Governance
Public toilets In disrepair, villagers suffer - Video Volunteers : Article in India Unheard
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 05:38 PM
In Kokkarapati village (TN), dilapidated public toilets cause difficulty, disease and humiliation.
Centrally sponsored schemes ARWSP and TSC have not done enough to ensure right to water and basic sanitation : Article from Combat Law
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 04:59 PMThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) recognises the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all human beings. There are certain basic needs that are essential for a dignified life. Water and sanitation are two of these essential human needs and a clean environment is also increasingly recognised as a fundamental human right.
The water wheels of time: Micro hydro power in the Western Ghats of India
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 09:50 AMChallenges of food security and its management: A position paper by the National Rainfed Area Authority
Posted on 28 Jun, 2011 08:07 AMThe paper also discusses their future potential and possible impact on national food security of diversification into non-PDS, fruits, vegetables and other commercial crops. This kind of analysis is likely to help planners and policy makers in choosing appropriate policy framework in evolving the strategies for enacting and operationalization of Food Security Act.
With increase in population, income and urbanization, the demand for food grains has also increased and diversified. Although there has been more than four-fold increase in food grain production from 1950-51 (50.82 mt) to 2008-09 (233.88 mt), a large section of our population continues to suffer from malnutrition and inadequacy of food grains. On the other hand degradation of land, water and other natural resources have started impacting production through increased biotic and abiotic stresses.
Intensive farming responsible for farmer suicides - Interview with Devinder Sharma with special focus on Odisha
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 11:54 AM
Q: Odisha is not much known for farmers' suicide the way we hear it in Vidarbha, Andhra Pradesh etc. But of late such cases are being reported in the media. What's the reason?
A: When you look at the issue of farmers' suicide, it's an indication of the crisis that exists in the agriculture sector. This is linked to monoculture and intensive or industrial farming model that have been implemented in the country. Vidharbha for instance has been in the news on the issue of farmers' suicide mainly because there is one NGO namely Vidharbha Jan Andolan Samiti which regularly compiles the figures of farmers suicide and feeds to the media. Unfortunately there are no such NGOs elsewhere to do a similar job. So therefore we do not get the real picture of farmers distress in other areas where conditions are equally bad. If suppose this NGO also stops compiling suicide figures, our impression about Vidharbha as a suicide belt of India will also disappear. In other words, not only in Vidharbha, agriculture across the country is in a terrible crisis.
Sitaram Jindal Foundation invites nominations for Jindal prize 2011 – Apply by June 30, 2011
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 11:31 AMThe Sitaram Jindal Foundation formerly known as S.J. Jindal Trust, set up in 1969 is a charitable organisation engaged in promoting education, healthcare & rural development. The foundation believes in serving humanity without consideration of caste, creed, religion or gender. It has no political, religious or commercial affiliation. The foundation has set up several schools, colleges, hospitals and has awarded scholarships to more than 1 lakh students.
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts is looking for Program Associate at Mumbai – Apply by June 27, 2011
Posted on 27 Jun, 2011 11:16 AMEstablished in 1932, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts, collectively form one of the largest private sector philanthropic organisations with an annual disbursement of Rs. 300+ crores. The Trusts offer individual assistance to students and to poor patients, make financial contributions to Institutions and provide financial support to over 600 NGOs in the country.
To administer their grant making and management activities, the Trusts are looking for a suitable professional for the position of Program Associate - Civil Society, Human Rights and Governance.
Mining havoc: Impact of mining on water resources in Goa - Article from Dams, Rivers and People
Posted on 25 Jun, 2011 02:02 PM
Pumping of water from Cavrem Sheikh Salim mine, severely lowering groundwater table in the village
Image courtesy: Sebastian Rodriguez, Mand Goa
Sanskriti Pratishthan invites entries for Prabha Dutt fellowship in Journalism
Posted on 25 Jun, 2011 01:51 PMSanskriti Pratishthan has established the coveted Sanskriti awards and fellowships for young talent in different fields.
The Prabha Dutt Fellowship in Journalism encourages young women who wish to investigate and research on any topic of contemporary relevance. This fellowship will be given every year. The fellow may work on a book or monograph for subsequent publication within the given time frame.
The purpose of the Fellowship is to encourage young mid career women journalists to develop their potential by pursuing meaningful projects without having to work under the pressures of short deadlines. The Fellowship carries a grant of Rs 1,00,000 including travel expenses.The work can be executed in Hindi, English or any regional language.