Brave story of India disability activist
Wednesday, 09.19.2007, 04:39am (GMT-7)

Community Post

LOS ANGELES, CA: Talking about to be positive is easy but in action is difficult. It is even difficult for a person with disabilities. But, what surprised me more is meeting a woman in her thirties in wheelchair from India participating in Kumbha Mela held recently in Artesia.

Life was horrible for Sai Padma with surgeries all through her life, and living in a country like India where disabled are still ill-treated. With support and encouragement from her parents, she has obtained a degree in law, masters in finance management and accounts.

She left a lucrative career as finance professional to join the social service organizations and has risen from grass-root level activist to the ranks of disability activist whose opinions and articles count in the lives of Indian disabled. She is associated with organizations like Lions Family Welfare Planning Trust and Global Aid and Association for Human Development  in India and abroad too.
When I asked what made her come into the social field, without hesitation she said, I want to improve my condition and facilities for the Indian disabled. Representing them is my life purpose.

I know what troubles and tribulations mean to us. She, in fact consulted few organizations for putting on state of art braces that are available in USA. The primary constraint that hinders Padma from living a more comfortable life is the financial constraints that prohibit her from buying the braces that would make life easier for her.
The braces she wears are 4-5 kgs and give extreme pain in legs, knees and turns her skin very rough and also whatever muscle strength . But the new braces costs around $8000-9000, which is way beyond her means. These braces are made with carbon graphite and titanium and which are not available in India. They make walking easier. She needs our help very badly.

If she can show case best braces made in USA to Indians, it will really help others disabled persons. Let join to help her through your contribution so that she would walk better and serve the needy in a better way.

I talked about her work, life, passion, social service and most important living with disability in India. She said she was affected by polio at a very tender age - she was barely 45 days young.

Several surgeries were performed on her, but all in vain. She only has two choices: either be on a wheelchair or walk with braces. But her braces as I see are very primitive.

One cannot stop admiring her courage and determination despite all odds that a disabled person faces in India. She shared about her work and social service, her overcoming constraints and transforming herself as a social entrepreneur.

Please make contributions to help her, in favor of Association for Human Development (AFHD). Your contributions are tax deductible. and most important they will serve a noble cause. Please mail checks to Mr. Jagjit Singh, Sir Speedy-Tustin, 13554, New Port Ave, Tustin. Ca

JS Bedi

Saving India villages through Sustainable Development & Gandhian thought
Saturday, 11.03.2007, 11:42pm (GMT-7)

CHICAGO: On October 6 and 7, India Development Service (IDS), India Development Coalition of America (IDCA), and Loyola University, Chicago conducted an international conference on the theme of Sustainable Development and Gandhian Thought at Loyola University campus in Maywood, Illinois. The objective was to bring together various experts in the field of sustainable development and grass roots workers, who are implementing developmental projects in India.

The conference provided a forum for many, who are working on projects related to water and sanitation, education, solar energy, ecological restoration, HIV/AIDS awareness, disabled persons, and rural development, to network, exchange ideas, and renew their commitment to the acceleration of sustainable development in India.

An action plan was developed for the various non-profits in the US to work together with Indian NGOs and government institutions to implement programs in rural India. Speakers included Sam Pitroda of the National Knowledge Commission, Government of India; Prof. Satish Kumar of the Schumacher Institute in Great Britain; Bunker Roy of the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan; Manoj Dabas of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, New Delhi; Ashok Kumar Attri, Consul General of India in Chicago; Hari Lamba, author of the book Rethinking Progress, Balbir Mathur of Trees for Life, Wichita, Kansas; Madhu Suri Prakash, Professor of Education, Penn State University, Sai Padma Bellana of Gajapathinagaram, Andhra Pradesh, and Pragnanand Busi of Nalagonda, Andhra Pradesh. Bunker Roy, Founder & Director of Barefoot College in Rajasthan made a salient point when he described India as "Islands of excellence in seas of ignorance."

He and countless others have made great strides to better the lives of the poor by teaching them how to develop existing resources in their communities. He articulated that while the urban dwellers crave for formal and regimented education with structured curricula for their children, rural folks with no formal education can be equally good in delivering services that the rural inhabitants need in their own locales. He said that rural women and men alike are being trained to build and repair solar energy based systems with precision equivalent to that of German technicians Professor Satish Kumar asked a poignant question : "Do we have to tell an acorn how to become an oak tree?" The implication being, do those in what President Harry Truman called the developed world have to manage communities down in order for them to retain their dignity and flourish. Of course not! They can be empowered to succeed where they are in the context of their own culture and environment. He said that Satvic way of development is the only way for India to sustain itself rather than taking the path of super consumerism that is characteristic of the developed nations.

Professor Kumar analogized, the acorn i.e., each suffering village, has the potential and can grow and become the proverbial oak tree through a bottom up type of sustainable systems and mechanisms. SaiPadma Bellana of Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, a physically challenged young woman, who traveled from India made a presentation sitting in a wheelchair. She said by quoting from her own volunteer work that even disabled people can deliver services to the rural poor and HIV/AIDS affected children with compassion and dignity when they are determined and possess a "can do" attitude. Two panel discussions were also held to discuss topics of wide ranging interest, from Water and Sanitation to Rural Energy and Development.

