Reproduce below is what I learnt as Pandit Nehru's address on August 3, 1962 while inaugurating the annual conference of State Ministers of Community Development and Panchayati Raj:
" Either you trust the people or you don't. There is no half way house. Partly trusting them leaves you nowhere. Then they have no responsibility and they do not develop properly. That is why, having given this authority and power to them you should not tamper with it by official interference. Democracy is not merely Parliament at the top or in the States but something that excites every person and something that trains every one to take his proper place and indeed, any place in the country if need arises. I have said and I mean it, that all this Panchayati Raj, whatever things we are doing, are ultimately meant to train up every individual in India to be a potential Prime Minister of India."
If the above is true, does not the citizens have all rights for peaceful protest against government and parliament as they are supreme in a democracy.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Re: Poverty kills family of five in Tamil Nadu
One of the comments received:
Nirudhoddi Jayasrinivasulu commented:
"This is tragic and heart wrenching. I have been shuttling between Chennai and Hyd for the past six months, and also travel by local trains and buses mostly. One has to see the types of poor people, especially the elderly to understand things. When the other day, I visited the local Thasildar Office, so many many poor people, waiting for the Pongal gift of dhoti and saree. The other day, a local Sadhu in UP , wanted to give some freebies worth Rs.1000 each and there was a stampede which killed a few hundreds. This you may recall, had occurred previously on Vajpayee's birthday celebrations, a few years ago. Most people are "one illness" away from hopelessness. The problem is not that the Government does not do things, the only problem is that the IAS officers and the State Government staff are not implementing the schemes - and there is no will amongst them to meet the people, walk on the roads, travel unreserved class on trains. There are two countries here - as someone told it - Bharat where most people live and India - where the digitally privileged live."
Nirudhoddi Jayasrinivasulu commented:
"This is tragic and heart wrenching. I have been shuttling between Chennai and Hyd for the past six months, and also travel by local trains and buses mostly. One has to see the types of poor people, especially the elderly to understand things. When the other day, I visited the local Thasildar Office, so many many poor people, waiting for the Pongal gift of dhoti and saree. The other day, a local Sadhu in UP , wanted to give some freebies worth Rs.1000 each and there was a stampede which killed a few hundreds. This you may recall, had occurred previously on Vajpayee's birthday celebrations, a few years ago. Most people are "one illness" away from hopelessness. The problem is not that the Government does not do things, the only problem is that the IAS officers and the State Government staff are not implementing the schemes - and there is no will amongst them to meet the people, walk on the roads, travel unreserved class on trains. There are two countries here - as someone told it - Bharat where most people live and India - where the digitally privileged live."
Monday, March 15, 2010
Kris Dev profile
Profile of GopalaKrishnan Devanathan (Kris Dev)
-----------------------------------------------
ICT Innovator and e-Democracy Consultant, specializing in e-Governance applications for creating Community Centric Sustainable Development for Poverty Alleviation.
An ISO 9000:2000 certified lead auditor, SEI-CMM trained and specialized in ICT for Development (ICT4D) with over three decades of hands-on experience in India and Americas.
President & CEO of Life Line to Business (LL2B), India, an organization specializing in innovation and good governance - from 2001 to 2010.
Co-founder of the International Transparency and Accountability Network, a loose knit global network of social organizations and activists coming together to create Community Centric Sustainable Development for Poverty Alleviation using the principle of transparency for accountability.
Recipient of: “Innovations 2009” Award (Ideas in Practice) for implementing “e-Administration: e-Platform for e-Governance”, from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Alumni Association and The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) Pune (http://www.iitbombay.org/chapters-and-events/pune , http://www.innovations-pune.com/ and http://www.innovations-pune.com/2009).
Developed and implemented “e-Administration” a web based, platform neutral, paper-less Communication and Collaboration Tool, using open source tools.
The tool has the provision for self customization by the user organization and can help to create the entire geographic branches, the functional departments, positions and officials for G2C / G2G / B2B / B2C communications.
