BH Global Education Team

Centre for Civil Society (CCS), a leading research organization ranked in the top 50 Think Tanks worldwide, in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF)offers ìpolicy, a two day residential certificate course in public policy for journalists toequip them with tools to better understand and evaluate the effects of public policies in our day to day functioning.

This award winning course focuses on issues in the key areas of education, livelihoods for the poor, and good governance. This programme attracts highly competitive candidates and youth leaders from all over India. In 2011, CCS won the Templeton Award for ìpolicy for Journalists certificate in Public Policy.

The Course Details:

Course: ipolicy for Journalists; Certificate in Public Policy

Venue and Duration: New Delhi, 24-26 May 2012

Eligibility: Mid-level media professionals with some experience including senior correspondents, feature writers, beat reporters, assistant/sub-editors, producers, and anchors.

Participants: 40 participants are chosen through a competitive evaluation process.

Fees: No fee for the Course. All meals and a two-night stay at the venue will be borne by the Centre.

Deadline: May 10, 2012

Contact: Srijan Bandyopadhyay: 99536 72130 or 011-2653 7456 ext: 21

Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is a globally recognized and highly ranked independent public policy think tank based in New Delhi working on research, advocacy and outreach on critical public policy issues that affect India. CCS was ranked 34 out of top 50 Global Think Tanks (non-US) in 2011 by University of Pennsylvania.

The ìpolicy experience encourages experiential learning, making for an exciting, engaging and entertaining course. Formats vary between interactive lectures, working groups, field visits and cooperative games. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn, engage, network and develop skills in critical thinking and public policy; all in a relaxed and enjoyable environment where the priority is you.

Source: http://www.ccs.in/ipolicy/journalists.asp

The caste system which is the main feature of the Hindu religion intensified its hold on the whole society in new forms, with many specific characteristics in different areas. It has increased its hold on different religions also to varying extent. Every day atrocities against dalits and other oppressed castes are taking place. Since caste and patriarchy has an endemic relationship, women of the oppressed castes are specially targeted. Though caste based parties are/were leading state ministries or sharing power in the states or at centre, the atrocities against dalits and other oppressed castes have not diminished. In the present neo-liberal phase, the caste divide is further exploited by the imperialist camp in the form of “Ambedkarism”. Most of them have lost sight of even the basic questions raised by Dr. Ambedkar, namely his question of annihilation of the caste system, the nationalization of land and industries. They are willing consorts of imperialism in “globalization”, are raising merely the demand of reservation and using caste as a vote bank. The “subaltern” theories of caste, where caste is counter posed to class, are giving rise to many pseudo-intellectual theories, which are naught but a part of the post-modern ideological onslaught on Marxism. Such subaltern theories, including those based on “neo-tribalism”, “identity politics” or “post Marxism” are also the basis of numerous caste based NGOs which idealize caste and make caste in to a private fiefdom.

It is the need of the hour to launch a revolutionary anti caste people’s movement for the annihilation of caste. Land relations are at the base of caste violence. So there is a serious need for the revolutionary land reforms based on equal distribution of the land. It can be done by launching a revolutionary platform for caste abolition. With this basic approach, three days all India seminar and convention is organised on 20, 21 and 22 April, 2012. We appeal all the progressive organisations and sections to come forward and participate in seminar and convention and intensify nation-wide anti-caste movement.

As in previous years we will celebrate Mayday 2012 with enthusiasm and a firm resolve to continue the struggle for securing our rights and entitlements as workers and citizens.

It has been twenty two years since the formation of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan on the 1^st of May 1990. Every year we come together at the Patia Ka Chowda mela grounds in Bhim to celebrate May Day in the form of a “Mazdoor Mela”. This has now taken on the texture of an annual local mela which provides ordinary people with a platform to raise, discuss, and reflect on issues of concern in an informal and open atmosphere of celebration. A month long set of activities, which may include mini yatras, block level sammelans, dharnas, and meetings in the surrounding blocks, culminate in the Mazdoor Mela at Bhim. We write to invite you to join us in Bhim on the evening of the 30^th of April or in the morning of the 1^st of May.

“Har Haath Ko kaam Do- Kaam Ka Pura Daam Do”

An important focus this year will be to intensify the campaign for better implementation of the Employment Guarantee Act. The government is trying to destroy the NREGA on the assumption that people do not want to work. There has been skewed implementation of the Act in different parts of the country. Even in the better administered areas there have been major shortcomings in implementation. Those seeking their rights have applied, petitioned, and even taken to the streets to seek redress of their grievances. Industrialists, big landlords, contractors and other private entities do not want NREGA to be a success because the NREGA has increased the wages for laborers which obviously is a ‘loss’ to these entities. In this debate we also want to make it clear that NREGA is not in opposition to the small farmer as the small farmer is also a part-time NREGA worker. We believe that NREGA therefore can actually be designed to be a support structure for the small and middle farmers.

