Self and Social

On United Nations Day, I express my great appreciation to the millions of people throughout the world who believe deeply in our work for peace, development and human rights… and who uphold our ideals and help us achieve our goals. To all of you… friends and fellow citizens of the world… I say: thank you. Sixty-five years ago on this date, the founding Charter of the United Nations entered into force. Every year on UN Day, we reaffirm our global mission. We reassert the universal values of tolerance, mutual respect and human dignity. And we recognize the progress we have made together: gains in literacy and life expectancy… the spread of knowledge and technology... advances in democracy and the rule of law. But above all, UN Day is a day on which we resolve to do more. More to protect those caught up in armed conflict, to fight climate change and avert nuclear catastrophe; more to expand opportunities for women and girls, and to combat injustice and impunity; more to meet the Mille...

Human Development is a development paradigm that is about much more than the rise or fall of national incomes. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests. People are the real wealth of nations. Development is thus about expanding the choices people have to lead lives that they value. And it is thus about much more than economic growth, which is only a means —if a very important one —of enlarging people’s choices. Fundamental to enlarging these choices is building human capabilities —the range of things that people can do or be in life. The most basic capabilities for human development are to lead long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living and to be able to participate in the life of the community. Without these, many choices are simply not available, and many opportunities in life remain inacc...

Padmashri Deep Joshi needs no introduction. He is the "father-figure" and "Guru" of development professionals in India. He is the co-founder (with Vijay Mahajan) of  one of the best Professional Development Organizations of the world   "PRADAN".    http://www.pradan.net "In electing Deep Joshi to receive the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his vision and leadership in bringing professionalism to the NGO movement in India by effectively combining ‘head’ and ‘heart’ in the transformative work of rural development". I had the opportunity to work in PRADAN (from 1st June 1996 to  31st Aug. 2009 : 13 years) and learned lots of things from Deep Joshi. Bishnu with Deep Joshi I am remembering  some of his "Quotes" and "advice" and hope these will inspire young professionals, personnel of NGOs, Research & Resource organizations, academicians, administrators, policy makers and public for dev...

If there a future there is a time for mending - Time to see your troubles coming to an ending. Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow If you are looking forward to a new tomorrow. My wife Matanjali made this art on floor. If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping - When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping. Though the heart be heavy and hurt yoy may be feeling - If there is time for praying there is time for healing. So if through your window there is a new day breaking - Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching. If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning - There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning. Collected from i - inspire,  published in i-Next, Ranchi, 3rd April 2010.

January 27 January International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust February 20 February World Day of Social Justice 21 February International Mother Language Day March 8 March International Women’s Day 21 March International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 22 March World Water Day 25 March International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade April 2 April World Autism Awareness Day 4 April International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 7 April World Health Day 7 April International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda 23 April World Book and Copyright Day May 3 May World Press Freedom Day 15 May International Day of Families 17 May World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 21 May World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity 29 May International Day of United Nations Peaceke...

Col. (Retd) Binay Kumar who belongs to Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand has innovated and demonstrated in installing a unique pump set which runs for 24 hours without use of any fuel (diesel, petrol, electricity, animal or human driven etc.). He named it as PRAKRITI JAL URJA Pump . The pump works on hydraulic power and lifts water from lower to a higher level . He installed two schemes in Hazaribagh & Koderma district of Jharkhand under Mukhya Mantri Kissan Khushali Yojna (MMKKY), Govt. of Jharkhand. Salient Features & Benefits • It uses energy of flowing water of spring, stream, canal or river to pump part of falling water to a height above the source. • Lifts water to an elevation three to five times more than the water fall for Irrigation. Water can be lifted to ten times more than the water fall for Drinking water. • Runs continuously for 24 hours. • No cost of running i.e. It does not require any kind of fuel (diesel, petrol, kerosene, electric, solar...

Counting everyone is an integral part of ensuring that we take everyone into account. Good demographic data is critical for planning schools, health systems and public transportation, for designing policies based on future population projections, for monitoring the effectiveness of service delivery and much more. This year World Population Day highlights the importance of data for development. The focus is on the 2010 round of the population and housing census, data analysis for development and UNFPA’s lead role in population and development. Reliable data makes a difference, and the key is to collect, analyze and disseminate data in a way that drives good decision making. The numbers that emerge from data collection can illuminate important trends. What striking situation does research reveal in your country? What do the numbers tell you about progress toward meeting the MDGs? Are certain groups getting left behind ? http://www.unfpa.org/public/site/global/lang/en/world-popul...