COVID 19- REFLECTIONS-1

Noval Corona Virus pandemic has severely affected the nations across the world. According to many experts, the world will not be the same henceforth.

• The world history will be divided between pre-COVID and post-COVID.
• The planet earth will not be the same again.
• The entire world activities will be changed in coming days.
• The international relations between nations will be changed.
• The nations will give more importance for primary health.
• The political, social, as well as economic equations will be changed in all the countries.
• The economic impact will be heavier than globalization, especially for the poor and the marginalized.
• The life style of the people will be drastically altered.
• The people around the world will be more suspicious.
• The physical distancing and use of masks will be a day-to-day habit.

IN THE NAME OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC: SQUANDERING INDIA-

Finally it came: the economic packages to ‘boost’ Indian economy in the wake of ‘Covid-19’ from Government of India. The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, during his address to the nation on 12^th May 2020 announced Rupees 20 lakh crore or 10% of India’s GDP in 2019-20 through the Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan or Self-reliant India Mission for the stimulation of Indian economy in the wake of Covid pandemic and to make India self-reliant. Subsequent days, his finance minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, in capsules, announced the much awaited economic packages. Alarmingly, in the guise of stimulating the economy during Covid-19, the FM announced government decision on throwing open all key sectors such as defence, space, atomic energy, civil aviation, power, coal, and minerals. It is definitely a severe blow to the democratic structure of our country. There is not much in the package for strengthening the public health system and health infrastructure. Apart from the insignificant package for the poor people, the government used this situation to implement their hidden agendas which they have been nursing for quite some time.

In short, the government announced privatization of practically everything we own without any public scrutiny or democratic process. How can such sweeping and far reaching decisions which will alter structural parameters of our polity be taken without debate in the Parliament? Many of the announced ‘economic packages’ would undermine the sovereignty of the nation and promote neo-colonialism. And in the long run, push the poor and the marginalized-the people of India to deep trouble. Fiscal stimulation doesn’t mean selling of all our properties or throwing open to private players. The extraordinary powers assumed by the government should not become a burden on people later on.

The hapless Indians are unable to react!

The feeble opposition parties are incapable to resist!!

“Bharat Matha Kee Kay”

SGK

IN THE NAME OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

It was Mr. Pinari Vijayan, chief minister of Kerala who is also a prominent leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) said during this Covid-19 that “extraordinary situation warrants extraordinary decisions”. He made this statement amidst strong criticism by his opposition parties in the light of “Sprinklr deal”. The CM allowed his IT principal secretary (IT department is under CM’s direct control) to sign an agreement with the US based IT company ‘Sprinklr’ to share data related to Covid-19 affected people in Kerala and the company in turn will do the data analysis free of cost for three months and thereafter the Kerala Government will have to pay for such work. The opposition leaders felt something fishy about this deal. (Of course, data is the most valuable commodity in this globalized world). In this context only, Mr. Vijayan made the above quoted comment.

Now, this concept needs to be explored further in the light of the decision of many state governments to suspend or keep in abeyance the labour laws existing in our country in the light of Covid-19 without any discussion in the state assemblies or the Parliament; “extraordinary situation warrants extraordinary decisions”. These changes included extended working hours, deduction in payment or deferring payment. Already states like Utter Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, (all ruled by Mody’s BJP) and Punjab (Congress) had taken initiatives in this direction through Ordinance. This is going to be a great challenge to the democracy in our country as well as to the Human Rights of the labourers in India. I am eager to know the stand of Mr. Vijayan and his party which is self-professed protector of working class in this ‘extra ordinary decision during extra ordinary situation’. We have already seen such moves by many of the authoritarian governments in South-East Asia such as Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Philippines.

While we boast about our democratic lineage, we quietly side line the rights of our workers. Already the migrants and other workers are the most affected people during Covis-19. After all, we simply left millions of migrant labourers on the road during this Covid-19 without food, water, or money to walk thousands of miles to reach their hometown without any shame.

