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Photo Gallery
Pune students support 'Rally for Rivers'Oct 31, 2017 October 31, 2017: Sinhgad Technical Education Society's students from across campuses in Pune have displayed their commitment in saving India's lifeline – rivers. The chain of institutes in collaboration with the Isha Foundation's Pune office conducted rallies across campuses in the city.

Walks were conducted at the Vadgaon and Lonavala campus in support of the cause where more than thirty thousand students participated. Various presentations and talks were held at the campuses to make students understand about the important role played by the rivers of the country. OneWorld South Asia

Book on nutrition of tribal kids unveiledSep 27, 2017 September 27, 2017: India's Minster of Women & Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, launched a book Forest Lanterns. The book contains essays on solutions for improving nutrition among children in tribal areas.

A number of promising solutions have been developed and deployed across the country to address challenges related to nutrition among tribal children. Written by a who's who, Forest Lanterns showcases solutions that have been drawn from various states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana.

'Forest Lanterns', a UNICEF-OneWorld Foundation India publication presents 46 innovative and successful practices covering not only under-nutrition of tribal children and their mothers, but also related aspects like farming practices, food security, healthcare, drinking water and sanitation, governance, and media's role. Photo: PIB

SL counts on everyone to fight dengueJul 21, 2017 July 20, 2016:Saumya Sanesha reads a headline in one of the local newspapers which says, "Worst dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka; 298 deaths." As she heads out the door, she thinks about the importance her day's assignment and all the people in her community whose lives are at risk.

Saumya, 16, is a Junior Red Cross Circle member in Gampaha District, one of the areas hardest hit by a spiralling dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka. She has volunteered to be part of a Sri Lanka Red Cross Society team that will join government public health inspectors to scout for breeding sites of mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus.

 She'll also be explaining to villagers how to prevent the spread of the disease. "Going door to door and informing people about how to keep their homes and environments free of dengue is so crucial right now," says Saumya.

Dengue is endemic in Sri Lanka, but the number of people infected in less than seven months of this year is already almost double the number of cases that were reported in all of 2016.
 The government of Sri Lanka is leading a nationwide effort to clear communities of mosquito breeding sites, educate the public on how to be safe and expand health services for dengue patients.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross is supporting all components of the programme and Saumya and other youth volunteers are an important part of the response. Photo and Text: Mahieash/IFRC

Changing Antarctica: Rising sea levelsJun 07, 2017 June 7, 2017: Antarctica is the southernmost continent that holds 90% of the world's ice and 70% of the world's fresh water. However, warming in Antarctica has led to rapid deglaciation that is increasing the sea levels by about 1 to 2 millimeters each year. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global sea level has risen between four and eight inches (10 and 20 centimeters) in the past hundred years.

According to data collected by NASA, Antarctica has been losing more than a hundred cubic kilometers (24 cubic miles) of ice each year since 2002 and if all this ice is melts, it would raise the global sea level by about 60 meters or 197 feet. The disintegration of ice shelf, which is another cause of melting of glaciers, was caught by NASA satellites in 2010 and showed how it took just three weeks to crumble a 12,000-year old ice shelf.

'Leadership on the Edge Programme', conducted by Robert Swan, is one of the few ventures that brings together those individuals who are dedicated to make a difference by increasing their awareness on issues such as climate change. The purpose of this annual expedition is to study the change in climate in recent years and the impact of the melting glaciers on the rising sea levels. In 2017, Akanksha Sharma, a CSR expert and an environmentalist was selected to represent India and to be among 80 leaders worldwide for the Antarctic Expedition.

The 13 day expedition that started from Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, integrated a variety of lectures and skill building activities to educate the travelers about Antarctica's the climate, geography and wildlife as well as the challenges to be faced in the expedition. Photo: Akanksha Sharma. Text: Srishti Kapur

Health institutions celebrate Nurses DayMay 16, 2017 May 16, 2017: Various hospitals and healthcare facilities along with medical and nurses colleges across the country organised series of programmes to celebrate the International Nurses Day 2017.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (BMCHRC) in the west Indian state of Rajasthan celebrated the day as a carnival with poster competition on 'balancing body, mind and soul' followed by a lecture of nursing foundation and a quiz competition. Nursing teams also presented various entertainment sequences including dance, drama and comedy.

The nursing staff and nursing students also took the pledge to serve the patients following the footsteps of Florence Nightingale. It was in January 1974, when May 12 was chosen to celebrate the day as it is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Representative Photo: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

South Delhi shines with LED lightingMay 15, 2017 May 15, 2017: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) an Indian government JV enterprise and South Delhi Municipal Corporation are running the world's largest Street Light Replacement Programme (SLRP). The SLRP programme was dedicated to the nation early this year by India's Minister of Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines.

The SLNP programme is presently running in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. A total of 15.59 lakh street lights have already been replaced in the country with LED bulbs, which is resulting in energy savings of 20.66 crore kWh, avoiding capacity of 51.47 MW and reducing 1.71 lakh tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum.

The energy efficiency market in India is estimated at US$ 12 billion that can potentially result in energy savings of up to 20 per cent of current consumption, by way of innovative business and implementation models. Photo: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

Making global goals local businessApr 26, 2017 April 26, 2017: The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), a community of global leaders committed to sustainability, today launched a global opportunity explorer in New Delhi.

The explorer is said to be the world's largest digital platform that provides the global business community with direct access to business solutions around the SDGs. It also aims to connect business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors with new partners, projects, markets and talents to deliver on the SDGs.

Santosh Kumar Gangwar, India's Minister of State for Finance, said that India has taken bold steps in the pursuit of SDGs. "The Indian government has taken bold initiatives in the last three years so as to translate our commitment to SGDs. Our visionary leader Narendra Modi is working tirelessly to achieve SDGs by 2030 in a big way," he said.

Santosh Kumar Gangwar is pictured with Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director, UNGC. Text: OneWorld South Asia
Strutting their stuff for cancer awarenessMar 07, 2017 March 7, 2017: From fashion to art to music, this exceptional fundraiser has a soul of its own and an irrefutable spirit and a message 'Know Cancer No Cancer'.

 The fundraiser, the Lavender Ribbon Fiesta, supported by Cancer Healer Center, aims to spread awareness about cancer treatment. The Fiesta is a stage where fashion and art join hands to promote cancer awareness and to celebrate life'.

 Organised by Dr Deepica Krishna, the fundraiser had celebrities like Ameesha Patel and Sonal Chauhan walking the ramp along with well known models to raise awareness against cancer and encourage people to come forward for diagnosis.

 Having won numerous awards in the fields of charity and social awareness, Dr Deepica Krishna is well acclaimed for her work in the arena of cancer awareness in the country. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Ashley raises voice against sexual abuseJan 31, 2017 January 31, 2017: : In an unprecedented and historic gathering, 250 key voices in the global movement to abolish prostitution systems have gathered for a World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Women and Girls in New Delhi, India on 30-31 January.

The Congress organized by Apne Aap Women Worldwide, the Indian anti-trafficking NGO and CAP International, and has representatives from 5 continents and 30 countries. The Congress is held in partnership with the All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch.

The Congress was launched with a panel discussion by survivors of prostitution and Ashley Judd, CNN Freedom Hero, Anuradha Koirala, Vimal Thorat of the AIDMM and Pers-Anders Sunesson, Swedish Ambassador at Large for Combatting Trafficking. Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

Indian women script first Hindi e-novelJan 24, 2017 January 24, 2017: Twelve Indian women got together to script what is now being claimed as a first e-novel in Hindi. The e-novel titled Aaina Sach Nahi Bolta (Mirror does not reveal truth) is being published by Matrubharti, a prominent digital publisher.

Aaina Sach Nahi Bolta is a story of one middle class girl written by 13 women from different backgrounds. The story revolves around the idea that dreams don't get fulfilled by just facing the mirror but by steely resolves. Readers got an opportunity to meet the women authors at the 44th World Book Fair in New Delhi during January 7-15.

Anchored by Neelima Sharma Nivia, the series is about a story of a woman called Nandini who is fighting daily odds in her life and the way she overcomes these challenges. Nandini is a character of a woman from India during 1980s.

The other authors who are contributing to the e-novel are Anju Sharma, Kavita Verma, Shraddha Thweyith, Promilla Qazi, Aparna Anekwarna, Upasna Siyag, Sanjana Tiwari, Shobha Rastogi, Priyanka Pandey, Asha Pandey, Rashmi Tarika and Suman Malik Taneja.

The women authors come not only from various states like Gujarat, Jharkhand and Delhi but also different geographies varied backgrounds to script one story that is weaved around the character of Nandini.
 Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
TV series aims to fight mental illnessDec 27, 2016 December 26, 2016: Karmbhoomi- change has arrived, a youth TV series being aired every Sunday on Bindass is striving to help youth fight mental illness and create youth leadership for a better future. According to the World Health Organisation about 20% of India's population will suffer from some form of mental illness by 2020.

The TV Series follows the lives of the students of the fictional university called Karmbhoomi University, also known as KBU, this university's philosophy is an amalgamation of principles of the Bhagwad Geeta's Karmyoga Theory and Swami Vivekanand's teachings on youth and karma wherein focus is on learning work ethics, life skills and innovations.

The series has six main protagonists who believe in changing the world. Ojaswini Gul as Anukriti Singh - A third year student, is the Cultural President of the University and a hard-core feminist.

Guncha Dwivedi as Kiara Oberoi is the college tomboy, doing her second year study in Psychology (BA). She is the master-mind of the group. Jasvinder Singh as Kartik Kapoor is the social worker and a natural do-gooder. Photo: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Empowering 100 million children globallyDec 12, 2016 December 12, 2016: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday flagged off the '100 million for 100 million' campaign – a global initiative of 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi – that will support 100 million youth to stand up and be the voice of the voiceless 100 million children and youth across the world, within the next five years.

The '100 million' campaign will use the power of youth and harness it to empower and support 100 million children who are denied basic rights to freedom, education and healthcare.

In other words, 100 million youth representing one generation will come together to address the problems of the upcoming generation.

Anil Kapoor's platform bats for girlsNov 23, 2016 November 23, 2016: Indi.com, a social video platform backed by Anil Kapoor, is spearheading the cause of women empowerment via education. The platform endeavors to initiate a conversation and spread awareness on the subject matter.

The latest challenge at Indi.com by an ex-monk aims to spread awareness on girls' education. Filmmaker and former monk, Ravinol Chambers, aims to explore what people from different strata of society think about girls' education.

Indian film actor and philanthropist, Vivek Oberoi has voiced support to initiative. "I support Ravinol Chambers Street Philosophy since their present initiative is meant to aid empowerment and education of girl child. I further urge everyone to spread the word about the challenge and contribute towards creating awareness on girl education."

LGBTQs against gender categorisationSep 21, 2016 September 20, 2016: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community feels that gender cannot be categorized as first, second or third, but has to be looked at through the prism of wider understanding.

Meeting at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the Trans community shared its opinions by voicing their thoughts on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016. The meeting discussed threadbare the Transgender Bill and pointed out glaring loopholes in it.

The Bill aims at enfranchising transgender people as equal citizens. However, the Bill is being strongly contested by the Trans community. LGBTQs feel that the Bill doesn't actually reflect upon rights of transgenders and does not clarify on the definition of harassment.

The meeting of transgender and transsexual people at the University campus was organised by Dhanak, a queer feminist group of JNU. (Photo & Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

A movie date for autistic studentsAug 05, 2016 New Delhi: Recently, a group of specially-abled children enjoyed a movie date in New Delhi. The Autism Centre for Excellence (ACE) took 25 children for a one of a kind experience at a movie theatre in Gurgaon.
The kids were taken for a movie outing to watch a Blockbuster animation movie Ice Age 5. The autistic children were accompanied by well qualified teachers having hands-on-experience.

ACE, an initiative of a not-for-profit organization The Special Child Trust, is working to transform the autism education landscape in India. The school caters to children on the Autism spectrum from pre-school to teenage years as this is the age group that shows maximum fallout from school systems, with very few existing programmes to cater to their needs. Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

School children step out for a green driveAug 02, 2016 August 1, 2016: More than 10,000 school children, teachers, civilians, civil servants and eco warriors participated in an initiative organized by the 130 BN Eco Task Force and also the forest department of Uttarakhand to plant 10 lakh saplings in a single day to make the Kumoan Hills green once again.

The 130 BN Eco Task Force have been assigned by the Government of India to fight deforestation in the hills of Uttarakhand. The plantation activity was taken up by three companies of the 130 BN Eco Task Force in Pithoragarh region and one company from the Almoda Region.

Biking to educate girl child in IndiaJul 18, 2016 July 18, 2016: Following their extreme passion for the cause of educating young girls, two cycling enthusiasts from Mumbai have taken upon a ride from Kanyakumari to Khardungla on a bamboo bike.
Sumeet Paringe (26) and Prisiliya Madan (22) are on a mission to raise funds for girl child education. Extremely passionate about the subject, the two young cyclists have taken up a challenge to collect over Rs five million by spreading awareness about girl child education through their cycling expedition.

The 'Cyclists for Change' flagged off their journey on their bamboo bike, last week from Kanyakumari and are expected to ride across 11 states in the next 70 days. Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

US girl 'walks the talk' on climate changeJul 14, 2016 July 14, 2016: A teenage American girl of Indian origin is lighting up the lives of the underprivileged Indians by distributing LED bulbs bought the money raised by her for the noble cause. Meera Vashisht from Houston, Texas, took it upon herself to raise funds and distribute LED bulbs to the poor people.

While working on her science project as a seventh grader, Meera, a 13-year-old girl, chanced upon the news of Indian government's UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) programme. Realising the impact of LED bulbs on the lives of poor and the environment Meera took it upon herself to raise funds for contributing in her own way to the big change.

Meera collected $2,079.51 or approximately Rs 1,40,000, to purchase LED bulbs from Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for distributing them to the residents of slum areas of Keshavpuram in Delhi. Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia

