UNICEF, Save The Children Fund team up to eliminate child labour

Unicef and Save the Children Fund (SCF), two of the largest child rights organisations, have teamed up to start a project that will focus on eliminating child labour and running intervention programme to educate children working in the cotton growing states of India, including Gujarat.
Besides Gujarat, the project will be initiated in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

The two groups will also push for bringing amendments in the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (CLPRA), 1986, which allows children to work for a stipulated time in non-hazardous work, bound by certain conditions. However, they say that it contradicts the right of every child to free and compulsory education (as per 21(a) of the Constitution). The experts are demanding that the age for work is raised to 18 and above.

As per the 2001 census, there were 4, 85,530 children below 14 years of age who were working in different sectors in the state including zari work, zardozi work, jewellery, domestic work, and at cloth markets, eateries and restaurants. Besides this, the cotton growing regions also have children employed in large numbers.

UNICEF and SCF will start the project in Kutch and Vadodara and move on to Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Sabarkantha and Bharuch in the second phase. “The focus is to eliminate child labour from the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat,” said Mohammed Aftab of SCF.

One the NGOs that will implement the intervention programme with UNICEF and SCF, said that children working in the agriculture sector are the most affected.

“As per the government data, the maximum number of children are employed in the agriculture sector. Although the law defines the conditions under which farmers can employ children, these are never followed. The only way out is to amend the law,” said Sukhdev Patel of a partner NGO in Vadodara.

Gujarat has charted out the State Action Plan 2010 to eliminate child labour on the lines of the Central government.

“As per this plan, we will eliminate child labour in Gujarat and provide the children the right to education. We will take the help of some NGOs to execute this plan,” said RM Patel, Principal Secretary, state Labour Department.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/UNICEF--Save-The-Children-Fund-team-up-to-eliminate-child-labour/468933

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Eco-Consciousness through ‘Bhagidari’ (Partnership) with Delhi’s Citizens

One of the most difficult tasks in achieving a greener and more resource efficient life on planet Earth is changing inherent patterns or attitudes in each and everyone of us. Because it is the direct grand collective impact of our actions in regards to resource usage and consumption that will determine the future of Earth’s environment. Creating awareness and eco-consciousness is a critical first step in this. The Bhagidari of Delhi (India) Government, a citizen-government partnership initiative, has been making serious attempts at creating awareness amongst the citizens of Delhi regarding environment and pushing them towards more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

In a manner, it is also a matter of honing the consciousness in a particular direction. I am reminded of the Delhi bill-boards that I had barely glanced at as I drove by – “I will use jute-bags” or “Light-up a smile” or “I will not use the shower.” My fleeting first look had left me wondering. As I had better chances to read th “e bill-boards more closely, things started to fall in place and I was left with a different kind of wonderment.

The Bhagidari (rooted in sharing and meaning partnership) was launched in December 1998 by Delhi government for citizens’ partnership in Governance. Though initially it started as a mechanism for allowing citizens and citizen bodies to voice their grievances, it has overtime it has evolved into a process with multiple stakeholder in Delhi’s governance including citizen groups, NGOs and the Government itself. It is the manner in which the Bhagidari, the partnership, is being leveraged to hone the eco-consciousness of the citizens, which is impressively striking. The school children in association with NGO’s have been spearheading the ‘Save Water’ campaign. Spreading the message and distributing pamphlets, educating people about the importance of conserving water to the numerous lanes and by-lanes of the city. And as they have canvassed through the streets of Delhi, the student volunteers also screened for simple water wastage incidents such as overflowing tanks, leaking water coolers and pleaded with the dwellers to get the leaks plugged.

Included in partnership, in Bhagidari, are the Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) from different regions of Delhi. RWAs are playing increasingly significant role in water conservation as well. In partnership with Delhi Jal (Water) Board (DJB), RWAs are getting involved in installation of Rain Water-Harvesting, replacing old water distribution pipes and de-silting of sewers. Just like the school children, RWA’s have also been instrumental in the impressing upon the citizens the need for conserving water as well as in providing simple tips for water conservation, like turning off the tap while shaving or using bucket for taking a bath instead of using a shower. Similarly under the “Save Energy” campaign, RWA’s have been helping out with finding faulty meters to avoid energy pilferage or help with replacement of low tension wires. Critically, also, educating people about benefits of using CFL bulbs instead of regular bulbs.

