Half-Marathon in Full Smog


Lokmarg met some of the runners and this is what they had to say: Anshul Saxena, Telecom Firm Employee “I completed my half marathon with my personal best timing of 2:17:03. I could not practice due to high smog levels in Delhi and was expecting to finish it within three hours. But the weather was better and the incredibly inspirational people running aside just kept me going. Proud of my city and am sure we can overcome the problems with or without any government support.”


Vipul Mahajan, Software Engineer “I came all the way from Mumbai to participate in half-marathon. I was sceptical about the air quality from what I heard in the news, but today the weather was fine. Though morning was bit cold otherwise it was all good and I did not face any difficulty while running.”


Kartikeya Mishra, Engineer “The weather was just fine today. Yesterday it had rained so air was not that bad. The organizers made sure that we get proper medical assistance when needed. I’ll participate in this event next year too.”


Abhinav Raj, Law Firm Employee “I completed this race in less time than expected. I would like to take part in ONGC half-marathon in January when weather is more challenging. There was no influence of bad air on running.”


Gautam Sikka, IT Firm Employee “There was little to no effect of air pollution. Air quality is better than previous days when Delhi was engulfed by smog.”


Nirmal Kumar, IT Firm Employee “It is company policy to make sure it’s employees are in good health. I participated in 6 kilometer corporate race. It was wonderful experience of running in events like these. Air and weather are comparatively better today so it was a day spent well.”


Balaknama, India’s first newspaper by street children for street children continues to thrive


th July 2002, a federation of street and working children was formed by 35 children. Together they decided to bring out this newspaper as their voice in September 2003. “If a Bollywood actor’s dog gets hurt, it will be breaking news and will be covered by all newspapers and channels in India.

But when a street kid dies on a railway platform or in an accident, no one seems to care,” said Vikas Kumar (17), one of the reporters of Balaknama. Vikas ran away from home because of his abusive parents and worked as a rag picker in Delhi for many years. During those days he used to battle with smugglers, robbers and other goons every other day.

But today, he is working as a reporter for Balaknama, India’s only newspaper for street children. Vikas said, “We want everyone to treat street kids as equal citizens and we try our best to get their voice heard.” Another child is Shanno who was earlier working as Editor of Balaknama and now serves as an adviser to the project. “I came to know about this project with the help of NGO Chetna.

I had few sessions where I found that I was not the only one who was deprived of education. There are many children who are willing to get educated but they have to work and support their families financially,” said Shanno. Shanno said that she got to know about her rights through Balaknama. When she started working for Balaknama she had to face some issues at home. She lied to her parents that she had got a job when she was volunteering for Balaknama.

How they work

It is edited by volunteers of Chetna, an NGO, which works with street and working children. They collect a range of stories- from case studies to social and legal developments concerning the lives of street children. Constant interaction with around 10,000 members helps them to gather stories from streets of 7 districts of North India. It is financially supported by NGO Chetna, with donations and contributions from a wide range of sources, including individuals. These street children distribute Balaknama among children living on the streets, admirers, ordinary people, in markets, at NGOs, to civil societies and government authorities. All events/opportunities that carry a scope for developing interest amongst different stakeholders concerning the well being of street and working children, are also used for the distribution of Balaknama. It is published on a monthly basis, originally in Hindi, then translated in to English. Today Balaknama has 5,000 Hindi and 3,000 English copies printed each month. Shanno said, “It has become a means of empowerment for more than 400 street and working children who gave their time since inception.”

Team

Balaknama’s team consists of young children who either lived or presently living life in difficult circumstances. These children have witnessed hardship in life, but their courage has converted them into reporters, who are hungry for change. The team consist of one adviser, one editor, one sub editor, seven Delhi reporters and 30 batooni (who give lead stories but can’t read or write) reporters. Apart from them, volunteer reporters in all seven states always contribute with their stories too.

Accolades

Balaknama has been mentioned in Limca Book of records for being the first ever newspaper for street children. Balaknama is gaining its popularity nationally and internationally and it has been reported by various international media houses. Every other day readership of this newspaper is increasing and motivating children working with Balaknama.

Address-

To help them with stories or donation contact: Balaknama, 31, Basement, Gautam Nagar, New Delhi – 110049, India. Phone: 011 41644471. Email: balaknamaeditor@gmail.com

Pamela Jane Gerrand, A Sufi Philanthropist from Canada

What was the Women’s Economic Forum and what was your role in that?

Women’s Economic Forum or we call it WEF is a global conference to foster empowering conversations and connections among women committed to bringing constructive changes in their lives. This is a philanthropic and non-profit collaboration. I expressed my belief about the requirement of women leadership. I have found India to be an optimistic place where people listen carefully and are eager to work on good deeds.

You are involved in many jobs from a writer to an actor. How often do you work for social change?

