Yatn - a relentless pursuit

KOLKATA: It isn’t just sparrows that are disappearing from the city’s skyline. Some 30 varieties of birds, including bulbul, mynah and magpie robin, can’t be spotted that often these days as trees are felled and waterbodies filled with mud along VIP and Jessore roads in the name of urbanization. Hoping to bring back the chirping, an NGO has decided to write to the forest department with a suggestion that trees be planted once again.

“Preliminary findings suggest there were about 30 varieties of birds in this area not very long ago. We are preparing a report and will be writing to the forest department to plant trees that will help bring back the various species,” said Shyamal Ghosh, secretary, People’s Green Society (PGS) that is already working on a project to identify trees to be looked after from Lake Town to the airport along Jessore Road.

According to PGS findings, the bulbul, magpie robin, koyal, drongo, sparrow, tailorbird, kingfisher, spotted dove, parrot, cormorant, the black-headed oriole and owl once inhabited this area that predominantly had hundreds of large trees and several waterbodies in its surroundings. “There is an abandoned vacant place at Lake Town where a bird rescue centre could be set up,” Ghosh said.

The society is already working on setting up 100 nests each on trees along VIP and Jessore roads. “With diminishing tree number, the count of birds has also come down. We are setting up nests on trees using soil pots and light wooden articles so that birds can return to balance the eco-system,” Ghosh said.

The NGO has inspired people from the lower strata of society to come forward and work on this initiative. It also plans to spread the word in other parts of the city.

In the last few years, many large trees in this areas have been axed and several waterbodies filled up by realtors and billboard agencies. Forest department officials have reportedly been insisting that local civic bodies should come forward to look into the matter and prevent further destruction of the environment.

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Guwahati, Aug. 23: Assam will help train an Indonesian NGO to map the habitats of the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, using geographic information and global positioning systems.

Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI), an Indonesian NGO, has invited Aaranyak, a bio-diversity conservation society, to assist their rhino protection units in Way Kambas National Park, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and Ujung Kulon National Park.

Aaranyak will assist the national parks on matters related to geographic information system and global positioning system.

The Indonesian NGO is dedicated to the conservation of the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) through ex situ and in situ conservation programmes.

While in situ conservation refers to the process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat, ex situ conservation means protecting an endangered species by placing it in a new location.

Aaranyak has selected Pranjit Kumar Sarma, the head of its Geo-spatial Technology and Application Programme, to train the Indonesian NGO staff.

The rhino protection unit will be trained to map and monitor rhino habitats.

Members of the rhino protection units and the NGO staff are likely to attend the training programme.

After the training, Sarma and a small team of the NGO will visit the three rhino-inhabited areas to make detailed maps.

“The Indonesian agencies have GIS facilities, but since Aaranyak has extensive mapping experience of rhino-inhabited areas in Assam, its help was sought,” Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Asian rhino co-ordinator of the International Rhino Foundation, told The Telegraph.

Talukdar said the purpose of the mapping the areas was to assess the current vegetation cover and then compare it with earlier satellite images to compare the changes and ascertain whether the habitat changes are benefiting the rhinos or not.

Talukdar, also the Aaranyak secretary general, said this was possible through the active intervention of the NGO and collaboration among YABI, Indian Rhino Foundation, Aaranyak and Indonesian national parks.

The International Rhino Federation is also facilitating Sarma’s visit.

“The idea is to build local capacity to use GIS tools in day-to-day monitoring activities to build a strong database on the Javan and Sumatran rhinos,” Talukdar said.

The Javan rhino is the rarest of the rhino species with fewer than 50 animals surviving in only two known locations — one in Indonesia (37-44 animals) and the other in Vietnam (fewer than four animals).

There are an estimated 200 Sumatran rhinos surviving.

The Javan rhino is also known as Asian lesser one-horned rhinoceros (in contrast to the greater one-horned rhino) because of its smaller size.

