INVITATION
Sir/Madam,
Association for Communal Harmony (ACHA), United State of America is giving ACHA Peace Price 2008 to Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi of Varanasi (India) along with Mr.Karamat Ali, Mr.BM Kutti, and Mr.Mubashir Mirza of Pakistan.
In this context an award ceremony to present the certificate to Lenin is being organized in Varanasi.
You are cordially invited on this occasion.
Date : 29th October 2008, Day : Wedenesday, Time : 5:30 Pm
Venue : Hotel Kamesh Hut (Street Beside Veer Studio),
Jagatganj, Varanasi,UP,India
Yours sincerely
ACHA
www.asiapeace.org
Contact no. 09542037615,
09935599330
Note: The details of the program are as follows:
Program
1. Welcome
2. Why Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi has been nominated for this peace award?
Tanveer Ahmad Siddique (Advocate)
Founder: Citizen's Front
http://518interns.blogspot.com/2008/10/dr-lenin-raghuvanshi-is-being-nominee.html
3. Peace award to Dr Lenin – by Dr Preetam K Rohila
4. Acceptance speech by Dr Lenin
5. Thanks
6. Moderated by Ashok Anand
--
Please visit:
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.org
www.youtube.com/pvchrindia
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=51624734
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Home-Based Weavers in Varanasi Form a Union in The Struggle To Preserve Their Culture and Livelihood
Friday, October 24, 2008
Link about the activities of PVCHR
Link of Ms.Catharina Freundl of Austria,volunteer of PVCHR's blog:
ninivolunteering.wordpress.com
Blog of Taewook Kang,Korea: an intern of May 18 Foundation,South Korea to PVCHR:
http://dalits.tistory.com
ninivolunteering.wordpress.com
Blog of Taewook Kang,Korea: an intern of May 18 Foundation,South Korea to PVCHR:
http://dalits.tistory.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Invitation for ACHA peace star award to Lenin
INVITATION
Sir/Madam,
Association for Communal Harmony (ACHA), United State of America is giving ACHA Peace Price 2008 to Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi of Varanasi (India) along with Mr.Karamat Ali, Mr.BM Kutti, and Mr.Mubashir Mirza of Pakistan.
In this context an award ceremony to present the certificate to Lenin is being organized in Varanasi.
You are cordially invited on this occasion.
Date : 29th October 2008, Day : Wedenesday, Time : 5:30 Pm
Venue : Hotel Kamesh Hut (Street Beside Veer Studio),
Jagatganj, Varanasi,UP,India
Yours sincerely
ACHA
www.asiapeace.org
Note: The details of the program are as follows:
Program
1. Welcome
2. Why Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi has been nominated for this peace award?
Tanveer Ahmad Siddique (Advocate)
Founder: Citizen's Front
http://518interns.blogspot.com/2008/10/dr-lenin-raghuvanshi-is-being-nominee.html
3. Peace award to Dr Lenin – by Dr Preetam K Rohila
4. Acceptance speech by Dr Lenin
5. Thanks
6. Moderated by Ashok Anand
To know about People's Vigilance Committee on Human Right log on to:
www.pvchr.org
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.lenin_shruti.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.518.org
www.ahrchk.net
--
Please visit:
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.org
www.youtube.com/pvchrindia
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=51624734
Sir/Madam,
Association for Communal Harmony (ACHA), United State of America is giving ACHA Peace Price 2008 to Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi of Varanasi (India) along with Mr.Karamat Ali, Mr.BM Kutti, and Mr.Mubashir Mirza of Pakistan.
In this context an award ceremony to present the certificate to Lenin is being organized in Varanasi.
You are cordially invited on this occasion.
Date : 29th October 2008, Day : Wedenesday, Time : 5:30 Pm
Venue : Hotel Kamesh Hut (Street Beside Veer Studio),
Jagatganj, Varanasi,UP,India
Yours sincerely
ACHA
www.asiapeace.org
Note: The details of the program are as follows:
Program
1. Welcome
2. Why Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi has been nominated for this peace award?
Tanveer Ahmad Siddique (Advocate)
Founder: Citizen's Front
http://518interns.blogspot.com/2008/10/dr-lenin-raghuvanshi-is-being-nominee.html
3. Peace award to Dr Lenin – by Dr Preetam K Rohila
4. Acceptance speech by Dr Lenin
5. Thanks
6. Moderated by Ashok Anand
To know about People's Vigilance Committee on Human Right log on to:
www.pvchr.org
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.lenin_shruti.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.518.org
www.ahrchk.net
--
Please visit:
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.org
www.youtube.com/pvchrindia
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=51624734
Monday, October 20, 2008
- 21:13 P.V.C.H.R became member of international network of psychologists for social responsibilty.Lenin
Sunday, October 19, 2008
- 16:02 Times of india published story on hunger and give the example of belwa.This is published today in sunday special.Lenin
Any tears for the Aam Aadmi?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Sunday_Specials/Special_Report/Any_tears_for_the_Aam_Aadmi/articleshow/3613518.cms
http://518interns.blogspot.com/2008/10/any-tears-for-aam-aadmi.html
Any tears for the Aam Aadmi?
19 Oct 2008, 0001 hrs IST, Neelam Raaj, TNN
In Belwa, a hamlet in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district, it's almost noon by the time the women get around to cooking but the meal is ready in a jiffy. A few rotis and a bowl of salt water. Dip, dip, dip...and the hungry children gulp down their first - and last - meal of the day.
''By evening, they will be crying again but a slap or two will quieten them down,'' says Laxmina, wife of a brick kiln worker and mother of three. Her face is deadpan but her voice betrays her desperation. These months are the worst in Belwa. With the brick kilns closed from July to October, the hamlet's Musahars, the bottom rung in India's caste system, struggle to survive. And it is children who are the most vulnerable. A health check in Belwa by People's Vigilance Council for Human Rights, a n organisation that works in the area, found that more than 80% of its children were malnourished.
''In the past year, food prices have gone up sharply but incomes haven't. It is impossible for children to be healthy on a diet of rotis with no milk or vegetables,'' says Lenin Raghuvanshi, a PVCHR activist. But bloated stomachs and wasted limbs are a reality not just in this corner of eastern UP. Consider these statistics:
Four in every 10 Indian children are malnourished, says a UN report.
India ranks a lowly 66 out of 88 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2008. The report says India has more hungry people - more than 200 million - than any other country in the world.
One-third of the world's poor live in India, according to the latest poverty estimates from the World Bank. Based on its new threshold of poverty - $1.25 a day - the number of India's poor people has actually gone up from 421 million in 1981 to 456 million in 2005
India ranks 128 out of 177 countries in the UN's Human Development Index. The index goes beyond GDP and calculates human development by taking into account life expectancy, literacy and standard of living.
So did these alarming numbers cease to matter when placed alongside more upbeat GDP numbers? Was the gloom forgotten - perhaps consciously - in the rah-rah story of India's economic boom? Enter Aravind Adiga's story of a rickshawallah's move from the "darkness" of rural india to the "light" of urban Gurgaon to remind us of the harsh facts behind the fiction. Amid the call centres, the 360,000,004 gods, the shopping malls and the crippling traffic jams, Adiga's protagonist encounters modern India. ''The cars of the rich go like dark eggs down the roads of Delhi. Every now and then an egg will crack open and a woman's hand, dazzling with gold bangles, stretches out of an open window, flings an empty mineral water bottle onto the road and then the window goes up, and the egg is resealed.''
