SMILE ACTS : PEHLA KADAM WITH BADHTE KADAM


Dear all
We are glad to tell you that SMILE ACTS, SMILE theatre group is going to do its first street play as part of a Nation wide campaign of AADI(Action for Ability Development and Inclusion), “Badhte Kadam” ,which aims at creating awareness about disability. It talks about how disability is an evolving concept.
Play is an attempt to make audience look at disability differently. It challenges the notion of normality (in terms of physical ability), also attacks on the view that differently abled people should not have power of decision making.
Since it’s the first play of the group, presence of all of you would really encourage them. Hope to see you people there!
Other details are following-

Date:27th’Nov’10
Time: 2pm-5pm (3 performances)
Venue: Dilli Haat, Near INA market
For more info:
Contact: Sonal 9990 1624 81,sonal.sharma@pravah.org
Pooja 9999 2387 25, pooja.mehta@pravah.org

With love,Peace and Energy
SMILE

Posted in: on Thursday, November 25, 2010 at at 11:49 AM 0 comments  

Group Exposure 2010!!

The Group Exposure 2010 can be your window to explore, learn and know more about your own self. The exposure will be a team effort with 15 individuals who will come together for this two week journey. However, as much as this experience would provide you the opportunity to experience - leadership, team work, in real life settings.. it would also be a fun filled journey and it’s not only us who are saying that, you can read this to know more!

This year the team would be headed to Barefoot College, Tilonia. The organization works with rural men and women who are barely literate and have no hope of getting even the lowest government job. They are being trained to work as day and night school teachers, doctors, midwives, dentists, health workers, balsevikas, solar engineers, solar cooker engineers, water drillers, hand pump mechanics, architects, artisans, designers, masons, communicators, water testers, phone operators, blacksmiths, carpenters, computer instructors, accountants and kabaad-se-jugaad professionals.

There might be questions coming to your mind - Where will I stay? How will we go there? What is the cost? Etc etc. We have tried to answer most of these questions on our website in the FAQ section. Visit http://www.pravah.org/content/ for the application form, FAQ, and also if you wish to know more about Pravah.

Also, do feel free to contact Astha or Shubhi at 011-26213918 / 26440619 / 26291354. You can also email them at astha.gupta@pravah.org or shubhi.dwivedi@pravah.org.

Looking forward to meeting you!

The SMILE team,

Pravah

Posted in: on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at at 5:14 PM 0 comments  

SMILE SHOOTS...A STEP FORWARD

SMILE SHOOTS...A STEP FORWARD

The first meeting of SMILE SHOOTS(film club) was held on the 12th of September 2010 at the Pravah office in Kalkaji.Despite the unfavorable weather conditions and heavy raina considerable number of SMILErs were enthusiastic enough to turn up for the event.
The day kick-started with a discussion on the influence of films and their impact,being one of the most powerful means of visual communication.The other questions dealt with were - what we expect from the club,how we intend to proceed with it and how to explore the self and have a better understanding of it through films.Activities like film screening in colleges,slum areas etc.,film appreciation,film making were the ideas that came up during the discussion.
The meeting gained momentum with the entry of Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas,the noted film makers of the documentary film"In Search of My Home".The documentary portrays the stark reality of the lives of the asylum seekers in India and reveals to us the misery and agony of their poverty stricken existence.This documentary was screened during the meeting after which a discussion followed.Sushmit and Rintu shared their valuable experiences as well as answered the questions posed by the SMILErs.
With this the session concluded and a consensus was reached to meet on the day of the next Youth Adda(18th Sept) in order to decide the date for the next SMILE SHOOT meet and the future course of events for the same.

Posted in: on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at at 11:43 AM 0 comments  

Group Exposure 2010

SMILE Group Exposure forms are now available! Click the link below for more details. Last date to apply is 18th September 2010! Hurry - there are limited seats!


