Check out the new Fragmented rainbows here
http://fragbows2.blogspot.com/
27 May 2007
22 May 2007
Rainbow Festival
Alternative cinema is always interesting and it reflects to a great extent realities within the sub-cultures.
Saathi is organising a festival that deals with the alternative subcutures within the 'Gay' and "lesbian' as well as 'Transgender' communities.
Click on the picture for more details.
16 May 2007
Bihar's Muslims: in an educational Ghetto?
According to a Planning Commission report, only one per cent Muslim women and 3.4 per cent men in urban areas are graduates. In rural areas only 0.7 per cent Muslim men graduate and women graduates are too few to even register on a survey. Across India, Muslim literacy rate is 59.1 per cent, while the national average is 64.8 per cent. And 90 per cent Muslim students drop out by the time they reach high school. FRANK KRISHNER examines the Bihar situation. 
In terms of education, Muslims fare much worse than the scheduled castes and tribes across the country and the problem is more economic than cultural, say a broad spectrum of Muslim citizens.
“It just isn’t true that Indian Muslims are backward-looking and resistant to education. Poverty is the over-riding factor. There are few government schools in pockets where there is Muslim majority and that’s why the kids are sent to the Madrasa, not the other way around, “ says Hasan Nezani, Principal of Patna Muslim Science College. Nezami, who once taught at the Military school, Ajmer, returned to Patna as the Principal of the Patna Muslim High School. The school, established in 1938, was reeling under several problems, including low attendance. Nazrani turned it around, lobbied successfully for its affiliation to the CBSE board, and today it stands as a much sought after provider of secondary education among the community.
The contribution of the community to education in this state has been significant. In Bihar, there are several secular and forward-looking Secondary and Higher secondary schools run by this minority community. In Patna, Rose Bud School ranks among the best English medium schools affiliated to ICSE. Its name is a reference to Pandit Nehru’s favourite flower and symbolic of his love for children. Mrs Rizvi, its founder principal is well known for her unflinching commitment to secular and democratic values. Rose Bud, as also International School are co-educational institutions whose alumni come from all sections and communities.
“It is not a fallacy to say that Bihar Muslims are in a ghetto in more ways than one,” says Meher, a Mass communications undergraduate. “The way to get them out of the ghetto is through modern education. A small number of families of Muslims are middle class or upper class, and these families usually form their own social group. Unless the boys get modern education, they will not get proper jobs, and the community will remain as it is.”
Interestingly, Meher is just one of over 24 Muslim girls studying mass communication in the two media related departments of Patna Women’s College. For the past three years, about twenty percent of the students of Communicative English come form the community.
However, the picture with reference to primary education isn’t as encouraging. Many Muslim parents do want to send children to government schools and learn English rather than send them to Madrasas. Surveys and complaints to Waqf boards show that government schools in Muslim-dominated areas are too few. The Sarva Shiksya Abhiyan, seems to have met roadblocks in Muslim areas, says Nezani. ‘The main reason why the children are being sent to the religious schools is because they are given ‘bhojan’. If only some financial help could be availed of, things would be different.
Recently, the spotlight has been on the Justice Sachar report on the condition of Muslims. The Sachar Committee, looking into the representation of Muslims in every sphere of national life, has not yet tabled its report. The Planning Commission already has an action plan for Muslim education. It’s proposing a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month to every Muslim girl in the country and an incentive of Rs 10,000 to higher institutes for every Muslim graduate. No doubt, it is a radical plan that will involve an outlay of Rs 6,000 crore.
A working group on education for Muslims, appointed by the Planning Commission, has submitted a roadmap for making education more accessible for Muslim children, especially girls. It’s heartening to know that there are a some modern schools for girls being run by the community, which cater to all sections of the society in Bihar, however more needs to be done as large numbers of Muslim girls continue to be kept home.
There is a sense of urgency in these Planning Commission recommendations. It is imperative that all young people be empowered to access gainful employment. No section of society can be left behind, if India, and Bihar for that matter, is to move towards meaningful development. The roles of the members of the community who are actively promoting modern education are the key to the aspirations of the Indian Muslim.
In terms of education, Muslims fare much worse than the scheduled castes and tribes across the country and the problem is more economic than cultural, say a broad spectrum of Muslim citizens.