Yes, right, but all my work is related to bringing peace to humanity whether it is in my writing or singing. My record label ‘IndieGo Records’ works for enlightenment and encouragement for those people who are living at the edge of society, who are stressed and frazzled. A couple of months ago, I went to the ‘1000 Goddess Gathering’ programme held at Washington DC, USA. This was an event to rejuvenate the divine feminine through combined energies. We believe that the planet will shift from one of fear to compassion. It was a huge gathering out there. I believe that every action has some effect. My songs and my lectures will put out some positive energy to bring women into the mainstream. Wherever I go, I believe that women should come forward, they should not hesitate from fighting for their rights. The world is one; men and women are equal. Disparities are made by humans, not by nature. We should not create differences between men and women.

Can you explain a little about your philanthropist approach? What have you done and are doing today?

See, I have done more than 300 charity concerts across the globe. I am associated with the Hunger Project Canada. Whatever I earn from live concerts it goes to the Hunger Project. People who can’t buy bread get some help through this effort. Also, I spread awareness among women about their rights and roles. When people tell me that they are stressed, I suggest to them to start meditation or yoga. I try to empower their inner souls so that they can empower themselves. I can say that despite a beautiful world we are destroying it ourselves. I try to deliver heart opening performances and talks. If we talk about India, I have learned about a deep contrast in society. I know that there is a big gap between the upper strata and the lower strata of society. I would like to work for those people who are on the margin. If any opportunity comes my way, I would like to work for sure.

Well, you said that India has transformed you. Why do you say that? 

India changed my life completely. I was not what I am today. I was not this much calm and composed. About 15 years ago, I started learning meditation from my Guru Swami Eknath. Initially it was difficult, but you won’t believe it, I never missed my class for the following seven years. Every Sunday, I used to go to the meditation class. It was very much the first impact of India on me when I learned meditation, yoga and Sanskrit Shlokas.

What do you know about issues in India and what are you planning for the future?

I know India has one of the biggest slums in the world. There is so much poverty and hunger but everything can’t be changed overnight. It will take time to bring everything to a corrective pattern. I will come back in the next few months; I have met many people in this short trip and learned a lot. There are people who are working for social change. Problems should be listened to locally and globally if required. My efforts to bring change are always there with those people who are working hardcore on the ground.

So how was your experience overall in India?

I can’t express it in a few words. If I am a sufi, it is because of India; if I am calm, it is because of India. It was like home coming for me. It took me out of my comfort zone that I was living in15 years ago. But yes, I have experienced something unique on Indian roads, the madness that I won’t forget. People come from everywhere in front of your car, you can’t stop them; they don’t get hurt and even don’t hurt anyone else. People love this madness and I love these people

Sabyn Javeri talking about ‘Nobody Killed her’


Nobody Killed Her. It is ‘inspired’ by the fictional court room drama following the Benazir Bhutto assassination. She was recently in New Delhi for the worldwide release of her book. We caught up with her and tried to find out more about her and her writing. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Sabyn self-view

Which is the real Sabyn Javeri? Is she a writer, teacher, mother, or something the world does not know about? All three and counting! How has your fame and success affected you and other people’s view of you? I’m still the same in my eyes and that in the eyes of others. Describe your typical writing day for our readers. It is anything but typical.

I can’t afford the luxury of routines for my life is far too unpredictable. I write mostly in my head. So I can be writing while cooking or sleeping, and then when the idea has been fully fermented and  I just download it from my mind and onto the screen. How do you find time for writing with kids and family responsibilities?

I don’t. I make time. I don’t look for long windows but snatches of time, a moment here, a few moments there and that’s how I get it done. How important is discipline in your writing? The only discipline I have is to be true to myself.

Sabyn on her books

How easy or difficult was it for you to break the glass ceiling and become a published woman author? Not very. The difficulty was not the gender but the subject matter. Did the fallout or reaction to your book ‘Nobody Killed her’ which is based on a volatile subject, worry you? If you start worrying about reactions you would never be able to write.

You narrated in your interview with DAWN newspaper how your book was first accepted and then shelved. How difficult was it to deal with such an experience? It was difficult but like all things devastating, I came out stronger. Was Benazir Bhutto assignation the inspiration or catalyst for your book? Both and none. How did you research for this book? I didn’t.

I researched for my Ph.D. about women in power in patriarchal societies, combined that with an overactive imagination, and the result was Nobody Killed Her. Was it a difficult or an enjoyable book? Definitely FUN. What is your next project? It’s called Hijabistan. It is a collection of short stories about the theme of the veil. Not as a garment but as a mentality. Did the award you won for your short stories inspire you to attempt your first novel? It gave me the encouragement.

