Association For Indias Development MIT and Boston Chapters

2012 - 2013 Newsletter

Self help group meeting in school in Karnataka

Photo: Hemanth Krishnan

Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ M.K. Gandhi 1

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About AID
Association for India's Development is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization committed to promoting sustainable, equitable and just development. AID supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates efforts in various inter-connected spheres such as agriculture, energy, education, health, livelihoods, natural resources including land and water, women's empowerment and social justice.

Compassion wherever there is suffering. Conviction that the compassion is strong enough to
eliminate suffering. Courage to make this conviction a reality.

This is AID.

Our Vision
The problems of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, disease, social inequalities, corruption and loss of natural resources reinforce one another and are interconnected. Hence the efforts addressing them must be also be interconnected.

PEOPLE are at the center of

development and are active participants in the process and not mere beneficiaries. The VOICE of the poor is our teacher and guides our vision on development. Fundamental to development are peace, tolerance and justice. AID respects the plurality of culture and religion.

SANGHARSH, SEVA and NIRMAN

are the 3 pillars of struggle for justice, responsible living and constructive work on which AIDs work is based. 2
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Welcome
Dear AID Patron, We, the volunteers of AID, MIT and Boston chapters, appreciate and thank you for your commitment and continued support that enable us to carry forward our mission to substantially impact marginalized communities in India. From its humble beginning in 1991, AID has continuously strived to listen to the voices of the poorest of the poor and, in the process, developed a deeper understanding of the issues that affect their lives. After 22 years, we feel closer to people, their issues and derive great strength from their indomitable spirit and resilience. A volunteer organization like ours is energized by passionate volunteers and ardent supporters like you. Significant portion of the funds that we raise come from individual donations. Now, we hope you can make that difference by making your contribution to AID.

$450 supports one years worth of education material for 125

adivasi girls in Gujarat

$1000 a month supports people in 27 villages to realize their

rightful wages and services using Right to Information in Paschim Bangla

$1200 annually empowers 40 farmer households to practice

organic agriculture and seed conservation in Paschim Bangla

$1500 a month supports 10 village health workers, who provide

access to health care to thousands of tribal families in Chhattisgarh

$2000 annually can provide education to 35 kids in Mumbai

Thank you! Sincerely, Nitin Gujaran President, AID Boston Chapter 3

*The numbers are close approximations, based on past budgets and approvals. info@aidboston.org

AID Projects
Association for India's Development supports several projects in different sectors across India. Here are some active projects in 2012-13.

Agriculture

DRCSCs seed conservation project is promoting a biodiversified farmer system to protect small farmer investment and also make agriculture profitable by setting up a seed center and a demo kitchen for food security in Paschim Banga.

Organic farming in Sunderbans started post Cyclone Aila with BTS & Mukti promoting organic, sustainable agriculture techniques to reclaim salinated land and supporting over 3000 farmers in the last 4 years in Paschim Banga.

Anti-Corruption

RTI Manch is a group of activists working on issues such as Right to Information (RTI), National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and electoral reforms through kiosks, workshops, social audits and awareness campaigns in Rajasthan.

Mukti sets up a Right to Information help center to raise awareness on pro-people government schemes and rights based work in Sunderbans area, Paschim Banga.

RTI Purulia project has been implemented in 3 blocks in Purulia district in Paschim Banga with over 100 public meetings talking about public distribution systems(PDS), agriculture, cooperative loans, self help groups (SHG) and other social entitlements using RTI laws.

Education

Jambuni Child Growth center supports education and enrichment initiatives for 110 poor Santhal tribal children to prepare them for mainstream education and organizes crche programs for 60 babies in Birbhum district, Paschim Banga.

Parivartan provides informal education to approximately 120 children from migrant communities regardless of religion, caste, culture, language or gender in the slums of Wadala in Mumbai, Maharashtra. A bridge school to formal education.

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Community Empowerment

Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) tackles the problems associated with illegal mining in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur, Karnataka and Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh by strengthening local self-rule, community control of natural resources and livelihood.

Sangtin Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (SKMS) is a peoples movement based in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. More than 10,000 rural women and men have mobilized to demand work and fair wages under NREGA, access to irrigation water, social services and implementation of other pro-people policies.

Public Health

Two community workers from Jadugora, Jharkhand which has been the epicenter for health crisis from uranium mining will undergo extensive 9 months training with Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), a pioneer in community health work in Chhattisgarh.

Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) runs crches providing day care and nutrition to children between 6 months and 3 years of age which lets parents go to work and elder sibling to go to school. In 2012-13, the program will reach out to 1100 kids along with early childhood education and stimulation activities in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Trust for Reaching the Unreached (TRU) is working on rural mental health for poor communities and focusing on community based rehabilitation in Panchmahal in Gujarat.

SATHI health rights project effectively introduced the measures suggested by National Rural Health Mission through techniques like report cards for health officials and jan sunwais (social audits) in Badwani district, Madhya Pradesh.

Social Justice

Justice for Bhopal campaign hopes to achieve justice and a life of dignity for the survivors of the gas disaster in 1984 caused by Union Carbide (now Dow Chemicals) disaster in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh focusing on compensation , clean water and clean up of toxic site.

Rehabilitation of internally displaced people (IDP) project tries to ensure basic requirements of food, health, livelihood, education and basic human rights and dignities for 10,000 IDPs fleeing armed conflict in Chhatisgarh in 150 settlements in Khammam, Andhra Pradesh.

All projects have been visited by AID Volunteers and we continue to learn 5 from each other.
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Health for All

127th in maternal mortality in the world. | 400,000 die from tuberculosis | 386,000 children die from diarrhea | 2 million afflicted with malaria | 6th lowest spending on public health
Healthy living conditions and access to good quality health care for all citizens are not only basic human rights, but also essential components of social and economic development. In India today, the health sector is simultaneously an area of deep crisis as well as of tremendous opportunity for positive change. The government, private medical sector, and community health activists seek to massively reorganize health care services, but each with a different vision and perspective. Throughout India, people are struggling to defend their rights to healthy living conditions as well as access to health care. Joining hands with some of these efforts, AID supports village health workers in remote and rural areas, promotes programs to train government health workers to work more effectively and sensitively, and encourages direct interventions in areas such as children's nutrition, eye-care, malaria or mental illness.

Three Facets of Health

Trust for reaching the Unreached, Gujarat
Trust for Reaching the Unreached (TRU) is working on rural mental health for poor communities and focusing on community based rehabilitation approach in Panchmahal, Gujarat. Approach toward rural mental health: Extensive surveys in 236 villages and 190,000 people surveyed on mental health initiatives to understand attrition on medicine intake. Community meetings and individualized attention

Overall Impact: More than 2000 patients at the clinic on health issues Community is more sensitized on mental health and reducing stigma 6 with mental health. associated

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Right to Health and Healthcare

Dr. Jain in JSS, Chhattisgarh

Creating models of quality healthcare for rural India. Stemming malnutrition from 0-3 years; maternal, ante & neo-natal care for all Holding the public health system accountable by community monitoring. Advocacy to strengthen health and patient rights

Jan Swasthya Sahyog, Chhattisgarh - Crche program

Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) is a voluntary, non -profit, registered society founded by a group of health professionals committed to developing a low cost and effective health program that provides both preventive and curative services for 1500 villages and 300,000 people in the tribal and rural areas of Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state in central India. Committed towards several long -term projects with this partner: Village crche program supporting 1200 children which provides a secure and healthy environment for children (6 months to 3 years) Supporting bicycles and footwear for 104 village level health workers doing extensive work in 53 tribal villages in rural Chhattisgarh Medical equipment and an electronic medical records (EMR) system

Saathi CehatAccountability in public health, Madhya Pradesh

SATHI works in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to improve rural health conditions by making the public health system effective & accountable. Strategies to increase accountability: Raise awareness about health rights through village meetings & translating manuals/policies in local language Villagers use pictorial report cards to monitor attendance & availability of medical supplies Public hearings to report denial of services State level workshops to train health monitors Engage media to highlight state of health system

Challenges: Low awareness of health rights in rural parts, very high infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate, absence of trained medical staff & medicines in rural health centers, refusal to accept critical patients by health centers & referral to far off urban centers and unavailability of ambulances. 7
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Agrarian Crisis
1995-2010: Every 28 minutes, a farmer committed suicide.
Agriculture and the population dependent on it is facing a severe crisis in India today. At the heart of AIDs work in agriculture is its concern with the livelihood of the small and marginal farmers, the landless, the adverse effect of chemical farming on health and the environment. AID works with its partners to promote low external input sustainable organic agriculture, reclaiming degraded land, retaining control of seeds by the farming communities and nurturing conditions that make farming remunerative for the marginal farmer.