Panel members included the speakers mentioned above and Jay Sehgal of the Sehgal Family Foundation in Gurgaon; Sridhar Chari, Chairman of ICFAI, Hyderabad; Harsha Vardhan Purandare of Asha for Education in Mumbai, Jiwan Prakash Sondhi of People to Support People Foundation, Detroit; and Umesh Rohtagi of Flint, Michigan. When most people think of Mahatma Gandhi they think of peace and non-violent protest and the similarity of Martin Luther King, who was considered his heir in this regard. However Gandhiji has another legacy which is impacting growing numbers in India today. He said that India’s future lies in her villages. However Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister is regarded as the maker of modern India.

That is true when viewing the country today. As discussions ensued, it became apparent that India is a place of stark contrasts. There is India and then there is "Bharat "(traditional rural India). Modern urban India is an IT powerhouse, with a booming economy and global players being driven by 400 million citizens, while "Bharat" exists with 700 million poor souls unable to escape grinding poverty. This is a country of contrasts with the largest number of billionaires in Asia yet simultaneously and disgustingly it has the largest number of poor in the world.

This event provided various models and examples to those who believe in traversing such divides to help those less fortunate help themselves, or as the challenge is to get those with compassion in developed nations, in particular the NRIs in the US to extend themselves to those communities back home to solve some of the pressing problems there.

Secondly, solutions to environmental degradation, lack of education, diseases, and changing business environments are often found locally. Those who want to become agents of change need to listen and learn from those in need and empower them to solve their own problems. Being based in the US, NRIs can serve (perform seva) by becoming conduits of knowledge, resources and networks. Several non-profits in the US described their work in India.

The North South Foundation presented a Rural India data base they are working on to help any Indian American to provide for the needs of any village of his or her choosing. IDCA presented the initiatives it has in the works that will help that organization further exemplify its major purpose helping India’s rural poor by recruiting NRIs and others to get involved, linking resources, projects and duplicatable examples that are working.
Many speakers inspired the audience with the grass roots work they were doing in rural India. They challenged those in attendance to step up to the plate and get involved in giving back to their homeland and help repair the forgotten part of Nehru’s legacy.

IDCA meet on sustainable development & Gandhian thought
Tuesday, 10.16.2007, 11:01pm (GMT-7)

India Post News Service

MAYWOOD, IL: On October 6 and 7, India Development Service (IDS), India Development Coalition of America (IDCA), and Loyola University, Chicago conducted an international conference on the theme of Sustainable Development and Gandhian Thought at Loyola University campus in Maywood, Illinois.

The objective of the conference was to bring together various experts in the field of Sustainable Development and grass roots workers, who are implementing developmental projects in India. The conference provided a forum for many, who are working on projects related to water and sanitation, education, solar energy, ecological restoration, HIV/AIDS awareness, disabled persons, and rural development, to network, exchange ideas, and renew their commitment to the acceleration of sustainable development in India.

An action plan was developed for the various non-profits in the US to work together with Indian NGOs and government institutions to implement programs in rural India.Speakers included Sam Pitroda of the National Knowledge Commission, Government of India; Prof. Satish Kumar of the Schumacher Institute in Great Britain; Bunker Roy of the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan; Manoj Dabas of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, New Delhi; Ashok Kumar Attri, Consul General of India in Chicago; Hari Lamba, author of the book Rethinking Progress, Balbir Mathur of Trees for Life, Wichita, Kansas; Madhu Suri Prakash, Professor of Education, Penn State University, Sai Padma Bellana of Gajapathinagaram, Andhra Pradesh, and Pragnanand Busi of Nalagonda, Andhra Pradesh.

As we see the co-existence of the haves and have-nots a question of equality, opportunity and sustainability are paramount. Bunker Roy, Founder & Director of Barefoot College in Rajasthan made a salient point when he described India as "Islands of excellence in seas of ignorance." He and countless others have made great strides to better the lives of the poor by teaching them how to develop existing resources in their communities.

He articulated that while the urban dwellers crave for formal and regimented education with structured curricula for their children, rural folks with no formal education can be equally good in delivering services that the rural inhabitants need in their own locales. He said that rural women and men alike are being trained to build and repair solar energy based systems with precision equivalent to that of German technicians Professor Satish Kumar asked a poignant question to illustrate this point. He said, "Do we have to tell an acorn how to become an oak tree?"

They can be empowered to succeed where they are in the context of their own culture and environment. He said that Satvic way of development is the only way for India to sustain itself rather than taking the path of super consumerism that is characteristic of the developed nations. Professor Kumar analogized, the acorn i.e., each suffering village, has the potential and can grow and become the proverbial oak tree through a bottom up type of sustainable systems and mechanisms.

SaiPadma Bellana of Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, a physically challenged young woman, who traveled from India made a presentation sitting in a wheelchair. She said by quoting from her own volunteer work that even disabled people can deliver services to the rural poor and HIV/AIDS affected children with compassion and dignity when they are determined and possess a "can do" attitude. Two panel discussions were also held to discuss topics of wide ranging interest, from Water and Sanitation to Rural Energy and Development.

