[imc-tech-solidarity] Fwd: [IMC-Editorial] Support a humane cause

[anarch3m]

This came throught on the global wire editorial list.  I thought it belonged here.

I have been thinking there are so many possibilities with sharing surplus technology, and wondering if we could think how to leverage the project.  Start hitting up corporations for computers in bulk.  (And the shipping too?)

I am near Boeing and uh- Microsoft and have been talking to someone to introduce us to them.  Going too slow for all the possibilities.

I have personally had the opportunity to meet folks from all over, due to a State Department program.  I could easily have placed 5000 units in this year.  Kurdistan, Iraq, Pak.Kasmere, India would be all up on the needs list.

walt Seattle., list admin for global editor list
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DATE: 1 Jul 2003 05:44:03 -0000
From: funding at mysprat.org
To: imc-editorial at indymedia.org
Cc: 

June, 2003

Dear Friend of Humanity, 

Most certainly you can give us five minutes: this may change the course of five precious human lives. If you are moved enough then please spare another 10 minutes on Part II.

It is no news to you that in the wake of the retaliatory communal violence in Gujarat innocent victims have suffered grievous losses to their persons and properties. What must pain you, however, is that the indirect loss of livelihood is simply beyond reckoning and is bleeding a large number of families. These victims include both Hindus and Muslims.

Riots, strife and deprivation are a blot on the face of a nation that is vying for global recognition and boasting of a grand civilization. Do we adore America just for its wealth? Perhaps we admire it more for its fair practices, equal opportunities, law and order and quick justice. 

There is little possibility of India attaining its grand destiny unless it establishes communal peace and its minorities whole-heartedly participate in its march to progress. Poverty and illiteracy lead to population, crime and pestilence. And these affect us all. Uplifting the deprived sections, therefore, becomes prime national service. 

SPRAT works to promote rationality, inter-faith understanding and empowerment of the impoverished, specially educational and economic. Its CARAVAN division – a network of empowerment centres connected with SPRAT’s own intranet: the CaravaNet – offers supplementary coaching for SSC/HSC, runs vocational library and counseling, helps promote micro-economic enterprises, shows inspirational and educational video films, promotes thrift and micro credit and encourages inter-faith cultural exchanges.  In short, providing dignity to human life, and possibly a smile on the parched lips. Details are given in Part II.

One CARAVAN centre is partly funded by Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Two others are privately supported. Several more are coming up in various parts of Gujarat. For these centres we need computers, furniture, cupboards, books, fittings, data projectors / 29” TVs, water-cooler / filters, fans / air-coolers etc. besides working funds. Obviously CARAVAN are not profit centres and even with professional management require four years to become self-sustainable. 

SPRAT enjoys Sn. 80G exemption under IT Act and FCRA Registration. Its governing bodies – led by Dr Yoginder Alagh, former Minister of Science and Technology – benefit from distinguished persons including professors of the Indian Institute of Management, a former Ambassador to US, Cabinet Secretary, Chief Minister, eminent economists, planners, technologists and a Gandhian. SPRAT’s sincerity of purpose, professionalism and transparency have lent it sufficient credibility to deserve your patronage. Nevertheless we shall furnish any further clarifications with due humility.
You are in a privileged position. Many others are left behind. Perhaps you will find SPRAT the right medium to help bridge this gap. 
Wishing you greater happiness and with kind regards,
Sameer Pradhan
Asst Vice President 
SPRAT - Society for the Promotion of Rational Thinking
SF-8, Rajnagar Complex, Narayan Nagar Road, Paldi, AHMEDABAD 380 007 INDIA
 
Tel: +79-663 46 55 /66 /77 [1000-1800 IST]
Tel: +79-661 40 95 / 20 45 [2000-2100 IST]
Fax: +79-661 20 49  Web: www.mysprat.org  e-mail: info at mysprat.org 
When you contribute charity you are not obliging; you are merely supporting a cause that you should be managing yourself. Dignity and grace add luster to charity.


