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Group of Mumbaikars takes up Modi’s cleanliness challenge

CST Station receives a much-needed clean up on October 2, on Gandhi Jayanti, to observe cleanliness, sanitation and community health.
by the Observer Research Foundation and Triratna Prerana Mandal, Mumbai

As part of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations on 2nd October, the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Sanitation, Cleanliness and Community Health, a joint initiative of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and Triratna Prerana Mandal organised ‘Shramdaan’— a clean-up drive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai.

Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his entire life so that India could attain ‘Swaraj’ but cleanliness was a cause that was even closer to his heart and above all he encouraged and promoted cleanliness of the surroundings, as he strongly believed that “if we do not clean our backyards, our Swaraj will have a foul stench.” Therefore, cleaning public places, like the CST, is the highest form of tribute to pay our beloved Bapu, father of the nation.

Cleaning up CST stationAnswering the clarion call by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, all the enthusiastic participants followed in his footsteps by devoting their time towards the 100 hours of ‘Shramdaan’ to promote the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’. On this occasion, Central Railways had called for public participation in their efforts towards honouring their commitment under the Clean India Mission 2019.

The staff of ORF researchers and interns, as well as volunteers that mainly included school students, teachers and many other citizens worked hand-in-hand to clean Platform No.1 and the adjoining entrance lobby of CST. Everyone contributed to the event with the sweep of a broom, the scrub of a brush and ardent words of appeal to keep Mumbai and our public places clean.

CST station, a UNESCO world heritage site — littered with garbage, posters on the walls and the splotches of paan stains — is not as welcoming to travellers and commuters as it should be. In an honest effort from all those who participated and without any hope or expectation of pats on the back, five hours were spent diligently scrubbing the station and to ensure that it was left in a better condition than before. Students and teachers from the Al-Muminah Girls School at Masjid Bunder participated enthusiastically in the clean-up and awareness campaign to encourage commuters to do their part towards keeping India clean. As the day progressed, commuters and curious onlookers also joined in. And, that is not all! Those who took a break from cleaning duties switched to spreading awareness by engaging commuters at the station.

On Independence Day 2014, Observer Research Foundation Mumbai and Triratna Prerana Mandal (TPM), one of Mumbai’s best-run community-based organisations, launched a joint initiative − Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Sanitation, Cleanliness and Community Health. This Centre aims to take up research, policy advocacy, activism and leadership development in the areas of slum sanitation, waste management, waste recycling, water conservation and public health in Mumbai and the larger Metropolitan Region (MMR).

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Tiger Cyclo Walk returns

After last year, the Tadoba to Mumbai tiger awareness drive returns – this time, it kicks off in January 2015.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

It’s a distance of 1,200 km, sometimes over difficult terrain, many times over difficult circumstances. But it’s all for a great cause, and it involves tigers.

After a successful drive last year, the Tiger Cyco Walk returns for its second edition this year, too. The initiative involves the traversing of about 1,200 km on foot or on bicycles, to spread awareness about the dwindling numbers of tigers and the lack of an ecological cover to support them.

Sunil JoshiLed by noted trekker, mountaineer and walker Sunil Joshi (in pic on left), who conceptualised the drive and conducted it last year too, the Tiger Cyclo Walk will cover the huge distance from January 1 to February 7, 2015. The drive will kick off from Mohorli Gate, Tadoba on January 1, before travelling taking a circuitous tour from Chandrapur and culminating in Mumbai on February 7, 2015 (see entire route map here). Like last year, the group managing the tour and those who sign up for the walk will involve locals in the drive by asking them to accompany them for at least one kilometre, besides showing educational clips and giving talks.

“Come what may, we will cycle the whole distance and promote the ‘Save the Tigers’ cause to the masses,” Sunil says. “On each halt, there will be slide shows, screenings of films and lectures about tigers, environment and forests in educational institutions and social organisations. We will also undertake tree plantation ceremonies en route.”

Sunil has previously walked 2,560 km in Norway, from North Cape (Northern tip of Norway ) to Lindesnes (Southern tip of Norway) while he represented India for ‘Walk Norway Programme’. “We wish to spread awareness and help people in and around the State’s existing forests to protect the jungles. The plantation of more and more Indian origin trees will balance the ecology. Protecting our wilderness will, in turn, protect the tiger,” he explains.

Those wishing to join the awareness drive can contact Sunil Joshi on tiger.cyclowalk@gmail.com/+91-92233 19216.

(Featured image courtesy www.fanpop.com)

 

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Join the ‘Say No, Accept No’ campaign

Two NGOs team up to present a youth-centric campaign to end gender-based violence against women in Mumbai; entries currently accepted.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

With cases of crimes against women in Mumbai and other places on the rise, the time is ripe for a deeper look at the issues plaguing men-women interactions today. Naturally, a change in mindset is required, especially at the youth level, so that young adults may grow up into responsible citizens with healthy attitudes towards sex, gender and men-women relationships at home and outside.

Harish SadaniTo this end, the city-based NGOs MAVA (Men Against Violence and Abuse) and CARMA (Citizens Against Rape, Molestation and Atrocities), have teamed up to present the youth-focussed campaign ‘Say No, Accept No’. Says Harish Sadani (in pic on left) of MAVA, “In today’s times, a campaign like this is essential to end gender-based violence against women. The ‘Say No’ part of the campaign deals with saying ‘no’ to situation arising from gender bias at home or in other social settings, and the ‘Accept No’ part deals with situations where a man must step back if the woman is unwilling to do something.”