Panel members included the speakers mentioned above and Jay Sehgal of the Sehgal Family Foundation in Gurgaon; Sridhar Chari, Chairman of ICFAI, Hyderabad; Harsha Vardhan Purandare of Asha for Education in Mumbai, Jiwan Prakash Sondhi of People to Support People Foundation, Detroit; and Umesh Rohatgi of Flint, Michigan.

When most people think of Mahatma Gandhi they think of peace and non-violent protest and the similarity of Martin Luther King, who was considered his heir in this regard. However Gandhiji has another legacy which is impacting growing numbers in India today. He said that India's future lies in her villages. However Jawaharlal Neru, India's first Prime Minister is regarded as the maker of modern India. That is true when viewing the country today.

As discussions ensued, it became apparent that India is a place of stark contrasts. There is India and then there is "Bharat "(traditional rural India). Modern urban India is an IT powerhouse, with a booming economy and global players being driven by 400 million citizens, while "Bharat" exists with 700 million poor souls unable to escape grinding poverty.

This is a country of contrast with the largest number of billionaires in Asia yet simultaneously and disgustingly it has the largest number of poor in the world.This event provided various models and exampled to those who believe in traversing such divides to help those less fortunate help themselves. The challenge is to get those with compassion in developed nations; in particular the NRIs in the US to extend themselves to those communities back home to solve some of the pressing problems there. Secondly, solutions to environmental degradation, lack of education, diseases, and changing business environments are often found locally.

Those who want to become agents of change need to listen and learn from those in need and empower them to solve their own problems. Being based in the US, NRIs can serve (perform seva) by becoming conduits of knowledge, resources and networks.Several non-profits in the US described their work in India.

TOP

AIA celebrates Gandhi Jayanti
Sunday, 10.14.2007, 10:48pm (GMT-7)

CHICAGO: Association of Indians in America (AIA) Illinois Chapter, celebrated the 138th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi last week at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, Illinois. The focus of the celebration was an opportunity to study the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi for world peace.Commenting on the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, Margaret Lee, Ph.D. president of the Oakton Community College observed that the Oakton Community was also committed to the same principles and values that guided Gandhi, who demonstrated that the vision of a single person can indeed change the world.

"The Governments of all nations spend billions of dollars in weapons, but not for promotion of non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi worked and dedicated his life to non-violence, peace and unity of mankind, so that the resources committed to the destruction of the world would be spent on the welfare of the people.

Had the world learnt the lessons of peace and non-violence we would have witnesses a much different and peaceful world," said Munishree Lokprakash Lokeshji, a saint, philosopher and social reformer who has been incessantly serving the people. He is dedicated to build a society permeated by peace, prosperity and harmony.As a special Guest, Raja Krishnamoorthy, Dy.

State Treasurer of Illinois said that by adhering to the principles namely, Ahimsa (non-violence), Truth, Compassion and Selfless service he proved that man was capable of fulfilling his mission if only he or she faithfully believed in them. Raja advocated that "we should resolve today to become the change we want to see.

Let us carry on the mantle of Mahatma Gandhi. We will win," In his brief remarks, Dr. Visvabharati also reiterated the resolve of Mahatma Gandhi to make India free from the evil of untouchablity and let millions of people savoring the fruits of equality.

To a large measure India is on the road to fulfill his dreams.In a spirited presentation, Sai Padma Bellna, President of Lions Club, Andhra Pradesh, India, who is at present touring the US on a study program, demonstrated that commitment to a noble cause and determination to achieve it would not stop living a normal life in spite of severe handicap.

The 35-year old Sai Padma has been in a wheelchair since childhood but that has not stopped her from helping fellow handicapped folks and in raising awareness of their issue of access to mobility and government and civil society. She has written a book, "Life" which is a collection of poems expressing her philosophy of life. She is seeking help to publicize the trials and tribulations of the disabled and their need to be recognized for respect and livelihood in the Indian Society. "You, the Indian Americans are the role models of casteless society.

You can teach this in the Indian villages and raise their awareness. People are segregated by castes, diseases and economic distributions. Lack of awareness is the cause. Please help us," she pleaded the fellow Indian Americans.Prakasham Tata, a distinguished waste-water management guru, noted Gandhian and a social worker dedicated to improving water quality in villages also spoke about the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's principles in elevating human lives for all times.

Hari Lambda, a student of Mahatma Gandhi, is the author of "Rethinking Progress Towards a Creative Transformation of Global Society" spoke of the influence of Gandhi in his life and hoped that emulating his principles and discipline will help everyone to find his niche.Earlier P. Rajagopalan, AIA president welcomed the guests.

Commemorating the ideals and contribution of Mahatma Gandhi on his 138th anniversary, an essay competition was organized by AIA. Three students from Chicagoland were adjudged the best among the hundreds of candidates. First prize was awarded to Lavanya Iyer of Vernon High School, Second prize to Sanjay Gorawala of Buffalo Grove High School, and Shivraman Iyer of Elmhurst High School won the third prize.Dr Sriram Sonti proposed vote of thanks.

S Ullal