Climate change, it seems, is impacting small Indian towns in unusual ways. Even as world leaders gathered at Copenhagen last year to find ways to cut carbon emissions, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh was already doing its bit to save the planet. The trader’s guild, Vidisha Vyapaar Mahasangh (VVM), held a camp recently to sell power saving CFL lamps at a 35% discount, instead of the usual power-guzzling filament incandescent lamps. Almost 4,500 CFL lamps worth Rs. 4 lakhs were sold during the two-day camp. Buoyed by the response, the VVM then held another camp in collaboration with the Vyapaar Mahasangh of the adjacent Ganj Basoda town. “This means fewer old filament bulbs and lower electricity use” says local MLA Vir Singh Raghuvanshi.

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HAPPY HOME

Orphaned and abandoned children find dignity in a home that also makes sure they go to school

They are a group of orphaned and abandoned children with two things in common : they are infected with the dreaded HIV virus, and they have a full, normal life. Between two-and-a-half and 13 years of age. This group of 39 children is living at Anandaghar, a home created by social worker Kallol Ghosh. It is more than just a place of refuge : Anandghar is a place these child can call their own and a stall that is their only family. “As per UNICEF statistics, among the estimated 5.7 million people living in India with the virus, nearly 15 % are children under 15. This is alarming and very little is being done to give these children a humane life” says Ghosh.


Ostracised by society, the children realise that this is the only place where people are not scared to give them a hug or a handshake, and that makes them break into smiles, the only thing infectious about them. Anandaghar is bang in the middle of a densely- populated are near Kolkata where, surprisingly, the neighbours never raised objections to its presence. “When I started the home here, local people supported us ad that has gone a long way in making this HIV center a reality” says Ghosh. Anandghar is almost completely run on private donations and all the children have found sponsorship. Ghosh recalls that it is difficult to get treatment for the HIV –affected. “Even in Kolkata hospitals with designated HIV departments, surgeons are diffident about operating upon an HIV-affected child. We had a trying time to even find a doctor who would stitch up a bleeding would”, he says.


The children go to local schools were Ghosh has sensitised teachers and distributed PEP kits (for use in the event of suspected exposure to HIV) so that others are not at a risk. “I know many children won’t live long enough to become graduates or have a career. But I want them to have as normal a childhood as possible. After all, they are like other children, with the same needs and desires,” says Ghosh. If love is all they need, then Anandaghar is just the place – a home with lots of happiness and a heart in the right place.

Science should be discovered not learned -A center to fire the spirit of enquiry

AGASTYA

 Sparking Creativity in Rural India!

What the Press Says


Rural students felicitated - DECCAN HERALD January 20, 2009
Curiosity leads students to science awards - TIMES OF INDIA January 20, 2009

NGO Taps creative spark to teach science – TIMES OF INDIA December 21, 2008
Youngsters a better nation say Literacy is Essential - THE TIMES OF INDIA, August 26, 2008

Ready to SHARE More volunteers go through induction session and prepare to teach under – privileged kids - TIMES OF INDIA September 07, 2008
Learning Science and More under Volunteers’ Guidance, Students Exhibit Innovation Models -TIMES OF INDIA, October 08, 2008

We heal the Agilent way– THE ECONOMIC TIMES, July 2, 2008.
UK shows interest in state science model – SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA, June 29, 2008.

Partnership is critical in support of science education and citizenship activities in India – Agilent.Com, April 21, 2008.
Breaking stereotypes! – DECCAN HERALD, April 10, 2008.

There’s nothing scientific about science in schools - LIVEMINT.COM, April 7, 2008.
A tricycle with square wheels? – THE HINDU, March 29, 2008.

Invention to teach science – TIMES OF INDIA, March 29, 2008.
Agastya launches square wheel bike – THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, March 29, 2008.

Rural school kids inspire peers – TIMES OF INDIA, March 6, 2008.
Science of holistic learning – GRASSROOTS, March 1, 2008.

What experts says: