It can not be said as a paradigm shift, but there is certainly a change in the emphasis in the way New Delhi is responding to the problems in Kashmir. After almost a two months’ cycle of violence and upsurge in the streets all over Kashmir, there is a definite shift in the tone and tenor of the Government of India – as reflected in the statement made by the Home Minister, PC Chidambaram in the upper House of the Parliament Friday last. Rather than offering the ‘conspiracy theory’ and putting all the blame on the external elements like LeT, the Home Minister has sought to look within and own up the responsibility of Indian State in the muddled situation of Kashmir.
Three related points emerge from his statement. First, the acknowledgement that Kashmir is a political problem needing a political solution – the emphasis therefore is on resumption of dialogue and the readiness of the Government to engage the separatists including the hardliners. Second, there is the reference to the ‘uniqueness’ of Kashmir problem, needing the ‘unique’ solution. By reminding the nation that Kashmir had acceded to India under special circumstances, the Home Minister has invoked the historical elements of the problem as well as its specificity. This is a pointer towards the need for ‘out of box’ thinking towards Kashmir. Indicating the complexity of the problem, Chidambaram has stated the need of serious thinking - ‘we have to put our heads together and find a solution to this unique problem. Thirdly, there is an unambiguous allusion to ‘people’ and the need to bring them on board. As per Chidambaram’s statement, it is important to win the hearts and minds of people of Jammu & Kashmir. There is also an acknowledgment that as for as the Kashmiris are concerned, there is a trust-deficit. Emphasising the need to restore the confidence of Kashmiris in the Indian State, the Home Minister has referred to the promises made by the Government of India and the importance of delivering on those promises.
It is not difficult to speculate the response of Kashmiris to this changed tone of the Home Minister. Already the indications have come from the separatists who have rejected the offer of dialogue. In the background of the situation as it has developed in Kashmir during past two months or so, it is not expected that a changed stance of Government of India would make an impact in Kashmir, at least, not immediately. For one reason, this is not the first time that New Delhi is adopting this tone. Earlier also there have been occasions when such responses have come from Delhi. One such oft-quoted response in Kashmir is that of offer of ‘anything under the sun’. That nothing came out of these is very much ingrained in the popular psyche. It is the crisis situation like the present one when such pronouncements are made by the Centre, however, when the situation ‘normalises’ or comes to the ‘manageable level’, the approach also changes. In mid-nineties, in a situation of total political vacuum in the mainstream politics, the National Conference was lured to contest election on the promise of ‘Autonomy’. What happened to the Autonomy Report and the Autonomy Resolution – is still fresh in the minds of people. More recently, Vajpayee had walked extra miles to approach Kashmiris. He had acknowledged that India had made mistakes in Kashmir and had offered to give them healing touch and to engage them. The process had aroused great expectations in the minds of Kashmiris and they had put their confidence in the peace process initiated by Vajpayee. The separatists, going by the mood of people, had also brought in flexibility in their political strategies. However, one can see to how the situation stands now – the hopes of people in the peace process are totally shattered and not only the separatists who entered into dialogue but the very dialogue process stand discredited.
In a situation where the sincerity on the part of the Government of India to address Kashmir is seriously doubted, the statement of the Home Minister, howsoever politically correct, will not be trusted. The responsibility of changing the response in Kashmir purely lies with the Centre. It has to prove its credibility by taking concrete steps in that direction. The minimum that is required is, in the words of the Home Minister himself – to deliver on the promises that the Government has made. The Government of India need not wait for a positive response from the separatists. Given the hurt-feeling during the last two months and the consequent political aggressiveness on the streets, the response of the separatists may not come for some time. What it can do, meanwhile, is to look at its own records, for instance, the reports of the Working Groups constituted by the Prime Minister of India and start the process of healing by implementing on these reports. Already the Home Minister has referred the need to address the issues like AFSPA and reduction of security personnel in the state. There are many other measures which the Government of India can take up on its own, without needing any nudging from the separatists. If the unilateral process on its part is sincerely pursued, there is no issue as to why a congenial environment would not be created for pursing the process of finding resolution to the ‘unique problem’. With every political measure taken up by the Government in Delhi, the level of anger in Kashmir will come down.
It is important at this moment for New Delhi to understand the level of discontent, anger, disillusionment and mistrust in Kashmir. Winning ‘hearts and minds of people’ in this situation is not very easy. It needs to create a minimum level of trust. But even for that, it will have to make extra efforts.
(Published in Greater Kashmir, 10th August, 2010)
Kashmir: Winning Hearts And Minds By Rekha Chowdhary
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
10 Common Sense Principles For A New Economy By David Korten
It’s time we the people declare our independence from the money-favoring Wall Street economy
I find hope in the fact that millions of people the world over are seeing through the moral and practical fallacies underlying the Wall Street economy and—by contributing to the creation of a New Economy—are taking charge of their economic lives.
Here are ten common sense principles to frame the New Economy that we the people must now bring forth:
1. The proper purpose of an economy is to secure just, sustainable, and joyful livelihoods for all. This may come as something of a shock to Wall Street financiers who profit from financial bubbles, securities fraud, low wages, unemployment, foreign sweatshops, tax evasion, public subsidies, and monopoly pricing.
2. GDP is a measure of the economic cost of producing a given level of human well-being and happiness. In the economy, as in any well-run business, the goal should be to minimize cost, not maximize it.
3. A rational reallocation of real resources can reduce the human burden on the Earth’s biosphere and simultaneously improve the health and happiness of all. The Wall Street economy wastes enormous resources on things that actually reduce the quality of our lives—war, automobile dependence, suburban sprawl, energy-inefficient buildings, financial speculation, advertising, incarceration for minor, victimless crimes. The most important step toward bringing ourselves into balance with the biosphere is to eliminate the things that are bad for our health and happiness.
4. Markets allocate efficiently only within a framework of appropriate rules to maintain competition, cost internalization, balanced trade, domestic investment, and equality. These are essential conditions for efficient market function. Without rules, a market economy quickly morphs into a system of corporate monopolies engaged in suppressing wages, exporting jobs, collecting public subsidies, poisoning air, land, and water, expropriating resources, corrupting democracy, and a host of other activities that represent an egregiously inefficient and unjust distribution of resources.
5. A proper money system roots the power to create and allocate money in people and communities in order to facilitate the creation of livelihoods and ecologically balanced community wealth. Money properly serves life, not the reverse. Wall Street uses money to consolidate its power to expropriate the real wealth of the rest of the society. Main Street uses money to connect underutilized resources with unmet needs. Public policy properly favors Main Street.