Sabyn on Books and Writers

Which authors and books have influenced you and your writing? That’s like asking why you love someone or how. It’s hard to pinpoint which of the many beautiful or terrible books shaped your creativity. All I can say is, they did. How do you relate to writers like Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai? I feel like I come from a long tradition of South Asian writers who have broken boundaries, stepped on toes, written about subjects considered taboo, even been put on trial for their creativity.

I feel privileged that I belong to a tradition of South Asian literature, where women like Chugtai and Rashid Jehan were writing about feminism even before the word was coined. You interviewed Shobha De when she visited Pakistan. How influenced are you with her and her use of the bold and no-apology approach to female sexuality in her books? I think she is a fiery writer and a very interesting person.

I read her columns but have not had a chance to read her fiction. What is important for a writer; to write mainstream fiction like Mohsin Hamid, ChetanBhagat or Shobha De, or to write literary fiction like Vikram Seth or Amitav Gosh? That is for a writer to decide himself or herself.

I don’t believe in boxes nor do I tick them. Harry Potter books had their fans line up outside bookstores for hours before their release. Likewise, closer home, it is said that Chandrakanta book series’ fans learned Hindi and lined up outside the printing press. How do you view this: marketing, mass hysteria or magical pen of the writers? I think anything that gets people reading is good.

Sabyn on the art of writing

Do you plan and structure your characters, arc of the story or do you let your characters’ run away with the story? I don’t like to lose control. If I’m in charge the characters better listen. Do you have dreams/visions of your characters? And do they appear before you, as they did before Charles Dickens? Not anymore.

I think the more you write the more you are able to create rather than conjure. Do you use real people and their mannerism in your books? Anything interesting to share in this regard? Of course, we all seek inspiration from our surroundings. The character of Soldier Rahim is based on someone I know.

A Writers Voice: Aditya SInha


ADITYA ON WRITING Tell our readers about your latest book The CEO Who Lost His Head. It’s a satirical look at the Indian media in the guise of a murder mystery. It is also a modest tribute to the city of Mumbai. It’s set in a newspaper office where the CEO is murdered, and the police investigation is focussed in the office itself, as the usual jealousies and miseries of the workplace translate into murder motives. It has a kickass protagonist in the form of sub-inspector Mona Ramteke. How easy or difficult is it for you to write fiction after a series of non-fiction books? It is not that easy since non-fiction is basically an extension of the work I have done for 30 years, namely journalism. Non-fiction is just long-long-form writing. Also, non-fiction looks at the world through a prism of a certain discipline. Fiction is an entire universe in which a whole-picture view is necessary to maintain at the back of your head. You’re not necessarily trying to be a poet in non-fiction, but you have to be poetic in fiction to capture the essence or the entirety of things.

Cover of The CEO Who Lost His Head: Aditya Sinha

Each of your books is different from the other; is that a conscious effort on your part?
A colleague once accused me of having no discipline because I read all types of books. I like to think that I am trying to be a renaissance man. Writing the same thing might get boring. There is so much in life to discover, and the years are slipping by, so why stick to one thing?
Of all the books you have written, which book have you enjoyed the most in writing and which was the most difficult and why?
Every writing assignment is something I enjoy, because that’s the only way I’ll complete it! The most difficult I would have to say is currently in progress. That’s all I can reveal.
Are you a disciplined author, with fix hours alloted to writing or a moody author who writes as per his inspiration?
A bit of both. I am a man of disciplined routines, so I write in the mornings; never in the evenings except for the rare editing work. I’m moody at times, so there are days where I don’t feel like writing and find some excuse to avoid it, mainly through chores.
How do you plan your day and your writing?
I just plan to write, and get going. I don’t have trouble getting started, because I just pick up where I previously left off, and I don’t try to keep it in control, for that I leave to the rewriting and editing stages. Rewriting happens constantly.
How easy or difficult is it to cooperate with co-authors while writing a book?
Depends on who you’re cooperating with. With former RAW chief AS Dulat, with whom I did Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years, even though I knew him for over two decades, it was tough going at first because Mr. Dulat was so cagey, and so I tried to wriggle out of the project. But once he saw the logic in being open he cooperated, all credit to him. I’ve met lots in the intelligence community, and they mostly have sticks up their asses. Mr. Dulat that way is a gem of a person.
Is it true that the man wielding the pen influences the final shape of the book more than the man who is narrating his life story through that book?
Many former officials write books and they are as boring as constipated feces. The Dulat book, however, is engaging; senior politician Farooq Abdullah told me he loved the flow of the book and read it in two sittings. Mr. Dulat at a book launch complimented me on the “artistry” with which the book was written. He had the final say on the editing, so some juicy stuff got cut out of the final book, which to my mind was totally his prerogative.

