Dr. Ashok Khosla and Zeenat Niazi represented DA at the World Circular Economy Forum 2017, Finland

Dr. Ashok Khosla (Chairman, DA) was the speaker at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) on 5th June, 2016 in Helsinki, Finland. The event brought together the world's leaders, top experts, entrepreneurs, financiers and the civil society to share their ideas and to find common vision towards the transition to a Circular Economy globally. Dr. Ashok Khosla shared his views on circular and inclusive economy and how DA has been contributing in the field of sustainable development through creating and supporting SMEs, thus working towards achieving SDGs. Zeenat Niazi (Vice President, DA) participated in the Table Talk on 'Collective Impact for Sustainable Consumption and a Circular Economy'at the WCEF.
Click here to view the video (Dr. Ashok Khosla's session starts from 6:00 minutes)

Formation of the WATSAN committee, Rajasthan

DA along with UNICEF, Rajasthan aims to increase climate and disaster resilience of children, adolescents and women through strengthening people's participation in local development process. Under this project, a Paani Panchayat Gathan (Water and Sanitation Committee) has been formed in the selected Gram Panchayats (Selana, Jhadol and Bagpura) in Jhadol block, Udaipur District, Rajasthan. About 70 people from the community and representatives from partner organisations participated in the capacity building process on 13^th and 14^th June 2017.

Health Literacy package at TARA Akshar+, Delhi

DA piloted the Health Literacy package in the TARA Akshar+ centers of East Delhi on 17^th June, 2017. Health Literacy Package covers 30 topics related to health and its importance in our lives. The first session was conducted with 40 TARA Akshar+ learners from Center 1 and 2 of New Sanjay Amar Colony and Center 3 and 4 of J.J Colony, Bharat Vihar and it focused on 'Importance of good health and importance of a healthy family'. The session was interactive and the women shared their views on health issues.

Training and Awareness Programme, Delhi and UP

Training and Awareness programme with truck drivers and helpers of Dadri and Tughlakabad was conducted on 4^th, 10^th, 11^th and 18^th June 2017. 228 truck drivers and helpers participated in the intervention. This programme aims to improve the quality of life of truck drivers and helpers. The training topics like road safety, WASHH (water, sanitation, health and hygiene), financial literacy, personal development, alcoholism, etc. The feedback of truck drivers and helpers have been very positive and till date, more than 900 truck drivers and helpers have undergone these interventions.

Training on Generate Your Business Idea, Delhi

A three-day training on 'Generate Your Business Idea' was conducted from 31^st May to 2^nd June 2017 at DA's Centre of Excellence, Ghitorni Campus, Delhi. The objective of the training was to enable potential entrepreneurs to analyse their entrepreneur skills. The training also facilitated generation of multiple ideas and the emergence of a feasible business idea. The 10 women who participated would be a part of the 'Start and Improve Your Business Idea' training in order to prepare a feasible business plan and to improve on their business management skills.

Training on Reproductive Health, Uttarakhand

A training on 'Family Planning and Contraceptive Choices', under the Hariyali Udyamita Sampannata project was conducted on 6^th June, 2017 in Mandhavar Village of Bhagwanpur, Uttarakhand. More than 20 women and adolescent girls participated in the training. They shared that they want to learn more about reproductive health related issues. Benefits of family planning were discussed and the participants were encouraged to question and clarify their doubts regarding the topic.

Training on Start and Improve Your Business Idea, Haryana

A four-day training on 'Start and Improve Your Business Idea' was organised in Rewari Mazra village, Haryana from 8^th to 11^th June 2017. The objective of the training was to enable potential entrepreneurs to develop a viable business plan and sharpen their business management skills in order to sustainably execute their business ideas. The 26 women trained have set up two Self-Help Groups having 16 and 10 members each and are planning on setting up two paper products units in the near future.