At the same time the Delhi government is advertising heavily to sharpen the people’s conciousness in a particular direction. Bill-boards that had always (in my memory) been an instrument of commercial advertising were serving as vehicles for greater social awareness. I have been wondering about the tremendous expense certain political parties must have incurred for their bill-board campaigns in recent parliamentary elections in India. But I am wondering more about the recent public awareness initiatives. On bill-boards – big or small, prominent roadside ones or tucked inside the bus-stops – Delhi government’s campaign for environment and planet’s precious resources looks valiant. I am sure it will provide much fodder to those minds that otherwise would not even have wandered in that direction: “I will not use the shower but bathe using bucket and mug” (Save Water campaign); “I will use CFLs” (Save Electricity campaign); “If I don’t use plastic bags, drains won’t get clogged and Delhi will be a cleaner city” (Save Our Environment campaign).

Another small step comes to mind. The beautification of the old style street electric boxes in Palo Alto was another interesting campaign. Finding the old-style electric boxes in downtown Palo Alto an eye-sore, some artists had picked their brushes to paint them pretty. Closer look usually reveals a message in similar, save-our-environment vein.

It is very hard to know how much of a dividend these awareness campaigns will yield and whether it will justify the outlay towards such advertising. But in a more fundamental sense, creation of awareness and change of behavior are really hard to achieve. Even limited success of these campaigns by changing inherent patterns or attitudes (in even a few people) could be a useful contribution. Hopefully these small steps will build towards a big march for improvements in our environment.

Source: http://ecoworldly.com/2009/05/31/eco-consciousness-through-bhagidari-partnership-with-delhis-citizens/

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

The Nalanda Centre for Holistic Learning available for Community Programme

Times Foundation, the developmental wing of the Times Group endeavors to create an enabling environment that fosters development through a range of activities like advocacy, partnership building and implementation of social programs.

One of these initiatives is the Nalanda World Wisdom Centre, which seeks to reincarnate the essence of the Nalanda University at Pataliputra of ancient India . The Nalanda World Wisdom Centre aims to facilitate holistic learning by enhancing the well being of communities through rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul.

The spectrum and character of the programs ranges from the traditional to the modern aspects such as Spirituality, yoga & meditation, health programs ranging from counseling to support groups, art & culture, professional skill enhancement such as human resources, legal and counseling skills.

The Nalanda centers have been conceptualized as a platform for holistic development. We offer the venue at no cost to those individuals or organizations who wish to conduct suitable programs at these venues. In return the organizations are required to contribute by replicating the same programmes for disadvantaged segments and audiences.

Nalanda Centres :
CST
Lower Parel
Bandra
Nalanda @ HELP


We are proud to announce the opening of yet another Nalanda centre at Masjid Bunder .

This would be the focus of programmes required by marginalized, underprivileged and socially excluded groups and communities. Thus the society around the centre would benefit from programmes on health, women empowerment, educational and development workshops for children and youth, in addition to the life transforming spiritual programmes

Having an area of 2500 sq.ft working space with all facilities, the new branch is located at -
Masjid Bunder
M.S. Godown,
The Times of India ,
Masjid Siding Road ,
Wadi Bunder,
Nr. Ghadial Godi, Mumbai-400 009
Contact details -022-22733212 / 22733242
E-mail: nalanda@timesgroup.com

Nalanda being a platform for holistic development will provide the venue at no cost to interested / concerned individuals and groups to organize social development based programs and courses.


Posted by:
Divya Mahimkar
Times Foundation
divya.mahimkar@timesgroup.com

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Required a SOCIAL WORKER for NGO working with Senior Citizens

POSITION TITLE: Social Worker

REPORTING TO: President / Director

LOCATION: Mumbai, India

Silver Innings is a Social Entrepreneur organization dedicated for the cause of elderly and their family members. We are committed in ensuring that ageing becomes a positive, rewarding experience for all. On 10th April 2008 Silver Innings (SI) started off with a website www.silverinnings.com which contains comprehensive information for elderly and issues related to them. After the success of the website, Silver Inning Foundation an NGO was started initially to provide non-institutional services for the elderly.