Priyanka Chopra shouts out Fair StartJul 05, 2016 July 5, 2016: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra urged the women to support each other instead of feeling jealous of each other. She urged women for harnessing their entrepreneurship skills and talent. 'Quantico' star Chopra was addressing over 100 adolescents from top schools and over 80 media from Delhi and Haryana, highlighting the need to give a Fair Start to every child. The Fair Start campaign was unveiled by UNICEF India recently in the backdrop of the global advocacy efforts on Equity for Children. The campaign dwells on persisting inequities that large groups of children in India face, affecting their survival, growth and development. The #FairStart film gives an insight into the lives of thousands of children from various background, who are full of potential but less likely to grow up healthy and safe, less likely to attend school, less likely to learn, and more likely to be married as children. Photo: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Make right choices for kids: UNICEFJul 01, 2016 July 1, 2016: Based on current trends, 69 million children under five will die from mostly preventable causes, 167 million children will live in poverty, and 750 million women will have been married as children by 2030, the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals – unless the world focuses more on the plight of its most disadvantaged children, according to a UNICEF report released on Tuesday. Three parallel sessions were also held after the launch of UNICEF's annual flagship report the State of the World's Children. The sessions involved children from the Nine is Mine campaign, youth activists from Youth Ki Awaaz and top CSR heads emphasising that everyone has a role to play to make sure that every child can have a fair start in life. The 'Fair Start' film, unveiled recently as part of a UNICEF India led social media campaign, was also screened during the launch.
Make right choices for kids: UNICEF studyJun 29, 2016 June 29, 2016: The State of the World's Children, UNICEF's annual flagship report, paints a stark picture of what is in store for the world's poorest children if governments, donors, businesses and international organizations do not accelerate efforts to address their needs. "Denying hundreds of millions of children a fair chance in life does more than threaten their futures – by fueling intergenerational cycles of disadvantage, it imperils the future of their societies," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. "We have a choice: Invest in these children now or allow our world to become still more unequal and divided." Photo: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Peer educators fight menstrual taboosJun 14, 2016 June 6, 2016: Garima, a community based model on menstrual hygiene management yielded significant results in changing behaviours, social norms and systems around 121,000 girls in three districts of western Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In rural India, there are deep rooted beliefs and social norms surrounding menstruation and menstruating girls or woman being impure and dirty. Peer educators like Divya Yadav, Mamata, and Suchikala Maurya have been going to the community on a daily basis and working hard among the community, especially teenage girls to make them aware about the menstrual hygiene. Bollywood style icon and UNICEF's brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan applauded peer educator girls who are helping the community to fight social taboos related to menstruation. She also urged Indian girls to stand up against social taboos related to menstruation. Speaking in Lucknow at an event called 'Celebrating Menstrual Hygiene for all Girls, for all Women', she said that it was unfortunate that girls were not allowed to go to temple during periods. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Don't target NGOs, unplug FCRA: activistsJun 13, 2016 June 13, 2015: Civil Society leaders say that FCRA has become a tool to muzzle dissent and urged the government to stop targeting NGOs in the name of FCRA because it affects people living in the margins. Recent developments surrounding civil society space in India has produced a worrisome trend, leaders of India's civil society said at a press conference convened in New Delhi last week. The press conference, addressed by prominent civil society representatives, including Mathew Cherian, Mona Mishra, Paul Divakar and Anand Grover, was in the backdrop of suspension of the FCRA registration of the legal advocacy firm 'Lawyers Collective'. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Periods are not bad, says Kareena KapoorJun 06, 2016 June 6, 2016: Bollywood style icon and UNICEF's brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan has urged Indian girls to stand up against social taboos related to menstruation. Speaking in Lucknow at an event called 'Celebrating Menstrual Hygiene for all Girls, for all Women', she said that it was unfortunate that girls were not allowed to go to temple during periods. "God has made periods, therefore periods are not a bad thing. I appeal to girls to talk openly about menstruation to the government," she said. Highlighting the role of media in fighting social taboos, she urged media for providing more space to news on such issues. Kareena said that newspapers, magazines, websites should give more space to menstruation. Urging men to support women during menstruation, Kareena said that husbands and brothers should support women during menstruation. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
ATDC transforms lives of 30,000 youthApr 29, 2016 April 29, 2016: Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC) Tamil Nadu centres have trained a massive 30, 000 plus candidates in the last 5 years. It has trained more than 3000 candidates under its long term programmes and 28, 000 plus candidates under its Short term (ISDS-SMART) programmes. This has led to a continuous supply of skilled labourers to the textile industry here which as a state has 27% of total employment of textile-yarn-apparel-sector in the country.
Railway fair promotes gender parityApr 12, 2016 April 12, 2016: The North-Western Railway Women's Welfare Organisation (NWR-WWO) organised a two day fair in Jaipur, the zonal headquarters of NWR. The event aims at generating resources for women welfare as NWR-WWO is engaged in raising gender sensitivity and empowering women at divisional levels by providing them necessary skills. NWR-WWO is a social welfare organisation that undertakes various welfare activities not only for women folk but also for the railway children. Several women members of the organization set up stalls with various merchandise for raising welfare funds. Photo: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
DU girls' college sets up Youth Red CrossMar 16, 2016 March 16, 2016: Lakshmibai College, a constituent college of the University of Delhi, has started a Youth Red Cross (YRC) wing on the occasion of its annual festival. The YRC unit will involve students for extending social welfare activities with the participation of students. The college also honoured meritorious students from the disabled category during the annual festival. Girls from the college have been actively participating on many social fronts including raising awareness towards greener environment and better waste management. Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Patna floats smart ideas on Saraswati PujaMar 03, 2016 February 14: Development and overall progress became the favourite theme for the youth in Patna as they flashed their love for social and development causes to mark the Saraswati Puja celebrations in the academic institutions. Students enthusiastically showcased their concern for various subjects including environment, Smart Cities, cleanliness and gender equality. Here, the students of a Cimage College, a private management college in Patna are pictured along with the various posters and rangoli (Indian art of making designs on floor using coloured powder) created by them to showcase the development issues, especially those highlighting concern about gender parity. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Gender issues dot Saraswati Puja in PatnaMar 03, 2016 February 14: Just one day before the world marks Valentines Day, the youth in Patna flashed their love for social and development causes to mark the Saraswati Puja celebrations in the academic institutions. Students enthusiastically showcased their concern for various subjects including environment, Smart Cities, cleanliness and gender equality. Here, the students of a Cimage College, a private management college in Patna are pictured along with the various posters and rangoli (Indian art of making designs on floor using coloured powder) created by them to showcase the development issues, especially those highlighting concern about gender parity. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Social themes dot Saraswati Puja in PatnaMar 02, 2016 February 13: Just one day before the world marks Valentines Day, the youth in Patna flashed their love for social and development causes to mark the Saraswati Puja celebrations in the academic institutions. Students enthusiastically showcased their concern for various subjects including environment, Smart Cities, cleanliness and gender equality. Here, the students of a Cimage College, a private management college in Patna are pictured along with the various posters and rangoli (Indian art of making designs on floor using coloured powder) created by them to showcase the development issues, especially those highlighting concern about gender parity. Photo and Text: Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
India's road safety week gets vibrantJan 19, 2016 January 18, 2016: Innovative ways are being employed by various organisations for spreading awareness during the National Road Safety Awareness Week being held from 11th to 17th January, 2016. India holds a poor record when it comes to safety on roads as the country reports one of the highest road fatalities in the world. In its bid to join the nationwide campaign towards steering people in the direction of road safety norms, the staff of ACME got on roads and through a unique approach, reached 5000 people and increased awareness about road hazards. During the occasion, ACME distributed fliers and brochures to technicians on the site. Awareness was raised among people about road safety signs and awards were distributed by them among the technicians whose vehicles are in compliance to road safety. ACME is working in the field of energy management.
Conflict zones hazardous for newbornsJan 06, 2016 January 6, 2015: More than 16 million babies in 2015 were born in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen or on perilous journeys to escape fighting, which translates to 1 in 8 of all births worldwide, or one newborn every two seconds, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said. "Can there be a worse start in life?" asked UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake in a news release, appealing to the world to translate promises made in historic agreements over the past year into action to benefit the most vulnerable children in 2016. "The final months of 2015 have seen the world come together around tackling climate change and a new global development agenda. These ambitious agreements present a huge opportunity if we can translate our promises into action for the most vulnerable children," he said. Photo: UNICEF
Indian women protesting for quota in ParlDec 03, 2015 December 3, 2015: More than 1000 women's organisations and individuals gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the present session of Parliament. These groups demanded that the Women's Reservation Bill be a) Introduced, b) Taken for consideration and, c) Put to vote in this session of Parliament which has begun on November 26, 2015. Even After 69 years of Independence, women in India who constitute nearly 50% of the population have only 11% representation in our Parliament. Successive Governments have been stalling the bill in the name of consensus, whereas all we need to pass a bill in Parliament is majority of votes. "This needs to be addressed on a top priority basis," demanded the women leaders who were present at the rally.
Giant commode screams sanitationNov 19, 2015 November 19, 2015: On the occasion of 3rd World Toilet Day, 'The Giant Commode' displayed by Roca in New Delhi, urges people to pledge for hygienic sanitation this World Toilet Day. The idea was to raise awareness about key hygiene and sanitation issue plaguing the society. The pace of construction of toilets in rural India has gathered momentum and within one year of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission, as about 95 lakh toilets were constructed across the country against the target of 60 lakh toilets. According to government figures, the States like West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have taken the lead in construction of Individual Household Latrines and community toilets and these states may achieve the target of Open-Defecation Free status in 2017 or 2018, well before the target of 2nd October, 2019.
Men make way for women in rural IndiaNov 03, 2015 November 3, 2015: Men and women in the villages of Maharashtra where the Samajhdaar Jodidar (Responsible Partner) initiative is on are able to understand each other better and respect each other's roles and life choices. The Samajhdaar Jodidar initiative, a collaborative effort of the Centre for Health and Social Justice (CHSJ) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is specially designed to involve men in the quest for gender equality. "Men, who are the other half of the gender construct, have been left out of sensitisation efforts for the longest time," points out Sadhana Dadhich of the Pune-based Nari Samata Manch, one of the five non-government organisations tasked with the implementation of this project in 20 of the 100 chosen villages in the state since 2010. Photo: Centre for Health and social Justice.
RKS spruces up quality in Bihar hospitalsOct 19, 2015 October 19, 2015: The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) (Patient Welfare Committee) /Hospital Management Society is playing an important role in bringing quality services to the hospitals at various levels in Bihar. This photo shows a pregnant women accompanied by her relative amidst various important signboards at a Sub-Divisional Hospital in Mahua of Vaishali district in Bihar. Various initiatives taken by RKS for hospital welfare include provision of medicines, neat and clean facilities and important signposts to help patients reach the desired facilities. RKS is a society registered under The Societies Registration Act, which serves as a group of trustees for the hospitals to manage the day to day affairs of the hospital. RKS comprises of members from local Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), NGOs, local elected representatives and officials from Government sector who are responsible for proper functioning and management of the hospital/Community Health Centre/First Referral Units. Photo: Suresh Thakur & Ashok Kumar/OWSA
Invest heavily in early childhood: ShakiraSep 24, 2015 September 24, 2015: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its Goodwill Ambassador and international pop star Shakira urged global leaders to invest heavily in early childhood development in the wake of new science that is creating a revolutionary shift in understanding the lasting effects of deprivation and stress on the developing brains of young children. "More than 100 million children are out of school and 159 million boys and girls under five are physically and cognitively stunted due to a lack of care and proper nutrition," said Shakira, who joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake and the Director of the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, Dr Jack P Shonkoff at an event at UN Headquarters in New York.
Alia Bhatt lends support to Girl RisingAug 31, 2015 August 31, 2015: Alia Bhatt takes the stage to announce the premiere of 'Girl Rising: Woh Padhegi. Woh Udegi.' also championed by Priyanka Chopra and Freida Pinto. Girl Rising brings together the Government of India's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, USAID, STAR TV, HP and Intel to inspire action that gets girls into classrooms nationwide Girl Rising, a global movement for educating and empowering girls, today announced the India premiere of its film 'Girl Rising: Woh Padhegi. Woh Udegi.' The film, directed by Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins, tells the stories of eight extraordinary girls from around the world and features Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra, Freida Pinto, Madhuri Dixit, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Nandita Das, Sushmita Sen, Parineeti Chopra with narration by Farhan Akhtar and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Mahadalit women benefit from n-AWCsAug 25, 2015 August 25, 2015: The 'Uddeepan' Kendra or the Nodal Anganwadi centre (N-AWC) located at Chapi Panchayat is an exemplary Anganwadi centre for other centres within the Panchayat. With better infrastructural facilities and equipment, the N-AWC is well prepared to provide ICDS services to young children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. The Government of Bihar with financial support from DFID and technical support of BTAST has introduced 'Uddeepan' strategy in 9 priority districts of Bihar under the SWASTH programme. Photo: Anannya Chakraborty/OneWorld South Asia
Indian women, braving the rough seasAug 18, 2015 August 18, 2015: Although, in the past, female naval and coast guard officers have been known to spend their entire career doing on-shore duties alone, Assistant Cmdt. Chouksey, 25, has already started sailing. "I have been in service for three years now and it's been good going so far. I had always been dreaming of being part of such an expedition and when the navy called for women volunteers, I jumped at the opportunity," she says. Female officers always find a way to distinguish themselves – just like Commander Gutta Sowjanya Sree and Lieutenant Vartika Joshi from the Navy, and Assistant Commandant Vasundhara Chouksey from the Coast Guard have by navigating the rough seas between Chennai and Kochi recently as part of an expedition on board the INSV Mhadei, led by Commander Dilip Donde, who holds the record of being the first Indian to have circumnavigated the world by sailing. Photo: WFS/Hema Vijay
In Bihar, dialysis at half the market ratesAug 14, 2015 August 14, 2015: In its bid to move towards making the health services more affordable in Bihar, camps for dialysis sessions catering to kidney patients are being organised in the state. The special camps being organised from August 4-8, 2015, at Hemo Dialysis Centres (HDCs) will provide dialysis sessions at half the market rates with the facilities to be available in 13 district hospitals and four medical colleges located in seventeen districts. To provide quality hemo- dialysis services at affordable cost, government district hospital and medical colleges are providing round-the-clock HDCs at 17 locations across the state in partnership with B Braun-India, a subsidiary of German company. The State Health Society, Bihar and Bihar Technical Assistance Support Team (BTAST) are providing technical assistance to these centres in the form of identification of private partner for running the dialysis centres. BTAST is an initiative of Bihar Government supported by DFID-UK to implement the Sector Wide Approach to Strengthen Health (SWASTH) in Bihar. Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Children still at risk in Nepal: UNICEFJul 31, 2015 July 31, 2015: Three months after Nepal's devastating 25 April earthquake and its aftershocks, children continue to face multiple risks as their families have been pushed deeper into poverty and they remain in need of aid, warned the United Nations's Children Fund (UNICEF). "When a major disaster strikes like the earthquakes on 25 April and 12 May, it incurs not only loss of lives but also destruction of assets, sources of livelihoods and substantially reduces household income particularly among the most vulnerable population," said Tomoo Hozumi, the UNICEF Representative in Nepal, over the weekend. Photo: UNICEF
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam passes awayJul 28, 2015 July 28, 2015: As the news of the death of Former Indian President and Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam broke yesterday, the entire nation found itself shell shocked, as it fondly remembered the encouraging and inspiring words for which India's Missile Man was known for throughout his life. The 83-year-old Dr Kalam known as People's President died on 27th July after he collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Shillong on Monday evening.
Pulling the strings of changeJul 24, 2015 New Delhi: Project Kayakalp, 'Pulling the Strings of Change', by the students associated wiht Enactus, Shri Ram College of Commerce, aims to empower traditional puppeteers from Kathputli colony in New Delhi. The project aims to expand their income generating possibilities by making their art form relevant to contemporary audiences and by capitalising on unexplored markets. These traditional puppeteers develop shows on various socially relevant themes that captures the minds of all age groups. Enactus India was founded in 2003 and brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to shape a better, more sustainable world.
Dancing their way to empowermentJul 14, 2015 July 14, 2015: Edisca, primarily a dance school, enables young girls from the favelas (slums) in Brazil to not just gain formal education while they learn dance but also to acquire some much-needed social skills. Brazilian prima ballerina, Dora Andrade, has set up her School of Dance and Social Integration for Children and Adolescents (Edisca) that enables young girls from the favelas (slums) to not just gain formal education and learn dance but also to acquire some much-needed social skills. Moreover, it provides the pupils a square meal every day and shows them how to care for and respect their bodies. Free of charge, the girls who enrol in Andrade's school generally come from three of Fortaleza's poorest localities, one of them a shantytown built on the edge of the city's garbage dump. (Photo: Kamayani Bali- Mahabal\WFS)
Raising voice for the sake of girlsJul 11, 2015 July 11, 2015: Centre for Social Research, a Delhi based NGO with support from Heinrich Boll Stiftung, India, has organised an 'International Policy Dialogue on Pre-natal Sex Selection' in New Delhi. Experts from many countries like South Korea, Vietnam, Germany& USA have joined the Conference to share best practices and policy recommendations. The objective of the conference was to exchange international knowledge on sex-selective practices and methods of addressing the problem, and develop policy recommendations incorporating international perspectives on sex-selective practices. Therefore, the conference seeks to bring together experts from countries where sex selection is or was practiced, in order to present their thoughts, experiences and research at an International level.
India's big push for transgender welfareJul 03, 2015 July 3, 2015: The Third National Hijra Habba in New Delhi brought together policymakers, government representatives, media, healthcare providers, transgender and hijra community leaders and civil society to promote the rights of transgender and hijra communities in India. It is the first event of its kind at the national level since the Supreme Court's landmark judgement. Organised by India HIV/AIDS Alliance's Pehchan programme, this year's Hijra Habba creates a forum for dialogue between national and state social welfare departments and prominent transgender and hijra community leaders. The event will be a platform for different states, the Central Government, the transgender & hijra community, and civil society organizations to join hands to consolidate an action plan for transgender and hijra welfare nationwide. Photo: Subah Chopra/OneWorld South Asia
Yoga can boost public health, says UNJun 23, 2015 June 23, 2015: Students participate in the mass yoga demonstration in New Delhi on the first International Day of Yoga which was celebrated on June 21. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised yoga for promoting respect for one's fellow human beings and for the planet. "I am hoping that if yoga promotes physical dexterity, it can also promote diplomatic dexterity. In my job as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have to be agile all of the time!" he said in front of the crowd. Quoting Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, he stressed that "yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness, with yourself, the world and nature". In a message issued in advance of the International Day, Ban recalled how he had had the opportunity to practice yoga during a visit to India this year. Photo: PIB
Widows are vulnerable: Ban Ki-moonJun 22, 2015 June 22, 2015: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that many widows are aging and may not have worked outside of the home. Widows are particularly vulnerable, he said. International Widows' Day is observed on 23rd June every year. He said that creating a world with greater equality for generations to come is the defining challenge. "This is especially urgent for women, who often experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Their age, income, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors can put women at greater risk of injustice," he said. "We must erase the social stigmatization and economic deprivation that confronts widows; eliminate their high risk of sexual abuse and exploitation; and remove the barriers to resources and economic opportunities that constrain their future. We also must advance widows' equal rights to inheritance, property, land and other assets," Ki-moon said.
Database of Blood banks launched in IndiaJun 15, 2015 June 15, 2015: India's National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed the 'World Blood Donor Day' under the aegis of National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC), at Connaught Place, New Delhi. The World Blood Donors Day celebrates their altruistic gift and thanks the unsung heroes for their priceless contribution. The theme for this year's campaign is 'Thank you for saving my life' focuses on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their blood donations and encourages more people across the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan "Give freely, give often. Blood donation matters." On this occasion, K B Agarwal, Joint Secretary, NACO, launched the blood donation drive for willing donors to donate blood on this occasion. He also launched the Database of Blood banks on the National Health Portal. Photo: World Bank/Dominic Chavez
Raising voice for forest conservationJun 09, 2015 June 9, 2015: This summer, nearly 5000 children in Baihar block utilized their vacation for participating in a massive rally to create awareness among the communities in 73 villages located in the buffer zone of Kanha forest on the importance of environment conservation and preserving ecological balance. To establish a constructive communication among various stake holders including parents, children, government, panchayat raj members in enhancing the quality education of the children in Kanha buffer zone, Aide et Action South Asia, an international NGO in support with Wild Life Conservation Trust, Sir Dorabji Tata trust through its Ecological Ensuring Quality Education with Ecological Sensitization project team held "Shiksha Samvaad Yatra", a eleven day rally advocating the cause of conservation of forests and ecological education from May 21. Photo: Amoga Laxmi Sukka
Towards responsible consumptionJun 08, 2015 June 8, 2015: With many of the earth's ecosystems nearing 'critical tipping points,' the United Nations invited each of the seven billion people on the planet to mark this year's World Environment Day by making one change towards a more responsible consumption of resources – "be it refusing to buy single-use plastic bags or riding a bike to work." "Humanity continues to consume far more natural resources than the planet can sustainably provide," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in this year's message for the Day, observed annually on 5 June. "It is time for us to change." "The goal of sustainable development is to increase the quality of life for all people without increasing environmental degradation and without compromising the resource needs of future generations," he noted. "We can do this by shifting our consumption patterns towards goods that use less energy, water and other resources and by wasting less food." Photo: UNEP
UN pledges to fight against illicit tobaccoJun 02, 2015 On World No Tobacco Day, UN launches fight against illicit tobacco trade to save lives. The elimination of the world's illicit tobacco trade will not only save millions of lives but also generate billions of dollars in windfall for governments, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) announced to mark the 2015 edition of World No Tobacco Day. The day observed annually by the global community on 31 May to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. Photo: WHO
India launches first TV channel for farmersMay 27, 2015 May 27, 2015: The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on May 26 called for increasing food-grain productivity from 2 tons per hectare to 3 tons per hectare. Addressing a gathering of farmers at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan on the occasion of the launch of DD Kisan, Doordarshan's channel dedicated exclusively to farmers, the Prime Minister also called for making the 'Tehsil' the unit of agricultural planning and development. The Prime Minister said that if the country has to move forward, villages must progress, and if villages are to progress, then it is essential for agriculture to progress. He said there was a time when agriculture was the most preferred of professions, but over a period of time, its attractiveness had declined to rock bottom. He added that with the right incentives and actions, this trend could be completely reversed.
Ranjana bags award for gender equalityMay 20, 2015 May 20, 2015: The Fifth Annual Lotus Leadership Awards will honour the work of Dr Ranjana Kumari, the Director of Centre for Social Research, a non-profit organization in India dedicated to empowering women and girls and promoting women's fundamental rights. Dr Kumari, a long-time champion for women's causes, has worked tirelessly to promote women's political participation, combat domestic violence, and advocate for gender equality as a leader on the forefront of the women's movement in India. The Lotus Leadership Awards, instituted by The Asia Foundation, New York recognize outstanding individuals who have made major contributions to the well-being of women and their communities in Asia. The Asia Foundation's Lotus Circle, a group of committed individuals, foundations, and corporations working together to advance the rights and opportunities of women across the Asia-Pacific region, hosts this annual event. ( Dr Ranjana (in the centre) is pictured with other women)
Engaging teachers for quality educationMay 11, 2015 May 11, 2015: While it is believed that the education system in India is the backbone of the country's growth and development, there is a substantial challenge around achieving quality for the majority of our children. STIR, in its efforts to build a national movement of teacher changemakers who can improve learning for children, brought together aprox 800 teachers from affordable private schools and government schools from the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan and Odisha, partners and senior government officials from over 12 states across the country were present to kickstart the beginnings of a national movement. It also recently released a guide which introduces 123 micro innovations selected through a rigorous process by their partners, teachers and experts.
Hearing impaired activists protest in DelhiMay 06, 2015 May 6, 2015: Saddened and outraged by the Government's decision to integrate the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) with the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Hearing Handicapped (AYJNIHH) in Mumbai, the deaf community on fifth May gathered outside Shastri Bhawan in large numbers in order to demand the complete autonomy of ISLRTC as envisaged in the 11th Five Year Plan. National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has also written to the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to suspend the Government order with immediate effect, and establish ISLRTC as a stand-alone organisation managed by the deaf people. Nearly 5000 people from various deaf organisations under the leadership of the NAD gathered in New Delhi today to demand an end to this injustice meted out to a linguistic minority.
Earthquake hit Nepal gets UN suppliesApr 28, 2015 April 28, 2014: The United Nations refugee agency is rushing critical supplies to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has reportedly killed more than 3,000 people and injured thousands more on Saturday, and pledged that it ready to provide any assistance needed to help survivors through these difficult times. "We are deeply saddened that thousands of people have been killed, injured or displaced in the disaster. These numbers are still rising with frequent aftershocks and as search and rescue teams reach remote areas," said Daisy Dell, Director of the Asia-Pacific bureau of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "UNHCR stands in solidarity with Nepal, which has been a generous host to thousands of refugees over the years," she added. Photo: UNHCR
Nestle violates baby food law: BPNIApr 20, 2015 April 20, 2015: Leading baby food manufacturer, Nestle, through its wing called Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI) has violated the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act by sponsoring and organising NNI National Nurses Quiz-2015 in India, alleged the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI). According to BPNI, Nestle has vociferously breached this enactment by being the spine and the toe of NNI National Nurses Quiz-2015 in India. "To materialise the quiz at the ground level, the company has been establishing contacts with speciality departments such as paediatrics and gynaecology departments of the medical colleges in order to receive nominations for the nurses," BPNI said. The Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) on its part has also written a letter to the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) of Aligarh for expressing its discontentment and urged them to withdraw their nurses from the quiz and also not organise such activities in future. Representational Photo; Caption: Naina Gautam and Ashok Kumar
Woman sarpanch bats for safe motherhoodApr 10, 2015 April 10, 2015: A woman sarpanch speaks during a national meeting in New Delhi, 'Nothing About Us, Without Us', asking for citizen's engagement in improving women's and children's health. In order to bring country-wide attention to the issue of safe motherhood and the importance of citizen's participation to achieve that, White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) along with Centre for Catalyzing Change, FPAI, IPPF, Plan India, Save the children, and World Vision India, today, at a national meeting, appealed to citizens and government to actively engage and work out an action plan to address women's and children's health in India. Photo: Naina Gautam/OneWorld South Asia
Amnesty releases Death Penalty ReportApr 01, 2015 April 1, 2015: According to the Amnesty International's Death Penalty report-2014, at least 607 people were executed in 22 countries in 2014. This reflects a drop of almost 22% compared to 2013, when Amnesty recorded at least 778 executions in 22 countries worldwide. Most executions took place in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the USA – in that order, the report says. China executed more people than the rest of the world put together – but the true extent of the use of the death penalty in China is unknown as this data is considered a state secret; the figure of 607 excludes the number of executions carried out in China.
Radio Benziger awarded for TB awarenessMar 27, 2015 March 26, 2015: With an endeavor to fight the deadly infectious disease, tuberculosis, Radio Benziger rather took an innovative path of disseminating the information with the help of dramas, discussions and interviews and was rewarded for its out- of- box idea by the Kollam District TB Centre in Kerala on World TB day, on March 24. Focusing on the issue, the Community Radio Station based in the southern part of India, produced a set of 10 radio programmes over a period of two and half months to make people aware of the TB treatment and its precautions, along with the help from district health officials. "We tried to make the radio programmes as simple as possible, but at the same time our focus was to spread awareness within the community. Most of the affected people are migrants from the northern part of India and barely know Malayalam," said Ferdinand Peter, Station Director, Radio Benziger.
Champions of Change felicitated in DelhiMar 23, 2015 March 23, 2014: The Karmaveer Chakra awards which are promoted and instituted by the International Confederation of NGOs (iCONGO) in partnership with the UN were given away in New Delhi on March 22. The awards were distributed during REX CONCLiVE-2015, an event organised every year to felicitate the unsung heroes who have been doing exemplary work in the society within their resource capacity. Over the years REX Karmaveer has become a highly coveted civil society and people's awards.
Radio is an instrument of future: JaitleyMar 17, 2015 March 17, 2015: India's Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, Arun Jaitley releasing a book at the 5th National Community Radio Sammelan, in New Delhi on March 16, 2015. The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is also seen. Congratulating innovators in the field of Community Radio, India's Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information and Broadcasting, said that the Right to Freedom of Speech truly belongs to the listeners. The Minister said that Community Radio is being instrumental in furthering the idea that people exercise their right of expression to the fullest. "Radio was instrument of the past and it is also the instrument of future," he said.
Gender equality vital, says Ban Ki-moonMar 11, 2015 March 11, 2015: The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has sounded a call for global action for women. "When you hold back half of our population, we cannot realise 100 per cent of our potential," he said. "We have to fully respect and use the potential of all of our women." Ban praised the commitment of those present to gender equality, saying women had to be 'front and centre' in the world, especially on issues like peace and development. "Progress has been too slow; uneven," he said as he recalled that it was 20 years since the Beijing Declaration and sounding a rallying cry for the 'step it up' campaign to reach Planet 50:50 by 2030. Photo: Saurav Mukherjee/OWSA
Indian govt under fire on Land BillFeb 25, 2015 February 25, 2015: A farmer is pictured protesting against the proposed Land Acquisition Bill by the Narendra Modi government on February 24 in New Delhi. Farmers from across the country assembled in the national capital under the leadership of noted Gandhian Anna Hazare who also led the massive anti-corruption agitation in New Delhi around three years back. The Opposition parties along with the key allies of the ruling government rallied the protesters to oppose the Bill which has been termed as anti-farmer by social activists and political parties. Photo: Saurav Mukherjee/OWSA
Team Sea Hawks bats for girl childFeb 12, 2015 February 12, 2015: The Indian Open Water swim team 'The Sea Hawks' is taking on the world record for the longest open water swim in the world this month. This 6-man relay team, led by Wing Commander Paramvir Singh, is preparing to swim a distance of 490 kms along the Konkan coastline in support of the National Mission 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'. Towards this objective, the team intends to raise awareness and donations for Project Nanhi Kali, an NGO supporting the cause of the Under-privileged Girl Child Education in India.
AAP rides on common man's agendaFeb 10, 2015 February 10, 2015: The Aam Aadmi Party is on its way to register a historic victory in the capital city of Delhi. Riding high on its anti corruption campaign, the party which claims to be flagging the common man's agenda is on the verge of decimating both the national parties, the Congress and the BJP in the national capital. The party which had connected with people on the promise of making electricity cheaper and ensuring free supply of clean drinking water is leading in 67 constituencies out of the total 70. During his last tenure, which lasted for 49 days before Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the chief minister of Delhi in 2014, the helpline launched by him to nail the corrupt government servants gained huge popularity. Ashok Kumar
Dr José bags TERI's sustainability awardFeb 09, 2015 February 9, 2015: The 11th Sustainable Development Leadership Award was last week presented to DrJosé Manuel Durão Barroso by Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The award felicitates global leaders for their contributions in the field of sustainable development, and for encouraging global initiatives that can lead the world towards a sustainable future. Instituted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in 2005, the award was presented at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2015 (DSDS) as TERI's tribute to eminent individuals engaged in encouraging global initiatives that can lead the world towards a sustainable future. As President of the European Commission (EC), Dr Barrosos headed the first international legally binding agreement for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, when he launched the historic 2020 package on Climate and Energy.
Need to scale skilling plans: Indian govtJan 30, 2015 January 30, 2015: In a strategic meeting with industry partners both philanthropic and corporate, on the country's skill development agenda, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajiv Pratap Rudy has asked various industries and corporations to come together to scale skilling initiatives with speed and bring about standardisation in the process of skilling. Addressing the meeting in New Delhi, the Minister said, scaling skill development initiatives is one of the bigger challenges but addressing the need to assure quality while scaling up initiatives is extremely crucial. He said, in order to have a synergy between attaining scale and ensuring quality, we need resources in terms of infrastructural support, efficient credible trainers, setup for conducting sessions and so on. Photo: Naina Gautam
Legendary cartoonist R K Laxman diesJan 27, 2015 January 27, 2015: Best known as the creator of the 'common man', R K Laxman, India's best known cartoonist, breathed his last on January 26, 2015. Born in the south Indian city of Mysore, in 1921, Laxman chronicled India's day to day activities in political and social circles through his popular caricatures. Through his iconic creation the 'common man', Laxman touched the lives of millions of Indians by his insightful humour and socially relevant messages expressed through his immensely popular cartoon strips. The picture shows R K Laxman receiving the Padma Vibhushan award from the then Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on March 28, 2005. Photo: PIB
Tendulkar vows to bat his best for kidsJan 19, 2015 January 19, 2014: Ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has highlighted the need for ending child labour and child slavery. Calling children as unpolished diamonds, he said, "Millions of children in India and abroad do not get what they desire and deserve." Praising the Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi for his fight against child slavery over many years, Tendulkar also shared his concern for the healthy growth of children. "After retiring from cricket, the first responsibility I took was to become ambassador for UNICEF's handwash campaign," he said. Talking about his role as UNICEF ambassador, Tendulkar said that this was the first responsibility he undertook after retiring from cricket. "The first part of my life was devoted to cricket, and it was after a lot of hard work that I became successful. The second inning started 13 months ago as the UNICEF ambassador," said the God of cricket. Tendulkar assured that he would give his fullest commitment as the UN envoy for children's hygiene. "People would have a committed Sachin. I will try my level best and this would not be a disappointing exercise," he said. Naina Gautam and Ashok Kumar
Lifeline of Madhya Pradesh in dire straitsJan 15, 2015 January 15, 2015: Since ancient times, the river has sustained tribes as well as agrarian communities that have lived on and around its banks. However, the river that is considered to be the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh is facing challenges not of its own making. Climate change is now impacting the health of the river, which also impacts the sustenance of the lush green fields of wheat and chickpea around the Narmada. Member of the Rajya Sabha and social activist, Anil Madhav Dave who undertook an 18 day raft journey in River Narmada during the year 2007, from Amarkantak to Bharuch, said that at least fifty types of fishes that existed earlier are now extinct. Dave warned that climate change, in near future, will reduce Narmada into a cricket pitch as the river will die due to irresponsible human activities. Rupinder Kaur & Ashok Kumar
UN chief meets Indian premierJan 12, 2015 January 12, 2015: The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Secretary General, who is on a three day visit to India, applauded Modi's efforts towards sustainable development at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. The attention of the Summit was on the impact of climate change and it also focused on sustainable development and renewable energy. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for of providing universal access to energy to all seven billion people of the world by 2030. Photo: PIB
