Mission Bhartiyam writes to Ministry of Women and Child Development to improve NCW

As a response to the Minister of Women and Child Development, Ms. Maneka Gandhi's proposal to reform National Commission for Women (NCW) to bring it at "par with NHRC", core member of Mission Bhartiyam, Devika Mittal, wrote to the Minister for Women and Child Development regarding the pathetic grievance redressal system of NCW.

To,

The Minister for Women and Child Development

Shastri Bhawan,

New Delhi 110001

Kind Attention: Ms. Maneka Gandhi

Subject: Concerns regarding the pathetic grievance redressal system of NCW

Respected Madam,

This is with reference to the Times of India report dated 17^th July 2014 about your proposals to make National Commission for Women (NCW) more effective and at par with NHRC. In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to certain facts about the current system that may help in this necessary initiative to be taken by you.

NCW is seen as an apex body for justice for women. It is a hope for deprived women across the country. Having been an intern at NCW, I have seen this from the amount and the content of the complaint letters. Yet, NCW is not able to live up to the expectations. It is largely ineffective not only because it is not empowered to impart justice as you rightly pointed out in the Times of India article but because the very first step i.e. to lodge a complaint is also difficult. This is also because of many reasons. I have found several times that the numbers listed on NCW website are not reachable. The number is either disconnected or there is no response. The situation may be temporary but it is a serious matter. On 30^thJune, out of the 4 numbers listed, only one was working. This is not expected from a national level body.

The emails mentioned in the website tell a similar story. While NCW encourages one to file a complaint through email, there is no response. I have sent several mails, the last one sent on 1 July and till now, I have not received any acknowledgement. The same situation also holds true for letters sent by post. I have sent several letters to NCW and I have never got any response. When I called at NCW to inquire about it and get my complaint number, they were clueless about the letter. This is unlike the situation in any other government body.

As I previously stated, I have done an internship at NCW for a short period and during my experience, I have seen the amount of letters that come each day. I have processed letters that were dated 6 months back. It is a dismal situation. I understand that it was also because of the insufficient human power that exists at NCW. In this regard, I propose several suggestions for your consideration. These are:

*It should be ensured that the numbers are always working. There should also be a caller-id system installed.

*The email system should be made effective. Like in other bodies, the mail should be responded back with an acknowledgement and a complaint number.

*There should be a time-bound system to respond to complaints.

*There should be an increase in the human power at NCW.

I hope that the above suggestions will be considered to make NCW more effective and responsive to the needs of the contemporary situation. 

Thanking You

Regards,

Devika Mittal

Mission Bhartiyam

(A registered group of students and young professionals,

working in the fields of Peace & Harmony, Huamn Rights and Environment)

http://www.missionbhartiyam.org

CBCID Inquiry ordered in sexual assault case in Haryana jail raised by Mission Bhartiyam

PRESS RELEASE

CBCID INQUIRY ORDERED ON SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE IN HARYANA JAIL RAISED BY MISSION BHARTIYAM

In a matter of sexual assault case wherein two women prisoners alleged that Deputy Superintendent of Nimika Jail, Haryana had sexual assaulted them and an appeal was filed by Ravi Nitesh, President of Mission Bhartiyam with National Human Rights Commission in May 2013, continuous inquiries were done by NHRC and various reports were asked from Haryana jail officials in this regard.

Now, in the recent development in the case, the commission on 5 June 2014 has again directed to Principal Secretary, Government of Haryana to conduct a CBCID inquiry in this regard and submit a report within eight weeks.

Interestingly, the local administration report in response to first notice of NHRC for submission of report was being made with conclusion that no sexual assault took place, however the commission itself rejected to accept the conclusion as it as and told that statement of victims do not reject the probability of sexual assault within the jail premises as no one else can be witness there.The Commission also therefore asked with Principal secretary, Govt of Haryana to have a CBCID inquiry.