It helps to integrate the working of the entire vertical and horizontal hierarchy of any organization to introduce transparency and accountability. It can also help to create unique identity for every employee and help track the activities of individuals, sections, departments, branches, etc. Mobile phones can be integrated into the application for seamless communication.
e-Administration initiatives are covered in many newspapers/magazines, as detailed below:
The Business Standard, Mumbai ‘With e-Governance, admn takes a virtual leap in TN’ http://www.business-standard.com/search/storypage_new.php?leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&autono=159162
The New Indian Express http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20040705124325&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0&aDate=7%2F6%2F2004
The Hindu, Metro Plus, Chennai on "Paperless or less paper?" on Saturday Jan 08, 2005 can be seen at http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/01/08/stories/2005010802070100.htm
The Hindu Business Line Monday, Sep 06, 2004, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
eWorld - E-Governance - Take those files away - Raja Simhan T.E. raja@thehindu.co.in
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2004/09/06/stories/2004090600020100.htm
Advantage Tamil Nadu – India’s Eastern Gateway to the World – “e-Administration” - This is a paperless File Management System implemented at ELCOT as an empowerment tool for speedy disposal of files. The workflow management helps in creation, movement, monitoring and approval of files electronically resulting in better utilization of manpower, thereby avoiding delays, leading to better governance. As the system is web-enabled, it facilitate operating anywhere at any time.
http://www.electadmk.com/PDF%20Files/wsj-lr72-p2.pdf
Digit magazine Nov 2004 - Digital Business - How technology can help your organization - Case study - IT Cuts Red Tape - To many, e-governance and paperless office are Utopian ideas. Not for the Tamil Nadu government's IT department which uses software to create a transparent transaction process - "The biggest advantage of e-Administration is that it enables us to view, at any stage, the status of a pending file... This way work flow is simplified" - General Manager, e-Governance, Tamil Nadu.
http://geotourism.changemakers.com/files/digit_nov04_digital%20business_%20case%20study.pdf
Certificate of satisfactory implementation of ‘e-Administration’ paperless office Tool (Min Aluvalagam) at Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Certificate Letter Roc. No. 14655/YI-2/2005 dated Sep 08, 2005 issued by P.W.C. Davidar, I.A.S., Member Secretary, SDAT. “The tool has been successfully installed and is now being implemented in the SDAT. Hitherto, what has been done manually, has been converted electronically. All the sections have begun using this tool and now have found it useful to speed-up faster communication between them... Thus, the average process time has been cut down by almost 50%. Tremendous increase in work force productivity has been noticed due to this factor”.
http://cgi.apnic.net/mailing-lists/s-asia-it/archive/2005/09/pdfJrOAbTNuc1.pdf
The Budget 2004-2005 address to the State assembly of the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry:
Item 20 of the speech, reads as follows: "Industrial Guidance Bureau with integrated e-Platform has been established by substituting single window clearance system to speed up the process of industrial clearance / permission for setting up of new industrial units. A total of 21 Departments including Municipalities / Commune Panchayats have been integrated with a dedicated electronic network for granting permission to set up an industry and also to commence production".
The "Journal of Orissa Information Technology Society" in the Case study on: "ICT and e-Gov" - Quarterly progress Report (April - June 2003) at: http://www.oits.org/bulletin/bltn0412.pdf.
PC Quest June 2007 issue has rated 250 enterprise projects - 'The Ultimate Guide to IT Implementations in India' has evaluated the Best IT Implementations of the year 2007 in various sectors, with 'Analysis of Who is Deploying What in IT', 'Tech & Trends in IT Implementations' and identifying 'Top 10 Challenges in Deploying IT', by an independent jury'. http://forums.pcquest.com/itimplementation/june_2007-30.html
The customized e-Platform for the Industrial Guidance Bureau of the Government of Pondicherry, India, implemented with technical support from Life Line to Business (LL2B), Chennai, was evaluated for the Best IT Implementations of the year 2007 in the Government Sector by PC Quest, a Cybermedia publication.
Recipient of “Manthan Award 2006” for creating “India’s Best e-Content” in the category of “e-Inclusion and Livelihood” out of entries from 25 states in India for “Biometric Tracking of Payments under National Rural Employment Guarantee programme” in remote parts of rural India.
(http://www.manthanaward.org/section_synopsis.asp?id=121, http://www.manthanaward.org/section_synopsis.asp?id=201 and http://www.manthanaward.org/section_full_story.asp?id=507).
The Manthan Award is a first of its kind initiative in India to recognize the best practices in e-Content and Creativity. Launched in October 2004, by Digital Empowerment Foundation in partnership with World Summit Award, and the American India Foundation, the Manthan Award emphasizes the importance of e-Content & Creativity for and by the grassroots people and organisations.
