To realise the developed India by 2020

Thursday, December 31, 2009

[India_Vision_2020] The year that was

 

As we bid adieu to yet another year in our lives..lets look back and say a silent prayer for the dearly departed and the small mercies that came our way, this past year.

One of my colleagues had put up a rather telling "Waiting for this God Damn Year to End" as her GTalk status message from early November itself. It's easy to gauge why..2009 (atleast till the last quarter) was replete with job losses and salary cuts. Music lovers were jolted by the sudden demise of M. Jackson even as they rejoiced at the Oscar-whammy of home boy AR Rehman. Politics was drenched in the Congress colours and young leaders took their oaths. The nation mourned as it remembered 26/11/08 and the 25th anniversary of the assassination of our first female PM Indira Gandhi, the ensuing anti-sikh riots and the Godhra carnage. The lack of rains did us in..we complained about the water cuts and (I suspect very few) gave a serious thought to the plight of the dying farmers. The more the suffering that faces our being, the more we get 'accustomed' to it..and The Hindu still remains the ONLY national English Daily with a 'rural affairs' editor.
But on a positive note..we've just had a fabulous cricket series and the economy is definitely resurging..May 2010 bring more such good news...On that note, here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year. The year of the Tiger is here..and there's much to look forward to..for homebodies...it's the deluge of New Year shows!
 
Best regards,
Megha 


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Saturday, December 26, 2009

RE: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Dear friends,

I have been a member of this group for less than a year. I was drawn to this group purely by the efforts of Action 2020 team youngsters. When Action 2020 team organized a meeting in IIT last summer, I was fascinated by the enthusiasm and drive shown by the participants. Also, I realized that this group was different from many others that I have worked with in India and the US.

True to Dr. Abdul Kalam's character, this group which has been inspired by Dr. Kalam is also a grassroots movement with ideas bubbling up from below rather than filtering down. In history, while there has always been a need for a good leader, no movement has succeeded without a democratic and deliberative grassroot movement. I think we are part of such a historic movement.

I know that we have a long long way to go. India is still one of the most corrupt countries in the world; we have the most number of malnourished children including Africa even while our economy grew at 8 - 9% for the past several years; we are also ranked 136th in the Human Development Index of the United Nations. Our government's policies do not seem to have people's interest in mind when planning for development and development is seen purely as economic growth.

But movements like Vision 2020 genuinely create a space for genuine discussion and democracy. Ironically, in the 200 th birth year of Abraham Lincoln, no one seems to remember "of the people, for the people, by the people." In a true sense, Vision 2020 stands for Lincoln's words about democracy and development.

Regards,

Sudarsan

Dr. Sudarsan Padmanabhan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
HSB 353B
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai - 600 036
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: 91-44-2257-4526 & 4500
Email: sudarsanp@iitm.ac.in

____________________________________________
"There is nothing which is not the subject of debate, and in which men of learning are not of contrary opinions. The most trivial question escapes not our controversy, and in the most momentous we are not able to give any certain decision. Disputes are multiplied, as if everything was uncertain, and they are settled with the utmost warmth, as if everything was certain." David Hume
_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

________________________________

From: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Vernkatraman Rajendran
Sent: Fri 12/25/2009 11:53 AM
To: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

Dear Pramila, Vinod and others in the team.

It is really a very delicate issue handled with lots of maturity and absolute social concern. No doubt, option 1 (or resorting to the police) would have given good publicitiy and the contractors would have at least been qiuestioned and cases would have been filed (if no arrest nor other punitive action). But the team has chosen the 'practical' path of educating the children and creating awareness amongst children and parents, which will certainly be a long term benefit to the kids.

We find in our society many people talking only about the problems and expecting others to resolve. These youngsters have shown a good model by finding best possible solutions, with the help of others, silently.

Congrats to the team, for the wonderful job done.

V Rajendran
Advocate and Consultant
Secretary, Cyber Society of India

________________________________

From: aum murugan muthian <aummurugan@gmail.com>
To: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, December 24, 2009 10:32:19 PM
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

Hi all

Rational thinking and execution always paves. congrats to all the activists involed.

aum m murugan
aum education.

