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.