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The
Newsletter
(April
2003)
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Ritinjali
Relocates Office: On the 30th of April, Ritinjali shifted its Office from Vasant
Kunj to Mahipalpur. The new address for the office is K-99, 1st Street, Mahipalpur,
New Delhi-110037 (INDIA).
Second Chance School goes to Ranikhet and Munsiyari on an Educational Tour:
Destination: Ranikhet and Munsiyari
Route: Delhi-Kathgodam-Ranikhet-Kausani- Thal-Munsiyari
Distance: 570 kilometers. Approx. (one way)
Objectives of the Tour
-To understand ecology and topography of the hills
-To understand the hydrological cycle,
-To study mountainous terrain and life styles of hilly people,
-To understand water harvesting techniques among the hill communities.
-To understand nature of rock formation esp. sedimentary rocks,
-To study vegetation from tropical to alpine,
-To see and understand natural geysers,
-To witness extreme cold climatic conditions and trek on rugged mountainous terrain.
Number of Days involved: 4 Days and 5 Nights
Dates of travel: 01.04.03. - 06.04.03.
Names of People: Ravi, Subender, Prince, Budhram, Shabbani, Abhishek and
Adhiraj.
Ritinjali has always believed that learning can never be limited to classrooms
alone. Learning to us is an ongoing process-a constant interaction between the
internal and the external realities. The larger the contours of thought, the greater
the shorelines of wisdom.The boys over the last few weeks had started asking some
serious questions, usually beyond the realm of standardized 'Text Books'. Their
minds had begun exploring. And they wondered, whether what the written texts told
them really existed! Thus, an excursion to the hills was planned and executed.
It was a hurricane tour of 4 days and 5 nights from Delhi to Kathgodam, to Ranikhet,
to Kausani, to Thal, to Munsiyari.
The boys were taken to Rawalsera and Panergaon in Almora District on the first
Day and were informed about water harvesting, hydraulics, gobar-gas plants, terrace
farming, socio-economic life and the functioning of local governance institutions
in the region.
The next day, early at 0530 hrs, we packed off for Munsiyari. There were refreshing
halts at Kausani, Bageshwar and Thal. After bisecting the length and breadth of
Kumaon Himalayas-innumerable gorges, U and V shape valleys, snow peaks and river
valleys, limestone and silicon mountains, deciduous and alpine flora-we reached
Munsiyari at 1630 hrs.
We had organized an interactive session for the boys with the Foundation for Ecological
Security (FES), an NGO working on Himalayan ecology and common property resource
management. The children were informed about the rare flora and fauna, innumerable
herbs and plants with medicinal properties, natural resources abound in this region,
the people to people contacts prior to the Chinese invasion in 1962 between the
Tibetans and Kumaonis, the mountain ranges and famous peaks etc. The day ended
with a delicious Kumaoni meal.
The following day, boys were taken for trekking to one of the mountains and despite
intermittent rains they reveled in everything they saw and came across. In the
afternoon, we stopped near Thal, alongside Ram Ganga River, and the boys got another
opportunity to play in and around the its amazing bluish-green waters and also
witness an earthquake of a mild intensity.
It was the last day, now. And it was packed with adventure sports - trekking,
rock-climbing, and river rafting. The boys were thrilled as they went for trek
to South Asia's largest and most diverse Pinatum in Kalika and to a famous Shakti
Temple after which the place is named. However, other plans had to be shelved
for lack of time.
As we moved down meandering via Bhovali and Bhimtal, the boys became increasingly
pensive and would suddenly start discussing the problems in the plains and their
solutions in the mountains. And then they had questions that they will have to
find answers to as they grow up… And, they definitely will.
The second batch of the Second Chance School prepare to get self-employed:
It is passing-out time for some of our children. With the end of their exams with
the NOS, the second batch of the Second Chance School is preparing to get self-employed
and lead meaningful lives as constructive citizens. They have finished their apprenticeship
and trainings with professional organizations and taken the necessary leads.
