Aasra Hoarding/Billboard at Mira Rd

Dec 2012  to Jan 2013

NGO Asia Expo Nov 20-21 World Trade Center , Mumbai

Job Avbl.: Regional Project Officer- West, with NGO CanKids

Job Avbl.: Regional Project Officer- West, with NGO CanKids Posted by: "recruitment cankids" recruitment@cankidsindia.org Sun May 6, 2012 11:04 pm (PDT)

CanKids…KidsCan is a family support group enabling children and their families faced with cancer, in accordance with the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) and International Chamber of Childhood Cancer Parents Organization (ICCCPO) recommendations and guidelines. And a unit of Indian Cancer Society (ICS) Delhi, set up in Jan 2004 to provide a complete range of support services to children with cancer and their families, from moment of diagnosis, through treatment and after – into survivorship, or relapse, palliation and bereavement support. www.cankidsindia.org
*Our vision is: *  When worldwide 70-90% childhood cancer is curable, then in our country too, 70-90% children must survive the disease.  Equally no child should suffer for treatment for lack of finance.  A child with cancer and his family should have access to a complete range of support services anywhere in India
*Post: Project Officer* *Job Description* - Administer National Outreach Project ie expand Programs to reach children with cancer and their families across India and stabilize the Units in the region - Responsible for identifying new units for national outreach Research which cities, hospitals and partners (eg. NGOs) to work with Fill assessment reports prior to site visit and recommend which sites to visit, Develop feasibility report during/post site visit. - Assess potential collaboration with Jiv Daya Foundation Work with Drs to do needs assessment - Prepare terms of MOU, Systems and Procedures for hospital and CanKids and prepare budget for each outreach units under the Project Officer - Hire and organize training for Social worker/unit in-charge and assist him/her to identify PSG members - Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports on CanKids operations in each outreach hospital. - The Cankids Project Officer will be responsible for the management of the Organizations projects in our programs, with the goal of ensuring that the communities have access to quality knowledge for prevention of childhood cancer and are able to respond to the needs of those who are already infected and affected. - Responsible for the day to day running of the project and Cankids Office. - Work in partnership with local partner organisations, youth reach etc and other likely stakeholders - Formulate strategies to generate awareness on the issue of childhood cancer and address the need for preparedness and mitigation measures. - Organize city level consultations to develop the framework and implement the strategies under the project. - Organize various seminars, workshops, consultations and advocacy campaigns. - Work in close coordination with the Volunteers from Schools and Colleges and assign duties to them in consultation with Cankids…KidsCan Management & Youth Involvement - Facilitate in organizing events and outings for the organization. *Educational Qualification: * - Post Graduate in Social Work in Medical & Psychology / MBA In Hospital Management or MA in Public Health - Computer knowledge is essential. Good spoken and written English is must. - Proficient in MS Excel / Word *Work Experience:* Minimum three to five years of experience, preferably in counseling in the hospital setup. Remuneration: *Rs 18--25000* per month based on the profile and experience of the person. Two Important Notes: 1. CanKids is a fast growing organization, looking for committed young people to develop/share the vision. 2. Position are open and need to be join ASAP If you wish to apply for this post, please send a full Curriculum Vitae and write in a cover note that why you consider yourself suitable for this post to recruitment@cankidsindia.org Last date of application is 15 June, 2012 Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) 9. Job Avbl.: Resource Mobilization Officer, Delhi with NGO CanKids Posted by: "recruitment cankids" recruitment@cankidsindia.org Sun May 6, 2012 11:05 pm (PDT) CanKids…KidsCan is a family support group enabling children and their families faced with cancer, in accordance with the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) and International Chamber of Childhood Cancer Parents Organization (ICCCPO) recommendations and guidelines. And a unit of Indian Cancer Society (ICS) Delhi, set up in Jan 2004 to provide a complete range of support services to children with cancer and their families, from moment of diagnosis, through treatment and after – into survivorship, or relapse, palliation and bereavement support. www.cankidsindia.org *Our vision is: *  When worldwide 70-90% childhood cancer is curable, then in our country too, 70-90% children must survive the disease.  