gandhisalt

Change Pune launched

2008-12-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

Terrible things have happened in Mumbai recently and I am sure you are as badly upset about this as we are. Perhaps some of us are feeling helpless and dejected... maybe even feeling defeated. That's natural but, you will agree, it is not constructive. It does not help matters in any way. We need to do something positive..
Here's your chance to do something proactive about this situation. We know that what has brought us to this sad pass is the Malaise of Corruption. There is a massive public demand for Accountability and Transparency from our Political Representatives and from the Bureaucrats..
This is a significant moment for all of us Indians to Harness this Energy and these Emotions constructively. However, before we demand more of our Politicians and Administrators, we need to first BE THE CHANGE we wish to see. There are many ways of doing this..
For a start, join us at EMPRESS GARDENS on DECEMBER 27th 2008 at 5:00pm to take the following Pledge:-
I WILL BE THE CHANGE I WISH TO SEE. I AM AN INDIAN.
I WILL NOT ENCOURAGE CORRUPTION. I AM AN INDIAN.
IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO EXERCISE MY VOTE. I AM AN INDIAN..
Enough of candlelit vigils and silent rallies of solidarity. Let us take back some actionable points. Representatives will talk on Citizens Participation and how we can Empower Ourselves. There will also be a brief talk on Citizens Rights and Voter Registration..
So do come and bring your like minded friends along..
All the best..
Satish Khot
For more information, email: changepune@gmail.com; nsccpune@gmail.com
VENUE: EMPRESS GARDENS
TIME : 5 PM TO 6.15 PM SHARP
DATE : SATURDAY 27/12/08
This initiative is happening at a National level at Bangalore - Mumbai - Delhi - Pune - Hyderabad - Ahmedabad and many other cities. Let's make it a success in our own Pune.

Pune Citizens' March for Unity and Peace

2008-12-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

The time has come for us 'Punekars' to together vow to keep TERROR at bay. It is we the 'Common men and women' who will be ultimately instrumental in tackling this monster. Being vigil and alert, preventing spread of rumours, helping the police to help us better by abiding to the laws, standing up against corruption, are the little things that go a long way in making the city peaceful.

With this initiative, Youth To Youth, Radio Mirchi & Rotract Club Poona South along with other youth organizations, announced a "Citizens' March for Unity and Peace" on 5th December.

The march began at 6 pm, starting from the symbolic statue of 'The Common Man', Symbiosis Vishwabhavan, and culminates at The University of Pune. The educationists related to these leading institutions addressed the citizens. Thousands of the city's youth participated in this march and also took this opportunity to pay homage to slain heroes of the Mumbai terror-attack - on the 10th Day of their demise.

Black dress code was observed.

Youth form the energetic soul of the city – This half of the city's population needs to unite in a strong manner and reinstate Pune's spirit to take this challenge head on! We hope to take this platform to come together and march towards a safer and peaceful Pune.

Mudra Shirvaikar Ajit Kerure
President, Youth to Youth President, Rotract Club of Poona South
9923339276 9822400596

Hurrah! it is a great citizens' victory!!!!

2008-12-27T09:27:00.001-08:00

It was a great day of December 1 - the last day for filing objections for the Baner-Balewadi DP!

At the last count, 70,000 odd citizens filed in their objections and snubbed the state government's conspiracy to destroy Pune!

It was indeed a hectic day since morning as all the GPM activists were collecting the last lot of objections,

The Intelligent Pune office was poured with visitors and courier men delivering hundreds and hundreds of objections.