The case was registered by Ravi Nitesh and NHRC allotted case no 3396/7/3/2013-AR in this regard. The commission in its directive clarify that:

"Shri Ravi Nitesh, a human rights activist, in his complaint dated 16.05.2013, has alleged that two woman prisoners at Nimika Jail, Faridabad were sexually assaulted by the Dy. Superintendent of the Jail. The incident was reported by them to the Chief Judicial Magistrate on his official visit to Jail. Thereafter, the victims were allegedly beaten and tortured by the jail officials as to why did they convey the incident to the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The complainant has requested intervention of the Commission. Pursuant to the direction of the Commission, the DG, Prisons, Haryana has sent a report dated 9.7.2013. As per report, the enquiry conducted by Addl. IG, Prisons, Haryana revealed that the allegations of physical torture of the lady prisoners by the Dy. Superintendent were false. An FIR No. 139 dated 14.5.2013 was also registered at P.S., Ballabhgarh regarding the alleged incident of sexual assault by the Dy. Superintendent. After investigation, the allegations were found false and final report is to be submitted. During enquiry, only this possibility came out that the prisoners Nirmal Bhatia and Anita might have been abused and beaten by the lady warder Sangita and Sumitra as a mobile charger was recovered from the possession of the lady prisoner Anita but the allegation of sexual exploitation was found to be false. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, the jail officials have sent a copy of FIR No.139 dated 14.05.2013, copies of the statements of victims recorded u/s 161 Cr.P.C., medical examination of the alleged victims, etc. Having considered the FIR, statements of the victims recorded u/s 161 Cr.P.C. and other documents, the Commission notes that the possibility of commission of offences in the jail premises by the Dy. Superintendent cannot be ruled out in view of the statements of the victims, who are the only witnesses of the occurrence. In the jail premises, no outsider is expected to witness the occurrence. Let the Principal Secretary, Government of Haryana, Department of Home be asked to get the case FIR No.139 dated 14.05.2013, P.S. Ballabhgarh registered in connection with sexual assault on the two woman prisoners by the Deputy Superintendent of Nimika Jail, Faridabad in the jail premises, investigated through the CBCID and send within eight weeks a report in this matter. "  

We, at Mission Bhartiyam, are hopeful that such cases be solved with proper, in-depth inquiries as women in jails are also vulnerable to these crimes because of the unavailability of any reporting/monitoring system. We are hopeful that NHRC will give an impartial decision and will investigate the inquiry report as well to avoid any loophole.

NHRC Link: http://nhrc.nic.in/display.asp?fno=3396/7/3/2013-AR 

Indo-Pak calendar launch in New Delhi on 21st December, at India International Centre

Date: 21st December 2013

Time: 2 to 5 PM

Venue: India International Centre, New Delhi

Despite similarities in several respects, the Indo-Pak relations have always been fluctuating. 2013 also saw several ruptures but despite these fluctuations, the bond that connects and shall always connect the people of the two countries has not gone. Every year, we, a people’s initiative, Aaghaz-e-Dosti (lit. Start of friendship), celebrate this bond with our “Calendar for Peace and Love”.

An initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst – TC and Centre for Youth Development Activities, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, aims to create unwavering bonds of peace and friendship between India and Pakistan. The bonds that will survive the vagaries of troubles times. But these bonds will not be artificial ones, they rest on the belief and claim that people of India and Pakistan not only share the same language, culture, values and challenges but also the desire for peace and friendship. It rests on the belief that if there are people on both sides of the border who cannot and do not want to forget the past and do not want others to forget it, there are also people who want to forget the past and not just move on but move along to create a new chapter in history…of friendship and brotherhood.

And so, every year, Aaghaz-e-Dosti launches “Calendar for Peace and Love” that would remind us every day about these people. This is the second year of launch. The calendar with the paintings of an innocent and apolitical mind will remind us that mindsets have been constructed. The six paintings narrate the desire as well as need to bridge the gap for a happy and prosperous future. Together with the beautiful dreams of the young and innocent, the Calendar also has messages from people who have been actively working to nurture these dreams. This calendar is a collection of these shared dreams of peace and friendship. It serves as a hope shared by people who are just like us, in habit and struggle. With the turn of the pages to start a new month, the hope shall be renewed.

The Calendar will be launched along with a discussion or “Sharing of hopes for a peaceful and friendly co-existence” in both India(New Delhi) and Pakistan (Islamabad). 

