Home > What We Do > Calendar of Events > Past.....................................................................................................................................................
Past
Seminar at International Film Festival on Water 2009
Invitation and agenda .....................................................................................................................................................Ministerial Round table to Save river Arkavati
On February 6th 2009, 10:30 am at Legislative auditorium, BengaluruAs part of SVARAJ, initiative in “ Save Arkavati river campaign” Ministers, MLA’S across party lines and concerned department heads in an interaction, first of its kind, came face to face, for a round table discussion to find effective solutions to rejuvenate river Arkavati. The river is a major source of drinking water for Bengaluru.
The main objective of this round table is to draw the attention of planners and other experts towards the ever deteriorating condition of river Arkavati and alarming depletion of ground water resource, so that corrective measures can be taken towards its rejuvenation backed by effective policy and legislation on protection of our rivers.
In a half day long interaction, the elected representatives interacted with members from the community living along the river Arkavati as well as representatives from public and private sectors and NGOs.
The conference provided an appropriate platform for thoughts provoking and meaningful Deliberations, the meeting demanded for the constitution of a river arkavati rejuvenation board or authority to give an official push to the long struggle to revive and conserve the river, Further demanded for a budgetary allocation of Rs. 100 crores.
Related linksClean drinking water a basic need
.....................................................................................................................................................
BOOK READING & DIALOGUE ON TWO GREAT LEADERS - BARAK OBAMA AND M K GANDHI ON 4TH MARCH 2009 AT OXFORD BOOK STORE, LEELA PALACE, BANGALORE
Svaraj in association with Oxford Bookstore conducted a book reading event on 4th March, at Oxford Bookstore, Leela Palace. Excerpts were read by Prof Vasanthi Srinivasan (IIMB) and Mr EP Menon , Director of India Development Foundation, Bangalore.
In Gandhi's autobiography, “My Experiments with Truth”, change is coming. Gandhi praised the power of the practice to bring about social change in the early 20th Century. Gandhi whose approach to passive resistance is very well known and is now having a huge influence on many of our leaders thinking of certain change in the social system, and bringing back perspective to the ture meaning of community, inclusiveness, truth and justice. Obama comes at a critical moment when the global challenges take place in terms of not only economy and international relationsbut alsoecology and ethics.
The book reading was followed by a discussion moderated by Ms Bharti Patel. It mainly focused on the thoughts of two great leaders and their inspiration for leadership in movements on social justice and environment. Pertinent questions were posed on these topics, particularly how feasible is Gandhi’s leadership in social movement relevant to today’s context?
Prof Vasanthi and Mr EP Menon did a remarkable job in outlining thephilosophies of these tow great leaders and how their leadership styles were the right way forward, given the intensity of impact on today’s’ global crises.
.....................................................................................................................................................A national consultative workshop on E- flows 3-4 Jan 2009, Bangalore
Allocating Environmental Flows in Indian river basinsInterpreting E flows in the Indian context
The River Linking Project has been planned based on the assumption that “ there is a waste of rivers flowing to the sea area; only water abstracted for human needs is reused”. We have been following the water management approaches. For example, the widespread diversion of water out of its natural systems and regulation of flows within the natural system based on the world view of river basins. With the growing demand for water, the pressure on our river systems and other fresh water resources is also accelerating. Most Indian rivers presently are heavily regulated by dams and diversions. Many of our Peninsular Rivers are now turning dry which used to serve as drainage channels to carry pollutants. Addtionally, the outfalls of the Himalayan Rivers arereducing rapidly; climate change would make this only worse. Such situation is having a devastating impact not only on the dependent poor and marginalized communities, but also on the groundwater recharge and other functions of the ecosystems.
Full report to be available shortly..................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................
Women and development Real empowerment or just more responsibilities and little benefit?
16 March 2009
Gender aspects are integral parts of every development programme, regardless of whether it is watersheds, micro-finance, organic agriculture or the role of parents in child and home care.
Today increasingly women from poor and marginalised communities are enrolled into committees, micro finance groups, and other forums as a way of increasing their role in decision making on development affecting them and their families directly. Attendance is made mandatory and a lot of their time is taken up in attending these meetings.
How far has women’s involvement resulted in real empowerment of women and changes in their circumstances in terms of better health, more nutrition and better living conditions? Is it merely tokenism with more meetings to attend and more exhaustion? How far are their opinions taken into consideration; are they truly involved in the design of the development initiatives? What is their real status at home? These are questions and issues that debated at the round table. The participants consisted of journalists, development practitioners, feminist writers and members of the community. The discussion helped Svaraj in understanding the issue from different perspectives and raise a platform for further and continued deliberation engaging all sectors of the society in sharing, learning and seeking right solutions for women’s engagement in development initiatives.
.....................................................................................................................................................The medallion of truth
A unique, 15-day long, youth engagement project on environment and conservation was organized by Acoustic Traditional in partnership with SVARAJ, Bangalore.
The programme was based on a treasure hunt – the medallion of truth. Set around the city, the project built on the traditional methods of storytelling, including riddles and puzzles, as the primary tool of engagement and information dissemination. On the whole, the purpose of this engagement was to involve the participants step by step as they solve one mystery at a time – in issues of conservation/environment, tribal wisdom and folklore.
Click to see all the previous events
