News and Articles

Policy on Public Private Partnership - The Assam Gazette (Government of Assam) (2008)
This policy document provides guidelines on the implementation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in infrastructure development proposed by the Government of Assam. Posted on 11 Oct, 2010 04:15 PM

This policy document provides  a brief background and guidelines on the implementation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP)  in infrastructure development proposed by the Government of Assam.

Rajasthan urban housing and habitat policy and guidelines for action plan - Urban Development and Housing Department (Government of Rajasthan) (2006)
A document that highlights the details of the steps to be undertaken to meet the aims of the Rajasthan Urban Housing & Habitat Policy (RUHHP-06) Posted on 11 Oct, 2010 04:06 PM

The  mission of the Rajasthan Urban Housing and Habitat Policy (RUHHP - 06) is:

  • To provide shelter to all the sections of the population
  • To ensure sustainable development of human settlements
  • To ensure a better quality of life for the population
  • To adopt a multisectoral approach and involve and use the potential of all levels of stakeholders.

The RUHHP-06 is broadly in consonance with latest National  Housing and Habitat Policy-2005 (Ist draft has been issued). The document goes on to highlight the present urban and  rural situation in Rajasthan, the increasing population density in the urban areas because of migration of people from rural to urban areas and the housing issues arising because of this increased density of population in urban areas.

The policy thus focuses on balanced development, promotion of in situ-urbanisation, vertical construction and the use of sustainable development models.

‘Samajik Parivarthan Yatra’ (National Yatra for Social Transformation)
Gaining momentum: the Samajik Parivartan Yatra brings together the safai karamcharis to fight for social justice and an opportunity to equal life Posted on 11 Oct, 2010 11:51 AM


Safai Karmachari Andolan at West BengalThe historical ‘Samajik Parivarthan Yatra’ (Rally for Social Transformation), has been started to consolidate the gains of the movement for total eradication by liberated safai karmacharis who for the first time are bonding with one another began the  journey for social change  together, to inspire others who are still engaged in manual scavenging to free themselves from the obnoxious practise and regain their sense of dignity, and also to achieve their rightful claims for the rehabilitation package and dignified alternative livelihoods on the one hand; and on the other, to motivate civil society to reject the heinous practice of manual scavenging. The Bus Yatra has been planned to start from five different corners of India, and traverse through 160 districts in 20 states and finally culminate in New Delhi with a large rally. Each route has been named after an eminent person who contributed to social change in a revolutionary manner.

Floods, Rains - News Roundup (1-7 October 2010)
News reports on the monsoon indicate heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Posted on 08 Oct, 2010 02:34 PM

Recent reports on the monsoon and the flood situation indicate that the rainfall has receded from northern India and has shifted to the south of India. Reports indicate heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Reports also indicate that India’s 16-week monsoon period has ended last week and the meteorological department has confirmed of 102% than normal rainfall. Inspite of the floods and the problems associated with it, reports also indicate positive news that the heavy rainfall has helped to recharge lakes and water bodies in different parts of India and may see a positive impact on agriculture in the coming days.

Multi stage aerobic bio reactor for sewage treatment
AN attempt to overcome the problem of clogging and wash out of microbes from reactor, and to enhance the mixing and settlability of microbial granules within the reactor, Posted on 01 Oct, 2010 10:13 PM

About CAT “MAR” (Multi Stage Aerobic Bio Reactor)

This reactor was developed with the aim to overcome the main problem associated with SBR, MBR & FABBR, i.e.,

  • The plugging & clogging of filter and
  • Wash out microbes from the reactor        
Floods - News Roundup (24-30 September 2010)
Flood fury in different parts of North India and improvement in the situation in a few areas. This and more stories in the news roundup Posted on 01 Oct, 2010 12:07 PM
  • The news earlier in the week still reports of flood fury in different parts of North India such as Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Hyderabad, Delhi, Agra. However, in the later part of the week, the flood situation seems to be easing in most parts of the North such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal except in Uttar Pradesh, especially western, where the situation still continues to be grim.
Analysis of the UN General Assembly's Resolution on Right to Water and Sanitation
Why historic UN General Assembly Resolution declaring Water and Sanitation as a Right, was opposed and vetoed by those who strongly have been professing for human rights Posted on 30 Sep, 2010 06:47 PM

The historic UN General Assembly Resolution declaring Water and Sanitation as a Right, was passed on the 28th July 2010. 

What is surprising is the complete silence to this UN Resolution from some of the countries who have been traditional champions of human rights, in terms of celebrating it as a historic achievement in advocating a basic right to water and sanitation. Instead some of them went one step short of openly opposing and vetoing the UN Resolution and have heaped criticism on Bolivia for tabling this UN Resolution.

Protect the right to life considering the dignity of women who do not have access to a toilet
How Mumbai tackles its situation of sanitation and water: finds out Jan Jagruti Posted on 30 Sep, 2010 10:26 AM

Sanitation - a big problem in India, as half the population of our country do not have access to this facility. Mumbai is one of the biggest cities in the world and advanced in terms of its commercialization. However, sanitation is one of the most common issues neglected. Our team of women from Jan Jagruti went into the lanes of 3 areas Azad Mohala, Bharatiya Kamla Nagar, Vijay Nagar and spoke to women to understand the severity of the sanitation issue prevailing. These areas have severe problems with public health, due to improper sanitation infrastructure and insufficiency of toilet facilities, compounded by numerous issues of flooding during the monsoon season. Khaaddi, a local area/dumping ground, is widely used by local residents for urination and defecation, leading to the spread of contagious diseases. Though women use paid toilets, the issue of cleanliness and waiting in long queues are the most common problem before them. It is very insecure for them when they use open spaces for defecation.

Field experiences by Avinash Krishnamurthy, BIOME Solutions
Drawing inspiration from the oldest "people's electricity" systems Posted on 29 Sep, 2010 11:04 AM

One of the oldest "People's electricity" systems I have ever seen (Please read the notes for each of the videos).  Of course this trip had even better high points - wine made from Gooseberry and Nutmeg - all locally brewed.  So travelling in the midst of hills, sipping local wine, seeing some great work, (and providing perspectives for someone-else to write - is this work or what?

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