SGK

TRAINING OF TEACHERS OF ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, CUDDALORE, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

29/04/2014

TRAINING PROGRAM

29/04/2014

KOTAGIRI – A PLACE TO VISIT

Recently I was in Kotagiri.

Kotagiri a small hill town in The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India. Though, not much attracted by the tourists as Ootty which is about 22 kms from Kotagiri, it’s certainly a beautiful place. This picturesque hill station is bounded by green tea estates and offers a number of trekking options. The three popular trekking trails from Kotagiri are Kodanad; St. Catherine Falls and Longwood Shola.

Kotagiri is just below Coonoor and the slopes of the Nilgiri hills have been the traditional home of the “Kota’ tribes. The name ‘Kota-giri’ itself means ‘mountain of the Kotas’. While the ‘Todas’ (another tribe) are the traditional agriculturists of the Nilgiris, the Kotas are the traditional artisans and are experts in the art of pottery and terracotta baking. The ‘Kota’ tribe is known for their reclusiveness and their reluctance to meet or mix with any outsider. They currently number just around 1000 members, and are fast declining.

Kotagiri lost its importance when the new ghat road was built from Mettupalayam at the foothills to Coonoor (Ooty). Until then the only way to get to Ooty was the horse trail that led through Kotagiri. This trail was built in 1821 by Evan McPherson and was the only way up till around 1870 when a proper road was built.

Places of Interest

1. Kodanad View Point is accessible by road, 16 km from Kotagiri or about 30 minutes by car. It provides a splendid view of the great Mysore Plateau to one side and the picturesque farming cooperative called ‘Thengumarahada’ on the other side.
2. John Sullivan’s Bungalow, also known as the ‘Pethakal Bungalow’ is open to the public. The Nilgiris Documentation Centre and the Nilgiris Museum is housed in this bungalow. Village walks, tastes of the local cuisine and folk life etc. are some of the activities that are organized here. It is located in Kannerimukku, about 2 km from the town. Naragiri is a small village near here, which abounds in tea plantations and has beautiful views of the valleys and the mountains. About 6 km from Kannerimukku is the village of Kookalthorai in the plateau with breathtaking views.
3. Located within Kotagiri town, Longwood forest, a tropical evergreen forest is an excellent place for those who want to spend some quite time.
4. The Nehru park in the town is a complex which houses a temple of the Kotas, the Gandhi Maidanam which is the public playground, a Congregation centre and the flood shelter which is used in normal times for indoor games. A private park about 3 km from the town on Coonoor road, specialises in roses and is a must see from March to June.

 

Hotels in Kotagiri

There are a few medium-range hotels in Kotagiri which can provide you fairly good and comfortable stay.

Kotagiri adorns several good educational institutions run by private management. The chill climate and the hilly terrain make Kotagiri an attractive place to visit.

 

MANILA CONFERENCE

I was one among the seven COMMACT-India delegates attended an international conference of Social Solidarity Economy-2013 on “BUILDING SSE AS AN ALTERNATIVE MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT”. The conference was held at the University of Philippines, Metro Manila from 15^th to 18^th October 2013. About 400 delegates from 36 countries participated the conference.

Udaipur Conference

COMMACT – The Commonwealth Network for People-Centred Development

UDAIPUR CONFERENCE

I attended a two-day conference on “Changing Scenarios in People Centered Development- Approaches, Methods, Outcomes at National and International Levels”, at Astha Training Centre. Bedla, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India on 11^th & 12^th September 2013. The conference was co-sponsored by COMMACT India & COMMACT International. I made a presentation on “Dalit Situation in India-A Development Perspective”. 50 participants from Malaysia, UK, Australia and India participated. 

