Ngo Connect July August 2013

Vol 10 Issue 4

NGOCT

E N N O C

www.ngoconnect.org

July-August 2013

My final words of advice to you are educate, agitate and organize; have faith in yourself. With justice on our side I do not see how we can lose our battle.”

- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Regn. no. MAHENG/2004/15104

India’s First NGO Newstabloid CONNECTiNG

While we were silent

Why aren't women and girls safe in India?

A story of destructive governance and citizens who did not speak out

How do we make every place safe for women, men and others? How do we make freedom from fear of violence a part of who we are? By taking responsibility.

irst, the UPA came for the roads s e c t o r. T h e y d e s t r o y e d contracting. They slowed down road construction. They left highways half built. We did not speak out.

Next, they came for the airline sector.

They let Air India suck more money from taxpayers. They let bad regulation destroy the private sector.

They let crony banking sustain bad bets. They ensured India would never be an aviation hub. We did not speak out.

Then they came for the power sector.

They confused creation of mega capacities with actual generation.

They had no rational pricing plans.

They were arbitrary in the awarding of licences. They could not make up their mind whether they wanted to protect the environment or destroy it. We did not speak out.

Then they came for education. They promulgated the RTE after 100 per cent enrolment. They expanded capacity, but cut-offs still rose. They confused university buildings with building universities. We did not speak out.

Then they came for industry. They turned the clock back in every way-Ensured that regulations became more complex and uncertain. Ensured that input costs rise. Ensured crummy infrastructure. Promulgated a land scam policy known as SEZ and sold it as industrial policy. They encouraged FDI. But they forgot which one they wanted: outbound or inbound. But we did not speak out.

Then they came for employment.

There was some growth. But they decided that the only good employment is that which has the hand of the state. So the NREGA's expansion was seen as a sign of success, not failure. By its own logic, if more people need the NREGA, the economy has failed. But we did not speak out.

Then they came for agriculture. First, they created artificial shortages through irrigation scams. Then they had a myopic policy for technology adoption. Then they decided India is largely a wheat and rice economy; we will have shortages for everything else. But we did not speak out.

Women and girls have always thought about safety. How could they not, when the threat of violence is pervasive and shadows them from conception through their lifetimes?

After Delhi it is now Mumbai that has become the centre of all media attention –international and national.-because of gang rapes.

Why aren't India's women and girls safe? Who is responsible for their safety? How should that safety be assured? Since December 2012, these three questions have become a fixture on the national agenda, as has the issue of freedom from violence.

However, concerns about safety tend to limit women's mobility and activities and teach them to strategise everything from timings to travel, to how to walk or dress for office or college.

The Indian women's movement has always raised the issue of violence against women. India's library of laws dealing with violence against women are a legacy of the women's movement's to deter this violence such as the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Te c h n i q u e s ( R e g u l a t i o n A n d Prevention Of Misuse) Act, 1994, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and earlier the Anti- Dowry Act. We think first about the law because we repose primary responsibility for women's safety in the hands of the state. and the notion that certain kinds of behaviour are unacceptable to this society..When violence against women occurs, it's because someone else failed—the police, the courts, the law and order apparatus, governance, politicians.

In the context of violence, safety takes the form of restricting mobility, choice and freedom. Protection against violence outside the home becomes a pretext for control. How do we make freedom from fear of violence a part of who we are? By taking responsibility.

The first step is to recognize violence as “violence.” Then we start building the world in which we would like to live and we would like our children to inherit. (--Excerpts from an article by Swarna Rajgopalan (DNA Web team)

F

Courtesy India Today

went after those. They used institutions as instruments of their political design. They demoralised every single branch of government.

But we did not speak out.

Then they came for the telecom sector.

They got greedy and milked it. They got arbitrary and retrospectively taxed it... we can always revert to fixed lines.

Then they censored the internet. After all, the internet can be a threat to government. But we did not speak out.

Then they came for financial stability.

They produced a large deficit. They brought the current account deficit close to an unsustainable point. They nearly wrecked the banking sector.

They created every macro-economic instability you can imagine, which makes investment difficult. And they made sure the rupee sank 20% since Jan 2013. But we did not speak out.

Then they came for regulation. It was back to the 1970s. More arbitrary regulation is good. More rules are good. Uncertainty makes business more careful. The answer to every administrative problem is enact a new law...fill in more forms. Multiple regulators are good for corruption. We did not speak out.

Then they came after freedom. They promulgated more restrictive rules for everything: freedom of expression, right to assembly and protest, foreign scholars. They used sedition laws.

They kept the architecture of colonial laws intact. They said they stood against communal forces but also encouraged them. We did not speak out.

Then they came for virtue itself. They preached : Avoid responsibility. They legitimised being corrupt. They encouraged subterfuge. They

Then they came for institutions. They always had. This has been Congress DNA for four decades. They drew up a list of institutions that remained unscathed: Parliament, the IB, bureaucracy, you name it. They then 1

believed that integrity does not exist.

That they were the people- when they were supposed to be the servants of the people. We did not speak out.

Then they came for the poor. They said the poor only need Rs. 32 per day to feed, clothe and house themselves.

Enact policies that keep India in poverty a little longer. But we did not speak out.

Then they came for the citizens. They used the secularism blackmail to reduce our choices. If you are not with us you are evil they said. Then they infantilised us. You are not capable of exercising choices so we will make them for you. They acted as if we were so stupid that the three top parties and leaders felt no need to justify themselves to us. But we did not speak out. (Excerpts from an article by Pratap Bhanu Mehta with some changes.

(The writer is president, Centre for Policy Research, Delhi )

FCRA Update FCRA Department has put up a list of NGOs who have not filed their FC-6 in 2010-11 or 2011-12. A number of wellknown NGOs figure on the list. Visit the web-site and find out whether your name is on the list! If you are sending a letter to FCRA Department, do write ‘For FCRA Wing’ on the envelope. This will help ensure that your letter does not get lost in the MHA labyrinth.

(Reference: FCRA notice dated 7May-13. [mha.nic.in/fcra/intro/FCRANGOs-Inst-050613.PDF] Contact: publications@ accountaid.net Income Tax scrutiny for NGOs receiving more than 1Crore from FC 1. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued Instruction No. 10

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

News of 2013 dated 05.08.2013 announcing the procedure and criteria for selection of scrutiny cases under the compulsory manual assessment for financial year 2013-14. As per this instruction, any charitable organisation receiving foreign contribution (FC) in excess of Rs.1 crore during the Financial Year 20112012 shall be subjected to scrutiny for the assessment pertaining to the Financial Year 2013-2014. The Information pertaining to Foreign Contribution shall be accessed from Ministry of Home Affairs website (http://mha.nic.in/fcra.htm).

2.This instruction also directs that compulsory scrutiny should be made of all NGOs claiming exemption of income u/s 11 or u/s 10(23C) which are hit by proviso(s) to Section 2(15) of the IT Act. It seems that all NGOs having commercial activities in excess of Rs. 25 lakhs shall be subjected to compulsory scrutiny irrespective of overall income/turn over.

3. Note that new Income Tax return form ITR-7 makes it mandatory for all NGOs to mention the amount of foreign contribution received in a financial year. E-filing of Income Tax Returns has also become mandatory for the financial year 2012-13. Hence the information of receipt of foreign contribution by an NGO of more than Rs. 1 crore is readily available with the department on the basis of Income Tax Return filed by the assessee.

4. It is not clear why the CBDT has advised the scrutiny of organisations for the Financial Year 2013-14 based on foreign contributions receipt of an earlier year i.e. the Financial Year 2011-12 in excess of Rs.1 Crore.

Further, to collect information from the website of Ministry of Home Affairs is not necessary when such information is already available in the ITR-7.

For detailed analysis of various legal and financial issues check www.fmsfindia.org. Contact: Financial Management Service Foundation, Noida, Tel: 91-120-4773200. website : w w w. f m s f i n d i a . o r g , e - m a i l : fmsf@fmsfindia.org

Any amendment in the RTI Act will restrict the fundamental rights of citizens The government, in tandem with other parties, is going to amend the Right To Information(RTI) Act. The amendment will either name political parties as being exempt, or remove section 2 (h) (d) (i) and (ii). This could exclude all Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and other bodies substantially funded by the government, and might be achieved either by an ordinance or an amendment tabled in Parliament.

Other amendments to constrict the RTI may be pushed along with this.

The ostensible purpose is to undo the Central Information Commission's (CIC) decision, which rules that political parties - substantially funded by the government - are public authorities and have to come under the RTI regime.

Political parties have not explained why they are afraid of the RTI. They have only stated that the CIC has given an order that is bad in law. If that's the case, they can go in a writ to the high court against the CIC order and challenge it.

We welcome the stand of the CPI, A a m A a d m i P a r t y, Tr i n a m o o l Congress, and RJD that they do not support any amendment to the RTI Act. Contact: CIVIC Bangalore 9731817177; IT for Change 98459 49445; KRIA Katte 9845683220,

However, it appears the government is sure about the legal validity of the CIC order, and is, therefore, considering committing a constitutional sacrilege by issuing an ordinance to constrict the citizen' s fundamental right to information.

An online petition with over 1 lakh signatories was given to the PM by Aruna Roy but the people’s petition was summarily dismissed. A new petition is being sent to the President.

A cause for paws online

Any amendment is likely to weaken the Act, which currently hurts powerful interests, and challenges existing power structures. For many years, citizens have managed to push back attempts to amend the Act by voicing their disapproval.

One of the driving forces of this movement was 'Hamara Paisa, Hamara Hisab'. The CIC decision, on political parties being public authorities and therefore under the ambit of RTI, is based on the parties having received substantial funding.

If political parties had any long-term vision, they would realise that RTI will improve the political system and increase their credibility. Currently, citizens have little trust in political parties. The RTI can change this, and improve the quality of our democracy.

If citizens want to retain this fundamental right, they must defend it at this historical moment and let political parties know that they will oppose any amendments to the RTI Act.--Shailesh Gandhi( former Central Information Commissioner ) Mumbai: Mumbaikars protested against this anti-democratic move by Govt through placards/banners /posters at railway stations from 9.30 to 10.30am on Aug. 12 saying: “NO RTI AMENDMENT”

Mumbai: Pets Are People Too, an online initiative for pet-related information is designed as a one-stop destination for animal lovers looking for reliable resources for pets.

Founded by Ishmeet Chandiok, a trained chef who adopted a stray from a construction site he started preparing special meals for him--the beginning of a business in pet nutrition.

Currently, Pets Are People Too lists pet services across Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore. You can find phone numbers and relevant maps for pet ambulances, hospitals, vets and NGOs. The group also has senior vet Dr Makarand Chousarkar on board to answer questions. The team is also running a blog that discusses issues.

Cabinet clears Mental Health Care Bill

Bangalore: CIVIC , IT For Change, KRIA Katte & Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) held a protest against the proposed amendment to RTI Act on Aug.15 at the Town Hall.