Equally no child should suffer for treatment for lack of finance.  A child with cancer and his family should have access to a complete range of support services anywhere in India *Post: **RESOURCE MOBILIZATION* We are currently looking for a Resource Mobilization-Manager to join our team in our head office in Delhi. The Resource Mobilization Manager is a crucial role to build a resource base for the organization in order to fulfill its mission. She/he will develop and implement the fund raising strategy to mobilize resources for a diverse donor base, both locally and internationally. *The position will be responsible for following key areas:* - Lead Educate Girls’ fund raising strategy. - Develop collaterals and grant proposals. - Create and ensure timely delivery of all reports to donors. *Breakdown of main tasks in percentages:* - Conceptual work: strategy, concepts and presentations: 50% - Writing: reports, proposals 50% *Specific Responsibilities* - Support the development and implement fundraising strategy, process and plans for donors - Lead Educate Girls’ fund raising strategy to strengthen EG’s donor base for sustainability of the organizations activities. - Manage EG’s relationships with donors. - Write internal monthly progress reports - Conduct targeted outreach in support of fundraising objectives. - Support Executive Director in her representation activities with donors - Take responsibility for ongoing communications requests from senior management 3 working areas - Fundraising, Networking, Volunteer Management. *A. Fundraising* in the following 9 areas Individuals, Corporate, Associations & Trusts, Project Grants, Schools & Colleges, Events, Merchandizing , Donation boxes and Donation in Kind Tools we are using : · Adopt a Child Program, Project proposals, Cankids Companion Clubs,Our social meida( - website, facebook, twitter, survivor network, parent support network,), Marketing, Branding & Awareness, Leaflet(brochure) and KCK newsletter *B. Our Network:* · Local - in domain of the units, Regional office, HQ · Domestic - within the country · International I would like your help in doing a *strategic review on Cankids Resource mobilization :* i. reviewing what we are doing for res mob ---or rather what we are not doing ii. what are we targeting to do /raise - what is or should be our strategy to do this iii. are we committing adequate resource to this important area of activity - if not what do we need HR wise iv. how do we improve efficiency and effectiveness in this are v. how do we give adequate feedback to our donors vi. what do we need to do to get the right donor MIS and integrate it into CPOSS vii. we need to creating a short , medium, long-term plan, and a calendar of monthly, quarterly and annual activity for the Program Officer and management in this regard - who should focus on what *Education and Work Experience* - Post graduate degree in social sciences, development studies, business management or equivalent qualification - Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a social sector organization. - Experience in managing a team of 2-3 people in a direct reporting relationship *Required Skills, Abilities and Attitude* - Outstanding communications and writing skills in English. - Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to work with people from varied backgrounds, at all levels. - Ability to understand and explain complex information rapidly and clearly - Ability to organize and prioritize workload - Excellent IT skills – Adobe (Acrobat & PDF) as well as Microsoft Office. *Support and supervision* Will report directly to the President, CanKids. *Time Commitment* Full time *Remuneration* Rs 20,000 – 40,000 per month which may be varied based on skill and experience. *How to apply* A detailed CV with covering letter in one single file and three references should be sent to recruitment@cankidsindia.org Please mention ‘’ Application- Resources Mobilization Manager’’ in the subject line of your mail. *ONLY SHORLISTED WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONTACTED.*