Drug abusers get govt helpline in IndiaJan 09, 2015 January 9, 2015: The Indian government has taken a significant step to help alcohol and drug abusers by launching a national toll free helpline number - 1800-11-0031. The Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot launched the helpline with the technical support from a public sector enterprise. The ministry works towards reducing drug dependency and enhancing the rehabilitation of victims. The newly launched helpline would provide assistance six days a week between IST 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 pm. According to a survey by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry and UNODC, India has more than 70 million drug addicts, and the major reason seems to be easy availability and cheap rates. The low rates are essential due to the nation's close proximity with drug areas in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Representative image of a mobile user. Photo: Naina Gautam
Smart police stations to dot Indian statesJan 06, 2015 January 6, 2015: In line with the government's Digital India project, the Ministry for Home Affairs has started the process of building smart police stations with techno savvy features including CCTV, record room, and communication room for wireless, computers, and automated kiosks for filing of complaints by the public. The Indian Prime Minister introduced the concept of SMART Police (S-Sensitive and Strict; M-Modern with mobility; A- Alert and Accountable; R- Reliable and Responsive; T- Trained and Techno-savvy) during the 49th Directors General/ Inspectors General Annual Conference in Guwahati. As a first step towards SMART policing, India's Home Minister Rajnath Singh has decided to establish one model SMART police station in each State and has asked the State Governments to submit their proposals with specific location by January 31, 2015. The ministry has decided to allocate specific funds for setting up of these stations in each state shortly. Ashok Kumar & Naina Gautam
South Asia aims to bridge the digital divideJan 02, 2015 January 2, 2015: The year 2014 saw South Asian countries use digital technologies not only for fighting widespread economic inequalities in the region but also for bringing about good governance and transparency in the public domain. A slew of measures taken during 2014 include introduction of e-office suite in Pakistan, a plan to set up the first digital university in Bangladesh and Bhutan's pledge to bridge the digital gap by 2020. While the island nation of Sri Lanka made the provision of providing ICT training to teenage girls in the country, the new government in India launched the digital India campaign and also announced the introduction of smart police stations in all states. Ashok Kumar and Naina Gautam
South Asia seeks to bridge the digital divideJan 02, 2015 January 2, 2015: The year 2014 saw South Asian countries use digital technologies not only for fighting widespread economic inequalities in the region but also for bringing about good governance and transparency in the public domain. A slew of measures taken during 2014 include introduction of e-office suite in Pakistan, a plan to set up the first digital university in Bangladesh and Bhutan's pledge to bridge the digital gap by 2020. While the island nation of Sri Lanka made the provision of providing ICT training to teenage girls in the country, the new government in India launched the digital India campaign apart from introducing smart police stations in all states. Ashok Kumar and Naina Gautam
Indian PM fast tracks pro-farmer initiativesDec 30, 2014 December 30, 2014: In yet another initiative aimed at benefiting farmers, the Indian Prime Minister has asked concerned Departments and Ministries of the Union Government to fast-track the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. Today`s meeting follows yesterday`s decision by the Union Cabinet, in which amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, were cleared. The amendments include the pro-farmer step of bringing 13 most frequently used Acts for Land Acquisition for the Central Government Projects into the purview of the Land Acquisition Act, thus benefiting a large number of farmers whose land is acquired for such projects. Chairing a high-level meeting involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, Rural Development, the Prime Minister called for a multi-pronged approach to the ultimate goal of providing irrigation for every farm through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. The Prime Minister noted that NREGA had been used over the past few years for creation and augmentation of irrigation assets. He said that NREGA should be integrated with the overall plan of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. He also called for precise monitoring of outcomes in this regard. Photo: Naina Gautam/OWSA
Using entitlements to fight povertyDec 23, 2014 December 23, 2014: Experts have called for systemic changes to make sure that the downtrodden communities have access to the entitlements bestowed on them. Throwing some lights on the need to review the process which leads the low-access-to-entitlements, Gobinda Pal, Director, Indian Institute of Development Studies stressed on the need to work on behavioral aspects. "We have been secluded not by the system but within the system", he said. The Indian Constitution has provided socio-economic rights and entitlements to tribal people, women a Gaurav Singh, Research Consultant, CBGA, came out with three problems on effective service delivery of government initiatives, based on his research, conducted by him in Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. He categorized them as Structural, Functional and Attitudinal problems.nd religious minorities but social and historical factors are a major barrier to awareness and access.Photo: Naina Gautam/OWSA
Citizens cleaning up river Yamuna in DelhiDec 17, 2014 December 17, 2014: Delhi residents turned out in large numbers, on December 14, to volunteer for a Yamuna Shramdaan or clean up aimed at drawing attention to the important role volunteering can play in cleaning the highly-polluted river that is the lifeline for 60 million people in the country. Responding to the call of the Prime Minister to volunteer for a Swacch Bharat or Clean India, the event was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, United Nations Volunteers, United Nations Development Programme and Swechha with support from various civil society organizations and other groups.
Delhi girls clean up Yamuna's Kudsia wharfDec 15, 2014 December 15, 2014: Delhi residents turned out in large numbers to volunteer for a Yamuna Shramdaan or clean up aimed at drawing attention to the important role volunteering can play in cleaning the highly-polluted river that is the lifeline for 60 million people in the country. Responding to the call of the Prime Minister to volunteer for a Swacch Bharat or Clean India, the event was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, United Nations Volunteers, United Nations Development Programme and Swechha with support from various civil society organizations and other groups.
Kailash and Malala receive Nobel PrizeDec 10, 2014 December 10, 2014: Kailash Satyarthi of India and Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan received the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to bring global consciousness about the rights of children. Both the crusaders of child rights were jointly conferred the prize in a glittering ceremony held in Oslo. Video grab: Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony-2014.
FAO kicks off International Year of SoilsDec 08, 2014 December 8, 2014: Healthy soils are the foundation for food, fuel, fibre and even medicine said the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as it kicked off 2015 the International Year of Soils on the first-ever World Soil Day, on December 5. Soils are also essential to our ecosystems, playing a key role in the carbon cycle, storing and filtering water, and improving resilience to floods and droughts, and yet we are not paying enough attention to this important "silent ally," the UN agency explained. The International Year of Soils kicks off today at events in Rome, New York and Santiago de Chile, in an effort to raise awareness and promote more sustainable use of this critical resource.
Glaciers receding in Central Asia: studyNov 24, 2014 November 24, 2014: According to a new World Bank report, glaciers are receding in the Andes of South America and across the mountains of Central Asia. As temperatures continue to warm, their melting will bring more water to farms and cities earlier in the growing season, raising the risks of damaging floods. "Within a few decades, however, the risk of flood will become risk of drought. Without action to stop the drivers of climate change, most of the Andean glaciers and two-thirds of Central Asia's glaciers could be gone by the end of the century," says the report. The study indicates that these changes are already underway, with global temperatures at 0.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times and the beginning of its impact on food security, water supplies and livelihoods. The report warned that in absence of concerted action to reduce emissions, the planet was on pace for 2°C warming by mid-century. Photo: Suresh Thakur
Road accidents kill 500 kids each dayNov 17, 2014 November 17, 2014: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a recommitment to make roads safer for all who use them, as countries around the world marked the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims today. Calling the Day a 'sobering reminder' that crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15 to 29 years old, Ban said in a message that he is "continually inspired by the potential of youth to transform society." "On this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, let us re-commit to making roads that are safe for all," he said. Ban drew attention to the fact that road traffic crashes also claim many younger victims, with more than 500 children killed each day as they travel to and from school, playgrounds and the homes of family and friends. Millions of other people of all ages are also seriously injured. Photo: WHO
Air pollution could rise sharply in IndiaNov 13, 2014 November 13, 2014: A new report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) says that if current trends of vehicle population, fuel and emission standards persist, PM 2.5 emissions will increase by a factor of three, and those of NOx will increase by a factor of five. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that of the 67 risk factors studied in their Global Burden of Disease project, outdoor air pollution was ranked fifth in mortality and seventh in health burden in India, contributing to over 627,000 deaths and 17.7 million healthy years of life lost in 2010. The new report titled 'Options to reduce road transport pollution in India' establishes the scientific basis for reducing emissions, the technologies available, and governance issues that need to be urgently addressed to improve air quality in Indian cities. Photo: UN
Taking care of expectant mothersNov 06, 2014 November 6, 2014: Expectant mothers in Mahesmara are now aware of benefits under the Janani Suraksha Yojana, such as free ambulance service and cash incentive on delivery in a hospital. Mahesmara village falls in Jahangirpur Gram Panchayat (GP) in one of Bihar's most backward districts, Kishanganj Photo: Ajitha Menon\WFS
India's first transgender newsreaderNov 04, 2014 November 4, 2014: Padmini Prakash, 31, made history on Lotus News Channel, a Tamil network in Coimbatore, by becoming the first transgender newsreader in India. Although Padmini's life has not been very different from others in her community – she was only 13 when her parents disowned her – today she is a trendsetter and an icon, who has given not just transgenders but the entire LGBT community a lot to be proud of. As per estimates, there are more than two million transgenders in India but most live on the fringes of society and in abject poverty. For survival, many sing and dance door-to-door, beg on the streets or get into prostitution. It was only recently that the Supreme Court has recognised them as the third gender, opening up a world of opportunities in education and employment. Photo: Krishna/WFS
Strive for zero hunger goal: SwaminathanOct 31, 2014 October 31, 2014: In the wake of stubbornly high levels of undernutrition across India, the Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security convened a review by technical experts about what works to improve nutrition and to develop a set of evidence-informed recommendations. In spite of recent reports on the improvements in undernutrition among children in India, the levels of undernutrition remain unacceptably high in India. "New frontiers of the mind and technology are before us, and if they are pioneered with the same vision, boldness and drive with which the battle against food shortage was fought through the green revolution, we can achieve the goal of Zero Hunger sooner than generally considered possible," said Professor M S Swaminathan. The recommendations are based on a review of the current evidence and approaches to achieve nutrition security in India.
Helping women stand on their ownOct 27, 2014 October 27, 2014: Despite the challenges, once the waters receded in the flood ravaged Kashmir valley, Nighat Shafi Pandit was out immediately to first assess the situation at Help's children's home and the women's centres. Pandit worked hard to set up handicraft centres in and around the Valley to train women to create exquisite Kashmiri handicraft and weaves. Photo: Humra Quraishi
Women auto drivers take over ChennaiOct 22, 2014 October 22, 2014: In Chennai, Tamil Nadu's state capital, one of these days, do not be surprised to see sari-clad women with khaki jackets zipping around the city ferrying passengers in black-and-yellow autorickshaws. These women have been trained and employed by Makkal (people) Auto, a transport service that runs a high-tech and safety-centric auto fleet for women, by women. For ordinary people in this bustling southern city of Chennai, the autorickshaw is both a boon and a bane. Even as it provides that crucial last mile connectivity, particularly to the large numbers of working women who are dependent on public transportation, there have been serious security issues to deal with, apart from the usual harassment over the arbitrary charging of fares. Photo: Hema Vijay\WFS
Hudhud disaster management: Weak linksOct 20, 2014 October 20, 2014: Cyclone Shelters, which form one of the most important assets during disaster management, are in a very sorry state of affairs in Vishakhapatnam, a district which barely managed to save itself from the fury of cyclone Hudhud. According to experts if the eye of the storm had hit the rural coastline rather than the urban space of Visakhapatnam, there would have been many more casualties. Now is the chance for the state of Andhra Pradesh as well as others on India's coast to take appropriate steps to build and maintain cyclone shelters which can counter any future cyclone. The photo shows an ugly dilapidated cyclone shelter in Mukkam in Vizianagaram. Photo: Devendra Tak/Save the Children
Girls on their way to learn farmingOct 15, 2014 October 15, 2014: Every day after their morning prayers, instead of heading to a regular classroom the students make their way to the open fields to learn farming first hand. These girls are enrolled at the Gondwana Residential Agriculture School (Gondwana Aabasik Shala Tyaagi Krishi Vidyalay), which is especially open to dropout students. At this unique school, being run from Bondtra, a small, dusty hamlet in Mungelli district of Chhattisgarh, 60 tribal children, a majority of whom are girls, are getting the incredible opportunity to gain a valuable life skills-based education. They come from various districts, including Surajpur, Jangir, Chanpa, Balrampur, Bilaspur, Kawrdha and Rayagad. It was in 2010 that this institution was set up by the Gondwana Society on the suggestion of their leader, activist Hirasingh Markam. Photo: WFS
South Asian duo wins Nobel Peace PrizeOct 10, 2014 October 10, 2014: Pakistani schoolgirl and education rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai and Indian children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi have together been awarded the prestigious Nobel peace prize for this year. Malala, a teenage Pakistani girl became a symbol of the women's rights movement since the Taliban's life-threatening attack on her. The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to confer the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 on Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people. The South Asian duo has been campaigning for the right of all children to education. Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Yet another green drive in UttarakhandOct 09, 2014 October 9, 2014: Across Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, a state which has recently witnessed a spate of natural disasters triggered by deforestation, this tree plantation initiative called Maiti Andolan (maiti is derived from 'mait', which is kumaoni for a married woman's parental home) has established itself as a workable solution for environmental protection as well as promoting the welfare of girls. The picture shows Sulochana (left) and Devaki (middle) with Kalyan Singh at the 'Maiti Van' near their Bagoli village in Chamoli district. It was Singh who started this unique tree plantation drive. Photo: WFS
Boat clinics: Taking care of women's healthSep 30, 2014 September 30, 2014: The women in Balachar, located in one of the several islands on the majestic Brahmaputra, want to marry off their girls young as they fear an adverse impact of the on-off ethnic violence in the region. Early marriage, triggered by ethnic violence in Assam, affects the health of young women. In such a case it's the travelling boat clinics that offer succour to them. Photo: UNICEF
Batting for inclusive education in IndiaSep 29, 2014 September 29, 2014: "Education is probably the single most important function of human civilisation, not merely the formal education system but the broader question of educating human beings around the world. Recent breakthroughs in communication technology have given us immense possibilities in this regard," says Dr Karan Singh, Member of India's Upper House of Parliament Rajya Sabha. Delivering the United Nations Public Lecture in New Delhi, Dr Karan Singh added, "Indians are heirs to one of the most powerful intellectual and educational traditions in human history, I refer to the first documented educational system in India, the Vedic-Upanishad system. Although it may have been confined to a rather small section of the population, it was an extremely potent and luminous system revolving around the method of passing on wisdom from the Rishi/Guru to the Shishya/Disciple." The Public Lecture was on the topic Education in the 21st Century. Dr Singh called for the need for holistic and inclusive education. Photo: UN
India launches Swachh Vidyalaya driveSep 25, 2014 September 25, 2014: India's Minister for Human Resource Development, Smriti Irani initiating Swachh Bharat-Swachh Vidyalaya Campaign, at a school in New Delhi on September 25, 2014. The Indian government has approved a massive program called "Swachh Bharat Mission for Urban Areas". The programme includes elimination of open defecation, conversion of insanitary toilets to pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, Municipal Solid Waste Management, bringing about a behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices, generating awareness among citizens about sanitation and its linkages with public health. Photo: PIB
Climate Change: UN seeks concrete actionSep 23, 2014 September 23, 2014: True to his belief that tackling climate change requires 'all hands on deck', Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is gathering a new and unique mix of partners at United Nations Headquarters – from Government, business, finance and civil society – for a summit aiming to raise ambition, mobilize resources, and generate action towards a universal climate deal. The UN chief's Climate Summit is expected to draw more than 120 Heads of State and Government to announce their vision and commitment for reaching a universal and meaningful climate agreement in 2015, as well as make announcements on actions that will reduce emissions, enhance resistance to climate change and mobilize financing for climate action. Photo: UN
Expedition for road safety takes off in DelhiSep 19, 2014 September 19, 2014: As part of the UN Decade of Road Safety, 2011-2020, promoted by the UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan (UNIC) , Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, UNIC Director, flagged off the Globe Buster's motorcycle expedition for road safety along with members of the Automobile Association of Upper India (AAUI). Riding the motorcycle is Julia Sanders, co-founder of Globe Busters and world record holder.
Expedition for road safety flagged off in DelhiSep 19, 2014 September 19, 2014: As part of the UN Decade of Road Safety, 2011-2020, promoted by the UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan (UNIC) , Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, UNIC Director, flagged off the Globe Buster's motorcycle expedition for road safety along with members of the Automobile Association of Upper India (AAUI). Riding the motorcycle is Julia Sanders, co-founder of Globe Busters and world record holder.
Kharta Valley beckons Indian girlsSep 16, 2014 September 16, 2014: Tata Steel today flagged off the Indian Women's Expedition to Kharta Valley in Tibet, beginning 14th Sept, 2014. Ms Bachendri Pal, a living legend in mountaineering and Chief, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), will lead the seven-member all women's team. The trekking into the beautiful Kharta valley is one of the most unusual and interesting approaches of expedition. The team will begin the expedition on September 14th, 2014 and will continue their journey till October 9th, 2014. The seven women contingent from various states in India include Premlata Agarwal from Jharkhand (housewife and & first Indian Woman to climb all the 7 highest summits in 7 continents), Chetna Sahoo from West Bengal, Jyoti Sharma from New Delhi, Tanu Verma from New Delhi, Sheetal Sangeeta Ekka from Jharkhand, Madhvi Sharma from Uttrakhand and Anita Vaidya from Gujarat. Speaking on the expedition, Bachendri Pal, Chief, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) said, "Such challenging and adventurous expeditions are an opportunity for women to realize their potential and serve as strong building blocks for the communities at large."
Sexual violence: Stop blaming womenSep 12, 2014 September 12, 2014: After the brutal gang rape of a young woman in December 2012 in Delhi, following which she succumbed to her grievous injuries, there was a great upsurge of people protesting on the streets. The presence of young women in the movement for a violence free society for women has infused new energy and vigour. But even as voices confronted the patriarchal state, many public figures, criticised the victim for being out late in the evening with her 'boyfriend'. Despite these remarks, the wave of anger was not to be contained. From day one, placards and slogans demanding an end to gender bias – 'why are women blamed for sexual violence unleashed on them?' or 'why should girls retrain themselves from living their life to the fullest?' – were being raised. The picture shows a file photo of a protest following the brutal December 16, 2012, rape incident confronted the patriarchal state. Courtesy: WFS
Sexual violence: Stop blaming womenSep 12, 2014 September 12, 2014: After the brutal gang rape of a young woman in December 2012 in Delhi, following which she succumbed to her grievous injuries, there was a great upsurge of people protesting on the streets. The presence of young women in the movement for a violence free society for women has infused new energy and vigour. But even as voices confronted the patriarchal state, many public figures, criticised the victim for being out late in the evening with her 'boyfriend'. Despite these remarks, the wave of anger was not to be contained. From day one, placards and slogans demanding an end to gender bias – 'why are women blamed for sexual violence unleashed on them?' or 'why should girls retrain themselves from living their life to the fullest?' – were being raised. The picture shows a file photo of a protest following the brutal December 16, 2012, rape incident confronted the patriarchal state. Courtesy: WFS
Ebola: UN to scale-up crisis responseSep 10, 2014 September 10, 2014: The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will convene leaders gathering in New York for the upcoming high-level segment of this year's United Nations General Assembly to highlight the urgent needs and required response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The UN World Health Organization (WHO), meanwhile, said on Tuesday the number of cases topped 4,200, and reported that thousands of new cases are expected in Liberia over the coming three weeks. "Conventional Ebola control interventions are not having an adequate impact in Liberia," WHO said in an update on Liberia issued Monday, "though they appear to be working elsewhere in areas of limited transmission, most notably in Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo." Photo: UNMIL
Odisha floods: Wading out of dangerSep 05, 2014 September 5, 2014: A woman painstakingly shifts her household belongings to a safer place as the flood waters rise. Several women in the flood hit state of Orissa have lived most of their lives in the shadow of one natural disaster or another – and yet every time they find themselves fighting nature and man-made problems to survive. By rotation, floods, droughts and cyclones afflict the eastern state of Odisha each year leaving millions of hapless families to pick up the pieces. It has been no different this time: 23 out of 30 districts have been submerged with over 300,000 people stranded or displaced. Photo: WFS
Spearheading sanitation drive in IndiaSep 03, 2014 September 3, 2014: One of the 108 blue and pink toilets installed in the infamous village Katra Saadatgunj of the Badayun district in Uttar Pradesh. With the installation of these toilets, Indian NGO, Sulabh International kick-started its national campaign to provide toilets in every household. The village had made international headlines in May when two teenage cousin sisters were found hanging from a tree, reportedly killed when they had gone out to relieve themselves in the absence of a toilet in their home. Lack of toilets not only puts women and girls at risk of assaults, but open defecation also leads to a host of other infections and diseases. Photo: Rahul Kumar/OneWorld South Asia
Single women unite for their rightsSep 01, 2014 September 1, 2014: Celebrating womanhood - members of the Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan recently gathered in Jaipur, Rajasthan, to create a charter of demands to be submitted to the newly-elected state government. Raising their voice in unison, the empowered members of the all powerful 'Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan' in Rajasthan fight for the rights and entitlements of the widowed, deserted and abandoned women. Every year, ENSS members from different parts of the state come together to celebrate womanhood, rejoice in their successes, share their sorrows and set an agenda for the future. Photo: ENSS/WFS
500 days- of- action to reach MDGsAug 29, 2014 August 29, 2014: Malala Yousafzai is seen at the special event to mark 500 Days of Action for the Millennium Development Goals. With Malala Yousafzai by his side, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked 500 days of action until the deadline to reach the Millennium Development Goals, known worldwide as the "MDGs." "Action now will save lives, build a solid foundation for sustainable development far beyond 2015 and help lay the groundwork for lasting peace and human dignity," the Secretary-General said at a special event at the UN Headquarters in New York. He was joined by more than 500 young people, including Yousafzai, who became an education advocate after being attacked by the Taliban on a school bus. Photo: UN
Big B embraces Indian polio workerAug 26, 2014 August 26, 2014: Sadaf Parveen from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, could not believe her good fortune when legendary actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan embraced her on stage during a recent public event in Delhi to convey his appreciation for her work on polio immunisation. A community mobilisation coordinator, Parveen, 27, was handpicked from an army of 8,000 frontline workers for her exceptional efforts to ensure polio immunisation. Though Bachchan is the more celebrated face of the Pulse Polio Immunisation programme, it is women health workers like Parveen who have overcome barriers of illiteracy, religion and extreme weather to convince mothers to get their children 'do boond zindagi ki' (two drops of life), which have enabled India achieve polio free status. As a health worker with the Social Mobilisation Network, Parveen's routine for the last seven years has revolved around going door-to-door in Malitola, 200 kilometres from the state capital, Lucknow, educating expectant women and new mothers about the benefits of routine immunisation during the bi-monthly immunisation rounds. Photo: WFS
Guarding girl child in Indian schoolsAug 22, 2014 August 22, 2014: The rape of a six-year-old girl at an upscale school in Bengaluru has refocused everyone's attention on the issue of child sexual abuse in the country. Ever since this chilling news has hit the headlines, parents across India have been forced to face the reality that their child too could be at risk. Despite the fact that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data has shown a rise of 45 per cent in cases of alleged child rape – 12,363 cases were reported in 2013 as compared to 8,541 in 2012 – many families either remain ignorant or are resigned to the threats their children are exposed to, especially in school. Photo: WFS
Mapping youth vulnerability to job marketAug 19, 2014 August 19, 2014: According to the Human Development Report-2014, globally, young adults are extremely vulnerable to marginalisation. In fact, factors like economic insecurity, technological change, political uprisings, conflict and climate change are not just limiting their choices but have the potential to reduce their enthusiasm and spirit of entrepreneurship into frustration and despair. This excerpt from the report, titled Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience, gives a clear understanding of the social and economic challenges facing young people of today. Young people around the world are especially vulnerable to marginalization in the labour market because they lack work experience, social networks, job search abilities and the financial resources to find employment. Photo: WFS
Women for 'freedom' from open defecationAug 14, 2014 August 14, 2014: Even as India gears to celebrate its 68th Independence Day, women in the country are stepping out of their homes for seeking 'freedom' from the scourge of open-defecation. Kabita Nayak (first from left) feels that while earlier it was difficult to convince people to allocate money to build a toilet at home, attitudes are rapidly changing as young women gain an education and realise the benefits of sanitation. Kabita has been working towards making her village Sagada in Puri district of Odisha free of open defecation because she has "felt the shame of having to go out to relieve myself in the open fields". Every week, there is a meeting held in the 'kothaghara' (hall) in Sagada village where all the women, including Kabita Nayak (first from left) sit together to talk about health issues. Photo: Rakhi Ghosh\WFS
Saying no to big food companiesAug 01, 2014 August 1, 2014: A group of organizations including the Alliance against Conflict of Interest (AACI), India Resource Centre and BPNI/IBFAN Asia have shown their deep concern about the growing influence of big food companies in the food systems of India. "Over the years, we have contested the attempts by the private sector to infiltrate public feeding programs like the Mid Day Meals and ICDS by advocating for ready to eat packaged foods as substitutes to freshly cooked meals and local foods," the group said. The groups said that India is facing increasing prevalence of obesity and non- communicable disease which are caused mainly by unhealthy dietary patterns influenced by the intense marketing by big food corporations. According to WHO and leading science journals like Lancet, risks of sugary drinks and junk foods on health are high on obesity, diabetes and even deaths.
Delhi fete to enlighten on youth healthJul 30, 2014 July 30, 2014: Heart Care Foundation of India, a leading national non-profit organization, announced its focus on youth health education during the 21st Perfect Health Mela-2014. The mass community health event, which is scheduled to be held at the Talkotora Indoor Stadium New Delhi, from 15th -19th October, 2014 will feature a series of interactive consumer based modules focused on educating over 4000 school and college students about the importance of preventive health and hygiene. The main concern behind the initiative is that by educating the youth from the very beginning, several life-threatening and lifestyle diseases can be prevented in the future. The various activities planned will be spread across five days and will include a series of inter school and college music, art, creative writing, sports and dance competitions; workshops, lectures and entertainment shows all themed around healthy living.
Kirron Kher felicitates NGO leadersJul 28, 2014 July 28, 2014: The Resource Alliance along with The Rockefeller Foundation and EdelGive Foundation felicitated the winners of India NGO Awards 2013 – 14 on last Friday. These are the most coveted awards in the social sector that honour Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) who have been adopting good standards and practices while implementing their programmes. The awards were given away by Smt. Kirron Kher, Honourable Member of the Parliament from Chandigarh and a renowned theatre, film and television actress. "I feel so fortunate to be here this evening. It is a beautiful moment for me to see the outstanding work these organizations are doing. With so many NGOs operating in the country, there is a lot of skepticism amongst the public regarding the genuineness of these NGOs, however, the selection process of The India NGO Awards makes it possible to reward the deserving NGOs on the basis of accountability, transparency and effective utilization of funds," said Kirron Kher.
SHGs help Naga women in IndiaJul 24, 2014 July 24, 2014: In Nagaland, not unlike the other Indian north eastern states, women are the catalyst of society. From farming and taking care of livestock, to ferrying water, to weaving and taking care of household duties, and even running tea shops, women play a pivotal role in keeping life going. Recognising the need to continue the empowerment of women and the role of women as agents of development, the government along with women's activist group helped set up Self Help Groups (SHG). These SHG are usually made up 15-20 women with not more than one from one family. Many of these SHG sell agricultural produce. Their numbers are growing steadily and contribute to their state's economy. These SHG have also become avenues for unemployed women to make a living for their sustainability. The picture shows a Self Help Group of women selling fresh farm produce in an attempt to maximise their income. Photo: Pamela Philipose\WFS
Indian village frees itself from darknessJul 21, 2014 July 21, 2014: Even as more than 300 million people still wait for electricity in India, Dharnai in Bihar declared itself energy-independent yesterday with the launch of Greenpeace's solar-powered micro-grid. The 100 kilowatt (kW) micro-grid currently provides quality electricity to more than 2,400 people living in Dharnai village in Bihar's Jehanabad district. "While India was growing leaps and bounds, we were stuck here for the last 30 years, trying everything in the book to get electricity. We were forced to struggle with kerosene lamps and expensive diesel generators. But now I can proudly say that Dharnai is a leader in innovation," said Kamal Kishore, a resident of Dharnai. A quarter of the global population without access to electricity comprise the poor in India, where more than a third of the rural population lacks access to electricity. The decentralised, expandable and sustainable approach of the micro-grid provides that critical catalyst to power the new growth centres of India like Dharnai as well as bridge the deficit in urban areas. It is also a solution that can plug into the current government's focus on using solar power for energy access to every household by 2019. Photo: Ravi Sahani/Greenpeace
MDGs Report- 2014 unveiled in New DelhiJul 17, 2014 July 17, 2014: India's Minister for Minority Affairs Dr Najma Heptulla released the UN Secretary General's Global Millennium Development Goals Report 2014 here today. Speaking on the occasion Dr.Najma Heptulla said Human Development was an essential component of Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts. His touchstone for the validity of any action was the impact it had on the poorest of the poor. This is also the guiding principle of NDA Government having a mandate for development of all, in an inclusive manner. Despite paying lip-service to Mahatma Gandhi, India has been unable to fulfill his aspiration. The Government has inherited this challenge and is committed to fulfilling, she added. The Minister said that the four references to India in the synopsis of the report being released pertain to poverty, infant-deaths, maternal deaths and sanitation. None of these references are flattering. Even before this report, several challenges including those mentioned in the report had been identified. The UN's annual report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) published each year tracks the progress made around the world in reaching the Millennium Development Goals. This year's report is one of the last before the MGDs expire in 2015. In a global summit in September 2015 world leaders will hopefully adopt a new expanded framework.
Rural kids visit Delhi, meet Indian PMJul 14, 2014 July 14, 2014: School children from the poor farming community of the western Indian state of Maharashtra met the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi last week. These talented children from poor communities are on a conducted tour to Delhi. The Prime Minister blessed the children and wished a bright future for them. On July 1, the Centre assured that it would look into the problems of Maharashtra farmers, especially to deal with any low-rainfall situation, and also create Research &Development infrastructure to support long-term growth of agriculture in the State. A delegation led by Members of Parliament and State legislature of Maharashtra met Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh today and gave him a representation on farming matters. Responding to their demands, Agriculture Minister assured them that his Ministry would favourably consider the establishment of a Central Agricultural University in the State. Photo: PIB
India State of Forest Report unveiledJul 09, 2014 July 9, 2014: India's Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests & Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday today released the biennial report "India State of Forest Report (ISFR)" in New Delhi. The India State of Forest Report-2013 is 13th report in the series. Speaking on the occasion Javadekar said Government believed in Development without Destruction and respect for the Environment. Emphasising the need to enhance the forest cover in the Country Javadekar said there was a need to make Afforestation the 'People's Movement'. It was critical for each stakeholder to participate in making Environmental sustainability a reality so as to ensure the agenda for Growth. Lauding the report, Javadekar said the document captured the ground realities pertaining to the Environment. Photo: PIB
Genetic breakthrough in malaria treatmentJul 07, 2014 July 7, 2014: Scientists have discovered the key gene behind severe malaria, a finding that may provide new strategies for the treatment and prevention of the deadly disease. The discovery, published by experts in China, France, Denmark and Germany, has pointed out that the antigenic variation of the Plasmodium falciparum multicopy var gene family is the key gene linked to severe malaria. It found that expression of a particular var subgroup called "upsA," is what causes human cerebral malaria, a severe malaria, state-run Chinese news agency reported. According to Professor Zhang Qingfeng, one of the researchers involved in the project, a novel chromatin-associated exoribonuclease termed "PfRNase II" controls the silencing of upsA var genes. The finding is expected to provide clues for the development of the vaccines and medicine against severe malaria, which will help save a great number of patients, particularly children under the age of five. Malaria is one of the oldest infectious diseases. Severe malaria claims the lives of about a million people in the world annually. Photo credit: UNDP via photopin cc
Malala Yousafzai wins 2014-Liberty MedalJul 03, 2014 July 3, 2014: A Pakistani girl who survived being shot by the Taliban because she advocated education for girls has won the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia. Malala Yousafzai was just 15 when she was shot in the head while returning from school in Mingora, Pakistan, in October 2012. She had angered the fundamentalist Muslim group by writing about life under the Taliban for the BBC, and arguing that girls should be allowed to pursue an education. "It's an honour to be awarded the Liberty Medal," Yousafzai, now 17, said on Sunday. "I accept this award on behalf of all the children around the world who are struggling to get an education." The medal has been awarded annually since 1989, when Polish Solidarity founder Lech Walesa received it first. Photo: UN
Sri Lanka, Maldives ink healthcare dealJul 01, 2014 July 1, 2014: The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, currently on a state visit to Maldives and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom presided over the signing ceremony of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) yesterday at the President's Office in Male. The agreement between the health sectors in two countries were signed by the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris and Maldivian Minister of Health and Gender Dr. Mariyam Shakeela. The agreement was to exchange specialists and trained staff, training of nurses and provision of consultation services. Photo: World Bank via photopin cc
Global drug use stable, says a new reportJun 27, 2014 June 27, 2014: Global drug use has stabilized, but some 200,000 people are still victims of drug-related deaths, according to the latest World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The photo depicts an opium poppy field in Afghanistan. "On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, I urge the international community to strengthen its efforts to confront illicit drugs as an integral element in building a safe and sustainable future," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said marking the International Day, which coincided with the report's launch today in Vienna. Globally, it is estimated that in 2012, between 162 million and 324 million people, corresponding to between 3.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent of the world population aged 15-64, had used an illicit drug – mainly a substance belonging to the cannabis, opioid, cocaine or amphetamine-type stimulants group – at least once in the previous year. The extent of problem drug use by regular drug users and those with drug use disorders or dependence remains stable at between 16 million and 39 million people. Photo: UNODC
Rethinking Nepal's uterine prolapse cureJun 24, 2014 June 24, 2014: The Nepal government's commitment to treat uterine prolapse, a debilitating life-long gynaecological condition, sparked an uptick in hysterectomies, but a new, less drastic low-cost intervention could spell hope for the thousands of Nepali women in need of treatment. An estimated 600,000 Nepali women live with uterine prolapsed. Nepal's Supreme Court declared uterine prolapse a human rights issue in 2008, and in response the government pledged support for hysterectomies free of charge. According to government data, more than 4,000 women underwent hysterectomies in a twelve-month period from 2012 to 2013. A 2014 report by Amnesty International criticized the Nepal government's focus on surgeries, saying it distracted attention from other prevention and treatment options. Photo: IRIN
Hailing 50 yrs of UN work on developmentJun 20, 2014 June 20, 2014: Arriving in Geneva to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations body that promotes international trade to fight poverty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the complex effort needs to meet current and future goals in development, and sustainability requires innovation and stepped-up international partnership. "We must look for transformative solutions that expand the boundaries of opportunity for people while respecting the boundaries of our planet," Ban said at a special session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Ban noted that the UNCTAD milestone was being observed at a significant time in development planning, as the world strived to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by their deadline of 2015 and to create a new agenda for sustainable development after that date. Photo: UNCTAD
Indian villages to get food processing unitsJun 18, 2014 June 18, 2014: The Indian government is aiming at introducing food processing centres at village level to boost farmers' income and fight food inflation. The Food Map developed by the Ministry of food processing industries aim to identify the food clusters across the country and strengthen crop production and processing. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Food Processing Industries, speaking at the industry interaction, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in New-Delhi, complimented CII team for unleashing the true potential of the food processing sector. The Food Processing Ministry aims to devise a new scheme called, 'Farm to Shelf' with an objective to reach out to farmers and set up small food processing units. It wants to provide business incubation; training and a processing centre at village level to process the farmers produce well. Photo: Oregon Department of Agriculture via Photopin