On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com <mailto:prpoint@gmail.com> > wrote:




Hi all

Background


One of the members of this India Vision Group Ms Pramila, working as Journalist in one of the leading National Newspapers at Chennai was mentally disturbed to see few children carrying bricks on their head in the construction sites daily. Being a journalist, she went further ahead to study the situation. She found out more than 125 families were staying in temporary huts in one of the parts of Chennai City and they were all brought from different places by construction labour contractors. Among them, nearly 100 children of age group between 12 and 17 were also going for work and earning around 150 to 200 rupees per day. All of them used to get up at 4 am daily and they would be picked up by the contractors to take them to the construction sites at different parts of the city. They used to return only after 7 pm daily.

She also found out many such children could not even read and write. Some of them have studied upto second or third standard in some schools. Due to their family movement, they are moving around with their parents. Since they are all migrant labours, they do not have any ration card or voting right.. When she spoke with some children, she found out that some of them were interested to know basic reading and writing.

Pramila is also the member of our India Vision Group and also Action 2020 Team. After making a preliminary study of these children, she circulated in the Action 2020 team group seeking the views for helping them. The members debated among themselves and consulted various experts. There were only two possible options to take it forward::

Option 1

Some of the Right Activists suggested that we can report to the Police and rescue the children. We can create media report, so that guilty persons are arrested.

Option 2

Some of the social workers who are working for this type of children and street children, suggested that if we inform the Police, there would be a big hype in the media and the Activists could get large media publicity. Past experience has shown, after the media hype, some of the contractors would be arrested and later released on bail, due to political connections. Ultimately, the poor families would be deprived of their income. Children also would lose the job and not taken to schools. They suggested that going to the Police would end up with one or two days publicity resulting in these families losing their job and income.

On further study, we also got the information from the social workers that large number of 'migrant labours' are moving around the country with their family members. They are extremely hard workers and they prefer to train their children even from the age of 12 for such hard work. They may not be good in education, but they would show their skills in construction works. Social workers felt that if we take these children out of their employment and put them in the school, they would not shine in the education and at the same time, not getting trained in hard work. They felt at the age of 17 or 18, neither they would have good education nor good skills for construction work. Finally, they would end up in small thefts and criminal activities. Presently, these workers and children are hard workers and do not involve themselves in thefts or any other criminal activities, as they are earning enough money.

How the issue was resolved?

Again, Action 2020 Team had to find the balance between the (a) Eradication of Child labour/ Children right and (2) Ground reality. Vinod and 8 volunteers from Aazraya Charitable Trust (group of students), Team Everest and Kodambakkam 2020 (partner groups of Action 2020 team) joined Pramila to help these children.

As this is a 'complex and sensitive issue' and need to be resolved with care without the families losing the job, the team approached the local Corporation Councillor for help. He happily offered to help to find a solution. He also visited the area along with Action 2020 Team. When the Team wanted to teach the willing children, as expected protest came from some of the contractors saying, "Are you going to make them District Collectors?". There was a resistance from some of the parents also.

Since Action 2020 Team involved the local City Corporation Councillor (who is also a politician), he resolved the issue by threatening the contractors that if they made any issue, it would go to the Police Commissioner resulting in their arrest. After this threatening, the contractors withdrew and permitted Action 2020 team take classes.

For time being, Action 2020 Team has firmed up with the Children to take classes on Saturday and Sunday evenings. They have so far conducted two sessions successfully. On the first day, only 10 children were present. On the second day, around 16 children participated. Interestingly, some of the parents of these children also started attending the classes.

Action 2020 Team is handling this in a matured manner with the guidance of many people. Mrs Lakshmi Rahakrishnan, a Special Educator is also giving guidance to handle them psychologically and carefully. Presently, the team is focussing only to create interest amongst the children and parents. Corporation Councillor has also promised all help, whenever required.

It is only a good beginning. Based on the need of these children, Action 2020 Team will plan and execute the projects.

On behalf of India Vision Group, I congratulate Pramila (journalist) and Vinod (Aazraya) for their wonderful initiative. and careful handling of such sensitive issue.

For every problem, there is a solution. If we decide to resolve the problem, lot of good people will join.

Srinivasan
Moderator
91766 50273





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Please visit the website http://www.indiavision2020.org to read inspiring articles of eminent personalities
.

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Share:

Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Hi
 
Really this is a great attempt and I appreciate the way the matter has been taken by Pramila and Aazraya Team,as I also wonder if we had to stop child labor what are the avenues of income for their family and If we complaint to police same thing will happen media hype and ultimately loss of income for the family and more probable harrasment of the family for going to police.
 