In the launch in New Delhi, our guest speakers include Sh. Pankaj Singh (Eminent Hindi Poet, He has extensively written on art, literature, cinema and international politics. His poems have been translated into Urdu, Bengali, English, Japanese, French, Russian and Polish.He is a member of SAARC Writers and Literature), Sonya Fatah (A Pakistani filmmaker and Journalist. She is a columnist with Times of India), Jawed Naqvi (Correspondent of Dawn Newspaper (Pakistan) in Delhi) and Dr. D.S. Rana (Chairperson of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was originally established in Lahore in 1921). There will also be two students from Pakistan studying in India to share their views and experiences.

The discussion is open to anyone. Launch will be organized at Islamabad also and the proposed date for Islamabad launch is 24 December 2013.

We invite your presence as we share our hopes and desire to create a new history of peace and friendship. 

For any more information/query contact: Ravi Nitesh 9958907799

Launch of Activism India

We are proud to inform you that Mission Bhartiyam has launched a website that will be a repertoire of information on contemporary movements in India. It is dedicated to the civil society in India (which we should be proud of) and is called Activism India. Activism India will be a one-stop portal that will provide the basic, background information, will track the developments in the movements and will also present perspectives (articles) on major movements in India. Visit us at http://www.activismindia.com/

We invite press releases and articles.

Regards,

Team Mission Bhartiyam

Youths to celebrate Sadbhavna Holi across the nation

PRESS RELEASE

Youths to celebrate Sadbhavna Holi across the nation

Mission Bhartiyam, along with some other organisations like Awam ka Cinema, Buniyaad – Ek Behtar Kal ki, Ayodhya ki Awaaz, UYASD and SAMAR, will be celebrating Sadbhavna Holi. Sadbhavna Holi is an annual initiative like the Sadbhavna Diwali and Eid celebrated as festivals of harmony across the nation.

Ravi Nitesh, founder of Mission Bhartiyam stated that, “Every year we organize festivals of Holi, Diwali and Eid as people’s festivals regardless of religion as we believe that the original purpose of these festivals is to celebrate social bonds and to rejuvenate it through gatherings, greetings and sharing smiles together.”

Sadbhavna Holi will be celebrated between 27^th March – 31^st March across the nation. Several organisations and individuals have also expressed their support and have promised to conduct it in their region.

Shadab Bashar of Buniyaad – Ek Behtar Kal Ki remarked, “We want to celebrate Holi in it’s true sense. Holi celebrates colours or diversity. We also want to celebrate that”.

Ayodhya has been facing communal tensions. However, like the success of Sadbhavna Diwali, the organisers also hope for a successful Sadbhavna Holi. Shah Alam of Ayodhya ki Awaaz remarked, “Holi is a festival of brotherhood. By celebrating Sadbhavna Holi, we hope to extend this brotherhood across religious communities.”

Sadbhavna Holi is another people’s initiative to live the true spirit of festivals in India. We, hereby, also appeal to the general public that they must also join us as we will celebrate Holi with colours of peace and harmony. To do this, one has to include members of diverse religious communities in their celebration of Holi and spread the word of communal harmony.

Regards,

Ravi Nitesh/Devika Mittal

Mission Bhartiyam

Contact 9958907799 

TREE FOR HARMONY 16 SEP (World Ozone Layer Day) - 21 SEP (World Peace Day)

TREE FOR HARMONY 16 SEP (World Ozone Layer Day) - 21 SEP (World Peace Day)

-A South Asian Initiative for Peace, Harmony & Environment

We aim to initiate friendship, brotherhood and peace in the entire South Asia. And for this, we turn to "our evergreen friends" – trees. What can be more symbolic of these values than a tree? A tree grows freely, digs its roots deeply and also gives life to other trees. It is a symbol of stability, growth and prosperity.

A tree also grows freely, without any discrimination. And this is the message that we want to send. Like trees, we should do away with barriers of caste, religion, ethnicity and national boundaries. Like trees, we should grow together. So this event has a national as well as international essence to it.

