Christmas at Pravah

On Christmas, Cafe Mohalla celebrated the Christmas spirit by hosting a cafe session on the topic of waste and waste collection in India. The volunteers gathered together to meet a group of young waste collectors, who were befriended by Priyanka and Sonam.

The cafe started out with the volunteers playing games and relay races with our young friends. After getting to know them, we sat together to watch the short films Until Kids with Raghu Dixit and Wasted, which explored the social issues related to waste disposal in India. Through conversations with the children and watching the films, the volunteers sought to gain an inside look into how waste affects people's lives.

Afterwards, the group had an intensive discussion about the topic. Volunteers spoke about potential solutions, and tried to decide how exactly we should view the profession of waste collecting in our society. We also discussed how to balance work and education for children who have the obligation to support their families.

At the end, we all got together for a Christmas party, with idli, sambar, and candies from our own personal Santa Claus. The volunteers collected donations of clothing and other gifts, and gave them to the children for the festival.

Charu's Change Journey in Pravah

Well, it's been more than one and a half years now since I joined Pravah. Its been an absolutely amazing journey. PJI is not just a normal meeting place, not just as NGO for me. It's more like a family in which I've grown up over time.

When i joined in July 2008, I had no clue that getting associated with Pravah would change my life 180 degrees. Before I joined, I actually had no idea of what I wanted from my life--I was a girl who was ignorant of the real life, having some kind of dissatisfaction. But when i joined, I actually met beautiful people, people who are not just friends with whom you sit and have fun, but friends from whom you learn every time.

At PJI, I learned how to be with different kinds of people, because everybody came from absolutely different backgrounds. It provided me with an amazing platform to express what I feel and what I think, and to think about things which I had never bothered to give my time. Pravah boosted my self confidence, which I had lost a long time back.

This is how my journey with Pravah started, and gradually over time Pravah became my family, a family which has been a support to me in everything I want to do--whether it was providing aid to convert my ideas into realities, or supporting me to start my own group called Pahal, which works on environmental pollution, or to get associated with the NGO Faith where I volunteer. Over time,  through Pravah I got in touch with other organizations, strengthening my bond with Pravah.

My association with Pravah has not just changed me, but also the outlook of people towards me. The contributions of Pravah are quite apparent in me when I got into a big organisation like NTPC for my training, and proved myself by getting the highest marks in my panel interview. The most important thing that i got from Pravah was the concept of networking, since it gave me ample opportunities to meet people who are masters in their own field.

After getting involved with Pravah, doors of opportunity have opened for me. In a sentence, Pravah is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and its only because of Pravah that today I know what I want to do in my life. Thanks to Pravah for being my family throughout my stay here in Jaipur, where I am so far away from my family.   

Charu Jhalani

Amreen's Pravah Journey

Life is a journey which is full of different and unforgettable moments and experiences. Some are good, some are bad but no matter what is the kind they always teach us new lessons and motivate us to do new and adventurous things. The time which I spent in Pravah Jaipur initiative was the most memorable and life giving. I learnt the importance of being an active listener and its impact on others.  Apart from this it’s necessary to have an insight about our own self….who I am? “What I will do in my future?” “How I will handle my conflicts?”  The space provides me friends, skills and knowledge and a thinking process which will definitely help me out in my future. I call pji my second home because it’s the place which gives me motivation, support and relationships which will always remain with me….. I find 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. I learnt the various ground rules which make one as an effective team member and a better listener. I attributes to the ‘no boss’ culture at the Pravah Jaipur Initiative. This home was with me in my hard as well good time, always providing me care, love and support to move ahead in my life positively.

My first workshop with pravah was in  may 2008, I remembered my first day when I entered the krishanayan (jawahar kala kendra) with loads of hesitation confusion and loneliness which were my only friends since  3 year…….but the coming 5 day of the workshop were the best days of my life or I should called them the turning point of my life……..I met so many new people , interacted with them and after the workshop I have a bunch of friends who has no doubt replaced my old friends (hesitation, confusion and loneliness).The time I had spent with neha, vivek ,meenakshi, richa, cvu unit and volunteers filled my life with energy, enthusiasm and synergy. No matter how much I thanked these people, the words always remain less. Their presence in pji always gives a motivation to do more and achieve more.

I remembered when I often get those dreams of running in black hollow tunnel….couldn’t able to see, feel and decide……where to go, where to start………these thoughts were making me mad…….demotivating and ruining my own self……but suddenly came a ray of light, guiding me to explore myself, enabling me to stand and share my views about the world around me. Pravah act as a spark which ignites in me, the power to make changes and the first change which I did is in me……reacting less and listening to people around me.  Isn’t it great? Yes it is great when you start getting feedback that you did a great job amreen…..I love these feedbacks after all I am an human beings…..and trust me  this breed crave for positive strokes. It’s the first time in my whole life when I found a place where people are identified by their talents and positive qualities in spite of in things they are bad at……….so coming to pravah was like a rebirth for me…….every thing a did at pravah made me more confident and knowledgeable and helps me in moving ahead.

While working with pji, the most significant celebrations were youth festival 2009, sessions in umang and my action project “LETS POST ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP”.the process of managing and organizing youth festival was a learning experience which helped me in enhancing my skill as a leader and also made me more passionate to work in development sector.  The education programme with joe in umaang made me more close to those children. It exposes me to the problems and situations that they have to face in their day to day life. I feel overwhelmed sometimes at hoe well the children respond to the work. I love being with them and felt that a really amazing bonding was formed between me and the group.

