The Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh has launched a new skill development scheme called Roshni for rural youth from 24 most critical left wing extremism affected districts in the country. Briefing the media here, Sh Ramesh said that the initiative aims at skilling and placement of fifty thousand youth from these districts. Six districts each from Jharkhand and Odisha, five from Chhattisgarh, two from Bihar and one each from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been chosen for the scheme, which will be implemented at a cost of Rs 100 crore over the next three years.
The Minister said, the projects shall be funded jointly by the central and state governments in the ratio of 75:25 and the national level agencies shall be designated to act as monitoring and coordinating agencies for Roshni.
Ramesh said that at least 50 percent of the candidates covered under the scheme shall be women and special efforts will be made to proactively cover Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups on a priority basis. He said, beneficiaries aged between 18-35 years with requisite aptitude depending upon the trade or job requirements are to be selected as per the Participatory Identification of Poor. Training will be imparted through public-private and public-public partnerships. Educational institutions, corporate entities, entities that train and place for improved public service delivery, commercial and not for profit training providers will be roped in for implementing this scheme.
He said that four training models with duration ranging from three months to one year shall be taken up to meet the diverse needs of youth depending on their entry level qualifications.
'Jan Jal Jodo Abhiyan' reached the headquarter of ‘Jal Jan Jodo’ (JJJ) at Tarun Bharat Sangh, Bheekampura, Alwar, Rajasthan.
Here a two day Bal Sansad was organized on 5th and 6th June on the World Environment Day in which 100 chidren from villages of Arvari, Sarsa, Ruparel, Bhagani, Jahaajwali, Sabi and Maheshwara River Basin participated.
While showing concern about the impact of climate change and our dead and drying rivers, children planned and discussed to ensure the future of their seven rejuvenated rivers.
The ‘Bal Jal Sabha’ and ‘Bal Jal Samiti’ members that participated in the ‘Bal Sansad’ decided about the future action plan. A resolution was passed unanimously to work on the below mentioned four action plans to activate the ‘Jal Samiti’ and reviving the works of ‘Jal Sabha’:
1. Ensuring that encroachments do not happen on the water bodies (johad, paal and jhaal) built by joint efforts of Tarun Bharat Sangh and the communities,
2. Ensuring that water bodies do not get polluted and no wastage is dumped in them,
3. Immediately stopping the works that damages these water bodies like removing the soil from the paals,
4. Tree plantation near the banks of the johad.
This will be the joint works of the Jal Samiti and Jal Sabha. Jal Sabha meets twice in the year. Jal Samiti will meet on every 6th of the month in their respective villagesThe newly formed ‘Jal Sansad’ carried out various activities that included village Natural Resources mapping.
JJJ Abhiyaan leader while addressing the ‘Bal Jal Sansad’ said that their future is associated with the water conservation initiatives. Construction of these RWH structures is important for their survival. Their health is correlated to the health of the structures.
At the end all the water warriors ‘Bal Jal Yoddhas’ were felicitated by Waterman Rajendra Singh, Asa Heijne and Ravi Behera, Embassy of Sweden and Jitendra Sinha.
'Jan Jal Jodo Abhiyan', an initiative to reconnect the local communities with local water bodies reached Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, 1 June 2013.
Bhagwan Singh Parmar started the meeting with his emphasis on making models for watershed.
Siddharth Jain while addressing the Azeem Premji Foundation emphasised on the water conservation awareness programs. Brainstorming was done on the modus operandi of working on water in the Indore city.
Workers of various districts met to promote the works of Madhya Pradesh Jal Biradari in the Bisarjan
Ashram. It was decided that every month a one day camp will be held in the Bisarjan Ashram. Also there will be three day camp in Bhopal in the month of July. Rajendra Singh stressed on the importance of dialogue amongst the workers to advance the works of Madhya Pradesh Jal Biradari.
Bhagwan Singh, Nilesh Desai, Anil Dwivedi and Siddharth Jain together reorganised the Madhya Pradesh Jal Biradari. Bhagwan Singh and Nilesh Desai will start the water literacy programme for creating awareness on water conservation. They both took the responsibility to prepare the resourceful workers for water conservation.
Bhagwan Singh is planning to start a journey with his team for making a ‘water organisation’ in the state.
Earlier Jan Jal Jodo Abhiyan, reached Goa on 31 May 2013 from Maharashtra. In morning, the team of Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan in its National Community Water Rights Awareness journey met Vice Chancellor of Kolhapur Dr NJ Pawar and talked about pollution of Panchganga.