So tightly that the bleaker realities stay out. Inequality and injustice have always been around us, points out human rights activist Harsh Mander. ''But what makes these times that we live in, distinct, is that it does not seem even to cause outrage any longer,'' he says. ''It does not worry us that half our children are still malnourished, or that 200 million people sleep hungry each night; that access to quality schooling still depends on the wealth and social standing of the family into which one is born; that thousands of children sleep in bitter winter cold on dirty pavements under the open sky; that an illness in the household can mean permanent pauperisation of the entire family; that women work the hardest but are paid the least; and that Dalits and minorities fear for not just the consequences of deprivation but also of organised hate. We seem to have collectively resolved to exile impoverished people even from our conscience and consciousness,'' he says.
In contrast, the lavish lifestyles of the rich are celebrated. ''Little wonder that social discontent has been rising. In fact, the only thing to be surprised about is that there is very little violence around us,'' says Satish Deshpande, professor of sociology at the Delhi School of Economics.
Will it always stay like that? ''It's been 60 years since Independence and the impatience is rising,'' points out Deshpande. After all, reading about India's chronic development deficiencies is one thing, living with them entirely another.
http://518interns.blogspot.com/2008/10/any-tears-for-aam-aadmi.html
Any tears for the Aam Aadmi?
19 Oct 2008, 0001 hrs IST, Neelam Raaj, TNN
In Belwa, a hamlet in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district, it's almost noon by the time the women get around to cooking but the meal is ready in a jiffy. A few rotis and a bowl of salt water. Dip, dip, dip...and the hungry children gulp down their first - and last - meal of the day.
''By evening, they will be crying again but a slap or two will quieten them down,'' says Laxmina, wife of a brick kiln worker and mother of three. Her face is deadpan but her voice betrays her desperation. These months are the worst in Belwa. With the brick kilns closed from July to October, the hamlet's Musahars, the bottom rung in India's caste system, struggle to survive. And it is children who are the most vulnerable. A health check in Belwa by People's Vigilance Council for Human Rights, a n organisation that works in the area, found that more than 80% of its children were malnourished.
''In the past year, food prices have gone up sharply but incomes haven't. It is impossible for children to be healthy on a diet of rotis with no milk or vegetables,'' says Lenin Raghuvanshi, a PVCHR activist. But bloated stomachs and wasted limbs are a reality not just in this corner of eastern UP. Consider these statistics:
Four in every 10 Indian children are malnourished, says a UN report.
India ranks a lowly 66 out of 88 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2008. The report says India has more hungry people - more than 200 million - than any other country in the world.
One-third of the world's poor live in India, according to the latest poverty estimates from the World Bank. Based on its new threshold of poverty - $1.25 a day - the number of India's poor people has actually gone up from 421 million in 1981 to 456 million in 2005
India ranks 128 out of 177 countries in the UN's Human Development Index. The index goes beyond GDP and calculates human development by taking into account life expectancy, literacy and standard of living.
So did these alarming numbers cease to matter when placed alongside more upbeat GDP numbers? Was the gloom forgotten - perhaps consciously - in the rah-rah story of India's economic boom? Enter Aravind Adiga's story of a rickshawallah's move from the "darkness" of rural india to the "light" of urban Gurgaon to remind us of the harsh facts behind the fiction. Amid the call centres, the 360,000,004 gods, the shopping malls and the crippling traffic jams, Adiga's protagonist encounters modern India. ''The cars of the rich go like dark eggs down the roads of Delhi. Every now and then an egg will crack open and a woman's hand, dazzling with gold bangles, stretches out of an open window, flings an empty mineral water bottle onto the road and then the window goes up, and the egg is resealed.''
So tightly that the bleaker realities stay out. Inequality and injustice have always been around us, points out human rights activist Harsh Mander. ''But what makes these times that we live in, distinct, is that it does not seem even to cause outrage any longer,'' he says. ''It does not worry us that half our children are still malnourished, or that 200 million people sleep hungry each night; that access to quality schooling still depends on the wealth and social standing of the family into which one is born; that thousands of children sleep in bitter winter cold on dirty pavements under the open sky; that an illness in the household can mean permanent pauperisation of the entire family; that women work the hardest but are paid the least; and that Dalits and minorities fear for not just the consequences of deprivation but also of organised hate. We seem to have collectively resolved to exile impoverished people even from our conscience and consciousness,'' he says.
In contrast, the lavish lifestyles of the rich are celebrated. ''Little wonder that social discontent has been rising. In fact, the only thing to be surprised about is that there is very little violence around us,'' says Satish Deshpande, professor of sociology at the Delhi School of Economics.
Will it always stay like that? ''It's been 60 years since Independence and the impatience is rising,'' points out Deshpande. After all, reading about India's chronic development deficiencies is one thing, living with them entirely another.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
- 00:35 Clear sign of cleasing of marginalised christian populace in kandhmal,orrisa by rss/bajrangdal/vhp.Lenin
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Letter to NHRC
Date: 04/10/2008
To
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi
Subject : In relation to dispossession of applicant Doodh Nath Pal from his residence by village head and not re-allotment of land to him.
Respected sir
This is to bring in your kind notice that applicant Doodh Nath Pal aged about 45 years son of Late Kharpattu is the resident of Village Gokulpur, Post-Harhuaa, Police Station – Badagoan , District – Varanasi. He lived along with his family in a hut which was constructed over the land of Gram Sabha. His family comprises his wife Chirounji Devi aged about 40 years his children Soni aged about 14 years, Natthu Pal aged about 8 years, Kavita ,aged about 4, and Namita years aged about 2½ years. He earned his livelihood by daily wages labour. On 11/08/08 the village head Shiv Shakti Singh alias Rajan Singh demolished the hut of the applicant along with his companion and Lekhpal. They made the land plane with tractor. At that time it was raining heavily and his house hold articles were being damaged due to rain. His family became homeless. Even they had no place to cook food. His children became dependent over the mid day meal for food.
He had made complaint in written to SO of police station Badagoan, SSP-Varanasi, District Magistrate – Varanasi, Commissioner Varanasi Division, and Inspector General Varanasi Zone, but no one had paid heed to the plight of applicant. Even the SO of police station Badagoan abused him and threatened him to put in prison in a fake case. After becoming penniless he sat on protest at District Head Quarter along with his family. When the health of his two children Kavita and Namita became deteriorating, the SDM First admitted them in Pandit Din Dayal Governmental Hospital. They were under treatment there for four days. Since his problem of residence was still unsolved, so he sat on protest again along with his family. At least the SDM Pindra came to him and assured him allot land for his residence. He ended his protest and waited till 11/09/08, but no action was taken from the side of administration. Again he sat on protest along with his family on 12/09/08. The Chouki In charge of Kuchary admonished him not to sit on protest at night. On 22/09/08 the SDM Pindra came to him and assured him to allot land for his residence due to pressure exerted by media. On the same day the SDM Pindra ordered to Kanoongo and Lekhpal on phone to measure the land to allot the applicant. At the same the health of his child Namita became deteriorating due to malnourishment. So she was admitted to Pandit Din Dayal Governmental Hospital. On 23/09/08 the SDM Pindra came to the hospital and assured the applicant that he would be allotted two biswas of land as soon as he would be discharged from hospital. At the same time he had given Rs 100/ as financial assistance to his family. On 25/09/08, when he had been released from hospital, he approached to Lekhpal and asked for allotment of land. The said Lekhpal replied that he was preparing related document and he would measure the land on 26/09/08 after preparation of those related document. Again when he contacted to Kanoongo in morning of 26/09/08, he said that he was participating in funeral, so the land for applicant would be measured on the on 28/09/08. When in the morning of 28/09/08 at about 08:00 am the applicant contacted to SDM Pindra, Kanoongo, Lekhpal on phone, all of them assured that his land would be measured at 02:00 pm on the same day. The applicant had waited till two ‘o’ clock. Having seen no response from the side of administration he contacted to SDM Pindra on phone and asked for measurement, he advised the applicant to contact to District Magistrate. When the applicant asked the number of District Magistrate, the SDM Pindra showed his inability and had not given the number. When he asked about the matter to Kanoongo, he said that the SDM Pindra had refused to measure the land.