6. Money, which is easily created with a simple accounting entry, should never be the deciding constraint in making public resource allocation decisions. This is particularly obvious in the case of economic recessions or depressions, which occur when money fails to flow to where it is needed to put people to work producing essential goods and services. If money is the only lack, then make the accounting entry and get on with it.
7. Speculation, the inflation of financial bubbles, risk externalization, the extraction of usury, and the use of creative accounting to create money from nothing, unrelated to the creation of anything of real value, serve no valid social purpose. The Wall Street corporations that engage in these activities are not in the business of contributing to the creation of real community wealth. They are in the business of expropriating it, a polite term for theft. They should be regulated or taxed out of existence.
8. Greed is not a virtue; sharing is not a sin. If your primary business purpose is not to serve the community, you have no business being in business.
9. The only legitimate reason for government to issue a corporate charter extending special privileges favoring a particular enterprise is to serve a clearly defined public purpose. That purpose should be clearly stated in the corporate charter and be subject to periodic review.
10. Public policy properly favors local investors and businesses dedicated to creating community wealth over investors and businesses that come only to extract it. The former are most likely to be investors and businesses with strong roots in the communities in which they do business. We properly favor them.
David Korten is co-founder and board chair of YES! Magazine, co-chair of the New Economy Working Group, president of the People-Centered Development Forum, and a founding board member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). His books include Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth, The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, and the international best seller When Corporations Rule the World.
The arguments presented here are developed in greater detail in Agenda for a New Economy available from the YES! Magazine web store.
10 Common Sense Principles For A New Economy By David Korten
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
I find hope in the fact that millions of people the world over are seeing through the moral and practical fallacies underlying the Wall Street economy and—by contributing to the creation of a New Economy—are taking charge of their economic lives.
Here are ten common sense principles to frame the New Economy that we the people must now bring forth:
1. The proper purpose of an economy is to secure just, sustainable, and joyful livelihoods for all. This may come as something of a shock to Wall Street financiers who profit from financial bubbles, securities fraud, low wages, unemployment, foreign sweatshops, tax evasion, public subsidies, and monopoly pricing.
2. GDP is a measure of the economic cost of producing a given level of human well-being and happiness. In the economy, as in any well-run business, the goal should be to minimize cost, not maximize it.
3. A rational reallocation of real resources can reduce the human burden on the Earth’s biosphere and simultaneously improve the health and happiness of all. The Wall Street economy wastes enormous resources on things that actually reduce the quality of our lives—war, automobile dependence, suburban sprawl, energy-inefficient buildings, financial speculation, advertising, incarceration for minor, victimless crimes. The most important step toward bringing ourselves into balance with the biosphere is to eliminate the things that are bad for our health and happiness.
4. Markets allocate efficiently only within a framework of appropriate rules to maintain competition, cost internalization, balanced trade, domestic investment, and equality. These are essential conditions for efficient market function. Without rules, a market economy quickly morphs into a system of corporate monopolies engaged in suppressing wages, exporting jobs, collecting public subsidies, poisoning air, land, and water, expropriating resources, corrupting democracy, and a host of other activities that represent an egregiously inefficient and unjust distribution of resources.
5. A proper money system roots the power to create and allocate money in people and communities in order to facilitate the creation of livelihoods and ecologically balanced community wealth. Money properly serves life, not the reverse. Wall Street uses money to consolidate its power to expropriate the real wealth of the rest of the society. Main Street uses money to connect underutilized resources with unmet needs. Public policy properly favors Main Street.
6. Money, which is easily created with a simple accounting entry, should never be the deciding constraint in making public resource allocation decisions. This is particularly obvious in the case of economic recessions or depressions, which occur when money fails to flow to where it is needed to put people to work producing essential goods and services. If money is the only lack, then make the accounting entry and get on with it.
7. Speculation, the inflation of financial bubbles, risk externalization, the extraction of usury, and the use of creative accounting to create money from nothing, unrelated to the creation of anything of real value, serve no valid social purpose. The Wall Street corporations that engage in these activities are not in the business of contributing to the creation of real community wealth. They are in the business of expropriating it, a polite term for theft. They should be regulated or taxed out of existence.
8. Greed is not a virtue; sharing is not a sin. If your primary business purpose is not to serve the community, you have no business being in business.
9. The only legitimate reason for government to issue a corporate charter extending special privileges favoring a particular enterprise is to serve a clearly defined public purpose. That purpose should be clearly stated in the corporate charter and be subject to periodic review.
10. Public policy properly favors local investors and businesses dedicated to creating community wealth over investors and businesses that come only to extract it. The former are most likely to be investors and businesses with strong roots in the communities in which they do business. We properly favor them.
David Korten is co-founder and board chair of YES! Magazine, co-chair of the New Economy Working Group, president of the People-Centered Development Forum, and a founding board member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). His books include Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth, The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, and the international best seller When Corporations Rule the World.
The arguments presented here are developed in greater detail in Agenda for a New Economy available from the YES! Magazine web store.
10 Common Sense Principles For A New Economy By David Korten
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Mumbai Marathon 2011- Run & Support Silver Inning Foundation
Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011 : 16th Jan 2011 – Silver Inning Foundation is participating First Time as NGO , support us for the cause of our Elderly.
We have taken pledge to collect Fund of Rs.5 Lakh (Five Lakh India Rupee) to support our ‘ Silver Innings Active Ageing Center’ a Day center for Senior Citizens who are 50+ at Mira Road, near Mumbai ,India.
At Silver Innings we are working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.
Silver Inning Foundation was establish to uphold and secure the rights of elderly and actively works towards improving their quality of life by networking, advocating and researching elderly issues and providing a wide range of services. Working for Dementia and Alzheimer’s is one of the focus areas.
Silver Innings Active Ageing Center is a center where Senior Citizens come together for services and an activity that reflects their experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage involvement with the community. As part of Comprehensive community strategy to meet the needs of our elderly, center offers services and activities within the center and link participants with resources offered by other agencies. Center programme includes variety of individual and group services and activities. The center provides our Elderly opportunities to interact with others in the community, and their mental, physical and emotional stimulation through social activities.
If you love and care for your parents and grandparents & also want to invest for your future when we all grow old then support us to make this world elder friendly.
Would you like to be a part of this movement called ‘Silver Innings’ working for Elderly Friendly world....
