feb12 by ON-LYNE

Vol 9 Issue 1 ●

Regn. no. MAHENG/2004/15104

Jan-Feb 2012

“In the end one has to reject it all and not learn but unlearn, not to know how to do but how not to do and always face doing” www.ngoconnect.org

A ‘SHAKTI’ PROJECT

- Jerzy Grotowski

I n d i a ’ s Fi r s t N G O N e w s ta b l o i d CONNECTiNG

The blame game

f you have no one to blame, and you cant blame the weather, culture, tradition blame it on the NGO! Unable to believe that people can actually protest against thier policies, the UPA government decided that the protesters are paid to protest. As that’s actually what our politicians been doing all these years- paying people to attend rallies. And now their mindset refuses to believe the truth. That People are aware now, that they realise that they have been exploited all these 60 years by the same people who swore to serve them; that they do not need to be paid to protest for their rights. But rather than re-think or reconsider their own private compulsions of greed and indifference to the national interest, the UPA government decided that the NGOs, which have got together to help the villagers understand what nuclear means, must be getting funds from abroad to fund them. According to a report in the ToI the government is scrutinizing the working of 77 NGOs, following a crackdown of four NGOs for “allegedly fanning protests against the Kudankulam nuclear plant. The Trustee of one of these NGOs has threatened to file a defamation case against the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Opposition is demanding proof. Notwithstanding, the Tamil NAdu police repatriated a German supporter because they found pamphlets in his bag. Who else would carry these pamphlets except a supporter? Is it a crime to carry pamphlets criticising a government policy? The government is getting jittery...they have even blamed the social networking sites for encouraging anti-national (read anitgovernment) matter put there by fedup citisens. And threatened to censor them!! They forget Gandhiji did not have to get foreign funds nor did he have the internet to start a movement. This attitude follows the line of Moral policing- and from Bangalore

comes the latest gaffe in the series: the views of a former head of the department of women’s studies, Bangalore University, currently serving on the university’s committee to deal with sexual harassment:”I’m against women wearing obscene clothes. With such clothes, they tempt men and that’s why they get raped... Women look pretty when they are well-covered. Many women lecturers in BU wear salwars and jeans. What respect can they expect from boys? Only a sari with long-sleeve blouses invokes respect...” Well, well. Let’s blame the parents now, and Western influence and the clothing manufacturers. When you can’t accept responsibility, when you fail to do your duty, when you are guilty, Blame it on someone else!!!!--Rima Kashyap

From not-profit to for-profit

ax compulsions have forced some NGOs to float for-profit companies. They are discovering many merits in the switch. When Budget 2008 ended tax waivers for charities that did commercial activity worth over Rs. 25 lakh a year, it hurt hundreds of charitable entities like Impulse- a Shillong-based NGO which helps rural artisans in north-eastern states by marketing wares worth Rs. 40-50 lakh to mainstream suppliers.

business and leave the management to the farmer group as it directly benefits the community,” says Thekaekara. Before Thekaekara handed over the cooperative to the farmers, his team at ACCORD spent Rs. 2 lakh and invested time in handholding them. The main challenge was setting up a sound accounting process. Unlike that of an NGO, with all cash transactions, a business needs more structured processes”.

Impulse had two choices. One, wind up its commercial activity and retain tax benefits, hurting marginal communities dependent on it. Two, spin off commercial activities into a for-profit company. It chose the latter. The crossover from charity to profitability seemed to be an unlikely path for NGOs like Impulse to take, but it is paying off. It is helping them realise that profitability and serving society need not be mutually exclusive. Instead, forprofit management structures can extract greater social returns for every rupee invested. It also helps social projects scale up faster.

As more NGOs cross over into the for-profit realm, smaller ones with commercial activities will merge with bigger entities. “We will see some M&A activity in this sector,” says Dhaval Udani, CEO of GiveIndia, an organisation channeling donor funds to NGOs. “Now, more than ever, charitable organisations need alternative ways to raise funds,” adds Noshir Dadrawala, CEO, Center for Advancement of Philanthropy, who advices trust and foundations on legal aspects.

It helped that Hasina Kharbhih, Impulse’s 40-year-old, founder came with a management background. “Our mindset has to change from grant-based thinking to business,” she says. This means more pressure on artisans to perform, on stricter timelines. It also means better systems, scalability and a capacity to help a larger number of poor artisans. “When we were working on grants, we could help the artisans along and let them take their time. But it is a business now and we cannot run a loss,” she adds. Sharper management is not only helping profitability, but more importantly, it is helping artisans earn more. Earlier, artisans making household products like curtains, bedcovers and fruit baskets would get Rs. 3000-4,000 a month. Now, their income has increased 50%. Exim Bank approached Impulse when the latter wanted to spin off its social business. “We will give them a soft loan, including a portion of grant, to help them scale up and boost their exports,” says Monica Khullar of Exim Bank’s Grassroots initiative and development department. In Tamil Nadu’s Gudalur district, Stan Thekaekara, who founded the non-profit ACCORD to mobilise the adivasi (tribal) population of the Nilgiri Hills, recently moved the entire business out of the books of the NGO to set up Tea Leaf Marketing Corporation (TLMC). This commercial venture takes ‘fair trade’ a step ahead by forming a cooperative of consumers, producers and investors. TLMC collects leaves from adivasi farmers and sells them collectively in the market. The farmer group now manages the marketing aspect. ”Our intention, unlike other NGOs, was always to spin it off as a

The ministry had cancelled tax breaks for NGOs with commercial activities to curb profiteering in the social sector. “There are many organisations that register as nonprofits to avoid taxes,” says Udani. But NGOs argue the good shouldn’t be punished with the bad. ”We want to petition the government on this before the budget and we hope the Finance Bill will make the required changes,” says Sanjay Patra, executive director of Financial Management Service Foundation. “In other countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, NGOs are asked to keep two separate books of accounts: one for commercial activity and the other for nonprofit,” he adds. The government may or may not pay heed, but NGOs would do well to learn the lessons from the crossover.

The Anti-corruption movement Quo Vadis? Delhi: “The India Against Corruption (IAC) movement is at a critical juncture – some say it is at crossroads, some say it is searching for direction, some say it has lost its way. … the movement’s objective and direction is absolutely clear and it is slowly and steadily inching its way forward. The key attributes of the movement, goal, rationale, passion, motivation, direction, are intact and if anything are getting strengthened by the day. At the outset, we should celebrate the outstanding success of this movement. Whereas on one hand, iit awakened the political class from deep slumber to address the issue of corruption, on the other it made the people aware of their rights and responsibilities. The movement iinstilled a sense of urgency in our political leadership to deliver to the people of India a strong anticorruption law. It is time for the next round where we have to

You idiot! when I say freedom, I mean freedom of the market, not of Humanbeings!!!

accomplish the objective of enactment of a STRONG Lokpal. The first task is to build a strong organization of committed and dedicated volunteers who will not only support the movement but constantly work on expanding the support base. The second relates to setting up of an effective and efficient communication system among the volunteer base. – (excerpts from a talk by Arvind Kejriwal)

Any citizen entitled to move Green panel The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has held that any citizen can approach it for protection of the environment, regardless of whether the person is directly affected by adevelopmental project or whether s/he is a resident of the affected area. The tribunal has said that it may not be proper to reject an application on the ground that the applicant is not a resident of the area or not directly affected. The NGT ruling came in response to a plea by three environmentalists challenging the environment clearance given for deforestation of 80.5 hectares of government forest land for construction of a hydroelectric dam across river Alaknanda in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Dismissing the government’s plea that petitioners were not directly affected by the project, the bench said the persons living in the vicinity of the proposed project may not know about its intrinsic scientific details and effects or any disaster it may cause. Therefore, the bench noted, the concept of ‘person aggrieved’ should be liberal in environment related cases. The NGT also rejected the government’s contention that they have cleared the project after a proper scientific study. The NGT, which was established by the NGT Act of 2010, is dedicated to adjudicating environmental issues.

Of citizencandidates Mumbai: Makrand Narvekar was lone citizens’ candidate to taste victory out of the 70-odd citizens’ candidates who contested the civic polls this year. Interestingly, the candidate is from a ward known for its low voter turnout. Makrand Narvekar, a lawyer who contested as an Independent, beat the competition by a comfortable margin of 1,293 votes to win the election in ward 227, defeating the MNS and the Congress. ”In a Congress stronghold what worked for us was that we could bring together the residents who form that part of the electorate that political parties have ignored for a long time,” Narvekar, who was backed by My Dream Colaba, a citizens’ group working n the area for three years. “The verdict speaks of the anger and the dissatisfaction of the people of Colaba with the system.” However, none of the candidates supported by citizens’ candidates platforms such as Mumbai 227, Mumbai Nagrik Manch and Mumbai Nagrik Satta were elected and activists and candidates from these platforms blamed the defeat on the lukewarm voter turnout. Adolf D’Souza of Mumbai Nagriksatta, the first citizens’ candidate to be elected— in 2007-feels, ” People are not ready for this.” None of the 55 candidates supported by Mumbai 227, or 3 of Mumbai Nagrik Manch won. Akalpita Paranjpe, spokeswoman of Mumbai 227, said citizens’ candidates groups need to think of a better strategy to spread awareness of the concept. James John, an activist from AGNI, said the presence of multiple citizens’ candidates platforms confused the voters further as to which one was better. But the parties are now wary of citizen candidates.