In entire matter the role of administration can not be understood. On one hand they assured him to allot the land for residence but on the other hand they took back their order. They did not give any explanations for cancellation of their order. It seems that the SDM Pindra assured to allot the land only to finish his protest. He never had intention to allot the land to the applicant. However, in entire matter the family of the applicant suffered allot. He is very poor and belongs to other backward community. The applicant and his family have been deprived from their basic needs i.e. food, shelter. His two children Soni, and Natthu Pal are studying in primary school, their study were badly affected in whole episode. So their right to education guaranteed by constitution is being violated. It is the duty of state to protect the constitutional rights. Since the applicant has no safe place to reside, so he is bound to sit on protest along with his family. He is compelled to live the nomadic life.
So, therefore it requested politely that ask the appropriate authority to take immediate action to make over relief to the applicant and his family, so that they could be allotted land for residence and become free from nomadic life. His BPL card and job card may be made so that the constitutional and other rights of applicant and his family may be secured and they could be supplied basic needs of life. The children of applicant may get education.
Yours faithfully
Shruti
(Member core group)
To
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi
Subject : In relation to dispossession of applicant Doodh Nath Pal from his residence by village head and not re-allotment of land to him.
Respected sir
This is to bring in your kind notice that applicant Doodh Nath Pal aged about 45 years son of Late Kharpattu is the resident of Village Gokulpur, Post-Harhuaa, Police Station – Badagoan , District – Varanasi. He lived along with his family in a hut which was constructed over the land of Gram Sabha. His family comprises his wife Chirounji Devi aged about 40 years his children Soni aged about 14 years, Natthu Pal aged about 8 years, Kavita ,aged about 4, and Namita years aged about 2½ years. He earned his livelihood by daily wages labour. On 11/08/08 the village head Shiv Shakti Singh alias Rajan Singh demolished the hut of the applicant along with his companion and Lekhpal. They made the land plane with tractor. At that time it was raining heavily and his house hold articles were being damaged due to rain. His family became homeless. Even they had no place to cook food. His children became dependent over the mid day meal for food.
He had made complaint in written to SO of police station Badagoan, SSP-Varanasi, District Magistrate – Varanasi, Commissioner Varanasi Division, and Inspector General Varanasi Zone, but no one had paid heed to the plight of applicant. Even the SO of police station Badagoan abused him and threatened him to put in prison in a fake case. After becoming penniless he sat on protest at District Head Quarter along with his family. When the health of his two children Kavita and Namita became deteriorating, the SDM First admitted them in Pandit Din Dayal Governmental Hospital. They were under treatment there for four days. Since his problem of residence was still unsolved, so he sat on protest again along with his family. At least the SDM Pindra came to him and assured him allot land for his residence. He ended his protest and waited till 11/09/08, but no action was taken from the side of administration. Again he sat on protest along with his family on 12/09/08. The Chouki In charge of Kuchary admonished him not to sit on protest at night. On 22/09/08 the SDM Pindra came to him and assured him to allot land for his residence due to pressure exerted by media. On the same day the SDM Pindra ordered to Kanoongo and Lekhpal on phone to measure the land to allot the applicant. At the same the health of his child Namita became deteriorating due to malnourishment. So she was admitted to Pandit Din Dayal Governmental Hospital. On 23/09/08 the SDM Pindra came to the hospital and assured the applicant that he would be allotted two biswas of land as soon as he would be discharged from hospital. At the same time he had given Rs 100/ as financial assistance to his family. On 25/09/08, when he had been released from hospital, he approached to Lekhpal and asked for allotment of land. The said Lekhpal replied that he was preparing related document and he would measure the land on 26/09/08 after preparation of those related document. Again when he contacted to Kanoongo in morning of 26/09/08, he said that he was participating in funeral, so the land for applicant would be measured on the on 28/09/08. When in the morning of 28/09/08 at about 08:00 am the applicant contacted to SDM Pindra, Kanoongo, Lekhpal on phone, all of them assured that his land would be measured at 02:00 pm on the same day. The applicant had waited till two ‘o’ clock. Having seen no response from the side of administration he contacted to SDM Pindra on phone and asked for measurement, he advised the applicant to contact to District Magistrate. When the applicant asked the number of District Magistrate, the SDM Pindra showed his inability and had not given the number. When he asked about the matter to Kanoongo, he said that the SDM Pindra had refused to measure the land.
In entire matter the role of administration can not be understood. On one hand they assured him to allot the land for residence but on the other hand they took back their order. They did not give any explanations for cancellation of their order. It seems that the SDM Pindra assured to allot the land only to finish his protest. He never had intention to allot the land to the applicant. However, in entire matter the family of the applicant suffered allot. He is very poor and belongs to other backward community. The applicant and his family have been deprived from their basic needs i.e. food, shelter. His two children Soni, and Natthu Pal are studying in primary school, their study were badly affected in whole episode. So their right to education guaranteed by constitution is being violated. It is the duty of state to protect the constitutional rights. Since the applicant has no safe place to reside, so he is bound to sit on protest along with his family. He is compelled to live the nomadic life.
So, therefore it requested politely that ask the appropriate authority to take immediate action to make over relief to the applicant and his family, so that they could be allotted land for residence and become free from nomadic life. His BPL card and job card may be made so that the constitutional and other rights of applicant and his family may be secured and they could be supplied basic needs of life. The children of applicant may get education.
Yours faithfully
Shruti
(Member core group)
Saturday, October 04, 2008
- 17:51 ist.Lenin,shruti and sant vivek das
- 17:51 P.V.C.H.R is going to establish four rooms comunity hall in raup of sobhadra on the name of our friend late shri sushil tripathi,who is ...
Thursday, October 02, 2008
- 12:04 Eid mubarakpur. Lenin
- 12:15 Eid mubarar ho. Lenin Shruti Kabeer
- 16:14 A.C.H.A.(asso. For communal harmony in asia) peace star award of U.S.A declared and went to kutty,karamat ali and mubashir of pakistan a ...
ACHA Peace Award to Mr. Kutty,Karamat Ali,Mubashir and Lenin
http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=10868#
from ACHA-Pritam Rohila
to
date Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 5:50 AM
subject IMP-2008 ACHA Awards
October 1, 2008
2008 ACHA Awards
Dear ACHA Members:
With one no-response, the rest of our Board of Directors has unanimously voted to recognize the following four individuals for this year’s ACHA Peace Star Awards.