ADITYA ON KASHMIR
You have reported and written extensively on Kashmir; do you think the situation is any worse today than it has been in the past few decades?
It definitely reminds me of the early 1990s, when many of us journalists thought that Kashmir had slipped out of India’s hands, what with the daily mass protests in the streets. The big difference, of course, is that armed militancy was much more organised and lethal back then, with lots of gunmen everywhere and groups operating all over the Valley. The current movement appears to have learned its lesson from too much armed violence. The current sentiment is as anti-India as it has ever been.
Some critics allege that you have been accommodating and are biased towards Dr. Farooq Abdullah in your past two books, namely Farooq Abdullah: The Prodigal Son and Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years. Your comment?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…
Can there be a solution to Kashmir without Farooq Aubhallh? Is he becoming irrelevant with advancing age and shrinking mass base?
Didn’t he just win an election? What shrinking mass base? In fact, with advancing age, he’s the most relevant Muslim politician in India today.

ADITYA ON AUTHORS AND PUBLISHING
Lord V.S. Naipaul famously said that the novel is dead; how do you view his comment and his writing?
Naipaul’s writings are great meditations. He’s like a wandering philosopher, with some very deep thinking. His process is marvellous. As for his comment, I disagree. People say things like this, but I don’t know why. Novels, books, journalism… everything undergoes evolution and change.
Do you think journalist turn author bring their own ‘reporting style’ to their books? And is that an advantage or handicap?
An advantage, always. The thing with any kind of writing is that a writer is always trying to find “their voice”. When that happens, they’re finally ready to write, and what they write will ring true and authentic. “Reporting style” to my mind is just a variation of finding one’s “voice”.
Is it possible to make a living just by writing books?
No, unless you are one of the lucky few who make it big. And even then, most of those high-earners are more businessmen than writers.
Is the publishing world biased towards ‘established’ journalists and authors, and gives them an undue advantage at the cost of other more talent but unknown authors?
Well, how do you know if an unknown has more talent? There is a bias, but if true talent exists, publishing will find it. Most people who complain are delusional about their own abilities.
Is English press and books given disproportionate respect, importance at the cost of vernacular press or publishing?
What respect is it given? Nowadays intellectuals are badmouthed by all sorts of louts. At the same time, vernacular publishing is held back, but because of its own problems, politics and pettiness.
Why do you think that the books can compete and survive the other mass and free mediums of entertainment like TV and the internet?
Competing and surviving are two different things. I don’t think books should compete; I think reading, even newspapers, has mostly been a niche activity, and that the mass circulation of broadsheets in the past three decades was an aberration. TV is a mass medium, and the internet is a most democratic and immediate medium, whereas books have a longer gestation period, so they are incomparable.
UPA government years were covered by Sanjaya Baru, P.C. Parakh, and Vinod Rai. Do you support this trend or there should be a gestation period before such books on or by government servants are written?
Most books by government servants err on the side of caution, so to my mind it makes no difference if there’s a “cooling down” period or not. Ninety per cent of such books are going to be biased, boring, trash anyway.

ADITYA ON LIFE AND JOURNALISM
What are the remaining items on your bucket list?
I have several books that I need to write and I worry that I might pop off before the list is done. I would like to visit Iceland and the South Pole and also South Korea and Switzerland. I want to visit Space.
Which authors and genres you enjoy reading the most?
I enjoy anything that is good, cutting across genres. When I was a young man then Gabriel Garcia Marquez changed my life, Leo Tolstoy was an inspiration, Joseph Heller was an idol, AJP Taylor was a role model. Authors I have recently enjoyed include Akhil Sharma, Jerry Pinto, Shashi Warrier, Jeet Thayil, Arnaldur Indridasson.
Has age and experience changed the way you look at the world and people? Does age make a person wiser, or religious, or cynical?
Yes to all three. Experience has made me less excitable, I guess. Experience has made me boring. Everything has a déjà vu quality to it. Age has made me appreciate women of all ages.
In you long experience as a journalist and editor which images, famous people or events made a lasting impression on you?
The lasting impressions on me have come from readers. It has always been a ‘Letter to the Editor’ that has made me sit and think and take away a lesson, than meeting any Prime Minister or President. The reader will always surprise you with her/his common-sense and wisdom.
Journalist and editors once commanded respect and awe; not a section of them are openly labelled as paid media. How did things come to such a pass? Also, is this a new phenomena or favouritism in return of government largesse has always existed?
The fact that some are called paid media means they still command respect and awe, otherwise, why would anyone bother to pay them? Things came to pass not because of journalists, but because of media-owners who have little patience for the mission of news, and who have business interests which they feel their media is supposed to protect, not put at risk. Owners are beholden to advertisers, not to readers, and so things have come to this sorry pass. Don’t blame journalists.
Government largesse has always existed. Some people acted holier than thou about it, but they do exactly the same. It is currently on display.
What can Indian journalists and media learn from the West and vice versa?
Indian journalists can learn to tell truth to power and stand up to the government of the day. The fact that we have such a diverse society and end up covering a vast array of people and subjects is something the Westerners can learn from. They come to India, stare with their mouths open, and then return to the safety of their stenography in Washington DC or Central Command.
What are the most interesting or offensive but true things about Indian that foreigners say?
That we have no concept of personal space.