Finally comes the time for my action project, one of the best thing ever happened in my life which gave me confidence to lead and prove myself as a leader. Initially my nervousness was up to the peak about the sessions but meenakshi and richa were a great support. All the session went well and I felt like i was climbing a mountain and reached half of it. Now the anxiety is lessen but still half way was left. But after till middle I got the courage to move ahead and I did it……I successfully did the blood donation camp with the help of lovely people around me. In the end I learnt a lesson, while climbing we need three important things – water bottle, trekking shoes and a bag of utilities. For me, here the water bottle was my will power, trekking shoes was pravah and a bag of utilities were my family and friends.    

The journey with pravah was full of responsibilities and challenges, I think these two things runs parallel and challenges make us more strong and capable. The first challenge while working was to be calm…. my short tempera often creates tensions for my own self. Second was convincing my own parents to support me in whatever I am doing……..trust me it was the toughest thing to do. And one day the miracle happens, my mom said – I will join pravah after my retirement. And about my tempera, now I acted calmly in many situations and while working too……………

Pravah provide me a set of skills which are helping me in present counseling course. I am dealing with my clients with full patience, open mindedness. Now I tend to react less and dealing people calmly. The acquired positive attitude is influencing my life personally and professionally.

When I was a child, my grandfather told me the importance of balance in life but that was just theoretical, in reality I have practiced it actually during my journey with pravah. I tried to maintain the balance between home and office. The time spent in pravah was one of the bests, energetic and lively. Leaving pravah wasn’t easy for me but I know it was not an end, it was a new beginning……A BEGINNING FOR A NEW LIFE WITH NEW CELEBRATIONS, LEARNINGS AND CHALLENGES……and this time I am completely prepared for it……………

Few lines I can quote for this lovely journey –“ maine yaha zindagi ko dekha, is nafrato ke sheher me, pyaar se bhara ek ghar dekha , Deeware jiski hatheliyon si komal, darwazo ko baaho sa khulte dekha , farsh pe maa ki goud si thandak, or khidkiyon ko  intezaar me jhulte dekha i…………..logo….maine phr apne ghar sa, ek ghar dekha ”

FROM

AMREEN

Taaza Khabar: PJI Walks with Altaf Bhat Chisti

PJI Volunteers joined activist Altaf Bhat Chisti in his journey for peace this past Friday. After a number thought-provoking discussions with the Kashmiri native--who is walking from Mumbai to Delhi to campaign for peace in the Kashmir Valley--a number of PJI volunteers decided to walk a few kilometers alongside him, from Johari Bazaar to Lal Mahal in Jaipur city.

Altaf was 18 years old when he was picked up by terrorist groups and sent to a terrorist training camp in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Three months later, upon returning, he laid down his AK-47 on the border and decided to devote his life to peace. Despite facing harassment from Indian officials and serving jail time for his past activities, he still continues to believe peace is the way forward for Kashmir, and works to spread this message everyday.

Around 15 PJI volunteers walked with Altaf after hearing his story. They marched together, continuing the peace campaign and working to make sure their voices are heard.

Keshav Modi, a volunteer, said "From Altaf, I came to learn many things about Kashmir, and the problems people face in Kashmir. Previously, I had only known one side of the story about BSF, but Altaf showed me the other face too, the many instances of cruelty. After learning from Altaf, I felt I wanted to do something for the Kashmiri people, so I walked with him"

Many other volunteers felt the same way. They want to make sure that the stories of actual Kashmiris like Altaf are heard, so India can address this issue in an open dialogue and find a peaceful way forward.

Taazaa Khabar: Conversation with Mohammed Altaf Bhat Chisti

Mohammed Altaf Bhat Chisti visited PJI yesterday to share his remarkable story and a conversation with the volunteers about issues relating to his native Kashmir. He is in the middle of a peace march from Mumbai to Delhi, to spread the message of peace in Kashmir, and we had the opportunity to  learn a great deal from his personal journey and transformation.

Altaf grew up in Kashmir, and at age 18, joined Al-umar-mazuhidin, a terrorist training organization in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. After training for 3 months, he returned to his native place and realized that using violence is not the right way to bring peace to the region. He now believes that no religion or community has the right to kill innocent people, and using terrorism as a political strategy is against humanity, religion, and law.

Since his transformation, he has worked to promote a message of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. He worked as a freelance journalist in the state for two years, but was arrested by the Border Security Force and sentenced to two years in jail. Even after being kept in Trinaga Central Jail and receiving cruel beatings by officials, he still believes peace is the way forward for the community that lives in Kashmir.

To promote this idea, he began his peace march from Mumbai on the 23rd of September, and has had conversations about these issues with people he meets along the way. He wants more people to know the real face of the Kashmiri people--what they feel and think, and what their issues and views really are.

He stopped by PJI for a tremendous conversation yesterday with around 25 volunteers, telling his story and answering countless questions. Volunteers asked about a wide range of subject: why many Kashmiri people don't want to be a citizens of an Indian state, what problems result from army occupation, and why the border is porous to terrorists. We learned a great deal about the reality of life in Kashmir, and Altaf's message for the way forward in this troubled region.

All are invited to accompany Altaf for the first kilometer of his walk to Delhi on Friday! Please meet at 2 pm, at Jama Mazid Johari Baazar. We will gather and join this heroic figure in spreading a message of peace.

Meet the 2010 Youth Changemakers

In celebrating the 2010 Jashn-e-Jaipur Youth Jumbish last week, we gave awards to 9 remarkable groups and individuals who have engaged in active citizenship and made contributions to social issues.

They are:

Jaiprakash Aajad
After regularly donating blood for the past three years, Jai established a youth group in his home village of Nila, in Jumba Rangand, and encouraged others to donate together. He also helps children from BPL families afford the cost of uniforms and books in pursuing education. He envisions a future where no one will suffer from a lack of blood in hospitals.

Aditi Chouhan
A B.A. student at Maharani College, Aditi works with the NGO Sidart to promote female empowerment and education. She has conducted awareness programs around women's rights and HIV/AIDS, and strives to help girls from BPL families get scholarships to attend school. Aditi says that she plans on continuously working for women and girls at every level of society.