As the first part of the campaign, the campaign is rolling out two inter-collegiate competitions – one is a short film contest, and the other is a poster making contest.

The films and posters may centre on one or more of these themes:

Say NO to:

– Verbal abuse/bad words directed towards mothers and sisters.

– Forced marriages.

– Domestic violence.

– Dowry.

– Marital rape.

– Unwelcome ‘friendly’ hug or touch.

– Gender bias in the family or other social setting.

– Gender discrimination at work and public places.

– Sexual harassment.

– Sex-selective abortions.

 

Accept NO when:

– She says ‘no’.

– She is not comfortable hugging.

– She doesn’t give consent.

– She expresses rejection.

– She doesn’t want to go for coffee or movie.

“Entries can be in English, Hindi and Marathi, and the participant must be a student of a Mumbai-based degree college,” Harish says. “Those making short films should see that their entry is not more than 30 minutes long. Similarly, those making posters should ensure that they send A3 sheets.” Entries are currently being accepted and will close on November 4, 2014.

Want to participate in the campaign or know more about it? Send your entries to MAVA, Flat no 705, Parishram Bldg., 7th floor, behind S Keer Complex, Bhandar Lane, LJ Road, Mahim, Mumbai – 400106. For details, call Harish Sadani on 9870307748, or Ashvin on 9773727887 or Aspar on 9920916736.

(Picture courtesy www.medindia.net)

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Photographers, prepare for a Sunderbans residency

Sunlight Art Funds will support five Indian artistes for a 15-day residency at the Sunderbans, West Bengal, from November 1.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

If you’re a photography enthusiast or an artist from any discipline, wanting to know all about the basic elements of the art of photography in a beautiful setting, this is your chance: the Sunlight Art Funds will provide a part sponsorship for a 15-day residency in the Sunderbans. The project, part of the ALTlab Social Photography Residency, commences from November 1, 2014.

As part of the residency, the selected artistes will receive a $550 residency fee award, and the artiste has to pay the remaining $450. As per a release for the event, “Contemporary artistes of any medium are invited to apply for the residency, those who are eager to use the darkroom and alternative processes to create images.” The release adds, “Applicants should be seriously engaged with researching and developing their own photography language. They should be open and willing to live modestly with other artists for a period. The selected residents will have to commit themselves to being present at the Sundarbans during the time of this residency programme. 
 
“Documenting the research undertaken during the residency is an integral part of the process that will shape the analysis of artist’s work and the conclusions that one may draw. Hence resident artists will be expected to carry out systematic and regular documenting of the processes explored through a blog or other media.” The processes identified for the residency are Van dyke brown, cyanotype, gum bichromates, salt prints, and albumen prints.

There is no age limit for applying.

Interested in applying for this residency? Look up www.goa-cap.com for information or write to himadri@proyedesign.com/goacap2011@gmail.com for information.

(Picture courtesy kolkataguide.starjili.com)

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Have you made a short film? This contest is for you.

The Vasundhara Short Films Competition 2014, initiated by the MPCB, invites films made on environmental themes after January 1, 2012.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

With our natural resources depleting daily and the environment facing increasing threat from man, it is time that awareness is created far and wide about environmental issues. And what better way to create awareness than to make a short film about it?

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has recently announced the Vasundhara Short Films Competition 2014 for all documentary and other filmmakers. This competition will allow filmmakers to shoot and submit short films made on a variety of environmental issues. As per a release from the MPCB, “Any short film or documentary on any environment related theme, made after January 1, 2012 in Marathi, Hindi or English language (or a silent film) is eligible for participation in this competition.” The MPCB has directed that the submitted entries should largely focus on nature and wildlife, environment and conservation issues, or nature and people.

The entries should be made on DVD PAL, and participants must also send a synopsys of the film, the film’s trailer, director’s bio data, and still photographs (digital preferred) from each production for promotion of the film.

Entries are to be submitted to The Member Secretary, MPCB, Kalpataru Point, 3rd Floor, Near Cinemax, Sion Circle, Mumbai 400022 before August 19, 2014, 5 pm.

Rules for application and conditions for the contest are posted at www.mpcb.gov.in.

For details, contact Sanjay Bhuskute on +91- 9869440185 or Raviraj Gandhe on +91- 9820378448.

(Picture courtesy www.thefilmmakersworkshop.com)

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A photo contest for the eco-friendly community

Have you spotted an eco-friendly activity in your area? Document it in photographs for a very cool, national photo contest.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

We don’t do enough to appreciate the efforts of local eco-friendly warriors. If we can’t help them further their cause, we can at least do the next best thing – document their efforts for posterity.

To this end, the SPAN website is inviting entries for the ‘My Community, My Planet’ photography contest from all across the country. The photographs one sends must depict how the efforts of an individual or a group can contribute to the creation of a clean and healthy environment.

The contest is already open- it commenced on April 22, 2014 – and will close on May 13, 2014. The winners will be announced on the SPAN website on World Environment Day, on June 5, 2014. The first prize for the contest is an iPad Mini, while other prizes include a Nikon Coolpix L820 and an iPod Touch. Entries will also be considered for such parameters as entries with the most likes, the entry which scores highest on creativity, the entry which scores highest on composition, the entry which best depicts the theme, the entry which scores highest on photo quality and the entry which scores highest on originality.

Register here and know more on entry rules, submission guidelines, judging criteria, etc.

(Picture courtesy travel.india.com)

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