New Delhi: : The Union Cabinet cleared the Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 that makes access to mental health care a right of all persons. Such services should be affordable, of good q u a l i ty a n d a va i l a b l e w i th o u t discrimination, it said. The proposed law decriminalises suicide.

The organisations condemned the hasty and opaque manner in which the government and political parties are moving amendments to the RTI Act. They demanded that corporates should make their donations to political parties available in the public domain. Corporate lobbyists are using such ‘donations’ to arm-twist the government to relax environmental and health norms and bring in policies favouring them with tax exemptions.

The Bill, in consonance with international laws, has the provision of Advance Directives. A person who has recorded an 'Advance Directive to State'--that he/she should not be admitted to a facility, without consent,-can not be admitted.

The rights-based Bill also has a provision wherein a person with mental illness can appoint a nominated representative to take decisions for him or her. Under the provisions of the Bill, government has an obligation to provide half way homes, community care centres and other shelters for mentally ill people.

This has been planned under the District Mental Health Programme in the 12th Plan.

They asked: Is it legal for the cabinet committee to put political parties out of RTI ambit? If political parties take themselves outside the ambit of the RTI Act, whereas other public authorities continue to remain within its ambit, then the question is, would they not be violating Article 14 of the Constitution of India titled ‘Equality Before Law’?

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In 2005, the National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health reported that 10-12 million (or one to two per cent of the population) suffered from severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and nearly 50 million or five per cent from common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, yielding an overall estimate of 6.5 per cent of the population. The prevalence of mental disorders was higher among women, those who were homeless, poor and living in urban areas.

The new Bill, once approved by Parliament, will repeal the Mental Health Act, 1987, which showed evidence of misuse by unscrupulous families collaborating with psychiatrists, in addition to badly functional or non-functional Central and Mental Health Authorities.

Under the proposed new law, there is provision for voluntary admission with supported admission limited to specific circumstances; appeals can be made to the Mental Health Review Commission, which will also review all admission beyond 30 days and free care for all homeless, destitute and poor people suffering from mental disorder. The Bill provides right to confidentiality and protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, in addition to right to live in a community and legal aid. It bans electric-convulsive therapy without anaesthesia and restricts psychosurgery.

The Bill provides for setting up Central and State Mental Health Authorities, which would act as administrative bodies, while the Mental Health Review Commission would be a quasijudicial body to oversee the functioning of mental health facilities and protect the rights of persons with mental illness in mental health facilities.

WATER A survey of manual scavengers was carried out this August in statutory cities by the government. For a list of the cities, please see the following link.http://www.social justice contact the Executive Officer of the Urban Local Body. The aim is that after the survey and identification, the manual scavengers--including their dependents -- will be rehabilitated.

We need to end this practice and help the scavengers live a dignified life.

Contact: Water Initiatives Odisha: Ranjan Panda Mobile: +919437050103 email: ranjanpanda @gmail.com, ranjanpanda@ yahoo.com The People’s Campaign for Right to Water in Karnataka (PCRWK) has urged the State government not to privatise water supply as it is “detrimental to the Karnataka Urban Drinking Water and Sanitation Policy 2003”.

The government is inviting tenders for eight corporations as part of the water

Jul-Aug 2013

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News privatisation initiative. Campaign convener M.R. Prabhakar said that wherever water supply was privatised, the services got severely affected and the tariff went up by over 500 per cent. “Besides, the local administration is pushed into huge debt. By such moves, elected representatives and government officials were shirking their constitutional duty of providing basic services,” he said. The PCRWK is demanding cancellation of all licences given to companies selling bottled water as well.

It is of great concern that the new government has given free reign to the planning commission and private water companies to push for water privatisation in more and more cities across the state. This despite the complete failure of privatisation projects so far. The corporate interests are hell bent to seize all water sources and commercialise public water utilities. Recently 78 lakes in Bangalore have been handed to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) for maintenance.

While countries in Europe who implemented Water Privatisation earlier are reversing their decisions and returning water to its rightful place amongst local communities, India and Karnataka in particular are disregarding all progressive opinions and handing over water utilities to companies from around the world.

A meeting was arranged on June 17, ' “Advocacy and Action Plan against the Massive Water Privatisation in Karnataka" at SCM House, Bangalore. Contact People's Campaign for Right to WaterKarnataka.mail: cawpka@gmail. com.

Citizens reject 24×7 water scheme, Nagpur: Nagpur citizens, robbed and looted in the name of a “dead” 24×7 water supply scheme went volcanic and stalled the work of laying of a new pipeline in their locality — Lalganj, Itwari area – by OCW contractors.

The citizens have been flooded with excessive amounts of bills even though they are yet to receive a single drop of water from the new pipeline. The situation prevails in almost all areas of Nagpur.

The Aam Aadmi Party organised a meeting at NMC’s Satranjipura Zone office which was attended by the area’s Corporators Pravin Bhiskar, S h r a v a n K h a p e k a r a n d Y. Nandanwar, Rahul Kulkarni of OCW as well as Asst Commissioner Milind Meshram with hundreds of OCWharassed consumers.

Shri Pravin Bhisikar was elected as the meeting Chairman, after which area citizens put forth their views on the subject. Aam Aadmi Party volunteer Lakshman Pote stated that water supply in their area by the NMC was quite adequate for their needs and they did not need the costly 24 by 7 scheme of OCWL forced upon them.

He clarified that the locality was

mostly a slum area, with the majority of residents earning Rs 2000 or so a month. They were in no position to afford monthly bills of Rs. 500 or more.

Residents also remonstrated that they had no use, nor wish for a 24x7 water supply. Residents said that the 24x7 scheme was forcibly imposed upon them without ever asking them -with an intention of extracting the maximum possible money from them to be distributed illegally between OCW, officers and Corporators of NMC. A parallel example was presented by some citizens that MSEB had worked over a number of years to provide electricity connections to the public, only to see SPANCO take over and loot the public by bogus and excessive bills.

Corporator Pravin Bhisikar tried to delink the issues of installation of a new water pipeline under 24 by 7 by suggesting that installation of a new pipeline was necessary and unrelated to the issues of excessive bills received by people. However area residents clarified that their old main water line was only 15 years old and hence perfectly sound and there was no need to change it. Deliberately bypassing it with a new pipeline installed by OWCL was in fact a conspiracy to force people to take new water connections under the 24 by 7 scheme.

The meeting ended by passing a unanimous resolution rejecting the 24x7 scheme in the area and demanding that water supply be continued through their old pipeline at the old rates by NMC. It was decided at this meeting that a Prabhag Sabha (Area Sabha) be held on this issue, and the decision of citizens taken therein would be binding on both Corporators and officers of NMC. After the meeting, area citizens agreed to keep watch in their locality to ensure that NMC/OCWL does not attempt to resume pipeline installation.

The Waters-that-be Allahabad: Rajiv Chandel, 32 was born at Sujani village in the waterscarce Meja tehsil of Allahabad. After graduating from University and working as a reporter, he decided to work on water scarcity and sanitation in his village. In 2011 he decided to check progress of the Bannsagar irrigation Scheme which was approved in 1970 as a joint venture between MP and UP work began on the project in 1990 but is in limbo since then. To break the bureaucraticpolitical nexus he filed 500 RTI applications on water, power plants, MGNRE, education, sanitation etc.

He then went from village to village telling them about water use and how power plants would ruin them.

Observing irregularities in the construction of an aquaduct he informed the State Irrigation Minister Shivpal Singh who inspected the project, then sacked irresponsible engineers noting that Rs. 1200 crores had been spent and not a drop of 3

water had reached farmers. Now the Economic Offences Wing has taken over the matter. Chandel had taken a vow not to wear footwear till his village gets water. Till then he is walking the villages, checking on water projects, protesting against power plants and trying to save the black bucks in his district.

Rejuvenating lakes Bangalore: Rejuvenation of City lakes has helped lift the groundwater level in the regions around these water bodies, a study by the Bangalore University’s Department of Environmental Sciences (DES) has found.

The study by Dr Nandini, professor at DES, and researchers revealed that the groundwater level around the 12 lakes taken up for the project increased after draining and rejuvenation. The water quality in the targeted lakes had also improved.

Encroachments in Sarakki Lake Bangalore: The High Court has asked the State government to file an affidavit indicating the time required to vacate those who have encroached Sarakki lake. A Division Bench issued the direction after taking note of a report filed by the tahsildar, BangaloreSouth, stating that there are 135 encroachments. The Bench was hearing a public interest litigation petition.

According to the report, the Oxford Medical College Hospital and Research Centre has built an eightstorey structure allegedly encroaching into the lake area. Other encroachments include Government School, Puttenahalli, BWSSB’s treatment plant, several temples besides other structures over 44 acres listed in the report.

Earlier, government counsel told the court that it is a mammoth task to clear these encroachments though the authorities concerned had already issued notices to the encroachers under Section 104 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. Contact: cawpka@ gmail.com “Healthy Rivers, Happy Cities” The launching event of the state wide campaign“Healthy Rivers, Happy

Cities” on June 29 on the banks of River Mahanadi at Sambalpur began with the “Healthy Mahanadi Festival” .

The festival was a culmination of the three-month long citizen’s voluntary action and the beginning of an accelerated phase of the “Mahanadi Initiative”. More than 200 people of Sambalpur, including eminent citizens from all walks of life, participated and pledged to save Mahanadi from decaying and dying. Access their newsletter t http://www.academia.edu

News from EOTO Mumbai: Chaitali Kalwankar, a student from Rajawadi Municipal School studying with EOTO topped the girl students studying in BMC schools by scoring 92.91% marks in the SSC Exam of March 2013. (She came second amongst all BMC students.)

Chaitali commenced her academic program with Each One Teach One in 8th Std. as a shy, unconfident child.

But EOTO teachers supported her to excel in academics and within one year she confidently took part in all EOTO's activities.

Chaitali hails from a low income group family. Her father works on daily wages as a plumber and mother is a housemaid. She wishes to study commerce and make a career in banking.

On July 20, EOTO children from Shishuvihar school participated in a Cupcake Making Activity at Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai. The children were given information on hospitality , various departments in the Hotel exposing them to possible career options in this industry. Each student had an opportunity to learn and practice the use of a piping bag and decorate his/her cupcakes.

Contact EOTO Mumbai Tel: 24094510

Counting Every Child A survey of street-involved children in Mumbai.

To inform service interventions or Government policies, and realising the need to provide reliable data on street-involved children, the Don Bosco Research Centre (DBRC) Mumbai commissioned a rapid assessment survey on street-involved

Jul-Aug 2013

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News OBITUARIES

Committee for Communal Amity and All India Secular forum.

Pradeep Deshpande, a well-known writer, translator and activist passed away in a Mumbai hospital, after a prolonged fight with cancer on Aug. 4.