Silver Inning Foundation (SIF) requires a full time Social Worker for managing services and projects that we are currently running and also planning to start. Trained Social Workers or persons with experience in the social sector can apply. The person concerned should be interested and willing to work for the cause of the elderly. He or she should be Passionate, Progressive, Non materialistic, Self Starter, open to new ideas and Technology friendly.

The roles and responsibilities would include the following:
Initiation and co-ordination of projects
Conducting surveys
Writing reports/proposals
Conducting volunteers meetings
Managing and coordinating with volunteers
Representing SIF at various forums
Handling dementia cases and other case work
Handling Elder Abuse
Counseling
Attending conference/seminar
Organising/Conducting Workshop, Lecture, Talks
Coordination with government authorities
Handling CSR projects
Networking with NGO’s and organisations
Fund Raising
Events and activities


Must Have/Be:
Operations and management skill
Leadership skills and ability to manage and motivate team/teams.
Skills in Networking and Advocacy
Good communication & representational skills.
The incumbent must be able to commit to a minimum of 3 year full time stint.
Patience and good listeners
Entrepreneurial skills
Willing to learn
Must be willing to travel any where in India


Preference:
Mumbai based candidates only
Fluent in English, Marathi and Hindi
Ready to join immediately/one month
Fresh / 1 to 3 years experience


Qualification:
BSW /MSW
Graduates


We assure you of Job Satisfaction and Growth.

Please note as SIF is startup organisation Salary will not be in five digits for at least one year and later it will be decided as per appraisal report and performance.


Interested individuals may please submit their CV, with a passport size photo and 3 references by email to silverinnings@gmail.com with the subject line indicating Social Worker-SIF.No phone calls and application by post/courier will not be entertained. Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted. The last date of receiving applications is 10th June 2009. Appointment will be preferably from 1st July 2009.

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Platform for the youth

Jaivir Singh, co-chairman, Young Indians Education Committee, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), speaks on how the youth can make a difference in educating the masses.

Young Indians (YI), an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has recently launched Akshara, a project that focuses on primary education along with environment and primary healthcare of children from classes I to V. It is a platform for the youth from different walks of life to engage and share ideas at a national level. Akshara focuses on primary education of young students by establishing a 'Learning Resource Centre' at a chosen school. These learning centres also aim to achieve positive learning outcomes like quick learning, better performance in exams, positive attitude towards school and a constant motivation to pursue further learning, among others.

On how the youth can do their bit for the society, Singh informs, "The Delhi chapter alone plans to initiate 10 Aksharas in the year 2009-10 and has ambitious plans for other programmes relating to healthcare and employability. YI is open to all young Indians who want to help in realising the dream of a developed, economically strong and equitious India. Membership is open to people below the age of 40 years and currently the national membership stands close to a 1,000 members."

YI actively engages with government, corporations, civil society groups and NGOs to discuss and formulate plans for ground level programmes. Elaborating on its development programmes, Singh says, "YI works towards promoting leadership skills for the development and engagement of students in schools and colleges through its 44 Students' Net platform. This platform engages more than 3,000 students from 35 educational institutions across India. We hope to take the YI message to an even larger audience of young Indians at the local and national level."

Singh was also instrumental in launching Nanhi Chhaan — an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the protection and development of the girl child and the environment. "We will be running programmes to address the issue of female foeticide and infanticide in villages across North India. We also aim to plant over 5,00,000 saplings over the course of this year," he adds.

YI undertakes activities in areas such as economy, education, healthcare, youth affairs, employability and the environment. Through its various initiatives, it has so far impacted around 15,000 students across 50 centres.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Platform-for-the-youth/articleshow/4572976.cms

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

No Place to be Disabled

India passed a law for equal opportunities and rights for persons with disabilities in 1995, but in spite of taking more steps than some other developing countries, its 60 million physically challenged population remains hugely disadvantaged.