Posted in: on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at at 4:35 PM 0 comments  

Project UNNAMED: Exposure Visit to Burmese Community in Vikas Puri




Project UNNAMED is an initiative by SMILErs to create awareness about the issue of asylum seekers in Delhi.

It was violence, massive violation of human rights and absolute power concentrated in a few hands which made them take asylum in respective neighboring countries, including ours. India is a home of lakhs of such asylum seekers from Burma, Afghanistan, and Somalia and many other countries facing civil war, dictatorship, military rule etc.

If you are wondering why we are not using the term REFUGEE for them. Reason is, technically, one has to have a certificate issued by UNHCR to be called a refugee and majority of them are not able to obtain that. And, Project UNNAMED is about such asylum seekers who are forced to live life of uncertainty and helplessness.

But the worst is when they are not accepted by the society giving asylum, like ours and further victimized by the hatred and ignorance.

So, Project UNNAMED aims at creating awareness about such asylum seeker communities in our city and country through film screenings, discussions and getting associated with the organizations already working on the issue.

So, this exposure visit intends to help us in understanding what the issue is, and what we feel about it once we interact with asylum seekers. And, the initiative has been intentionally named "UNNAMED" since the issue is not just about lack of some facilities these people are deprived off but also the issue of identity, and their inability to associate themselves with the asylum giving society. its almost like a person without a name, without any identity!


we are meeting at Janak puri west metro station at gate no.-3 at 12.30pm on 7th of August .We can gather over there and can go to the other media office togethe.its mandatory to be in time.if you are late ,following are directions for reaching the venue
1. by bus
Nearest bus stops–Janak puri, C-1(bus route no. 724 and 711 can be taken from ring road)bus and Dhauli Pyaau ,take a rickshaw for asalatpur.

2. by metro
Janakpuri west,is the nearest metro station(it’s on blue line),take a rickshaw from there(pay 15-20 rupees)

NOTE: ask rickshaw wala to take you to gurudwara in asalatpur.Get off at gudwara. Opposite to gurudwara is, Maharaja Banquet, take the path beside the banquet to reach the venue.

Hope to see you all there

Regards
SMILE

Posted in: on Friday, August 6, 2010 at at 12:05 PM 0 comments  

Youth Adda



Pravah


SMILE


invites you to


Your own space


"YOUTH ADDA"


for a day of learning, Sharing and fun
Come and join other young people like yourself
for
Exploring the meaning of

" FREEDOM "


The Youth Adda includes intereresting activities like the Kite Making Workshop by professional Kite Maker....
MAKE YOUR OWN KITES



explore what else is coming up in SMILE
Remember the Youth Adda is your space.. Come and own the space



The day: 8th August Sunday
The Place: Bal Sahyog, Opp. L Block Mkt. Outer Circle, near Kake Da Dhabha
Timings: 10:30am onwards

We would request you to bring your own food and water.


Kindly confirm your participation

Call Sonal at 9990162481 or Lokashish at 9999609980 for any info and confirmation...
And please DO SPREAD THE WORD AROUND!!!!!

Posted in: on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at at 4:52 PM 0 comments  