Nostalgia can boost donations London: An international research team set out to research whether nostalgia increases donor intentions and tangible donations to charity— and whether it is a good idea to incorporate nostalgia in charity appeals. In five studies, the researchers found that nostalgia can indeed boost charity. Measuring participants responses toward

earthquake victims or underprivileged children; volunteerism and donations, the researchers found that”recent empirical findings”… see that “nostalgia is a predominantly positive emotion”. (Source: Journal of Consumer Research)

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NGO Connect ○

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NGO News A

Websites

lthough the common urbanite has benefited from the computerization of many things, Over 500 million farmers and over 200 million traders – India’s biggest and oldest profession is strangely completely offline ! NO one knows what the farmer is growing, or what the consumer is eating today – till things reach a crisis state! The key problem for a farmer , is NOT money – but marketing, labour , transport and cost of supplies. And these have remained a problem because most technology services/ apps are still urban centric. Entire agri industry still runs on whimsfancies-pen-and-paper model. What if - agri produce data is available online ? if farmers and buyers can discover , plan , fix rates well ahead of harvest ? farm labourers can be hired ‘just in time’ by the farmer ? Introducing efarmDirect.com - India’s First farmer’s portal, connecting all agri supply chain stakeholders into one common platform, and bringing the world to the doors step of every farmer. The beta prototype version was launched in Nov. 2011 at the Bangalore Krishi mela at UAS, Hebbal. The response was phenomenal and the next version of the portal was inaugurated on Feb 17 th at the FOODS 2012 International Conference. Contact Venkat and Srivalli: www.efarm.in; www.efarmdirect.in Email: themylaporelad@yahoo.com An Online Braille Library http:// www.oblindia.org/en/on was launched on World Braille Day, Jan 4.You can Search for preferred subjects categorized by subject ; author. The entire NIVH Catalogue is available .Look for anything you want with a keyword search of the entire site. Other channels are: The Most Popular (Books); Recently Uploaded ( the most recent additions —latest books and articles that have been uploaded.) Www.womensweb.in, an online magazine for Indian women, is looking for interesting stories from those working in the social sector or volunteering. These could be about a specific campaign that you’re working on, a challenge you’ve faced, your feelings about your work/personal stories or any such that would be interesting to readers and present your work in a creative manner. If you’re interested and have a good story to tell about your work, contact <admin@ womensweb.in> GETIT Infoservices has introduced ‘Book an appointment-Doctors Module’ feature on their website (http://www.getit.in/) or call Getit on 44444444, to help patients book appointments with doctors and facilitate interface between patients and doctors. The new service will enable patients book an appointment on the basis of preferred location, timings and doctor’s review and rating, and allow them to keep track of appointments for themselves and their family by maintaining a user account. GETIT Infoservices CEO Sidharth Gupta said, “This feature is aimed at enabling e-interface and easy bookings. The feature also provides reliable search on doctors based on location, availability and time,”. “ Doctors can use their login account to maintain a record of patients’ profile, appointment status, venue of appointment, and number of appointments generated, as well as plan their calendar in regard to the clinics/hospitals they visit, visit timings, number of patients, and also

The new module features premium listing of doctors, doctor’s review/ ratings, SMS/E-mail validation and online recharge.

Trust for Research in Environment and Ecology (ATREE) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – India.(Source: Protected Area Update February 2012)

Sevalaya events

Friends Society

Chennai: The annual “Smokeless bhogi” rally to create awareness of the harmful effects of burning waste, especially plastics was held on Jan. 11 with 1500 students and international volunteers participating. On Jan. 14 celebrating Smokeless Bhogi, Pongal and Swami Vivekananada Jyanthi, prizes and scholarships were distributed by Smt. B. Valarmathi, Min. for Social Welfare and B.V. Ramana, Min. for Environment. A volleyball tournament was organised for the village youth as an alternative to the traditional bull-fight- Jallikattuwith 42 teams participating. Contact:

Vadodara: Friends Society organized their 8th & 9th Voluntary Blood Donation camps for the year 2011-12 at the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Technology & Engg., M.S. University onJan. 21 and Feb.14 respectively with both the camps being huge success, and where more than 75% were first time donors. A total of 336 units have been collected so far for the Blood Bank, at S.S.G. Hospital ifor 201112. Contact: anuj.jaya@gmail.com/ 09724308364

mention non-appointment days.

Rare Disease Day Mumbai: The 3rd Rare Disease Day was observed in Mumbai on Feb 29. It was organized by the Lysosomal Storage Diseases Support Society (LSDSS ). The Sturge Weber Syndrome (SWS) India Support group also participated in this programme. LSDs are a group of approximately 50 rare inherited metabolic disorders that result from defects in lysosomal function. Individually, LSDs occur with incidences of less than 1:100,000; however, as a group the incidence is about 1:5,000 - 1:10,000. LSDs affect mostly children and they often die at a young and unpredictable age, many within a few months or years of birth. LSDSS was formed with support from patients, patients’ families, doctors and corporates . The Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) is a congenital, non-familial disorder of unknown incidence and cause. It is characterized by a congenital facial birthmark, glaucoma and neurological abnormalities which may include seizures, muscle weakness, developmental delays and mental retardation. Port wine stain birthmarks occur in 3 of 1000 newborns and in a patient with a facial port wine stain, the overall risk of having SWS is only about 8% to 15%. The Sturge Weber Foundation in USA offers information and support to people affected by SWS and recently a SWS India Support group has been formed with just 5 members. (Contact Lakshmi Menon email<menonlak1@gmail.com) Experts estimate suggests that there are over 3.3 crore patients in India suffering from rare diseases. There are about 6000 to 8000 rare diseases in India and most of them are genetic in nature. Unfortunately most of these diseases don’t have any cure. Contact Prasanna Kumar Shirol 9980133300 email<contactus@lsdss.org

Wildcats on camera A camera trapping exercise conducted over 650 sq kms of the Manas landscape has reported 14 tigers in the area. Seven male andsix were female while the gender of one could not be identified. Four of the big cats were identified as common, indicating that they were photographed on both sides of the international boundary. The project is being implemented jointly by the officials of the Manas National Park in India, the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan and NGOs Aaranyak, the Ashoka

TERI lab for public Bangalore: Citizens now can get the quality of water, air and soil tested at the TERI lab, near Domlur. The lab constructed by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has analyticaland advanced equipment ad is capable of testing a wide range of ambient and indoor air samples,water and soil samples for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and other contaminants, Dr. SK Gautham of Teri said.

CSR Light for 1000 rural homes Bangalore: In collaboration with Applied Material Foundation, SELCO Solar Pvt. Ltd- the rural solar project of Harish HandeMagsaysay award winner, will electrify 1000 village households in Karnataka with solar lighting systems. Most of the households identified have no reliable access to electricity and cannot afford solar home lighting. “With 400 million people witout electricity and nearly one million households without access to the national grid the use of kerosene etc. causes serious health and environmental concerns,” Aninda Moitra, Country President of the Applied Material said. Begun in May 2011, the project has already been implemented in more than 200 household and four schools in Jaraganahalli and on completion with impact over 10,000 individuals ad generate 279 kw hours of clean and safe energy. Both the companies were invited to announce their initiative at the Cinton Global Initiative- an annual gathering of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to the worlds most pressing problems.

Security jobs for rural youth Delhi: The Union Ministry of Rural Development and Tops International Security Academy Pvt. Ltd. (TISA) have collaborated to initiate a project to professionally train over 30,000 rural youths from across India, to meet the increasing demand for security resources. The project is aimed at helping people who are below the poverty line to earn their livelihoods. NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) Consultancy Services will be monitoring this project. The ministry has identified districts of many states with the maximum concentration of people below the poverty line for implementation of the project. Another reason for the implementation of this national rural employment project is the rapidly increasing demand in the security industry.

The beneficiaries of this project will include 50 per cent from SC/ST categories, and 15 per cent from other minority groups-- preference will be given to females. 75 per cent of the cost of this project will be covered be the ministry, and the remaining by the participating agencies. This program is to be based on the ministry’s PPP (public private partnership) model of working . Contact:. 9819048326

Workshops for seniors Mumbai: Wockhardt Foundation is offer to hold free seminars and workshops on value based living for senior citizens under their banner Sunset Joy. Contact tDr S Srinivasan; Life Coach & Wellness Consultant, Mumbai 400050. Tel 26423565, 26415926, 9 8 2 0 2 8 3 5 4 8 . Email: srinivasan@thebalan ce.in Website: www.thebalance. in

World Water Day Mumbai: Call for Entries for an Exhibition onOpen Wells and Groundwater in the Cityto mark World Water Day on March 22, Unique and telling views (through the camera lens) on water woes in the City and its environs wouyld be exhibited. World Water Day is celebrated internationally on March 22, the UN-designated day. This year there will be an exhibition, film screenings, real-life presentations, discussions, etc... The theme of the photo exhibition centres on groundwater and specifically the open well. Deadline for entries: March 10, 2012

Picnic at EOTO Mumbai: EOTO has gone a long way in creating opportunities for rural children of Palghar by carrying out academic and extra-curricular activities for these children. On Jan. 6, 225 students of Class X from various schools in Palghar were taken for Mumbai Darshan visiting Nehru Planetarium, Nehru Science Centre and Iskon Temple. to develop scientific spirit in them. Dr. Marc, a practicing Psychologist from USA and Ms. Asha Dutia , a personal counselor, conducted a Map Making Workshop on Jan. 11 for the students of Tardeo Municipal School where EOTO started its support program recently. The children learnt how to do mapping of their area. Dr. Marc and Ms. Dutia also conducted a workshop for EOTO teachers at Sahyadri Nisarg Jeevan Sanstha at Badlapur addressing issues like discipline, involving students in learning process and how to face changes in the organization . EOTO had a fund raising event named EOTO FETE on Jan 22– a fun filled experience for kids of all age at Joss Banquet, Fort. The event involved display of 12 stalls selling items for kids as well as fun activities. More than 500 kids visited .The event was inaugurated by Ms. Sharmila Paranjape, Managing Trustee, Wipro Care with volunteers from Ambuja Cement and Veeda Clinical Research Pvt. Ltd. helping. Contact: <Deepak@eotoindia.org>

TetraPak collection centres wanted Mumbai: Tetra Pak cartons contain 75% by weight of paper, and the balance 25% is polythene and aluminium foil. Currently more than 4000 MT of Tetra Pak cartons are collected and recycled in India every year. The paper goes into school notebooks, A4 stationery

sheets, kitchen towels and serviettes and toilet tissue. The plastic and aluminium is hotpressed into excellent corrugated roofing sheets which are heatreflecting, lightweight and almost unbreakable. See www.damanganga.com. NGO partners work with the waste pickers/ waste dealers’ networks to reach out to the waste trade through various means- one to one meetings, workshops, street plays etc in order to collect and bale the used post-consumer Tetra Pak cartons for dispatch to recyclers in Vapi and Bijnor (near Meerut). They are paid Rs 12/Kg at their collection point. We are seeking new partners for increasing our Tetra Pak carton collection! Contact pravin.malllick@tetrapak.com, 097112 03666. To see the recycling process for Tetra Pak cartons: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Pzp2tscuNGI

Govt. programmes Rajasthan

job

scheme

The Rajasthan government has joined hands with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to create employable skills amongst less-educated youths and to bridge the gap of skilled manpower in the hospitality sector with ITDC under which 8th standard pass youths will be imparted training in beverage and food production and preparation. The ITDC Managing Director, Mr Lalit Panwar, said that he candidates would get a stipend of Rs 3,400 on successful completion of the courses. India to be open-air defecation free by 2022 New Delhi: India has set up a target to make country open-air defecation free in the next ten years, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said. It plans to construct around 10 million toilets under Nirmal Gram Yojna in the 12th Five Year plan as part of sanitation programme

He was addressing a National Consultation on Scaling up Rural Sanitation and added that Gram Panchayats would have to play major role in this regard as the sanitation programme should be taken as a society programme not as a government programme. The minister urged all stakeholders for greater participation in sanitation work in the country. (source — iGovernment Bureau) Bihar hands over power supply to panchayats Patna:The Bihar State Electricity Board has decided to appoint gram panchayats as its franchisees for distribution of power in the villages

The decision to appoint ‘grampanchayats’ as franchisees of Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for distribution of power in the village was taken in view of the success of its pilot project at Sitabdiara, the birthplace of the late leader, Jaya Prakash Narayan. BSEB Chairman PK Rai said.”The Board had appointed the Sitabdiara gram panchayat as its franchisee for distribution of power in the village last October. An agreement was signed between panchayat representatives and the Board’s official and thanks to the board’s franchisee model, electricity finally reached JP’s village, almost 64 years after Independence.

