In his new book, "Full Spectrum Dominance: Totalitarian Democracy in the New World Order," F. William Engdahl explained a new form of US covert warfare - first played out in Belgrade, Serbia in 2000. What appeared to be "a spontaneous and genuine political 'movement,' (in fact) was the product of techniques" developed in America over decades.
In the 1990s, RAND Corporation strategists developed the concept of "swarming" to explain "communication patterns and movement of" bees and other insects which they applied to military conflict by other means. More on this below.
In Belgrade, key organizations were involved, including the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and National Democratic Institute. Posing as independent NGOS, they're, in fact, US-funded organizations charged with disruptively subverting democracy and instigating regime changes through non-violent strikes, mass street protests, major media agitprop, and whatever else it takes short of military conflict.
Engdahl cited Washington Post writer Michael Dobbs' first-hand account of how the Clinton administration engineered Slobodan Milosevic's removal after he survived the 1990s Balkan wars, 78 days of NATO bombing in 1999, and major street uprisings against him. A $41 million campaign was run out of American ambassador Richard Miles' office. It involved "US-funded consultants" handling everything, including popularity polls, "training thousands of opposition activists and helping to organize a vitally important parallel vote count."
Thousands of spray paint cans were used "by student activists to scrawl anti-Milosevic graffiti on walls across Serbia," and throughout the country around 2.5 million stickers featured the slogan "Gotov Je," meaning "He's Finished."
Preparations included opposition leader training in nonviolent resistance techniques at a Budapest, Hungary seminar - on matters like "organiz(ing) strike(s), communicat(ing) with symbols....overcom(ing) fear, (and) undermin(ing) the authority of a dictatorial regime." US experts were in charge, incorporating RAND Corporation "swarming" concepts.
GPS satellite images were used to direct "spontaneous hit-and-run protests (able to) elude the police or military. Meanwhile, CNN (was) carefully pre-positioned to project images around the world of these youthful non-violent 'protesters.' " Especially new was the use of the Internet, including "chat rooms, instant messaging, and blog sites" as well as cell phone verbal and SMS text-messaging, technologies only available since the mid-1990s.
Milosevic was deposed by a successful high-tech coup that became "the hallmark of the US Defense policies under (Rumsfeld) at the Pentagon." It became the civilian counterpart to his "Revolution in Military Affairs" doctrine using "highly mobile, weaponized small groups directed by 'real time' intelligence and communications."
Belgrade was the prototype for Washington-instigated color revolutions to follow. Some worked. Others failed. A brief account of several follows below.
In 2003, Georgia's bloodless "Rose Revolution" replaced Edouard Shevardnadze with Mikhail Saakashvili, a US-installed stooge whom Engdahl calls a "ruthless and corrupt totalitarian who is tied (not only to) NATO (but also) the Israeli military and intelligence establishment." Shevardnadze became a liability when he began dealing with Russia on energy pipelines and privatizations. Efforts to replace him played out as follows, and note the similarities to events in Iran after claims of electoral fraud.
Read More: http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman290609.html
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Barefootjobs.org : Job portal for social sector
Greetings,
Allow us to introduce ourselves as a recruitment firm with over three years of expertise and knowledge in the social development sector. Third Sector Partners is a boutique search firm that combines expertise with knowledge and provides highly skilled professionals for all top tier positions in NGOs and charities.
Now, we are proud to announce our newest job portal, Barefootjobs.org. Barefootjobs.org aims to plug the gap for quality professionals at the grass root level in the non profit sector. It will be a fast and easy to access portal that will enable NGO's, Corporate, Funding agencies and academic institutions to access resumes through our resume bank.
Being the one stop shop for potential job seekers and employers, it is already on the path to become the single largest database of qualified professionals looking to enter this highly challenging job sector.
Non-profit entities are rapidly getting on to the internet and using technology to network and capitalize on each other’s strengths.
This portal is been developed after lot of research and understanding of the social sector. It will endeavor to reduce the recruitment costs of the non-profits by providing a high-class technology based job portal.
Primarily, it would cater to the jobs in the following sectors:
Ø Age Care
Ø Animal Welfare
Ø Children & Youth
Ø Corporate Social Responsibility
Ø Disability
Ø Education
Ø Environment
Ø Human Rights
Ø Rehabilitation and Disaster Management
Ø Microfinance
Ø Poverty Alleviation (including Livelihood)
Ø Public Health
Ø Rural Development
Ø Women’s Issues
Ø Information, Communication and Technology
Ø Tribal Welfare
Ø Urban Development
Ø Academic Institutions
Ø And other developmental issues.
Log on to Barefootjobs.org now. A click is all that separates you from a world of highly challenging and lucrative job opportunities and professionals looking for such jobs.
Team Barefootjobs.org
Mumbai, India.
Tel: +91 22 6660 3558, 6660 3559
www.barefootjobs.org
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Allow us to introduce ourselves as a recruitment firm with over three years of expertise and knowledge in the social development sector. Third Sector Partners is a boutique search firm that combines expertise with knowledge and provides highly skilled professionals for all top tier positions in NGOs and charities.
Now, we are proud to announce our newest job portal, Barefootjobs.org. Barefootjobs.org aims to plug the gap for quality professionals at the grass root level in the non profit sector. It will be a fast and easy to access portal that will enable NGO's, Corporate, Funding agencies and academic institutions to access resumes through our resume bank.
Being the one stop shop for potential job seekers and employers, it is already on the path to become the single largest database of qualified professionals looking to enter this highly challenging job sector.
Non-profit entities are rapidly getting on to the internet and using technology to network and capitalize on each other’s strengths.
This portal is been developed after lot of research and understanding of the social sector. It will endeavor to reduce the recruitment costs of the non-profits by providing a high-class technology based job portal.
Primarily, it would cater to the jobs in the following sectors:
Ø Age Care
Ø Animal Welfare
Ø Children & Youth
Ø Corporate Social Responsibility
Ø Disability
Ø Education
Ø Environment
Ø Human Rights
Ø Rehabilitation and Disaster Management
Ø Microfinance
Ø Poverty Alleviation (including Livelihood)
Ø Public Health
Ø Rural Development
Ø Women’s Issues
Ø Information, Communication and Technology
Ø Tribal Welfare
Ø Urban Development
Ø Academic Institutions
Ø And other developmental issues.
Log on to Barefootjobs.org now. A click is all that separates you from a world of highly challenging and lucrative job opportunities and professionals looking for such jobs.
Team Barefootjobs.org
Mumbai, India.
Tel: +91 22 6660 3558, 6660 3559
www.barefootjobs.org
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Chief Marketing Officer: Required by Indian NGO
Kaivalya Education Foundation
Creating the next generation of social change leaders today
Gandhi Fellowship believes in young people’s potential. We want to encourage and inspire young graduates and professionals to contribute to India’s future. We offer the opportunity for talented young people to spend two years in a rural, tribal or urban area developing their ability to create positive change. On the ground, Fellows support headmasters to turn around failing government schools and engage in intensive personal development work and training. At the end of the programme Fellows are equipped with the skills and know-how to create change in themselves and society.