The world's largest solar inverter factory in Germany

The world's largest solar inverter factory in Germany
Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:18 pm (PDT)
http://www.hhs.ag/projekte-industrie-solar-factory-1.en.html Solar Factory 1 The Solar Factory 1 is currently the world's largest solar inverter factory with CO2-neutral production. It will contribute to the improvement of the spatial and logistical conditions of the production processes in the manufacture of inverters for obtaining solar electricity. The building, with a clear height of 8.50 m, runs parallel to the existing buildings. The horizontal shed is intended as an analogy of an industrial extruded profile. The longitudinal façades of the building are sligh Building Typology:Industrial Location:Kassel Country:Germany Planning / Construction Period:2008 - 2009 Order type:New Building Client:SMA Solar Technology AG Project Participants:Structural engineer: EHS, Lohfelden HVAC: Imtech Deutschland GmbH & Co.KG Energy concept and CO2-neutrality: deNET e.V., Kassel Energy concept: IB Hausladen/EGS, Stuttgart Landscape architecture: PWF, Kassel Scope of Services:Architecture Gross Floor Area:25268 m² Gross Volume:178950 m³ Awards:Nomination for the "Great Nike" BDA Architecture Prize 2009 Prime Property Award by Union Investment 2010 Energy Efficiency Award by DENA (German Energy Agency) 2010 German Solar Prize plaque 2010 "Selected location" for 365 locations, Germany - Land of Ideas 2011 The Solar Factory 1 is currently the world's largest solar inverter factory with CO2-neutral production. It will contribute to the improvement of the spatial and logistical conditions of the production processes in the manufacture of inverters for obtaining solar electricity. The building, with a clear height of 8.50 m, runs parallel to the existing buildings. The horizontal shed is intended as an analogy of an industrial extruded profile. The longitudinal façades of the building are slightly curved and "perforated" by vertical window elements. In contrast to this, the two end walls are completely of glass. A recessed pedestal level gives the "profile" the appearance of hovering above the ground. In addition to the manufacture and assembly of prefabricated electronic components to form electronic components in the central area of Solar Werk 1, the peripheral areas of the upper storey house ancillary rooms, social spaces and the production department's offices. Access to the building for the 450 employees and visitors is at the two end elevations of the building. The roof support structure was erected as a prefabricated steel frame construction on prefabricated reinforced concrete loadbearing supports. The longitudinal elevations of the building were clad with curtain façades of aluminium composite panels in white, with dark-grey window elements. The building is fitted with several kinds of photovoltaic system - roof-mounted, integrated into the roof lights of the building, in the canopies above the logistics yard and around an outside terrace. The overall output of the systems installed is approx. 1.2 MWp. The heat required is generated by a biogas-fuelled CHP and biogas condensing boilers. Absorption air conditioning units provide cooling where necessary. The energy consumption of substantial areas is optimised by means of a thermal simulation of the building. The workstations near the façades have natural light and ventilation from the windows. Cooling ceilings ensure pleasant working conditions even in the summer months.

New urban developmental models must focus on eco-sustainability

New urban development models must focus on eco sustainability Posted by: "Sheetal - Karmayog" info@karmayog.org Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:22 am (PST) New urban development models must focus on eco sustainability, inclusive growth The UN Habitat is pushing for a new urban development agenda focussed on economic and environmental sustainability and inclusive growth, according to Mr Andre Dzikus, Chief, Water and Sanitation Section, UN Habitat. The new principles of urban development should be through a coordinated and long-term approach with national level policies that prevent investor-driven, irrational urban land prices. Such a national urban policy should coordinate different areas of government, take into account public transportation development, connectivity, economic development and energy strategy. Such a vision for national urban development should lay emphasis on small and intermediate size urbanisation which should be encouraged through incentives, he said. Addressing the Municipalika 2012, the 10th international seminar on city infrastructure and sustainable urban development, he said the systems in vogue in urban development have resulted in unsustainable urban sprawls where cities are losing their cultural identity and distinctiveness, socially segregated - gated communities are a 'symptom of social failure' - with unequal growth of sections of society and are energy intensive. Loss of open spaces has made shopping malls the primary locations for social gathering, he said at the event organised by the Good Governance India Foundation and supported by the Union Ministries of Urban Development, Housing and Renewable Energy. Mr Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India, said the conference on sustainable urban development with UK as the country partner addresses a crucial issue in the context of rapid urbanisation in developing economies. The UK companies with their technical expertise can contribute to cost-effective and low-carbon solutions. The London 2012 Olympics is set to be the greenest Olympics that will showcase the UK's low carbon credentials, he said. rbalaji@thehindu.co.in URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article2826050.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

The more creative and flexible you are, the better your chances for getting a job- Wall street journal

