Youth Jumbish '09

The month of November saw one main event dominating the goings on at the Pravah Jaipur Initiative. On a cool winters day on Saturday the 21st around five hundred young people descended on The Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur to celebrate Jashn-e-Jaipur : A Youth Jumbish. The event was organized by ourselves and local NGO Muskaan, in collaboration with Taabar and Jawahar Kala Kendra. We were delighted to host our annual youth festival!

The event ran all day and was an opportunity to celebrate the aspirations, the power and possibilities of youth. The theme was one of social justice, equality and active citizenship. We witnessed many skits and performances which had been designed by young people from the participating schools, colleges and NGO’s. The performances were designed to highlight a whole spectrum of social issues. They included domestic violence, disability, women’s education, no to tobacco, rural migration and swine flu to name only a few. The methodologies used were equally varied. Songs, dancing, puppetry, theatre and poster making all played their part. The creative side of things was also balanced with much facilitated discussion amongst the audience as people shared their own experiences and understandings of various issues. A further dash of color was added as face panting activities took place outside lead by a friendly team of young volunteers.

The following schools and colleges were involved: Biryani College, Umang School, Taabar, Satya Sai College, Stani College, Bhawani Niketan, Maharani College, IGM College, LBS College. They were also complimented by a number of NGO’s and other organisations as well which included Taabar, Digantar, Adhar, Doosra Dashak and of course ourselves and Muskaan.

The Events of Youth Jumbish '09

As soon as the audience had amassed in the hall after being registered by our trusty team of volunteers in the foyer, Meenakshi gave an introductory speech and facilitated an ice breaking energizer to get them all in good voice. Without further ado, the newly formed band at Pravah went into ‘Tum Chalo, Hum Chalen”. The crowds enthusiastically clapped along although were perhaps a little perplexed seeing British volunteer Joe Spence singing in Hindi! Jitendra then played his phenomenal new song ‘Bariso Mega’ which he had recently penned in the run up to the festival. Bariso Mega is a song which explores the importance of rainfall for human beings and how it in some way connects us all, regardless of our way of life. It is also a stirring plea for people to come together in difficult times, to have respect nature and appreciate the beauty that exists on the planet.



It was then time for Pravah’s very own youth group, the Khulla Manch to take to the stage and perform their devised play ‘The Ideal Citizen’.

Active Citizenship Awards!!!

The Youth Jumbish is not only a time for performance and awareness raising, it is also a time whereby young people who have already shown outstanding contributions in the field of active citizenship can be formally recognized. Let us share a few examples which took place on the 21st...



Jitesh

Jitsesh is taking action by holding events in his village and also setting up a youth resource centre there. “I believe that this will bridge the gap between the environment outside the village and the environment inside the village. It will provide a platform to share information, build ones capacity as a leader and disseminate vital information about schemes policies which affect them. It will encourage and provide the means for people to get involved with the Gram Panchayat and make most of the provision that already exists. People’s voices need to be heard” says Jitesh. The multi faceted project has already seen a whole village take to the streets to clean away the litter. Amazing!


Dinesh

Dinesh works as a photographer for DNA newspaper. Recently he was covering the fire at a Jaipur Oil Depot when he was called into a very different kind of action. Upon reaching the blaze he came across a number of people who had been seriously wounded. Using his motorbike and the acquiring the help two other guys, Dinesh spent the following hours rushing people to a nearby hospital, saving seven lives in the process. It was a humbling act of bravery and the audience was completely taken aback as he retold the whole harrowing story. A huge achievement, well done Dinesh!


Bhavya

Bhavya Soni was disturbed by some of the actions and attitudes that were occurring towards females in his college. Eve teasing was a common place and Bhavya wasn’t prepared to let it go unchallenged. Bhavya inspired individuals from around the college to come together, openly discuss the issue of eve teasing and eventually form a group. From then on, those individuals would use their free time to make sure that nobody was being harassed and would intervene if they saw something untoward. This raised the profile of the issue in the college and lead to positive shifts in people’s awareness and behavior.