We want Gandhi Fellowship to be ‘the fellowship of choice’ for young people. We need a talented, innovative Chief Marketing Officer to increase the programme’s visibility, reputation and aspirational value, encouraging more young people to apply for the programme.
The CMO will be responsible for designing and executing a dynamic marketing and brand management strategy for Gandhi Fellowship increasing the calibre and size of the target audience.
Preferred skills/experience: Enthusiastic and innovative approach to social change
Post-graduate education in marketing, advertising or communication
5-10 years experience in brand management or marketing preferably to youth
Demonstrated ability and experience in mentoring and leading team members
Confidence in communicating and ability to dialogue on complex issues
Skilled in interacting and developing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Self-starter with very flexible and self-disciplined approach to work
Willingness to live in Delhi and travel out of station when necessary
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision and
Committed to ongoing personal development.
Gandhi Fellowship is an initiative of Kaivalya Education Foundation. We are a dynamic forward thinking organisation. By joining us you will participate in cutting edge initiatives to create social change, work in an open, reflective team environment with other young, energetic professionals from across India helping to create the next generation of leaders for social change.
To find our more:
Check out the Gandhi Fellows themselves in our video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d7Wn9p-K44, blog; www.gandhifellowship.blogspot.com and more of our vision from Echoing Green, one of our sponsors, http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/aditya-natraj.
Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by Kaivalya Education Foundation for this search. Interested candidates can send in their CVs along with three references and a cover note to application.cmo@gmail.com, or contact us at: +91 22 6660 3558/6660 3559. Only short listed candidates would be contacted.
Last date for receiving applications is 20th July 2009.
Apply now to create the next generation of long term social change leaders.
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Creating the next generation of social change leaders today
Gandhi Fellowship believes in young people’s potential. We want to encourage and inspire young graduates and professionals to contribute to India’s future. We offer the opportunity for talented young people to spend two years in a rural, tribal or urban area developing their ability to create positive change. On the ground, Fellows support headmasters to turn around failing government schools and engage in intensive personal development work and training. At the end of the programme Fellows are equipped with the skills and know-how to create change in themselves and society.
We want Gandhi Fellowship to be ‘the fellowship of choice’ for young people. We need a talented, innovative Chief Marketing Officer to increase the programme’s visibility, reputation and aspirational value, encouraging more young people to apply for the programme.
The CMO will be responsible for designing and executing a dynamic marketing and brand management strategy for Gandhi Fellowship increasing the calibre and size of the target audience.
Preferred skills/experience: Enthusiastic and innovative approach to social change
Post-graduate education in marketing, advertising or communication
5-10 years experience in brand management or marketing preferably to youth
Demonstrated ability and experience in mentoring and leading team members
Confidence in communicating and ability to dialogue on complex issues
Skilled in interacting and developing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Self-starter with very flexible and self-disciplined approach to work
Willingness to live in Delhi and travel out of station when necessary
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision and
Committed to ongoing personal development.
Gandhi Fellowship is an initiative of Kaivalya Education Foundation. We are a dynamic forward thinking organisation. By joining us you will participate in cutting edge initiatives to create social change, work in an open, reflective team environment with other young, energetic professionals from across India helping to create the next generation of leaders for social change.
To find our more:
Check out the Gandhi Fellows themselves in our video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d7Wn9p-K44, blog; www.gandhifellowship.blogspot.com and more of our vision from Echoing Green, one of our sponsors, http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/aditya-natraj.
Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by Kaivalya Education Foundation for this search. Interested candidates can send in their CVs along with three references and a cover note to application.cmo@gmail.com, or contact us at: +91 22 6660 3558/6660 3559. Only short listed candidates would be contacted.
Last date for receiving applications is 20th July 2009.
Apply now to create the next generation of long term social change leaders.
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Required PROJECT MANAGER EDUCATION :NGO Job in India
Background
Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by a preeminent Foundation to recruit a Project Manager for their Education initiative.
The Foundation is a non-religious and non-political charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act. The main objectives of the foundation include various activities pivoting around education, health care and wildlife conservation.
The foundation aims to focus on the following activities in the domain of Education for the next couple of years.
• Revamping existing academic infrastructure: for e.g converting a boarding facility in Dadar to a college, expanding a school for underprivileged girls to cater to 3,000 students, setting up co-ed schools.
• The Foundation would like to build capacity of the existing government schools. They would also work closely with various education initiatives to inculcate values in students, build and shape a solid character and at the same time nurture their quest to learn in the context of evolving sophistication in learning.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Project Manager Education will take primary responsibility for setting up the education vertical for the foundation including, strategy, planning, resourcing , identifying relevant partners for the program, stakeholder management, financial management, operations oversight, communications and when required fundraising.
Qualification required for the positions:• The incumbent would need to be a self starter with an entrepreneurial bent of mind, having demonstrated the ability to build, support and lead an organization/initiative into its growth phase.
• Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, preferably in teaching methodologies and community involvement in schools
• Good understanding of project management and goal setting.
• Understanding of the ‘principles of partnership’ with multiple stakeholders i.e. NGO Sector, government sector, private partners.
• Good communication skills and capability to represent the organization in professional forums.
• Ability to travel at least ten days a month.
Preferable:
• Exposure and experience in financial accounting and reporting
• Demonstrated passion and experience of providing service to the Society.
Location: Mumbai
Interested candidates can send in their CVs along with three references and a cover note to application.edu.hkf@gmail.com, anamika@thirdsectorpartners.com or Contact us at: +91 22 6660 3558/6660 3559. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
The last date for submitting applications is 13th July 2009.
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by a preeminent Foundation to recruit a Project Manager for their Education initiative.
The Foundation is a non-religious and non-political charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act. The main objectives of the foundation include various activities pivoting around education, health care and wildlife conservation.
The foundation aims to focus on the following activities in the domain of Education for the next couple of years.
• Revamping existing academic infrastructure: for e.g converting a boarding facility in Dadar to a college, expanding a school for underprivileged girls to cater to 3,000 students, setting up co-ed schools.
• The Foundation would like to build capacity of the existing government schools. They would also work closely with various education initiatives to inculcate values in students, build and shape a solid character and at the same time nurture their quest to learn in the context of evolving sophistication in learning.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Project Manager Education will take primary responsibility for setting up the education vertical for the foundation including, strategy, planning, resourcing , identifying relevant partners for the program, stakeholder management, financial management, operations oversight, communications and when required fundraising.
Qualification required for the positions:• The incumbent would need to be a self starter with an entrepreneurial bent of mind, having demonstrated the ability to build, support and lead an organization/initiative into its growth phase.
• Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, preferably in teaching methodologies and community involvement in schools
• Good understanding of project management and goal setting.
