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Centre for Communication and Development Studies

Flat No, B-202
Collina Casa (B Wing)
Lullanagar
Near Mount Carmel School
Pune – 411040

Phone No: - 020-8055342047/ 020 26852845

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Media Fellowships Renuka Dam

Kurush Canteenwalla's documentary made as part of the Infochange Media Fellowship 2009 starts in thirsty Delhi and travels to the lush, green Renuka valley in Himachal Pradesh where families in 17 panchayats will be thrown off their fertile picture-postcard land to make way for the Renuka dam that will supply water to Delhi. Those living in the area -mostly farmers - point to the many crops they grow and from which they make a decent living, and ask what they can do and where they can go when their land is taken away. The documentary highlights the powerlessness of ordinary people in a democracy and skewed city development that has destroyed Delhi's own water resources and causes it to prey on the resources of people 300 miles away.

UNFPA award

Announcement

UNFPA-Laadli Media Award for Infochange

Anosh Malekar of www.infochangeindia.org was awarded the UNFPA-Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitive Reporting in the Web category on December 9, 2009. Anosh won the award for his story entitled Battling the Triple Burden of Poverty, Religion and Gender, which reports on the 97 women’s education centres that are slowly beginning to transform the lives of the impoverished and illiterate women of the Meo Muslim community in Mewat district of UP.  Read the story here http://infochangeindia.org/Agenda/Against-exclusion/Battling-the-triple-burden-of-poverty-religion-and-gender.html.

Award CCDS film

Award for Goa, Goa, Gone, a CCDS film

Kurush Canteenwalla's film on the destruction wrought by the mining industry in Goa, produced by CCDS, has won the Delhi Chief Minister's Environment Conservation Award at the CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival that concluded on October 31, 2009.

The Jury Citation states: "The film amazingly captures the real-life drama of the people of Goa -- from old people to children -- battling for the rich but threatened biodiversity of the forests of the Western Ghats against the all-powerful, unthinking mining lobby."

To watch the film, click here

Infochange Media Fellowships 2009

Infochange Media Fellowships 2009

November 1-December 31, 2009 

www.infochangeindia.org invites applications for its 2009 Media Fellowships. These fellowships will be awarded to journalists, filmmakers and researchers reporting on a selected topic of research. The topic chosen must be related to social justice/sustainable development in India.

www.infochangeindia.org (managed by the Centre for Communication and Development Studies) covers a diverse range of issues in the social sector – from environment, poverty, livelihoods, public health, women and child rights, social exclusion, displacement, migration, gender and sexuality to globalisation, trade and development, intellectual property rights, social entrepreneurship and much more. We welcome proposals that uncover and illustrate topical issues and contemporary debates in any of these fields. The final output must combine research and reportage with background, perspective, analysis and, when appropriate, views and information from experts.

The fellowship must result in any one of the following outputs:

1. A series of five or more original articles (preferably with photographic documentation) on the proposed subject of research, totalling 7,500 words or more. These are to be submitted and uploaded on www.infochangeindia.org.
2. A series of three or more audio documentaries – each less than 20 mins in duration -- on the proposed subject of research, to be featured in the Audio section of infochangeindia.org. If the documentaries are in a regional Indian language they must be subtitled in English.
3. One documentary film (not exceeding 30 mins duration) or a series of shorts (of broadcast quality, submitted in avi or mpeg formats) on the proposed subject of research, for upload in the Documentary section of infochangeindia.org. If the documentary is in a regional Indian language it must be subtitled in English.

(All content researched and uploaded on www.infochangeindia.org may be submitted for publication/dissemination elsewhere one month after upload on our site, provided due credit is given to CCDS and infochangeindia.org as the supporting institution and the website where the material first appeared respectively. Films and audio stories produced as part of the fellowship must likewise carry the required credits to CCDS and infochangeindia)

Duration

The fellowships will be announced end-October. Fellows are expected to begin work by the first week of November 2009 and complete it by the first week of January 2010. All outputs are required to reach infochangeindia by January 10, 2010.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to independent journalists, filmmakers and researchers living in India only. Working journalists may also apply, provided their organisations endorse their application and allow them time off for this fellowship If selected.

Last date for submission of applications

All applications must be received by September 30, 2009.

Funding support

The infochangeindia fellowships carry a grant amount of Rs 50,000 (subject to TDS as applicable). 50% of this amount will be disbursed on selection, to fund travel and research expenses. The balance will be released on successful completion of the project, submission and acceptance of stories/films. Infochangeindia reserves the right to ask for revisions in articles/documentaries submitted until its standards for upload are met. 

Grants will be withdrawn and the advance refunded by the fellow if the fellow fails to complete and submit her/his project on deadline or if the quality of the work submitted is not acceptable. The decision of the editors/editorial board of www.infochangeindia.org on the quality of submissions will be final.

Application procedure

All applications must be accompanied by

1. A detailed proposal (not exceeding 1,000 words) clearly stating the subject to be researched, the applicant’s perspective on this subject, and expected output in terms of X number of articles etc.
2. Travel likely to be undertaken for the research, with an estimated budget.
3. CV of the applicant.
4. Three samples of published work by applicants from the print media. At least one sample of broadcast/telecast work on CD by applicants from the electronic media. If any of these are in regional languages, they must be accompanied by a summary of their contents in English.
5. Working journalists submitting applications must enclose a letter from their editor stating that they endorse the application and will allow the fellow time off for the research if selected.
6. One letter of recommendation from a writer/editor/academician or other appropriate referee endorsing the applicant’s interest/expertise in the chosen subject of research and the candidate’s ability to successfully complete the project.

Address to send applications to

Applications may be addressed to

Infochangeindia Media Fellowships
Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS)
301, Kanchanjunga Building, Kanchan Gully
Off Law College Road,
Pune 411 004

Telephone: 020-26852845/25457371 

Applications not accompanied by CDs may be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and CC to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. provided all scanned material is clearly legible and all attachments are zipped into a single file.  

Sangam House Announcement

ANNOUNCEMENT

SANGAM HOUSE International Writers' Residency invites applications for the 2009-2010 season which runs for 10 weeks between November 2009 and February 2010.

Deadine for applications, July 31, 2009

Sangam House is located outside Pondicherry, India. The intention of Sangam House is to bring together writers from around the world to live and work in a safe, peaceful setting.

The residency program is designed for writers who have published to some acclaim but not yet enjoyed substantial commercial success. Sangam House seeks to give writers (and we include here translators, poets, playwrights and those involved in creating fiction and non-fiction works) a chance to build a substantial and influential network of personal and professional relationships that can deepen their own work, in effect, expanding and diversifying literature.

We invite applications from writers working in any and all languages.

For more information and application procedures, please visit www.sangamhouse.org

Media Fellowship Waste

Santosh, Sameer and Salman - three real-life 'slumdogs' - live in Dharavi, Mumbai's biggest slum. They are among thousands of child ragpickers in the city, making a vital contribution to Mumbai's recycling industry, based largely in Dharavi. The boys comb through mountains of rubbish on the outskirts of the Indian metropolis that generates 8,000 metric tonnes of waste every day. They have no protection against the dangerous toxins that surround them. But for them, they say, waste is gold. Who recognises the value of their contribution to waste management in the city? What will happen to them and to the waste recycling industry of Dharavi when the slum redevelopment plan ousts them from here? Parasher Baruah won the Infochange Media Fellowship 2008 to make this film.

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Contributions by cheque/DD

Contributions can also be made by cheque/demand draft in favour of Centre for Communication and Development Studies, posted to the address provided below.

Dwarkanath KC
Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS)
B1, 1st floor
Hermes Vishal
Koregaon Park
Pune 411 001, India

Phone: 91-20-26150184
E-mail: contactus[@]infochangeindia.org CC to infochangeindia[@]gmail.com

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Contributions can also be made by cheque/demand draft in favour of Centre for Communication and Development Studies, posted to the address provided below.

Infochange Media Fellowship Video

CCDS presents its latest documentary film, directed by Soumitra Bhattacharya, on the child rights movement building up in more than 60 villages in Latur district of Maharashtra. These are drought-prone villages from where dalit labour migrate to the lush green sugarcane fields of western Maharashtra. Often, the dalits take their children with them to work the fields. But not any more. Now the children are demanding that they be allowed to go to school. They are asking why the entitled scholarships are not being granted to them, why they cannot eat the midday meal alongside the rest of the children.

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Off Law College Road, Next to Krishna Dining Hall
Pune 411004
Tel: 020-25457371/30222156

Asia Media Conference

Asia Media Conference-09

Asia Media Forum has organised Asia Media Conference-09 in Bangkok from March 25 -27, 2009. The theme for the Asia Media Conference is "Media in the Time of Crisis". 