Intelligent Pune recd/collected around 10,000 objections through the day. We had to make three trips to the deputy director's office as we collected all that came till the close of the office working hours (giving half an hour space to reach the office)

Satish Khot on the last day collected another 5,000 objections, Aneeta Benninger - 1,000 objections, Ameya Jagtap around 10,000 objections, all those who played a major role in this were the Yugpath members - firebrand youngsters - all between 16 and 17 years who themselves were not eligible to give in their objections but collected around 27,000 objections; Satish Khot's National Society for Clean Cities (NSCC) collected closed to 17,000 objections, CEE and Janwani collected over 5,000 objections. Ameya Jagtap's uth-to-uth collected around 10,000 objections. We cannot leave out hundreds of invidviduals who collected from 5 to 500 objections and sent it to our office. We visited so many public gardens and got great response. Vinod Bodhankar and Narendra Chugh were kind enough to give us a maruti van to go from one place to another. Besides, we received 110 objections by the email which also have been submitted,

Vinita Deshmukh
Editor, Intelligent Pune

PUCL’s public meeting on the issue of Regionalism

2008-12-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Politics currently played out in Maharashtra under the garb of regionalism is being hotly discussed and debated throughout the country. Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) organised a public meeting to understand and discuss different aspect of the nature and repercussions of politics of regionalism.
Subject : 'Regional imbalance, Problems and Democracy'
Speakers : Sunitee S.R., Prof. Suhas Palshikar and Dr. Ramesh Awasthi
Chairperson: Dr. Kumar Saptarshi
Venue: Rajwade hall, Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, Next to Bharat Natya Mandir, Sadashiv peth, Pune 30
Date : 11th November, 2008 (Tuesday)
Time: 5.45 pm

Anwar Rajan,Secretary, PUCL, Maharashtra
(9421051617) (

WORLD FOOD DAY RALLY- 16th October 2008

2008-10-16T01:07:00.001-07:00

STAND UP TO SPEAK UP

On the occasion of World Food Day, Civil Society and Citizens Groups in Pune are organizing Public Rally to SAY NO TO GM FOOD. The Rally will begin at 9.30 am from CPS Ashram, Opp. St Francis School, Behind PMT bus eepot, (Near Agriculture College), Shivaji Nagar, PUNE.

We invite all to participate in the Rally which will walk through Shivaji Nagar ST Stand, Shimla Office Chowk, JM Road, Alka Chowk, Tilak Road and Reach at Udyaan Prasad Mangal Karyalaya, Sadashiv Peth..

There will be public Meeting at 12 noon where people from different walk of life will address the issues of GM, Justice P.B Sawant will be Chief Guest and Mr. Vikram Bokey IPS ( Rtd) will preside meeting. Adv. Asim Sarode and others will speak on the occasion. Please come at the Rally Venue at 9.30 am or at the Public meeting Venue at 12 Noon

Looking forward to meeting you all

Sincerely

Mathew Mattam
Participating Organizations:

1. Ambedkar, Sethi Vikas Sansothan Sanstha, Solapur
2. Astistva, Solapur,
3. Centre for Youth Development Activities, Pune
4. Disha Prathishtan, Pune
5. Gramin Punar Rachana Kendra, Usmanabad.
6. Lokvikash Manch Beed
7. Maharashtra Organic Farmers Federation, Pune
8. Maher, Pune
9. Nehru Yuva Mandal, Parbhani
10. Prakash Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha, Sangli
11. Rajeshri Sahu Samaj Prabodhan va Krida Mandal, Parbhani.
12. Sahayog Trust, Pune
13. Shantinketan Sevabhai Sanstha Parbhani
14. Shasvat Creative Parishad, Vidaba
15. Social Activity and Awareness Development Satara
16. Society of Human Liberty, Satara.
17. Swayam Prerit Samajik Vikas Sanstha, Ahamed Nagar
18. Vasundhara Sevartha Samajik SAnshodhan Aani Vikas Seva, Latur.
19. YUVA, Rural, Nagpur

Ps. World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity"

Pune citizens join hands to save city’s greenery

2008-10-16T01:05:00.001-07:00

In a bid to save the Green Development Plan (DP), members of the Green Pune Movement are trying to gather at least 1.5 lakh objections against the 46 modifications made by the state government in the Ban3e4r-Balewadi DP.
Following citizen’s outcry, the state Urban Development (UD) department had withdrawn its earlier notifications which state that 20 modicaations had been sanctioned and 26 modifications had been sanction sanctioned and 26 modifications hwere proposed in the Baner-Balewadi DP. Last week, a fresh notidfication stating that all the 46 notifications are proposed along with the modified maps were sent by the state UD. At present, a gazette notifications is awaited.