1. B. M. Kutty, Karachi, Pakistan
2. Karamat Ali, Karachi, Pakistan
3. Mubashir Mirza, Sadiqabad, Pakistan
4. Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Varanasi, India
Messrs Kutty and Ali were nominated by Dr. A. H. Nayyar, himself the 2004 recipient of ACHA Star Award. A retired nuclear physicist, he is currently he is a Research Fellow at Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Policy Institute.
Messrs Kutty and Ali have been actively and ably leading peace movement in Pakistan for the last 15 years or so. Also they are highly regarded in India for their peace and harmony work.
Earlier this year, they went to New Delhi to participate in the funeral of Nirmala Deshpande, a highly venerated, Gandhian, peace and harmony leader and former member of Indian Parliament. And they brought with them a portion of Didi Deshpande’s ashes for their respectful and ceremonious immersion in the River Indus.
Mubashir Mirza is a young man in his 20’s. He has been a dedicated peace activist for the last 5 years or so. He works primarily with youth through Centre for Youth Development & Activities (CYDA), which is dedicated to help youth become “aware of the past; present conditions” so that they can “build their own personalities and know their responsibilities in their societies, a role which they can play effectively”.
He has led a few peace delegations to Chandigarh. His attempts to host in Pakistan, peace delegates from Chandigarh, have not materialized so far, for their inability to get Pakistan visas.
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi , an Ashoka Fellow is being recognized for his pioneering and courageous work to improve the lot of the low-caste and the deprived sections of India’s Hindu and Muslim community. More information about him and his work can be found at www.pvchr.org, the website for his organization, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR).
On behalf Members and Directors of ACHA, I will personally present the awards to these individuals during my and my wife’s Peace Pilgrimage to India and Pakistan later this year.
For your review and information, I have attached their original nominations with this message.
Best Wishes,
Pritam--
Pritam K. Rohila, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA)
www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
3 attachments — Download all attachments
09.09.08 B.M. Kutty & Karamat Ali.doc
33K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download
09.15.08 Mubashir Ahmed Mirza.doc
33K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download
09.08.08 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi.doc
85K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
1. NOMINATOR
Tanweer Ahmed Siddiqui (Advocate)
Founder,Citizen Front
2. NOMINEE
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
Varanasi
India
3. THE AWARD FOR WHICH THE PERSON IS BEING NOMINATED
ACHA Peace Star Award
4. THE REASONS WHY THE NOMINEE DESERVES THE AWARD
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi is the symbol of resistance to millions of Dalits fighting for dignity in India. Lenin is credited with changing the discourse on Dalit Politics in India and bringing into focus an innovative “people centric” approach to reclaim human dignity in a caste ridden Indian society. The gamut of Lenin’s activities reflects his personal and ideological span and provides credibility and a sense of completeness to the work he does. His care for details, meticulous planning, diligent patience, and sincere advocacy of the issue of the marginalized, has made millions of his supporters optimistic about a dignified future.
Lenin's views on caste, conflict and social change took shape while he worked with bonded laborers. He was born into a high caste Hindu family which he describes as "feudal." He noticed that not a single child bonded in the sari or carpet industries came from an upper caste, even though some high-caste families were often just as poor as the lower castes. He realized that caste, not class, was at work. By the end of 1996, Lenin was championing the rights of lower-caste people. Early experiences taught him that confrontation was dangerous and not the most effective method. Increasingly, Lenin recognized caste in all kinds of social conflict and envisioned a movement that could break the closed, feudal hierarchies of conservative slums and villages by building up local institutions and supporting them with a high profile and active human rights network.
As a self taught Dalit ideologue, Lenin understood from the beginning that village in India is the cradle of exploitation. Instead of tampering with the symptoms, caste needed to be tackled by both its horns. On the one hand he created a democratized structure for the voiceless to enable them access to the constitutional guarantees of modern India and on the other, his innovative advocacy forced the state to sensitize its mechanisms to deliver social justice in a manner where Justice is not only done but perceived to be done.
Lenin conceived of a folk school which not only enabled empowerment of the poor, but also endowed them with the ability to access information and justice through the constitutional mechanism of the state.
To translate policy into practice, Lenin has begun working on the latest part of his strategy, Jan Mitra Gaon, or the People-Friendly Village. These villages have durable local institutions that work to promote basic human rights in the face of continuous discrimination. Lenin has adopted three villages and one slum as pilot projects, which include reactivating defunct primary schools, eradicating bonded labor, making sure girls get education, and promoting non-formal education. The village committees comprise at least 50 percent Dalits, and seek to realize greater political representation of Dalits on village councils. The heads of the village committee and village council, a government representative, and a PVCHR employee will serve as a conflict resolution group and form the People-Friendly Committee. The approach of the organization is two-fold: to have a strong grassroots organization to work for democratic rights of those in marginalized communities and second, to create the structure and dynamics to receive the assistance of national and international institutions.
Lenin's work marks a shift in the Indian human rights movement, which has been reluctant to address injustices in the name of caste as a fundamental human rights issue. He is one of only a handful of activists to declare that such discrimination goes against democratic principles by promoting inequality. By working from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh“one of the most traditional, conservative, and segregated regions in India Lenin demonstrates his resolve.
With meager resources, but rich with confidence and conviction, Lenin in a short period of time has managed to amplify the voice of the marginalized in national and international fora through “Peoples SAARC”, rehabilitation and resettlement of weavers of Varanasi; Benaras Convention; UP Assembly Election Watch; prevention of torture; voice against hunger and many such activities. Recognition by the international community of Dr Lenin’s work is indeed the recognition for the millions whose hopes and aspirations rest on his slender shoulders.
5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NOMINEE'S EDUCATION, WORK AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Born on 18 May 1970 at Varanasi
Mother’s name: Shrimati Savitri Devi
Married to Shruti Nagvanshi on 22 February 1992; has an 8 year old son, Kabir Karunik
Completed his Bachelor degree in Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery from the State Ayurvedic Medical College, Gurukul Kangari, Haridwar in 1994 with distinction.
1993: President, United Nations’ Youth Organization (UNYO), UP Chapter.
1993: Founded Bachapan Bachao Andolan (Save the Child hood Movement) along with Swami Agnivesh.
1996: Founded People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) along with Shruti, Dr.Mahendra Pratap (Historian),Vikash Maharaj (Musician), Gyanedra Pati (poet) to work on child labour free village.
1998: Organized, coordinated, and participated as Core Marcher in Global March against Child Labour.
1998: Fair Play Campaign against use of child labour in Indian Sporting Goods Industry. The campaign forced FIFA, ICC (International Cricket Council), World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry and Reebok to prohibit use of child labour in producing their goods.
1999: Founded Jan Mitra Nyas, a public charitable trust, for working on governance, and Human Rights in five adopted villages near Varanasi
2001: Awarded the Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurship and change maker from Ashoka: innovators for Public based in Washington, DC
2001: Elected to the Executive Council of Voice of People (VOP, 25000 membership), a state wide people’s alliance for bringing to the fore the politics of marginalized.
2002: Campaigned and mobilized at State and national level for prevention of torture.
2002: Appointed member of District Vigilance committee on Bonded Labour under Bonded Labour abolition Act 1976 by the Governor of UP.