"There are very few options in wheelchair production, especially for children, with no regular supply of whatever is available," K.N. Gopinath, assistant director of the Bangalore-based Association of People with Disabilities (APD), a national organisation working to empower the physically challenged told IPS.

Technology in locomotion and mobility for the disabled has progressed worldwide, but India continues to use antiquated tricycles and wheelchairs as mobility devices.

"Basic understanding of mobility is lacking in India today," APD director V.S. Basavaraju told IPS.

Thirty-two-year-old Usman, who works for a company manufacturing aids and appliances for the disabled in Bangalore, says he has never boarded a bus or train. "Even though people are willing to help you, it is still nearly impossible to use public transport here.

" Nineteen-year-old Hanumantha says he has an arrangement with a colleague to drop him home every evening. In return Hanumantha buys him a ticket to the movies once a fortnight. "My father brings me to office everyday, carries me and sits me down," he says.

Only about 15 percent of the loco motor disabled in India are able to use public transport, as compared to over 65 percent of disabled populations in developed countries. The rest struggle to commute daily - or are immobilised.

India's social support network of family and friends is much stronger than in developed nations, but there is little barrier-free access to public facilities.

Usman is one of the luckier ones. His inputs on what suits the disabled most were used by his employers, the Bangalore-based Indian company Flexitron, to design a low-cost, motorised, rechargeable bike for the disabled, priced Rs. 18,000 (356 dollars). Similar bikes cost around 3,000 dollars in western markets.

Most of Flexitron's labour are disabled or challenged individuals who test their own products for usability and durability, thereby serving both their own livelihood interests and those of the company.

But private companies like Flexitron lack access to government channels which use the public sector Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Company (ALIMCO) to source disability appliances.

Not surprisingly, Flexitron now has a major market outside India, selling low- cost, low-wattage consumption technologies, including 53 disability- assistance devices, to 16 countries.

Flexitron director R.S. Hiremath acknowledges that India has a poor record in research and development, but says there are several low-cost options that could be made in India for everyday needs, such as cutlery that can be grasped by those without fingers, or mats that allow a person to transport himself from wheelchair to bed, or bathroom devices.

"These would be simple devices, so very useful for the disabled, at half the price compared to western countries," he says.

But progress is patchy. "There is no actual discussion across all sectors of related users and manufacturers," Gopinath told a gathering at the APD golden jubilee celebrations in Bangalore last month. He said that the 1995 law, the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act is dependent on funding without designating a specified source for it.

India's Deputy Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, T.D. Dhariyal, says each state in India has its own priorities to arrange funding.

India is a signatory to the UN Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Region and to the Biwako Millennium framework for action towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society. The Biwako framework of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) was agreed in Japan in 2002.

Barrier-free systems use appliances and designs such as stair lifts at metro stations, wheelchair-friendly ramps, Braille signboards, and accessible ticketing counters.

The only places in Asia with near-total barrier-free public environments by UNESCAP standards are Hong Kong and Japan.

Dhariyal says India's Disabilities Act of 1995 provides a strong fillip to ensuring the rights of the disabled.

"I am currently fighting a case in court of a visually impaired government officer who has been denied the position of District Collector (a senior administrative rank) because of his disability," says Dhariyal. The Act now makes it possible to take up such cases, he said.

India's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, responsible for the disabled, has six schemes for rehabilitation, livelihood, education and assisted device grants, more than what most other nations have.

The amount of assistance on offer is, however, inadequate. "How much can Rs. 6,000 (118 dollars), given as grant for aids and appliances by the government really help?" says Hiremath.

But many are not able to access even this fund.

"My experience is that most of the current funding available (for disability- related aid) remains unused," Dhariyal told IPS.

"We (APD) are now saying that what we have today in India is not enough, that we need value addition to mobility issues," says APD director V.S. Basavaraju.

Dhariyal agrees that quality could be improved. "If aids of better quality are the issue, then somebody should approach the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (looking after disability-related governance) and put it to them," he says, sending the ball back to the court of organisations like APD.

