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WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMMORROW
The last decade has seen the growth of a catalyst for
change - Non Government Organisations (NGOs). In Hyderabad
too, NGOs and Voluntary Organisations are actively working
for the rights of street children, animals and women.
We have taken a closer look at some NGOs, each involved
in a different area, each doing their bit for a better
world.
REACHING OUT TO
WOMEN - ASMITA
 Asmita
is an organisation made of women, by women, for women.
Started in 1992, it is a registered society with a general
body which consists of representatives from different
levels of society, various cultures and religions.
Legal aid and counselling for women in distress
It is a centre for information on local, national, regional
and international campaigns by women and human rights
groups. Its primary objectives are to provide advice
and legal help, and intervene in situations of domestic
violence.Counselling at the centre takes place throughout
the week, with lawyers sitting in every Saturday.
Training Workshops and Seminars
It organises meetings, workshops and seminars on various
issues in collaboration with different organisations.
Its Self Help for Women's Health, a training
programme in reproductive healthcare for urban and rural
poor women, has been conducted with women who assist
with birth in rural Andhra Pradesh.
Asmita has worked with the women of the Addagutta
slum for the past four years, organising sangams, savings,
thrift and credit programmes, literacy classes, coaching
classes for girls, and leadership training. Its activities
are also carried out in the Sultan Shahi area of the
old city, where the focus is on strengthening educational
opportunities. Workshops on talaq and education have
been held. The organisation has also facilitated the
translation of textbooks into Urdu.
Campaigns and Networking
Asmita has campaigned for women's rights,
voter education that is sensitive to women's interests,
and violence against domestic workers, creating issue-based
capsules of information for widespread dissemination
and popular education.
Outreach
Asmita organises regular Mahila Chaitanya
Jatras in rural areas for the awakening of women,
connecting the issue of women's subordination to their
everyday reality. Themes include family and public violence,
the status of the girl child, child marriage, political
participation and panchayati raj, human rights and reproductive
health.
Research, Documentation and Publication
In collaboration with Women's World Organisation for
Rights, Literature and Development, Asmita seeks
to explore the issue of gender-based censorship with
Indian women engaged in creative writing in different
languages, and to see how this invalidates women's experience
and excludes them from political discourse.
Asmita expects to soon bring out a centenary
volume celebrating the women who contributed significantly
to Andhra Pradesh. It is also working on the production
of a 12-episode video capsule on the critical areas
of concern, to be telecast soon.
Cultural programmes
Asmita uses the medium of drama, music and dance
to subvert the effects of culture in gendering society.
Its recent ballet, "War and Peace," in traditional
Kuchipudi style, traces the violence of war from a woman's
perspective. Traditional figures like Sita, Surpanaka,
Draupadi and Madhavi air their views about partition.
The ballet ends with a hymn to peace.
Address: 10-3-96, Plot 283, 4th floor,
Teachers' Colony, East Marredpally, Secunderabad - 500
026, Phone:773 3251, 773 3229, 773 3745,
E-mail: asmita@hd1.vsnl.net.in
VOICE TO THE
VOICELESS - BLUE CROSS OF HYDERABAD
The Blue Cross of Hyderabad is a voluntary animal
welfare organisation dedicated to caring for animals
and motivating respect for the earth and all living
creatures. It was founded in August 1992 by Amala Akkineni
and Nagarjuna together with a small group of animal
lovers.
The Blue Cross believes that "all animals are
sentient beings and whether they are used in the production
of food, science, sport, education, entertainment or
transport, they have the right to food, shelter, rest
and freedom from cruelty." Their activities centre around
animal care and animal rights. They are also involved
in creating awareness among the general public through
talks, slide shows, video shows and newsletters. Besides
this, they work towards sensitising people about the
environment.
The Blue Cross started out in a very small way
in a tiny room at the Government Veterinary Hospital,
Shantinagar, by providing veterinary services for the
immediate care of those animals that were sick, injured,
destitute, dying or abandoned on the streets. Since
then it has come a long way. A dedicated staff including
a doctor efficiently runs their shelter and ambulance
service. In addition, they receive the voluntary services
of skilled veterinarians. They also run a mobile clinic,
pet adoption and rehoming services, sterilisation and
immunisation programmes, and rescue and rehabilitation
of animals.
The Blue Cross welcomes voluntary work but insists
on a commitment of at least three hours once or twice
a week. They even have a 2-day certificate course to
train volunteers. Their membership charges are as follows
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Life membership: Rs. 500.00
Annual membershipRs 200.00
Child membershipRs. 200.00
Family membershipRs.1000.00
Corporate membershipRs 5000.00
Address: 403/9, Road No. 35, Jubilee
Hills, Hyderabad- 500 033, Phone: 354
4355/354 5523,
Emergency Helpline (after office hours):
843264
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