Ecology Day celebrations in Pune city

Pune: A unique celebration first time ever Ecology day celebration on 31st August to focus on action rather than words is receiving full hearted support from Water Resources Group of Institution of Engineers of India , Pune Local Chapter, Indian Environment Association, Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists, Department of Environmental Science, University of Pune, Bal Shikshan Mandir, Jnana Prabodhini and Praj Foundation.

Er. Sudarshan Tandale, Convener of Water Resources Group said that Ecology Day means the combined action of Engineers and Scientist for a common cause to restore the quality of water bodies for their sustainable use. Er V.M Ranade, Secretary (retd.) Irrigation noted that Punekars must initiate actions to imply judicious use of water to avoid wastages; they should also take measures to curb pollution.

Dr. Vikram Ghole, Head of Department of Environment Science, University of Pune has supported the celebration of Ecology Day stating the need for strengthening movement of restoration of water bodies in Pune. He has also extended his co-operation for initiation of revitalization of lakes and rivers with expert guidance. Dr A. D. Patwardhan, Chairman of Indian Environment Association Pune Chapter expressed that it is a good start of Ecology Day in presence of International experts like Dr. Nakamura and Dr. Walter Rast.

Principals of supporting schools have urged the need of such programmes to help creative minds of students to learn more about our rivers and lakes. Dr. Mohan Kodarkar of Indian of Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists (IAAB), Hyderabad acclaimed efforts of SERI in organizing unique Ecology Day for the first time in Pune and emphasized the need for organizing similar celebration, adoption of Ecology Day in other cities not only in India but also abroad to ensure restoration of quality of environment.

Organizers appeal to the environment sensitive citizens to participate in competition of Green Expression and Programmeon or before 22nd August; for more details to contact Nidhi / Uday, Shrishti Eco-Research Institute (SERI) on 24253773/66206539 or mail: seriecotech@yahoo.co.in.


SHRISHTI ECO - RESEARCH INSTITUTE
E3T - Effective Economic Ecological Technologies For Pollution Control
B-106, Devgiri, Opp. P. L. Deshpande Garden, Near Ganesh Mala,
Sinhgad Road, Pune - 411030.
Telefax- (020) 66206539 Phone- (020) 24253773
www.seriecotech.com

Remembering Fukuoka's Pune visit

oka19 August 2008

We are very sad to report that one of the most influential
personalities in making us aware of issues of Sustainability,
Environment, Nature and Humane living - Masanobu Fukuoka passed away
at the age of 95 at his home on 16 August 2008.

Parisar was fortunate in getting the opportunity of not only
publishing his landmark book "The One Straw Revolution" in Marathi but
also hosting Fukuoka San's Lecture at Sneha Sadan in Pune.

We pay our respects to this great man by enclosing some links to his
work and to articles on him. Also do visit the Parisar site:
www.parisar.org which has a section on Sustainable Agriculture
More on Fukuoka, including Links etc
Mother Earth News
http://www.motherearthnews.com/

Plowboy Interview
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1982-07-01/The-Plowboy-Interview-Masanobu-Fukuoka.aspx

Masanobu Fukuoka Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masanobu_Fukuoka

Greening the Desert: Applying natural farming techniques in Africa
http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC14/Fukuoka.htm

The Fukuoka Farming Website
http://fukuokafarmingol.info/

Larry Korn_Masanobu Fukuoka's Natural Farming and Permaculture
http://www.mulandscaping.com/ArticleMasanobuFukuokasNaturalFarmingAndPermaculture.htm

Fukuokabooks.com
http://www.fukuokabooks.com/

Organic (Ltd) People
http://organic.com.au/people/MasanobuFukuoka/


Charityfocus_ Fukuoka Passes away
http://www.charityfocus.org/blog/view.php?id=1905

Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog
http://agro.biodiver.se/2008/08/masanobu-fukuoka-rip/

Ananthoo's Updates
http://ananthoosupdates.blogspot.com/2008/08/masanobu-fukuoka-rip.html

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080819/bathinda.htm#3

--
Sujit
Sujit Patwardhan
sujitjp@gmail.com

"Yamuna",
ICS Colony,
Ganeshkhind Road,
Pune 411 007
India
Tel: +91 20 25537955
Cell: +91 98220 26627
-----------------------------------------------------
Hon. Secretary:
Parisar
www.parisar.org

Satyagraha with a slap !

They have waited for over five years and they cannot wait anymore. Faced with the apathy of the State government, Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), an organization dedicated to eradicate superstitions, is now on the satyagraha path.
The MANS had advocated an anti-superstition and anti-witchcraft bill, which is pending with the government for past five years. In protest against the delay, activists plan to start an agitation in which they will slap themselves.

