raj Kashyap

ssam government has declared industrial zones in the state to facilitate easy transfer of land for industry setup. The government has declared a 160 sq km industrial corridor to help establish firms without land conversion issues and promote ease of doing business.

“Assam has given wings to the vision of transforming into a new land of growth and as the gateway to the ASEAN countries and the entire North East and Bangladesh. The State of Assam has a unique advantage of being at a strategic geographic location with a strong connectivity network, making it an ideal destination for doing business with the ASEAN countries,” Industry minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said.

He said the State is steadily turning into a land of vast opportunities and vibrant economy of SouthEast Asian market. In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enhancing the ease of doing business, the Government of Assam has declared two dedicated industrial zones for development of industries in the State, he said.

The State Government has earmarked areas on both sides of NH 37 from Jalukbari to Kukurmara and another extending beside NH 31 from

22 SeP ‘Rhino Day’

Jalukbari to Tihu, excluding tribal belts and blocks, wet lands, notified forest land as Industrial Zone for the purpose of assessment of land revenue at enhanced rate as may be applicable.

It has been decided to keep 500 (five hundred meters) of land free from industries on both sides of National Highway subject to the condition that there shall be relaxation for development of roads to provide access to various industries.

The Industries and Commerce Department is adding more such areas into the Land Bank to be held in reserve by the State Government to enable the prospective entrepreneurs and business houses to set up their units.

This announcement of earmarking land as industrial zones comes at a juncture when the Government of Assam has been making constant

Rhino Day

Keeping Assam the global spotlight, the state government decided to commemorate September 22 as ‘Rhino Day’

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n SSB BUREAU

n a bid to keep the world famous one-horned rhinoceros of Assam the global spotlight, Assam Government will commemorate 22

Quick Glance A 160 sq km industrial corridor has been selected for the project This will help establish firms without land conversion issues The project will also promote ease of doing business

efforts to enhance investments in the state, and with the cabinet’s recent approval of seven sectorial policies and procurement policy, in areas of Agriculture & Food Processing including Organic Cultivation & Bamboo, Handloom, Textile & Handicrafts, Logistics, River Transport& Port Township, IT & ITeS, Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment, Plastics & Petrochemicals, Power, Tourism, Hospitality & Wellness, Civil Aviation, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and Startups & Innovation, the state is all set to attract investment and harness resources available in the state.

The minister said the industrial zones will cast the spotlight on the state’s readiness to become an ideal destination for investments that would cater to the North East as well as the rest of India.

“In case, part of a dag falls within the Industrial Zone the remaining part of the dag shall also be included in the Industrial Zone. In case any pattadar uses the land for agricultural / residential purpose, he/she may pay the land revenue at the existing rate if he/she so desires,” the notification said.

Industries related to the following activities shall not be eligible within the area of this Industrial Zone: goods pertaining to tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, pan masala, plastic carry bags of less than 20 microns, goods produced by petroleum or gas refineries, goods in respect of which only peripheral activities like cleaning operation, packing, re-packing, labeling or relabeling, sorting, alternate retails sale price etc. takes place, coke, saw mill, tea industry, galvanization, corrugation of sheet or both, marble and decorative stone cutting from slabs /sheets and polishing unit, paper cutting from roll paper, coal to washed coal, sized coal, conversion of plain rod to tor rod, refining and packaging of mustard oil, refining of engine oil, purification and /or packaging of drinking water, production of cooked food, sweet meats and namkins, if the investment in plant and machine, in a unit in less than rupees five crores, conversion of coke to coal.

September as ‘Rhino Day’.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal while mooting the idea at the 10th meeting of State Board for Wild Life maintained that a day exclusively dedicated to the approximately 2500 rhino population in the state will be a tribute to the rhinoceros which are the ‘pride of Assam’.

He also said that a State Rhino Project in line with National Rhino Project will also be launched in the state for the protection and conservation of rhinos. He also asked the state Board for Wild life to raise a quick response team to rush to the area of incidents like animal deaths

caused un-naturally.