Sumatran rhinos are also known as Asian two-horned rhinoceros, as it is the only two-horned rhino in Asia.

Sumatran rhinos are found in the Gunung Leuser, Way Kambas, and Bukit Barisan Selatan national parks whereas Javan rhinos are found only at Ujung Kulon National Park of Indonesia.

“The idea is to help the YABI and the national park authorities to monitor these changes and take appropriate action,” he said.

“This is good exposure for me and will bring out all my experience to the best of satisfaction for the Indonesian people,” Sarma said.

Sarma will be in Indonesia for nearly three to four weeks.

Source from: Telegraphindia

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The Awaaz Foundation, a prominent NGO working in the area of pollution, Monday demanded a full-fledged inquiry into the number and extent of oil spills along the Maharashtra coast in the past few years.

The issue has suddenly come to the limelight after the recent oil spill following collision of two foreign ships Aug 7, Awaaz Foundation chief Sumaira Abdulali said in a letter to union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh.

Abdulali said Mumbaikars were heartened by Jairam Ramesh’s concern to protect the coastal environment by personally inspecting the sites affected by the recent oil spill.

‘However, there have been many such big and small oil spills in the past in the state’s coastal areas but little has been done to tackle them or even clean them up,’ Abdulali said.

She pointed out that under MARPOL, an international protocol governing pollution of coastal waters to which India is a signatory, the port trusts and Directorate-General of Shipping have certain obligations, including preventive measures, while the ministry and Coast Guard are vested with monitoring responsibilities under Indian laws.

Expressing the hope that the related agencies may have documented some of these recurring oil spills independently as part of their duties, the Awaaz Foundation has sought a full-fledged inquiry into the number of such instances, the extent of oil spills and the responses of the agencies.

She said this was imperative since oil spills appear to be happening at regular intervals over several years, adversely affecting marine and coastal environment.

‘I do hope that now, with your intervention, this situation is set to change,’ Abdulali said.

The issue of oil spills came to the fore after two foreign ships — Panama’s MSC Chitra and St. Kitt’s MV Khalijia-III — collided Aug 7 near Mumbai harbour, spilling oil, chemicals and other pollutants.

The collision also severely hit maritime trade and traffic with over 200 containers falling and floating or sinking in the Arabian Sea and rendering the main navigation channel unsafe for vessels.

Source from: Sify

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In order to have a good quality livestock and a better yield the Haryana Livestock Development Board plans to engage private or government registered organizations and Non Government Organizations (NGOs), for providing four months training in artificial insemination to educated unemployed youth in the state.

A spokesman of the Board said the organisation should be a charitable, non-profit making, government or NGO, duly registered for the last not less than two years. The organisations having at least two years experience of having undertaken such work.

Enumerating training plan, he said that the proposed training programme would be of minimum two months of theory and field training each. The local youth having aptitude for door-step services and minimum 10th standard pass would be considered for training.

Selection of youth for training would be made by a team of local Veterinary Surgeon, Sarpanch of the concerned village and training institute. The organisation should have expertise in various extension activities for creating awareness regarding animal husbandry services.

He said that the Board would give a stipend of Rs 1,500 per month to the trainees. About 40 trainees would constitute the batch for providing training.

After successful completion of the training, the Board would provide artificial insemination equipment of the value of a maximum of Rs.30,000 per layman inseminator for undertaking the work of artificial insemination at specified centre.