“It just isn’t true that Indian Muslims are backward-looking and resistant to education. Poverty is the over-riding factor. There are few government schools in pockets where there is Muslim majority and that’s why the kids are sent to the Madrasa, not the other way around, “ says Hasan Nezani, Principal of Patna Muslim Science College. Nezami, who once taught at the Military school, Ajmer, returned to Patna as the Principal of the Patna Muslim High School. The school, established in 1938, was reeling under several problems, including low attendance. Nazrani turned it around, lobbied successfully for its affiliation to the CBSE board, and today it stands as a much sought after provider of secondary education among the community.
The contribution of the community to education in this state has been significant. In Bihar, there are several secular and forward-looking Secondary and Higher secondary schools run by this minority community. In Patna, Rose Bud School ranks among the best English medium schools affiliated to ICSE. Its name is a reference to Pandit Nehru’s favourite flower and symbolic of his love for children. Mrs Rizvi, its founder principal is well known for her unflinching commitment to secular and democratic values. Rose Bud, as also International School are co-educational institutions whose alumni come from all sections and communities.
“It is not a fallacy to say that Bihar Muslims are in a ghetto in more ways than one,” says Meher, a Mass communications undergraduate. “The way to get them out of the ghetto is through modern education. A small number of families of Muslims are middle class or upper class, and these families usually form their own social group. Unless the boys get modern education, they will not get proper jobs, and the community will remain as it is.”
Interestingly, Meher is just one of over 24 Muslim girls studying mass communication in the two media related departments of Patna Women’s College. For the past three years, about twenty percent of the students of Communicative English come form the community.
However, the picture with reference to primary education isn’t as encouraging. Many Muslim parents do want to send children to government schools and learn English rather than send them to Madrasas. Surveys and complaints to Waqf boards show that government schools in Muslim-dominated areas are too few. The Sarva Shiksya Abhiyan, seems to have met roadblocks in Muslim areas, says Nezani. ‘The main reason why the children are being sent to the religious schools is because they are given ‘bhojan’. If only some financial help could be availed of, things would be different.
Recently, the spotlight has been on the Justice Sachar report on the condition of Muslims. The Sachar Committee, looking into the representation of Muslims in every sphere of national life, has not yet tabled its report. The Planning Commission already has an action plan for Muslim education. It’s proposing a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month to every Muslim girl in the country and an incentive of Rs 10,000 to higher institutes for every Muslim graduate. No doubt, it is a radical plan that will involve an outlay of Rs 6,000 crore.
A working group on education for Muslims, appointed by the Planning Commission, has submitted a roadmap for making education more accessible for Muslim children, especially girls. It’s heartening to know that there are a some modern schools for girls being run by the community, which cater to all sections of the society in Bihar, however more needs to be done as large numbers of Muslim girls continue to be kept home.
There is a sense of urgency in these Planning Commission recommendations. It is imperative that all young people be empowered to access gainful employment. No section of society can be left behind, if India, and Bihar for that matter, is to move towards meaningful development. The roles of the members of the community who are actively promoting modern education are the key to the aspirations of the Indian Muslim.
Toleave an opinion visit this link
10 May 2007
Jamalpur, Pioneering Railway workshop
Jamalpur Workshop has the proud privilege of being the only railway workshop , where broad gauge cranes for railway's use are manufactured. This is the only railway workshop where large, microprocessor controlled 140-Ton capacity break down cranes for Indian Railways are manufactured indigenously with very little import content.
This workshop has completed over 140 years of glorious performance and dedicated service to the Nation. Ironically it stands alone in the Industrial desert of the northern part of Bihar in general and in Munger District in particular.This is the only workshop in Indian Railways to have been equipped with its own 5 MVA Power house.
Read more at
http://fragbows.blogspot.com/
This workshop has completed over 140 years of glorious performance and dedicated service to the Nation. Ironically it stands alone in the Industrial desert of the northern part of Bihar in general and in Munger District in particular.This is the only workshop in Indian Railways to have been equipped with its own 5 MVA Power house.
Read more at
http://fragbows.blogspot.com/
09 May 2007
Will HIV impact local industry in Bihar?
Corporate Bihar and Jharkhand are yet to wake up to the rising HIV prevalence, and local industrialists have yet to realize the impact in can have on the workforce. HIV infections have already made its entry on the shop-floors of many small industries, as is evident from the increased numbers of positive workers, say observers. In the industrial belt of Noida, several concerns have already incorporated HIV and AIDS awareness, management and rights issues into their skill-building programmes for workers, thanks to nudging from the local administration. Bihar –Jharkhand are a far cry away, with most industry bosses unaware that HIV actually poses a threat to production.