Great going
ARUN BANSAL 

INDIAN BANK
Wealth Managment Services 
Chennai
9677015157
 


--- On Sat, 26/12/09, Raghavachari Desikan <raghavachari.desikan@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Raghavachari Desikan <raghavachari.desikan@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group
To: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com
Cc: spd_ssatn@yahoo.co.in, venkatesanias@yahoo.co.in
Date: Saturday, 26 December, 2009, 5:26 AM

 
Dear Pramila and Aazraya Team,
A very good job, well started. Wishing you and your team success in your magnificent effort. may God bewith you,
Desikan
Chairman, Catalyst Trust
Managing Trustee,Consumers Association of India
 
On 25/12/2009, santynits@yahoo. com <santynits@yahoo. com> wrote:
 
This is the copy of the mail addressed to SSA by Santhosh Babu IAS, Managing Director, ELCOT, Government of Tamilnadu
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Dear Mr.Venkatesan,

Kindly read the mails below, which illustrates outstanding work being done by many of our india vision 2020 group, working selflessly inspired by our Dr.Kalam.

SSA is doing great work under your stewardship. I need your help urgently.

I understand that SSA envisages opening a temporary school wherever there are more than 5 children of migrant workers. (I suppose this applies in city areas too). This means there is funding for wages for the teacher and teaching materials. So, is it possible for you to kindly intervene in this and provide support to these great youngsters?

I am sure you can.
Wishing you a wonderful new year!

With warm regards

Santhosh Babu,
MD ELCOT
CEO TNeGA
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:31:29 +0000
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_ 2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 
Dear friends,

Firstly, my good wishes to all of you for outstanding work in the new year too!

Secondly, my congrats to Pramila, Vinod and their teammates for the great work they are doing.

Thirdly, I wish to inform you that SSA envisages opening a temporary school wherever there are more than 5 children of migrant workers. (I suppose this applies in city areas too). This means there is funding for wages for the teacher and teaching materials. Let me take this up with SSA. You may also contact the State Project Director SSA, Mr.Venkatesan. IAS @ 044-28278068 and email @ spd_ssatn@yahoo. co.in. SSA funds can supplement whatever you are contributing. In any case, this is the State's responsibility.

I wish you all success!

Santhosh Babu
9940474863
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

From: Vernkatraman Rajendran <venkrajen@yahoo. com>
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:23:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_ 2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 
 
Dear Pramila, Vinod and others in the team.
 
It is really a very delicate issue handled with lots of maturity and absolute social concern.  No doubt, option 1 (or resorting to the police) would have given good publicitiy and the contractors would have at least been qiuestioned and cases would have been filed (if no arrest nor other punitive action).  But the team has chosen the 'practical' path of educating the children and creating awareness amongst children and parents, which will certainly be a long term benefit to the kids.
 
We find in our society many people talking only about the problems and expecting others to resolve. These youngsters have shown a good model by finding best possible solutions, with the help of others, silently.
 
Congrats to the team, for the wonderful job done.
 
V Rajendran
Advocate and Consultant
Secretary, Cyber Society of India
 


From: aum murugan muthian <aummurugan@gmail. com>
To: India_Vision_ 2020@yahoogroups .com
Sent: Thu, December 24, 2009 10:32:19 PM
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_ 2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 
Hi all
Rational thinking and execution always paves. congrats to all the activists involed.
aum m murugan
aum education.


On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com> wrote:
 
Hi all

 
Background

 
One of the members of this India Vision  Group Ms Pramila, working as Journalist in one of the leading National Newspapers at Chennai was mentally disturbed to see few children carrying bricks on their head in the construction sites daily.  Being a journalist, she went further ahead to study the situation.  She found out more than 125 families were staying in temporary huts in one of the parts of Chennai City and they were all brought from different places by construction labour contractors.  Among them, nearly 100 children of age group between 12 and 17 were also going for work and earning around 150 to 200 rupees per day.  All of them used to get up at 4 am daily and they would be picked up by the contractors to take them to the construction sites at different parts of the city.  They used to return only after 7 pm daily.  

 
She also found out many such children could not even read and write.  Some of them have studied upto second or third standard in some schools. Due to their family movement, they are moving around with their parents. Since they are all migrant labours, they do not have any ration card or voting right..  When she spoke with some children, she found out that some of them were interested to know basic reading and writing.