...If yes, Support Silver Inning Foundation in upcoming Mumbai Marathon 2011....
Run for a Cause of our Elderly, Run in Mumbai Marathon 2011 ... Support Silver Inning Foundation
To know more about us visit:www.silverinnings.com ; www.silverinningfoundation.org
Email: silverinnings@gmail.com
Call us for further details: 9819819145 / 9987104233/ 9029000091
Register here: http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/ ; http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/
PLEASE HURRY as the registration in on full swing and we want more and more people to run for Silver Inning Foundation.Please tell your friends to register and support Silver Inning Foundation through this Marathon.
Dates to remember:
1. Registration for 21 and 42kms has already begun! So hurry if you are interested as this registration gets filled very quickly.
2. If you want to run for the Dream Run (7 kms) register on the 1st of September itself.
Once registered for the run, please forward your registration details to silverinnings@gmail.com , this will help us to print T shirts .
List of Registered NGO’s – pg 9 Silver Inning Foundation
http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/downloads/List%20of%20Registered%20NGOs%20-%20SCMM%202011.pdf
Thanks.
Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
Silver Inning Foundation
Why RUN FOR CHARITY:
World over marathons have been gaining immense importance as fund raising platforms, and the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is no exception. Ever since its inception, charity has been a key pillar of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. In its 7-year journey, the Event has been ideally used as a platform to help generate Rs 42.84 crores benefitting various causes, making it the largest charity generating platform in India.
An event like this is the perfect opportunity to do your bit for charity - it symbolizes community spirit, melts all barriers and provides a unique platform for fund raising.
The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011, through various charity raising models, presents an ideal opportunity and platform to bring together the development sector and those who want to support it.
5 reasons why you should support and contribute:
• YOU can choose to support a cause and the NGO closest to heart.
• The Charity Partner will ensure that funds raised by you go to your chosen NGO.
• Running for charity can help raise awareness on the cause it works for.
• The public exposure you will lend by supporting your chosen NGO will help it build a good reputation and encourage people to donate.
• Whatever may be the amount raised by you, your contribution will make a marked difference to your charity and the cause it helps.
If you'd like to get involved and run for charity, here's how:
Charity running places
NGO's who have registered themselves with United Way of Mumbai, Event's official Charity Partner, have taken up set number of running places in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, which they will allocate to runners on the basis that such runners will raise an agreed amount of money for them.
The Dream Team:
This is a special category meant for those highly motivated individuals who feel passionately about a cause and commit to raise a substantial sum of funds towards their charity. http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/charity/dreamteam.php
The Corporate Challenge:
The Corporate Challenge is a category specially designed for companies who wish to sponsor employee teams to participate in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2011 and raise funds for charity. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=136 ; http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/charity/corporatechallenge.php
Dream Champion: This category has been created for a select group of Individuals who commit to raise more than Rs. 10 lacs in pledges for a charity of his/her choice. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=139
Dream Wizard : The Dream Wizard is an individual who commits to raise a minimum of Rs. 5 lacs up to Rs. 10 lacs in pledges, for a chosen charity of his/her choice. A Dream Wizard raising amounts in excess of Rs.10 lacs will automatically fall in the category of Dream Champions. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=140
Dream Maker : The Dream Maker is an individual who commits to raise a minimum of Rs. 1 lac upto Rs. 5 lacs in pledges, for a chosen charity of his/her choice. A Dream Maker raising amounts in excess of Rs.5/10 lacs will automatically fall in the category of Dream Wizard/Dream Champion as per the amount raised. http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=141
Pledge Raising:
Fund raising through the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, is encouraged through pledges. Pledges are donations/contributions received from friends, family, and colleagues in support of the charity/cause chosen by the fund raiser. http://www.procamrunning.in/scmm/charity/pledgeraising.php
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
International Year of Youth: their year, their voice
The International Year of Youth, commencing on the United Nations annual Day of Youth, 12 August 2010, celebrates and focuses on the importance of youth around the world. The contributions of youth to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are fundamental for success and Youth Conferences with the United Nations reflect the role youth play in achieving development. Youth are the future of the UN, and the future of all development. Events surrounding this year aim to make young people more visible in the international development agenda.
In efforts to capture the energy, imagination and initiative of the world’s youth in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic development, the United Nations proclaimed the International Year of Youth, which will commence on the 2010 International Day of Youth on 12 August under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,”. The theme was chosen by the General Assembly out of appreciation for the value of dialogue among youth from different cultures as well as among different generations.
“Young people are the most important capital in the world’s history to change the future of humanity,” emphasize International Year of Youth campaign workers.
“On International Youth Day, let us renew our pledge to support young people in their development,” urged Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the 2009 Youth Day Celebration. “They deserve our full commitment -- full access to education, adequate healthcare, employment opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life,” he said.
The year is designed to encourage young people to dedicate themselves to fostering progress, including the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seek to improve the livelihoods of all humanity by slashing extreme poverty and hunger, decreasing maternal and infant mortality, improving access to education and health care, along with other more specific goals, by 2015.
Youth and the MDGs
Population statistics indicate that currently, 1.7 billion people — more than one-fourth of the world's six billion people — are between the ages of 10 and 24, making this group of young people the largest ever to be entering adulthood and the largest underrepresented segment of the world’s population.
In an on-line consultation with more than 350 youth about development, most of the respondents said that they knew little or nothing about the MDGs. They also stressed that they do not have access to adequate resources for implementation and requested tools including internet access, access and training to information communication technologies (ICTs), business training and civic education, information sharing, and especially encouragement, funding and resources from government and institutions.
The International Year of Youth, and the theme to promote dialogue among youth and with the world, draws attention towards these needs. With only five years before the deadline set by the international community to achieve the development goals agreed in the year 2000, and such a large global young people population, it is recognized that a youth-oriented focus on these goals is required and essential for the efforts to be effective and progressive on a long term basis. Youth are the future.
Celebrations at the United Nations and around the world
The 2010 International Youth Day on 12 August will be celebrated at United Nations headquarters in New York with the global launch event of the International Year of Youth, where a photo exhibit entitled “Visual Voices – Youth perspectives on Global Issues” will be inaugurated in the UN visitors lobby, to be opened to the public in early September 2010.
The UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development is coordinating the activities for the Year, with DESA’s UN Programme on Youth leading this effort, striving to increase the effectiveness by strengthening collaboration and exchange among all UN entities working on youth. The UN Framework Approach for the International Year of Youth was adopted in February 2010 to provide a concrete framework for the efforts and to set strategic objectives. The Framework identifies the need to create awareness by increasing commitment and investment in youth; mobilizing and engaging youth by increasing youth participation and partnerships; and connecting and building bridges to increase intercultural understanding among youth.