Sunil George Kurian

Cell: + 91- 9447049113/9895049112

E-mail: sunilgk2006@gmail.com

BRIEF PROFILE

• Freelance Consultant & Trainer
• Post Graduate in Sociology
• 30 years of experience in social work, social action, training, study & research and community development.
• Wide experience in NGO development, proposal designing, monitoring and evaluation, performance appraisal, needs assessment studies, etc.
• Published research/study papers.
• Resource person at seminars and workshops on social development, HIV/AIDS, water & sanitation, environment, dalits, tribals, women, child rights, urban poor, and other development concerns.

EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Involved in the development & management of self-help groups (SHGs)
• Training of office-bearers of SHGs on capacity building programmes (report writing, minutes writing, maintenance of books, soft skills, etc.)
• Facilitate micro credit and micro insurance to SHG groups
• Facilitate trainings for income generation programmes (IGPs) for SHG members.
• Involved in CBO development
• Involved in the community development programmes of the marginalized sections of the society such as women, dalits, tribals and urban poor.
• Involved in Human Rights defense activities in Kerala & other states.
• Involved in the formation of social action groups across Kerala and in other states.
• Involved in the struggles of dalit Christians in various parts of the country.
• Involved in the adivasi land struggle in Kerala and in various development activities among them.
• Involved in NGO/programme network formation and its development.

EXPERIENCE IN NGO/CBO DEVELOPMENT

• Preparation of Memorandum of Associations/byelaws
• Assistance in registration of Society/Trust/Company
• Staff development
  • Advertisement
  • Short-listing
  • Interview
  • Selection
  • Preparation of appointment letter
  • Training needs assessment
  • Staff training
  • Performance appraisal
  • On-going training and hand-holding support
  • Preparation of service rules
  • Assistance in statutory requirements such as Provident Fund/Gratuity/ESI/insurance/medical insurance, etc.
  • Needs assessment studies
  • Feasibility studies
  • Programme planning
  • Proposal development
  • Project management
    • System development
      • Reporting system
      • Monitoring system
      • Financial system
      • On-going training
      • Project implementation & monitoring

• § Evaluation studies
  • Mid-term evaluation
  • Annual evaluation
  • Exit evaluation
  • Impact assessment

RESEARCH/STUDIES/EVALUATIONS 

Assignment Details	Designation	Client	Location	Year	Activities Performed
Analysis of Annual Evaluation Reports, 2012 of Targeted Intervention Projects	Consultant	– Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS	Bengaluru	2013	Analyzed 59 annual evaluation reports of targeted intervention programs by external consultants
An Impact assessment of Training Programmes for Anganwadi Workers as part of HIV & AIDS Mainstreaming Activities in Department of Social Welfare in Kerala	Team Leader	Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS)	Kollam, Ernakulam, Calicut & Palakkad districts of Kerala	2012	Tool development, data collection & analysis & report writing
Youth and Entrepreneurship – Barriers and Gateways to Initiatives among the Potential Youth in Kerala	Team Leader	Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment (KILE)	Trivandrum	2011	Tool development, data collection & analysis & report writing
Best Practice Documentation of Red Ribbon Clubs in Kerala	Team Leader	Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS)	Trivandrum	2011	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Impact Assessment of Monitoring & Evaluation component of Sarva Siksha Abhyan (SSA)	Team Leader	Education development Centre (EDC) Inc.	Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Karnataka (India)	2009	Data collection, report writing & debriefing
Impact Assessment of Farming Practices using Agro-chemicals	Team Leader	Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF)	Wayanad district in Kerala	2009	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Impact assessment of the Tsunami Rehabilitation Projects	Consultant	National Council of YMCAs in India	Tamil Nadu	2009	Assisted the evaluation team
Best practices in “Jalanidhi” – water project- undertaken by the Government of Kerala and funded by World Bank	Member of the teams	Kerala Water Authority (KWA)	Malappuram & Palakkad districts of Kerala	2007-2008	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Social analysis for the project design for water & sewerage for Govt.of Maldives	Member of the international team	Al Habshi Consultants, Kuwait	Three islands in Maldives	2008	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Study on “Sustainability of Income Generation Activities undertaken by SHGs	Member of the teams	World Vision of India (Kerala)	Kerala	2007-2008	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Social analysis in an international study team for the preparation of the Bankable Document for Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for funding for water & sewerage projects	Member of the international team	Al Habshi Consultants, Kuwait	Six islands in Maldives	2007	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Study on “Food Habits, Life Styles and Adolescents in Kerala”	Principal Investigator	State Resource Centre (SRC)	Trivandrum, Kerala	2005	Tool development, data collection & report writing
research project on “Rape Victims in Kerala”	Principal Investigator	Kerala Research Project on Local Level Development (KRPLLD) of the Centre for Development Studies (CDS)	Trivandrum	2001	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Research project on “Immigrant Labour in Kerala”	Principal Investigator	Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment (KILE)	Trivandrum	2000	Tool development, data collection & report writing
Study on “Status of Dalit Christians in Kerala”	Principal Investigator	Christian Institute for the Study of Religion & Society (CISRS)	Bengaluru	1998	Tool development, data collection & report writing

