WOMEN WHO DARED
February 1-15, 2010
by Asghar Ali Engineer
Women generally are considered weak in our patriarchal society and men feel they need to be protected. Is it true? Well it may be true in some contexts but there are instances where women have dared where men chicken out or 'weaker' women have proved to be morally much stronger. Here it also needs to be stressed that only physical strength or strength of arms is not real strength, it is moral values which make really strong. Those who have moral superiority need not fear anyone and cannot be defeated.Full article »
List of Recent Events
Workshop on inclusive democracy, secularism and communal harmony
Jan 4-8, 2010:The Department of Political Science and Development Administration with the support of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai organized a five day workshop on "Inclusive Democracy, Secularism and Communal Harmony" from 4th to 8th January 2010 at Gandhigram Rural Institute- Deemed University.
Ethnic, linguistic, racial and religious diversities are natural and common. One of the greatest challenges of the modern age is living in diversity. Nations and communities must learn to live together in harmony. India has a rich tradition of diversity and unity in diversity. In recent years the culture of living in diversity is distorted and endangered. Educating youths in the composite nature of Indian culture and preparing them to live in diversity have become very important. Against this background the Centre for study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai and Department of Political Science and development Administration, Gandhigram Rural Institute - Deemed University, Gandhigram organized this
workshop.
The workshop trained youth in issues related to inclusive democracy, secularism and communal harmony. Participants of the workshop were familiarized with the Concepts and Theories of inclusive democracy and secularism. It attempted to prepare the participants to work for building an inclusive society based on Justice, Equity and Peace. Participants could learn the tools and techniques of bringing unity in diversity and building peace and harmony in the community.
58 Students, researchers and activists attended the workshop. After successful completion of the workshop participants were given a certificate. Boarding and lodging was arranged for the participants from 4th to 8th January 2010.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.SM.Ramasamy Vice - chancellor of Gandhigram rural University on 4th January, 2010.
The workshop gave an opportunity for transformative and creative learning. Apart from lectures, brainstorming, participatory learning, games, plays and film shows were also organized. The following eminent speakers addressed the participants on various themes related to inclusive democracy secularism communal harmony peace building and inclusive society:
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Sri. Manishankar Aiyar
Former Minister for petroleum and Panchayati Raj
Govt. of India, New Delhi
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Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer
Chairperson,
Centre for Study of Society and Secularism,
Mumbai.
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Prof. Ram Puniyani
Professor of Bio Technology
Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai
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Prof. Vasundara Mohan
Executive Director
Center for study of society and secularism: Mumbai
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Mr.Ponneelan,
Recipient of Sagithya Academy Award
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Dr.G.Palanithurai
(Professor, Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Panchayati Raj Studies)
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Dr.V.Ragupathy
(Professor& Head, Department of Political Science & Development Administration)
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Dr.K.S.Nakkeeran
Associate Professor and Associate Coordinator of the Workshop
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Dr.S.Narayanasamy
Professor
Dr. V. Ragupathy, Professor and Head, Dept. of Political Science and Development Administration, Gandhigram Rural Institute- Deemed University, Gandhigram was the coordinator of the workshop and Dr.K.S.Nakkeeran was the Associate coordinator.
The participants of the workshop had a panel discussion and decided to undertake certain follow up activities. It was decided to form a study circle for Inclusive democracy secularism and communal Harmony in Gandhigram Rural University and organize periodical workshops, lectures and group discussions. A small section in the library on the theme of the workshop will be arranged in the Department of Political Science and Development Administration with books documents and articles for the reference of the students.
It was also decided to organized a two days cultural workshop to train students in cultural talents. Trained students could organize cultural programmes in villages for building awareness on secularism communal harmony and inclusive democracy. It was also decided that Gandhigram Rural Institute- deemed University and Centre for study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai to collaborate in organizing the above said programmes.
Report on One Month Training Programme(internship) for youth on - The Rehabilitation of people affected during communal violence of Ahmedabad
December 7, 2009 - January 7 2010: One month training programme was organised by the Centre under the HBF grants from 10th Dec 2009 to 10th Jan 2010. There were nine students from Tamil Nadu, Maharshtra, and Madhya Pradesh. These students were selected after a thorough selection process. The criteria adopted was that a candidate should be either a student or an NGO activist who at some time or the other should have participated in the Centres workshop on Peace and Communal Harmony. The second criteria was that of English Language. The Centre made it appoint to select students from various faculties. There were two students out of nine who were doing law and there were other students doing masters in social work, journalism, and political science.
The students were given lectures for first ten days by the subject experts and they were introduced to the following topics - Communalism & communal harmony, Human rights and law, Causes of conflict in India religious and political scenario, Analysis of Historical facts leading to Conflict and communal disharmony, Role of Civil Society in Communal Harmony , Advocacy and Survey Method, and Methodology of writing reports. The students were also shown some documentary movies relevant for the topic.
After the ten days of lecture the participants of programme were send to Ahmedabad for field visit where they had conducted an empirical survey and visited places like Citizen Nagar, Vejalpur Boarder (Juhapura), Madina Nagar (Ramol Village), Faizal Nagar, Ram Rahim Tekda (where during riots not a single incidence of violence took place) where the riots victims are rehabilitated. The students visited various local NGO offices who are working for the rehabilitation programme and peace and communal harmony like - SAFAR, SAMARTH, GUJARAT SARVAJANK WELFARE TRUST, ACTION AID, AMAN SAMUDAY, and COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
After the field visit the students came back to Mumbai and give de briefing and submitted the final written report.
This report after editing by the Executive Director will be brought out as a booklet.
Success Indicator
The entire training programme was very much liked by the students and the knowledge and field experience gained during one month was of great value according to them. They claimed that it has given lot of insight of the communal problems and the politics behind it which are responsible for the innocent people who become the victim of violence and terror inflicting lot of hardship.
It is heartening to know that even victims in Ahmedabad welcomed the students and spend long hours in discussions and narration and also expressed the despair that the Government has shown total disregard for the welfare of these victims and the students also insisted that they would like to come back again for such workshops as and when conducted by the Centre.
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