Monday, December 22, 2008

Dialogue on Modernisation and Tribal Culture

17th to 19th Dec 2008 – Vikas Maitri, Ranchi

OPEN SPACE in Collaboration with Gender, Livelihoods and Resources Forum (GLRF)


Elina Horo

All communities are based on certain values and any sustainable change can only come about if these societal and human values are impacted upon. This can be done by addressing the proper functioning and reform of the various institutions of this societal structure – family, religion, schools, media and State.

Most of the tribal communities are patriarchal with lineage depending on the male, and only few amongst north eastern tribes are matriarchal. But even within them men have most control in decision making.

The tribal culture is progressive in manners compared to other communities. Gender equity is defined amongst them with the description of men and women and dancing together, and together earning for the families.

Kalyani Meena

Modernisation has brought in new values where tribal families based in cities are striving to sustain their value systems – those of community living and gender equity. There is trend for apartment living with nuclear families.

The tribes which have high education rate are having the maximum level of migration. The rural tribal population is filled with anger towards this ‘displacement’. But the solution does not lie in stopping girls to go outside the State in search of work. With the development of education and modern technology in the lives of Ranchi tribals, there is need for information and protective justice system, sensitive to the issues and lives of tribal community.

The impact of Christianity is evident in many forms with the acceptance of education as a development tool. The religious / spiritual values have also undergone a change, with less belief in spirits. Other positive social outcomes have been the restraint from marrying more than once and drinking liquor.

Vandana Tete

But one needs to be cautious of any action of cultural fascism like the incidents that happened in Kandhamal (Orissa). Jharkhand has to bridge the gap between Sarna and Christian tribals which emerged in the recent ‘Nemha’ Bible incident.



Friday, December 19, 2008

HIV, Sex Workers and Human Rights


Discussions

Program and Mechanics of the workshop

Anup Hore shared as to how he and his friends were engaged with sex workers in 1995 in Mumbai, when the harrassment by police was taking place. They had got sympathetic to few sex workers and had gheraod the Madhuadih police station. Anup is not able to guess as to what inspired them? Was it for ‘taking favour’? They were all youngsters and their energetic spirits motivated them. Now VAMP is working over there and his memories came fresh when he met Meena Seshu in a recent meeting.

Sandip shared that Ranchi has sex workers but they are not identifiable, as there are no red light areas or brothels. It was in 2003 when the first targeted intervention (TI) by JSACS (AIDS Control Society) was being planned that they got involved in working on the issue. The team used to hang around Firayalal Chowk 9 to 5. It was extremely nonsensical. Just looking at each woman and trying to wonder whether she is of ‘that type’. It seemed very foolish at times. ‘Were we just doing this to fulfill project requirements?’ Friends used to tease us.

And when interacting with the sex workers they were always cautious about their own senses and desires, controlling them. The issues of confidentiality were there, how to protect the rights of the sex workers and still fulfill the objective of the project on HIV, not being harassed by the police.

The strategy to tell them that there are better options of work available doesn’t works. They have gone through all stages of work be fore getting into this work. We feel that it is an ‘easy way of earning’ for them, but for them it can a different version of story, they have ‘undergone whole journey’ through it.

Sony, still pursuing her postgraduate studies expressed that normally HIV as an issue is taken up, not prostitution. People are not ready to talk of these issues in public.

Some come out openly for ‘moral policing’, but it is to be realized that this is one of the oldest profession. There are questions before us. Will banning prostitution, reform the sexual behaviour of people at large. This might come up in different form. ‘Sexual desires need fulfillment in some manner’. The best that can be done is the process of empowerment, to empower to negotiate for rights.

Sandip said that once a sex worker said had they not been selling sex the girls of middle class would be sexually assaulted / raped on the streets. Thus they help in keeping the sexual energies balanced (who so ever wants can be helped in satisfying the sexual desires).

Anup shared as to how the adolescent education module for the high school and intermediate students is being prevented to being introduced in the schools. Sandip shared his work as Red Ribbon Alliance partner, where they are forming committees in schools and colleges. Ajay shared his HIV work amongst the municipal areas of Ranchi.