bound body builder

India’s first wheelchair bound bodybuilder


Anand Arnold“One day, the students who used to train under me, brought me to the gym where I did a few shoulder exercises. That short while was enough for me to get inspired and return to training. At that time, my coach Ravi Parashar helped me to restart an intensive fitness regime. He allowed me to work out at his health club for free and also supported me mentally. Thanks to him and all those who stood by me, it was no looking back from there on.”

Come Back

He joined fitness regime after three long gruesome years; he was feeling out of the world that time, mixed with the emotions when seeing others working out around him. Understanding his new body and state, he slowly restarted his workouts and realised that this is what he was always meant to do-with or without his legs.

Workouts without lower body support are very tough for one but Arnold was determined to achieve what he deserves for. Spending up to four hours in the gym each day, it was just a matter of time before Arnold’s determination and hard work began reaping results. He started regaining his strength and ensured that he did it without the aid of steroids.
Awards and recognition

“I started winning titles the moment I got back to my training. I’ve been crowned Mr. India thrice, Mr Punjab 12 times, and also have 27 other titles to my name. Apart from being India’s first wheelchair bodybuilder, I am also the face of Muscle Mania and the brand ambassador of Halelifenutrition.com.”

Author Allen Woodman has written about his story in his book titled ‘Weightless: A True Story of Courage and Inspiration’. “I have also taken part in the reality show India’s Got Talent, where the judges christened me ‘India’s Superman’ after I showcased stunts on a wheelchair. That was a moment of great pride for me because I was being recognised by famous personalities.”

Plans

“I feel that I have achieved a lot in this span of my life, I am thankful to everyone who supported me and still supporting me. I wish to be an example of inspiration and motivation for every young guy in country. I just believe that giving up is not an answer but

Using her official auto-rickshaw the Mexican Ambassador is not put off by heat or smog.


When asked she said, “Why not me? When everyone is dealing with the heat then why not me. Wherever I am, I have become part of this city.” She believes that Indian roads are more bumpy and people are crazy while driving but she loves her auto rides. What about Delhi smog, her spokesperson said that she is fit and fine so she uses public transport.

The smog of Delhi requires proper equipped measures to deal with it and we do that. Difficulties There are quite a few protocols that an ambassador has to follow. Getting an auto was not an easy task. According to Ambassador Pria, “It wasn’t easy to buy an auto as official vehicle.

We had to get permission from the Ministry of External Affairs and other government agencies.” After a few rounds of paper-work she got the permission for an auto. But another problem arose. She couldn’t get a driver. Generally, embassy provides a trained car driver. Chauffers  who drive as an Ambassador’s driver feel proud of their job. This time Mexican Embassy was looking for an auto driver with proper training and uniform.

“It was a task. I tried to convince drivers about this work and their reputation. What I tried to tell them is, you are still the driver to an ambassador, but the ambassador chooses to have a different vehicle,” said Melba Pria. Finally she got Jagdish Duggal as her official auto driver. Once when Melba Pria visited IHC (India Habitat Centre) to speak in an event on public transport, she had difficulty with her auto.

The envoy’s official vehicle was denied parking space. Despite the intervention of the organizers of the event, the management of the IHC refused to grant permission. Mexico-India relations Her name Pria also sounds an Indian name. When asked what she feels about India and Mexico relation, she said, “Both our countries have a longstanding relationship.

Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognise India as an independent nation. We have good relationships, our trade flourishes, but we can do much more.” She also informs that most of the time people call her Priya instead of her Mexican name Pria.

What is Mexico planning in India? She says, “Mexico supports ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India, ‘Smart Cities’ and other programmes currently undertaken by the Indian government. Also, we believe our country is one of the best places in the world to invest and do business, especially for Indian companies.”

Suyash Varma:Making ordinary Indians aware,


Suyash Varma is among the youngest founders of an NGO anywhere in the world. He is a certified yoga instructor, writer, teacher, mentor and musician, who is spearheading a quiet revolution in the backwaters of Bihar.

His NGO Wake up India Foundation is at the forefront of this change, with students of various prestigious universities working selflessly to help the poorest of the poor break the shackles of ignorance and poverty with education. Here are the excerpts of the wide ranging interview with the multi-talented Suyush.

The NGO space in India is already overcrowded; why one more NGO? 