Poor progress of monsoon alarms IndiaJun 12, 2014 June 12, 2014: Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh affirmed the government's seriousness in tackling the situation arising out of poor monsoon rains as according to the forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department. The meteorological department issued a long- range update for monsoon, according to which the country is likely to receive 93 percent of the average rainfall. The department predicted the Southwest Monsoon rainfall to be below normal and the likelihood of El nino which results in deficient rainfall to be especially late during the later half of the monsoon. Region wise, the season's rainfall is likely to be 85 percent of long period average (LPA) over North-West India, 94 percent of LPA over Central India and 93 percent of LPA over the southern peninsula. The government has initiated crop contingency plans through a collaboration of Central Research Institute of Dry Land agriculture (CRIDA) and the State Agriculture University with the various state governments. Photo: Gulfu via photopin cc
Heatwave sweeps across North IndiaJun 09, 2014 June 9, 2014: Heatwave conditions continued to sweep across north India on Sunday with the mercury hovering over the 45 degrees Celsius mark in most places, even as the weather department dispelled any hope of immediate relief. Temperature in the national capital of Delhi touched 45.1 degrees Celsius, while in and around Palam airport it was 47.8 degrees, the highest in 62 years. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said there is no relief likely from the heatwave on Monday and similar weather conditions will continue. Another two north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana too reeled under scorching heat with the mercury hovering above the 45 degree Celsius level at most places. Photo: Akshay Oberoi
B'desh pays big to adapt to climate changeJun 05, 2014 June 5, 2014: With a population of 140 million, Bangladesh is one of the world's most populated countries. It is also one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Cyclones, floods and droughts have long been part of the country's history but they have intensified in recent years. As a result of the long exposure to these hazards, Bangladesh is a world leader in adaptation strategies but this has come with a heavy price tag. To find out exactly how much tax payers' money has been absorbed by efforts to tackle the effects of climate change, the Ministry of Finance has been working with the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative to launch its first comprehensive climate change accounting system. The results of the financial review were telling. Bangladesh currently spends $1 billion a year, 6 to 7 per cent of its annual budget, on climate change adaptation. The figure is more startling when seen in context of the World Bank's recent estimation that 'Bangladesh will need $5.7 billion for adaptation by 2050'. Photo: UNEP
Helping farmers tap into carbon marketsJun 02, 2014 June 2, 2014: The United Nations agricultural agency today announced that with Chinese partners, it has developed a new methodology which relies on soil sampling or computer modeling to measure the impact that restored grasslands have in mitigating climate change, and to help farmers tap into carbon markets. Farmers rely on grasslands to feed the livestock, yet poor land management has left large swathes of the world's grasslands degraded – an environmental problem which also has direct implications for livestock-dependent communities, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said. Measuring the impact of restoring grasslands – through more sustainable grazing practices and forage production – to link grasslands restoration with international climate financing schemes has been difficult. The UN agency announced that the tool created through this partnership has now been sufficiently tested, and endorsed by the non-profit Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), a voluntary greenhouse gas accounting programme used by projects around the world to verify and issue carbon credits in voluntary emissions markets. Photo: World Bank
Helping people with spinal injuries in IndiaMay 27, 2014 May 27, 2014: In order to address the daunting challenges faced by persons with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) especially those who are economically challenged, and living in rural areas, a Pan-India Self-Help Group for Persons with Spinal Cord Injuries- The Spinal Foundation was launched on Monday. A spinal cord injury causes irreversible damage to multiple organs leaving a person with lifelong disability. There is no cure for a spine injury; comprehensive rehabilitation and continuous care is the key to living well with a spine injury. In India, there are several support groups which help people with spine injuries lead a meaningful life but they are not always well equipped in terms of information and ability. The Foundation launch also commemorates the birth anniversary of Padma Shri, Dr Mary Varghese, an alumnus of Christian Medical College, Vellore, who brought in India's first specialized center for rehabilitation 50 years ago. She became a paraplegic in a road accident in 1954 and a wheelchair user for life.
India set for record foodgrain productionMay 23, 2014 May 23, 2014: India is likely to produce 264.38 million tonnes of foodgrains during 2013-14 (includes kharif 2013 and rabi 2013-14crops) compared to 257.13 million tonnes last year. This is more than 7 million tonnes higher than the production last year. In the earlier estimates (2nd Advance Estimates) released in February, the total foodgrain production was pegged at 263.2 million tonne. Rice production is expected at record 106.29 million tonne and wheat production is expected to reach 95.85 million tonnes, again a record. Record production has also been achieved in the case of tur (3.38 million tonne), gram (9.93 million tonnes), maize (24.19 million tonnes), all pulses put together (19.57 million tonne), cotton (36.50 million bales) and jute (10.82 million bales). Photo: Saachi Bhatia/OWSA
India: Largest electoral exercise everMay 16, 2014 May 16, 2014: Buoyed by a call for development and a departure from the past, Indians participated in an elaborate month-long electoral exercise that finally led to a right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party sweeping the elections. Over 500 million people from all sections, accounting for 66.38 per cent of the registered voters, turned up at the voting booths in sweltering summer conditions to exercise their franchise to elect 543 representatives to the Lok Sabha, Parliament's lower house. Voters also elected governments in four states, most of which have gone to the BJP's opponents. Photo: PIB
Most cities are enveloped in dirty air: WHOMay 12, 2014 May 12, 2014: Many of the world's cities are 'enveloped in dirty air' that is dangerous breathe, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said, warning that urban dwellers are being exposed to excessive air pollution and are at a risk of respiratory diseases and other long-term health problems. Air quality in most urban areas worldwide that monitor outdoor air pollution fails to meet WHO safety guidelines, putting people at additional of serious health problems, the agency said in a press release issued along with its 2014 urban ambient air quality database. The agency says the new information calls for greater awareness of health risks caused by air pollution, implementation of effective air pollution mitigation policies, and close monitoring of the situation in cities worldwide. The WHO database covers 1600 cities across 91 countries – 500 more cities than the previous database (2011), revealing that more cities worldwide are monitoring outdoor air quality, reflecting growing recognition of air pollution's health risks. Photo: WHO
Nepal gets Indian aid for hospital, schoolsMay 08, 2014 May 8, 2014: India has provided Rs 35.7 million as financial assistance for the construction of two schools and a hospital in Nepal under a bilateral economic cooperation programme. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae on Wednesday inaugurated the newly-constructed school building for Shree Sharda Higher Secondary School, among the oldest government- recognised schools in the district. The building constructed under Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Programme with an Indian assistance of 19.12 million Nepali rupees in Deurali village of Bhojpur district will help create better facilities for over 700 students, 55 per cent of whom are girls, according to an Indian Embassy press release. The India-Nepal Economic Programme has an outlay of over 65 billion Nepali rupees with more than 475 large and small development projects completed or currently being implemented in almost all the districts of Nepal. Photo: IFRC
India's young voters wow Nepal's officialsMay 05, 2014 May 5, 2015: The palpable excitement of first-time voters, the high turnout of women electorate and the sheer scale of polling impressed the 14-member electoral delegation from Nepal, which visited Howrah district in West Bengal to witness poll preparations and management during the seventh phase of the India's 16th national elections. The visit, a joint initiative of the Election Commission of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was undertaken to showcase India's electoral management skills, including technological initiatives, innovations, security arrangements and administrative planning that are integral to conducting free and fair polls in the world's largest democracy. The delegates were amazed by the scale of the operations. Said Keshab Prasad Adhikari, Chief Returning Officer, Election Commission of Nepal, "Almost 12,000 polling personnel converging at a single place to register themselves and collect polling materials and Electronic Voter Machines was a sight to behold. And this in just one district of the country! I can now understand the magnitude of general elections in India." Photo: PIB
Now, Bollywood to promote LGBT rightsMay 01, 2014 May 1, 2014: The United Nations human rights office launched in Mumbai today the latest phase of its global fight against homophobia: a Bollywood-style video called The Welcome, accompanied by an appeal from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to end the prejudice that forces millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to live in fear or hide in shame. Unveiled at a press conference in India's second-largest city to promote the Organization's Free and Equal campaign championing equality for LGBT people and an end to homophobia, the two-and-a-half-minute clip stars Bollywood actress and former Miss India Celina Jaitly, who makes her musical debut in the clip and was last year nominated by the High Commissioner for Human Rights as a UN Equality Champion in recognition of her support for LGBT rights. The Welcome tells the story of a young man who brings his boyfriend home to meet his family for the first time. Jaitly sings a new version of the 1979 Bollywood classic, Uthe Sab Ke Kadam, remixed by Neeraj Shreedhar of the Bombay Vikings. Photo: OHCHR
Ensuring safety and health at workplaceApr 30, 2014 April 30, 2014: While chemicals can be useful, necessary steps should be taken to prevent and control potential risks for workers, workplaces, communities and the environment, the United Nations labour agency reported, marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. "Chemicals are essential to life, and their benefits are widespread and well-recognized… What create the dilemma are the risks associated with exposure to these chemicals," the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) said in its report for the occasion. Chemicals pose a broad range of potential adverse effects, from health hazards such as cancers and physical hazards like flammability, to environmental hazards such as widespread contamination and toxicity to aquatic life, according to the report. Many fires, explosions, and other disasters result from inadequate control of chemicals' physical hazards. Photo: ILO
NGO holds tree plantation drive in DelhiApr 29, 2014 April 29, 2014: In the last 15 years, the capital of India has witnessed concrete expansion which has led to the loss of 32,000 hectares of Delhi's green cover. Around 40,000 trees have been felled to cater to metro construction across Delhi NCR. Adding to the problem, the peak pollution levels have jumped 44% from last year making Delhi the most polluted city in the world. Monsoon Wooding is one such effort to respond to and address the issues that the Delhi is currently facing. The campaign aims at planting native species such as Amaltaas, paakhar, neem, khirni , champa , anjan along with many more. The plantations that will be carried out upon the arrival of monsoon aim at actively engaging the local communities, authorities and institutions and encourage the spirit of action and ownership among them. The team is also reaching out to several schools, colleges and corporate houses to seek their support through either engaging directly in plantation or supporting the same.
Global child deaths from Malaria declineApr 28, 2014 April 28, 2014: The tide has turned on malaria, with mortality rates for children in Africa down by half, but a stronger surveillance system is urgently needed to prevent new outbreaks and resurgences, United Nations officials warned last week. "We must stay focused until the job is done," said Ray Chambers, UN Special Envoy for Malaria. "The world has an ethical obligation to continue to protect the hundreds of millions of children who have slept safely under a bed net and who have had access to treatment." Child deaths from malaria declined from one million in 2008 to under 500,000 thanks to a community of malaria supporters who delivered nearly 44 million long-lasting mosquito nets in the first-quarters of this year alone, Chambers said. "We have arrived at this historic moment thanks to the dedicated leaders of endemic countries; committed donor countries and organizations," he added, including the UN-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Bank, and national Governments.
India: Artisans turn entrepreneursApr 17, 2014 April 17, 2015: The lack of infrastructure and poor development has made the Northeastern part of India vulnerable to human trafficking. Although known for its cultural diversity and rich heritage, the region is struggling with widespread unemployment. Consequently, a large number of youth are forced to leave their homes in search of work opportunities. Another considerable number of young women and children are lured with promises of lucrative jobs into the big cities, often finding themselves deceived and being sold by traffickers for sexual exploitation and forced labor. With its diverse natural resources and distinct culture, the Northeast of India offers many possibilities for economic development, which can be utilized to reduce the vulnerabilities to human trafficking. With the aim to provide sustainable livelihood options in rural settings vulnerable to human trafficking, in 2009, UNODC supported livelihood programmes for rural artisans in the two Northeastern states of Mizoram and Tripura. (Photo: UNODC)
Agri greenhouse gas emissions risingApr 15, 2014 June 15, 2013: From farming to forestry and fisheries, agriculture greenhouse emissions have nearly doubled over the past 50 years and may increase by another 30 per cent by 2050, according to new estimates out today from the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). "FAO's new data represent the most comprehensive source of information on agriculture's contribution to global warming made to date," said Francesco Tubiello of the agecny's Climate, Energy and Tenure Division. For the first time, FAO has used its own FAOSTAT emissions database to estimate global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry and other land use in contributing to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Emissions from crop and livestock production grew in 2001 from 4.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 eq) to more than 5.3 billion tonnes in 2011 – a 14 per cent increase. Photo: Bhavya Goswami/OWSA
Children: Indian politicians get it rightApr 07, 2014 April 7, 2013: Just as the 16th General Election is flagged off in India, it is heartening to note that -- for the first time ever -- most of the major political parties in the fray have allotted a special section focusing on children's issues in their manifestos. Civil society has been campaigning for the inclusion of promises for children for many years so that their special needs related to education, health and protection can be met. In an event on the Public Day of Action, last Saturday, at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, under the Nine is Mine campaign, about 1,000 children and 23 civil society organizations – including Save the Children, World Vision, Wada Na Todo, Youth Ki Awaaz, GAIN, CRY -- had gathered to highlight the fact that children (who comprise about 40 per cent of the country's population) should not be forgotten by voters and political parties in the world's largest democratic exercise.
Delhi youth urge citizens to cast their voteApr 04, 2014 4 April, 2014: A 'Voting Awareness Campaign' was organized at ITM University in Gurgaon, also called the millennium city, outside Delhi, as part of a campaign by the Indian Election Commission as the country braces for the hustings. The motive of the campaign was to increase youth participation by making them pledge to vote and letting them know of their democratic responsibilities. There is an increasing concern about the number of young people who do not exercise their franchise even as India's electoral democracy thrives. The Election Commission's campaign also aims to promote free, fair and peaceful elections, so that voters find an environment where they can vote fearlessly, without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.
Climate change impacting entire planet: UNApr 01, 2014 April 1, 2014: The effects of climate change are already occurring in all continents and across the oceans, and the world, for the most part, is ill-prepared for their risks, says a United Nations report issued yesterday, which also warns that while action can be taken, managing the phenomenon's impacts will be difficult on a rapidly warming planet. The report, Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, from Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), details the impacts of climate change to date, the future risks from a changing climate, and the opportunities for effective action to reduce risks. The survey was released earlier today in Yokohama, Japan. The report, the Nobel-Prize winning's IPCC's fifth such assessment, concludes that responding to climate change involves making choices about risks in a changing world. The nature of the risks of climate change is increasingly clear, though the phenomenon will also continue to produce surprises. (The photo depicts melting of ice sheets in Greenland.) (UN Photo)
Drumming up support for childrenMar 31, 2014 March 31, 2014: India's leading Child Rights organisation CRY- Child Rights and You organised an event at Gurgaon's Cyber Hub to spread awareness on the need for 'Putting children first' during 2014 general elections. The event saw a group of 20 Harley Davidson bikers demonstrating their commitment towards Child Rights. The 50 KM rally was flagged off from Cyber Hub, Gurgaon and went on till India Gate and back to remind politicians and government in power that it is their obligation to undertake all measures in protecting and promoting child rights. The event at Cyber Hub was unique in nature, with drummers from World of Talent performing to highlight the importance of putting children's rights in the manifestos of political parties and urge the general public to vote for a party that does so. Volunteers from CRY- Child Rights and You also performed a flash mob to raise awareness about the issue. The event was a part of CRY's nationwide Vote for Child Rights campaign that started on November 13, 2013.
Combating human trafficking in IndiaMar 27, 2014 March 27, 2013: UNODC organised a study tour for officials from the Government of Bangladesh to India. The delegation visited India to gain an understanding of the structure and working of Anti-Human Trafficking Units which the Government of India has established across the country. The study tour focused especially on the understanding of the structure and working of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), which the Government of India has established across the country. Anti-human trafficking units are special units set up within the existing police machinery to ensure focused attention from law enforcement officials, when dealing with offences of human trafficking. The AHTU provides a multi- disciplinary approach and a joint response by key stakeholders, such as police, prosecutors, NGOs and civil society. There are currently 225 AHTUs operational across the country, set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Photo: UNODC
India wins UN 'Water for Life' awardMar 24, 2014 March 24, 2014: India has won first prize for 'Water for Life' Best Practices Award. The purpose of the 'Water for Life' UN-Water Best Practices Award is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water-related issues by 2015 through recognition of outstanding best practices that can ensure the long-term sustainable management of water resources and contribute to the achievement of internationally agreed goals and targets contained in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. "The UN-Water 'Water for Life' Best Practices Award is an important prize as it recognizes sustainable practices of water resources. Our future is highly dependent on our ability to manage our resources and at the same time educate and raise awareness around them", said Jarraud, Chair of UN-Water. "The winners this year are excellent examples of two organizations that tackle future challenges in a sustainable way". Photo: Rupinder Kaur/OWSA
India's National CR Sammelan concludesMar 18, 2014 March 18, 2014: The fourth National Community Radio Sammelan concluded in New Delhi on Saturday. The three day conference was organized by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in association with One World Foundation India. Around 160 Community Radio representatives participated in the conference from all over India. The conference dwelled on various issues like capacity building, content aggregation and community participation of the Community Radio stations spread across the country. The conference also discussed the vital role of self-assessment for the improvement of community radio stations. The conference also witnessed presentation of the 3rd National Community Radio Awards, started by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the year 2012. The awards presented by Bimal Julka, Secretary, MIB, were given in five categories including Thematic Awards, Community Engagement Awards, Most Creative/ Innovative Programme Content Awards, Promoting Local Culture Awards and Sustainability Model Award to promote better programming on the Community Radio Stations. Photo: Rupinder Kaur/OWSA
Mary Kom felicitated on Women's DayMar 12, 2014 March 12, 2014: Marking the occasion of International Women's Day, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra's first Joint Commission International (JCI), USA and NABH Accredited Hospital, felicitated the Olympics bronze medalist and five time world boxing champion, MC Mary Kom. She was conferred with this honor for her distinguished service of high order in the field of sports, which is an inspiration for fellow women and Indians. Mary Kom rewarded three other women achievers from Aditya Birla hospital for being appreciated the most from fellow colleague. Known as magnificent Mary, the Manipuri boxer hails from Kangathei, a nondescript village in Churachandpur district. Born on March 1, 1983, Mary is a five-time World Boxing champion and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in six world championships. She won gold at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010. She is first Indian woman boxer to win an Olympics medal. She was also conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honor in 2013.
Capturing smiling female facesMar 10, 2014 March 10, 2013: The exhibition, titled 'A Million Smiles-Photography Alive' by ace photographer Ashok P Kochhar featured a mammoth collection of one thousand smiling female faces from all walks of life in New Delhi. The eight-day exhibition has 1000 portraits showcasing an array of breathtaking canvasses of women's happy faces in vivid forms and colours. Each of the photographs radiates unbridled enthusiasm, innocence, positive intent and an unmatched human touch. A million smiles is a unique initiative by Ashok P Kochhar to create a photo commune and the idea gathered shape through his various workshops in the last two years. In this commune, photo enthusiasts and art lovers not only shared their knowledge but also interacted on innovations and socially relevant concepts in photography. It was a junction where ideas, experience and energy came together for a greater cause.
'Glass ceiling' daunts women in India IncMar 06, 2014 March 6, 2014: 'Lady You're Not a Man – The Adventures of a Woman at Work', a book by Apurva Purohit, inspired Team to embark on a quest to understand real life challenges faced by working Indian Women. The LYNAM team sent out a research team to unravel the complete picture in Corporate India, where first time ever, 1000 women from across the country spoke their minds about what they feel about the current work life scenario in India. Around 67% of Women in the education sector; 71% in the health sector; 60% in media & entertainment & around 63% in the manufacturing sector firmly believe that a 'Glass Ceiling' does exist for women in the corporate sector. The researched set comprised of 84% of women & 16% men. Around 66% of the respondents belonged to the age bracket of 25-34. Majority of the respondents work for the private sector & around 40% of them belong to the Media & Entertainment segment. This research was undertaken in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad. (Photo courtesy: Bhavya Goswami)
Film celebs root for women empowermentFeb 26, 2014 February 26, 2014: Bollywood stars Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan raised their voice for women's health and rights in India through a television show 'Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon' which means 'I, a woman, can achieve anything'. Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon(MKBKSH), a trans-media drama series that seeks to promote strong women characters was launched in New Delhi by the Population Foundation of India (PFI).In an effort to challenge deep rooted social issues like child marriage, early pregnancies and sex selection in our society, mother-daughter duo Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan have came together to support the serial and shared their views at the launch.
Wetlands crucial for stability: Shivraj SinghFeb 17, 2014 February 17, 2014: Mindset of people and not the lack of money or resources is a stumbling block to water conservation efforts, tates Shivraj Singh, CM of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Talking to OneWorld South Asia in Bhopal, he said that mindset and not money was the limiting factor when it comes to conservation and restoration of traditional water reservoirs like lakes. Madhya Pradesh has around 7 lakh water bodies including both the small and bigger water bodies, the Chief Minister said and added that there was a need of connecting the people for better water conservation efforts. Wetlands including lakes and ponds are an integral part of the global ecosystem and play a very crucial role in providing stability and sustainability to not only the natural environment but also human sustainability. The urgency for conservation of wetlands is heightened by the fact that 90 per cent of surface water is in the available in the impounded form including lakes and other wetlands. The picture shows a Tiger moving around in the Van Vihar National Park, a national park, which forms part of the Bhoj Wetland in the central Indian city of Bhopal. (Ashok Kumar/OneWorld South Asia)
Yuvraj Singh bats for cancer awarenessFeb 11, 2014 February 11, 2014: Well know Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh urged people to go for early detection during a campaign on cancer awareness in New Delhi The campaign focusing on awareness, education and detection of cancer was rolled out by the two stalwarts in the presence of Yuvraj Singh and Shabnam Singh (Mother of Yuvraj Singh), chairperson YOUWECAN Foundation. Ace cricketer Yuvraj Singh said, "My successful fight against cancer led me to start the YOUWECAN initiative to generate awareness, facilitate early detection and endeavour to remove the stigma of cancer. We aim to reach out to one and all to engage with the disease and fight to win.
Global leaders converge at DSDS-2014Feb 07, 2014 February 6, 2014: Global leaders who converged at the 14th edition of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi on February 6 called for immediate attention for the conservation of natural resources like oceans which are shared by the global community.The leaders unanimously urged for stepping up efforts towards incremental and transformational changes at the global level. Leaders from all over the world including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles, Danny Faure, Indian ministers Salman Khurshid and Farooq Abdullah and TERI Director General R K Pachauri, urged for an immediate full stop to those activities which are against the spirit of sustainability and called for individual efforts from all corners of the planet. (Caption: Ashok Kumar/OWSA)
PM to inaugurate Indian Science CongressFeb 03, 2014 February 3, 2014: The Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will inaugurate the 101st Indian Science Congress at Jammu University today. The five-day festival will focus on the theme "Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development". A road map for investing science into the development process of India is the main topic for discussion. International experts along with national luminaries from different streams of science and technology and many science academics are expected to participate in this congress. The photo shows Dr Manmohan Singh meeting the Scientist of the Indian Science Congress, in Jammu. 2014. (PIB photo)
Promoting safe riding among womenJan 30, 2014 January 30, 2014: With a mission to educate thousands of school and college going girls on safe two wheeler riding, one of India's largest selling helmet brands, Steelbird, has kick started a noble campaign " I am eve- I ride with pride'. The campaign is running through various colleges across Delhi NCR in due course of time. The campaign is in the form of short films conveying the message of safe riding is a CSR initiative of Steelbird Helmets, which is very first time conceptualized and being executed keeping in mind the safety and security of female two wheeler riders. The campaign will provide an opportunity to young college girls who are found of acting to showcase their talent to the outside world by participating in the auditions for short film which will be produced by steelbird helmets at various college campuses. Shailendra Jain, Sales and Marketing Head of Steelbird Helmets Said, "The core idea behind this activity is to educate a large of section of students about the safe riding and involve them to be the front face of this campaign".
R-Day delight for hearing impaired IndiansJan 27, 2014 January 27, 2014: For the first time, the India's Republic Day parade telecast on national TV featured simultaneous sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired people. Three channels of Doordarshan -- DD News, DD Bharti and DD Urdu -- provided sign language interpretation of the Republic Day commentary. Almost all English news channels took the feed from DD News with sign language interpretation. As per National Association of the Deaf (NAD), a representative organisation of deaf and hard of hearing people, there are more than 18 million people in India who require sign language interpretation. Information and Broadcasting Ministry on January 23 had issued an advisory to all news channels, asking them to take feed of the Republic Day telecast with sign language interpretation from Doordarshan. (Photo: PIB)
Canon India adopts a village in HaryanaJan 24, 2014 January 24, 2014: To make a long term and sustainable impact in the three areas of Eye Care, Education and Environment, Canon India decided to adopt a village in 2012, make it sustainable and then replicate the model in other needy communities. In line with its continued commitment to the society, Canon on the occasion of its first anniversary of the 'Adopt A Village' programme, has added yet another milestone to its philanthropic efforts by donating twenty solar panels to the energy production centre at Ferozpur Namak village in Mewat District of Haryana. Installed on the roof of the government school in the village, these solar panels would enable 30 fans and up to 20 lights to be operational for 6 to 8 hrs in a day. Since its inception in November 2012, Canon's 'Adopt a Village' project has seen several milestones with regards to the eye care facility including screening of 6,000 patients, 187 eye surgeries and 52 eye screening camps.
An initiative to win support for the tigerJan 21, 2014 January 21, 2014: As part of its 'Save Our Tigers' campaign, Aircel in association with Sanctuary Asia organized Kids for Tigers fest in Mumbai to garner support for tiger conservation. The fest witnessed participation from over 1200 children from various schools across the city for a day-long exciting activities including, poster making competition, photography workshops, wildlife movie screenings, nature trails, fancy dress competitions and others. Speaking at the occasion, Brinda Malhotra, CSR Head, Aircel, said, "At Aircel, we are constantly striving to give back to society and this initiative is a small step towards the same. Our 'Save our Tigers' campaign has been one of the most successful initiatives aimed at educating children and the general public on tiger conservation. We have achieved this through mass awareness programmes and collaborations with leading experts in the field of conservation."
UNESCO chief slams killing of Pak journoJan 17, 2014 January 17, 2013: The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom denounced the murder of television journalist Zakir Ali in Pakistan's Sindh province and urged the authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. "It is important that no effort be spared in seeking out those responsible for this crime. Attacks on journalists and media workers represent a serious attack on citizens' right to be kept informed," said Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Shan Dher, Bureau Chief of news channel Abb Takk TV, was shot on 31 December in Larkana and died in hospital on January first. (Representative photo:UN)
India goes polio free for 3rd year in a rowJan 13, 2014 January 14, 2013: India on Monday declared itself a polio-free country for the third consecutive year without a single new case of the disease and termed it as a 'monumental milestone'. The picture show the Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee, launching the nationwide polio round by administering polio drops to the children, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on January 13, 2013. "It is a matter of pride for the nation that not a single case of polio has been detected in the three years. This is one of India's monumental and biggest milestone achieved, through a massive and sustained immunisation programme," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. "India accounted for half of all the cases of polio reported globally in 2009. Within four and half years, we have been able to eradicate the crippling disease," Azad said adding that 36 months ago the last case was reported on 13th January 2011 when a two-year-old girl suffered polio paralysis in Howrah district of West Bengal.
China destroys pile of confiscated ivoryJan 10, 2014 January 10, 2014: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has applauded China for its first public effort to crackdown on illegal ivory trade, calling the Government's destruction of six tonnes of confiscated ivory a 'milestone event'. The picture shows Part of the 6 tonnes of confiscated ivory that were destroyed by the authorities in China. "International cooperation is paving the way towards improved law enforcement and increased efforts to reduce demand," UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner said. "The largest remaining land mammal on the planet is facing one of the greatest crises to hit the species in decades," Steiner added, calling for stronger efforts to curb the illegal trade in so-called 'white gold', which can reportedly fetch up to $2,000 per kilogram. Some 47,000 animals were killed in Africa in 2011 and 2012, according to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). (Photo UNEP)
Pakistan's polio fight goes off the radarJan 08, 2014 January 8, 2014: A few torn remnants of a government poster advertising an anti-polio drive conducted in 2012 are still visible on the gate of Sajjida Bibi's house, and the impression given to passers-by is that years of vaccination drives have come to an end. She has delivered polio vaccines to children for over twelve years as part of government health teams. But this year things changed. Attacks on vaccination teams, militant threats and the abduction of teachers facilitating the campaign in November 2013 have handicapped efforts and led to a new strategy. Under the new strategy, the high-profile 'National Immunization Days' planned across the country have been dropped, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and sources in the health ministry. (Photo: IRIN)
IMT launches programme on sustainabilityJan 08, 2014 January 8, 2014: The Institute Of Management Technology, Hyderabad, announced that the Institute is conducting one-of-a-kind joint 'Social Entrepreneurship' program with Columbia University's School of International And Public Affairs (SIPA). The Social Entrepreneurship Programme commenced from January 2 and go on until January 18, 2014.(The picture shows some of the students and faculty at the launch event.) The course is a design-thinking experiential education curriculum developed to meet graduate student needs and interests in social entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the 21st Century. The inaugural ceremony started with a thought-provoking session by Dr G Vani Mohan, Commissioner and Director of School Education, Government of India. With insights on women empowerment, gender equality, social issues she struck a chord with students who were passionate about social issues. She mentioned about her powerful Social Action Committees which promoted the growth of gender equality thus forming woman warriors.
Fighting food insecurity in AfghanistanJan 06, 2014 January 6, 2014: A network of critical emergency grain reserves across Afghanistan is set to boost food security and help strengthen resilience in a country that struggles to grow enough food to feed its 31 million people. "Grain reserves for a country like Afghanistan are absolutely critical," Gerard Rebello, Head of Logistics & Pipeline at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), said. "Afghanistan is a landlocked country, so there needs to be a mechanism in place in case supplies cannot come in. The country's annual production does not meet the annual consumption, and it's a country that has recurrent natural disasters." The WFP-Afghan government project aims to construct depots in various locations that will eventually hold a total of 200,000 metric tons of food - enough to feed two million people for up to six months in times of emergency. SGRs are planned for other cities, including Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Pul-i-Khumri and Kandahar. (Photo: IRIN)
Myanmar Prez pardons political prisonersJan 02, 2014 January 2, 2014: Myanmar's President Thein Sein granted pardon to political prisoners convicted for treason and sedition.The UN human rights office has welcomed presidential pardon for political prisoners in Myanmar. The United Nations human rights office has welcomed the Presidential pardon granted in Myanmar to political prisoners convicted of or prosecuted for various offences under seven specific laws, including unlawful association, peaceful assembly. The pardon, granted yesterday by President Thein Sein, is an 'important step' in the reform process of the last year, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement.
Antarctica hits coldest temp ever recordedDec 27, 2013 December 27, 2013: A remote region in East Antarctica has set a new record for the coldest place on Earth, with temperatures dipping to a bone-chilling minus 93.2 degrees Celsius. The temperatures in several hollows of a high ridge in Antarctica on the East Antarctic Plateau can dip below minus 92 degrees Celsius on a clear winter night. The new record of minus 136 Fahrenheit (minus 93.2 C) was set on August 10, 2010, NASA said. That is several degrees colder than the previous low of minus 128.6 F (minus 89.2 C), set in 1983 at the Russian Vostok Research Station in East Antarctica. Scientists made the discovery while analysing the most detailed global surface temperature maps to date, developed with data from remote sensing satellites including the new Landsat 8, a joint project of NASA and the US Geological Survey (USGS). (UN Photo)
Internet support for Nepal's rural healthcareDec 26, 2013 December 26, 2013: An Internet campaign to solicit funds for the medical procedures of individual patients in rural Nepal is increasing donor awareness and healthcare provider accountability, public health practitioners say. Nyaya Health, a non-profit organization that runs a hospital in the Achham District of Nepal's Far West development region, some 422km from the capital, Kathmandu, launched a website in 2013 that chronicles individual patients' urgent medical needs and allows donors to fund part of the procedure. Practitioners say the model, dubbed 'crowd fund health', has the potential to transform popular understanding of poverty and health issues, and hold healthcare providers accountable. (Photo: IRIN)
Christmas joy for NGO kids in DelhiDec 24, 2013 December 24, 2013: The Suryaa New Delhi, a Delhi hotel opened its doors to a bunch of eager children from SAKSHI, Delhi's only full-spectrum grassroots NGO. The children spent some quality time with their schedule choc-a- bloc with Christmas special animated movie, surprises, painting competition and a fun lunch to wrap up the day on a blissful note. 25 little kids, aged 5 to 10 were ushered by the hotel staff to the lobby where their eyes lit up under the shadow of the massive Christmas tree that The Suryaa team had set up especially for them. The children were taken by surprise as they were led to a room full of balloons and then they enjoyed the screening of a fun animated movie. The fresh imaginative minds were given a chance to display their talent through the painting competition that followed after and it was a sight to watch the kids engrossed in their sketches.
Renewable energy beyond electricityDec 23, 2013 December 23, 2013: An awareness of the potential of renewables beyond power-generation, particularly for heating, cooling, cooking and mechanical applications would greatly enhance their acceptance amongst the public, according to a report released today by WWF-India and Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) at WWF-India, New Delhi. Renewable Energy beyond Electricity is a compendium of innovative renewable energy applications beyond electricity generation. The fourteen renewable energy applications documented in this report cover four different renewable energy sources - biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar - in a variety of renewable energy applications like improved biomass cook stoves, solar space heating and cooling systems, solar photovoltaic water pumps, solar pasteurizers, solar desalinators and wind water pumps, among others in operation across the country. While current policies and activities focus primarily on power generation through renewables, there is a greater need to explore the potential of applications of renewable energy beyond electricity generation.
Using CSR for achieving MDGs in IndiaDec 20, 2013 December 20, 2013: The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy in the Companies Act 2013 can enable the corporate sector to accelerate action towards achieving the MDGs on hunger, health and sustainability. This was the key message emerging from the UN Corporate MDG Conclave held in New Delhi today. Speaking at the event, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, India's Minister of State for Human Resource Development said, "The MDGs reflect the collective aspiration of humanity. The Companies Act 2013 is a unique attempt to allow the private sector to complement government efforts in the last mile to achieving the MDGs." With fewer than 900 days left to achieve the MDGs, leading private sector enterprises gathered in the city to discuss ways to leverage the CSR policy in the Companies Act 2013 to align business action towards the MDGs. The Companies Act-2013 mandates that private sector enterprises spend at least two percent of their average net profits generated over the last three years.
Reminding Indian govt of its promisesDec 19, 2013 December 19, 2013: Larger Civil Society in association with Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA) and other partners released a review report assessing the performance of the nine years rule of the UPA government India and the principal Opposition party on Wednesday. The report was released by Jagadananda, former Information Commissioner of Odisha, Biraj Patnaik, Advisor to Supreme Court Commission on Right to Food, Venkatesh Nayak, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Paul Divakar, Convener, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan and Richa Singh, Co-Convener, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan. A panel discussion consisting politicians from various parties, Journalist and NAC member was moderated by Amitabh Behar of Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, which took stock of the performance of the UPA I and II. Ramdas Athawale, President of Republican Party of India, Urmilesh, Former ED of Rajya Sabha TV, A K Shiva Kumar, a member of National Advisory Council (NAC), S Sudhakar Reddy, General Secretary of Communist Part of India and Pradeep Tamta, Member of Parliament (Congress) put forward their points of view on governance and government accountability.