Memorable performances!!!

Umang kids were show stealers from the moment they entered. Sitting in the right-hand corner with their colors and their enthusiasm, they brought a certain life to a place. And that life tripled when the music started and they moved with energy and grace on the beats of ‘Chak De’. The audience reverberated with their spirit with the whistles and claps of adulation.



“They walk aimlessly. They sleep at city arcades; they are vulnerable for any type of exploitation by the adults and criminals. Their childhood turns into a shrouded childhood”. One of the partners who helped to organize the Youth Festival was TAABAR. The Jaipur based NGO advocates for the well being, protection and empowerment of street children.

A team of young people from TAABAR worked alongside a director to bring a powerful piece of live theatre to the occasion. The play told the harrowing story of how a young boy fled his home after being subjected to abuse, alcoholism and dire poverty at the hands of his family. It documented his journey. After being befriended on the street by a gang of local youths, the young boy became exposed to drugs, crime and exploitative labor. This story had a happy ending however when he was rescued and taken to an orphanage where he could be cared for. For so many other children though, the prospect of help still escapes them. People still slip through the cracks.



The news has been alive with news of fresh cases of swine flu in Rajasthan. For this reason, LBS College decided to make it the subject of an awareness raising skit. The play used theatre to explain to the audience about the various ways swine flu can be transmitted and explained some of precautionary measures people can take in order to avoid infection. In the days surrounding the main event, many of Jaipur’s schools had closed down so as to prevent the disease spreading amongst its pupils. This was a blow to the organizers of the Youth Jumbish as many of those schools would have otherwise been in attendance on the 21st.



Doosra Dashak came a long way to be with us at the festival, traveling all the way from a rural village in the heart of Rajasthan. We were particularly pleased that they could be there to represent Rajasthan’s rural communities. They performed a play on ‘superstition’ and how such false information can negatively impact people’s lives. In their play it showed how people can be diverted from seeking appropriate medical attention based on the old assumptions that spirits or demons are responsible for ill health.



‘ADHYATM’ is a new band, fronted by singer songwriter Jitendra Sharma alongside Vaibhav and Elwin on rhythm guitar and drums respectively. Amazingly this was their debut as live performers. They managed to bring the house down with their rousing rhythms and ear for a melody.

Partnership with 'One World South Asia'..for Radio Broadcasting across Delhi!!

The Pravah Jaipur Initiative’s very own community video unit has recently spread it wings and ventured into the world on community radio! In partnership with ‘One World South Asia’, the team will make six radio shows which shall be broadcast all over Delhi! They began this month by making and recording their very first show based on the broad theme of ‘active citizenship’. Meanwhile they have been busy completing the final research stages for first and much anticipated ‘video magazine’ which shall be released this winter. They will tackle the issue of the ‘water scarcity’ by going into communities, interviewing the people who live there and making in depth documentaries which highlight the issue.

Trading Game

Mood on the table : International trade dynamics and role of IMF and World Bank.

At this café opening, we played the ‘The Trading Game’ facilitated by Joe Spence. The idea was to explore the issue of international trade with thirty young people and volunteers. The game is a fun participatory simulation game that helps to show how trade actually works, who benefits and who loses. It aims to help players understand clearly how trade affects a country’s prosperity. It provides a simple outline of some very complex issues.

We formed six groups. Each group was a country. The facilitators played the role of the ‘World Bank’. The aim of the game was for the groups to make as much money as possible by making sized, measured from cut from pieces of paper. Each group was given an envelope with the necessary equipment needed to make ‘products’ such as paper, scissors, rulers, compasses, set squares and pencils. The paper represented natural resources and the other equipment represented the tools and infrastructure needed to make products from natural resources. However, there was a twist when the groups realized that the resources were distributed unequally and in order for them to make shapes they would have to trade with one another, just as in the real world.