He translated ‘Fascism of Sangh Parivar’ into Marathi and undertook upon himself to translate, publish and disseminate books related to communal harmony and national integration in addition to his columns in Mahanagar and Divya Marathi. He was focused on ensuring that the message reaches as many people as possible.

His commitment to the cause led him to take voluntary retirement when he was 50. He fought the communal presentation of Shivaji, to counter which he brought out Sarvadharmsambhavi Shivaji Maharaj. Seized with the issue of rising wave of terror, he brought out Dahshatvad Mithke ani Vastav.

Pradeep was basically a literary person, poet, fiction writer and commentator on social issues. His poems in Marathi/Hindi are very touching and a commentary on the social realities of our times. His concern for gender issues was manifest all through with his close association with Stree Mukti Sangthan and his independent writing on the subject. His in-depth understanding of caste oppression in the country is also manifest through his own book, Manusmriti Ajun Jadte aahe. He worked for the promotion of rational thought, science education through Lok Vigyan Samiti, and D.D. Kosambi Memorial Trust, Ekta, children in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Don Bosco National Forum for Young at Risk (YaR) Delhi in 2012.

The study aimed at providing the Government Child Protection Units and NGOs with reliable facts and figures of street-involved children in Mumbai that could eventually influence advocacy, policies and budget allocation to ensure wellcoordinated services to them. The census of street- involved children across 16 wards of Greater Mumbai and 15 nodes of Navi Mumbai was recorded along with inputs from 265 street-involved children identified at different hot spots for one month.

Street-involved children included children on the street, children of the street, orphaned, abandoned, children of migrant families and street families.

Besides the primary sources, secondary sources of information -police, social workers and NGOs providing services to street involved children, were interviewed.

A total of 16,059 street-involved children were identified: 10,805 boys and 5,254 girls. Highest concentration of street-involved children was reported in M ward of Greater Mumbai

Sharmila Rege, the scholar whose work on the interplay of patriarchy and caste oppression broke new ground for both sociology and women’s studies in India, died in Pune, aged 48.

She had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer.

Dr. Rege rewrote the book on feminist studies by showing that patriarchy in India is about caste and about keeping its hierarchies intact. Delving into the history and politics of social movements, particularly of lower caste struggles, she showed that gender and caste are intertwined deeply.

Her books, Writing Caste, Writing Gender: Reading Dalit Women's Testimonies, and Against the Madness of Manu: B.R Ambedkar's Writings on Brahmanical Patriarchy, (see pg. 12) as well as several essays and activist interventions nudged the feminist debate in India towards critical engagement with questions of caste.

(3106). 38% reported being from Maharashtra suggestive of intra-state migration from rural to urban. 40% of the children of the study were from the slums indicating the phenomenon of slum spillover to street. 30% constituted children residing on the streets, a strong indication of growing street families, migrant families, abandoned and orphaned children in Mumbai. 31% of children spent whole day and night on the streets of Mumbai, 40% had dropped out of school. Poverty was the major factor for street involvement and rag picking major source of earning. Health was the major concern and a shelter for a secured living the main expectation from the Govt.

In the light of the rapid assessment study, DBRC makes the following recommendations to the Child Protection Units of the state: •Strengthen the migrant families through social and financial inclusive programmes to sustain them economically through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) channelized through the Labour Department.

For social inclusive programmes provide mechanisms to distribute 4

As chair of the Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Women's Studies Centre at the University of Pune, Dr. Rege shaped young minds.“She was as much concerned about the passing of knowledge to the next generations as improving it. In this sense, pedagogy for her was politics itself,” Dalit scholar Chittibabu Padavala said. In 2002, she established a day care centre for children in the women’s studies department Feminists and scholars across the country paid their respects to her and spoke of her critical contribution to social sciences in various forums. Dr. Rege received the Malcolm Adiseshiah award for distinguished contribution to development studies from the Madras Institute of Development Studies in 2006.

-------------------Citizens, scientists, rationalists, and intellectuals of the country learnt with shock and anger the brutal and inhuman murder of Dr Narandra Dabholkar.

“This murder is part of the series of attacks that have been perpetrated by anti-scientific temper forces in the country. The attacks on artists, intellectuals and rationalists, all over t h e c o u n t r y, h a v e i n c r e a s e d exponentially.

Dr Dabholkar, a legendary figure in Maharashtra had contributed significantly to spreading scientific temper and sprit of enquiry. His noteworthy, untiring and courageous contribution in framing the "Antisuperstition and black magic Bill", that was pending before the Maharashtra documents of identity proof to migrant and street families; Enforce the implementation of the RTE Act and compulsory admission to all children without any documents for primary education; Provide community outreach workers and provide vocational training to children above 15-16 years.

Create: a Children’s Development Bank and empower the children to operate the system; a foster care programme with grants for registered NGOs to accommodate the children.

(The Child Rights Commission could help in overseeing the government outlays for the education and training of these children); Constitute a monitoring unit for the effective implementation of ICPS & ICDS schemes with periodic evaluation of schemes and statutory bodies under JJ Act. Contact: <susan.donboscore searchmumbai@gmail.com

Learning disabilities addressed Mumbai: Mimaansa, consists of a group of teachers, special educators, psychologist and Neuro-linguistic programmers in Thane that focuses on differently abled children, who lack the skill set to cope with the learning being

Assembly speaks volumes about his attitude towards fulfilling his constitutional duty. His murder is an attack on the fundamentals of our constitution. An atmosphere of intolerance and anti-science attitude is sweeping the Indian sub-continent created by vested interests, who benefit from spreading myths and superstitions to push our society towards fanaticism.

On March 13, 1958, Prime Minister Pt. Nehru, placed a "Scientific Policy Resolution" before the Parliament of the country and hoped that "science will expand the mental horizon." He had also hoped that science will influence the basic values of life and give the Indian civilization and new vitality and a new dynamism. Every speaker endorsed the resolution -- a witness to the commitment that parliamentarians of the time had towards eradicating myths and superstitions from our society.

Today a person who pushes it in the assembly is killed in broad daylight.

Those who killed Dr Dabholkar are scared of rationality, independent thinking, questioning, scepticism.

India, which has a long tradition of scepticism, humanism and sprit of enquiry, is facing a situation where anti-scientific temper forces apparently loom large.” (The Anti Superstition Bill was hurriedly passed by the Maharashtra legislation the day after the murder, to pacify the vast public anger about the murder.)

-- National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, New Delhi, +91 9810358179 imparted in integrated school set ups, like the Municipal Schools. Mimaansa is currently active in imparting learning in Municipal schools in Kissan Nagar and Savarkar Nagar in Thane.

With "holistic development of the children” as its main aim, Mimaansa hopes to bridge the gap between the capabilities of children with learning disabilities and the expectations of others. It aims to assist students with learning disability and influence the environment. Contact: Poojaa Joshi , Executive Director, Mumbai, Tel : 022 21713061, Mob: 9920372489/ 9821999739. E-mail:info@ mimaansa.org.

No caste-based rallies Activists welcomed the Allahabad High Court initiative in staying castebased political rallies. They hoped that the High Court notice to all major political parties in UP will eventually lead to a broad consensus among political parties on putting an end to mobilization of caste and sectional groups for political purposes.They pointed out that the primary duty of political parties is to promote harmony in society by reconciling interests of all groups. But there has been an increasing tendency among most

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

News parties to appeal to identity politics, especially caste or religious or regional groups which is detrimental to harmony in society and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. To donate or for info, contact ADR: anil@adrindia.org

SHGswith the help of NGOs like the Association for Rural Development (ARD) in Udayanpatti and Paaniyan.

Internet Crop Insurance

Trying to promote caste identity and divide people to garner voters is absurd in this century. Article 19 of the Constitution gives clear powers to the legislature and the Government to regulate peaceful assembly and demonstrations in the interests of the integrity of the nation and public order.

Article 51 (A) outlines citizens’ duties which include respecting the Constitution, cherishing and following the noble ideals of the freedom struggle, and promoting harmony and spirit of common brotherhood among all communities and groups.

Mumbai: United India Insurance, in alliance with Agriculture Insurance Co of India, has launched an Internet service to cater to the crop insurance needs of farmers in remote areas as most farmers have no easy access to the offices of insurance companies.

What they need however is knowledge about fixing prices. With this independence the women are determined to send their children to school and college.

Therefore, any effort to regulate or prevent demonstrations by castebased groups is perfectly legitimate and constitutional.

Supporting Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) The work of ADR -- to strengthen democracy by continuously working in the area of electoral and political reforms, and improve quality of governance--concern us all. It was due to the continuous efforts of ADR for almost 4 years that the Supreme Court made it mandatory for all candidates contesting elections to disclose their criminal, financial and educational background by filing an Affidavit with the Election Commission. www.adrindia. org and www.myneta. info.

ADR is basically a reformist organization. In fact, the most serious problem facing the country is unprecedented corruption and the root cause is the rampant use of unaccounted money in elections.

ADR does not target individual politicians or parties but the system; does not expose the politicians but forces them to come out with facts through the intervention of the Law; does not carry out investigative reports but makes it obligatory on the candidates to disclose their educational, financial and criminal background.

ADR and National Election Watch (more than 1200 NGOs) arel working to ensure that the coming Lok Sabha 2014 elections are clean, free and fair and have received appreciation all over the world.

Founded by highly qualified, committed and dedicated individuals, ADR has received strong support from many eminent jurists and other dignatories, e.g. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, (Former Chief Justice of India), Justice Jeevan Reddy, (Former Supreme Court Judge and Chairman of the Law Commission), Mr.Julio Rebeiro, (Former DG Police, Maharashtra,) Mr. J.M. Lyngdoh and Mr. T.S. Krishnamurthy, both former Chief Election Commissioners of India, and Mr. C.G. Somiah, former

This portal would help insurance agents give farmers services such as transfer of data on real-time basis and faster settlement of claims. An identification number would be given to the farmers that can be used for further renewals.

United India is marketing two schemes; weather-based crop insurance and modified national agriculture insurance in select districts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

ISSUES The Koodankulam Anti-Nuclear Struggle Solidarity Samiti, Kerala, staged a protest in front of the Secretariat against the Centre’s nod for the commissioning of the Koodankulam Nuclear power plant.

Expressing solidarity with the struggle- at Idinthakarai in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu poet and social activist Sugathakumari said, "No safety measures as recommended by the Supreme Court have been implemented at the plant. The people in and around Koodankulam are living in fear,’’ she said.

Koodankulam attained criticality last week, setting the stage for power generation anytime now. The agitation will now be spread to the national level.

Organised by Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishath, SUCI, Kerala Swathanthra Matsyathozhilali Federation and PUCL. Contact: peter.ksmtf @gmail.com

Women take to farming Madurai: Urbanisation of sub-urban villages has led to the migration of men from villages to the cities in search of jobs which are now nearer to their homes. Refusing to allow their land to lie fallow, women have increasingly begun to farm their own lands. The change was noticed by NABARD Asst.

GM, Shankar Narayan.