Honour Our Women initiative launchedDec 17, 2013 December 17, 2013: Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Indian Parliament's Lower House, and National President of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, on Monday launched a nation-wide campaign, Honour Our Women (H.O.W. Foundation), that transcends all political barriers for work collectively towards charting out a concrete set of steps and future course of action for promising and securing empowerment. The campaign will work on the streets and in schools and colleges in every state capital across India, to bring a change ground-up by sensitizing men on respecting women. Speakers at the launch conference included Arun Jaitley, Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha; Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Biju Janata Dal; Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief, Times Now; Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7; Rahul Kanwal, Editor-at-Large, Headlines Today; Vivek Oberoi, Actor; Chetan Bhagat, Author; and, Kapil Sharma, stand-up comedian, Comedy Nights With Kapil.
Jayaprada bats for women's quota BillDec 16, 2013 December 16, 2013: India's ruling United Progressive Alliance came under scathing attack by many women's groups demanding passage of the long pending Women's Reservation Bill. Several Women's organizations representing the 'Time for 33 Percent Coalition' exchanged heated arguments with Parliamentarians over what they called 'unnecessary' obstruction to the Women's reservation Bill. Lok Sabha MP Jaya Prada said that equality of women in the society was visible only in books. No party is serious about the Women's Reservation Bill, rued Jaya Prada. She asserted that thirty-three- per cent-reservation was required for ensuring equality of women in India. Janata Dal United leader and Rajya Sabha MP Shivanand Tiwari regretted that despite all the progress in the country, women were still treated as sex objects.
Helen Keller Awards for role modelsDec 12, 2013 December 12, 2013: The 15th NCPEDP-Shell Helen Keller Awards were given away by Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Kumari Selja. The NCPEDP - Shell Helen Keller Awards, the most prestigious awards among the disability sector are given to people and organisations which have been working towards promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In the category 'Role Models: Persons with Disabilities', awards were given to Ankit Rajiv Jindal, Manager , Marketing & Thought Leadership ,Global Infrastructure Services & WI ,Wipro; Ashish Jha, IT Security Specialist (Tower Lead),IBM India; Bhavanishankar R, Delivery Software Engineer ,Mphasis; Kajal Dhawan, Executive Officer, International Division, Confederation of Indian Industry(CII); Mahantesh G.k., Founder Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for disabled and Nita Paragbhai Panchal, Secretary & MIW Coordinator , Disability Advocacy Group , Ahmedabad. In the category 'Role Models - Companies/NGOs/Institutions', awards were given to Café Coffee Day, Banglore; Capgemini India, Mumbai; RR Donnelley India Outsource, Chennai; Scope International, Chennai; V-shesh Learning Services, Chennai and Wipro, Bangalore.
'Slow' use of Afghan law protecting womenDec 10, 2013 December 10, 2013: Afghan authorities registered an increased number of reported acts of violence against women and girls in the past year, but prosecutions and convictions under a landmark law remained low with most cases settled by mediation, according to a United Nations report. While registration of reported incidents such as forced marriage, domestic violence and rape increased by 28 per cent in 16 provinces since the previous year, the use of the law on the Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) as a basis for indictment increased by only two per cent, according to 'A Way to Go' co-authored by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Presenting the report findings, Gagnon said that of an estimated total of 1,669 reported incidents registered throughout the country only 109 cases or seven per cent went through a judicial process using the EVAW law. (Photo: UNAMA)
World pays tribute to Nelson MandelaDec 06, 2013 December 6, 2013: South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has passed away early this morning, at the age of 95. In a statement on national television, South Africa's President, Jacob Zuma informed about the demise of the Nobel laureate. He said that their nation had lost its greatest son. Tributes for Mandela began pouring in from around the world immediately after the announcement. US President Barack Obama said the world has lost one of the most courageous and profoundly good human beings. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon hailed Mandela as a giant for justice who had inspired freedom movements the world over. India's Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has expressed his condolences over Mandela's death. He said, a giant among men has passed away. Dr Singh said, this is as much India's loss as South Africa's and he was a true Gandhian. (UN photo)
Now, an app to help kids build vocabularyDec 05, 2013 December 5, 2013: Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, has launched Big Bird's Words, a new app where children are guided to search for and find new words in their environment, making vocabulary building a fun and interactive experience. Big Bird's 'Word-o-Scope' enables children to use a smartphone as a digital eye into their real-world environments to find, identify, and learn about words, bringing a deeper understanding of what these words mean by exposing children to them in familiar contexts. The app recognizes 1,500 words, and verbally recognizes 500 of those by name and is available in India on both iOS and Android.
Forging partnerships to fight corruptionDec 02, 2013 December 2, 2013: The rule of law, governance, profits and livelihoods all suffer from corruption's corrosive effects, a senior United Nations official said at the conclusion of the world's largest biennial anti-corruption gathering, which this year took place in Panama City. "We all have a stake in ending corruption," a declared John Sandage, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), underscoring that the resolutions passed during the Fifth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption would help lay the groundwork for strengthening partnerships to prevent and combat the scourge. Six resolutions and three decisions were passed during the conference, which wrapped up late yesterday in the Panamanian capital, including on the private sector, education, and enhancing international cooperation. Highlighting the role of young people in this effort, saying they were a "valuable resource and potential source for change," he added: "The importance of the next generation in fostering a change of values, and ensuring that respect for the rule of law and integrity can flourish, was acknowledged by the resolution on promoting the participation of young people and children in efforts to prevent corruption." (Photo: UN)
For these children, sky is the limit!Nov 26, 2013 November 26, 2013: SPACE, an organisation working towards the development of science and astronomy in India, conducted an Evening Observation for underprivileged children under 'Quality support programme' of Bharti Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, with more than 300 students for Government school children, at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Bhojawas, Haryana. SPACE educators Rishabh Jain, Vibhav Goyal, Abhishek Sarangi and Aanchal Tandon helped the students to get an experience on 'Hands on Telescope', under which the students controlled a telescope in real time and understood how to identify stars, planets, moon etc. by using Stellarium software (planetarium software provide a realistic projection of the night sky in real time), this helped the students to watch & learn about celestial objects such as galaxies, planets, moon etc. The students also got an exposure to know more about the functions, types, set-up of telescope and techniques to observe the night skies.
Dr M S Swaminathan bats for small farmersNov 21, 2013 November 21, 2013: The nutritional challenges of the billion plus population in the Indian subcontinent could be met with the marriage of agriculture and nutrition, said Professor Dr M S Swaminathan, India's father of the green revolution. The renowned agriculture scientist was speaking during a round table conference called, 'Partnering for Prosperity: Small Farmers of Big Stakeholders' in New Delhi. Lise Grande, the UN Resident Coordinator in India, talking the importance of small farmers in terms of food security said that the United Nations General Assembly is all set to declare the year 2014 as the 'International Year of Family Farming'. Pushpesh Pant, former professor of international relations at Jawarharlal Nehru University, said that emigration of people from Uttarakhand in search of jobs could be checked by promoting small farming. (Photo: OneWorld South Asia)
NGOs, govt for transgender empowermentNov 19, 2013 November 19, 2013: The Hijra solidarity event held in New Delhi drew pledges of support from government and civil society. The National Hijra Habba brought together high level politicians, bureaucrats, international development organisations and members of civil society to pledge support for the empowerment of the transgender community. The perspective of the government in particular was eloquently and self-critically put forth. T.R. Meena, joint secretary of India's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, outlined the key policy issues faced by the hijra community, with the biggest difficulty surrounding the very definition of transgender. Though the transgender community is gradually coming on the governance agenda, with the first national level consultation on transgender issues held in 2009, there is still a long way to go. (Photo: Abdul Muheet Chowdhary/OneWorld South Asia)
Cultivating 'Zones of Peace' for childrenNov 15, 2013 November 15, 2013: A new report unveiled on Children's Day, by Save the Children, 'Caught in Crossfire -- Children and education in regions affected by civil strife', has found that children and education are huge casualties in strife-torn regions. According to the report a large number of villages, especially in remote areas of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, Gajapati in Odisha and Khunti and Lohardagga in Jharkhand, schools simply do not exist despite the Right to Education Act. The report was released by Jairam Ramesh, India's Minister for Rural Development, on Children's Day in Delhi. Speaking at the launch, Ramesh said, "This report is timely as it highlights social issues like education and health. Often social issues are overshadowed by issues of security and violence. Ultimately, if people are not with you we will not be able to provide either security or development."
Royal support for handloom weaversNov 12, 2013 November 12, 2013: The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker, who is on a nine-day tour of India showed her support for the weavers from villages of Bhagalpur and home based embroidery workers of Delhi at the residence of British High Commissioner last week. The Duchess interacted with weavers from Bhagalpur and learned about the hard work of traditional handloom weavers. SEWA weavers explained the entire silk making process from cocoon to loom. She asked the weavers about the benefit of working as a collective and was appreciative of the fact that weavers now earn Rs. 600 for a work for which they used to earlier get Rs.250 from middlemen. Camilla was impressed by SEWA's business model. Loom Mool an initiative by cooperatives of SEWA gives profit back to workers and pays fair wages.
Food prices to be less volatile: FAONov 11, 2013 November 11, 2013: Global rice production in 2013 is expected to grow only modestly, says a latest report by said today, adding that food prices over the past. Improved supplies and a recovery in global inventories of cereals has led to less price volatility than in recent years, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said last week, adding that food prices over the past month rose slightly, driven by higher sugar prices. Global rice production in 2013 is expected to grow only modestly, the agency added, as it released its latest Food Outlook report. FAO expects global cereal stocks to increase by 13 per cent, to 564 million tonnes, by the end of 2014, with coarse grains alone up by 30 per cent, mostly in the US. Wheat and rice stocks are also projected to rise, by 7 per cent and 3 per cent respectively.
India launches maiden mars missionNov 06, 2013 November 6, 2013: India on Tuesday embarked on its maiden Mars odyssey with its polar rocket carrying Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) successfully lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in its first-ever inter-planetary expedition in a bid to join a select band of nations. The Mars mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) is aimed at establishing the country's capability to reach the red planet and focus on looking for the presence of methane, an indicator of life on Mars. (In the picture) PSLV-C25 Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft – Mangalyan, successfully launched from Sriharikota on November 05, 2013. Photo: ISRO website.
Diwali 'lights up' lives of widows in IndiaNov 04, 2013 November 4, 2013: This Diwali brought a new light of hope in lives of the socially ostracised widows residing in Vrindavan, a small town in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Around 1000 widows who have been languishing for decades enjoyed the opportunity of celebrating Diwali for the first time in Vrindavan. The festivity began two days before the Diwali day, when these widows went out for shopping in the market area. After shopping, all the women gathered at Meerasahabhagni Ashram, one of the five shelter-homes running for widows in Vrindavan, where they celebrated Diwali by lighting diyas and burning fire crackers. Often excluded from many traditional rituals and celebrations owing to their stigmatised status in the society, widows of Vrindavan had been surviving in the most abysmal living conditions till a year ago. In 2012, Sulabh International Social Service Organization, a non-profit, headed by Bindeshwar Pathak, formally launched an initiative to uplift the living conditions of these abandoned women in Vrindavan and Banaras. (Photo: Vidya Viswanathan/OneWorld South Asia)
HDFC Bank starts financial literacy driveNov 01, 2013 November 1, 2013: HDFC Bank has launched its rural Financial Literacy Initiative in the east Indian state of Chhattisgarh under the aegis of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) at the village of Jamgaon, near Raipur. This initiative complements HDFC Bank's efforts to support inclusive growth and take formal banking services to the remote corners of India. Through this initiative, the bank will conduct a series of 2 literacy camps in each of its rural branches in Chhattisgarh. This is the first programme to be organised by the bank in the state in the presence of Mr Nirmal Chand - General Manager, RBI and other senior officials of the bank. The Bank will extend its Financial Literacy initiative to 22 villages. HDFC Bank now has 37 branches in Chhattisgarh, of which 24 are located in rural or Semi-urban areas. These camps will give participants a conceptual understanding of financial products and services, using material provided by the RBI. HDFC Bank will use the Financial Literacy Guide & posters, as the standard curriculum while conducting these camps. This material is currently available in Hindi and English, allowing participants to learn the material in the language they are most comfortable with.
Riding for benefit of underprivileged kidsOct 28, 2013 October 28, 2013: Tusker Harley Davidson in association with HOG's (Harley Owners Group) organised a ride to benefit Smile Foundation in sending less privileged children to school. Smile Foundation is a national level development organization reaching out to more than 300,000 underprivileged children, youth and women directly every year through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. The ride will benefit the beneficiaries of Mission Education, a national level programme from Smile Foundation which focuses on basic education for underprivileged children and youth. The resources rised by the Harley Owners Group's through this ride will provide Education & Nutrition support for close to 100 under privileged kids for a year.
UN urges to eradicate polio once and for allOct 25, 2013 October 25, 2013: The world is closer than ever to eradicating polio, the United Nations World Health Organization said on Thursday while warning that children continue to be at risk, particularly in the Horn of Africa where a tapering outbreak has been confirmed, and amid reports of suspected cases in Syria. The cases of wild poliovirus (WPV) in Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan - the last three endemic countries – are down 40 per cent compared to this time last year, the WHO reported. Afghanistan may have succeeded in halting endemic poliovirus circulation, with no cases in the traditionally endemic southern region since November 2012. "This is no time for complacency, and efforts must be redoubled to ensure this disease is eradicated once and for all. World Polio Day marks the perfect opportunity to remind us of this fact," the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said in its message for the Day.
Sonakshi Sinha flags off 'smile on wheels'Oct 24, 2013 October 24, 2013: Smile Foundation, a national level development organization in alliance with Shakuntalam Charitable Foundation, launched its Mobile Hospital Programme, Smile on Wheels, for Mumbai on Tuesday. Smile on Wheels was flagged off by talented actress Sonakshi Sinha. Shyamashis Bhattacharya along with his wife Neelima Bajpai from Shakuntalam Charitable Foundation handed over the key to Vikram Singh Verma, Chief Operating Officer of Smile Foundation. Speaking on the launch Shyamashis Bhattacharya Trustee, Shakuntalam Charitable Foundation said, "As a socially responsible organization Shakuntalam Charitable Foundation aims to fill this gap through Smile on Wheels for the underprivileged population. We are happy to be associated with Smile Foundation to promote primary healthcare services in the slums of Mumbai." Smile on Wheels provides preventive and curative healthcare services to the underprivileged women and children at their doorsteps. It is equipped with latest medical equipments and a medical team. Audio-visual equipment is also in place inside the mobile unit to spread awareness about issues regarding health and hygiene in the community.
Waste treatment can be a real 'gold mine'Oct 15, 2013 October 15, 2013: One tonne of recycled electronic waste could yield as much gold as five to 15 tonnes of typical gold ore, a UN study has revealed. Some 3.5 billion people, half the world's population, lack crucial waste management services, significantly harming environment, health and economies, the United Nations reported, stressing that recycling and proper treatment can be a literal and metaphorical gold mine. "Open dumping, the most prevalent waste disposal method in many countries, can lead to acute health impacts for those living closest to dumping sites, most often the urban poor," the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said, calling the statistics "staggering" as it released a new study on the problem that showed that one tonne of recycled electronic waste could yield as much gold as five to 15 tonnes of typical gold ore. The study – Guidelines for National Waste Management Strategies: Moving from Challenges to Opportunities – released in conjunction with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) stresses that management is not only a challenge but "a largely untapped opportunity," with treated waste used as a recoverable resource put to profitable use. (Photo: JKPCB)
Indian Women's Expedition flagged offOct 14, 2013 October 14, 2013: Tata Steel flagged off the Indian Women's Expedition to Annapurna range beginning Oct 14, 2013 in Nepal. Bachendri Pal, a veteran mountaineer and Chief, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) will lead the ten members all women's team. The expedition to Annapurna range, best described as the most exciting destination of Nepal Himalaya will start right from Besishahar and goes along the Marshyangdi River, with great view of Manashlu and Himal Chuli to the east. Besides supervising relief operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand, Bachendri Pal, Chief, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), who is also working on TSAF's winter outdoor leadership programme in Garhwal Himalayas, stated, "Be it at work place or sports, Tata Steel had always been supporting the cause of women empowerment through one of the most unconventional and unique ways. The ten women contingent from the various states in India include Premlata Agrawal (housewife and first Indian Woman to reach all the 7 highest summits in 7 continents from Jamshedpur), Arunima Sinha (first amputee in the world to reach Everest from Lucknow), L Annapurna (Jamshedpur), Shobha Hansdah and Payo Murmu (tribal women from Jharkhand).
Ex-slave girls of Nepal get new lifeOct 11, 2013 October 11, 2013: This picture shows a group of former Kamlari girls, or indentured female servants, now studying engineering in Nepal. They are all former 'Kamalaris', rescued from the system of bonded labour still applied in many middle- and high-class households. The practice of Kamlari, a traditional system of bonded labour in southern Nepal, was officially abolished in July 2013. The ex-Kamalaris are usually girls and teenagers from the Tharu community, one of Nepal's most marginalized indigenous groups. The majority come from five districts - Dang, Bardiya, Banke, Kanchanpur and Kailali - in Nepal's Midwest and Far west regions. Officially abolished by the government in July 2013, the Kamalari system was an extreme form of child labour, abuse and exploitation by the owners, who promised to put them in good schools in exchange for their free labour, according to the Freed Kamaiya Development Forum (FKDF), a local NGO in Dang. (Photo: IRIN)
Developing rural infra through CSROct 10, 2013 October 10, 2013: In line with its commitment to the society, Canon India added another milestone to its philanthropic efforts by donating an eye check-up machine to the vision centre at Ferozepur Namak village in Mewat District of Haryana. Under its 'Adopt a Village' social initiative, Canon India had undertaken the responsibility of developing the village infrastructure last year to provide seamless support to its inhabitants with core interventions in Eye care, Education and Environment for a period of three years. In the last one year, significant progress has been recorded by Canon India in the village with respect to education of the girl child. While the enrolment of girl child in senior classes increased by 45% from last year, the number of teachers at the school also increased from 09 to 44, post Canon's adoption of government school in the village. Regular parent-teacher meetings are conducted at the school for creating awareness amongst parents. Teachers are trained on a monthly basis under the program. Canon India has contributed towards the development of the village infrastructure through donation of benches, installation of water taps, painting the school premises and providing books for the library in Ferozepur Namak village's school resource center.
Fullerton India awarded for rural progressOct 09, 2013 October 9, 2013: Fullerton India Credit Company Limited, a leading Non-Banking Finance Company in India, has been conferred the CSR Award for Rural Development and Sustainable Leadership at the Asian Leadership Awards, held in Dubai. The award was bestowed, recognising Fullerton India's Rural Livelihood Advancement initiative and its large impact on rural households across India. The event attracts Asia's leading business visionaries across all industry sectors, and honours their achievements in contributing towards the region's economic development. Fullerton India has won a string of awards for its CSR initiatives across various platforms and has a rich history of rural development initiatives initiated across India. Adding another feather in its cap with this esteemed win, the company continues to reinforce its commitment towards social and economic development.
Balochistan quake victims get medical careOct 07, 2013 October 7, 2013: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society has delivered medical care and relief for survivors of the Balochistan earthquake. Since the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan's Balochistan Province on 24 September, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society has been able to reach almost 3,500 survivors near the epicentre of the earthquake with emergency health care and relief assistance. A Red Crescent medical team based in Awaran district hospital has treated more than 1,300 patients, while two mobile health units have been running clinics in the surrounding villages of Labach, Pirandar, Shagazai and Qasimijoe. Each medical team includes four doctors and eight paramedics. As well as treating injuries caused by the earthquake, the teams found that common medical complaints included diarrhoea, malnutrition in children, and complications amongst pregnant women. On 1 October the Red Crescent was able to distribute relief supplies to 2,100 people in the village of Labach. These supplies included items for emergency shelter (tarpaulins, tents and shelter tool kits) essential non-food items such as family and hygiene kits, cooking stoves, blankets, kitchen sets, mosquito nets and plastic jerry cans. (Photo: IFRC)
Crafting shelters for flood hit UttarakhandOct 03, 2013 October 3, 2013: The Gurgaon based Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Ansal University, has partnered with ARCHADE Foundation (Architecture Research Conservation Habitat and Design Education) to create design proposals and implementation strategies for shelters in Uttarakhand's flood affected villages in line with the physical, climatic and cultural requirements of the region. Over 75 professional architects and architecture students from 7-10 leading institutions in and around Delhi like Sushant School of Art and Architecture (Ansal University), Sharda University, KR Mangalam and others have joined hands in the month long program which included a 2-day design workshop on 26th and 27th September at Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Ansal University, Gurgaon which will be followed by a proto-type creation of selected designs. The prototype will be shared in mid-October with NGO bodies like Sphere India and Forum for Shelter in Emergency, government bodies and individuals working in shelter creation on site in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Tehri regions of Uttarakhand.
Students gear up to make earth greenerOct 01, 2013 October 1, 2013: Caterpillar Foundation, in collaboration with Global Communities and Centre for Social Action organised a week-long awareness campaign in Bangalore during the last week of September, 2013. The initiative was part of the second edition of Green Apple Day of Service, which aimed at sensitizing and educating schools and colleges on eco-friendly practices including safe disposal of waste, source segregation and tree plantation. "Our aim is to empower children and the youth to fashion a tomorrow based on ideas oriented and committed to making lives better. Initiatives like these would cultivate and sustain a behavioural change in students on waste reduction and recycling he said," said Ranjit Ambastha, Program Director, Global Communities.
Food insecurity rises in Sri Lanka's northSep 30, 2013 September 30, 2013: In two northern districts of Sri Lanka, now slowly recovering from decades of conflict, almost seven out of 10 households are 'food insecure', according to a recent survey. Of the 300 households interviewed over two days in Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts in August 2013, half reported selling jewellery to cope with falling income and rising debt. Food cost 10 to 30 percent more in local markets in the two surveyed districts than in the Northern Province's central markets, which have better road access. This is on top of an estimated 12 percent increase in the average cost of food nationwide. While there is still enough food in the smaller number of villages surveyed, fewer people can afford it, said Kathy Derore, head of the programme unit at World Food Programme (WFP) in Sri Lanka. The situation has worsened since 2012, when a more comprehensive assessment in late March 2012 in Northern and Eastern Provinces found that 44 percent of the population could not get adequate, nutritious food. (Photo: IRIN)
Pakistan quake affects over 300, 000Sep 27, 2013 The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his sadness at the loss of life and damage to thousands of homes caused by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck south-west Pakistan earlier this week. "The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the people and Government of Pakistan, particularly the families of those who have been killed or otherwise affected in this disaster," Ban's spokesperson said in a statement. "The United Nations stands ready to lend assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs resulting from the earthquake and to mobilize any international support needed." According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of people killed in the quake that struck parts of Balochistan province on 24 September continues to rise. The Government estimates that some 350 people have died and over 300,000 people have been affected.
Child Protection Committee brings hopeSep 25, 2013 September 25, 2013: The recently-formed Child Protection Committee (CPC), an initiative of an NGO Save the Children, is spreading awareness on the rights of children in a village called Hariapar in Morigaon district of Assam. With the help of representatives from Save The Children, poor children like the seven-year-old Makhmuda Begum who were forced to work for their livelihood have been encouraged to go to school. The CPC has taken up children's protection issues in the village and is also engaged in addressing the same among government officials. Save the Children representatives hold regular CPC meetings in the village along with the women, children and elders who were its regular members. The NGO has also created Child-Friendly Space (CFS) -- following the floods last year. The child friendly space which happens to be the first kind of a school experience is now being managed by the local community.
Asian nations set to fight gender inequalitySep 23, 2013 September 23, 2013: Gender equality and reproductive health are indispensable to sustainable development, and must be a key part of the post-2015 development agenda, participants said at a United Nations-organized regional conference in Thailand. After days of intense discussions, nearly 500 delegates, including ministers and senior officials from 47 countries, adopted a comprehensive Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development. The document was finalized on the last day of the Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) in Bangkok, hosted by the UN United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in cooperation with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). "Addressing one of the most important parts of our unfinished business, it affirms the importance of non-discrimination, of ending violence against women and girls, and of universal sexual and reproductive health, services, and rights," UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Noeleen Heyzer, said.
Kids with dyslexia need guidance: activistSep 19, 2013 September 19, 2013: Dyslexia affects a person's ability to deal with language, including spoken language as well as written. A person with Dyslexia can have difficulty understanding, remembering, organizing and using verbal symbols. Most have average or above-average intelligence, and if proper guidance is provided, they overcome their learning problems. Dyslexia is a neurological disorder, often hereditary and a condition that you are born with, says Surabhi Verma, Director of Sparsh for Children, an organisation working for the welfare of differently abled children. It is also crucial to provide such children with the necessary help and support to reach the goals, Verma said.
Risk of arsenic poisoning heightens in AsiaSep 16, 2013 September 16, 2013: Millions of people in South and Southeast Asia may be at risk of arsenic poisoning as massive pumping of groundwater pushes tainted water closer to uncontaminated aquifers, scientists warned in a new study published in the journal Nature. The study, published by experts from Switzerland, the US and Vietnam, examined changing groundwater flow over one decade in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. In the past, higher water levels in the aquifer (underground layer of water-bearing rock, sand or silt) meant water from these wells was generally safe. But as more groundwater has been pumped, water from arsenic-rich sediments is increasingly intruding into the previously uncontaminated aquifer. Arsenic, one of the most common inorganic contaminants found in drinking water worldwide, can be highly toxic to humans. Even in low concentrations arsenic can damage health if ingested over long periods. It is associated with cancer of the skin, lungs, bladder and kidneys. (IRIN)
Pakistan women farmers for land allotmentSep 13, 2013 September 13, 2013: ActionAid Pakistan has launched a campaign to help thousands of landless women farmers, peasants and rural women to demand their right to own and control land. In the wake of disaster, it was found that women being the most marginalized community in Pakistan face serious issues of food insecurity. Willful negligence and violation of the rights of the poor women on the part of the overall society and the government in particular, has severe impact on the poorest of poor women. It is believed that women comprise more than 60% of farm labour workforce but there is no legal protection and recognition of their status. They neither have access nor control over the land they work in. (ActionAid)
Literacy can help fight poverty: UNSep 09, 2013 September 9, 2013: United Nations senior officials have highlighted the role of literacy in achieving a more sustainable future, stressing that knowledge can help combat poverty and improve people's livelihoods. "In our knowledge-based era, literacy is a foundation for a more just, inclusive and sustainable world," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. "Literacy enables people to gain access to information to improve their health and nutrition, widen their livelihood options, cope with environmental change and make informed choices," the Secretary-General said on the Day, observed annually on 8 September There are more than 773 million young people and adults around the world who cannot read. Worldwide, at least 250 million children of primary school age cannot read, write or count. Two thirds of them are women. The latest data from the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics shows that most of the world's illiterate adults live in South and West Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Domestic abuse rife in Dhaka slumsSep 06, 2013 September 6, 2013: Women living in the slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital of 15 million people, face a higher risk of domestic violence than women in other parts of the country, say researchers. Nationwide, recordkeeping and data collection on the extent and types of violence against women are still scarce, according to an expert panel in 2011 monitoring the country's progress on eliminating violence against women. But the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Rashida Manjoo, found ample evidence in a recent visit to Bangladesh that "discrimination and violence against women continues in law and practice". The situation is even worse in the capital's sprawling slums, Ruchira Tabassum Naved, a researcher with the Centre for Equity and Health Systems at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR) said. (Photo: IRIN)
Flood-hit Uttarakhand village gets aidSep 04, 2013 September 4, 2013: In a bid to provide medical relief to the survivors of the calamity-struck Uttarakhand, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Delhi along with St. Georges College Mussorie and Manorite Alumni Association organised a free health camp at Parodi Village, which is approximately 40 kms from Mussorie. Before the cloud burst on the 16th and consequent flooding, Parodi village was a very prosperous village that boasted of the best agricultural lands among all the villages in the Uttarkashi region. Today the village has only 95 residents and two houses that can barely accommodate 15 – 20 people and the rest make do in the partially damaged houses that can collapse at any moment. The villagers have been forced to take shelter at the cowsheds at the top of the village and are living in fear. The village has been cut off from the world as all communication lines and electricity have remained shut.
Low birth weight cycle grips PakistanSep 02, 2013 September 2, 2013: Pakistan has the world's second highest recorded rate in the world (32 percent) for babies born with low birth weight (LBW). This is surpassed only by Mauritania which has a rate of 34 percent (data is not available for Afghanistan), according to the UN Children's Fund's (UNICEF) 2013 State of the World's Children report. Babies born under 2.5kg are classed as having low birth weight (LBW) - and it is a categorization that is far from unusual in Pakistan. "Weight at birth is a good indicator not only of the mother's health and nutritional status but also of the newborn's chances for survival, growth, long-term health and psychosocial development," says UNICEF. "The problem is most common among poorer families, but even so these families often eat a reasonable diet - so nutrition alone is not the factor," said Samina Ahmed, a gynaecologist and obstetrician who has for over 20 years worked at a charitable clinic run for women in Lahore.
Rawat gives achievement award to SJSAug 30, 2013 August 30, 2013: Harish Rawat , India's Union Minister for Water Resources, conferred an award for achievements in Leadership to L P Semwal of the Shri Jagdamba Samiti. The award has been given to Semwal in recognition of his leadership role in organising apple growers and farmers , most of whom are small farmers, into Farmer Producer Organisations with formidable negotiating strengths an ensuring them a more favourable system for marketing their produce Since 1991, the Shri Jagadamba Samiti has worked to uplift the status of the small and marginal farmers of Uttarakhand. Rawat also gave away a Lifetime Achievement award to R K Tiwari for his contribution to the people and farmers of Uttarakhand – a role he continues to take pleasure in despite his growing years.
India's lower house passes Food BillAug 27, 2013 August 27, 2013: India's lower house, the Lok Sabha, has passed the Food Security Bill which seeks to provide cheap foodgrains to 82 crore people in the country. The ambitious bill was adopted by the House through a voice vote after a day-long debate last night. The passage of the bill in Parliament will guarantee 5 kilograms of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month per person at the highly subsidised rates of 1-3 rupees a Kg. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the Food Security Bill as one more example of the UPA government's people-oriented inclusive development. During the debate on the bill, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, our goal for the foreseeable future must be to wipe out hunger and malnutrition from the country. Replying to the debate, Food Minister KV Thomas said, all constructive suggestions given by Members of Parliament will be positively considered while implementing the bill. He also assured the States that the foodgrain off-take during the last three years under the present PDS system will be protected.
Red Crescent assists flood-hit Pak familiesAug 23, 2013 August 23, 2013: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society has assisted over 1,060 families affected by the recent monsoon floods which began in early August 2013. According to the National Disaster Management Authority the floods have caused 84 deaths and 44 injuries. Over 81,600 people have been affected across various parts of the country, with over 4,300 houses damaged or destroyed. The provinces of Punjab and Sindh have been most affected. Floods also struck Balochistan in the west of the country and Khyber Pakhtunkwa in the northwest. The Red Crescent has been providing search and rescue services, medical aid and relief supplies to affected families.
MGNREGA benefited 5 crore Indian familiesAug 22, 2013 August 22, 2013: India's Planning Commission member Dr Mihir Shah said that so far, five crore families have been benefited through the programme with an expenditure of arund two lakh crore rupees. Dr Mihir Shah, who chairs the committee on formulating new guidelines for the implementation of MGNREGA, said "Of this, seventy per cent have been utilised for paying wages. He said fifty per cent beneficiaries are from the SC, ST sections and fifty per cent wages have gone to women. MGNREGA is a crucial link between democracy and development," Shah said. He said that the southern state of Kerala has been giving fruitful suggestions for revising the guidelines of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Shah added that MGNREGA is the biggest employment programme in world history and aims at creating assets for sustainable livelihoods.
Distress migration feared in UttarakhandAug 20, 2013 Sher Singh and his wife are in their late 70s. Frail and vulnerable, they lost everything to the devastating floods that struck Uttarakhand in mid-June. Signs of distress migration have already started appearing in the state and civil society organisations along with government are trying to rehabilitate flood affected north Indian state of Uttarakhand, just so that distress migration does not happen.
Promoting breastfeeding for healthy kidsAug 08, 2013 August 8, 2013. On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF organised an event to celebrate the work of women from the remotest parts of India, who have been working tirelessly to support mothers in breastfeeding. The event brought together community champions (members of 'mother support groups and frontline health and nutrition workers) from different parts of India to share their experiences with media and technical experts on how they succeeded in their efforts to support mothers to breastfeed at critical times. Dr Victor Aguayo, Chief of UNICEF India's Child Nutrition and Development Programme said, "The women champions who have been able to overcome challenges and Reached out to mothers and their families in their homes, their communities, with correct breastfeeding information." A UNICEF Nutrition Advocacy Toolkit bringing together evidence from UNICEF's policy programme and communication experience globally and in India was released during the event.
Pakistan's IDPs find it can get worseAug 06, 2013 August 6, 2013: Fleeing home is a negative experience in itself, but for Pakistan's one million internally displaced persons (IDPs), most of them subsistence farmers, the sense of dislocation is made worse when they have to start paying for food and accommodation. The latest wave of displacement has seen over 130,000 people leave their homes in Pakistan's northwestern Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since March because of fighting between government soldiers and militants allied to the Taliban in the Khyber and Kurram agencies. "People keep backups; some have savings, others have valuables and livestock. Once they're gone, and they're barely making enough to eat, it is extremely difficult for them to rebuild those backups," said Faiz Mohammed, chief coordinator for IDPs in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government. (Photo: IRIN)
Afghan electoral body gets new membersAug 05, 2013 August 5, 2013: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomed appointment of the members of the new Independent Election Commission (IEC) and looked forward to working with the new commissioners as the country prepares for crucial elections in 2014. In a press statement, UNAMA welcomed the "timely" appointment of the new members of the electoral body, including the "expeditious" election of its Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Secretary. The UNAMA statement stressed that Afghan-led and Afghan-managed 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections are central to Afghanistan's stable and sustainable political transition. The picture shows electoral staff in Afghanistan busy laying the groundwork for the polls, which will be critical for the country's stability.
Old tanks mooted to solve SL's water crisisAug 02, 2013 August 2, 2013: One way Sri Lanka can better manage its water resources in the face of changing monsoon patterns is through centuries-old water reservoirs, experts say. Experts at the Colombo-based International Water Management Institute (IWMI) say one way to ease fluctuating rice harvests (due to increasingly erratic monsoon seasons) is to use thousands of ancient small irrigation reservoirs spread out in the Northern, North Central, Eastern, North Western and Southern provinces. "Tanks [reservoirs] can store water and so are buffers against irregular rainfall supplies," said Herath Manthrithilake, the head of the institute's Sri Lanka Development Initiative. The reservoirs were built between 300 and 400 BC to provide nearby villages with water for agriculture and other needs. They became less important with the introduction of rain-fed cash crops by European colonizers in the 1500s and have been largely untouched since the 1970s with the development of large irrigation and hydropower schemes. (Photo: IRIN)