Focus on our Agriculture projects

Conserving Traditional Seeds & Promoting Biodiversity, Paschim Banga
Development Research Communication and Service Centre (DRCSC) establishes seed centers with the aim of seed preservation and promote bio-diversity. Seed centers aim to encourage farmers to grow using local, resilient seed varieties and store their own seeds using traditional means.

Approach for Seed banks:

The seed varieties, primarily of edible vegetables and leguminous crops, are chosen based on rigorous surveys, farmer meetings and participatory appraisal methods with a detailed seed database. Linkages with network of 50 farmers in each location for seed banks Annual beej utsav (Seed Fair) exhibits indigenous seeds and exchanges Biodiversity is being preserved by farmers borrowing the seeds, multiplying them and using them in their fields. Saving and documenting seeds that are saline tolerant, waterlogging tolerant and can grow in dry conditions while preserving the rich bio diversity. Changed farmers habits from buying to saving their own seeds with 500 farmers 8 borrowing from seed banks.

Overall Impact:

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Way out of Crisis

Farmer in Sunderbans, Paschim Banga.

Low external-input sustainable organic farming Conservation, seed rights and landreclamation Building consumer-farmer linkages Advocacy campaigns to support small farmers

Sustainable Agriculture in Sunderbans, Paschim Banga

In the Sunderbans, excessive use of chemicals has made land infertile and increased health problems. Rising costs have made farming economically difficult. Sustainable organic practices reduces input costs and makes farmers self-reliant.

From Disaster to Self-Reliance:

In 2009 Cyclone Aila salinated the lands and made it uncultivable 25 farmers took training in sustainable organic practices and had good results as agriculture failed around them Trained farmers started training others Farmer groups raised awareness by postering and street theaters Seeing the results many farmers wanted to take up these low -cost methods

Overall Impact:
Starting with 25 farmers in 2009; today, 3000 farmers have taken up these methods Farmers have become trainers and have been taking the movement forward 1000 acres of land under sustainable organic farming Women have taken up leadership roles in spreading the movement Organic methods save Rs 4500 on 1 acre for paddy

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Annual Fundraiser
Why do I run 26.2 miles for AID?
Being utterly bored of being a gym-rat, in the winter of 2011-2012, I decided that come spring, I will start running outdoors, along the river hopefully! I was introduced to this amazing organization, AID and their marathon fundraiser, TeamAIDAsha (TAA), by a friend and it was the very first time I ran anything greater than 2 miles with this group. The TAA program is geared towards first -time / beginner and experienced runners to train and run a full or half -marathon while raising funds for AID and Asha, Boston/MIT chapters. It has a very dedicated group of volunteers and an excellent coach. I ended up not only running a full marathon and raising over $2620 for a great cause but also making some great friends along the way.

TAA 2012 Team

Photo: Biju Kalissery

I gradually began to understand the causes that AID volunteers strive so hard to support working towards self-reliance and empowerment of some of the poorest and extremely marginalized communities in India. I became very curious about their work and decided to attend the regular meeting every Sunday with specific agenda items such as introduction of new projects, talks and issue based discussions. I learned a lot about AIDs past as well as current projects, their campaigns, and Jeevansaathis and became interested in becoming more involved. I am the 2013 Tabling coordinator and am very glad to be a small part of this marvelous organization. I continue to run as part of TAA and hope to raise more awareness and funds in the near future! Learn more about the program: www.teamaidasha.org ~ Shivangi Joshi

2012 Concerts:

Pt. Birju Maharaj and Shankar Tucker

2013 Benefit Fundraisers:

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10and Uttarakhand Floods Donor Dinner

Speaker Series
Voices from grassroot India
AID hosts public events with grassroots leaders from India in an effort to raise awareness about the issues in communities around us and produce a direct bridge to the grassroots. Learning from the communities that live sustainably, we try to live responsibly and as true partners, raising our voice again injustice.