 

PUBLICATIONS/PAPER PRESENTATION

• Articles have been published in Religion and Society journal under “Religion of the Oppressed” (Vol.42, No.2, June 1995) and “Taking Another Look at the Dalit Questions in the Perspective of Change” – Volume-II (Vol.45, No.4, December 1998)
• ‘Rape victims in Kerala’, published by Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Trivandrum.
• Presented a paper on “Issues of Dalit Christians in Kerala” organized by the Law Department of the University of Kerala.
• Editorial Consultant, ‘Streechetna’, an occasional journal in Malayalam, published by the Joint Women’s Programme.
• Actively involved in the preparation of the following Dossiers:

*       Awareness level among the school children in Trivandrum on HIV/AIDS.

*       Suicide – A growing menace in Kerala.

*       Status of women In Kerala.

*       Child Labour in Kerala.

*       Trainers’ manual on empowerment of women.

*       Amendment of rape laws.

*       Amendment of Christian Marriage Act.

*       Women’s reservation bill.

EXPERIENCE IN SEXUAL HEALTH FIELD   

v  Consultant for the last 15 years. Wide experience in evaluating targeted intervention (TI) programmes for FSWs, MSMs, IDUs and other bridge groups and Care & Support programmes, trainings, manual preparation, documentation and proposal development. Good rapport with PLHA networks and CBOs.

v  Consultant for the following organizations/institutions:

• National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) – since 2005 (evaluations)
• Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) – since 1999 (evaluations, trainings, capacity building, manual preparation, NGO appraisal, studies, proposal development, best practice documentation)
• West Bengal State AIDS Prevention & Control Society (WBSAPCS)
• Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS)
• Maharastra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS)
• Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS)
• AIDS Prevention and Control (APAC), Project, Chennai – since 2006 (Participatory Site Visits, NGO appraisal, Field Observation, Community Understanding & Supportive Supervision (FOCUS), studies, proposal development, NGO appraisal)
• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AIDS Control Society (AMC-ACS) – 2009 (CBO evaluation)
• State Management Agency (SMA) managed by Dalal Mott Mac Donald Pvt. Ltd which implemented TI projects in Kerala – 1998-2005 (mid-term & annual evaluations, trainings, manual preparation, NGO appraisal)
• Project Support Unit (PSU) of Hindustan Latext Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), which implemented TI projects in Kerala – 2005-2007 (mid-term & annual evaluations, trainings, manual preparation, NGO appraisal)
• Technical Support Unit (TSU) in Kerala managed by AIDS Prevention And Control (APAC) Project, Chennai – 2008-2009 (annual evaluations, proposal development)
• Sexual Health Resource Centre (SHRC), New Delhi – 2007 (documentation)
• Networks of PLHAs since 2004
• State Training & Resource Centre (STRC), Kerala – 2009 (best practice documentation)