*****************************
PART II 
DETAILS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES

-----------------------------
* SPRAT INITIATIVES * CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD * BOARD OF GOVERNORS * CARAVAN * AZMAT * BASERA * SHIRKAT * FUNDING OPTIONS * BANKING DETAILS * FUTURE PLANS
-----------------------------

SPRAT’s NOTABLE INITIATIVES

Riot relief work including constructing nearly 600 huts, supplying over 22,000 bags of free cement for repair of damaged small houses, distributing dozens of handcarts, shop cabins, sewing machines and other productive assets for a sustainable livelihood and organizing a Tripartite Convention for relief camp organizers, authorities and NGOs – presided over by Mr KPS Gill
Studies and surveys on the perception of communities about each other
Publishing and distributing over 15,000 booklets and 2.2 million pamphlets promoting inter-faith understanding
With the co-operation of several leading NGOs identifying the heroes and conferring Solidarity Awards [Salaam] on them. Besides the common men and women the awardees included media like Times of India and NDTV, celebrities like Ms Mallika Sarabai, Former Chief Justice Rawani, Member of Parliament Mr. Madhusudan Mistry, etc. The award dedicated to the unsung hero - in the shape of an inter-twined tree of fiber glass and cast iron - was presented for us by former PM Mr Chandra Shekhar to the city Mayor. This has since been installed in the city Museum.
Setting up secular, mutli-purpose CARAVAN centres of empowerment

-----------------------------
CARAVAN CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD

1.Prof. Ajay Pandey, Professor, IIMA, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad 380 015
2.Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, Director, Islamic Centre, New Delhi
3.Dr. Abid Hussain, Former ambassador to USA
4.Ms. Indira Hirway, Director, Centre for Development Alternatives
5.Dr. K C Upadhyay, Vice Chancellor, M S University, Baroda
6.Dr. Jeemol Unni, Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad
7.Mr. Sudarshan  Iyengar, Director, Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad
8.Mr. Ashok Bhargav, IDEA, Ahmedabad
9.Dr. Bashir Ahmedi, Neuro-physician, Ahmedabad
10.Ms. Ila Pathak, AWAG, Ahmedabad
11.Dr. Farooque Abdullah, Former CM, J&K
12.Ms. Darshini Mahadevia, CEPT, Ahmedabad
13.Mr. Harnath  Jagawat, N M Sadguru Water and Development Foundation
14.Mr Zafar Saifullah, Former Cabinet Secretary, GoI


-----------------------------
SOME MEMBERS OF SPRAT’s BOARD OF GOVERNORS

1.Prof Yoginder Kumar Alagh, Chairperson, Noted Agro-economist, former Minister of Science and Technology and former VC of JNU
2.Mr Mohd Hasan Jowher, President, Former bank CEO and management and IT consultant
3.Prof Rakesh Basant, Secretary, Professor, IIMA
4.Prof Sebastian Morris, Treasurer, Professor, IIMA
5.Mr Arif M Khan, Former Minister on Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet, political leader and secular activist
6.Ms Anjolie Ela Menon, Padma Shri, Celebrity artiste 
7.Prof Ajay Pandey, Professor, IIMA, Vice Chair CARAVAN CAB
8.Shri Chunibhai Vaidya, Eminent Gandhian and Sarvodaya leader


-----------------------------
EMPOWERING THE IMPOVERISHED

A. CARAVAN EMPOWERMENT NETWORK

1.BACKGROUND
a.True education leads to increased information, more rational thinking and greater harmony. Conversely ignorance causes impoverishment, isolation and obscurantism. Poverty and illiteracy reinforce each other. Knowledge must, therefore, contribute to empowerment. 

b.“Educate a man, you educate an individual and educate a woman, you educate a family” goes the saying. So women’s empowerment assumes all the more importance. Education, however, is not just diplomas and degrees. Structured information should contribute to knowledge and result in wisdom. It is this philosophy that defines CARAVAN’s mission: 

Empowerment of the impoverished through information and exposure.

c.Inter-faith and social misconceptions pervade Gujarat and its common people have suffered massive economic losses in the recent disturbances. SPRAT recognized this region as a natural territory to start its work from. Dedicated to the promotion of rationality it rose to the call and set up a division: CARAVAN - a network of community empowerment centres - to empower the society through increased learning and earning opportunities. 