Amaa Prith Kaur
Amaa works with Aadhar Parivar Seva to spread awareness of disease and education. After facing problems in her home life, she took responsibility by learning stitching, taking care of financial responsibilities, and inspiring others to get involved. She has assisted with the Badh Shiksha Samiti program on the issue of education.

Ashok Kumar Mahavar
Ashok also works with Aadhar Parivar Seva to spread awareness, by eradicating myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. He established a theater group that travels to bastis and local communities to raise awareness around this issue.

G21
G21 stands for Grouped into One, and is a student group from MNIT. After coming together to actively address quality and hygiene in their canteen, they broadened the group's goals and started a tree-planting program, as well as a tricycle donation program to people with disabilities.

Dusra Dashak
Dusra Dashak's Pindwana Program was awarded for its exceptional work on controversial issues with tribal communities. Controversial rituals such as kheemch wedding selections, dhudhan, and dayan are the topics of education campaigns and other programs by this organization.

                                                         Rashmi Patel

Rashmi is a theater artist who uses this integral medium for addressing social welfare. She is associated with the Rajasthan School of Theater, and has worked on a mass awareness program using theater for the past five years. She brings the program to local communities and also performs at JKK.

Yagyatosh Bagriya
Yagya works with Help in Suffering to rescue injured and neglected animals, and has devoted his life to animal welfare. He frequently finds injured animals and delivers them to the NGO. He also aims to inform people about the importance of animal well-being.

Suresh Bairwa
After recieving life-skill training from Dusra Dashak and working on his own problems, Suresh has inspired many towards the goal of social welfare. He spreads awareness around topics such as health, education, and sanitation, and has also dealt with issues     such as illiteracy and alcoholism.

Internships/fellowships/other opportunities

If you’re looking for a fellowship, internship, or volunteer position in a variety of areas that relate to development or active citizenship, take a look at this list of opportunities available:

Fellowships

Teach for India
“Teach For India is a nationwide movement of outstanding college graduates and young professionals who will commit two-years to teach full-time in under resourced schools and who will become lifelong leaders working from within various sectors toward the pursuit of equity in education.”
Specifics: 2 year commitment as a Teaching Fellow in an underserved English-medium primary school in Mumbai or Pune. Includes training summer, monthly stipend
Qualifications: Young professionals working full time OR students in final year of undergraduate or postgraduate degree; Excellent academic record; fluency in English; age 20-35; leadership skills, communication skills, ability to take on challenges
Application Deadlines: 10 October, 2010 (early), 28 November, 2010 (regular), 9 January, 2011 (final).

Indicorps
“Each year, Indicorps selects young professionals of Indian origin for one and two year service fellowships with grassroots service organizations in India.”
Specifics: 1 or 2 year commitment to work at an NGO, fellows apply to projects in their area of interest, includes month of orientation and period workshops. Includes living stipend to cover room, board, and fellowship-related travel.
Qualifications: Person of Indian origin; University degree OR five years work experience; interest in dedicated service and personal growth; visionary, passionate, and qualified for their particular project choice
Application Deadline: 15 August, 2011

SBI Youth For India
“Providing educated Indian youth with an opportunity to touch lives and create positive change at the grass root level in rural India.”
Specifics: one year placement at a rural NGO to work on social issues and aim for rural development on a specific project; includes stipend for living expenses
Qualifications: Indian citizenship, age 21-35, college graduate; motivated, successful candidate with passion for development work; demonstrated initiative and leadership potential in past
Application Deadline: 31 December, 2010

Ashoka Fellowship
“Ashoka Fellows are leading social entrepreneurs who we recognize to have innovative solutions to social problems and the potential to change patterns across society.”
Specifics: The fellowship program provides support to social entrepreneurs who are currently implementing a new social program, campaign, or organization.
Qualifications: Ashoka selects fellows that are exceptional social entrepreneurs, with a remarkable new and creative idea that will achieve social impact.
Application Deadline: fellows must be nominated by someone who believes they merit an Ashoka Fellowship; the nomination process can be started by emailing Ashoka’s India representative at Solomon Prakash at sprakash@ashoka.org

Deshpande Fellowship
“The Deshpande Fellowship Program consists of a seven-month program geared towards providing a budding batch of social entrepreneurs with the skills they need to create positive change in society.”
Specifics: The fellowship program provides training and hands-on learning experiences to social entrepreneurs over seven months; training takes place in Northwest Karnataka; includes salary of Rs. 10,000 per month
Qualifications: desire to create lasting social change; between 23-28 years of age; graduate or post-graduate degree; at least 6 months work experience in the development sector
Application Deadline: November 10, 2010

Internships/Volunteer Positions

EduCARE India
“EduCARE-India, a non-profit NGO, having hosted more than 100 interns and volunteers in the recent years, has developed a number of positions for international internship and volunteer work in India with a focus on several core areas of community education, development and welfare work.”
Specifics: EduCARE is based in Chandigarh, Punjab, and lists a number of internships and volunteer opportunities.

Pravah Delhi’s Rural Internship
Pravah Delhi’s SMILE (Students’ Mobilization Initiative for Learning through Exposure) program provides an opportunity to learn through an experience serving with a grassroots organization or movement in a rural area. Pravah is partnered with over 30 organizations across India. The internship includes a 3 day orientation, a 3-4 week internship period, and a 2 day feedback camp with other interns.
Specifics: The internship is for a period of one month, and includes a fee of Rs. 4000/-
Apply: contact or send application form to astha.gupta@pravah.org or 011-40505743

Resource Databases
Indiserve
Indiserve is a database of various NGOs and grassroots organizations throughout India actively seeking volunteers and interns. Each listing specifies qualifications, specific projects to be worked on, length of internship, and other information.

