Los Gatos, CA: A fun Walk/Run (5K/10K) at Vasona Park, Los Gatos on September 20, 2003 was organized by local non-profit VIBHA. About 500 participants showed up for the 3rd Annual Fun VIBHA Walk 2003, and about $6,000 was raised on the day of the event, via incoming pledges and registrations. VIBHA has evolved into a multi-event based fundraising organization benefiting Children’s projects in India and USA (www.vibha.org). The ongoing pledge drive has already raised totally about $14,000, since it started, according to a press release.
Volunteer team leads such as Ramaswami Lakshman , Maruthi Bhaskar, Mary Easo and others arrived at 5 am, after arranging for pre-event set up the night before. About 30 VIBHA volunteers were present at 6 am to run the event smoothly. When asked “What drives all volunteers to care and participate on a pleasant Saturday in September?” a volunteer replied, “It’s probably reflects cultural values instilled in all folks of Indian origin, irrespective of our personal religion,” referring to the philosophy of Seva or Service to humanity. Several participants came from quite a distance like Ram Dutt, his wife Chaitra and son Chirag of Fremont and Ms. Agarwal of Oakland because “(we) believe it’s a good cause and it also helps us get fit.” The local emergency Ham Radio Operator club SPECS provided a 10 person-volunteer radio team for the event and the trails.
The event also targeted families with an After-race Carnival, with the entire area festooned with multi-colored balloon. Some of the featured games were the Dolphin ring toss, Board game Snakes & ladders, Mehndi (Henna) hand, Basketball toss and an hour-long Magic show by the Amazing Vijay, which drew children of all ages.
Several other local non-profits such as India Literacy Project, ASHA, Udvam Karangal, The Citizens Foundation, Sankara Eye Foundation and the Indian Muslim Council etc. took part in the Walk/Run as a Team, and displayed their wares near the Carnival. “We also had teams (min. 5-members), representing 27 corporations from the Bay Area “ said coordinator Anand Kumar.
The winners of the 5K race were Dilip M (29:35 Male) and Ms. Stephany Beane (37:40 Female). The 10K run was won by Ms. Kavitha S. from Sunnyvale (65:10 Female) and Mr. Surendra - (54:01- Male). The Children’s division was won by12 year old Nate Beane (35:41).
The pleasant day and sight of several Seniors and young children actually finishing the race led Ms Sugam Tiku, of Fremont, a sophomore at San Jose State University & VIBHA volunteer to comment,” this has inspired me to start training and get fit - and maybe even run the ASHA marathon (26.6 miles) next year.”
Sam Rao
For more information www.vibha.org
http://www.siliconvalleyguru.com/guruhub/mod_channel/C_Search_Art_Det.asp?fm=ent&Channel_Id=NEWS&Art_Id=1847
Linkage of Education system to Problems in India –talk by SIDH
Stanford, CA: Several Bay Area non-profit organizations, such as India Literacy Project, ASHA for Education, A.I.D. welcomed Dr. Pawan and Dr. Anuradha Gupta of SIDH (Society for Integrated Development of Himalayas) on Saturday, Sep 27, 2003 at Stanford University, Palo Alto. Started in 1989, SIDH is a rural based non-profit agency in Uttaranchal state, mainly in the districts of the Kumaon and Garhwal districts in the foothills of Himalayas. SIDH addresses the fundamental assumptions of mainstream education system, as it exists in India today - exploring the connection of education to politics, empowerment and economics.
“We were excited because of the novel curriculum and also that it was located in the foothills of Himalayas, dealing with Tribal community, where projects are rare to find, evaluate and fund, even though the developmental needs are greatest.” said Padmini Ranganathan of ILP.
SIDH started as a brainchild of Pawan of IIT-Delhi and his wife Anuradha - a psychologist by training. The Guptas are convinced that the current British-inspired educational system in India, which breeds low self-esteem is holding back progress. A radical change in challenging assumptions and celebrating indigenous and time-tested ways of strengthening social fabric is of utmost importance.
Courses offered are Sushikhsa -Village Schools, Sanjivani - a one year long non-degree, residential course for 17-24 years old locals, and Sanshodhan - Research and Advocacy of local issues. SIDH now operates in about 35 villages in Jaunpur (north of Mussoorie city) in Uttarachal State - where no schools existed until a few years ago.
Sanshodhan - the research and advocacy program is also very unique. Projects include ‘Trees & Shrubs’ – studying and documenting local vegetation, and Project: ‘Our Village’- studying local topics like Panchayat Raj, and issues of Social justice and Women’s rights and research is in traditional Festivals -their intent and relation to vibrancy of a community. “We have documented over 100 local songs, indigenous only to the Jaunpuri area, reflecting local history and folklore etc. No such documentation exists, depicting the rich tradition and history of our culture.” says Anuradha, adding that she wished there was more funding and institutional help and interest in this area.
With a track record and unique appeal, the educational component of SIDH has got recognition from District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) etc. SIDH has garnered support from agencies like M.S. Swaminathan Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation and CHETNA and Sir Dorabji and Ratan Tata Trusts, India Literacy Project (USA), Learning For Life (UK). Save the Children, (UK) and Rossel Industries, NOIDA etc.
The funding needs of SIDH are ambitious - with several projects attempted over the years. Currently the focus is on establishing a corpus fund Rs.100 Lakhs ($250,000) for one-time expenses of land, building schools. While SIDH is localized, impacting area around Mussoorie city, the novel approach has generated interest in other parts of the country and other NGO’s. SIDH also has offered training of Teachers and often publishes their research like a treatise on the breakup of Joint family system; an anthology of local flora-put together by locally trained personnel- who would best know the system. “It is interesting that the local Forestry department was unaware of several trees and shrubs identified by our research efforts”, says Pawan Gupta with a smile.
Sam Rao
For more information www.sidh.org
www.ilpnet.org
www.aidindia.org