 
Pramila is also the member of our India Vision Group and also Action 2020 Team.  After making a preliminary  study of these children, she circulated in the Action 2020 team group seeking the views for helping them.  The members debated among themselves and consulted various experts. There were only two possible options to take it forward::

 
Option 1

 
Some of the Right Activists suggested that we can report to the Police and rescue the children.  We can create media report, so that guilty persons  are arrested. 

 
Option 2

 
Some of the social workers who are working for this type of children and street children, suggested that if we inform the Police, there would be a big hype in the media and the Activists could get large media publicity.  Past experience has shown, after the media hype, some of the contractors would be arrested and later released on bail, due to political connections.  Ultimately, the poor families would be deprived of their income.  Children also would lose the job and not taken to schools.  They suggested that going to the Police would end up with one or two days publicity resulting in these families losing their job and income.

 
On further study, we also got the information from the social workers that large number of 'migrant labours' are moving around the country with their family members.  They are extremely hard workers and they prefer to train their children even from the age of 12 for such hard work.  They may not be good in education, but they would show their skills in construction works.  Social workers felt that if we take these children out of their employment and put them in the school, they would not shine in the education and at the same time, not getting trained in hard work.  They felt at the age of 17 or 18, neither they would have good education nor good skills for construction work.  Finally, they would end up in small thefts and criminal activities.  Presently, these workers and children are hard workers and do not involve themselves in thefts or any other criminal activities, as they are earning enough money.  

 
How the issue was resolved?

 
Again, Action 2020 Team  had to find the balance between the (a) Eradication of Child labour/ Children right and (2) Ground reality.  Vinod and 8 volunteers from Aazraya Charitable Trust (group of students), Team Everest and Kodambakkam 2020  (partner groups of Action 2020 team) joined Pramila to help these children.

 
As this is a 'complex and sensitive issue' and need to be resolved with care without the families losing the job, the team approached the local Corporation Councillor for help.  He happily offered to help to find a solution.  He also visited the area along with Action 2020 Team.  When the Team wanted to teach the willing children, as expected protest came from some of the contractors saying, "Are you going to make them District Collectors?".  There was a resistance from some of the parents also.

 
Since Action 2020 Team involved the local City Corporation Councillor (who is also a politician), he resolved the issue by threatening the contractors that if they made any issue, it would go to the Police Commissioner resulting in their arrest.  After this threatening, the contractors withdrew and permitted Action 2020 team take classes.

 
For time being, Action 2020 Team has firmed up with the Children to take classes on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  They have so far conducted two sessions successfully.  On the first day, only 10 children were present.  On the second day, around 16 children participated.  Interestingly, some of the parents of these children also started attending the classes.  

 
Action 2020 Team is handling this in a matured manner with the guidance of many people.  Mrs Lakshmi Rahakrishnan, a Special Educator is also giving guidance to handle them psychologically and  carefully.  Presently, the team is focussing only to create  interest amongst the children and parents.  Corporation Councillor has also promised all help, whenever required.  

 
It is only a good beginning.  Based on the need of these children, Action 2020 Team will plan and execute the projects.

 
On behalf of India Vision Group, I congratulate Pramila (journalist)  and Vinod (Aazraya)  for their wonderful initiative. and careful handling of such sensitive issue.

 
For every problem, there is a solution.  If we decide to resolve the problem, lot of good people will join.  

 
Srinivasan
Moderator
91766 50273

 

 

 

 
  

 

 





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__._,_.___
Please visit the website http://www.indiavision2020.org to read inspiring articles of eminent personalities
.

__,_._,___
Share:

Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Dear Pramila and Aazraya Team,
A very good job, well started. Wishing you and your team success in your magnificent effort. may God bewith you,
Desikan
Chairman, Catalyst Trust
Managing Trustee,Consumers Association of India
 
On 25/12/2009, santynits@yahoo.com <santynits@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

This is the copy of the mail addressed to SSA by Santhosh Babu IAS, Managing Director, ELCOT, Government of Tamilnadu
-------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr.Venkatesan,

Kindly read the mails below, which illustrates outstanding work being done by many of our india vision 2020 group, working selflessly inspired by our Dr.Kalam.

SSA is doing great work under your stewardship. I need your help urgently.