• Understanding of the ‘principles of partnership’ with multiple stakeholders i.e. NGO Sector, government sector, private partners.
• Good communication skills and capability to represent the organization in professional forums.
• Ability to travel at least ten days a month.
Preferable:
• Exposure and experience in financial accounting and reporting
• Demonstrated passion and experience of providing service to the Society.
Location: Mumbai
Interested candidates can send in their CVs along with three references and a cover note to application.edu.hkf@gmail.com, anamika@thirdsectorpartners.com or Contact us at: +91 22 6660 3558/6660 3559. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
The last date for submitting applications is 13th July 2009.
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
PROJECT MANAGER – HEALTHCARE: Required by Indian NGO
Third Sector Partners, a leading CxO and board search firm in the Not for Profit sector has been retained by a preeminent Foundation to recruit a Project Manager for their Health initiative.
After his long and successful run in the financial sector, the founder of this pre-eminent Foundation has now shifted focus to working more actively on philanthropic activities, in keeping with family tradition. The family has been instrumental in several philanthropic activities. The Foundation is a non-religious and non-political charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act, came into existence in the year 2008. The main objectives of the foundation include various activities pivoting around education, health care and wildlife conservation.
The Foundation runs and manages a charitable hospital in Mumbai which was set up by the family. The hospital is currently in the process of being revamped. In addition to the hospital, the foundation also has established a Sanatorium in Deoli near Nashik, which was built in order to allow tuberculosis patients to recuperate. The Sanatorium is currently under renovation; additional facilities are being added to this infrastructure. Part of this infrastructure would be age care homes, especially for those elders whose children are not in India. As a recent addition, Ayurvedic treatment is being added to the portfolio of services and treatments.
As part of the conservation and education project, skill training centers are being put in place near the forest reserves. Other health related activities would be integrated around the forest areas and schools.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Against this background, our client is looking for a dynamic individual, who will set up the health care vertical, conceptualize, strategize and plan various activities and ensure effective implementation of the same.
The Foundation seeks to hire the Project Manager – Healthcare, who will be responsible for providing strategic vision & leadership towards the design & implementation of health programmes and strengthen the Foundation’s endeavour to actively participate & monitor health sector programming in India.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Manager will take primary responsibility for setting up the health vertical for the foundation including, strategy, planning, resourcing, identifying relevant partners for the program, stakeholder management, operations oversight, communications and when required fundraising.
• Create a strategic road map for the healthcare vertical in line with the needs of India and the vision of the Foundation.
• The Project Manager - Healthcare will be responsible for building on the organization’s vision and mission, implementation model, and aspirations and articulate the value proposition of the health vertical.
• Develop the strategic plan and road map for the organization in the short term (12 months) and long term (3 - 5 years)
• Screen proposals on healthcare & recommend projects that must be supported.
• Monitor and manage the support given to projects at various stages.
• Build a network of senior health professionals & manage multiple stakeholder relationships across the health/NGO sector with multiple partners like NGO’s, Healthcare Institutions & Government.
• Identify and work with initial resources to empanel experts and strategic partners for the foundation.
• Putting in place effective review systems for partner organizations. The incumbent also has to work on bringing in the best practices and innovate on new ways of impacting the less privileged section of the society
• Identify opportunities for training and capacity building in healthcare.
• Demonstrate leadership skills; with ability to lead & motivate team members.
MUST HAVE
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in managing and leading projects preferably but not limited to the social sector.
• Strong understanding of public health issues in the country.
• Strong programme management skills with experience in designing & implementing monitoring & evaluation tools, reporting frameworks.
• The incumbent would need to have to be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial bent of mind, having demonstrated the ability to build, support and lead a business or a project and its key stakeholders into the growth phase.
• Ability to travel at least ten days a month.
PREFERABLE
• Exposure and understanding of financial accounting and reporting
• Demonstrated good fundraising/resource mobilization capabilities.
LOCATION: Mumbai.
COMPENSATION DETAILS:
The compensation is commensurate with qualification and experience.
Interested individuals may please submit their CV, a cover note and 3 references by email to application.hkf@gmail.com with the subject line indicating Project Manager - Health. Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
After his long and successful run in the financial sector, the founder of this pre-eminent Foundation has now shifted focus to working more actively on philanthropic activities, in keeping with family tradition. The family has been instrumental in several philanthropic activities. The Foundation is a non-religious and non-political charitable trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act, came into existence in the year 2008. The main objectives of the foundation include various activities pivoting around education, health care and wildlife conservation.
The Foundation runs and manages a charitable hospital in Mumbai which was set up by the family. The hospital is currently in the process of being revamped. In addition to the hospital, the foundation also has established a Sanatorium in Deoli near Nashik, which was built in order to allow tuberculosis patients to recuperate. The Sanatorium is currently under renovation; additional facilities are being added to this infrastructure. Part of this infrastructure would be age care homes, especially for those elders whose children are not in India. As a recent addition, Ayurvedic treatment is being added to the portfolio of services and treatments.
As part of the conservation and education project, skill training centers are being put in place near the forest reserves. Other health related activities would be integrated around the forest areas and schools.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Against this background, our client is looking for a dynamic individual, who will set up the health care vertical, conceptualize, strategize and plan various activities and ensure effective implementation of the same.
The Foundation seeks to hire the Project Manager – Healthcare, who will be responsible for providing strategic vision & leadership towards the design & implementation of health programmes and strengthen the Foundation’s endeavour to actively participate & monitor health sector programming in India.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Manager will take primary responsibility for setting up the health vertical for the foundation including, strategy, planning, resourcing, identifying relevant partners for the program, stakeholder management, operations oversight, communications and when required fundraising.
• Create a strategic road map for the healthcare vertical in line with the needs of India and the vision of the Foundation.
• The Project Manager - Healthcare will be responsible for building on the organization’s vision and mission, implementation model, and aspirations and articulate the value proposition of the health vertical.
• Develop the strategic plan and road map for the organization in the short term (12 months) and long term (3 - 5 years)
• Screen proposals on healthcare & recommend projects that must be supported.
• Monitor and manage the support given to projects at various stages.
• Build a network of senior health professionals & manage multiple stakeholder relationships across the health/NGO sector with multiple partners like NGO’s, Healthcare Institutions & Government.
• Identify and work with initial resources to empanel experts and strategic partners for the foundation.
• Putting in place effective review systems for partner organizations. The incumbent also has to work on bringing in the best practices and innovate on new ways of impacting the less privileged section of the society
• Identify opportunities for training and capacity building in healthcare.
• Demonstrate leadership skills; with ability to lead & motivate team members.
MUST HAVE
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in managing and leading projects preferably but not limited to the social sector.
• Strong understanding of public health issues in the country.
• Strong programme management skills with experience in designing & implementing monitoring & evaluation tools, reporting frameworks.
• The incumbent would need to have to be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial bent of mind, having demonstrated the ability to build, support and lead a business or a project and its key stakeholders into the growth phase.
