Centre for Social Action

Saturday, Jan 12th 2008.

We took the college bus with 40 volunteers on an exposure programme to KNP + (Karnataka’s Network of People living with HIV and AIDS).  It is a pioneer organisation in the field of education programmes on HIV and empowering the people who are HIV affected through skill training, etc. The visit was part of the exposure programme for volunteers in CSA called ‘Vikas’ (meaning development).

Ms. Asha, who is the general secretary of the network in Karnataka state, led the session, with disarming boldness. She also shared her personal testimony, which was very inspirational, with us. The end of the session also found volunteers asking various questions which helped further the students’ knowledge on the topic. Many student volunteers agreed that they learnt a thing or two more about HIV and AIDS and the need to spread awareness.

The visit was  followed by a short discussion in the bus which handled topics like, their feelings after the visit, critique and understanding of the functioning of KNP+, what the role of students was, etc. The trend of having  a short discussion on the bus is a recent one and has been found to be a an effective tool in sharing various perspectives on the vist and acquanting oneself further with the organisation.

The informative exposure programme concluded with coffee, back at the college kiosk!

On December 8, few of the CSA volunteers visited an organisation within our city called the SOS village. A canopy of bougainvilleas welcomed us to what seemed to be a calm and serene atmosphere. As we experienced this tranquil, a few children came running towards us, who, we later learned, were the inmates of this village. They are called SOS children and they lived and studied in the village. We segregated ourselves into smaller groups and visited a few families.

There are 156 children living in the SOS village in Bangalore. In India, there are 40 SOS villages. The mother organization is in Austria. The main objective of an SOS village is to provide a shelter for the children who were victims of natural calamities and those whose parents did not have sufficient income to bring them up. They also receive children from various other backgrounds.

An SOS village is neither an adoption centre nor a foster care. It is a cluster of artificial families. Here the children live with their foster mothers. A family here consists of eight to ten children who live with their foster mother. The basic concept of SOS, is to provide children with the motherly care and support them. The children here identify themselves with their foster mothers.

It was indeed a thought provoking experience for us volunteers. In short, the concept of a children’s village as a shelter is a radical shift from the age old concept of orphanages.

Article by Anupama

A farewell programme was organised for the six FK(Fredskorpset) Exchange Programme students from Norway on 30^th November, 2007 in the Main Auditorium foyer. The programme included the CSA volunteers, staff and the host families of the students. Volunteers presented a few songs and a dance for the gathering. The highlight of the evening was a dance performance by the six students who had undergone a vigorous training session for one month under Mr.Prasanna, Social Welfare Officer, on an Indian song. The programme ended on an emotional note, with the Norwegian friends sharing their most cherished moments during their stay in India and their experiences at Christ College.

They’re all returning to Norway during mid-December. Farewell dear friends, and hope you do well in life, and cherish the memories at Christ.

Hi all,

The International Conference got a pretty good coverage by the press, a big THANK YOU to all reporters who attended the conference!!!

The Hindu (28.11.2007)

The Deccan Herald (27.11.2007)

The New Indian Express (27.11.2007)

The Times of India (27.11.2007)

Asian Age (27.11.2007)

A big thanks to all journalists who could make it for the conference! And thank you Jai for scanning the reports!

Hello yet again,

The International Conference on Women in Emerging India was a success. But little did we know that there lay a huge surprise during the valedictory function of the conference. The Deputy Director General of Fredskorpset, Mr Helge Espe, announced Centre for Social Action, Christ College, as a Gold Partner.

Fredskorpset has more than 400 partners in over 55 countries. Of these 400 partners, only 2 partners were earlier recipients of this prestigious status, and both these partners were in Africa. Now, there are two more, both from India, and the both who combined to organise the International Conference - CSA, Christ College and Drik India.

An extremely exalted Johny sir (Coordinator, CSA) collected the award from Mr Helge Espe, and Mr Suvendu collected the award for Drik India.

The only two gold partners of FK, in Asia, are from India. With this recognition, CSA hopes to elevate to greater and more intricate levels of cooperation and partnership with Fredskorpset, Norway. Hoping to work hand in hand a lot more in future, with Fredskorspet, and Drik India….

Thank you…

P.S: Three cheers to CSA, FK, Drik, and all the volunteers! Hip hip!

