Child Rights and YOU...

CRY honoured with the Gold Standard Award for NGO Engagement

2012-01-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

The Gold Standard Award for NGO Engagement identifies excellence in NGO engagement with external groups. It applies to domestic and international NGOs operating in Asia Pacific or to Asian NGOs operating overseas. The winners of this award have achieved "Gold Standard" in their strategic engagement with government, business or civil society.Read more about why CRY was chosen for this

FULL-Fight Undernourishment Little by Little.

2012-01-13T04:08:00.000-08:00

FULL-Fight Undernourishment Little by Little aims at giving 18,000 children a healthy, wholesome future, by activating healthcare centres, providing nutrition supplements and building health-awareness amongst women and children in India.Shaheen, Sahiba, Shameem and Soni are among 13 severely malnourished girls in Dhannipur, a village in Varanasi. They weigh so little and are so weak that even a

Bal Sawaal, Bal Dhamaal- CRY's initiative to share the voices of children.

2012-01-11T02:17:00.000-08:00

My name is Priya Patil and I work as General Manager, Resource Mobilisation at CRY - Child Rights and You. I write to you today to thank you for what you have made possible by supporting CRY.As a celebration of children's achievements, on 14th November,2011 CRY hosted 'Bal Sawaal. Bal Dhamaal' in Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru. Here, children from various CRY-supported projects

Poem by the CRY team.

2012-01-02T05:13:00.000-08:00

Our dream for children, we share today - to live, to learn, to grow and play.For all, a happy, healthy childhood we seek.No matter how young, no matter how meekOur dream for children, we share today - to live, to learn, to grow and play.For each, good education is a must,A school and good teachers is right and just.Our dream for children, we share today - to live, to learn, to grow and play.

Run to Make Change that stays!

2012-01-02T03:11:00.000-08:00

Started in 2004, the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon brings together people from all walks of life with the common mission to 'Run for a Cause'. Over the years CRY’s focus has been ensuring every child his/her right to education, and the right to learn, play and grow to his/her full potential. Thousands of supporters have pledged their support and joined in our endeavour, by running for

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T00:51:00.000-08:00

Support CRY by getting involved through various ways: Donating,Campaigning,Working with CRY, Volunteering, Internships or buying CRY products and much more. Join CRY in ensuring lasting change for all the children.Get in touch, Get involved. Share your views with us on the following platforms:Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on LinkedinFollow us on Google+Follow us on Youtube.

CRY employees visit the Kalapandhari Magasvargiya and Adivasi Gramin Vikas Sanstha project.(KMAGVS)

2011-12-27T23:08:00.000-08:00

A bunch of CRY employees visited the KMAGVS project,Latur in August. We learnt about the innovative ways of the KMAGVS to bring about development and create an environment that is enriching and positive. We also interacted with the children of that region and the representatives of the Kalapandhari Magaswargiya and Adiwasi Gramin Vikas Sanstha.(KMAGVS)The CRY team visited 3 communities; each of

Work with CRY!

2011-12-27T03:33:00.000-08:00

How would you like to - manage a brand that encompasses FMCG, financial services and BtoB categories. Provide venture funding to grassroots-level projects across 18 Indian states. Negotiate strategic alliances with media and corporate brands. Initiate start-ups and joint-ventures in key overseas markets. Shape government policy. Manage a significant investment portfolio and ensure the highest

CRY announces 'The National Child Rights Research Fellowship' 2012-2013.