I understand that SSA envisages opening a temporary school wherever there are more than 5 children of migrant workers. (I suppose this applies in city areas too). This means there is funding for wages for the teacher and teaching materials. So, is it possible for you to kindly intervene in this and provide support to these great youngsters?

I am sure you can.
Wishing you a wonderful new year!

With warm regards

Santhosh Babu,
MD ELCOT
CEO TNeGA

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel


Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:31:29 +0000
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 
Dear friends,

Firstly, my good wishes to all of you for outstanding work in the new year too!

Secondly, my congrats to Pramila, Vinod and their teammates for the great work they are doing.

Thirdly, I wish to inform you that SSA envisages opening a temporary school wherever there are more than 5 children of migrant workers. (I suppose this applies in city areas too). This means there is funding for wages for the teacher and teaching materials. Let me take this up with SSA. You may also contact the State Project Director SSA, Mr.Venkatesan. IAS @ 044-28278068 and email @ spd_ssatn@yahoo.co.in. SSA funds can supplement whatever you are contributing. In any case, this is the State's responsibility.

I wish you all success!

Santhosh Babu
9940474863

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel


From: Vernkatraman Rajendran <venkrajen@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:23:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 
 

Dear Pramila, Vinod and others in the team.
 
It is really a very delicate issue handled with lots of maturity and absolute social concern.  No doubt, option 1 (or resorting to the police) would have given good publicitiy and the contractors would have at least been qiuestioned and cases would have been filed (if no arrest nor other punitive action).  But the team has chosen the 'practical' path of educating the children and creating awareness amongst children and parents, which will certainly be a long term benefit to the kids.
 
We find in our society many people talking only about the problems and expecting others to resolve. These youngsters have shown a good model by finding best possible solutions, with the help of others, silently.
 
Congrats to the team, for the wonderful job done.
 
V Rajendran
Advocate and Consultant
Secretary, Cyber Society of India
 


From: aum murugan muthian <aummurugan@gmail.com>
To: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, December 24, 2009 10:32:19 PM
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Hi all

Rational thinking and execution always paves. congrats to all the activists involed.

aum m murugan
aum education.


On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com> wrote:
 

Hi all

 
Background

 
One of the members of this India Vision  Group Ms Pramila, working as Journalist in one of the leading National Newspapers at Chennai was mentally disturbed to see few children carrying bricks on their head in the construction sites daily.  Being a journalist, she went further ahead to study the situation.  She found out more than 125 families were staying in temporary huts in one of the parts of Chennai City and they were all brought from different places by construction labour contractors.  Among them, nearly 100 children of age group between 12 and 17 were also going for work and earning around 150 to 200 rupees per day.  All of them used to get up at 4 am daily and they would be picked up by the contractors to take them to the construction sites at different parts of the city.  They used to return only after 7 pm daily.  

 
She also found out many such children could not even read and write.  Some of them have studied upto second or third standard in some schools. Due to their family movement, they are moving around with their parents. Since they are all migrant labours, they do not have any ration card or voting right..  When she spoke with some children, she found out that some of them were interested to know basic reading and writing.

 
Pramila is also the member of our India Vision Group and also Action 2020 Team.  After making a preliminary  study of these children, she circulated in the Action 2020 team group seeking the views for helping them.  The members debated among themselves and consulted various experts. There were only two possible options to take it forward::

 
Option 1

 
Some of the Right Activists suggested that we can report to the Police and rescue the children.  We can create media report, so that guilty persons  are arrested. 

 
Option 2

 
Some of the social workers who are working for this type of children and street children, suggested that if we inform the Police, there would be a big hype in the media and the Activists could get large media publicity.  Past experience has shown, after the media hype, some of the contractors would be arrested and later released on bail, due to political connections.  Ultimately, the poor families would be deprived of their income.  Children also would lose the job and not taken to schools.  They suggested that going to the Police would end up with one or two days publicity resulting in these families losing their job and income.

 
On further study, we also got the information from the social workers that large number of 'migrant labours' are moving around the country with their family members.  They are extremely hard workers and they prefer to train their children even from the age of 12 for such hard work.  They may not be good in education, but they would show their skills in construction works.  Social workers felt that if we take these children out of their employment and put them in the school, they would not shine in the education and at the same time, not getting trained in hard work.  They felt at the age of 17 or 18, neither they would have good education nor good skills for construction work.  Finally, they would end up in small thefts and criminal activities.  Presently, these workers and children are hard workers and do not involve themselves in thefts or any other criminal activities, as they are earning enough money.  