According to official figures, 1,100 people among Bihar's over 83 million population are infected with the virus, but AIDS campaigners claim the figures are underreported. Unofficial figures put the HIV population of Bihar at 40,000. Bihar State AIDS figures are based on sentinel surveillance from about 61 sites. Based on date collected from these sites, BSACS claims a decrease in prevalence from 0.38 percent in 2005-6 to 0.36 percent in 2006-7.
BSACS Joint Director IEC Vishal Singh announced a 10 day “Mobile Awareness and Testing” campaign in 12 districts of Bihar : East and West Champaran, Samastipur, Gopalganj, Nalanda, Katihar, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Siwan and Patna, admitting that the sentinel data shows an upward trend in these districts.
While independent data has shown that the virus has long since moved from the so-called ‘high risk’ groups into the general population, particularly the young, able-bodied workforce, official statistics in India are largely determined on ‘sentinel’ sites. Of the 61 sites in Bihar, 14 are for ‘targeted interventions’ : intravenous drug users, sex workers, men having sex with men. Independent AIDS campaigners warn that small industries may feel the impact unless private –public partnership in HIV awareness and management becomes a reality.
According to official figures, 1,100 people among Bihar's over 83 million population are infected with the virus, but AIDS campaigners claim the figures are underreported. Unofficial figures put the HIV population of Bihar at 40,000. Bihar State AIDS figures are based on sentinel surveillance from about 61 sites. Based on date collected from these sites, BSACS claims a decrease in prevalence from 0.38 percent in 2005-6 to 0.36 percent in 2006-7.
BSACS Joint Director IEC Vishal Singh announced a 10 day “Mobile Awareness and Testing” campaign in 12 districts of Bihar : East and West Champaran, Samastipur, Gopalganj, Nalanda, Katihar, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Siwan and Patna, admitting that the sentinel data shows an upward trend in these districts.
While independent data has shown that the virus has long since moved from the so-called ‘high risk’ groups into the general population, particularly the young, able-bodied workforce, official statistics in India are largely determined on ‘sentinel’ sites. Of the 61 sites in Bihar, 14 are for ‘targeted interventions’ : intravenous drug users, sex workers, men having sex with men. Independent AIDS campaigners warn that small industries may feel the impact unless private –public partnership in HIV awareness and management becomes a reality.
07 May 2007
Engineer, Tinker, Tiger-man, Chief!
Olive Ridley turtles, a biogas plant that uses conduits made from recycled polythene, a hand-cranked rechargeable lantern, tigers and civil engineering! These diverse entities have a single degree of separation: 37 year-old Chandan Singh.
Singh, who heads the India office of the Toronto based Green Power Canada, started out in 1994, armed with a fresh degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Sri Jaichamrajendra College of Engineering (SJCE), University of Mysore. His first job was as a site engineer of HUDCO, Mysore. He went on to become Project Engineer and Chief Project Officer for FanucGE, a Japanese multinational at Bangalore, and for Resources & Results, Mysore,
He returned to his home-town Patna five years ago. In 2004, he became Chief of the first Greenpower office outside of Canada. Why the career switch?
“Its not a career switch, per se”, says Singh,” its more like I started giving more time to the environmental aspect after coming to Patna from Bangalore. Frankly, the engineering projects I was doing in Patna were repetitive in nature and were more of pen- pushing. I collaborated with Dr Bindeshwari Pathak of Sulabh International, and was developing a railway waste accumulation and storage for them, but the project was shelved. system During the same time Greenpower Canada contacted me and I started working on the Biogas projects. During this time I was developing a biogas plant which out of plastic or polythene sheets, and it was later successfully installed at Chandanchaturi and Laxmiposi villages near the Similipal tiger reserve. This plant, made totally from waste recycled material and polythene sheets, is probably the first one to be installed in India."
For those who know him, it was no surprise. Since he was a little boy, Chandan was into practical wildlife protection. He used to buy snakes from snake charmers and set them free at Patna zoo.
Since he made the conscious decision switch to environmental based services ( as a social entrepreneur) from his full time engineering based career, he has no regrets. “I get to do what I really like and that's made a huge difference .It’s good soul food and the work satisfaction is really great. I meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world, spend quality time in the wilderness, work at the grassroots level and can actually make a difference. It feels real good!”