2011-12-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

In 2007, CRY - Child Rights and You, awarded the first National Child Rights Research Fellowships to six individuals. The idea was to provide an opportunity for Indians willing to invest time and creative energy to explore in some depth, the question what is in the best interest of children. In all, 10 fellowships were on offer.There have been a number of applications from smaller towns and rural

Butterfly Butterfly

2011-12-01T01:31:00.000-08:00

Butterfly Butterfly Fly in the SkyButterfly ButterflyFly in the Sky..Even you are smallIn this big world,If you will tryCertainly you can fly..Emulation is thereHorizons are high,But if you have desireIndeed you can fly...You may winOr you may be in-betweenOr you may not be ‘in’But enjoy your every flyWithout any cry...If you are not lazy and shyIn taking progressive fly,Then one day you will

CRY's Impact

2011-09-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

CRY - Child Rights and You (CRY) is an Indian organisation that believes in every child’s right to a childhood - to live, learn, grow and play. For over 30 years, CRY along with its grassroots level partners have worked with parents and communities to ensure Lasting Change in the lives of more than 20,00,000 underprivileged children in India.CRY’s work is based on the approach of understanding

CP in CP (Child Participation in Chillar Party)

2011-08-02T03:18:00.000-07:00

CP in CP (Child participation in Chillar Party)Chillar Party is a delightful watch. A low budget, child focused movie was an absolutely pleasure to watch. Press release and review of Chillar Party has stated film to be of a ‘gang of innocent but feisty baccha log’, ‘a low budget hit’ and a ‘must watch for children as well as adults’. But there is certainly a lot more to this movie. One has to see

NetIP North America and CRY America Alliance

2011-06-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

NetIP North America and CRY America are alliance partners.Click here for more details.

Tender hands

2011-05-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

Tender Hands -By Madhulika Rao Volunteer-CRYI am a little boy of sixSelling plastic toys from door to doorI wander in grey unknown cinderblock neighbourhoods,Just to earn rupees fourI am a little boy of eightA determined voice in me saysI just have to earn more todaySo that baba can pay off his debtI am a little boy of nineI yearn for ma’s love and to play with toysI yearn to read and

Is it fair to distribute public money like this?

2011-04-20T01:52:00.000-07:00

Team India's World Cup is brimming over with state largesse. Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Punjab have been quick to reach into their pockets as netas announce they are gifting cash, plots of land to MS Dhoni's men. But, some taxpayers are asking where the money is coming from. Investigation finds that much of the money is coming from the state education

Bright Light.....

2011-03-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

It was the first time, a tribal village - Fulsar of Dediyapada Taluka, Narmada District, Gujarat will experience power of electricity.When i think my life without electricity I see myself climbing 12 floors of my apartment, drinking 'makta' water, not making fancy dishes with microwave, reading in candle light and reading books and not using internet, writing manually and not using any software,

Sometimes ‘Not Giving’ is the Right Thing to Do

2011-03-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes ‘Not Giving’ is the Right Thing to Do: Sahil Shah, Volunteer, Child Rights and YouThe other day I was sitting in a taxi to go to work. I was reading the newspaper to increase my awareness about the atrocities carried out by Hosni Mubarak in Egypt for the past 30 years. At that moment, a hand started knocking on the window. It was a small girl, carrying a younger child, asking for spare

Why Public Good is Better

2011-03-11T02:28:00.000-08:00

The image is from a school in Himayatnagar, Latur, Maharashtra. This is the only school for miles around. And it is just a primary school. But for the people in the village, it is their lifeline. Sending each child to a nieghbouring village's private school is not just expensive (this government schools is free) but it's unsafe: so girls drop out. Have you thought about this: just how much

Ten Corporate Teams ‘Play for Good’

2011-03-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ten of the city’s top corporations sent teams of 44 members each to compete in the CRY Cadence Corporate Citizenship Challenge in Bangalore. The multiple sporting events were held at Clarks Exotica on February 26th, 2011. This event is a unique way for companies and their employees to renew their commitment to ensuring that all children in India have a happy, secure childhood for generations to

From Field - January/February 2011

2011-02-13T20:30:00.000-08:00

On 29th January'11, Saturday where I am usually off work, I received a phone call from coordinator of one of our Partner Organization informing that a 5 year-old girl has been raped. This unfortunate incidence occurred on 26th January'11 in the Program intervention area where CRY supports partner organization - Sahyog Charitable Trust's intervention in Vatva, Ahmedabad.Agony, angst, frustration,

Child Rights and YOU...: Project visit to Satna

2011-01-02T23:53:00.000-08:00

Child Rights and YOU...: Project visit to Satna: "I would like to term this visit to the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh as an eye opener of sorts and bringing me face to face with realities ..."