 
How the issue was resolved?

 
Again, Action 2020 Team  had to find the balance between the (a) Eradication of Child labour/ Children right and (2) Ground reality.  Vinod and 8 volunteers from Aazraya Charitable Trust (group of students), Team Everest and Kodambakkam 2020  (partner groups of Action 2020 team) joined Pramila to help these children.

 
As this is a 'complex and sensitive issue' and need to be resolved with care without the families losing the job, the team approached the local Corporation Councillor for help.  He happily offered to help to find a solution.  He also visited the area along with Action 2020 Team.  When the Team wanted to teach the willing children, as expected protest came from some of the contractors saying, "Are you going to make them District Collectors?".  There was a resistance from some of the parents also.

 
Since Action 2020 Team involved the local City Corporation Councillor (who is also a politician), he resolved the issue by threatening the contractors that if they made any issue, it would go to the Police Commissioner resulting in their arrest.  After this threatening, the contractors withdrew and permitted Action 2020 team take classes.

 
For time being, Action 2020 Team has firmed up with the Children to take classes on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  They have so far conducted two sessions successfully.  On the first day, only 10 children were present.  On the second day, around 16 children participated.  Interestingly, some of the parents of these children also started attending the classes.  

 
Action 2020 Team is handling this in a matured manner with the guidance of many people.  Mrs Lakshmi Rahakrishnan, a Special Educator is also giving guidance to handle them psychologically and  carefully.  Presently, the team is focussing only to create  interest amongst the children and parents.  Corporation Councillor has also promised all help, whenever required.  

 
It is only a good beginning.  Based on the need of these children, Action 2020 Team will plan and execute the projects.

 
On behalf of India Vision Group, I congratulate Pramila (journalist)  and Vinod (Aazraya)  for their wonderful initiative. and careful handling of such sensitive issue.

 
For every problem, there is a solution.  If we decide to resolve the problem, lot of good people will join.  

 
Srinivasan
Moderator
91766 50273

 

 

 

 
  

 

 




__._,_.___
Please visit the website http://www.indiavision2020.org to read inspiring articles of eminent personalities
.

__,_._,___
Share:

Friday, December 25, 2009

Re: [India_Vision_2020] Re: An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Dear all,


Hats off to the team and to all the senior government officials involved in this great work. We salute mr. Santhosh babu IAS sir for taking this forward to the next level. You are always a role model for India Vision 2020.

Thanks a lot for parmila and Aazraya team , Mr.Srinivasan sir for making this happen. Happy that our teams travel in a right direction towards the Dream India 2020. 

Best wishes for the success of this project. Looking forward to work in this project. 

Regards,

Sathish,
Blossom Foundation.

On Fri, Dec 25, 2009 at 7:47 PM, aazrayacharitabletrust <aazrayacharitabletrust@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

Dear all,

It is very encouraging to see many notable personalities motivating this project. And we are very thankful to Mr. Santhosh Babu, a Senior IAS Officer, for the valuable suggestion he has provided us with. Valuable mails from senior members encourage and motivate Aazraya team to be more involved in such activities. The experience from this project and the responses made us to realize the importance of taking initiative to solve any problem. We would soon make use of the idea and contact Mr. Venkatesan, IAS shortly for the welfare of the kids.

I would also like to thank Mr. Srinivasan and Ms. Pramila on behalf of Aazraya Charitable Trust for providing us with such an opportunity to serve the under-privileged children and guiding us. This being an important stepping stone in Aazraya's journey towards eternal service to manhood, we hope to get in touch with many other social workers and experienced educationalists like Mrs. Lakshmi Radhakrishnan, Mr. Muthuram (Suyam Charitable Trust), and Mr. Periyaswamy (Nandanar Trust) soon. We hope we can tutor the children more efficiently with their motivation and guidance.

The noble cause of educating the children aims at understanding the desires of the children and helping them in becoming professionals in their areas of interest. We promise to do our best to help every child realize his/her dream and eminently work towards it. Our vision of providing basic education and psychological training based on personality development would greatly be motivated by massive support from well wishers like India Vision 2020 members and others. What was started as a small act of kindness had got us the support of so many people and we, from Aazraya, will strive to do the best of our ability to make our projects a great success.