ISI celebrates 50 years Bangalore: Indian Social Institute’s, Golden Jubilee celebrations (1963 – 2013) on July 12 were inaugurated by Hon. Justice D.H. Waghela of Karnataka High Court. Ms. Teesta Setalvad delivered the 7th Volken memorial lecture: ‘A Republic’s Dilemma: Constitutional Principles vs.

Majoritarianism.’ (Fr.Volken was the founder of ISI). Contact: abina@isiblr.org.in; info@isiblr.org.in ; 91-80 40867092; 23536364

Reaching out: Getting food for orphanages Mumbai: Thanks to Sajit Haridas, wholesalers donate over 1,000 kg of vegetables a week to city orphanages.

Today, he has ensured the kids get medical attention too and is looking for volunteers to mentor them.

For three years, the 37-year-old executive at Ford visited the Koyambedu vegetable market every morning at four or five, walking around meeting wholesalers — to “tap their spare capacity and their goodness”, and convince them to donate vegetables for orphanages.

“At first, some traders gave a kilo here or there. It was nearly 10 months before it took off.”Today, the wholesalers donate 1,000 - 1,200 kg of vegetables every week, which is distributed to 10 orphanages around the city. Sajit organises pick-ups three times a week, and he or his mother visit the orphanages regularly to ensure they’re reaching the children.

He’s looking to increase the number of orphanages, but doesn’t want to grow so fast that the initiative is no longer sustainable. My biggest worry is it shouldn’t stop tomorrow.”

He’s also very clear that he wants to keep the giving cash-free for the initiative he titled:Tap My Goodness .

This month, he launched the first in a series of health camps at the

orphanages, with two pediatricians and two dentists visiting for free and filling out health cards for the children.

And he’s in touch with pharmaceutical companies for free drugs.

But, his most ambitious venture for ‘Tap My Goodness’ is still to be launched — a citywide mentoring programme for the children. The mentor would make a commitment to an orphan in his or her locality, to spend time with the child two or four times a month. For this, Sajit’s reaching out for volunteers across the city, one area at a time: “There is infinite need in this world, but also infinite goodness,” he says.

His time spent at Koyambedu has convinced him of that — whether it’s the onion sellers who’ve continued to give through steep price hikes, or the traders who’ve come back to him saying, “what more can we do?”.“Since we began, 1,80,000 kg of vegetables have been donated, for free,” he says. “Most people would say it’s not possible. But I’m a great believer in the generosity of this city.”(Want to volunteer? email: sajit@tapmygoodness.in)

Controlling one’s resources Delhi: ParyavaranJagriti Abhayan and SPWD had a consultation on Community Control of Natural Resources (a call of ICAN) on Aug.12 at Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development (SPWD) premises to discuss “Illegal Grab of Natural Resources Issues of Delhi and NCR”. The rapid growth of Delhi’s and NCR’s urban areas in recent times has resulted in the destruction of natural resources of the capital region and the countryside as well.

The present scenario is grim.Natural resources are being illegally grabbed by mafia with the help of politicians.

The ridge that was once considered the lungs of the city, is now diseased, with shrinking green cover and rapid depletion of groundwater.

There’s a strong nexus between political agents, the sand mining mafia who have destroyed not only the flood plains along the Yamuna rivers but also ravaged fertile land belonging to the local farmers making them useless for agriculture, which has led to shortage of vegetables.

The women had to fight to do that toobut once they begun earning, their decision-making powers have also gone up. Undaunted by taunts by male farmers they not only manage their own fields but have taken up rearing of cows or goats for milk which they supply to a dairy. They have taken up vermicomposting and now even sell their extra compost says Deivajyoti, a woman farmer who was adjudged the "Best farmer in 2011-12" by the district Administration. On their holdings- 3 acres or less, they grow vegetables and work on each other's lands to save money. The women have formed Sajit Haridas with his van of vegetables 5

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

News Through a proper understanding of how natural resources management systems function the Consultation discussed how we can sustain and improve ecosystem services, which are crucial to supporting food security. www.goodgovernance.in www.life positive.com www.age-careindia.com

Disability Camp Chennai: Centre For Empowerment And Initiatives (CEI) a branch of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, in association with Adinath Jain Trust, Chennai organised a camp for physically challenged persons from Aug. 11-18. Artificial limbs, polio calipers and crutches were provided to more than 2000 patients free during the camp. www.ceiindia.org. Contact: R M Sanjeevi, Chief Project Manager, +91-9953199596 rmsanjeevi 2002@yahoo.com

19 Days of Activism begin Nov. 1-19 WWSF Children-Youth participated in the launch of the 3rd edition of the 19 Days of activism for prevention of abuse and violence against children and youth scheduled from Nov.1-19, 2013.

Registrations for the campaign are open and deadline for submission of NGOs activities is Oct. 15. All the organisations that have already joined the 2013 coalition-- can see their profiles and planned activities displayed on the special 19days website and on a Google Map. All new registrations can only be sent via the website (http://19days. woman.ch) where you can find the Call to Action-Prevention Kit 2013, WWSF Prevention Guide and visual materials for events (accessible to registered coalition members).

Sport brings Freedom

Mumbra: Located on the outskirts of Mumbai and home to a large population of communal riot refugees, in this Muslim ghetto girls dont have much freedom. But encouraged by NGO, Magic Bus, girls are playing football since last October. Some girls’ parents don't know their daughters play, some girls have to fight to study.

When Magic Bus found that girls voiced concerns about playing football with boys, they started a separate girls football team. Magic Bus distributed

pamphlets in schools and colleges urging girls to come for training. 40 girls turned up the first time but now the hardcore 20 remain! Social workers from the Forum Against Oppression of Women approached a temple which agreed to lend then a ground.

Today, Mumbra has had a tournament between girls and boys leading to more bon homie. A married woman is also part of the team- she comes to play watched by her son. For enquiries, contact. Magic Bus.

SENIORS Home for Seniors with Dementia/ Alzheimers inaugurated Mumbai: A Silver Innings ‘Assisted Living Elder Care Home’, Snehanjali, was inaugurated on Aug. 17 at Nala Village, Nalasopara west, near Mumbai. This is Silver Innings first elder care facility and the only one in Mumbai MMRDA, exclusively dedicated for elders suffering from dementia /a lzheimer’s , Parkinson etc.

The Chief Guest was Dr. Charles Pinto, renowned psychiatrist and President of ARDSI Greater Mumbai.

The guest of honour was Mr. Prakash Borgaonkar, Director, Western Region,HelpAge India and Mr. Mansukhlal Ruparelia, senior citizen and RTI Activist.

The address of the Home is: Marciana Bunglow, D’silva Nagar, Nala Village, Nalasopara west, Taluka Vasai , Dist : Thane, Maharashtra 401203 ( Mumbai W.Rly) . For details: Mona Mishra : 9987104233;Dhanalaxmi Rao : 9029000091; Joylet Rebello : 9323919145. Email: a1snehanjali@ gmail.com ; silverinnings@ gmail.com CONF. HELD Even though women enjoy legal rights in various fields, most of them are not aware of them and can neither assert nor protect themselves by utilising these rights. To debate and also as part of the ongoing support towards women who suffer violence, a three day training on " Legal resources for Women” was organised at, and by, Indian Social Institute - Bangalore. from Aug.14-16. Contact: Ph: 9980331471 E-Mail: sagayashanthi @gmail.com A workshop to help primary school teachers and educators recognise the difficulties children may have in reading, writing, spelling, oral communication and math was held on Aug. 3. The workshop helped teachers take away ideas on how to design and adapt lesson plans and worksheets to accommodate children with different learning styles and at different levels. It was organised by Sutradhar in Bangalore and facilitated by a team from Brindavan, Tel.: 080-22210154 Email sutradhar 2007@gmail.com A National Consultation on HIV/AIDS – Care & Support event was conducted from Aug. 1-3 at Coimbatore, sponsored by Karl 6

Kuebel Stiftung (KKS), Germany and organized by Native Medicare Charitable Trust. The consultation theme was to strengthen care, support treatment services and address community issues in HIV/AIDS so as to give specific recommendations to Government of India on strengthening care, support and treatment services to PLHIVs & affected families. It also brought successful experiences adopted in care and support programmes in India to the fore.

Contact A.S. Sankaranarayanan sankaranarayanannmct@yahoo.com Tel: 9443385107.

The Bihar Cabinet on Aug 20 approved a scheme aimed at providing allowance to orphaned children and wards of HIV+ and leprosy patients.

According to the programme initiated by the social Welfare Dept., orphans upto 6 years and those whose parents are suffering from HIV or leprosy would be given a monthly allowance of Rs. 900 each.

A National Seminar on Violence against Women, sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was organised by the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla on Aug. 21-22. Sub-Themes: included Eve teasing, Molestation, Sexual Abuse and Rape; Forced Prostitution and Trafficking of Woman and the Girl Child; Sexual Harassment and Abuse at the Workplace; Domestic Violence and Honour Based Violence; CyberCrimes against Women; Image of Women in the Media. Contact: nalinramaul76@gmail.com .

NASSCOM Foundation in partnership with Microsoft held a workshop on "Leveraging Technology for Good" to help NGOs learn unique techniques to enhance their organization's collaborative, communication & social media skills on July 26. Contact :Sneha Sahasrabudhe 02228328518/19 Bhubaneshwar City Dialogue on Clean Air and Sustainable Mobility: An Agenda for Action" workshop was organised on Aug. 20 in Bhubaneswar by CSE in association with Bhubaneswar Development Authority. The objective was to discuss critical issues of air quality management, public health protection, challenges of public transport and congestion, and initiatives adopted in Bhubaneshwar and share experiences from Delhi and other cities to evolve strategies for future policy action. For details contact: Ruchita Bansal at ruchita@cseindia. org/09899416984 With a view to acquainting modern youth with Swami Vivekananda's message and to channelise them for bringing about social transformation, an International Youth Conference was held on Aug. 10/11 at Vadodara, organised by Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Memorial, Vadodara, a branch of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

This year, 2013, marks the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Speakers included Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President of India, Shri Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Innovation Council, Dr. Bikas Sanyal, Vice-Chairperson of UNESCO; Dr.R. Balasubramaniam, Founder, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, India and Frank Rhodes Professor, CorneII University, U.S.A., eminent monks of Ramakrishna Order and scholars from India.

Foundation for Peace, Harmony and Good Governance (FGG) and Stalwart Group held a Solar Energy Convention on Aug. 12 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, The Keynote Address was given by Shri.

D.R. Kaarthikeyan, President FGG, A talk,“Rameswaram Solar Mission Project” - An Overview” by Shri. V. Ponraj, followed by short films on the topic and discussions. Contact: D.R. Kaarthikeyan, New Delhi Tel : 91-0114601 3255 : 91- 11- 4601 3266 E-mail : drkaarthikeyan@gmail.com

OPPORTUNITIES ‘Salesforce’ - a free cloud-based computer platform – for NGOs How are you managing your contacts?