2004: Created Model Village “People Friendly Village” to enable and amplify the voice of the marginalized.
2004: Organized Benaras Convention in order to assert the discourse of politics of marginalized in the national mainstream. The convention attended by thinkers and activists across the nation unanimously declared that the City of Varanasi was the symbol of Shraman Sanskriti (culture of the working class) as opposed to that of the Brahminical Sanskriti (Culture of the feudal class).
2004: Established Bunkar-Dastkar Adhikar Manch (Forum on rights of the weavers and artisans) to give voice to their plight in an organized manner. The forum has membership of 3000 people and has been able to make Planning Commission of India commit Rupees One Thousand crores for their re-habilitation. This body is led by indigenous leaders and is self supporting.
2004: Conceptualized and formed the Varanasi Weavers Trust along with eminent economist and Ashoka fellow from Sri Lanka, Dr. Darin Gunasekara. The trust envisages creation of a democratized mode of production with social control over capital for the weavers. The Planning Commission of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh have taken note of the objective of the trust and are in the process of giving shape to the idea respectively.
2004: Founded the Musahar-Nut Adhikar Manch (Forum on rights of Musahars and Nuts; Musahars and Nuts are the most marginalized untouchable caste) in the hunger infested districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Advocacy at national and international fora has succeeded in prioritizing hunger in Government expenditure policy. Active mobilization of the poor Dalit has forced political parties to include the improvement of Dalit in their electoral manifesto. The liberation from social inhibitions has resulted in creation of Martyr’s domes in village where hunger deaths occurred and has created a pool of indigenous hunger activists among the poor. The District administration of Varanasi has sought Rupees 6.75 crores to fight hunger situation of Musahars in the district. As a result of PVCHR’s pressure the UP Panchayat Act was amended to include a clause which directed each local self Government of village to hold a fund of Rupees one thousand to mitigate emergency hunger situation.
2005: Conceived and convened People’s SAARC at Varanasi. The objective was to bring together the issues of the people of SAARC countries to the forefront and establish a people to people relationship to fight caste, communal, ethnic, and fascist forces in the region. The most important declaration read, “We cherish and uphold the Rule of Law, sovereignty of the people, a system of governance that ensures devolution of power, People' right to self rule and control over resources.” Convention is resulted in South Asian People’s Forum (SAPF) of which Dr. Lenin was elected the coordinator. The core committee comprised of PVCHR (India), INSEC (Nepal), People’s Forum for Human Rights (Bhutan), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, LOKOJ (Bangladesh) and Wiros Lokh Institute (Sri Lanka).This convention triggered off a series of similar convention across the SAARC countries. Two major outcomes of the convention were inclusion of Afghanistan in the SAARC, and in the Dhaka declaration in 2005 SAARC summit inclusion of civil society voice in the decision making process.
2006: Founded Rozagar Haq Abhiyan (Right to work campaign) along with AIM, Parmarth, GSS, Musahar Manch for monitoring implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in UP.
2006: PVCHR work on torture victims resulted in Dr. Lenin being appointed State Director of National Project on Prevention of Torture funded by European Union.
2006: In the context of international advocacy along with AHRC, PVCHR achieved the rare distinction of being reported by the UN special rappoteur on Racism and Xenophobia. In the same year three out of four reported cases from India in the report of representative of Secretary General for Human Rights defenders were from PVCHR.
2007: Drafted along with Faisal Anurag the vision paper for NAFRE Peoples™ Movement, an alliance of representative from 16 states of India. This paper presented a road map for civil society movement drawing from the traditional working class past of India from the perspective of caste.
2007: Established Folk School for Dalit in Belwa
2007: PVCHR and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) along with 210 NGOs across the state conducted the UP Election watch (UPEW). The objective was to sensitize the electors about the governance processes. By providing background information of candidates UPEW facilitated informed choice of the citizens of UP. Dr. Lenin, coordinator of UPEW, successfully ran a media campaign and managed to bring the issue of criminalization of politics to the center stage.
2007: received 2007 Gwangju Human Rights Award from May 18 Foundation of South Korea along with Ms. Sharmila Irom of Manipur
6. ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Dr. Lenin in his carrier has faced several obstacles from state and society :
• On 17 July 1996 the Para Military Forces subjected Dr.Lenin to severe beatings with rifle butts while leading a demonstration for rehabilitation of freed bonded dalit and child laborers and land allotment of Gram Sabha in favour of landless dalit of Indrawar village of Varanasi. This case of beating was raised by Amnesty International.
• Dr. Lenin’s brother was murdered by his relatives because of his views on caste politics in 1996.
• In 1998 state police tried to malign Dr. Lenins™ reputation by a fake encounter at his parental residence. His family was coerced to make statement implicating him in the case. The case was disposed of by NHRC after reviewing the details.
• .Dr. Lenin received death threat in pursuance of people™s democratic right at pachayat level in village Belwa of Varanasi in August 2006.
PEOPLE’S COMMENTS ABOUT DR. LENIN.
1. Justice Sukumaran “ Rtd.Judge, High Court of Kerela & Bombay.
India’s hope for the future rests in the selfless services of activists who are informed, involved and idealistic. Earth, Earthly “like the worms, which enrich the land some, are as Churchill put it “glow worms”. They show the way amidst encircling glow. I had the great privilege to spend a few hours with those great missionaries of the new century “ a unique luck; I deem it. Dated 18.2.2002.
2. Justice Zakaria Mohd. Yacoob , Sitting Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa & Chancellor of Durban “ Westville.
PVCHR does wonderful work under very difficult circumstances. We are proud to be associated with you “India & the World need more of such Workers. Good Luck Zak Yacoob & Anu Yacoob. Dated 9.5.2002.
3. Otto Tausig, Austrian Film Actor
On some occasion I am wearing the T-shirt you gave me for the purpose that people should ask me whose face is it showing. Then I tell them in a country far away from our own there are people like Safdar Hashmi & Dr.Lenin who were and who are fighting for things worth fighting for and we too should work for a better world. My thoughts are with you and my best wishes for the success of your work. It’s the same cause you and I are working for. There is hunger, exploitation and disregard of human and child rights all over the world but also a growing understanding that we have to globalize the fight against it.
4. Mr.Vishwanath Singh, Regional Secretary, Vigil India Movement
Dr Lenin is to empower the victims to restore a balance of Power in society between economic and other forces. He is facilitating the participation and increasing the International and National bargaining powers of Poor, of the labor, environmental & other social movements. He protects traditional wisdom & knowledge. Dr.Lenin gives people a sense of their own power. He mobilizes the power that people have in doing so, he teaches the value of united action through real life example, and build the self-confidence of both the organization and individuals in it. He avoids shortcuts that don’t build people’s powers, such as bringing in lawyer to handle the problem, asking friendly politicians to take care of it or turning it over to a Government Agency.
5. Dominique Lapierre (Author-Freedom at Midnight & City of Joy)& social activist
The World needs great voices like those of PVCHR shouting for Human Dignity.