Talks in 2013:
Jan 1, 2013 : Vigil at Harvard Square Pit: Delhi rape and Violence Against Women Mar 2, 2013 : Discussion with director, Anand Patwardhan: Jai Bhim Comrade Documentary screening Mar 3, 2013: Panel Discussion : Violence Against Women and the case of Soni Sori Mar 11, 2013 : Talk by Shweta Narayan: Mercury In The Mist April 18, 2013 : Discussion with director, Micha Peled : Bitter Seeds Documentary Screening May 8, 2013 : Panel Discussion with Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Balmurli Natarajan and Sirisha Naidu: Development for Whom? Posco in India May 10, 2013 : Talk by SR Hiremath: Illegal Mining in India and Peoples struggle May 18, 2013 : Talk by Dr. Jayanta Bandyopadhyay and Nazrul Islam: Water Futures of Bangladesh and India : Separated by borders, connected by rivers May 22, 2013: Talk by Dr. Ilina Sen: Women and Democratic Movements in India

Talks in 2012:
March 23, 2012: Talk by Prashant Bhushan : The Anti-Corruption Movement in India : Its focus on participatory democracy April 15, 2012: Talk by Aruna Roy : Transparency and Accountability in Governance: Challenges in India June 12, 2012: Talk by Pankti Jog: Transforming lives via Right to Information

Bringing the voice of the voiceless to our community here .

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Volunteer Perspectives
We are a family!
When I went to India for my friends wedding in December 2011, I was excited about meeting most of my friends who had moved back after graduation from university. I was also excited because I was going to do some sightseeing but what struck me were the hardships that people had to go through. After the trip, I decided to volunteer and find a way to make a difference in India. Being a part of AID has given me a new perspective of the world around me. I have learnt more about the issues that the country faces. Every time I come to the chapter meetings, I am amazed at the depth of knowledge that the volunteers have and every time we meet, we learn about issues that people are working on. Its very motivating to hear about people who work towards a better society everyday for others. Everyone in this chapter is so passionate that it will definitely rub on you. Most of all, people are so welcoming that you really start to feel like you are part of a family. ~ Roshan Chandiramani

AID volunteers at our table at IAGB Independence Day 2012

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Photo: Mona Mandal

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What inspired me to join AID is its holistic approach to problem solving, its vision of providing sustainable solutions to a variety of problems and social issues. Being a part of the AID-Boston chapter, I was amazed by the passion, optimism and dedication shown by its volunteers. Here are a group of individuals who get together every week and work hard to bring about desirable changes at the grassroots, back in India. The volunteers also play a great role in campaigning to spread awareness among people and raising funds to support some great initiatives. Working here makes volunteering a fun experience and I am truly honored to be a part of the AID family. ~ Nandini Shekhar

Working at AID has set a pattern in my life to help and serve my community. I have learnt two important things from the AID family: 1. Look at the positives in life 2. Never ignore poverty, corruption and injustice; instead make it a mission to eradicate these imperfections Earlier I used to complain about my life even when everything was smooth sailing but AID helped me evolve from being a self focused person to a humble and empathetic one. Volunteering for AID has been a defining moment in my life. I am happy that I am able to contribute in my community though AID. ~ Shivang Mandalia

I like AID Boston because I like to be polite. I like to help with water support for the marathon runners in the summer. I like helping everyone in AID who works for India. ~ Adrita Mukherji

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Financial Picture
Here is how you supported AID.

2012 Funds raised

2012 Project disbursals

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How can I get involved?

Volunteer with us Attend our weekly meeting on Sundays from 2 -4pm in MIT and get involved with projects, campaigns, fundraisers, talks or community outreach efforts. Have an interesting idea - tell us. Support us Make a tax-deductible donation for developmental projects in India or support an ongoing campaign. Our federal tax-id is 04-3652609. You can also get your donation matched by your employer if your company has a matching program. Attend our fundraising events in the community. Intern or Visit a project Get in touch if you are interested in visiting a project or interning in India. Follow us Sign up on our mailing list at aidboston.org, join our Facebook event page (www.facebook.com/pages/AID-Events-Boston/157174747753340) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/AIDBoston).

and become a part of the AID family

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

Printed responsibly using environmentally sustainable practices by a cooperatively managed print and graphic design shop that has been supporting organizations for social and economic change. Recently recognized in Boston as a "Sustainable Business Leader" for being committed to environment sustainability.

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Association For Indias Development MIT & Boston Chapter P.O. Box 390884 Cambridge, MA 02139

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high...

16 Celebrating 67th Independence Day of India : 15th Aug. 2013

Letting the people lead us...

Association for India's Development is a volunteer movement promoting sustainable, equitable and just development. AID supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates efforts in various interconnected spheres such as agriculture, energy, education, health, livelihoods, natural resources including land and water, women's empowerment and social justice.

www.aidboston.org | info@aidboston.org