'Counting Malaria out' on World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day April 25th 2010
Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease which half of the world's population is at risk of getting. It kills around 1 million people with most of these deaths occurring in Africa. This third World Malaria Day is set to be even bigger and better than last year. The ongoing Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership campaign 'Counting Malaria Out' aims to intensify global efforts to reach important milestones set by the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP). We have less than a year to meet the 2010 target of universal mosquito net coverage for all populations at risk and a reduction in the number of malaria cases and deaths by 50%. World Malaria Day is a time to mobilise civil society in the fight against malaria. Read more


The main objective of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partnership is the scaling up of interventions at country level to ensure wide spread coverage, particularly to population groups most vulnerable. There is a need to strengthen support for coordination amongst country health partners. The identification of support needs are to be led and designed locally, with support from other levels as appropriate for the country context and capacity and the stage of policy development and implementation.


For more information on World Malaria Day, 25 April 2010, click here and for more details on Roll Back Malaria, click here

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Widespread support to Narmada strengthens people's resolve

Supporters from Pune demand justice to Narmada ‘andolankaris’ as struggle enters 13th day in Indore
As the indefinite and resolute dharna of the kisan and adivasis of the Narmada Ghati entered its 13th day today, representatives of people’s organizations from Pune extended their full solidarity to the lawful assertion of the thousands of people from the valley that the Sardar Sarovar Dam should not be pushed ahead when the rehabilitation is far from complete and further environmental damage is imminent if the conditions are not complied with. They agreed with the people that the Narmada Control Authority, which is an inter-state statutory and monitoring body must fully use its teeth to direct the state governments to fully comply with the law and policy and provide land to the people. Read more


“Why is the State thick-skinned and non-responsive when it comes to giving the adivasis and farmers their due share of land, even after a 100 dharnas, whereas it acquires large tracts of agricultural land to give away to SEZs and corporates on a ‘single-window clearance’ basis”, questioned Manav Kamble, prominent social activist of Visthapan Virodhi Sangharsh Samithi (Pimpri Chinchwad) and Maruti Bhapkar (Nagari Hakk Suraksha Samiti).

Later in the evening, the Indore Solidarity Group held its special meeting at the dharnasthal today in which senior activists and other concerned citizens including Shri D.K. Arun, noted environmentalist, Alok Khare, Shri Tapan Bhattacharya, social activists, Comrade Vineet Tiwari, Pramod Bagde and many other saathis participated and resolved to stand by the struggle and also garner more support for the movement from the city. In addition to the hundreds of people who are staying put at the dharna site, there are also many people from the villages of Nimad who are regularly visiting the dharna and actively participating. The canal-affected farmers and fishermen from the valley came in good number today.

The people’s Andolan has been receiving letters and messages of solidarity and support from various quarters. Father Thomas Kocherry, World Forum of Fisher people, Shri Amit Badhuri, noted economist, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Madhu Ramaswamy, well-known journalist, Sagari Chhabra, prominent film-maker, M.P. Mathai from Kerala, Ravi Thakur, Haimalayan Buddhist Society Jispa Lahoul Spiti, Dr. Meher Engineer, President, Indian Social Science Congress, Sergio Scapagnini, prominent Italian film-maker, Ashok Jain President, Damodar Valley Engineer’s Association, Siddhartha Khan, Kolkatta State Bank Employees Union and many others who have stated that the voice of the valley is the voice of the struggling masses and nature-based communities of the world and it is in the interests of long-term democracy and peace that the State respects and responds to people’s legitimate demands.

An interactive and informative session on the National Employment Guarantee Act was held at the Dharna site today by Kailash Awasya, Siyaram Padvi and and Kamleshbhai from Nagda.

As the ‘Chula’ is all set to burn today evening, the fire in the adivasis bellies and hearts is also burning, who are determined not to rest without their share of land.