Source: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46960

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

No country for women

"She would never have been born if her parents had not wanted a daughter." This copy went along with a small photograph of Indira Gandhi as a young girl. It was one of the prize-winning entries nearly two decades ago in the Ashok Jain Awards for Public Awareness Advertising. It was also a direct attack on the growing practice of female foeticide in India, driven by the then-new medical technology called amniocentesis. This added to the already rampant practice of female infanticide in some parts of the country and led to a sharp fall in the sex ratio biased against females.

The 2001 Census shows that the sex ratio is continuing to drop at an alarming rate all over the country though the degree might differ from one state to another. According to some estimates made by Population First, a non-government organisation that works on population and health issues in India, approximately five million female foetuses will be aborted every year over the next five years. Child sex ratio statistics in the 0-6 group has been showing a continuous decline over the last four decades, growing sharper since 1981.

The current all-India sex ratio in the 0-6 group is 927:1000, which is a dangerous sign of a demographic catastrophe on a nation-wide scale. This fall, from 976:1000 in 1961, is alarming because the country is registering an upward growth in many other areas. This underscores that economic prosperity and education have no bearing on the sex ratio, or, in other words, the traditional preference of sons over daughters. It also points to the fact that modern medical technology is being used for purposes that are at complete odds with the stated goals of healthcare.

Testing times
In India, amniocentesis was first used to detect abnormalities in the unborn foetus in 1975, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. As soon as news spread that these tests could also detect the sex of the foetus, doctors at AIIMS noticed that most of the 11,000 couples who volunteered for the test were interested only in knowing the sex of their unborn baby and had no interest about genetic abnormalities. Women, who already had two or more daughters, asked for abortion, legalised in 1972.

Today, the three chief pre-natal diagnostic tests that are being misused to determine the sex of a foetus are amniocentesis, Chronic Villi Biopsy (CVB) and ultrasonography. Amniocentesis is meant to be used in high-risk pregnancies, in women over 35 years. Amniocentesis is advised in the following cases: when the pregnant woman has a history of one abnormal child - mentally or physically challenged; when either parent has a congenital defect; when the couple falls within the 'high-risk' category of producing a defective child; when a previous child has been born with Down's Syndrome or neural tube defects; when parents have hereditary and metabolic disorders; to detect haemophilia, a rare blood disease; and when sex has to be determined for sex-linked hereditary diseases.

Amniocentesis tests can detect 1500 genetic abnormalities, thus helping in advising parents to decide whether they would like to have the child carried till full term or whether they would prefer to get it aborted.

Similarly, CVB is used to diagnose inherited diseases like thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. Ultrasonography is the most commonly used technique as it is non-invasive and can identify up to 50 per cent of abnormalities related to the central nervous system of the foetus. But sex determination has become its preferred application. This is despite the fact that using diagnostic techniques for sex-selection is discriminatory and violates the fundamental right to equality, not to mention the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act - PC and PNDT Act of 1994.

The Act disallows the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for sex determination; it says that such techniques can be used only for detecting genetic or metabolic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities or certain congenital malformations or sex-linked disorders. The Act adds, "No person conducting prenatal diagnostic procedures shall communicate to the pregnant woman concerned or her relatives the sex of the foetus by words, signs on in any other manner."

The Parliament enacted the Act after the disturbing child sex ratios in the 1991 Census figures led to consistent campaigning on the issue by women's groups and other civil society groups across the country. The Act has been upheld by the Mumbai High Court in the case of Mr and Mrs Soni vs. Union of India and CEHAT, 2005. The judgement states: "The right to life or personal liberty cannot be expanded to mean that the right to personal liberty includes the personal liberty to determine the sex of the child which may come into existence. Right to bring into existence a life in future with a choice to determine the sex of that life cannot in itself be a right."

Read More: http://www.indiatogether.org/2008/apr/wom-nowomen.htm

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Why Dalits Have Slammed Mayawati’s Sarvjan Formula?