The Manthan Award is an Indian initiative by Digital Empowerment Foundation, India as the national initiative of World Summit Award, to select and promote the best practices in e-Content and Creativity in India. It involves representatives from each state and union territory of India and visualizes the bridging of digital divide and narrowing of the content gap as its overall goal. The award is given under the framework of the World Summit Awards.
Implemented unique biometric identification and tracking in rural India for e-Governance for poverty alleviation. The biometric initiative was covered in a number of newspapers and magazines. A few of them are as follows:
Villagers get digital identity - Biometric tracking gives a tamper proof identity to villagers http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aids-counsel-a-call-away/21904/2
Bihar shows smart card way to cleaner rural job scheme - http://www.indianexpress.com/story/33365.html
NREGA going hi-tech in Bihar - Vidya Vishwanathan - Civil Society Online - June 2007
http://www.civilsocietyonline.com/June07/india07ngrea.asp
The 'BSC' of Identity - A Biometric Smart Card Device can be a fool-proof ID for citizens, says this ICT Consultant - http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2007/03/19/stories/2007031900110300.htm
Technology can prevent tampering in polls – News Today article – Feb 4, 2007
http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:fYeuRG_HTOAJ:www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/decn/comm_update/res-10-160207-10.doc+technology+can+prevent+tampering+in+polls&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in&client=firefox-a
ID Cards get smarter - http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=326049
4Ps Business and Marketing Magazine - A Plan Media Publication, New Delhi, India - Special Feature - COLUMN CITIZENRY - A prescription to end corruption - Unique identification of every citizen will help kill the corruption malaise in developing economies http://www.4psbusinessandmarketing.com/17072008/storyd.asp?sid=2112&page....
'Biometric Smart Card' – article published in: 'Information Technology in Developing Countries' newsletter of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) Working Group 9.4 titled Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries. Previously supported by agencies like COMNET-IT, Malta and IDRC, Canada, the newsletter is now published on the web by the Centre for Electronic Governance, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
The newsletter carries articles on IT applications in developing countries which have created a socio-economic impact, evaluation of national policies on IT and telecommunications sectors, and paradigms to understand the impact of IT on development. Relevant conferences announcements, and reviews of conferences and books are also carried in the newsletter. The readership mainly consists of IT professionals, academics and administrators concerned with IT policy. The newsletter has to its credit a legacy of over 10 years of print publication, reaching 750 individual subscribers and 45 libraries in 40 countries. Past issues can be accessed through the WG 9.4 homepage.
http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/egov/ifip/oct2008/oct2008.htm and http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/egov/ifip/oct2008/kris-dev.htm.
Smart Voter-IDs needed - http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/geetanjali-krishna-smart-voter-ids-needed/356822/
Previous work experiences: Worked in North America as Commercial Director of Productora Mexicana de Tuberia, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary company of ISPAT Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., from 1994-1999. Instrumental in reviving a closed company and achieve a turnaround of its operations, in short span of time.
Earlier posts held include Senior Manager and Staff Officer to Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) from 1992 to 1994. Responsible for Corporate Governance and Liaising. Assisted the Chief Executive of SAIL to achieve a turnaround of SAIL.
Earlier served as Regional Manager of SAIL, Salem Steel Plant at New Delhi from 1990-92. Liaised with SAIL and Ministry of Steel, Government of India to obtain the sanction for setting up a hot rolling mill at Salem Steel Plant. Also liaised with Ministry of Finance and India Government Mints to introduce domestic stainless steel coin blank supply through the indigenous route, thereby saving valuable foreign exchange for the country.
Recipient of the prestigious “Jawaharlal Nehru Best Executive Award” in 1992 for Liaison and Public Relations for Salem Steel Plant at New Delhi.
My career in SAIL started as Management Trainee in 1977 and I served in various managerial positions including Purchase Officer, Inventory Controller, Administration Manger and Regional Manager from 1977 to 1994 to become Senior Manager in SAIL.
Other social activities:
Member of various professional bodies and social organizations. Extensively traveled in India and abroad. I hold a post graduate degree in Science with specialization in electronics. I am a Right to Know / Right to Information Activist. I conduct regular awareness programs. Coordinator for National Election Watch for Tamil Nadu.
Reference:
Mr. Osama Manzar, Chairman, Digital Empowerment Foundation, 3rd Floor, 44 Kaalu Sarai, Near IIT Flyover, Next to Naraina Academy, New Delhi – 110017, India. Ph: +91-11-26532786/7 Mobile: +91-9810042862 email: osama@defindia.net.
