Good Samaritan - a politician

In these times to notice our politicians only in inaction or nasty action, this is one incidence which stands out very positively, irrespective of whether I agree or disagree with the cause. This is a story of a member of parliament (MP) from southern part of Maharashtra state. I dont know details but recently indian government was planning to reduce prices of sugarcane. This was particulalry going affect the sugarcane farmers in northern states. SO this MP, Mr, Raju Shetty, toured extensively into sugarcane farming areas of western Uttar Pradesh etc, interacted with sugarcane farmers and their organisations, formulated his own modified law. Gave it to parliament. Discussed it with other members cutting accross party lines. He got support from all opposition parties and he also got support from the ruling party. He followed it all the way till his proposal was accepted by the government and modified the price provisions accordingly.

Where's the Shared Sacrifice of War : from CNN, USA

Be it India or US, one always enticed to wonder, whose war is it anyways ! ?

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/12/20/greene.wartime.christmas.sacrifice/index.html

Consequently, it makes me wonder, "Should anybody be fighting these nobody's wars ?!"

Green GDP in India

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh recently announced that the government plans to release the first round of “green” gross domestic product (GDP) data for India by around 2015. While details on the methodology and data sources to be used in the proposed metric remain relatively sparse, the Central Statistical Organisation is reported to have started preparation of a national database to estimate the costs of environmental degradation associated with GDP growth.

Complete article in this can be found at http://epw.in/epw/uploads/articles/14201.pdf

(I only pray that announcements are strongly supported by actual actions. Recently India has announced emission reduction targets, but I dont see initiation for initiating actions! I strongly believe that mere technology is inadequate to effect any substantial reduction in emission. It needs fundamental changes in our lifestyles and how we look at 'economy'- - - Amen!)

Indian government revises air quality norms

When Indian governments do not want to act, they make an act !!!
Anyway, so much, so good ! Here is the good news:

In a major move to check air pollution, the government on Wednesday revised its norms, putting in place uniform standards for residential and industrial areas. The new guidelines, which came after a gap of 15 years, have been prepared after considering those of the European Union. The norms of World Health Organisation has been considered.

The revised guidelines have added five more hazardous chemicals in the list of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for monitoring.

They are Ozone, Arsenic, Nickel, Benzene and Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP).

The government had notified the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 1994 under the Air Act.

The review of the NAAQS and inclusion of new parameters was carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, Ramesh said.

The revised standards will be applicable uniformly with the exception of stringent standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur Dioxide in the ecologically sensitive areas.

The previous standards for residential areas have been uniformly applied for fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and ammonia.

More stringent limits for Lead, Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur Dioxide have been prescribed even for residential areas.

The CPCB will create a roadmap for the generation and maintenance of a database and monitoring of required infrastructure.

The government will also develop additional support system of enforcement such as National Environment Protection Authority and the National Green Tribunal to ensure effective enforcement of standards

Constitution bench to decide if courts can frame laws: Supreme Court of India

Amidst wide spread corruption in polity, beurocracy and overall society, the judiciary is left as the last resort of the hapless law abiding citizens. Though not completely beyond doubts, it still carry substantial faith in the minds of people. This has put tremendous pressure on judiciary to to expand its gambit. Its been called to offer verdict on issues which have no reason to be brought inside courtrooms. Some of the judicial decisions in such context drew criticism and gave rise to the term 'judicial activism'.
This is an interesting on this issue. Apex court in its earlier decision had framed guidelines for election of students' unions in colleges and universities. This decision was being reviwed by a 2-judge bench. This bench rejected the argument of Solicitor General, who is amicus cureau in the matter, that such directions could be passed to meet pressing social needs. The bench referred the amtter to a five-judge Constitution bench on the crucial question as to whether courts can frame and implement laws which are under the exclusive domain of the legislature and the executive.

The bench said the issue needs to be examined by a Constitution bench as it involved "questions of grave Constitutional importance."

The issues to be examined by the Constitution Bench are--Whether the interim order of the apex court on 22nd September directing implementation of the Lyngdoh Committee report was valid,

Second, whether it amounted to judicial legislation.

Third, whether judiciary can legislate and, if so, what is the permissible limit.

And fourth, whether judiciary can cite pressing social problems to pass such judicial directions

- taken from www.ddinews.gov.in

UNESCO to put up list of genuine and accredited universities on its website

In a novel step to check mushrooming of fake educational institutions, UNESCO has decided to include in its website names of genuine and accredited institutes of all countries.

About 30 countries, mostly Europeans nations, have already provided the list of their accredited institutes to UNESCO which has displayed them in its website, a UNESCO official said.

India has decided to provide its list of accredited institutes to the UNESCO by next month. HRD Ministry has entrusted the work to Education Consultancy India Ltd (EdCIL) to coordinate with the UNESCO in this venture.

The students can verify from the UNESCO list whether an institute is genuine or not.

"Now, we have given the list of genuine institutes of 30 countries. In next few months, accredited institutes from 60 countries, including those from India, will find their names in the list," the UNESCO official said.

The UNESCO is also preparing a set of criteria that can help students identify fake institutions.

The official said there is no accurate data about the number of fake institutions operating across the globe, offering higher education.

"But majority of them claim to be offering education in distant mode. Once our criteria are put in the website, students will be able to differentiate between genuine and fake institutions," he said.

The trend is very rampant in the US. About two lakh students are issued fake degrees by these institutions every year in the US alone, he said.

The fake institutes are duping a huge number of students in India every year, government sources said.

UNESCO institute for promotion of peace and sustainable developement at New Delhi

I dont know why and what I feel, but I strongly feel something strange in this news:

The UNESCO on Wednesday gave its final approval to India's proposal to set up a world-class institute for promotion of peace and sustainable development in the region.

The general body of the UNESCO, which is meeting in Paris, gave the go ahead for setting up Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development in Delhi.

The UNESCO Category-I Institute will foster a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights.

It will work in several areas, including global warming and non-proliferation.