n 2012, creativity and adaptability will be key to landing and keeping a job for many workers, as staff levels remain lean and employees are expected to respond to a wide variety of demands, experts say. Economists don't expect loads of job growth, but there could be opportunities in areas such as health care, professional services, retail and some manufacturing, says Harry Holzer, a public-policy professor at Georgetown University. Also, continuing churn in the labor market means that even in areas with few new jobs, there will still be openings when workers move around. Enlarge Image mw mw Thomas Kuhlenbeck Technical knowledge and experience will be required for certain spots. "For professional services you usually need a professional degree. In health you usually need some training," Mr. Holzer says. "Manufacturing needs some occupational training. Retail is different. It doesn't require specific occupational training, but it does often require some interpersonal skills." In addition to the standard prerequisites, employers will be looking for workers who are able to quickly adapt to new responsibilities as companies respond to changing economic and industry trends. So workers should highlight their creative skills to differentiate themselves, says Lawrence Katz, an economist at Harvard University. "Firms have so many job seekers per opening. They are going to want candidates with clear credentials, but also a little extra shine in interactive skills and creativity," Mr. Katz says. "They are less willing in a weak labor market to take chances." Here are other skills experts recommend workers should pick up and enhance. Technical literacy. It's important for workers at a variety of levels to be familiar with some of the technical, if mundane, processes that keep organizations running smoothly. Take the health-care industry. Providers are bringing on more technology when it comes to record keeping and billing. "A knowledge of electronic data handling is just a really big plus. That goes for receptionists to the doctors who are becoming employees of larger hospital systems," says Warren Bobrow, president of All About Performance, a Los Angeles-based skills-assessment consultancy. Workers also need to be good users of social media. There's a fine line between letting interested parties know about the latest news and bombarding them with too much information. Still, individuals shouldn't be afraid to use networking sites such as LinkedIn to make employment connections. Business acumen. As companies remain concerned about demand for their products and services, a wide variety of employees need to think about sales, experts say. Even those outside of marketing should care about revenue, and making sure customers are happy. Mr. Bobrow has clients in Colorado, an orthopedic practice with more than a dozen doctors, and those doctors don't become partners until client-satisfaction surveys are reviewed and good results are found. "They are in a competitive marketplace because so much of their work is based on referrals," Mr. Bobrow says. "The doctors realize that their revenue depends on all of them bringing in more patients and having patients come back." Being savvy about pleasing customers isn't about spin, says Ben Dattner, a New York-based organizational psychologist and author. Rather, workers need to illustrate the advantages of their products and services to please employers dealing with an ultra-competitive environment. "Try to get to know your customer, the market and figure out how you can put things together in a package that adds value," Mr. Dattner says. "Law firms are increasingly recruiting professionals who [bring clients with them]. The actual practice of law is becoming commoditized to some extent, but the ability to bring in customer relationships and be flexible is what companies are increasingly looking for." General proficiency. Companies are looking for workers who are flexible and can take on functions in various jobs as market demands change, says Greg Barnett, director of product development at Hogan Assessment Systems, a Tulsa, Okla.-based personality-assessment and consulting firm. That is, companies want workers who are "solid organizational citizens"—quick learners who are compliant, Mr. Barnett says. "People are being asked to do more," he says. "There are concerns when applicants are good workers, but not people who are able to learn and change direction and change their performance." Dan Ryan, principal at a Nashville, Tenn.-based executive search firm, stresses the importance of project management and communication skills, which also happen to be transferrable. "The ability of people at all levels to clearly communicate is not what it used to be," he says. People "who can do that very well can differentiate themselves." Write to Ruth Mantell at ruth.mantell@dowjones.com —Ruth Mantell is a reporter for MarketWatch. Read more at marketwatch.com.

An Appeal from Goonj NGO

Dear Friends, On February 18th GOONJ completes 13 years. The trust and continuous efforts of thousands of friends made a small idea started with 67 clothes grow into a mass movement. Clothing is becoming a subject. In urban India as we developed a sustained culture and systems for giving material, in rural India under ‘Cloth For Work’ this material is nudging communities to take up hundreds of development activities. People are calling it ‘the largest non monetary resource organisation’ (a new term in the development sector) and one of the largest and ‘ongoing civic participation movement’. Many of you have visited our processing units and know first hand that even as one part of our work is passion the other is rigorous logistics. An exorbitant increase in transportation costs & rentals means reaching deeper into the remotest parts is becoming more challenging every day. Our annual budget is touching around 4.00 crore, despite the fact that we don’t expend on infrastructure and believe in re-using everything. That’s why we thought of bringing together TEAM 2000. By March 2012, we want to bring together 2000 people to contribute Rs. 10,000/- or more to GOONJ. This is not an EMI, to be given every year and it can certainly be given on a monthly/quarterly basis as per convenience. It is certainly a new ground for an organization which is not into active fund raising for its activities and is growing on the faith of people and it wants to be like this!! Like any other activity of GOONJ, in this also we want to grow with the people instead of depending only on institutions. Over to you to take the ownership and to widen the reach!! A simple form is here. Write back to mail@goonj.org with your queries/suggestions.. (All financial contributions to GOONJ are tax exempted u/s 80G). More about GOONJ on www.goonj.org. For regular updates, please refer- www.goonj.org/facebook.com Do join us on February 18th in Delhi to review, plan and learn from each other. More details will follow on facebook. With best anshu ----- Anshu Gupta ( Ashoka Fellow) Founder Director GOONJ.. www.goonj.org