Taking a grim view of the deaths of tuskers caused by railway accidents recently, Chief Minister Sonowal asked the Board to initiate a survey of elephant corridors in the state with the help of WWF. Identifying and mapping the elephant corridors throughout the state and taking remedial steps would greatly help in preventing accident related deaths to the elephants. Sonowal said that once elephant corridor mapping in completed, he would hold a meeting with the Railway Ministry to take remedial steps like creating tunnels or overpass for the elephants.

North East

March 12 - 18, 2018

25 07

Loktak Lake

Floating Lab To Test Waters Manipur’s Loktak Lake will have India’s first floating research laboratory (FRL) for monitoring the quality of the water

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erhaps the first of its kind in India, a floating research laboratory (FRL) has been launched at Manipur’s Loktak Lake to monitor the quality of the water of the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast.

The floating laboratory is an initiative of the Takley based Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD).

The laboratory will test the quality of water four times a year, covering all the four seasons at 15 different spots in the lake. The IBSD procured a boat and equipments for monitoring the purity of the lake water. Five scientists are engaged at the laboratory test.

Launching the laboratory, Forest and environment minister Th. Shyamkumar Singh said the state government will extend all possible helps to the institute’s reasearch work.

“The quality of water is changing in the lake because of environmental degradation and pullution of river

water. As per the findings of the research activities the forest and environment department and Loktak Development Authority (LDA) will take steps to improve the eco-system of the lake,” Shyamkumar said.

The director of the institute, Dinabandhu Sahoo said five scientists will work in the lake round the year.

He claimed that the quality of lake water has worsened over the years due

E-Waste

Tackling Guwahati’s E-Waste Rongjeng Technologies along with Karo Sambhav have launched an initiative to channelise the proper collecting and recycling of e-waste in the city Raj Kashyap

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wo organizations - Rongjeng Technologies along with Karo Sambhav – have launched an initiative in Guwahati to channelise the proper collection of e-waste and recycling it, without leaving any harmful impact on the environment.

An e-waste helpline 9706542016 was also launched for the benefit of public and bulk consumers who can approach the organisation and get their e-waste collected from their doorsteps.

Considering the saleability of the electronic waste like a defunct monitor, old mobile phones etc, a rate chart has been prepared for different items.

Starting with a network of waste pickers in different parts of Guwahati, a drive

would be launched in association with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to ensure household segregation of electronic waste, in the line of dry waste and wet waste segregation.

With stress on the E-waste (Management) Rules 2016, a sensitisation programme was held here for sensitisation on e-waste, its proper management, the legal aspect and also

to various reasons.

Sahoo said that the institute worked for four months procuring the boat for the laboratory, redesigning it and getting the equipments.

Loktak is one of the Ramsar sites and also included in the Montreux Record, which listed wetlands listed as Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred. The efforts of the institute, LDA and state government is to pull Loktak out of the Montreux Record.

The IBSD and officials of the LDA visited a phumhut in the middle of the lake to see the quality of living of the lake dwellers.

“There are a lot of mosquitoes in the phumhuts. The living condition is not hygienic. The institute will also study the quality of life of the lake dwellers and make recommendations the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders including government and non-government bulk consumers of electronic equipment.

The massive electronic waste generated with rapid industrialisation and IT boom has posed a greater threat to the environment compared to other biodegradable and non-degradable waste. Often dumped along with other municipal solid waste, the electronic waste can bring irreparable damage to the environment with its careless handling like burning or burying with other waste. As per a 2015 study by Toxic Links, Assam stands sixth in the country in generation of electronic waste. “While the consumers would get a little less return value from our service compared to the existing market price, they can be assured that the waste generated by them is going to a proper government authorised recycler and no harm is being caused to the environment. Along with the return value for our items, we certainly have to act responsibly towards the environment,” said Babul Gogoi, programme head of the NE E-waste Management programme of Rongjeng Technologies.

The Guwahati-based technology

Quick Glance The Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast The FRL is an initiative of a Takley based institute The lab will test the quality of water four times a year on how to improve their life,” Sahoo said.He further said that a study will also be carried out to convert the water plants into organic fertilizer and other forms economically useful.

Environmentalist and vicechairman of Manipur Infrastructure Development Agency said “it is high time Loktak lake is dealt ecologically and to convert the bio-resources of the lake into bio-economy for sustainability of the lake and its people.”