Eradication of Maharashtra Black Magic and Undesirable and Dreadful Practices Bill, 2005 as meant to get rid of the superstitious and anti-rational activities. It was sent to the Central government for approval in 2003 and thereafter was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

The MANS had been demanding such law for 14 years. The bill comes up in the agenda for the discussion in each session of both houses of Maharashtra Legislation, but has gotten stuck in a limbo ass it is not discussed upon at all.

The MANS is now planning it to agitate against the State’s apathy. Explaining the rational behind the agitation, Narendra Dabholkar, executive president of Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti, said , “Ours is a satyagraha. The basic idea behind the satyagraha is to take penance for the wrongs committed by others and ourselves. We sincerely think that we have done a wrong by electing the government. Therefore, we will start slapping ourselves from the first day of the monsoon session of legislature.” The agitation will start from the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Pune Railway Station and will spread all over the Maharashtra.

Giving the timeline of the journey of the bill, Dabholkar said, “the original bill was tabled in the Legislature Assembly on April 13, 2005. It was deferred because Congress members were not happy with it. After the changes, it was passed in the Assembly’s winner session on December 16, 2005. Thereafter, it was sent to the Legislative Council where it was never taken for the discussion. Instead, it was sent to Joint Select Committee where it is gathering dust for more than one year.
The Committee has not conducted any meeting since August 2007. It had invited objections and suggestion on the bills. It received 80,000 letters supporting the bill and 50,000 letter opposing it. We have sent suggestions received to the legislative members. But the bill is not progressing for lack of political will.”

Pune Mirror Source : 7-7-2008

Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), Maharashtra state convention

The Maharashtra State Convention of PIPFPD was held in Pune on 10th August, 2008. The State conventions is held every two years.

As far as India-Pakistan relations are concern last two years saw a significant progress. Though, it is not moving as speedily as people expects. There are still problems. Intelligence agencies are deciding visas. Travelling into other country is still extremely difficult. Just couple of days ago fifth round of composite dialogue commenced.

Agenda of the convention was:
1, The status of peace process & composite dialogue
2, Organizational report
3, Organizational Elections

The convention was held at Gyaneshwara Sabhagriha, Marathwada Mitra Mandal's College, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune from 10.00 am to 5 pm. Tapan Bose, Secretary, PIPFPF and Suhasini Mulay attended the convention.

Tapan Bose is a film maker of repute. He made Bhopal: Beyond Genocide and many others. He is one of the founder member of Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace & Democracy (PIPFPD) & now Secretary of PIPFPD, India. He is also actively involved in the Kashmir and working their with various organizations. He is also Secretary General of South Asian forum for Human Rights (SAFHR). He is authority on India-Pakistan and Kashmir issue.

Suhasini Mulay started her film career with an outstanding performance in Bhuvan Shome and performed in films like Bhavni Bhavai, Jodha Akbar, Page 3 etc. She is also a well known peace activist and actively involved with India-Pakistan issue. She is also a National Committee member of PIPFPD, India.

Jatin Desai, Secretary, PIPFPD, Maharashtra

Two Day Round Table Conferenceat World Peace Centre Pune

A two day round table conference titled "Role of Science and Spirituality in Promoting a culture of Peace in the World" was held at the World Peace Centre, MIT college campus, Kothrud Pune from 1-2 August 2008.

Over one hundred delegates from all over India and abroad participated. Among them was Bernie Meyer the American Gandhi and a friend of FOGM. Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi also spoke at the inaugural session. Peace prizes were given to the Japanese peace workers Mr and Mrs Solonji from the Goi Peace Foundation Japan. Papers were presented by peace and religious scholars and scientists both Indian and foreign.

NO POKHARAN'S FESTIVAL Aug 5-6, Pune

A no pokharans festival was inaugurate to commemorate the second year of AAGHAZ and the 63rd year of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki disaster.
The programme was as follows:

6 pm: Inauguration and songs by Sambhaji Bhagat, famed folk singer from Mumbai

6.30 pm: A surprise and fantastic cultural presentation by Aaghaz cultural group

6.45 pm: Talk on Globalisation and Theatre by Parnab Mukherjee, renowned alternate theatre director from Calcutta

7 - 8 pm: Play HAMLETMACHINE by Best of Kolkata Campus - a renowned theatre group from Calcutta, which has done numerous international productions. Based on script by Heiner Muller, famed East German Playwright. Hamletmachine is supposed to be her greatest play. Script modified with writings of Badal Sircar and Rabindranath Tagore.

Neeraj Jain
"Mrudanga", Bldg No. 3A, Flat No. 7,
Naad Brahma Society, Warje,
Pune - 411 052
Ph. 94222 20311

Pune Seminar “In Search of Gandhi's India: Teaching and Learning Non-Violence in a Globalized World"

Gandhi National Memorial Society organized for Fulbright-Hays visitors a seminar on Gandhiji titled "In Search of Gandhi's India: Teaching and Learning Non-Violence in a Globalized World." This seminar brought 14 US college, university and high-school teachers to India for five weeks.