It will do research on Gandhian thoughts on social justice, equity and peace.

The government will invest Rs 100 crore while UNESCO will put in USD five lakh (Rs 2.5 crore) for setting up the institute.

At present, there are 11 UNESCO Category-I institutes and most of them are located in developed countries

Moving Bookshelves

Asom Sahitya Sabha has started mobile library-cum-bookstall which will go through various towns and villages. The vehicle is so designed that 4 persons can sit inside and read while a protable table when laid out outside will provide space for four more readers. It will also sale Asom Sahitya Sabha's over 600 publications at discount.

Employment to disabled under NREGA

In India the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act promises 100-day guaranteed unskilled manual work to every rural adult with the aim to alleviate poverty.

Under this act, this financial year West Bengal topped all states with giving employment to 29, 714 disabled people, Chhattisgarh stood second with 13,763 and Madhya Pradesh third with 9,787 jobs to disabled people.

Compared earlier fiscal year, there has been increased participation of disabled people in the programme.

During the last financial year of 2008-09 a total of 1,46,855 were offered jobs under NREGA, as per the records of the government.

story telling tradition of Dastangoi being revived

storytellers called dastangos are striving to revive the Dastangoi- an ancient art of Urdu storytelling, which has got lost in the pages of history.

Under the practise two men dressed in white seated before the audience start narrating a story that conjures up a magical world of 'Aiiyars' (tricksters) and magicians who fight each other with the former always managing to outsmart the other.

Mahmood Farooqui, who has been working over the past few years to revive the art says, "It has been five years since I began. For my first show I did not have a clear sense of direction but was encouraged by the number of people who turned up to watch."

"We continued to perform dastans and people listened. I hope Dastangoi makes inroads in the street, in mehfils and there are dastans everywhere," he says.

'Tilism-e-Hoshruba' is the favourite 'dastan' of Farooqi, who travels with his companion and narrates in places in Delhi and Mumbai.

Translated it means 'enchantment that steals away the senses' this particular narrative follows closely the practice that evolved in 18th century in India and was popular both among aristocracy and the lay people in Lucknow.

The most famous 'dastan' version, the 'Dastan of Hamza' was printed in 46 huge volumes at the end of the 19th century in Lucknow. The illustrated manuscript created during the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar takes a look at the conflict between the righteous Amir Hamza and Laqa who falsely claims divinity.

Though parts of the Hamza Nama had been printed earlier, it was the famous Munshi Naval Kishore one of the early pioneers of printing in India who undertook the task of printing the whole dastan late in the nineteenth century.

Danish Hussein, who teamed up with Farooqui for the Dastangoi performance at the annual Journalism fest of Kamla Nehru College says, "I joined Mahmood in 2005 when Habib Tanveer introduced me to him in 2005 and it was very challenging for me as an actor.

Fortunately, we always found people receptive towards Dastangoi."
"In 1928, Delhi's last dastango Mir Baqr Ali died, I cannot say we perform dastans like the 'dastangos' of ancient times, we do it as per our understanding. We don't know how dastans were performed but all we know is we need to take it more beyond.

"It would be fun if there are more dastangos who can recite a 'Dastan' and spread this oral tradition," says Farooqi who picked up the 'Dastan of Hamza' lying with his Uncle SR Faruqi, said to be the only person who possesses a full set of 46 volumes.

With stalwarts like national award winning actor Naseerrudin Shah joining to promote the art, Dastangoi is set to catch the public interest.

But since the art of Dastangoi uses literal Urdu, was language ever a barrier to connect with the audience?

"Even if people don't understand the language you still can enjoy Dastangoi.There is no one who understands Urdu and even those who know the language find it difficult to comprehend the nuisances. The words have there audio sound which makes you understand the story," says Farooqi.

The duo have also tried to contemporarise the art form and make it a platform to raise contemporary issues in the society.

"There is direct conversation in dastangoi and we have performed dastans on Chattisgarh which is in turmoil and on Partition. For the Partition dastan we have taken excerpts from other writers and woven it to create the partition dastan.It depends on the dastango to take the art forward and create a dastan which can talk about politics and contemporary social issues, says Hussein.

"People go and see the opera even though not all of them would understand Italian. We want to take the the art beyond, I have heard about an epic 'Ganga Avtaran' in Sanskrit and we would love to perform that. We want people to listen to Ramcharit Manas and much more," says Farooqi.

Now, 'dastans' are being translated into English and the duo reckons that they have no problem if dastans are performed in English but they believe the orality has to be maintained in the translation. (BJ-05/10)

Rebirth of a tree

in the city of Nagpur, in central India, a 150 year old banyan tree with the girth of 37 ft had been dying a slow death. Excavations for road widening and haphazard dumping of garbage around the tree appeared to be making the tree into wood. Some active citizens came together to save the tree from almost certain death. After their persistant efforts local muncipal body agreed to adt and cleared the polythene and garnage that was suffocating the root holding soil. A Pest control firm treated the soil for termite control. With the tree's degradation its aerial shoots have stooped growing downwards. Activists have attached sacks of soil to their tips and water those sacks regularly.

Efforts of all these people seem to be bearing fruits and the banyan tree is begining to reviving and is beginning to sprout fresh leaves once again.

With this banyan tree on its way to recovery, activists have identified other rare tress that need to be saved. They have turned their focus on one of the only two remaining Baobab tree, which is getting buried in a grwoing dump hill.

AIR programme on ragpickers, homeless is nominated for a UN Award

A broadcast on the hopes and dreams of rag pickers and homeless children by Lucknow station of All India Radio (a state owned radio) has earned a nomination for a prestigious global award by a UN agency.

Other nominees for the International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) award include broadcasters from Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Germany, Ghana, Malaysia, South Africa, Togo and Ukraine.

The ICDB awards were launched by UNICEF in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness for children's issues.

Each nominees won a regional competition and now go on to compete for global honors, UNICEF officials said.