2.OBJECTIVES
For the empowerment of weaker sections CARAVAN has defined the following objectives:

a.Promoting across all age groups a culture of learning, questioning  and rational thinking in daily life, through provision of reading facilities, interaction and film shows.

b.Helping promote micro-economic enterprises, including business organizations, cooperatives and self help groups - specially for women - towards overall economic empowerment.

c.Facilitating the availment of existing government and other institutional support schemes and providing everyday information in a wide range of areas for material advancement. 

d.Honing exam-taking skills of the young in the current examination system, with the twin objectives of mass education and academic excellence. The latter should also improve weaker section’s share in governance through public services. 

e.Promoting inter-community brotherhood by encouraging in myriad informal ways, dialogue and discussions between individuals from all social divisions.

f.Building and studying databases,  and representing to the regulating agencies for appropriate welfare schemes


3.FACILITIES
To achieve the foregoing objectives SPRAT sets up multi-purpose, optimally usable CARAVAN centres, networked on its exclusive Intranet with a Central Coordination Unit in SPRAT. Each of these centres offers, inter alia, the following facilities:  

a.Vocational Library: Reading room houses general reading and reference books, current newspapers and magazines, specially for commercial and professional advancement for all ages, open usually early morning and late evening. Also lends books and magazines to regular members. Books will continue to be raised by voluntary contributions, thus enlarging CARAVAN ownership.

b.Coaching Centres: Intensive coaching classes are provided for the crucial SSC [X] and HSC [XII] students, in morning and evening, in association with neighbouring schools. A small fee is charged but CARAVAN ensures support for the needy with local patronage. Through periodical tests and individual monitoring standards will be improved and star performers will be identified. Housing these stars in small exclusive hostels CARAVAN will coach them through graduation and up to PSC examinations.

c.Vocational Education: Continuing and extended informal education is provided through workshops, plays, group discussions and seminars, to enhance material well being. Existing small businesses will be encouraged towards greater professionalization and technology upgradation even while offering help to promote new micro-economic units with latest low-cost technologies, such as those provided by CSIR labs. Using the vast pool of talented local and visiting faculty CARAVAN will become a veritable fountain of practical knowledge on material welfare.

d.Facilitation: With its professional manpower and infrastructure, CARAVAN provides valuable administrative and logistics support for allied initiatives by like-minded organizations and other divisions of SPRAT. 

Already CARAVAN helps Self Help Groups with their accounting and administrative work. Soon SPRAT will promote AZMAT [micro-economic units, specially for women] and BASERA [child care centres for the children of mothers working in AZMAT centres] in due course. SHIRKAT self help groups not only provide an impetus to savings propensity but also provide the initial seed capital to the poorest of the poor.

Besides, by monitoring individual performance at CARAVAN workshops, specific interest groups will be formed and entrusted to the existing voluntary agencies - or to the Projects Division of SPRAT - for technical training, economic and techno-managerial support. 

e.Adult Literacy Units: With technical help from Gujarat Vidyapiath -the university founded by Mahatma Gandhi - CARAVAN organizes adult literacy classes, specially for women. Within three months unlettered women acquire education equivalent to 3rd standard in school. Gujarat Vidyapith set up by Mahatma Gandhi supports us in this. In due course help will be provided for taking the Xth examination directly.

f.Information Kiosk: This is the inquiry counter for all temporal information. Circulars, brochures and other useful material concerning schemes of scholarships, grants and subsidies, soft credit etc introduced by the govt and other help agencies, will be compiled in the vernacular and supplied. Also adequate help will be extended in filling in, submitting and monitoring the progress of required forms and returns. Counselling on careers, vocations, health etc. will be offered. By and by a veritable goldmine of everyday information will be compiled on the Intranet and selectively offered.

g.Video Theatre: To widen the world view, enhance self confidence and to provide some entertainment, video films on cassettes and CDs - such as the programmes of Discovery and National Geographic, as also of the CSIR, DECU/SAC, UGC, Jamia Millia, country promotion films from various national embassies, and educational films of the various affiliates of the UN etc - are screened everyday at CARAVAN. The same equipment is also used for faculty presentations.

h.Data collection: Utilizing the infrastructure and local goodwill CARAVAN proposes to collect and collate multipurpose data about various segments of the local community. The various CARAVANs will be linked up with the centralized database for instant point-to-point access, as well as across the Web. 