The seminar was held on 28th July 2008 at Gandhi National Memorial Society, Aga khan Palace, Nagar Road, Pune. The US teachers first took a Tour of Aga Khan Palace.
Next Shobhana Ranade,welcomed the guests. A Lecture titled "Swaraj and Poetics: Gandhi and the South Asian Literary Imagination," was delivered by Dilip Chitre, poet, translator and winner of the national Sahitya Academy Award.
Post lunch, a Lecture on "Islam and Non-Violence," was delivered by Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, Islam scholar and founder of Center for the Study of Secularism and Society Mumbai.

The seminar ended with "The Ultimate Goal of Life: Non-Violence," by Kalicharan Rauta,Retired Professor of Philosophy, University of Pune

US professors ‘in search of Gandhi’ come to Pune

Pune, July 26 - They are in India and they are searching for Gandhi. The 14 professors of philosophy, history, psychology and English from the US are on a five-week tour of India. The Fulbright scholars are going around the country visiting places where the Gandhian philosophy is practised even today. The subject of their scholarship is titled ‘In search of Gandhi in India’.

In Pune for four days, the scholars began their quest at the Yerwada central jail where they interacted with the authorities and inmates. Asim Sarode, a human rights activist, who had accompanied them to the prison later had a discussion with them on how the Gandhian thoughts help in solving the legal cases.

Madhuri Deshmukh, who teaches English at Oakton Community College near Chicago, said they chose the subject of scholarship because “Gandhi is more relevant today that he ever was with the rising violence and war around the world. Gandhian philosophy of non-violence looks practical .”

Before Pune, the group visited the samadhi of the Mahatma in New Delhi, the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, followed by a trip to Dehra Dun where they visited Navdanya which has grown over the past decade into a proactive movement for seed saving and organic farming. The team also visited Sevagram Ashram in Wardha established by Vinoba Bhave.

In Pune they will also be visiting the Aga Khan Palace. Incidentally, the group even watched Lage Raho Munnabhai and said that they enjoyed it thoroughly.

Struck by the Mahatma’s philosophy of non-violence, Paulo Rocha who teaches history at Evanston Township in Evanston Illinois said, “Gandhi was perhaps the first person to sense the dangers of globalisation and depletion of nature. Today, all over the world there is a food crisis and India is facing problems like water scarcity since a number of MNCs are drawing water for their gain.”

Professor of psychology at Loyola University in Chicago, Linda Heath added that Gandhian thoughts held a lot of hope for her. “His philosophy contained thoughts on energy, agriculture, economy not to mention the legal aspect,” she explained, even as Lynn Woodbury, another English professor said he found Gandhi’s thoughts very pertinent to the present problems.

After the Pune tour the group will head to Bangalore to visit Navdarshanam, a registered charitable trust that explores ecological and spiritual alternatives to the modern way of living and thinking.

Courtesy: Pune Newsline

End of an era: Dramatist Vijay Tendulkar dead

Pune20 May 2008, 0243 hrs
Iconic Marathi dramatist, Vijay Tendulkar, who kicked-off a virtual revolution in Indian theatre both in terms of content and style, passed away at a city hospital on Monday at 8am.

Best known for his play Ghasiram Kotwal , a brilliant satire on political violence, and which has had a phenomenal run of 6,000 shows since 1972, Tendulkar was struck by myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease. He was 80 and hospitalized since April 10.

There was an expression of contentment on his face and it did not reflect any pain," he said. Tendulkar, who was in hospital for more than a month, lost consciousness three days ago and was on minimum life support. On January 6 this year, he celebrated his 80th birthday.

"Tendulkar had an extremely positive attitude towards life. He was confident of tiding over his health problems," said an associate.

On April 10, after he was hospitalized, he told doctors to go ahead with the treatment they felt was necessary.

Tendulkar was in Pune since the time of his last hospitalization and discharge last September and had refused to go back to Mumbai.

Prominent theatre and film personalities including Mohan Agashe, Satish Alekar, Haider Ali, Amruta Subhash, Amol Palekar and Atul Pethe, and University of Pune vice-chancellor Narendra Jadhav spoke effusively about Tendulkar at the crematorium. Tendulkar's contribution to Marathi theatre remains unparalleled.

His own struggles in early life - living in chawls - gave him a perspective that lent authenticity to Marathi theatre.

Much of his plays were inspired by real life events, and theatre for him was a means of political expression. Among other plays he is known for are Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe , and Sakharam Binder , a satire on male domination of women.

According to his last wishes, the funeral rites were performed at Vaikunth electric crematorium. Tendulkar leaves behind two daughters, Sushma and Tanuja - two brothers, Mangesh and Suresh, and grandson Aditya. His daughters were at his bedside when the end came.

One of his daughters, Priya Tendulkar, who rose to become one of the best known characters on Indian television with the serial Rajni , died a few years before him.

Courtesy TNN