World Water Day 22nd March 2003
& UNDP-SGP Launch Workshop
“People should actively participate in social change and economic development processes initiated by civil society organisations. Moreover, in natural resources management such association gives tangible livelihood benefits”. This was opined by Srichand Kriplani, Member of Parliament (Chittorgarh) in the launch meeting of United Nations Development Programme–Small Grants Programme (UNDP–SGP) supported ‘land and water management leading towards biodiversity conservation’ project, implemented by Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) and organised on 22nd March 2003, in the event of World Water Day, at Pemadiya Khera village of Chittorgarh district. He also assured to provide financial assistance for construction of water tank in the village as well as restoration of one of the traditional ponds located there. Among others, Devika Chakraborty from Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad and several government officials as well as members of Panchayati Raj Institutions participated in the event attended by 150 villagers from Pemadiya Khera and its three surrounding villages.
Workshop on Consumer Rights and Protection A brief report
A workshop on Consumer Rights and Protection were organised coinciding with International Consumer Protection day at CUTS-Centre for Human Development, Chittorgarh, in collaboration with District Public Distribution and Supply Department. Central to CUTS goals is promoting an awakening consumer society in all its complexity and dimensions.
The representatives from the department of Food and civil supply, PHED, Raj State Transport Corp, Department of Industries, and Legal Expert participated in the workshop. Besides, members of Bal Panchayats, Women Self Help Groups, Volunteers and grassroots networkers were also participated. In all, there were about 70 participants.
The purpose of the workshop was to; (a) Increase better understanding about consumer rights and their protection among consumer society. (b) Adhere grassroots as well as urban consumers to deal with different aspects of consumer rights and their protection. (c) Enable people to raise questions of their daily lives with concerned public/private stakeholder. (d) The means for facilitating/stimulating the process as catalyst.
Workshop was structured in the form of six sessions alternating with discussions from people’s end to the concerned stakeholder. All sessions were fully participatory.
Main focus of the discussion was (i) Role of Public Distribution System (PDS) to consumers (ii) Water as a natural commodity – consumers rights and responsibility (iii) Public Transportation Facilities- How safe consumers lives and pockets are? (iv) Biotechnology, food security and globalization – Consumers boon or bane? (v) Women Participation in Small-Scale Industries and (vi) Consumer Protection Act: Legal Framework.
Workshop on Child Rights: Present and Future Perspectives
A theme based daylong workshop on Child Rights: present and future perspectives organised on 10th March 2003 at CUTS-Centre for Human Development, Chittorgarh as local chapter of its 20th Anniversary celebration.
Many dignitaries included District collector Chittorgarh Mr. R.N. Arvind, Representatives from Institute of Development studies (IDS), Jaipur, Prayas, Arth, Dairy representatives of Bhilwara and Chittorgarh, Additional DEO Chittorgarh, members of Bal Panchayats, Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), Volunteers and grassroots networkers took part. There were total 110 participants.
Poverty, Child Rights and their repercussions on education, health and nutrition was the main discussion point of the workshop. Subject wise, wholly interactive panel was made. Different resource persons were nominated for highlighting the issue of information on Child Rights, condition of education, health, nutrition and the role of the institutions to deal with the subjects.
Workshop was divided in to three sessions of education, health and nutrition. Every session was organised by different field Organisers. The workshop was wholly participatory. For conservation of Child Rights, participation of every concerned stakeholder is mandatory.
For detailed information, please contact: Dhanna Singh Rawat