BK 2012 ROUTE MEET AT ADILABAD ON 26TH NOV 2012

Dear All

After the completion of the Route Meet at Nizamabad, the BK Team has started its journey on 26th morning and reached Adilabad. 

After the initial discussions and review of arrangements with the APMASS - the Route NGO, directly stared the meeting.

The participants includes the children, parents, volunteers, professionals, and BK Team. The dignitaries includes the AD, Disability Welfare & PD, DRDA. 

The message of the BK & NT has been explained and later had a interactive discussion.

The Authorities has expressed the limitations for not taking up the schemes / benefits of the National Trust.  The BK Team has assured to do the needful in forming the LLC and to utilize schemes / benefits in forwarding the same to SNAC.

The photo view of this meet is shown below as:

SELF WITH PARTICIPANTS

LIGHTING THE LAMP

SELF WITH DIGNITARIES & PARTICIPANTS 

BK MEMBER 

AD, DISABLED WELFARE.

  PD, DRDA.

  SELF

BK MEMBER

Though the participants were less, still the whole process of presentations, discussion, interaction, clarifications and creation of confidence to move forward were effective and shown clear ROAD MAP in getting to their challenges and barriers.   

The participants including the authorities have been sufficient information for moving forward with sustainable solutions.... 

This event has been covered in the media both electronic and print.

Looking forward to continue the event as a PROCESS so that solutions can be taken to all the needy children so that they can part of the INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY  with enhanced quality of life......  

All the best. 

BK 2012 ROUTE MEET AT NIZAMABAD ON 25TH NOV 2012

Dear All

The BK started from Hyderabad and reached Nizamabad as per the schedule. After that, the Rally started and reached the meeting hall. Later, the meeting was organized with the participation of the PWDs, Parents, Professionals, Volunteers, Authorities and other stakeholders.  

The photo view of the Rally and meeting was shown below as:

BK TEAM IN THE JOURNEY 

BK TEAM IN THE RALLY

THE VIEW OF THE RALLY

SELF ADDRESSING THE GATHERING 

BK TEAM ALONG WITH THE
MEMBERS OF SNEHA - ROUTE NGO. 

CHILDREN IN CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

The Rally and the Meet were with the participation of all the stakeholders. The gathering was good and large matching to the need. The messages given by the BK Team, Sneha, Dignitaries, Chief Guest and sour children with special needs were focused to the  message of the BK. The cultural show was very much attractive and reflected the needs and desire of the children. At the end, every felt the need of having such programmes frequently so that the message of BK & NT can be taken to every one who has been reached and unreached. 

The whole programme was covered widely in the media both electronic and print. 

Looking forward for better networking and continuity of the same as a process so that sustainable solutions can be created so that these children can be part of the community development with better sustainability and quality of life.... 

All the best. 

BADHTE KADAM 2012 PROGRAMME IN THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Dear All

The total programme of Badhte Kadam (BK) 2012 in the state of Andhra Pradesh is as follows:

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19th Nov. 2012: Fagging Off in Hyderabad. 

20th Nov. 2012: Hyderabad to Anantapur and Route Meet.

21st Nov. 2012: to Mahaboobnagar and Route Meet.

22nd Nov. 2012: to Sanga Reddy and Route Meet.

23rd Nov. 2012: to Guntur and Route Meet. 

25th Nov. 2012: Hyderabad to Nizamabad and Route Meet.

26th Nov. 2012: Nizamabad to Adilabad and Route Meet.

27th Nov. 2012: Adilabad to Godavarikhani and Route Meet.

28th Nov. 2012: Godavarikhani to Hyderabad.

29th Nov. 2012: Flagging in Hyderabad.  

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I had an opportunity to join the BK Team from 25th Nov. 2012 till the end. 

I will be posting more details on the Route Meets held at Nizamabad, Adialabad and Godavarikhani. 

Looking forward for better networking and further to reach the unreached targeted groups as per the concept & objectives of the BK and National Trust........

with thanks 

ASSOCIATION WITH BADHTE KADAM 2012 OF NATIONAL TRUST & SNAC ANDHRA PRADESH.

Dear All

In continuation to my association with the National Trust's Badhte Kadam organized in the state of Andhra Pradesh by the SNAC & Swayamkrushi during the year 2010 & 2011, i have got opportunity to be part of the same during the year 2012. 

I could join the BK 2012 partly covering:

25th Nov 2012: Hyderabad to Nizamabad   

26th Nizamabad to Adilabad 

27th Adilabad to Godavarikhani (Karimnagar District) and

28th Godavarikhani to Hyderabad. 

The whole route activities / meet / programmes / rally were as per the aims & objectives of the BK and the National Trust.

I will be posting more details along with the press  clips and photo view  in due course of time. 