This database can grow to serve various uses such as an employment exchange, a virtual market, or simply for organizing empowered groups etc. Besides, this data will be utilized for conducting extensive demographic and other socio-economic studies.

i.Meeting Hall: In free time, the furnished hall can be rented out for secular deliberations and professional engagements complimenting CARAVAN ’s objectives, for a fee.

4.APPROACH
a.CARAVAN centres will largely act as facilitating and enabling institutions striving to achieve synergy in voluntary work. Rather than meting out temporary livelihoods on a platter, these centres will function more as permanent local capacity building institutions, using and coordinating existing support structures. CARAVAN will considerably count upon local resources and produce substantial results merely by efficient coordination. Instead of duplicate something that may already be afoot in the chosen area, CARAVAN will link-up and support it. It will offer CARAVAN platform for like-minded NGOs if their work compliments CARAVAN objectives. Besides, CARAVAN will regularly launch satellite projects, social campaigns etc. as illustrated below:

b.Illustrative Satellite Projects: Setting up rudimentary badminton-cum-volley ball courts, children’s recreation facilities with sand-pits, promoting self-help groups, setting up AZMAT and BASERA centres, promoting public baths / toilets etc.

c.Illustrative Campaigns: With the involvement of local leadership promoting various social campaigns such as proper parking, covered drainage, covered food item vending, vaccination, vacation education, plantation etc.

5.CARAVAN  CENTRAL COORDINATION CELL
a.At the hub of CARAVAN network lies the CARAVAN Central Coordination Cell at SPRAT conducting necessary facilitation, co-ordination and monitoring. This Cell, a part of SPRAT administrative office, will maintain the Intranet, procure and supply library books and reference material, arrange faculty, conduct research and publish useful material, adapt published material in the vernacular, establish tie-ups and exchange deals, monitor centre / staff performance, conduct internal audit and other statutory supervision, and liaise with other SPRAT divisions, government and external agencies.
 
b.SPRAT needs serious funding and logistics support to strengthen this nerve centre of the CARAVAN network.

6.COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
a.SPRAT endeavours to mobilize local resources for the start-up infrastructure to the extent possible to enhance community ownership. A Local Advisory Board [LAB] largely comprising local talent and influence monitors the professionals and advises each centre.  Besides, the centres actively involve the local social and religious leadership, influential citizens and activists with various programmes at different times to benefit from their insights, as well as to enlarge ownership feeling.

b.The central policies are formulated and the performance of the various centres is monitored by a Central Advisory Board [CAB] comprising nationally renowned experts.
c.Besides the BoG, CAB, LABs we receive technical support from the faculty of IIMA, NID, EDI and scientists of CSIR and its other labs.

7. CURRENT STATUS

a.One CARAVAN centre – inaugurated by the city Mayor – is functioning at Vatwa, Ahmedabad, with support of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. The second one – inaugurated by the former Chief Justice Rawani and MP Madhusudan Mistry – has started functioning at Himmatnagar since 27th April, 03. The third centre was inaugurated by the noted cine-producer Mahesh Bhatt in May, 03 at Surat. 
b.Another one in the city is coming up at Shah-e-Alam, near the erstwhile famous relief camp.

c.Premises have already been taken with rent-free [gift] lease duly executed, at Mehsana and Bharuch where renovation is under way. Offers have been received from Bharuch, Mehemdabad, Baroda, Dholka, Vankaner and Nadiad but agreements are yet to be signed.
d.It is proposed to have a CARAVAN centre in every major town of Gujarat within a year.
 
e.Local Advisory Boards [LABs] have already been set up at Vatwa, Mehsana, Himmatnagar and Surat with the first line professional staff in place. 


f.Work at these centres is moving very slowly due to paucity of resources. In absence of a regular funding arrangement SPRAT mobilizes the required resources by voluntary contributions from private philanthropists, which obviously takes time. Charity, in India, comes faster for the sake of sawab and slower in the name of compassion!