The UN Programme on Youth is also providing activities for young people to get involved, including consultations on Facebook, where young people already contributed nearly 500 suggestions for the Year’s slogan “Our Year. Our Voice”. Each month, online consultations on topics related to the Year are held and contributions are included in the UN Programme on Youth’s monthly electronic newsletter “Youth Flash”.
Around the world, celebrations will continue to take place, including the 5th World Youth Congress in Turkey, the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and the World Youth Conference in Mexico. Local and regional level events are also being organized by young people as an opportunity for discussion and reflections regarding the role young people play in achieving development with special emphasis on the MDGs.
The International Year is about advancing the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society. All sectors of society are encouraged to work in partnership with youth and youth organizations to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the contributions that they can make to society.
The progress achieved during this year will lay the foundation for further work in youth development, including the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth and the achievement of the MDGs.
For more information:
Year of Youth website: http://social.un.org/youthyear/
To subscribe to the free e-newsletter “Youth Flash”, please visit: www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm
To become a Facebook friend of the UN Programme on Youth, please visit: www.facebook.com/UNyouth
A calendar of youth events is available at: http://social.un.org/youthyear/
Research paper: http://www.equip123.net/equip3/docs/YAC/YouthandMDGs.pdf
Source: Feature articles DESA News August 2010 - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
In efforts to capture the energy, imagination and initiative of the world’s youth in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic development, the United Nations proclaimed the International Year of Youth, which will commence on the 2010 International Day of Youth on 12 August under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,”. The theme was chosen by the General Assembly out of appreciation for the value of dialogue among youth from different cultures as well as among different generations.
“Young people are the most important capital in the world’s history to change the future of humanity,” emphasize International Year of Youth campaign workers.
“On International Youth Day, let us renew our pledge to support young people in their development,” urged Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the 2009 Youth Day Celebration. “They deserve our full commitment -- full access to education, adequate healthcare, employment opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life,” he said.
The year is designed to encourage young people to dedicate themselves to fostering progress, including the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seek to improve the livelihoods of all humanity by slashing extreme poverty and hunger, decreasing maternal and infant mortality, improving access to education and health care, along with other more specific goals, by 2015.
Youth and the MDGs
Population statistics indicate that currently, 1.7 billion people — more than one-fourth of the world's six billion people — are between the ages of 10 and 24, making this group of young people the largest ever to be entering adulthood and the largest underrepresented segment of the world’s population.
In an on-line consultation with more than 350 youth about development, most of the respondents said that they knew little or nothing about the MDGs. They also stressed that they do not have access to adequate resources for implementation and requested tools including internet access, access and training to information communication technologies (ICTs), business training and civic education, information sharing, and especially encouragement, funding and resources from government and institutions.
The International Year of Youth, and the theme to promote dialogue among youth and with the world, draws attention towards these needs. With only five years before the deadline set by the international community to achieve the development goals agreed in the year 2000, and such a large global young people population, it is recognized that a youth-oriented focus on these goals is required and essential for the efforts to be effective and progressive on a long term basis. Youth are the future.
Celebrations at the United Nations and around the world
The 2010 International Youth Day on 12 August will be celebrated at United Nations headquarters in New York with the global launch event of the International Year of Youth, where a photo exhibit entitled “Visual Voices – Youth perspectives on Global Issues” will be inaugurated in the UN visitors lobby, to be opened to the public in early September 2010.
The UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development is coordinating the activities for the Year, with DESA’s UN Programme on Youth leading this effort, striving to increase the effectiveness by strengthening collaboration and exchange among all UN entities working on youth. The UN Framework Approach for the International Year of Youth was adopted in February 2010 to provide a concrete framework for the efforts and to set strategic objectives. The Framework identifies the need to create awareness by increasing commitment and investment in youth; mobilizing and engaging youth by increasing youth participation and partnerships; and connecting and building bridges to increase intercultural understanding among youth.
The UN Programme on Youth is also providing activities for young people to get involved, including consultations on Facebook, where young people already contributed nearly 500 suggestions for the Year’s slogan “Our Year. Our Voice”. Each month, online consultations on topics related to the Year are held and contributions are included in the UN Programme on Youth’s monthly electronic newsletter “Youth Flash”.
Around the world, celebrations will continue to take place, including the 5th World Youth Congress in Turkey, the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and the World Youth Conference in Mexico. Local and regional level events are also being organized by young people as an opportunity for discussion and reflections regarding the role young people play in achieving development with special emphasis on the MDGs.
The International Year is about advancing the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society. All sectors of society are encouraged to work in partnership with youth and youth organizations to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the contributions that they can make to society.
The progress achieved during this year will lay the foundation for further work in youth development, including the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth and the achievement of the MDGs.
For more information:
Year of Youth website: http://social.un.org/youthyear/
To subscribe to the free e-newsletter “Youth Flash”, please visit: www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/flash.htm
To become a Facebook friend of the UN Programme on Youth, please visit: www.facebook.com/UNyouth
A calendar of youth events is available at: http://social.un.org/youthyear/
Research paper: http://www.equip123.net/equip3/docs/YAC/YouthandMDGs.pdf
Source: Feature articles DESA News August 2010 - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Open letter to NPOP Review Committee Chairman and Government of India for welfare and benefit of Senior Citizens
Date: 23rd July 2010
To,
The Chairperson,
NPOP Review Committee,
New Delhi
Dear Smt. Mohini Giri,
We take this opportunity to congratulate you and government of India for taking initiative after 11 years to review/implement NPOP.
But it’s also sad to note that NPOP was formulated in 1999, but till date it has not been implemented by Central Govt. / Pan India, due to various reasons including lack of political will. Various NGO's and activist have been advocating its implementation and review. In this regards a ‘National Protest Day ‘is observed by all NGO’s, Senior Citizen associations/federation and Senior Citizens to press their demands on 16th August 2010.
During these 11 years the world has changed, there has been significant demography change in India's population due globalization and improved medical facility and lifestyle. The fall of joint family system and rise in nuclear family system has brought new dimension to the care and welfare of Elderly. Population of people above 60 years of age is estimated to be 96 million in 2010.The Life span has increased by 60% in 60 yrs. India has today second largest population of Senior Citizens. There is sharp increase in population of Young Old 60yrs to 69 yrs and Old old 80+. Due to this demand and needs of various age groups have changed. Now it is time for civil society and government to rethink their strategy to address the needs of Senior Citizens.