Project visit to Satna

2010-11-17T02:30:00.000-08:00

I would like to term this visit to the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh as an eye opener of sorts and bringing me face to face with realities of life in rural India. Though would not negate that it left me disturbed and depressed but has also helped me value life much more.The people of Mawasi tribes in Kiray Pokhri and Brah Mawana villages are basically agricultural farmers who have been shunted

I want, I want, I want...

2010-10-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

A common refrain we hear from our world around us in urban India - "I want lesser pollution & dust in the air I breathe"; "I wish the traffic would disappear"; "I want the water supply to be 24/7"; "I must go on a holiday abroad this year"...blah. All of us have been guilty of griping about our lives sometime or the other, if not on a daily basis.Meet the 'Maldharis' (owners of livestock) of

Children victims of meagre wages

2010-08-10T03:35:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: Thousands of crores may have been spent on setting up venues and the village for Commonwealth Games, but the men who actually lay the brick do not even get enough wages to afford one square meal for the family every day.A study by Child Rights and You (CRY) at the Siri Fort construction site has revealed 84% labourers are paid much less than the stipulated minimum wage of Rs 203 per

Majboor Kisko Bola!

2010-07-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

A BBC World Service Trust Programme on bonded labourBandhua village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradeshhas an infamous claim to fame. The village name, which literally means bonded in Hindi, owes its origin to the fact that all its residents were bonded labourers about 20 years ago.Despite being abolished in 1976, bonded labour still exists in India. It is a form of labour that

7 food majors pledge responsible advertising

2010-07-19T01:17:00.000-07:00

Seven major food and beverage companies have signed a unique pledge committing themselves to responsible advertising and marketing to children. This is the first such self-regulatory pledge in India on the lines of the one in the European Union.According to people familiar with the development, companies which have become signatories to the pledge are Indian subsidiaries of global majors such as

Campaign to encourage parents to enroll kids in BMC schools

2010-07-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know that every child in a BMC-run school is covered by a health insurance scheme? Or the fact that the BMC spends about Rs 25,000 per year per child? Also, that the BMC’s rules stipulate that it has to provide 27 items to every child free including shoes, school bag, tiffin box and even a raincoat.For probably the first time ever, citizens have now taken to the streets trying to get

Those faces...

2010-06-15T02:29:00.000-07:00

(written by Krishna, a CRY Mumbai volunteer)My sole reason to sit among these children is to learn what goes on in their mind. What causes them to grow up so fast and look at this world through those oceanic abyss eyes?Last Saturday on Anti Child Labour day, I was once again among them. Almost all those faces were new for me, but within 2 hours they become so close that I can close my eyes and

A photographer's perspective by Kaushal Parikh

2010-04-20T01:27:00.000-07:00

I always wonder whether the work NGOs do actually has any concrete constructive results. And as I head off to a village in Allahabad with CRY the same concern niggles at my consciousness.As a photographer, the CRY Sanchetna project is fascinating. But as a person, it is a revelation. The project touches me on various levels – the harsh conditions people live in, the stark poverty they deal with,

Analysis of the budget by volunteers

2010-04-20T01:09:00.000-07:00

Siba Sankar Mohanty of the Wada Na Todo Abhiyan recently wrote about the failure of the UPA government to deliver on its promise of increased quality expenditure in the social sector, in the budget of 2010-11The Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said, "The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 creates a framework for legal entitlements for all children in the age group

A Moment Of Thought To Spare Upon...