Idealist
Idealist is an international search engine for jobs, volunteer opportunities, internships, fellowships, campaigns, and other resources in the development and NGO sector.

College Project
College Project is a database for Indian college students searching for projects, internships, or corporate practical placements needed for their degrees, separated by degree type.

What A Jumbish!

PJI's annual Jashn-e-Jaipur Youth Jumbish this Saturday was an event to be remembered. Hundreds of students and young people came to participate in the events and take in a fantastic day of live music, theatre, empowerment, and active citizenship.

In the morning, the bands Makeshift and Zenith started with an amazing atmosphere in Krishnayan Theatre at JKK, and kept the level of energy going throughout the day. Out in the atrium and in Rangayan Theatre, our partner NGO Umang held presentations, games, and shows about the theme of disability, and on the national campaign Badhte Kadam, which promotes the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in society.

After the bands, the Kula Manch team performed a play that looked at a number of social issues: alcoholism, domestic abuse, government corruptions, police violence, blood donation, and child labor. The discussion afterward was about the role of active citizenship in these areas, and many members of the audience shared their views.

Plays, skits, dances, songs, and poetry by Zenith, groups from LBS College, MNIT, Maharai College, Dusra Dashak, Taabar, Help in Suffering, and Aadhar captivated the crowds in Krishnayam throughout the afternoon. Topics included road safety, gender, animal welfare, environment, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Towards the end, performances by Zenith and Makeshit, along with the classical-rap mix of MVC brought the Jumbish to a climax, with the crowds dancing and chanting for encores after each song. A huge number of youth had come to JKK and enjoyed the entertainment, energy, and passion towards active citizenship shown by all the performers. The festival was capped off by a slideshow of Pravah volunteers and everyone involved in planning the Jumbish.

Of course, the presentations of the 2010 Youth Changemaker Awards were some of the festival's biggest highlights. A remarkable batch of changemakers were honored with the award. They were: Jaiprakash Aajad, who has promoted blood donation and education in his village; Aditi Chaumaan, who works for the rights of women and young girls; Amanpreeth Kaur and Ashok Kumar Mahaavar, who work with the NGO Aadhar to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and education; G21, a group from MNIT that has worked on tree-planting and disability campaigns, Dusra Dashak, an NGO that has worked to empower girls and eradicate controversial practices in tribal groups; Rashim Patel, who has used theater as a tool towards social welfare; Yagyatosh Bagaria, who works towards animal welfare and frequently brings injured animals to a shelter; and Suresh Bairwa, who has educated his community on issues such as health, education, and sanitation.

More to come in the upcoming days highlighting the award winners, the specific bands and acts, lots more photos, and all other info from the Jumbish!

2 Days left: Visiting JKK

 The coordination team visits the Krishnayam Theatre at Jawahar Kala Kendra

 Talking through the design of the festival

 Enjoying coffee and tea in JKK's coffee house

The fine arts volunteers wrapping up some excellent work

4 Days Left!

Jitendre making some decorations

Sorting heaps of kabaad se jugaad

Volunteers from Fine Arts department working on a banner

Everybody's driving each other crazy!

Youth Jumbish Only 5 Days Away!

The Jashn-e-Jaipur Youth Jumbish Festival is only 5 days away! And the Kula Manch Team is getting ever closer to finalizing plans and having everything ready for the big day. We've already had some coverage in DNA, Dainik Bhaskar, and promotion on MyFM. And here are some pictures of the team discussing details, rehearsing performances, and making all the "kabaar se jugaar" favors to be included in each kit. Get ready.

Kula Manch Team learns as it plans Youth Festival

The Kula Manch team, while planning for and designing the upcoming Youth Jumbish Festival on November 20th, is also going through a process of learning and self-development about the topic of active citizenship.

Yesterday, the team rehearsed their plays and skits on a number of social issues: domestic violence, alcohol abuse, government corruptions, police violence, blood donation, and child labor. These will be performed at the festival to educate and provoke conversation. The group then discussed how the issues related to the concept of "active citizenship"--how exactly, in these situations, they could play a role as active citizens.

The discussion moved towards the idea that active citizenship can often mean something much bigger than typically thought--it can be much more than social service or working in the NGO sector. Oftentimes, being an active citizen is about self-development and becoming more aware of one's own actions. An example was mentioned: what about a teacher who pursues extra training and research about educational methods? He is developing his own skill set, but many felt that he is also an example of active citizenship.

 
The issue of child labor was also examined from both sides. It's very common, for example, many argue that it is wrong in all cases, but very few offer practical solutions. For many children, not working means not being able to eat. Just telling them to go to school doesn't lead to an actual resolution. So what is the next step? People offered a number of creative solutions--maybe it could be some sort of vocational training, which would enable kids to move on to a better life at some point without a formal education.

Later, others spoke about how active citizenship fits into their own personal conflicts. In many places, females are under pressure to marry and have children at a young age, when they still want to pursue education. How can they, along with their families, serve as active citizens in this situation? Similarly, many are pressured to choose a career that is high-paying, instead of following their passions in life. Conflict within personal relationships can be a significant part of being an active citizen via developing one's own self.

As they are finding out, planning the Youth Jumbish Festival is as much about the process as the result. For the Kula Manch team, teaching others about active citizenship requires for them to look inside and examine how they can be active citizens themselves.

Youth Jumbish Team Hard at Work

The planning team for this year's Jashn-e-Jaipur Youth Jumbish Festival is hard at work! They've been working on the design for the festival, reaching out to partner NGOs and colleges for collaboration, and securing official sponsors for the show. Get ready for great performances by local Jaipur youth bands and other groups. Here are a few pictures of the team in action:

And remember, if you have any nominations for the annual Youth Changemaker Awards, please download this form and submit it to richa.sharma@pravah.org

Taazaa Khabar: Oct 17-24

This past week at PJI we hosted a Peer Educators Workshop on HIV in collaboration with the University of Rajasthan's Department of Adult and Continuing Education. We worked with 69 participants from the university to raise awareness of the HIV issue, help educate about the details, and enable young people to serve as peer educators to further spread knowledge about this disease.