We expect to have journalists, subject experts, civil society activists, and policy makers from Asia to participate in this second Conference of the Asia Media Forum (www.theasiamediaforum.org). Asia Media Forum is a unique network and platform of media practitioners across Asia.

The conference will discuss the implications of and proposal to address the ongoing crises in the arenas of Economy, Environment, Food and Governance. In Asia we are at the receiving end of a much deeper recession, increasing instance of terrorism, deficit of democracy and potential risk of conflict and natural calamities. All these will have implication for the Media - in terms of implications as well as responsibilities. The Asia Media conference will not only discuss the implications but also explore the proposals to address multiple forms of such crises.

An interface between media and civil society and academia can play a vital role in shaping public discourse on development, democratization and human rights. 

Asia Media Conference will be a unique opportunity for journalists interact with fellow journalist and editors from different parts of Asia as well as with some of the most respected thinkers, academics and civil society leaders across Asia. We expect to have some of the most respected and eminent speakers- including Economists, Editors and Experts.

The Major Sessions will focus on :

a) Economic Crisis
b) Environmental Crisis
c) Crisis of Governance
d) Food Crisis.

This will be an exciting opportunity for media practitioners, civil society activists and academics to interact with each other and contribute to discourse and proposal to address the ongoing crisis. March will be also a great time to visit Bangkok. There is an added benefit of special discount airfare announced by the Thai Airways. This will be less US $ 300 for to and fro from various destinations in Asia to Bangkok.

A registration fee of US$ 150 for international participant will ensure three night hotel accommodation and conference lunches for three days.

 We would request all those who would like to participate to send their names and other details as soon as possible,

Name –
Position-
Organisation-
Country-
Contact Address-
Phone Nos. –
e-mail –

Please send these details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for registration.
Look forward to hear from you. Once we receive this information from you, we will inform you as to how and where to send the registration fee.

Kavi Chengottavan
Chair : Asia Media Conference Organising Committee
Chair:  South East Asia Press Alliance
Group Assistant Editor : The Nation Group, Bangkok.

Yuvaraj Ghimmre
Chair: Asia Media Forum Centre
Editor; Samay, Kathamandu

Melinda de Jesus
Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Manila

Milind Kokje
Coordinator, Asia Media Forum.
Senior Journalist, Mumbai

--
Milind Kokje,
Coordinator,
Asia Media Forum
404, Deepa,
Sant Ramdas Cross Road,
Mulund East, Mumbai,
400081.
Maharashtra-India

Cont.91 22 21634705
91 22 65719007
Cel l+91 9819169222

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.theasiamediaforum.org

Media Fellowships Final 2009

Announcement

Infochange Media Fellowships 2009

We are happy to announce the winners of the Infochange Media Fellowships 2009. We received over 120 applications. Four fellowships are being awarded this year. They are:

Subrat Kumar Sahu

For a series of articles on Community Forest Management in Orissa. At a time when most of India’s forest areas are depleting due to either poor management or non-forest activities such as mining, metal factories, and dams, a revolution in forest conservation is quietly perpetuating itself in the adivasi heartland of India, says Sahu. In Orissa alone, more than 2,000,000-odd people belonging to some 10,000 villages have formed village-level communities to protect and manage more than 4,000,000 ha (hectares) of forests, which they have recreated from barren lands... and which ensure the sustainability of the local economies. Sahu’s series will profile the CFM initiatives, look at the state challenges in the form of joint forestry management and state power, the loss of the forests to mining leases etc, impact of Forest Rights Act and the likelihood of government selling its forests in the international carbon market as carbon sinks.

Kurush Canteenwala

For a documentary film titled Dilli ki Pyas, about the haphazard and inequitable water supply and water management in Delhi,  and the proposed Renuka Dam in Himachal Pradesh, which will submerge 3,000 hectares of fertile land and 11,00,000 trees and displace 800 families and part of the Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary to provide Delhi an additional 1,450 million litres of water supply – roughly equivalent to the water lost in leakage, theft and transport every year. The film will be located in Delhi and the Renuka Dam site in Himachal Pradesh.

Maheen Mirza

For a detailed study of nutrition amongst the urban poor in three Bhopal slums. Mirza proposes to explore 1) The impact of migration and consequent loss of access to natural resources/grainbanks on nutrition; 2) how informal, unorganised livelihood patterns affect nutrition; 3) government interventions to promote food security; 4) how the markets are inducing the poor to switch to processed foods that appear nutritious;  and 5) women’s role in food provisioning.

Rintu R Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh

For their joint proposal titled ‘In Search of My Home’, a documentary film that records the  narratives of refugees in India who live precarious lives in the absence of refugee status from the UNHCR. These refugees are from Burma, Bangladeshb and other nations. The film will serve to comment on the ambivalence of India’s refugee policy and how the lack of policy of the Indian state, absence of legal redressal systems, minimal healthcare, abject living conditions and dwindling educational opportunities form a complex mire that seems impossible to get out of.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the winners. We will be in touch with you individually shortly. We will also be in touch with other applicants to the fellowship, whose proposals we found very interesting and which we would like to feature on www.infochangeindia.org in the future.

voxpop video

Get the message across!

The Vox Pop project uses the short-film format to show up – and bridge -- the borders between people, cultures, classes, genders, nations, ideologies, religions

We’ve made the first in the series (watch it above).

You make the rest!

Films should explore the broad theme of BORDERS. You must use the same format of shooting and recording the responses of diverse people to one particular question. The question you choose to ask will in large part determine how effective your film is.

Films should not be more than 120 seconds in duration. You can shoot on a professional mini-DV camera, or on a quality handycam or 3CCD digital video camera. But the output must be of broadcast quality.

You must use the original Vox Pop soundtrack that we have created for the series. Download the soundtrack at http://www.openspaceindia.org/Vox_pop.mp3

Entries can be submitted by individuals, by a group, or by a team/institution. This is an ongoing project so we will accept entries until March 2009. But the two best entries received by November 30, 2008 win an award of Rs 10,000 each.

The best entries will be showcased on the Open Space website (www.openspaceindia.org) and on India’s leading online resource base on social justice and development issues, www.infochangeindia.org.

We’re looking for films that are:

› Original
› Reflective of public attitudes and concerns
› Creative
› Technically sound
› Effective at getting the message across

All entries must be submitted in DVD format.

Adherence to the following guidelines is compulsory:

• The spot can be made using a Handycam or a 3CCD digital video camera or quality professional camera only(we will not accept entries shot on mobile phones) and the final output should be of broadcast quality. Entries should be submitted in any of the following formats: MOV, MPEG, AVI
• The film shall not contain any sort of vulgarity or nudity and should not hurt the religious sentiments or sensibilities of anyone in any way
• The location of the film should be open to general public and not exclusive in any way
• The primary language of the film should be English or Hindi
• Ideal running time of the film is upto 120 seconds. Films exceeding this duration will be disqualified.
• In case of any dispute related to the spot arising with a third party, www.infochangeindia.org, CCDS will not be held responsible; any disputes shall be dealt with by the person/s submitting the entry.
• CCDS shall have the right to use and disseminate for public education purposes all entries submitted for the contest.

DVDs of all entries should be couriered to at the following address: 
Open Space
B – 301, 2nd Floor,
Kanchanjunga Bldg, Kanchan Lane,
Near Krishna Dining Hall,
Off Law College Road,
Pune 411 004  

Tel No: 020-25457371

Infochangeindia Media Fellowships

Announcement

Infochangeindia Media Fellowships 2008

November 1-December 31, 2008

www.infochangeindia.org invites applications for its 2008 Media Fellowships. Three fellowships will be awarded to journalists and researchers reporting on a selected topic of research. The topic chosen must be related to social justice/sustainable development in India.

www.infochangeindia.org (managed by the Centre for Communication and Development Studies) covers a diverse range of issues in the social sector – from environment, poverty, livelihoods, public health, women and child rights, social exclusion, displacement, migration, gender and sexuality to globalisation, trade and development, intellectual property rights, social entrepreneurship and much more. We welcome proposals that uncover and illustrate topical issues and contemporary debates in any of these fields. The final output must combine research and reportage with background, perspective, analysis and, when appropriate, views and information from experts.

The fellowship must result in any one of the following outputs:

1. A series of five or more original articles (preferably with photographic documentation) on the proposed subject of research, totalling 7,500 words or more. These are to be submitted and uploaded on www.infochangeindia.org.

2. A series of three or more short audio reports – not exceeding 10 mins duration each -- on the proposed subject of research, to be featured in the Audio section of infochangeindia.org.