Activities undertaken

CLIENT	PLACE	SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES PERFORMED	YEAR
Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS)	Karnataka	Transition assessment, Analysis of 59 TI evaluation reports & evaluation of Link Workers Scheme	Since 2012
West Bengal State AIDS Prevention & Control Society (WBSAPCS)	West Bengal	TI evaluations	2012
AVERT Society	Maharastra	Evaluations of Targeted Intervention of HIV/AIDS project	2011-2012
Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS)	Maharastra	Evaluation of HIV & AIDS Projects & Transition assessment	2011 & 2012
Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society (TANSACS)	Tamil Nadu	TI & CBO evaluations	Since 2009
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AIDS Control Society	Gujarat	CBO evaluation	2009
Technical Support Unit (TSU) in Kerala managed by AIDS Prevention And Control (APAC) Project which implemented Targeted Intervention projects of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Kerala	Kerala	Annual evaluations, proposal development	2008-2009
Project Management Unit of Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) which implemented Targeted Intervention projects of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Kerala	Kerala	Evaluations, documentation & training	2008 since
SOMA	Kerala	Best practice documentation in MSM Projects in Kerala	2008
Sexual Health Resource Centre (SHRC)	New Delhi	Documentation	2007
AIDS Prevention and Control (APAC), Project	Tamil Nadu	Participatory Site Visits, NGO appraisal, Field Observation, Community Understanding & Supportive Supervision (FOCUS), Assessment of “Nakshatra’ clinics, studies, proposal development, NGO appraisal	2005-2010
Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT)	Kerala	NRHM-RCH Evaluations & studies	2005-2007
Project Support Unit (PSU) of Hindustan Latext Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) which implemented Targeted Intervention projects of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Kerala	Kerala	Mid-term & annual evaluations, trainings, manual preparation, NGO appraisal	2005-2007
National AIDS Control Society (NACO)	New Delhi	Evaluation studies, assessments	Since 2005
Networks of PLHAs	Kerala	Evaluations, documentation	2004 since
Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS)	Kerala	evaluations, trainings, capacity building, manual preparation, NGO appraisal, studies, proposal development, best practice documentation	Since 1999s
State Management Agency (SMA) managed by Dalal Mott Mac Donald Pvt. Ltd which implemented Targeted Intervention projects of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Kerala	Kerala	Mid-term & annual evaluations, trainings, manual preparation, NGO appraisal	1998-2005

 

UNDERTAKEN CONSULTANCY IN THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS

1)    St Joseph’s College of Arts & Science (Autonomous), Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu (2012, Ongoing) – Preparation of Status Report of the College, preparation of Rule Book, staff training, staff performance appraisal.

2)    Thiyaga Jothi Community Development Centre, Pondicherry (since 2012), Proposal Development, Brochure Content Development & Report Preparation.

3)    Vela Institute for Social Action and Development (VISAD), A school for differently-abled children, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu (since 2012), Proposal Development & Report Preparation.

4)    Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) (2012, Evaluation of HIV & AIDS Programme)

5)    AVERT Society, Mumbai, Maharastra (2012, Evaluation of HIV & AIDS Projects)

6)    Salem Social Service Society (SSSS), Salem (Since 2011, Staff Training & Proposal Development)

7)    Jayalakshmi, Ernakulam (2010-2011 – Management consultancy)

8)    Travancore Academy of Management & Engineering (since 2010 – Management consultancy)

9)    Ahmedabad Muncipal Corpration AIDS Control Society, Ahmadabad (2009 – CBO evaluation)

10)  MAHIMA Cluster, Thrissur (since 2009 – Management consultancy)

11)  Research and Development Consortium (RDC), Hyderabad (2009-2010 – Studies)

12)  Project Management Unit of Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL), Trivandrum (since 2008 – Evaluations, documentation & training)

13)  Al Habshi Consultants, Kuwait/Maldives (since 2008 – Social surveys, studies, environmental impact assessment)