For further details, contact:
GopalaKrishnan Devanathan (Kris Dev),
President & CEO, Life Line to Business (LL2B) / Life Line to Community (LL2C)
A4, Ashok Suparna, 27/12, III Main Road, K.B. Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-600020,
Tamil Nadu, India. Krisdev@gmail.com; Ph: +91 98 408 52132 / 1 (206) 274 1635; http://ll2b.blogspot.com and http://kris-dev@blogspot.com.
-----------------------------------------------
ICT Innovator and e-Democracy Consultant, specializing in e-Governance applications for creating Community Centric Sustainable Development for Poverty Alleviation.
An ISO 9000:2000 certified lead auditor, SEI-CMM trained and specialized in ICT for Development (ICT4D) with over three decades of hands-on experience in India and Americas.
President & CEO of Life Line to Business (LL2B), India, an organization specializing in innovation and good governance - from 2001 to 2010.
Co-founder of the International Transparency and Accountability Network, a loose knit global network of social organizations and activists coming together to create Community Centric Sustainable Development for Poverty Alleviation using the principle of transparency for accountability.
Recipient of: “Innovations 2009” Award (Ideas in Practice) for implementing “e-Administration: e-Platform for e-Governance”, from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Alumni Association and The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) Pune (http://www.iitbombay.org/chapters-and-events/pune , http://www.innovations-pune.com/ and http://www.innovations-pune.com/2009).
Developed and implemented “e-Administration” a web based, platform neutral, paper-less Communication and Collaboration Tool, using open source tools.
The tool has the provision for self customization by the user organization and can help to create the entire geographic branches, the functional departments, positions and officials for G2C / G2G / B2B / B2C communications.
It helps to integrate the working of the entire vertical and horizontal hierarchy of any organization to introduce transparency and accountability. It can also help to create unique identity for every employee and help track the activities of individuals, sections, departments, branches, etc. Mobile phones can be integrated into the application for seamless communication.
e-Administration initiatives are covered in many newspapers/magazines, as detailed below:
The Business Standard, Mumbai ‘With e-Governance, admn takes a virtual leap in TN’ http://www.business-standard.com/search/storypage_new.php?leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&autono=159162
The New Indian Express http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20040705124325&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0&aDate=7%2F6%2F2004
The Hindu, Metro Plus, Chennai on "Paperless or less paper?" on Saturday Jan 08, 2005 can be seen at http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/01/08/stories/2005010802070100.htm
The Hindu Business Line Monday, Sep 06, 2004, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
eWorld - E-Governance - Take those files away - Raja Simhan T.E. raja@thehindu.co.in
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2004/09/06/stories/2004090600020100.htm
Advantage Tamil Nadu – India’s Eastern Gateway to the World – “e-Administration” - This is a paperless File Management System implemented at ELCOT as an empowerment tool for speedy disposal of files. The workflow management helps in creation, movement, monitoring and approval of files electronically resulting in better utilization of manpower, thereby avoiding delays, leading to better governance. As the system is web-enabled, it facilitate operating anywhere at any time.
http://www.electadmk.com/PDF%20Files/wsj-lr72-p2.pdf
Digit magazine Nov 2004 - Digital Business - How technology can help your organization - Case study - IT Cuts Red Tape - To many, e-governance and paperless office are Utopian ideas. Not for the Tamil Nadu government's IT department which uses software to create a transparent transaction process - "The biggest advantage of e-Administration is that it enables us to view, at any stage, the status of a pending file... This way work flow is simplified" - General Manager, e-Governance, Tamil Nadu.
http://geotourism.changemakers.com/files/digit_nov04_digital%20business_%20case%20study.pdf
Certificate of satisfactory implementation of ‘e-Administration’ paperless office Tool (Min Aluvalagam) at Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Certificate Letter Roc. No. 14655/YI-2/2005 dated Sep 08, 2005 issued by P.W.C. Davidar, I.A.S., Member Secretary, SDAT. “The tool has been successfully installed and is now being implemented in the SDAT. Hitherto, what has been done manually, has been converted electronically. All the sections have begun using this tool and now have found it useful to speed-up faster communication between them... Thus, the average process time has been cut down by almost 50%. Tremendous increase in work force productivity has been noticed due to this factor”.
http://cgi.apnic.net/mailing-lists/s-asia-it/archive/2005/09/pdfJrOAbTNuc1.pdf
The Budget 2004-2005 address to the State assembly of the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry:
Item 20 of the speech, reads as follows: "Industrial Guidance Bureau with integrated e-Platform has been established by substituting single window clearance system to speed up the process of industrial clearance / permission for setting up of new industrial units. A total of 21 Departments including Municipalities / Commune Panchayats have been integrated with a dedicated electronic network for granting permission to set up an industry and also to commence production".