Empowering women through convergenceAug 01, 2013 August 1, 2013: As part of Mission Poorna Shakti, India's Ministry of Women & Child Development invited a development organisation, Hand in Hand-India to implement its development initiatives in the Pali district of Rajasthan. In April 2012, Hand in Hand-India launched the project in Pali block of the district. Hand in Hand-India's project aims to improve well-being and reduce poverty level of women, and facilitate convergence of all women-centric socio-economic development programmes of the government through Self-help Groups. To form SHGs, Hand in Hand-India targets women who are poor, underserved and marginalised but desire to improve their income; and trains them on group dynamics, financial literacy and skills.
Pesticides blamed for midday meal deathsJul 31, 2013 July 31, 2013: The tragic incident in India in which nearly two dozen children died after eating a contaminated school meal is a stark reminder that highly hazardous pesticides should be phased out in developing countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said. On 17 July, 23 children in the village of Dharmasati Gandawa in the eastern state of Bihar died after eating a free school lunch that was made with cooking oil tainted with the monocrotophos pesticide. This substance is widely used in India in spite of being described as having "high acute toxicity" by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). In a news release, FAO stressed that the distribution and use of highly toxic pesticides in many developing countries poses a serious risk to human health and the environment, and measures to put safeguards in place to protect the population must be implemented.
Earthquakes may add to global warmingJul 30, 2013 July 30, 2013: Earthquakes may add to global warming by releasing methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, says a new study published in Nature Geoscience. An international team of scientists investigated the aftermath of a magnitude 8.1 earthquake that took place in the Northern Arabian Sea in 1945. According to research this event caused the release of about 7.4 million cubic meters methane, into the ocean. In 2007, during a research cruise off the coast of Pakistan, the scientists obtained several sediment cores. One of these cores contained methane hydrates, a solid ice-like structure of methane and water, just 1.6 meters below the sea floor. A close examination of these cores enabled the researchers to relate the 1945 earthquake to the concomitant release of methane, the study said. (Photo: UN)
Millions of kids out of school in PakistanJul 29, 2013 July 29, 2013: Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai's speech at the UN in New York calling for "free, compulsory education all over the world for every child" is a reminder that back in her home country several million children are out of school, exploited for their labour, and/or abused. The most recent annual State of Pakistan's Children report, published in May by the Islamabad-based NGO Society for the Protection and Rights of the Child (SPARC), found that out of 120 countries in the world, Pakistan has the second largest number of children out of school (after Nigeria), with 5.1 million children aged 5-9 not attending an educational institution. "Education is vital for our future. Only when they read can they research, think and do something for the nation. Without education in its true sense there is no hope for this," said Basarat Kazim, president of the Lahore-based NGO Alif Laila Book Bus Society which campaigns for education, literacy and modernization in the education sector. (Photo: IRIN)
Gender parity can make Asia food secureJul 25, 2013 A new report by the ADB and UN's FAO takes an in-depth look at women's role in food production, nutrition, and access to food in the region, and the steps needed to remove barriers facing female farmers and food production workers. Labor and land ownership laws throughout the Asia-Pacific region must change if women are to reach their full potential as farmers and food production workers, says a new report prepared jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). "Removing the barriers women face in their roles as food producers, farm workers, and primary caregivers is achievable and inexpensive," said Lourdes Adriano, Practice Leader for Agriculture, Food Security & Rural Development in the Regional and Sustainable Development Department at ADB.
Millions of girls at risk of genital mutilationJul 23, 2013 July 23, 2013: While the majority of people in countries where female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is concentrated oppose this harmful practice, there are still 30 million girls at risk of being cut in the next decade, according to a report launched today by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The report, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change, surveyed 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where FGM/C persists, and found that while support for the practice is in decline, girls remain in considerable danger. The report points to a gap between people's personal views on FGM/C and the entrenched sense of social obligation that fuels its continuation, exacerbated by a lack of open communication on this sensitive issue. There are currently 125 million girls and women alive today who have been subjected to FGM/C, which refers to a number of practices which involve cutting away part or all of a girl's external genitalia. (Representative Image only, not related to the information)
Poverty is a challenge for all states: PranabJul 22, 2013 July 22, 2013: The Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee, has said that all Indian states face similar challenges of poverty and lack of infrastructure in the path to development. Mukherjee favoured introducing a more effective mechanism for resource transfer from the Centre to the states for diminishing the gap between haves and have-nots. The President was speaking in New Delhi on Sunday after receiving copy of a book 'The New Bihar - rekindling governance and development'. The book was released by Noble laureate Amartya Sen.
Kids in Pak Punjab to get free educationJul 18, 2013 The Education Minister of Punjab in Pakistan Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan has said the provincial government will soon be legislating for Article 25-A to impart free and compulsory education to all kids who are in the age bracket of 5-16 years. Khan said the draft law would soon be made public for feedback before tabling it in the Punjab Assembly for approval in a month or so. In order to ensure provision of free and compulsory education to all children of school-going age, he said, 'District Education Authority (DEA)' would be established in all the districts for effective implementation of the law. He added that the enforcing authority would be empowered to grant a cash prize up to Rs 1 million to the educational institutions in districts producing excellent results. (Photo courtesy: DFID/ CC-BY-SA 2.0)
Returnees in Sri Lanka's north lack IDsJul 17, 2013 July 17, 2013: Close to 100,000 returnees in Sri Lanka's north lack national identity cards (NICs), more than four years after the end of the country's decades-long civil war. "Many people cannot resume their lives as NICs are the passport to accessing multiple services and were made mandatory for voting in 2006," Suresh Premachandran, a member of parliament (MP) with the Tamil National Alliance. According to the United Nations, more than 460,000 displaced persons have returned to Northern Province - which is home to more than 1 million inhabitants - since government forces declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who had been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland since 1983. In Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts alone, an estimated quarter of the districts' 200,000-plus inhabitants are without national IDs. Without such documentation, many residents struggle to access public services such as health and education, and well as government assistance programmes. (Photo: IRIN)
Former bonded labourer bags global awardJul 16, 2013 July 16, 2013: Razia Sultan, a teenage girl from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has been awarded with UN Special Envoy for Global Education's Youth Courage Award for Education. Razia, who passed her 11th grade against all odds, now works in her community for rescuing children from hazardous workplaces, and getting them enrolled in schools. So far, her efforts have helped 48 children in her community to get out of work and join a school. Razia feels that the vision of education for all the children would remain a distant dream unless and until child labour is completely eliminated. Razia's actions demonstrate the power of youth in leading the charge against discrimination and now she is in the same league as Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head for speaking against the hardliners who have banned education for girls in Swat Valley. (Photo: Bachapan Bacaho Andolan)
Malala addresses UN Youth AssemblyJul 15, 2013 July 15, 2013: Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban for attending classes, last week addressed hundreds of young people at the United Nations, urging them to use education as a weapon against extremism. "Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One teacher, one book, one pen, can change the world," Yousafzai said, in an impassioned address to the UN Youth Assembly. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has dubbed today – Yousafzai's 16th birthday – 'Malala Day' in honour of her heroic stand to ensure education for all. The meeting, which featured nearly 1,000 youth leaders, was addressed by former United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in his capacity as UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Vuk Jeremić, President of the General Assembly, and Ahmad Alhendawi, the Special Envoy on Youth. Yousafzai told the gathering that the Taliban's attack nine months ago changed nothing in her life, except that "weakness, fear and hopelessness died."
UN spotlights need to empower girlsJul 12, 2013 July 12, 2013: United Nations officials have spotlighted the issue of adolescent pregnancy, and called on Governments to take measures to enable girls to make responsible life choices and realize their potential. About 16 million girls under age 18 give birth each year, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which noted that another 3.2 million undergo unsafe abortions. The vast majority – 90 per cent – of the pregnant adolescents in the developing world are married. But for far too many of these girls, pregnancy has little to do with informed choice, said the agency. UNFPA pointed out that adolescent pregnancy is a health issue: the youngest mothers face a heightened risk of maternal complications, death and disability, including obstetric fistula. Their children face higher risks as well. It is also an issue of human rights: adolescent pregnancy often means an abrupt end of childhood, a curtailed education and lost opportunities.
Solar plane flight boosts clean energy eraJul 11, 2013 July 11, 2013: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has applauded the journey of the first solar-powered plane to cross the United States from coast to coast and declared that the historic flight could serve as an inspiration to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development. "The Solar Impulse flight across the United States proves that with ingenuity, we can harness solar energy for impressive results," said Ban during an event at a Headquarters to mark the end of the plane's journey. The, which began its trek in San Francisco in early May, made stopovers in Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Dulles before arriving at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday night. The Swiss-made ultra-light, super-efficient plane is reportedly powered by some 11,000 solar cells, and can reach an altitude of some 30,000 feet, while flying at a top speed of about 70 kilometres per hour.
No early warning for Nepal's landslidesJul 10, 2013 July 10, 2013: Landslides in Nepal are the country's costliest and most deadly type of natural disaster, but their management is still seen as low priority, say experts. In the past decade landslides killed over 1,300 people and destroyed 10,000 houses, according to the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS). NRCS estimates landslides killed more than 36 people in 10 districts from 1 June to 1 July, mostly in the country's Far West region, which has notoriously treacherous topography, limiting access for relief and basic services. It is the country's poorest region with over 46 percent of its 2.7 million people living on less than US$1 a day (nationally 25 percent live on such a low income). "Landslide disasters further impoverish their [survivors'] conditions even more, especially when their breadwinners [are] killed," senior government official and landslides and watershed management expert Madhukar Upadhya said.
Malala to join UN global education initiativeJul 09, 2013 July 9, 2013: With Malala Yousafzai set to visit United Nations Headquarters on Friday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday highlighted the importance of ensuring global access to quality education, and stressed that no girl or boy should face unsafe circumstances when exercising this basic right. "On 12 July, Malala will be joined by hundreds of students from more than 80 countries in a unique Youth Assembly, where diplomats will take a back seat as young people take over the UN," Ban said in an interview. "They will gather to issue a global call for quality education for all." Malala is the Pakistani schoolgirl and education rights campaigner who, along with friends, was shot by the Taliban for attending classes. During her UN visit, which coincides with her 16th birthday, Malala will share her experiences and raise awareness about the importance of education, particularly for girls around the world.
India set to focus on safe drinking waterJul 08, 2013 India's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari has said that Right to Safe Drinking Water for the entire country is under the consideration of the Centre. Addressing a gathering in Ludhiana yesterday, he said special care will be taken for those who cannot afford RO systems and distilled bottled water. The Minister also said that the government is giving top priority to the healthcare of the people through the National Rural Health Mission and National Urban Health Mission.
Nepal: Man and wife, yet childrenJul 05, 2013 Fifteen-year-old Bikram Saud of Rahaf VDC-4 of Achham district along with his wife, also aged 15 are among the many thousands of Nepali Children, especially girls, who get married too young. About 250,000 children, mostly girls, do not attend school according to government figures and civil society activists say that thousands of girls drop out of school every year to get married. Parents are often unaware of the impact that trying to save the money spent on education can have on the future of their daughter. NGOs say the government has failed to control child marriage, particularly in the country's southern Terai region particularly in districts like eastern Terai, like Rupendehi, Dhanusha and Mahottari. Over 63 percent of Nepalese girls marry before the age of 18, while 7 percent marry before their tenth birthday and if the Nepal Demographic Health Survey, conducted by the government, is to be believed, the country could have the highest percentage of child marriage in the world. The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare estimates that over 34 percent of new marriages in the Himalayan nation involve brides under-15 years of age. There is a ban on the practice, but the ban is hardly enforced. (Photo: Shivaraj Khatre/ Insec Nepal)
Children bear the brunt of Himalayan furyJul 04, 2013 As the focus now shifts from the pilgrims to the communities, more and more stories about the plight of families – and children – are coming to the fore. Children are the most at risk in Uttarakhand as one does not see many of them in the areas which still have road access. Most families have been affected in one way or another, either they have lost a male member who was working in the higher reaches of Badrinath or Kedarnath or they have suffered damage or destruction of their property and household assets. Protection of children is going to be vital, especially since many male members who were working Badrinath and Kedarnath won't be coming back home to safeguard their loved ones. When the children return for school, psycho-social support for them would be critical, and this would include peer interactions which concepts such as Save the Children's Child-Friendly Spaces can facilitate. Since parents need to focus on what needs to be done to cope with the crisis, such a facility -- which ensures protection and care of children has proven to be very useful. Families which have been driven into poverty may have to struggle for a long time to get back to their normal lives – and until then, they and the children are not going to be out of danger. (Photo: Devendra Tak/Save The Children)
Anurag Kashyap supports MSF campaignJul 03, 2013 Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organisation, rolled out its "Who cares?" campaign in New Delhi, on July 2, to engage the Indian public with pressing health issues in the country and across the globe. At the campaign's launch, renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and veteran actor Farooq Sheikh interacted with MSF's staff about their medical projects in India and how they reach out to people most in need of healthcare. The issues that took stage are providing treatment and counseling for patients with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), medical care for mothers and newborns in rural settings, management of medical care during emergencies, and treating kala azar, which has a very high prevalence in Bihar. "Too many people die of kala azar, a neglected disease that can be cured with effective treatment." says Anurag Kashyap. "If left untreated, it is fatal in most cases. That's why we should support MSF to raise awareness about this neglected disease and to provide treatment".
MDGs are within reach, says UN reportJul 02, 2013 The targets that have already been met include halving the number of people living in extreme poverty and providing more than two billion people with access to improved sources of drinking water. Thirteen years after the world set the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), countries have made big strides to meet the eight anti-poverty targets by their 2015 deadline, says a United Nations report released today, which stresses that the unmet goals are still within reach, but nations need to step up their efforts to achieve them. The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013 shows how the combined actions of governments, civil society and the private sector have made substantial progress in meeting many of the targets, while also pointing out which areas are falling behind and require immediate attention. The targets that have already been met include halving the number of people living in extreme poverty and providing more than two billion people with access to improved sources of drinking water.
Under-nutrition kills 3 mn kids every yearJul 01, 2013 Over three million children die before the fifth birthday every year from under-nutrition – accounting for 45 per cent of child deaths in 2011, says the latest Lancet series updates released in New Delhi. As if to complete the grim picture, the picture has only worsened since the last Lancet findings, five years ago. India's achievements, or under-achievement is best illustrated by Lancet's estimation of the population of stunted children under five years of age – the prevalence being highest in India even though its GDP per capita has been on the rise. Malnutrition among women and children comes with enormous costs, accodring to the report, as a lack of adequate nutrition during the 1,000 days between a mother's pregnancy and her child's second birthday results in reduced physical capacity, cognitive development and educational attainment and increases the risk of being poor and undernourished as adults. Left unchecked, this threatens not only individual lives and health, but India's future.
Red Cross responds to Uttarakhand floodsJun 28, 2013 Flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand have killed over 800 people and left tens of thousands stranded across the mountainous State. According to officials the death toll could increase dramatically as many areas remain inaccessible. Rescue operations are being hampered by damaged roads, continued bad weather and landslides. Many people are thought to have been washed away by the violent floods that swept down the River Ganges and its tributaries. Many of those affected are Hindu pilgrims and tourists from across the country visiting holy shrines in the province. Military helicopters and some 10,000 soldiers are engaged in search and rescue missions and have evacuated thousands of people, many of whom are sheltering in temporary relief camps. More than 50,000 people are thought to be stranded. The Indian Red Cross Society is responding to the disaster from its National Headquarters in Delhi and through its Uttarkhand state branch in Dehradun. Trucks of relief supplies including tents and kitchen sets and a water purification unit have been dispatched from Delhi. (IFRC)
Designer drugs on the rise: UNODCJun 27, 2013 While the use of traditional drugs is largely stable, demand is soaring for untested concoctions of psychoactive substances that threaten to be more dangerous, the head of the United Nations drug and crime agency (UNODC) said, marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The popularity of traditional drugs, such as cannabis – still the most widely used illicit substance – heroin and cocaine seems to be declining in some parts of the world, while the abuse of prescription drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) is on the rise, according to the 2013 World Drug Report launched today in Vienna, Austria. Sold openly, including online, NPS are marketed as "legal highs" with nicknames such as "spice", "plant food", "bath salts" and "meow meow", a type of mephedrone with effects similar to the effects of cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy. The drugs are called 'designer' because they are based on existing illegal recreation drugs with chemical structures that are modified to varying degrees to evade the drug laws. The mixtures of NPS can easily cross from "safe" to toxic, resulting in "delirium and violent behaviour."
Uttarakhand death toll rises to 822Jun 26, 2013 Mass cremation of bodies of hundreds of people killed in floods and landslides in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand was delayed on Tuesday amid fears of disease outbreak, as heavy rains hampered rescue operations for the second day. Rescuers battled rains to evacuate 1,000 more stranded people including from Badrinath but around 7,000 people including 4,000 in the pilgrim town of whom 1,500 were locals, were still waiting to be rescued 10 days after the deluge. The death toll rose to 822 with 142 bodies being found, including 127 in Kedarnath, the epicentre of destruction, officials said on Tuesday. With rescue operations being disrupted by cloudbursts coupled with torrential rains, IAF flew lesser sorties on Tuesday and evacuated about 500 people including 120 from Badrinath.
A third of all women abused: reportJun 25, 2013 More than a third of women worldwide are affected by physical or sexual violence, many at the hands of an intimate partner, according to a new United Nations report that offers guidelines to help countries respond to this global epidemic. The report, 'Global and regional estimates of violence against women: Prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence', represents the first systematic study of global data on the prevalence of violence against women – both by partners and non-partners. Some 35 per cent of all women will experience either intimate partner or non-partner violence, according to the report, which was released by the UN World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the South African Medical Research Council. It also finds that intimate partner violence is the most common type of violence against women, affecting 30 per cent of women worldwide, according to a WHO news release.
Flash floods affect thousands in IndiaJun 21, 2013 Flash floods due to early, heavy monsoon rains have killed 150 people and affected tens of thousands of people in Uttarakhand region, in the northern part of India and the western, mid-western and the far-western regions of Nepal. The floods have severely affected the pilgrimage sites of Badirnath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in the northern Indian state, resulting in the deaths of scores of pilgrims. Tens of thousands have also been stranded while hundreds of families have been rendered homeless. Uttarakhand's disaster mitigation and management centre had in the morning said that the causalities could run into thousands with about 90 dharamshalas (resthouses for pilgrims) swept away in the flash floods. Rescue workers in Uttarakhand fear that the death toll might rise as the affected regions are presently cut off and the means of communication are not working. The state home secretary has said there is a potential for the death toll to go higher as the process of recovering bodies has not yet started in many places that are inaccessible.
Number of refugees, displaced at 18-yr highJun 20, 2013 A United Nations report released today says that more people are refugees or internally displaced than at any time since 1994, with the crisis in Syria having emerged as a major new factor in global displacement. The annual Global Trends report, released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), shows that as of the end of 2012, more than 45.2 million people were in situations of displacement compared to 42.5 million at the end of 2011. War remains the major cause for the displacement, the agency noted, adding that 55 per cent of all refugees listed in the report come from just five war-affected countries: Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Sudan. The report notes that some 7.6 million people became newly displaced last year, 1.1 million as refugees and 6.5 million as internally displaced persons (IDPs). This translates to a new refugee or IDP every 4.1 seconds.
Rajasthan unveils new girl child policyJun 19, 2013 Patriarchal mindset in the western Indian state of Rajasthan that denied women equal access to education until a few years ago is now changing with the announcement of new girl child policy in January this year. Under the new regime, the girl child sex ratio will improve significantly and major structural changes for security and empowerment of young and adolescent girls will be facilitated, experts feel. The experts from different walks of life who have joined the movement under the banner of Ajit Foundation, headed by state Planning Board's deputy chairman, V S Vyas for exploring the role of civil society organizations in monitoring and implementation of the policy. The Foundation, recently organized a day-long session in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) AND United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Jaipur on the issue. Workshop was inaugurated by the Rajasthan women and child development minister Bina Kak.
UN to explore ocean acidification impactsJun 18, 2013 The United Nations General Assembly will begin its consideration of the impacts that the increasing acidification of the world's oceans will have on the marine environment and on people. This year's informal Consultative Process on oceans, which opens today and runs through 20 June, will provide a forum for countries to discuss the challenges posed by rising ocean acidity due to increased carbon emissions from human activities. By absorbing increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide caused by human activities, oceans are becoming more acidic— by more than 30 per cent—since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution 250 years ago, according to data cited in a report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the General Assembly. It is predicted that by 2050 ocean acidity could increase by 150 per cent, a rate of increase that is 100 times faster than any change in acidity experienced in the marine environment over the last 20 million years.
Piped water for Dhaka slumsJun 17, 2013 DHAKA, 13 June 2013 (IRIN) - The Bangladesh government has started work on delivering piped water to more than three million Dhaka slum dwellers by the end of 2014, say officials. "By 2015, all slum dwellers will have access to piped water," Taqsem A Khan, the managing director of the Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (WASA), told IRIN, citing the issue of water-borne diseases and their prevalence in slums. Under the current law, WASA is not allowed to provide water to homes without a holding number. However, that law will be amended making it no longer mandatory. The government has already started work in Korail, the country's biggest slum, home to 40,000 people. "Piped water will help to curb waterborne diseases in the slums," said Akhil Chandra Das, manager of NGO Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), which is involved in the initiative. Photo: Mushfique Wadud/IRIN
UN set to discuss abolition of death penaltyJun 14, 2013 The United Nations will discuss abolition of death penalty in June end. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the growing momentum against capital punishment, while voicing concern that a small number of states continue to impose the death penalty, often in violation of international standards. In a message to the Fifth World Congress against the Death Penalty, held in Madrid, Ban said that the full abolition of the death penalty has support in every region and across legal systems, traditions, customs and religious backgrounds. Currently, more than 150 States have either abolished the death penalty or do not practise it. Last year, 174 United Nations Member States were "execution-free", he said. "Despite these positive trends, I am deeply concerned that a small number of States continue to impose the death penalty, and thousands of individuals are executed each year, often in violation of international standards," said the Secretary-General.
Alarm sounded over exploitation of kidsJun 13, 2013 With an estimated 10.5 million children worldwide working in people's homes in hazardous and often slavery-like conditions, the United Nations labour agency today called for an end to child labour in domestic work and urged decent working conditions for adolescents who can be legally employed. "There is no place and no excuse for child labour in domestic or any other form of work," UN International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, Guy Ryder, said in his speech in Geneva to mark World Day against Child Labour. According to the latest figures in ILO's report, Ending child labour in domestic work, released to coincide with the Day, of the 10.5 million underage workers, an estimated 6.5 million are child labourers aged between five and 14 years of age. More than 71 per cent are girls, some of whom work as a result of forced labour and trafficking. Child labourers who work in the homes of a third party or employer, carry out tasks such as cleaning, ironing, cooking, gardening, collecting water, looking after other children and caring for the elderly.
A need for reverse marine degradationJun 12, 2013 In observance of World Oceans Day, a senior United Nations official called on the international community to act in a concerted and coordinated manner to halt and reverse the damage to the planet's open waters caused by human activity. "We are all currently very aware of the damage done to oceans and their ecosystems, these include depleted fishery resources, the impacts of climate change, loss of biodiversity, deterioration of the marine environment and other issues," said Patricia O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, as she opened a special Headquarters event to mark the Organization's fifth annual observance of the Day. She recalled that, given the important role played by oceans for the planet's food security, and the health and survival of all life, as well energy needs, the General Assembly decided that, from 2009, 8 June would be designated by the UN as 'World Oceans Day' to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. On the bright side, however, much of this damage may be reversible through coordinated and concerted action by the international community, including through implementation of existing legal instruments. Such efforts, she said, should be assisted by intergovernmental process, such as the assessment of the first State of the World's Oceans, which is expected to be released in 2015. Member States are also addressing new issues.
Delhi, switch on the Sun: GreenpeaceJun 06, 2013 A bike-a-thon was organised by Greenpeace in Indian capital New Delhi to raise awareness about solar energy as a part of its campaign on promoting renewable energy. It stressed on the fact that the city has the ability to become self-sufficient in meeting its energy needs by using more solar energy. As part of the event, Greenpeace held an interactive event with people, held a quiz show, invited the audience to sing and also generate electricity by pedalling. It put up stationary bicycles, connected to electrical circuits, that generated power when people pedalled which lit up board with the message 'Switch on the Sun'.
Kolkata's environment worsens: surveyJun 05, 2013 Nine out of 10 respondents in TERI's survey believe that that the transport sector was the biggest reason for foul, disease-causing air in the east Indian city of Kolkata. Yet, 80% of the city's people use these very modes of public transport as they are cheap. A majority of the city-zens believe that Kolkata's green cover has declined and its water-bodies have become polluted. While nearly three out of 10 persons have never visited a park, an impressive 52% felt that parts of Kolkata should be declared protected pockets to help the city improve its green cover. Some believed policy changes could lead to a greener Kolkata, though others felt it could be achieved through reclamation of wasteland for parks. The survey revealed the decline in air and water quality and disappearance of greenery have severely impacted fauna. Around 55% of respondents said they encountered fewer sparrows and butterflies. Thirty-seven per cent felt water in lakes and ponds has deteriorated, affecting bio-diversity. While six out of 10 persons gave a thumbs up to the drinking water quality, 73% felt water was being wasted due to excessive consumption.
Salinity drop hits bird count in Chilika lakeMay 30, 2013 This summer the 1100 sq km Chilika lake, the country's biggest waterfowl habitat, in the east Indian state of Orissa attracted 18,000 birds fewer than the last—the drop being from 77,609 to 59,687. "The shifting of the lake's mouth towards the outer channel has reduced the inflow of tidal water, changing its salinity levels in the central and northern sectors. This may have affected the bird population this summer," divisional forest officer B P Acharya said on Friday. The weeds in the northern sector of the lagoon could be another reason. Of the birds that have chosen to stay away this summer, the most noticeable absentees are the whistling ducks (8,050), black-tailed godwits (6,911) and little cormorant (6,561). Some of the winged guests arrived at Chilika last winter, like the Eurasian pigeon (25), gadwall (10) and northern shoveller (6), have chosen to stay, although temperatures at the lake have touched a searing 40°C. "This is because they were too ill to fly back to cooler habitats," says UN Deo, a noted ornithologist.
Green projects close to my heart: Sri DeviMay 29, 2013 Popular Bollywood actress, Sri Devi, inaugurated the eco-friendly green housing project launched by Maitreya Realtors in Nashik district of the West Indian state of Maharashtra on May 26, 2013. Maitreya Realtors has launched a 10-acre-property for commercial and residential purposes called 'Maitreya Greens', an eco- friendly, green housing project in Nashik. Sri Devi also advocated her support for such eco-friendly projects by herself buying a flat in IGBC Gold pre-certified green project 'Maitreya Greens'. After inaugurating the project she said, "Projects such as these are close to my heart, they are helpful to sustain the environment and curb unnecessary wastage." Being an eco- friendly green housing project, Maitreya Greens, boasts of facilities such as rain water harvesting, a vermi-compost pit, solar water heater and a garbage shaft to enable the residents for living a holistic lifestyle.
Heat wave kills 524 people in AndhraMay 28, 2013 A relentless summer heat wave has led to scores of people dying, in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The death toll has risen to 524 due to heat stroke and heat related illness. The state has recorded the highest number of deaths in the country due to heat wave conditions this summer. State officials might have reason to take solace: according to the disaster management office, almost a decade ago, in the year 2003, of the 4,600 deaths due to heat wave across the country, Andhra Pradesh alone accounted for more than 3,000 deaths. Severe heat wave conditions are also expected to continue in Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavarai, West Godavari and Viasakhapatnam districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. Heat wave conditions would also prevail over Warangal and Karimnagar of the Telangana region over the next couple of days.
Tiger reserve status for Rajaji ParkMay 27, 2013 The well-known Rajaji National Park in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand will now enjoy the status of a tiger reserve, with the Ministry of Environment and Forest approving the state's proposal for the park's elevated status. Principal Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) S S Sharma said on Saturday that that the latest tiger reserve will cover an area of 1150 square km embracing Shyampur in the Haridwar forest division and the Kotdwar and Laldhang ranges in the Lansdowne forest division. Terming it as a conservation milestone, Sharma said that Uttarakhand can now boast of having a second tiger reserve after the Corbett National Park. Tigers are found in the Chilla and Dhaulkhand ranges of the Rajaji National Park which encompasses the Shivaliks near the foothills of the Himalayas. The Rajaji National Park is spread over 820 square km and three districts of Uttarakhand including Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. The Park is at the northwestern edge of distribution for both elephants and tigers in the country.
Crackdown on plastic waste in DelhiMay 24, 2013 India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Delhi Police to ensure that plastic is not burnt in West Delhi's Mundka and Nangloi villages nor is any plastic waste carried out of those areas. Hearing a case transferred to it by the High Court, a five-member NGT bench headed by Chairperson Swatanter Kumar, said that the status report filed by the inspection committee clearly showed "that plastic and other waste is carried out of these areas." Further, there are photographs "showing pieces of burnt land," the order says. An analysis of earth samples from these spots would have proved whether the marks were owing to the incineration of plastic. However, "the police officer who accompanied the committee members "did not even care to collect the sample of earth." The bench observed that the High Court had issued two orders in January, 2010 and August, 2012, asking the Delhi Police and the local sub-divisional magistrate to carry out a surveillance of the area and set up pickets to ensure that no waste was carried out of the two villages. It had also asked for action against units found to be burning leather and plastic.
World set to run out of water: UN chiefMay 23, 2013 Speaking on the UN's International Day of Biological Diversity, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said there was a "mutually reinforcing" relationship between biodiversity and water that should be harnessed. "We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future demands for water will not be met," Ban said. Water, food, energy and climate are all linked, Ban stressed. Most forms of energy generation require water, variable weather is making agriculture harder while extreme weather events are hindering natural water storage. Ban believes there is an opportunity to address these challenges as the Millennium Development Goals are replaced with a new set of objectives. (Photo: Indian Ministry of Water Resources)
Construction ban on Yamuna floodplainsMay 22, 2013 In a move to save the riverbanks of the Yamuna and the Hindon from encroachment, India's National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Monday imposed a blanket ban on construction activities on the floodplains of UP, Delhi and Haryana besides ordering the three states to demolish illegal structures in the eco sensitive area. These directions from a tribunal bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar were in response to a petition filed by Ghaziabad-based green activists fighting for the liberation of the two rivers from the clutches of illegal occupiers. "Wherever unauthorized and illegal constructions have been raised, steps should be taken to demolish it," the order said. The NGT also asked the three states for maps showing the extent of encroachment of these riverbanks over the last 25 years. The order binds all authorities of the police, irrigation, environment and PWD departments to ensure compliance. The tribunal has observed that constructions on floodplains not only affects the natural flow of the river but even causes environment problems besides raising risk to human life and property.
Tigers in India still at risk: studyMay 20, 2013 A British study points to rapidly diminishing gene pools to say that despite rising numbers, the Indian Tiger continues to face the threat of extinction. The growth in the number of Indian tigers in itself does not guarantee their future, says a study released on Saturday. According to scientists in Cardiff University in Wales who authored the report, the big cats remain in peril because their gene pool has fallen sharply over years, leading to a "collapse in the variety of mating partners". The researchers point out that the number of Indian tigers fell from 40,000 to less than 1800 in just 100 years of mechanized trophy hunting during the British Raj. Now, an unprecedented comparison of the genetic pool of modern tigers with those shot in the Raj years shows a shocking 93 per cent decline in DNA strains. Alongside the size of tiger territory has fallen by more than 50% during in the last three generations and now mating only occurs in 7% of its historical territory, according to the latest research.
Protests in Delhi over renewable targetsMay 15, 2013 Greenpeace activists were on Wednesday violently removed from the entrance of the Delhi's power minister Haroon Yusuf's residence. The activists were peacefully protesting against Delhi's zero performance on its renewable energy targets as highlighted in the Greenpeace report "Powering Ahead with Renewables: Leaders and Laggards". Greenpeace activists had blocked Haroon Yusuf's residence by placing solar panels at the entrance and chained themselves to it. The activists demanded to meet Haroon Yusuf and that he commits to a policy on renewables energising Delhi. After persistent demand by activists, Yusuf finally agreed to meet them and accepted the solar panels but was non committal on timeline for strong policy on renewables. He did, however, agree to forward the Greenpeace report and recommendations to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission for future action. The solar panels displayed a message that urged the power minister to 'Switch on the Sun'. The 2.3 KW panels can light up Yusuf's house meeting most of its energy demands. The activists handed over the panels to Haroon Yusuf to emphasise that he should also look at using solar to power Delhi homes and commercial establishments using their rooftops.
'Superwheat' to raise yield by 30 per centMay 14, 2013 Scientists at The National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge claim to have developed a new type of 'superwheat' which could boost yields by 30 per cent. The new strain combines an ancient ancestor of wheat with a modern variety. In early trials, the resulting crop seemed bigger and stronger than the current modern wheat varieties, 'BBC News' reported. Researchers said it will take at least five years of tests and regulatory approval before the wheat reaches the farms. According to the report, one in five of all the calories consumed round the world come from wheat. However, despite steady improvement in the late 20th century, the last 15 years have seen little growth in the average wheat yields. Around 10,000 years ago wheat evolved from goat grass and other primitive grains, the report said. Scientists used cross-pollination and seed embryo transfer technology to transfer some of the resilience of the ancient ancestor of wheat into modern varieties. The process required no genetic modification of the crops.
Hut-dwellers in Tamil Nadu to get CFLsMay 07, 2013 In a move to promote energy efficiency, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), which is in the eye of a public storm over unprecedented load shedding, plans to supply fluorescent lamps (CFL) to hut dwellers in exchange for conventional incandescent bulbs. The State government has released Rs. 14.6 crore to fully fund the scheme that will cover 11.4 lakh hutments and seven lakh connections across Tamil Nadu in its first phase over four months. The officials will give one CFL free of cost to each dweller in lieu of a 40-watt bulb. Each lamp will last 6,000 hours and carry a one-year warranty. Tangedco has identified a Kolkata-based firm for the supply of the 9 watt lamps at the rate of Rs 60 a piece. The executing agency is expected to be chosen in about a month. To identify the beneficiaries in the absence of a reliable database, Tangedco will implement the scheme with the help of local councilors and wiremen.