Project UNNAMED:A TALK WITH ACHAN MUNGLENG

Project UNNAMED:A TALK WITH ACHAN MUNGLENG

15th July'10
at Pravah conference hall

They are homeless, poor,helpless and vulnerable.No,it's not the city's slum-inhabitants we are talking about,It's'Asylum seekers.Today at PRAVAH , human rights activist Achan Mungleng gave us an insight into the pathos of the lives of refugees.An Indian Naga by birth, the activist has been working for the amelioration of the living conditions of Burmese refugees in India and Thailand since 2003.The talk was organised to have a better understanding of the issue of Asylum seekers in our city with a view to use that in project UNNAMED.Having discussed the political crisis of Burma which was the cause of large-scale exile for millions of Burmese people, she went on to relate the desperate conditions the asylum-seekers are forced to live in.Not only is the procedure for application for the grant of asylum an extremely tedious one but it also proves to be a very expensive one as a refugee first has to come to New Delhi and bribe officers for verification of his legal documents.The refugees are paid minimal wages and they find it difficult to make ends meet ,leave alone providing their children with a good education.They also have to face a lot of antagonism from the natives and being a vulnerable group become easy targets of violence. Another reason for this reluctance is their inability to speak and write in English or Hindi, which proves to be a bane in other ways too.
Possible courses of action to help mitigate the sufferings of Burmese refugees in India were also discussed.Since,through this discussion we also wanted to explore how we can engage with the such communities. Achan feels that the support for refugees is generally sporadic.To make it more consistent she suggested that some workshops be held for the asylum seekers to make them aware of the provisions for refugees in Indian law so that they can benefit from the same and become more confident as a group. As many refugees die of curable diseases like Malaria, Dysentry and Typhoid, healthcare facilities are indispensable. Furthermore, to be a self-reliant people,when they do get to go back to a democratic Burma, they need to be educated so that they can take responsibility for themselves.These, among others, are the ideas that we,the SMILErs ,are going to work on as a part of our 'project'UNNAMED' in which A campus campaign for spreading awareness and consolidating support is also in store.
If you are wondering if you can be of any help, stop wondering and come straight to PRAVAH !! There's a lot to be done!
Next....we are planning for an exposure visit in collaboration with 'The Other Media' to Burmese community in Vikas puri somewhere around end of this month or first week of August(we still have to finalize the date for that!!!!!) if you are interested in joining in for this great learning experience.Please conform it by sending a mail with your name,contact no. and email address on sonal.sharma@pravah.org.

Posted in: on Monday, July 26, 2010 at at 3:05 PM 0 comments  

Reconnection Camp of the Urban Volunteers

On the 14th of July, Pravah organized a feedback camp for all the urban volunteers. Because of “traffic jams”, everyone landed up at least an hour late, and the session for the ten volunteers who made it finally kicked off.

The session started off with the volunteers getting to know each other, through activities like name-games and sing-alongs. Then, we broke into two groups, and “Pravah Idol” commenced, which was something like a socially relevant version of Antakshari… the two teams were the ‘Yo!Girls!’ and ‘Break Free’, and we had to choose songs to sing that represented our own volunteering experiences.

Both teams sang their hearts out, and then talked about what each song represented.
After the singing, we started working on giant collages, also depicting our experiences, expectations, challenges, and impact stories.

Because of all those “traffic jams”, we had less time on our hands and had to finish in a crazy rush, and by the end of it the collages looked like a messy explosion of colour and random objects thrown together.

Despite the apparent chaos on the chartpapers, there was a method to our madness; as each cut-out represented some aspect of our journey. Inside each of the footprint stencils, we wrote individually about our experiences, and after we were done, we shared our experiences in a presentation for all of the people at Pravah.

I learnt a lot from hearing about other people’s experiences and frustrations; some of them that I had experienced myself, and others that were new to me. It was great me be able to talk to other volunteers as well, at the end of their journeys, and share what we were all taking back.
We also watched a movie about Pravah and active citizenship, and discussed what it means to us and decided to take up an action plan of our own soon!

Interacting with the people at Pravah was great too; we found that in a few hours the office began to feel like home. We were able to talk to people who also started off as Smilers, and they gave us a broader perspective on what we were going through.

The entire day was full of laughs and fun, as well as a lot of learning, and I hope to join the other volunteers for the next Youth Adda, and get together like this again soon

Radhika Chakraborty

Posted in: on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at at 3:42 PM 0 comments  

THE PROJECT UNNAMED : AN INTERACTIVE SECTION WITH ACHAN

THE Project "UNNAMED", which came out of the last youth adda on 20th june on International Refugee Day, where we screened a documentary movie"In search of my home" by Rintu thomas and Sushmit Ghosh .