Feedback to govt from non-profits, Educational institutions to publish balance sheets

Educational institutions to publish balance sheets Posted by: "Sheetal - Karmayog" info@karmayog.org Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:25 am (PST) Educational institutions to publish balance sheets....Prashant K. Nanda The educational institutes will follow a uniform accounting norm and disclose income and expenditure in a standard format similar to that of companies New Delhi: All educational institutes under the central government and those that get grants or approvals from central education regulators will be directed by the government to publish a balance sheet every year, starting 2013, to bring in more transparency to the sector. The educational institutes will follow a uniform accounting norm and disclose income and expenditure in a standard format similar to that of companies, according to an initiative unveiled on Wednesday. "The aim is to bring transparency and openness in our educational institutes," said Kapil Sibal, minister for human resource development. All Union government institutes, including central universities, Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management and National Institutes of Technology will have to adhere to the accounting standards. Besides, all universities and colleges under the University Grant Commission, the All India Council for Technical Education and the National Council of Teachers Education will have to follow the norms. Even schools affiliated to the Union government-controlled Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will have to incorporate the accounting norms. The standards and guidelines have been prepared by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (Icai). "Donations coming from within or outside India, grants received and expenditures incurred will all be detailed in a uniform format," said G. Ramaswamy, Icai president. India has 572 universities and more than 31,000 colleges, where around 15 million students pursue higher education. In addition, there are at least 10,000 CBSE schools. Sibal said his ministry had accepted the report in principle and "it will come into force from the 2013 academic session". Sibal will discuss the report in the Central Advisory Board of Education, a panel comprising experts, academicians and state education ministers. "I would like to see this adopted by all educational institutes in the country but states need to come on board too," he said. Though central government institutes submit their accounts to the government and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India audits them, private institutes are not obliged to do so. At least 60% of colleges are under private control. The standards will provide clarity on the deployment of funds, Ramaswamy said. "It will lead to decommercialisation and orderly growth of education," he said. The Icai president said that some colleges might be talking about sustainable revenue model but that needs to be spelt out. "Once the accounting is done, you will put it online in a centralized server," he said. "If you are earning revenue then you have to deploy 85% in education every year. This accounting norm will help analyse and come to a conclusion on who is doing what." Jaydeep N. Shah, vice-president of Icai, said the step will take care of concerns that many private institutions engage in malpractices to fleece students. A private university administrator in the National Capital Region attacked the move and said it would discourage investment. "The education malpractice Bill, the education tribunal Bill and even this accounting standard are aimed at one direction-scuttle private investment. If somebody is investing a billion rupees, he would like to get some return," said the official, requesting anonymity. "When government can't provide access to all, why is it then discouraging private participation?" prashant.n@livemint.com URL: http://www.livemint.com/2012/01/18222543/Educational-institutions-to-pu.html?h=B 10. Feedback to govt. from non-profits in pre-budget exercise Posted by: "Sheetal - Karmayog" info@karmayog.org Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:26 am (PST) In the line of fire The overzealous in the government have, in their desire to clean out the non-profit sector of the undesirables-those who misuse the cover to run commercial enterprise-done more harm than good. The finance minister got an earful this week from a group of non-profits as part of the pre-budget exercise. In dispute is an amendment under section 2(15) of the Income-tax Act. While indeed it will discourage misuse, it is the case of the non-profits that even those engaged in genuine work have become collateral damage. It could impact their fund-raising capability and consequently their ability to serve causesin sectors where the government has been found wanting or missing. This would be disastrous, especiallyat a time when the government could well cut some of its "social sector" spending because it is as cash-strapped as it is. URL: http://www.livemint.com/2012/01/18222455/In-the-line-of-fire.html?atype=tpa