Source from: Business-Standard

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G Saravanan
Express News Service
First Published : 20 Aug 2010 02:35:56 AM IST

Last Updated : 20 Aug 2010 08:43:30 AM IST

CHENNAI: Call yourself a green crusader? No? Well, here’s your chance to “grant” yourself such a title. All you need to do is donate money to Exnora International, a city-based NGO, and you would be suitably rewarded with awards like ‘Prakruti Ratna’, ‘Pariyavaram Mitra’ and ‘Friends of Exnora’.To continue its “Earth-saving” mission uninterruptedly and to accumulate its targeted corpus and building fund of Rs 10 crore, Exnora International has called for donations from the public, and according to the NGO’s appeal letter, it plans to confer the Prakruti Ratna award on those who donate Rs 10 lakh, Pariyavaram Mitra on those contributing Rs five lakh and Friends of Exnora on persons making grants of Rs one lakh.Presenting itself as a responsible NGO in the letter, Exnora president Sulochana Ramaseshan says, “Exnora, the largest environmental organization, never so far went to court against neither (sic) polluting industries nor staged protest rallies, though many expect Exnora to do it. We know that such action will result in thousands losing their livelihood and that’s why Exnora sits with industries and guides them to reduce pollution.”

Source from: ExpressBuzz

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Aug 19 (IANS) Eleven child labourers, all aged between 8-13 years, were rescued from a carpet manufacturing unit in this Uttar Pradesh district Thursday, officials said.

All the eleven children, who hail from Bihar, were freed during a joint operation carried out by the officials of the Bhadohi district administration and members of an NGO.

‘During the operation, the owner and the co-owner of the carpet manufacturing unit managed to escape,’ Sub Divisional Magistrate Om Prakash Chaubey told reporters in Bhadohi, some 250 km from Lucknow.

‘All the children rescued come from poor families and were brought to Uttar Pradesh on the pretext of providing high-income jobs to them,’ he added.

All the child labourers, who were rescued during the operation, were later sent to a protection home for children.

‘The task of handing over the children to their parents has been entrusted to the NGO members, who assisted us in freeing them,’ Chaubey said.

Source from: Sify

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Committed to provide homes for the homeless, Habitat for Humanity India, an NGO that works towards providing affordable homes, has said the country needs to cross the 100,000-homes for the homeless mark by 2015, an NGO official said Thursday.

‘In India, the housing scenario is a matter of concern. We need to cross the 100,000 homes for the homeless mark by 2015,’ said Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, Habitat for Humanity India,

Up until now, they have built 370,000 houses across the globe, of which 35,000 are across India.

Speaking at an event organised under the aegis of the FICCI-Aditya Birla CSR Centre of Excellence, Birla mentioned about the launch of Habitat’s ‘World of Hope’ campaign.

‘This campaign solicits funding and volunteer engagement that is so necessary to rocket a project of such scale. Ron Terwilliger, one of our greatest patrons in USA, will be reaching out to the Ivy League CEOs of Indian origin in the United States, as well as the Ivy League alumni in India. He will be directly asking for their commitment and funding of Habitat Homes for the homeless,’ she said.

‘Likewise, we are also exploring engaging with the American Physicians of Indian Origin and appealing to them through our team member Asit Koticha,’ she added.

Source from: Sify

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Cashing in on the cricket T20 craze, sun glasses major Ray-Ban has launched its own 20:20 campaign in a tie-up with NGO OneSight Foundation to provide traded-in spectacles to the needy who cannot afford to buy them.

‘Customers can trade-in their old spectacles and get 20 percent off on brand new Ray-Ban optical frames. The old spectacles are then donated to the needy people who cannot afford to buy spectacles by the OneSight Foundation which runs vision care charitable programmes,’ a company statement said Wednesday.

‘Since 20:20 stands for perfect vision, there is the connection between the discount and optical frames,’ the statement added.

‘The programme not only provides an offer to the customer but also involves them in a charitable act of donation,’ it said.

A campaign is also being aired on leading radio stations and in print dailies across India with teasers like ‘Magic happens when old spectacles meet 20:20′, ‘Why does 20:20 leave me feeling very goo’, ‘Are we all doing the 20:20 together’ and ‘This 20:20 will be a bit different with Ray-Ban’.

‘The company hopes this programme will ensure customers are aware that Ray-Ban not only makes world class sunglasses but also offers great quality and fashionable optical frames,’ the statement said.