NGO Connect ○

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Jan-Feb 2012 ○

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NGO News The board was forced to apply the franchisee system in Sitabdiara when LK Advani chose the village to launch his anti-corruption yatra. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar then inaugurated the power project, barely two hours before he was scheduled to flag off Advani’s yatra. A private company had collected 90 per cent of electricity bills in Sitabdiara. The local residents of the panchayat have come forward to check theft of electricity.”The Board has installed transformers as per the requirement of the consumers in the village and solved the problem of power cuts.”

publicity.Freight will be paid by himjoli and octroi if applicable by partner.

Save Ganga campaign Delhi: On Feb. 13, Manushi volunteers began a daily candle light vigil outside the residence of PM Dr Manmohan Singh, to remind him of his broken promises with regard to stopping the destruction of river Ganga to express solidarity with the fast unto death of Swami Gyan

that he started seven years ago. He quickly writes an email - only instead of a regular laptop, his system reads out every character he types.”It is a programme that enables the blind to use the web like any other person,” he says. Mahantesh lost his vision when he was six months old, after a bout of typhoid that the village doctors couldn’t diagnose, but that hasn’t slowed him down. He has a printer that prints in Braille. His smartphone also uses text-to-speech software.

According to Rai, it will be the responsibility of the gram panchayat as a franchisee to distribute bills, read meters, collect revenue, maintain low-tension lines and attend to fuse-off calls in the rural areas.

Himjoli seeks partner in Blr Kumaon,Uttarakhand: Himjoli, which means Friend in the Land of Ice, is a social venture company that works with producer groups based in Kumaon. Himjoli’s mission is to reduce migration to cities by creating sustainable jobs in the villages. Thousands of rural farmers, artisans and women’s groups are involved in this enterprise that aims to transform lives through trade, not aid. Some of their partners include NGOs based in Kumaon --Aarohi, Umang (Grassroots), Kumaon Grameen Udyog (Chirag), Inhere,Aepan and Avani . These not-for-profits work across areas – from education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, to women’s development, panchayati raj representation etc. Profits from Himjoli Products Pvt. Ltd. are invested back into the communities and producer groups Made from the best natural ingredients the Himalayas have to offer, the products include jams and preserves, honey, pickles, culinary erbs, oils, scrubs, soaps, handknits and handwoven products (including stoles,shawls,mufflers,accessories), organic products, pulses, spices, cereals , aepan (traditional art) and a range of traditional craft products There are currently nine Himjoli stores in Uttarakhand and Delhi (all company owned) and the products are being used as Corporate gifts and soled at exhibitions and events. There is also limited distribution in Delhi, Bangalore and Dehradun Himjoli would be responsible for product supply,quality,new products and development and website promotion; The partner would manage the store and take responsibility for local

Daman: A Legal Aid Clinic was inaugurated in Kachhigam Gram Panchayat by District and Session Judge B P Patil in coordination with Chief Judicial Magistrate R V Sawant Waghule, and others. C J M RV Sawant Waghule said that the aim of starting the Legal Aid Clinic is that no one should be deprived from the right to get justice. This is the third Legal Aid Clinic of Daman, wherein the financial weak, illiterate ST and SC people will be given free legal help. She added that before knocking the doors of the court, discussing the problems at Legal Aid Clinic with the Advocate and Para Legal Volunteers, will help to save money and time of both Court and party. In all the Legal Aid Clinics of Daman, advocates and para legal volunteers attend to matters.

The franchisee would have to ensure that all the connections were billed and the revenue collected deposited timely at the Board’s office, in its account or at a designated bank for the purpose within a specified time frame on a regular basis. After the Board decided to appoint the gram panchayat as its franchisee, officials of the Board began holding meetings with panchayat representatives on the issue in other districts.The board would make arrangements for their proper training at the district-level before signing an MoU between the board and village representatives for ensuring power supply in their respective villages.

Legal Aid Clinic inaugurated

Switch off on March 31

Swaup Anand and to press upon the Government the urgent need for the protection of the Ganga. Manushi activists say the Government’s callousness is evident from the fact that it has not made any attempt to contact Swami Gyan Swarup Anand or the Shankracharya of Jyotirmath. If during this period Swami Gyan Swarup dies, then the five Sanyasis who took the vow with him will start their tapasya one after another by forsaking both food and water. Contact: email: madhukishwar@manushi_india.org

CWC’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize Bangalore: “We have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Parliamentary Committee. Please find here, the link to the announcement by Ms. Linda Hofstad Helleland, Member of the Parliament, Norway. http:// www.youtube. com/watch? v=aTTi4-CMcds ”We are a small organisation and yet we have managed to impact on child rights policy and programming both locally and globally, bringing the right to children’s participation and self-determination centre stage. This nomination is in itself a great honour.”--Concern for Working Children (CWC) Contact: CWC cwcblr@gmail.com, Ph: +91 80 25234270/258/ 611 Web: www.workingchild. org

Seeing the blind work Bangalore: Mahantesh GK, despite being blind, set up an NGO that has helped more than 3000 disabled people gain education and jobs In a quiet bungalow in the Bangalore suburb of JP Nagar, Mahantesh GK, 40, is having a busy day at work - a visually impaired student needs a job, a computer-training centre for the blind needs new equipment and a young student has just applied for admission at the free girls’ hostel

Fifteen years ago, with Rs 45,000 that he received as an M.Phil scholarship, Mahantesh and another visually impaired friend cofounded Samarthanam (Kannada for ‘capable’), a not-for-profit organisation that provides learning opportunities to the disabled and u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d . These days, from this one-storey bungalow, he runs a BPO for the disabled that employs 100 blind and handicapped people; TechVision, a computer-training and personality development centre that has trained more than 600 disabled people over the past 13 years; a disabled-friendly school and a hostel that provides free accommodation to 125 college-going boys and girls. He was refused admission to the village school but was allowed to sit on the last bench and listen to what was being taught. By the time he was six, he could recite tables up to 250, then picked up English and developed an obsessive craze for cricket by listening to radio commentaries. His parents soon moved him to a school for the disabled in Bangalore. Here, Mahantesht and persuaded the school to hire a coach. He went on to play for and eventually captain the Indian cricket team for the blind and toured England in 1998. He later co-founded the National Cricket Board for the Blind, which is now helping organise an international T20 blind cricket tournament. Kirana, the BPO he started in Bidadi, a town on the outskirts of the city, has ramps for wheelchair users. On one such ramp, Malinath Kombi, a 37-year- old employee lost his legs due to polio when he was four. At Kirana, he is a team leader, supervising and training a group of callers. These days Mahantesh spends his time raising funds for organising charity events where disabled members of Samarthanam’ s cultural wing perform. Married, he has a two-year-old daughter .

Earth Hour 2012 (http:// www.earthhour.org/), is a global event organized on the last Saturday of March every year. As part of this event, households and businesses are invited to ‘switchoff’ their lights and other appliances for one hour on this day to raise awareness of sustainability issues. In 2011, Earth Hour saw hundreds of millions of people across 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries switch off for an hour. This year, Earth Hour is being observed on March 31st, 2012 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Empowerment thru cycling Kolkata: “ I want to be part of your women’s cross country cycling expedition,” women assured Vasumathi, the leader of the the Go Green Girls expedition group that was planning a 3,000 kilometre from Kolkata to Kanyakumari. Today there are innumerable programmes that aim to empower women; but empowerment through adventure is unique and is something that the Women’s Adventure Network of India (WANI) strongly believes in. The association, which was started by 11 women adventurers, included Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest and her associate Vasumathi, also a seasoned mountaineer. The organisation not only arranges climbing expeditions but has also supported cross-desert camel rides. Having seen the destruction of the glaciers in the Himalayan region during her climbs, Vasumathi came up with the latest idea of a trip that combined feminist and environmental concerns. The 25 Go Green Girls aged between 20 and 58 years, underwent a 3,000 kilometre cycle ride along India’s east coast, from Kolkata to Kanyakumari, to spread the word on environmental pollution. When the Go Green Girls (GGG) cycling expedition was announced, 25 women, from different parts of the country enrolled immediately. After knocking on many doors for sponsorship and being told that the expedition was “unworkable”, the group decided to fund itself. However, eventually BSA Hercules provided bicycles, helmets, knee guards and gloves, the Tata Steel AdventureFoundation sanctioned one lakh rupees, the

Karnataka Mountaineering Association funded GGG’s brochure for their press conferences en route, and the Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) too pitched in with support. The road trip was flagged off on Republic Day from Kolkata. A truck loaded with tents, blankets, provisions, kerosene, clothes, and a stove for cooking on the highway followed the cyclists “but local hospitality, received from complete strangers, kept them fed most of the days. For five weeks the Go Green Girls group pedalled , meeting numerous local, often rural and housebound, women in different towns Local Rotary clubs organised gettogethers, hospitality, publicity, and talks. Smitha, maintained a daily blog for all the 35 days (available at www.gogreengirls- g3.blogspot. com), chronicling their novel experiences to chat with groups of local women about environmental concerns. (Excerpts from an article of WFS).