6. Summa Josson, a Film Director of Bombay specializing in Documentary Films on Social issues
India is on the cross - roads. The future of India lies in the hands of people like you. It makes me feel that there is still some hope left
Web linkage about Lenin and PVCHR
http://www.ndtvblogs.com/views/viewblogs.asp?gl_guid=&blogname=pvchr&q_userid=11488
http://www.upelectionwatch.blogspot.com/
http://www.infochangeindia.org/changemakers14.jsp
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspt.com
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/threat_to_life_of_advocate_for_1.html
http://www.ashoka.org/node/2851
http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Interactive-Awardee/transcripts/ts-davide.htm
http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=2632
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/we_beat_our_children_to_sleep.html
http://www.fian.org/live/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=50
http://trishna.foodjustice.net/mainfile.php/011718/104/
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/137977/1/2229
http://www.perditahustonaward.com/nominations/2006_finalists.html
http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/784/76/
http://floatingsun.net/udai/files/Varanasi_Weavers_Crisis.pdf
www.pvchr.org
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061206/cth1.htm
http://www.thaingo.org/cgi-bin/content/content3/show.pl?0733
http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/638/76/
http://s1.iphide.com/perl/nph-a.pl/000110A/http/www.thesouthasian.org/archives/cat_governance.html
http://www.rghr.net/mainfile.php/0842/1185/
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/kiln.htm
http://www.freeindiamedia.com/human_rights/16_march_human_rights2.htm
http://www.hrea.org/lists/hr-headlines/markup/msg02945.html
http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth/msg/8e725294957979c3
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3929.shtml
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8400021.cms
http://www.craftrevival.org/Varanasi/Discussion/Lenin1.htm
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1727/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1545/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/690/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1884/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/840/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1209/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1221/
http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2006mr/359/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2205/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2075/?print=yes
http://www.infochangeindia.org/agenda6_03.jsp
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/930408838?ltl=1173954245
http://www.laborrights.org/press/sweatshops/indiaweaving_dpa_120705.htm
http://www.rghr.net/mainfile.php/0840/1179/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1203/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/817/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ahrc-in-news/mainfile.php/2006ahrcinnews/596/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2280/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1270/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1553/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1727/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2255/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2075/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1421/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1564/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2187/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1481/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2004/800/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1459/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1438/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1252/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2007statements/901/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1717/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2086/
www.webspawner.com/users/pvchr
www.pucl.org/Topics/Human-rights/2002/hr-defenders.htm
www.pucl.org/Topics/ Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/kiln.htm
www.ashoka.org/fellows/viewprofile3.cfm?reid=96985
www.southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/72270/1/1809
www.foodjustice.net/ha/mainfile.php/ha2004/32
www.sabrang.com/news/oct5.htm
www.thesouthasian.org/archives/000271.html
www.ased.org/artman/publish/printer_678.shtml
india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3929.shtml
www.changemakers.net/pointofview/pov3.cfm
www.dailynews.lk/2004/06/21/letters.html
trishna.foodjustice.net/mainfile.php/0106/32/
www.infochangeindia.org/changemakers.jsp
www.hrw.org/reports/2003/india/India0103-02.htm
www.indianngos.com/issue/child/ overall/people/uttarpradesh/ngosvaranasi.htm
www.un.or.th/ohchr/SR/News/2005/ DailyNewsBulletin/6/10%20June%202005.doc
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1533/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1561/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2128/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2005statements/351/
cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=234195 - 41k - 30 Apr 2007
www.pvchr.org
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/58264.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuNkrQ_26Bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeqUbaSq138
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=it&art=9183&size=A
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9183&size=A
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/portal/1969/12/990
from ACHA-Pritam Rohila
to
date Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 5:50 AM
subject IMP-2008 ACHA Awards
October 1, 2008
2008 ACHA Awards
Dear ACHA Members:
With one no-response, the rest of our Board of Directors has unanimously voted to recognize the following four individuals for this year’s ACHA Peace Star Awards.
1. B. M. Kutty, Karachi, Pakistan
2. Karamat Ali, Karachi, Pakistan
3. Mubashir Mirza, Sadiqabad, Pakistan
4. Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Varanasi, India
Messrs Kutty and Ali were nominated by Dr. A. H. Nayyar, himself the 2004 recipient of ACHA Star Award. A retired nuclear physicist, he is currently he is a Research Fellow at Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Policy Institute.
Messrs Kutty and Ali have been actively and ably leading peace movement in Pakistan for the last 15 years or so. Also they are highly regarded in India for their peace and harmony work.
Earlier this year, they went to New Delhi to participate in the funeral of Nirmala Deshpande, a highly venerated, Gandhian, peace and harmony leader and former member of Indian Parliament. And they brought with them a portion of Didi Deshpande’s ashes for their respectful and ceremonious immersion in the River Indus.
Mubashir Mirza is a young man in his 20’s. He has been a dedicated peace activist for the last 5 years or so. He works primarily with youth through Centre for Youth Development & Activities (CYDA), which is dedicated to help youth become “aware of the past; present conditions” so that they can “build their own personalities and know their responsibilities in their societies, a role which they can play effectively”.
He has led a few peace delegations to Chandigarh. His attempts to host in Pakistan, peace delegates from Chandigarh, have not materialized so far, for their inability to get Pakistan visas.
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi , an Ashoka Fellow is being recognized for his pioneering and courageous work to improve the lot of the low-caste and the deprived sections of India’s Hindu and Muslim community. More information about him and his work can be found at www.pvchr.org, the website for his organization, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR).
On behalf Members and Directors of ACHA, I will personally present the awards to these individuals during my and my wife’s Peace Pilgrimage to India and Pakistan later this year.
For your review and information, I have attached their original nominations with this message.
Best Wishes,
Pritam--
Pritam K. Rohila, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA)
www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
3 attachments — Download all attachments
09.09.08 B.M. Kutty & Karamat Ali.doc
33K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download
09.15.08 Mubashir Ahmed Mirza.doc
33K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download
09.08.08 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi.doc
85K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
1. NOMINATOR
Tanweer Ahmed Siddiqui (Advocate)
Founder,Citizen Front
2. NOMINEE
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
Varanasi
India
3. THE AWARD FOR WHICH THE PERSON IS BEING NOMINATED
ACHA Peace Star Award
4. THE REASONS WHY THE NOMINEE DESERVES THE AWARD
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi is the symbol of resistance to millions of Dalits fighting for dignity in India. Lenin is credited with changing the discourse on Dalit Politics in India and bringing into focus an innovative “people centric” approach to reclaim human dignity in a caste ridden Indian society. The gamut of Lenin’s activities reflects his personal and ideological span and provides credibility and a sense of completeness to the work he does. His care for details, meticulous planning, diligent patience, and sincere advocacy of the issue of the marginalized, has made millions of his supporters optimistic about a dignified future.
Lenin's views on caste, conflict and social change took shape while he worked with bonded laborers. He was born into a high caste Hindu family which he describes as "feudal." He noticed that not a single child bonded in the sari or carpet industries came from an upper caste, even though some high-caste families were often just as poor as the lower castes. He realized that caste, not class, was at work. By the end of 1996, Lenin was championing the rights of lower-caste people. Early experiences taught him that confrontation was dangerous and not the most effective method. Increasingly, Lenin recognized caste in all kinds of social conflict and envisioned a movement that could break the closed, feudal hierarchies of conservative slums and villages by building up local institutions and supporting them with a high profile and active human rights network.