It is necessary that we work towards the formation of workers unions to establish the collective voice of the unorganized sector. Many groups across the country have been working to unionize NREGA workers. This year also we have decided to focus on the formation of unions in different Panchayats and Blocks. For those of us who have been strong proponents of the NREGA, unionizing of the NREGA workers is a great opportunity to create a powerful movement not just for strengthening the Employment Guarantee Act, but also for the larger demands such as the payment of minimum wages, the demand for the “right to work”. For this reason, the Mela this year will also be planned as a “Union Banao- NREGA Bachao Sammelan”.

“Kamane Wala Khayega, Lootne Wala Jayega, Ab Naya Jamana Ayega!”

Another focus this year will be a demand for universal pension rights and preparation for the Pension Parishad from May 7-11, 2012 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

While Mayday signifies the coming together in celebration of the dignity of the worker, it is also a time to collectively resolve and strategise for further action. We hope that you and/or your organisation will join us, and help build much-needed solidarities. It would also be an opportunity to collectively work out strategies for creating political and workers platforms where we can fight with a common voice and resolve.

The Mela will begin on the 30^th of April at Bhim, Patia Ka Chowda, for an evening of plays, songs and films emerging from people’s struggles.  We would also visit the School For Democracy which is nearing its completion. The school has been envisioned as a place of democratic learning which would use effective tools of political education along with a focus on defining a meaningful manifestation of participatory democracy. We will hold a meeting at the School For Democracy campus where our road map for the next year will be drawn and discussed. This will be followed by the Sammelan on the 1^st, which will culminate in a rally to the main market area of Bhim on the 1^st evening. Apart from thousands of workers of the area, the Mazdoor Mela will be attended by friends and colleagues from other parts of the state and country.

“Ye Rally Hai, Aur Rela Hai, -Ye Mazdooron Ka Mela Hai!”

As in the past there will be food stalls, cheap clothes, select toys, exhibits of  books and materials on various campaigns, free medical check-ups and allopathic, homeopathic and ayurveda medical aid.  If any of you would like to contribute to the exhibits/stalls, do let us know.

In any case, for those of you who plan to join us, we would appreciate it if you could let us know your travel plans and the number of people who are likely to attend from your organization so that we can organise things better. As the Mela is self financed, no financial support can be provided, but food will be available at cheap rates.

Bhim is 65 KMs South Of Beawar on the Delhi- Bombay highway (NH 8). Beawar is a major railway station on the Delhi Ahmadabad route. In case you need to talk to us on the phone, you could call :02951-250180, or 02951-250655, or 9414003247 (Shanker), or 9929519361 (Devdungri).

We look forward to meeting you in Bhim.

ZINDABAD !

In solidarity,

Aruna and MKSS  Saathies

The programme revolves around the book “Seeking Palestine: New Palestinian Writing on Exile and Home” edited by Raja Shehadeh and Penny Johnson published by Women’s Unlimited.

The session will address questions around – How do Palestinians live, imagine and reflect on home and exile in this period of a stateless and transitory Palestine, a deeply contested and crisis-ridden national project? How can exile and home be written?

This new publication takes on these powerful questions. In responses that are poignant, humorous and reflective, but always intensely political, fifteen outstanding Palestinian writers – essayists, poets, novelists, critics, and memoirists – present their experiences, reflections and polemics on exile and home.

The session will include readings from the book by Ritu Menon, Githa Hariharan and Sudhanwa Deshpande.

The programme is scheduled to be held on April 13, 2012 at 3 PM in Yaser Arafat Hall, adjacent to Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Jamia Millia Islamia.

BH Global Education Team

Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is a leading research organization ranked in the top 50 Think Tanks worldwide.  in partnership with Atlas Network, invites application for ìpolicy for Young Leaders, a four-day, residential certificate course in public policy and liberal philosophy for law students, researchers, and faculty. The course focuses on issues in the areas of education, livelihood for the poor, and good governance.  During the course participants share and explore ideas about voluntary and policy-based solutions to current social problems.

The ìpolicy experience encourages experiential learning, making for an exciting, engaging and entertaining course. Formats vary between interactive lectures, working groups, field visits and cooperative games. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn, engage, network and develop skills in critical thinking and public policy; all in a relaxed and enjoyable environment where the priority is you.