• Ability to travel at least ten days a month.
PREFERABLE
• Exposure and understanding of financial accounting and reporting
• Demonstrated good fundraising/resource mobilization capabilities.
LOCATION: Mumbai.
COMPENSATION DETAILS:
The compensation is commensurate with qualification and experience.
Interested individuals may please submit their CV, a cover note and 3 references by email to application.hkf@gmail.com with the subject line indicating Project Manager - Health. Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Suu Kyi to Receive International Gandhi Award
In the latest in a long list of international honors, Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been named the recipient of this year’s Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation, which will be awarded at a ceremony to be held in Durban, South Africa on July 20.
The prize, also known as the MAGI Award, is given to those who inspire young people to make a commitment to non-violence, forgiveness and reconciliation. It was inaugurated in 2003 to mark the centenary of Indian Opinion, a newspaper published in South Africa by Mahatma Gandhi.
The award is given by South Africa’s Gandhi Development Trust, which was established in August 2002 with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of the principles of democracy, nonviolence and human values.
Suu Kyi, who is currently facing charges of violating the conditions of her house arrest just weeks before her detention was due to end, has received more that 80 international awards, including the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize and India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Award.
In a statement released today, South Africa’s foreign minister expressed grave concern over Suu Kyi’s trial, which stems from an incident involving an intruder who allegedly stayed overnight at her home.
“The South African government calls on the authorities in Myanmar to release Ms Suu Kyi immediately,” read the statement.
During a two-year stint as a temporary member of the United Nations Security Council, the South African government under former President Thabo Mbeki was criticized for voting against resolutions condemning human rights abuses in Burma.
New Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has not signaled any major change of policy on Burma, but has urged a “negotiated political solution between the government and the opposition” to resolve the country’s longstanding political impasse.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, former President Kim Dae-jung met with a group of exiled Burmese parliamentary leaders and gave them a donation of US $10,000 to support Suu Kyi’s cause.
“Korea also struggled under a military dictatorship for a long period of time before achieving democracy. I am sure that history will make note of your dedication to righteousness and freedom,” Kim told members of the South Korean chapter of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area).
Courtesy: http://www.irrawaddy.org/print_article.php?art_id=15718
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
The prize, also known as the MAGI Award, is given to those who inspire young people to make a commitment to non-violence, forgiveness and reconciliation. It was inaugurated in 2003 to mark the centenary of Indian Opinion, a newspaper published in South Africa by Mahatma Gandhi.
The award is given by South Africa’s Gandhi Development Trust, which was established in August 2002 with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of the principles of democracy, nonviolence and human values.
Suu Kyi, who is currently facing charges of violating the conditions of her house arrest just weeks before her detention was due to end, has received more that 80 international awards, including the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize and India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Award.
In a statement released today, South Africa’s foreign minister expressed grave concern over Suu Kyi’s trial, which stems from an incident involving an intruder who allegedly stayed overnight at her home.
“The South African government calls on the authorities in Myanmar to release Ms Suu Kyi immediately,” read the statement.
During a two-year stint as a temporary member of the United Nations Security Council, the South African government under former President Thabo Mbeki was criticized for voting against resolutions condemning human rights abuses in Burma.
New Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has not signaled any major change of policy on Burma, but has urged a “negotiated political solution between the government and the opposition” to resolve the country’s longstanding political impasse.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, former President Kim Dae-jung met with a group of exiled Burmese parliamentary leaders and gave them a donation of US $10,000 to support Suu Kyi’s cause.
“Korea also struggled under a military dictatorship for a long period of time before achieving democracy. I am sure that history will make note of your dedication to righteousness and freedom,” Kim told members of the South Korean chapter of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area).
Courtesy: http://www.irrawaddy.org/print_article.php?art_id=15718
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Stop visiting wildlife sanctuaries and start contesting elections, says Rishi Agarwal, environmental activist from India
‘Environment is clearly a political issue’
Well-known for his initiatives in saving Mumbai’s remaining mangroves, environmental activist Rishi Agarwal stood for elections from the new Jago Party this time, and got just 3,000 votes. He tells Jyoti Punwani why the experience left him bitter.
Why did you stand for elections in the recent Lok Sabha elections?
Mere sar par bhoot sawaar tha (I had a demon in my head). I’ve always been political, since my college days in 1995-96. We used to have huge discussions then about the possibility of civil war if things didn’t change. It turned out to be true -– look at the way the Naxalites are spreading. Some of us felt we needed to get into politics.
But then you got active in the environment?
I’ve always been active there. And that’s where I started realising the importance of politics. Politics decides which policies get priority; foreign policy and agricultural policy are intertwined.
I had followed the 1992 UN Rio Earth Summit closely and saw how ultimately, it’s politicians and bureaucrats who make statements on the country’s policies. I weaned myself away from visiting sanctuaries and going on nature walks, realising they were a farce. People who don’t mind spending Rs 80,000 on organising visits to bird sanctuaries, buying the latest cameras, will not spend a paisa on protecting mangroves. So how are they different from the businessman who prefers to blow up his money on food rather than the environment?
I have followed the Narmada issue since I was 11; I used to keep all the clippings. At that time too, I realised the important role of politics. There was a voter base for the Narmada dam in MP and Gujarat, and we were pitted against them. They would not understand the need for water conservation, or look at the dam as an environment issue.
So environment is clearly a political issue. Forget the tiger. What should get into people’s heads is food security, the availability of clean water, the quality of air. Ensuring all this is not the job of environmentalists but everyone.
I have been active in the mangroves issue since 2002. I was unhappy with my MLA and MP; I thought I could do a better job. Had I been financially stable, I would have fought the 2004 elections. I considered the 2007 municipal elections; I was at that time very active in the Loksatta party; telling them to move out of the NGO mode and get political, set up shakhas. Then after 26/11, I had had enough of just thinking. But Loksatta wanted to be very well prepared before fighting elections. On January 30, I joined the Jago Party.
Why didn’t you join any of the existing parties?
The choice was either BJP or Congress. The BJP was ruled out as long as it portrayed L K Advani as its leader. I have no faith in him, ever since the Babri Masjid demolition.
The Congress is the party that has clearly institutionalised poverty and corruption. It had a clear majority from the 1950s right till the ’70s ; it could have done anything. The policies which brought the country to its knees, the money that has gone out of India –- it’s the Congress that’s responsible.
How did you manage your campaign?
Through email, and people who knew me. In the last 10 years, I’ve built up a good standing. But communication is all about funds. You need banners, full-time staff… Just one meeting cost me Rs 15,000!
And how many people came?
A 100! It was a slum area. We decided the educated middle class doesn’t vote. We should try the slums, who may not speak your language, but who do vote. Actually, it was a friend’s driver who suggested that I should come and hold a meeting in the area like all the others had, especially because people there were not happy with the Congress.