The trading was frantic and a lot of fun but as the game panned out, we came to understand the importance of international trade and also how it favors the rich, developed nations. The emanating discussion went on long into the evening as volunteers debated on how we can create a fairer, more just world for all.

Nirmata - Nirdeshak kuch kahna chahte hain

CPs reflecting on past three months...


“Andhero se nikal kar Roshani me aa gaye,
Ghar se niakal kar Pravah me aa gaye
Yanha Aa ke vo roshani dikhai di
Ghar me rah ke vo sab daba kar baith gaye”
I never had dreams but now I have dreams for my life beyond my family. This is the place where I can fulfill my dreams. I wish to continue working in development sector, where I can connect with like minded people.


“Pravah ke sath se,
Pravah ke pyar se mujhe, zamane ki har chunoti hai manzoor,
Pravah mere sath hai to har taraf mujhe,
Kamyabi zaroor milegi,
Aisa mera vishvas hai, kyoki pravah meri zindagi hai”


I remember my initial days in Pravah when I was not able to talk to people properly but now team members have to stop me from talking. As an individual, Im feeling myself more aware and awake. I understand problems and give my opinions also. I’m trying to learn more and more. Pravah also helps me in my school studies.



“Malik hum ko kahne sun ne se jyada amal ki taufik ata farmaye”
Aamin!
Pravah and CVU is not a space for only technical learning, it gives us opportunity to grow as an individual. I’m trying to develop myself along with the CVU and wish to support my family. I have earned confidence in myself. But I have to do more hard work to prove myself and to learn more.


Here in Pravah we all live like a family, it is like my second home. I spend lots of time here in Pravah office, so that I learn and get more from this space. Life has never been this much lively, as it is here in Pravah. I see myself as a film maker who works for society.


Life has changed completely. Even my family members and friends are also noticing change in my behavior. I’m no more the same Rajesh, who was shy and never used to talk to people. I’m learning mass communication, camera work, computers, theater, mime and English also.


I joined Pravah two years before as a volunteer. I participated in a workshop about 'Active Citizenship'. Now, it's my second family. Pravah gave a shape to my thoughts. I wish to pursue my carrier into social sector where I may help people to help themselves in finding solutions and ways to mitigate such problems of their daily life.

Aaina Tv

The Community Producers (CPs) have come up with an apt name for their productions. It shall fall under the name of ‘Aaina TV’. This name is meant to highlight the idea that the films are a ‘mirror’ for society to look into, so that they may see issues in society reflected back towards them.

‘Arijeet’ from our partners ‘Drishti’ visited us to work with the CVU and how they were progressing with their work.

Street plays were done in 11 various communities to publicize Aaina TV.

The first editorial board meeting happened on 24th Sept and the subject for the first video magazine has been finalized. Expect to see films based on the issue of water conservation appearing shortly!

Amreen Ahmed - A Young Facilitator

Amreen Ahmed

Amreen came to know about Pravah by a friend in her college and she feels grateful to that day when she started a discussion which ultimately led her to Pravah. A concerned and an active citizen in college she has been working at an individual level on the same issue as Mahatma Gandhi, which was ‘Cleanliness’.

After attending a five day theatre workshop in the initial days at Pravah Jaipur Initiative she decided to take things in the development sector seriously. In the workshop she got the chance to interact with like-minded people and came to know that there are so many that think like her and are actually working towards what they realize was important in their lives. She went to Sambalpur, Orissa trip and was amazed by the electrifying atmosphere there. It was the great learning experience says she while discussing the trip.

Being a psychology student she sees that it is actually like working on self development as she can practice her learnings in the field, outside the boring classrooms. She says, “I find that peace and satisfaction while working at PJI as it is such a fun filled place. I can connect to people at the same level, and have really discovered my own little space here which apparently everybody respects. I have become more confident and outward going than before. I can speak in public without fear and really enjoy the discussions over the various issues.”