IIT-B contest throws up eco-friendly stove Mumbai: Organized by the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) entrepreneurship cell, this year, the winners of Asia’s largest B-plan contest Eureka received around 3,600 entries from across the country. The three winners will get direct entry into the finals of the E-bootcamp organized by Stanford University. The start-up firm Greenway Grameen Infra (first prize, social Bplan) was set up by students from IIM-Ahmedabad and FMS Delhi. Neha Juneja, a core member, said, “Our first product is the Greenway Smart Stove, a single-burner, highefficiency cookstove, a replacement for traditional mud chullahs. The stove delivers up to 70% fuel-saving and minimizes harmful emissions.” The stove, being sold through rural distributors in Karnataka and Maharashtra, is available at villagelevel utensil, hardware and general stores. The 2011 first prize of Rs 8 lakh was shared by budding enterprises, Edu Edge and Ping Tech. Edu Edge is a start-up by IIT-B students who came together to assist kids from tier II cities to make informed career choices. Group member, Gouri Nawathe, said, “Our product is a tailor-made magazine. ‘Education Edge’ gives kids information about career opportunities with fun and humour coloumns and looks like any other comic book. The winner among IIT-B start-ups was Mritika, set up by Aditi Mantri and Rohit Nyati, from the metallurgical engineering department. “We make red oxide, abundantly used as raw material by painting, cementing industries, out of yellow oxide, very cheap,” said Mantri. Four similar start-ups won the first prize at the competition. The competition, which received 3623 Bplans, witnessed entries more than double from 1800 in 2010. Of these 450 entries came from abroad. This was the first time Eureka opened its doors to socially driven projects. Around 1,491 B-plans were registered from the social sector. Until now nearly 40 startups first spotted at Eureka went on to become successful businesses.

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NGO News National Youth Daydedicated to Girl Child Mumbai: “ Is there equality among boys and girls in our society ?- NO, why are girls and boys treated differently ?, what can you as students do to curb the menace of missing girls? These are some of questions Rahul Bose, film actor and social activist bombarded to the packed crowd of NSS students of Mumbai University at Chetana College, on the occasion of National Youth Day dedicated to celebrate girl child by Forum against Sex selection (FASS). Provoking the girl students Bose, asked the girls if they would marry without taking dowry and if they do not get any boy would they consider remaining unmarried. He pointed out that need of the hour is for girls to sit with their parents together and make them understand that they are not a burden and they would rather be alone than in a violent and unhappy marriage. FASS, a network of 20 NGOs, CBOS and educational institutes in collaboration with Mumbai University’s National Social Service (NSS) and Chetana College organised the event Tumchya Aamchya Lekin Sathee– Sangharsh Samatesathee, at Chetana College, Bandra on Jan. 12 in which over 400 students participated. The programme included speeches by Mumbai University’s NSS officials and Dr. Deosthali, Principal of Chetana College, protest songs highlighting discrimination against girl child.and a play “Mulgi Zali Ho” by Stree Mukti Sanghathana. Noted theatre artiste of “Experimental Theatre Foundation”, Manjul Bhardwaj, had an interactive session with the students on the issue, highlighting the social, economic and political factors of sex selection. Contact :Jyoti Mhapsekar, Stree Mukti Sanghatana:<smsmum@gmail.com

BSE launches green index Ahmedabad: To promote firms working on sustainable business practices, the BSE is launching its second thematic index, the BSEGREENEX. A pick of 20 companies from the BSE 100, the index gives equal weightage to both energy efficiency and profitability - together indicating a long-term sustainable strategy. The Union Corporate Affairs Minister, Mr Veerappa Moily, is expected to inaugurate the new initiative in Mumbai. ”Though there are other such indices globally focussing on green credentials, this is the first which is based on actual performance in the energy efficiency front, rather than stated future plans,” a source close to the development told Business Line. The BSE-GREENEX, has been codeveloped with gTrade, a domestic sustainability firm working on financial innovations in energy efficiency. While BSE provides the financial analytics, the carbon analytics are provided by gTrade. ”Research over the last three years has shown that this index is performing better than the Sensex, indicating that companies that are able to balance energy efficiency and profitability, and give better returns for investors,” (Source:The Hindu Contact: <roudra.b@thehindu. o.in>)

CBI sets up antihuman trafficking unit New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has set up an anti-human trafficking unit to keep a tab on human trafficking and abductions, by developing actionable intelligence to conduct operations against gangs. “The special unit will be responsible for collecting, collating and analysing data on kidnapping and abduction of people from all over India,” the CBI statement said.”It will also develop actionable intelligence to conduct operations against gangs involved in trafficking, especially of children and women for the purpose of exploitation such as beggary and prostitution,” it added. According to the federal investigative agency, the unit would also liaise with NGOs involved in the field, reports IANS. “Those having any information on such gangs can complain on our helpline number 011-24368638. If the complaint leads to the arrest of the culprits, the complainant would be rewarded with up to Rs 200,000,” the statement said. Meanwhile, the government has already designated all CBI officers of the rank of Inspector and above as ‘Trafficking Police Officers’ to investigate cases. “The officers would exercise the powers of investigation under the ‘Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956’ and other laws dealing with sexual exploitation of people,

LEGAL AFSPA not so special Delhi: Questioning the extent to which the Army can claim blanket immunity under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Supreme Court today said rape and murder committed by its personnel should be considered a “normal crime”, and that there is “no question of sanction” from the government before prosecution of offenders in such cases. Under AFSPA, prior approval is required before prosecution or any other legal action can be initiated against armed forces personnel operating in areas declared “disturbed” by the government. “You go to a place in exercise of AFSPA, you commit rape, you commit murder, then where is the question of sanction? It is a normal crime which needs to be prosecuted, and that is our stand,” a bench of Justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar remarked to Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the Army. The court said AFSPA gave “very limited protection” confined to action in “discharge of duty”.

Plan to improve tribals’ economy Ranchi: A New initiative intends to maximise returns of non-timber produces collected by tribals in forest areas, as part of the National Livelihood Mission. Tribal populace in Jharkhand can now collect non-timber forest produces (NTFP) and add value and market them with the government’s intervention in rural pockets falling under the areas of Maoist’s influence. The Centre has announced launching special projects in Naxalaffected areas of Jharkhand and

A seminar on “Youth on Governance” was held at Shanumukhanada Hall, Mumbai on Jan. 25th, organised by PCGT, Dharma Bharathi Mission, Shanmukhanda Fine Arts Society and others, to impress on youth the importance of voting. Inspiring the youth were (from L to R: Ajit Ranade (association of Democratic Reforms), Mr. Narayana Murthy (ex-Chmn Infosys), Mr. Julio Rebiero (PCGT), Mr. Paramjit Singh (Dharmbharathi Mission), Jt. CP (traffic) Vivek Phansalkar, Mr.Narayam Varma and Sarala Parikh (PCGT). other five districts to promote cultivation of lac, gum, medicinal plants, tasar, bamboo and nonedible oil seeds like neem, and mahua. The newly announced scheme of the Union Ministry of rural Development (MoRD) forms a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission and will be executed through cooperative mode with the help of local forest officials and self-help groups. Entrepreneurs keen on exploiting the collects for various kinds of industrial use might also be roped in under the private-publicpartnership mode. Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh announced the scheme in New Delhi on Feb. 6, which will benefit 60 districts across six states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The minister is learnt to be keen on expansion of market and regeneration of NTFP in a sustainable manner, to focus on livelihood generation and value addition of non-timber produces.

Special tiger protection force Bangalore: Karnataka has become the first State to set up a special commando unit for protecting tigers in its dense forests from poachers and hunters. The centre-sponsored force will be deployed in tiger reserves located in Bandipur and Nagarhole national parks The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) comprisies 14 Deputy Forest Range Officers and 40 young guards Constituted under the aegis of the Union Environment and Forests Ministry on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the force expenditure will be fully funded by the central government. The NTCA has identified 13 tiger reserves in seven states across the country for the ambitious project to protect the dwindling population of the big cats.

Mandi Moods As part of the CSH-CPR Urban Workshop Series, the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and the Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH), Delhi held a workshop on Jan 31 titled; Mandi Moods in an Adolescent Town” The anthropology of transformation in small town India by Mekhala Krishnamurthy This paper explores the everyday lives and life histories of an agricultural market in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Mandis or primary agricultural markets are old and ubiquitous institutions across many parts of the Indian economic landscape. Wherever they have formed, they tend to be dense sites of economic and political activity, connecting town and countryside, and local agricultural markets with larger circuits of commerce and consumption. In India, mandis are the most important sites for state regulation of the critical “first transaction” between farmers and the buyers of their produce, vital points of interaction in complex and intricately intermediated markets for a range of agricultural commodities. It traces the transformation of the mandi over the three decades from 1980 to 2010

Goa Child Welfare Committees Goa: The Child Welfare Committee for the North Goa District of Goa, consisting of Mrs. Audrey Pinto, … Chairperson. Mr. Auroliano De Oliveira, Mr. Hemant D. Mashelkar Mrs. Patricia Correa Colaco,. Mrs. Cyanna Mendes as Members. In South Goa the Committee consists of Mrs. Martha Mascarenhas,(Chairperson) Mrs. Bernaardete D’Souza, Mrs. Celsa Antao, Mrs. Cheryl Pinto Colaco, Mrs. Julia Kurian, The tenure of the Child Welfare Committee is 3 years , meeting in the premises of the Children’s Home, Apna Ghar, Merces, thrice a week .

Pachhat Varg Vikas Mandal Anand, Gujarat: The main object of the Mandal is development of the backward classes, all the government programmes meant for their benefit are explained to them so that they may avail of the many such programmes.The Mandal has been

involved in child and youth education programmes and empowerment of women and physically challenged throughinsurance programmes and developmente activities for backward classes. Through their Insurance activities, they settled 277 cases of the LIC for accidents and the disabled. Awareness programmes on insurance were extended. For youth adventure camps were conducted during the year, while 180 students were inculcated into the educational system through admissions in several schools with scholarships in many cases. Through their self employment cell, 138 youth were trained as wiremen, mechanics and telephone/computer repairs. Selfhelp groups in 39 villages with pensions for widows were started. Medical insurance programmes under the Rajiv Gandhi Health Insurance Scheme were initiated with a free medical check up camp was conducted by the Rotary club. The Mandal served as a liaison for the physically disabled and artisans giving them forms and information regarding the benefits they were entitled to etc. Contact: pvvm.1958@rediffmail.com Tel: 9979444051 or 02697-251033

Quick Ink: LGBT News Mumbai: Queer Ink had a fabulous start to 2012: first, with recognition at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jan.;in Feb. they hosted a panel at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival: Queer Ink presents OUT! with Ashok Row Kavi, Mahabanoo Kotwal-Mody and R. Raj Rao talking about the tipping point in their journey of using their art to further their causes. Queer Ink was launched in 2010 as an online retailer of books on LGBTHQQI: (Lesbian, Gay, BiSexual, Trans, Hijra, Queer, Questioning and Intersex) issues and lives. It concentrates in providing a platform for: Publishing -— the first Queer Ink Anthology will be launched in March 2012; Retail - People could buy online from within their comfort zones. Queer Ink organized a Book Fair in 2010 in Pune, Bangalore and Kolkata. and have now opened up an office in Santa Cruz (W) .Queer Ink plans to organize events for, readers. Contact: newsletters@queer-ink.com. Shobhna S. Kumar CEO, Cell: +919821730721