2010-03-26T23:18:00.000-07:00

"Pardesi…Pardesi jana nahi…… muje chodke….muje chodke………”,like this, they go on singing non-stop, from one end to another.And hey…they have background music too.Not the kind that you think.Not the kind that man invented,but standard instruments that man hadn’t thought of during the Flintstone age- two pebbles or two pieces of a wood are all what they use and the music it creates is so loud and

Child Suicides: What Can We Do? By Tanya Goveas

2010-03-17T01:45:00.000-07:00

Eleven year old reality star kills self… HSC girl ends life as family steps out to the market… 21 suicides in a month… Fed up with life, teen kills self on parent’s anniversary..These are not incidents happening in distant places, but are a shocking reality of cities such as Mumbai. The fact that instances of suicides are on the rise is disturbing enough. But what is truly deplorable is that

“Will not allow child abuse to continue!”

2010-03-12T03:21:00.000-08:00

In January this year, residents of Devenandapur, a village in Hooghly, West Bengal, found an 11 years old girl hiding near a basement. If anyone so much as approached her, the girl screamed. As a crowd gathered, someone contacted the NGO Praajak, a CRY partner.Little by little, the story tumbled out of the frightened child. My name is Moina , she said. I ran away from home because my mother and

On Volunteering

2010-03-12T03:03:00.000-08:00

By Lara ShankarWhat does volunteering mean? Does it mean going to your local NGO (non government organisation) to help do their work or add value to their programs by teaching children or beautifying their work place? Usually we approach an NGO, we see them doing ‘good work’ and we join to ‘help’. We thus continue to forget our role in society. And that is to fight against injustice. Do we, as

2010-02-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

This is what Sukanta Chaudhuri thinksWhat do YOU think?

Going to School With Pushpa

2010-02-12T02:48:00.000-08:00

“I wake up each morning looking forward to another day at school,” says Pushpa, a lively 10 years-old from the village of Kumiapalli, Orissa. “Our teacher tells us about a lot of new things that I had no idea about. It’s as if she is opening up new windows for me to look out through. Me and my friends have a lot of

Freeing Mahendra

2010-02-02T03:03:00.000-08:00

Freeing MahendraMahendra Rajak was 6 when his family work pulled him in to work in the stone quarry where his father, mother and other siblings worked. Along with other children his age, Mahendra broke stones at the quarry in Geenj village of Allahabad district, where extreme poverty often pushes children to work. “School was some place other children went, not children like us,” recalls Mahendra

Yes, she can!

2010-01-13T00:37:00.000-08:00

In Jharkhand, Anita Marande firmly told the Divisional Commissioner, “If children are given proper opportunities, we can do anything!” Any guesses as to where Anita is from? No, she is not from a plush, urban school. Anita was 13, and comes from the Baikaria tribe. She lives with an old tribal person from a remote village of Jharkhand, India. Till a few years back, the 22 families living in the

We (children) too have rights.

2010-01-12T03:15:00.000-08:00

We (children) too have rights.Where there are only 07 ICDS centres to cater 5000 huts from 5 pocket of slum in Sub Urban Mumbai and also the distance from the slum pockets to the nearest BMC School, it becomes really difficult to get a space and quality education as well as adequate facility for children like Chenya. Also where the situation of parents is such that there is no surety of even

The View from Gadchiroli

2010-01-12T01:44:00.000-08:00

We are in Chandrapur: Rediscovered tehsil headquarters, wannabe city. The town-to-be sits leeringly at the edge of Gadchiroli, Vidharba’s beleaguered tribal district. We are here to join CRY’s team which is on an annual evaluation reporting visit with three ‘partners’, CRY-speak for activists and small NGOs that CRY helps to grow into fully-sledged NGO: Able to gather funds and resources for

Should you be forced to pay for what should come free?