Hello all,

The 2 day international conference on Women in Emerging Indian Economy organised by the Fredskorpset India Partners Network, facilitated by CSA, Christ College, and Drik India came to an end yesterday, leaving in its wake many ideas and thoughts for the future. The conference turned out to be a huge success with all the participants thoroughly enjoying the discussions. The sessions were thought provoking and touched subjects never touched before. The resource persons had their hands full with discussions which overflowed the allotted times and continued on through lunch and coffee breaks.

The chief guest for the inaugural function was the Norwegian Ambassador to Delhi, Ms Ann Ollestad. The guest of honour was Mr Torbjorn Urfjell, Political Advisor to Minister of Development Cooperation, Norway. Both of these distinguished personalities talked about the importance of women empowerment, and related the topic with their own experiences in Norway.

The keynote speakers during the inaugural ceremony were Padmashree Lila Feroz Poonawalla and Padmashree Patricia Mary Mukhim. Ms Wangari Mathai, Nobel Peace Laureate 2004 couldnt make it for the function, so she sent on a video message, which was quite enlightening.

The two days were filled with enthusiastic speakers conveying their views and ideas to an eager audience. All the attendees left with their share of knowledge and thoughts.

“The sessions were amazing; so was the organising!” Said Ms Gita, the student participant representing CSA. The event was indeed well organised, with amazing work put in by the volunteers from CSA and the MSW department of Christ College. The event was comparatively  punctual, veterans opined. Right from hospitality, to organising, to publicity, to organising, the event was near professionally managed, put in the CSA coordinator, Mr Johny Joseph.

Thus, yet again, CSA successfully conducted a conference supported by the Fredskorpset. With this achievement, CSA added yet another feather to its cap. Looking forward to the next conference(Hint : Global Warming?)…

Hello all,

The Fredskorpset India Partners Network is conducting an International Seminar on Women in Emerging Indian Economy organised by CSA, Christ College, and Drik India. Its aim is to assess the role of women in the emerging Indian economy. It is to be held on the 26th and 27th of November, 2007. The conference is supported by Fredskorpset, Norway.

The inauguration of the conference would be held at 10.30am on November 26, 2007 at Christ College Auditorium. The guests of honour are Ms Ann Ollestad, Hon’ble Ambassador of Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi, Mr Torbjorn Urfjell, Political Advisor to the Minister of Development Cooperation, Norway, and Mr Helge Espe, Deputy Director, Fredskorpset, Norway.

The Conference is supported by Fredskorpset (FK), a government body under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It serves as an instrument in achieving the development policy goals of Norwegian government in contributing towards lasting improvements in the economic, social and political conditions in developing and under developed countries.

The FK India Partners Network is a conglomeration of organisations who are involved in professional and cultural exchange of people. The network is formed with the objective of enhancing FK’s vision of promoting ‘partnerships for development’ and ‘bringing people together’.
Topics discussed will include role of women in changing economy (International and Indian perspectives), Woman Entrepreneurship, health of rural and urban women, nature of work, development and displacement, changing gender role in Media : from silence to voice,  and other key issues. There is also a Photography exhibition on the 26th facilitated by Drik India.

You could refer to the attached document - the Conference brochure - for more information.

For further enquiries, please contact the CSA Office (080 4012 9116) or send an e-mail to csa AT christcollege.edu

If you’re from the press, and would like to cover the event, please contact mohan.k.pillai AT fep.christcollege.edu

EDIT : See the photos slideshow at flickr.

A farewell is always sad…

Like all farewells, the farewell to the participants of the Fredskorpset Preparatory course held in Christ College was also sad… They had come three weeks back - to learn. Its been three weeks now. They must have learned what they came for… But more than that, we learned a lot about each other. During the past three weeks, a bond grew between the CSA and the FK Participants. And it is this bond, which made the inevitable parting sad…

But it was time for these young ladies and gentlemen to experience the world, and put into practice what they had learned. So with a cheerful smile, and a tearful heart, we bid adieu to these young crusaders, who had landed on the CSA shores to learn new trades, to sail away to lands intended with better skills.