Some want to get into computer hardware and opening up of a restaurant to run
taxis and music libraries. They have all been busy assessing the market situation,
appropriate locations, working and reworking investment estimates and budgets.
Hopefully, they will all have something realistic and meaningful to engage in
and never-ever go back to the lifestyles that had deprived them of their first
chance to study.
Jal Utsav goes beyond Delhi:
The organizers and participants in the Jal Utsav-- Ritinjali, Vasant Valley School,
Theatre Embassy (Holland), Dutch Embassy, Deepalaya, Pearl Fashion Academy, ITC,
Hydrology Project (Govt. of India), International College of Professional Photography,
Pearl Academy of Fashion, Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation
Ltd. etc.-decided to scale the Jal Utsav within and beyond Delhi. It was also
decided to explore other ways of disseminating knowledge on water harvesting.
Earlier the Jal Utsav had successfully culminated at Dilli Haat on the 23rd of
March with an on-stage show, by mixing the metaphors and elements from nature.
Its impact could be vividly noticed amongst the diverse crowd that had thronged
the place especially to witness the event.
On 17th March, Ms. Fre and Mr. Maurits (actress and producer respectively from
the Theatre Embassy) visited Ritinjali sites and distributed certificates to the
participants. The children had been already too grateful to the programme for
giving them a chance to bring out their hidden talents, the acknowledgement certificates
along with their photographs made them come out of their small worlds and express
their gratitude to the Gurus.
Children's Shelter -Getting Closer: Ritinjali has moved much closer to
having its first Children's Shelter in Mahipalpur. A building of a modest size
has already been hired for the purpose, and the Second Chance School children
have begun staying there, for all practical purposes, since the 1st of April.
The Assistant Director, Department of social Welfare, Govt. of NCT, informed Ritinjali
that its proposal for running a Children's Shelter (which had been inspected in
March this year) has been recommended for funding. The first installment of the
fund would be arriving by September/October this year and the rest in March 2004.
Ritinjali has also filed an application for the recognition of its Children's
Shelter by the Govt. of NCT. The relevant authorities, as informed, would provide
the assent by May/June 2003.
Maj. Gen. A.S.Bahia provides his assent to Ritinjali: Ritinjali met Maj.
Gen. A.S.Bahia (Additional Director General of Military Operations) on 17th March
at his office. At the end of an hour-long parley, both the parties agreed to join
hands in providing better opportunities to the children in War Memorial Hostel
of the Kumaon Regiment in Ranikhet. Maj.Gen. Bahia in delhi and Col.Samuel (Deputy
Commanding Officer, Kumaon Regiment) in Ranikhet assured Ritinjali of all assistance
in facilitating its proposed vocational training work with the children. Ritinjali
has been asked to submit a formal proposal in this regard. Thus, if everything
moves according to our desired plan, the coming summers might witness a lot of
hectic activity happening in Ranikhet.
Rangpuri Pahari Library begins work with the community: In tandem with
its objective of human development and spread of education, Ritinjali had set
up a library at Rangpuri Pahari in the month of January 2003.
Initially, the elderly in the area had raised their eyebrows about the prospects
and the very sustainability of opening a library in the heart of the village.
But the same people have over the months become the most frequent visitors. They
have found a place to discuss their problems among themselves, read newspapers
and magazines.
However, it has been the small children who have benefited most. Not only they
(in the age group of 3-8) have been coming in good numbers to play games (e.g.
Ludo), read story books and participate in story sessions, but now they have been
also doing their school home work and getting crucial guidance from Ms.Pushpa,
a teacher, whom Ritinjali appointed for helping these children. She visits the
Library everyday during evenings. Besides, Mrs. Malavika and Mrs.Trehan have also
been generating social awareness and goodwill among the community and children
on several issues. They visit the Library every Tuesday and help children honing
up their minds through art, arithmetic etc. Mr. Baljit, a young boy from the neighborhood,
has been asked to work as a Librarian here and also undertake his own studies.