Mission Bhartiyam proposes "Tree for harmony" event to be held in schools across South Asia. In the event, trees labeled as "harmony trees" will be planted by students. Any other event like a march, a seminar, artistic ways like painting, music etc to spread the word of peace, harmony, brotherhood may also follow/ accompany it. In Delhi (India), Tree for Harmony will be concluded with an event of India Art and Architecture group wherein they will paint to communicate the goals of peace and a harmonious and sustainable environment among the general masses on India Gate. In Bangladesh, a seminar and a human chain/rally will be held in Matamuhuri Degree College. The event will start on 16th September which is also the World Ozone day and will conclude on 21st September which is the World Peace Day. Environment is also a common challenge for all South Asian Countries.

So by this event, the twin challenges of environment and the need for peace will be addressed. By this event, we plan to develop a "South Asian" consciousness.

"Tree for harmony" will be organized in Pakistan under "Aaghaz-e dosti" which is our Indo-Pak initiative and in Nepal under the "Bharat Nepal Paraspar Samvad" which is already in operation.

We invite you/your organization/school to be a part of this drive. We will acknowledge all such partners/supporters who participated in this drive. Please plant trees named as "harmony trees". Any other related event is optional. You can invite local media/persons in your event. Share your experiences , photographs, newsclips etc with us at our email. 

In India, this event is being organised in J&K (Bilal Sultan, Tahir), Orrisa (Sibaprasad Ji), Madhya Pradesh (Ashok Lodi, Rupesh Pandey) & Uttar Pradesh (Raj Shekhar Chandola, Ashutosh, Praveen) and can be extended to all other states as well.

Contact us

Ravi Nitesh(India) +919958907799, Devika Mittal(India) +919582129927, Prashant Nautiyal(India Art and Architecture) + 919555251427

Zeeshan Malik(Dubai) +971554614652, Aitizaz Pirzada(Pakistan) +00923235095854

Mahedi Hasan(Bangladesh) +008801840508522

Niraj Neupane(Students' club of Nepal) 00977-9851071945

SRINAGAR to IMPHAL SAVE SHARMILA JAN KARWAN start 16 OCT SRINAGAR

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 16 OCT 2011

SRINAGAR

SRINAGAR to IMPHAL SAVE SHARMILA JAN KARWANstarted its 4500 Km. journey to highlight Irom Sharmila’s cause, who is on hunger protest since last 10 years for her demand to repeal AFSPA. The karwan is organized by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. Campaign is a joint initiative of various social organizations and movements who are extending their solidarity towards the cause.

Social activists from all parts have come here at Srinagar to start the journey. Around 25 activists first went to Hazratbal to offer their prayer for peace and harmony. Renowned activists Medha Patekar, Megsesay awardee Dr. Sandeep Pandey and Irom Singhjit (brother of Irom Sharmila) also came here for the karwan.

From Hazratbal, karwan arrived here at Pratap Park where activists addressed the public and talked to media. Medha Patekar, Dr. Sandeep Pandey, Parveena Ahenger (Chairman, Praents of Disappeared Person), Irom Singhjit (brother of Irom Sharmila) flagged off the karwan led by Faisal Khan. At the time many activists from J&K including Shahabul Haque, Dr. Raza Muzaffar, Firdoos Ahmed Bhawani, Shahnawaz Mir, Tanveer Hussain, Dr. Ghulam Rasool and activists from Manipur Irom Singhjit (brother of Irom Sharmila) and Babloo were alo present there.

Medha Patekar told that we all are against AFSPA and all such laws that violates basic human right. Violence is not recommended in any form. She told that democratic values are in danger everywhere in Kashmir and north east and thus we all started the journey from here to show or solidarity. She also told that cases of disappeared persons should also get listed and government should attend the issues during her address to public.

Megsesay awardee Dr. Sandeep Pandey told that we want to raise the issue of Irom among public. He also told that Kashmir should get enough respect and attention to establish democratic values perfectly.

Er. Ab. Rashid told that we are facing humiliations here and thus we welcome the move of all activists who are raising their voice towards humanity and human rights.