3. One documentary film (of 10-22 mins duration) or a series of shorts (of broadcast quality, submitted in avi or mpeg formats) on the proposed subject of research, for upload in the Documentary section of infochangeindia.org

(All content researched and uploaded on www.infochangeindia.org may be submitted for publication/dissemination elsewhere one month after upload on our site, provided due credit is given to CCDS and infochangeindia.org as the supporting institution and the website where the material first appeared respectively. Films and audio stories produced as part of the fellowship must likewise carry the required credits to CCDS and infochangeindia)

Duration

The fellowships will be announced end-October. Fellows are expected to begin work by the first week of November 2008 and complete it by the first week of January 2009. All outputs are required to reach infochangeindia by January 5, 2009.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to independent journalists and researchers living in India only. Working journalists may also apply, provided their organisations endorse their application and allow them time off for this fellowship If selected.

Last date for submission of applications

All applications must be received by October 6, 2008.

Funding support

The infochangeindia fellowships carry a grant amount of Rs 50,000 (subject to TDS as applicable). 50% of this amount will be disbursed on selection, to fund travel and research expenses. The balance will be released on successful completion of the project, submission and acceptance of stories/films. Infochangeindia reserves the right to ask for revisions in articles/documentaries submitted until its standards for upload are met.

Grants will be withdrawn and the advance refunded by the fellow if the fellow fails to complete and submit her/his project on deadline or if the quality of the work submitted is not acceptable. The decision of the editors/editorial board of www.infochangeindia.org on the quality of submissions will be final.

Application procedure

All applications must be accompanied by

1. A detailed proposal (not exceeding 1,000 words) clearly stating the subject to be researched, the applicant’s perspective on this subject, and expected output in terms of X number of articles etc.

2. Travel likely to be undertaken for the research, with an estimated budget.

3. CV of the applicant.

4. Three samples of published work by applicants from the print media. At least one sample of broadcast/telecast work on CD by applicants from the electronic media. If any of these are in regional languages, they must be accompanied by a summary of their contents in English.

5. Working journalists submitting applications must enclose a letter from their editor stating that they endorse the application and will allow the fellow time off for the research if selected.

6. One letter of recommendation from a writer/editor/academician or other appropriate referee endorsing the applicant’s interest/expertise in the chosen subject of research and the candidate’s ability to successfully complete the project.

Address to send applications to

Applications may be addressed to

Infochangeindia Media Fellowships
Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS)
301, Kanchanjunga Building, Kanchan Gully
Off Law College Road,
Pune 411 004

Telephone: 020-26852845/30222156

Applications not accompanied by CDs may be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and CC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  provided all scanned material is clearly legible and all attachments are zipped into a single file.

Infochange documentary

Mining is Goa's second-largest industry after tourism. 8% of this state's land is already under mining, mostly for iron ore. Now, mining activity is intensifying across the state. So is the opposition of citizens to this unregulated industry. This Infochange documentary explores the impact of mining on Goa's environment - one of the world's 12 biodiversity hotspots -- and livelihoods

Open Space Fellowship

Announcement

Applications invited for Open Space Fellowships
 Nurturing civil society leadership and action among young people

Open Space, the unique civil society and youth outreach initiative managed by the Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS), uses several different strategies to involve citizens in debate, discussion and action on social justice and development issues.

Our pilot civil society outreach project has been operational in Pune for over four years. Open Space engages citizens - particularly young citizens -- through film screenings, theatrical performances, literary readings, music concerts, art, storytelling, activity-based workshops where participants can learn new communication skills, discussion and study forums, public lectures, youth festivals and campaigns etc. These strategies have ensured that Open Space has become a vibrant place for youth to volunteer, learn, share ideas, and express themselves. Equally, Open Space has become a public forum for CSOs and  citizens to 1) take their work/ideas/processes to a wide audience of concerned citizens, and 2) build action networks.

CCDS is now extending the Open Space idea and process to other cities in India through the Open Space Fellowships. We have been working in Lucknow, Chennai and Kolkata for the last six months, and are now looking to award more fellowships in other growing metropolitan cities such as Bhopal, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Nagpur etc. These are full-time fellowships for a period of 12 months.

We are looking for individuals who are well-informed on social justice and development issues, with a background in the social sciences/human rights/development/media or allied fields. The Fellows should be dynamic, energetic, resourceful and excellent at communications, moderating discussions, training and capacity-building. A passion for the arts and ideas will be an added advantage.

The Fellows will use and adapt in their own cities some of the Open Space "software" (such as a traveling film festival on HIV/AIDS, or a package of programming for college festivals, or a package of films and lectures on social communications for media institutions, or activity-based workshops on gender, sexuality, human rights, globalisation, etc). They will also develop their own strategies for outreach and activities/campaigns specific to their own cities. The Fellows should be well-networked with NGOs, CSOs, educational institutions and community groups in their own city.

Over the 12-month period, several regular networks, partnerships, events and forums should have been initiated and publicised, and these activities should continue to operate and be strengthened on a voluntary basis by citizens after the 12-month period.

Open Space Fellows will organise programmes and trainings at multiple venues, in collaboration with educational institutions, communities, campaigns, partner CSOs etc.

The Open Space fellowships will be awarded to individuals preferably below the age of 40. 

The fellowship carries a monthly honorarium of Rs 20,000, inclusive of communication and conveyance costs incurred by the Fellows.

Applicants are invited to send in their CVs and a detailed statement of interest in these fellowships, expanding on 1) their suitability for, and interest in, these fellowships; 2) the social justice/development issues most integral to their cities which they would like to work on in the course of this fellowship; 3) strategies they would employ for outreach, including likely partners and networks in their cities.

Email your applications, before September 3, 2008, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and cc them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information on Open Space and CCDS log on to www.openspaceindia.org, www.ccds.in and www.infochangeindia.org.

Columns

Announcement

Open Space - VOX POP

Get the message across!

The OS Vox Pop project uses the short-film format to show up – and bridge -- the borders between people, cultures, classes, genders, nations, ideologies, religions

We’ve made the first in the series (watch it at http://www.openspaceindia.org/OS_voxpop.html).

You make the rest!

Films should explore the broad theme of BORDERS. You must use the same format of shooting and recording the responses of diverse people to one particular question. The question you choose to ask will in large part determine how effective your film is.

Films should not be more than 120 seconds in duration. You can shoot on a professional mini-DV camera, or on a quality handycam or 3CCD digital video camera. But the output must be of broadcast quality.

You must use the original Open Space Vox Pop soundtrack that we have created for the series. Download the soundtrack at http://www.openspaceindia.org/OS_voxpop.html

Entries can be submitted by individuals, by a group, or by a team/institution. This is an ongoing project so we will accept entries until March 2009. But the two best entries received by November 30, 2008 win an award of Rs 10,000 each.

The best entries will be showcased on the Open Space website (www.openspaceindia.org) and on India’s leading online resource base on social justice and development issues, www.infochangeindia.org.

We’re looking for films that are:

• Original
• Reflective of public attitudes and concerns
• Creative
• Technically sound
• Effective at getting the message across

All entries must be submitted in DVD format.

Adherence to the following guidelines is compulsory:

• The spot can be made using a Handycam or a 3CCD digital video camera only (we will not accept entries shot on mobile phones) and the final output should be of broadcast quality. Entries should be submitted in any of the following formats: MOV, MPEG, AVI
• The film shall not contain any sort of vulgarity or nudity and should not hurt the religious sentiments or sensibilities of anyone in any way
• The location of the film should be open to general public and not exclusive in any way
• The primary language of the film should be English or Hindi
• Ideal running time of the film is 120 seconds. Films exceeding this duration will be disqualified.
• In case of any dispute related to the spot arising with a third party, Open Space, CCDS will not be held responsible; any disputes shall be dealt with by the person/s submitting the entry.
• CCDS shall have the right to use and disseminate for public education purposes all entries submitted for the contest.

DVDs of all entries should be couriered to the following address: 
Open Space
B – 301, 2nd Floor,
Kanchanjunga Bldg, Kanchan Lane,
Near Krishna Dining Hall,
Off Law College Road,
Pune 411 004  

Tel No: 020-25457371

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InfoChange Agenda is a quarterly journal published by the Centre for Communication and Development Studies.

To order a copy, write to:
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C-12 Gera Greens
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Suggested contribution: Rs 90 (1 issue); Rs 300 (4 issues); Rs 550 (8 issues).

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About Agenda

For too long now, citizens have left policies and decisions that impact their lives and determine the course of development to closed coteries of ‘intellectuals’ and policymakers.

If civil society is to step in and re-imagine the world, if citizens are to participate in meaningful debate and discussion and advocate change in public policy and social attitudes, civil society must be strengthened through access to diverse perspectives and alternative messages. This is becoming increasingly difficult in a culture that allows little room to question mainstream messages and mainstream agendas.

