ICA Events 2009
ICA hosted an inspiring talk by development activist and social entrepreneur Ravi Gulati of Manzil, on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Ravi was was also honored at Stanford University, and received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for his contribution to society.
To support ICA partner RSSO (Ruchika Social Service Organization), ICA conducted Ruchika Dance Expose 2009 on Feb 1st (yes, on Superbowl day!).
In late February, ICA launched InsPIRE’s 2009 programs: InSPIRE College, a 5-week long summer program for those between the ages of 18 and 24, who are genuinely interested in exploring themselves and India. (June 26 to August 2, 2009); InSPIRE Young Professional, a 2-week long program for those between the ages of 25 and 35, who are looking to re-evaluate their aspirations and find meaningful ways to interact with India. (July 3 to July 17, 2009); and InSPIRE Family, a 2-week long program for families that would like to deepen their connection with India, with service, and with each other. (July 3 to July 17, 2009). video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIZj9BNrn90
ICA Honoree Dr. Sudarshan receives the Health Foundatio Award on March 29, 2009
ICA team provided and served a series of breakfast to the homeless on April 18, May 16, September 19, October 17, 2009
ICA supported a talk by Balaji Sampath organized by AID on quality education for India. ICa has been a major supporter of Balaji’s innovative work in India.
ICA Annual Retreat August 8-8 in Olema, CA combined with cleanup service after Gandhi Camp.
ICA participates and plays a leading role in the First Sevathon 2009 organized by the ICC, celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday in October 2009.
Talk by Sanju Kumar of Samruddhi project on August 30.
ICA supports Flood Relief efforts in Andhra and Karnataka, working with Kannada Kootam of Northern California
ICA Annual Dinner November 1, honoring SR Hiremath, Dr. Nilima Sabharwal, and InSPIRE
ICA supports Jaipur Foot Camp Dec 23 thru Jan 9 in Palitana, Gujarat, lead by Naginbhai Jagada
ICA supported three Women Fellows for the Global Women Leadership program at Santa Clara University, and organized a talk by them on December 12: Aditi Kaur of Mountain Children’s Forum (MCF)
Dehradun, helping young people improve their lives by giving them a voice and a role in the development of their communities. Ashwini Jog, of Pune: Creating awareness and generating demand in the society for composting and recycling waste for environmentally sound solid waste management solutions, and Sudaroli Ramasamy, of International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC) Chennai: Helping rebuild lives damaged by abusive family relationships and to facilitate the process of self-empowerment for women survivors of family violence.
2008 Events and News
- ICA Core Team held a holiday potluck dinner on Saturday, January 5, 2008.
- Mr. D.R. Mehta of Jaipur Foot Factory, ICA 2007 Honoree received India’s second highest civilian Padmabhushan award from Government of India on 26 January, 2008.
- Joe Maidath, the Executive Director of Gram Vikas gave a talk on Sunday, February 10, 2008. For nearly 3 decades, Gram Vikas has been doing outstanding work in Orissa in water, sanitation, and village development. Joe was an outstanding speaker and has won numerous Indian and international service awards from the likes of the Skoll Foundation, Schwab Foundation, Tech Museum and many many more. Joe also showed Rahul Brown’s short film about Gram Vikas’ work, and it was an enlivening evening.
- ICA mourned the death of noted social activist Murlidhar Devidas alias Baba Amte on February 9, 2008. Baba Amte was a “saint” and a “true Gandhian” who committed his life to the welfare of the destitute. ICA has been supporting projects initiated by his son in the Tribal areas of Maharashtra.
- ICA announces the ICA-InSPIRE Youth Summer program 2008. Rahul Brown, Raj Kanani, Netika Raval gave a talk on March 9, 2008, at the India Community Center. They talked about experiencing India through the program, inspiring us and showed films and slides and shared their personal stories and how they pushed their own limits through the program.
- ICA holds a meeting with Dr.Balaji Sampath and members of AID (Association for India’s Development), at the San Jose Peace Center, on Sunday, March 23, 2008. Dr.Sampath, an AID Fellow with AID India at Chennai, has for the past 12 years been working in the areas of education and health in rural India. Ica and AID are jointly supporting his projects.
- ICA expands the InSPIRE Youth program to also include a Family Program component to enable younger people to benefit from program with their families. (Unmesh has details)
- ICA in association with Stanford University Center for South Asia and Maitri arranged a talk with Ms. Madhu Kishwar, the founder of Manushi Sangathan, on April 20, 2008. The subject of the riveting and thought-provoking presentation was, “Laws, Liberty and Livelihood: The Need for a Bottom Up Agenda of Economic Reforms.” The presentation focused on the absurd laws and regulations governing the livelihoods of two of the most visible and numerically large groups of urban self-employed poor–street vendors and cycle rickshaw pullers. It showed how needless bureaucratic controls trap the hard working poor in a web of illegality, and make them victims of extortion rackets. Madhu also addressed the ICA group at our monthly ICA meeting
- ICA participated in the ICC Community Partner’s Community Day on May 18, 2008 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
- Noted Indian Activist S. R. Hiremath addressed the ICA at the monthly meeting on May 31, 2008, on the need to save the Ganges and protect the Bhagirithi River, and the fast by Dr. G. D. Agarwal.
- ICA participated in the talk on Participatory Environmentalism by Mr. C. Jayakumar, arranged by AID on June 16, 2008.
- ICA holds a reception and talk by the first ICA fellow joined by two other women from India on Tuesday July 29, 2008. (Lata has details)
- Prakash and Mandakini Amte, recipients of ICA grants were selected for the prestigious Magsaysay Award 2008.
- ICA held its annual retreat on August 9-10, 2008 at the Vedanta Society Olema Retreat and provided Clean-up service for Gandhi Camp.
- ICA held its Annual Award Dinner on September 28, 2008 at the ICC Banquet Hall, honoring Ms. Madhu Kishwar and Mr. Nipun Mehta, and also recognized the past services of long-term Ica activist, Mr. Krishan Jindal.
- ICA supports the Bihar Flood Relief and Flodd prevention initiatives.
- ICA Honoree Sushma Iyengar staged a coup of sorts by getting the Tatas to agree to work in partnership with her Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS), in relocating the Tata Nano factory to Kutch region. A unique feature of the partnership will be the assembly of the car by women Self Help Groups (SHGs) belonging to the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, a leading constituent of the Abhiyan. The SHGs are planning to form a “producer company” that will help assemble these cars and supply them to Tata Motors. Asked about the capacity of rural women with no previous manufacturing experience to produce cars, Alka Jani of KMVS responded, “Nothing is impossible for our Kutch women.”
- ICA mourns the loss of our dear friend Mrs. Sarah Kailath, who passed away on October 15, 2008. Sarah was a philanthropist, a long-time ICA supporter and the founder of “Unnathi” dedicated to helping those most in need in India, and where this help will lead to progress. ICA has instituted a fellowship award in Mrs Sarah Kailath’s name, to honor her memory and her work. (Lata may wish to add better wording)
- ICA launched an initiative to help victims of the Mumbai Terror Attack. Rajendra Kadam, a long-time Mumbaikar led the effort. The funds will be used to promote communal harmony in Mumbai, as the victim’s families have been well taken care of by Mumbaikars in India.
- ICA held a New Years Eve party for ICA Core group, December 31, 2008.