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APVVU, a long-term partner of AID, organized a Jatha to create awareness on the National Rural Employment Guarantee and Right to Information Acts, which covered 100 villages in two Mandals in 10 days. APVVU Adivasi volunteers used Right to Information (RTI) to unearth the fraud and corruption issues in several government programs in the Mandal and work on proper implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Contact Ajay 9989830711 or psajay123@gmail.com.,http:// aidindia.org/main/content/view/ 1463/1/

CONF HELD The Puppet Studio held a residency workshop on Puppetry with focus on Video Puppetry (Puppetry for film & television) and an overview on different forms of puppetry. from 3th December 2011 to 18th December 2011at Zorba the Buddha (Global Arts Village), New Delhi 110030. Contact: thepuppetstudio2011@gmail.com or call on:(+91) 9811384665 (+91) 9810498183 IDCA (India Development Coalition of America) in association with EWB-INDIA (www.ewb-india. org), Karmyog (www.karmayog. org), PSPI, CSIM (www.csim.in) and FAPCCI (www.fapcci. in) organised its First South India Regional Conference in Hyderabad on”Working Together To Eradicate Poverty and Mitigate Climate Change” at FAPCCI, Hyderabad from February 3-4. The conference explored innovations in Rural Development, Healthcare, Education, Water, Livelihoods, Good Governance, and Renewable Energy areas to help eradicate poverty and promote prosperity while mitigating climate change. Contact:Ms. Veena Mani, Executive Assistant, Engineers Without Borders Tel: 040-23410945; Cell No: 7207188662 Email: exe.asst@ewb- india.org; website : www.ewb-india. org The Urvi Ashok Piramal Foundation (UAPF) organized a micro-entrepreneurship summit on Jan. 31 with the aim of creating an exclusive platform for SHGs and micro-enterprises to make sustainable market linkages. The event provided an opportunity to interact with banking institutions, marketing and packaging experts, entrepreneurship development agencies, to create a stronger supply chain between microentrepreneurs and commercially viable markets. In the spirit of commemorating the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives, this 1st edition of the Micro-Entrepreneurship Summit specifically addressed the needs of SHGs, youth and women’s groups, or any business enterprise that is owned and controlled by their own members and beneficiaries. The programme comprises a Conference:Collaborating for Success, brought together the key players from Government, microcredit services, marketing services, and the voluntary sector in order to explore opportunities for collaboration and mechanisms for strengthening such linkages. Heart to Heart Counselling Centre organized a certificate course in counselling at Mumbai. based on Humanistic Psychotherapy, for Counsellors, NGO employees/volunteers, etc..Contact Dr.Rajan Bhonsle on 22184528 or 9821093902 or 23755866 for further information.Email:hthindia@gmail.com

Foundation for Peace Harmony and Good Governance (FGG) organized a National Conference on Governance on Jan. 29 at NCUI Auditorium, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi. The endeavor is to set the house in order by taking all steps necessary to ensure introduction and application of good governance measures./ Contact:<iggdelhi@gmail.com>.

Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Awards 2011 The 12th Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Awards were awarded in a ceremony held in Mumbai.

A Mega Education Fair was held at SNDT Women’s University (SNDTWU) from Jan. 27-29 inaugurated by Shri. Nikhil Waghle, Editor of IBN Lokmat at its Juhu Campus, Juhu Tara Road, Santacruz (West), Mumbai. The exhibition showcased about 140 graduate and post graduate degree programmes offered by the university such as Food Science and Nutrition, Communication Media for Children, Jewelry Design, Instructional Design, Social Work, Education Management, Women Studies, Special Education etc. Talks by Eminent Experts, Aptitude Testing registration and Career Guidance, educational songs, skits and plays with message of empowerment of women and highlight in burning problems of Indian women such as declining sex ratio, violence against women, trafficking of girls, One of the major attraction of the Education Fair was “Meet our Starts” programmes visit SNDTWU @ sndt.ac.in. or contact sndt.educationfair@ gmail.com A Convention on “Children’s Right to Food” was held in Bhopal from Jan. 20- 22 as a follow-up to the first Children’s Right to Food Convention. The main purpose of this Convention was to bring together individuals and organizations with a special commitment to children’s right to food, to share experiences and plan future action. More than 700 participants from 19 different states, who are working on this issue in various ways, took part in the C o n v e n t i o n . (www.righttofoodindia.org Right to Food Campaign’s AllIndia Convention was held from Feb. 18 In New Delhi at Gandhi Peace Foundation to discuss the critique of the National Food Security Bill 2011 tabled in the Parliament and Plan strategy to force the Government to bring in a law that ensures food security to all and the elimination of malnutrition and hunger in children and adults in the country; addresses production, procurement and storage issues establishing the dignity of the farmers; provisioning of a universal PDS, Provisioning of hot cooked meals with a ban on contractors and ready to eat meals for children; Provisioning of Maternal entitlements which atleast subscribe to the wage rates of the State; Grievance Redressal scheme that guarantees effective and immediate redressal at the panchayat and block level, with an independent appeal mechanismContact: righttofoodindia@gmail.com or by phone/sms at 9910416153.or Kavita Srivastava (9351562965), Email: web.rtf@gmail.com

A Seed Diversity Exhibition, with Bastar Tribal Dance, Song & Music, Books, Films, Talks, Discussions and much more was held from Feb. 19 to 21 at Janata Kendra, near Mumbai Central Station. Parallel events were held at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS); Indian Institute of Technology (IIT); Bombay Natural History Society ( B N H S ) , The Horn Maria Tribal Dance performance at different places across Mumbai. The Seed Festival - first of its kind in Mumbai - brought together groups from seven states across India,

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NGO News Jatha for RTI and NREGA

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Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are jointly organizing the 5thNational Photo Contest on the theme: “Artists At Work” for Amateur photographers, especially tribals are invited to compete. Prize Amount: 1st Prize: Rs. 25,000/-; Special Talent Award for the best Tribal Photographer: Rs. 20,000/-; 2nd Prize: Rs. 15,000/-; 3rd Prize: Rs. 10,000/-; Commendation Awards (10): Rs. 5, 000/-. For detailed guidelines and rules, please see Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ web-site www.tribal.gov. in and Photo Division’s website www.photodivision. gov.in.

The winners are as follows: Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. George Schaller Wildlife Service Awards: Dr. SD Biju, amphibian biologist and researcher; Shekar Dattatri, wildlife filmmaker and conservationist;Gerard Martin, herpetologist; Daulat Singh Shaktawat, forest officer, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve; P Suresha, Namma Sangha, Karnataka Young Naturalists Awards: Tengbat Sangma, Ramnath Chandrashekar, Aishwarya Shridhar, The Wind Under the Wings Award was given to the Maharashtra Government for enabling and encouraging the work of Praveen Pardeshi, IAS, presently Forest Secretary, Government of Maharashtra. Contact: Bittu Sahgal. Editor, Sanctuary Asia. Email: bittusahgal@gmail.com

Vanya Prani Mitra Awards The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) –India and the Assam state Forest Department presented two inaugural ‘Vanya Prani Mitra Awards’ to four forest staff of the Assam state Forest Department for their exemplary service towards the protection of Assam’s wildlife. The awards were presented by the Mr. Rockybul Hussain, Minister of Forest and Environment,Government of Assam. One award was given to a patrolling team from the Kaziranga National Park, Assam comprised of Mr. Ganga Bora, Forest Guard; Mr. Rustam Timung, Forest Guard; and Mr. Bhupen Hazarika, Home Guard. They were given the award for showing great courage under fire by bravely engaging with three armed poachers while on a patrol in the park. The resultant encounter resulted in the recovery of arms, ammunition and a rhino horn. The 2nd award was given to Mr. Salim Ahmed, Range Officer at the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park for a slew of initiatives he took that resulted in a sharp drop in rhino poaching here. The two awards carried a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each.

Last date of sending entries is 9th March, 2012.Ministry Of Tribal Affairs And Photo Division, Ministry Of Information And Broadcasting, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, West Block No.7, R.K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066

Shilp Guru Award 2011 Applications are invited from National Awardees, State Awardees and Craftpersons of exceptional and extraordinary skills who have made immense contribution to the Handicrafts Sector in the past, and who are above 55 years, for selection to the Shilp Guru Award - 2011. The application along with two passport size photographs and minimum four 10"X8" size photographs of the masterpieces made by him should be deposited in the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) latest by 30th April, 2012. The proforma for submitting the application can be had from Office of the Regional Directors/RD& TDCs/ Assistant Director (HC), M&SECs of Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) , and on website address http://<http://handicrafts. nic.in>

2012 World of Children Award The World of Children Award is dedicated to dramatically improving children’s lives by identifying and recognizing extraordinary individuals who work on behalf of children in need. The World of Children Award sets the Gold Standard in child advocacy worldwide. The World of Children Award is now searching the globe for selfless individuals who serve children with proven, sustainable programs. Awards will be presented at an annual ceremony held in New York City, USA, in October, 2012. At that time, the World of Children Award will offer cash grants to the proven, sustainable programs created and managed by the 2012 Award Winners. Deadline for nomination: April 1, 2012. All the nominees’ work on behalf of children must be over and above their normal employment and they must have been doing this work for a minimum of 10 years.