What did you tell them?
Language was a big problem, though Hindi is my mothertongue.
Anyway, I spoke about water, which is a big problem there, because it’s getting diverted to the new redeveloped buildings. Plus, they were not happy with the builders who wanted to redevelop their slum.
I spoke to them about how 50-60 litres of water are flushed down everyday in each flat. People could be taught to recycle water; water rates need to go up; fiscal incentives could be given to buildings that install recycling systems. The water that would be saved can be given to others. But you need politicians able to think like that.
Similarly with the builders. You need proper urban planning to provide homes for the poor. Why leave it to private builders? MHADA should have architects, town planners. It could facilitate infrastructure.
People appreciated what I said, but obviously, good intentions and good work are not enough.
How much did you spend in all?
About Rs 500,000. In the last 20 days, from April 10 to 30, I spent Rs 1,63,000. I’ve spent about Rs 150 per voter! And there are 16,00,000 voters in my constituency.
Did you pay your campaigners?
No, so many people decided to participate on their own, I was pleasantly surprised. I had a core team of 25 volunteers, mostly new people, primarily young. The youngest was nine!
What was your main plank?
If you want change, give new people a chance. You need to vote for new people because nothing works better than competition. Suppose I had got 30,000 votes, Gurudas Kamat’s margin would have come down to just 5,000. He would have been scared. Right now there’s immense complacency because there’s no competition.
Did you ever hope to win? Did you ever regret having stood?
Winning was a remote possibility. Standing for elections was more like making a statement.
There were moments of confusion when I felt it was not worth it. Even when I finally filled my form, I realised I had not gone to so many places. I was unhappy at the response to my appeal for funds. I thought I should quit but my supporters kept me going.
What did you learn from this experience?
I realise now that we are a country of chamchas. It’s fundamental to our ethos, our patriarchal system, where the father is always right.
He may be taking the stupidest decisions, but you can’t question him.
It’s the same in politics. Criticism is fundamental to a democracy.
But in India, nobody questions our great leaders. India deserves to be ruled by the Congress. They’ve fooled you for 60 years and will continue to fool you. Look at the way the BJP’s `Bhay Ho’ counter to the Congress’ `Jai Ho’ flopped. The Indian public is very gullible; it loves being fooled. And it’s comfortable with corruption. They don’t relate to an equal playing field.
I feel extremely bitter. I’ve provided phenomenal leadership on the mangrove issue in Andheri. People have benefited; there’s been no flooding in Lokhandwala because of the mangroves in the last two years. I’ve got recognition from America for my work, but has anyone here recognised it? All I’ve asked for is Rs 1,000 a year from the people who’ve benefited, so that a few persons can work full-time to protect Mumbai’s mangroves. No one is willing, though I’m not unknown.
India doesn’t deserve good leaders, though it needs them.
Do you think then that elections are only for those with money ?
To get 50,000–plus votes, you need big money. I had just three months, and a complete lack of political base. Most of my votes were from those who knew my work. A political base takes decades to build; it needs a motivating ideology and funds.
The middle class won’t take the time off to go for your rallies. You can’t fill Shivaji Park if you talk about environment. IF you need crowds, you have to pay. And without crowds, the media won’t notice you. If the editor is bought over by the Congress, only a rival show of strength will work.
Elections are not for the honest. You need Rs 5 crore; you should be willing to spend Rs 2 crore as loose change.
Source: http://infochangeindia.org/200906087778/Environment/Features/‘Environment-is-clearly-a-political-issue’.html
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Well-known for his initiatives in saving Mumbai’s remaining mangroves, environmental activist Rishi Agarwal stood for elections from the new Jago Party this time, and got just 3,000 votes. He tells Jyoti Punwani why the experience left him bitter.
Why did you stand for elections in the recent Lok Sabha elections?
Mere sar par bhoot sawaar tha (I had a demon in my head). I’ve always been political, since my college days in 1995-96. We used to have huge discussions then about the possibility of civil war if things didn’t change. It turned out to be true -– look at the way the Naxalites are spreading. Some of us felt we needed to get into politics.
But then you got active in the environment?
I’ve always been active there. And that’s where I started realising the importance of politics. Politics decides which policies get priority; foreign policy and agricultural policy are intertwined.
I had followed the 1992 UN Rio Earth Summit closely and saw how ultimately, it’s politicians and bureaucrats who make statements on the country’s policies. I weaned myself away from visiting sanctuaries and going on nature walks, realising they were a farce. People who don’t mind spending Rs 80,000 on organising visits to bird sanctuaries, buying the latest cameras, will not spend a paisa on protecting mangroves. So how are they different from the businessman who prefers to blow up his money on food rather than the environment?
I have followed the Narmada issue since I was 11; I used to keep all the clippings. At that time too, I realised the important role of politics. There was a voter base for the Narmada dam in MP and Gujarat, and we were pitted against them. They would not understand the need for water conservation, or look at the dam as an environment issue.
So environment is clearly a political issue. Forget the tiger. What should get into people’s heads is food security, the availability of clean water, the quality of air. Ensuring all this is not the job of environmentalists but everyone.
I have been active in the mangroves issue since 2002. I was unhappy with my MLA and MP; I thought I could do a better job. Had I been financially stable, I would have fought the 2004 elections. I considered the 2007 municipal elections; I was at that time very active in the Loksatta party; telling them to move out of the NGO mode and get political, set up shakhas. Then after 26/11, I had had enough of just thinking. But Loksatta wanted to be very well prepared before fighting elections. On January 30, I joined the Jago Party.
Why didn’t you join any of the existing parties?
The choice was either BJP or Congress. The BJP was ruled out as long as it portrayed L K Advani as its leader. I have no faith in him, ever since the Babri Masjid demolition.
The Congress is the party that has clearly institutionalised poverty and corruption. It had a clear majority from the 1950s right till the ’70s ; it could have done anything. The policies which brought the country to its knees, the money that has gone out of India –- it’s the Congress that’s responsible.
How did you manage your campaign?
Through email, and people who knew me. In the last 10 years, I’ve built up a good standing. But communication is all about funds. You need banners, full-time staff… Just one meeting cost me Rs 15,000!
And how many people came?
A 100! It was a slum area. We decided the educated middle class doesn’t vote. We should try the slums, who may not speak your language, but who do vote. Actually, it was a friend’s driver who suggested that I should come and hold a meeting in the area like all the others had, especially because people there were not happy with the Congress.
What did you tell them?
Language was a big problem, though Hindi is my mothertongue.
Anyway, I spoke about water, which is a big problem there, because it’s getting diverted to the new redeveloped buildings. Plus, they were not happy with the builders who wanted to redevelop their slum.
I spoke to them about how 50-60 litres of water are flushed down everyday in each flat. People could be taught to recycle water; water rates need to go up; fiscal incentives could be given to buildings that install recycling systems. The water that would be saved can be given to others. But you need politicians able to think like that.