Government of India sanctions ten EGS centres to Ritinjali in Mewat: After
the Department of Elementary Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource
Development, Government of India sanctioned to Ritinjali to impart learning activities
at 10 EGS centers last month, Ritinjali has been busy collecting information in
Mewat. Ms. Neera, a social worker from Rajasthan, has been taking great pains
by visiting several villages and Govt. Schools in Gurgaon. She has been gathering
crucial data and has been doing some spade work by networking with organizations
already working in the region.
The Tiny-Tots growing fast at Nathupur Pahari Centre: After a proactive
involvement for over a month with the Jal Utsav and harassment of the dwellers
by the local police to vacate the 'encroached space', regular teaching has resumed.
The children were joyous when Ms. Fre and Mr. Maurits visited for the last time
to give their certificates and photographs of Jal Utsav on 23rd March. Even when
the Utsav was over the Dutch representatives engaged in group theatrics with the
kids, shook hands, and told them that they had been their favourites in the programme.
It was quite an emotional parting and a lifetime experience for these marginalized
children.
The have been growing up, both physically and mentally, over the past five months.
Many of them have now learnt counting numbers, have become aware of the Hindi
and English alphabets, basic spellings, drawing and colouring, and have learnt
several rhymes.
When Ms. Kalpana Sharma (Consultant, Planning), with the Primary Education Department
in Chandigarh, visited them in late April, she was glad to see Ritinjali's work
with these marginalized kids and the learnings that had been imparted. Soon, they
are also going to have a big black board, donated by the UNICEF.
The construction work for Kusumpur Pahari Learning Centre nears completion:
After having persistent problems in construction work in Kusumpur Pahari from
the officials and some trouble-shooters in the area, the building is almost ready.
Ritinjali proposes to develop a library, a learning center and engage in community
work in this huge slum very soon.
Earlier, Mr. Pratap Dube (Member, Ritinjali) had donated several machines for
developing a Gym for youth in the area. The community has always been supportive
of our work and eagerly awaits the beginning of our Learning Centre. Being a water-poor
area, it has been heartening to learn that the community has been providing water,
from its share, for the construction of the building.
Old Age Drop-in-Centre shifts to Mahipalpur: It was a painful decision
to close down our Old Age Drop-in-Centre in Vasant due to the shifting of our
office to Mahipalpur. The message has been conveyed and the apologies rendered
for the same to the Resident Welfare Organizations in Vasant Kunj. Ritinjali,
however, has offered its new premises to the senior citizens.
We, nevertheless, propose to involve the elderly in Mahipalpur to engage in community
welfare activities in the area. We intend to develop a work-plan on this shortly.
Lifeskills Programme getting ready for Blast: The in-house work on developing
material for the Lifeskills programme has been pacing forward. We have had a series
of meetings to review the presentation and make necessary changes. Though, it
has taken up a fair amount of our time but we are hopeful that we can finalize
the presentation soon. The visual impact of the presentation is good, and Mr.
Anando (consultant) has been putting a great deal of originality into this. The
success of the pilot will allow us to take this project countrywide soon.
We
have been of the view that mere education on alcohol intake and its ill effects
may prove very peripheral. It was strongly felt that a comprehensive Lifeskills
Programme would be far more effective in tackling the problem.
Indo-Israeli cooperation program concludes on a bright note: A weeklong
Indo-Israeli cooperation programme came to a close in the third week. Earlier
first-aid trainers from Israel had successfully imparted life saving skills
to several students of Vasant Valley, Raman Munjal, Acharya Tulsi Ram Sarvodaya
Vidyalaya, Govt. Girls' Secondary School and many others. The media and other
stakeholders appreciated Ritinjali's role in the coordination and in mobilization
of the resources for the same.
The Israeli embassy honored Ritinjali and other stakeholders from India and
Israel by hosting a dinner for them.
Ritinjali, on its behalf, gifted T-shirts and certificates to all the participants.