Aazraya is a team of young college students. We seek your blessings for our journey.

Regards,
Vinod Kumar.R
Aazraya Charitable Trust.
9884124248




--
Thanks & Regards
Sathish

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[India_Vision_2020] Re: An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Dear all,

It is very encouraging to see many notable personalities motivating this project. And we are very thankful to Mr. Santhosh Babu, a Senior IAS Officer, for the valuable suggestion he has provided us with. Valuable mails from senior members encourage and motivate Aazraya team to be more involved in such activities. The experience from this project and the responses made us to realize the importance of taking initiative to solve any problem. We would soon make use of the idea and contact Mr. Venkatesan, IAS shortly for the welfare of the kids.

I would also like to thank Mr. Srinivasan and Ms. Pramila on behalf of Aazraya Charitable Trust for providing us with such an opportunity to serve the under-privileged children and guiding us. This being an important stepping stone in Aazraya's journey towards eternal service to manhood, we hope to get in touch with many other social workers and experienced educationalists like Mrs. Lakshmi Radhakrishnan, Mr. Muthuram (Suyam Charitable Trust), and Mr. Periyaswamy (Nandanar Trust) soon. We hope we can tutor the children more efficiently with their motivation and guidance.

The noble cause of educating the children aims at understanding the desires of the children and helping them in becoming professionals in their areas of interest. We promise to do our best to help every child realize his/her dream and eminently work towards it. Our vision of providing basic education and psychological training based on personality development would greatly be motivated by massive support from well wishers like India Vision 2020 members and others. What was started as a small act of kindness had got us the support of so many people and we, from Aazraya, will strive to do the best of our ability to make our projects a great success.

Aazraya is a team of young college students. We seek your blessings for our journey.

Regards,
Vinod Kumar.R
Aazraya Charitable Trust.
9884124248

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.

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Share:

Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

This is the copy of the mail addressed to SSA by Santhosh Babu IAS, Managing Director, ELCOT, Government of Tamilnadu
-------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr.Venkatesan,

Kindly read the mails below, which illustrates outstanding work being done by many of our india vision 2020 group, working selflessly inspired by our Dr.Kalam.

SSA is doing great work under your stewardship. I need your help urgently.

I understand that SSA envisages opening a temporary school wherever there are more than 5 children of migrant workers. (I suppose this applies in city areas too). This means there is funding for wages for the teacher and teaching materials. So, is it possible for you to kindly intervene in this and provide support to these great youngsters?

I am sure you can.
Wishing you a wonderful new year!

With warm regards

Santhosh Babu,
MD ELCOT
CEO TNeGA

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel


From: santynits@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:31:29 +0000
To: <India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

Dear friends,

Firstly, my good wishes to all of you for outstanding work in the new year too!

Secondly, my congrats to Pramila, Vinod and their teammates for the great work they are doing.

Thirdly, I wish to inform you that SSA envisages opening a temporary school wherever there are more than 5 children of migrant workers. (I suppose this applies in city areas too). This means there is funding for wages for the teacher and teaching materials. Let me take this up with SSA. You may also contact the State Project Director SSA, Mr.Venkatesan. IAS @ 044-28278068 and email @ spd_ssatn@yahoo.co.in. SSA funds can supplement whatever you are contributing. In any case, this is the State's responsibility.

I wish you all success!

Santhosh Babu
9940474863

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel


From: Vernkatraman Rajendran <venkrajen@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:23:12 -0800 (PST)
To: <India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Dear Pramila, Vinod and others in the team.
 
It is really a very delicate issue handled with lots of maturity and absolute social concern.  No doubt, option 1 (or resorting to the police) would have given good publicitiy and the contractors would have at least been qiuestioned and cases would have been filed (if no arrest nor other punitive action).  But the team has chosen the 'practical' path of educating the children and creating awareness amongst children and parents, which will certainly be a long term benefit to the kids.
 
We find in our society many people talking only about the problems and expecting others to resolve. These youngsters have shown a good model by finding best possible solutions, with the help of others, silently.
 
Congrats to the team, for the wonderful job done.
 
V Rajendran
Advocate and Consultant
Secretary, Cyber Society of India


From: aum murugan muthian <aummurugan@gmail.com>
To: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, December 24, 2009 10:32:19 PM
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] An interesting initiative by Action 2020 Team of India Vision Group

 

Hi all

Rational thinking and execution always paves. congrats to all the activists involed.

aum m murugan
aum education.