Our method and area of operation differ from others. Moreover, it is not a competitive industry. It’s always good to have more people having the urge to change the society. Our work culture and structure is more informal and our method and area of operation are different.

Can you be called the youngest director of an NGO anywhere in the world?

Honestly, I have no idea about the age of founders of NGOs across the world. I started the group when I was a second-year college student (Age 19). It’s been 7 years now.

Suyash Varma

In the age people look for a regular job, you have started an NGO. Do you not face financial insecurity?

Financial security remains a concern, however, the urge to impact the society drives you the move in the direction of your dreams. For me, I was involved in other works for financial assistance.

What were your motivations to start the NGO?

Injustice inspired me to work. Long queues, delayed service delivery in the government sector, lack of informed choices and other such things made me wonder that why a country with such an excellent demographic dividend is unable to fulfill the basic necessities of its citizens? Although the constitution has explicitly conceptualised India to be a welfare state, the government machinery has failed to achieve the same.

The unavailability of basic services to the neediest people inspired me to start the organisation.
Very recently, I learned through a BBC Documentary that Power Backup Generators are Indian concept and the total number of generators installed here can light entire Australia for 1 year. Electricity is a basic amenity but citizens are devoid of it. Such things inspire me to work more.

What are the challenges and opportunities of establishing and NGO and working in Bihar?

Bihar can be considered as a heaven for NGOs to work. There is so much scope for development. I’m from Bihar and I’ve faced the challenges during my school days. There is a vicious trap – lack of affordable educational facilities leads to poor knowledge of the subject, poor knowledge leads to unemployment, unemployment leads to poverty and poverty again leads to lack of affordable educational facilities.

Such has been the trend of the education sector. There is a lot and lot to do in Bihar. Challenges that we faced were mostly related to people not willing to send their students to schools and government officials not willing to participate/approve the plans.

What are the activities the NGO engages in?

Wake Up India Foundation operates in three verticals – The Campus Project, The Gurukul Project, and The Teachers’ Room. The Campus Project operates in 4 states and has students from different colleges as members. Under The Gurukul Project, we have 21 schools providing education in the remotest areas of Bihar. The Teachers’ Room project, started this year, aims to provide free online education through different mediums (desktop and mobile).

Education matters to Wake Up India

How do you get your funding?

We receive mostly private funding. We don’t have any government projects as of now.
Do you have a regular staff or is the NGO entirely based on volunteers?
The Campus Project and The Teachers Room are entirely based on volunteers; while The Gurukul Project has a regular staff.

Can you share as to how you are contributing to the society?

Change is a continuous phenomenon. Through our awareness campaigns, we have impacted many lives. There are many such examples, however, I would like to highlight the contribution of The Gurukul Project in revamping the education system of rural Bihar.

We operate in places where the bigwigs of education industry don’t operate due to less profit. Our schools, equipped with smart boards, aim to provide the best guidance to the students. Last year, 2 of our students got 10 CGPA in the CBSE matriculation examination.

What are your plans for the next 5-10 years?

Expansion and inclusion of technology in different sectors to drive change will be our priority for the next five years. The Campus Project operates in 4 states. We’re planning to include 2 more states this year. By 2020, we plan to have 10 chapters of The Campus Project. My vision is to involve more youth and make them committed to drive social change through innovation and policy research.

What specific social and political change you hope to achieve?

Awareness. There is an urgent need for the people to be aware of their rights and duties. That’s how development will trickle down to the lowest strata of the society. With better awareness, we make better choices. And with better choices, we get better results.

How do you plan to break the barriers of caste, religion or corruption in politics?

Corruption has to be addressed at the root. There needs to be a system that is accountable to the public. Also, the public should be aware of their rights to prevent corrupt practices prevalent in the system. A simple example would be of The Consumer Forum. Most of us are unaware that such an ombudsman exists where any grievance is immediately redressed.

Caste and religion barriers can only be overcome by spreading education and implementing it in our actions. At our schools, we invite people from all castes to participate in village-level campaigns. Also, The Campus Project has conducted several campaigns to promote caste and gender equality.

A lot of educated Indians want to go abroad to escape reservation, corruption, casteism and language and religious barriers in India. How do you plan to change the country rooted in such evils?

A trust in the government system needs to be developed. Indians, instead of escaping the system, should stay in the system to change it. The government before implementing any policy invites suggestions from the public on it and those suggestions, if feasible, are duly implemented. However, most of us don’t bother about those policies until it is enforced upon us.

The three-step solution should be: 1. Remove policy paralysis and develop India as an economic hub. 2. Enable strict punishment for those who discriminate based on caste, creed or religion (Under Art. 15 of the Constitution) and 3. Launch nation-wide awareness campaigns and include celebrities as ambassadors to uproot this evil.

How can people contribute to you?