After 63 years of Independence and democracy experiment there are segments of people who are not treated at par with others, there is injustice and discrimination towards them. One of the most neglected and ignored segment is of Senior Citizens. Elders are not considered as part of mainstream, there is unjust treatment to those who gain 60 years of age, and they are suddenly considered ‘Retired’, good for nothing. Government and Civil Society are not bothered of this experienced and skill group of people.
The Indian subcontinent boasts of our ‘Great Joint Family’ ‘The Traditional Family’ System where we used to respect, care and love our elders, our parents. Due to Globalization and New lifestyle there is increasing number of Abuse, Neglect and Abandon case with regards to Senior Citizens. The gradual Urbanization of Rural India is also a new trend to worry.
Over and above a Step Motherly treatment by Federal and State Government is making situation worse for our Elderly. There is ministry for Women, Children, Youth, Environment; there is National Commission for Minority, Women and Human Right etc but the 8% of Elderly are represented by the congested and overloaded Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) .Senior Citizens is only part of NICE in NISD of MSJE.
In a reply to one of the RTI application it was shocking to note that most of the ministry like Finance, Transport, Health, Education were not aware of NPOP, nor there was any concert plan. It is sad to note that still today there is NO uniformity of age for classification of senior citizens between different ministry and state government.
With regards to protection from Law and Social Security there has been no tough initiative. In December 2007 Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act was passed by central government but still it has been not implement by many states and also those state who have implement the act, the local government has not made serious effort to make Tribunals and address the problems. There is need for pan-India political and social will.
A Private and Public partnership can be one way to provide innovation services and products. Psycho and social problems of the elderly needs to be attended urgently.
World over the Concept of Community base services and Ageing in Place is now promoted. The Welfare State concept is loosing its grip as government around the World can’t afford the expense. UN has now accepted the fact the Traditional Family is the best place to Age and best place to provide Care for Aged.
The 13% huge, powerful and unrecognized segment of Senior Citizens voters can’t be left alone, they can’t be ignored. Political Parties has to include projects and programmes for the benefits of Elderly in their respective Manifesto. Government has to address the issues and problem of ever growing population of Elderly.
We once again request you to involve all stake holders including NGO’s, Academicians, Institutions and Senior Citizens themselves in formulation , review , implementation , plan of action of any policy and act with regards to ageing in India. The approach should be holistic and inclusive.
Following are the Recommendation and Demand we have received for last two years from common Senior Citizens for their welfare and benefit:
1. A separate and dedicated Ministry for Elderly
2. Every state should have independent depart for Senior Citizens headed by Undersecretary level officer
3. Review and immediate implementation of NPOP and make it ‘National Senior Citizens Act’
4. Immediate implementation of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
5. To make enough allocation/budgetary/increase provision for implementation of NPOP in state and central level as per the population of elderly
6. To ask state government to Immediately form district level tribunals which should include local NGO’s, Academicians, Institutions and Senior Citizens associations
7. National Commission for Senior Citizens to be established immediately
8. To immediately establish National Ageing Research Center at different part of country
9. Uniform Age to be declared for classification of Senior Citizens, which should be 60 Years
10. Four Digit National Helpline
11. To have different plan/policy for Oldest Old, people who are 80yreas plus
12. Comprehensive Medical Insurance plan
13. Comprehensive Social Security/Protection Plan, like tax when young
14. National pension plan of minimum Rs.1000/- to al Elderly
15. To have Intra ministerial coordination among central and state government
16. Promotion of Multi-service community Gero-Care Centre
17. Promotion of Intergeneration Solidarity / project and course in High Schools and Colleges
18. Specialization of Geriatrics in Medical ( MMBS /MD) and Gerontology in MSW and Diploma level
19. Geriatric Wards in Municipal and Private Hospitals
20. Professional Training for bureaucrats , police , legal profession
21. To make Elder abuse non bailable offence
22. To address psycho social aspect in Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
23. Comprehensive Law to protect interest of Senior Citizens
24. Promotion of CSR and NGO for Elderly cause
25. Promotion of R & D for various aspects of Geriatrics and Gerontology
26. Promotion of R & D for products and services
27. Promotion of Private sector in Product manufacturing and Services
28. To have National Nodal agency for Elder Abuse
29. To promote Community services
30. To promote Ageing at place
31. To appoint Welfare officer or special cell in each Police Station for Elder Abuse, similar to Child welfare officer / Women cell
32. Special Training and Awareness campaign for Empowerment of Elderly
33. Promotion for Micro Credit facility
34. Promotion of Life Long Learning and Recreation centers
35. Promotion of organisation for Second career opportunity
36. Promotion of programmes for Social Inclusion and Mainstreaming
37. Promotion of Equal Opportunity and Non Discrimination
38. To mark World Elders Day as National Event in all government department, private sectors and Educational institutions
39. Promotion of Universal Design and WHO elder friendly concept: Elder Friendly Infrastructure / City / Designs
40. Monitoring and Guidelines for Old Age Homes, Care centers and service providers, to protect rights of Elderly
41. National Dementia Policy
42. Promotion of Old Age homes only for needy, it’s should be criminal offense if Elders are pushed into Old Age Homes
43. To adopt Rights of Elderly like Child Rights
44. To have guidelines of Ethics for media when they report and show Senior Citizens
45. Guidelines for Police Station with regards to Senior Citizens
46. Guideline for Jail/Prison authorities with regards to Senior Citizens
47. Subsidy for Health care , Long Term Care and Medicine for those who can’t afford
48. Promotion of ICT and Technology
49. Promotion of Health and Fitness from young age and concept of Healthy Ageing
50. Promotion of Alternative and Indian Medicine for benefits of aged and all
51. Promotion of Private sector in medical Service, Insurance and Care with protection of interest for Elders
52. To have old age homes in every Taluka
53. To have Day care center and Dementia Day care center at every Taluka and municipal ward level
54. To classify Dementia and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson as disability and offer all the benefits available for care taking family members
55. To include plan of action in NPOP to address issues related to Dementia and Alzheimer’s
56. To promote and implement Pre retirement Training in Government and corporate level
57. To have National Council of Older Person
58. To have State level Council of Older Person
59. To address need of Recreation facility
60. Promotion of Intergenerational programme at Secondary school level
61. To have national uniform module for training of care giving / geriatric care / dementia care
62. To establish fast track court
63. To make process of ‘Integrated Programme for older person’ easier such as single window policy
As India is Signatory to UN ‘Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002’ we hereby demand to implement/adopt all the principals of Madrid plan in NPOP.