HIV and AIDS are important social issues facing India, but a surprisingly large amount of educated young people lack crucial knowledge about these health concerns. The foremost goal of the workshop was to allow expert facilitators such as Mr. Pradeep Chaudhary, Ms. Kavita A. Verma, Ms. Mona Balani, and Ms. Neelima to share their knowledge about HIV with participants and dispel many of the myths associated with the disease. The workshop also included acting out HIV scenario role plays, discussions of HIV services available in Rajasthan, and talks about the various stigmas and discrimination faced by HIV-positive individuals. The potential role of youth volunteers in HIV prevention programs was an important component of empowering the participants to play an active role in solving this enormous social issue.

Coordinator Richa Sharma felt the workshop was a big success in raising the knowledge level about HIV/AIDS. "The participants had never talked about AIDS/HIV issues, so the biggest achievement was that they spoke about the issue and they raised their concerns and questions. Most of them were bachelor of education students, and they are the future teachers, so it was nice to answer their queries and they understood their responsibility to educate more people about HIV/AIDS."

The workshop included a pre-test and a post-test to evaluate the participants' existing knowledge of HIV and how much the activities were able to improve from this base. The participants demonstrated much improved knowledge about misconceptions and facts regarding the HIV issue.

Jumbish Youth Festival: Nov 20

PJI will be holding its annual Jumbish Youth Festival this November 20th!

The event will be held in collaboration with Umang, a local NGO that works as "an initiative towards rehabilitation of persons with disabilities," at Jawahar Kala Kendra. We welcome Pravah volunteers and anyone else interested to take part in this workshop celebration. The festival will focus on the potential of youth to engage in and lead social campaigns and movements, and we will felicitate youth who have successfully served as role models in this capacity during the past year. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know for an Active Citizenship Award, please complete this form and submit an electronic copy to jaipur@pravah.org or bring a hard copy to the Pravah office.

We have the ability to shape our society for the better, and we want to spread this message to young people by felicitating those who have sought to fulfill this potential. This one day celebration will be centered on the theme of Active Citizenship and Disability. Along with the felicitations, performances, skits, and other activities, we invite local youth music groups to perform songs on the theme of active citizenship. If you are interested in performing, please contact Richa at richa.sharma@pravah.org

Runaway Kids: Enduring Their Destiny

The following is an account of the Cafe Mohalla visit to Taabaar, by Siddant Nowlakha

10 year old Vipul (name changed) was just as shy and timid as a child of his age could be, while meeting a bunch of strangers desperate to get his attention and amuse him. He would smile at times, and then give a look as if he was bored.  Then Vipul joyously announced that he has recently knitted a ‘jhola’ (hand-bag), and that he’s big fan of Sunny Deol, and also that his best friend is Bablu.

One may feel Vipul is just another kid, but will be surprised to learn that he is identified as ‘A runaway kid’.

During the exposure visit of a group of teenagers from Pravah, Jaipur, to TAABAAR, a local NGO working for enhancing the lives of kids who have fled from their homes at a young age. They left for reasons diverse and painful enough that separate stories could be written on each. Mr. Rakesh, a highly experienced and dedicated fellow, and a co-founder of TAABAAR shed light upon the lives of these children, some who are in the centre, some who went back to their homes, some who are still fugitive, and some who couldn’t survive this ‘filthy’ struggle of life.

According to him, every other child escaping his home is a case of violence or forceful education. Violence normally comes from the guardians of the kid and can range from moderate to extreme. Children often runaway to dodge studies as well, which they don’t find interesting enough or may even face abuse at   school as well.

Once the children run away, most of them can’t count upon many options but to reach a railway station and climb on any train available. The big bad journey starts there. They reach alien stations, which welcome them with fear and hunger. And local station gangs catch hold of them like a scavenger pounding on its prey. The  members of the gangs lure new-comers, offering them food and shelter. Once taken in, the child is pushed into age-old gang business of collecting used plastic bottles (and anything else they can get a hand on), which is sold up to for Rs. 1 per bottle. The frustrated child, disturbed by past memories, is now taught another part of ‘station life’- the drugs. Their ‘big daddys’ deliver ‘whiteners’, ‘iodex’ and other unconventional stuff, widely on hand in markets for completely different purposes, but used by for direct swallowing  or intaking with bread, as if fruit-jam.

The toxic matter attacks the nervous system, and the body loses  sensation for several minutes. This way the  sickening memories of the drug-taker may find calm for sometime, and hence provide a perception of tranquility. During this stage, some even damage their anesthetized skins with shaving-blades, one more way to express internal aggravation. In later stages they may become addicts, using their money to buy drugs, and when facing shortage of funds, jump into eve-picking, robbery and blood-shed violence.

As Mr. Rakesh told brief stories of various incidents, I was shocked to learn that many of these kids are traded like commodities among various gangs. They are beaten, may become  disabled due to accidents on tracks, are sexually abused, and suffer from diseases--including STDs--without ever getting medical treatment.  In one story, he told how a kid was taken back home, only to find that his mother was dead and alcoholic father sold his five daughters.

Fortunately, not every child has to cope with this misery all his life. There are rehab centers like TAABAAR which pick up those who have a chance to recoup, give them care, teach basic rules of respectful life, provide counseling & medics, inculcate skills like dancing, painting, art, stitching, and above all pour into them a sense that they are not unwanted on this earth, but do have a meaning for which they have to live.