Are you using an outdated database, e.g. Do you know who the people in your organization know, or how these contacts can help your cause?

These contacts could be a case of lost opportunities. ’Sales force’ is a collaborative tool that can give NGOs a 360 view of clients, staff, volunteers, and other key stakeholders. It integrates with all projects an NGO is doing, in a flexible way. NGOs will be able to develop a module to manage grants- from initial research, development, and reporting. Built in reporting, dashboards, apps (many free), and incredible integration help round out some of the features.

‘Salesforce’ is a cloud-based platform.

That means, there’s no need for the IT support traditional software requires.

In fact, there is no software. You can access it from any computer.Yet it also has multi-levels of security and the ability to limit access to specific information for different types of users.

This tool is available- with 10 licenses included- for free to qualified NGOs. ‘SalesforceFoundation’ provides access to their full-on enterprise edition or the more specific nonprofit starter pack.

If you need more than 10 licenses, you can get them for a major discount.

Non-profits have free access to online trainings offered to paying customers with lists of certified consultants who can help with anything from just getting started to full-on organization wide development and roll-out.

You can even try it out with a free 30day trial.. there’s still nothing to pay.

For queries/details: nmiranda@ treedomsolutions.com

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect (Regardless of deadlines you are advised to apply)

Senior Research and Training Associate Full time in Bangalore Aneka is a human rights organisation working mainly with sexual minorities, sexworkers and PLHIV (People Living with HIV). Our work includes action research, human rights advocacy, support for community-based organisations and community lobbying and campaigns.

Job Profile: The role involves working with the Project Director and members of the community, from concept design to coordination and execution of research projects. The person will be closely involved with designing and implementing training modules for the community collectives.

The person will primarily facilitate, contribute and document the research work and support the collectives through trainings and capacity building. Other responsibilities will include development of fund raising strategy including proposal writing, maintaining relationship with funders.

Qual: - 5 years relevant experience at a middle/senior position in human rights/ social justice/ community collectivization work; Comfortable with working class sexual minorities/ sex workers/ people living with HIV; A strong theoretical grounding and good methodological, analytical and writing skills (in English) required.

Must be able to communicate in Kannada/any South Indian language and independently plan and coordinate training programmes.

Salary will be based on experience and skills. We encourage PLHIV, dalits, adivasis, women, religious minorities and people with disabilities to apply. Send a brief bio to anekatrust@gmail.com

Monthly Distance Education Courses by AFC The following distance education courses are available, starting every month, at AFC Institute of M a n a g e m e n t a n d Tec h n o l o g y (AIMTEC) : Certificate Course in Panchayati Raj Governance Diploma in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Diploma in Banking and Finance (B&F) Diploma in Microfinance Contact: Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd., Mumbai. Phone No022-22028924; email: aimtec.afcf@ gmail.com;krishnan.afc@ gmail.com

Vacancies at IT for Change Bengaluru and Mysore 1. Communication Manager Bengaluru 2. Head, Field Unit - Mysore 3. Research Assistant - Mysore 1. Communication Manager, Bengaluru. The Communications Manager will be expected to provide

support to the research, advocacy and field teams of IT for Change in developing appropriate publication and dissemination materials and to communicate with the constituencies critical to our work.

Opportunities

Programme Coordinator Point of View, Mumbai EROTICS is a project that explores some of the connections and questions raised about gender. It understands the internet as an important and emerging public and democratic space, especially for the advancement of sexual rights which are heavily regulated in all aspects of social, cultural and political life.

Point of View (pointofview.org) is EROTICS' India partner. EROTICS is an initiative of the Association for Progressive Communications. (https://www.apc.org/).

We're looking for a program coordinator who will help us build both the network and its activities in fun, stimulating and creative ways. This is a full-time position for a year.

S/he will be responsible for Content management and other publications; Reaching out to, and networking with, NGOs and government departments and the press at global and local levels; ensure an effective information flow for its online presence, (Experience in web applications, web writing for online communities and animation is desirable).

Qual: Postgraduate with interest in communication and publication activities for the development sector.

S/he must possess excellent writing skills in English, have a flair for editing.

Oral and written skills in one or more Indian languages is highly desirable.

We ideally need a self-motivated person who has knowledge of, and interest in, sexual and gender rights, and familiarity with online media tools, including social media;Solid research and writing skills (info-graphics and a design or aesthetic sensibility a plus)

Remuneration depends on experience and skills.

Please send in your complete CV to jobs@ITforChange.net. along with a writing sample, preferably published.

Send your CV to bishakha@pointof view.org

2. Head of Field Unit, Mysore IT for Change (www.ITforChange.net ) is looking for a dynamic leader, to head their field centre at Mysore called 'Prakriye’-- an exciting and cutting edge space, guiding transformatory social change processes.

Villgro City Coordinators Locations: Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Chennai Part Time (at least 60 hrs per month) Compensation: Rs. 15,000 per month Start Date: 1st October 2013

It is not necessary for applicants to have worked with IT but applicant should preferably have worked directly with grassroots communities to understand the field realities required to implement a new development initiative.

Villgro funds & incubates early stage social enterprises that are developing products and services for underserved communities in India. Since last year, we have begun to go beyond urban centers and started to build and nurture potential entrepreneurs, early stage ideas and local support providers in semi-urban regions through our initiative – Unconvention. (www.unconvention. co.in )

The position involves taking autonomous leadership of 'Prakriye', with an independent committed team of around 15. The selected candidate will be able to shape this nascent organization. which is slated to become a premier resource centre for new development processes and practices in the information age, both nationally and globally. The position will entail strengthening the linkages between field-based practice and IT for Change's research and advocacy mandates.

The part-time City Coordinators will be responsible for all activities pertaining to ‘Unconvention’ in a particular city. Applicant must have excellent communication skills as he/she will be the regional representative for Villgro.

Activities include but are not limited to: • Researching for potential partners, sponsors, and participants;• promote ‘Unconvention’ & other initiatives of Villgro (by email, telephone, social media, personal meetings)

Candidates will need to be in the age group of 30 to 40, with a skill-set combining communication, training, documentation and team leadership.

Excellence in written and spoken Kannada and English is mandatory.

Interested candidates may apply to jobs@ITforChange. net with their CV and 2 references.

Req.;• Should be based out of the particular city for at least 1 year; Be a Consultant with experience in Entrepreneurship/Development Sector • HNIs (preferably women) with Interest in Social Enterprise sector and considerable networks in the city.• Student -- done or doing a course on social entrepreneurship/rural management/agri-business, part of the Entrepreneur Cell, part of a startup group or entrepreneurial group.

(Should NOT be in final year).;•

3. Research Assistants, Mysore IT for Change is looking for thinkeractivists to support research and advocacy work in Mysore.

Qual: Graduate in social sciences/development studies/ gender studies.Comfort with spoken and written Kannada is mandatory.

Apply to jobs@ITfor Change. net

Excellent communication skills (English and local language); Should 7

be able to commit to working at least for 2 years.

Send resume and cover letter to villgro.coordinator@gmail.com by Sept. 13

Project Officer, Jodhpur, Jal Bhagirathi Foundation JBF is selecting a team of Development Professionals with project management skills in direct implementation of grass root projects with specialization in community mobilization, Water, or NRM. Project Officer will be positioned in village clusters in Barmer, Jalore and Jodhpur district and will supervise a team of Community mobilisers and volunteers; . Plan, budget, implement and monitor all the project activities to achieve clearly defined and measurable indicators; Train and build a team of highly motivated professionals and volunteers to undertake project activities; Coordinate with government organisations, civil society institutions, NGOs, media and other institutions; Prepare periodical progress reports .

Candidate Profile: Graduate / PostGraduate degree in Management, Rural development, Agricultural Engineering, or Social Sciences with excellent communication skills in Hindi with at least 10 to 15 years experience in supervising a project team implementing grass-root level development projects in rural areas, preferably in Rajasthan.

A strong passion for field action in WATER or NRM related issues, commitment to participatory development, and an interest in grass root project implementation. He will be posted in small towns or village clusters to closely work with the communities to implement project activities and monitor projects; Should have report writing skills with knowledge of LFA and PRA tools.

Consolidated monthly remuneration: Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 30,000/- based on performance.

All applications should be sent with a covering letter to hr@jalbhagirathi. org

by Sept. 15, 2013.

Program Specialist, Jaipur Khetri Trust Khetri Trust is a testamentary Trust formed by the last will of the late Sardar Singh, Raja Bahadur of Khetri, now headed by H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur. The trust is dedicated to promoting education by the grant of scholarships to deserving students for study in India and abroad, for the establishment of libraries, reading rooms, schools, academies and institutions.

Khetri Trust is selecting professionals to develop programs to support students for higher education and learning, effectively communicating the programs and monitoring proper utilization of the grants.

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

Opportunities Job Description: S/he will be the First Person contact for NGOs/ individuals receiving grants from Khetri Trust; Will create long-term growth plans for Khetri Trust for both operational improvement as well as sector-specific indicators; Reach out to other NGOs and Foundations in the education sector that are not funded by the trust; Assist with the planning, implementation and organization of the Scholarship programme; Screen students.

Candidate Profile: Post-Graduate degree in social sciences, and development with excellent communication skills in English and 5-10 years experience in the education development Sector in India; Comfortable working in rural villages and poor urban areas; strong documentation, writing and editing, computer skills and excellent knowledge of English and one Indian language.

Consolidated monthly remuneration starts at Rs. 50,000/- based on performance. Last date of applications is Sept. 15 2013. All applications should be sent to : hr@khetritrust.org

Program Officer/Senior Program Officers,Gurgaon Association For Stimulating Know How (ASK): www.askindia.org ASK is a national non-profit Capacity building Institution working among socio-economically deprived and marginalized communities through Training and Capacity building, Evaluation and Documentation, Corporate Social Accountability, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Action for Inclusion.

ASK is looking for committed professionals who wish to work in the development sector as facilitators and change agents. We have vacancies for Program Officer/Senior Program Officers in Training and Capacity building division and Action for Inclusion (to work on issues of economic empowerment).

Candidates with a degree in Social Work, Sociology, can apply for the position of Assistant Program Officer/Program Officers. Experience of 2-3 years is desirable. All job profiles include travel within and outside the country.

Salary is negotiable and comes with all legal provision and social security .

Apply by Sept. 12 either by post or by email to: Association For Stimulating Know How(ASK), V-30/3 DLF-III, Gurgaon -122002, Ph:0124 4060353/354, Email: ask@ askindia.org

Financial Inclusion Executives (25 Openings) Sanchayan Suraksha Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (SSSPL) is a social venture focused exclusively on financial inclusion services for the poor.

Sanchayan establishes and manages outlets branded “Sanchayan

(Regardless of deadlines you are advised to apply)

Suraksha Points” (SSP) which provide comprehensive financial planning, financial services & financial literacy to low-income urban poor segment, esp. women & migrants in Delhi/NCR. These are bank savings accounts, micro-insurance, micro-pensions, remittances, investments, child plans, identity and other services, through tieups with mainstream financial institutions having financial products which are safe, relevant and low-cost.