Quick Glance An e-waste helpline 9706542016 has been launched The organization also offers doorstep collection of e-waste Karo Sambhav is a tech-enabled e-waste solution provider solution company is engaged as an executing agency by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank group in developing an eco system of e-waste management in the eight northeastern states. The firm has at least 200 bulk consumers of electronic items from the private sector registered with it in Assam. In a bid to include the government offices in its loop, it will approach the State government with a request to direct its departments and offices to follow the norms of e-waste segregation and disposal. Karo Sambhav is a tech-enabled, environment-friendly e-waste producer responsibility organisation in India.

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Environment

March 12 - 18, 2018 climate

Green agenda

Industries Taking Up ‘Green Sustainability’

Indian industries will receive assistance from the government in pushing the green sustainability agenda forward n ssb bureau

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he government will help Indian industries take up their green sustainability agenda by providing technological support and required resources, Union Environment Secretary C.K. Mishra.

The Indian industry needs to cease the opportunities present upfront, be it for providing energy access, reducing emissions, developing greener technology, Mishra said at the India Sustainability Conclave, organised by Ficci. “Sooner we adapt to greener and cleaner technology, better it is going to be for us.” Pointing out transition from United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (total 8) to the new and more precise Sustainable Development Goals (total 17), Mishra also said everyone is hopeful that this change will complete the unfinished agenda.

He said that India is a unique country and we need to find unique solutions to address climate change issues and take forward the sustainability agenda.

Defeating Climate Change With Technology, Mobilisation The battle against climate change has to be won via technological advances and large-scale public mobilisation

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ecretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres is betting that the battle against climate change will be won through the technological advances and public mobilisation even if governments fail to act.

While “there are reasons to be alarmed” about the rapid pace of climate change, “we believe that the right bet is the bet that technology is pointing to, and that bet is the green technology, and cities, companies, consumers are making that bet,” he said.

“I think that what is clear is that the reality is changed by the companies that produce, the consumers, the cities that manage,” he said. “Very little depends today, in relation to climate change, on central government.”

“I am very confident that this battle will be won, because the realities of today’s economy are such that the wise decision is the green decision,” he added, while announcing the re-

Quick Glance Technology has made green energy the cheapest form of energy Mobising communities will lead action against climate change UN believes in action against climate

Green Skills

Over Five Lakh To Be Trained With ‘Green Skills’

Five lakh people will be trained with “green skills” by the Environment Ministry from 2018 to 2021

n Arul Louis

‘Anti-Pollution Towers’ In Delhi The national capital is seeing trial runs of anti-pollution towers that absorb particulate matter in air n IANS

appointment of Michael Bloomberg, the media tycoon and former New York mayor, as his Special Envoy for Climate Action.

“Because of technological advances, the cheapest energy today is green energy,” Guterres said.

Reinforcing it is the “enormous capacity to mobilise the civil society, the business community and the cities”, he said. “And we see cities, but also companies and civil society everywhere, leading climate action, leading the capacity of the international community to be able to beat climate change.”

Bloomberg said that “without any help whatsoever from the federal government” the US was way ahead in meeting the greenhouse gas reduction goals set for 2025.

The multi-billionaire runs a philanthropy devoted to fighting climate change and issues of immigration, gun control and public health. He was first appointed the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action by Guterres’s predecessor Ban Ki-moon in 2015.

n ssb bureau

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he Environment Ministry will train over five lakh people with “green skills” for better job opportunities between 2018 to 2021, said Union Minister Harsh Vardhan.

The Minister, however, also clarified that though the skills provided by them are in demand, the ministry does not guarantee employment.

The Minister said that a total of 5,60,000 people will be trained under the ministry’s green skill development

Pollution

programme with the highly sought after skills which are in demand.

The ‘green skills’ under the programme include -- biodiversity conservationists, Effluent Treatment

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n a bid to curb air pollution in the city, the Delhi government started the trial of “anti-pollution towers”, an official said.

The anti-pollution towers absorb particulate matter in the air and release clean air back into the atmosphere.