Interested individuals can contribute as volunteers in The Campus Project, as mentors/subject matter experts in the Teacher’s Room Project and as a full-time staff in the Gurukul Project.

Describe your typical day/week related to NGO?

It goes mostly on providing hands-on experience to the volunteers and planning about the next campaigns under The Campus Project. The weekends are for understanding reports from the Gurukul School Project.

How do you deal with demotivated volunteers, who lose interest?

As mentioned earlier, we follow a very informal approach. That means anyone within the organisation can approach me directly with their suggestions and complaints. If the volunteers are demotivated due to their expectations not being met, we definitely deliberate on the issue.

One-on-one with the people involved always solves the issues. However, there are people who join the organisation due to the charm associated and so, get easily demotivated, we try not to continue with such people.

Did you face objections or ridicule of your family and peer group? How do you deal with the same?

It is said that every master was first ridiculed before they were revered. In my case, the best part was that my family always supported me. For others, my constant belief and determination were always enough for their criticism.

Do you think your NGO can bring about a real change in a conservative patriarchal society like India rooted in the past, with Khap panchayats or Kangaroo courts?

I would slightly differ from the point. We believe India, unlike other countries, had a glorious past. For example, voting rights to women in US and UK were granted in late 20th century, however, Indian scripts mention of Mahajanpads (large villages – existed around 300-500 B.C.) where women participated in parliamentary sessions.

We make sure that our students and the volunteer carry the glorious culture of India and spread it. Khaps and Kangaroo Court need more of an ideological transformation. People of our generation have successfully defied such rituals/practices. Although, Wake Up India Foundation does not directly operate in these areas, but there are other NGOs that have highlighted the menace and pressurised government to make legislations for the same.

Your view on reservations in a government job that affect the college students, your core volunteers the most?

Reservation was introduced in the constitution for the upliftment of the downtrodden and was supposed to be removed after a few years. However, due to political nexus, it continued. While I strongly support those in need should get a reservation, but I oppose the current caste-based reservation. Not every person belonging to the same caste is equally oppressed or economically weak. Benefits should be provided only to those in need.

The things and incidents that surprised you most?

As a part of my job, I’ve to interact with college students from different states and with kids who join our school in rural Bihar. What surprises me the most is I find both equally talented. We conduct Science Exhibition regularly in our schools and the ideas that pop up from those young minds makes me speechless. All they need is a platform to showcase their skills.

You are a multi-talented individual, a certified yoga instructor, writer, teacher, mentor, musician and also the founder of an NGO. How do you juggle in all these roles and which of these roles appeals to you most?

I won’t call myself talented, but skilled. I completed my studies from a Hindi medium school and had no idea about the socio-political structure of India till I joined college. I’ve been an average student my entire life. All these skills I’ve learned over years were due to my urge to move out of my comfort zone. Growth begins the moment you start getting uncomfortable. A few small daily acts of discipline stack up over time to produce enormous achievements.

As far as the role is concerned, I would love to be known as a constant learner. I hope to make more such choices that help me learn new skills. It is said that the more you own your power to make choices, the more powerful your choices become.

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Vickram E. Diwan is a  published short story author, blogger, copy-editor and journalist,)

Guild for Service-Dr Mohini Giri's NGO works to empower women


BY GORKY BAKSHI 

Women’s plight always raises a question mark on male dominance and society’s prejudicial attitude. But a street that goes to Gender Resource Centre of an NGO at Najafgarh, makes an honest attempt to help women lead a life filled with joy, pride and dignity.
Guild for Service – an NGO working for women empowerment since 1972, helps women overcome the social and economic problems and deal with their personal crisis and also helps women to earn their  livelihood and lead a dignified life.
Dr. V. Mohini Giri is a chairperson of Guild for Service, she says: “The Guild for Service carried out various women empowerment projects designed to increase their self-esteem and confidence that encourage their social interaction. We also try to improve their earning potentials.”
Establishment
Dr. Mohini Giri is former chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW). She has been deeply involved with social service for long. She said: “When I was in chair at NCW, I surveyed 544 districts of India to know their conditions and came across several disturbing gender issues. Realising the problems of women, I started the War Widows Association. Later, we started Guild and here we are trying to change the attitude of the traditional society.”
How it works
• The NGO has several projects for women empowerment and widows. They help women making a decent earning by selling products made by them. In Delhi, NGO runs its centres Shubham at Najafgarh, Sawai Madhopur and Vrindavan at Uttar Pradesh. The NGO also started its centres in Tsunami affected areas of Tamil Nadu and Kashmir.
• NGO runs ‘Mahila Panchayat’ at Najafgarh to help rural women.  “We empower and educate women on their legal and social rights. Information regarding legal procedures, filing FIRs and other basic legal matters are discussed there. During 2010-2011, 116 cases were registered with us and 98 have been resolved so far,” informed Dr. Giri.
• Near Sarvodya Kanya Vidyala of Najafgarh, the  NGO runs a ‘Stree Suvidha Kendra’ in association with Department of Social Welfare, Delhi Government. According to the Dr. Giri, “The centre acts as development catalyst or women particularly those belonging to the underprivileged sections of the society. We are giving vocational training like nursing, cutting, tailoring, basic computer training, beauty courses etc.”
“Last year, 54 inmates enrolled in beauty culture course and most of them are happily employed in beauty parlors,” informs Dr. Giri.
• Apart from that, the Guild also runs counselling centre for women where they can get free of cost consultation for the issues like legal aid, women hostel or vocational training.
“We also organise group marriages for those from low economic background. On April 2010 in a holy ceremony 14 couples tied at this ceremony. The function was organised in headquarter at Qutab Institutional area,” said Kalpana Bhoungale, councillor at Guild for Service.
Funds
How they generate funds for all these schemes, Dr. Giri says that donations and government schemes help them to prepare women for vocational training. Apart from that inmates of various service centers prepare many items for sale such as leather purses, Woolen mufflers, kitchen aprons, table mats, greeting cards, embroidery work etc.
What’s Next
“We are planning to start few new recreational services for widows of Vrindavan so that they can feel happy even in tough times. Also, more areas are being identified where vocational courses can be started. Our volunteers are working throughout India,” informs Mohini Giri.
Contact: C-25, Qutab Institutional Area, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016