Burma told to address impunity for crimesMay 03, 2013 A UN expert has urged the authorities in Myanmar to ease the harsh and disproportionate restrictions on the freedom of movement of Muslim populations in the IDP camps. While welcoming the most recent efforts of Myanmar's Government to look into the sectarian violence that erupted last year in Rakhine state, a United Nations expert has stressed that much more needs to be done to end discrimination and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. The Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, said that while the recommendations of the Rakhine Investigation Commission report address the humanitarian situation in the region, they still restrict the movements of the Muslim community in particular.
Now, wives to get 'fair' share of propertyMay 02, 2013 The Indian government is considering an amendment to ensure women get a fair share of their husband's property post-divorce. The Union Cabinet is expected to discuss an amendment to the country's marriage laws that may 'land' women a much larger share of her husband's 'real estate' booty post-divorce than is possible now. The amendment seeks to guarantee to the 'fairer sex' an equal share of properties procured by her husband both during and before the marriage as also his inherited and inheritable property. The legislative change will redefine the word residential, bringing into its wider embrace all properties acquired by the husband. Should other family members too have claims on the property hindering such a division, then the husband would have to pay his wife a monetary compensation equivalent to her share. Post the amendment (if it ever happens) the wife would have an equal right to all of her husband's property: acquired and inherited, held by him jointly with her or solely.
World celebrates International Labour DayMay 01, 2013 International Labour Day is being celebrated today across the world to honour the contribution and sacrifices made by the working class. Also known as May Day, the day celebrates the social and economic achievements of the international labour movement, and promotes social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights. On the occasion, India's Labour and Employment Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge, has extended warm greetings and best wishes to the labour fraternity all over the country. In his message, Kharge said the day reminds of mutual cooperation of workers, employers, governments and the civil society in laying a solid foundation of nation building. (Photo: Labour Bureau, Government of India)
Environmental toxins threaten newbornsApr 30, 2013 A study conducted by a Navi Mumbai Hospital involving around a 1,000 newborns indicates that genital abnormality caused by the rising levels of two strains of environmental toxins is emerging as a serious medical challenge. Boys are particularly at risk, the study states. These findings were presented at the 24th congress of the European Society for Paediatric Urology in Genoa, Italy, on April 26. Known as phthalates and bisphenol-A, the offending chemicals are used in the manufacture of products like plastic bottles, food wraps, cosmetics and toys. Experts say the chemicals in pesticides, painkillers and cigarettes too can have a similar affect. In the study Dr Arbinder Singal, a paediatric urologist at the MGM Hospital in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, assessed 1,154 children on the first and second days of their birth. "Such disorders are thought to be the result of chemical exposure that interfere with the sex hormones during development and sex differentiation, which happens during 8 to 12 weeks of foetal development,'' said Dr Singal. The Navi Mumbai study noticed an alarming increase, almost 200 per cent, in the incidence of undescended testicles.
UN support boosts relief work in MyanmarApr 29, 2013 The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has made available $5 million in additional funding to provide life-saving assistance to some 69,000 people displaced by the violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. This is the third allocation of funds from CERF for urgent humanitarian operations in Rakhine state following inter-communal violence that erupted there in June and October 2012, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The violence led to large-scale internal displacement and a marked increase in people fleeing by boat from the region, OCHA Myanmar said in a news release. "The violence caused not only displacement, but also a loss of life, livelihoods and property." Currently, the UN estimates there are more than 140,000 people displaced throughout the state. "Thanks to CERF's immediate funding, humanitarian agencies are able to respond in a decisive manner to provide urgent life-saving aid such as emergency shelter, improved sanitation, water facilities, and healthcare. However, additional funding is still needed to meet all the needs," said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, Ashok Nigam.
Solar Energy: Delhi falls way behind targetApr 26, 2013 India's national capital, Delhi, is simply not making power when the sun shines! This is clear from a Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) assessment report released recently, which says that despite being blessed with sunshine 350 days a year, solar energy meets only 0.5 per cent of Delhi's massive hunger for power, which touched a staggering 5500 MWs last summer. Delhi has fallen way behind the 2 per cent target it was to have met largely because it has shown little will to create the necessary infrastructure for generating renewable power says the report. Last summer, the city suffered bouts of crippling power cuts, which, the report points out, were avoidable if only it had done more to achieve its renewable energy targets. "If Delhi had taken up its RPO target of 2% last year more seriously, it wouldn't have had to face the long power cuts last summer when the peak demand reached 5500 MW," says Greenpeace campaigner Anand Pathanjali. The worst is yet to come as the demand this year is expected to cross the 6,000MW mark. However, far from promoting solar energy to cope with the crisis, the city's government appears set on making the use of renewables even less attractive. Recently, it withdrew the subsidy on solar water heaters.
Asia's raw material usage unsustainableApr 25, 2013 The Asia-Pacific region, which has overtaken the rest of the world in consumption of raw materials as affluence and manufacturing increase, must boost its resource efficiency or risk losing ground in lifestyle, economic growth and environmental sustainability, according to a UN report released on Wednesday. The report found that the region is moving from biomass to a minerals-based economy, indicating that the most-populous countries like China and India are transitioning from agrarian to industrialized economies, says a report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), entitled, 'Recent Trends in Material Flows and Resource Productivity in Asia and the Pacific.' From 1970-2008, consumption of construction minerals increased 13.4 times, metal ores and industrial minerals consumption 8.6, fossil fuels 5.4, and biomass 2.7 times, UNEP reported. The report highlights the region's inefficient use of resources as measured by material intensity - consumption of materials per dollar of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - as an area of serious concern. Currently, material intensity for Asia-Pacific is three that of times the rest of the world.
'Blue economy' key to fight hungerApr 23, 2013 The fight against hunger and climate change will hinge on the success of sustainable development of oceans and fisheries, a top United Nations official has stressed, adding that there can be "no truly 'green economy' without a 'blue economy.'" Speaking at the 10th Meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) South West Pacific Ministers for Agriculture, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva told those gathered that the sustainable development of the world's maritime harvests, as well as climate change, had become "a question of survival – just like hunger." "The importance of capture fisheries and aquaculture cannot be neglected," Graziano da Silva said, pointing out that they provide over 3 billion people with about 15 per cent of their average per capita intake of animal protein while also contributing to over 200 million jobs globally. "At the same time, these vital services must not jeopardize the key role oceans play in regulating the earth's climate. They absorb more than 25 per cent of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from human activities," he added.
World observes Earth Day todayApr 22, 2013 Earth Day is observed all over the world for educating the masses and spreading awareness about protecting the environment, resources and animals. The main objective of the event is to raise the concerns for the planet and find a sustainable solution for a better environment. The proclamation of 22 April as International Mother Earth Day is an acknowledgement that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance. It also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity. Recognizing that Mother Earth reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit, the General Assembly declared 22 April as International Mother Earth Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives.
India for incentivising use of clean energyApr 18, 2013 The Indian Government on Wednesday expressed its commitment to incentivise use of clean energy with a view to encourage domestic production and usage. "We are interested in incentivising the use of clean energy. We are also interested in creating a viable and competitive domestic production base," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said in his address at the Fourth Clean Energy Ministerial in New Delhi. The big increase in clean energy will come from wind, solar and biomass, Ahluwalia said, adding the government will have to take "difficult decision" by incorporating them into the integrated energy policy. "China has invested 10 times more than us in clean energy. We have to increase the percentage of clean energy and need to integrate all forms of clean energy", he said. The focus on clean energy, according to Ahluwalia, should not be to resolve short term problem but it should be to make the globe a better place to live say from 20 years from now.
Students speak out for gibbonsApr 17, 2013 School children in Dello village spoke out in support of the Hoolock gibbons at an awareness programme organised this week as part of the Mehao Gibbon and Bear Rescue Project. The programme was organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department and International Fund for Animal Welfare - Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI), to make the children aware of the plight of gibbons in the village. More than 15 families of eastern Hoolock gibbons (Hoolock leuconedys) were found stranded in scattered trees in Dello. Under the project, five families have been rescued and relocated in a safe habitat at Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. (SOURCE: Wildlife Trust of India)
Time to right the wrongs against LGBTsApr 16, 2013 Pledging that 'we must right these wrongs,' United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has denounced discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and declared that religion, culture and tradition can never be a justification for denying them their basic rights. "People may invoke culture, tradition or religion to defend the status quo. Such arguments have been used to try to justify slavery, child marriage, rape in marriage and female genital mutilation. I respect culture, tradition and religion – but they can never justify the denial of basic rights," he said. The rainbow flag, which is also known as LGBT pride flag or gay pride flag, is a symbol of LGBT pride since 1970s.
UN calls for management of dry forestsApr 15, 2013 Forest landscapes in drylands – known as dry forests – play a crucial role in tackling global challenges such as poverty and climate change and must be properly managed, said participants at the United Nations Forum on Forests. Dry forests cover about 40 per cent of the Earth's surface. They are important biodiversity sanctuaries; provide ecosystem goods such as fuel, wood for construction, medicines and herbs; and act as a buffer against drought and desertification. (Source: UN News Centre)
Make Western Ghats report public: TribunalApr 12, 2013 India's National Green Tribunal has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to take expeditious steps to finalise the report of Gadgil Committee or any 'other panel' set up to study the environmental sensitivity and ecological significance of the Western Ghats. The NGT order of April 2 comes in the wake of huge pressure earlier, to make the Gadgil report public. Referred to as the report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), it calls for a ban on mining and other commercial activities in the ecologically sensitive region. While an order was issued by the Chief Information Commissioner to make the Gadgil report public, the environment ministry had got a stay from the Delhi High Court on the grounds that the public disclosure of the contents of the report could impact "commercial and scientific interests". "Needless to notice that this is a matter of some urgency and it is expected from the MoEF to take expeditious steps to finalise acceptance or otherwise of Gadgil Committee Report or any other Committee Report," the order of the NGT bench says.
UN honours activists who inspire actionApr 11, 2013 A political activist working to safeguard the Amazon rainforest and a businessman considered the 'grandfather' of the Turkish environmental movement are among the winners of United Nations awards honouring individuals who have done extraordinary work to spotlight the special relationship between forests and people. The Forest Hero Award recognizes people who are working in their own ways to sustain, protect and manage forests, as well as inspire change. "The winners of these awards are remarkable individuals who have been working to make a difference through community activities, film, or photography. Their stories serve as inspiration to us all," said Wu Hongo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. The picture shows Nepalese women collecting fodder. Some two billion people depend on forests for sustenance and income, and 750 million live within them.
Indian state to get 140 cyclone sheltersApr 10, 2013 India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), will construct 140 cyclone shelters along the nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of 647 crore rupees by June 2015. Addressing the media in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, NDMA Member VK Duggal said, the Government of India has sanctioned Rupees 1500 crores for constructing multipurpose shelters, roads and bridges and embankment along the low lying coastal areas in the country. NDMA Rescue Force in-charge K M Singh said on the occasion that a total of 10 trained battalions, each comprising 1100 personnel, are prepared for action in case of any disaster or natural calamity. In Andhra Pradesh, one such battalion has been stationed in Guntur district.
Ban Ki-moon speaks to Malala YousufzaiApr 09, 2013 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Ban spoke to Malala Yousufzai, attacked Pakistani schoolgirl, to stress education and women's rights. "I can walk. I can talk. I can do anything!" said Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban, in a conversation with Ban Ki-moon on education and gender equality in the 1,000 day run-up to the Millennium Development Goals' (MDGs) deadline. In a Skype conversation from Madrid on April 5, the Secretary-General called the 14-year-old "a symbol of hope, a daughter of the United Nations." "The UN will always be with you and the many people like you," he told Malala.
Second India Water Week-2013 beginsApr 08, 2013 The 2nd edition of India Water Week-2013 is beginning on Monday with a theme "Efficient Management of Water: Challenges and Opportunities". The five-day-long India Water Week is divided into three streams, namely Agricutural and Irrigation, Power and Industry and Domestic Water Supply (Rural and Urban). Harish Rawat, India's Minister of Water Resources launched the second edition of India Water Week. The 5 day long sojourn is aimed to address the technical and policy areas of the sector and Exhibition addresses the technological solutions available commercially and generating B2B interactions as well B2G interactions. The event is also an attempt to provide equal emphasis on the policy aspects as well as the techno-commercial aspects by promoting the conference and the exhibition in equal measures. The event will be divided into two major streams namely, the Conference and Exhibition.
Afghan militias complicate aid, securityApr 05, 2013 The war in Afghanistan is often seen as a fight between Taliban insurgent groups and government and international forces, but in reality, local armed groups frequently operate between and among the two sides in a kind of grey area. These groups can worsen insecurity and complicate aid delivery. These groups complicate the delivery of aid and create insecurity for ordinary people, who are frequently confused by the assortment of armed ethnic gangs, village protection forces and semi-official militia.
Mine Awareness Day: Lend your legApr 04, 2013 The United Nations' International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed on April 4 each year. This day aims to raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication. 'Lend Your Leg' is a campaign that encourages people worldwide by a simple but symbolic gesture of rolling up a pant leg or sleeve to stop the damage landmines still cause while showing solidarity with all survivors of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
UN approves first global arms treatyApr 03, 2013 Governments at the United Nations adopted by a wide margin an Arms Trade Treaty that will prohibit states from transferring conventional weapons to countries when they know those weapons will be used to commit or facilitate genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. The resolution containing the text of the treaty, which regulates the international trade in conventional arms, received 154 votes in favour. Three Member States – Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran and Syria – voted against the decision, while 23 countries abstained. (Photo: UN)
Autism Awareness Day: Light it up BlueApr 02, 2013 Blue is the colour for World Autism Awareness Day. The World Autism Awareness Day aims to increase people's awareness about people, especially children, with autism. Iconic buildings around the world are going to be lit up blue tonight in honour of the day. The intention is to bring the world's attention to the developmental disorder that affects tens of millions of individuals globally. Children with autism make up one per cent of the child population, with four out of five children diagnosed being boys. In his message on the occasion, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said, this international attention is essential to address stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate support structures. Now is the time to work for a more inclusive society, highlight the talents of affected people and ensure opportunities for them to realize their potential.
Myanmar's image dented: PresidentApr 01, 2013 The communal conflict in Myanmar has "tarnished" the country's image, President Thein Sein said on Sunday, in the wake of anti-Muslim violence. A wave of violence that began on March 20 saw mosques and homes burned in several towns in central Myanmar, leaving at least 43 dead and prompting the government to impose emergency rule and curfews in some areas. In a radio address, President Thein Sein, a former general added that such incidents would "badly harm the country's dignity" and warned that Myanmar's fledgling democratic transition could be destabilised by communal fighting. The UN has voiced alarm about the recent clashes, since violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the western state of Rakhine last year left at least 180 people dead.
Drought hits Indian farmers hardMar 26, 2013 This year could see the worst drought in a long time – and with farmers struggling for water the issue is making news, not necessarily highlighting the plight of the vulnerable population Television viewers in India watched in disgust as a self-styled God-man and devotees at his ashram, or spiritual abode, revel in playing, spraying and spilling gallons of water to celebrate Holi – the Hindu festival of colours. Days later, political activists vandalised an electricity generating company that has received government largesse in the form of a decision divert millions of gallons of drinking water to thermal power plant. The country watched in horror when a 30-year-old Andhra farmer appeared on television, lifting his shirt to show a scar from an operation he underwent to sell his kidney – a sign of the bad times a rain-fed economy has plunged its farmers into. Parts of India are in the throes of one of the worst droughts in living memory and there have been reports of people migrating out of their villages from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra, the state government has deployed nearly 2,500 tanker trucks to supply drinking water to the worst affected areas. Photo: Satish Nagaraji
Kerala hailed for sustainable tourismMar 25, 2013 In a huge endorsement of Kerala's brand of sustainable tourism with eco-friendliness and inclusiveness as its mainstay, an international conclave of experts has hailed it as 'a model for India' with equally great potential for replication across the globe. The accolades for Kerala's model of Responsible Tourism (RT) came at a recent meeting of UNCTAD in Geneva on March 22, which brought together experts, policymakers and diplomats from developing and developed countries as well as representatives of international organisations and civil society. "Kerala has become a model for tourism development for the entire India," observed Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of UNCTAD. Suman Billa, Secretary of Tourism, Government of Kerala, said the state has turned tourism into a driver of economic growth but without compromising concerns for ecology and by integrating the interests of local people.
Parched world observes World Water DayMar 22, 2013 The theme of this year's World Water Day is water cooperation. In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation. Water cooperation is a foundation for peace and sustainable development. Water cooperation contributes to poverty reduction and equity, creates economic benefits, helps preserve water resources and protect the environment, and builds peace. The Year is lead by UNESCO because of the Organization's unique multidisciplinary approach, which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication.
UN Mission in Afghanistan extendedMar 21, 2013 The Security Council on Wednesday extended the mandate of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan for another year, after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other speakers urged continued UN support to the Government as it assumes full responsibility in most areas by 2014. In a unanimously adopted resolution extending the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 19 March 2014, the Council called on the world body, with the support of the international community, to back the Government's so-called National Priority Programmes as it goes through the process of taking full control of security, governance and development. The withdrawal of the bulk of United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops from Afghanistan is set to be completed by the end of 2014, while a transition of responsibility for security in the country from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to Afghan forces is already underway. In its resolution, the Council said it "stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in the provinces, consistent with the transition process, in support of and in cooperation with the Afghan Government."
India's girl population declines consistentlyMar 20, 2013 The Indian government confirmed on Tuesday that the provisional results of India's census in 2011 show that the child sex ratio (CSR) has shown a continuous decline from 945 girls to a thousand boys in 1991 to 914 in 2011. There were 927 girls to 1,000 boys in 2001. According to the minister for health and family welfare, Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, the reasons cited for low child sex ratio are preference for son, low status of women, social and financial security associated with sons, socio-cultural practices including dowry and violence against women. According to the minister, small family norm coupled with easy availability of sex determination technologies and abortion services were responsible for the declining child sex ratio. The child sex ratio in Haryana and Punjab is the lowest among the states -- Haryana has 830 female children and Punjab 846, against 1,000 male children. The north-eastern states are better off -- the highest child sex ratio is in Mizoram (971 females against 1,000 males) and Meghalaya (970) according to the provisional figures.
UN Conference on arms treaty kicks-offMar 18, 2013 The United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which starts on 18 March in New York, brings 193 Member States together to continue negotiations on what is seen as the most important initiative ever regarding conventional arms regulation. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had also reiterated his support for a comprehensive arms trade treaty. At the end of 2010, an estimated 27.5 million people were internally displaced as a result of conflict, while millions more have sought refuge abroad. In many cases, the armed violence that drove them from their homes was fuelled by the widespread availability and misuse of weapons. (Photo: UN)
Myanmar plans first census after 3 decadesMar 15, 2013 During the last official census on 31 March 1983, the population of Myanmar was 35,442,972. Latest estimates put today's figure at well over 60 million, including 135 recognised ethnic groups. "The logistical and security challenges to the process are immense," David Scott Mathieson, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch (HRW) who has focused on Myanmar, said. "Just accessing some of the isolated and persecuted populations will be a huge undertaking, especially in areas where conflict has raged for decades, particularly in Kachin State and, most problematically, in Arakan State." In addition to requiring access to conflict-affected areas of the country, census organizers must also work at overcoming some residents' longstanding distrust of the state; and there could also be funding problems, activists say.
International Day of Forests 2013Mar 14, 2013 The United Nations General assembly has proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests. From 2013, the day will be observed each year to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of forests and trees to all life on earth. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organise activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. (Photo credit: FAO)
Sharks win protection at CITES meetMar 13, 2013 Governments from across the world have voted to protect five shark species and two species of manta rays at the ongoing meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Bangkok. The inclusion of oceanic Whitetip, Porbeagle and three species of Hammerhead sharks in the CITES appendices is the first addition of commercially valuable shark and ray species in the Convention's 40-year history. In a committee vote, the proposals sponsored by Latin American and European countries and the United States overcame opposition by China and Japan to win more than the two-thirds majority of voting countries needed for adoption. (Photo Credit: UNEP)
Indian Housing Project at work in LankaMar 12, 2013 The second phase of the Indian Housing Project for construction of 43,000 housing units in Northern and Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, jointly implemented by the governments of India and Sri Lanka, has made rapid progress since its launch on 2nd October 2012.This is one of the best examples of humanitarian cooperation in South Asia. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has said that over 8,700 beneficiaries have already been selected in the five districts of Northern Province covered by the programme.
UN deplores Afghan bombingsMar 11, 2013 The United Nations political mission in Afghanistan today condemned two recent suicide attacks carried out by anti-government forces which resulted in the deaths of at least 19 civilians, including nine children, and the wounding of at least another 31 civilians. The attacks, which took place last Friday – one in the capital, Kabul, outside of the premises of the Ministry of Defense, and the other in the south-eastern province of Khost, targeting an Afghan National Police foot patrol – resulted in the high number of civilian casualties, with minimal impact on their purported military targets, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a press statement. UNAMA also renewed its call for all anti-government elements to stop the use of improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks against civilians or in public locations frequented primarily by civilians.
Echoing 'her' voice, all over the worldMar 07, 2013 From Mali to China, to India to Britain; women from around the world have got together to create a dedication to women's rights all over the globe. This year's theme for the International Women's Day, is to stop violence against women everywhere. Whether it is sexual violence, economic, social or cultural, this year looks at celebrating the spirit of women all over and ending this gross violation of human rights. The song 'One Woman', with its multi-ethnic song cast, stands for solidarity and encourages women all over to overcome discrimination of all kinds.
Generate jobs for disabled: UN rights chiefMar 07, 2013 The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday called for promoting the employment of persons with disabilities and removing the obstacles that impede them from working on an equal basis with others. "The right to work is a fundamental human right that is inseparable from human dignity," said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. "Not only does it provide individuals with the means to make a living and support their families; insofar as work is freely chosen or accepted, it contributes to their development and recognition within their communities. "Work carries no less meaning to persons with disabilities," she told the Human Rights Council in Geneva, as it held its annual discussion on human rights and persons with disabilities. Pillay noted that when the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in 2006, it embodied an "important shift" in the way that the global community viewed persons with disabilities.
Empower women to tackle hunger: UN expertMar 05, 2013 Governments must adopt food security strategies that empower women as this is an effective way to reduce hunger and malnutrition, a United Nations expert said on March 4. "Sharing power with women is a shortcut to reducing hunger and malnutrition, and is the single most effective step to realizing the right to food," the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. "Family agriculture has become gradually feminised, with men frequently moving away from the farm in search of work. Yet the women who increasingly face the burden of sustaining farms and families are too often denied the tools to thrive and improve their situation – on and off the farm." While De Schutter welcomed initiatives to empower women such as quotas in Indian public worker schemes, he warned that there are multiple barriers to female participation in society which need to be addressed. De Schutter said one of the measures that must be implemented immediately is the removal of all discriminatory laws and practices that prevent women from accessing farming resources such as land, inputs and credit.
The Gender Agenda: Gaining MomentumMar 01, 2013 Each year International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 around the world. This year's theme for IWD is "The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum". Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day. There is global momentum for championing women's equality. Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed. People from across the world celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change on IWD.
Pak Army conducts health camp in MaldivesFeb 26, 2013 Pakistani military doctors' team is conducting a medical camp at the northern islands of the Maldives in association with Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Medical Service. This program would be conducted from 21 to 28 February 2013. The doctors' team comprises of Pediatrics and ENT specialist doctors. During the program initiated by MNDF, treatment was given to 58 children and 65 adults at K.Kaashidhoo while 21 children and 18 adults received treatment at Lh.Olhuvelifushi Health Centre. Moreover, 16 children and 15 adults were also provided treatment at Lh.Kurendhoo Health Centre. The doctors' team would also be visiting to Lh.Naifaru, Lh. Hinnavaru, N.Velidhoo, N.Holhudhoo and Sh.Milandhoo. (Photo: MNDF)
One Woman: A song for UN WomenFeb 25, 2013 On International Women's Day, UN Women will launch "One Woman: A song for UN Women", a musical celebration of women worldwide, featuring more than 20 artists from across the globe. "One Woman" calls for change and celebrates acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who daily make extraordinary contributions to their countries and communities. The lyrics are inspired by stories of women whom UN Women has supported, UN Women is the UN organisation charged with advancing women's empowerment and gender equality worldwide. "One Woman" is the first theme song for a UN organisation and will be released on March 8, 2013. (Photo: UN Women)
Talking on cell while driving not cool: ShabanaFeb 22, 2013 There is nothing cool about talking on a mobile phone while one is driving on a road, said Shabana Azmi, social activist and a veteran Bollywood actress said. The thespian was talking at the grand finale of PVR Nest's road safety campaign- CineArt Steer to Safety, in New Delhi. Hoping that children will ensure that road safety is taken aggressively, Shabana Azmi opined that roles are reversing in India, with young people teaching adults on the importance of the need to abide by traffic rules. "In 2011, five lakh road accidents happened out of which 1.2 lakh resulted in deaths," she said. The campaign claimed to engage 100,000 children from 100 schools in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) through creative mediums of cinema and films to educate and engage them for the promotion of issues related to road safety. As part of its social responsibility projects, PVR plans to screen a series of minute-long films on road safety to be watched by over 56 million people across the country. The films were made by students from public and community schools as part of PVR Nest's CineArt initiative – a campaign on road safety.
Civil society and govt discuss skewed sex ratioFeb 20, 2013 A two-day national consultation on strategies to halt the declining child sex ration began in Chennai today. The consultation will offer a platform to discuss ways of combating the menace with officials from 22 state governments responsible for the implementation and monitoring process of the Pre conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) Act meeting with demographers, women rights and health rights activists, doctors and many representatives of civil society organisations working on declining child sex ratio will participate and share their views on the theme . Data from India's last census (2011) provided shocking data that showed how the number of girls has declined sharply in the 2001 - 2011 decade, leading to a highly skewed child sex ratio. (Photo: Actionaid)
UN hails release of child soldiers in MyanmarFeb 19, 2013 The United Nations has welcomed the release of 24 children by Myanmar's armed forces and called for the acceleration of discharges in line with the commitment made last year by the Government to end child rights violations. According to a news release issued by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the 24 children were officially discharged yesterday at a ceremony in Yangon, attended by senior officials from the army and the Government, as well as the UN. Myanmar is one of 14 countries – with armed forces or armed groups identified by the UN Secretary-General as committing grave child rights violations – working together with the UN system to end grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict.
South Korea assists SL to develop villagesFeb 18, 2013 Sri Lanka and South Korea have agreed to develop closer ties between the two nations, Economic Development Ministry of the island nation, said on February 16. The Korean Government has agreed to fund the development of two rural villages in the Kegalle and Ratnapura Districts under the Korean concept of Saemaul Undong for rural development. Korean MP Chung Uihwa leading a Korean Parliamentary delegation to the island has stressed the need for the two countries to forge closer links as a number of Korean-funded projects have been launched in Sri Lanka. MP Uihwa has said that Korea expects to commence direct flights between Seoul and Colombo to promote tourism in the island to meet the needs of the both investors and tourists when the delegation met with the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry office.
Maldives celebrates One Billion RisingFeb 15, 2013 Maldivian organisation, Hope for Women, and its partners hold the 'One Billion Rising' international event on 2013 Valentine's Day at Jumhooree Maidhaan. The global campaign is inviting one billion women and those who love them to walk, dance, rise up and demand an end to violence against women and girls. One Billion Rising will move the earth, activating women and men across every country to turn dangers into opportunities for women. We want the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity from the Maldives.
V-Day is D-Day for One Billion Rising campaignFeb 14, 2013 To fight crimes against women, millions of people from all over the world will be part of an international campaign 'One Billion Rising' that has chosen the Valentine's day as a landmark day. Many celebrities from across the world including sitar maestro Ravi Shankar's daughter, Anoushka Shankar, have joined this campaign. Anoushka is leading the campaign by sharing her story about being sexually abused as a kid. Anoushka's endeavour is to encourage billions of men and women globally to stand up against sexual violence by pledging their support to the global 'onebillionrising' online campaign. The campaign pledges to encourage masses all over the world to strike, dance and rise against various crimes against women including sexual violence. The campaign boasts of many popular global personalities including Hollywood star Anne Hathaway, who has been working with the likes of Eve Ensler who are associated with this cause.
UN launches Year of Water CooperationFeb 12, 2013 The United Nations has launched the International Year of Water Cooperation, which seeks to provide a platform for countries to collaborate in the management of this precious resource in the interest of peace and development. In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154). In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day, which will take place on 22 March 2013, also will be dedicated to water cooperation.
Sri Lanka raises purchasing price of paddyFeb 08, 2013 Sri Lanka's Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade, Johnston Fernando said on January 5 that paddy will be purchased under the prices laid out in the budget. The government of Sri Lanka increased the registered purchasing price of unprocessed rice by Rs. 4-5 per kilo. Accordingly, price of a kilo of Naadu paddy will be increased by Rs. 4 to 32 rupees while a kilo of Samba variety will be purchased at 35 rupees per kilo, Rs. 5 above the previous price. The government re-established the dissolved Paddy Marketing Board and allocated money to purchase paddy to normalize the prices in the market. The programme to purchase paddy under the new prices will start from the Ampara and Batticaloa Districts and paddy produced in Akkaraipattu and Valaichchenai areas will be purchased initially.
Asian nations seek ways to reduce air pollutionFeb 07, 2013 Officials from 19 Asian countries, on February 7, began a series of discussions to catalyse action to reduce the impact of air pollutants in the Asia-Pacific region as part of a United Nations-backed meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting will focus on the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), such as black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are responsible for a substantial portion of global warming and have detrimental effects on human health, agriculture and ecosystems. According to a study released in 2011 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), aggressive action to reduce SLCPs by 2030 could avoid 2 million premature deaths and annual crop losses of over 30 million tons each year. It would also help to slow down global warming by 2050 and deliver significant climate benefits at a regional level. The study also shows that Asia is one of the regions that could benefit the most from SLCP reduction, as black carbon measures targeting the transport sector would significantly improve air quality, and reducing methane emissions from coal mines would benefit crops. Mitigating SLCP levels would also slow the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas and reduce disruption of the South Asian monsoon. (Photo: UNEP)
India launches Child Health Screening serviceFeb 06, 2013 Sonia Gandhi, chief of India's ruling Congress launched a new initiative of Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Service in the West Indian state of Maharashtra on Wednesday. The initiative, called Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is part of the National Rural Health Mission and aims to provide comprehensive health care for all children screening for birth defects and deficiencies that can lead to disabilities. The new initiative would assure a package of health services for all children up to 18 years of age. The programme launched in Thane district will be extended to cover all districts of the country in a phased manner. When fully implemented, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is expected to benefit approximately 27 crore children across the country. (Photo: UNESCO)
Myanmar holds peace talks with Kachin rebelsFeb 05, 2013 Myanmar's government and Kachin rebels met on Monday for new peace talks hosted by China, seeking an elusive breakthrough in efforts to end conflict that has overshadowed political reforms. A government delegation led by Minister of the President's Office, Aung Min, met with Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) leaders in a hotel in the Chinese border town of Ruili. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying confirmed the meeting. The government last month announced a unilateral ceasefire with the Kachin but the fighting continued, with the government army capturing a key outpost as it edged closer to the rebels' headquarters near the Chinese border. The Kachin, who are fighting for greater autonomy, say any negotiations should also address their demands for more political rights.
TERI award for Seychelles PresidentFeb 03, 2013 Jean-Paul Adam, Foreign Affairs Minister, Seychelles, receiving Sustainable Development Leadership Award on behalf of James Alix Michel, President Seychelles, from India's Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, on the concluding day of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS), organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Also seen in the picture are Dr R K Pachuri, Director General of TERI and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of India's Planning Commission. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), launched the Georgescu-Roegen Awards at last year's DSDS, marking on that day Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen's 106th birth anniversary. The gesture by TERI seeks to honour, remember and rekindle the wisdom of Georgescu-Roegen, an individual who had the courage to challenge conventional knowledge frameworks and prescribe a refreshingly different line of scholarship and intellectual endeavour.
Indian Premier inaugurates DSDS 2013Jan 31, 2013 Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday called on developed countries to enhance their ambition to achieve climate-change goals so that the developing nations too can pursue progress.The Prime Minister was inaugurating the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS), the flagship annual event organised by The Energy and Resources Institute. This year's DSDS is organised around the theme: 'The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development'. On the theme of this year's DSDS, India, Prime Minister Singh reiterated India's commitment to resource efficiency and sustainable growth and that several major steps have been taken so that the country adheres to a path of low carbon growth. Importantly, he pointed out, "the extraction and use of these resources leads to major environmental damage at both the global as well as the local level."
Groundbreaking Verma Report hailed by UNJan 28, 2013 The Verma Committee report, brought out in the wake of a gruesome gangrape and death of a young woman and subsequent mass protests has found support from the UN. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said that the report is 'groundbreaking' and has urged the Government to follow through with its recommendations. The report produced by the Verma Committee, was named after former Chief Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma. Pillay said that the report and its far-reaching recommendations are not only a tribute to the brave young woman who was raped and murdered five weeks ago, but to all victims of sexual violence and assault in India. The report recommends a number of far-reaching changes, including punishment for marital rape, domestic rape and rape in same-sex relationships; requiring police officers to register every case of reported rape and ensuring that those who fail to do so face serious repercussions; ensuring accountability of police or armed forces personnel for sexual violence; and punishing offences such as stalking and voyeurism with prison terms.