Kanshi Ram and Mayawati started their politics with “Tilak, Traju aur Talwar- inko maro jute char” (beat the Brahmins, Banias and Thakurs with shoes) and “Vote hamara raj tumhara nahin chalega” (we won’t allow you to rule us with our vote). Besides this, in order to attract Dalits (Scheduled Castes.) they gave the slogans like “Baba tera mission adhura, Kanshi Ram karenge pura” (Kanshi Ram will fulfill the mission left incomplete by Dr. Ambedkar) and “Political power is the key to the entire problem.” Through these slogans they aimed at attracting and agitating the dalits against the ‘Savarans’( higher castes) and they succeeded also to a good extent. This polarization of dalits was further facilitated by the political vacuum created by the division and downfall of Republican Party of India which was established by Dr. Ambedkar himself in 1956.

Since 1995 Mayawati made various experiments to broaden the base of her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). In the beginning it was known as the party of the dalits only. Later on Muslims and Other Backward Castes were also co-opted. It fought the 1993 Assembly election jointly with Samajwadi Party (S.P.), a party of Other Backward Classes and made good gains. It resulted in the formation of first coalition government of BSP and SP in Uttar Pradesh state of India. This coalition of natural allies became a subject of discussion all over India but soon a clash of personal ambitions resulted in its fall in June, 1995. Kanshi Ram and Mayawati grabbed the post of Chief Minister by making an unethical and opportunist alliance with Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP.), a party of orthodox Hindus and the bitterest enemy of dalits. This put the dalit movement and dalit politics on the path of opportunism bereft of principles. It not only confused the direction of dalit politics but also fogged the difference between friends and foes of dalits. This alliance not only gave a lease of life to the dying BJP but also broke the natural alliance of dalits and Backward Castes for ever. This unprincipled and opportunistic alliance was justified as being essential for getting into power and party workers were mislead by this briefing.

This alliance with BJP not only confused the dalits but Muslims also moved away from BSP as they consider BJP as their bitterest enemy. During the first tenure of BSP rule in 1995 some land was distributed to empower the dalits because till then the party workers had some presssure on the party leadership. But later on in order to please the Upperr Caste people dalit interests were given a go bye and getting power became the sole motive of the party leadership. After first tenure of Chief Ministership of Mayawati, this process became faster and BSP raced towards ‘Sarvjan’ throwing aside the Bahujan. In every election moneyed, musclemen and mafias were given preference being winning candidates and dalits were restricted to reserved seats only. Party mission was overtaken by money power and muscle power. Old missionary party workers and those who were close to Kanshi Ram were made to exit the party unceremoniously. As such dalits were put on the margin in the party but they continued to be with the party with the hope that one day they may also get some benefit of government but their hopes were belied.

From 1995 to 2003 Mayawati thrice became the Chief Minster of Uttar Pardesh (U.P) but she always took the help of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). During this period neither any dalit agenda was chalked out nor any effort was made in that direction. During 1993 this author during many discussions with Kanshi Ram suggested chalking out a dalit agenda but my suggestions were ignored. I think it was done purposely because declaration of an agenda brings upon a duty to implement it and if failed it brings upon the responsibility and accountability for the failure. It is a matter of regret and sorrow that a party seeking political power in the name of dalits has not framed any agenda till to date as a result of which the dalits have been deprived of any gain coming from a government being run in their name. The result is that the dalits of U.P. are the most backward dalits in whole of India barring those of Bihar and Orissa. During this period moneyed and musclemen of Upper Castes have been managing to get Assembly and Parliament tickets and getting elected they been enjoying the fruits of power whereas dalits with a meager representation have been deprived of all such benefits.

BSP, which is doing politics in the name of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, in its effort to secure power has totally ignored his warning in which he had said that “dalits have two enemies. One is Brahmanism and the other is Capitalism and dalits should never compromise with them.” But Mayawati has compromised with both by co-opting Brahmans and Corporate sector. At present dalit politics has become a tool for power grabbing. It reached its height when before 2007 Assembly elections Mayawati formed Dalit Brahman Bhaichara Committees (Dalit Brahmans Brotherhood Committees) headed by a Brahman president and a dalit as secretary.

