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.

cafe mohalla invite

another rocking afternoon with PJI friends on 11 Sep 2010 at 02.30 pm .....

Bandh Doesn’t Work!!

Today, opposition parties of India have declared bandh to protest against price hike. Offices,shops and markets are forced to close down. Political workers have stopped all kinds of transportations. Daily wagers and laborers are loosing their earnings for today. Patients and people who are ill are finding extremely difficult to reach to hospitals or dispensaries. Petrol pumps are closed. Many people are dragging their vehicles.... and political parties claim that they are doing all these for common people!!

Here, let me clarify that i am strongly against the price hike. I condemn and protest the price hike in my strongest words. It affects life of common people very badly and it’s important to find a solution as soon as possible. But at the same time, Bandh is not a solution at all, as it also affects common people badly. All those who earn their bread and butter on daily basis have to suffer in the end. We must protest the price hike but not at the cost of bread and butter of poor people. We must protest and involve as many people as possible against the price hike but not forcefully. All those who have decided to declare a bandh, do not care about those poor people at all. I am saying this because there are few questions in my mind. Why have they called for bandh instead doing direct protest against the current government in the parliament it self? Why don't the leaders of all opposition parties do Satyagrah and decide to go on hunger protest until government reduces the price? Where are all those big leaders of opposition parties during this Bandh? Sitting in government quarters and enjoying rain? Why these big leaders of opposition are come on road and join the protest? Why don't these big political leaders go and protest against Prime Minister and Finance Minister in front of their houses and not on roads? Are they scared of getting arrested?

I saw a story on a news channel in which they compared this Bandh with emergency of 1975. But during that emergency many big leaders went to jail for many months. Why our leaders are so scared of getting arrested? If all politicians are so concerned about common people, why don't they stop using government cars...at least for a day in one week? I believe that none of these politicians whether they are in power or in opposition do not care at all about people of this country. These politicians have no time to discuss the issue of BPL rather they disscuss IPL in parliament!! Opposition leaders are doing this Bandh just to make their presence felt and highlight their parties in people's mind. That’s it!

This one day bandh (even if opposition declares more bandhs in future) will not make any difference to government's decision to increase price. But these bandhs will surly make lot of difference to poor and common people in negative way. Political parties will gain publicity, talk shows will be organized on news channels, rich people will enjoy the day off from work and poor people will say 'koi fark nahi padne wala..sab log apni roti sekte hai...hamara kya?'

All of us who are concern about the price hike must protest and try to make difference...but we must protest creatively without affecting other people. We should not only protest against price hike but also these Bandhs! I am not a politician, nor a bureaucrat. I am a common man and do not understand this political games. I do not have any hardcore solutions but i strongly believe that This Bandh Doesn't Work!

By the time I finished this article, few national leaders got arrested. I would still say that 'big' leaders are just sitting and doing nothing meaningful for people. (By Gaurang Rawal)