The project aims at creating awareness on the issue of asylum seeking community (refugees) in Delhi and India within us, among us and through us via various mediums like DOCUMENTARY, BOOKS, BLOGS, DEBATES ETC....... but before actually starting an action project on this issue we, SMILERS have decided to deepen our own understanding about the issue and as part of this learning exercise to understand the issue better, we have scheduled an interactive session with a Burmese human right activist,Achan Mungleng!
She has been active with Burmese community in Delhi since 2003 and in 2007 joined Euro-Burma office as co-ordinator of India office.Euro-Burma office aims at promotion democracy in Burma. So, we think there will be a lot to learn from Achan's experiences, which she'll be sharing with us.
So, all of you are openly invited for this learning space by US, The Smilers,
The Venue for the INTERACTION
PRVAH, Conference Hall
15th July' 2010 at 2.30pm

Posted in: on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at at 12:52 PM 0 comments  

YOUTH ADDA:Fun,Masti and Film

Youth adda,the monthly meeting of SMILE,was organised on 20th june'10 on the occasion of international refugee day at hope project charitable charitable trust.
 The theme of the youth adda was to explore the various aspects of the term Refugee.Event covered a range of activities ranging from fun games, group activities such as skits and also the screeniong of the documentary "In search of my home"by Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas.Sushmit has been a smiler. Film was a moving experience for some participants and led to 2 hours long discusion between participants and film makers.
Participants have shown their willingness to take the action forward in the form of movie screening and discussion in other spaces.For planning out the action project,participants have decided to meet up at pravah office in kalkaji.at 11am on 24th june.
The next youth adda is due to take place in August. For further information ,keep checking this space out.

Posted in: , , on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at at 3:42 PM 0 comments  

Youth Adda

Dear All,

SMILE

Invites you

To your own space

YOUTH ADDA

For a day of learning and sharing

On the occasion of World Refugee day

Come and join other young people like you

for

A documentary Movie Screening

- In search of my home -

A documentary made by

Sushmit Ghosh
&
Rintu Thomas

Sushmit is an old smiler and he, himself will be present there for a talk
apart from that there will be a workshop on kitemaking
and A LOT OF FUN!!!!!

Remember the Youth Adda is your space.. Come and be a part of it!

The day: 20th June2010, Sunday

The Place:Hope project charitable trust,127,basti hazrat Nizamuddin
Timings: 9:30 am - 5.00 pm

We would request you to bring your own food and water.

Kindly confirm your participation

Call Sonal at 9990162481 or Sulab at 9971158313 for any info and confirmation...

And please DO SPREAD THE WORD TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE!!!!!
Directions to the Hope Project Charitable Trust:

1. From Moolchand Hospital side: After Moolchand Flyover
a) Take a U turn from under Lodhi road Flyover
b) Take first left turn near old Shiv Mandir
2. From National Zoological Park (Zoo):
Come straight towards Oberoi Hotel/ Blind School. Cross the Red light in front of Oberoi Hotel and move towards the Electric Crematorium. Take first left turn at the Shiv Mandir
3. From Ashram: Take a left before the Lodhi Road Flyover to go towards Electric Crematorium. Take first left turn at the Shiv Mandir.
General Note: Come Down from that road and take right turn from the T point and ask for Hope Project or Just opposite to Electricity transform climb their stair and enter to the project office.

Address:
127 Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin
Near Alvi Chowk
New Delhi 110013
Thanks!!!

and hoping to see you guys soon...
with love, peace and energy ...


SMILE

Posted in: on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at at 5:32 PM 0 comments  

Applications invited for YfD/GX

Are you are keen on: ·

  • Developing skills
  • Gaining knowledge
  • Contributing to issues of social justice
  • Making a positive difference
  • Growing as an individual

    Are you
    · Between 18 – 27 years of age for YfD
    · and 18 – 25 years for GX
    · Indian National
    · Have knowledge of spoken Hindi and/or English

then apply now!!

for further info visit http://www.pravah.org

Just briefly,
YfD (Youth for Development) is a 6 month long development internship program. It offers a transformational experience, by providing opportunities to develop skills and gain valuable experience in the development sector. It also gives you a chance to contribute to development issues by being associated with a grass root level NGO in India. As YfD interns you will receive training, mentoring, monthly stipend and a chance to meet and interact with some top development professionals through the period of your internship. This internship includes training and placement with an NGO in India from October 2010 to March 2011.