“Delhi government has initiated the testing of antipollution towers at Indraprastha Marg Flyover, ITO, on pilot basis for demonstrating its effectiveness in reduction of PM 2.5, PM 10 and other suspended particulate matter in the air,” a statement said.

If found successful, the government would install the “anti-pollution towers” at other locations in the city, especially at busy traffic intersections, to curb air pollution.

Environment Minister Imran Hussain said the performance of the towers will be monitored and the results will be evaluated for analysing their utility.

Hussain said technology was the only way forward for finding ways to control air pollution in the national capital.

Plant operators, air pollution abatement workers, equipment operators, waste handling and candidates for plantation sectors among others.

Under the programme, a group of trainers will be first received at the ministry and then sent to different parts of the country to train the candidates, at the expense of the ministry. 80,000 candidates will be trained in 2018-19; 1,60,000 will be trained in 2019-20 and 3,20,000 will be trained in 2020-21.

Environment

March 12 - 18, 2018

27 07

Ecotourism

Environment Day

India To Host World Environment Day

Ecotourism’s Helps Reducing Hunting Ecotourism’s direct payment approach to the locals for sighting wildlife helps reducing illegal hunting, says a new international study

The World Environment Day 2018 will be hosted by India with the theme being “Beat Plastic Pollution” n SSB BUREAU

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ndia will host the World Environment Day 2018, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan and United Nations Environment Program chief Erik Solheim said.

The theme for the World Environment Day-2018, held every year on June 5, is “Beat Plastic Pollution”. Canada hosted the event in 2017.

Calling the announcement the “beginning of the end of plastic”, Harsh Vardhan said the ministry will take the lead in discouraging the use of plastic.

“For India, World Environment Day 2018 is not a symbolic celebration but a mission,” the Minister said, adding that environmental issues are not merely technical but real moral issues.

Voicing concern over the oceans being polluted due to plastic, Erik Solheim said that plastic pollution is a huge environment and health issue.

“When big plastics degrade into small pieces, it gets into the ocean. Small plastic particles are eaten by fish. We eat fish and the plastic gets into our body. So plastic pollution is a huge environment and health issue,” Erik Solheim said.

Meanwhile, Harsh Vardhan also launched the first electric charging facility at the Lodhi Road UN office – the first ever in a UN office in India .

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he study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Foundations of Success (FOS) finds that an ecotourism strategy based on “direct payments”, where local people are compensated for the amount of wildlife seen by tourists, has resulted in a reduction in illegal hunting and an increase in wildlife sightings.

In the study, published in the current edition of PLOS ONE, the scientists tested a new model in the Nam-Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area in Laos that used a direct payment approach to encourage villagers to reduce illegal hunting and trade, which is driving wildlife decline.

The model included a contractual payment to villages that was directly tied to the numbers of wildlife seen by eco-tourists as well as a reduction in payments for occurrences of hunting violations.

The approach was designed to

Quick Glance The study was conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society Ecotourism strategies are based on “direct payments” Locals get compensated for the amount of wildlife seen by tourists

reduce illegal hunting pressure, increase wildlife sightings, and ultimately wildlife numbers, while generating ongoing economic incentives for conservation.

The scientists implemented and then monitored this approach for four years. Results indicated a threefold increase in hunting signs in the non-tourism sector of the national protected area as opposed to no increase in the ecotourism sector.

Additionally, an overall increase in wildlife sightings was observed.

A wide range of threatened species benefited from the programme, including the sambar deer, barking deer, primates and small carnivores.

“If eco-tourism or nature tourism is going to help increase these wildlife populations, there must be a direct link between the incentives for communities and the wildlife itself,” Nam-Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area Director Bounpheng Phoomsavath said.

“Many projects claim to be benefiting wildlife but they often lack this direct link. Villagers get benefits but the wildlife populations continue to decline. The direct links are the key to our success.” In cases where ecotourism is used as a biodiversity conservation strategy, projects are often questioned for lack of resulting proof that threats to biodiversity have been averted or conditions for biodiversity have been improved.

