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.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, September 4, 2009
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
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
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
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