The relay fast entered its 4th day with the fasters raising slogans that this is a do or die battle for the people of the valley and the struggle shall continue until the just demands of the people are met: Those on fast today were:

Sl. No.         Name                          Village
1.              Gangaram Solanki         Bhadal
2.              Narlia Solanki               Bhadal
3.              Ratan Solanki               Sugat
4.              Delabai Sasthiya           Sugat
5.              Sidabai Sasthiya           Sugat
6.              Kathibai                       Sugat
7.              Sunil Badole                Machaliya
8.              Khema Vestha             Jobat
9.              Thunya Vastha            Chimalkhedi
10.             Dadla Solanki             Bhadal
11.             Jadla Pawra                Cholvad
12.             Gangesh                     NBA and NAPM
13.             Vijaya Pawar              Indore Solidarity Group

Will Ramu Mishra get justice?

It's the final countdown for 24 year old Ramu Mishra who had allegedly suffered serious injuries and was rendered a invalid with 100 percent paralysis striking him when he was allegedly shot at by Kuldeep Sachan, Ram Babu Gupta and Sarvesh Srivastava on October 23, 2006 in Kanpur. Read more


For four long years Ramu and his family have lived a life of misery having faced corruption, police brutality, medical negligence and even the judgment meted out to their case by a lower court in Kanpur didn't do justice to them.

Today on his death bed at a hospital in Kanpur, his family after months of pleading for help and justice from the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and the UP Governor RL Joshi, have now been brought to a stage where they have to watch their son die a painful death with both his kidneys having failed.

This family has not only faced injustice on every front but have also been denied justice by whomsoever they approached.

Ramu Case is testimony to a shameful end to one family’s heart rending efforts to save their son and not being able to simply because the State of UP has no sympathies with those stricken by tragedy such as theirs.

While Ramu lies waiting his last moment in the hospital his family can do nothing to save his life as they have lost every penny fighting for justice. And today can't afford to pay for the operation that will save his life.

What is even worse is that not a single funding agency both government or non-government has come forward to offer financial aid for the life saving operation of their son.

Though the case has been handled by Saaksham Foundation, the organization has faced disappointment on all levels when they tried to contact a number of funding agencies to support Ramu Mishra financially so that he can have the kidney operation that he needs urgently.

Ironically when the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) relief fund for the poor was approached they too were not able to help saying it is on the discretion of the panel members to decide who to release medical aid for.

While Ramu Mishra would be needing a substantial amount for his operation SGPGI Relief is not in a position to release beyond a few thousand of rupees and that too when an appeal is made, a strange condition to set before a person who is virtually on his death bed.

The request to waive of the treatment cost in this case too was not considered.

Basanti Devi, Ramu Mishra's mother is distraught, "We have lost all faith in the judiciary, police in UP, the government and even the medical fraternity only because we have seen how facts are distorted only to cover up the truth. In our case even the treating doctor who was presented before the court to testify against the accused who shot my son was an impostor. The real doctor was replaced by someone who was claimed to be the treating doctor. I kept shouting in court that he is not the real doctor but no one listened to me. Even the government counsel who we approached for free legal aid demanding Rs 11000 to take up our case, when I told him that government lawyers do not charge a fee from the clients he lost his temper and said we should fight our own case then. But now all is lost as the son for whom I was fighting is breathing his last and I can't do anything but watch in sheer desperation."

With similar story with every funding agency, there is no alternative in sight for the unfortunate boy. We would thus request an appeal be made calling for public support in this matter through media agencies.

Brief Background: Ramu Mishra's unfortunate tale began when he was reportedly shot at in front of his mother's eyes but instead of arresting the accused who were alleged to be Samajwadi Party workers the police released them within five minutes of the FIR being lodged in 2006.

On July 31, 2009 when Ramu lost the case in the lower courts in Kanpur Rural he and his family gave up all hope and decided to seek justice from the Governor of the state of Uttar Pradesh, RL Joshi. They came with a written application and reached the Governor house Lucknow on 1st August 2009.