5th National Photographic Competition

Humanitarian Award – recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to children in social services, education or humanitarian services.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India and Photo

This person will have created or managed a sustainable program

which has significantly contributed to children’s opportunities to be safe, to learn and to grow. Health Award – recognizes an individual who has made a significant

Indicorps 2012 Fellowships The Fellowship provides the opportunity for passionate, sincere individuals of Indian origin to become strong team players and leaders to build sustainable initiatives. Indicorps aims to inspire a shift in the way people approach change. We strive to nurture leaders with principle — thosewho produce ideas and solutions rather than consume opportunities and experiences. Value-based simple living, internal motivation, transparency in action, and an understanding of the intangibles strengthen this change in perspective. For the Indicorps 2012 Fellowship, the 26 projects are based in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. Fellows will become involved in development themes such as agriculture, community based rehabilitation, education, entrepreneurship, environmental c o n s e r v a t i o n , health, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth empowerment, etc. Download Indicorps 2012 Fellowship application at: http:// apply.indicorps. orgApplication Deadline: March 1, 2012. For further queries Contact: Dev Tayde, Mobile: +91 93776.99950 Office: +91 79.2657.4791 or write to apply@indicorps. org

The Equator Initiative The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative accomplishes these goals through three action areas: The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. Equator Dialogues are an ongoing series of community-driven meetings and exchanges, held in conjunction with related international forums for people to share experiences, develop capacities and influence policy. Equator Knowledge is a research, documentation and learning program focused on local best practice in sustainable development www.equatorinitiative.org

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CONFERENCES TRAINING WORKSHOPS Org. by Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi: Managing Information in the Digital Age, March 20-23 Training Programme on Library,Information Management and Web-based Outreach Last Date for applying: March 12, 2012 Further details: http://www.cseindia .org/node/ 1653 Register online: http://www.cseindia .org/node/ 997 NOTE: Few fellowships for participants from South Asia available.Course contact: Kiran Pandey, Tel:(011) 29955124/125 (Ext. 287), Mob: 9968767698 Email: kirandwi@gmail. com, kiran@cseindia. org Social Impact Assessment------March 26-28, 2012 To build capacity and create awareness among regulators, developers, NGOs and academicians to understand SIA process. Course contact: Sujit Kumar Singh, For registration,n email Sujit at sujit@cseindia. org Ph: 91-11-2995 5124 / 6110 (Ext. 281); Mobile: 9899676027, 9910496283, 981056423 Urban Rainwater Harvesting----March 27-29, CSE’s urban water unit has announced a three-day training programme on urban rainwater harvesting. Engineers, architects, consultants and researchers can apply for this course. For more details, please see the following link: http://www.cseindia .org/content/ training- programmeurban-rainwater- harvesting- march-27- 29-2012 Agenda for Survival--June 1 – 30, A Certificate course on the policies, practices & politics of environmental management in India Last date for applying by: April 21, 2012 Eligibility: The course is open to 25 young professionals and college students from any stream.

Further details: http://cseindia. org/node/ 1701 Course contact: Sharmila Sinha, Ph: +91-11-2995 5124 / 6110 (Ext. 270); Mobile: 9818482018 Email: sharmila@cseindia. org / cseindiasharmila@ gmail.com Food Safety and Environmental Toxins- March 29-30, New Delhi. A two-day South Asian Media Briefing Workshop media briefing to share a range of issues — pesticides, junk food, toxins, drugs of daily use, industrial contaminants, industrial liability, regulations and regulatory capacity. Register Online: http://cseindia. org/node/ 2937 For details, visit http://www.cseindia .org/node/ 3680 or contact Souparno at souparno@cseindia. org / 9910864339 13th Media Fellowships: Backs to the wall: tigers, tiger habitats and conservation in India CSE invites journalists to a two-day Media Briefing Workshop on April 25-26, 2012 to participate in discussions on the issue. The venue would be a tiger reserve. There is no participation / registration fee. CSE offers to support the travel and accommodation of some of the selected participants. The Media Fellows selected for the tiger fellowships will get automatic access to this workshop.·Contact: Papia Samajdar, Tele : 099108 64339, 011 29956110, 29955124-25 ext 248 Email : papia@cseindia. org Check http://cseindia. org/

Socio-Cultural Analysis This course is organised by Indian Social Institute, Bangalore (ISI-B) and Jesuit in Social Action- South Asia (JESA) from April, 16-30 at ISI-Bangalore. It is meant for religious in formation social activists and people who are willing to be part of People’s Movements and struggles. Medium: English (with regional language assimilation sessions, if necessary). CONTACT???

Folk School ,Koraput A Management Development Programme from April 4-7 at Atithi Bhaban, Koraput for strengthening the management skills of the middle level functionaries of development organisations. The training course would help participants with feedback on enhancing the quality of their participation in teamwork. 30 participants only. Contact: K. Anuradha, Folk School Koraput email- folkschoolkoraput@ gmail.com

Programme for Comparative Democracy- May 10-22 The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi, in collaboration with Jain University, Bengaluru, invites applications for the Summer Workshop on ‘Analyzing Quantitative Data on Indian Politics’ to be held in Bengaluru .This is the sixth Summer School being organized by Lokniti-CSDS. In this Summer School there will be a special emphasis on making sense of quantitative data on Indian politics. For Teachers of Political Science, Research students of Political Science and others outside Political Science and outside academia interested in making sense of politics by analyzing quantitative data.

visit :http://www.lokniti. org/index. htm; for details. Selection for the workshop will be made on the basis of these two writeups submitted by candidates. Apart from taking care of the accommodation and food for all the participants participants will be reimbursed their travel expenses from their place of residence to Bengaluru and back. Please send your applications by email to: summerschool@ csds.in or to:Director, Lokniti, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, 29 Rajpur Road, Delhi 110 054. Registration Fee: Rs1000/- Course Fee: Rs. 3,000/- ( will cover board and lodging, learning materials and other expenses related to the course.) E mail: isihumanrights@ gmail.com Last date for receiving application: April10

CONFERENCES 3rd International Symposium on Environmental Issues and Waste Management in Energy and Mineral Industries Nov.28-30, New Delhi, The symposium will present latest developments on Reclamation, Environmental Impacts of Coal fired plants, remediation of contaminated Soil and Groundwater, Emerging Technologies for environmental Protection, Tailings treatment, Recycle and disposal. The deadline for abstracts/proposals is 7 July2012. Enquiries: singhal@shaw. ca Web address: http://www.mpes- cami-swemp. com/intro. html. Sponsored by: Univeristy of Laval and others

Nat. Conf. on Community Radio: Prospects and Challenges*--March 16/17, Tirunelvelli Org. by The Department of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University,Tirunelveli ,Tamil Nadu. .Papers can be on Community radio: Voice to the voiceless; Community video: Videos that empower; Community newspaper; Social media, Participatory approaches i, Community networking etc. Final paper submission and registration of authors: 10.03.2012 Fee: Rs.500/- for full-time research scholars and Rs. 750 for teachers and other. Contact Information: Dr. P. Govindaraju, Professor & Head, Department of Communication, Dean - Faculty of Arts, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli - 627 012 Tamil NaduMobile: 9443126300, 9487999607 Phone : 9487999703. E-mail: msu.communityradio2 012@gmail. com

National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction April 25-26, Delhi Government of India has launched a National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR). It aims at bringing all the

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* sponsor an issue for Rs. 20,000/- per issue * release an ad (10cms. x 1col.) for Rs. 1000 per issue. This newstabloid goes out to hundreds of NGOs, Corporate houses and the public. If you would like to insert an ad/ sponsor an issue, pls contact us. All ad copy/ news should be sent/ emailed to: shaktisrc@yahoo.com SHAKTI TRUST 5E, Gulmohar, c/o ERA, 1st fl. 20, Convent Road, N. M. Wadia Bldg. Bangalore 123 M G Road, 560025 Mumbai 400001 Tel: 09341867487 email: shaktisrc@yahoo.com 6

stakeholders on a single forum to share their knowledge and views on setting National Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The theme of the first platform is “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Development: from Risk to Resilience.” The first National Platform is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) at Vigyan Bhawan on April 25-26, The event is open to professional disaster managers, policy makers, bilateral and multi-lateral agencies, international organisations, voluntary agencies, private sector organisations, and all other stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction and safe development practices. Abstracts of papers for thematic sessions or proposals for participating in exhibitions can be submitted online at www.nidm.gov. in/npdrr by March 10. Participant Fee IndividualRs 1000; Student Rs 500 Contact: National Institute of Disaster Management, 5B, I.P.Estate, Ring Road, New Delhi - 110002. Ph: 23724308, email: npdrr.india@ gmail.com

Asian Agricultural Conference-April 1-3 at Indian Social Institute (ISI) Auditorium, New Delhi Agenda incl: Transformation in the Asian Agricultural Situation during the Post- Second World War period; Impact of Imperialist policies on the Agricultural Sector; Impact of Ecological changes, technological intervention and WTO policies on the Agricultural Sector.The registration fee for the delegates provided accommodation in the ISI complex is Rs. 1500/- outside ISI- Rs. 500/- Deadline for registration: 15 March 2012. Contact R. Manasayya, Convener, Tel: 91-1125332343, 09972999080, 07838856058, Email:asianagriconf@ gmail.com

The India Youth Forum 2012 The theme ‘My Country of My Dreams’ will be held from 29 March to 1 April in New Delhi. It is the brainchild of the Youth Time Movement, a group of young activists from across 11 countries who have taken it as their mission to craft a new future through active campaigning and dialogue. Our fundamental goal is to motivate and empower the youth of the world. Mail: Info@indiayouthforum.org Web-site: http:// www.indiayouthforum.org

National Conference on Case Studies 27 July 2012, Bangalore The Objective of the conference, organized by the Christ University Institute of Management, is to encourage case study writing among academicians and practitioners of business. No registration fee. Send abstract of 500 words along with the teaching objectives of the case study by 28.02.2012. Contact: Bharathi S. Gopal.Website:/ www.christuniversity.in

“T“In the end one has to reject it all and not learn but unlearn, not to know how to do but how not to do and always face doing” --Jerzy Grotowski Jan-Feb

2012

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NGO Connect ○

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Jan-Feb 2012 ○

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OPPORTUNITIES Program Specialist, Jaipur Khetri Trust is selecting professionals with specialization in developing programs to support students for higher education and learning, effectively communicating the programs and monitoring proper utilization of the grants. Qual: Post-Graduate degree in social sciences, and development with excellent communication skills in English and at least 5 to 10 years experience in the education development sector in India. Should have strong documentation, writing, and editing skills, very high level of fluency in English is a MUST with good command in Hindi and proficiency in computer. Remuneration Rs. 50,000/- p.m. based on performance Last date of applications is Feb.29. All applications should be sent with a covering letter to: jbf@jalbhagirathi.org

Project Manager, Jodhpur Jal Bhagirathi Foundation (JBF) is working in 350 villages spread over 2500kms of the Marwar region in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, towards strengthening the capacity of desert communities to manage their scarce water and natural resources through traditional best practices. JBF is selecting a team of Development Professionals

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poverty. Valuing Volunteering is a three-year, intensive and comparative research project that asks the broad question: ‘How does volunteering affect poverty?’ Valuing Volunteering will build capacity of those taking part to use systemic action research as a tool for inquiry, learning and advocacy. It will offer guidance for further strategic change within the organizations involved by producing practical lessons that could lead to new ways of working. Req: A degree in development or social research, excellent group facilitation skills and report writing skills, experience of working at multiple levels (from government to local community) and an excellent command of participatory, qualitative research methods. You will need to be able to work in a foreign language environment, getting information through translation. Ideally you will also have experience of quantitative research methods and the ability to use and analyse statistical tools. Previous volunteer management experience would be an advantage. You will need to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. You will be given comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. For more information or to apply please email: samta@ivolunteer. org.in with the subject line ‘Valuing Volunteering Role’ . Contact: Samta Arora iVolunteer Overseas,D-134, 1st Floor, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065Tel: (0 11) 2621 7459 Website: http://www.ivoindia.org/

IECCI Multiple positions, Bhopal

Qual.: University degree in the field of environment protection and management, sustainable human development or related field; 5 years of experience in similar position in development cooperation and project management; working experience with institutions involved in sustainable water or Natural Resource Management; experience in working with NGOs with participatory approaches; proficiency in English and Hindi and computer literacy.