Ray-Ban is a brand of the Luxottica Group, a leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, with over 6,150 optical and sunglasses retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa and Europe and a strong and well balanced brand portfolio.

In 2008, the Luxottica Group posted consolidated net sales of 5.2 billion euros. Additional information on the Group is available at www.luxottica.com

Source from: Sify

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A charity organisation of non-resident Indians in the US plans to build 6,000 houses for Delhi slum dwellers, especially those displaced by the Commonwealth Games projects, it was announced here Wednesday.

‘Most of the beneficiaries are people displaced by the projects of the coming Commonwealth Games,’ Robin Raina Foundation (RRF) founder Robin Raina told reporters.

The RRF will also provide basic needs like food, education and medicines to the occupants, he added.

Raina said the total expenditure on the charity project, to be set up at Bawana in north-west Delhi, will be Rs.75 crore (about $16 million).

Source from: Sify

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Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Thursday released a film made by an NGO on violence against women.

‘Seema aur Salim ki Diary’ has been prepared by the Centre for Equity and Inclusion (CEQUIN) in the backdrop of growing violence against women.

Releasing the VCD, Dikshit said: ‘Teaching the values of gender equality in school days is important, as incidents of violence against women will substantially come down and gender equality will be more and more closer to reality.’

The VCD has a 36 minute film in English and Hindi and is primarily targeted at children of classes 11 and 12.

‘The film provides a basic comprehension of conventional gender roles of ‘masculinity’ and ‘femininity’ and breaks the stereotypical notions one has of the same. It develops an understanding of the growth of gender based violence,’ said Sara Pilot of CEQUIN. Sara is the daughter of central minister Farooq Abdullah and the wife of junior Communications Minister Sachin Pilot.

The NGO is holding talks with the state education department so the film can be screened in Delhi schools. An impact assessment will be done after the initial roll out.

Sourec from: Sify

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Himalayan Town of Leh is majorly hit by cloud burst and steadily trying to recoup from the disaster, but many of them have lost their loved ones and are left with no place to live. To support people of Leh, who are in desperate need of food and shelter, Yatn- an ngo based in Hyderabad want to act as ray of hope for the people of Kashmir and request each individual to be part of the campaign by their generous donations to yatn ngo society.

Yatn is registered NGO in India, which works with the vision of accomplishing their mission through its social service activities for under privileged people. As an Ngo, Yatn has taken the initiative of addressing the different issues of society and providing support for poor globally.

Your thoughtful gesture can immensely help accelerate our mission to reach out to the needy of Kashmir.

To make your generous contribution, do visit: http://www.yatna.org/donate.html

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In our times, the Internet is easily the most powerful medium that people can turn to when they want to make a request for help. But it’s easy for their plea to get drowned in the deluge of information on cyberspace. Social psychologist Chandni Parekh decided to exploit the full potential of the
Internet by connecting people with information they might be seeking. She decided to use Twitter to start a platform whereby individuals or NGOs could make requests for donations or receive information about available funds.

Small start
She called this initiative Fund A Cause (http://twitter.com/FundACause), started a blog (FundACause.posterous.com) and also started a Facebook group.

Parekh began the initiative in April 2009, by simply collating information that she received in emails from friends or other e-groups that she was a part of, and retweeting them to her followers. She says she was inspired by the fact that there’s no comprehensive forum for those seeking or providing funds. “Where is the platform for those seeking funds?” she asks. “Even for someone to critique a request for money, there should be awareness about it.”

In the last year, the causes that have found a mention on her Facebook page have spanned a wide range. The most common requests are from families of patients seeking donations for medical treatment and from NGOs. But you will also find information about a surprising number of scholarships, from an energy efficient lighting design competition with prize money of over a lakh, to the British Council’s award for young entrepreneurs.

How does Parekh sift the genuine claims from the dubious? “I don’t take up any of the cases or personally contact the funders,” she says. “But so far, it’s quite remarkable that of the 1000-odd tweets I have received, there haven’t been any I’ve found fake. Besides, every tweet has the email address and the contact number of the concerned person.”