GLOBAL XCHANGE is a 6 month long international volunteering program. It aims to build in you, as young people, mutual respect and understanding and to facilitate a process of becoming active citizens in an increasingly global world. The time period for the exchange would be September 2010 to March 2011 where you would be placed for 3 months in a community in UK and 3 months in a community in India. The program pays for travel, accommodation, food, medical costs and a modest allowance.

If you have the desire and the passion for such an enriching journey, then fill in the application form and send it back to us. Last date for receiving completed application form is June 15th, 2010. Please complete and return this form to PRAVAH, C-24 B, 2nd floor, Kalkaji, New Delhi-110019 or email the applications to lokasish.saha@pravah.org or smile@younginfluencers.com

Good luck with your application. If you need any further information, please visit http://www.younginfluencers.com/ or contact Lokasish/Abhijit/Shubhi at 011-26440619, 011-26213918, 011-26291354 or mail us at lokasish.saha@pravah.org or smile@younginfluencers.com

Posted in: on Monday, May 24, 2010 at at 5:36 PM 0 comments  

Orientation Camp - May 2010


heya,

the May batch of rural interns ended their orientation camp at Rajasthan just a couple of days back..... they had a fun time discovering, learning and sharing, with lots of masti and work, thrown in......some of it follows - in their words, and photos.......
self-reflection - work-in-progress
the camp/ GVNML campus
the streets of dudu....at 4:30 in the morning
games, and masti......
having food together.......

The four days of the orientation were the one of the most rocking days of my life. The camp gave me the right platform to connect with people of similar interests and people who are really determined to bring about a real change in the country. In the so hot Rajasthan I made real cool friends. The most amazing part was the village stay. We learnt about issues ranging from child marriage to domestic violence, health, education and different government policies. The perspective of learning was very different. The view on such issues was given from villagers and I was utterly surprised to notice that reality was far different from what we had so far known before coming to the orientation camp. The learning was further augmented by interactive sessions by our facilitators. It was a true enlightening experience. Apart from this the camp was high on the fun quotient. It really got me out of my comfort zones. Now I can confidently travel in local buses for long journeys, live partially without the basic facilities and have become more sensitive to various issues. It has turned me to be a more responsible person. -
Bhavnish Walia, Eco. Hons. at Hansraj, placed at Vayali, Kerala

at the village community education center

The orientation camp was really nice.And the thing which I liked most,
was the interaction with many other college students .I also
appreciate the sessions ,which are very helpful to my rural internship
and also for my personal life.Overall ,I really enjoyed the camp. -
Naveen Kumar, IIT Delhi, placed at Manthan, Rajasthan on education


sessions in progress (mixed with fun)

trying to find meaning in confusion

 the camp was awesome... i really liked the tribal song, dance and name that we all made... it was a gud experience of team work and coordination plus the time management that we learnt as we were given only 10 minutes to prepare hehe... the last session was also awe- inspiring in which we shared our feelings about each other... overall it was an unforgettable experience with inputs of pravah coordinators and wonderful sessions
-

Ambika Agarwal, Eco. Hons. at Hansraj, internship at Manthan, Rajasthan on micro-finance


forming new relationships, starting with trust


jo seekha char din mein,

maine orientation camp se..
woh sirf rural internship nahi,
par jud gaya meri life se...

camp mein tha, full masti aur fun, naa thi koi bandish, par har baat mein tha dum
agar karein sessions ki baat hum, to page padega likhne ko kaam..
har session ka tha apna andaaz, sab mein chuppa tha koi na koi raaz.. -

Neha Jain, Msc from Lady Irwin, interning with Manthan, Rjasthan on Health..

the entire bunch.....at the tila, GVNML.......