CSR- Not mandatory for public sector companies

CSR not mandatory for private sector companies: Moily Posted by: "Sheetal - Karmayog" info@karmayog.org Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:24 am (PST) CSR not mandatory for private sector companies: Moily The government on Wednesday clarified that the new Companies Bill is not going to make spending on CSR activities mandatory for companies. "There is some misconception among the public that CSR will be mandatory...I would like to make it clear that it is not at all correct," Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily told reporters at the National CSR Conclave here. According to Clause 135 of the Companies Bill, 2011, every company with a net worth of Rs 500 crore or more, or turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or more, or a net profit of Rs 5 crore or more in a financial year, will have to form a CSR committee consisting of three or more directors, of which at least one director should be an independent director. Moily further said the government's initiatives on CSR are strong enough and this is the first time in the world that companies have been mandated to constitute a board for formulating CSR policies. "So this should show that we are serious enough. If for some reason the company fails to do so, the board will prepare a report explaining the reasons for doing so and give it to the shareholders," he said. In addition, he said the government is continuously updating the CSR guidelines for companies across all sectors. "We are trying to build up a CSR culture in the country like in the West and all companies are on board with us on this issue," Moily said. On being asked why there is no provision for penalising companies that do not comply with the CSR provisions, he said, "The CSR is a rule of law and not a rule by law. So we are confident that the companies will come up with new avenues to execute CSR... so there is no question of penalising them." Unlike the provisions stipulated for private companies in the new corporate law, spending on CSR activities is mandatory for PSUs and non-adherence to the guidelines attracts penal action. Under the CSR provisions for PSUs, a company with a net profit of less than 100 crore will have to spend 3-5 per cent of it on the CSR. Those PSUs with a net profit of Rs 100-500 crore a year will have to earmark 2-3 per cent of it for CSR. A company with a bottomline of Rs 500 crore and above will have to set aside 0.5-2 per cent for CSR activities, which should preferably be related to its business as a natural corollary. According to the norms, investment in CSR should be project-based and mere donations to philanthropic/charity bodies would not be treated as this activity. Furthermore, expenditure related to staff benefits will not be counted as CSR. URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/csr-not-mandatory-for-private-sector-companies-moily/articleshow/11541015.cms

UP Dalit girl Mamta needs sophisticated plastic surgey for burn wounds

All India Christian Council

Post Box 320, Lucknow 226 001, UP



Press Release



UP Dalit girl Mamta needs sophisticated plastic surgery for burns wounds

Civil society concerned at rise in women suicides, rapes and anti-Dalit violence



Lucknow, August 12, 2011



The All India Christian Council, a national human rights and advocacy group, has offered to work with state government agencies for advanced treatment of Mamta, a Dalit teenage girl of Juhari village in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh who sustained serious face and upper body burns on 2nd August in an alleged case of rape and assault. The Council has also extended its offer in similar cases of Dalit victims who need advanced surgery and rehabilitation, together with the pursuit of justice.



Although the state government is giving a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the victim at the registration of the First Information Report and Rs 75,000 on the filing of the Charge Sheet in the court, the victims need psychological post-trauma counseling. Burns victims also need corrective and cosmetic surgery on hands and faces as part of their physical and social rehabilitation, which is not available for poor victims from villages and small towns.



A fact-finding team consisting of National Integration Council Member Dr John Dayal, former Lucknow University Vice chancellor Roop Rekha Verma, retired Inspector General of Policed SR Darapuri and social activist Madhu Chandra visited Juhari village to investigate the incident. A team of National Women’s commission had also recently visited the village. The team interviewed the girl in the burns ward of the Sitapur District men’s Hospital, her parents and siblings in their village home as also a cross section of villagers, the District Superintendent of police, Piyush Mordia, Deputy superintend Vidya Sagar Mishra, Ramkot police SO S K Rai, senior medical superintendents of the men’s and women’s hospital Drs Chetan Raj Aggarwal and Kusum Massey and gynecologist Dr Nisha Pandey who had examined the victim when she was first brought to the hospital. The team also had access to the complete medical records, FIR and forensic records.



The medical and forensic examination reports, which arrived yesterday, have failed to either confirm or rule out the possibility of rape. The police said in the circumstances, they would continue with the investigations leading to a charge sheet covering rape, assault, and the anti-atrocities act. Though the police had called five young men of the village for interrogation, four were let off and one, Tuniya, son of Radheyshyam is under arrest. Tuniya, in his Twenties, is a married man but has notoriety in the village. The fact finding committee hopes the police will continue to pursue the matter with vigour.



