On December 4-5th, PAC was invited to attend a symposium on Child Poverty Research in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Traffic Police Day an Initiative of CMCA for the past 3 years was flagged of by the Additional Commissioner of Police Traffic Mr. Praveen Sood this year. Also present were DCP Srinivasa & ACP Mr. Nagappa. 40 children from different civic clubs across the city were present to thank the unsung heroes; our Traffic constables.
With support from the UNDP, PAC hosted a study group of 9 Bangladeshi Civil Servants from 7th – 10th, December, 2009 to expose the participants to measures taken towards enhancing citizen-friendly governance in India.
10th October, 2009 marked the 4th anniversary of the passing of the Right To Information Act (2005). In commemmoration of this landmark, PAC in association with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, CIVIC, CREAT and KRIA KATTE organised a discussion forum evaluating the implementation and impact of the Act.
The key findings from “Study of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Initiatives on Universalisation of Elementary education in Karnataka with special reference to concerns of Quality and Equity” were presented to the SSA directorate and UNICEF on 30th April 2009, at the state project office, Bangalore.
The survey organized by Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness covered more than 3000 households in the City. Unfortunately, the report concluded that government agencies are apathetic towards the diseased state of water management in the city and have failed to build awareness about preserving water.
Public Affairs Centre organized an Open house programme for Friends of PAC on 29th November 2007. After PAC shifted from Koramangala to the new campus in Bommasandra late in 2006, many of our regular friends and visitors were unable to keep in touch due to the distance and traffic. This programme was arranged to facilitate the first visit for most of them. The large turn out representing enthusiastic CMCA volunteers and members of different Resident’s Welfare Associations from across the city was very encouraging. A few families of staff participated in the event together with members of the Kenyan delegation attending a Public Affairs Foundation workshop.
The Citizens Against Corruption project of PAC with PTF was launched on October 15, 2008 through the dissemination of a Call for Proposals to over 1000 CSOs and NGOs involved with advocacy and rights realisation in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Call invites proposals to curb corruption in government services through the use of the RTI Act (in India) and with the assistance of community organisations. The Call has received an overwhelming response; about 150 initial concept notes have been received. The concepts are currently under review and shortlisted NGOs will be contacted soon for follow up activity on proposal development.
Bangalore is a rapidly growing city facing a tremendous strain on our solid waste management systems. With the volume of waste generated by households and bulk generators such as commercial establishments, choultries and hotels rapidly increasing, the BBMP and other stakeholders face the daunting task of keeping our city clean and safe. Added to this, is the exploding volume of hazardous waste from hospitals, nursing homes and clinics and electronic waste. Our city has a unique door-to-door waste collection system that aims at eliminating roadside bins.
October 29, 2008 marked a key transition date for Public Affairs Centre. After serving the Board of Directors for 14 years as Founder Directors, three members stepped down from the Board of PAC, including the Founder Chairperson, Dr. Samuel Paul. To recognize and appreciate the contributions of the founding members who have retired and those who still continue to serve in the PAC Board, the staff and well wishers of the Centre organized an event at the PAC campus. The function was chaired by the new Chairman of PAC, Justice M.N. Venketachaliah. Mementoes were given to Dr. Samuel Paul, Prof. Manubhai Shah, Prof. KRS Murthy, and Mr. P.P. Madappa. A memento was presented in absentia to Mr. T.R. Satish Chandran. A special memento was also presented to Mr. MR Jaishankar for his support and guidance in developing the new campus of the Centre. The gathering included PAC Board Members, members of the PAC Annual General Body, partners and staff. Special homage was paid to the contributions of two founding directors, Dr. Kamla Chowdhury and Mr. Rohinton Aga, whose untimely deaths robbed the Centre of great sources of support and inspiration.
Dr. Gopakumar Thampi - PAC's new director.
Our electoral system desperately needs improvement! To this end, civil society organizations and concerned citizens from Bangalore and around India have banded together to cleanse and rehabilitate the democratic process in this country. One such initiative began on a clear day in Bangalore at Yavanika, on December 8th 2007, where Sri T.N. Seshan, former Chief election Commissioner, launched the major Citizen’s initiative called “Vote Bengaluru” to abolish the farcical vote-bank politics and usher in issue-based and clean elections in our country. This event spearheaded by Public Affairs Centre, Citizens’ Action Forum (CAF), Citizens’ Voluntary Initiative for the City (CIVIC), Karnataka Kolageri Nivasigala Samyuktha Sanghatane (KKNSS), and Swabhimana rose on a promising key-note address marked by wit and humor for which he is well-known, Mr. Seshan urged everyone to join hands and support Vote Bengaluru. He released the Brochure giving information on the campaign thereafter.
As a first step towards having clean electoral rolls and polls, Vote Bengaluru’s (VB) volunteers from various resident welfare associations in the city have carried out an analysis of the latest electoral rolls of selected polling booths in Bangalore (published on 18.02.08). On 26th Feb 2008, the last date for submitting objections to the latest rolls, VOTE Bengaluru members submitted a report highlighting the fundamental errors that exist in the rolls published on 18.02.08 to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer - Karnataka for remedial actions.
An election with flawed Voter’s Rolls is a mockery of Democracy…… In view of this, on Monday 31st March 2008, Vote Bangalore protested against the inaccurate electoral rolls, at Mahatma Gandhi statue near MG road from 10.30 am to 12 noon.
On December 2nd - 3rd PAC was invited to attend a workshop in Colombo on Communication for Policy Impact.
The Times of India has carried an article today on PAC's SSA study