Invite Letter
Program and Mechanics of the workshop

Program and Mechanics of the workshop

Program and Mechanics of the workshop Event Be Positive -Film Screening and Discussions on HIV (A Human Rights Perspective)

Venue – Human Potential Development Centre (HPDC), Bahu Bazar, Ranchi

Date – 6th December 2008

Time – 1.30 pm to 6.00 pm


This is part of Open Space Initiative to reach out to CSOs and youth of urban areas. We are going to screen the same in 20 more spots, and are looking for collaborations that could help us reach out to more audience. Please come for the event and if the issue sounds interesting to you, please help us in organising more screenings.

For any queries for confirmations please feel free to contact me at 9430367949 or email at praveer.peter@gmail.com. In the evening join us for a discussion over tea.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Be Positive – HIV / AIDS Films Screening and Discussions

‘Be Positive’ - A festival of films exploring the issue of HIV/AIDS.

Quite different from the usual public service advertisements and preachy documentaries about HIV, this package of films is curated for a young, urban middle class audience. These films are not about the struggling sex worker or the helpless drug addict. They are addressed at a squarely middle class audience, and they are about how HIV can and does affect you and me.

The package includes short films by popular and accomplished filmmakers Mira Nair, Farhan Akhtar, Santosh Sivan and Vishal Bhardwaj (made with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). Superstars Prabhudeva, Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, Shiney Ahuja, Ayesha Takia, Boman Irani and others put their heavyweight audience draw behind the project, hoping to change minds and save lives.

Each film examines a different aspect of HIV and AIDS, the two strongest themes being unsafe sexual behavior, the feminization of HIV/AIDS and the hopelessness and fear that the social stigma associated with HIV breeds.

Fleshing out the short fiction films are three recent documentaries made in India which deal with transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS and access to treatment.

List of Films

Migration
Starring: Sameera Reddy, Shiney Ahuja, Raima Sen, Irfan Khan

Using AIDS as the great class leveler, Mira Nair directs a powerful story linking urban and rural India.

Prarambha (The Beginning)

Starring: Prabhu Deva

Renowned director Santosh Sivan expertly deals with society's prejudices against people with AIDS through the journey of a young boy's search for his mother.

Blood Brothers

Starring: Siddharth Suryanarayan, Ayesha Takia, Pankaj Kapoor

Award-winning director Vishal Bhardwaj follows the journey of a young man from a positive HIV diagnosis to the eye-opening conclusion.

Positive
Starring: Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani

One of India's most prominent young directors Farhan Akhtar shows a family coping with AIDS and reveals the courage they bring to overcome the tragedy.

Some Burning Questions
30 min, DVD, 2006
Directed by: Abhijit Dasgupta
Through candid interviews with HIV+ patients in Kolkata, we get an insight into their lives and their struggle against social stigma and discrimination.
+Ve Living

30 mins, DVD, 2007

Director: C Vanaja

The story of HIV+ women who battle social ostracism and an uncertain future with dignity and hope.

Unheard Voices

27 mins, DVD, English, 2006

Directors: KP Jayasankar and Anjali Monteiro

Co-produced by Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Norwegian Church Aid, this film looks at multiple ways of transmission of the HIV virus, including unsafe medical and cosmetic practices.

STOP Violence Against Women Fortnight



Students of St Margaret participated in a drawing cum debate event on the theme of Violence against Women. The Mahila Utpidan Virodhi Evam Vikas Samiti gave away the prizes, after the 5 hours event. Tasneem Fatima was a star performer.

Expressions of Peace















Taj, Oberoi and Trident are the icons of power that the terrorists chose to strike. The terrorists understood after several efforts that the Aam Aadmi will never break-down even if you bomb the markets and trains.
Resilience is the only way, we (Aam Aadmi) can survive. And the public expression was clear on the roads of Ranchi.


About OPEN SPACE at Ranchi

Citizens, particularly young citizens need to be involved in creation of new dreams (a society based on love, peace, tolerance, equity, diversity and justice). The mediums of expressions are of vital importance in this process. Events like films screenings, theatre performances, literary readings, music concerts, art exhibitions, storytelling, can be utilised. Also, activity-based workshops where participants can learn new communication skills, discussion and study forums, public lectures, festivals and campaigns etc. Such strategies will ensure creation of new spaces for youth to volunteer, learn, share ideas, and express themselves.


The Tiger - An Old Hunter's Tale

द टाइगर के सीन पूरी रात सपनें में आते रहे .   कहानी मूलतः एक बूढ़े शिकारी और एक टाइगर की थी – किस प्रकार उनकें रिश्तें स्थापित होएं हैं और ...