The college lies in the catchment of Manganaga and Agrani rivers and there were long talks on the involvement of students for the rejuvenation of rivers. The VC talked about developing a policy framework or curriculum for river rejuvenation in their college for next few years. They also discussed about the agriculture and topography of their region and changing the crop pattern to suit the rainfall in their areas.
The journey after meeting with the VC departed for Goa. The Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyaan Yatra had a good discussion with the organisations and workers here. The rivers of Western Ghats are in a very precarious condition. Krishnendu Mukherjee will plan the awareness programme in the Western Ghats so that the saints, govt. and society come together to save the rivers.
Later while speaking in the Conference on ‘Sustainable Development for a Green Goa’ organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), Goa Chapter, Rajenda Singh said, “Goa is over exploiting its resources. Goa receives one of the highest rainfalls in India and is famous for its beauty and landscape. But due to exploitation, pollution and encroachment, it is losing its flora and fauna. Goa has to make policy on saving lakes and ponds to conserve its beauty.”
This was followed by a meeting took place with Kalanand Mani of ‘Peaceful Society Goa’. The planning was done to run the awareness programs of Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan effectively in Goa and other states.
Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity. The theme for 2013 is ‘Water and Biodiversity’, both of which represent essential building blocks of life on Earth. The theme reflects the reality that water sustains all life on earth, and that ecosystems of our world, particularly forests and wetlands, ensure that clean water is available to us. However, despite being two sides of the same coin, they are rarely seen in unison when it comes to their conservation, use and management.
The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Celebrating International Day for Biological Diversity every year affirms our resolve and responsibility to safeguard the precious heritage of bio-resources for the future generations.
Having hosted the Eleventh Conference of Parties (CoP-11) to the CBD in Hyderabad in October 2012, India is presently the President of CoP.
As part of the celebrations, Dr V Rajagopalan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests inaugurated a function organised by the Ministry of Environment & Forests in collaboration with Wetlands International – South Asia and WWF-India here today. On the occasion, the Ministry released a ‘Water is Life’ poster, designed by Centre for Environment Education, Ahmadabad, a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, depicting how all life forms including human beings are interconnected by, and through, water. The poster can be utilised for a wide range of activities by students and teachers, for education and awareness purposes. The poster is presented in 16 major official languages of the country and will be distributed countrywide. A soft copy of the poster will also be available on a weblink soon, for download and local printing. CEE is working out a scheme where the best entries/activities done by children around this poster can be evaluated and awarded.
During the event the following book, newsletter and DVDs were also released:
• A book entitled ‘Mangroves of India – Their Biology and Uses’ - This book is published by Zoological Survey of India containing 56 papers representing the state of the art science and management information on mangroves of the India.
• A DVD by the Botanical Survey of India, digitizing all its publications under the Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India, to date. All results of exploratory and scientific activities of BSI and information relating to floristic and utilitarian aspects of Indian botany are now readily accessible in this digital archive.
•Digital Edition of Checklist on Blue Green Algae of the India: The BSI has been engaged on research on Cyanoprokaryotes, commonly known as blue-green algae which are primitive but important group of micro-organisms. The BSI has prepared a checklist of 1,232 taxa including 939 species, 207 varieties and 86 forms. This is being released in the form of CD.
• A DVD: Digital Archives: Zoological Survey of India containing Zoological Survey of India’s past research spanning 98 years, including 111 volumes of records, 31 memoirs and 335 occasional papers into a searchable digital database, accessible on a CD. This is also being placed on the website of the Zoological Survey of India and Ministry of Environment and Forests.
• Sarovar Newsletter: Wetlands International-South Asia has devoted its second issue of Newsletter ‘Sarovar’ on the theme water and wetland management, presenting important perspectives on the way managers of water and wetland resources can benefit by cooperative action.
During the daylong event, an Expert Consultation Meeting on Water and Biodiversity, between policy-makers, decision-makers, research institutions, NGOs etc. related to water and biodiversity conservation and management sectors will also be organised. The Consultation aims to encourage a participatory approach, by involving not only various governmental agencies but also the users and other stakeholders, in an effective and decisive manner, in various aspects of planning, design, development and management of the water resources schemes. One of the components of the Consultation will be to discuss the necessary legal and institutional changes that are required to be made at various levels supporting mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation within water resources planning and decision making.
