Association for India’s Development November

Delhi Chapter Newsletter 2008

Table of Contents Editorial

Editorial 1
Great to see you all back in another version of
Project Updates our AID Delhi’s monthly newsletter. I apologize for the
AID Aashayein 2 delay in the same. This is the last version of this
AID Gurgaon 2 calendar year and it has been an enchanting year for
AID Prayas 3 AID Delhi and its activities. We’ve spread our wings
Parichay 4 across lot of new horizons this year with the strength of
Khoj 5 our volunteers. We’ve also got a full timer with us now
Jamghat 5 who will even strengthen AID Delhi’s activities and
make its presence a valuable one. We’ve kick started a
Article: How to be an agent of Change 5 few new ventures and collaborations this year and hope
to carry it along finely in the coming years. I would
AID Treasury 6 sincerely thank every one of you who’ve offered
support to make us reach where we are now today.
AID India Annual Conference 7

ROTI 2009 9 In my editorial I’d like to focus on meal a month

as I see the trend of meal a month getting a downfall in
Contact us 10 the last couple of months. Now we all know that AID
Delhi does a lot of good work on the ground with the
help of volunteers and run projects. We all question
where does the support for running our projects come
from?. We always raised our funds through our meal a
month from our volunteers and supporters. Now what
is meal a month? Simply defining it’s the money offered
to AID Delhi by a person whose one meal values
equivalent to the amount which he / she gives. Now
why do we call it as meal a month and not a donation?
As per me donation is something which is being made
to a charity where you give away some money to anyone
which according to you might be for a good cause or
for a feel good factor and some where just to show tax
exemption, but meal a month is something which
relates to make a person feel / show value towards the
contribution as its not just the money donated but a
meal of them.

We all agree that we survive for our food and

shelter which are the most prior things and a lot of
other things follow and we value our food we eat and
we respect the money spent on our food.