Main akela hi chala tha janibe manzil magar
Log saath aate gaye aur CARAVAN banta gaya 

[Alone I had set out towards the goal - A CARAVAN was formed as friends started joining]

-----------------------------
B: AZMAT:
A center for the poor and lower middle class men and women to engage in productive activities in SPRAT-promoted micro economic enterprises. These projects will be born out of participants’ interest at CARAVAN workshops but will be promoted, supported and monitored by the project wing of SPRAT. 

The centers will typically harness local skills, use locally available raw materials and will either have local markets or access a pooled market at a distance. Typically each AZMAT center should provide sustainable and enduring livelihood to about 30 women, earning a daily wage of around Rs. 50/- for up to six hour work a day. 

Institutions like the CSIR will provide low cost technology inputs while design support can come from the NID and management inputs from the EDI and IIMA. 

The typical average cost for setting up one AZMAT center inclusive of machinery and one cycle of raw material etc. should be around Rs. 1,00,000/-.

-----------------------------
C: BASERA:
A childcare and education center located near one or more AZMAT centers to take care of the wards of women working at the AZMAT centres. Besides rudimentary play facilities like a sand pit, slides, swings, educational games and basic nursery/primary education these children will be provided one wholesome mid-day meal. 

BASERA centers will be located in close proximity of AZMAT centers and will be working in sync with them. BASERA will be managed by a foster mother who will be reimbursed all her costs. Typically a BASERA center should have around 30 children and must cost around Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum.

-----------------------------
D: SHIRKAT [Savings and Credit Groups] :
For the poorest of the poor CARAVAN supports in the formation of small savings and credit self-help groups. The members contribute at least Rs. 5/- per day per head. When the corpus reaches Rs. 5,000/- SPRAT contributes a like amount which the members will loan to the needy member. And thus the corpus grows and the member’s access to the credit expands. 

The entire administrative, cash and accounting support is provided by CARAVAN while the members manage their affairs themselves within the broad policy framework provided by SHIRKAT. 


-----------------------------
SOME SPRAT FUNDING OPTIONS

[The working capital component may be split and disbursed on yearly basis as the work progresses. Where denomination is missing the amount is in million rupees]

a.)Sponsor an entirely fresh, full-fledged CARAVAN center:  Rs 2.0 m [caters to an entire community of up to 25,000 population]
b.)Sponsor an entirely fresh, functional / basic CARAVAN centre: Rs. 1.74 m
c.)Launch a CARAVAN [the start-up cost of a basic CARAVAN centre, with 4 year’s premises rent, where the rest of the working funds come from elsewhere] : Rs. 0.87 m
d.)Equip a CARAVAN with basic infrastructure, where premises is gifted / rent-paid : Rs. 0.47 m 
e.)Run a CARAVAN: Working Capital of all four years for one CARAVAN centre where premises and start-up costs are arranged elsewhere : Rs. 0.88 m
f.)Fund a CARAVAN for the first year : Rs. 0.48 m
g.)Fund a batch of Adult Education [up to 30 women / men, three months batch] – Rs. 10,000/-
h.)Enlighten a person [one illiterate becoming literate in three months] : Rs 1,000/-
i.)Fund a career class [a batch of 20-30 students for a whole year for one of these classes: SSC, HSC [Science, Commerce or Arts], UPSC / GPSC for one whole year : Rs 0.1 m
j.)Fund a student [a typical student receiving coaching support for one whole year] : Rs 5,000/-
k.)Entertain a CARAVAN: The cost of screening educational video films in one centre for one year : Rs 10,000/-
l.)Fund a CARAVAN library [up to 1,000 vocational and reference books] : Rs. 0.2 m
m.)Fund a year’s News Room – 10-12 newspapers at a CARAVAN centre : Rs 10,000/-
n.)Fund a year’s Magazine Room – 10-12 periodicals for a CARAVAN centre : Rs 12,000/-.
o.)Promote an AZMAT center inclusive of machinery, one cycle of raw material etc. : Rs. 0.1 m
p.)Set up a BASERA center inclusive of children recreation and one mid-day meal everyday for one year : Rs. 0.1 m
q.)Fund a SHIRKAT group [seed funding for one women’s self-help savings and credit group] : Rs. 5,000/-