The "Journal of Orissa Information Technology Society" in the Case study on: "ICT and e-Gov" - Quarterly progress Report (April - June 2003) at: http://www.oits.org/bulletin/bltn0412.pdf.
PC Quest June 2007 issue has rated 250 enterprise projects - 'The Ultimate Guide to IT Implementations in India' has evaluated the Best IT Implementations of the year 2007 in various sectors, with 'Analysis of Who is Deploying What in IT', 'Tech & Trends in IT Implementations' and identifying 'Top 10 Challenges in Deploying IT', by an independent jury'. http://forums.pcquest.com/itimplementation/june_2007-30.html
The customized e-Platform for the Industrial Guidance Bureau of the Government of Pondicherry, India, implemented with technical support from Life Line to Business (LL2B), Chennai, was evaluated for the Best IT Implementations of the year 2007 in the Government Sector by PC Quest, a Cybermedia publication.
Recipient of “Manthan Award 2006” for creating “India’s Best e-Content” in the category of “e-Inclusion and Livelihood” out of entries from 25 states in India for “Biometric Tracking of Payments under National Rural Employment Guarantee programme” in remote parts of rural India.
(http://www.manthanaward.org/section_synopsis.asp?id=121, http://www.manthanaward.org/section_synopsis.asp?id=201 and http://www.manthanaward.org/section_full_story.asp?id=507).
The Manthan Award is a first of its kind initiative in India to recognize the best practices in e-Content and Creativity. Launched in October 2004, by Digital Empowerment Foundation in partnership with World Summit Award, and the American India Foundation, the Manthan Award emphasizes the importance of e-Content & Creativity for and by the grassroots people and organisations.
The Manthan Award is an Indian initiative by Digital Empowerment Foundation, India as the national initiative of World Summit Award, to select and promote the best practices in e-Content and Creativity in India. It involves representatives from each state and union territory of India and visualizes the bridging of digital divide and narrowing of the content gap as its overall goal. The award is given under the framework of the World Summit Awards.
Implemented unique biometric identification and tracking in rural India for e-Governance for poverty alleviation. The biometric initiative was covered in a number of newspapers and magazines. A few of them are as follows:
Villagers get digital identity - Biometric tracking gives a tamper proof identity to villagers http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aids-counsel-a-call-away/21904/2
Bihar shows smart card way to cleaner rural job scheme - http://www.indianexpress.com/story/33365.html
NREGA going hi-tech in Bihar - Vidya Vishwanathan - Civil Society Online - June 2007
http://www.civilsocietyonline.com/June07/india07ngrea.asp
The 'BSC' of Identity - A Biometric Smart Card Device can be a fool-proof ID for citizens, says this ICT Consultant - http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2007/03/19/stories/2007031900110300.htm
Technology can prevent tampering in polls – News Today article – Feb 4, 2007
http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:fYeuRG_HTOAJ:www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/decn/comm_update/res-10-160207-10.doc+technology+can+prevent+tampering+in+polls&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in&client=firefox-a
ID Cards get smarter - http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=326049
4Ps Business and Marketing Magazine - A Plan Media Publication, New Delhi, India - Special Feature - COLUMN CITIZENRY - A prescription to end corruption - Unique identification of every citizen will help kill the corruption malaise in developing economies http://www.4psbusinessandmarketing.com/17072008/storyd.asp?sid=2112&page....
'Biometric Smart Card' – article published in: 'Information Technology in Developing Countries' newsletter of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) Working Group 9.4 titled Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries. Previously supported by agencies like COMNET-IT, Malta and IDRC, Canada, the newsletter is now published on the web by the Centre for Electronic Governance, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
The newsletter carries articles on IT applications in developing countries which have created a socio-economic impact, evaluation of national policies on IT and telecommunications sectors, and paradigms to understand the impact of IT on development. Relevant conferences announcements, and reviews of conferences and books are also carried in the newsletter. The readership mainly consists of IT professionals, academics and administrators concerned with IT policy. The newsletter has to its credit a legacy of over 10 years of print publication, reaching 750 individual subscribers and 45 libraries in 40 countries. Past issues can be accessed through the WG 9.4 homepage.
http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/egov/ifip/oct2008/oct2008.htm and http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/egov/ifip/oct2008/kris-dev.htm.