The election success of BSP during 2007 was mainly attributed to the important role played by Brahmans and they got a lion’s share in power which was much disproportionate to their population. Dalits were reduced to the level of second class players in the Party and in minister ship. This methodology of co-opting Upper Caste people was publicized as new “Social Engineering” and BSP was transformed from the Party of dalits to a Party of Sarvjan (all inclusive).

During this period slogans such as “Haathi nahin Ganesh hai, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh hai” (it is not an elephant but a trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh- all Hindu gods) and “Brahman shankh bajaiga, Haathi dilli jaiga”( Brahman will blow the conch and elephant will march towards Delhi) were coined to placate the Upper caste persons much to the chagrin of dalits. Elephant symbolizes the symbol of BSP. The Varna system of graded inequality became fully operative in the Party and dalits were further pushed to the margin.

Even now during the present régime of Mayawati, dalits have been totally ignored and Sarvjan have occupied the front seats. All important ministerial posts have been given to Upper caste people. Mayawati’s personal corruption has percolated to all the branches of administration and U.P. has been assessed to be “ an alarmingly corrupt state”. The various welfare schemes aiming at empowering dalits and other weaker sections of society have fallen a prey to all pervading corruption thereby depriving the intended beneficiaries of their benefits.Balatant corruption came to light during recruitment to the posts of Safai Karamcharies (Sweepers). Similar complaints surfaced during other recruitments also. It is said that there might be only a few lucky persons who escaped payment of high price for government jobs. The funds intended for development works were spent on installation of statues including her own and creating royal memorials and parks.

The action of Mayawati of ignoring the dalits and giving preference to Upper Castes has resulted in disillusionment and anguish amongst dalits. This has been displayed by them during the recent 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Most of the criminals, moneyed men and muscle men fielded by Mayawati have been defeated as the dalits did not vote for them. Mayawati now and earlier also gave tickets to the persons whom she had herself accused of threat and assault during the Guest House case of 2nd June, 1995. But dalits refused to oblige her and almost all have been defeated.

The recent election results show that dalits have rejected Mayawati’s much trumpeted up “Sarvjan Formula” and she needs to do a serious introspection and learn from her mistakes otherwise it will prove to be a missed opportunity.

By S.R.Darapuri

Read More: http://www.countercurrents.org/darapuri210509.htm

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Water safety blueprint on the anvil

A study sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out that the standard of drinking water and sanitation in rural West Bengal is not good enough to prevent water-borne diseases. The situation might change for the better with Sulabh International Academy of Environmental Sanitation deciding to prepare guidelines on water safety plans for rural India with the help of various agencies.

"Water-borne diseases kill 782,000 people in India every year. There is an endeavour to improve drinking water supply and sanitation in Kolkata and some other cities under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme," said A K Sengupta, national professional officer of WHO's Sustainable Development and Healthy Environment. The guidelines prepared by the Sulabh academy might be implemented through the JNNURM scheme.

Sengupta said a study was conducted in Hyderabad to check how the city's sanitation and drinking water supply system was working. "It was a thorough study involving collection of field data, which was then used for GIS mapping to create a complete recordable data," he explained.

Chairman of the arsenic task force, state expert appraisal committee and professor of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, K J Nath, said a guideline on a water safety plan could act as an early warning system that can help prevent water-borne diseases. It would be a national guideline for all cities and rural areas to follow," he said.

Chandan Sengupta, chairman of the task force on total sanitation campaign and member of the arsenic task force, said the national rural drinking water supply programme, which was scheduled to be implemented from 2008 to 2012, got under way in April 1 this year. "In West Bengal, only 35% of the rural population has been covered by 1,150 piped water supply schemes, while the remaining 65% is covered by around 5,00,000 spot water sources like tube wells. By 2012, 50% of the rural population is likely to be covered by piped water supply schemes," he added.

NGOs need to be involved in providing an alternative safe drinking water supply system, he said, adding, "We have to ensure coordination between the bodies at the state level to further develop the system."

In Bengal, particularly in North and South 24-Parganas, a water safety plan is badly needed as many areas of both districts are affected by arsenic. Besides, the amalgamation of sewer and water supply lines in many places has created serious problems, particularly in rural areas.