InfoChange Agenda has been conceived as a quarterly dossier that informs civil society on crucial issues of sustainable development and social justice, diversity and pluralism -- issues that are being pushed into the margins. It is designed to enable concerned citizens in India /South Asia to marshal salient information, facts, figures, perspectives and reportage, so that they can clarify their ideas and participate in drawing up an agenda for a more equitable and sustainable world.

Agenda is put together every quarter by InfoChange’s extensive and credible network of journalists, development analysts and activists. This network has collaborated over the last few years to build InfoChange News & Features (www.infochangeindia.org), one of India’s most-visited online resource bases on development and rights issues.

Please write in to us with feedback on the contents and your ideas and contributions for forthcoming issues of Agenda.

-- Editors

Acknowledgement

InfoChange News & Features has been supported in the past by the Social Initiatives Group of ICICI Ltd, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Ford Foundation. It is currently supported by the Tata Education Trust and ICICI Bank.

Disclaimer

Most of the content on this website has been originally created for Infochange. Items that appear in the News archives have been rewritten from secondary sources, and these sources have been cited for each story. Content sourced from other news/features agencies is credited to them.

The viewpoints expressed by our columnists and writers in opinion pieces are their personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of CCDS. We provide space for multiple opinions and perspectives in the interests of pluralism and freedom of expression.

This site contains details of a number of organisations, events, publications, projects and individuals working across India. However, this does not imply that these entities are either endorsed or recommended by InfoChange News & Features in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned on this site.

CCDS has provided the information on this portal in good faith and believing in the correctness and usefulness of the materials.

CCDS cannot be held responsible for any harm that may result in the use of the contents on this site and expressly disclaims all liability resulting out of the use of this material. We check the veracity of the material that we compile on the portal. Nevertheless, if you feel some material is of questionable authenticity or violating copyright, please bring this to our notice.

Links provided to material on other Internet sites are governed by the terms and conditions of use of those external websites.

Useful Links

GiveIndia
GiveIndia is an online donation platform that allows you to support a cause of your choice from 200+ non-profits. All non-profits on the GiveIndia platform have been scrutinized for transparency & credibility. GiveIndia does not raise funds for themselves, it helps you donate to other non-profits. GiveIndia lets you choose exactly how you want your donation to be used. GiveIndia then provides you with a feedback report so you know how you helped to change a life. At least 90% of your contribution reaches the non-profit you support (as against the average of 60-80% for the non-profit sector).Â

GiveIndia has channeled more than Rs. 100 Cr. since its inception in 1999 impacting more than a million lives across India. GiveIndia has more than 50,000 donors and partners with more than 90 companies.
http://www.giveindia.org

Pambazuka News
Pambazuka News is an authoritative pan-African electronic weekly newsletter and platform for social justice in Africa. Pambazuka News is published by Fahamu - an organisation that supports the struggle for human rights and social justice in Africa.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/

Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme
The Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) Programme stems from the overall aim of the UK's Department For International Development (DFID) to reduce global poverty and promote sustainable development
http://www.pacsprogramme.org

DevNetJobsIndia.org
This website contains listings of jobs and consultancies in national and international NGOs, the UN and inter-governmental organisations working in India as well as fellowship announcements in the Indian development sector.
www.DevNetJobsIndia.org

Indian government’s online directory
A one-point resource for all Indian government websites at all administrative levels
http://www.goidirectory.nic.in/

id21
id21 is a research reporting service that aims to put international development policy into practice. By producing summaries of the most recent UK-resourced development research, id21 is increasing the communication of research findings and policy recommendations to policy-makers worldwide. The site provides free access to an online database of over 2000 highlights of recent social, economic, education and health and natural resources research in developing countries
www.id21.org

IndianNGOs
A comprehensive online directory of non-governmental organisations active in India , events and news on the social development sector
www.indianngos.com

Indev- India development information network
A British Council initiative, the website acts as a gateway to development information on India
http://www.indev.nic.in/

The Communication Initiative
The Communication Initiative is a partnership of development organisations promoting communication interventions for positive international development. The site is a source for publications, events, training opportunities and strategic thinking about communication as an instrument of change
http://www.comminit.com/ The International Labour Organisation
The International Labour Organisation is the United Nations specialised agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights
www.ilo.org

United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme.is concerned with integrating human rights in all global development activity, such as democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, energy and environment, HIV/AIDS http://www.undp.org

Globalisation

South Asia trade and development issues
Established by Oxfam GB, Centad carries out research and advocacy on WTO issues related to trade and development in South Asia. Site features news, analyses, research papers and backgrounders
www.centad.org

Export Credit Agencies (ECA) Watch
ECA Watch is an outreach mechanism of a larger international campaign to reform Export Credit Agencies (ECAs). Non-governmental organisations working on issues related to the environment, development, human rights and anti-corruption participating in this campaign lobby national and global ECAs to improve their environmental policies and practices
www.eca-watch.org

50 Years Is Enough: U.S. Network for Global Economic Justice
A coalition of over 200 American grassroots, women's, solidarity, faith-based, policy, social- and economic-justice, youth, labour and development organisations dedicated to the profound transformation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Network works with over 185 international partner organisations in more than 65 countries. The Network focuses on action-oriented economic literacy training, public mobilisation, and policy advocacy
www.50years.org

Asia-Europe Dialogue on Alternative Political Strategies
The objective of this German-based organisation is to encourage a dialogue between the civil society organisations in Asia and Europe that could engender alternative political strategies, which could ultimately lead to alternative models of development. This web site analyses and documents ongoing debates, popular responses, campaigns and struggles related to these themes related to two main themes, globalisation and global security
http://www.ased.org

Alternative Information and Development Centre(AIDC)
Through research, information production and dissemination, popular education and campaigns AIDC aims to contribute to the development of regional and global challenges to the currently dominant global economic system. Through the empowerment and mobilisation of progressive organisations and popular social movements, AIDC aims to contribute to the development of alternatives that ensure fundamental socio-economic transformation
www.aidc.org.za

The Bank Information Centre(BIC)
BIC is a US- based NGO that aims to empower affected communities, indigenous peoples, and grassroots movements in developing countries to address the negative side effects of economic globalisation. Supported by private organisations working for the environment and development, BIC supports and informs those working to influence the activities of multilateral development banks in a manner that fosters social justice and ecological sustainability
www.bicusa.org

CEE Bankwatch Network
CEE Bankwatch Network, one of the strongest environmental NGO’s in Europe, comprises a network of organisations in 12 countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and CIS region whose mission is to prevent the environmentally and socially harmful impacts of international development finance. Its aim is to monitor the activities of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the region, and to propose constructive alternatives to their policies and projects and to promote public participation
www.bankwatch.org

Agriculture and Food Security

World Agroforestry Centre
The World Agroforestry Centre is an autonomous, not-for-profit research and development institution supported by nearly 60 different governments, private foundations regional development banks and the World Bank whose primary mission is to improve food and nutritional security and enhance environmental resilience in the tropics
www.worldagroforestry.org

Food and Agriculture Organisation
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy
www.fao.org

International Food Policy Research Institute
Aimed at identifying and analysing policies for sustainably meeting the food needs of the developing world, the research at IFPRI focuses on economic growth and poverty alleviation in low-income countries and the sound management of the natural resource base that supports agriculture. IFPRI seeks to make its research results available to all those in a position to use them and to strengthen institutions in developing countries that conduct research relevant to its mandate
www.ifpri.org Consultative Group on Agricultural Research
CGIAR is a strategic alliance of countries, global and regional organisations and private foundations supporting 15 international agricultural centres. It works with national agricultural research systems and civil society organisations to achieve sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research-related activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, policy and the environment.
www.cgiar.org

Harvest Plus
Harvest Plus, one of the CGIAR’s Global Challenge Programs, seeks to reduce the effects of micronutrient malnutrition by harnessing the power of plant breeding to develop staple food crops that are rich in micronutrients, a process called Biofortification.
www.harvestplus.org International Rice Research Institute
The International Rice Research Institute, an autonomous, nonprofit agricultural research and training organisation with offices in more than ten nations aims to find sustainable ways to improve the well-being of poor rice farmers and consumers while protecting the environment
www.irri.org

Forests

Forest Trends
Forest Trends is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organisation, created by leaders from conservation groups, forest product firms, research groups, multilateral development banks, private investment funds and foundations. Its mission is to conserve forests by promoting more diverse trade in the forest sector, moving beyond an exclusive focus on lumber and timber to a broader range of products and services
http://www.forest-trends.org