Indo-European Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IECCI) is an independent, non-government and not-for-profit business support and socio-economic development organization for trade facilitation between India and other countries and socioeconomic development of the community. The thrust of IECCI is on the development of Less Developed Regions (LDRs).IECCI invites applications from the suitable candidates for the following 4 posts:

Programme Mentor, Pune Equal Community Foundation (ECF), an international human rights organisation is an action research organisation delivering community level behaviour change programmes to end violence and discrimination in Indian Society; its foremost programme Action for Equality mobilises men to end violence against women in their communities. ECF is seeking a full-time Programme Mentor for a 2-year term, young men (24-30) who believe in gender equality and women’s rights. The selected candidate will be trained to mentor adolescent boys through a course that reduces violence and discrimination against women. Qual:: Excellent Written and Spoken Marathi. Experience not required. Remuneration: 8,000 INR per month. Send your CV / resume (no longer than 2 pages) and a short cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements to: jobs@ecf.org. in visit website www.ecf.org. in

Employability Skills Trainer,Delhi ETASHA (Enabling and Training Adolescents for Successful and Healthy Adulthood) formed in 2006 delivers career guidance, vocational training and employability skills programs to young people from under-served communities and place them into the start of careers in organised sectors including retail, hospitality and business process outsourcing. ETASHA is currently recruiting Employability Skills Facilitators to train young people in a range of hard and soft skills in readiness for their entry into organised sector mployment. Qual: Ability to work with participative methodologies, excellent English language communication skills - written and spoken, understanding of the skill requirements for an entry level job in the service sector. Work responsibilities include facilitating spoken English classes (training in methodology will be given) and inter and intrapersonal skills classes, mentoring trainees through their learning process, The roles are primarily Delhi-based but all trainers must be available to relocate temporarily for short duration programs in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. A background in training is not essential, but enthusiasm, commitment and a real desire to improve the prospects of others is. Remuneration: Rs. 14,000 and Rs, 20,000. Please send your CV to ian@etashasociety. org, or contact Ian McBride on 09810364838, 011- 29221320/01/ 02 Website: www.etashasociety. org

Field researcher, Kenya Valuing Volunteering research project is looking for someone with 4-5 years of experience with social research and participatory qualitative methodology .Valuing Volunteering is a global action-research project, based on a partnership between Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO), the Institute for Development Studies and other volunteering organizations, to understand the impact of volunteering on

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(despite deadlines, you are advised to apply)

The Project Manager will assume overall responsibility for the successful implementation of project activities and achievement of planned project outputs.

Remuneration:Rs. 60,000/- pm : Last date of applications is 29th February 2012. to wrc@jalbhagirathi.org Jal Bhagirathi Foundation,Water Resource Centre, Bijolai, Jodhpur 342 003.Tel. 0291-2751556 (Ext. 103) Contact Person: Mr. Vedpal Singh www.jalbhagirathi.org

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Manager-Fundraising & International Projects, Bhopal The candidate will be responsible for fund raising for the organization, develop database and maintain contact with various funding organizations, corporate, voluntary, international, government organizations and individual (HNI) funding and write project proposals for the same. Qual.: Master‘s degree in International Relations/ PR/ Management or Equivalent ; 5-10 years of experience in International grant making proposal writing, fundraising and coordination. The candidate should have effective convincing and problem resolution capabilities, strong presentation and written communication skills, experience in developing proposals and budget for institutional donors . 2. State Coordinators, State Capitals Roles & responsibilities: to plan, develop and implement strategy for development for the State, to support the organisation in fund raising, PR, network and coordination with various government, private voluntary groups and NGOs in the state, and liaise with Government officials. Qual: Retired government officers having outstanding PR, communication and liaisoning skills and excellent network in the state. 3. Sector Heads, Bhopal For the following sectors: Agriculture & Forestry, Tourism, heritage & culture; Handicrafts & Rural & Cottage Industries; Watershed, livelihood, sanitation & community training; Education; Environment & climate change; Energy; Health; and Business writing. Responsibilities involve: project conceptualization and developing the detailed proposal, PR, networking and coordinating with various government, voluntary and nongovernment bodies for funding, coordinating with corporate sector for CSR projects in the sector, Qual.: Master’s in the mentioned sector/MSW/MBA or Equivalent Qualification; 3-5 years in the specific sector. Retired Government Officers from the specific sectors/ departments are also welcome. The candidate must be able to handle the sectoral cell independently as a profit centre.

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- C o r p o r a t e Events, Bhopal

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Responsibilities involve: coordinating with industries, industry associations, trade associations, buyer-associations, and similar bodies at both national and international level; increasing the membership base of IECCI; managing the business queries; planning and coordinating various events like seminars, workshops, training programmes, buyer-seller meets, trade fairs, exhibitions, etc.; planning and coordinating the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities

Qual: Master in Communication/PR/ Mass media or Equivalent ; 3-5 years of experience in corporate relations with the top management & CSR. Candidates are requested to send their complete CV, a capability statement and details on current CTC and expected salary at jobs@iecci.com . Applications without capability statement and salary details will not be entertained. Industry,www.iecci.com

Advisor – Nutrition, Chennai World Vision India (WVI) is on a mission to meet the overwhelming needs of children under five in the area of health and nutrition. .WVI is looking for Advisor – Nutrition, Advocacy and External Engagement in the Department: Integrated Programming – Child Health. The position aims to lead advocacy and partnership building process, to position WVI in sector specific forum in the country and to undertake evidence base and Operations Research. Qual: Doctorate in nutrition (Masters is minimum requirement); specialized knowledge, skills, and training in nutrition as well as broad understanding of other technical sectors contributing to malnutrition (e.g., health, food security, livelihoods); a minimum of 10 years experience in managing multi-sectoral nutrition & health & development programs or projects in developing countries, with significant field implementation experience; Apply online: http:// hcms.wvindia.org/WVISION/

Programme Manager, Mumbai IRFT, Mumbai has vacancy for Programme Manager. The responsibilities include: Social Compliance audits, consultancy projects, capacity building activities; comprehending issues and gaps in the supply chain assignments; facilitation of solution based interventions to all stakeholders among others.Qual: Graduate degree/ diploma holders in Engineering/ Management/ Social Work/ Environmental Sciences; knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety and Labour Laws, good communication skills in English and written and spoken in Marathi and Gujarati an asset. Experience:3-5 years in any one or more in the following areas: consultancy, Social Compliance Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects / Business Initiatives in supply chain (product specific), Team Building and Training Skills. Please send your CVs to admin@irft.org by March 8.

Sr. Team Member, Gurgaon, PRAGYA aims to deliver integrated and holistic development projects in the areas of education, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, agriculture and water management, women, and cultural heritage preservation. Pragya is currently operating in India, Nepal and Kenya in the global south and in the UK and USA. Pragya has vacancy for a Senior Tteam Member and team member in (Institutional Fundraising and Research). Main job responsibilities: Fundraising and Reporting. Networking and Collaboration. Qual: 1 – 2 years of experience; Masters degree or equivalent in social sciences and excellent verbal and written communication skills. To apply: send a covering letter and a CV to info@pragya.org by March 9. The covering letter should ideally cover the reasons for applying for this job and why you feel that you are suitable for the same. www.pragya.org)

Donor Development Specialist, Bangalore Parikrma Humanity Foundation evolved into 4 Centres for Learning and a Junior College (for PUC) for 1300 children from 53 slum communities and 5 orphanages in Bangalore The Parikrma model is a 360 degree program, combined with nutrition, health care and family care. Parikrma is looking for a Donor Development Specialist for identifying potential donors in the corporate world in India and internationally; planning and executing fundraising strategies for various donor segments; maintaining relationships with existing donors and working closely with the Communications Team Qual.: a minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing senior customer/client relationships. Advertising agency, hotel industry, media or any other customer relations experience at a senior level would be useful. Contact: Vivek Raju, HeadMarketing, at vivekr@parikrmafoundation.org attaching your resume with a covering letter. www.parikrmafoundation.org

Chief Project Manager, Delhi Centre for Social Responsibility & Leadership is working in the field of CSR and related project execution. Most of the projects are related to the field of providing opportunities to the underprivileged section of the students and transforming lives. The present post of Chief Project Manager will be responsible for executing the Online coaching program for competitive examinations, board examinations and olympiad coaching. He/She will be overall project in-charge and be responsible for executing, monitoring, evaluating, correcting the project in close coordination with each Unit Coordinator, students and faculties, among others. Qual: Post Graduate in Science with a sound understanding of the social development sector with few years of teaching experience and administrative managerial level.; Strong documentation, reporting and presentation skills.; undertake regular field visits and interact with different project; Should have adequate understanding of budgets and finances.Send your CV to csrljobs@gmail.com For further details contact 9711909428