2009-10-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Children’s education is a major chunk of household expense…and most Indians can’t afford private school fees. All this when education is a RIGHT – an entitlement.The new Right to Education Act seeks to achieve just this…Perfect? Not really. Half of India’s children are left out of the Act…And it is not backed by enough funds. Now, if only the government could include pre-primary and high school

The Girl Child in India

2009-09-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

She has only half as good a chance as her brothers at good healthcare, at enrolling in school, at not dropping out by Class 5. She is as interested in sports the same as the boys, she likes her dolls but is not beholden to become a mother and wife. In fact she wants to spend her childhood like any other child – well-cared for, fed, educated, protected, and heard. 24th September is celebrated as

CRY Launched Photo Signature Campaign to Send Children to School, Not to Work

2009-06-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

Officers from Sarva Siksha Abhiyan pose for the CRY photo signature campaignToday – on World Anti Child Labour Day, CRY launched a year-long campaign to ‘Send children to school, not work’. CRY sent out a placard “Children should go to school, not work” to supporters on online portals. The invite is to get as many people as possible to pose with the placard in as creative a manner as possible and

A story I got from Pakistan "Are we Different ? "

2009-06-11T00:57:00.001-07:00

Life Story: NadeemNadeem is a 9 year old boy who works as an apprentice weaver for a wealthy man named Sadique. Nadeem's father is Mirza, a 30 year old brick worker. Sadique is describing the "advantages" his son will "enjoy" in his job position. "I've admired your boy for several months," Sadique says. "Nadeem is bright and ambitious. He will learn far more practical skills in six months at the

2009-06-09T01:57:00.000-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung9 June, 2009The ‘Kelaghgh dam’ is the most beautiful dam constructed on Chhinda river in Simdega district of Jharkhand situated at a distance of 4 km from the district headquarter. It is the best tourist place in the district with lovely water dam surrounded by multiple hills which attracts tourists very much. There is a plateau in the dam where a small and beautiful park

Sugarcane Cutters in Marathwada

2009-05-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

By Shirish KhareAs the train heads to Mumbai from Marathwada, the air resonates with the ever-so-familiar poem from school, ‘Shikari aata hai, jaal failata hai. Daane ka lobh dikhata hai, lekin hamein jaal mein naïf fasna chahiye. The poem takes on a new meaning in Marathwada though: there are tales galore of the predator and prey here.According to Government statistics, sugarcane production here

Silence of the Lambs

2009-04-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESSIt is unlikely that anybody (except pathological paedophiles) would consciously act against the interest of the child. It is simply against nature. But what is extremely likely is that unknowingly and unintentionally all of us can end up gravely injuring the interest of the child. Ironically, even when harm has been done in the regard, in all likelihood it would still

A Ray of hope in Colourful Globalisation

2009-04-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

A Ray of hope in Colourful Globalisationby-Ashim Kumar Ghosh"There is a need of reflection and refraction of ray of hope (values) in society, after then society will look like colourful prism"When I visited to Jharsuguda district of Orissa, really I got stuck with the future of children in tribal sub-urban and rural areas. How the collective and commune culture of Kharia tribe are badly distorted

Play for CRY

2009-02-18T21:57:00.000-08:00

6 weeks, 3 games and one cause... www.playforcry.org, tackles the serious and urgent issue of child rights violations through a series of three games -- Crossword, Sudoku and Hangman. Each game will run for two weeks. By playing the game you get points – for donations and invitations to friends. The more you score, the higher your chances of winning. If you require more information write to CRY

CRY's 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner, Detroit Chapter

2008-11-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

As ten of us volunteers sat down for some Mutter Paneer and Noodles, one of us confessed "Guys, really, I don't bring this up often, but volunteering is such a great feeling. I never thought I would do it but I did and I love this feeling. I love this feeling."This feeling.The day started with each one of us waking up with this feeling, looking forward to the day that belonged to children

Betrayed innocence

2008-08-29T01:59:00.000-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung29 August, 2008Adivasis are mostly victimized in the development process in India but they are still untouched of development even after 61 years of Indian independence. The three buzz words – compensation, rehabilitation and development are widely propagated during the land acquisition for dams, industries, mining companies, power plants and other development projects but one