Vipul, now in the garden, was vivaciously showing us his little gymnast skills on a trapeze-like swing. Though he refused to sew a formal-suit for me, claiming he is not that good with needle & thread (I’ll not mind mate..I am jobless right now and may require that only in 5 years till which hopefully you’ll learn) but its okay, I still love you. Oh! I can’t believe that I cared for human sufferings for the first time, too busy with my romance with animals.

Goodbye children. As I leave I remember that I gave my heart to all of you, as nothing more could I afford, and gave a moment from my life to hope that your future remains as bright as the yellow of the banana peel that one of you just tossed into the bin.

Taazaa Khabar: Oct 3-10

There was a lot of activity this past week at Pravah, highlighted by the Window to Kula Manch Workshop held in collaboration with the University of Rajasthan's Department of Adult and Continuing Education on October 9th and 10th. The workshop was a big hit, as dozens of new participants from Jaipur area colleges attended to learn more about Pravah, discuss social issues, and get ready to participate in PJI's urban volunteering programme.

The Story of Boom Mogara

After starting the workshop by sharing objectives and expectations and doing a few energizer games, we conducted an activity where workshop participants "shopped" for different social causes, discussing the relative values of social campaigns and how they related to the term "Active Citizenship." Next was a powerpoint about PJI itself, detailing all the programs, action projects, and events PJI hosts on a regular basis. The group then decided to give itself an identity, creating a dance and song:

Boom Mogara
Chima-Chima
Agaram Bagaram
Hu-too-too!

Over the rest of the day, we took part in intensive discussions about the identities we assign to ourselves and others, and how these affect the way we view society. Even after a long day, all the participants felt very positive about the experiences they'd had and the new friends they had already made, and were eager to continue on Sunday.

The next day, after a few more morning energizers, we got things going with another discussion, this time about the stereotypes we often apply to society. Each participant wrote down one stereotype, and then was put in the position of arguing against it, while other group members argued for it. The larger group discussions made for some very passionate conversations about stereotypes and what we can do to help break them down.

After a quick lunch, we went for an exposure visit at Taabar, a local NGO that works to help runaway youths in Jaipur by housing them, protecting them from exploitation, and seeking to repatriate them back to their home states. Participants from Cafe Mohalla came along for a combined visit this week. Taabar's Programme Director Rakesh Sharma gave a  talk about the NGO's operations and goals. After that, we had a few hours to spend with the youths of Taabar--playing games, chatting, and learning about eachother. This was one of the most inspiring and enjoyable parts of the workshop, and all the participants were enthused to be there.

We concluded with a discussion about various action projects we could commit to getting started, such as helping out at an elderly home, or starting a campaign to collect books for needy children. Feedback from the workshop was very positive. Many participants shared that the Taabar visit was their favorite part, as it helped them learn about the reality of homeless children in an immediate way. Others enjoyed the games and group discussions. Nearly everyone requested that the workshop would last for more days, and wanted to continue their journeys with Pravah in the future.

What's Happening in AAINA TV

In other PJI news, the Community Video Unit's Aaina TV has been hard at work on their new film. It will focus on the personal journeys of the Community Producers themselves, and will be told through a spoof of the Vikram and Beitel story. Here's a preview clip of the upcoming film:

Window To Khulla Manch

The Pravah Jaipur Initiative is currently mobilizing college youth around Jaipur to involve in our Khula Manch youth group and the urban volunteering program. For the same we are planning to hold a two-day unpaid workshop to orient nominated participants into this program. The sessions will educate students on a wide range of social issues and attempt to engage them in active citizenship and participating in positive social change. In the process the participants will also develop their own self confidence and communication and teamwork skills. The sessions will specifically focus on the theme of Stereotypes and Identity, and will seek to challenge participants’ existing assumptions about society while motivating them to create and implement their own solutions to social problems.

The workshop will be held from 9^th to 10^th of October, from 9 am to 6 pm. This will be a non- residential, day long workshop of young people roughly between the ages of 18- 22 years. The venue will be notified after the confirmation. We are seeking up to ten nominations from each area college of students interesting in participating in this program. We request that nominations are submitted by October 6^th. Nominations can be submitted to richa.sharma@pravah.org or by phone at 141-4030356 or 9983762103

In case of any queries or clarifications, please feel free to get in touch with us directly, either by phone or email. Our address is C-96, Jagraj marg, Bapu Nagar, Jaipur.

Aman ka Sandesh campaign

PJI Launches “Aman ka Sandesh” Campaign

This past week, Pravah launched a campaign called “Aman ka Sandesh”: A Message of Peace. Volunteers here at Pravah have led a series of rallies and public discussions promoting peaceful acceptance of the upcoming Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya title suit. The campaign stresses the importance of unity between different religious groups, regardless of the suit’s result, in order to maintain peace and avoid violence.

The campaign first began as an informal conversation among volunteers at Pravah about the upcoming Ayodhya verdict on September 23^rd. After discussing the long history of violence and rioting relating to Hindu-Muslim issues, we felt that avoiding violence is more important than any particular verdict on the Ayodhya site. We next focused on how we could make a difference in solving this problem, and decided to engage in community outreach to raise awareness. The participants divided into small groups and engaged local residents in discussion at Tonk Fatak and Nehru Garden. After receiving a positive response, we decided to develop a full campaign to spread awareness about the issue.

We then developed slogans, made posters, and planned campaign routes for the coming days. From September 24^th to 26^th, rallies were held from Police Memorial Circle to New Gate, and at Choti Chopar in the Old City. The rallies ranged from 15-30 participants from Pravah, who marched with placards reading “Aman ka Sandesh”, “Love, Brotherhood, Unity, Peace,” and “Let There be Peace.” After each of the marches, the participants broke into small groups to engage local residents in discussion, emphasizing the need to remain calm after the verdict is issued, and encouraging the reporting of violent activities to the local authorities. Media coverage of the events included interviews by BTV News, among other outlets.