But instead of being given a hearing the family was allegedly brutally beaten by police personnel of the Hazratganj thana and forcibly driven out of Lucknow. With police threatening to kill his younger brother in a false encounter if the family tried to appeal again to the UP Governor.

The matter was presented before the UP State Legal Services Authority in Lucknow on 12 August 2009 by Saaksham Foundation who had been approached by Ramu Mishra's family after they faced severe police brutality when they approached the Uttar Pradesh Governor with a petition seeking justice.

Saaksham Foundation, had argued then that the abuse of power in giving out judgments and enforcing the law is becoming increasingly common in Uttar Pradesh which is not a very heartening situation.

It also demanded immediate action against those guilty of such incidences who must be identified and punished immediately. Following which UP SLSA's decision to support Ramu Mishra's case came as a very encouraging decision then.

An application was then moved on 12 August 2009 by Saaksham Foundation on behalf of Ramu Mishra before the then Member Secretary UP State Legal Services Authority, Sudhir Saxena, who went through the facts of the case.

After going through the judgment copy as well UP State Legal Services Authority’s support of the decision of Ramu Mishra to appeal for the revision of judgment at the Allahabad High Court.

Following which the thana staff at Bhoglipur Kotwali continued to tamper with facts in the FIR and also threatened Ramu Mishra, a bed ridden invalid to stop asking for a re-trial.

The family had faced similar harrassment when they filed a case in the lower courts in Kanpur but lost the case on 31 July 2009 after judgment was given in favor of the accused following tampering of evidence and presentation false medical reports.

As per promise made by UPSLSA then, “UP State Legal Services Authority will not only facilitate the filing of the appeal for revision of the Judgment in this case but it will also provide Ramu Mishra completely free legal aid including lawyers who will fight this case totally free of cost. Justice will be done and the guilty punished if the findings of the Allahabad High court reveal so.”

But today months later no decision has come on the case and Ramu may die without receiving justice that was promised to him. And now on his death bed he has no hope of seeing justice done as his chanced of survival are bleak owing to paucity of funds for his life saving operation.

Thus Saaksham Foundation on behalf of Ramu Mishra and his family would request the media fraternity in Lucknow to write about this injsutice done to them. We would also request an appeal to be made to the public through your publication to offer some support to this family so that their son can have one last chance at survival.

Anjali Singh
(The author is a Special Correspondent to Citizen News Service (CNS) and also the Director of Saaksham Foundation. Email: anjali@citizen-news.org, website: www.citizen-news.org )

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Time to rethink the development paradigm on Earth Day (22 April)

22 April 2010 is Earth Day
Not only modern lifestyles are causing un-brindled exploitation of natural resources upsetting the ecosystem and upping the global warming, but also the national policies in India related to environment are not in tune with International mandate to save the planet Earth. Read more

"Corporatisation of natural resources is bad for people and environment. The impact of abusing environment (most of which is a fall-out of corporate exploitation of natural resources) is most severely faced by tribals and the poor who are dependent on natural resources for sustaining their daily life and livelihood. Depriving them of their basic human rights is exacerbating the inequities and causing irreparable damage to the environment" said SR Darapuri, who is a retired Inspector General (IG) police and a prominent social activist with National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM). SR Darapuri is also the Lok Rajniti Manch (People's Politics Front) candidate for Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow this year.

"We need to change our lifestyles and come up with sustainable ways of development and living to save the planet Earth. The present development model is dangerous as it not only damages the environment irreparably but also is promoting corporate exploitation of natural resources thereby worsening the prevalent inequities for and increasing the marginalization of the most poorest communities who in fact had been guarding these resources." said Arundhati Dhuru, who leads the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and is a veteran anti-dam activist with Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

She further added it is no exaggeration to say that ecological crisis have affected women more deeply than men.The experiences documented throughout the world have pointed out again and again that women are the worst victims of ecological deterioration since their working days has been drastically lengthened by scarcity of water,fuel and fodder, and their traditional skills and occupations have been adversely affected by new technoloies in agriculture,artisanal work and marketing while new opportunities have not sufficiently developed.My contention is that tackling the ecological crisis is pertinent not only because environmental destruction is close to reaching a level where it is irreversible but its threatening the very survival of human being.