The names of Ms. Karishma and Ms. Dilreen must be mentioned for making the programme
a success and for rendering untiring services.
Ritinjali and HUDA explore possibilities of opening of a learning Center
in Gurgaon:The Ritinjali team visited Gurgaon for the following up of the
grant of a school building by HUDA to Ritinjali, to run a school for the under
privileged. A few visits were made to our primary contact, a helpful Sub- Divisional
Engineer, Mr. D. S. Dhanda. A good many phone calls and another couple of visits
brought us close to the end of the week. We were given clear directions to the
location of the property. We have conducted a brief survey of the area but are
not aware of the size of the property as yet, and it requires some finishing
touches.
It is an adequately sized building with 3 large rooms, one small room on the
ground floor and a small room on the terrace. Having spoken to the Executive
Engineer, it was learnt that we needed to initiate certain procedures to have
the building allocated to Ritinjali. Apparently there is no existent scheme
for the allocation of these unused school buildings as yet. There is however,
a scheme for the allocation of crèches. We will be following this up
with Mr. Dilbagh Singh Dhanda.
Follow up with National Open School: Dr. Kuldeep Aggarwal (Director,
NIOS) has assured that he will personally look into the matter of accreditation
of vocational courses for Ritinjali and added that our proposal had (perhaps)
already been screened. However, he also informed that it might take some more
time, as it requires inspection and other formalities.
Follow up with Department of Social Welfare (Govt. of NCT): Ritinjali
has been in regular contact with Ms. Nisha Aggarwal regarding our proposal for
Children's Shelter over the past few weeks. She had also asked us to request
for the recognition of our proposed Children's Shelter by the Department of
Social Welfare, Govt. of NCT. On further follow up with the DSW, I was informed
that it would take about a month or so for the necessary approvals.
Meeting with Ms. Kalpana Sharma and her visits to Nathupur Pahari Centre
and Pallavan Play School: The meeting took place on 24th evening at Mr.
Kapur's and was also attended by Abhishek and Adhiraj. She has asked Ritinjali
to prepare two proposals on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and one each on Bridge Programme
and Child Labour in Haryana. A rough sketch of these was prepared with her,
while the final drafts would be ready around the mid of next month after another
meeting with her. She has asked the dispatch of these at the earliest. On 25th,
she was taken to the Nathupur Pahari Centre and the Pallavan Play School. These
had been contrasting experiences for her. While the former gave her insights
about Ritinjali's work in mobilizing community participation in imparting elementary
education, the latter was a novel idea to her. Nevertheless, she appreciated
both the levels and strategies through which worked.
Abhishek participates in a Conference at the Center for the Study of Law
and Governance: "I had been invited to attend and participate in the
Conference on 'Administrative Reforms and Good Practices in Urban Governance'
by the Centre on the 24th and 25th May. The Centre happens to be the only one
of its kinds in Asia and few among the world. Due to paucity of time, I could
attend it, on both the days, for a very short while. The participants and speakers
belonged to several fields, and some from the UNDP, Ford Foundation, Govt. of
NCT, IGNOU, JNU, and NGOs etc. The discussions mainly hovered around the 73rd
and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of the Constitution of India and the
issue pertaining to governance in the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies. I also
had the opportunity to interact with some of the experts and shared my views
on decentralization, empowerment, indicators for measuring governance, common
property resource management etc."
Three more volunteers join the Ritinjali Family:
Neera-Social Work
Anup-Official Assistance
Baljit- Rangpuri Pahari Centre
Ritinjali
welcomes contributions and volunteers for its cause.
For
further details, please contact:
Arun Kapur-9810129669, arunkapur@ritinjali.org
Dipika Nanjappa-9811066550, dipika@ritinjali.org
Abhishek Chaturvedi -011-31029702, abhishek@ritinjali.org
Adhiraj Mustafi-9810004361, adhiraj@ritinjali.org
K-99,
1st Street, Mahipalpur, New Delhi-110 037 (INDIA)
Visit us at www.ritinjali.org