As CoP Presidency India had launched the Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) train, which received over 2.3 million visitors on its journey covering over 50 stations across India, and played a key role in creating awareness about biodiversity in the country. After the resounding success of SEBS in 2012, the iconic train has been flagged off for its 2013 run on 9th April 2013. It is scheduled to cover 62 locations during its journey till 28th October 2013.
The International Day for Biological Diversity was also celebrated aboard the SEBS train which is presently stationed at Bhagalpur in the eastern part of the country. The state-of-the-art exhibition aboard SEBS is making significant contributions towards achieving Aichi target 1 during the UN Decade on Biodiversity by creating widespread awareness on biodiversity.
On Thursday 16th May 2013, under the high glass ceiling at Bright Courtyard Club in Baker Street Women Empowered (WE), on their one year birthday, held an event focused on image, self confidence and perception with the title ‘Make an Impression’. The event held at at Middlesex, UK was sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group.
Photos: L to R – Kulveer Singh Ranger (WE Champion), Dr. Kamel Hothi (Sponsor & WE Champion), Nina Wadia, Mona Remtulla, Nihal Arthanayake, Reena Ranger, Sadia Siddiqui and Anjali Pathak (WE Champion)
Over 140 guests came to hear the experiences and advice of Nina Wadia, national icon and British Asian television pioneer best known for her roles in Goodness Gracious Me and Eastenders. Sharing the stage was Sadia Siddiqui an entrepreneur, former model and TV Presenter and a male perspective was provided by BBC Asian Network and Radio 1 DJ Nihal Arthanayake.
Reena Ranger, chairman and founder of Women Empowered, explained that the social initiative decided to hold an event on this topic by using the experiences of people in the media eye who are arguably more scrutinised than most. This would allow others to apply their approaches and advice to their circumstances to learn how to make the best impression one can and to keep going when faced with difficult situations. She went on to explain that the perception of her and co-founder Mona Remtulla over the last year was that they were both staunch feminists and the perception of the clichéd image that word conjured up was different from their understanding.
She went on to say that “We think that feminism is the ability to do whatever you want to do. There is no ideal woman. In a really idealistic way, you should just be the perfect you – whatever that is”.
Dr Kamel Hothi of Lloyds Banking Group and the sponsor for the evening, opened the discussion with saying that, “no matter how hard you work, how dedicated you may be unless you give the impression to people around you that you need to be counted, you won’t make the right impression”. She went on to say that one should not be afraid to ask people around you of the impression that you give. She went on to explain that “As a woman we have a number of faces: at work, as a mother during our family life and each comes with its own impression.”
She reminded those present that ensure the impression that you give is the one that you want people to remember you for. As a British Asian woman she had had to project herself properly to show that she was capable in the business world and at home living in an extended family, and ensure she was projecting the right impression in each of these environments as they may not necessarily be one and the same.
Nina Wadia explained that for her the best way to make a first impression was her sense of humour. She said, “When you walk into a room you need to have something that people remember you for and for me that was slapstick”. She captivated listeners with a humorous account of her journey into the world of theatre, TV and radio. She emphasised she is always learning. She advised to learn from whoever is around you and that is one of her life lessons. Learning leads to a level of confidence. She talked about taking things and making them your own by adding your own qualities as she had done with her character in Eastenders.
Nina spoke about a documentary she is making called Changing Faces about women in India, to try to empower those women to know that they are supported by women in the UK to have the same rights as they do and as men do.
Nina also raised awareness for the NHS Organ Donation campaign, something that had touched her personally and urged all present to sign up to the register.
Sadia Siddiqui opened with the words of her father, “if you can dream it you can do it” and said during her time as a model she was scrutinised and fell foul of many of the stereotypes associated with models. She explained that it was not the prejudices of men that she had to overcome, it was the prejudices of other women and we must learn to nurture young women and help them to realise their full potential. She said that one must persist, charge ahead no matter the odds, overcome fear and believe in yourself. “Without belief it is very easy to give up” she went on to emphasise “where there is no opportunity, we must create the opportunity! Look good, stand tall and make eye contact, and be sure about the message you want to deliver” She went on to say that even if a first impression goes belly up, get up, shake it off and carry on. She said of her journey, “in the end my father was right”.
