National Consumer Day
To mark the National Consumer Day, CUTS CHD, jointly with District Supply Office, Chittorarh, organised a seminar on the theme, “Aware Consumer is an Empowered Consumer” on December 24, 2007. Addressing the Seminar, Narbada Bhambi, Additional District Education Officer (Primary) called for the need for better education opportunities to girls, so that the dream of an aware consumer society could be realised.
Speaking on the occasion, Jai Prakash Agarwal, District Supply Officer, said that consumer training are ensured in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, but people can avail these rights only if they follow their duties. Dr Bhagwat Singh Tanwar of Aravali Jal and Paryavaran Sewa Sansthan, Chittorikhera pointed out that fake commodities are being sold along with the real ones in the market, which is difficult for the common people to decipher. Kalyani Dixit, the Principal of the Government Girls High Secondary School, Chittorgarh, said that before buying a product, consumers should pay attention to its quality. Madan Giri Goswami briefed the role played by CUTS in raising awareness among the people.
Bharat Nirman People Information Campaign Exhibition
CUTS CHD, with assistance form National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), participated and put up stall at “Bharat Nirman People Information Campaign Exhibition” at the local Dussehra Mela Ground, Chittorgarh on October 24-28, 2007.
In the exhibition, works of NGOs from Chittorgarh and Bhilwara districts were highlighted. Posters and banners depicting the women empowerment, Panchayati Raj Act, Consumer Protection Act, education, health and environment etc., were displayed. However, the special attraction of the Campaign Exhibition was CUTS’ banner displaying the women empowerment: “self help groups (SHGs) towards self-reliance”.
Also, CUTS publications such as, Gram Gadar, Aage Badhno Hossi (Women Marching Ahead), Rajasthan Mein Upbhokton Ki Sthiti (Status of Consumers in Rajasthan), Panchwa Stambh (Fifth Estate), Sadiyon Se Mila Mahilaon Ko Dusra Darja (Second class status to women since time immemorial), Bhrashtachar: Ek Nazar Mein etc., were displayed for a wider information dissemination. CUTS staff provided free counseling to men, women, children and children on SGHs, public distribution system (PDS), and consumer issues.
Environment Awareness Week
Under Wild Life and Environment Awareness Week (October 01-07, 2007), a seminar was organised jointly by CUTS CHD and District NGOs on the theme, “Role of NGOs in Environment Protection” on October 03, 2007, at CUTS CHD campus. Speaking in the seminar, RS Nathawat, Deputy Forest Officer, Wild Life said that NGOs should take on the onus of generating awareness and sensitising people about the protection of wild life animals. He suggested for promoting women empowerment in the present context to realise the goal of protecting wild life animals.
NS Modi, President of District NGOs said that due to lack of population control measures, the agriculture land has increased at the expense of forest land, which is a matter of concern. Mahesh Jain, Bureau Chief of Rajasthan Patrika, called for greater facilitating role of the people in the protection of environment. Amit Chowdhury pointed out that CUTS has been working on the grassroots for the protection of environment for more than a decade. There were 46 participants in the seminar, which include representatives of NGOs, government officials and social activists.