After the initial victory of making the state withdraw its notifications, the citizens have now taken a bigger batter to ensure that a maximum number of objections are raised against the modifications to prevent its implementation.
A meeting of NGOs, citizens groups, mohalla committees and individuals – who have come together under the banner of ‘Green Pune Movement’ was held on Monday to decide a further course of action.

President of National Society for Clean Cities Satishg Khot said volunteers will go around the city and talk to people explaining the issue to ghather objections. Citizens who want tio support the movement can write in to : nsccpune@gmail.com

TOI 24-9-08

Seminar on Religious Viuolence a Threat to Democracy

2008-10-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

On Monday , 13th October at 6 pm, over 300 secular persons from all religions gathered at the Assembly Hall, Azam Campus, Pune College, Camp Pune for a SEMINAR titled Religious Violence: Threat to Democracy. Among the Main Speakers were, Ram Puniyani (Retd. Prof, IIT-Mumbai, awarded Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 2007), Irfan Engineer (Director, Institute for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Mumbai), Dolphy Desouza (President, Bombay Catholic Sabha), and Parnab Mukherjee (United Nations Fellow for Human Rights and North-East).

An open session followed. The seminar was held in the wake of attacks on Christian tribals in Orrisa, churches in Mangalore and Kerala during the last one month by Hindu fundamentalist organizations.

FORMER UN UNDER-SECy Shashi Tharoor spouts Gandhi, green cause

2008-10-16T00:52:00.000-07:00

The FORMER UN UNDER-SECRETARY GENERAL FLAGGED OFF CYCLE RALLY and walkathon on Saturday 19th September in the run-up to the Commonwealth Youth Games. Both events will started at 7 am from Sambhaji bridge in DeccanGymkhana and ended at Sanas grounds near Nehru Stadium.

At the party hosted by the CTG organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi at Laguna-Panchshil Tech Park on Airport Road, Tharoor was in his elements while responding to the introduction made by socialite Monica Trivedi.

“Us President Johnson once said that this is the sort of introduction that would have made by father proud and my mother would’ve believed it.” He lauded Kalmadi’s efforts for taking up the green cause. “Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan would often say that the earth is not ours, it is a treasure to keep for our children. The treasures have been tarnished by two hundred years of industrialization and we have to undo the damage.”

Reminding Pune of Gandhi’s legacy he said that the green cause had a champion in the Mahatma. “In the last 60 years we have forgotten that the man never threw even an envelope and wrote behind it, so as not to waste even a little space.” He said.
Appreciating Pune’s green stance with the token planting and watering of a plant, he said “Pune will be an inspiration to a greener Delhi in the Commonwealth Games in 2010. After all, the you are the flag bearers of the future.”

A Kathak recital by Manisha Sathe’s troupe made a case for not cutting trees. Among those present were Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla, Sagar Sribala Chordia, Sumeer Kalmadi, Kumar Gera, Vishwanath Karad with son Rahul Karad, Aseem Sarode, Satish Khot, police commissioner Satyapal singh, municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi, Tehsen Poonawall, IT honcho Deepak Shikarpurkar, Madhur Bajaj and Sabina Sanghvi.

Delia Maria from FOGM attended the CYG dinner

Kalyani Sardesai & Preeti Devnani, Pune DNA 20-9-008

Talk on Nuclear Energy for whose benefit: People or America?