Oxfam Walk: To overcome poverty and injusticeJan 24, 2013 Oxfam will hold its fundraising event – Oxfam Trailwalker – in Bangalore, India, from January 25-27, 2013. Oxfam Trailwalker is an event in which teams of four cover 100 km in 48 hours to raise a minimum of Rs. 40,000 to support Oxfam's work. So far, 174 teams have registered for the cause. It is the world's greatest team challenge to overcome poverty and injustice. With teams of 4 required to walk (or run) 100 km in 48 hours, it is a test of physical endurance requiring mental strength and team spirit. Oxfam Trailwalker is a global phenomenon started as a training exercise for the Gurkha Regiment in Hong Kong in 1981. Globally, the events have raised more than $100 million for Oxfam's valuable work around the world.
Tourists banned in Jarawa areas of AndamansJan 22, 2013 The Supreme Court of India has restrained tourists from using South Andaman-Trunk Road passing through Jarawa tribal habitat in the island. The Jarawas are the aboriginal people of the Andaman Islands in India. On January 21, a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi said that only government officials and people living there would be allowed to use the road. The bench directed the administration to file an affidavit along with a detailed map indicating the area of the Jarawa tribals and posted the matter for further hearing on February 26th. The apex court had on July 3rd last year banned all kinds of commercial and tourism activities within five km radius around the Jarawa Tribal Reserve in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It had upheld the notification to declare an area upto five km radius around the tribal reserve as 'Buffer Zone' and prohibits entry of any person other than a member of the aboriginal tribe into it. (Photo: Milan12/Indian Navy)
Afghan detainees continue to face torture: UNJan 21, 2013 Torture remains a serious concern in numerous detention facilities across Afghanistan, despite significant efforts by the Government and international partners to address the problem, according to a new United Nations report released on January 20. The report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states that more than half of 635 conflict-related detainees interviewed experienced ill-treatment and torture, particularly in 34 facilities of the Afghan National Police (ANP) and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) between October 2011 and October 2012. Torture took the form of abusive interrogation techniques in which Afghan officials inflicted severe pain and suffering on detainees during interrogations aimed mainly at obtaining a confession or information, UNAMA stated in a news release. Fourteen methods of torture and ill-treatment were described similar to practices previously documented by the Mission. Among other measures to improve detention practices, the Government carried out training programmes on prevention of the ill-treatment of detainees, issued policy directives, increased the number of inspections and reassigned personnel. (This photo shows Afghan National Police in training, in Kabul.)
Indo-Pak conflict may isolate brown bearsJan 18, 2013 Escalation in the Indo-Pakistan conflict might lead to isolation of the brown bear population in India, a species dwelling in the higher altitudes (a good 3000 meters above sea level) of Kashmir, warns leading naturalist and field Biologist AJT Johnsingh. According to Johnsingh, isolation of brown bears will lead to the problem of inbreeding on the Indian side and, in turn, will cause serious pressures on the habitat of this species. Inbreeding will lead to the decline in number of brown bears in India and could eventually end in the species going extinct, he said. "We have a population of brown bears spread from Pakistan to India. Brown bears on the Indian side are facing the threat of being rendered isolated if the conflict between the two neighbours gets escalated. More conflict will lead to scaling of measures like fencing and barricading in Kashmir, along the India-Pakistan border which will lead to isolation of around 300 brown bears on the Indian side," Johnsingh explained. Dwelling further on the threats looming on the population of Tigers in the sub-continent, Johnsing spoke of the heightened demand for bones of this animal for medicinal uses from countries like China and Vietnam. This, he reiterated has increased the poaching pressure on Tigers, especially in North India. (Photo: Rajkishore Mohanta/Wildlife Institute of India)
More funds for rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadresJan 17, 2013 The government of Sri Lanka has increased the allocations for rehabilitating the former LTTE cadres from Rs 300 million to Rs 500 million. Sri Lankan Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, announced the raise in allocation on January 15. The Minister revealed this addressing a ceremony held in Vavuniya Cultural Centre yesterday to release a batch of former cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). A group of 313 former cadres were reintegrated into the society yesterday to mark the Hindu cultural festival Thai Pongal that falls today. The former LTTE cadres undergoing rehabilitation receive vocational training during their rehabilitation program to learn skills that could find them employment once they are reintegrated into the society. Of the over 11,600 former rebel cadres surrendered to the military at the end of war in 2009, only a few hundred remain in rehabilitation camps now.
Nepal journo's murder: Protests spill on streetsJan 16, 2013 Local people and journalists in Dailekh held a rally on January 15, to welcome the Supreme Court green light for the investigation into the Dekendra Thapa killing case. Human rights activists in Nepal have expressed concern over a government move to obstruct investigation into the killing of Dailekh-based journalist. Effigies of Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Attorney General Mukti Pradhan were also torched to protest their interference in the investigation of Dekendra Thapa killing case. The protests follow reports of interference from the office of the Prime Minister and the actions of the Attorney General's office to stall the delivery of justice in the case of Dekendra Thapa, a local journalist who was abducted by Maoist cadres in Nepal's Dhailekh District in 2004. His body was exhumed from a forest four years later and his wife filed a First Information Report with the district police on the abduction and murder of her husband.
Nepal prison turning into torture houseJan 15, 2013 The office of district prison of Bhojpur in Nepal is transforming into a torture house. The old inmates in the prison inflict severe physical torture to new inmates in the presence of cops. The new inmates are not only made naked but are also physically tortured in the prison which has the capacity to hold 25 male and 30 female inmates. Reportedly, the new convicts and detainees are immediately taken in control with help from leaders of inmates – Naike, Bhai naike and Chaukidar – as soon as they enter the prison. Though a police team led by ASI of the district police office is deployed in the prison, it has taken no steps to stop the torture being inflicted in its presence. The inmates, except those who have been convicted of murder, are subjected to exteme physical torture while those imprisoned for murder are welcomed by the old inmates for exhibiting 'courage'. According to an inmate, the old inmates led by Shanta Kumar Rai, Jaya Bahadur Thing torture new inmates by hitting them with plastic pipe and submerging them in water. According to him, the inmates who are put in jail for rape, rape attempt, thievery, loot have to face torture until they lose their consciousness. According to Rai, the new inmates are also threatened of death for revealing the torture to anyone. (Photo: INSEC)
Over 2,000 people flee Myanmar, says UNHCRJan 15, 2013 More than 2,000 people have fled Myanmar's northern Rakhine state and Bangladesh on boats run by smugglers putting their lives at risk, the United Nations refugee agency said, warning that the situation of those displaced by the violence in Rakhine grows more desperate every day. At a news briefing in Geneva, last week, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Adrian Edwards, noted that the final destination of the boats is uncertain, although they are believed to be heading to other countries in Southeast Asia. Several waves of clashes between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims – the first of which occurred in June last year – have left 115,000 people displaced, as well as more than 100 dead, according to UN estimates. UNHCR fears that more people will undertake the dangerous journey from the Bay of Bengal if there is no imminent end to the violence. The number of those displaced this month adds to an estimated 13,000 people who left from the Bay of Bengal on smugglers' boats in 2012. At least 485 people are believed to have died or remain missing in four reported boat accidents last year.
FAO index reports drop in food pricesJan 11, 2013 The United Nations, on January 10, reported that food prices fell for the third month in a row in December last year, balancing out sharp increases registered earlier in 2012, which had previously sparked fears of a food crisis. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said its most recent Food Price Index dropped 1.1 per cent from November. The decline from 213 to 209 points was largely due to the continuing decrease in the international prices of cereals, oils and fats. According to the Assistant Director-General in charge of FAO's Economic and Social Development Department, Jomo Sundaram, these results mark a reversal from the situation last July, when sharply rising prices prompted fears of a new food crisis. The Index measures the monthly change in international prices of a basket of 55 food commodities, including meat, dairy, sugar, and cereals. The prices for cereals also increased slightly, while sugar and oils prices fell. Meat prices registered a slight decrease as pig prices fell by 2 per cent, the agency stated, while dairy prices rose by 0.9 per cent – they were the only commodities to have experienced a rise in price as the dairy market is increasingly susceptible to supply changes related to pasture conditions, feed availability and affordability.
Domestic workers lack social protection: reportJan 10, 2013 Millions of domestic workers all over the world are not protected under general labour laws and are highly vulnerable to exploitation, says a new report by United Nations released on January 9. The report also calls on countries to extend social protection to them. According to the Deputy Director-General of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO), Sandra Polaski, Domestic workers are frequently expected to work longer hours than other workers and in many countries do not enjoy the same rights to weekly rest that generally enjoyed by other workers. Domestic workers across the world, more than 52 million people worldwide are employed as domestic workers, says the ILO report. While a substantial number are men working as gardeners, drivers or butlers, 80 per cent of them are women, the report said. Of the 52 million domestic workers, only 10 per cent are covered by labour laws to the same extent as other workers, and more than one quarter are completely excluded from national labour legislation. This disparity in conditions translates in longer, more unpredictable working hours with no appropriate remuneration for domestic workers, rendering them highly vulnerable economically, as well as affecting their health.
Thousands of Sri Lankans still homelessJan 09, 2013 Three years after the end of bitter civil war, thousands of northern Sri Lankans are unable to return to their homes as the land they are on is still occupied by the army, say residents and activists. After the end of hostilities between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 18 May 2009, the government announced it would "release" areas in the high security zones (HSZs), often comprising whole villages, in 2010 to facilitate the resettlement of more than 400,000 displaced people. While progress has been made in certain areas, large tracts of land remain occupied, activists say. Most HSZs were set up in the 1990s to prevent attacks on strategic areas and reduce the threat of LTTE artillery fire on Sri Lankan army installations. Tens of thousands living in declared HSZs were ordered out, leaving behind their homes and property. Jaffna District at the extreme northern tip of the island, one of the most militarised areas of the country, is particularly affected, with large tracts of land still off limits to civilians. (Photo credit: IRIN)
Risks for aid workers growing in PakistanJan 09, 2013 On January 1, in the Swabi District of Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, there was no warning when gunmen killed seven aid workers with local NGO, 'Support With Working Solution' (SWWS). Over the past few weeks there has been an upsurge in attacks on aid workers in Pakistan, many of them linked to a national polio eradication campaign in one of the world's last three countries where the disease remains endemic. Javed Akhter, executive director of SWWS denies having never received a direct threat, since they began work in the early 1990s. He, however, added that other NGOs in the Swabi area have felt a sense of intimidation. Chris Cork, country security adviser for the UK-headquartered Abaseen Foundation, an NGO working chiefly in KP, said that NGO security threats are at an all-time high. In December 2012 the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) suspended their anti-polio vaccination campaign after nine workers were killed in attacks in Karachi and KP. (Photo: IFRC)
India's private sector to boost science researchJan 08, 2013 India, on January 3, unveiled its new science, technology and innovation policy that aim to boost innovation through research and development (R&D) driven by private sector participation. In the government's scheme of things, this strategy could help and place India among the top five global scientific powers by 2020. The policy expects to increase R&D expenditure from the present one per cent of the country's GDP to two per cent within the decade. The new policy was announced by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Indian Science Congress centenary function last week. The Prime Minister, a keen advocate for a strong role for India's private sector in almost every sphere of national activity, said that the new policy "aspires to position India among the top five global scientific powers by the year 2020." India's 12th Five-Year Plan outlines several initiatives to help nurture talent, stimulate research in the universities and foster science leaders. Along these lines, the Prime Minister announced a fellowship for doctoral research that will spur collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and the Confederation of Indian Industry to promote industry-relevant research in academia and increase industry's investment in Research and Development.
Broccoli spells profit for Bangladeshi farmersJan 07, 2013 Farming of broccoli, a non- conventional winter vegetable, has been gaining popularity in the Rajshahi region of Bangladesh due to its high market value than many other vegetable items. Many of the farmers are seen showing their interest in cultivating the cash crop for the last couple of years as they get better output along with the market price. Agricultural extension officials and researchers mentioned that there has been a bright prospect of broccoli farming commercially everywhere in the northwest region of the country and the consumption rate increases gradually. Its plant and flower are almost similar to the cauliflower and its green leaves enriched with protein and vitamin C can be consumed directly. But the price of broccoli in the markets is three to four times more than cauliflower. Broccoli is becoming popular among the urban people and in the recent time, the Chinese restaurants together with the grand hotels are using broccoli for making soup and other delicious foods creating demand for the vegetable. Agriculturist Monzurul Huda of Rajshahi Court Horticulture Centre said that the crop was unfamiliar to the farmers and consumers of the rural areas. He said various agricultural extension and research organisations have taken initiatives to make farming of the crop popular at the growers level. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has also grown the crop in projection plots aimed at encouraging the farmers towards boosting its production commercially.
Stalled crop yields in India cause for worryJan 04, 2013 In the face of projected needs to double food demand by 2050, reports of stagnation in the production of staples like rice, wheat, soybean and maize (corn) in the world's two most populous countries is a cause of worry, says a new study by Nature Communications. As a continued population growth, rising meat and dairy consumption and expanding biofuel use in the coming decades promise to increase the pressure on global agriculture, China and India, home to over half the world's population, are beset by stagnation in the production of staples like rice, wheat, soybean and maize, says a new study on crop yield growth. This is the finding of a newly published study that is based on statistics from around the world during the 1951 – 2008 period. Titled, 'Recent patterns of crop yield growth and stagnation', the study published by Nature Communications says that for some crops in China and India. The spatial extent of yield stagnation is more than half the cropped area. The team of scientists from the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) and the McGill University, Canada, who carried out the research, have called for better investments in agriculture to meet a projected doubling of food demand by 2050.
Aadhaar card a must for Delhi Govt servicesJan 03, 2013 Aadhaar card will now be compulsory for accessing various services provided by the Delhi government like marriage registration, property registration and issuance of domicile certificate. The Revenue Department has issued a notification making it mandatory for all citizens to have Aadhaar card for accessing government services. According to a government official, if somebody has enrolled for National Population Register, NPR, then he or she can access the services producing the NPR details. Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery is the usage of the Aadhaar identity platform to identify and authenticate residents for delivery of benefits/services by various government or private agencies. The Indian government has plans to roll out Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery initiatives in 51 districts across the country. These services will be linked to various government schemes such as MNREGA wage payments, PDS distribution, payment of social security benefits such as old-age payments, distribution of LPG cylinders, etc. A number of state governments are also ready to roll out these initiatives.
Delhi women march to protest gender biasJan 02, 2013 In order to garner awareness and mobilise people on the issue of gender based sex-selection, Centre for Social Research (CSR) organised a string of silent demonstrations and rallies across the Indian capital city of Delhi. According to a latest report by UNICEF, India has lost over one crore girls since 2007 and there is a dramatic decline in the sex-ratio ironically in the richest states of India. Lesser women are available for marriages particularly in Haryana state where more than 4,50,000 girls have been trafficked from Jharkhand for marriage (UNFPA, New Delhi, 2007). Serious consequences of this practice include increased sexual violence against women, endangering women's social and economic independence and increased cases of child abuse and incest. The project, supported by the German Embassy, New Delhi, aims to create awareness among the people against the social malpractice of aborting female foetuses by using sex-determination methods.
India's holy city, Tirupati, nearing bin-free statusJan 02, 2013 A sanitation pilot project conducted by the municipal corporation of Tirupati city in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, has reduced the littering of the waste in several areas of the city considerably. Solid Waste Management (SWM) was not a high priority for the municipal corporation of Tirupati city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city was divided into 7 divisions by the municipality. Vehicles were deployed by the municipal corporation for carrying the waste to the landfill. Segregation of waste was happening only at the commercial establishment level. The municipality followed a curative approach instead of a preventive one. They remained engaged in firefighting on a daily basis causing immense pressure on the solid waste workers and managers. Deployment of human resources and infrastructure was mainly done on indicators such as 'political exigencies' or 'number of complaints or area or population'. More than 50% of the total municipal solid waste workers were engaged in drain cleaning activities and the rest in street sweeping. Nobody was involved in door to door collection.
Protests Continue in Delhi over Women RightsDec 31, 2012 Protests continue in the heart of Delhi over the gang-rape and death of the 23-year old physiotherapy student. People from across the country are paying homage to the victim and many of them have decided not to celebrate New Year in the wake of the tragedy. Young people from different sections of the society gathered at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, to mourn the passing away of the brave heart and pledged to continue the protests till justice is done.
Cold wave intensifies in several parts of IndiaDec 28, 2012 Eighteen people have died due to extreme cold in North India where temperatures plummeted and fog disrupted normal life. In the Indian capital city of Delhi, the maximum temperature was recorded at 18.3 degrees Celsius, two less than normal and the minimum temperature was 7.8 degrees celsius. The Kashmir Valley is witnessing unusually sunny weather for this time of the year, but the night temperature continues to hover several degrees below freezing point. The minimum temperature recorded in Srinagar was minus 2.9 degrees Celsius compared to Tuesday's minus 1.8 degrees Celsius. The summer capital recorded the season's low of minus 4 on Sunday. In the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 18 people died in the past 24 hours taking the toll of this season to 21. One death each was reported in Lalitpur, Gorakhpur and Muzaffar Nagar, official sources said on Wednesday. Lowest temperature in the state was 3.2 degree Celsius recorded at Fatehgarh. Cold wave also tightened its grip over northern states of Punjab and Haryana with the mercury dropping to as much as five notches below normal in various parts of the region. Bone-chilling cold weather disrupted normal life in the two states while poor visibility due to the dense fog saw train and flight schedules hit by long delays and even cancellation of services. (Photo: Rahul Kumar/OneWorld South Asia)
India raises minimum support price for wheatDec 27, 2012 The decision to raise the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat was taken in a Cabinet meeting in New Delhi chaired by the Indian Prime Minister. The Indian government raised the MSP for wheat by 65 rupees per quintal to 1350 rupees. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the export of additional wheat from central pool stocks of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The export of additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat from the central pool stocks of FCI would make available more space for storage of foodgrains in the godowns of FCI and thereby easing the problem of storage being faced by the corporation. While the hike in MSP will boost area under wheat cultivation, which is currently lagging behind, it could also hit consumers with products like wheat flour, bread and biscuit getting costlier. Earlier, in a meeting chaired by the Indian Prime Minister in May 2012 to discuss the disposal of the excess stocks of foodgrains of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), it was decided that the Department of Food & Public Distribution would make all efforts to export upto 4 million tonnes of wheat.
Water bodies in India falling prey to govt apathyDec 26, 2012 A Parliamentary panel has slammed India's Environment Ministry for its habitual buck-passing approach on conserving rivers and lakes of the country. Tabling its report in Parliament, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, expressed its displeasure over the action taken by the government on its recommendation for strengthening efforts to bring down pollution levels in major rivers. Holding the ministry responsible for high levels of pollution in major Indian rivers the panel expressed the hope that in future the ministry would prepare Action Taken Note with the 'due diligence and utmost attention'. According to the chairman of the panel, T Subbarami, the Committee has desired that the ministry of Environment and Forests play a more proactive role in coordination with state governments to enhance sewage treatment facilities.
Afghanistan development gains at risk, says UNDec 21, 2012 Poorly functioning government systems in Afghanistan mean that development gains are at risk of slipping amid the mounting international troop drawdown, the top United Nations official in the country said. The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš said that the country needed attention on the issue of sustainable livelihoods. He was speaking at meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Central Asian nation. According to Kubiš the sustainability of development gains is at risk because of weak and inadequate systems of sub-national governance which lack of support from the central level. The UN envoy also highlighted anti-corruption efforts under way in the country, while he lamented what he called the "corrosive effect" of the narcotics industry. The withdrawal of the bulk of United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops from Afghanistan is set to be completed by the end of 2014, while a transition of responsibility for security in the country from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force to Afghan forces is already underway.
Indian minister concedes shortage of teachersDec 20, 2012 Replying to questions raised by members of Parliament, India's Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Shashi Tharoor said, steps are being taken to contain dropouts as part of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan programme. Tharoor said, three thousand rupees are being deposited in the accounts of the girl students who pass eighth standard and returned along with interest after they pass 10th class. He said, 5 lakh girl students have benefitted so far under the scheme. Conceding that there is shortage of teachers in primary schools, the minister said large number of teachers are being recruited to improve the teacher-student ratio. On the provision of toilets, Tharoor said, about 69 per cent schools have the facility at present and the efforts are on to construct more toilets every year.
Delhi rape case: NHRC finds fault with policingDec 19, 2012 The rape of a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus has raised the issue of declining public confidence in law and order machinery, India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said. Finding fault with policing in Delhi, India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said the rape of a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus has raised the issue of declining public confidence in law and order machinery here and sought a report from the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi Police. Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the NHRC has also issued notices to the Union Home Secretary and the Delhi Police Commissioner and asked them to submit their reports within two weeks. A statement from NHRC said that the incident has raised the issue of declining public confidence in the law and order machinery in the National Capital, especially, in its capacity to ensure safety of women as a number of such incidents have been reported in cityin the recent past. (Photo: Rahul Kumar/OneWorld South Asia)
Sonia Gandhi hails India's cash transfer systemDec 18, 2012 Sonia Gandhi, chief of India's ruling Congress party, has hailed the new direct cash transfer system as 'revolutionary'. This scheme will ensure cash transfer directly in the hands of beneficiaries of various schemes, Gandhi said. "The purpose of this scheme is to ensure that the government's money being disbursed in pension, scholarship, MNREGA wage payment and social benefit schemes reaches the beneficiaries directly at their hands and without any delay. This money will reach directly into the hands of beneficiaries and not only up to bank accounts and post offices," Gandhi said. The Congress President also said that the cash transfer scheme is envisaged on the basis of the ideology of balanced development of the UPA in which the welfare of the poor matters most.
Life expectancy for Sri Lankans moves upDec 17, 2012 Having now transitioned from a low income country to a middle income country, the life expectancy in Sri Lanka has moved up to 71 taking the country to the cusp of a demographic transition, which will see the proportion of people in the 60 plus age group rise to 24 percent. It was revealed by a series of recently published papers by the Health, Nutrition, and Population Family (HNP), a part of the WorldBank's Human Development Network. However, these gains have been uneven and life expectancy gains have stagnated since 1970 though females have continued to fare better. Alongside, in an epidemiologic shift, more people are coming down with NCDs than maternal, child health and infectious diseases. NCDs now account for 90 percent of the disease burden. During the last half-century the proportion of deaths due to circulatory disease has increased from 3 to 24 percent, while the toll from infectious diseases has decreased from 42 to 20 percent. Mortality rates from NCDs are 20–50 percent higher in Sri Lanka than in developed countries. Deaths from heart disease are higher among the rich while those from asthma are higher among the poor.
Bangladesh resolution on autism okayedDec 14, 2012 The United Nations has passed a Bangladesh- proposed resolution on autism unanimously at its general assembly on Wednesday, putting Bangladesh as the pioneering status in the world autism movement, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni said. The Dhaka Conference on Autism Spectrum Diseases in 2011 has contributed significantly to the UN resolution, Bangladesh's foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni said. 'This is another diplomatic success of Bangladesh in the month of national victory," she said at a hurriedly convened press conference at her ministry. The UN resolution would influence governments to prepare a database for the autistic children and take necessary steps for their rehabilitation. It will also act as the basis for high level discussion on autism at the United Nations in 2013. (Photo:IFRC)
Call for tougher law to protect Afghan womenDec 13, 2012 Women in Afghanistan continue to be targeted by acts of gender-based violence despite specific laws designed to protect them, a new report released by the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned. Enacted in 2009, Afghanistan's Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW) law criminalised numerous forms of violence, including child marriage, forced marriage, the selling and buying of women for the purpose or under the pretext of marriage, the traditional practice of ba'ad which requires the giving away of a woman or a girl to settle a dispute, forced self-immolation and 17 other acts of violence including rape and physical abuse, while also specifying punishment for the perpetrators. According to the new UN study, entitled 'Still a Long Way to Go: Implementation of the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women in Afghanistan', the use of the three-year old law continues to remain low and is frequently hampered by "dramatic" under-reporting of violence as well as a lack of investigations into most reported incidents. (Photo: IFRC)
UN humanitarian chief on mission in MyanmarDec 12, 2012 On her first official visit to Myanmar from 3-7 December, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, stopped by to meet people at displacement camps in Myanmar's Rakhine State where she saw the projects implemented by humanitarian partners in the region first-hand. The image depicts a portrait of a brother and sister in Kyein Ni Pyin camp in Pauktaw, Rakhine State, during Amos' visit. Communal violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state this year left over 170 people dead and displaced more than 100,000. The fighting between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims has divided neighborhoods, turning friends into enemies. The clashes destroyed houses and public buildings and left many thousands of people without any way of making a living. As inter-communal violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, nestled between the border with Bangladesh and the Rakhine Mountains, in June and October led to people fleeing their homes in fear, it gave rise to what are now the world's latest camps for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
UN verdict a boon for Bangladesh: HasinaDec 11, 2012 The verdict of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to resolve maritime disputes with Myanmar has created a new era for Bangladesh to prosper, said Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has extended her heartiest thanks to the UN body, saying UNCLOS verdict to resolve maritime dispute with Myanmar has created a new era of opportunity for Bangladesh to prosper. Sheikh Hasina said ocean-related regulations are helping the two countries establish fundamental rules and principles to share maritime spaces and use the sea and its huge resources. In the meanwhile, a UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, has called for Bangladesh's next parliamentary elections to be "peaceful, inclusive and credible." The senior UN political official says that the UN will encourage those taking part to work together and to engage in constructive dialogue towards these ends.
UN climate conference extends Kyoto protocolDec 10, 2012 The UN conference on climate change has agreed to extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol, which controls the greenhouse gas emissions of rich countries, through 2020. The Protocol got extension with the EU, Australia, Switzerland and eight other industrialised nations signing up for binding emission cuts by 2020. As the talks went into an extra day on Saturday and the President of the Conference of the Parties made a passionate plea to strike some deal before they pack up, nearly 200 participating countries agreed to keep the Kyoto Protocol alive for the next eight years. The historic pact, which was agreed to by countries in 1997, expires this year-end. However, the new agreement only covers developed nations whose share of world greenhouse gas emissions is less than 15 percent. The protocol locks in only developed nations, excluding major developing polluters such as China and India, as well as the US which refuses to ratify it. (Photo: UNFCCC)
Babies Need Mom-Made, Not Man-MadeDec 07, 2012 The World Breastfeeding Conference commenced in New Delhi and will continue from the 6th to 9th of December. With a straightforward message of 'Babies need mom-made not man-made', the conference is geared towards accomplishing MDG4 & 5, which look at reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. The conference invites governments, civil society organisations, health professionals and social activists to come and debate about the lack of breastfeeding as a practice and to enable a systemic, comprehensive approach towards promoting it. With currently 92 million babies not being breastfed exclusively over the first six months, out of the 136 million born each year; the conference hopes to re-engage and increase the old practice of breastfeeding among women of the world.
Breaking the MarginsDec 06, 2012 Participate in inspiring stories of socially excluded communities, challenging the caste-driven practice of manual scavenging by breaking the margins of untouchability and discrimination. The stories are told through images by Sanjit Das, Firoz Ahmad Firoz and Nologo to mark the UN Human Rights Day's theme of social inclusion and participation in public life. The exhibition takes place on December 10 onwards at British Council, New Delhi.
The Dalit Dignity MarchDec 05, 2012 Over 3000 people marched today from New Delhi's Ramlila Grounds to Parliament Street to present their concerns to representatives of different political parties, the government and members of Parliament. The rally was organised on the eve of the death anniversary of Babasaheb B R Ambedkar, who wrote India's constitution. Called the Dalit Dignity March, the rally was part of the third National Conference of Dalit Organizations where members of excluded and marginalized communities gathered together from more than 20 Indian states came together in a show of solidarity to demand inclusive development for all, whether Dalits or non-Dalits. The march culminated at Parliament Street in a National Dalit Assembly where grassroots leaders spoke about their experiences and struggles for dignity and rights to social activists, political and community leaders present there. (Photo credit: NACDOR)
Global emissions may rise by 2.6% in 2012Dec 04, 2012 India contributed 1.8 tonnes of carbon per person, a new research which published on Sunday says. This is much lower than the per capita carbon emissions of economies like China, the US and EU, all of which figure among the biggest polluters of 2012. Titled 'Global Carbon Project', researchers from UK's University of East Anglia provided empirical evidence to show that China, United States and European Union contributed 28 per cent, 16 per cent and 11 per cent in the global emissions during the year India's 1.8 tonnes per capita emissions -- way behind developed economies like the United States, European Union and China which stood at 17.2 tonnes, 7.3 tonnes and 6.6 tonnes respectively -- is bound to bring cheer to representative engaged in the climate change talks in Doha. The latest results warn that global emissions are likely to increase by 2.6 per cent in 2012 which would translate in 58 per cent increase since 1990 when Kyoto Protocol of Carbon emissions was signed. (Photo: Satish Nagaraji/OneWorld South Asia)
Don't be complacent on high food prices: WBDec 03, 2012 The world cannot afford for high and volatile food prices to be the 'new normal,' while millions of people continue to suffer from hunger and to die from malnutrition, the World Bank Group has warned. According to the latest edition of the World Bank Group's Food Price Watch report, published quarterly, global food prices stabilized following last July's record peak. In October, prices were 5 percent below that peak. Prices were driven down by fats and oils, with more modest declines in grains. Seasonal increase in supplies, the absence of panic policies, such as food export restrictions, and better expectations for the future are behind such trends, although markets remain tight in general. "A new norm of high prices seems to be consolidating," said Otaviano Canuto, World Bank Group's Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management. "The world cannot afford to be complacent to this trend while 870 million people still live in hunger and millions of children die every year from preventable diseases caused by malnutrition," he said. (Photo: Tej Prakash Yadav/OneWorld South Asia)
School dropout rate still high in South AsiaNov 30, 2012 The latest edition of the Global Education Digest by UNESCO reveals the urgent need to address the high numbers of children repeating grades and leaving school before completing primary or lower secondary education. New data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) show that about 32.2 million primary pupils were held back a grade in 2010, and 31.2 million dropped out of school and may never return. In South and West Asia, one third of boys and girls leave school before completing primary education. The region has the second highest dropout rate in the world. The report calls South Asia's progress 'modest' based on the performance of another important indicator of education well-being in the report: repetition of class by a pupil. In that sense, Pakistan, Bhutan an India have made much progress where repetitions are concerned. Girls to boys dropout rates are also very different; Pakistan takes the top spot with an alarming 41.1 per cent of girls dropping out and 40.2 per cent of Nepali girls dropping out. (Photo: Satish Nagaraji/OneWorld South Asia)
Policies goad Indian farmers to suicide!Nov 29, 2012 Reducing incomes, stagnating yields, increasing costs of cultivation, fragmenting of land-holdings and reducing of institutions credit facilities plot the graph of farmers' suicides in India. According to records of the National Crimes Records Bureau, 2,70,940 farmer suicides have been reported throughout the country over the past 17 years. A national consultation and public hearing on framers' suicides being organised by Action Aid in New Delhi, brought together experts and policy critics to evaluate the progress of government initiatives to respond to the ongoing agrarian crisis. Suicides are only one extreme symptom of the larger crisis looming over the agriculture sector in the country, says a summary prepared by Action Aid, tracking the root to the effects of the Green Revolution technologies and market-friendly and reforms-driven agriculture, technologies and policy changes in the years following the Green Revolution. (Photo: Satish Nagaraji/OneWorld South Asia)
India has 4.98 million working childrenNov 27, 2012 The numbers stated in Parliament are sure to spark another debate between civil society and government, not only on the numbers of working children but also on the effectiveness of the government's schemes. Results from the latest survey of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) reveals that the population of working children -- or, in plain words, the number for the country's child labour comprising of kids aged between five and 14 years -- in the country is now 49.84 lakh. This has come to almost a half of the figures from the NSSO survey in 2004-05 according to which numbers for child labour stood at 90.75 lakh. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, K Suresh, gave this information during question hour in Parliament. (Photo: Bijoy Basant Patro/OneWorld South Asia)
Most of 5K kids dying daily in India are girlsNov 26, 2012 Civil society activists in India came together to understand the daily toll of 5,000 little ones before their fifth birthday, most of whom are girls. Sadly, the reasons behind these daily deaths across the vast stretches of the country are preventable by simple low-cost, local and sustainable solutions. Malnutrition, for instance, remains the underlying cause for over half the deaths. Organised by World Vision India, this campaign endeavours to bring the focus on the state of child malnutrition and health. The campaign aims to gather politicians like Oscar Fernandes and hundreds more worldwide to demand leaders to support child health with a pledge to lobby for action for child survival saying "Yes, we can". The issue gets increasingly complex – and World Vision's Global Week of Action (GWA) marked by its 'Count me in/Survive 5' slogan has become a popular mobilisation event across 40 countries in the world. (Photo: Tej Prakash Yadav)
70% of India's elderly work due to compulsionsNov 23, 2012 A national report states that 70 per cent of the country's elderly workers continue to work because of compulsions. Authored by The United Nations Population Fund, the just released Status of Elderly in Select States of India, 2011, is a data-packed report that points to multiple development challenges stemming from the changes in the age and sex structure of India's population. These changes will impact the country's demographic landscape particDirect cash transfer for govt welfare schemes set for rolloutularly in the higher age-group segments says the report and this would call for dramatic improvement in the quality of data available about the elderly, covering their demographic, social and economic conditions, health needs and their living arrangements. Though several researchers have tried to source information on such issues from various national surveys, the fact remains that data bases at the macro level focused exclusively on the elderly are hard to find. (Photo: Help Age India)
New HIV infections in India drop by 57%Nov 22, 2012 The rate of new HIV infections in India has dropped by an encouraging 57 per cent over the last decade, according to the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report, 2012. The report attributes this to an increased domestic spending towards the AIDS response due to which, the rate of new HIV infections in India dropped by 57 per cent as the country scaled up services between 2001 and 2011. Nepal recorded the best reduction in new HIV infections in the region by registering a 91per cent drop in new HIV infections. India is counted among four Asian countries that account for a large number of people living with HIV and reduced new HIV infections by more than 50 per cent. The other countries are Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. (Photo: UNAIDS)
Greenhouse gases rise to record levelsNov 21, 2012 The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2011, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Between 1990 and 2011 there was a 30% increase in radiative forcing – the warming effect. Since the start of the industrial era in 1750, about 375 billion tonnes of carbon have been released into the atmosphere as CO2, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, according to WMO's 2011 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, which had a special focus on the carbon cycle. "These billions of tonnes of additional carbon dioxide in our atmosphere will remain there for centuries, causing our planet to warm further and impacting on all aspects of life on earth," said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. "Future emissions will only compound the situation." (Photo: UN)