The winner of the 2009 ICDB Awards will be announced at a ceremony in New York on 10th November.

Free market forces towards innovative ways in Indian mobile sector

A mobile service company in India has launched an Agri voucher for farmers. Without knowing the details of the scheme, I find it interesting that market competition is encouraging companies to address customers, segments, regions, needs in innovative ways. Its interesting for sure.

This voucher will cost Rs75 (USD1.5) per month. Farmer can choose 2 out of 49 types. And on those two he will get information on market volumes, rates. He will also get weather forcast for 24 hrs, best ways of farming for the two types he has selected, much more related information on farming and marketing.

Compulsory COnvoy System to be withdrawn in Tripura

State government of Tripura, India has decided to withdraw compulsory security convoy system.

Following a review of threat perception, Tripura government has decided to withdraw the 16-year-old compulsory security convoy system for vehicles passing through the Assam-Agartala National Highway.

The compulsory escort system of moving vehicles in convoy was introduced in 1993 post the militant attacks. The system was considered to be the lifeline of the state.

Recent achievements by Indian sportsmen

Some significant sports news:

1. Its the first time in history of Indian tennis that Indian have advanced to second round of a grand slam tennis tournament in both men's and women's signles. Congradulations and best wishes to sania Mirza and Somdev Ddevvarman, and to all Indians. There are also two more Indians, Mahesh Bhupati and Leander Paes, with different partners particiapting in Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. In Mixed Doubles they hold top two seedings.

2. Force One, the team owned by Vijay Mallya, in Formula 1 GP motoracing has one points for the first time. Its car came second.

3. Nehru Cup football tournament was recently held in Delhi where 5 countries other than India participated. India won the title. For the semi-finals and finals, the stadium stnads were full to capacity. Hope this is representative of increasing popularity of sports other than cricket. All India Football Federation has announced cash awards for each player of the winning team

Indian Human Rights Commission considering special guidelines on healthcare

National Human Right Commission in India is preparing comprehensive guidelines on healthcare with special emphasis on mental illnesses and communicable diseases. The rights body had recently expressed concern over violation of right specially of persons suffering with mental illnesses. One NHRC member has noted, "there are instances where mentally challenged persons who require long stay in medical care have been languishing in hospitals in absence of rehabilitation measures".

I find it noteworthy that healthcare is being treated as basic human right and that mental illnesses are being considered as an illnesses and which can be and need to be addressed. If India really walks on this path then I hope that emphasis will gradually shift from illness to health, both physical health and mental health

4 lakh solar energy systems installed in rural india in 3 years

The Government has said that over four lakh solar energy run systems were installed across the country in last three years.

"Around 4,10,500 solar energy run appliances including home lighting systems, lanterns, street lights, SPV pumps and cookers were installed in the last three fiscals," New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah said while replying to a Rajya Sabha query on Monday.

The research supported by the ministry has helped in improving the efficiency of solar cells from 12-13 percent to 14-16 percent, Abdullah added.

India to have third researchs station in Antartica

Next January when summer begins in Antartica, India will start constructing its third research station. It will be located at Larsemann Hills region, which scientists believe broke away from Indian penninsula 120 million years ago and drifted to Antartica after break up of Gondwanaland continent. It has received nod from Antartic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ACTM). ACTM, formed as per the provisions of Antartic Treaty 1959, is the final international authority in the matters related to the icy continent.

Himachal Pradesh achives 'two-child' target

Himachal Pradesh, a Himalayan state of India, has become the 10th Indian state to achieve the target of two children per couple and not more. This means the state has achived total fertility rate of two or less children per couple. It recently received the congradulatory letter from Union Health Ministry.

State Health Department sources attributed the distinction to better health infrastructure in the state.

More than 75 percent of villages have accessibility to health sub-centres within a distance of three kms and 94.5 percent of them have a PHC within 10 kms, they said.

Indian Banks to reemburse within 12 days for failed ATM transaction

The Reserve Bank of India asked banks to reimburse customers the amount wrongfully debited from their accounts in failed ATM transactions within 12 days of the customer complaint.


Failure to re-credit within 12 working days will require the bank to pay a compensation of Rs 100 per day and this will be credited on the same day when the bank pays back the debited amount for the failed ATM transaction, it said.

"It is mandatory for the banks to reimburse the customers, the amount wrongfully debited on account of failed ATM transactions, within a maximum period of 12 working days," the central bank said in a notification.

RBI said it has received a number of complaints regarding non-adherence of banks to the instructions and that different banks have put in place different cut-off limits for cash withdrawals for other bank customers.

The issuer bank, RBI said, is entitled to claim such compensation from the acquirer bank if delay is attributed to the latter.

Also, the ATM network operators will have to compensate the banks for any delay on their part.

The central bank instructed the banks to extend the scope of concurrent audit to cover cases of delay in reimbursing the customers for failed ATM transactions.

courtsey: www.ddinews.gov.in

Muslim Priests at Hindu temple in Kashmir

900 years old Shiva temple is situated on the banks of Lidder river in Kashmir. It has images of Ganesh, Parvati and Hanuman carved in stone. The temple also houses a natural spring. It was built by Raja JaiSuria, once it was a stop for pilgrims going on Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage). It was by a locan organisation of kashmiri pandits headed by Pandit Radha Krishen. After his migration out of the Kashmir Valley, the temple became property of the sate archeology department. While leaving Pandit gave charge of the temple to his friend Abdul Bhat and asked to keep the gates open. After his transfer away in 2004, Muhammad Abdullah and Ghulam Hassan are entrusted with the task of maintaining the temple. They claim to have kept the temple open in spite of threats from militants. They wish that pandits return to valley.

India Railways to lauch a new call centre service.

Indian Railways has firmed up plans to launch a new call service number 138 for those seeking additional information or special services.

Customers can seek information on train routes and schedules at different stations. Information on some of the premium services launched by railways in the recent past can also be obtained on this number. This would be a special service and callers would have to shell out some more money than mere local call rates, as charged on 139, This plan comes on heels of starting (or planning) several and premium services such as hiring a taxi or booking a hotel over phone.