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 It might sound a bit sentimental but the fact is
that when one pledges an amount which he / she
might spend for a meal of theirs they feel more
affiliated towards the cause. The value of food / meal
is not the same for all. It differs from person to
person by this way ensure that each one of us feel free
to contribute whatever they feel that they would
spend. Most of us probably keep a fast once in a week
or a month [the reasons being so many which I would
not discuss], but never thought that why don’t we skip
one meal of ours and contribute that value of the meal
to a cause. This seems to be very simple but when it
comes in the ground it is very effective. Lets not be
ashamed that I spend only Rs.20/- for a meal. That
Rs. 20/- adds a meal to your life but can add a lot
more to someone else who is getting benefited
through AID.
We have more than 700 registered volunteers
with us out of which less than 10 % volunteers
contribute meal a month with which we could do such
a tremendous work. Imagine if more volunteers start
to contribute. “Small drops come together to make
flood”. Lets come together and make a huge
“DIFFERENCE”. Happy New Year and Merry
Chirtmas in Advance.
Happy Reading!!!
Selva Ganapathy R
aid.selva@gmail.com
+91-9891358457
Project Updates: AID Aasahyein
Activity Updates:
1. In the month of October the regular weekend
classes of Aashayein took place.
2. Apart from academics children were told about the
harmful effects of bursting crackers on Diwali and
how it can be very hazardous.
3. Two volunteers Prachi and Ragini who had joined
us from the Play for Peace organization and were to
conduct a teo month program with the kids had to
leave due to some prior commitments, but will join
later when they an devote their time fully.
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4. Aman and Nikhil, two volunteers have taken up the
responsibility of creating a database of the
community by conducting a survey and are
currently working on the same.
5. Aashayein decided to make some stuff this Diwali
and we with the help of some volunteers we
managed to make three items, which were,
bookmarks, bags and photo frames. These items
were sold at ST Microelectronics on 20th October
with the help of Parichay.
6. A meeting with Sanjeev from AID was held
regarding space issue.
Events planned in next month:
We are now planning to share the experience of making
the products with all the volunteers and teach all the
kids as well as volunteers how to make the stuff. Also
provide some women in the community with material to
make stuff which can later be marketed.
A volunteer Shireen will be joining us from the end of
October and hopefully by next month with the help of
Vijay Bhaiya from Parichay we will start working on a
special kid from aashayein.
Project Location: Timarpur ( 10minute walk from
Delhi University metro station )
Regular Classes:
Weekends - Saturday : 4 pm - 6 pm
Sunday : 10:30am - 12:30 pm
Regular volunteers: Kavita Aunty, Nitin, Neeru,
Nikhil, Kriti, Sampurna, Aman, Arongdi, Tanya
New volunteers this month: Rupin
Contact Information: Neeru Malhotra - 9971661422
Project Updates: AID Gurgaon
Activity Updates
Nutrition program
As part of regularizing the Nutrition program on a daily
basis, AID Gurgaon volunteers took the following steps:
 1. Purchased utensils and gas achieve
independence in terms of infrastructure
2. Started handing over the responsibilities like
procuring the milk, heating the milk and
distribution the milk to senior students; this
helped the process become self sufficient
3. Has got a proposal from RBS to sponsor the
program for 2 months after they have had a
look at the program on a weekday
Regular student Education Program (RSEP)
program
1. Winter uniforms procured for students admitted
by AID- Gurgaon in a private school.
Events planned in next month:
Regular Nutrition Program and admitting a few more
children to mainstream education with the help of
Pallavanjali School
Project Location: Sector 31, Gurgaon
Timings: Regular school sessions: Monday to
Friday
Volunteer visits to Basti : Saturday and
Sunday 15.00 hours onwards
Regular volunteers: Puneet, Anshul, Shankar, Dilip
Puneet Sharma
p.sharma83@gmail.com
+91- 9811621209
Project Updates: AID Prayas
Activity Updates
In this month, we rented a place with much
bigger space as compared to existing setup inside the
community, located around 300 meters from
community gate in Sector 16 itself. This place is leased
for Prayaas, starting Nov 15, 2008 for 11 months. We
are in the process of changing the look & feel of the
room and creating a semblance of school. A volunteer
associated with Literacy India is helping us in this
exercise. We are also in process of hiring a full time
teacher, just to do away with any kind of irregularity in
teaching process and hope to zero in next two weeks.
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On academic front, classes are running smoothly,
leaving aside minor hiccups. Classes of 12 children –
potential children likely to be admitted with school (Nai
Disha) in Class II & above in next academic session –
are being conducted 5 days a week, Mon-Wed-Fri
(2030-2230 Hrs) Sat-Sun (1600-1800 Hrs). Apart from
these, classes for 12-15 children in junior class (less than
8 yrs of age) are being conducted on Tue-Thurs-Sat
(1800-2000) Hrs. Some of these children will also be
tried for admission in schools starting next academic
session.
On volunteer's enthusiasm side, we are not
faring very well. Probably the slump in enthusiasm is
linked to global economy, but with better propensity to
resurrect. So no major issues are seen as on now. New
volunteer are always welcome but volunteers with
radical ideas glued with practicality are preferred!!
On fund raising front, we are doing just fine and
more or less self sufficient, thanks to some major
donations by our esteemed patrons. Names are
not being disclosed here keeping non-disclosure clause
(spirit of unbiased approach, equal stake &
responsibility) in mind.
That's all for the month!!
Anand K Gupta
+91-9868885823
gupta.anandk@gmail.com
Eureka Class
The Eureka class at present contains 12 children out of
which 11 are regular. The class was held after one
month hence we had to start the class from the scratch
as children might have lost touch. I accompanied by 4
other volunteers together started the class. They used to
come on the respective days on which they were
available.
As we started to teach every kid the basic
varnmala and eventually got to know that Jainab Ruby
and Dolly were through with it. Hence we separated
them from the lot. While rest of the children continued
to learn the letters in Hindi.Tarun brought a colourful
chart which contained the Varnmala through which we
taught. He also brought some small charts which we
had put in the class only so that children can see that
regularly and learn while seeing. Jainab, Ruby and Dolly
side by side were learning the basic matras and the
 In every class we took from then we revised • Stall at STM was held on Nov 12. The sale
what we did in the last class and then used to move touched the figure of Rs. 9,780.
forward. On an individual level also everyone is doing • Children's day was celebrated with great
well except Seepat. Ijaaz as studied by the other enthusiasm. A drawing competition was
volunteers has some problem in writing and usually organized for NFE 1, 2, and 3. An exercise was
makes mirror images. So we believe some special conducted with the children - where they were
treatment is required for him. asked about the kinds of game they play these
days. It seems the children are not aware of the
Charu Garg games which were played earlier. The effect of
+91-99958363035 media is apparent. In some games, they are way
noida89@gmail.com ahead of us, in some other games, they lack the
energy that we used to demonstrate as children.
Events planned in next month: • On November 28, the visitors from
EHA visited the center. It was a nice experience
Vocational training for community women with the to have interacted with a project from a
help of AROH Foundation and Non Formal Education somewhat different community with a different
Classes at the new centre with help from Literacy India. set of problems altogether. The project is based
in Fatehpur, near UP and they need some
Project Location: Naya Bans, Sector – 16, Noida. support from us to market their products.
Parichay time would soon plan a visit
Regular Classes: Pioneer – Tuesday, Thrusday to Fatehpur to get a better idea of the project.
20.30 hours – 22.30 hours
• A child Yusuf met an awful accident while
Eureka – Tuesday, Thrusday and
crossing the road from school. He has suffered
Saturday 18.00 hours to 20.00
multiple fractures in leg. Urgent help is required
hours.
to support his family.
Class – II – Monday, Wednesday
and Friday – 20.30 hours to • At least 90% community members casted their
22.30 hours and Saturday and voted this time, as most of them now have a
Sunday 16.00 hours – 18.00 voter's id card. Through several orientation
hours. programs, awareness was raised on the issue and
they were motivated to exercise their vote.
Regular volunteers: Darshan, Rajiv, Sugandha, Kavita,
Anand bhai, Arun Raj Events planned in next month
Eureka Class : Nikunj, Charu, Tarun, Ritesh, Poonam
and Anindita. Regular Stalls

