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Environment Systems Branch (ESB) |
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Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh is the latest addition to
the list of 60 cities which are members of the CLEAN India
(Community led Environment Action Network) programme. The city was
formally made part of the network on 2nd August
2005 with Vayam Students Samiti as the local NGO partner. An
orientation programme was organised from 2-3 August 2005, for NGO
coordinators and teachers and student representatives from six
member schools selected by the NGO.
ESB organised a training programme on ‘Modern
Water Treatment Techniques’ for Military Engineering Services (MES)
personnel in TARAgram, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh from 29th -31st August
2005.
State of Environment (SoE) report of
Meghalaya was launched in the Steering Committee on 11th July
2005. |
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Institutions Systems Branch (ISB) |
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Poorest Areas Civil Society
(PACS) Programme
The MEAL
Core Group (MCG) met on 9th and
10th August
2005 at Teri Retreat, Gual Pahari, Gurgaon-Faridabad Road. The
objectives of the meeting were to take stock of data, information
and analysis that has been synthesized in states and at the National
level and MEAL design improvement. The Desktop Interactive
Information System (DIIS) on the PACS programme was presented by
Catalyst Management Service, Bangalore during the meeting.
The State
Based Communication Agencies (SBCA) meeting has been organised by
the Management Consultant on 11th and
12th August
2005 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Infochange and Centre for
Advocacy and Research (CFAR) invited to co facilitate over the
meeting. The status of communication efforts of PACS was reviewed in
the meeting. The SBCAs were oriented on Advocacy and Communication
and the state specific action plan for PACS states was also
developed.
The State consultations on “Empowering Livelihoods – State Policy,
Private Initiatives and Civil Society Action” were completed in
Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chattishgarh. The
consultation for Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh will take place in the
month of September 2005. The preparation for The National Conference
on “Empowering Livelihoods – State Policy, Private Initiatives and
Civil Society Action” , scheduled for October 24-26, 2005 is in full
swing. |
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Technology Systems Branch
(TSB) |
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The
on-going rural housing programme at Mador, Bundelkhand, managed by
DA, has been the first opportunity for rural application of the RCC
Choukhat technology. Two masons from Mador, who have been
trained at TARAgram in production of choukhats, have further
trained two more from the village. Thus, a team of four masons is
now producing choukhats in the village using wooden moulds
and accessories, provided by DA.
TSB has in the last month developed a brick moulding machine
called VSBK Sevak for production of better quality green
bricks that can be fired in any kiln, including VSBK. This machine
is currently being tested and will be available for commercial use
in the coming months.
In response to the Tsunami Disaster of 26th December
2004 in the west coast of India, DA has initiated a reconstruction
project in three villages of Karaikal district of Pondicherry. The
project funded by the Swiss Solidarity Chain, includes total village
development for 1175 families, along with creation of allied
livelihoods. We will continue to report on these in the coming
months. |
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TARAhaat |
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Under the
Microsoft Unlimited Potential (MSUP) programme the number of
students stands at 604 and master trainers at 34.
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The first batch of Akshargyan pilot test passed out this week. A
ceremony was held at Bhati Mines to certify all the 48 learners and
four master trainers. |
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Technology and Action for Rural
Advancement (TARA) |
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TARA Trainings at the
edge of the Bay of Bengal, Nagapatinam, continue to reign supreme.
The Paper Product Unit Training has been very much appreciated by
the Jayalalitha Govt. The Looms Training at Sickle, Sumangalam has
attracted a huge listing. As such the Training is being conducted
there in two shifts. q |
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