Prakash and Mandakini Amte win the Magsaysay Award for 2008

Baba Amte's son and daughter-in-law, Prakash Amte and Mandakini Amte have won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for the year 2008 for their work in the field of social development.

Vivek Deshpande writes this article in The Indian Express:

The honour came in recognition of the work the doctor couple has been doing for the tribals at Bhamragarh in the thickly-wooded, Naxal-infested corner of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, where they have established a hospital and school, and, according to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation in Manila, Philippines, have enhanced the “capacity of the Madia Gonds to adapt positively in today’s India, through healing and teaching and other compassionate interventions.”

In fact, Prakash has also won the Venu Menon Award for wildlife conservation in the year 2000.

Read the complete article here.

Students and greener pastures

Our education system, so far, hasn't quite given the focus on environment and its sustainability. There are passing references, yes, but nothing that stirs a responsibility towards a better and cleaner earth.

However, the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) is hoping to change that perception. Anupam Bhagria writes in this article at the Indian Express about a new 'Green School Project':

Students of government schools will now be reviewing their school environment and biodiversity under the ‘Green School Project’. They will be maintaining a proper record and compile a report under the guidance of a school nodal officer, who will forward it to the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi.

On December 18, the top twenty schools securing more than 70 per cent marks will be awarded a “Green Certificate”, schools with 55 to 60 per cent will get a “Yellow Certificate”, schools 50 to 60 per cent will get an “Orange Certificate” and those with 35 to 50 per cent will get a “Red Certificate”.

And what do the teachers have to say to this?

Kusum Lata, Science teacher at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, and school nodal officer for this project said, “The aim behind this workshop is to raise awareness among students about the environment and biodiversity. We will involve senior students of class IX and XI as well. Classes X and XII students will be kept out for their Board examinations. Students will be trained to keep a record of the various data and evaluate them accordingly. They can seek the help of teachers if needed.”

Another interesting factor is that the students will also be keeping a tab on how much energy their school consumes. This includes recording of water consumption and LPG consumption in the cafeterias. A great way to instill a sense of giving back to mother nature. And in this case, the students are bound to work for a greener grass on their side.

Read the complete article here.

Narmada Panchayat Officials Contribute to Educate Orphans

Shubhlakshmi Shukla writes this article titled 'Narmada panchayat officials don role of orphans’ parent' in the Indian Express.

In this article, she states that over 100 officials working at the Narmada District Panchayat office have decided to contribute towards the education of 175 orphans in that area. This project is termed as Shanta Sukhai which translates to Self Satisfaction.

Excerpts:

From Monday onwards, all the orphans will be admitted to the district's 13 grant-in-aid schools. The district office will provide them with the stationary. At present, around Rs 1.75 lakh are collected by the district Panchayat officials.

District Development Officer (DDO) B C Chaudhary said: “Of the 175 children, mostly are in the age group of five to six years and a few are teenagers. One girl, Gita Gadhvi, will be admitted to the first-year BA course. We might also widen the project by providing financial help to the girls for their marriage after they complete their education.”

Read the complete article here.