For example, private companies are siphoning away the groundwater in making their bottled water or soft drinks. "Civilazations have been built around drop of water, we will loose our right over this most precious resource when we make water as marketable commodity." said Gurudayal Singh Sheetal of Prakritik Manav Kendrit Andolan.

"Petroleum and natural gas reserves are already depleting fast and the need to find alternative, sustainable and environment-friendly sources of energy is compelling," says Arvind Murti, who is a senior social activist with NAPM in Mau. "Bio-energy, solar energy, wind energy and other sustainable and environment friendly forms of energy need to be promoted to save the planet" said Arvind Murti.

"Our living should be such as to reduce non bio-degradable garbage" said Prabha Chaturvedi, President of Exnora Lucknow. "Bio-degradable garbage should be buried in the Earth to make fertilizers" added Prabha.

Countries like Japan have committed themselves to become 'carbon zero' by 2050. India should also commit and take leadership in not only making promises but capping the irreparable damage corporations and urban lifestyles are causing to the planet.

"Unless sustainable ways of development and living are not evolved, it will be very difficult to sustain the prevalent kind of urban lifestyle where exploitation of natural resources goes on unabated by the nexus of private corporations and the state" said Anjali Singh, Director of Saaksham Foundation.

The overriding question is how to create a mode of production which does not depend on the expliotation of nature and labour power but which, in harmony with nature , provides for the survival needs of all.

[This article was originally written on 22 April 2009, to mark Earth Day. We are reproducing this on 2010 Earth Day (22 April) as issues highlighted have become more severe and pronounced, instead of getting addressed as the year went by. To read the 2009 article, click here]

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Dam and Canal affected farmers and adivasis demand right to life and land

The indefinite Jeevan Adhikar Yatra taken up by the adivasis, farmers and fish workers of Sardar Sarvoar, Jobat Dams and Indira Sagar (ISP) and Omkareshwar IOSP) canals proceeded in full swing today, as it criss-crossed through various villages of the Narmada region, echoing slogans of “Narmada Ghati ko dubaane ka faisla radd karo” (Take back the decision to submerge the Narmada Valley) and “Rehne do Jeene do, Maa Narmada ko behne do”…(Let us live, let us stay, Let Mother Narmada flow in all her majesty). Read more

Thanking the villagers of Chhota Barda, who hosted them for the night, the andolankaris crossed the Narmada in boats and canoes and rallied into the villages of Semalda and Karoli in Manawar Tehsil of Dhar District that are facing the challenge of their prime agricultural land (which is already affected by the Sardar Saovar dam) being gobbled up by the huge canals of the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar. The villagers asserted in unison that that they will not permit the Government to destroy their lands that is already irrigated by the Narmada and demanded an immediate review of the projects, as directed by the Jabalpur High Court.

Led by octogenarian Gandhian and Samajwadi leader Shri Shambunath Gupta from Hoshangabad, the rally marched on foot for the second day as well with the hundreds of adivasis women braving the heat of the sun and the might of the state to demand their rights. “Whether the Government will allow these struggling women and men to tread the peaceful path of Gandhi, Mahavir and Buddha or will it close its doors to dialogue, forcing people to challenge the State, the people of the valley and the nation demand an answer”, said Guptaji.

Addressing the farmers of Karoli, Fagram Bhai from Adivasi Kisan Sanghthan warned that the people will have to face the fate of the Tawa dam displaced who stand already submerged, without any land in return, where in fact new projects are coming up today if they do not stop this unjust and unnecessary displacement. “You still have time to wake up and it will be too late, if you don’t fight today, here and now, he said. He also questioned the sensitivity of the State which has projects and schemes to save tigers (which is certainly needed), but none to ensure that the displaced get land and regain their livelihood with dignity, which is unfortunate and in fact unconstitutional.