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NGO Connect

Jan-Feb 2012 ○

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Media FILMS Muktir Gaan (Song of Freedom) This is the first feature length documentary on the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.The film is the story of a singing cultural troupe travelling through refugee camps and eventually crossing the border into liberated zones of Bangladesh. Interspersed with this is invaluable documentary footage, including Sheikh Mujib’s famous speech of 7th March 1971. The troupe’s song performances are gems of folk history, and the enthusiasm of the refugees at various shows is captured with a minimum of intrusiveness. A standout is the kirthan-style song where Swapan Chowdhury alternately goes into a trance and dissolves the chorus into an orgy of applause. Himalayan Meltdown Documentary film co-produced by the UN Development Programme, Discovery Asia, and Arrowhead Films. The movie examines the human development impact of the glacial ice melt on communities in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India and Nepal. It shows the plight of the affected countries and the ways they are adapting, adjusting and preparing for tomorrow’s inevitable changes in the Himalayan glaciers. It features innovative fog-catching in Nepal, man-made glaciers in India, views of life in the changing plateaus of China, and pioneering UNDP climate change adaptation projects in Bhutan and Bangladesh. Dil Ki Basti Mein Anwar Jamal/ PSBT/ 52 mins./ 2011 The walled city of Old Delhi is a cultural universe unto itself – a sprawling, chaotic, but infectiously spirited neighbourhood where life assumes many fascinating forms in a constant struggle for survival. The film captures a vibrant city caught between the past and the present, decay and renewal, hope and despair. A freewheeling journey through the varied aspects of Old Delhi - its heartbeats, religious moorings, food, musical legacy, poetry and social identity. The Ghetto Girl Ambarien Alqadar/ PSBT/ 35 mins./ In what is also known as India’s ‘Little Pakistan’ in New Delhi, a girl is on a search for a lost home movie. The search takes her into the mapless lanes of the place she calls home. Lanes conceal a history and a past. Dilli Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh/ 22 mins/ 2011

The film raises critical questions about urbanization and development through the personal stories of its people and explores the social and spatial landscape of a city that dreams of becoming a super megapolis. As Delhi straddles through its different worlds, the film finds its storytellers in the men, women and children who are the invisible hands that continue to build this city of dreams. January 30, 1948 Dir. Suma John, 23 mins. Hindi/

English, 2011 Prod: Ram Punyani An EKTA Collective Documentary on the Theme of Gandhiji’s murder deals with the misconceptions around the causes of Gandhiji’s murder by looking at the arguments made by Godse for the crime. A film relevant to our times when religion based nationalism is on a rampage. Bit of Both - the disappearing horizon Merajur Rahman Baruah, 27 Minutes

Cheeta-Mehrata-Kathat a 10,00,000 strong community inhabits some 160 villages in Rajasthan. They follow a mix of both Hindu and Muslim religious practice and customs; many identify themselves as both Hindu and Muslim at the same time. or simply “Kaathat” apparently their identity as neither ‘Hindu’ nor ‘Muslim’, but perhaps a bit of both, came under increasing challenge, from the mid-1980s,producing new challenges for the ways they define themselves and want to live. The Green Army - savior of the sylvan Merajur Rahman Baruah, 26 Minutes Until a few years ago, they were a dreaded lot. Some were killing rhinos, tigers and elephants and felling trees indiscriminately in the Manas National Park for their livelihood; some of them were dreaded militants. But today, they are conscientious conservationists and also the most hospitable hosts offering yeoman services and ever ready to welcome visitors.The film delves in to the discourse of the corresponding conditions that gave inroad and impetus to the formation of the unique conservation and protection initiative to bring back the past glory of Manas by the former Militants of the Bodo ethnic Tribe of Assam by removing the stigma of the word “Danger” attached to it by creating an alternative sources of livelihood, rehabilitation and employment through building an unique Ecotourism initiative to sustain their mode of conservation. Mercury in the Mist 16 min; Dir. Amudhan R.P A campaign documentary about the plight of the environment and exworkers affected by mercury pollution from Hindustan Unilever’s thermometer factory in Kodaikanal. More than 30 workers have died till date, and several tons of mercury has been discharged in and around the factory. But the company refuses to take responsibility. Death of my soul

environment, bio-diversity and consumer’s health and leads farmers to debt trap. From1995 to 2010, 25,6949 farmers have committed suicide, due to debt burden. The Govt of India is providing Rs 1,20,000 crores as subsidy to fertilizer manufacturing companies every year --which is sufficient to save the farmers from the debt trap.A Nation for Sale is an attempt to reduce the debt burden of the farmers by asking them to practice sustainable agriculture and enabling them to achieve sustenance and self-respect. It also gives some essential guidelines for the policymakers to draft such policies as to improve the process of agriculture in harmony with nature. DVD is available. Contact: sightnsoundindia@ gmail.com Cell: 9844407522/ 9483704251 Cotton for my Shroud Dir. Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl Hindi and Marathi, 90 mins, 2011 There is hardly a farmer in Vidarbha region in Maharashtra who is not under debt and rarely will you come across a village where there has been no suicide. This cottongrowers belt once known for its fine cotton produce is known for cotton farmers’ suicides today. It is now termed as the ‘graveyard of farmers’ by statisticians. With over 2.5 million tribal people, it is a classic case of a forest and mineral-rich region languishing while the funds for development are siphoned off to the ‘influential’ districts in the state. The voice for a separate statehood for Vidarbha is gaining momentum. The feature-length documentary, Cotton for My Shroud is not reportage. The film tries to understand from a grassroots perspective what is driving cotton farmers in India to despair – is it just a crisis of farm credit and the stranglehold of the moneylender or are they victims of faulty paradigms of development. Songs of Mashangva Prod. & Dir. Oinam Doren Songs of Mashangva was given the Rajat Kamal at the 58th National Awards; the highest filmmaking award in the country given by the Government of India. Jury Citation: An insightful foray into the complex and layered life of a ‘song’ and all that it carries within it for a community. It inquires into the shared critical history of a community in the specific context of an overarching missionary presence and how it has affected their lives. The jury appreciates it for the courageous, yet poetic exploration of the subject from the ethnographic perspective odoren@ymail.com>

The Beggars Colony

3rd Queer Film Festival 2012

Dir. By Deepak Sharma

Submissions are now open for all categories, that highlight/focus on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer themes and expressions. KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is the first and only gay & lesbian film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theatre and the only queer festival to receive clearance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

We wanted to take interview in Beggar’s colony and while making the film in Bangalore, we got to know a lot bad things about it, but we were denied by authorities. Within a week, 26 beggars died and many fell ill in the rehabilitation centre. This documentary is tribute to the beggar’s death in colony. http:// w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=U_J1UXkF17M Contact: Deepak_trivadi@yahoo.co.in A Nation for Sale

24 minutes

This documentary film addresses the agrarian crises. The farmers resort to using chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase crop output. Chemicals destroy the

KASHISH 2012 will be held in Mumbai from May 23-27, 2012 simultaneously at two venues - a mainstream multiplex theatre and at Alliance Francaise de Bombay. The festival is organized by Solaris Pictures and Bombay Dost in association with The Humsafar Trust. For information visit official w e b s i t e h t t p : / /

mumbaiqueerfest.com or email<kashish.miqff@gmail.com> Brokering News— the inside story of paid news Dir. Umesh Aggarwal Prod. Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT), Delhi The film addresses a significant challenge facing Indian democracy today—which is the state of its media. The film looks at three aspects of paid news—how politicians are paying for positive coverage during elections; how the coverage and reviews of movies are orchestrated and paid for and of course, paid news about business and industry. It depicts in detail how journalists were forced to broker deals to offer editorial coverage to politicians.PSBT is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit trust with the mission to create and sustain a credible space for public service broadcasting in India which is independent, participatory, pluralistic and democratic, distanced from commercial imperatives and politicalpressures.visit www.psbt.org

BOOKS Revolutionary Gandhi By Pannalal Dasgupta

Translated by : K. V. Subrahmonyan Published by : Earthcare Books, India Pages : 490+24, Rs. 395/A great revolutionary appraises the greatest revolutionary of modern times. Pannalal Dasgupta (aka Panna Babu) wrote the Bengali original of this outstanding, insightful book on Gandhi in 195455, when imprisoned in the Alipore Central Jail. The book delves deep into Gandhiji’s personality to understand his spiritual quest, which he insisted was an intrinsic part of his political activity. In a strikingly original chapter, Panna Babu examines Gandhi’s views in the light of Marxism, and Marxian thought and action from the Gandhian perspective. He regrets that the Indian leftists failed to recognize Gandhi as a true revolutionary and an incomparable leader of the Indian masses. That was a historical blunder. Entire chapters are devoted to Gandhiji’s relationship with Rabindranath Tagore, and with Subhas Bose; as also to his views on Hindu-Muslim unity, constructive programme, economics and ethics, and trusteeship. In the end, the issue of Gandhism – and whether there is something as Gandhism – is incisively discussed, including the relevance of Gandhi in modern times. Doubtless, he raised many fundamental questions to which no ideology or ‘ism’ has yet been able to furnish a satisfactory answer.

Communalism and the Role of State in Karnataka Indian Social Institute, Delhi/ Bangalore Pgs. 87, Publ; 2011. The Indian Social Institute, Bangalore had conducted a Study on ‘Communalism and the Role of State in Karnataka’ under the leadership of Dr. V. Joseph Xavier S.J (Fr. Jothi). In the context of B.K. Somasekhara Commission Report and the ensuing reflection on the situation of Christians and other minorities in the state and the country this study has some valuable insights to share on the discourse.

1.Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Women’s Question. 2010. 87 p. 2. Phules and Women’s Question. 2011. 116 p. 3. Chhatrapati Shahu and Women’s Question. 2011. 107 p. 4. Kavya Phule by Savitibai Jotirao Phule. Translated by Ujjwala Mhatre. 2012. 91 p. Edited by Lalitha Dhara Publ: Ambedkar College of Commerce and Economics, Contact Ms.Lalitha Dhara lemail<lalid02@yahoo.com The Women’s Development Cell of the Dr Ambedkar College Commerce and Economics, Mumbai brought out a series of publications on the “Women’s Question” in the Indian context to help teaching of Gender and Foundation Courses at the undergraduate level and to raise students’ awarenes of our feminist heritage and history. These books provide detailed information on the life, beliefs and work of the three social reformers especially on their contribution to the women’s issues in the 19th century. The books are a great asset for students, teachers, feminists and activists. Made in Bangalore

How Social Enterprise is transforming business-as-usual Pgs. 85; Publ: CSM, 2011 This study tells the stories of an emerging India in which traditional forms of business are being rethought, re-engineered and reformed for building social value and responding to societal needs today the catch-all term, “social entrepreneur” is used to describe non-conformist business people. This transition generation is now at the helm of some of India’s most exciting hybid business models from the for-profit Sparsh Hospital, the BPO Vindhya. The study shows that the entrepreneurs showcased have successfully challenged notions of business as being solely self-serving and exploitative by using market-enabled models to address India’s great divide. Contact viva@csmworld.org

All matter in the newsletter is published with the best of intentions. Printed, Published and owned by Rima Kashyap. Printed at W Q Judge Press, 97, Residency Road, Bangalore - 560 025, Published by : Shakti C/o ERA, N. M. Wadia Bldg, 123 M G Road, Mumbai 400 001 Tel. 09341867487 E-mail : shaktisrc@yahoo.com Editor : Rima Kashyap. 8

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