On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail. com> wrote:
 

Hi all

Background

One of the members of this India Vision  Group Ms Pramila, working as Journalist in one of the leading National Newspapers at Chennai was mentally disturbed to see few children carrying bricks on their head in the construction sites daily.  Being a journalist, she went further ahead to study the situation.  She found out more than 125 families were staying in temporary huts in one of the parts of Chennai City and they were all brought from different places by construction labour contractors.  Among them, nearly 100 children of age group between 12 and 17 were also going for work and earning around 150 to 200 rupees per day.  All of them used to get up at 4 am daily and they would be picked up by the contractors to take them to the construction sites at different parts of the city.  They used to return only after 7 pm daily.  

She also found out many such children could not even read and write.  Some of them have studied upto second or third standard in some schools. Due to their family movement, they are moving around with their parents. Since they are all migrant labours, they do not have any ration card or voting right..  When she spoke with some children, she found out that some of them were interested to know basic reading and writing.

Pramila is also the member of our India Vision Group and also Action 2020 Team.  After making a preliminary  study of these children, she circulated in the Action 2020 team group seeking the views for helping them.  The members debated among themselves and consulted various experts. There were only two possible options to take it forward::

Option 1

Some of the Right Activists suggested that we can report to the Police and rescue the children.  We can create media report, so that guilty persons  are arrested. 

Option 2

Some of the social workers who are working for this type of children and street children, suggested that if we inform the Police, there would be a big hype in the media and the Activists could get large media publicity.  Past experience has shown, after the media hype, some of the contractors would be arrested and later released on bail, due to political connections.  Ultimately, the poor families would be deprived of their income.  Children also would lose the job and not taken to schools.  They suggested that going to the Police would end up with one or two days publicity resulting in these families losing their job and income.

On further study, we also got the information from the social workers that large number of 'migrant labours' are moving around the country with their family members.  They are extremely hard workers and they prefer to train their children even from the age of 12 for such hard work.  They may not be good in education, but they would show their skills in construction works.  Social workers felt that if we take these children out of their employment and put them in the school, they would not shine in the education and at the same time, not getting trained in hard work.  They felt at the age of 17 or 18, neither they would have good education nor good skills for construction work.  Finally, they would end up in small thefts and criminal activities.  Presently, these workers and children are hard workers and do not involve themselves in thefts or any other criminal activities, as they are earning enough money.  

How the issue was resolved?

Again, Action 2020 Team  had to find the balance between the (a) Eradication of Child labour/ Children right and (2) Ground reality.  Vinod and 8 volunteers from Aazraya Charitable Trust (group of students), Team Everest and Kodambakkam 2020  (partner groups of Action 2020 team) joined Pramila to help these children.

As this is a 'complex and sensitive issue' and need to be resolved with care without the families losing the job, the team approached the local Corporation Councillor for help.  He happily offered to help to find a solution.  He also visited the area along with Action 2020 Team.  When the Team wanted to teach the willing children, as expected protest came from some of the contractors saying, "Are you going to make them District Collectors?".  There was a resistance from some of the parents also.

Since Action 2020 Team involved the local City Corporation Councillor (who is also a politician), he resolved the issue by threatening the contractors that if they made any issue, it would go to the Police Commissioner resulting in their arrest.  After this threatening, the contractors withdrew and permitted Action 2020 team take classes.

For time being, Action 2020 Team has firmed up with the Children to take classes on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  They have so far conducted two sessions successfully.  On the first day, only 10 children were present.  On the second day, around 16 children participated.  Interestingly, some of the parents of these children also started attending the classes.  

Action 2020 Team is handling this in a matured manner with the guidance of many people.  Mrs Lakshmi Rahakrishnan, a Special Educator is also giving guidance to handle them psychologically and  carefully.  Presently, the team is focussing only to create  interest amongst the children and parents.  Corporation Councillor has also promised all help, whenever required.  

It is only a good beginning.  Based on the need of these children, Action 2020 Team will plan and execute the projects.

On behalf of India Vision Group, I congratulate Pramila (journalist)  and Vinod (Aazraya)  for their wonderful initiative. and careful handling of such sensitive issue.

For every problem, there is a solution.  If we decide to resolve the problem, lot of good people will join.  

Srinivasan
Moderator
91766 50273




  




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