As a self taught Dalit ideologue, Lenin understood from the beginning that village in India is the cradle of exploitation. Instead of tampering with the symptoms, caste needed to be tackled by both its horns. On the one hand he created a democratized structure for the voiceless to enable them access to the constitutional guarantees of modern India and on the other, his innovative advocacy forced the state to sensitize its mechanisms to deliver social justice in a manner where Justice is not only done but perceived to be done.
Lenin conceived of a folk school which not only enabled empowerment of the poor, but also endowed them with the ability to access information and justice through the constitutional mechanism of the state.
To translate policy into practice, Lenin has begun working on the latest part of his strategy, Jan Mitra Gaon, or the People-Friendly Village. These villages have durable local institutions that work to promote basic human rights in the face of continuous discrimination. Lenin has adopted three villages and one slum as pilot projects, which include reactivating defunct primary schools, eradicating bonded labor, making sure girls get education, and promoting non-formal education. The village committees comprise at least 50 percent Dalits, and seek to realize greater political representation of Dalits on village councils. The heads of the village committee and village council, a government representative, and a PVCHR employee will serve as a conflict resolution group and form the People-Friendly Committee. The approach of the organization is two-fold: to have a strong grassroots organization to work for democratic rights of those in marginalized communities and second, to create the structure and dynamics to receive the assistance of national and international institutions.
Lenin's work marks a shift in the Indian human rights movement, which has been reluctant to address injustices in the name of caste as a fundamental human rights issue. He is one of only a handful of activists to declare that such discrimination goes against democratic principles by promoting inequality. By working from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh“one of the most traditional, conservative, and segregated regions in India Lenin demonstrates his resolve.
With meager resources, but rich with confidence and conviction, Lenin in a short period of time has managed to amplify the voice of the marginalized in national and international fora through “Peoples SAARC”, rehabilitation and resettlement of weavers of Varanasi; Benaras Convention; UP Assembly Election Watch; prevention of torture; voice against hunger and many such activities. Recognition by the international community of Dr Lenin’s work is indeed the recognition for the millions whose hopes and aspirations rest on his slender shoulders.
5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NOMINEE'S EDUCATION, WORK AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Born on 18 May 1970 at Varanasi
Mother’s name: Shrimati Savitri Devi
Married to Shruti Nagvanshi on 22 February 1992; has an 8 year old son, Kabir Karunik
Completed his Bachelor degree in Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery from the State Ayurvedic Medical College, Gurukul Kangari, Haridwar in 1994 with distinction.
1993: President, United Nations’ Youth Organization (UNYO), UP Chapter.
1993: Founded Bachapan Bachao Andolan (Save the Child hood Movement) along with Swami Agnivesh.
1996: Founded People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) along with Shruti, Dr.Mahendra Pratap (Historian),Vikash Maharaj (Musician), Gyanedra Pati (poet) to work on child labour free village.
1998: Organized, coordinated, and participated as Core Marcher in Global March against Child Labour.
1998: Fair Play Campaign against use of child labour in Indian Sporting Goods Industry. The campaign forced FIFA, ICC (International Cricket Council), World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry and Reebok to prohibit use of child labour in producing their goods.
1999: Founded Jan Mitra Nyas, a public charitable trust, for working on governance, and Human Rights in five adopted villages near Varanasi
2001: Awarded the Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurship and change maker from Ashoka: innovators for Public based in Washington, DC
2001: Elected to the Executive Council of Voice of People (VOP, 25000 membership), a state wide people’s alliance for bringing to the fore the politics of marginalized.
2002: Campaigned and mobilized at State and national level for prevention of torture.
2002: Appointed member of District Vigilance committee on Bonded Labour under Bonded Labour abolition Act 1976 by the Governor of UP.
2004: Created Model Village “People Friendly Village” to enable and amplify the voice of the marginalized.
2004: Organized Benaras Convention in order to assert the discourse of politics of marginalized in the national mainstream. The convention attended by thinkers and activists across the nation unanimously declared that the City of Varanasi was the symbol of Shraman Sanskriti (culture of the working class) as opposed to that of the Brahminical Sanskriti (Culture of the feudal class).
2004: Established Bunkar-Dastkar Adhikar Manch (Forum on rights of the weavers and artisans) to give voice to their plight in an organized manner. The forum has membership of 3000 people and has been able to make Planning Commission of India commit Rupees One Thousand crores for their re-habilitation. This body is led by indigenous leaders and is self supporting.
2004: Conceptualized and formed the Varanasi Weavers Trust along with eminent economist and Ashoka fellow from Sri Lanka, Dr. Darin Gunasekara. The trust envisages creation of a democratized mode of production with social control over capital for the weavers. The Planning Commission of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh have taken note of the objective of the trust and are in the process of giving shape to the idea respectively.
2004: Founded the Musahar-Nut Adhikar Manch (Forum on rights of Musahars and Nuts; Musahars and Nuts are the most marginalized untouchable caste) in the hunger infested districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Advocacy at national and international fora has succeeded in prioritizing hunger in Government expenditure policy. Active mobilization of the poor Dalit has forced political parties to include the improvement of Dalit in their electoral manifesto. The liberation from social inhibitions has resulted in creation of Martyr’s domes in village where hunger deaths occurred and has created a pool of indigenous hunger activists among the poor. The District administration of Varanasi has sought Rupees 6.75 crores to fight hunger situation of Musahars in the district. As a result of PVCHR’s pressure the UP Panchayat Act was amended to include a clause which directed each local self Government of village to hold a fund of Rupees one thousand to mitigate emergency hunger situation.
2005: Conceived and convened People’s SAARC at Varanasi. The objective was to bring together the issues of the people of SAARC countries to the forefront and establish a people to people relationship to fight caste, communal, ethnic, and fascist forces in the region. The most important declaration read, “We cherish and uphold the Rule of Law, sovereignty of the people, a system of governance that ensures devolution of power, People' right to self rule and control over resources.” Convention is resulted in South Asian People’s Forum (SAPF) of which Dr. Lenin was elected the coordinator. The core committee comprised of PVCHR (India), INSEC (Nepal), People’s Forum for Human Rights (Bhutan), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, LOKOJ (Bangladesh) and Wiros Lokh Institute (Sri Lanka).This convention triggered off a series of similar convention across the SAARC countries. Two major outcomes of the convention were inclusion of Afghanistan in the SAARC, and in the Dhaka declaration in 2005 SAARC summit inclusion of civil society voice in the decision making process.
2006: Founded Rozagar Haq Abhiyan (Right to work campaign) along with AIM, Parmarth, GSS, Musahar Manch for monitoring implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in UP.
2006: PVCHR work on torture victims resulted in Dr. Lenin being appointed State Director of National Project on Prevention of Torture funded by European Union.
2006: In the context of international advocacy along with AHRC, PVCHR achieved the rare distinction of being reported by the UN special rappoteur on Racism and Xenophobia. In the same year three out of four reported cases from India in the report of representative of Secretary General for Human Rights defenders were from PVCHR.
2007: Drafted along with Faisal Anurag the vision paper for NAFRE Peoples™ Movement, an alliance of representative from 16 states of India. This paper presented a road map for civil society movement drawing from the traditional working class past of India from the perspective of caste.
2007: Established Folk School for Dalit in Belwa
2007: PVCHR and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) along with 210 NGOs across the state conducted the UP Election watch (UPEW). The objective was to sensitize the electors about the governance processes. By providing background information of candidates UPEW facilitated informed choice of the citizens of UP. Dr. Lenin, coordinator of UPEW, successfully ran a media campaign and managed to bring the issue of criminalization of politics to the center stage.