Please remember that “Ageing is not 'lost youth ‘but a new stage of opportunity and strength”.
We are confident that government of India will work with positive and proactive approach to safeguard of our elderly and give them peace, security and dignified life.
Your Sincerely,
Sailesh Mishra
Founder President
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Results Announced for 3rd Annual Essay Competition on Elder Abuse (WEAAD) 2010
Elder abuse is an under-recognized problem with devastating and even life-threatening consequences. Elder abuse is often defined as a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an ‘expectation of trust’ which causes harm or distress to an older person.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15th June ,programme aims to increase society's ability, through various programmes to recognize and respond to the mistreatment of older people in whatever setting it occurs, so that the latter years of life will be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2010, Silver Inning Foundation, a ‘Not for Profit’ dedicated organization for senior citizens and their family members commemorated Elder Abuse Day on 15th June’2010. It had taken the various initiatives to create awareness among civil society and Government to eliminate elder abuse at both micro and macro level.
In this regards SILVER INNING FOUNDATION had launched an Essay competition in following category and topics:
1) For all age group:
‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’
2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th:
“My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”
3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :
'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'
Total 35 people participated
Winners:
1) For all age group: ‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’
1st Best : Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan – Rs.500/- and Certificate
2nd Best : Dr Vineeth S - Participation Certificate
3rd Best : M. A. PUROHIT -Participation Certificate
1st Consolation: Pradnya Surve - Participation Certificate
2nd Consolation: Arundathi Kaikini - Participation Certificate
2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th: “My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”
1st Best: Manav Varma , 12 yrs - Rs.500/- and Certificate
3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'
1st Best: Vishakha Gupta – 19 yrs , 2nd graduate student - Rs.500/- and Certificate
2nd Best : Achala Gupta , MSW - Participation Certificate
3rd Best : Yash Bharadwaj ,2nd Yr Law Student - Participation Certificate
Participation Certificate will be also given to:
1. Dr Vineeth S
2. M. A. PUROHIT
3. Pradnya Surve
4. Arundathi Kaikini
5. Achala Gupta
6. Yash Bharadwaj
7. Vanita Kumta
8. Mrs.Prerana D.Desai
9. Shinsy P S
10. Resy Antony
Source: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2010/07/results-announced-for-3rd-annual-essay.html
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15th June ,programme aims to increase society's ability, through various programmes to recognize and respond to the mistreatment of older people in whatever setting it occurs, so that the latter years of life will be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2010, Silver Inning Foundation, a ‘Not for Profit’ dedicated organization for senior citizens and their family members commemorated Elder Abuse Day on 15th June’2010. It had taken the various initiatives to create awareness among civil society and Government to eliminate elder abuse at both micro and macro level.
In this regards SILVER INNING FOUNDATION had launched an Essay competition in following category and topics:
1) For all age group:
‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’
2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th:
“My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”
3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :
'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'
Total 35 people participated
Winners:
1) For all age group: ‘Elders Abuse - The Change Has to Start at Our Home’
1st Best : Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan – Rs.500/- and Certificate
2nd Best : Dr Vineeth S - Participation Certificate
3rd Best : M. A. PUROHIT -Participation Certificate
1st Consolation: Pradnya Surve - Participation Certificate
2nd Consolation: Arundathi Kaikini - Participation Certificate
2) For School Students - Class 5th to class 10th: “My Grandparents - Our Golden Treasures”
1st Best: Manav Varma , 12 yrs - Rs.500/- and Certificate
3) For Students - 1st year College to Post graduation :'No Excuse for Elder Abuse - Signs and Solutions'
1st Best: Vishakha Gupta – 19 yrs , 2nd graduate student - Rs.500/- and Certificate
2nd Best : Achala Gupta , MSW - Participation Certificate
3rd Best : Yash Bharadwaj ,2nd Yr Law Student - Participation Certificate
Participation Certificate will be also given to:
1. Dr Vineeth S
2. M. A. PUROHIT
3. Pradnya Surve
4. Arundathi Kaikini
5. Achala Gupta
6. Yash Bharadwaj
7. Vanita Kumta
8. Mrs.Prerana D.Desai
9. Shinsy P S
10. Resy Antony
Source: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2010/07/results-announced-for-3rd-annual-essay.html
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Udaan model of teaching for adolescent girls
Giving wings to the imagination of adolescent girls, letting them take flight from the darkness of illiteracy to the clear, bright skies where they successfully clear Class V exams within a short span of 11 months, is no mean feat.
Udaan, a learning programme designed for girls in the age group of 10 to 14 years by CARE India, an NGO working in the field of elementary education, does just that.
With a focus on adolescent girls who have either dropped out of school or never been to one, this model of teaching has enabled close to 1,000 girls complete their primary school education in the past decade.
The girls get to complete their primary education within 11 months at a residential camp managed by CARE India in association with local NGOs at Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh, and more recently at Mayurbhanj district in Orissa.
Though many of their students have gone on to study further and even complete their bachelor degree, Udaan does not look at employment as the end goal of education. The programme seeks to empower girls to become better citizens and live a more independent and informed life.
“The adolescent girl is a very important investment”, said CARE India ChairmanNachiket Mor talking about the need to educate adolescent girls. “A girl educated today will be able to widen the circle of education and also ensure better upbringing of her future generations.”
Having established that it is possible to educate adolescent girls with little or no educational grounding within a short span of 11 months, Mr. Mor expressed hope that the Government would support them in taking the programme further to other parts of India. With the Right to Education Act coming into the picture, he said Udaan is a feasible model for adoption.
“We have had almost 100 girls every year from just two districts in U.P. for the past 10 years. Think how many there will be across the country. The Government probably thinks that formal school is the thing to do or that the numbers are smaller”, said Mr. Mor, talking about the reluctance to take up Udaan as a mainstream model of education.
The idea that adolescents can be made to study from scratch along with children who are much younger in the same class, as happens in the formal school system, does not work at the ground level, and inevitably leads to drop outs, said Manager Communications CARE India, Amelia Andrews Daniels.
The residential camps have led to a positive change in the community's perception of the programme.
Source: The Hindu : Cities / Delhi : Udaan model of teaching for adolescent girls
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Udaan, a learning programme designed for girls in the age group of 10 to 14 years by CARE India, an NGO working in the field of elementary education, does just that.