“This study illustrates the importance of monitoring along a theory of change to evaluate if and how a conservation strategy is leading to expected outcomes and to inform adaptive management,” said WCS Lao PDR Deputy Country Director Santi ( Joy) Saypanya. The scientists say the case “provides key lessons on the design of a direct payments approach for an ecotourism strategy, including how to combine threat monitoring and data on wildlife sightings to evaluate strategy effectiveness, on setting rates for wildlife sightings and village fees”.

WSDS

India on Track To Reduce Emissions India is on track to reduce emissions by 20-25 per cent by 2020 n IANS

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rime Minister Narendra Modi said that despite scepticism, India is on the path of reducing emission by 20 to 25 per cent over 2005 levels by 2020.

Addressing the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) here, he said that India’s goal is to create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030 which once seemed difficult to many. “Yet we continue our steady progress on that path.

According to the UNEP Gap Report, India is on track to meet its Copenhagen Pledge of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20 to 25 per cent over 2005 levels by 2020,” Modi said. He added the government is doing everything required to ensure equality, equity and climate justice.

“We must also stress on climate justice for all vulnerable populations. We in India are focused on ease of living through good governance, sustainable livelihood and through cleaner environment,” said the Prime Minister, citing a National Geographic report on environmental sustainability.

“Recently, National Geographic’s Greendex Report of 2014 which assesses the environmental sustainability of consumer choice ranked India at the top for its greenest consumption pattern.” WSDS is the flagship forum of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and seeks to bring together on a common platform, global leaders and thinkers in the fields of sustainable development, energy and environment sectors.

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excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend�

March 12 - 18, 2018

Continue form previous Issue of SSB...

Chai pe charcha There was an emotive as well as a political tenor to the Chai Pe Charcha initiative. On one side, it was designed to highlight the humble beginnings of Narendra Modi, and on the other, snub political rivals who made spiteful remarks about his humble background. On both counts, the initiative achieved resounding success

Eminent ladies joined Narendra Modi for "Chai Pe Charcha" on International Women's Day.

March 12 - 18, 2018

excerpts from the book: “NARENDRA DAMODAR MODI: the making of a legend”

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“Prime Minister Modi, thank you for hosting me, including our Chai Pe Charcha. We need more of those in the White House.

Barack Obama

President of United States of America

Chetan Bhagat and others enjoying a "Chai Pe Charcha" in Mumbai.

Celebrity women's "Chai Pe Charcha." Seen in the picture are Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan and Sushma Swaraj among others.

On Wednesday night, Mr Modi began Chai pe Charcha (Discussion over Tea), which saw him slurp a glass in his home state and take questions about governance. The event was broadcast to tea stands and their working class clients across the country in 300 cities.

Agence France-Presse Narendra Modi answering queries on women empowerment during 'Chai Pe Charcha with NaMo' on the occasion of International Women's Day, on March 8, 2014

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Literature

March 12 - 18, 2018

Inspirational poem

The Shoe Man “

The Shoe Man” is an inspirational poem said to be credited to Leanne Freiberg; others believe the author to be unknown. It causes us to rethink how we judge and treat others. It also encourages us to connect with others. We never know what may be going on in their lives, but God does.

My alarm went off It was Sunday again.

I was sleepy and tired My one day to sleep in.

But the guilt I would feel The rest of the day Would have been too much So I’d go and I’d pray.

I showered and shaved I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man next to me Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side I thought, “Why must our soles touch?”

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine But it didn’t bother him much.

A prayer began: “Our Father”...

I thought, “This man with the shoes has no pride.

They’re dusty, worn, and scratched Even worse, there are holes on the side!”

“Thank You for blessings,” the prayer went on.

The shoe man said a quiet “Amen.”

I tried to focus on the prayer But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren’t we supposed to look our best When walking through that door?

“Well, this certainly isn’t it,” I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear The shoe man’s voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft “clink” as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me To tears, and that’s no lie It was the same for the shoe man For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service As is the custom here We must greet new visitors And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow And wanted to meet the shoe man So after the closing prayer I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark And his hair was truly a mess But I thanked him for coming For being our guest.

He said, “My names’ Charlie I’m glad to meet you, my friend.”

There were tears in his eyes But he had a large, wide grin “Let me explain,” he said Wiping tears from his eyes.