However, she did receive some unconventional requests that she couldn’t share. “There were two dowry-related emails I received,” she says. “In one case, a father was asking for monetary help to raise dowry for his daughter’s wedding.”

Although she doesn’t intend to formalise the initiative by establishing an offline presence, Parekh says it is bound to grow on the Net. “Twitter has the potential to channelise a lot of efforts,” she says. “There are well-meaning people out there but they have to be motivated.”

Source from: HindustanTimes

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JP parliamentary party chief LK Advani today asked his party MPs to donate Rs10,000 from their salary for providing relief to victims of flash floods in Leh and suggested that the MP Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD) funds be diverted for rehabilitation and rebuilding of the region.

“In the BJP parliamentary party meeting today, Advani suggested that all MPs should give Rs10,000 from their salary to Sangh Parivar’s Sewa Bharti which is active in providing relief to the people affected by flash floods in Leh,” deputy leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha SS Ahluwalia said.

The money will be collected by the party and sent to Sewa Bharti soon, he said.

Advani has also suggested that the party take up the issue of diverting MPLAD of parliamentarians to Ladakh as was done in the cases of Bhuj earthquake, the 2004 Tsunami and Kosi floods in Bihar.

“We will take up this issue through Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman in both Houses of Parliament for diverting funds of members for Leh flash floods,” Ahluwalia said.

Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj told party MPs during the meeting that stitched clothes, utensils and other necessary items should be sent to the victims of the floods.

Several labourers from Chhattisgarh, who were working in the region, are reported missing while seven were found dead following the floods, the party said. Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh has promised all help to bring the survivors back to their home state and provide relief to the families of the dead.

The meeting also discussed the destruction in the region and expressed concern at the washing away of villages and the Dalai Lama’s palace.

Source from: DNAIndia

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A musical talent hunt show will be held in the capital Wednesday for differently-abled children in a bid to help them display their intrinsic potential.

The programme is being organised by NGO Sangeet Vandana in collaboration with Save the Children.

Titled ‘Suron Ke Ustaad’, it aims at helping these children express themselves through the universal communication medium of music and get the recognition they deserve.

The organisers said ‘Suron Ke Ustaad’ will help differently-abled children pursue their aspirations and provide them a platform at the national level.

Source from: Sify

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BANGALORE: While health minister B Sriramulu gives blank statements on free treatment for H1N1 and dengue patients in private hospitals, here is a group of youngsters who have vaccinated slum children to prevent them from swine flu.

Members of NGO Naavu, who have belief in the concept “Prevention is better than cure”, conducted a free H1N1 vaccination programme on Tuesday in Sajjan Rao School.

“We did not get the required support in government school. That is when we chose slum-dwelling children, who are studying in private schools. About 175 children from Parvathipura slum, who are studying in this school, were vaccinated,” said N Krsihna Kumar, founder, Naavu.

The vaccine costs Rs 250 per student. With the help of donors and pharmaceutical companies, the NGO could bring down the cost per student to Rs 150.

It was conducted with the help of a team of doctors, comprising Dr Keshav Murthy, Dr N Nagalakshmi, Dr Leela. Medical students from KIMS also joined the event.

The NGO is willing to carry ahead this work in different areas of the city. Those interested can contact Krishna Kumar at 9448082530.

Read more: Youngsters vaccinate slum children to prevent them from swine flu - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Youngsters-vaccinate-slum-children-to-prevent-them-from-swine-flu/articleshow/6289748.cms#ixzz0wH87ri65

Popularity: 1% [?]

In our times, the Internet is easily the most powerful medium that people can turn to when they want to make a request for help. But it’s easy for their plea to get drowned in the deluge of information on cyberspace. Social psychologist Chandni Parekh decided to exploit the full potential of the
Internet by connecting people with information they might be seeking. She decided to use Twitter to start a platform whereby individuals or NGOs could make requests for donations or receive information about available funds.