Similarly with the builders. You need proper urban planning to provide homes for the poor. Why leave it to private builders? MHADA should have architects, town planners. It could facilitate infrastructure.
People appreciated what I said, but obviously, good intentions and good work are not enough.
How much did you spend in all?
About Rs 500,000. In the last 20 days, from April 10 to 30, I spent Rs 1,63,000. I’ve spent about Rs 150 per voter! And there are 16,00,000 voters in my constituency.
Did you pay your campaigners?
No, so many people decided to participate on their own, I was pleasantly surprised. I had a core team of 25 volunteers, mostly new people, primarily young. The youngest was nine!
What was your main plank?
If you want change, give new people a chance. You need to vote for new people because nothing works better than competition. Suppose I had got 30,000 votes, Gurudas Kamat’s margin would have come down to just 5,000. He would have been scared. Right now there’s immense complacency because there’s no competition.
Did you ever hope to win? Did you ever regret having stood?
Winning was a remote possibility. Standing for elections was more like making a statement.
There were moments of confusion when I felt it was not worth it. Even when I finally filled my form, I realised I had not gone to so many places. I was unhappy at the response to my appeal for funds. I thought I should quit but my supporters kept me going.
What did you learn from this experience?
I realise now that we are a country of chamchas. It’s fundamental to our ethos, our patriarchal system, where the father is always right.
He may be taking the stupidest decisions, but you can’t question him.
It’s the same in politics. Criticism is fundamental to a democracy.
But in India, nobody questions our great leaders. India deserves to be ruled by the Congress. They’ve fooled you for 60 years and will continue to fool you. Look at the way the BJP’s `Bhay Ho’ counter to the Congress’ `Jai Ho’ flopped. The Indian public is very gullible; it loves being fooled. And it’s comfortable with corruption. They don’t relate to an equal playing field.
I feel extremely bitter. I’ve provided phenomenal leadership on the mangrove issue in Andheri. People have benefited; there’s been no flooding in Lokhandwala because of the mangroves in the last two years. I’ve got recognition from America for my work, but has anyone here recognised it? All I’ve asked for is Rs 1,000 a year from the people who’ve benefited, so that a few persons can work full-time to protect Mumbai’s mangroves. No one is willing, though I’m not unknown.
India doesn’t deserve good leaders, though it needs them.
Do you think then that elections are only for those with money ?
To get 50,000–plus votes, you need big money. I had just three months, and a complete lack of political base. Most of my votes were from those who knew my work. A political base takes decades to build; it needs a motivating ideology and funds.
The middle class won’t take the time off to go for your rallies. You can’t fill Shivaji Park if you talk about environment. IF you need crowds, you have to pay. And without crowds, the media won’t notice you. If the editor is bought over by the Congress, only a rival show of strength will work.
Elections are not for the honest. You need Rs 5 crore; you should be willing to spend Rs 2 crore as loose change.
Source: http://infochangeindia.org/200906087778/Environment/Features/‘Environment-is-clearly-a-political-issue’.html
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A lost generation in Jammu's refugee camps
A small pale face with hollow eyes greets me at the entrance to Purkhoo camp in Jammu. The child looks unkempt, with a sallow complexion and a gaze that is forlorn and distant. The glow that one associates with childhood is missing. As my eyes travel around I see a group of young children, some just sitting and staring vacantly, others queuing up in a rush in front of a toilet with their mothers, waiting for their turn. Further on there is a squalid hutment with a dirty drainage tank in the middle with some toddlers playing around it, and beyond that, an open latrine with millions of flies swarming in circles. You feel your heart is sinking into a quicksand and the more you fight, the deeper you go in.
Since 1990 more than 4 lakh men, women and children targeted by terrorist violence have fled their homes in Kashmir. Nearly 1.8 lakh of this internally displaced population stays in 11 camps in and around Jammu city. Away from their natural habitat, the children of these migrants have been living in alien conditions with their parents and dying of diseases like summer diarrhoea, viral fevers, diabetes, snakebites and heat stroke. A large number of children have also been rendered orphans and live with the trauma of their parents’ violent deaths. They suffer from guilt feelings because they survived while their loved ones perished. Many of them had become withdrawn and even violent. To the families who have lost their homes and all their possessions, and who are living in camps with their children for the last 19 years, the government gives an allowance of Rs 2400 and a ration of nine kilos of rice and one kilo of sugar for each member per month.
Over 19 long years the situation of these people has remained the same. The dole is the same though the children have grown into young adults and a new crop of children is being introduced to this kind of life. Frustration, low self-esteem and lack of jobs in the absence of little or no qualification is driving this generation of young adults towards despair and depression, creating psychological problems for them and impairing their mental health. Problems of drug abuse and sexual violence in the camps are not unheard of.
“There is depression and anger in the young generation that makes them resort to anti-social activities. In addition to this, the paltry amount is not enough for these migrants’ families to provide their children good education and good health,” says Prof K N Pandita, a long time human rights activist and general secretary of the Jammu based Friends of Kashmir International. Dr Apurva Kotru from the Jammu Medical Institute agrees. “The life in camp is a breeding ground for all negative activities for the holed up children, impairing their personalities. They are facing severe emotional and behavioural problems in the form of depression, anxiety, aggression, and sleeplessness.” He adds that “the diet pattern of the community has undergone a sea change. These young children look emaciated and many have retarded growth problems and complain of lethargy.” The Kashmiri community is mainly non-vegetarian and is fond of a protein based diet that comprises meat, fish, vegetable stews, yoghurt and rice. Owing to the paltry allowance they receive from the government, they are unable to provide nourishing diets for their children. Unless some drastic remedial measures are implemented on a war footing, we run the risk of losing a part of this generation. “Underfed children will not only perform poorly in studies, but there is also the high probability of incidence of disease and early death,” says Dr Girija Kak who is associated with the state hospital in Jammu and who has personally been treating children from the camps.
Raghav, a 14-year-old school dropout was playing cards at home by himself while his mother was cooking lunch for the family in the same room. Asked why he did not go to school along with his friends, he said, “I don’t like it there. It is hot and I feel very sleepy. They make us sit on the floor and I get tired.” His mother Bina Kaul said that he often complains of headaches and nausea and has a poor appetite. A visit to the doctor revealed that he suffered from anxiety and attention deficit disorder, coupled with vitamin deficiency. Raghav lost his father during the relocation to the camps from the valley; he died of a heat stroke. Eleven-year-old Jharna has arthritis; it started with her fingers getting locked, and she now has difficulty writing and walking. Vikas, who is 15, suffers from juvenile diabetes.
“Every time the issue of the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits has been raised, the Union and state governments are quick to point out the 'assistance' provided to the 'migrants'”, says Ashok Raina, father of two schoolgoing children in the Mishriwallan camp. The camp dwellers have to put up with humidity, with cold rooms in winter and hot rooms in summer, as four or more persons are crammed into one room. Families sit, eat and sleep in a single room. The children have not been able to grow up naturally and normally with their friends in an open environment with space to play in. “Cramped up in one single room/ hutment, with one parent smoking, inadequate ventilation, fumes from kerosene stoves adds to the problems of indoor air pollution that the children are subject to,” says Dr Kak.