The camp came to an end with all the people leaving for their respective internships in different parts of India.. keep watching this space to learn about the journeys of these young people as and when they return.

Youth Intervention Team

Pravah

Posted in: , , , on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at at 2:01 PM 1 comments  

Group Exposure '09 - Narmada Bachao Andolan

Condemned To Progress
"Namaste" he said and politely asked us to sit down. A thin sheet of sweat covered his limbs presumably from the laborious toil at the fields. The house was simple and clean, had earthen walls, a thatched roof and a wooden frame to support the structure. A moment's silence follows the exchange of pleasantries. On probing about the government schemes for rehabilitation and resettlement, he slowly related his tale. The government notified them that his village and its surrounding lands will be submerged in the reservoir waters of Indrasagar dam 4 years back. A few months after which a group of officers came to survey their region estimating the costs of the houses and their farmlands(section six).They claim that the estimation of cost for their farms was done by using outdated cost data, thus guaranteeing inadequate funds to the prospectively displaced people. The compensation for the lands was to be given in one of the two ways:

(i)Land for Land: The land offered in most cases was found to be hilly, infested with stones, not irrigated and so incapable of bearing harvest. In certain regions, the land being offered was found to be already being occupied by a third person. Also another issue was of an individual being granted land in two different areas, making it physically impossible to utilise both the lands and hence, rendering a part of it useless.

(ii)Monetary Compensation for land: The rate as per which money has been reimbursed is on an average 7-8 years old. Such is the situation that even the full promised amount does not reach the coffers of the poor rustics. The helpless villagers fall prey to corruption also, thus losing a part of their rightfully owned money.

A daily wage labourer had another facet to add to the picture. Since these labourers have no land to claim compensation for, they were promised 5 acre land or Rs. 38,000 compensation per working member of the family. But the scene actually is not so simple. It is claimed by the villagers that the officials have comfortably stated alive, walking and talking persons non-existent and thus kept away the rehabilitation benefits from these people.

Ah, what to say, the future of these people indeed seems in darkness. As if all this is not enough, the contractors to which the fishing rights of the reservoir had been tendered out to have already started harassing and shooing away local fishermen who are already suffering due to lower fish count in rivers which again is an example of ecological impact of the dam. Ah a bleak present and a dark future. What could be worse?

Posted in: , , , on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at at 6:09 PM 1 comments  

Group Exposure '09 - Narmada Bachao Andolan

A Rural Portrait

A kaleidoscope of colours,experiences,scents and visuals.A tradition and culture that is enduring.The mighty Narmada.Descending into the plains of Maharashtra from Amarkanth.A river that inspires awe.And reverence.Lush primordial forests,exotic wildlife,undulating hills,rapids and the infectious tune and cheerful rhythm of dharaji.......
Calm and serene,the expanse of water stood beside the undulating hill slopes covered with a lush green cover,betraying the harmony and peace that existed here.The first rays of sunlight accompanied with the regular call from the village roosters proclaimed day rise and appeared on our bright and sparking faces,which promptly responded with huge smiles.Our inquisitive eyes surveyed the picturesque surroundings,enthralled by the ethereal beauty that abounded around us.
A moment later,the truth dawned on us.We were blistering fools to admire that scenario in which we claimed to experience peace and harmony.Initially i could not fathom the sadness that pierced the entire landscape.Half a tree top lay exposed through the water surface as if yearning to stay above the surface,as if yearning to stay alive,as if…......Behold,to my horror, the water was not blue,but mildly green,as if dyed by all that lay beneath it.What a dance of destruction is this?What sort of silent torment is this?Who knew what stay in store for later?
There was a complete lack of commotion,no noise,no yelling,no confusion,nothing out of place in this pleasant environment which apparently appeared to be oblivious to the fact that its doomsday draws to a close. All the activity of the women was directed towards the two hand pumps placed strategically at the two ends of this village of Dharaji,situated on the high ground just beside the "present" river bank.Women walked towards the hand pump in pairs,with utensils on their heads and tucked at their waists.While one worked the pump,the other cleaned the utensils with a earthen mixture,and then filled them up with water presumably for the morning household chores.