Mamta is slowly recovering. She had sustained 35 per cent burns injuries of the first and second degree, covering all of her face, upper chest, parts of the arms, and parts of the scalp. The class 12 student of the local intermediate college remains deeply disturbed, occasionally incoherent. Though she had told the police initially that she was sexually harassed in the village by five young men, she had not informed her parents of an alleged gang rape on 1st august in the sugar cane fields. She also remained unsure of the names and number of men who had allegedly raped her. The only consistent name was of Tuniya. The girl in her “dysing declaration” to a magistrate,a statuory requirement in such cases, said she was raped by one man.



Despite talking to her and her parents, villagers the fact finding team could not prima facie establish the narrative of a gang rape, or how she came to be burnt. The team therefore refrains from making a statement on the source of her injuries and the identity of her assailant. We hope that sustained police investigation over an extended period of time, and once the girl is out of her immediate trauma, may be able to reveal facts that can be sustained in court.



It is however clear that the family of the victim has pending litigations with several of their immediate neighbours, who are also their estranged relatives, and with people in other parts of the village. These are cases relating to ancestral properties in which the victim’s father, Molahe Ram, a dalit, is involved in cross cases in civil and criminal courts. Molahe has four daughters, and a ten-year-old son. He has educated his daughters to the high school level. The victim, the third daughter, is said to be a bright student of class 12. She told us she wants to study further.



The population of Juhari village consists of about 50 per cent Brahmins. Dalits, mostly of the Raidas community and other castes make up the rest of the population. Villagers claim that though the upper castes dominate, there has been no inter caste tension in the village. Ramkot police station however reports an above average incident of crimes and violence in the region.



While the focus of the fact-finding team was on this specific case, we cannot ignore the data of gender and anti-Dalit violence in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Specific incidents of violence have to be located in the environment and the ethos. We note from official records that 1,757 cases of rape were reported from Uttar Pradesh in 2009 and 1,290 in 2010, of whom 558 were Dalit women. Even this year, till May, 706 cases have been registered – an average of 114 rapes a month. The National Crime Records Bureau and the National Commission for Child Rights reported in 2008 that out of 5,446 cases of child rape in India, 900 were in Uttar Pradesh. And these were just the reported cases as most children are frightened into silence and the violence is discovered only because of injury or other signs of trauma.



This fact finding tam therefore recommends to the governments of the State of Uttar Pradesh for a comprehensive plan which includes preventing measures of which sensitizing parents, teachers and children through a village level mass education program me, prompt police action, special units in hospital for corrective and restorative treatment and trauma care, and rehabilitation. A piece-meal approach will not sufficiently address this very serious national issue.



The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders. Several aicc member organisations partner with the Dalit Freedom Network which has chapters in several countries and is focused on making slavery history by ending Dalit trafficking in India.



Released by





Madhu Chandra

9716004939

BMC scraps night shelter plan for homeless

Night shelters for homeless

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: With the issue of night shelters for homeless remaining unsolved, the State government here on Friday made a move to mobilise resources for establishing shelters in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri.

A meeting chaired by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Sourav Garg decided to approach land administration in respective urban centres for finding suitable locations for the proposed night shelters.

A commission appointed by Supreme Court had suggested at least 15 night shelters on permanent basis for the three cities – seven for Bhubaneswar, six for Cuttack and two for Puri.

As per present status, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had made two temporary night shelters operational in 2010.

However, the basic necessary infrastructure like electricity, bed-roll, toilets, drinking water and food were not available in the night shelters.

According to a survey conducted by a city-based reputed B-school, about 450 homeless were found in the capital city in 2010.

At the meeting it was decided that BMC would move General Administration for identifying land measuring around 2000 square feet preferably nearer to Railway Station, Bus Terminal and Temples to build night shelter on permanent basis.

Senior officials said since there were no guidelines regarding functioning and funding for night shelters, convergence of resources would be required for upcoming night shelters.

Suggestions from Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare and Women and Child Welfare departments would be sought if they could incorporate beneficiaries of night shelters in any of their welfare programmes.

In fact, BMC had floated expression of interest for functioning night-shelters. An NGO had expressed its keenness to run these shelters on no profit and no-loss basis.

The meeting asked other two centres such as Cuttack and Puri to study the BMC's experiment.

The Apex Court has laid out clear action plan for homeless people living without shelters in cities.