With a focus on adolescent girls who have either dropped out of school or never been to one, this model of teaching has enabled close to 1,000 girls complete their primary school education in the past decade.
The girls get to complete their primary education within 11 months at a residential camp managed by CARE India in association with local NGOs at Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh, and more recently at Mayurbhanj district in Orissa.
Though many of their students have gone on to study further and even complete their bachelor degree, Udaan does not look at employment as the end goal of education. The programme seeks to empower girls to become better citizens and live a more independent and informed life.
“The adolescent girl is a very important investment”, said CARE India ChairmanNachiket Mor talking about the need to educate adolescent girls. “A girl educated today will be able to widen the circle of education and also ensure better upbringing of her future generations.”
Having established that it is possible to educate adolescent girls with little or no educational grounding within a short span of 11 months, Mr. Mor expressed hope that the Government would support them in taking the programme further to other parts of India. With the Right to Education Act coming into the picture, he said Udaan is a feasible model for adoption.
“We have had almost 100 girls every year from just two districts in U.P. for the past 10 years. Think how many there will be across the country. The Government probably thinks that formal school is the thing to do or that the numbers are smaller”, said Mr. Mor, talking about the reluctance to take up Udaan as a mainstream model of education.
The idea that adolescents can be made to study from scratch along with children who are much younger in the same class, as happens in the formal school system, does not work at the ground level, and inevitably leads to drop outs, said Manager Communications CARE India, Amelia Andrews Daniels.
The residential camps have led to a positive change in the community's perception of the programme.
Source: The Hindu : Cities / Delhi : Udaan model of teaching for adolescent girls
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
NGOs may run Rs13, 000 crore govt plan
The Planning Commission may rope in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to implement its proposed Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for development of Naxal-affected areas.
This was discussed in a meeting attended by NGOs on Monday.
“We are trying to form a new PPP model for rural
India, where the private partnership will come from academic institutions, socially responsible corporate and civil society institutions”, said Mihir Shah, member Planning Commission for Rural development.
The IAP, being prepared by the Planning Commission, will require a budget of around Rs 13,000 crore.
That could spell a huge opportunity for the NGOs.
Institute of Rural management, Gram Vikas, Pradaan and Samaj Pragati Sahyog were among the NGOs present in the meeting.
The criteria for the NGOs to be included in the implementation of the government schemes will be decided by the Planning Commission.
The proposal for formulating IAP had come from the Cabinet committee on security. The package under the plan would be for a three-year period for infrastructure development in the Naxal-affected districts, like roads, drinking water and electrification.
The issue of Naxalism would also come up for discussion in the forthcoming meeting of the National Development Council, the country’s highest planning body, on July 24.
The commission is also looking at the possibility of implementing the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Schedule Areas) Act, 1996, to give tribals the right to use minor forest produce.
The special package for affected districts gains significance in the backdrop of the government’s flagship programmes, such as NREGA, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana and Bharat Nirman, not achieving much success.
Source: NGOs may run Rs13, 000 crore govt plan - dnaindia.com
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
This was discussed in a meeting attended by NGOs on Monday.
“We are trying to form a new PPP model for rural
India, where the private partnership will come from academic institutions, socially responsible corporate and civil society institutions”, said Mihir Shah, member Planning Commission for Rural development.
The IAP, being prepared by the Planning Commission, will require a budget of around Rs 13,000 crore.
That could spell a huge opportunity for the NGOs.
Institute of Rural management, Gram Vikas, Pradaan and Samaj Pragati Sahyog were among the NGOs present in the meeting.
The criteria for the NGOs to be included in the implementation of the government schemes will be decided by the Planning Commission.
The proposal for formulating IAP had come from the Cabinet committee on security. The package under the plan would be for a three-year period for infrastructure development in the Naxal-affected districts, like roads, drinking water and electrification.
The issue of Naxalism would also come up for discussion in the forthcoming meeting of the National Development Council, the country’s highest planning body, on July 24.
The commission is also looking at the possibility of implementing the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Schedule Areas) Act, 1996, to give tribals the right to use minor forest produce.
The special package for affected districts gains significance in the backdrop of the government’s flagship programmes, such as NREGA, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana and Bharat Nirman, not achieving much success.
Source: NGOs may run Rs13, 000 crore govt plan - dnaindia.com
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Social entrepreneurs gearing to change
Social entrepreneurship is expected to be the next big thing to influence India as the country juggles to achieve a balance between a growing GDP growth, ensuring inclusive growth and attempting to address issues ranging from education, energy efficiency to climate change.
"A social entrepreneur is an amalgamation of values displayed in Mother Teresa's compassion and Richard Branson's sharp business prowess", says Nishant Sarawgi, Strategic Partnerships and Marketing Manager, National Social Entrepreneurship Forum (NSEF) a youth-focused NGO.
Social entrepreneurs are agents of change but with an entrepreneurial approach. "He is an individual with innovative solutions to society's most pressing social problems with a strong non-negotiable focus to solving it and chooses an entrepreneurial approach to solve by using entrepreneurial systems and processes", adds Nishant.
"Social entrepreneurship is the sector that is going to be a challenging field for innovators and leaders. It has just opened up and has already started showing signs of success by generating around three trillion dollar turnover globally", says Nishant.
"People, government, corporations and funding agencies worldwide have realised that this is a way to achieve sustainable development and have started encouraging social entrepreneurs and innovators in several ways", he said.
"In India, social entrepreneurship has been gaining ground, more recently in the last three years with more and more youth evincing interest in the field, including those from prestigious IIMs and IITs", says 24-year-old Nishant.
According to Neelima Chhiber, a social entrepreneur, the NGO model had worked very effectively in areas like healthcare and education but had not done too well when it came to livelihood.
The social enterprise model, however, has been able to effectively deliver in generating livelihood, especially in connecting rural producer and urban consumers.
Source: Social entrepreneurs gearing to change India-Corporate Trends-News By Company-News-The Economic Times
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
"A social entrepreneur is an amalgamation of values displayed in Mother Teresa's compassion and Richard Branson's sharp business prowess", says Nishant Sarawgi, Strategic Partnerships and Marketing Manager, National Social Entrepreneurship Forum (NSEF) a youth-focused NGO.
Social entrepreneurs are agents of change but with an entrepreneurial approach. "He is an individual with innovative solutions to society's most pressing social problems with a strong non-negotiable focus to solving it and chooses an entrepreneurial approach to solve by using entrepreneurial systems and processes", adds Nishant.