2008-09-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Surendra Gadekar is a renowned Gandhian anti-nuclear activist from Vedchhi, Surat. He did his Ph.D from IIT-Kanpur and then was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Iowa State University, USA from 1979 to 1981. Subsequently, he joined the faculty of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Dr. Gadekar left his job in 1986 to work with the famed Gandhian Institute, Sampoorna Kranti Vidyalaya, in Vedchhi, Surat. The institute was started by the renowned Gandhian activist Narayan Desai. Here the emphasis is to live a life commensurate with one's beliefs. The activists here have been trying to attain self-sufficiency in food, clothing and shelter through manual work. They have also done immense work on renewable energy, including work on various kinds of solar cookers, biogas and micro-hydro systems. Dr. Surendra Gadekar is best known for his anti-nuclear work. He is famed as the editor of South Asia's most reputed anti-nuclear magazine, ANUMUKTI.

On Saturday, August 23, 2008 Dr. Surendra Gadekaraddressed peace activists, students and citizens of Pune city at Lokayat Hall, 3rd Floor, Opp. Syndicate Bank, Near Nal Stop, Law College Road, Pune-4. The talk was organised by Lokayat Pune.

Play in English Bosnia Revisited

2008-09-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

Intensity, emotion, great acting and a powerful script. Just the ingredients required to make a play successful. The Maharashtra Cultural Centre’s first English theatre production, ‘Mirad, a boy from Bosnia’. Hs all this and more.

Tnvee Shevade (19) and Sksham Kulkarni (17) are mere teenagers, but the intensity with which they have enacted the roles of Djuka nd Fazilla, a Bosnian refugee couple, will make its difficult for you to hold back the tears. The teenagers, in a short span of 95 minutes, manage to bring the horrors of the Bosnian civil war of the 90s to your doorstep.

The play is a collage of 14 scenes, which requires the two young actors to portray multiple roles. The ease with which the two teenagers flit between myriad roles is indeed commendable.

The actors, who play Mirad’s uncle and aunt in the play, narrate the horrors of the civil war through the eyes of Mirad.

The play is the English adaptation of the original German play, written by German playwright Ad de Bont. Young Pune theatre director and teacher, Darshan Naik decided to direct the play after the translation was sent to him by Andrea Gronmeyer, a noted theatre director from Germany.

Saksham, who has acted in Marathi films like Gautam Joglekar’s ‘Pak Pak Pakak’ and Meena Kulkarni’s national award-winning film ‘Shevri’, says, “The script was extremely difficult and challenging and I felt I had to do it.”

Tanvee has acted in several state-level plays and thinks the frequent shift in scenes was probably the toughest part of the play. “It is not easy to constantly switch on and off so rapidly."

Daarshan, who made his two young actors watch movies related to war like Spielberg’s ‘Schindler’s List’ and Bahman Ghobdi’s ‘Turtles can Fly’, is extremely happy with the outcome. “We worked very hard for 25 days. I am glad to see the actors giving off their best.”

Rahul Chnadwarkar

In remembrance of the bombing of Hiroshima, Aaghaz's documentary fest

2008-09-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

Mention activism and the name of Neeraj Jain pops up. And mention activism to Jain and he has a lot to say. “the life of the common people has become more and more difficult. Communal and caste its forces are rearing their heads. A crass consumerist culture is spreading to every nook and corner, Corruption has become all pervasive. The media is playing an important role in this degeneration. It is promoting a distorted market culture in the name of modernization.

That’s the spirit behind Aaghaz. In its second year, Aaghaz has tweaked its formet and concept a bit. “There will be five theme-based two-day festivals in a year.

We start with a No Pakharans Festival on August 5 and 6 to commemorate the dropping of the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. We plan to discuss nuclear politics through the medium of films, theatre and songs in this festival.” Jain informs.

On August 5, at Sneh Sadaan near the Narayan Peth Police Chowkey, the inauguration of the festival will be with a programme of songs by Sambhaji Bhagat, a folk singer from Mumbai, followed by a talk on ‘Globalisation and Theatre’ by Parnab Mukherjee, alternate theatre director from Kolkata. There will be a play titttled Hamletma Chine directed by Parnab Mukherjee, based on writings by Heiner Muller.