Smart Voter-IDs needed - http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/geetanjali-krishna-smart-voter-ids-needed/356822/
Previous work experiences: Worked in North America as Commercial Director of Productora Mexicana de Tuberia, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary company of ISPAT Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., from 1994-1999. Instrumental in reviving a closed company and achieve a turnaround of its operations, in short span of time.
Earlier posts held include Senior Manager and Staff Officer to Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) from 1992 to 1994. Responsible for Corporate Governance and Liaising. Assisted the Chief Executive of SAIL to achieve a turnaround of SAIL.
Earlier served as Regional Manager of SAIL, Salem Steel Plant at New Delhi from 1990-92. Liaised with SAIL and Ministry of Steel, Government of India to obtain the sanction for setting up a hot rolling mill at Salem Steel Plant. Also liaised with Ministry of Finance and India Government Mints to introduce domestic stainless steel coin blank supply through the indigenous route, thereby saving valuable foreign exchange for the country.
Recipient of the prestigious “Jawaharlal Nehru Best Executive Award” in 1992 for Liaison and Public Relations for Salem Steel Plant at New Delhi.
My career in SAIL started as Management Trainee in 1977 and I served in various managerial positions including Purchase Officer, Inventory Controller, Administration Manger and Regional Manager from 1977 to 1994 to become Senior Manager in SAIL.
Other social activities:
Member of various professional bodies and social organizations. Extensively traveled in India and abroad. I hold a post graduate degree in Science with specialization in electronics. I am a Right to Know / Right to Information Activist. I conduct regular awareness programs. Coordinator for National Election Watch for Tamil Nadu.
Reference:
Mr. Osama Manzar, Chairman, Digital Empowerment Foundation, 3rd Floor, 44 Kaalu Sarai, Near IIT Flyover, Next to Naraina Academy, New Delhi – 110017, India. Ph: +91-11-26532786/7 Mobile: +91-9810042862 email: osama@defindia.net.
For further details, contact:
GopalaKrishnan Devanathan (Kris Dev),
President & CEO, Life Line to Business (LL2B) / Life Line to Community (LL2C)
A4, Ashok Suparna, 27/12, III Main Road, K.B. Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-600020,
Tamil Nadu, India. Krisdev@gmail.com; Ph: +91 98 408 52132 / 1 (206) 274 1635; http://ll2b.blogspot.com and http://kris-dev@blogspot.com.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Empowerment of differently abled - visually challenged
A Right to Information (RTI) workshop was conducted on March 11, 2010 for the differently abled - mainly visually challenged and a few physically challenged to make them become informed citizens, thereby empowering them to become a part of the mainstream and contribute their mite to the growth of community and society.
The programme was conducted for about 40 participants who are residents of an Nethrodaya, an NGO located at 47/1, Nolambur,Mogappair West, Chennai-600037. Ph: +91-44-2653 3680 / 2653 0712. (www.netrodaya.org) that provides free lodging and boarding to poor differently abled - mainly visually challenged youth - girls and boys to get proper education and professional employment, mainly using Job Access With Speech (JAWS) Software in computer applications and simultaneously graduate education. One of them was doing his Ph.D. course.
The RTI workshop was inaugurated by Mr. S.Ve. Shekher, M.L.A., Tamil Nadu, a citizen welfare activist and one of the most popular Tamil playwright and film actors. The workshop was launched by Mr. Govinda Krishnan, Founder and Trustee, Nethrodaya.
The RTI workshop was conducted by Kris Dev, RTI Activist, Life Line to Community and e-Gov Consultant, Life Line to Business (LL2B). The co-ordination was done by Abilash, a student of Madras School of Social Work.
The participants expressed concern that due to their disabilities, they were denied jobs despite their ability to operate computers independently and they were denied their due rights to actively participate in the mainstream of society.
One example given by them was that they were denied acknowledgment for submitting employment applications, despite repeated requests. Hence they had to run from pillar to post to get information, thereby denying them the right to get employment. They complained of lack of systems of working in government organizations and lack of transparency and accountability. It was felt that e-Administration tool for tracking of all activities using Biometric Smart Card could be one of the solutions to their problems.