Uddhab Bharali

Uddhab Bharali-A college dropout who invented 140 machines


He has never been to a technical college but Uddhab Bharali (55) has till now invented 140 devices only to simplify the daily life of people living in villages. One of his inventions has been recognised by the NASA as well. He is undoubtedly India’s master inventor, who lives in a tiny house in Assam where he has dedicated his life to the inventions.

Most of his inventions are focused to empower farmers in agriculture and to help handicapped people. For example, once the bank authorities told them to vacate their home due to his father’s debts. Uddhab took few days from them and built a polythene-making machine and sold it for Rs 67,000 against the market price of Rs 5 lakhs. He used the money to pay off the loans.

He has developed a robotic hand for the physically challenged and those who lost their limbs due to accident or illness. It is important to mention that he gives two hours everyday to his research, and develops unique, cost-friendly and useful devices.

Early Life

Uddhab was a gifted child, who always had a knack to invent. “After completing first grade, I was directly promoted to third grade and from Class VI, I was promoted to Class VIII. I loved mathematics. I even tutored some of my classmates to help them get good grades,” said Uddhab Bharali. Uddhab  said: “I dropped out of college in 1987, because I was unable to pay the fees. However, I continued to build gadgets in the free time, which was my passion and it also helped us in our day-to-day life.”   His first invention took place when his family was dabbling under pressure of debt.

However, people got to know about his inventions came when a writer-engineer Arnab Jan Deka wrote about it in  two prominent Assam dailies.

The other side

Being a successful innovator he develops user-friendly equipments for the handicaps. Apart from his other inventions he spends almost two to three hours for research and to develop aids for the handicaps. He has been financially supporting  around 20 poor families.

He is mobilising these people and generating employment for them. Few of his inventions have played pivotal role in the lives of handicapped people. He has developed a cleaning machine for those people who have lost their hands. Also, he has developed a rice flour machine which can be operated automatically.

He gives a monthly pension of Rs 1,200 a month to six widows, while three physically challenged persons get Rs 2,500 per month. He also runs a small research and training institute where he trains underprivileged students for three months, and help them learn more about technology and its applications.

Accolades

He proudly said: “I am a recipient of president’s Grassroot Innovation Award 2009. Apart from that I felt truly honoured when NASA declared me winner of engineering design contest organized by NASA Tech ‘Create the Future Design Contest’ for the year 2012 and 2013.” He is also the recipient of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Samman for year 2013. Bharali is invited to give lectures at various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). He has been featured in History Channel’s TV Show, ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India.’ Besides, Apart from that he was honoured with doctorate from Assam Agricultural University.

Few Inventions

Nut peeling device that could peel around 120 nuts in a single minute. –          Pomegranate deseeder which can separate the outer hard skin from the inner thin membrane without any damage to the seed. It can easily deseeding around 55 kilogram of pomegranates per hour. –          Garlic peeling machine, tobacco leaf cutter, paddy thresher, cane stripping machine, brass utensil polishing machine, safed musli peeling machine, trench digger and a chopper for cattle and fisheries feed are popular and being used in foreign countries. – A robotic hand for handless people. This device can help handicap people in eating food, holding books etc.

Contact Details- Mr. Uddhab Bharali K B Road, North Lakshimpur Assam: 787001 Email: ukbharali@yahoo.co.in +91 9435189642