On August 6, Aaghaz has organised a screening of the documentary film War And peace directed by Anand Patwardha, to be followed by adiscussion. The film documents the current, epic journey of peace activism in the face or global militarism and war. It examines not merely the militarisation of India, but analyses the human cost that is extracted from its citizens in the name of ‘national security’.

From the plight of residents living near the nuclear test site, and the horrendous effects of uranium mining on local indigenous populations, it becomes clear that, contrary to a myth first created in the US, there is no such thing as the “peaceful atom.”

The other festivals planned for this year include a festival in the slums of Pune to encourage the tremendous talent among the people living there.

“In this festival we plan to motivate people living in the slums to perform programmes on the lives of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shahir Anna Bhau Sathe, Shahir Amar Shaikh and Savitribai Phule, including songs, dances, drama etc. Then we plan to organise a festival around Badal Sircar and Vijay Tendulkar celebrating works of cultural greats,” Jain sites.

Huned Contractor

Ecology Day celebrations in Pune city

2008-08-30T00:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-30T00:23:00.000-07:00

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 !

2008-08-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-08-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

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

Climate Change India 2008 Pune Conference

2008-05-16T23:39:00.001-07:00

The climate change India 2008 Conference was held on 22-23 April 2008 at the Le Meridian, Pune city. the objective of the conference was to identify causes and search for solutions towards combatting the challenge of climate change facing India in the 21st century. It was organised by WISE - World Institute of Sustainable Energy
Pune 411006 (India), cpsr.wise@gmail.com, cpsr@wisein.org, URL : www.wisein.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE were:
Felicitation of the Indian scientists / lead authors who played a key role in the preparation of the IPCC Reports.
Eminent national/international dignitaries and prominent experts in the field were lead speakers.
Highly topical presentations and interactive sessions. Participation of delegates from all over India.
Coming together of researchers, academicians, policy makers, regulators, business leaders, financial and insurance sector professionals, representatives of the sunrise industry of clean energy, social activists and non-government organisations.
Two exclusive sessions on reducing business risks, and identifying opportunities as to how you can make your company carbon-neutral.
Release of special issue of WISE's acclaimed bimonthly 'Green Energy' on Climate Change.
Post-conference publication of the first-ever comprehensive book on 'Impacts of Climate Change on India'.

Delia Maria attended both days of the conference and was a sponsored delegate.

Pune city forms a new political party for sustainable development through people's participation

2008-05-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

About 350 people attended a meeting at Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture on 27th April at 11.00 am, the meeting was called to form a olitical parties/initiative in Pune city.

The Agenda taken up was:

1. Formation of a political party named: People's Guardian (JanaRakshak) Party.

The following steps would be taken towards this aim:

a. More than 100 affidavits were needed of people who wanted to be members of this proposed political party. This was quickly oversubscribed. The affidavits will be sent to the Central Election Commission which requires these as a formality in the process of registering the Party Name and registration of the party itself.

b. A team of lawyers and core members is also working on the constitution of the party. This constitution will be accompanied by the above mentioned affidavits in the application sent to the CEC, New Delhi.

c. The experiences of the election in 2003 - when Arun Bhatia won 60,000 votes as an independent candidate, BJP only 5 times more, and Congress 6 times more (respectively 3,00,000 and 3,50,000) inspite of there being a vast (1:1000) difference and mismatch in resources such as money, manpower and preparations.
For example: both the parties had political networking built up over the last 50 years ! The Arun Bhatia campaign team had no experience and worked only 3 months with 50 full time workers and 2000 part time supporters. The two parties have 25000 workers in the city, each.)

d. Speeches were made by all those who wished to comment on the proposal of starting the party. All positive speeches with great enthusiasm. The general theme was - the time has come for such a party. All those who were at the core of the 2003 campaign were present again.

e. Next central committee meeting fixed for 25th May tentatively at NFAI Auditorium, Law college road. Each was asked to bring at least 2 deeply interested friends. Agenda will include forming the sub-committees for laying the foundation of work for coming Lok Sabha Elections in 2009.

f. Anyone can invite Mr Arun Bhatia and a small team of friends to their housing societies for a talk on "How and why to ensure voter registrations in our housing society and in the locality". It is not an invitation for a political talk about elections. It is an invitation to call Mr Bhatia to share his views on Indian Democracy and how it works currently - and what is the change needed in it.