14)  Al Mandoos, UAE (2008 – documentation)

15)  PRV Consultants, Ernakulam (since 2008 – Management consultancy)

16)  World Vision of India (Kerala) (2008 – Studies)

17)  European Union (EU) and Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FNSt), India (2008 – Project implementation)

18)  Mukesh Associates, Salem (2008 – Management consultancy & liaison)

19)  National Council of YMCAs, New Delhi (since 2008 – evaluation studies, proposal development, training & documentation)

20)  SOMA, Trivandrum (2008 – best practice documentation)

21)  Kerala Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency (KRWSA) – Jalanidhi project, Trivandrum (2007-2008 – Studies)

22)  NoRKA-ROOTS, Trivandrum (2007 – Proposal development)

23)  State Resource Centre (SRC), Trivandrum (2007-2008 – Studies)

24)  People’s Watch, Madurai (2007-2008 – Programme implementation)

25)  Sexual Health Resource Centre (SHRC), New Delhi (2007 – Documentation)

26)  Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), Sri Lanka (2006-2008 – Programme implementation)

27)  AIDS Prevention and Control (APAC), Project, Chennai (since 2006 – evaluations, assessment, documentation, proposal development & manual preparation)

28)  Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), Chennai

29)  Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), Trivandrum( 2005-2007 – Studies)

30)  National AIDS Control Society (NACO) (since 2005 – Evaluation studies)

31)  Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) (since 1999 – Evaluation studies, proposal development, training & documentation)

32)  State Management Agency (SMA) supported by Dalal Mott Mac Donald Pvt. Ltd. (1998-2005 – Evaluation studies, proposal development, training & documentation)

33)  Legal Education and AID Society (LEAS), Chennai (1985-1999 – Programme implementation)

34)  William Carey Study and Research Centre (WCSRC), Calcutta (1980-2002 – Programme implementation)

35)  Christian Institute for the Study of religion & Society (CISRS), New Delhi & Bangalore (1980-2002 – Programme implementation)

UNDERTAKEN TRAINING IN THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS

1)    St Joseph’s College of Arts & Science (Autonomous), Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu (Training in soft skills for teaching faculty & students)

2)    Jayalakshmi, Ernakulam (since 2010 – Staff training in soft skills, customer care & business development)

3)    Kerala State Water Authority (KWA) (since 2009 – Staff training in soft skills)

4)    Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment (KILE), Trivandrum (since 2009 – Staff training in soft skills)

5)    CORMORANT, Ernakulam (2007-2008 – Training in soft skills)

6)    Kuttukaran Institute of HRD, Trivandrum (2007-2009 – Training in soft skills )

7)    Rohini Nilaya, School of Social Work, Mangalore (2009 – Training in soft skills & interview techniques for students)

8)    Canara Bank, Kerala Circle (2007-2008 – Staff training in soft skills)

9)    ESCUBES Technologies, Trivandrum (since 2007 – Training in soft skills)

10)  Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), Trivandrum (since 2007 – Staff training in soft skills)

11)  Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Technology for Women, Trivandrum (2005-2007)

12)  MILMA, Trivandrum (2007 – Staff training in soft skills)

13)  National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut (2008 – Training in soft skills & interview techniques for students)

14)  PROSPECTS, Ernakulam (2008 – Training in soft skills )

15)  PRV Consultants, Ernakulam (since 2008 – Training in soft skills)

16)  S.C.T. College of Engineering, Trivandrum (2006-2007 – Training in soft skills & interview techniques for students)

17)  The Village International School, Thodupuzha (2007 – Training in soft skills for students)

18)  Government Women’s Polytechnic, Trivandrum (2006 – Training in soft skills for students)

19)  S.C.T. College of Engineering, Trivandrum (2006 – Training in soft skills & interview techniques for students)

20)  Department of Computer Science, University of Kerala, Kariyavattom (2006 – Training in soft skills & interview techniques for students)