From Karoli, the yatra trucked towards Manavar tehsil where a huge public meeting was called, where many farmers affected by the SSP and the ISP-OSP canals spoke and affirmed their resolve to fight for their land and rights.

Prasad Bagve from Pune struggling against the Karla SEZ questioned as to how the State has thousands of hectares of land to dole away to profit-making corporates while it always gives a negative and even violent response to the adivasis demanding a patch of earth, their rightful share?!

Naani behen, fish worker from Kaorli roared, “Is the State so incapable that it cannot even guarantee to me my right of fish? Following her was Kunwar Singh, affected by the Jobat dam said, “After all these years of unjust displacement, we ask straight questions and demand specific answers from the State”, leading the gathering into loud slogans of “Sawaal lekar aaye hain ..Jawaab lekar jaayenge. Surbahn Bhilala from Kakrana in Alirajpur condemned the Madhya Pradesh Government that is going ahead submerging more and more people, without providing them land, after more than 15 years of submergence.

He rebuked the State that is sitting on a mountain of unchecked corruption by officials and touts, depriving the displaced.

The Jeevan Adhikar Yatra is on its way to address the villagers of Bakaner and Dharampuri tehsil and will then proceed towards Dhamnod where a large public meeting is to be addressed by various activists and members of people’s organizations today evening. The yatra will later proceed on foot and in trucks towards Rahu and reach GPO, Indore tomorrow morning where large a large gathering of supporters from Indore will welcome the march. The people will then walk towards Vijay Nagar to seek answers from the Narmada Control Authority and the rationale of displacing 2 lakh people when the costs of the dam have increased ten time with just 10% benefits.

The Indefinite action towards true development and against unjust displacement goes on.

Narmada displaced people demand for justice

The displaced adivasis and farmers affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project staged a demonstration before the office of the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) in Indore today morning. The Vice-Chairman of the NVDA, OP Rawat who was scheduled to meet the displaced postponed his visit, but the people have strongly resolved that they shall continue to assert their rights in a militant albeit peaceful way so long as a written response is not given to all the issues raised by them and until such time that the unjust and illegal attempts to push the dam are not given up. Read more

The resolute people embarked on a Jeevan Adhikar Yatra from the Narmada river bank at Rajghat (Badwani) and reached Indore on the 13th of April and have been on an indefinite protest ever since. The people have been protesting the unjust political expediency to raise the SSP dam from its present height of 121.92 mts to the final height of 138.68 mts by installing the 17 mts high radial gates,
even when there are 2 lakh people in the submergence area yet to be rehabilitated with land, alternative livelihood and rehabilitation villages and despite the fact that many environmental safeguard measures are yet to be fully complied with, as pointed out by Dr. Devender Pandey Committee (February 2009
and 2010).

NBA expresses its dismay that though the SSP and Jobat dam affected people expressed their willingness to have a constructive dialogue with the NVDA officials today, the latter did not show an inclination towards the same. Instead, the police were deployed in a good number to prevent the people from entering the NVDA premises. The Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner almost
pleaded ignorance about the Vice-Chairman’s planned dialogue with the Andolan!

The Vice Chairman, Mr. Rawat excused himself from meeting the displaced by stating that he had to attend the Cabinet meeting at Bhopal and had to go to Delhi. He has promised to meet the people upon his return from Delhi.