CRY (Children Rights and You), a non-government organisation, conducted a survey in 2007 of one of the largest displaced Kashmiri Hindu migrant camps in Purkhoo, which is about 13 km southwest of Jammu city. The study was confined to children below the age of 18 years belonging to displaced migrant families. The report found ‘very poor stability in the supply of drinking water in displaced migrants’ camps, which runs for one hour daily and is grossly insufficient to meet daily requirements. Add to this the regular power cuts that range from nine to 12 hours every day and make life intolerable in summer and during the rainy season.
Group latrines constructed and maintained by Sulabh International are faulty; in Purkhoo camp there are 10 such latrines, which are improperly constructed causing leakages which flow into the open drainage system causing unhygienic conditions that impact adversely on the health of the inhabitants. Almost half the camp households do not have a bath or shower in their dwelling; as a result, skin disorders like eczema, bacterial diarrhoeas, water borne hepatitis etc are common. ‘The incidence of body lice was revealed by 36.52% of the children and almost 42.86% and 57.14% suffered from skin infections and relapsing fever respectively’ says the CRY report.
Rita Kaul, a general physician who is attached to the Mishriwallan camp, says that one of the major health problems reported among children is diarrhoea in summer due to the poor quality of drinking water and soaring temperatures. The mental trauma and disturbance caused by displacement has seen an increase in diabetes among elders of the Kashmiri Hindu community. ‘What is ironical is that the children of the displaced community were no exceptions to this and 49.13% of the children were suffering from diabetes due to tensions, idleness and less mobility and 48.15 % from anaemia. Prevalence of malnutrition, exposure to sub-nutritional diet and experience of epidemic of nutritional related diseases were reported by 45.81%, 42.86% and 11.33% of the children respectively’, CRY reports.
Basic medical facilities are supposed to be available within the camps, provided by one trained medical doctor. But most of the time this help is not available. Additional and regular health checks for the children are not conducted and there are no immunisation records. The CRY report found that all the children were vaccinated against diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio, but none of them was vaccinated against hepatitis, mumps, etc. Though more than three-fourths of the children were desirous of getting those vaccinations, the reasons cited for not providing them was that they were too expensive or not available.
Life in the camps takes a particularly heavy toll of children. There are schools but they are poorly equipped. “There are enough teachers, but overcrowded classes, not enough chairs and tables, no proper supplies like blackboards, chalks, laboratories, no support structure like drinking water, lavatories, recreation centres, libraries etc. Parents prefer teaching them at home and make them appear for their boards privately,” says Chaman Lal, who looks after the management of the Muthi camp.
Inder Kishen, now 29, is an example of the tragedy of the younger residents. He left Vichar Nag, a small township on the outskirts of Srinagar soon after fundamentalist terror hit the valley in 1990. His education came to an abrupt end and he has been unable to get a job. His bitterness is evident. “We have been ruined,” he says referring to the many young people like him who had to abandon their education and struggle for a livelihood to support their families. The state government has not provided jobs for them. “In 1996, the state government made 40,000 to 50,000 new appointments in state services but not even 100 jobs went to the displaced Kashmiri Hindus,” says Prof K N Pandita.
According to a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), 10 primary schools and three high schools have been built for migrant children. “Who is to tell them that 10 primary schools and three high schools cannot meet the needs of 250,000 people?” retorts Madan Ogra, a senior citizens who has been staying in the Purkhoo camp since 1991.
Dr K L Chowdhury, an activist and a doctor by profession, says that no international help of any kind is available in the camps. Some organisations have been in the news for delivering assistance to J&K, but Dr Chowdhury categorically states that “there have been reports of promises by various groups for providing nutritional, educational, health support as well as vocational training, career counselling sessions and job placement support, but in reality nobody has come to the camps of Muthi, Purkhoo or Mishriwallan in Jammu.” He says that there is a strong need for NGOs and counsellors to visit the camps.
The Borderless World Foundation (BWF), a non-government organisation based in Pune, Maharasthra, has decided to intervene positively in a programme called Basera-e-Tabassum (Abode of Smiles). Two of its members, Tanvir Rifatmir and Adhik, volunteered to help the children orphaned during militancy in the border areas of Kashmir. Adhik, who visited the camps in Jammu, was aghast at the situation there and said that while “there are many organisations working for Kashmir, in my so many years of experience I have not seen even one organisation working in the camps.”
Dr Falendra Kumar Sudan who is associated with the University of Jammu and was also involved in the study carried out by CRY, says that “the condition of the children in the camps is appalling.” He says he volunteered to help, but faced resistance. “The inmates were resistant to all our efforts to reach out as they had lost all hope and trust and were cynical in their approach.” When the inmates were asked about this, Ashok Raina from Muthi camp said, “It’s not that we are trying to misrepresent anything; it's just that we need privacy around a personal issue now; we want to create a secure boundary for ourselves and our children in order to feel safe and not get exploited.”
Probably the parents have realised the futility of seeking help from the state and individual organisations and have taken it upon themselves to be small time providers for their children, using whatever meagre resources they have, so that when their children grow up they have at least some good memories of an otherwise deprived childhood.
By Anju Munshi,an activist from Kashmir,India
Source:http://infochangeindia.org/200906227794/Children/Features/A-lost-generation-in-Jammu-s-refugee-camps.html
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
PROTEST MARCH ON 20TH JUNE 2009 in Mumbai
Dear All,
Yuvasatta-Youth Wing of Lok Satta Party, is organizing a protest against the Passing of the NAGAR RAJ BILL. The form in which this bill is passed makes a mockery of the whole process and initiative at decentralization and citizens' participation in Urban Governance. It shows how reluctant the State Government is to relinquish powers even as low a level as area sabhas.
We all know the present method of Governance is highly impractical.
o One elected corporator cannot meet the aspirations of 40000 – 650000.
o The bureaucracy, who run different corporations in the cities, is not actually accountable to citizens of a ward or area.
Therefore the Nagar Raj Bill was proposed to bring PARTICIPATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
In a rural area, we have one elected representative (Panches and Sarpanches) for approximately every 425 voters and about 650 people and it are physically possible for an elected representative to serve the people.
LIKEWISE WE NEED TO HAVE AREA SABHAS IN THE CITY
Through ASR concept in cities, we will have one elected representative for about every 1000 voters and about 1700 people.
The formation of AREA SABHAS in urban localities will bring the following change:
§ Periodic Area Sabha meetings, citizens participate in the governance of their area. They decide the priority of works to be done and see that their taxes are utilized correctly.