CRY WALK, Detroit Chapter

2008-08-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

At the spur of dawn, dozens of volunteers dressed in white and love for humanity ran around with sheets of papers, posters, ribbons and tables, to make sure they welcomed the honorary walkers like they deserved.One by one, the hope bearers came, in colors, in smiles, in strength, in unity. They registered while the volunteers greeted them with smiles on behalf of every single child who was being

Clinical trials claim 49 babies at AIIMS

2008-08-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Clinical trials claim 49 babies at AIIMSClinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical formulations work on people. Each study attempts to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, and treat a diseaseNew Delhi: As many as 49 babies have died during clinical trials at the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) during the last two-and-a-half years, the

Half of State population is kids, but Budget only 15%

2008-08-06T00:04:00.001-07:00

Pioneer News Service5 August, 2008Ranchi: The Jharkhand Child Budget Analysis Report, prepared by the Campaign for Right to Education in Jharkhand (CREJ), has pointed out the harsh reality of poor priorities of the Government towards the Budget for children. Out of every rupee, only 15.11 per cent has been allocated for the children in the State Budget between 2003-04 to 2007-08. The figure is

Tricks of Trade

2008-08-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung3 August, 2008CSR, as implemented by Arcelor-Mittal in Jharkhand, is more Conspiracy for Snatching Resources than Corporate Social ResponsibilityThese days, tribals are being tricked into parting with their remaining resources in Jharkhand. Recently, the village head Fula Marandi of Amgachi village of Dumka district in Jharkhand was offered Rs. 13 lakh cash, one vehicle and Rs.

Sarkar Raj in Giridih

2008-08-03T01:39:00.000-07:00

Sarrkar Raj was the movie running in this little town in the 5 yr old state of Jharkhand and sarkar raj is the reason for where it is today.Giridih is a small town bustling with people who love to eat in a chain of food joints called Bewakuf, Bewakuf No 1, Shri Bewakuf and Maha Bewakuf. People who loved and watched the ‘family’ film Vivaah

Kids claim their rights

2008-07-29T04:19:00.001-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung30 July, 2008 The free and compulsory education is one of the constitutional rights of children and the ‘state’ is duty bound to realize it. The centre and state governments provide free textbooks, uniforms, midday meals, scholarships and other facilities to the poor children for ensuring their right to education, who cannot afford for it. But when the children of Utkramit

Playing with the future

2008-07-27T23:13:00.000-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung28 July, 2008It was 11 O’clock in the morning. 12 years old Sushil and his friends were playing “Pitto” (local game) in the school premises. They study in class 6th at Manikdih middle school of Latehar district in Jharkhand, which starts at 10 AM and gets closed at 4 PM. 137 children of adjoining villages are getting education in the school. It has a provision of 3 teachers to

Cultural Campaign for ensuring Child Rights by Child Cultural team

2008-07-17T05:17:00.001-07:00

By-Ashim Kumar GhoshCRY (Child Rights and You) in partnership with the OMRAH (Orissa Institute for Medical and Research), Cuttack, Orissa working in the rural community of the Nischintkoli Block of Asureserwar Panchayat since 10 years. OMRAH in support of CRY, initiated the work related to sensitization, awareness, formation of several community action groups, advocacy with the governance,

Poor the victim of corruption

2008-07-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung10 July, 2008“Injustice has been done to us, the bigwigs are benefited in our names and we the poor are betrayed। If I survive, I shall tell my villagers to fight against it. I shall never tolerate injustice and fight against it till my last breath”. These are the brave and inspiring words of 34 years old Adivasi Tapas Soren of Sadwaha village in Hazaribagh district of

The Tata's foul play

2008-07-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

By Gladson Dungdung1 July, 2008According to the latest report, the Tata’s lakh takiya car “Nano”, exaggerated as the people’s car is all set to roll out from Singur factory in October 2008. The “Nano” made Ratan Tata the chairman of the Tata steel, one of the top business titans in the world. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh was also quite impressed while attending the Tata