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
IIED is a London-based independent, non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable patterns of development through collaborative research, policy studies, networking and knowledge dissemination. It works to address global issues like mining, the paper industry and food systems. A 34 year-old organisation with a presence in 18 countries, IIED was the first recipient of the Blue Planet Prize (1992) for outstanding contributions to environmental policy and action
www.iied.org/forestry

Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
CIFOR is an international research and global knowledge institution committed to conserving forests and improving the livelihoods of people in the tropics. CIFOR's high impact research in 40 countries helps local communities and small farmers gain their rightful share of forest resources, while increasing the production and value of forest products
www.cifor.cgiar.org

Disabilities

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)
A public trust based in New Delhi, NCPEDP promotes educational and employment opportunities for the disabled, increases public awareness on disability issues and empowers the disabled through appropriate legislation.
www.ncpedp.org

Disability News and Information Service (DNIS)
This website contains listings of jobs and consultancies in national and international NGOs, the UN and inter-governmental organisations working in India as well as fellowship announcements in the Indian development sector.
www.DevNetJobsIndia.org

Poverty

Oxfam International
A confederation of 12 organisations, Oxfam International works together with over 3000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice. Oxfam seeks increased worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development and aims to shift in public opinion in order to make equity the same priority as economic growth
www.oxfam.org/eng

Developments
Developments is a free quarterly magazine produced by the UK- based Department for International Development (DfID) to increase awareness of development issues. Its website provides an overview of international development issues and the latest news on how British development assistance works in partnership with developing countries to help eradicate poverty
www.developments.org.uk/

Water Resources

Friends of the River Narmada
The Friends of the River Narmada is an international coalition of individuals and organisations (primarily of Indian descent) which acts as a support and solidarity network for the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada movement) which has been fighting for the democratic rights of the citizens of the Narmada Valley
www.narmada.org

International Water Management Institute
IWMI is a non-profit scientific research organization specialising in water use in agriculture and integrated management of water and land resources. The institute works with partners in the developing world to develop tools and methods to help these countries eradicate poverty and ensure food security through more effective management of their water and land resources
www.iwmi.org

Women

United Nations Development Fund for Women
UNIFEM provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies that promote women's human rights, political participation and economic security
www.unifem.org

Health

UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, is the main advocate for global action on the epidemic. It leads, strengthens and supports an expanded response aimed at preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS, and alleviating the impact of the epidemic
www.unaids.org

World Health Organisation
The world’s foremost health agency, the World Health Organisation is the United Nations specialisd agency for health, established with the objective is to achieve attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health
www.who.int

Human Rights

The Center for Economic and Social Rights
Established in the United States in 1993, the Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) promotes the right of every human being to housing, education, a healthy environment, food, work. CESR works with communities, activists and civil society groups to strengthen local initiatives for economic justice, by connecting them with global institutions and legal agencies to ensure human rights
www.cesr.org

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-partisan, international non-governmental organisation, mandated to ensure the practical realization of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth
http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/about/default.htm

Amnesty International
Amnesty International (AI) is the foremost global human rights organisation which campaigns for internationally recognised human rights
http://www.amnesty.org

Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an independent nongovernmental organisation dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world
http://www.hrw.org

The International Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is an international or intergovernmental organisation. The website provides a brief overview of the organisation's major activities throughout the world in the fields of protection, assistance and prevention
http://www.icrc.org

Alternative Law Forum
The Alternative Law Forum is a lawyers collective which uses law to address situations of marginalization and disempowerment faced by people on the basis of caste, class, religion, gender, sexuality, disability or any other status
www.altlawforum.org

Humanity Foundation
The Humanity Foundation website is a host for cross cultural understanding, possibilities for positive action and a conversation with the world
http://www.humanity.org

Alternative Media

Alternet
AlterNet is a project of the Independent Media Institute, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to strengthening and supporting independent and alternative journalism
www.alternet.org

openDemocracy
openDemocracy is an online global magazine of politics and culture, and a source for the media for analysis, debate and discussion of global affairs
www.opendemocracy.net

Indymedia
The Independent Media Center is a network of collectively run media outlets that aims to present radical, accurate accounts of the truth to counter the versions presented by the corporate media
http://www.indymedia.org/

Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders, an international news website devoted to press freedom, works to ensure the right of all people to be informed and to this end, fights to reduce the use of censorship and the use of laws that restrict press freedom
www.rsf.org

Sarai
Sarai, a programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies/CSDS is a space for research, practice and conversation about contemporary media and urban issues
www.sarai.net

India Media-Watch Institute
The India Media-Watch Institute (IMWI) is an international media watch group that seeks balance, fairness, accuracy, and diversity in the English language media's reporting of events and the analyses of issues pertaining to India
http://www.media-watch.org South Asia Citizens Web
The SACW is an independent space on the internet to promote the exchange of information between and about citizens initiatives from South Asia and its diasporic communities
http://www.sacw.net

Environment

UN-HABITAT
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all
www.unhabitat.org

The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI)
A research institute with five Indian centres and four overseas affiliates, TERI is committed to every finding innovative solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues and the challenges posed by sustainable development -- from providing environment-friendly solutions to rural energy problems to helping shape the development of the Indian oil and gas sector and from tackling global climate change issues across continents to enhancing forest conservation efforts among local communities
www.teriin.org

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Established in 1972, United Nations Environment Programme acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. To accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners, including United Nations entities, international organisations, governments, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and civil society
www.unep.org

Wildlife Trust of India
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a non-profit conservation organisation committed to urgent action that prevents the destruction of India 's wildlife. Its principal concerns are crisis management and the provision of quick, efficient aid to those areas that require it the most
www.wildlifetrustofindia.org

Endocrine Disrupters Website
A European Commission website that seeks to provide a basic understanding of endocrine disrupting chemicals and that introduces and explores the central issues at hand. A number of reports as well as the Commission’s strategy are also presented in detail
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/endocrine/index_en.htm

Environmental Health News
A daily news service that works to increase public understanding of emerging scientific links between environmental exposures and human health. The site provides daily breaking news from newspapers, new science from scientific and medical literature and new reports from organisations working to protect human health from environmental exposures
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/

Our Stolen Future
The web home of the authors of Our Stolen Future, a book that explores the emerging science of endocrine disruption -- how some synthetic chemicals interfere with the ways that hormones work in humans and wildlife. Access regular updates about the latest scientific research on endocrine disruption, information about ongoing policy debates, and suggestions about what you can do as a consumer and citizen to minimize risks related to hormonally-disruptive contaminants
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/

World Wildlife Fund for Nature
WWF’s efforts to increase scientific understanding of toxic chemicals and to restrict or ban harmful chemicals stem from evidence that some chemicals can undermine the basic functions of entire ecosystems, as well as harm wildlife and human health. WWF has done some of the path­breaking work on endocrine disrupting chemicals
http://www.worldwildlife.org/toxics/

Centre for Science and Environment
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is an independent, public interest organisation which aims to increase public awareness on science, technology, environment and development
www.cseindia.org

Environment News Service
The Environment News Service provides daily international news updates on the environment
http://ens-news.com

Greenpeace India
Greenpeace is a global non-profit organisation, which focuses on the most crucial threats to the planet's biodiversity and environment
http://www.greenpeaceindia.org/

Toxics Link
Toxics Link is an information exchange mechanism that aims to strengthen campaigns against toxics pollution in India, help push industries towards cleaner production and link groups working on toxics issues into a National Toxics Movement in India
http://www.toxicslink.org/

Making India Green
Making India Green provides simple ways to support environmental causes and campaigns. It also features news and articles on the environment
http://www.makingindiagreen.org

Kalpavriksh
Kalpavriksh is a voluntary group working on environmental education, research, campaigns, and direct action
http://www.kalpavriksh.org/

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
ATREE is a not-for-profit organisation which utilises an interdisciplinary approach to address issues of environmental degradation and economic development
http://www.atree.org/

Livelihoods

Development Alternatives
The Development Alternatives group is a non-profit organisation committed to creating large scale sustainable livelihoods
http://www.devalt.org/

Children

Global Movement for Children
The Global Movement for Children is the worldwide movement of 10 organisations and thousands of people, including children, uniting their efforts to build a world fit for children
www.gmfc.org

UNICEF
The world’s foremost children’s organisation, UNICEF is an arm of the United Nations. Works to improve the conditions of children and ensure their rights in over 158 countries
www.unicef.org

UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre (IRC)
A part of UNICEF, the Innocenti Research Centre (IRC) works to strengthen the capacity of its parent body and its cooperating institutions to respond to the evolving needs of children and to develop a new global ethic for children. It promotes the effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in both developing and industrialised countries
http://www.unicef-icdc.org

