News Update
Environment Systems Branch (ESB)
TThe CLEAN-India team of five students from four cities of India viz. Delhi, Jhansi, Indore and Bangalore with two mentors went to Dubai to represent India in The Global Environmental Youth Convention 2006 (Dec 9-13, 2006) and won the trophy on their project on e-waste management and the hearts of people from across the world. The team had been working for over a year on the Young Masters Programme Online Course on Preventive Environmental Strategies. The CLEAN-India team competed with 500 students from 30 countries. One of the students got selected for the Reuters training and as the official photographer / reporter for the event and another student was chosen to give the closing address.
ESB organised the IV th multi-stakeholder consultation meeting Dec.5-6, to get consensus on the proposed voluntary performance standard for Lead Battery Manufacturing Plants. In attendance were representatives of major battery manufacturers, government ( CPCB, BIS, QCI) NGOs and dealers. The final battery sub-commiittee meeting was held on Dec 5.and was dedicated to discussions regarding design of voluntary battery collection system.
Institutions Systems Branch (ISB)
Training System Group
UNDP-TAHA:
- District Level Stakeholders workshop done in all 21 Project districts of MP, Bihar and Maharashtra.
- Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp (EAC) conducted in sites in 7 districts of Madhya Pradesh
- Micro planning exercise done in 10 Villages in Jhansi and Tikamgarh District
Major Events:
- TNA on Civil Society Organisation Governance was held for Bihar PACS partner CSOs Nov 27-30, 2006.
- TARAAkshar - Computer Based Literacy training for the Master Trainers was held Dec 18-27, 2006.
- Training on Participatory Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation (PPME) at TARAgram
- Trainer's training on Federation of SHGs
Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA)
- VSBK : TARA Brick machine launched in Orissa & M.P. , TARA VSBK is approved for cluster developmentin M.P.by SSI
- Machine: TARA Machines had signed MOU with Srilanka Textile Ministry for TARA Handlooms. First lot of Balram Machines was sent to UNICEF for housing purpose.
- Paper: TARA Paper participated in the Christmas and New Year Carnival at Dilihaat. Newly designed New Year Calendar and other products made by Sahariya tribal women were supplied to tribes.
- basin-SA has conducted the eighth state consultation on National Rural Habitat and Housing Policy in Rajastan, Nov 14-15.The consultation was attended by state government functionaries,financial institutions, research and training institutions, NGOs , civil society organisations and small entrepreneurs.Details are available at http://www.devalt.org/taranet/basinsa.aspx
- A mason's training programme was conducted on alternate building technologies in the Niwari Block, Tikamgarh from Nov 29 - Dec 2. Under this initiative with the support from District Administration, 20 masons were trained and will be employed locally for house construction.
- Development of new micro concrete products has been undertaken by the Products and Technology Development Unit. The new products include designer walling, flooring tiles and paving material which will soon be ready for marketing.
- The total number of TARAkendras has reached 175.
- TARA Akshar-the literacy mission by TARAhaat has now reached Bhopal. A training programme for Instructors is going on in Bhopal. The total number of participating instructors is 30.