The money factor for environmental-based projects? The pay packages are good, and if one starts early, it's compatible to the best in industry.
If one is passionate about environment and loves the outdoors, saving the world from itself has immense possibilities. “Students from Patna should take up environmental causes in their spare time. Students are the best vehicles of awareness and pro active involvement from them is going to pay rich dividends to the society and to themselves as well.
Chandan has also developed a project around hand-cranked lanterns which use white LED’s and a battery power source. Once charged, it gives 6 hours of reading light. It is designed for use in deep rural areas where there is no electricity.
“Environmental engineering is a part of Civil engineering, and after coming to Patna I am giving more time to the environmental aspect of my training than the construction and designing side, “ says Singh who is also a senior consultant with a Patna based construction firm. Environmental engineering is just like any other engineering course, and is offered by universities across India. It is basically a civil engineering curriculum with special emphasis on water treatment, air, soil and water pollution etc. One can go for a full degree course, or do a B.Sc in Environmental sciences. Apart from these, one can undertake vocational courses on environmental management, Forest management, Rural planning and development which are also useful if one wishes to pursue this as a career.
The world needs bright young minds to find solutions, to conserve resources and protect nature. Environmental Engineers and other streams related to protecting our planet are important and adventurous as well, he says.
Singh, who heads the India office of the Toronto based Green Power Canada, started out in 1994, armed with a fresh degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Sri Jaichamrajendra College of Engineering (SJCE), University of Mysore. His first job was as a site engineer of HUDCO, Mysore. He went on to become Project Engineer and Chief Project Officer for FanucGE, a Japanese multinational at Bangalore, and for Resources & Results, Mysore,
He returned to his home-town Patna five years ago. In 2004, he became Chief of the first Greenpower office outside of Canada. Why the career switch?
“Its not a career switch, per se”, says Singh,” its more like I started giving more time to the environmental aspect after coming to Patna from Bangalore. Frankly, the engineering projects I was doing in Patna were repetitive in nature and were more of pen- pushing. I collaborated with Dr Bindeshwari Pathak of Sulabh International, and was developing a railway waste accumulation and storage for them, but the project was shelved. system During the same time Greenpower Canada contacted me and I started working on the Biogas projects. During this time I was developing a biogas plant which out of plastic or polythene sheets, and it was later successfully installed at Chandanchaturi and Laxmiposi villages near the Similipal tiger reserve. This plant, made totally from waste recycled material and polythene sheets, is probably the first one to be installed in India."
For those who know him, it was no surprise. Since he was a little boy, Chandan was into practical wildlife protection. He used to buy snakes from snake charmers and set them free at Patna zoo.
Since he made the conscious decision switch to environmental based services ( as a social entrepreneur) from his full time engineering based career, he has no regrets. “I get to do what I really like and that's made a huge difference .It’s good soul food and the work satisfaction is really great. I meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world, spend quality time in the wilderness, work at the grassroots level and can actually make a difference. It feels real good!”
The money factor for environmental-based projects? The pay packages are good, and if one starts early, it's compatible to the best in industry.
If one is passionate about environment and loves the outdoors, saving the world from itself has immense possibilities. “Students from Patna should take up environmental causes in their spare time. Students are the best vehicles of awareness and pro active involvement from them is going to pay rich dividends to the society and to themselves as well.
Chandan has also developed a project around hand-cranked lanterns which use white LED’s and a battery power source. Once charged, it gives 6 hours of reading light. It is designed for use in deep rural areas where there is no electricity.
“Environmental engineering is a part of Civil engineering, and after coming to Patna I am giving more time to the environmental aspect of my training than the construction and designing side, “ says Singh who is also a senior consultant with a Patna based construction firm. Environmental engineering is just like any other engineering course, and is offered by universities across India. It is basically a civil engineering curriculum with special emphasis on water treatment, air, soil and water pollution etc. One can go for a full degree course, or do a B.Sc in Environmental sciences. Apart from these, one can undertake vocational courses on environmental management, Forest management, Rural planning and development which are also useful if one wishes to pursue this as a career.
The world needs bright young minds to find solutions, to conserve resources and protect nature. Environmental Engineers and other streams related to protecting our planet are important and adventurous as well, he says.
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