Workshop on Development Finance, Himachal Pradesh

DA participated in a four-day workshop on Development Finance which was held in the Sambhaavnaa Institute, Palampur, and Himachal Pradesh from 6^th to 9^th June, 2017. The workshop focused on how the international financial and banking system works and how most of the finance required for development is channeled to developing and under-developed countries. Special reference was given to International Financial institutions such as World Bank, ADB and National Financial Institutions such as SBI, NABARD. Trainers were from Environmental Support Group, Bengaluru, and Centre for Financial Accountability and Sambhaavnaa Institute, Delhi.

Training on Promoting Micro Solar Dome Technology in Tribal Pocket of India, Uttarakhand

A three-day training on 'Promoting Micro Solar Dome Technology in Tribal Pocket of India with different Agro Climate condition and varied type of housing' was organised from 8^th to 10^th June 2017 at the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO), Dehradun. The Micro Solar Dome (MSD) Technology is a new technology developed by N B Institute for Rural Technology (NBIRT), Kolkata in association with DA, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, WWF and HESCO. The objective was to understand the nuances of the Micro Solar Dome Technology and how it can provide direct sunlight to the tribal homes; thus reducing extensive use of electricity and provide the necessary amount of Vitamin D to the women of the household.

Workshop on Prohibition on open burning, Delhi

The Department of Environment, Government of Delhi organised a workshop on 'Prohibition on open burning of any kind of material - A small step targeting big impact' on 14th June, 2017. DA was invited to share its experience on Decentralised Waste Management and outcomes of its experiment in Saraswati Vihar, Delhi. The CLEAN India team of DA showcased its Green Gold project undertaken at the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) under North Delhi Municipal Corporation. There were about 300 participants from various fields including government officials of MCDs, DPCC, District Magistrates (Revenue) DDA, PWD, NGOs, RWAs, Schools/ Colleges, etc. Shri Imran Hussain, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Environment & Forests and Election, Government of NCT of Delhi delivered the keynote address and appreciated the work done by DA under the Green Gold initiative

Orientation workshop for Nodal Officers on SDGs, Himachal Pradesh

A two-day workshop on SDGs was organised on 30th May and 31st May 2017 at the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Shimla. The Planning Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh, National Foundation of India (NFI) and HIPA organised an orientation training on SDGs for 40 nodal officers of various state departments. DA conducted an interactive session wherein the ecological components of SDGs and the context of Himachal Pradesh on environment sustainability were discussed.

Blog

Waste does matter, Palas Kumar Haldar, Development Alternatives
'Wastes' are substances or objects, which are disposed of or are intended to be disposed of or are required to be disposed of by the provisions of national law. Palas Kumar Haldar, in this blog titled 'Waste does Matter', highlights the impacts of waste generation, types of wastes, and utilisation of waste in order to achieve higher resource efficiency.

Publications

National Green Economy Barometer Report
This document acts as a diagnostic of the status of transition towards a green, fair and inclusive economy in India, that is, an economy that provides a better quality of life for all within the ecological limits of the planet.

Developing climate resilient farming
This document highlights the agricultural systems adopted by small farmers in Bundelkhand in order to cope with climate change. With support from Development Alternatives, the initiatives at the farm level and landscape level are being upscaled in order to build long term sustainability of climate resilient agriculture systems in Bundelkhand. This article has been punished in the LEISA India Magazine, June 2017 Volume 19 No.2.

DA in News

90 TARA Akshar+ women receive NIOS certificate, Amar Ujala, 22nd May 2017
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) certificate distribution ceremony was organised on 20th May, 2017 for TARA Akshar+ learners by CSO partner Shushrusha Samiti in Ramnagar Block of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The ceremony was attended by Block Development Officer (BDO), Ramnagar, ABSA and Gram Pradhan.

Water Campaign at DA in Partnership with NABARD, Dainik Jagran, 01 Jun 2017
Development Alternatives is the implementation partner for the Water Campaign initiated by NABARD. The Water Campaign is being carried out in 500 villages of Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh. Various activities like rallies, shram daan, etc. have been carried out under this campaign.

DA featured in the CAN International's Global Narratives Research Report
CAN International and CANSA conducted a narrative Research on Climate Change. Nibedita Phukan, DA participated in the Global Narratives Workshop and has contributed in two of the research studies focusing Bundelkhand.