Looking forward for better networking and connectivity for sharing and to reach the unreached child with intellectual & developmental disabilities.........

All the Best. 

FLAGGING OFF OF BADTHE KADAM 2012

Dear All

The Flagging Off function of Badhte Kdadam 2012 has been one on 19th Nov. 2012 at Hyderabad by the SNAC, AP & Swayamkrushi. 

Sril Rajeswari Tiwari, Principal Secretary, Higher Eduction, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has Flagged Off of the Team for finishing the proposed Mobile Awareness Camp.

It continued up to 28th Nov. covering 8 Districts and Flag In will be organized on 29th Nov. in Hyderabad.

I had an opportunity to be art of this Flagging Off  Ceremony and will be joining the team to cover some part of the proposed route.  

More will be posted on this blog as well as in Face Book. 

The Banner of this National Programme is pasted below as:

Looking forward to see more on this event......

All the best.

USE OF MASS MEDIA IN THE AREA OF DISABILITY REHABILITATION

Dear All

In continuation to the postings, presentations and publications made on the use of E-technologies in the area of Disability Rehabilitation (DR). In spit of the good work done in the area, still the message has not reached the targeted groups. This one of the key barriers in addressing the challenges of the DR.

It is the fact that the use e-technologies through mass media will help us in reaching the unreached with better change. 

The mass media including: Print, Recordings, Cinema, Radio, Television, Internet, & Mobile Phones.

The Disability Sector needs Mass Media to reach the targeted groups in two ways as:

£   One for the PREVENTION of Disabilities and

£ Second to reach PWDs for Rehabilitation with matching

   services / supports.        

In this direction, one of the National Programme is BADHTE KADAM organized by the National Trust (under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India), New Delhi. This BK programme is going on since 2009 with variety of programmes covering major parts of India.

In the state of Andhra Pradesh, the SNAC has conducted the BK 2010 & BK 2011 covering major parts of the State. I had a close association with these programmes and created significant impact among the stakeholders covering both Prevention and Rehabilitation. 

More will be posted on this blog so that effective initiatives can be made in reaching the targeted groups with matching strategies and interventions.  

Looking forward for better sharing and initiatives...

All the Best.        

SAFER MINING

Dear All

See the comments and suggestions made on miming at Goa  (read more at: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/dream-run-over) as:

......................................

Yes, it is true that the mining has done significant damage to the health & wealth of the people and environment. At the same time it reflects the flaws at mapping, planning, approval, implementation, monitoring and evaluation which were mainly controlled by the Government and Mine Owners.

When the mining has significantly deviated or affected the heath & wealth of the people & environment, the the decision came to close the mines. The employees, workers and the people having dumper trucks including their wage based drivers are the one who got affected. The daily wage based workers and dumper truckers are the worst affected both for the daily earning and to pay their loans.

On the basis of health & wealth of the people & environment, the decision may be right to plan or design the process of mining and other related rehabilitation works.
At the same time, there should be reallocation or rehabilitation or alternative livelihood for the daily wage workers workers including dumper truckers. This is possible if the authorities tries for providing alternatives.

Later on, by understanding the SWOT of the present mining and its impact, safer mining measures can be designed to restart the mining activity with matching resettlement & rehabilitation for the people & environment.

Let hope for the safer mining tuning to B2P model which is concerned for the health & wealth of the people & environment.

...................................

Looking forward for the better utilization of natural Resources with sustainable strategies......

All the best 

BETTER UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SCHEMES

Dear All

The health schemes of the Government has to seen in two ways as: one to know the availability & guidelines of the schemes and the other is to know its utilization by the targeted people.

The refections made suggestions made on the Arogysree (read more at:http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/insurance-becomes-hurdle)  are as follows: 

.........................................

Yes, it is true that Arogyasree Health Scheme is putting the people at cross roads. The expectations of the people in respect of health scheme are right. The Hospital should be accessible with out restriction on type of deceases. It is true that why there should be restriction or selection of disease? Once it is assured for health, then every type of diseases should be covered with out any restriction.

This selection process puts them in confusion first to know their eligibility and run pillar to pillar. Other disadvantage of such selection leads for mismanagement of the guidelines both by the service seeker and provider.

For better health care the suggestions includes:
£ make simple procedures and improve accessibility

£ don't put any restriction on the type of deceases

£ financial limit can be fixed based on the reality

£ minimize the stigmatization of the card holders and

£ motivate for better utilization.

Hope, these measures will help for the better utilization of the health schemes keeping the health and wealth of the needy people.  

................................

Looking forward for better sharing and utilization...

with thanks 

DEEPAVALI GREETINS 2012

Dear All

HAPPY & COLORFUL

DEEPAVALI  2012

ALL THE BEST 

DEEPAVALI PRODUCTS OF CHETANA SPECIAL SCHOOL, HYDERABAD

Dear All

See the products made by the team of Chetana Special School as:

VARIETY OF GEL CANDLES 

 

This is a good beginning and congratulations to the team and particularly the children with special needs...