“I’ve been coming here for months And you’re the first to say ‘Hi.’” “I know that my appearance Is not like all the rest “But I really do try To always look my best.

“I always clean and polish my shoes Before my very long walk.

“But by the time I get here They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.”

My heart filled with pain and I swallowed to hide my tears As he continued to apologize For daring to sit so near.

He said, “When I get here I know I must look a sight.

“But I thought if I could touch you Then maybe our souls might unite.”

I was silent for a moment Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison I spoke from my heart, not my head.

“Oh, you’ve touched me,” I said, “And taught me, in part; “That the best of any man Is what is found in his heart.”

The rest, I thought, This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

- Leanne Freiberg This poem reminds the story Jesus told called The Parable of the Guests to teach a similar lesson. Jesus taught in Luke 14:7-15: “And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’

and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who [g]are at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13 But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

Events

March 12 - 18, 2018

events & more...

Crayonn Live At Cafe Turquoise Cottage Venue: TURQUOISE COTTAGE - TC ORIGINAL

1997PUB, Gardens Galleria Mall, 205-206, 1st Floor, Plot A-2, Sector 38, Noida 11 Feb 2018 8:30PM - 25 March 2018 11PM

SSB crossword no. 13

events

SOLUTION of crossword no.12

Jingle-a-roo Children’s Music Festival Venue: KLAY Prep Schools And DayCare, Gurugram , Delhi

Sun, 18 Mar 4:00PM - 8:00PM

Luana Coelho Live At The Bar Cat Venue: THE BAR CAT-PUB E-17, 3rd Floor, South Extension 2, New Delhi, 11 March 2018 9PM - 12 March 2018 12:30AM

1. Sindhi 2. Nasik 3. London 4. Jamuna 5. 1911 6. Kuwait 7. 1935 8. 1979 9. Nepal 10. 1935

solution of sudoku-12

KHELO Multisports Challenge - With Sports Venue: Thyagaraj Sports Complex , South, Delhi

Sun, 11 Mar 8:00AM - 8:00PM

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

USA Geneva Mercury Japan Bombay Pluto Tokyo Punjab Brazil Blood

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ACROSS 3. Which planet is known as sister of earth?

9. Sanjay Dutt, a noted film actor was held under 11. Which bank opens its First all women branch in Chennai recently.

13. Jude Felix is a famous Indian player in which of the fields?

14. When was the first elevator built?

15. Who launches Joint Polar Satellite System-1?

17. Who is the father of Geometry?

18. Radiations are harmful as it causes……..?

20. With which company Ericsson ties for the 5G technology?

DOWN 1. 2009 Davis cup was won by ?

2. Which river is known as Sorrow of Bihar?

4. When is the International Workers’ Day? 5. The capital of the kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was ?

6. The Worlds biggest toilet pot model unveiled at __________.

7. In which year Bharat Ratna Award was started?

8. In 1924 the first winter Olympics was held in?

10. How many gold medals won by India in 2010 Commonwealth Games?

12. The planet which has maximum number of satellites is: 16. Which country awards the Nobel Prize?

19. This bank and Mumbai Police Launch new Campaign #MuhPeTaala.

sudoku-13

Kalakari Trail - An Arsty Weekend trip!

Venue: Alwar (Outside Delhi)

Sat, 17 Mar 7:00AM - Sun, 18 Mar 9:00PM

on the lighter side by DHIR

Please mail your solution to - ssbweekly@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 9868807712, One Lucky Winner will win Cash Prize of Rs 500/-. Look for the Solution in the Next Issue of SSB

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POSTAL REGISTRATION NO. DL(W)10/2240/2017-19

Newsmakers

March 12 - 18, 2018

Auctioned!

Mahatma Gandhi’s Autographed Photo Mahatma Gandhi

The rare photo was auctioned for $41,806 at an auction in the United States

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signed vintage photo of Mahatma Gandhi, walking alongside Madan Mohan Malaviya, fetched $41,806 at an auction in the US. Signed in fountain pen, ‘MK Gandhi’, the rare photo was taken after the second session of India’s Round Table Conference in London in September 1931.