Plans are afoot to enable passangers to order food of their choice before embarking on journey by calling 139. Similarly orders can also be placed at counter while booking a reservation. Green vegetables and local dishes are new additions to the menu. Passangers would be served with trolley service in some of the Rajdhani expresses soon. Railway Minister has instruced Railway Board to improve quality of food served on train.

Novel equipments for watering

University of Pune is trying its bit to use eco-frinedly products with novel ideas.

It has installed a swing in its jogging park. This swing is connected to pumps which are attached to water tank. As the swing moves to and fro, water is siphoned up and supplied to surrounding plants using drip irrigation system. If the swing is used for 10 minuts, it pumps 100 litres of water.

Another device is a cycle pump. This too is installed in the park. As it is used as a means of exercise it sends water to connected sprinklers, making surroundings cooler and greener.

NGO for equitable distribution of water

Gram Gaurav Pratishthan (GGP) was founded in 1974 by late Vilasrao salunkhe to achieve sustainable rural development. His wife Kalpanatai is taking his task forward. It led to the 'Pani Panchayat' movement. It has developed holistic farming system thru organic farming. In it Naigaon model, proective irrigation was successfully brought about with participation of mloal community. Its Ponde Model brought about equitable water distribution through micro watershed. GGP is also collaborating with some corporates to widen its area and reach.

Mumbai HC clears air on accident insurance claims

Mumbai High Court has directed IRDA and Tariff Advisory Committee to publicise a circular in which the latter has clarified that unpaid drivers are also covered under the accidents insurance policy. in OCtober, 2005 TAC has clarified this issue but several insurance companies continued to issue policies without incorporating the modifications and latter rejected claims citing the deleted cause. The issue had come up in a PIL.

Vijay Tendulkar's play in Karachi

The Napa Repertory Theater Company presented its tenth play titles 'Khamosh! Yeh Adalat Hai' (Silence! The Court Is In Session) at the Arts Council Auditorium, Karachi between 16th to 25th May, 09. This Marathi play is translated into Urdu by Intizar Hussain. It is directed by Rahat Kazmi, who is a veteran stage and television actor himself. After starting his career with Pakistan Television in 1970, he set up his own company named Theater Walay and staged around 16 plays in the span of 5 years. This is his third play director associated with NTRC in Karachi.

Barren Hill Made Green by Collective Action

Kothrud is a western suburb of Pune City. Folks in the 50-60 age group taken up the issue of greening the hill in their are. Pune city is surrounded by hills. With increasing traffic and 'developement' pollution is increasing, trees are felling and hilltops are getting encroached. Instead of keep pointing fingures at government, these folks took it up on themselves to act.

It was a barren hill with depleted soil cover. It was not going to be easy to grow greenery there. Folks started in monsoon of 1998. First stones and rocks had to be roved, pits were dug and many trees of native species were planted. Scarcity of water and fertile soil was taken into consideration. Its a hard work offering various failures and demanding trials-and-errors. After different attempts these folks have succeeded in surviving some trees.

This is truly an initiative 'of the people, by the people, for the people. More participation, some government support and duplicating such initiative in different localities and different aspects of our urban lifestyle can take us a long way towards better life.

Books as birthday gifts by school-kids

An interesting tradition is being set in Bhave School at Perugate, Pune. Students have started a tradition to offer books to their school as their own birthday gift. The school has received about 40 books in last seven months. Principle of the school stated that boys have done with the practice of lighting candles on birthday cakes and instead have, in a way, lighting candles of knowledge this way. They buy a book for themselves and gift one to the schools. Even the boys who are economically handicapped participate in this idea.

To take this idea further, this school has decided to keep its library open even in during summer vacation. When new students join school every June, the school gifts a book to each new student. On a off period when there is no teacher a box of about 60 books is offered to students and they are happy to use that period for reading a book of their choice.

Pedestrians First

'Pedestrians First' is a NGO in Pune which is fighting for the right of the pedestrians. In today's social environment where developement is equated with technology as it exists today, all open spaces are being occupied with 'things'. Be those be constructions on open grounds or vehicles on open roads. All individual living beings are being marginalised. Trees are being cut, animals killed and pedestrians husshed off. Footpaths are being narrowed or removed totally. At traffic signals there is no time given to pedestrians to cross roads. Instead of working towards keeping open spaces as open as possible and still offer to meet basic requirements of citizens, establishment is working in opposite direction.

I see this NGO 'Pedestrains First' as working to re-establish the rights of pedestrains as basic human beings. They are working to make venturing out on foot safe for us, particularly for very young and old among us. This way is more humane, more eco-friendly, more sustainable, more healthy.

Let us wish luck to Pedestrians and try to be one of them as often as possible.

India puts two satellites into orbit

Indian Space Agency's workhorse PSLV-C12 places its first Radar Imaging satellite RISAT 2 and a micro-educational satellite ANUSAT into individual orbits 10 km apart. This was 15th flight of PSLV which has so far launched 30 satellites. PSLV had also launched Chandrayan - I on October 22 last year.

RISAT, with life span of 3 years has all weather round the clock capabilities to take images of earth. IT uses Synthetic Aperture Radars with many antennae.

40kg ANUSAT is a first satellite built by an Indian university. Its a 'store-and-forward' communication satellite that will help transfer confidential academic material and also monitor draught and wasteland, urban planning and other studies.