Public response to the ongoing campaign has been positive. In the reflection circles that we have formed after each rally, participants have shared their experiences and noted that most local residents have supported a peaceful resolution regardless of the Ayodhya verdict. The police, too, have been supportive—although they initially forbid the group from marching in the Old City, they happily granted a permit once they learned the campaign is promoting non-violence. Thus far, we have spoken to approximately 500 local residents in small discussion groups, enabling intensive reflection regarding this issue. We hope to make a real difference in promoting peace and unity in response to this controversial issue, to avoid rioting and shutting-down of shops in Jaipur.

Mohita speaks on Islam

“Don’t hang out with him, HE IS A MUSLIM”…..

“Muslims have spread their terror and terrorism again!”…..

“You are a Muslim! What are you doing in India?”…..

“We don’t want to rent our apartment to someone who cannot be trusted (Muslim)”…

In the country with largest constitution which talks about secularism and equality, the above sentences are not unheard of..!

We still have not been able to understand that in the end we are all INDIANS. And hence in order to break our stereotypes, Pravah Jaipur Initiative (PJI), invited “DR. IQBAL” Of “JAMATI ISLAME HIND” (1948), to help us discover Muslim as a religion and to explain us the beauty of Islam.

Islam means “Complete surrender to God”. Islam was sent by messengers of God to spread the message of peace and love amongst all. Then why may I ask are Muslims considered terrorists amongst even the most educated minds in our country.

Think twice before discriminating a women in the name of Islam as “status of “mother” is three times more than that of any men in Islam”.

Islam says that any men who gives birth to a daughter and takes care of her upbringing without any discrimination than he would surely reach heaven and will be the most blessed soul in the eyes of “Allah”.

Sir spoke about women’s right to property, right to inheritance and the right to earn.

“Burquas”, as we all feel are nothing but ways to subjugate women have an entirely different meaning in Islam. The word used in Islam is “Hijab”-which demand men and women BOTH to cover their body apart from their hands, feet and face(optional).

This is pure religion with absolutely no intention to suppress women.

“Painting” and “Music” which we often hear is against Islam is as equally respected in Islam as any other form of art. With the exception that painting of any living being is not allowed.

“Education” is compulsory for women.

Women are even given “mehar” by the boy at the time of marriage.

Muslim Women deserve all the respect in the world and we have absolutely no right to discriminate or subject them to any atrocities in the name of Islam.

Its about time we start treating the fair sex fairly………..!!!!!

Reflection of CVU team

Mr. Akshay Mathur

GURU JI

I am associated with a N.G.O. (named Dristi) in Ahmedabad. As PJI required a trainer for its C.V.U. team, I got deputed from Ahmedabad to Jaipur. It was 25 June 2009 when I first joined Pravah. I trained the members of C.V.U. team for almost a month. I told them everything I knew about movie making which covers video capturing & editing, camera handling, picture editing.

Till now, we have produced 2 documentaries, 6 radio programs and many street plays and currently we are working on the 3rd documentary. After completion of a documentary, we screen it in diff. communities. Our 1^st screening was a memorable event for me, a lot of people were present there and their enthusiasm motivated me to work hard in future. Whatever we have done in C.V.U. is a great achievement for us, and for this I would like to thank my team members.

If we talk about Pravah as a whole, it’s great and completely different from all other N.G.O.s because it provides us free space. Here, C.V.U. members are also considered as an integrated part of PJI. We all are a part of the Pravah family and the office is no less than our home. To me, all C.V.U. members are just like my own children.

In the future, I expect that PJI would get associated with more colleges. After completion of this C.V.U. project, which is an 18 month project, I can see myself back in Ahmedabad. But I wish if Pravah could launch a new and revised C.V.U. project after completion of these 18 months

Seema Gupta

Earlier I was in PRATHAM. I entered Pravah through a whole process of appointment. Initially we were told about the structure, working and objectives of C.V.U. After that our trainer Mr. Akshay taught us every necessary technical skill which included camera work, computers, mass communication, research work, theater, mime and above all how to observe and understand issues of community people.

The best thing about Pravah is that here every individual is respected and everyone is treated equally. Here, we all live like a family and I love every member of this family. Meenu and Richa di are especially close to me.

Although every moment spent in PJI is special to me, but still the Ahmedabad trip and Youth Jumbish are very much close to my heart. I along with Khalil Bhai covered the whole Youth Jumbish with our video camera.

After being in Pravah for one year, I can feel the up gradation in my personality. I have started thinking, developing my own point of view. Most importantly, I have started working for others also, which provides me great satisfaction.

My complete future is going to be devoted to social service. I wish if I could create another C.V.U. in my own community, and provide training to youth through this community. I have started working upon myself. I hope we will be able to make our mark in society.

I always pray to god for PJI’s growth and success in future

Meenu Pareek

I came to know about Pravah by Sam, who was doing intern with PJI. After coming here in Pravah, it seems like all hopelessness and depression is changing into hopes, self confidence and self respect. I never got respect in my family but in Pravah, we all are respected equally. For other volunteers, Pravah is there 2^nd home. But to me, it’s my only home.

Best thing about Pravah is that here we all live like a family; everyone in here encourages and supports each other. We may learn technical skills in market but respect and individual development is the main thing that makes Pravah so special to me.

Here in Pravah, I learnt not only technical skills but also personality development & communication skills. We visited different communities and listen to their problems then I came to know about many problems in our society. We then, created documentaries based on such issues and screened them in communities. While doing this work, we all C.V.U. members were bonded together.

When I did my SWOT analysis and ORID exercise, I learnt how I can enhance my thought process and can talk to people without hesitation. Now I think about society and other people also who are under privileged and needs help. This is in true sense the journey of “Me to We”.

What I expect from Pravah is that, even after the completion of this 18 month C.V.U. project, we should carry on with our C.V.U. team. I wish pravah Best of luck and wish CVU team to continue working enthusiastically.