Recollecting her finest experience in the last one and a half year, she says that planning and coordinating Youth Jumbish (the annual event at PJI) was the best of all. “That bonding and exciting team work we did for two continuous months was mind boggling. We were up days and nights preparing events, connecting with other students, learning from some and trying to teach others; it was all a superb experience and I am really looking forward to Youth Jumbish this year.” Amreen admits that this team work had many positive side effects on her; the most effective of all was working as a team. She learnt the various ground rules which make one as an effective team member and a better listener. She attributes to the ‘no boss’ culture at the Pravah Jaipur Initiative.

As a youth facilitator Amreen is the in-charge of Muskaan Action Project which involves the various activities which PJI does in collaboration with another organization called Muskan working on road safety.

Eve-teasing

Mood on the table : Eve-teasing and how to combat it??

Held in two cafe meetings. The first Café Mohalla based on eve teasing, facilitated by one of Pravah's youngest volunteers ‘Padmaja Gungun’, began with a documentary ‘Jor se Bol’. Made in an urban slum in Mumbai, the documentary followed the stories of a number the victims of eve teasing, it explained their struggles, how they felt and eventually what they did in order to stop to it. It talked about the importance of collective action, whereby a number of people in the community all came to together to raise awareness of the issue.

The documentary was followed up by an in depth group discussion. People shared with one another their views on eve teasing and brought their own understandings and values to the table. Some people shared that they had experienced eve teasing themselves and felt that they had to remain silent about it because if their parents found out they might place restrictions on them going out for example.

During second Café Mohalla(29 Aug), facilitated by Neha Singh, we looked at the Indian constitution so that we understood the legal protection we are entitled to in the face of abuse from another person. We took this as an opportunity to look at Pravah’s own sexual harassment policy so that volunteers know that there are procedures and structures in place to protect the wellbeing of all of those who come into contact with Pravah itself.

Reflection : Eve teasing is indeed a sensitive topic, but important in the fact that it affects so many people, young and old. It was useful for the group to explore what constitutes eve teasing and where the boundary lies between joking or even ‘flirting’ and where certain remarks can become aggressive and offensive. It was a rare opportunity to tackle a topic which is in danger of getting brushed under the carpet and being allowed to continue.

kafe mohalla

"Kafe Mohalla"

A Cafe with a difference ! A Cafe which opens once every fortnight.

A warm and welcoming meeting place for young people to come and develop their idea related to citizenship action.

A Place where you will meet like minded individuals, make new friends and learn about how you can make a difference.

Also, whilst you’re here why not have a bite to eat from the Pravah kitchen!” based on concept of organic and healthy food.

A place where you do not pay but "SHARE" yes share !..

here people who comes in share their ideas..resources.. be it a raw material..utensils..or small donations... u can also contibute in cooking..serving..cleaning and whatever u want...

Come join us ! on every second saturdays..from 3 pm -7 pm and discover lots more...!

Regards

PJI & Kafe Mohalla

Play Peace

Mood on the table : Discussing Communal Harmony

Film Screening of ‘Play Peace’ which documented a community project that took place in Gujarat in the aftermath of the communal riots 2002. A member of the community decided to begin a project which would attempt to open up channels of communication once more though using cricket. The film spoke powerfully about the participant’s personal journeys through this time and how they came to break harmful stereotypes that they had held, repair strained friendships and begin making inroads to building up tolerance and harmony in their community once more.

Cafe Mohalla Opening!!

A Youth Cafe with a difference ! A Cafe which opens Saturday, every two weeks at our office in Bapu Nagar.

A warm and welcoming meeting place for young people to come and develop their idea related to citizenship action. A place where you're likely to meet like-minded individuals, make new friends and learn about how you can make a difference.

Also, whilst you’re here why not have a bite to eat from the "Pravah kitchen!” based on concept of organic, healthy food (obviously delicious).