Rural Programmes

1. Swadesh Ki Khoj : CHIRAG and Ford Foundation are offering a opportunity for young graduates to work with a rural developement agency in India for a year and get a stipend for that. Four areas of work are being offered - Primary education, Primary healthcare, Rural livelihood, Environmental regenration. Programme starts from July 1, 09 and applications are to be sent by May 15, 09. More information on the programme can be found on http://chirag.org/swades.html


2. Developement From Inside : This is a four week course initiated by Charities Advisory Trust. This is a hands-on training programme that offers unique opportunity to learn from inside in scenic surroundings of Mysore. the four week course will involve - Seminars led by influential Indian activists, Two work placements with local NGOs, Visits to projects in the area, and a chance to experience the real India. More information reagarding the course and the trust can be found on http://www.charitiesadvisorytrust.co.uk/development/first.htm

Presenting news and websites for physically impaired personws

websites of the government of India are accessible to the visually impaired persons. (I dont know how)

It is decided that the prime time news on Doordarshan (India's national television channel) will soon be accessible to hearing impaired persons. While news reader is reading the news, a running scroll or sub-titles will appear at the bottom.

I have not varified either of these. Neither do I have any information on how effectively they are/will be presented for the targetted impaired people. In any case, this a creditable initiative.

MCD may involve rag-pickers in door-to-door waste collection schem

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is launching a pilot project to allot waste management, including door-to-door garbage collection, to a private agency. There are estimated to be 200,000 rag-pickers in Delhi.It is also said that about 60,00 of these rag-pickers are in the age group of 5-14 years of age. Various NGOs had raised concern that privatising waste management would encroach upon livelihood of these rag-pickers. Responding to these concerns MCD is contemplating of involving them into the project. Policy, till now, does not include or exclude rag-pickers. Care will be taken to include this aspect into the memorandum of understanding with the privet agency.

Nearly 8000 tonnes of garbage is generated every day in Delhi and is expected to go up to 20,000 tonnes by 2020. About 1000 tonnes of this is collected by rag-pickers. This is a saving of enarly Rs. 600,000 per day for MCD.

APJ Abdul Kalam chosen for international award for his outstnading social service

Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam has been chosen for supposedly prestigious international award for his outstanding social service.
I have not mentioned the name of the award because I dont what it is and how prestigious it is. I am also not sure whether a former indian president and India as a whole should feel how much great about it. I am posting this simply because I myself did not know of Abdul Kalam's work in the area and would like to mention that work.

He had initiated a project to making state-of-the-art healthcare affordable to common man, bringing quality medical care to rural areas by linking doctors and technocrats, using spin-offs of defense technology to create state-of-the-art medical equipments, launching telemedicine projects connecting rural based hospitals with speciality hospitals.

Intra-party democracy

Political party PMK in Indian state of Tamilnadu has decided to withdraw from its current political alliance and to go with the party AIADMK. Though this a political decision like any other of any other party, there is a very very important differentiation in how it was arrived at. The decision was taken by secret ballot at the party's general body.

Amidst all the talk of India being the largest democracy in the world, we rarely see any democratic actions within political parties. Decisions are taken by high command or central leaderships and are asked to be seconded by voice vote or raising of hands. This clearly elicits who is where and forces voters to align with powers-that-are. We rarely see elections taking place for intra-party posts.

In contrast to such a scenario, the secret balloting within PMK party needs to be commended, lauded and encouraged. Congradulations and Thanx, PMK guys!

Founder of Sulabh Shouchaalaya named for 2009 Stockhom Water Prize

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak eastablished Sulabh (sulabh literally means easy) sanitation Movement in 1970s to change social attitudes towards traditional unsanitary practices in the country. Dr. Pathak is famous for his wide ranging work in the sanitation field to improve public health, advance social progress and improve human rights. He has been named the 2009 Stockholm Water Prize laureate. This is one of world's most prestigious prize and is given for outstanding achievements in water-related activities. Dr. Pathak has also waged an ongoing campaign against manual scavanging of human waste from traditional bucket latrines. He has been championing rights of the former scavengers and their families to economic opportunity, decent standard of living and social respect.

Nobel Laurets and Peace Committee stand up against visa denial to Dalai Lama

There is going to be World Soccer Cup Peace Conference in Johannesburg on 27th March. Nobel laureates, former president F W De Klerk, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela had sent invitation to Dalai Lama at the request of organisers of this peace conference. South Africa on 23rd March has said that it is not in the country's best interests to allow the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit the country. Former President Klerk and Archbishop Tutu has said that they will not attend the conference against this visa denial De Klerk has said that the decision to exclude Dalai Lama is irreconcilable on which our society is based, including the principles of openness and responsiveness, and the rights of freedom of expression and free political activity. Siting the same reason Norway Peace Prize Committee has refused to attend the conference.

It is commendable that world respected individuals and organisation has openly stood up against pressurisation of a oppressive regime of a country which is most influential next only to US.

Award for Doucmentary films by children

A set of four documentaries produced by children in India has won the Golden Cairo Award at the 19th Cairo Children Film Festival held in Egypt.

The package of four films was based on issues related to sexual harassment by teachers as well as how parents should behave. Chinh, a media trust, has been promoting production of documentary films among children in the country.

ISRO finds new bacteria in stratosphere

ISRO scientists have discovered three new species of bacteria that are resistant to ultra-violate radiation. These bacteria do not match any found on earth. These were found in sample that ISRO collected when they sent a balloon into the stratosphere.

Traditional Surangas of Kerala

Surangas are traditional man-made horizontal caves for water. Kasargod district in Kerala, India is estimated to have 6000 surangs out of which majority are still used for drinking water and irrigation. Though no information is available about history of surngas, they resemble qanats of Iran. Though qanats are thousands of years old, surangs may not older than 1-2 hundred years.

One such suranga is the 250 mts long suranga at Sheni, 35 kms. from Kasargod. It has 7 opening vents which are used as wells. People in the locality are taking our about 10000 lts of water every day apart from water for irrigation. It is interesting to see these seven wells are perfectly aligned in suranga. Undoubtedly people of those times had special skills which have got lost in time.

India to Observe 'Earth Hour' on 28th March

India will observe 'Earth Hour' by switching off all lights and electrical appliances for one hour on 28th March. India will join rest of the world from 8.30 to 9.30 pm on that day.Last year 'Earth Hour' was observed in 35 countries. This year India, espacially Delhi and Mumbai will also participate. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is getting support from governments and corporate houses. The campaign began 2 years ago with people of Sydney switching off lights for one hour.