Abhishek Chanwaria

My entry in Pravah was exactly same as it was of Meenu’s. Initially I was a shy guy but as time passed, I gained knowledge and experience, which automatically filled me with confidence and now I can address any group of people very easily. My personality has been modified a lot during the last one year.

In pravah I not only learn technical skills but we take part in various sessions and events also, by this I’m learning so many new things in life. CVU is an integral part of Pravah and being a community producer, I’m an integral member of Pravah. This is a great feeling. It makes me proud of myself.

Pravah also helps me in my school studies. Here everyone has respect for each other and everyone helps each other. We learn together, we participate in events together; we share with each other and make fun together. Being in Pravah is not a job for me, I’m here as a student, who comes here to learn.

After being associated with Pravah for 1 year, I feel more aware and awake. Now I have become more observant and can express myself in front of anyone. During last one year, I have developed a status in my own community and earned respect.

Well, in the future I am planning to start a Youth Club in my community and I am going to seek some help from Pravah for this. It is my dream to transfer the knowledge (gained from Pravah) to the youth of communities.

I will always remember the annual fest of PJI (i.e. Youth Jumbish), as it was a remarkable experience for all of us. We enjoyed every moment of it. Every other moment that I spent in Pravah was memorable for me. I wish an awesome future for PJI & C.V.U. Best of luck.

Mohammad Khalil

It was 13 months ago that I came to know about Pravah during a meeting with PJI volunteers in Edgaah. Before joining Pravah, I used to work on a shop, where my job was to cut & polish the gemstones. Now, I feel proud about the decision of choosing Pravah over that job.

Pravah really means a lot to me. During this one year in Pravah, I learned camera handling, video editing, theater, street play etc. Other than this, Pravah is giving me opportunities to interact with so many different people. Association with PJI helped me developing my personality as well as gaining new experiences.

The all C.V.U. meet in Ahmedabad, the annual fest YouthJumbish and the workshop on capacity building were a few events which I wouldn’t be able to forget ever. Participating in Muskaan events, youth café and attending various workshops helped me being an active citizen.

Pravah and CVU is not only a space for technical learning, it gives us opportunities to develop as an individual. Academically I am not even 10^th passed, but knowledge and experience kept coming to me through Pravah during the last one year.

We performed street plays and took meetings around the communities of Jaipur city. Earlier I was concerned for my own community and never looked at the things in this way. My perception of understanding people and their issues have been changed now.

I wish that Pravah gets associated with more and more people. May god empower each & every member of Pravah, so that they could take it to new heights of success.

Rahul Sharma

It has been more than a year that I am associated with Pravah Jaipur. I was told about Pravah by a family friend of mine. I can still remember my first day at Pravah office, when Meenakshi didi handed me a newspaper and asked me to read it loud in front of a group of people. I was stunned due to lack of self-confidence. But now, outspokenness is my identity, and this is all because of the exposure that Pravah provided me.

Being a part of C.V.U. helped me a lot in learning. During the Ahemdabad and Delhi trip, I experienced a complete new world. There I learned how to make new friends, how to meet any stranger and a lot more about social connect.

I never did theatre or mime before, but after coming here in Pravah, I learnt these new things. They were interesting as well as provided me a new insight of seeing things differently.

My group of CVU loves me a lot and helps me in learning and grasping knowledge. Volunteers in here, also help me for my academics. All this learning will help me in future.

Well, if we talk about future, I see myself as a film maker who works for society. I want to work (along with our C.V.U. team) for more & more communities. I want Pravah and C.V.U. to expand more & more.

Rajesh Kumar

Before coming to Pravah, I was a volunteer in Aadhaar. I was an extra shy person who never dared to talk much. But after spending a year here in Pravah, I have been able to express myself in front of anyone. Now I wish to talk to more & more people. Pravah provided me opportunities to interact with different people.

Our coordination is the thing that I like most about the C.V.U. team. Everyone here supports and encourages each other. When I made a card for Seema’s B’day, I received appreciation from everyone.

The trip to Himachal was a milestone in my life. This trip opened me up completely. During this trip we gained knowledge as well as a lot of enjoyment. I came to know about the different aspects of TEERI Dam project. Also the Ratanpura trip is unforgettable to me.

Being a part of Pravah, helped me in learning mass communication, camera work, video editing, computers, theater and mime. Special thanks to our Guru Ji (Akshay Sir).

Here Pravah is helping me, so that I can help others. Pravah provides me exposure of meeting and visiting various other organizations also. We record Muskaan’s events and sometimes even participate in them.

Using all the knowledge that I have gained in PJI, I would like to create a documentary in the future on some issues related to rural area

Neha Singh

I joined Pravah two years before as a volunteer. It all started with a workshop, which was organized by Pravah in our college. While working with Pravah, I realized my duties for this society.

Best thing about Pravah is that here, we all work together like a family; we encourage, help and support each other. I can still remember the All C.V.U. meet, where I fell ill. At that time, our other C.V.U. members took care of me very nicely; especially I would like to thank Rajesh and Rahul for whatever they did for me. Other than that, the first Youth jumbish and the first workshop on theater were also memorable to me.

The best thing about Pravah is that here we can work by and our own ways. No one forces you to do anything. I made lots of friends in Pravah, now I know the importance of friends in life. Well, what I want Pravah to do is to get connected with more youth and to work further on community issues. I want Pravah to satisfy everyone, who gets connected with it.

While doing street plays in communities and taking meetings, I came to know various problems and issues of community people. For me water, health, sanitation or education is not the primary problem in my life so never thought in this direction. But when I met those people who are struggling in their daily life for these basic issues, it touched me fathoms deep.

In the near future, I am going to continue in PJI but I can’t commit anything. But I am sure that somehow I am going to work for the benefit of society.