True to tradition, CSA arranged a farewell for the participants. Starting off with certain speeches, Father Principal’s speech, Mr Sacha’s speech, Johny sir’s speech, Shaji sir’s speech, and a few more. We progressed on the certificate distribution, after which the participants wanted to thank the CSA volunteers by giving them sweet gifts.The Guest House in charges, Sebastin and Mr Muthu were not forgotten

After this had been done, the show progressed to the entertainment phase, with a beautiful Kalari performance. Kalari is a traditional martial art form from Kerala. Later, the show progressed to a dance performance by the college team - Samathwam - followed by a song by our Norwegian guests. Shortly afterwards, the participants took over the stage with various events - songs, dances and so on…

Then came the food phase, where everyone enjoyed to their heart’s extent the delicious food served by the caterers in the Christ College quadrangle.

And then, came the tearful part, where the volunteers, organisers, teachers and participants said goodbye, wishing each other good luck… We wish the participants good luck as well. We wish them all our best wishes, and hope that they enjoy their exchange programme. Cheers and regards, this is the CSA Publications signing off for the semester.

This post is about a bountiful trip to Kenchenpalya, approximately 60 kilometers from Bangalore, and an ex-project area of CSA (now an exposure site).

As planned earlier, a trip was held to Kenchenpalya on the 29th of September, Saturday, under the leadership of senior CSA volunteers Geeta, Elizabeth and Thomas. The trio were planning an Information Activity Camp, about their 10 month stay in Norway, for the CSA volunteers. They were part of the Sund Folk College-CSA, Christ College exchange programme, conducted every year, in which CSA volunteers were sent to Norway, and students of Sund Folk College came to India, for cultural, political, economic, and general exposure.

The trip started at 2 PM, with a Christ School bus filled with 30 CSA volunteers, and a driver, (:D) embarking from the Dharmaram Vidyakshetram. After around two hours, we reached Kenchenpalya, and crik-tea (which was a mixture of Cricket and Tea. We were planning to play cricket, but during the game many of the players kept running off to have tea). A few volunteers took time off from both tea, and cricket, to explain to the Norwegian exchange participants about cricket, and its rules. After a small session of cricket, the group got together in the Assembly room, in the small CSA campus in Kenchenpalya, to mark the beginning of the Information Activity Camp. Geeta and Elizabeth started off (Thomas, owing to a bad cold, did not participate in seminars) and gave the group a very good view of what Fredskorpset was, what the exchange programme was all about, and the socio-political conditions in Norway. They also gave a brief outline about the history of Norway. Every talk was intercepted by a fun activity.

We had dinner, and Elizabeth gave a presentation on her research topic, Cerebral Palsy. After a short talk, and discussion, a fun session of dance followed, wherein Geeta, Elizabeth and Thomas got together to teach the rest of the gang, the Norwegian folk dance, and the CSA dance. After all the dancing, the group decided to call it quits for the day, and had a good(*ahem*) sleep.

Early(*ahem again*) next morning the group had breakfast, and set off on a village walk. We walked and hiked through small paths until we reached a village, which was once a project area of CSA. We interacted with the villagers and headed back.

Later, Geeta took over the group and gave her research seminar on Trade Union Culture. A review session followed. Finally, after a clean up, we had a fun throw-balloon match. After lunch, we started our return journey, to our sweet commencing point, Christ College.

So overall, it was a great trip, with all the volunteers returning with a lot more in their grey matter, and having a lot more stories to relate.

Thank you Geeta, Elizabeth (Eli chechi ) and Thomas for this wonderful trip. Also thank you for imparting all the knowledge and information. Also thanks to CSA, and the Management of Christ College. Special thanks to our bus driver. Last, but never the least, thanks to God Almighty for the safe and enjoyable trip.

Hey guys,

The latest issue (August-September) of Info Bullet, the CSA Newsletter, is out and has run out of copies already. This time’s Info Bullet sports a new look, new feel factor, which we hope will catch many more eyes to the CSA cause. If you want a copy, rush over to the CSA Office before the 3rd batch (yes!) runs out! You can also ask a Publications team member.

The Publications team would like to thank everyone who worked behind the scenes, and who provided valuable time for interviews. We would especially like to thank our friends from Norway.

The Publications team would also like to register a huge gesture of appreciation to Ms Nisha for her single handed effort in distributing all the Niswarths that were left over from Singeni.

Cheers! Stay tuned, for we’ll soon be posting all the Info Bullet articles here!