Earth Hour is not a quantitative measure to save electricity but a powerful symbol for the fact that it is possible to take collective action against climate change.

Personally, I do not support any hours or days as I believe that a change can only be brought about by action, not by flashy words. There is a danger that a need to act can get dissolved in blinding publicity of such flashy occassions. But this time the organisers are aware of it and are open and realistic about their awareness. Hence I thought it might work positively in encouraging people towards action, that is nothing less than lifestyle change.

List of egistered doctors in Delhi on the net

Delhi Medical Council has uploaded the names of all registered doctors in the capital. It is reported that the list is available on www.delhimedicalcouncil.nic.in There are about 40,000 doctors in the lsit. It lists doctors by name, address and qualification. Doctors can be located by entering first name, last name, address or qualification

India has 1.2 million elected women representatives

Number of elected women representatives in rural India is 1.2 million, the largest anywhere in the world. In 2003-04 the 73rd constitutional amendment reserved 1/3rd of all panchayat seats to women. AC Nielsen -ORG Marg had conducted astudy for Panchayati Raj ministry. These women representatives are emerging out of shadows of their male patrons. Some activists feel that the women repsresentatives are still away from being key decision makers or negotiators. Some face discrimination and harassment and it makes them difficult to exercise their powers. Some feel that for every frustrated female representative there are many who are agents of change.

Some figures and statistics:

>> Most states reserve 33% of all panchayat seats for women but some, like Bihar, allocate 50%

>> Nearly 26% of all representatives are from scheduled caste, 13% are from scheduled tribes.

>> Almost 19% of elected women are illiterate, only 48% are educated to middle or high-school level

>> 54% are above poverty line

>> work paricipation rate for women 25.7% for overall India

>> Sex ratio change from 1951 to 2001 is: 965 to 946 for rural India, 860 to 900 for urban India

>> Out of total women married around 2005-06, 44.5% married by 18 years of age (rural - 52.5%, urban - 28.1%)

Ban on Cutting Chinar trees in Kashmir Valley

Kashmir's famed Chinar trees may get a new lease of life with the state governmnet imposing ban on its felling and lopping. The ban follows numerous complaints that reckless felling and lopping is going on in every nook and corner of the valley. Chinar, which is integral part of Kashmir' heritage, is fast disappearing. Permission for felling Chinar trees can only be granted if 5 new Chinar trees are planted for every tree to be cut. All requests pending execution or permission are to be suspended.

British couple undergoes voluntary euthanasia in Switzerland

I dont know if this can be classified as 'Good News', but I am putting it here because some deep ethical, moral and legal issues are involved. Though its a news of death, its a voluntary death.

80 years old Peter Duff and his 70 years old wife Penny were suffering from terminal cancer. They are believed to have ended their lives together at a clinic in Switzerland. Voluntary euthanasia is not legal in Britain but is legal is Switzerland. They are believed to have been helped to end their lives with overdose of barbiturates. In UK assisting suicide is punishable but Britain's Chief Justice had signaled that anyone 'helping; a terminally ill person to organise an assisted suicide abroad would not be prosecuted in the country.

Readers' comments on this news are most welcome

Ward Sabhaa Act of Maharashtra

A noted activist in Right To Information (RTI) movemnet, Shri Arvind Kejariwal, recently said in Pune that the state government is coming out with an act to empower ward sabhaa on the lines ofgraam sabhaa. It would be better if this act is prepared by people's participation rather than formulated by the government. Maharashtra legislative assembly has passed an act empowering ward sabhaas in cities, on the lines of graam sabhaas in villages, to receive funds from JNURM. The act is pending before legislative council. It would be a better idea to prepare such an act through people's particiaption. All the schemes are designed and planned for people but are implemented without consideration to their views. This needs to change.

RTI Act is there in about 70 countries all over the world, but the indian act is best in terms of its spread and focus.

Government held accountable

Some time back there was an unfortunate incidence in Mumbai's muncipal hospital. A new born child was stolen from the hospital. Feeling that due efforts are not being done by police and municipal authorities the couple had pleaded to Mumbai High Court. Passing stringent remarks on the negligence by these two agencies, it also commented that actually the officers need to be sent for such an extreme negligence. The court directed government to pay Rupees 10 lakhs (1 million) to the couple as interim relief to the couple till the child is found out.

This may further an era of accountability in government functioning !

Campaign to make women aware of protective laws

National Commission for Women has launched campaign to make women aware of laws enacted to prevent atrocities against them and for their general welfare. Its called 'Jago' programme. Another prime objective of the campaign would be to establish proper coordination between various organisations involved in the work

National Drama Festival

10-day national drama festival is starting on 1st March in Thiruvanathapuram. Plays from different states and dramas in english and japanese will be held in the festival organised by Information and Public Relations Department. A specialty fo this festival is prominence of women directors. Plays of Veenapani Chawla, Culekha Chaudhari, Neelam Mansingh, Mayakrishna Rao are some of the attractions. eminent directors like Habeen Tanwir, Kanhaiya Lal, Shanmukh Raja, Sankar Venkateswaran.

- More on this thread as I get more.

Karnataka High Court sets up 'Green Bench'

This could well be a first in legal history. Karnataka High Court has announced setting up of the Bench to exclusively deal with environmental issues. Thi High Court receives plenty of appeals n issues like mining, water, forest, lakes, pollution etc. The Court can now speedily dispose of such cases as those will directly come under the purview of this special Bench headed by Chief Justice. The cases pertaining to environment in any other circuits will transferred to this Bench.
The notification says that all the writ petitions related to grant of lease/licence of mines and minerals, or govt., private or forest lands which are concerned with the protection and improvement of environment and prevention of hazards to human beings, other living species, and have bearing with pollution control, will now be dealt with this Bench.