Posted in: , on at at 6:01 PM 0 comments  

Films With Wings in LSR!!!


Projekt
in association with
Pravah
invites you to
Films With Wings
in
LSR

Films with Wings is an initiative of SMILE and Learning Journey’s Institute (Pravah, India), and Interactive Resource Center, Pakistan. It aims to provide a dynamic platform for young people of both India and Pakistan to engage, co-create, challenge and capture a variety of experiences and expressions through a series of Intensive dialogues using the medium of films on issues concerning young people across the borders.

This year 17 students from Delhi and Lahore have created 7 short films on issues concerning them.

Come watch the films and engage in a discussion with the young people from Delhi.

Date : March 4th 2010 (Thursday)
Time: 11:30 am onwards (Special Assembly)
Venue: Projekt Room, LSR

We hope to see you there!!!

P.S. Please help us spread the word around. :)

Thanks!

On behalf of Pravah
Vertika
3rd year, B.A. (Hons.) Political Science, LSR
9871623823

On behalf of Projekt
Bedatri
9873290095

Posted in: , , on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at at 12:47 PM 1 comments  

feb. youth adda

As this academic year draws to an end,
and exams become your new best friend....
We call you over to Pravah once more,
for a day full of masti and shor!!!

Pravah

invites you to the last

"Youth Adda"

of this academic year

What is in it for me?

An opportunity to discover yourself,

understand various leadership styles,

and also relate to each other better......


(become one of the few lucky ones who get to try out an interesting way to explore yourself and others....through lots of activities and other fun stuff....)


Also, participate in the fun and frolic later....

as we celebrate holi in our own special way........

to acknowledge and celebrate all of you guys.......

who have made the SMILE space as beautiful as it is....



Time: Feb. 27th, 9:30 am

Venue: Pravah office, C-24B, floor 2, kalkaji


Also, let us all do each other a favour,

and carry our 'filled' lunch boxes along....

For more details,

call/ sms 9871210681(Astha)/ 9811736031 (Puneet)

Do confirm your attendance, thru a mail/ sms.....

Love, peace and energy,

The YI team,

Pravah

C-24B, 2nd Floor, Kalkaji
New Delhi - 110019
011 26213918, 26291354
http://smilevolunteers.blogspot.com
www.younginfluencers.com

Posted in: , on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at at 3:50 PM 0 comments  

Jan. youth adda

Pravah
invites you to
to your own space

The "Youth Adda"

This fun-filled space will talk about all
possible engagement spaces within the
Youth Intervention programme


What is in it for me?

A wonderful opportunity to discover, understand,
and relate to each other's journeys, and to
inspire others to take such wonderful journeys......

Also, take a first look at our ongoing Indo-Pak
FWW (Films With Wings) programme
and be a part of the film premiere of 'Dastoor'
(some thoughts on society and stereotypes)

So, come, join us, and be a part of yet another journey with Pravah, to celebrate our experiences and learnings, and to inspire and encourage others to undertake the same.....


Time: Jan. 30th, 12:30 pm
Venue: Hope Project (directions attached)

Also, let us all do each other a favour,
and carry our 'filled' lunch boxes along....

For more details, call/ sms 9871210681(Astha)/ 9971158313(Sulab)
Kindly confirm your attendance, thru a mail/ sms.....
!!feel free to get your friends and loved ones along!!

Love, peace and energy,
The YI team,
Pravah

C-24B, 2nd Floor, Kalkaji
New Delhi - 110019
011 26213918, 26291354
http://smilevolunteers.blogspot.com
www.younginfluencers.com

Posted in: , , on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at at 5:39 PM 0 comments  

rural internships......

Heya.....

Wondering what to do this summmer??
Want to try out something completely different from what you might have done before....