A place where you do not pay... but "SHARE"..share their ideas, resources, skills, knowledge etc... be it a raw material, utensils, or small donations... u can also contribute in cooking, serving, cleaning and whatever u want...

A wide range of events such as film screenings, group discussions, interactive games and various arts based activities in pipeline for coming cafe-meetings..

See you there!!!

This is the Test Run of Our Blog..Visit Again Later for More Updates

Launch of Community Video Unit

We are happy to inform you that, our Community Video Unit(CVU) will start its operations from today that is 25th June 2009!!!!

CVU would be one of its kind endeavour in Jaipur city through which we would be bridging the gap between the youth from the marginalized section of the society and the urban youth. We will inspire youth leadership through Community videos and youth facilitators with our partner Drishti.

Our core activity would be to train local community members in community video production. This training will be conducted by a full time trainer over a period of 18 months to create content related to their lives. The content will be decided by a Community Editorial Board comprising of people who live and work within the community. The content created by the community members will be regularly screened back in the community. The content will reflect the stories of their experiences, their joys, sorrow, struggles, dreams and aspirations in their local dialect or language, through their local cultural art forms and idioms. Thus creating a media owned and controlled by some of the most marginalized and exploited communities in the world.

The Community Video Model
The Community Video Unit (CVU) comprises of 8-10 community members who are trained as full-time Community Video Producers. They produce a "Video Magazine" on different social issues every two months. These magazines are screened in around 25 to 30 bastis or villages on widescreen projectors to up to 10,000 people. The video is a tool for us to expand scale and reach, promote awareness and information, and to enable communities to advocate and negotiate with relevant authorities. It also empowers communities with a voice, both locally and globally, when we distribute the videos to the mainstream media. It bridges the literacy barrier and communicates to people in the visual medium they like best. Finally and most importantly it promotes community-led change, through focused discussions and follow-ups with audiences around an "Action Point," in community screenings that often reach the majority of a village or basti.


About our partner DRISHTI
DRISHTI, a media, arts and human rights organization, firmly believe that the future of the media industry is Community Media. The cornerstone of a democracy is a Free Media. India became a democracy nearly 60 years ago yet its media industry remains controlled by a handful of business houses. However, over the last 10 years, a few media professionals, filmmakers, academicians, individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly with the government to truly democratize media. They believe that the core of democratization of media is when media is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’.

Give Peace A Chance - Fly Peace Kites

Dear All,
Greetings from Pravah Jaipur Initiative !
In today's fragmented world peace and harmony among the peoples of the World is the first casualty. The sky is the only space that seems devoid of borders that keeps people apart. Romantics, idealists and visionaries have looked up into the heavens for inspiration and the kite is one of the most powerful symbols of man's desire to break free of the shackles of the earth.

Therefore taking idea form Drishti our partners in Gujrat and knowing the fact that on 14th January the world witnesses maximum number of the kites flying in the sky of Jaipur, Pravah Jaipur Initiative is organizing a "Give Peace a Chance – Fly PEACE Kites" an event of flying kites for peace from 9th January to 14th January in Jaipur. There are no political affiliations or agendas; its ordinary people from the city who will get together on these days for 4 hours per day to celebrate freedom and the desire for peace and harmony among all religions and ethnic groups. Our volunteers have written peace messages on kites and we will be flying them from various places in the city

On Fri 9th Jan we plan to start the campaign with an official launch atUMANG "An initiative towards rehabilitation of persons with disability" &Faith. We shall conduct Face painting and Banner painting with children for promotion of Peace. On the remaining days the group will go to various locations in Jaipur to spread the message and involve as many people as possible.
People who wish to participate in this event are welcome to contact us and bring their kites and thread to fly peace kites with us. Kites will also be made available to enable them to participate.
We look forward to your support, and your presence, at Give Peace a chance - Fly Kites for Peace.

For more details contact 0141-4030356, 9828222234, 9928367670, 9983762103
Truly
Vivek