Sanchayan works with Governments, Regulators, Financial Institutions, Educational Institutes, Corporate Foundations, Partner NGOs, and other public and private sector organizations to deliver low-cost financial services to the urban lower income segment people by disseminating neutral financial literacy www.Sanchayan Suraksha.com Req.:High degree of field work • 1-3 years experience • Age less than 30 years preferred • Great interpersonal skills• Graduate in any field with excellent communication skills [English and Hindi] • Willing to travel across Delhi/NCR slums and rural areas• Work exclusively with poor people in slum areas.

Resp.: Customer acquisition in the field• Customer database management • Organizing enrolment camps, • Developing & managing SSP Network.

•Remuneration would be competitive and negotiable. Probation for 3 months period. On the job training would be provided on joining.

Forward your updated CV to hr@sanchayansuraksha.com. • For queries call Sanchayan Career Helpline Number - 9968493315

National Coordinator, Delhi Association for Democratic Reforms, Apply by Sept. 14 The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR: www.adrindia.org) is looking for someone to head the organisation.

ADR was set up in 1999 by faculty and alumni of the IIMs and IITs. Its mission is to improve elections, democracy and governance in India. ADR has also built up the National Election Watch (NEW) network of over 1200 NGOs from every State. It has well established working relationships with the Election Commission, media and NGOs across the country, and with several eminent persons.

The work involves managing the office and staff, interfacing with the media, working with State network partners, Election Commission, donors, selected eminent citizens and political parties.

The Head would be supported by a bright young team of over 25 people, and by the Founding Trustees. The immediate task is to manage the nationwide Lok Sabha Election Watch campaign which has already been launched. There would also be 5 State Assembly elections before that. The 8

campaign will focus on raising voter awareness on important issues and on persuading political parties to field clean, honest, capable candidates.

This is a high visibility and high impact position. It is not a job, but a calling.

Developments that brought political parties under RTI, disqualified convicted MPs and MLAs, barred jailed politicians from contesting, and others, were either directly or indirectly based on the work of ADR since 1999.

Earlier impact making work included bringing out candidate background information on finances and criminal charges (see www.myneta.info), holding Election Watch campaigns in every state, persuading Chief Ministers of some States not to induct tainted MLAs into their Cabinet and so on.

Apply to: Director, IIDM, E-7/136, Lajpat Society, Arera Colony, Bhopal 462016 Ph:0755-2410409/ 2426109mail:iidmbpl@rediffmail. com

Head - Operations Dream A Dream, Bangalore The Head of Operations will be responsible for managing the Finance, Administration, IT Infrastructure and HR functions of the organization.

Reporting to the COO and as a part of the Management Team, his Primary Responsibilities will be to: • Improve the operational systems, processes and policies • Employee management including payroll, training, performance management and other staff welfare policies • Further develop Dream A Dream’s human resources policies • Ensure that recruiting processes are consistent and streamlined.• Establish and manage a comprehensive training programme.

Qual: The ideal candidate would have at least ten years of prior experience either in the development or corporate sector, and have held leadership positions. He or she would be passionate about the issues facing the nation, be deeply interested in democracy and good governance, and have a practical approach that delivers results. ADR believes in a constructive approach to bring about reforms in elections, democracy, political parties and governance. Please send your resume and a covering letter to trilochans @iimb.ernet.in, jchhokar@ gmail.com and ajit.ranade@ gmail.com.

Salary: Rs. 51,168 per month. Please send an updated CV along with a cover letter (mandatory) by Sept. 13 to careers@dreamadream.org. Please mention ‘Application for the position of Head – Operations’ in the subject line.

Consulting, Training & Research Professionals

Manager - Resource Mobilisation

Indian Institute of Development Management (www.iidmindia.com) Locations: Bhopal, Bhubneswar Haldwani, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha., Uttarakhand The IIDM is dedicated to Management Consultancy, Training and Action Research in the development sector and works in collaboration with Govt.

Departments and agencies like UNICEF, WHO, DANIDA, ICMR, NCAER, ACTION AID, World Bank, etc . To augment our HR for country wide research studies IIDM requires: Research, Training & Development Personnel Qual: Post graduation in Psychology/ Sociology/Economics/Social Works/ HRD/Management/ Health & Hospital Management/ Ayush (BAMS/BHMS) with experience of social surveys/ research, management training, MIS & interventions for community mobilization, development communication (C4D), etc. Persons with doctorate/ M Phil and experience in training & action research projects, evaluation studies in health and women & child development sector will be preferred. Age & gender no bar.

Salary: Consolidated for Sr. R.O. @ Rs. 15000 p.m., for R.O. @ Rs. 10000 p.m. Field Officer @ Rs. 8000 with field project allowance as per our norm. The vacancies exist at lower level also.

Req: At least 8 years of experience in operations management, (At least 3 years in Financial Management), Excellent computer skills and proficient in MS-Office, Knowledge of IT infrastructure including networks and servers.

Mobile Crèches, New Delhi Mobile Creches (MC) pioneered the cause of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and focuses on children under six years in urban slums, and the migrant child at construction sites. MC’s multi-pronged approach – working with construction worker ’s children, urban slum communities and training and advocacy for ECCD– addresses both the short and long term needs of children.

MC invites applications for the key post of Manager Resource Mobilisation (RM), to head its RM function to reach out to new and current donors for raising funds for the MC Programme and the Corpus, from multiple sources. S/he would work with the Executive Director (ED) and senior management to understand their resource requirements; Develop annual plans, budgets; build an appropriate mix of donors (individuals, Trusts, Corporates, Foundations, etc.); Ensure setting up of support infrastructure: donor software; online donations, etc.

Qual: An MBA/Masters or equivalent degree, in public policy/ social sciences/ communication/ finance/marketing/development studies, 35-45 years of age, with a minimum of 6-8 years experience in a job that requires similar skill sets.

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

Awards/Conf.

Remuneration will be bench marked to similar level jobs in the social sector.

Last date for applications is Sept. 12.

Apply by courier or email to : Mobile Creches, DIZ Area, Raja Bazaar, Sector – 4, New Delhi 110 001, Email: mail@mobile creches. org

AWARDS The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) are an unique opportunity for individuals and NGOs to build their capacities by attending training programmes organized by world-class institutes and universities in the Netherlands.

The Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) in the Netherlands is organizing a set of training programmes in 2014. These programmes cover a wide range of topics from agriculture, livelihood development, media, civil society, rural entrepreneurship, climate change and the environment. They are specially designed to promote NGOs in the developing world.

Although these training programmes are paid courses, Wageningen UR in partnership with the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes is offering fellowship support to selected participants from over 50 countries around the world. In order to apply for the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) to attend these training courses, you need to submit a request to Wageningen UR before Oct. 1, 2013.

UN-HABITAT Scroll of Honour Award Call for Submissions -Deadline: Sept. 16, 2013 The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989. It is currently the most prestigious human settlements award in the world. Its aim is to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post conflict reconstruction and developing and improving human settlements and the quality of urban life.

A Royal meeting for disability A permanent disability could not stop Mogalamma from becoming a leader of disabled women today. Thanks to her tireless mother who helped her get an education for she knew her child could never walk.

Of her five children (three daughters and two sons), her mother Ramulamma, fought only for Mogalamma’s schooling. She reasoned that since Mogalamma was disabled for life, her only chance to survive with some dignity and selfreliance was if she was educated. And this enabled Mogalamma to eventually achieve her place in the world.

When Mogalamma was old enough for school, her mother carried her to the v i l l a g e s c h o o l t e a c h e r. S h e permanently sat on her haunches, unable to straighten either of her legs, dragging herself on her hands.

Mogalamma never missed school, come summer, come rain. She was the brightest student in class and often spent evenings helping her classmates with homework. It did not take them long to accept her as she was. She encountered the first serious barriers to her continued education after she passed her Std.X examinations.

To study in college would require her to travel 11 km each way by bus... She convinced the driver to halt long enough for her to clamber up its steps.

Around this time, a search was mounted in the village for an educated woman who could maintain the accounts and minutes of meetings of the village women’s thrift group or sangam. They could find no one else, so Mogalamma was offered the job.

Her accounts and minutes soon were flawless. Accounts and tuitions occupied her in the afternoons when she returned from college.

In her last year in college, the family had a visitor, Gautam, who spoke to them of a new non-government initiative called “Commitments”, aiming to build organisations of

disabled people. She fought to travel to Hyderabad for the first training programme sensing that this was the opportunity she was waiting for. Her parents had to let her go finally.

The training programme was conducted by charismatic blind activist teacher Venkatesh who told them how important it was for disabled people to claim their self-respect, and that this could only be achieved by building organisations of disabled people.

Because individually they may be invisible and powerless, but together their voice could not be ignored forever.

In those two weeks, Mogalamma realised how fortunate she was that her mother had ensured that she must study against all odds. She learnt how much injustice other rural women with disabilities are forced to bear. She knew then that her lifetime’s work was cut out for her.

She helped build organisations of disabled persons, first as part of Commitments, and later as a state government employee. She is studying for her Masters in social work, and learning computers.

She chose not to marry, because she felt she did not need a man to complete her life. The disabled children she works for, she declared, are her children.

Manthan Award for Social Media and Empowerment 2013 invites nominations This special Sub-award of the Manthan Award South Asia & Asia Pacific is for organisations/initiatives that use the Digital outreach medium, and Social Media platforms like Facebook etc. as a potent democratic tool of empowerment, promotion, participation, commerce, cause, campaign, activism etc. (www.manthanward.org). Supported

by Digital Empowerment Foundation.

Last date for nomination is Sept. 15, 2013. Contact lucky@defindia.net or Call 011-26532786/7, 46080646

5th Edition of the Southern Region Laadli Media and Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity 2012-13 Call for entries by Population First,, a Mumbai based NGO working on health, gender and population, from media and advertising professionals.

The Awards have been instituted in association with United Nations Population Fund, to acknowledge, the commendable efforts undertaken

by Print and Electronic media (TV, Radio and Web) and Advertising, to support gender-just perspectives.

Entries are invited from: 1. Print Media: 2. Electronic Media: TV and Radio 3.

Web: E-magazines, blogs, features, social media and 4. Advertising.

Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam & Telugu Criteria for eligibility: Entries should emphasise one of the following: Analyze policies, programmes and laws and social, economic and political developments from a gender perspective; Report on current events from a gender perspective – e.g. disasters, communal riots, elections, sports events; Voice the experiences of survivors of gender violence; Create awareness on pre-birth sex selection; gender discrimination, influence of gender perceptions on the functioning of service providers like police, judiciary and administrators, g) Interpret research/ reports/documents from a gender perspective – e.g. census, economic survey, budgets etc Entry Req: Entries should have been published/displayed/broadcast/teleca st between Jan. 1 2012 and June 30, 2013 Entry forms can be downloaded from: http//:www. populationfirst.org/ For Kannada & English enquiries contact: Call Karnataka Coordinator at 94483 63336 or email laadlikarnataka @yahoo.in

CONFERENCES Team NGOBOX in collaboration with FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence

Better Healthcare through CSR Sept. 24, 2013 India International Centre, New Delhi.

