The Beacon

        Newsletter of the India Literacy Project

July-August  2006   Vol 13   Issue 13-14 


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From the Editor’s desk

Dear Beacon Readers,

 

Hope the Jun-Jul 2006 edition of the Beacon finds you in the best of spirits.  As regular readers of the newsletter would have noticed, ILP’s role has continually evolved.  This evolution has improved ILP’s effectiveness as a support organization for its implementing partners so much so that all our partners look to ILP for more than just financial resources.  The Annual Partner’s Meet organized by ILP, exemplifies this role. 

 

Advocacy & Campaigning has been a cornerstone of ILP’s approach.  Several campaigns have been supported by ILP at the micro-level to bring about desired results in local communities over the years.  A nationwide campaign is taking shape in India right now.  ILP is a part of several networks advocating the passage of the “Right to Education” Bill by the India Parliament.  This issue briefly examines the issues involved in this regard.

 

 

Preview of ILP Partner’s Meet

St. Ann’s Generalate, Tharnaka,  Andhra Pradesh

 

Through the years, ILP has established mutually beneficial & highly successful relationships with over 25 NGO’s from 10 different states.  Some of these partners are supported by ILP in their grass-roots intervention programs, whereas others are thought-leaders in several key areas that align with ILP’s philosophy and strategy.

 

The Annual Partners’ meet is ILP’s efficient way of creating an opportunity for its volunteers, partners and associated NGOs to interact, learn with and from each other, analyze success stories, and incorporate new and creative techniques of eliminating illiteracy in India. This year’s Partners’ meet will be held at St. Ann’s Generalate, Tharnaka, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India from August 9, 2006 to August 12, 2006 at. Experts from various departments in the government, accomplished organizations, and institutions will take their precious time and speak in this meet sharing their experiences to ILP and its partners.

 

Every Partners’ meet is centered around a distinct theme - this year’s theme is ECCD (Early Childhood Care and Development). Research suggests that significant development of critical brain and intelligence occurs before the age of seven, particularly during the first three years of life. ECCD is an essential precursor for a healthy community, where children get proper nutrition, pre-primary education, guidance, and other basic amenities of a child’s life. ECCD definitely makes this Partners’ meet 2006 unique, interesting, and informative.

Objectives of the meeting:

·         Enhance awareness to ILP and its partnering NGOs in perspective of ECCD. What is ECCD? Why is ECCD an essential part of a child’s growth? How to accomplish ECCD? What kind of techniques/approaches different organizations are taking to accomplish ECCD.

·         Let different experts, in social service, share their innovative ideas/techniques to improve educational coverage in India.

·         Continue to identify partners’ needs and also gather ideas from partner’s experience.

 

This meet will feature a host of accomplished & knowledgeable speakers.  Their suggestions and the information they share will be of great use to ILP, its partners, volunteers, and every one associated with ILP. Following are many of experts, in social work, speaking in this meet.

 

Ms. Shantha Sinha, Secretary trust of M. V. Foundation, Hyderabad, AP, is the winner of prestigious Padmashree (1991), Ramon Magsaysay Award (2003), Albert Shanker International Award (from Education International) (1991). Ms. Sinha will give a review on Right To Education Bill 2005.

Dr. Usha Abrol, Former Southern Regional Director, NIPCCD, Bangalore, will provide “A Situational analysis of children (0-6) in India” emphasizing on number of impacted children, Health & Nutrition and Parental Profile. This will be followed by a 2nd session on why ECCD interventions are required and give a general overview of ECCD programs in the country.

 

Ms Anuradha Joshi, founder (along with husband Pawan Kumar Gupta) of SIDH (Society for the Integrated Development of Himalayas), will talk about SIDH’s experiments & experiences on Pre-Primary education.

 

Sri.Vasudeva Sharma, Director, Child Rights Trust, Bangalore, has been invited to talk about the 11th Five-Year Plan and its impact on Children in India.