Hope to have more such innovation and creativity...

All the best

EFFECT OF NILAM IN THE COASTAL PARTS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Dear All

The failures in the process of predication, preparedness, resettlement and rehabilitation of the People & their properties during the NILAM has affected the crop loss in the coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh. Read more at:  http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/nilam-effect-heavy-crop-loss-coastal-andhra-districts

The comments made on this key issue were pasted below as: 

................................................

Yes, the effect "Nilam effect: heavy crop loss in coastal Andhra districts" (7th Nov. DTE 2012) is serious and affected the lives of the people and properties. Towards this, several people have visited, made comments, medial has shown to all the stakeholders and every one all over the Globe knows about the situation.

The whole process is going on and people got affected with out fixing the RESPONSIBILITY for the occurrence, prediction, assessment, resettlement, rehabilitation, and other matching supports to get recovered from the trauma and loss for people, properties and environment.

In spite of all the technological developments, still the prediction of rain both time & magnitude is quite away. Once this can not be done , then people has to suffer through out their life which further limits their development and affects quality of life.

Knowing the SWOT of the situation, the priority goes to get sustainable solutions which include:

£ Accuracy in prediction in advance

£ Training the people for preparedness for Risk Reduction

£ Warning the people, volunteers, & NGOs in advance

£ Effective resettlement mechanism & shelters

£ Immediate supports like: medical, water, food, sanitation, assistive devices and others matching to the needs of the affected people.

In addition to all these suggestions, the major issue is the POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM which affects the flow of the water when it more than the requirement. The main reasons are two as:

$ Barriers or obstructions created and

$ The encroachment of land which narrow downs the drainage or some time totally missing the drainage canal system.

In spite of all the technologies, machinery, manpower, & money spent on such adverse conditions, PEOPLE are the sufferers and it is going to be continued. The measures taken are of short term and are not for rehabilitation. So, knowing the complexity & dynamics of the issue, the people should move forward to create better solutions at least in minimizing the RISK.

At the end, if the community / people can be create better drainage system, then the risk can be reduced for both people and their properties.

As the cyclones with varied intensities & damage to the people & their properties have become common with frequency, we all should move towards the creation of sustainable solutions for risk reduction, resettlement and rehabilitation.

................................................

Looking forward for better sharing and to move towards the creation of solutions with better sustainability & quality...which further helps to create FOOD SECURITY..

All the best

BADHTE KADAM 2012 OF THE NATIONAL TRUST

Dear All

The comments made on the Badhte Kadam 2012 written in the Hindu (read more at: http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/society/marching-ahead/article4054841.ece) were pasted below as:

............................................

Yes, BK is the innovative National Event in reaching the unreached. It has created significant impact among the stakeholders during the same event conducted in the year 2009, 2010,& 2011. I was the state coordinator for the BK 2010 and associated with BK 2011 conducted in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Year to year, BK is different in it approaches and activities and trying to take the benefits of UNCRPD and the need for INCLUSION with equality and dignity.

Certainly, every parent is looking forward to get better solution to their question that "what will happen to the child after us?".

The paradigm shift in disability rehabilitation from charity to developmental to human rights model is the key issue in UNCRPD. In this direction,right based CBR gains importance for moving towards the inclusion of the persons with special needs as an empowerment.

The national Trust through all its best programmes including BKs will move towards creation of sustainable solutions.

All the best for the grand success of th BKs all over the Country.

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Looking forward to share more on this National Event...

All the Best.

WATER LOGGIN AND SALINITY FOR BANNING THE PADDY CROP ?????

Dear all

The water logging with salinity has lead for the ban on Paddy. Read more about it at:  http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/khap-panchayat-bans-paddy#comment-10872

The comments and suggestions made on this key issue were pasted below as:

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In talking the issues related with water logging and salinity,Khap panchayat bans paddy may be the immediate remedy (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012). The problem raised due to when the groundwater level rose with the arrival of the Jawaharlal Nehru canal.

Now the question is how long the local farmers can stop the ban on paddy? It is true that the farmers should have the pattern of alternative crops for better utility of the land for better production.

As indicated earlier, the presence of water in the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal has resulted for the rise in the groundwater. At the same time the initiative taken for lowering the groundwater level have note resulted for sustainable solutions.

In addition to the initiates made already, the problem is some thing different than the expected. The water leakages from the Canal are resulting for the higher level of groundwater along the sides of the canal. So the focus should be towards the mapping of the water leakages along the Canal.

The techniques of Geological and Geophysical can be used for:$ mapping the leakages along the canal both laterally and vertically and

$ to map the groundwater levels.

