It’s still an under reported tragedy. Over 20 million people in neighbouring Pakistan have lost all but their lives as flood waters continue to surge forth – even three weeks on since heavy rains hit the country.
The UN has called for a $460 million response plan to deal with this humanitarian disaster – far worse in its impact than many in recent times put together - the Haiti earthquake, the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and the 2008 Cyclone Nargis.
The UK has recently announced doubling its aid to meet this target. Others need to follow suit.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Chasing a tale
It was in spring this year that I went to Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh – India’s largest and one of the poorest states – to oversee a photo-shoot.
The subject was a nondescript van (see above) that ferries pregnant women across rocky terrain to the nearest health facility. Its remarkable drive lies in achieving this safely and in time.
The van goes by the name of Janani Express – janani means ‘mother’ in Hindi – and is run by the government to promote safe births in rural India.
Spurred by news of its success in the state, we landed at Shivpuri (a district that has one of the worst indicators on maternal mortality) to record its winning run. And in the process, I uncovered the personal struggles and joy of Asha, Kiran, Anita and Rekha – women I met in this chase for a tale. Meet and read their stories here.
The 24X7 service will now expand to 50 districts in the state – bringing hope to more women in need. Incidentally, in India, a woman dies in childbirth every 7 minutes.
The subject was a nondescript van (see above) that ferries pregnant women across rocky terrain to the nearest health facility. Its remarkable drive lies in achieving this safely and in time.
The van goes by the name of Janani Express – janani means ‘mother’ in Hindi – and is run by the government to promote safe births in rural India.
Spurred by news of its success in the state, we landed at Shivpuri (a district that has one of the worst indicators on maternal mortality) to record its winning run. And in the process, I uncovered the personal struggles and joy of Asha, Kiran, Anita and Rekha – women I met in this chase for a tale. Meet and read their stories here.
The 24X7 service will now expand to 50 districts in the state – bringing hope to more women in need. Incidentally, in India, a woman dies in childbirth every 7 minutes.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sign up!
1.02 billion people live on this earth in chronic hunger. If this shocks you, sign up at www.1billionhungry.org! FAO’s new online anti-hunger petition will send out a strong message to world leaders.
But a new report launched ahead of the World Summit on Food Security starting early next week offers some hope. Thirty-one countries have noted success in halving the number of hungry by 2015 or are on track to meet this goal.
India regrettably does not figure on the list…
But a new report launched ahead of the World Summit on Food Security starting early next week offers some hope. Thirty-one countries have noted success in halving the number of hungry by 2015 or are on track to meet this goal.
India regrettably does not figure on the list…
Monday, November 2, 2009
In pursuit of peace
I was away attending the Second Global Forum on the Power of Peace, I mentioned at work today. ‘Power of peace… I thought it was spam,’ a colleague remarked referring to a mail she had got on the same.
A similar thought was shared at the forum last week. People do mistrust ‘peace’ or ‘unity’ messages as bugs ready to spam their inbox. In a world ridden with conflicts of all nature, isn't it ironic the way our minds function?
I am back from a quick trip to the steamy pulsating city of bright pink cabs – Bangkok, where I was invited by UNESCO to share some thoughts with young peace advocates from different corners of the world. As with most conferences of the kind, this too was a space for people to mingle, connect, and learn a few things.
Readers, hear the voices of women on Peace X Peace online network where dialogue aims to build peace. Be part of a global family and learn of a new peace initiative by the New York based We are Family Foundation. Learn to transform conflicts with the help of NGO Search for Common Ground. Participate at the Global Peace and Unity Event at Excel London in April next year. Read the poetry of Palestinian poet, lecturer and fellow speaker Saed J. Abu-Hijleh.
The forum highlight was the launch of the new Power of Peace Network that would bring to light responsive practices in ICT in conflict reporting among other quests for peace. In times of chronic cynicism, such endeavors are worthy of thriving hope in the hearts of men and women.
A similar thought was shared at the forum last week. People do mistrust ‘peace’ or ‘unity’ messages as bugs ready to spam their inbox. In a world ridden with conflicts of all nature, isn't it ironic the way our minds function?
I am back from a quick trip to the steamy pulsating city of bright pink cabs – Bangkok, where I was invited by UNESCO to share some thoughts with young peace advocates from different corners of the world. As with most conferences of the kind, this too was a space for people to mingle, connect, and learn a few things.
Readers, hear the voices of women on Peace X Peace online network where dialogue aims to build peace. Be part of a global family and learn of a new peace initiative by the New York based We are Family Foundation. Learn to transform conflicts with the help of NGO Search for Common Ground. Participate at the Global Peace and Unity Event at Excel London in April next year. Read the poetry of Palestinian poet, lecturer and fellow speaker Saed J. Abu-Hijleh.
The forum highlight was the launch of the new Power of Peace Network that would bring to light responsive practices in ICT in conflict reporting among other quests for peace. In times of chronic cynicism, such endeavors are worthy of thriving hope in the hearts of men and women.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
G20 Recap
While I took a respite, the world has been pretty active.
Two rounds of global talks on economy recovery: the G8 summit at L’Aquila, Italy, pledging (mere?) $20 billion to boost food supplies (it’s a ‘moral obligation’ to help poor countries, says Obama); and the G20 Pittsburg summit in US last month where leaders met to follow up on their London pledges. (Check out the last five months’ action on the BBC pledge tracker).
China, India become the new caretakers of the global economy; but the communiqué is panned by the anti-poverty UN Millennium Campaign. New voting powers to emerging countries do not help the poorest in smaller economies driven to debts.
Two more stocktaking planned next year in Canada and Korea: will words translate to action?
Two rounds of global talks on economy recovery: the G8 summit at L’Aquila, Italy, pledging (mere?) $20 billion to boost food supplies (it’s a ‘moral obligation’ to help poor countries, says Obama); and the G20 Pittsburg summit in US last month where leaders met to follow up on their London pledges. (Check out the last five months’ action on the BBC pledge tracker).
China, India become the new caretakers of the global economy; but the communiqué is panned by the anti-poverty UN Millennium Campaign. New voting powers to emerging countries do not help the poorest in smaller economies driven to debts.
Two more stocktaking planned next year in Canada and Korea: will words translate to action?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Freedom March
Even as India completes 62 years of self-rule, hundreds and thousands of its men and women carry on a fight to claim their rights. This inspiring profile in a national magazine captures some of the people who are leading the march towards freedom.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Green philosophy
Spurring production, making jobs and caring for the environment – this ‘wise and sound’ project has been launched early this month in Gujarat, western India. The proposed Green Economic Zone, ideated by NGO Bhasha Adivasi Academy and with local capital, will boost agriculture and local industries without harming natural resources. Will this dream development model get the legal nod?
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