In the workshop, they learnt the provisions of the RTI Act 2005, how to file an application and how to get information without having to run from office to office and desk to desk. Support required to file RTI applications in future was assured to them, thereby making them more at ease.
The pictures taken at the workshop can be seen here. Due to a technical glitch, the date is shown as Sep 1. It is actually Mar 11, 2010.
http://picasaweb.google.com/krisdev/RightToInformationForDifferentlyAbledVisuallyChallenged#
Kris Dev, RTI Activist
krisdev@gmail.com +91 98 408 52132
The programme was conducted for about 40 participants who are residents of an Nethrodaya, an NGO located at 47/1, Nolambur,Mogappair West, Chennai-600037. Ph: +91-44-2653 3680 / 2653 0712. (www.netrodaya.org) that provides free lodging and boarding to poor differently abled - mainly visually challenged youth - girls and boys to get proper education and professional employment, mainly using Job Access With Speech (JAWS) Software in computer applications and simultaneously graduate education. One of them was doing his Ph.D. course.
The RTI workshop was inaugurated by Mr. S.Ve. Shekher, M.L.A., Tamil Nadu, a citizen welfare activist and one of the most popular Tamil playwright and film actors. The workshop was launched by Mr. Govinda Krishnan, Founder and Trustee, Nethrodaya.
The RTI workshop was conducted by Kris Dev, RTI Activist, Life Line to Community and e-Gov Consultant, Life Line to Business (LL2B). The co-ordination was done by Abilash, a student of Madras School of Social Work.
The participants expressed concern that due to their disabilities, they were denied jobs despite their ability to operate computers independently and they were denied their due rights to actively participate in the mainstream of society.
One example given by them was that they were denied acknowledgment for submitting employment applications, despite repeated requests. Hence they had to run from pillar to post to get information, thereby denying them the right to get employment. They complained of lack of systems of working in government organizations and lack of transparency and accountability. It was felt that e-Administration tool for tracking of all activities using Biometric Smart Card could be one of the solutions to their problems.
In the workshop, they learnt the provisions of the RTI Act 2005, how to file an application and how to get information without having to run from office to office and desk to desk. Support required to file RTI applications in future was assured to them, thereby making them more at ease.
The pictures taken at the workshop can be seen here. Due to a technical glitch, the date is shown as Sep 1. It is actually Mar 11, 2010.
http://picasaweb.google.com/krisdev/RightToInformationForDifferentlyAbledVisuallyChallenged#
Kris Dev, RTI Activist
krisdev@gmail.com +91 98 408 52132
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Achieving UN MDGs
The United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT) Virtual Academy Course on ICT4D (http://ava.unapcict.org/) states in its Session 1: The Digital Divide and promoting Universal Access - "Progress on the achievement of MDG Targets is uneven. While there are some visible and widespread gains and Asia Pacific is doing better than Sub Saharan Africa, the LDCs still have the region's highest rates of child and maternal mortality, the incidence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS continues to rise and the region is regressing in environmental sustainability. There are huge data gaps in the Pacific region and great intra-country disparities for example in China and India. There is a need for greater public investment in education and health. Poor Governance, poor policy choices, corruption and denial of human rights are factors impeding rapid progress".
Is it not high time, the developing countries like India go about establishing on top most priority on urgent Mission Mode to introduce Unique Biometric Identity to uniquely identify every citizen and resident and also issue Biometric Smart Card cum Bank Debit Card to track all transactions including all welfare measures and the spendings out of the same to ensure transparency and accountability towards eradicating poverty? Would it not help to ensure healthy citizenry and a healthy democracy through proper health, housing, sanitation, education, social security, etc. for every citizen however low and marginalized they may be in either urban or rural pockets, where every citizen can live with a minimum assured standard of living above the poverty line?
Is it not high time, the developing countries like India go about establishing on top most priority on urgent Mission Mode to introduce Unique Biometric Identity to uniquely identify every citizen and resident and also issue Biometric Smart Card cum Bank Debit Card to track all transactions including all welfare measures and the spendings out of the same to ensure transparency and accountability towards eradicating poverty? Would it not help to ensure healthy citizenry and a healthy democracy through proper health, housing, sanitation, education, social security, etc. for every citizen however low and marginalized they may be in either urban or rural pockets, where every citizen can live with a minimum assured standard of living above the poverty line?
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