The photo dates to a period when Gandhi, suffering from pain in his right thumb, opted to write with his left hand, a temporary inconvenience that lasted from Reverse of photo bears two Associated Press of Great Britain copyright stamps, as well as collector’s ink notations identifying Malaviya and the date.

Malaviya, who had formerly been president of the Congress and played a significant role in the Gandhi-led non-cooperation movement, joined him as a representative advocating for a free India August 8-December 19, 1931, according to US-based RR Auctions.

As the delegate acting on behalf of the Indian National Congress, Gandhi attended the second session of the British-organised Round Table Conference, a three-part conference series held in London from 1930 to 1932, with the aim of discussing the ongoing constitutional reforms in India.

The bidding for the photograph ended on March 7.

Justice Gita Mittal to be conferred ‘Nari Shakti’ award Delhi High Court acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal will be conferred with “Nari Shakti Puraskar” on Thursday, a statement said in an interview

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ustice Mittal is one of the 30 individual awardees who have been selected for the Puraskar.

“President Ram Nath Kovind will present awards at a special ceremony to be held in Rashtrapati Bhavan on International Women’s Day on Thursday,” the press statement said.

“To acknowledge women’s achievements, the government of India confers Nari Shakti Puraskars on eminent women and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of women empowerment.

“This year, 30 individual awardees and nine institutional awardees are selected for these Puraskars. The Ministry of Women and Child

Justice Gita Mittal

Development announces these national level awards for eminent women, organisations and institutions,” it said.

A poster announcing the award read: “Justice Gita Mittal long recognised that following a universal procedural approach in typical courtroom trials involving sexual violence on women and children severely impedes equal access to justice. It results in secondary traumatisation during trial and further exacerbates their victimisation.”

“To address these procedural bottlenecks and institutional barriers, Justice Mittal as a judge of the Delhi High Court spearheaded the Vulnerable Witness Project,” it said.

unsung hero

rings B fficer O IAS ulam k rna E Green Initiative District collector of Ernakulam, Kerala, K Mohammed Y Safirulla will lead the first-of-its-kind wasteto-energy plant in the district

K Mohammed Y Safirullan

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orking as a district collector in Ernakulam, one of Kerala’s busiest districts, K Mohammed Y Safirullan is assigned to oversee the waste-to-energy plant being developed in Brahmapuram, an initiative that has been approved by the government and will soon begin construction.

However, even before he took on the overseeing of this first-of-its-kind plant in Ernakulam, Safirulla was already working towards his vision of a greener Ernakulam which part of the umbrella mission, Haritha Keralam.

“Using these ideas as a base, we have our own set of innovations which we have applied to Ernakulam district”, says Safirulla According to this IAS officer, the district has been encouraging the practice of “green marriages,” which was motivated by research which revealed that at any given wedding in the area, plastic the waste generated per person was 150 grams!

“Last year, we invited catering heads, religious leaders, and marriage hall owners to educate them on how to follow the green protocol. They agreed to use steel glasses instead of plastic or paper, and worked towards creating decorations made of biodegradable material,” he explains.

According to the official website, Haritha Keralam aims to fulfil three tasks: encourage proper waste management, rejuvenate rivers, ponds streams and tanks, and finally, promote organic agriculture. Looking further into waste management is another local government department in Kerala, known as the Suchitra Mission. Its ‘green protocol’ highlights a set of measures to reduce waste. “We take green protocol to children as well. Our project, Haritha Vanam aims at implementing change in their own homes, such as not using plastics, and planting their own small home garden. After all, change has to start from home,” he says. Safirulla is also a strong advocate for banning plastics under 50 microns in the district. This idea has taken hold across several subdivisions of Ernakulam.

RNI No. DELENG/2016/71561, Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing) Delhi No. F. 2 (S-45) Press/ 2016 Volume - 2, Issue - 13 Printed by Monika Jain, Published by Monika Jain on behalf of SULABH SANITATION MISSION FOUNDATION and Printed at The Indian Express Ltd., A-8, Sector-7, NOIDA (U.P.) and Published from RZ 83, Mahavir Enclave, Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi – 110 045. Editor Monika Jain