I the next meeting will be held on 25th May at NFAI auditorium.

Reported by Vinod Bodhankar

WORKSHOP on "Buddhism and Human Rights"

2008-05-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

A workshop "Buddhism and Human Rights" was conducted by Nalin Swaris, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 16th April 2008, 10.00am to 12.30pm. It was hosted by Manuski Center, Plot No.: 3, Deccan College Road, Yerawada, Pune

Nalin Swaris was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith. He was ordained a Redemptorist Priest in 1962. After resigning from the ministry in 1969, he taught Social Philosophy and Methodology of Community Development for seventeen years at the Senior College for Social Work in De Horst, Dreibergen in the Netherlands. Back now in Sri Lanka, he works as a freelance journalist and lecturer. He is a leading critique of orthodoxy, looks at Buddhism an emacipatory tool. He wrote extensively on important doctrines in Buddhism like Karma and Rebirth, Buddhism and Human Rights and on Religions.

For more about Nalini Swaris writings contact: Mr. Anil / anil@jambudvipa.org
The Jambudivpa Trust, Pune.

Pune human rights activists interaction with Pakistani & Bangladeshi women activists

2008-05-16T23:10:00.000-07:00

Four women activists from 'Shirkat Gah' (Pakistan) and 10 activists from 'Naripokkho' (Bangaldesh) came to Pune in early April for a programme organised by MASUM. These organisations are well known in their own countries.

Shirkat Gah (Pakistan) is a Women's Resource Center and it was formed in 1975, as a Collective to integrate consciousness raising with a development perspective, and to initiate projects translating advocacy into action. Shirkat Gah means, 'place of participation', and over the last 30 years it has empowered women by increasing their access to information, resources, skills and decision making. In this process Shirkat Gah has brought positive change to policies, laws, and practices. Shirkat Gah has ECOSOC status at the United Nation.

Naripokkho (Bangladesh) is a membership-based, women's activist organisation working for the advancement of women's rights and entitlements and building resistance against violence, discrimination and injustice. Since it's founding in 1983, Naripokkho has met every Tuesday to discuss problems, issues and strategies related to these concerns. These discussions form the basis for Naripokkho's programmes and activities, which include campaigns, cultural events, training, research, lobbying and advocacy, and the maintenance of a regular participatory discussion forum. Occasionally this leads to a specific project, which is carried out with grant funding. However, most of Naripokkho's activities are voluntary and financed through resources that are earned by the membership.

Naripokkho's work is focused on the following five inter-related thematic areas 1) Equality and the Political Empowerment of Women, 2) Violence Against Women and Women's Human Rights, 3) Women's Health and Reproductive Rights, 4) Gender Issues in Environment and Development and 5) Cultural Politics and the Representation of Women.
The activists of these organizations came to Pune for an exposure visit and to share with the para legal community outreach strategies with Pune MASUM's staff. On 11th April, 2008 from 4 to 6 pm, they interacted with like minded human rights activists of Pune city at S.M.Joshi Socialist Foundation Conference hall, Navi peth, Pune 30

Carl Pope Executive Director of Sierra Club USA meets Pune environmentalists

2008-04-02T10:05:00.001-07:00

A get-together of progressive minded people to have an interactive session with Carl Pope, Executive Director of Sierra Club – America’s oldest and largest grassroots organization working for the environment was held on the 1st April at Ba ner Pune. The nature of the get-together was ‘Dialogue, Drinks, Dinner and Dance’ making it an event to interact and enjoy with like-minded people.
FOGM was invited to the get-together. Sierra Club USA is planning to work with like-minded environmentalists and activists in India. Sunil Deshmukh of the NRI Maharashtra Foundation had organized the meet.