Environment Day Cafe!

The Pink Square Mall was host to a Cafe Mohalla meeting on International Environment Day, June 5th. PJI celebrated by hosting an interesting and interactive cafe meeting in the mall, where we played games, watched films, and did other activities relating to the environment.

We started by playing a few energizers and games which relate to concepts and the environment, such as "seed to tree". Then we watched a few short films on topics such as environmental crises and climate change. One animation on what we can do to help protect the environment was made by our very own volunteer Chaitanya.

"At the cafe, we interacted with lots and lots of people. The environment was very good. People became more aware of what they are doing and what they should do," Chaitanya said. "I havent showed my film on such a large scale, like in a mall...it was really very good to know that the crowd who I dont know, they also like my movie."

Afterward, we had an intensive discussion on these issues, along with what steps we ought to take in our own lives to help solve environmental problems. We did a "kabaad se jugaad" activity, in which we made bookmarks from old newspapers, in order to conserve our resources and put them to a good use. To help publicize this cause, our volunteers went out in to the mall to distribute kits made of "kabaas se jugaad", as well as tree saplings generously donated by the Pink Square Mall.

Roughly 25 members came to the Cafe meeting, which was organized by Amreen and Bhavya. We collaborated with the NGOs Message and Muskaan in hosting the cafe. This is the first monthly cafe which will be held at the Pink Square Mall, which we hope to establish as an open space and platform for youth in Jaipur. We are grateful to Nitin and everyone else at the mall for hosting these cafes.

Family Day Event with Muskaan!

On May 15th, PJI collaborated with Muskaan and Taabar on a festival to celebrate International Family Day! The event was held at Pink Square Mall and featured folk performers, musicians, and many different activities for people of all ages. The theme of the event was "The World is Our Family."

Muskaan planned this event in order to spread awareness about family, and its connection to domestic violence and the concept of a happy family. The event was also intended to spread awareness about the importance of balanced relationships, and how the lack of balance can create critical situations in the family. "The World is Our Family" means that the boundaries of our family can include neighbors, friends, and all members of society.

Many PJI members assisted in making this event a success. Ritansh performed an original rap on this topic to help spread awareness. The event also features skits, puppets, acrobats, a magician, face-painting, and fun games.

Protest Against AFSPA: Vapas Lo!

Dozens of PJI volunteers joined the protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, organized by PUCL yesterday. We gathered at Albert Hall at six o'clock to begin the protest, and together with the public we watched a street theater performance by members of PUCL on this topic. Afterward, all the protesters marched together down JLN Marg, shouting our slogans of peace and handing out information about AFSPA to onlookers.

AFPSA is used in the North East and Kashmir to allow the military to engage in undemocratic activities. It gives them the right to arrest anyone suspected of being a separatist or insurgent, and even to kill based on suspicion. There have been many high-profile cases of military brutality as a result of this law. Iron Sharmila, an activist from Manipur, has been fasting for over ten years in an attempt to persuade the government to overturn AFSPA.

This issue has come to Jaipur via the play "Le Mashale", a one-person show performed by Ojas in many locations throughout the city. PJI helped to host and publicize these performances. More recently, PJI volunteer Shyam Bansal was instrumental in planning this protest with PUCL and mobilizing our members to join the movement.

Join PJI for a Peace Rally on May 22nd!

PJI volunteers are leading a peace rally on Sunday, May 22nd at 6 pm. The march will protest the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and military abuses in Manipur. Come to support the movement and Irom Sharmila's struggle against violence! The notice is below:

REPEAL THE DRACONIAN

Armed Forces Special Powers Act

STOP THE CRUSHING OF DEMOCRACTIC RIGHTS IN

NORTH EAST AND KASHMIR

LET US ASLO LIGHT A TORCH FOR IROM SHARMILA'S STRUGGLE

AND DEMAND THE REPEAL OF AFSPA

Join us at 6 pm in front of Albert Hall Museum,

22nd May, 2011

The Torch Rally will go upto Badi Chaupar.

For the last 54 years, Independent India has had a law in the North East states and Kashmir called the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. It gives extraordinary powers to members of the armed forces-to arrest without warrant and shoot to kill on the basis of suspicion-and no legal action can be taken up against the armed forces without prior sanction from the Centre. On this day in 1958, the Indian Government promulgated an ordinance much worse than its predecessor, used by the British to crush the Quit India Movement and the Naga rebellion in the North East. On the 18th of August, this draconian law got the stamp of the Indian Parliament.

In the pretext of controlling insurgency, this Act in free India has only intensified the insurgency in these regions and legitimized thousands of gross human rights violations like rape, torture, murder and “disappearances” of innocent people in the North East and J&K.

Various movements in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir and human rights groups across the country have consistently for the last several years have been demanding the repeal of AFSPA as it is anti constitutional. One protest demanding the act's repeal that has stood out for the last ten years has been the fast of Irom Sharmila of Manipur, who has refused to eat anything. She is in an Imphal hospital under arrest by the Manipur Government and been forced fed by tubes.

This act has been opposed by the Government’s own commissions and committees appointed to look into the matter. The Committee to Review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, headed by Justice B. P.  Jeevan Reddy in 2005, the Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Dr. Veerappa Moily in 2007 and several others have recommended its repeal. Internationally, UN bodies including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and recently the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders have urged for its repeal.

If we have to save Indian Democracy, then from all over India we must support the voices of the Irom Sharmila, the millions of people of the North East and Kashmir and put pressure on the Government of India that a law like AFSPA has no place in the Indian democratic system.

On the 22nd May 2011, let us in Jaipur join hands with fellow citizens all over the country and stand up against AFSPA. Join us at 6 pm outside the Albert Hall Museum, Ram Niwas Marg and light a torch for Irom Sharmila and the people of the North East and Kashmir to express our solidarity with their struggle. We will take out a march to Badi Chaupar.    

For more information, you may contact : 

Pappu (2594131, 93151562965) and Shyam (7737757778 & 9352908580)