Faisal Khan informed that it is first time when any such journey is organized to protect democratic values and gandhian values. Irom has become a symbol of peace and a voice raise the issue of AFSPA. J&K is also affected from this law on one side and thus we all decided to start the journey from here. Karwan will travel through 10 states and will reach Imphal on 27^th October. Mr. Khan told that we are organizing Srinagar to Imphal Jan Karwan to spread awareness about Irom Sharmila and to generate public support for her. Mr. Khan told that our main objective is to make public opinion about sufferings of people who are affected with AFSPA. We will conduct various activities such as pamphlet distribution, public meetings, press meet, nukkar natak etc, throughout the route. We will focus on states where people don’t know about irom and her cause and consequences of AFSPA. We believe that there is no place of such laws in democracy. We are against violencein any form and we oppose all such laws because these are unfit and non aligned with gandhian values. These laws are not dangerous for the public only, but these laws also created a rift between public and administration.We feel that public opinion in non victim states (where AFSPA is not imposed) to repeal AFSPA is very much required to save democracy and justice. He told that this journey will cover 10 states and around 4500 Km. It will move from Srinagar to Imphal via Jammu, Ludhiana, Karnal, Panipat, New Delhi, Aligarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata and Guwahati. Journey will start on 16^th October and will reach Imphal on 27^th October. On an average we will cover more than one crore of population with the demand to repeal AFSPA.

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign told that the campaign has already launched nationwide protest. This is first time in history when any such campaign that is focused to repeal AFSPA has been launched in 21 states of India. Irom Sharmila, who is on hunger strike since the year 2000 has been ignored by government. Civil society has also not done much for the cause. AFSPA is imposed in J&K and NE states and many thousands people have been killed, tortured, lost in these states. Irom Sharmila is demanding to repeal AFSPA and she has become a symbol of peace and a strong voice against AFSPA. Hence, we all have to extend our support for her fight. J&K is affected with AFSPA on one side and NE states on another. Hence, the journey will start from Srinagar.

Activists of J&K told that we also support the Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign. We believe that it is our responsibility to extend our support towards the cause. We are victims of AFSPA and we are raising our voice since last many years. We have already seen many peace conferences and seminars in Kashmir but this is first time when a whole campaign is launched. I hope it will be a historical journey from Srinagar to Imphal because no such effort was made ever before. We welcome this move because AFSPA is the basic problem of Kashmir. People who are going towards larger population through this journey are really doing a nice job. We all are dedicated towards the cause. We all extending our support towards this campaign as the campaign is raising the basic issue of AFSPA which is important not only for J&K and NE states (victim states) but for other states too, as it will address the problems of democratic values.

Activists who are in karwan to meet with Irom Sharmila, includes Senior gandhians like Suresh Bhai (Bihar) & Balwant Yadav, Satya Prakash Bharat, Md. Iqbal, Asit Das, Gufran Khan, Adil Khan, Inamul Hasan, Ravi Nitesh, Ehsan Raza, Mahendra Sonawale, Md. Arish, Panakj Pathak, Bilal Kagzi, Ghulam Md. Gorsee, Shabbir, Sarwar, Ghulam Md. Will participate. Some women activists with Shahnaz from Gujrat also joined the karwan from Srinagar.

Campaign members told that many others will also join the karwan from many places of the route. This karwan will travel through Jammu, Ludhiana, Karnal, Panipat, New Delhi, Aligarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varansai, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal.

The campaign has already received support of more than 70 organizations including National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), Asha Parivar, Khudai Khidmatgar, Mission Bhartiyam, Sadbhav mission, ANHAD, J&K RTI Movement, INSAF, PEACE, Centre for Social justice (J&K), Yuva Koshish, SAMAR, Le Mashale, Society for Youth Development, Asian Centre for Social Studies, Just Peace Foundation, We The Common People (WTCP), Student Islamic Organization (SIO), Mahila Chetna Kendra, Inqualab Zindabad, Society for Youth Development, Save Democracy Repeal AFSPA, Rights Initiative, Islamic Releif & Research Trust (Kashmir), Inderwar Educational Society (Kishtwar), Chenab Welfare and Educational Trust (Doda) and many others.

Departed from Srinagar at 7:00 PM