"Social entrepreneurship is the sector that is going to be a challenging field for innovators and leaders. It has just opened up and has already started showing signs of success by generating around three trillion dollar turnover globally", says Nishant.
"People, government, corporations and funding agencies worldwide have realised that this is a way to achieve sustainable development and have started encouraging social entrepreneurs and innovators in several ways", he said.
"In India, social entrepreneurship has been gaining ground, more recently in the last three years with more and more youth evincing interest in the field, including those from prestigious IIMs and IITs", says 24-year-old Nishant.
According to Neelima Chhiber, a social entrepreneur, the NGO model had worked very effectively in areas like healthcare and education but had not done too well when it came to livelihood.
The social enterprise model, however, has been able to effectively deliver in generating livelihood, especially in connecting rural producer and urban consumers.
Source: Social entrepreneurs gearing to change India-Corporate Trends-News By Company-News-The Economic Times
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Friday, July 2, 2010
NGOs ask for ban on anonymous donations to be repealed
Charitable organisations collect a substantial proportion of funds through donors who prefer not to reveal their identities—the government’s ban is eliminating their sources for finance
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been crying out against the government's diktat on taxing anonymous donations for some time now. The finance ministry had clamped down on anonymous donations to (non-religious) charitable organisations to prevent money laundering. However, a number of NGOs say that because of a few isolated incidents, many charitable entities have been affected.
Noshir Dadarwala, chief executive, Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, has sent a petition to the Parliament of India Committee on Petitions (dated 29 June 2010), asking for the curbs on anonymous donations to be repealed.
Section 115BBC was introduced for the first time in the Finance Act, 2006, to tax anonymous donations to charitable organisations at the maximum marginal rate of 30%. Subsequently, a degree of relief was granted under the Finance (No 2) Act, 2009, that such anonymous donations aggregating up to five years of the total income of an organisation or a sum of Rs1,00,000-whichever is higher-will not be taxed.
"We are of the view that Section 115BBC, even after the amendment made by Finance (No 2) Act 2009, is a deterrent for genuine charitable organisations to mobilise funds for welfare and developmental work from the general public or ordinary citizens who are motivated to give for altruistic and not money laundering reasons," said the petition sent by Mr Dadarwala.
Mr Dadarwala, along with other NGOs, has met members of the Parliament of India Committee on Petitions in Mumbai to discuss the scrapping of taxes on anonymous donations.
NGOs argue that a number of leading charitable organisations mobilise their funds by placing their donations in collection boxes at shopping malls, airports, hotels and other public places where a number of ordinary citizens feel motivated to contribute money for a good charitable cause, be it for senior citizens, the
visually-impaired, impoverished street children or cancer patients.
"We are however of the view that a very large number of genuine charitable organisations and NGOs raise funds through collection boxes and people who put money into these boxes mainly comprise children and ordinary citizens of this country who may have heard about 'black money' but don't have any and contribute to charitable institutions only out of a genuine charitable impulse," added Mr Dadarwala.
Schools and colleges also raise money for various charitable causes with students going from door to door or requesting ordinary citizens in the streets to put money in collection boxes. According to Mr Dadarwala, NGOs which cater to orphans, cancer patients, and the mentally disabled are the ones who are most affected, as these organisations get nearly 30% of their annual donations from charity boxes.
"Leading NGOs collect lakhs of rupees annually through such collection boxes. Now, thanks to Section 115BBC of the Income-Tax Act, several NGOS have been forced to pull out these collection boxes," he added.
According to Shailesh Mishra, the founder of Silver Lining, an NGO which looks after senior citizens larger NGOs are affected by the provisions as they receive more anonymous donations, while smaller NGOs may not be affected.
Read more: NGOs ask for ban on anonymous donations to be repealed - Moneylife: Personal Finance Magazine
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been crying out against the government's diktat on taxing anonymous donations for some time now. The finance ministry had clamped down on anonymous donations to (non-religious) charitable organisations to prevent money laundering. However, a number of NGOs say that because of a few isolated incidents, many charitable entities have been affected.
Noshir Dadarwala, chief executive, Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, has sent a petition to the Parliament of India Committee on Petitions (dated 29 June 2010), asking for the curbs on anonymous donations to be repealed.
Section 115BBC was introduced for the first time in the Finance Act, 2006, to tax anonymous donations to charitable organisations at the maximum marginal rate of 30%. Subsequently, a degree of relief was granted under the Finance (No 2) Act, 2009, that such anonymous donations aggregating up to five years of the total income of an organisation or a sum of Rs1,00,000-whichever is higher-will not be taxed.
"We are of the view that Section 115BBC, even after the amendment made by Finance (No 2) Act 2009, is a deterrent for genuine charitable organisations to mobilise funds for welfare and developmental work from the general public or ordinary citizens who are motivated to give for altruistic and not money laundering reasons," said the petition sent by Mr Dadarwala.
Mr Dadarwala, along with other NGOs, has met members of the Parliament of India Committee on Petitions in Mumbai to discuss the scrapping of taxes on anonymous donations.
NGOs argue that a number of leading charitable organisations mobilise their funds by placing their donations in collection boxes at shopping malls, airports, hotels and other public places where a number of ordinary citizens feel motivated to contribute money for a good charitable cause, be it for senior citizens, the
visually-impaired, impoverished street children or cancer patients.
"We are however of the view that a very large number of genuine charitable organisations and NGOs raise funds through collection boxes and people who put money into these boxes mainly comprise children and ordinary citizens of this country who may have heard about 'black money' but don't have any and contribute to charitable institutions only out of a genuine charitable impulse," added Mr Dadarwala.
Schools and colleges also raise money for various charitable causes with students going from door to door or requesting ordinary citizens in the streets to put money in collection boxes. According to Mr Dadarwala, NGOs which cater to orphans, cancer patients, and the mentally disabled are the ones who are most affected, as these organisations get nearly 30% of their annual donations from charity boxes.
"Leading NGOs collect lakhs of rupees annually through such collection boxes. Now, thanks to Section 115BBC of the Income-Tax Act, several NGOS have been forced to pull out these collection boxes," he added.
According to Shailesh Mishra, the founder of Silver Lining, an NGO which looks after senior citizens larger NGOs are affected by the provisions as they receive more anonymous donations, while smaller NGOs may not be affected.
Read more: NGOs ask for ban on anonymous donations to be repealed - Moneylife: Personal Finance Magazine
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
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