DJ Nihal spoke of embracing new situations and being strong and confident. He feels as a British Asian that he can go anywhere, do anything and achieve anything now as he has every right to be where he wants to be. He spoke of how his childhood of being one of very few Asians growing up and he learnt form a very early age how to “work it”. He learnt that he had to stand up for himself and be quick to learn to judge the character of others which meant when he was older he was a confident individual in an industry which was tough and had many people who lacked confidence. He stressed the importance of not having a chip on his shoulder and showing others empathy and if you need to be ruthless then that is what you have to do. His father had always warned him that he may have to work twice as hard to get where he wanted to but this was not necessarily a negative thing and one can not always use race as an excuse for not achieving things.
Mona Remtulla, co-founder, said of the event, “today marks one year of WE and we are also seeing what impression Women Empowered has made on those who have attended our events or followed our progress. Both Reena and I are proud of what we have achieved and we are receiving positive feedback and hearing some wonderful stories from people who WE has touched. It seems that WE and we are making the right impression!”
WE tries to support individuals by putting them in touch with organisations that can nurture their ideas and mentors who can assist in achieving those goals. It is a place to meet like minded people and create alliances for the future. At this event the Art of Living Foundation and Lisa Akesson were enabling partners who hold courses in self confidence and personal development. Cynthia Nolan of Shoot Me Studios was championed as the evening’s photographer.
Women Empowered will hold its next event in September.
Image courtesy: Shoot Me Studios
* Prashant Bhushan, Kumar Sundaram and Praful Bidwai
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace says Supreme Court Verdict on Koodankulam: A Travesty of Justice. The Supreme Court’s verdict on Koodankulam in a public interest litigation rests on three highly contestable premises: the judges’ belief in the indispensability of nuclear energy for India’s progress, their faith in the country’s nuclear establishment despite its appalling past record, and the judges’ notion of the larger public interest, based on a trivialisation of the safety concerns of people about nuclear power. The judges have given judicial sanctity to these propositions while giving the go ahead to the Koodankulam project.
It is unfortunate that the Court, far transgressing the actual prayers of the petition, has completely overlooked brazen violations of official safety norms by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).
The petitioners highlighted serious issues such as the recent scam involving Russian company ZiO-Podolsk’s supply of sub standard equipment to Koodankulam, violation of the AERB’s reactor siting norms, undermining of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance processes, and flouting of the mandate for evacuation exercises and emergency preparedness drills. They also raised the issue of NPCIL’s non-compliance with the 17 post Fukushima safety recommendations by a special AERB committee.
The DAE has abused its claimed hegemony on nuclear expertise in India and its proximity to the country’s top political leadership to mislead the Supreme Court. It has tried to pass off the safety codes it has evolved for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) as valid for the entirely different reactor design used at Koodankulam, based on Pressurised Water Reactors. The verdict also highlights the unfortunate extent to which our democratic institutions, including the judiciary, have come to unquestionably accept the GDP growth centric model of ‘development’ which is contested by impoverished and marginalised sections of the people who bear its brunt.
The only positive feature of the judgment is a set of 15 cautionary guidelines. Although inadequate, these are welcome. We demand that NPCIL exercise maximum transparency and accountability in implementing the guidelines. The Court’s order to withdraw police cases against the agitators vindicates our position that the government used undemocratic and brutal repression to silence the peaceful protests in Koodankulam. We demand that the fabricated charges filed against the protesters be withdrawn and they be released at once.
* Prashant Bhushan is an Eminent Lawyer, Supreme Court of India, Kumar Sundaram is with Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace and Praful Bidwai is an Eminent Journalist and Environmentalist (Founding Member, CNDP)
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07/06/13
50,000 youth in 24 naxal affected districts to get training and jobs under ROSHNI says Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh
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06/06/13
Bal Sansad on 5-6 June on the World Environment Day at Jan Jal Jodo Abhiyan headquarter, Tarun Bharat Sangh, Alwar, Rajasthan
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02/06/13
'Jan Jal Jodo Abhiyan', an initiative to reconnect the local communities with local water bodies reaches Indore, Madhya Pradesh
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22/05/13
Environment Ministry celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity
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22/05/13
Women Empowered - Make an Impression Event at Middlesex, UK
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21/05/13
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace says Supreme Court Verdict on Koodankulam is a Travesty of Justice
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Nepal Industry Minister Anil Jha meets Shatrughan Sinha, prominent actor and Lok Sabha MP, Patna Sahib