Children’s Rights India
The website of the Indian chapter of the international Terre des Hommes, an association that believes that children’s rights need to be part of the human rights agenda and strives to raise funds to support action and advocacy on behalf of children who have no means of defending themselves against poverty, oppression, abandonment or discrimination
www.childrensrightsindia.org

Children First – International Campaign for Children’s Rights
As the name suggests, the members of the international organisation Children First believe the rights of children come before any geographical, national, political, cultural, religious, ethnic or economic considerations, and work towards promoting this agenda
http://www.childrenfirstinternational.org/

CRY - Child Relief and You
One of India ’s foremost child aid organizations, CRY is a non-governmental organisation works for the benefit of underprivileged children across India
www.cry.org

Free the Children
An international network of children helping children at a local, national and international level through leadership and action Free the Children was founded by 12 year-old Craig Kielburger. The primary goal of the organisation is not only to free children from poverty and exploitation, but to also free children and young people from the idea that they are powerless to bring about positive social change and to improve the lives of their peers
http://www.freethechildren.org

Save the Children India
Save the Children India is a non-governmental organisation which works for the empowerment of disadvantaged women and children mainly focusing on the spheres of education and health. More recently, it has concentrated on the combating and preventing the trafficking of children from rural areas
www.savethechildrenindia.com

Save the Children
A global child aid organisation, Save the Children works in 17 states across the United States and over 40 developing to help children and families improve their health, education and economic opportunities. The NGO also mobilises rapid life-support assistance for children and families caught in the tragedies of natural and man-made disasters. The International Save the Children Alliance, an association of 26 independent organisations provides child-oriented emergency response, development assistance and advocacy of children's rights in more than 100 countries
www.savethechildren.org

Global March against Child Labour
Global March is an international movement that aims to eradicate child labour and create an awareness of the extent of the problem and its impact on children lives. This commitment is reflected in its advocacy of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention Against the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The website contains a rticles and news about child labour from around the world
www.globalmarch.org

Population

United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA)
The world's largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programmes, UNFPA works to promote the idea that reproductive health is recognised as a human right. It works with governments and non-governmental organizations in over 140 countries on programmes that help women, men and young people plan their families, avoid unwanted pregnancies, undergo safe pregnancies and childbirth, avoid sexually transmitted infections(STIs) and combat violence against women.
www.unfpa.org

Contact Us

Contact Us

About Us

Infochangeindia.org is an online repository of information and analysis on social justice and sustainable development in India.

Infochange is one of the earliest knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing portals in India, providing a mix of perspective, analysis and independent reportage from the corners of India and some of the country's most marginalised areas. All our content is designed to be accessible and readable, taking information for social change out of seminar rooms and to the people, enabling them to participate in drawing up an agenda for a more equitable and sustainable world.

This website is the collaborative work of a wide, credible and informed network of over 400 of India's leading writers, researchers, civil society activists, policymakers, development journalists and subject specialists. The bulk of our content was built between 2001 and 2014.

Our content has been widely linked, cited and reprinted in scores of mainstream and specialised publications/portals. Infochange has won the Manthan Award, supported by the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, for best e-content for development. The Government of Maharashtra has selected Infochange as a leading innovation in development communications.

Infochange content is widely linked, cited and reprinted in scores of mainstream and specialised publications/portals.

Infochange is an initiative of the Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS), a non-profit institution that creates knowledge resources for social change and fosters open and independent spaces for research, advocacy, dialogue and citizens' action on pluralism, social justice and sustainable development in India (ccds.in).

Infochange Agenda, CCDS's theme-based online and print dossier, is also available on this site. Agenda was designed to 1) take our content into university libraries, governmental and non-governmental policymaking institutions and to leading opinion-makers; 2) bring information about development/social justice to the attention of mainstream media; 3) provide comprehensive but concise learning/discussion material for trainings, seminars and campaigns. Agenda documents the ways in which lives and livelihoods are impacted by 'development' or failures of governance, and changed by innovative solutions at the grassroots. Twenty-eight volumes of research and reportage have been published since 2004.

CCDS has also published the Open Space booklets and pamphlets addressed at young adults and students on topics such as gender and sexuality, globalisation, cultural diversity and inclusion. Many of these are available for free download on ccds.in.

Terms of use

We encourage use of the content on this website for educational and non-profit purposes. Please credit the individual writers and Infochangeindia.org when using our content, and send us links/copies of the content you have used.

Any commercial use of the material on Infochangeindia.org requires express written consent from the copyright owners of the original materials.

The Team

CCDS has been promoted by a team of experienced, highly-regarded and competent media professionals, communication experts, development researchers and analysts. All mid-career professionals, we were brought together by the shared desire to use our knowledge and skills in ways that would help bring about change in the lives of the most deprived sections of society. And in doing so, bring about change in our own lives. Each member of the team has substantial years of experience in either activism or communications and in most cases, both these fields. CCDS thus has an extensive network of journalist-activists/activist-journalists. This network is perfectly placed to synergise perspective, knowledge, skill and experience, so that communication and information are used to effect institutional and social change.

Project Leaders

Hutokshi Doctor: With over three decades of experience in media and communications, Hutokshi held senior editorial positions at leading Indian publications before deciding to focus on communications for social change. She co-founded CCDS in 2002, and has headed the organisation since. She launched and edited Infochangeindia.org in 2001 and Infochange Agenda in 2004. She also conceptualised and guided CCDS’s popular youth and civil society outreach programme, Open Space, between 2004 and 2014. She has been a communications consultant to several international and national development organisations and institutions.

John Samuel:John has 25 years of experience in strengthening democratic governance, public policy advocacy and sustainable development in India and internationally. He has headed the Global Programme on Governance Assessments, and been Global Democratic Governance Adviser at UNDP Headquarters, New York, and the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre. He was the International Director of ActionAid, leading its global thematic work on just and democratic governance and heading the Asia-Pacific region. He is the former Executive Director of the National Centre for Advocacy Studies. John has been a visiting fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex and at the Advocacy Institute, Washington DC. John heads CCDS's governance initiative, the Institute for Sustainable Development and Governance (ISDG), in Thiruvananthapuram.

Associates and Subject Specialists

Ammu Joseph is an independent journalist and author based in Bangalore, India, and writing primarily on issues relating to gender, children, human development and the media. Her publications include five books: Whose News? The Media and Women's Issues (Sage, 1994 and 2006, co-authored/edited with Kalpana Sharma), Women in Journalism: Making News (Konark, 2000 and Penguin India 2005), Terror, Counter-Terror: Women Speak Out (Kali for Women/Zed Books, 2003, co-authored/edited with Kalpana Sharma), Storylines: Conversations with Women Writers and Just Between Us: Women Speak about their Writing (Women's World India/Women Unlimited, 2003 and 2004, co-authored/edited with Vasanth Kannabiran, Ritu Menon, Gouri Salvi and Volga ).

Anosh Malekarhas been a full-time senior researcher with CCDS for three years. He has considerable experience in reporting the impact of public policy on grassroots communities, and processes that allow communities to influence public policy. His reportage for www.infochangeindia.org has been widely appreciated and awarded. At present he is an Infochange Associate, who contributes regularly to the portal.

Anil Dharker is a senior editor, writer and columnist. He is the former editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Independent, Debonair and Midday. His columns have documented trends in society, the media, politics, human rights, the arts and sport for over 25 years. He is a columnist for The Hindu, The Times of India and several other leading publications.

Anu Kumar is a former assistant editor of Economic and Political Weekly, Mumbai. She is interested in issues relating to education, development and environment and has contributed articles to EPW and other newspapers on these subjects. She was awarded a CSE fellowship on Making Water Everybody's Business between in 2002. She is currently working on a PhD from the University of Mumbai on grassroots women activists and their contribution to issues of civic concern.

Arshia Sattar has a PhD in South Asian Languages and Civilisations from the University of Chicago . Her abridged translations of the Sanskrit Kathasaritsagara and Valmiki's Ramayana have both been published by Penguin Books. Her book reviews and articles appeared regularly in ,The Times of India, The Illustrated Weekly of India and the Indian Review of Books. She has also worked with documentary film and theatre. She taught Indian Studies at the Mahindra United World College of India in Pune for five years. She currently works as a freelance writer and researcher.

Aseem Shrivastava wrote his doctoral thesis on Environmental Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has taught economics for many years at college and university level in India and the US. Most recently, he taught philosophy at Nordic College, Norway. He now works as an independent writer, focusing on issues emanating from globalisation, including specifically on Special Economic Zones. His articles have appeared in The Hindu, Outlook, Economic and Political Weekly, Seminar, and Himal.