The action at the Dharna site continued in its usual mood of hope and perseverance today as well. Jamsingh, Lalsingh and others of Bhadal village, making a piercing statement on the ‘freedom of the adivasis in independent India’ stated that when the British Government itself had granted pattas to
their ancestors, the NVDA is plotting to declare them as ‘ineligible’ and deny them their just and legal rehabilitation entitlements. Dadubhai of village Malangaon said that despite his village being marooned (tapu-affected) due to the Maan river and a large drain, his village has been declared as ‘unaffected’. On the other hand, hundreds of ineligible and even those living outside the affected villages have received crores of rupees R&R grants from the state rehabilitation fund as a result of the ‘grand nexus’ of corruption between the officials, agents and touts.

Medha Patkar stated that the NVDA should have the moral fibre to check corruption that has so extensively and deeply embedded itself within the Authority, but the even at the highest levels, there is a serious absence of political and bureaucratic will to address this virus. Instead the NVDA is
spending lakhs of rupees in engaging lawyers to shield the guilty officers, instead of using that amount to speed up the fair process of rehabilitation of the oustees, (particularly by purchasing private land) who are in a serious state of deprivation.

In the past one weak, the displaced and the activists of the Andolan have had two lengthy and informed rounds of dialogue with senior officials of NCA, VK Jyothi (Executive Member) and Afroz Ahmed (Director, Rehabilitation), but feel that there is a need for a further dialogue to clarify on many a issues and get concrete written assurances. NBA demands that the NCA must to take a strong and truthful position on the reality of poor rehabilitation and serious environmental non-compliance and issue firm directives to the NVDA to comply with the Narmada Tribunal Award, clearances, Rehabilitation Policy and Supreme Court’s Judgements.

Enormous support for the people’s cause continues to pour in from various supporters in Indore and elsewhere. The real struggle lies in the days ahead and the displaced are keen not to give up before asserting and attaining their rights.

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Symposium on Trans Fats: Global & Indian Perspectives

The National Diabetes, Obesity & Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), with support from the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, is organizing a symposium on “Trans Fats: Global & Indian Perspectives” on 24th April 2010 in New Delhi, with a view to promote healthy nutrition and generate awareness on Trans Fatty Acids among health professionals and general public. The purpose of the symposium is to discuss the adverse effects of Trans fats in the Indian scenario with focus on the current status and future implications of reducing the intake of trans fatty acids. Read more

This symposium could not have been better timed. We are currently going through a phase of dietary transition; higher economic growth has resulted in a burgeoning middle-class having greater access to commercially available foods, which include fried and baked food items. Most of these foods contain high amounts of Trans fatty acids (TFA) through the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (vanaspati) which is used for its low cost and longer shelf life. Multiple scientific studies have reported that TFAs can adversely affect LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and also increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and elevated inflammatory markers.

But unfortunately, there is no data on either the content of TFA present in fried and baked food items or their consumption by children and adults in India. Most importantly, the Indian consumer today lacks the knowledge and understanding of the adverse effects of TFAs on insulin resistance, heart and other organs of the body. Owing to the effect of TFA on health, governments across the globe have set limits for TFA and made it mandatory to label the TFA content on commercially prepared and packaged food items. But in India, several commercial food items with high content of TFAs are being sold with impunity (and savored by us), with even the roadside vendors selling food items which are replete with TFAs.

The symposium aims to provide an interactive forum for experts to discuss the adverse effects of TFAs especially in relation to non communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. It also intends to focus on collaboration between the food industry, and health/nutritional experts and to deliberate upon the permissible levels of Trans fats with special reference to Indian diets.

The need to decrease intake of TFA has to be balanced with the reality that India is dependent on the import of vegetable oils to meet its edible oil requirement. Thus any solution for TFA elimination must be reconciled with this reality.

With the incidence of non communicable diseases being on a constant rise in India, it is high time that we become aware of the consequences of our modern-day dietary preferences and seek feasible alternatives.

Shobha Shukla
(The author is the Editor of Citizen News Service(CNS), has worked earlier with State Planning Institute, UP, and teaches Physics at India's prestigious Loreto Convent. Email: shobha@citizen-news.org, website: www.citizen-news.org)

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