The award, will be presented to the winners during the World Urban Forum in Columbia in April 2014.

Individuals, organisations, initiatives and projects are eligible to be nominated for their achievements and best practices in innovation, impact and sustainability in the following areas: Urban legislation, land and governance; urban planning and design; urban economy; urban basic services, housing and slum upgrading; risk reduction and rehabilitation; and urban research and capacity development.

HH Prince Charles meets Mogalamma 9

The broader objectives of the conference are to: • Discuss the scope of engaging businesses in healthcare • Explore cross-sector partnerships through CSR • Present ICT enabled innovative models and options for replication and scaling up • Engage businesses in healthcare: Scope for partnerships • Innovations in healthcare: Scope for scaling up.

The Conference seeks the convergence of ideas, thoughts and experiences of leaders from the businesses, NGOs and Government agencies. The confirmed speakers & panelists in the conference are international corporation and agency heads.

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

Conf/Workshop Wockhardt Foundation is the 'Health Innovation Partner'. For more information and registration: See http://www.ngobox.org/events For sponsorship/partnership and other queries, contact Ms Ela Gupta (+919990256669) or write to ela@ ngobox.org : //www.ngobox.org/

Course on Research Methodology for Social Advocacy and Lobbying & SPSS Indian Social Institute, Bangalore :Oct. 04-11, 2013 For NGOs and CBOs, Leaders of P e o p l e s ’ M o v e m e n t s , Yo u n g Research Scholars and Post Graduate Students.

This course is aimed at filling the gap of social activists, NGOs with research bent and applied social scientists, to develop a methodology for field based and issue based research.

Content includes: Understanding of social realities and the role of advocacy and lobbying as interventions; 2. Basics of research; 3.

Report Writing Skills; 4. Application of Research for Advocacy and Lobbying; 5. Methods of analyzing social science data; 6. Use of statistics.

The course is meant for those who are interested in serious research and activism. Work experience in the field of development will be an added advantage.

No. of Seats: 25; Medium of Instruction :English Registration Fee: INR: 1000 ; Course Fee : INR 8000 (incl. course material, shared accommodation and food.

Last date for applying--Sept, 25, 2013. email : isiresearchbang@gmail. com.

The Concept of Development A Seminar at Indian Social Institute - Bangalore on Dec. 5/6 2013 to focus on barriers that exclude substantial sections of the population from the current development process. It will bring together academics, activists and members of civil society organizations.

Kindly register on or before Nov.15, 2013. Registered participants get Simple accommodation and food on a shared basis. (Sleeper class up and down fare alone would be available for deserving candidates who apply ahead).

Registration fee Rs. 300/- Contact: Sagaya shanthy. 9980331471.

Working Successfully With USAID Grant and Cooperative Agreement Course for USAID NGOs, Delhi Registration deadline: 18 Nov. 2013 Training date: Nov 18-22 2013 Training ID:#594940 For those in : Administration/HR; Finance/Accounting/Auditing; Management Monitoring and Evaluation Organisation: Claro KC

Participants will be able to: Guide their respective organizations through the myriad of USAID rules and regulations to ensure compliance and successful project implementation; Resolve award and sub-award implementation issues; Gain an understanding of all USAID prior approval requirements, and learn about award extensions; Better understand the structure of USAID and how to build cooperative and beneficial relationships; Prepare th e i r o rg a n i za ti o n to a ch i e ve successful audits and prevent disallowances and Improve their organization’s business model and be prepared for USAID Forward.

A customized event for your organization’s technical, administrative and program staff, designed and taught by former USAID Agreement Officers specifically for NGOs with USAID sponsorship Registration Link: www.clarokc.net

Human Rights Leadership Development Training Certificate Course --Online training workshop: from Human Rights & Justice Group International Registration deadline: Sept. 10, 2013 ; Training: Sep 13-Oct. 25, 2013 The “Human Rights Leadership Development Training” course aims to develop a comprehensive experience of human rights learning by equipping potential human rights educators, advocates, activists, students, volunteers, and law enforcement officers with knowledge and skills to: -

Bangalore: Chief guest at the seminar was lokayukta, Jce Bhaskar Rao, Guests of Honour Rajan Padukone, CEO & MD Manipal Hospital, Bhaskar Bhat, MD Titan Industries, who sponsor food for 5 slum centres everday and Shashidar, Naga foods who sponsored the lunch.

Others who spoke were Dr. G.K. Prakash on Kidney problem of elderly, Samuel Paul founder-Dir. PAC and Rishi Kewalramani

--Integrate knowledge in the fields of politics, economics, cultural diversity, gender issues and socio-psychology in the context of human rights.

The course can be used to establish or strengthen human rights policies and practices both in the public and private sector.

The maximum number of course participants is 30.

This is an Online, interactive, selfpaced with self-learning modules,• Surveys and tests, Opportunity to post comments, assignment answers, live chat etc.

Participants must have a current email account, regular access to the internet, a good written command of English and computer competence.

The notes and guidelines will be available on http./www,justice group.us/GHRLTI. To apply, contact: applications @justicegroup.org. For info and to download application form go to http:/www.justicegroup.us

My final words of advice to you are educate, agitate and organize; have faith in yourself. With justice on our side I do not se how we can ose our battle.”

Ad.RATES You can:

- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

* sponsor an issue for Rs. 20,000/- per issue * release an ad (10cms. x 1col.) for Rs. 1000 per issue.

May-Jun 2013 India’s First NGO Newstabloid

Please enrol me as your subscriber at the price of Rs.150 / USD 15 / GBP 8 per annum for 6 issues (Including postage). Please mail ___ copies at the address given below. DD/ cheques should be in the name of “Shakti Trust”

This newstabloid goes out to hundreds of NGOs, Corporate houses and the public.

Name: ______________________________________________ Organisation: _________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Type of activity: _______________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ NGO Connect ____________________________________________________ _____________________________Pin code: _______________ C/o ERA, 1st fl.

5E, Gulmohar, Phone No:_____________ E-mail: ________________________ 20, Convent Road, N. M. Wadia Bldg.

Bangalore 560025 123 M G Road, Cash/Cq/DD No: ___________________ Amt. Rs.____________ Mumbai 400001 On Bank : ________________________ dated:______________

Tel: 09341867487 email: shaktisrc@yahoo.com ngoconnectindia@gmail.com 10

Mail to : NGO Connect 5E, Gulmohar; 20, Convent Road, Bangalore 560 025 Tel. No: 093418-67487, E-mail: shaktisrc@yahoo.com.

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

Conf/Media Indian Congress on Curbing E-Waste Nov.9 2013, Bangalore The Conference basically targets latest research in the arena of EWaste, Municipal waste, Biomedical & Hazardous Waste Management.

An industrial facility visit is on the cards. The ‘tri-parallel session’ platform offers vast knowledge sharing base to students, researchers & faculty alike. It includes ‘invited’ talks by international faculty & eminent academicians from I.I.T. & I.I.Sc. with contributions from industries and NGOs. Org. by: Dept. of Civil Engineering Fees: Paper Presenter (Industry & NGO): Rs. 600; Spot Registration: Rs. 750 (any category) Website: http://www.acharya.ac. in/icce_2013.zip Contact person: Rajesh Gopinath 9964739679

Environmentalism in India Building Perspectives and Sharing Strategies Sept. 28-Oct.3 2013, Himachal pradesh Org. by Sambhaavnaa Institute of Public Policy and Politics, and Corporate Accountability Desk A capacity building workshop to be held at Sambhaavnaa Institute of Public Policy and Politics (www.sam bhaavnaa.org ] Increasingly, environmental problems and their so-called solutions are disproportionately hurting the poor.

S i m u l t a n e o u s l y, m i n d l e s s industrialsation, and exploitation of resources like land and water will have lasting implications for generations to come.

What is the way forward for Environmental Justice in India? What are the key legislations that govern environmental justice and what has been the experience of environmentalists and others who have tried to access the environment justice system? What are the forces today that are shaping this system?

To address some of these questions, this one week capacity building workshop for young practitioners in the field of environment will enhance and sharpen their understanding of Environmental Justice issues in the country.

Workshop Cost: Rs. 2000 (incl. lodging and boarding for five days).[Need based fee waivers are available for students or individuals not associated with a formal organisation] Contact: Sandhya Gupta (sutradhaar@sambhaavnaa.org) or Manshi Asher (manshi.asher@ gmail.com )

23rd Swadeshi Science Congress This year the seminar will be conducted as a National Event with the

Theme: Conservation of wetlands ecosystems in Kerala.

This theme has been selected so as to bring about awareness of the seriousness and necessity of conservation of wetlands, among the public. Conservation of wetlands is essential not only for sustainable fresh water supply but also for preserving biodiversity to ensure health to people all over, yet humans themselves are the major cause of degradation o f wetlands.

Highlights: CV Raman Memorial Lecture: Nov. 7 Registration fees: before Sept 30/after: Delegates Rs. 1500/2000; Faculty/Scientists Rs 1000/1100; research fellows Rs. 750/800; Students: 300/400 On-line Project Management Software Training Institute for Project and Finance Management (IPFM), Bangalore.

Webex-based on-line training is offered to all course subscribers at a mutually agreed time.

Practical hands-on training is offered on all Saturdays at Bangalore as a residential course (charges Rs. 3,000 per person for training logistics).

Organisations subscribing for more than 6 projects can depute one of their executives for our one week course scheduled during Nov 2013 at Goa. Visit us at www.ipfm.in for more details and www.activitybasedcalendar.net for more information.

Note: Formerly IPFM was known as ‘Accounts Training Institute’ among NGOs, Donor Agencies and MFIs. Call Ms.Sharada (Mob: 08050829539 Tel: 080-25533852) for more info. Mob : + 91 - 93428 53842 email: selvakumar@ipfm.in Annual S. Asian Media Briefing Workshop on Climate Change,2013 India Habitat Centre, New Delhi Sept 18-19, 2013 CSE is organising its annual two-day briefing in New Delhi for South Asian journalists, before the deliberations for the 2015 treaty at this year's Conference of Parties (CoP) in Poland.

Journalists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, who are interested in evaluating, investigating and interpreting the climate debate, are encouraged to apply for the workshop.

Write to Papia Samajdar at papia@ cseindia. org

Stepping together Conclave of change makers for clean air and sustainable mobility Sept 26-27, 2013, New Delhi CSE is planning a region-wide community gathering of target groups related to transport and clean air, to take stock of the positive action in cities of the region to cut air pollution and promote sustainable transportation.