Based on this data and knowing the dynamics of the groundwater and severity of water leakages from the canal, the action plans include:

* Measures for sealing the leakages

* points can be selected for drilling "Water Discharging Wells".

* Monitoring of these wells on regular basis helps to maintain the groundwater levels.

* Soil & water testing helps to know the salinity.

These measures will help to monitor the groundwater levels, salinity and extent of leakages. Proper study on these issues further helps to grow paddy and other crops with desired change in patterns.

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Looking forward for better sharing and solutions...

with thanks

PEOPLE SACRFICED LANDS ARE IN DARK & POOR ?????

Dear All

The comments made on the people who are in DARK & POOR in spite of sacrificing their land and community resources. The situation is dynamic and complex and more can be read at:

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/silence-best-policy   

The comments made on this burning issue were pasted below as:

......................................................

The people scarified their land are in DARK and POOR. Yes, it is the reality brought out in the study made under Silence is the best policy (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012). Certainly, SILENCE is not the best policy as there exists several ways to express it. Some of the suggestions includes:
1. The situation of the people is complex and needs immediate attention of the concerned authorities.

2. It reflects the poor and unmatched resettlement & rehabilitation packages, which should be mandatory for all the project affected people (PAPs) which includes their surrounding environment both before and after resettlement,

3. The control mechanism at all levels should keep the health & wealth of the people & environment in mind,

4. The whole process of exploitation and generation of power is aimed as BUSINESS of selected group of people rather than the larger group of people who sacrificed their land and other community resources.

In spite of all adverse challenges, using the available technologies, concerned authorities can improves the situation where people can live with better quality of life. On the other side, it will become good role model for others to accept and support such developmental projects.

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Looking forward for better sharing and solutions for the health and wealth of the people who are suffering ....

with thanks

MEASURES FOR THE CONTROL OF ARSENIC IN THE GROUNDWATER

Dear All

The presence of Arsenic in groundwater is the burning issue in some states of our country. It is more complex in the state of West Bengal and made some initiations to minimize its concentration. More about it can be read at:  http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/arsenic-control.

The comments made on this burning issue have been pasted below as:

........................................................................... 

YES, Arsenic control in the ground water (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012) is the key & burning issue covering parts of our country. The suggested model of ARU in West Bengal and the initiations made by various departments is not significant which are not matching to the dynamics of the issue.

Now, the questions are: how many ARUs should be installed, what is the cost of installation & operation, ways for the disposal of waste, regular monitoring to check the content of Arsenic before filtration and after filtration .... so on. The process of ARUs is time & money consuming, longterm process with out end, and may not be sustainable on the long term basis.

As reported in the article, Arsenic comes in the natural form and contaminates the groundwater. The best way is to find out the ways to mitigate it at the source it self.

With the modern tools of geological and geophysical, it is possible to map the possible zone of pollution. Once it is picked, based on the degree of intensity, and depth measures should be taken to dilute it for getting the severity into the acceptable limits. One of the suggestion is to develop "injection wells" and inject fresh water to dilute the concentration of Arsenic for getting into the acceptable limits. The local stakeholders can take the support of the CGWB & State Groundwater Units for refining the measures.  

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Looking forward for better sharing and to get better solution in the interest of PEOPLE & ENVIRONMENT........

With thanks

BALANCING BETWEEN 'NEED & GREED'

Dear All

In continuation, look at the comments made on the LAND utilization for various purposes which includes both for need & greed.  More on this can be read at: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/need-or-greed

The comments made on this key issue were pasted below as:

..............................................

The article on "Need or Greed?" (DTE, 15th Nov. 2012) reflects the reality of utilization of land for various purposes during 11th Plan.

One side, it is surprising to note that the land diverted for the Social Services during the 11th Plan is minimum compare to other activities.

On the other side, except the land diverted to the social services, all other areas are going affect the health & wealth of the people and environment.

As reflected, India has got resources for the "needs" of the people and not for "greed". This should be the mantra for all of us while tapping or utilizing the natural resources including LAND.

In view of the challenges faced due to the divert of lands for various purposes other than social services, the suggestions made includes:
1. This needs to be considered while balancing the allotment or diverting the land for various activities in further plans.

2. Land is not growing based on the increase in population and their needs. So land utilization should be done carefully with out any damage.

3. The priority should be given for the needs of the larger number of people rather than the greed of the selected people who wants to business with the land and its natural resources.

4. When the land has to be diverted to activities other than social services, priority should be given to the "Resettlement & Rehabilitation of the project affected people(PAPs)and the health & wealth of the environment.

5. Move from "Business 2 Business (B2B)" to "Business 2 People (B2P)" as the second approach works for the health & wealth of the People & Environment.

Let us develop creative & innovative strategies for the effective utilization of the LAND for achieving development with sustainability & quality.

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Looking forward for better sharing.....

with thanks