 

In addition, Ms. Padmaja, Volunteer & Projects Sub-committee Lead, ILP USA will share her thoughts on “Strengthening Partnership with ILP”, and Mr.Victor Tauro ILP India Coordinator, will talk about improving “ILP – PARTNER’S INTERACTION”.

 

ILP Contacts

General Inquiries
ilp@ilpnet.org

India Office
ilpindia@gmail.com

+91 80 23519693

Bangalore Chapter
Victor Tauro
ilpindia@gmail.com
+91
080-23519693

California Chapter
Rajesh Rajamani
ilp-ca@ilpnet.org

Milwaukee Chapter

Sheila Lalwani

574.315.4360

ilp-milwaukee@ilpnet.org

 

Ohio Chapter

Kavya Krishna

ilp-ohio@ilpnet.org


Washington DC Chapter
Rajesh Chandran
703.772.0737
ilp-dc@ilpnet.org

 

National Convener

Padmini Ranganathan
ilp-us@ilpnet.org

Projects
Aditya Das
projects@ilpnet.org

The Beacon
Nandakumar Krishnan - Editor
Sukeerthi - Associate Editor
beacon@ilpnet.org
Finance
Sandeep Shroff
650.652.9095
finance@ilpnet.org

ILP's Homepage
www.ilpnet.org

Donate for a cause - Support literacy programs
ILP is registered as a non-profit organization in the USA (Tax ID# 36-3779020). 100% of the funds collected by ILP USA are sent to India . All administrative costs in the USA are absorbed by volunteers.
To donate in the USA, make a tax deductible check or draw Money order payable to "India Literacy Project" and mail to India Literacy Project, P. O. Box 361143, Milpitas, CA 95035-9998.

ILP is registered as a trust in India. Donors can claim tax deduction under section 80G of the Income-Tax Act. To donate in India, make cheques payable to "India Literacy Project" and mail them to India Literacy Project, 27, 3rd Floor, Narayani Apartments, 2nd Cross, Ramakrishnappa Layout Geddalahalli, Sanjaynagar,
Bangalore -560094.

Right to Education – Call for Action

 

The 86th Constitution Amendment Act added Article 21A affirming that every child between the age of 6 and 14 years has the right to free and compulsory education.  The Government of India rejected the bill quoting that it lacks resources to fund the bill which we feel is unreasonable. The children are being denied the Right to Free and Compulsory Education through Government legislation. For immediate action ILP has joined several networks that share its concern about primary education as a fundamental right to children.

 

ILP has also initiated an online petition and a signature campaign to mobilize the support of fellow citizens and the NRI community for achieving this vital task.

 

Goals of the campaign:

File a petition online about the bill

Reach out to as many people as possible and get them to sign the petition

Generate enough momentum and try to reintroduce the bill by Aug 29th 2006

How can you make a difference?

By signing for this campaign by signing the petition online by following the link below:

Please take some time to review the details of this campaign at our website www.ilpnet.org/rte

Chapter/Organization News

Corporate Outreach Efforts – Oregon Chapter

 

We were introduced to Asia Pacific Employees Interest Group at Nike by our Portland Chapter Coordinator Siddhartha Mitra.  ILP made a presentation about its activities to the group.  This effort was supported by Nike as part of its diversity promotion goals.  Several of the attendees expressed interest in supporting ILP activities and events in and around Portland.

 

 

Donor Engagement Event – California Chapter

            The California Chapter is busy organizing a donor engagement event in Sept.  Padmasri Dr. H. Sudarshan, Chief Functionary of ILP’s Partner in Karnataka – Karuna Trust, will be visiting the CA Bay Area in the first week of September.  The CA chapter will organize a “Meet & Greet” with Key supporters of ILP and Dr. Sudarshan.  The event will enable ILP and its supporters to appreciate the stark realities on the ground facing a large scale integrated literacy program such as the one being implemented by Karuna Trust.

 

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