§ Citizens themselves get a say in the utilization of various government policies and schemes. Thus saving valuable tax payers money which otherwise is siphoned off…
§ Area Sabhas will also help in strengthening communitarian bonds, building trust and providing a safe and incident free neighborhood.
The Maharashtra Government as highly dilutes this bill in the form of Amendments to the Mumbai Municipals Corporation Act.
1- Area Sabhas will be for up to five polling booths (5000 citizen) - Thus making it ineffective
2- ASRs will be Nominated by govt.. - Thus only political cronies will be appointed and making people further away from the system.
3- ASR will not be members of Ward Committee. - Thus their role is not defined and will make mockery of the whole concept.
4- No ward committee at corporator ward level. - Thus nothing changes at grass route level and no platform for "Local Self Governance"
5- Existing WARD(S) COMMITTEE will continue without transferring functioneris etc. - As it is they are non functional in true sense and not bringing governance closer to people.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE?
Maharashtra Government should have simply adopted the Model Nagar Raj Bill in toto and given it supremacy or overriding effect over the provisions of the BMC Act (Bombay Municipal Corporation Act) by providing that –
"to the extent the provisions of the Nagar Raj Act" are inconsistent with or contrary to any of the provisions of the BMC Act; the provisions of the Nagar Raj Act shall prevail."
We invite you to participate in our protest on Saturday 20/06/2009 at 3:30 PM – Azad Maidan, CST.
Remember
Nagar Raj Bill = Participation,Accountability & Transparency
Nagar Raj Bill Passed by Maharashtra Assembly = None of the above !
Sum Total= Power with corrupt 'Netas' and not Citizens.
Don't wait for another 26/11 to wake up !!!
Join Us.................
RUBEN : 9820249942
NIKITA: 9920020919
ROHIT: 9820687638
AJAY: 9892614014
SHAILESH: 9820213888
Posted by Loksatta - Maharashtra : loksatta.maharashtra17@gmail.com
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Yuvasatta-Youth Wing of Lok Satta Party, is organizing a protest against the Passing of the NAGAR RAJ BILL. The form in which this bill is passed makes a mockery of the whole process and initiative at decentralization and citizens' participation in Urban Governance. It shows how reluctant the State Government is to relinquish powers even as low a level as area sabhas.
We all know the present method of Governance is highly impractical.
o One elected corporator cannot meet the aspirations of 40000 – 650000.
o The bureaucracy, who run different corporations in the cities, is not actually accountable to citizens of a ward or area.
Therefore the Nagar Raj Bill was proposed to bring PARTICIPATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
In a rural area, we have one elected representative (Panches and Sarpanches) for approximately every 425 voters and about 650 people and it are physically possible for an elected representative to serve the people.
LIKEWISE WE NEED TO HAVE AREA SABHAS IN THE CITY
Through ASR concept in cities, we will have one elected representative for about every 1000 voters and about 1700 people.
The formation of AREA SABHAS in urban localities will bring the following change:
§ Periodic Area Sabha meetings, citizens participate in the governance of their area. They decide the priority of works to be done and see that their taxes are utilized correctly.
§ Citizens themselves get a say in the utilization of various government policies and schemes. Thus saving valuable tax payers money which otherwise is siphoned off…
§ Area Sabhas will also help in strengthening communitarian bonds, building trust and providing a safe and incident free neighborhood.
The Maharashtra Government as highly dilutes this bill in the form of Amendments to the Mumbai Municipals Corporation Act.
1- Area Sabhas will be for up to five polling booths (5000 citizen) - Thus making it ineffective
2- ASRs will be Nominated by govt.. - Thus only political cronies will be appointed and making people further away from the system.
3- ASR will not be members of Ward Committee. - Thus their role is not defined and will make mockery of the whole concept.
4- No ward committee at corporator ward level. - Thus nothing changes at grass route level and no platform for "Local Self Governance"
5- Existing WARD(S) COMMITTEE will continue without transferring functioneris etc. - As it is they are non functional in true sense and not bringing governance closer to people.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE?
Maharashtra Government should have simply adopted the Model Nagar Raj Bill in toto and given it supremacy or overriding effect over the provisions of the BMC Act (Bombay Municipal Corporation Act) by providing that –
"to the extent the provisions of the Nagar Raj Act" are inconsistent with or contrary to any of the provisions of the BMC Act; the provisions of the Nagar Raj Act shall prevail."
We invite you to participate in our protest on Saturday 20/06/2009 at 3:30 PM – Azad Maidan, CST.
Remember
Nagar Raj Bill = Participation,Accountability & Transparency
Nagar Raj Bill Passed by Maharashtra Assembly = None of the above !
Sum Total= Power with corrupt 'Netas' and not Citizens.
Don't wait for another 26/11 to wake up !!!
Join Us.................
RUBEN : 9820249942
NIKITA: 9920020919
ROHIT: 9820687638
AJAY: 9892614014
SHAILESH: 9820213888
Posted by Loksatta - Maharashtra : loksatta.maharashtra17@gmail.com
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Majlis Legal Helpline for Elderly Women in Mumbai Launched
On this occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Week 13th June to 19th June 2009, Silver Inning Foundation in association with Majlis is pleased to offer - Legal Advice Helpline to Elderly Women with regard to Matrimonial Issues.
Majlis is located at Santacruz (East), Mumbai and you can call 022- 26661252 / 26662394 to fix an appointment
About Majlis:
Majlis (which means association) is a public trust and NGO. We are a team of
lawyers working in the field of women’s rights and legal initiatives for the last 18 years. Majlis provides litigation support and legal counselling to women in distress through our outreach programmes at the community level. In addition we evolve strategies and engage in policy level interventions to better defend women’s rights.
Website: http://www.majlisbombay.org/index.htm
About Silver Inning Foundation:
Silver Inning Foundation is registered NGO dedicated for Senior Citizens and their family. It is part of Silver Innings a Social Entrepreneur organisation which also hosts www.silverinnings.com a comprehensive and dedicated Website for Elderly. Providing need base service, networking and advocacy for Senior Citizens forms important aspect of Silver Innings. Silver Innings is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.
Mumbai Elder Helpline(code - 022):
Mumbai Police Elder Line: 1090 / 103
Dignity Foundation: 23898078
Shree Manav Seva Sangh: 24081487
Silver Inning Foundation: 987104233
Majlis Legal (Matrimonial issue) Helpline for Elderly Women:26661252 /26662394
“My World… Your World… Our World – Free of Elder Abuse”
This year WEAAD 2009 Programme in Mumbai was organized by Silver Inning Foundation and promoted/supported by INPEA (International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse) Indian Chapter through Development, Welfare and Research Foundation (DWARF) and 'Little Things Matter Initiatives' (LTMI), Mahakali Senior Citizens Association, Apne Aap Women's Collective, ARDSI Greater Mumbai ,Cosmopolitan School,Majlis and AISCCON (All India Senior Citizens' Confederation).
Date: 19th June 2009
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
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