World Water Day, Monday, March 22nd

Hi everyone, please do come to this, and please circulate this invite for World Water Day!

Also-for those of you that asked about the screening of The Groundwater Up Project, we will be doing our first screening as a part of this event, at Sannidhi, at 6:30pm, for World Water Day, Monday March 22nd.
Thanks!
Tarini

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Jalsamvaad

invites

ALL civil society members to come together and mark World Water Day on the 22nd of March.

1. A call for united action on water issues in Delhi- listening, learning, dialogue.

2. A Call for equal access of quality water for all.

Does Delhi want water at the cost of other people?

Program:

4:45-5 Assemble at Inderprastha Post Office on Bahadurshah Marg.

6:30-7:30 Film screening and discussion at Sannidhi opposite Samata Sthal, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.

All are invited.

Contact:

Tarini 9350163480 Vimal Bhai 9891814707 Arun 9313942460

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The Groundwater Up Project
www.groundwaterup.com
Intercultural Resources, Delhi

Is Dowry a Cause or an Effect ??

Hi all,

As a continuation to the update on formation of AID NCR Women Rights e-group, we are looking forward for inputs from AID volunteers, regarding their perception on the issues surrounding women rights, ranging from Dowry, Female Foeticide, Neglect of girl child, Subjugation of women in Indian society, etc.

This is an important step for us, before going forward, as we need to be in the same boat for understanding the gravity of the issues, and consequently the actions required henceforth.

Publish Post

Apart from discussing different issues in isolation, whether Dowry or Female Foeticide, we also need to reflect over, as in what are the root causes behind it.

Is Dowry a Cause or an Effect of the suppression of women in Indian society??

Do Female Foeticides happen in India only because of fear of dowry or also because it is assumed that men are more fit to carry forward the "family names" in the next generation in an existing male dominated society??

A study shows that India aborts 500,000 female foetuses a year, and since 1976 up to 10 million female foetuses have been selectively aborted in India. (Source: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/01/09/indiababies060109.html ).

As mentioned in a news article in The Hindu, the author says, " No right is more basic than the right to be born rather than be killed because you are going to be a female. The rapid growth of female foeticide tells us how far away India has moved from its Constitution’s vision of gender equality.

In a collection of research studies on female foeticide edited by Tulsi Patel, eminent demographer Ashish Bose has called the phenomenon a signifier of ‘civilisational collapse.’ The most depressing aspect of Tulsi Patel’s volume is the evidence it provides us to appreciate that the growth of female foeticide is linked to rising literacy, prosperity and modernisation, not poverty and backwardness." (Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/09/stories/2008090956041000.htm )

We need to realize that many of the gender issues, which we may shrug off, saying that it is mainly prevalent in rural and backward areas, may be present in much more heinous forms among the urban and educated families.

As quoted from another news article "The census figures illustrate that it is some of the richer states of the country where the problem is most acute (of declining sex ratios) such as Punjab, which has only 798 girls, Haryana 819, Delhi 868 and Gujarat 883 girls per 1,000 boys." ( Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1161618 )

Kindly let us know your views surrounding gender issues and the probable root causes behind it. Once we have reached some consensus on it; we can plan further action steps to be taken.


P.S.: Please join the e-group for AID NCR Women Rights at http://groups.google.com/group/aid-ncr-women-rights for being part of the further discussions.

Invite-Climate Bicycle Ride in Delhi on Sun, 21 March

INVITATION

‘Climate Bicycle Ride’ in Delhi
08.30 AM, Sunday, March 21, 2010
Ambedkar Nagar T-point –Chirag Delhi–Moolchand–Ambedkar Ngr (11-kms)

We are very happy to inform you that Delhi Cycling Club (DCC) is organizing its next cycling event ‘Climate Bicycle Ride’ in Delhi on Sunday, 21^st March on BRT corridor between Ambedkar Nagar T-point and MoolChand.

Supported by ‘The Open Planning Project’ (TOPP), Delhi Integrated Mass Transit System (DIMTS) and Planet Advertising, the event is likely to be attended by cycling enthusiasts and people from different walks of life, age group and profession. The key objectives of the event are: 1) to raise awareness about climate change and rising vehicular pollution; and 2) to promote Cycling, walking and public transport as the most healthy and environment-friendly way of commuting.

Also a large pledge board will be installed at the event venue to encourage participants and general public to sign/take a VOLUNTARY PLEDGE TO REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT in daily life and adopt green travel habits for a better and greener future for their city.

We are extending a cordial invitation for you to participate in the climate ride along with your family, friends and colleagues and reinvent the fun and benefits of cycling. Participants may also enjoy a unique outdoor activity of riding bicycle with a larger group of people from Delhi, NCR and several foreign countries who are concerned about environment and health.

This is the third Climate Ride event organized by DCC in Delhi. First two events were held in June 2009 (12-km) and December 2009 (11-km) where more than 250 people cycled and signed pledge to promote the cause of environment and alternative transportation.


ROUTE
The 11-km Climate Bicycle Ride will start from Ambedkar Nagar Bus Terminal at 08.30 a.m. and pass through Pushpa Vihar, Chirag Delhi, Moolchand on the BRT corridor and culminate again at Ambedkar Nagar T-point by 10.30 a.m. A route map link has been attached for your convenience: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116181156111933074554.0004775f5d84303c672c4&z=13.

REGISTRATION
Registration is free and the event is open to all. You just need to send us your request for participation along with the following details: 1) name, 2) age, 3) phone no., 4) email ID and 5) locality through email at: delhicyclingclub@gmail.com or through SMS on mobile number: 9990-22-66-44 before 3.00 PM, Friday, 19^th March, 2010.

EXTRA BICYCLES WILL BE AVAIALBLE
We are arranging some extra cycles at the venue which would be available free of cost to participants who don’t own a bicycle presently or find it difficult to bring them to the venue. You are also requested to let us know in advance about your bicycle requirement for the ride to avoid any inconvenience.

ASSEMBLY TIME & VENUE
You are requested to assemble by 08.15 AM at the parking lot on Ambedkar Nagar T-point. Those participants, who would be cycling in real traffic for the first time or after a long gap, are requested to arrive at the venue at-least 45-minutes before the start so that they could be given some useful cycling and road safety tips by our volunteers before the ride.

Please note that this is not a race or a competition. All participants will be cycling at a moderate speed on the dedicated bicycle lanes or curb side along the route. Participant are also required to follow all the traffic rules, road etiquette and safety precautions.

Delhi Cycling Club looks forward to seeing you on Sunday morning (21^st March) at the Climate Bicycle Ride. Your presence is key to the success of this event and also in promoting an important environmental and public cause.

R.S.V.P.

Rajendra Verma & Rashmi Mishra (Mobile no. (91)-8010589063)
Team DCC
Delhi Cycling Club
11/1, Jangpura Road
New Delhi-110014