Old singing of Pt Bhimsen Joshi released on CD

Rare and old recordings of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi has been released as CD album titled 'My Music - The SaaReGaMa Years'. (The company SaaReGaMa was previously known as HMV) This is a set of four albums having 2 CDs each. These contain more than 40 Raagas, some of which have been created and composed by Bhimsenji himself. Some of these recordings were earlier released on 78 RPM records by HMV. Some of these are 3 minute bandeeshes sung by Panditjee at his 24 years of age. These date back to recordings from 1946.

e-governance awards in India

A small hilly state of Himachal Pradesh has got Natational Award for e-governance award for 2008-09 for its electronic gazette (e-gazette) and Himachal Prdesh Police Web Portal (HIMPOL). HIMPOL has also been awarded under the catagory of 'oustanding performance in citizen centric service delivery'.

A so called backward state of Bihar has won national Award for e-governance for 'Jankari', its project to empower people with information under Right To Information (RTI) over telephone.Bihar is the first state to start such a project, envisioned by chief minister Nitish Kumar, which enable people living in remote places of state under RTI through just a telephone call. The operators receiving the calls in call centers draft the application under RTI and send it to public authorities for providing the requisite information to applicants. State government is making efforts through its Public Relations department to make people aware of the programme and the public telephone utility BSNL is making efforts to widen its network. In the two years of it soperation the call centre received nearly 22,600 calls of which about 700 were for submitting applications, about 3000 for filing first appeal and about 1400 for filing second appeal. Now the 400 blocks fo t eh state will be connected with state secetariate through Bihar State Wide Area Network to provide quicker information to and from block headquarters. Efforts are on for conveting information on treasury, VAT, transport applications and e-tendering.

Obama signs bill on equal wages

US President Barack Obama has signed a law banning descrimination on the grounds of sex, age, race, religion or physical disability. He said that its not only an economic issue but it related to the fundamental principles of united states.

He also changed the time limit of going to court against descrimination. Earlier there was a time limit of 180 days from the time when such descrimination started. Now it relates to every cheque a person receives.

Writer P Sainath refses highly respected government award

P Sainath prefers to call himself 'rural reporter'. He is rural affairs editor for 'The Hindu' newspaper. He spends 270 to 300 days every year in rural interiors. He is the 2007 winner of Ramon Magsaysay award for litreature, journalisma nd creative communication. He is the author of 'Everybody Loves A Good Draught'. Through his work on Indian\'s social problems he has changed the nature of developement debate. His current project is on agrarian crisis nationwide.

This year he was confered with one of the highest Padma award by government of india. He has been consistently refusing any goverment awards for past 20-30 years saying that government should be judging literature and journalism.

Scarf for blind girls

Children of Swaranjali Society have done some exemplary act. Children aged between 10 to 15 have started collecting part of their pocket money etc for this project. Once the needed amount was collected they donated scarfs to blind girls to protect from cold.
Last year they gifted a DVD player to the partially visually handicapped girls of the same blind-school. This they went a step ahead and gifted a Dish TV connection.

Kashmir on the path to peace

Militant incidences in Kashmir have gone down significantly. They were never so low since 1989. In 2008, there was 40% reduction in militant incidences in Kashmir. Compared to figures 5 years ago there is 80% reduction. Reduction in civilian deaths has been even more, nearly 90%. This is due to precision techniques used by militiray, widepsread dialogue, peace process initiated by government and presence of multiparty politics and genuinely elected government in Jammu & kashmir.

The newly elected Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of Jammu & Kashmir has done something that no politician had done in past twenty years.Fearing militant attackes on them politicians move around in dark glassed cars with security vehicles accompanying in plenty. He went on a celebration rally sitting atop a sedan with his son.

Long live peace and happiness on this heaven on earth called Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh.

Sikkim achieves total sanitation

Sikkim has become first state of India to achieve total sanitation under government's total sanitation campaign (TSC). Though there seems to confusion in figures as to what 'total sanitation' means, the central minister for rural developement has announced this while honoring the gram panchayat presidents who had received Nirmal gram Puraskar. He said that Tripura would soon be the second state after Sikkim.

In order to implement TSC, the minister has written to state goverments to amend their respective Panchayat Raj Acts that only those panchayat presidents would be allowed to re-contestwho achieve total sanitation standards in their respective villages. Only Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have so amended their Acts.

Women wage peace in war on terror

Women Without Border (WWB) have launched a peace initiative SAVE (Sisters against violent extremism). Its India chapter is scheduled to be launched in Delhi on 29th January.
Women could be starting points of an early warning system as they are strategically positioned at the heart of every family. They are the first to recognize resignation and anger in their children and critical group of adolescents. SAVE recently arranged for women from Isreal and palestine to share peace and understand that conflict causes both sides to suffer.

Mobile Number Portability in India

Indian government has invited bids from experienced global players for commissioning mobile number portability (MNP) in India. If all goes well users can expect to have MNP in place in India by second half of 2009. Initially government has suggested a price range of INR 200-300 for a change of operator, but now it has said that TRAI will decide in pricing.

MNP enables users to avail change of mobile operator without having to mobile number. This brings in fair amount of fair competition. Many countries already have such system in place.

Parent Thesis, with a difference

Achyut and Jayashree Phadake of Pune are mentoring over a dozen schoolgoing childen from nearby slum. It began in 1980 when Jayashree began helping children hoem work and taught some skills and personal manners. Her activities still continue after 28 years and a attack of mild paralysis. Children help the couple in some houselhold activities while the couple pays for school fees, uniforms, study material, books. Part of the monthly pension goes in this. They also get funding from corporates for doing simple job work like folding dividend warrants and putting those into envelopes. Word-of-mouth has heped garner some funds. Help also comes from people who can guide students in their studies. Over 50 children have passed through with Phadakes.

One of Phadake's daughter Maulabi Shaikh, is continueing Phadake legacy in a far awayf place of Bijapur, where she has taken up the same activity for deprived children.