Small start
She called this initiative Fund A Cause (http://twitter.com/FundACause), started a blog (FundACause.posterous.com) and also started a Facebook group.

Parekh began the initiative in April 2009, by simply collating information that she received in emails from friends or other e-groups that she was a part of, and retweeting them to her followers. She says she was inspired by the fact that there’s no comprehensive forum for those seeking or providing funds. “Where is the platform for those seeking funds?” she asks. “Even for someone to critique a request for money, there should be awareness about it.”

In the last year, the causes that have found a mention on her Facebook page have spanned a wide range. The most common requests are from families of patients seeking donations for medical treatment and from NGOs. But you will also find information about a surprising number of scholarships, from an energy efficient lighting design competition with prize money of over a lakh, to the British Council’s award for young entrepreneurs.

How does Parekh sift the genuine claims from the dubious? “I don’t take up any of the cases or personally contact the funders,” she says. “But so far, it’s quite remarkable that of the 1000-odd tweets I have received, there haven’t been any I’ve found fake. Besides, every tweet has the email address and the contact number of the concerned person.”

However, she did receive some unconventional requests that she couldn’t share. “There were two dowry-related emails I received,” she says. “In one case, a father was asking for monetary help to raise dowry for his daughter’s wedding.”

Although she doesn’t intend to formalise the initiative by establishing an offline presence, Parekh says it is bound to grow on the Net. “Twitter has the potential to channelise a lot of efforts,” she says. “There are well-meaning people out there but they have to be motivated.”

Source from: HindustanTimes

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CHANDIGARH: Taking a firm stand on the ongoing standoff with an NGO, Hum Log, UT administration on Monday decided not to give it permission to hold a National Anthem ceremony at Open Hand. The reason? UT has stated that the NGO’s plans clash with an Independence Day function being organized by Punjab and Haryana High Court at the same time on August 15 at the monument.

UT has advised the NGO to organize the ceremony to pay tribute to martyrs at War Memorial, Bougainvillea Garden, for which it has promised to extend full cooperation.

“Permission to organize the ceremony by the applicants at Open Hand Monument and Martyr Memorial at Capital Complex, Sector 1, cannot be given. The applicants have been asked to cooperate with the administration to maintain law and order at Capitol Complex,” stated an order issued by deputy commissioner Brijender Singh on Monday.

Reacting to the decision, the NGO’s founder, Gaurav Chabra, said, “It is amusing to know that Punjab and Haryana High Court’s Independence Day cannot co-exist with the peaceful assembly of citizens. Refusing us permission to recite the National Anthem on August 15 is a national shame.”

“Reciting the National Anthem and paying tribute to martyrs of Indian Freedom Struggle at Open Hand monument and Martyr Memorial at Capital Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh is matter of Fundamental Rights (under article 19) and a Fundamental duty as per under Article 51(a) of the Constitution,” he added.

Read more: UT denies NGO permit for I-day event at Open Hand - Chandigarh - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/UT-denies-NGO-permit-for-I-day-event-at-Open-Hand/articleshow/6284966.cms#ixzz0wCYvh4Hv

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NEW DELHI: UK, Australia and Canada have issued advisories warning their citizens against travel to Leh following the largescale devastation and reports of tourists being stranded.

The British foreign office said flash floods had affected communication networks and road transport. Asking British citizens to monitor local and international weather updates for details of impending weather depressions which are common at this time of year, the revised advisory cautioned against all travel to Leh and surrounding areas. Helplines have been set up by all three embassies even as the Centre, the J&K government and the Army are busy with relief operations.

The Union home ministry on Sunday said work was “continuing in full swing in Leh with the help of the state government, Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and central paramilitary forces”.