The Course Details:

Course: ipolicy for Young leaders; Certificate in Public Policy

Duration: 29 April-2 May 2012

Eligibility: Students, Researchers and Faculty

Age Limit: Under 35

Participants: 30

Fees: 2000 INR

Deadline: April 18, 2012.

Contact: Sadaf Hussain: 99531 33868 or 011 – 2653 7456 ext: 25

Note:

Selected candidates will be required to participate for the entire duration of the course at the end of which a Certificate in Public Policy will be awarded. The course fee is Rs. 2000, which includes all meals and a four-night stay at the venue. The 20 top individuals who participated in the Jeevika Law Competition will be given a scholarship voucher that covers the entire course fee.

Limited reimbursement of actual expenses (up to Rs. 3000) is available for outstation candidates.  Reimbursement will only be awarded with travel proof such as boarding pass, train ticket, etc.

Source: http://ccs.in/ipolicy/yljlc.asp

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication invites you to a

Retrospective of Parvez Imam’s films

on Saturday, 7^th April, 2012, at our auditorium.

There will be a discussion with the Film Maker at the end of screenings.  

Venue: The Auditorium, Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication, Sri Aurobindo Society Campus, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi- 110016, Phone- +91-11-26561986

Time: 6pm

 About Parvez Imam

Parvez is an independent filmmaker, musician, writer, traveller who has worked on many films of human interest.  He experiments with genres and styles to tell his stories with simplicity.  His work spans from Documentaries to fiction and from 60 second spots to music videos and experimental films

A doctor by profession, he used to work in Psychiatry before he took to filmmaking in 1995.

He has many films to his credit, including the award winning FLIGHT 208 – an experimental film featuring more than 200 people from across the world in 5 minutes.

Schedule

1. Random Voices from Kashmir 
11 min, Hindi (subtitled in English), 2003

Based on a short trip to Kashmir in 2003, the film brings out some interactions with the people of the valley. Shot as a travelogue in July 2003, the film is a snapshot of Kashmir at the given time.

Screenings / Selections:

1.     Cinemela 2007, New Delhi, (India)

2.   The Film Series, Curated by the Youth Parliament, New Delhi, Mar 2007 (INDIA)

3.     Drishti’s Peace Film Festival, Ahmedabad, November 2006 (INDIA)

4.     Himalaya International Film Festival, 2005 (NETHERLANDS)

5.     Kathmandu Mountain International Film Festival 2004, (NEPAL)

6.     Premier Screening – Gandhi Peace Foundation, 2003 December, New Delhi (INDIA)

2. Flight 208

7 min, English, 2007

This short film is an experiment in style & thought. A fast paced audiovisual experience that reflects upon the pace of life and the death of reasoning around us.  It is a satirical take on globalization and the politics of economies, power and inequality.

Awards:

1. BEST SHORT FILM – Indian Documentary Producers Association, Nautankitv Online Awards, 2007
2. BEST SHORT FILM – “EIGHT” International Short Film Festival, (India) – 2010

3. The Waterfall

44 min, English, 2011

A completely different take on the Palestine-Israel conflict, straight from people like you and me. Five random travelers, an Israeli photographer and a young Palestinian doctor, everybody is searching for something. Can they find it? ‘The Waterfall’ is a journey that brings together all these people, as they share their hopes and angst while searching for answers.

National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP) and Lok Rajniti Manch, will organise a protest and fast from tomorrow, 26 March 2012 till 1st April 2012, at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, in solidarity with ongoing fast by activists of the anti-nuclear movement at Idinthakarai, Tamil Nadu against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant. Social activist Sandeep Pandey will be sitting on a seven day fast.

In Chennai too people are fasting in support of anti-nuclear movement in Koodankulam. In Mumbai, noted film-maker Anand Patwardhan is leading a protest in front of Dadar Railway Station. 

On 27th March, 2012, one day fasts will be organised at many places in support of the local people protesting against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant.

It is ironical that India has raised the issue of atrocities on Tamil people in Sri Lanka at UNHRC but is not relenting its nuclear power pursuit which potentially puts its own Tamil people at grave risk of nuclear tragedy in times to come.

We strongly condemn the undemocratic manner in which nuclear energy is forced upon us. Not only Indian government has used a strong hand to snub the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) in Koodankulam, Tamil Nadu, but also is trying to intimidate and stifle resistance by misleading allegations of a ‘foreign hand’. Dr Udayakumar who leads PMANE has declared his personal assets and he has no FCRA account to receive foreign money. Whereas it is clear that Indian government is working hands-in-glove with bigger ‘foreign hands’ of USA, Russia and other countries in its joint military operations and expanding nuclear programme.

The latest attempt by the CM of Tamil Nadu to brand S.P. Udayakumar as a naxal clearly shows the desperation of the government. We condemn such underhand tactics and attempts by government to mislead general public.

It is the people in Europe and America that have forced their governments by coming out in large numbers on street to abandon nuclear energy. But Indian government is trying to stifle such people’s initiatives to have their say. Our claims of being the largest democracy prove to be hollow.

Recent nuclear emergency in Japan leaves no doubt that this world needs to renounce nuclear power for military and civil/ energy purposes, as soon as possible, to put an end to any further catastrophe in the name of ‘energy’, ‘security’ or ‘technology’. Nuclear power is clearly the most dangerous options for civil or military use. Countries that have been using nuclear power such as Germany have resolved to abandon nuclear energy by 2022. Japan, USA, and many such nations who were earlier pursuing nuclear energy option are having second thoughts now.

We believe that India should adopt the futuristic energy policy like Japan and the European Union (EU) relying on renewable sources of energy which are non-polluting. Like EU and Japan, India too should aim for a low-carbon energy production system. India’s future energy policy should be low carbon and no nuclear.

We appeal to the Indian government to support dialogue on nuclear energy in a democratic way and until there is a consensus on whether India should go ahead with nuclear programme or not, should stall all nuclear programmes.

For more details contact P.K. Sundaram, 9810556134, Ramesh Sharma, 9818111562, Madhuresh Kumar, 9818905316

Delhi:  The Coordination Committee of Indian Muslims has called for Public Protest at Parliament street on 26^th March at 10: 30 am against the illegal arrest of Muslim youths in the name of terrorism, and for the Release of senior journalist Mohammad Ahmed Kazmi.

This call is supported by several NGOs and human right activists. Besides, Coordination Committee of Indian Muslims, Welfare Party of India, All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, Jamaat-e Islami Hind, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, National Council of Shia Ulama, Jamiat Ulama-e Hind, Islahi Movement of India, All India Shia Ulama Council, Muslim Political Council of India and Students Islamic Organisation of India.

The film JAI BHIM COMRADE shot over 14 years follows the music and tradition of reason that Vilas had been a part of. This film has won many national and international awards.

In a hard hitting film “Jai Bhim Comrade“, Anand Patwardhan traces the legacy of the unique democratic protest style of the Dalits through their stirring poetry and music and the story of Vilas Ghogre and other singers and poets. He captures the grand sweep of injustice to Dalits through individual stories.

The film shot at BIT chawl in Byculla is based in Mumbai, but it has a world-wide relevance. A Dalit leader in the film is heard saying, “We have a singer, a poet in every home.

The screening of the film is scheduled to be held on March 14, 2012 at 2 PM in the Auditorium of Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia.

In the summer of 2010 nearly 120 young people were killed in separate incidents of police firing across the Kashmir Valley. This sent shock waves through the state and the country as it highlighted the plight of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, and the callousness and indifference of the state government and the authorities that have still not lodged a FIR against those responsible for the deaths, or taken action against the security personnel.

A new generation has reached adulthood in the state, all born and brought up in conflict. A certain helplessness and desperation marked the protests that have subsequently subsided into simmering resentment and anger. Despite registering a higher percentage of literacy, the state has little to no employment opportunities for the young people. Stringent laws and curfew conditions have also robbed the youth of a life, with even SMS’s being banned by the authorities from time to time.

The Pubic Safety Act has been used against innocent young men all over the Kashmir Valley, with most able bodied youth having spent days and nights in jail under this draconian Act. The security forces pick them up at will from their homes, lock them up and by the time they are proven innocent considerable damage has been done to them personally, and their families.

The Omar Abdullah government has ignored all petitions for justice and action on this issue. Outside Jammu and Kashmir, the young Kashmiris enrolled in Universities for further studies find it difficult to survive as they are often picked up by the state police forces on little more than basic suspicion, and locked up for months at a time. There have been many such cases across India, particularly in Rajasthan, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh but the authorities have shown little concern for these unlawful detentions.

To highlight this and other issues affecting the youth of Jammu and Kashmir we are organizing a Convention on the Democratic Rights of Kashmiri Youth in collaboration with student organizations in New Delhi.

The Convention will be held on the first day of Parliament on March 12, 2012 at the Speakers Hall, Constitution Club, Vithal Bhai Patel House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi from 3 p.m.

Youth leaders from New Delhi and Kashmir as well as Chairman of the Minorities Commission Wajahat Habibullah, prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan and others will address the Convention.