2007: received 2007 Gwangju Human Rights Award from May 18 Foundation of South Korea along with Ms. Sharmila Irom of Manipur
6. ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Dr. Lenin in his carrier has faced several obstacles from state and society :
• On 17 July 1996 the Para Military Forces subjected Dr.Lenin to severe beatings with rifle butts while leading a demonstration for rehabilitation of freed bonded dalit and child laborers and land allotment of Gram Sabha in favour of landless dalit of Indrawar village of Varanasi. This case of beating was raised by Amnesty International.
• Dr. Lenin’s brother was murdered by his relatives because of his views on caste politics in 1996.
• In 1998 state police tried to malign Dr. Lenins™ reputation by a fake encounter at his parental residence. His family was coerced to make statement implicating him in the case. The case was disposed of by NHRC after reviewing the details.
• .Dr. Lenin received death threat in pursuance of people™s democratic right at pachayat level in village Belwa of Varanasi in August 2006.
PEOPLE’S COMMENTS ABOUT DR. LENIN.
1. Justice Sukumaran “ Rtd.Judge, High Court of Kerela & Bombay.
India’s hope for the future rests in the selfless services of activists who are informed, involved and idealistic. Earth, Earthly “like the worms, which enrich the land some, are as Churchill put it “glow worms”. They show the way amidst encircling glow. I had the great privilege to spend a few hours with those great missionaries of the new century “ a unique luck; I deem it. Dated 18.2.2002.
2. Justice Zakaria Mohd. Yacoob , Sitting Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa & Chancellor of Durban “ Westville.
PVCHR does wonderful work under very difficult circumstances. We are proud to be associated with you “India & the World need more of such Workers. Good Luck Zak Yacoob & Anu Yacoob. Dated 9.5.2002.
3. Otto Tausig, Austrian Film Actor
On some occasion I am wearing the T-shirt you gave me for the purpose that people should ask me whose face is it showing. Then I tell them in a country far away from our own there are people like Safdar Hashmi & Dr.Lenin who were and who are fighting for things worth fighting for and we too should work for a better world. My thoughts are with you and my best wishes for the success of your work. It’s the same cause you and I are working for. There is hunger, exploitation and disregard of human and child rights all over the world but also a growing understanding that we have to globalize the fight against it.
4. Mr.Vishwanath Singh, Regional Secretary, Vigil India Movement
Dr Lenin is to empower the victims to restore a balance of Power in society between economic and other forces. He is facilitating the participation and increasing the International and National bargaining powers of Poor, of the labor, environmental & other social movements. He protects traditional wisdom & knowledge. Dr.Lenin gives people a sense of their own power. He mobilizes the power that people have in doing so, he teaches the value of united action through real life example, and build the self-confidence of both the organization and individuals in it. He avoids shortcuts that don’t build people’s powers, such as bringing in lawyer to handle the problem, asking friendly politicians to take care of it or turning it over to a Government Agency.
5. Dominique Lapierre (Author-Freedom at Midnight & City of Joy)& social activist
The World needs great voices like those of PVCHR shouting for Human Dignity.
6. Summa Josson, a Film Director of Bombay specializing in Documentary Films on Social issues
India is on the cross - roads. The future of India lies in the hands of people like you. It makes me feel that there is still some hope left
Web linkage about Lenin and PVCHR
http://www.ndtvblogs.com/views/viewblogs.asp?gl_guid=&blogname=pvchr&q_userid=11488
http://www.upelectionwatch.blogspot.com/
http://www.infochangeindia.org/changemakers14.jsp
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspt.com
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2007/threat_to_life_of_advocate_for_1.html
http://www.ashoka.org/node/2851
http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Interactive-Awardee/transcripts/ts-davide.htm
http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=2632
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/we_beat_our_children_to_sleep.html
http://www.fian.org/live/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=50
http://trishna.foodjustice.net/mainfile.php/011718/104/
http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/137977/1/2229
http://www.perditahustonaward.com/nominations/2006_finalists.html
http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/784/76/
http://floatingsun.net/udai/files/Varanasi_Weavers_Crisis.pdf
www.pvchr.org
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061206/cth1.htm
http://www.thaingo.org/cgi-bin/content/content3/show.pl?0733
http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/638/76/
http://s1.iphide.com/perl/nph-a.pl/000110A/http/www.thesouthasian.org/archives/cat_governance.html
http://www.rghr.net/mainfile.php/0842/1185/
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/kiln.htm
http://www.freeindiamedia.com/human_rights/16_march_human_rights2.htm
http://www.hrea.org/lists/hr-headlines/markup/msg02945.html
http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth/msg/8e725294957979c3
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3929.shtml
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8400021.cms
http://www.craftrevival.org/Varanasi/Discussion/Lenin1.htm
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1727/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1545/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/690/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1884/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/840/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1209/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1221/
http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2006mr/359/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2205/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2075/?print=yes
http://www.infochangeindia.org/agenda6_03.jsp
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/930408838?ltl=1173954245
http://www.laborrights.org/press/sweatshops/indiaweaving_dpa_120705.htm
http://www.rghr.net/mainfile.php/0840/1179/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1203/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/817/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ahrc-in-news/mainfile.php/2006ahrcinnews/596/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2280/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1270/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1553/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1727/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2255/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2075/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1421/?print=yes
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1564/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2007/2187/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1481/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2004/800/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1459/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1438/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2005/1252/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2007statements/901/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1717/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2086/
www.webspawner.com/users/pvchr
www.pucl.org/Topics/Human-rights/2002/hr-defenders.htm
www.pucl.org/Topics/ Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/kiln.htm
www.ashoka.org/fellows/viewprofile3.cfm?reid=96985
www.southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/72270/1/1809
www.foodjustice.net/ha/mainfile.php/ha2004/32
www.sabrang.com/news/oct5.htm
www.thesouthasian.org/archives/000271.html
www.ased.org/artman/publish/printer_678.shtml
india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3929.shtml
www.changemakers.net/pointofview/pov3.cfm
www.dailynews.lk/2004/06/21/letters.html
trishna.foodjustice.net/mainfile.php/0106/32/
www.infochangeindia.org/changemakers.jsp
www.hrw.org/reports/2003/india/India0103-02.htm
www.indianngos.com/issue/child/ overall/people/uttarpradesh/ngosvaranasi.htm
www.un.or.th/ohchr/SR/News/2005/ DailyNewsBulletin/6/10%20June%202005.doc
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1533/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1561/
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/2128/
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2005statements/351/
cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=234195 - 41k - 30 Apr 2007
www.pvchr.org
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/58264.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuNkrQ_26Bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeqUbaSq138
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=it&art=9183&size=A
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9183&size=A
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/portal/1969/12/990
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
https://www.scribd.com/document/733437019/PVCHR-works-in-IRCT-annual-report PVCHR works in IRCT annual report by pvchr.india9214 on S... -
In the annals of cultural confluence and societal upliftment, the third convention of the Sahastrabuddhe (Chitpawan Brahmin) Kool Sammelan, ... -
In a small courtroom in Varanasi, the heavy air was filled with anticipation. Paru Sonar, a name once synonymous with despair, was now on ...