Project Updates: Parichay Project Location : Tukhmirpur, Bhajanpura.

Regular Class timings : Any day and anytime

Activity Updates
Regular volunteers: God Selva, Deepti, Naval,
• Children have been celebrating Bhaiya's b'day Puneeta, Kalindi
for quite some time now. Last year, Bhaiya had New volunteers this month: NIL
strictly told them not to bring any gifts.
Honoring his wishes and their own as well, they Contact Information
chose b'ful gifts for Bhaiya. This time the things Vijay Bhaiya – 9810753425
were - notebooks, stationary items, erasers, pens Puneeta Chugh
etc. In short, everything that can be used at the puneetac@gmail.com
center. ☺ +91- 9891217839
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Project Updates: Khoj
Activity Updates
1. Series 10 stage plays depicting the realities of life
of streets were conducted in various locations all
over Delhi jointly by Khoj and Jamghat in the
month of November.
The plays were also well covered by Press and
helped generating awareness about the issues of
the streets among college students and
professionals.
Children from all of the Khoj and
Jamghat projects and other people from street
also watched and appreciated the plays.
2. 35 children of Khoj from Ber Sarai went to
attend Metro nation Carnival on 07.11.2008 as a
part of children day celebration. The kids
enjoyed various games and activities and had a
lot of fun. This event was also covered by news
channel metro nation through out the day.
Events planned in next month
Ongoing plays at various locations
Project Location: Bersarai
Contact Information : Pawan Sharma - +91-
9212486338
Volunteers : Shashank, Abhinav, Mohit
Abhinav Kumar Gupta
+91-9868371533
kumarabhinavgupta@gmail.com
Project Updates: Jamghat
Activity Updates
1. Series 10 stage plays depicting the realities of life
of streets were conducted in various locations all
over Delhi jointly by Khoj and Jamghat in the
month of November. The plays were also well
covered by Press and helped generating
awareness about the issues of the streets among
college students and professionals.Children
from all of the Khoj and Jamghat projects and
other people from street also watched and
appreciated the plays.
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2. Children of Jamghat had lunch hosted by
designer Rohit Bal at Veda restaurant at
Cannaught Place. All the kids also had a make
over by Rohit Bal. The kids enjoyed the lunch
and the makeover session. The event was also
covered well covered in the press. (Pics
attached.)
Events planned in next month
Ongoing plays at various locations
Project Location: Jamma Masjid, Ladoo Sarai
Contact Information : Amit Sinha - +91-9818705715
Volunteers : Suchita
Abhinav Kumar Gupta
+91-9868371533
kumarabhinavgupta@gmail.com
Article : How to be an agnet of Change
"How to be an agent of change and have your opinion
counted?"
At different times, all of us had our piece of mind to
share about the government - either appreciating its
work or getting angry about the mismanagement... So,
we can do some things to make our opinion counted.
Here is a list of small things that we can do...
1. Blog your ideas... Believe me, when you externalize
your ideas, you end up maturing them a lot... Best is to
offer details of how to implement them too... Always
keep in mind that the most robust ideas usually benefit
people across many social segments...
2. Read newspaper... I mean, the main section, not the
supplements only... Look also for news items that report
policy decisions and are a review of government policy...
At times articles relating to various judgements given by
high courts or Supreme Court are also eye-openers...
3. Write to Editors... This truly works wonders... If ever,
you find that coverage of news item is not complete or
is biased one way or another, don't feel shy to register
your concern/ protest/ discontent to the editor... I have
seen coverage in many newspapers improving when I
intervened such... Also, appreciate when a newspaper
highlights your point of view...
4. Discuss amongst friends... Once you are well-read, As per the expenses trend for the first time
don't hesitate to discuss your viewpoint with your we’ve been spending 18 % on our Adminstration,
friends when a topic of your interest comes up... It is without an office though. A major of 50 % of funds
important that you rope in as many people to your point being utilized on Parichay and Eureka consuming 19.5
of view... The more, the stronger the wave of change % of AID Delhi funds. A junk of funds have also been
that you want to bring along... Once you are more spent on Relief and Rehabilition for the flood relief
confident, you can conduct brainstorming and group work at Bihar.
discussion sessions on relevant issues in your college/
office/ school so that more people have a chance to Please note that the expenditure from the
hear your views... projects of Gurgaon and Noida are not included and
probably in the next newsletter we’ll be presenting
5. Vote... This is one very important tool that we have... them.
If you don't value your vote, how do you think anyone
else will...? Vote judiciously... As citizens, when we talk
of responsibility of the government, it is our
responsibility to spend some time to know the
contestants from our area and vote... You may also want
to vote for a "party" for the ideology or the promises
made in their manifesto, even if the candidate they
fielded from your constituency is not very competent...