Parliamentary committee seeks to withdraw writ petition it had filed

Parliamentary Standing committee has urged Indian Supreme court registry not to press the writ petition it had filed in Delhi High Court in the case related to declaration of assets by judges.Pressing the petition would harm the intent of Right to Information Act.

The committee has also made following observations and recommendations:
- it is recommending parliament to do away with application fee for RTI application
- it has asked Public Sector Undertakings to clear backlog in recruitment and promotion in resevations for SC/STs, OBCs and physically challanged.
- It has observed that corrcuption control and vigilance mechanism in banks is doing well upto the level of genral manager. It is now requesting government of indian to take it further up
- The committee held discussions on amendments to Representation of People Act and constitutional amendments on women's reservation

Barter System

I met a poor rural guy living in the backwaters of Mulshi lake near Pune. He was saying that he was not getting kerosene from the government shop till he builds a WC of his own and stop clearing in the open. But he did not have money to build one. But he desperately needed to get kerosene. He needs kerosene to to light his home lamps (there is no electricity to his house though he lives near the lake which is built for generating electricity!) and as fuel for his cooking. These days there is hardly any forest left around and firewood is not easy to gather. He does not have money to buy material required to build a WC, neither he had money to employ a meson to actually build it. He somehow got a old WC pot from a urban relative and could uste little money buy little cement etc. Then he brokered a deal with a local meson. The meson does not get a lot of work to fully employ him as a meson. When he does not have work as meson he is employed for some petty work. So our man made a barter arrangement with the meson. When the meson is building our man's WC. our man goes to work for the meson on his petty jobs.

I find this interesting. I had heard of barter system only in terms of exchange of goods. But here manual labour and skills are being exchanged, or you can even say, traded, one skill for another, one's time for something with other's time for some other thing etc.

Barefoot College of Tilonia (Rajasthan, India)

In 1972 Bunker Roy formed Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC) at Tilonia, Rajasthan. He believed that education system of today is biased towards urban elites and has no place for rural poor. He decided to delink education from literacy and experience from qualification. Illiterate or semi-literate, socially and economically backward and vulnerable can apply and are accepted in Bearfoot College (BC).

Experiment started with groundwater survey of the region, fitting of hand-pumps and gradually developed health and education programmes. It believed that villagers themselves can decide their path of developement. All decisions are taken jointly. Everybody is equal irrespective of class, sex, cast, religion. Puppetry is extensively used as means of communication and education.

40% of the funding is given by Rajasthan government, 40% by institutions like UNSECO and 20% comes for sale of handcraft products and solar energy kits.

BC now operates in area of more 500 sq, miles with 1500 night schools.

Descrimination Commission in J&K

Omar Abdullah, the new Chief minister of Jammu & kashmir, India has proposed forming of Descrimination Commission. He said that all the three regions of the state, viz. Kashmir valley, Jammu, and Leh-Ladakh feel that they are being discriminated against. He said that would like to remove these feelings and get all the regions together for betterment of J&K. He said he would like to the commission to be headed by a retired Chief Justice of Supreme Court and preferably should be from outside of J&K.
He also referred to the Amranath Yatra Land Transfer agitation and said that he would like to get people to talk and resolve the issue. He would like to come traders from both Jammu and valley to come together and work out mutually benefitial ways.
He said he would be leading a coalition government and is aware of realities of sucha situation. In addition, he said, he is aware that he would have to deal with the strong oppostion with diametrically opposite views, PDP on one hand and BJP on the other.

All in all the new young chief minister seems to be deeply routed in ground and at the same time having courage to state his dreams and vision. What he is actually able to deliver we are yet to see. Lets all wish him all the luck and cooperation from all factions.

Measles dying?

WHO has announced that measle deaths has come down by 74% since 2000. There has been major contribution from eastern mediterranean region including somalia, afganistan, pakistan. There has been a big success in measles vaccination.

Bio-Happiness and 'Evergreen Revoultion'

Noted agricultural scientist Swaminathan was addressing the 96th Indian Science Congress in Shilong. He underlines the need for conserving the rich bio-diversity of the north-east region of India and called for ushering revolution in the region. He gave thrust on soil health care, harvesting, efficient use of water, technology and appropriate inputs, credit and insurance, and assured renumerative marketing. The north-est region is one of the 12 mega-biodiversity regions in the world. He emphasised on linking bio-diversity, biotechnology and business in mutually reinforcing manner. he called for saving genes for posterity. Loss of every species and genes limit our options for the future. Cultural traditions of tribal people have important role in understanding bio-diversity conservation and management issues. Efforts should be directed at promotion of bio-happiness among tribal people.

Woman of Steel

On 26.11.2008 Dayamani Barla was awarded Chingari Award for Women Against Corporate Crime 2008. This award iitself is instituted by two women who took on UC after Bhopal Tragedy. They, Rasheeda Bee and Champa Devi Shukla, won Goldman Environmental Prize in 2004.They put the prize money into a trust which would choose every year a woman working for the same cause.

Dayamani Barla is 44 years old tribal dalit woman, born to an extremely poor landless laborer and wen on to become journalist and activist. She is leading the fight against the giant steel plant coming up in Jharkhand, because she belives that the prices tribals will have to pay when they are displaced from their land can not be compensated by a few jobs or money.

Through her writting, Dayamani has set a standard for the kind of relevant journalism that is rare at a time when celebrity and sensation dominates media.

In Jharkhand, as in other tribal dominated states, local people are organising resistance gaisnt giant industrial and minning projects. The outcomes of these struggles may well shape the economics and politics of our country. These battles actually represent opportunities to devise developement that is inclusive, participative, sustainable, respects limited availability of natural resources.

It is with help of women and men like Dayamni Barla that governments and administrations are being forced to consider alternatives to their immediate limited perspective and vestsed interests. Only in the availability of such space for view and counterview, to offer and accept that democracy can survive, let alone flourish.

My salute to all these crusaders because of whom we can express whatever we wish to.