21)  Noorul Islam College of engineering, Thuckalay (2006 – Training in soft skills & interview techniques for students)

22)  NSS College, Niramankara, Trivandrum (2006 – Training in soft skills students)

23)  University Institute of Technology, Neyyattinkara (2005 – Training in soft skills for students)

24)  Christ Nagar School, Trivandrum (2005 – Training in office management)

25)  Project Support Unit of Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) (since 1999 – evaluation studies, training, best practice documentation, manual preparation & proposal development)

26)  State Management Agency, Trivandrum (1998-2005 – evaluation studies, training, best practice documentation, manual preparation & proposal development)

27)  NGOs in Kerala (since 1984 – Management, administration & organizational development)

OTHER INVOLVEMENTS

1. Guest Faculty for Social Analysis at the YMCA National Training College, Bangalore (2010/2011)

POSITION HELD

v  Consultant:

• EUROPEAN UNION (EU) and FRIEDRICH-NAUMANN-STIFTUNG (FNSt) for their project in Kerala “National Project on Preventing Torture in India: From Public Awareness to State Accountability”
• CONSORTIUM OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES (CHA), SRI LANKA for their project in Kerala “Right to Sustainable Livelihood and Enabling of Social and Political Participation”
• Joint Women’s Programme, New Delhi (A national women’s organization engaged in women’s studies and action programmes for the upliftment of women.
• William Carey Study and Research Centre, Calcutta (An all India organization engaged in study, research, training and action on social issues)
• Legal Education and Aid Society, Chennai (An organization imparts legal education and action)

v  Senior Assistant Director and later Head of Programmes – Administration, Personnel and Finance of Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS). (An all India institute engaged in study, research, publication and action on issues related to women, dalits, marginalized and society at large, having branches in 16 states, having its headquarters in New Delhi. This Institute was started in 1957. I was on deputation or on leave in order to hold various other positions full time or part time afterwards.

v  Director, Ecumenical Development Training Programme, Thiruvalla, Kerala (A programme designed to provide training on various socio-economic, political and developmental issues).

AREAS OF COMPETENCY

• Social analysis/Social assessment
• NGO development, monitoring & evaluation, reviews & performance appraisal and impact assessment.
• Training
• Proposal/programme development
• Evaluation studies
• Research & studies
• Resource material development
• Report writing, documentation & editing

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

• MS Word
• Excel
• Power Point
• Internet

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Address for communication:

GRA 762, Gowreeshapattom, Pattom PO, Trivandrum-695004, Kerala

DoB: 27-05-1957

*********

Comments on Current Events-1

COST OF DEMOCRACY

The opposition parties, mainly the Bharatiya Janata Party had stalled the proceedings of Indian Parliament, for the past thirteen days. They are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Sing on the report of Comptroller & Audit General (CAG) on coal block allocation. Apparently the coal block allocation costed the nation several lakhs crores of rupees. The opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister who also holds the portfolio of Ministry of Coal both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Naturally, the Congress-led UPA government, particularly the Congress party strongly defend the position of the government that maintains that there was no such loss incurred. In fact the Finance Minister Mr. Chidambaram (mis) quoted saying that the government made ‘zero loss’. At any count this is a major reported scam the present ruling government facing after the infamous 2G scam.

All these boils down to the issue of corruption in India. And under no circumstances no political parties in India – major or minor – can escape from the issue of corruption. Every one of them, including the left parties are party to some corruption, small or big. The corruption charges unearthed during the past decade clearly underscore it. Hence, blaming one party or other for corruption charges doesn’t convince the people. The huge success of the protest by Anna Hassare against corruption is a clear evince for this. The people are fed up with corruption. They want a clean administration. The corrupt political system has to be regenerated somehow. The politicians need to understand that sooner or later they have to answer before the people for all their misdeeds. It is indeed a prerequisite for democracy to have a corruption-free administration.

8^th September, 2012