A statement by the ministry said Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was helping plug the breaches to make NH-1A between Srinagar-Kargil and Kargil-Leh functional. “Three IL-76 and four AN-32 aircraft carrying relief material reached Leh this morning. 45 NDRF personnel along with 27 medical staff and rescue and relief material including tents, tarpaulin, inflatable boats and medicine reached the affected areas yesterday,” the statement said. Home ministry also provided five satellite phones to the state government on Saturday.

Meanwhile, NGO Save the Children, which has extensive operations in the area, said the toll could climb to over 1,000, going by eye-witness reports with several villages surrounding Leh town remaining inaccessible and cut off from the rest of the world.

“We are struggling to respond to this tragedy. We urgently and immediately need 5,000 blankets, 5,000 hygiene kits and tarpaulin. We appeal to the public to come forward to strengthen our relief efforts as the immediate and short-term needs of the affected population are huge,” Thomas Chandy, CEO, Save the Children, said.

The NGO is coordinating its relief efforts with international medical humanitarian NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres and local NGOs in Leh.

Chandy said rescue efforts were complicated by the fact that the majority of buildings in Leh was constructed using mud bricks and mud mortar. Finding bodies beneath the flattened debris was hampered by the muddy slush.

Read more: UK, Australia, Canada warn against travel to Leh - India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UK-Australia-Canada-warn-against-travel-to-Leh/articleshow/6276362.cms#ixzz0w55k05DX

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Versatile actor Boman Irani, who has been named the brand ambassador of NGO Ahead which works for the welfare of physically challenged people, will raise funds through a theatre performance Sunday.

The play called The Melody of Love will be held at Manik Sabhagriha, Bandra in Mumbai, said a press statement.

It will feature actors like Tom Alter, Lillette Dubey, popular radio jockey Mantra and actor-director Divya Arora, who is wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy since birth and is directing the play.

On being asked about her choice of Boman as the brand ambassador, Arora said: “Boman is very human. He is not only multi-talented but also multi-faceted. Most importantly he is self-made. Boman Irani also has the power to influence change. He is a very approachable person with a warm heart.”

Boman, who has enthralled the audience with his performance in films like Munnabhai MBBS and 3 Idiots, says he completely supports the idea of theatre for a cause.

“Today the audience has become very progressive, they enjoy theatre equally as compared to cinema. In fact, theatre is not only entertaining but also educative. People feel that my voice is inspiring and reaches the audience. That gives me the boost to come forward for such good deeds,” said the actor, who has prior experience in theatre as well.

Read more at: http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20100149048&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=42753&cp

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NAGPUR: ” Stray dog menace is a serious issue and has to be resolved immediately. But dogs are also living creatures and cannot just be killed off,” said Karishma Galani, member of People for Animals (PFA).

“The People for Animals, (PFA), Nagpur chapter, with the help of other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation can build special dog shelters for stray dogs,” she told TOI.

Galani had recently alleged that NMC health department officials and NGOs were killing stray dogs under Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. She had said civic body and NGOs were not following rules of Animal Welfare Board while sterilising the strays.

She said PFA had already planned to develop a special shelter for stray dogs, if civic body gave them a few acres of land in city or outside.

“Our national president Maneka Gandhi has assured to give Rs 10 crore for the purpose. Like SPCA and ISAW, we can start another sterilisation centre to check stray dog population,” she added. In the shelter, the dogs will be sterilised, given shelter, fed and cared for.

The issue should be discussed by civic authorities along with NGOs and other animal lovers, she demanded. Meanwhile, a senior NMC official informed that PFA had put up similar proposal two years ago. He said NMC then was ready to provide funds to the NGO for constructing a dog shelter at its two acre land in Chinchbhuvan.

“At that time, PFA did not show any interest in the project,” he said. “We are also seriously thinking of developing such shelters outside city limits. However, the move is in planning stage and putting a time frame on its implementation will be difficult,” he added.

Read more: NGO wants dog shelter in city - Nagpur - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/NGO-wants-dog-shelter-in-city/articleshow/6264034.cms#ixzz0vpUBY3PS

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