Come, try out the rural internship programme under SMILE (Students' Mobilisation Initiative for Learning through Exposure)....

Click here to know more......

Love, and energy.....
SMILE, Pravah

Posted in: , on Friday, January 22, 2010 at at 10:05 AM 0 comments  

Coming up.....group exposure presentation at IIT

Hey guys,

We have some energy for you, to warm you up in this chill .....The volunteers from IIT, who went to the Narmada Bachao Andolan, as a part of the Group Exposure in Dec. 09....are presenting their journey in front of their peers and the NSS representatives at IIT.....


They are busy finalizing the various events and programmes, which range from a photo story, to sharing individual change stories.....and experiences in the various villages, not forgetting an overview of the movement....As always, in a fun and interesting format..... They have also arranged for Alok da to come and interact with the audience..... As you might know, Alok da heads the movement from Khandwa, and is also an ex-IITian......


We would like for you to come and share their energy, and enthusiasm....at this presentation...... Please try and take time out off your schedule......Your presence will inspire them greatly, and support any probable future endeavours......

Date: 24th Jan '10 ...... Sunday
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (approx.)
Venue : 2LT2, IIT Delhi

Looking forward to catching you there,


Love,
YI team


ps: for directions to 2LT2, please call 09891537063 once you reach IIT Delhi.

Posted in: , , on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at at 1:26 PM 0 comments  

Group Exposure '09 - Narmada Bachao Andolan

MERE SAATH CHAL ....... The beginning

The devils were taking over,chasing the gods out of the universe.Fear-stricken gods fleeing for the fear of their life.And buzzzzz my alarm rang..six in the morning,too early to rise..but today was exceptional.4th december,the first day for the exposure camp organised by pravah.Every body managed to make it for Karm marg charitable society by eleven,and we be immediately began with the introductions.The initial phase caught on fast with sulab and deep organising silly but nice games and inculcating team spirit within the group.The aftenoon session came up with an even more exciting prospect-A Community Visit. Interaction with the simple rustics of khedi kalan,having tea with them,being offered hukka at the village were the highlights of this visit.

The orientation camp was in nature a unique experience.Dinner with the kids there and and the community interaction were catalytic in completely discarding our inhibitions about rural folk and their way of life.The sessions here laid the firm foundation to the world we were going to be propelled into.Some of us were here to create a mental picture,one in which they themselves verify the colours and diversity,of rural india,or to be more accurate a microscopical part of the rural india.Making friends,shedding inhibitions was another big hit on the wishlists .Other top hits include developing team spirit,introspection and having a ball of a time.

The inhibitions list was lot more longer.Neha had scared the wits out of us telling us about crocodiles,and snakes and emergency precautions ,essential but still monstrous.What if that happens?What if this happens?What to do in that situation?Will i be able to manage that?How will i make sure i dont panic? Will i manage to do my job in the morning itself?Will i be chased by a bull when i am doing my morning job?Ooooh too many....







And with all that in mind we settled down on our seat berths(RAC=>two on one ) squeezed against each other,fighting for the blanket like a pack of dogs being forced to share a bone.....more follows.....

Harsh Gupta
Undergraduate student
Dept of Computer Science
IIT Delhi

Posted in: , on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at at 12:48 AM 0 comments  


Dear SMILErs,


From past few months you all were doing... a number of film screenings to interact with other students on various socio-economic issues and people recognized our efforts , this time one of the well known film maker Stalin (maker of India untouched) wished us for what we are doing.... and this is what he wants to say. ... So Congrts...I

Dear Smile team,

I am very happy to read the blog report on the screening of my film India Untouched at DCE recently. It is heartening to know that the film created so much discussions and opened many eyes. Thank you so much for organizing such screenings and using the film.

It would be nice to get an email from you for future screenings. It is possible that I am in town at the time and would love to participate in the discussion.

All the best for your younginfluencers program!

In harmony,
Stalin K

Posted in: on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at at 4:12 PM 5 comments  

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