Experts concede that there were no proper data and guidelines available with government bodies like the public health engineering and panchayat samitis to develop a drinking water supply and sanitation system.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kolkata-/Water-safety-blueprint-on-the-anvil/articleshow/4549394.cms

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

NGO requires Program Officer

Background
TCI Foundation is the social arm of Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCIL). TCIL is a pioneer in the sphere of goods transit in India and is India's leading multi-modal integrated supply chain solutions provider.

As part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s India AIDS Initiative, Avahan, the TCI Foundation is implementing Project Kavach, a $12.26 million project initiated in January 2004, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among long distance truckers in India. The project is presently operational at 19 large intervention locations across India.

Rationale of the Project
The unique challenges posed by the plethora of trucker-focused interventions in the country, the mobile nature of the population and the fragmented structure of the Indian transport industry explain why trucker interventions in India need a unique approach. TCI Foundation is attempting to address these issues by creatively deploying conventional business tools such as innovative communication and promotions to engage the trucker community, branding and merchandising to build a unique, highly recognizable programme identity and standardizing and scaling up service delivery across a network of major transshipment locations akin to the franchise business model. In order to achieve scale and visibility the programme plans to engage major corporates in the transport and related industries, as well as key stakeholders in the industry.

This programme employs a strong system of measurable indicators supplemented with regular survey-based mechanisms to monitor progress on major outcomes as well as a comprehensive evaluation plan to assess impact. A 17-member team operating out of Gurgaon (National HQ), Nagpur (Regional unit) and Bangalore (Regional unit) manages the project. The team is equipped with diverse skill sets including STI Management, Communication, M&E and Program Management.

In addition, the program has played a pivotal role in supporting the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in their efforts to design and implement a large scale National Program for HIV prevention among truckers under National AIDS Control Program (NACP) III. TCI Foundation’s engagement with NACO is focused on ensuring a seamless transfer of the project’s learning, systems and tools to the National Trucker Program as and when it rolls out.

NACO, as part of its NACP III, has prioritized HIV prevention among truckers as a key programme component and intends to launch the trucker program as a single national-level project to target long-distance truckers. NACO proposes to set up a National Trucker Consortium to design, manage and monitor national trucker interventions to halt the spread of HIV among the truckers. TCI Foundation, in partnership with All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has been selected by NACO to manage the National Consortium. Over the next couple of months, the team managing Kavach & Truckers TSG project will be around 40 - 45people.

Reason for Hire
TCI - Foundation is looking to hire Program Officer Positions at multiple locations (Mumbai, Bangalore & Chennai); who will be responsible for providing strategic support to implementing partners like SACS & NGOs in the areas of project planning, implementation & monitoring/impact measurement.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist SACS & NGO partners in planning and quality monitoring of the program.
• Co-ordinate and provide guidance to the implementing partners in her/his region.
• Responsible for quality monitoring and ensure timely recruitment of staff in respective intervention areas.
• Identifying the capacity building needs or any other specific intervention needs along with their Regional Managers.
• Facilitate field level interventions and provide assistance and timely guidance to NGO partners including training/studies conducted at the intervention areas.
• Monitoring and supportive supervision of NGO partners.
• Liaison with various stakeholders/ Government Agencies etc.
• Ensure timely data compilation/ narrative reports of all interventions.
• Social Mobilization at various levels.
  
  Must Have:
• Post Graduate degree in Social Science/Public Health/Social Work; with 5-8 years of relevant experience of working on HIV/AIDS prevention programmes/projects.
• Experience in providing technical support in project planning, implementation & monitoring (project based milestones); to partners like SACS, NGOs and other implementing agencies.
• Excellent relationship management skills; with experience of working with government agencies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English & Hindi.
• Problem solving and decision making skills.
• Prepared to travel frequently in the region.

Location: Multiple - Mumbai, Bangalore & Chennai

Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by TCI Foundation. Interested candidates can send in their CVs along with three references and a covernote to application.po@gmail.com or Contact us at: +91 22 6660 3558/6660 3559. The last date for submitting applications is 27th May 2009.

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.