Ashish Kothari is a founder-member of Kalpavriksh, a 30-year-old environmental research and action group. He is active in several grassroots movements, and has co-ordinated the process to formulate India 's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. He has been a member of several government committees including the Expert Group on the Biodiversity Act, the committee to revise the National Wildlife Action Plan, and the Environmental Appraisal Committee for River Valley Projects. He has been co-chair of the IUCN inter-commission Strategic Direction on Governance, Equity and Livelihoods in Relation to Protected Areas (TILCEPA), served on the board of Greenpeace International, and is currently chair of Greenpeace India's Board.

Ashok Gopal is an independent writer and editor based in Pune. He has over 20 years of experience with several publications, including Imprint and The Times of India. He specialises in corporate communications, technical writing and writing for CD-ROMs and websites. He is a communications consultant to several development organisations and institutions and also teaches communications to students of journalism and management.

Bharti Ali was head of the Women and Child Programme of MARG, New Delhi. Her work includes research on domestic violence, Panchayati Raj, sexual exploitation of SC/ST women, child labour, reproductive health, documentation of NGO experience in educating adolescent girls etc. She has also been involved in the setting up of the documentation system of the National Alliance of Women's Organisations (NAWO). Gender sensitisation training with the Delhi Police and NGOs and child rights training with school teachers have been a major activity. She is an executive secretary of HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, New Delhi.

Darryl D'Monte was Resident Editor of The Times of India and The Indian Express in Mumbai. He writes a column on environment and development, which is published in several Indian newspapers and websites. His book Temples or Tombs? Industry Versus Environment was published in 1985. He is the chairperson of the Forum of Environmental Journalists in India.

Devinder Sharma is a food and trade policy analyst. Trained as an agricultural scientist, Sharma was Development Editor of The Indian Express. He now researches policy issues concerning sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and intellectual property rights, environment and development, food security and poverty, and the implications of the free trade paradigm. He is a visiting fellow to several universities abroad. He has authored GATT and India: The Politics of Agriculture; GATT to WTO: Seeds of Despair and In the Famine Trap. He is the winner of the 2001 Chaudhary Charan Singh Award for Excellence in Journalism, instituted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

Enakshi Ganguly Thukral is currently the executive director of HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, New Delhi . She has been working on issues of child rights and gender justice for over 15 years. She has worked with the Indian Social Institute and Multiple Action Research Group (MARG), New Delhi. Child participation processes and child rights training with children and schoolteachers has been an important area of concentration in the last few years.

Kalpana Sharma is an independent journalist, columnist and media consultant based in Mumbai. She writes a fortnightly column in The Hindu titled The Other Half. She writes for several other Indian publications as well. Until 2007, Kalpana was Deputy Editor and Chief of Bureau of The Hindu in Mumbai. In over three decades as a full-time journalist, she has held senior positions at Himmat Weekly, Indian Express and The Times of India. Her special areas of interest are environmental and developmental issues and gender. In 1982 she worked with Anil Agarwal of the Centre for Science and Environment to edit the first Citizens' Report on the State of the Environment. During her years at The Hindu, she was responsible for the annual Survey of the Environment published by The Hindu, a collection of articles on contemporary environmental issues that appeared in the form of a separate priced publication. Kalpana has also followed and commented on urban issues, especially in the context of Mumbai's development. She is the author of Rediscovering Dharavi:Stories from Asia's Largest Slum (Penguin 2000). Her other books, which she has co-edited with Ammu Joseph, are Whose News? The Media and Women's Issues (Sage, 1994 and 2006) and Terror Counter-Terror: Women Speak Out (Kali for Women, 2003).

Kaustubh Moghe is associated with Kalpavriksh and has worked as a researcher/ wildlife biologist with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. He was involved with the Tourism Impact Assessment at Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal, India. Currently, he is authoring a portion of 'Restoration Practices in Abandoned Opencast Mine Areas in India', which is part of the Mining and Biodiversity subthematic review of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

Laxmi Murthy is associate editor, Himal Southasian. Her writings, with a focus on giving voice to issues marginalised by mainstream media, have appeared in major dailies including The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Hindu and the Indian Express. Laxmi was an editor at the Women's Feature Service, an international news-feature agency specialising in development issues from a gender perspective and was also South Asia coordinator for the Tolerance Prize, an award for excellence in journalism instituted by the International Federation of Journalists.

Mari Marcel Thekaekara is founder-associate director of ACCORD, an organisation that works with the tribals of Gudalur, Tamil Nadu. She is a frequent contributor to The Hindu and Frontline and was a columnist for New Internationalist, UK. Her articles have also appeared in the Economic and Political Weekly and other leading publications. She is the author of Endless Filth, a book on the safai kamdars of Gujarat , published by Books for Change. She was commissioned by the Directory of Social Change, UK, to do a study of poverty and development in the United Kingdom.

Mini Shrinivasan taught in primary schools for several years before moving to teacher training and development of teaching-learning materials. She worked with the Centre for Learning Resources, Pune, involved in designing training inputs for NGO and government projects, focussing on improving the quality of elementary education for children from the poorest sections of society.

Manjima Bhattacharjya has a PhD in sociology and has been active in the Indian women's movement for over 10 years. In the past, she has worked with Jagori, a feminist resource centre, and the International Secretariat of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in Geneva. She is currently on the executive committee and governing body of Jagori. Her special areas of interest include gender, globalisation, work, feminism and other social movements, sexuality, trafficking and migration. She currently freelances as a writer, researcher and consultant for NGOs and international organisations from across the world.

Neema Pathak is a member of Kalpavriksh, an environmental action group. She has worked as a researcher at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. She has co-ordinated several projects, including the preparation of a Directory of National Parks and Sanctuaries in Maharashtra state, a Directory of Community Conserved Areas in India and the South Asia Regional Review of the above programme.

Oishik Sircar is a human rights lawyer and independent researcher and presently a Fellow in Reproductive & Sexual Health and Women's Rights at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. He has previously worked as a campaigner with Amnesty International India, and has taught courses at the Women's Studies Centre, University of Pune, and Research Centre for Women's Studies, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai. In 2005 he set up the CCDS Human Rights Education Initiative. He works and writes in the areas of postcolonial feminist legal theory, sexual rights, migration studies and cultures of human rights.

Rahul Goswami researches rural economies with a focus on agro-ecology. He is a consultant with the National Agricultural Innovation Project, Ministry of Agriculture, and is an examiner for UNESCO's Culture Sector, on intangible cultural heritage. He writes on issues concerning food and energy. He has worked with IUCN/South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics and has been a journalist with the mainstream and business press in India (Business Standard and the Sunday Observer), South-East Asia (the Straits Times group) and the Persian Gulf region.

Rahul Srivastava has written on the environment, popular culture and new knowledge practices. He has studied sociology and anthropology in India and the United Kingdom. He was co-director of PUKAR, Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research, a Mumbai-based research initiative founded by Prof Arjun Appadurai. He is now concentrating on writing fiction.

Rajashri Dasgupta is an independent journalist based in Kolkata specialising on issues r elated to gender, health, human rights and social movements. She has been working as a journalist for more than 25 years and started her career in Business Standard before she moved to political and social issues as a senior editor in The Telegraph. She was awarded the Panos Fellowship and exposed the unethical drug trials with quinacrine to sterilise women in West Bengal. She has contributed articles in edited volumes on health, women and violence. She is on the editorial board of the Kathmandu-based Himal Southasian. She is involved in the peace and women's rights movements and on the board of several organisations working for social change.

Rashme Sehgal is a Delhi-based writer/journalist who has specialised in investigative reporting. She broke the story on the Taj Corridor Scam for The Times of India in June 2003, and did a series of media-related exposes during her tenure with The Telegraph. She was also the first Indian journalist to expose the ISI presence in Kashmir for The Independent in 1990. Her first novel, Headlines and Other Lives, was published in 2005.

Rubina Lal has an MEd and PhD in special education. She is a senior lecturer in the Post-Graduate Department of Special Education, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai. Dr Lal has worked with people with developmental disabilities, and their families for 25 years. She has introduced new methods of intervention for children with developmental delays in India and is an active participant in advocacy and human rights movements for the disabled. She is President of SOPAN, Society of Parents of Children with Autistic Disorders. Lal has presented papers at several national and international conferences including the UN Conference on Population & Development (1994), Cairo . She is the recipient of the Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship for Post-Doctoral Research 2003-04.

Saloni Mathur is Programme Officer at HAQ: Centre for Child Rights, New Delhi. Her work has included research and evaluation of childcare organisations, reproductive health and child rights. Vocational guidance to children, training of helpers in child care institutions, workshops on educational material for effective teaching in preschool, processes of child rights with children have been an important area of her work.