Vote asy ou deem fit...But Vote...

I hope you become an agent of change yourself...

Anuj Grover
anuj.grover@gmail.com
+91-9910013387

AID Delhi Treasury

As we discussed about the status of our funds

flow and meal a month in our editorial, I’d like to bring
the figures of AID Delhi’s funds flow in this year since
April 2008. With volunteers from Noida and Gurgaon
starting to raise their funds locaclly, it has been a healthy
trend of funds flow at AID Delhi projects but with a
full timer hired for AID Delhi’s administration work And we also see a trend of meal a month in this
and regular support to Parichay’s Nutrition program, we financial year is less than 25 % and one time
need to focus more on fund raising. AID Delhi contribution exceeding more than 30 % of the
calendars “ROTI 2009” is out and already selling like funds inflow. We seriously need to re-work on
hot cakes and I request volunteers to spread the work promoting meal a month and make the funds flow.
about the calendars and if a volunteer can sell 10
calendars each then it could fetch us a decent amount of Selva Ganapathy R, Tresurer
funds. I would also like to add that Ancit would be aid.selva@gmail.com
taking up the responsibility of being fund raising +91-9891358457
coordinator and volunteers interested in fund raising
can contact him and find out how to contribute.

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11th AID India Annual Conference – Bangalore Schedule

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 11th AID India Annual Conference – Bangalore Schedule

AID India Annual Conference is a great opportunity for volunteers to learn from other AID chapters and interact with
AID India volunteers, Saathi’s and Jeevan Saathi’s. Volunteers interested in attending the conference can register
themselves at http://conference.aidindia.org

Selva Ganapathy. R
AID India Conference Organizing team
aid.selva@gmail.com
+91-9891358457

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 ROTI 2009

Lord! Give enough that the needs of this family are met,
So that I don't go hungry, and neither does the mendicant.
~ Kabir, 15th century mystic and poet parabrahma svarupam.

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 ROTI 2009

India is famous for its amazing variety of food, range of crops and myriad preparations. Perhaps more precious is the
Indian cultural perspective of food not as a commodity but as a life-giver for all, indeed as a form of the divine: annam
parabrahma svarupam. To feed an unexpected guest is an honour. The farmer, regarded as annadata or giver of food, is not
simply someone who makes a living out of cultivation; just as a scientist is a symbol of learning, of technical
advancement, not just someone who works for pay in a laboratory. To raise awareness about the struggling farmers, AID
volunteers around the world held candlelight vigils on October 2, 2007 the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi which brought
together over 3000 people across the world. AID volunteers pledged to support possible solutions with grassroots
partners, through changes in public policy and in our own lives. And then there are choices that are personal but could
be just as significant. Do we know who grows, harvests, packs, transports and markets the food we eat daily? What do
they earn? What do they eat? Do they have homes? How far does our food travel? How much fuel is used in transport
and cooling? Are we fooled by the cosmetics that give it a "fresh" look at journey's end? These questions highlight our
power as consumers to tilt the market away from vegetables steeped in pesticides, waxed fruits, and legumes coated with
metanil yellow, towards organically grown vegetables, low-input grains, fairly traded to give the farmer a takehome wage
rather than mounting debt. Can we exercise this power? What if our common humanity depends on it?.
Wishing you peace and joy in 2009.
Selva Ganapathy. R
AID Calendar Team
aid.selva@gmail.com
+91-9891358457

Feedback: aid.delhi@gmail.com Web: http://delhi.aidindia.org Phone: +91-9818248459

Send your Cheques to Publications Team
Selva Ganapathy.R Coordinator: Selva
Department of Chemical Engineering, Editors: Selva
Indian Institute of Technology, Designers: Selva
Delhi - 110016 Web Designer: Selva
Hauz Khas
Phone: +91-9891358457, +91-9818248459

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