-----------------------------
CARAVAN FUNDING IN KIND

* PCs [[P3+/128MB/40GB+ with TV output cards] 
* Data Projectors 
* Laptops [2] 
* Large screen PC compatible TV 
* Lots of books and their storage 
* Electrical fittings [lights, fans / air-coolers, water filters / coolers] 
* Building and renovation material [cement, alluminium, wood, fittings] 
* Lots of educational CDs, cassettes 
* Furniture 
* Writing Boards, Soft Boards, White Boards 
* VCD 3.0+ Players 
* UPSs 
* Printers

-----------------------------
BANKING DETAILS

Current ACCOUNT 29317 of SPRAT [FCRA] at Union Bank of India, Museum Road Branch, Narayan Nagar Road, Paldi, Ahmedabad 380 007 India, via IFB [Forex] SWIFT Code No. UBININBBAIFA 

Through Bank of New York, New York, Via Chips MBR001 or Fedwire to ABA021000018 , for Union Bank of India, Mumbai, India, Account No. 803-3163-429(UID No.004106) or Through Bank of America, New York, NY10048 for Union Bank of India, Mumbai, India A/c. No. 6550-6-92276 Via Chips ABA959 for Account UID 004106 - Or through Fedwire No. 026009593 

-----------------------------
Future Plans: 
Subject to availability of funding support SPRAT desires to take up the following projects of significant social service. 

a)Basic Artisan Training Institute
i)This central training institute will conduct short duration training programmes in various income producing and enhancing skills and trades at Ahmedabad
ii)The candidates, course requirements and extent of coverage will be provided by various CARAVAN centres and the Central Coordination Cell. 
iii)The Project Division of SPRAT will work with the trained participants to actually set up AZMAT centres back in their localities
iv)Some possible courses may include papad making, agarbati making, book-binding, kite-making, toy-making, spice-processing, bakery products, ready food mixes, pickles, meat concentrates, fruits squashes and syrups, lock chains, paper covers, flower preservation, herbal gulal, small leather and bone products of everyday consumption etc.
v)Technical support may be available from the following institutes and agencies based right in Ahmedabad
(1)Management Inputs from the Indian Institute of Management [IIM]. Its three professors are on our Board.
(2)Design inputs from the National Institute of Design [NID]  
(3)Entrepreneurship related inputs from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute [EDI]. Its Director, Dr Awasthi is on CARAVAN’s CAB
(4)Fashionable designs in garment making and garment accessories from the National Institute of Fashion Technology [NIFT]
(5)National Innovation Foundation. Its Director, Dr Anil Gupta, is a patron of CARAVAN.
(6)Catering and food making related ideas from the Hotel Management Institute.
vi)Besides, the latest in low cost technologies may come from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR] and its various laboratories such as the Central Leather Research Institute of Chennai or the Botanical Research Institute of Lucknow. At Ahmedabad itself useful information for planning may come from the Space Application Centre [SAC] Centre for Environment Planning and Technology [CEPT] etc.
vii)Our Chairperson Dr Yoginder Alagh was the Central Minister of Science and Technology

b)Students and Working Women’s Hostel
i)Hostel [proposed]: This hostel at Ahmedabad will be home to the participants of the central training institute.
ii)This will also act as temporary accommodation for the staff of various CARAVAN centres visiting SPRAT for different types of training. 
iii)The entire minority area of Ahmedabad has no hostel for working women. AZMAT hostel will open its doors for these women for a suitable, subsidized fee to encourage the empowerment of the women’s from the weaker sections.
c)Costing: 
i)For the Institute a fixed cost of Rs. 10 million and annual working funds of Rs. one million may be required
ii)For the Hostel a fixed cost of Rs. 10 million and annual working funds of Rs. 0.5 million may be required.


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