Sandhya Srinivasan is a senior researcher and writer on public health and medical ethics. She has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (Bryn Mawr College, USA) and master’s degrees in sociology (University of Bombay) and public health (Columbia University, USA). She was executive editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics from 1998 to 2011 and is currently consulting editor of the journal. She is also associated with Scroll.in, a digital daily of political and cultural news from India. In 2002-03, she was an Ashoka Fellow for her work in medical ethics. She has served on the institutional ethics committees of the National Institute for Research in Reproduction, a government body, and of the Anusandhan Trust, which conducts research and advocacy on health and human rights. She is a member of the editorial board of Developing World Bioethics.

Shailendra Yashwant is an activist, writer and photographer who has been documenting, reporting and campaigning on environmental justice issues in the Asiapacific region for over two decades.Shailendra was part of the team that established Greenpeace's presence in India and since 1998 has held various senior management positions with the international pressure group, including Campaign Director of Greenpeace India and Campaign Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.His flair for communications strategies, commitment to non-violent protest and creativity in executing innovative tactics to influence public opinion has helped galvanize people's movements on key ecological issues in India and Southeast Asia. He is the founder of Mitra Foundation, a not for profit initiative that pioneered carbon-neutral campus programmes in India and is now running solar library programmes in underprivileged schools. As a photographer he has worked with Outlook, The Hindu and other leading Indian publications.

Sharmila Joshi works in the academic field of historical sociology, with an interest in issues related to development, gender, labour and social movements. She has been a journalist, writing for several years on social issues.

Sujata Madhok was editor of Women's Feature Service from 1989 to 2000. She has been active in the women's movement and has worked with women's groups in Delhi on a range of issues and campaigns. She has co-ordinated radio series on Women and the Law and on Women and Health for broadcast on All India Radio. She has also worked for The Statesman, The Hindustan Times and Democratic World.

Sudhirendar Sharma is a Delhi-based water expert and development analyst. Sharma has a doctorate in environmental sciences. He has worked with India Today and The Pioneer and with the UN for the World Bank's water and sanitation programme. Policy analysis of water management and the role of traditional knowledge in human development are his special interests. He is Director of the Ecological Foundation.

Administration and Accounts

KC Dwarkanath is Manager, Operations. A senior finance professional, formerly a bank manager, he has been with CCDS for the last 15 years.

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'Dominant focus' on food causes child malnutrition in India: WB

The Integrated Child Development Services' neglect of factors like appropriate healthcare, feeding and caring practices in favour of food, and its inadequate services for children below the age of three have contributed to the high levels of malnutrition, says a new World Bank study

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Activists undertake audit of rural job scheme

Dungarpur in Rajasthan has become a laboratory for testing the effectiveness of the recently- launched National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme with upto 800 workers, activists, media persons, academicians and government officials involved in assessing the scheme's implementation

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Top scientists, engineers contest Narmada power generation claims

Hundreds of scientists and engineers, many of them faculty at renowned Indian educational institutes and US universities like Yale, have openly challenged claims by Sardar Sarovar Project engineer Ashok Gajjar about the amount of electricity the project will generate annually if the height of the dam is raised to 121.92 metres

http://southasia.oneworld.net

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Indian scientists claim breakthrough in TB treatment

Scientists discover a new drug to fight tuberculosis, and also develop a vaccine for low immunity tuberculosis cases

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet over soft drinks standards

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Orissa's child domestic workers: The 'nowhere' children

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The importance of minority education

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Living with floods

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Playing golf beside a watery grave

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet over soft drinks standards

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet over soft drinks standards

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet over soft drinks standards

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet over soft drinks standards

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Yet another committee, as government drags its feet over soft drinks standards

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'No government wants to deal with a whistleblower'

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Triveni Devi and 109 other women vanquish corrupt ration shop dealers

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Civil Society Organisations: What they say and what they do

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'Whatever violates the integrity of a woman's body should be considered rape'

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60 years of the IMF and World Bank, but not everybody is celebrating

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Why Mumbai is choking

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Redefining abuse

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Jai Kisan-II: Does India have to bow before neo-liberal bosses?

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Jai Kisan-I: Chronicle of cruel neglect

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'The challenge is to make panchayati raj institutions vehicles for both governance and delivery'

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Google-opoly: The wonder search engine's days of innocence are over

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Dr M S Swaminathan: 'Job-led growth can only come from agriculture'

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Why 40,000 pregnant women die in UP every year

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In the name of the Jarawa

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Bal Sansads: Members of Parliament at 11

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Orissa villagers opt for 'green fixed deposits'

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Reliance vs the olive ridley turtle

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UP's population policy ignores the ground realities

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Caste wars simmer as defiant barbers refuse to wash the feet of 'upper castes'

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Komalda's homage to ordinariness

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Our work on budget analysis has shifted the balance of power in favour of the poor: MD Mistry

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Environment: will the new government be any more responsible?

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Karnataka's Gadag district 'worms' its way out of drought

Despite a history of drought in the region, farmers are reaping rich harvests thanks to a vermicompost called Sanjeevani, developed by the K H Patil Krishi Vigyan Kendra

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Voices of women in prostitution

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SANGRAM: A war for all women

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About InfoChange News & Features

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UP's women die in childbirth for want of a four-rupee dai kit

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Hell flows along the River Ganga

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Janavani: A reporter in every village

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Pioneering government-NGO partnership to manage juvenile homes

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Kolkata has the highest number of lung cancer cases worldwide

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'One fly is deadlier than one hundred tigers'

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"Justice taken for a ride...abused, misused, mutilated.."

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Mother goddesses and warriors: RSS women as ideologues

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Press freedom in South Asia

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Social messages on a string

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'We have to start the process of thinking about alternatives'

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Flaw in the law: Custodial rape, inadequate evidence and acquittal

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A movement, not a newspaper

Prabhat Khabar is a newspaper that bucks the trend, puts people's concerns before entertainment, glamour and profitability, and still manages a circulation of over 2,50,000 copies

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What hope for the Jarawa?

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The Cauvery delta: An economy under threat

Thousands of farmers in the Cauvery delta are being forced to come to terms with a new reality: perennial water scarcity. The lack of water in the rain-fed Cauvery is destroying livelihoods and disrupting communities

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Towards an alternative politics: People's movements join the electoral process

Medha Patkar and Aruna Roy aren't the only activists who have made the difficult decision to step into the political arena. Last year in Madhya Pradesh, mass-based tribal organisations or sangathans decided to contest the assembly elections. Now the Samajwadi Jan Parishad is getting ready to field some candidates for the Lok Sabha election in MP, Orissa, West Bengal and Maharashtra

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Land warriors of the Konkan

For over 25 years, land rights activist Surekha Dalvi has been championing the cause of tribal ownership of land in Maharashtra's picturesque Konkan region

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Cheap labour for sale in Cyberabad's overflowing addas

At least 40 million Indians are unemployed, and 10 million new job-seekers enter the job market every year. This report zeroes in on Hyderabad's addas where migrant labourers from Andhra Pradesh's water-starved districts struggle to sell their labour for as little as Rs 40 a day

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The feel-good factory: A government-media joint venture

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Sati glorification: Crime, society and the wheels of injustice

Despite protests both within Rajasthan and across the country, no appeal has been filed against the recent acquittal of those accused of glorifying sati, following the death of Roop Kanwar on her husband's funeral pyre back in 1987

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The deliberate construction of the Enemy Other

Two years after Godhra and the Gujarat riots that followed, a feminist report argues that the sexual violence in Gujarat was not random, impulsive or isolated, but a consciously-thought-out strategy to subjugate and humiliate a community painted as the Enemy Other

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Kottans for posterity

Tamil Nadu's almost-extinct traditional basket-weaving craft survives and thrives again

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'The Sacred Hills of Ellora': Fantastic examples of religious co-existence

Documentary filmmaker Simonetta Gatto believes that the best lessons are always learned from history, as with the Ellora caves in Maharashtra, where Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples have co-existed in harmony for millennia

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Turmeric yellow, hibiscus red: Campaigning for a 'green' Holi

This year, Holi celebrations in Pune turned organic thanks to a campaign spearheaded by the environmental NGO Kalpavriksh that promoted the use of natural colours instead of hazardous chemicals

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The Cauvery delta: An economy under threat

Thousands of farmers in the Cauvery delta are being forced to come to terms with a new reality: perennial water scarcity. The changing course of the Cauvery and the constant shortfall in rain are destroying livelihoods and disrupting communities

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'Why should gender or sexuality define our identity?'

In a society where eunuchs can either be sex workers or beggars, Narthaki Natraj and Sakthi Bhaskar are well-known and respected Bharatanatyam artistes. This is their account of their battle against terrible cruelty and discrimination and their refusal to give up

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