11

This will bring together a large community of policy and social actors who will track the direction of change, actual initiatives, benefits and real impact in our cities.

This is one of the largest initiatives to bring to public domain the evidence of change. For more details contact Vivek Chattopadhayay at vivek@ cseindia. org

Contact: Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland (SDFN), Nagaland.

Telefax : +91 370 229 0392, Mobile : +91 961 520 5152/: +91 985 614 1327/,: +91 943 504 3036 Email : office.sdfn@gmail.com, website :www.sdfnagaland.org

FILMS

Fourth National Research Conference on Climate Change IIT, Madras, Oct. 26-27, 2013 The Conference focuses on the areas of Climate science, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction and renewable energy. This is also a call for Abstracts which should provide evidence of independent research and be of direct relevance to the South Asian context.

For details, please visit: http://www. cseindia .org/node/ 4994 Kohima Summit 2013 Sustainable Mountain Development Summit III A Platform of the Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI) for Indian Himalayan States to come together to share experiences, discuss issues of development priority and to find ways to influence national and state public policies.

Themes: Forests; Water; Sustainable Mountain Agriculture interlinked with Climate change adaptation, Ecosystem services, Biodiversity conservation, Gender.

Sept. 25-27 2013 Venue: NBCC Convention Centre at Kohima and other government establishments. Participants will be housed in hotels and home stays in Kohima town. Org. by Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland (SDFN) – a registered not-for-profit forum where Naga civil society, academia, entrepreneurs, government and the media collectively discuss and work in facilitating the state towards a sustainable development pathway.

The primary objective of the Kohima Summit therefore will be to look at, share and understand policy and governance issues particularly around the proposed themes so as to learn from, and suggest, key interventions based on field experiences and intellectual inputs.

The Kohima Summit proposes to also initiate the process of cultural and social exchanges amongst the different mountain states and communities. To supplement this special site visits based on the themes; home stays; culture, music and food expositions and other events will be organised.

A special session – Meeting of Youth from Mountain States - will also be organised as a pre-summit activity The 3rd Indian Himalayan Photography Competition will be held in Kohima as part of the Summit 2013

Bangalore: The 8th edition of Voices from the Waters International Film Festival 2013 simultaneously organized in Kothenberg, Sweden. and which travels to other states of India was inaugurated by Rajendra Singh popularly known as ‘Jal Purush’ or ‘Waterman’ of Rajasthan. The festival was held in Bangalore at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) Max Mueller Bhavan and Christ College from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 with screenings and discussions through the day.

15th Madurai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2013 will be held from 6-10 Dec. 6-10 2013 in Madurai Entries are invited under the following sections: 1) International Films 2) Films from Rest of India 3) Films from Tamilnadu. Last date to send entries: Oct.1 2013. For details and entry form. www.maduraifilmfest.blogspot.com

Bahadur The Accidental Brave Directed by Aditya Seth 54 min; 2011; Nepalese, English; With an open border between India and Nepal, labour migration to various parts of India has historically been an important economic resource for Nepalese households. Nearly all Nepalese migrant workers are susceptible to high risk sexual behaviour. Thanks to which they end up contracting HIV. Once they return home they infect their spouses & their children are born with it. HIV is notoriously referred to as ‘The disease from Mumbai’ in Far West Nepal! The documentary is an in - depth look into the Nepalese migrant’¹s life in a socioeconomic/ political context.

Third Eye of Resistance Dir: Razi 95 min; 2012; Malayalam, English A journey though the life of C Saratchandran who travelled with the camera and cinema. It is a journey though the vivid, living memories of protesters at Chaliyar, Plachimada, Muthanga and Kathikudam, through the experiences of friends and everyone who travelled with him or were parallel to his path.

For some one like Sarat, who remained wide awake in both at the struggle fonts and in his personal relationships; the camera was always the third eye for fulfilling his mission; the third eye of resistance.

Jul-Aug 2013

NGO Connect

Media Be the Change Dir.Abhik Bhanu 20 min., 2014 Prod. by PCGT and Rotary Club of Bombay.

This film was made as part of PCGTs project, “Kucch Aur” for reenforcement of values among school children through films; to influence the thinking process of children so that they develop confidence, bravery and compassion. The film asks :”Can children stand up against their parents?” The script aims to fight corruption and encourage sports.

Contact: publicconcern@gmail.com

A Tree A Man A Sea Dir: Lipika Singh Darai 27 min; Odia with English subtitles He was her 'music teacher' who introduced 'life' to her beautifully, when she was small. He was never a common man for her, but an unbelievable source of music, stories and unknowable conversations. The only material imprint of his voice, is a very old almost detuned audio cassette. She tries tracing him within a tree and a big sea, and the sense of life they achieve together is the Film.

The film has been awarded the Best Debut Film of a Director award in the 60th National Film Awards, 2013.

Prostitutes of God http://www.vice.com/the-vice-guideto-travel/prostitutes-of-god-full-lengthnew In Prostitutes of God, VICE travels deep into the remote villages and towns of Southern India to uncover an ancient system of religious sex slavery dating back to the 6th century.

Although the practice was made illegal more than 20 years ago, we discover there are still more than 23,000 women in Karnataka selling their bodies in the name of the mysterious Hindu Goddess Yellamma--the Devadasis, or ‘servants of God’. From city red light districts to rural mud huts, we meet proud brothel madams, HIV positive teenage prostitutes, and gay men in saris. The intimate exploration into the life of the Devadasi reveals a pseudo-religious system that exploits poverty-stricken families to fuel modern India’s booming sex trade.

Fabricated!

A full length Documentary Film on the Fabricated Cases on Abdul Nasar Maudany and others Directed by K.P. Sasi 94 minutes Every year when India celebrates freedom, there are thousands of innocent prisoners in Indian jails, waiting for justice without even a trial.

Abdul Nasar Maudany is one such victim. As a Muslim spiritual leader, he reacted strongly against the

demolition of Babari Masjid in 1992.

His house was attacked and he spent nine and a half years in jail. All the charges against him were proven false and even the judgement makes it clear that the case was fabricated. He was released without any compensation.

No trial on those who were responsible for such fabrication was conducted.

But soon, Maudany was framed for another series of charges and he is still waiting for justice in Bangalore Parappana Agrahara jail.

The documentary film shows that this is not an isolated case, but several Muslims, dalits, adivasis and activists from people’s movements go through similar experiences. The question raised by the film is `why is a person spending so many years in jail in without being proven guilty?’

Contact: Kpsasi36@ gmail.com, Mob: 09567666798

BOOKS

‘Saraswat Cuisine’, CKP Specialities’ Meanwhile, Dalit delicacies such as Sukaat, a dry fish preparation with red chilly powder; Kaleja; Besan pitacha wada, Waran bhaat, Kandawani, Rakti, Chunchuni and Sugarcane kheer, were unheard of in the books.

The project recognised the fact that food was central to the practice of untouchability – first because who could eat what was regulated by the Brahmanical order of society and then this itself became a marker of pure and impure status. “As social science researchers, what gets written of is of immense importance for us but so is that which is written off,” state the interviewers. ’The book goes beyond recipes, and is hence at once a cultural, social as well as political record of a marginalised people and their food habits.

Against the Madness of Manu: BR Ambedkar's Writings on Brahminical Patriarchy Selected by Sharmila Rege (New Delhi: Navayana), 2013; pp 266, Rs 350

Isn’t This Plate Indian? Dalit Histories and Memories of Food’.

By a class of students at Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Women’s Studies Centre in Pune University

To read this book is to mine a world of layered scholarship. For those who have followed Sharmila Rege’s work over the years, her many concerns – a critical sociology of caste, the castegender conundrum, this single volume should prove a veritable treat.

For feminists, and what Rege felicitously refers to as “graded violence towards women”, her reading of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s writings on women can only be exciting and very suggestive. Anticaste activists will be surprised by how the most pernicious aspects of the caste system are also its most patriarchal.

In trying to decode the caste and gender intersections on the subject of food through this project, its editorial team including Sharmila Rege, Deepa Tak, Sangita Thosar and Tina Aranha noting the near absence of Dalit recipes in cook books or Dalit cookery books from the shelves of bookstores across India, asked “why aren’t Dalit cooking practices worthy of study or documentation in a cookery book?”

The deafening silence around Dalit food practices in the national and regional cuisines in fact, points to a subversion of cuisine culture of the marginalised. eg. ‘authentic Bengali cuisine’ was typically upper caste and the use of costly ingredients like ghee and costly fish was representative of the taste of ‘Bhadralok’. Marathi books had titles such as ‘Maratha Recipes’,

For those of us who are familiar with the scholarship and practice of antibrahman and anti-caste movements and ideas Ambedkar’s extremely acute observations are novel because he identifies for us the logic that underlies “the madness of Manu”, his obsession and his obvious misogyny, crucial and hegemonic aspects of the Hindu social order.

The book has four sections with an extensive introduction which interrogates the failure on the part of Indian feminists to seriously engage with Ambedkar’s writings on women -as he brings together the personal and the political, the home and community. (excerpts from a review

by Geetha V geethv@ gmail.com).

The Power of Promise Examining Nuclear energy in India

By M.V. Ramana Pgs. 400, Rs.699.

Penguin Books India

Nuclear power has been held out as possibly the most important source of

energy for India. And the dream of a nuclear powered India has been supported by huge financial budgets and high level political commitment for over six decades. Nuclear power has also been held out as safe, environmentally benign and cheap.

Physicist and writer, M.V. Ramana shows that nuclear power has been more expensive than conventional forms of electricity generation, that the ever-present risk of catastrophic accidents is heightened by observed organizational inadequacies at nuclear facilities, and that existing nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been correlated with impacts on public health and the environment. He offers detailed information and analysis.

The Power of Promise highlights how DAE (Dept. of Atomic Energy continues to rely on future projections with zero corelations to its past accomplishments.

It was PM Manmohan Singh’s statement in 2009 that "India would have 470 GW of nuclear power by midcentury" -100x that of India's current total that triggered Ramana’s research into evaluating DAEs history. Political ineptness has made slick scientists promise power generation and weaponisation that no other agency could offer and the resultant political clout has been used by the DAE to bypass democracy. What else can explain the fact that Koodankulam lies at the edge of the Gulf of Mannar, one of the world's richest marine biodiversity area and the hot water discharged after cooling nuclear reactors is likely to affect adversely this precious biological reserve.

Despite Chernobyl and Fukushima, corrupt politics continues to use power in any form to fulfil promises.

Reviews of the book:’Authoritative, state of the art analysis’—Jonathan Schell; ‘A landmark in the debate on nuclear energy in India’—Amita Baviskar.

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 : Rima Kashyap. C/o ERA, N. M. Wadia Bldg, 123 M G Road, Mumbai 400 001. Tel. 09341867487 E-mail : shaktisrc@yahoo.com, ngoconnectindia@gmail.com Editor : Rima Kashyap.