A CRY Volunteer's Own Journey

2008-07-07T01:46:00.000-07:00

My name is Adam MacGregor, and I have been a volunteer for CRY America since October of 2003, shortly after a chance meeting at a Ravi Shankar concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When I approached the CRY America booth operated by Aprajita and Ravi, the husband-and-wife team responsible for starting the Pittsburgh Action Center that night, I had no idea at the time what that simple gesture

Women Power - Project Jago, Jharkhand

2008-07-02T01:31:00.000-07:00

This was my first rural project visit and I was keenly looking forward to it. What I was not quite excited about was the long travel from Mumbai, using all modes of transport and over 12 hours of travel time we arrived in Giridhi in Jharkhand.After an introductory meeting with the project partner Baidyanath, we decided to head out next morning along with the Jago team to meet the communities.

Criminalising Activism

2008-06-23T00:03:00.000-07:00

By Gladson DungdungIf you stand with the poor, redress their grievances, raise their issues, support their causes and fight for their rights; be ready to face the consequences, because all these come under the purview of crime in democratic country like India. You can be abused, alleged, tortured, booked under the false cases and finally thrown behind the bars at anytime. A noted public health

Noted Experts: Change for India’s Forgotten Children is Possible – With the Right(s) Approach

2008-06-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

In India, the world’s largest democracy, millions of children are still denied their rights. But, this situation can change.This was the clarion call sounded at the press conference at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York by CRY - Child Rights and You America Inc. (CRY America), CRY's partner in the US on May 28th, 2008.Panelists comprising Shefali Sunderlal, President of CRY America and Dr. Niraj

60 million child labourers in India

2008-06-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

Numbers tell the sad story - an estimated 60 million child labourers in India but only 670,000 violations of the law detected in eight years and just 22,588 convictions.Behind the bland government figures are the millions of young children working in roadside eateries, slaving away in glass factories, hunched up over carpet looms or sweeping and cooking in homes in blatant violation of the Child

Henson show sparks new row

2008-06-12T00:28:00.000-07:00

Henson show sparks new row over displaying images of naked childrenCorrie Perkin June 12, 2008BILL Henson's controversial photography exhibition went on display in Sydney last night, but the fierce debate over displaying images of naked children continued to rage.Three weeks after its original launch date, the Henson exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery in inner Sydney opened its doors to invited

Expression of childhood in air waves………………

2008-05-29T02:55:00.000-07:00

By- Ashim Kumar Ghosh “MORE TUNE MORE KOTHANI”……….. I will express my view in my language, in my voice, a small child is saying in own voice to the adult society in AKASHWANI…. (Voices in Air), one of the powerful tool for mass media and mass community education in rural areas of the most backward region of Orissa and challenging the feudal society- I have a right to express and also have right

SPIN, a night hosted by CRY, Detroit

2008-05-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

The loud thuds of enthusiasm sprung from Mr. Mohan Singh's dhol while he tutored all of us on how to shake a leg or two. We carefully followed. "Make flowers with your palms and move from side to side". We all beamed high with smiles, slightly overjoyed at the idea of finally becoming Bhangra pros.SPIN started with a volunteer's creative thought and DJ Ramsy's spirit. And then, On May 10th, 2008,

Sur-Taal, CRY Detroit event

2008-04-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

This little dream was started by seven people in December 1978. This little dream called CRY. This little dream of restoring the basic rights of children. We set goals in our lives based on our dreams – world tour, huge mansion, Doctoral degree, sports car. They set goals in their lives based on their dreams – lunch tomorrow, school next year, stay alive in the next five years. Our little dream?

HIMAYATNAGAR VISIT

2008-04-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

Our Indian population is primarily young. Approximately 40% of our population is made up of children below the age of 14 years. Being dependent and voiceless, our laws and policies treat children as non-entities and ignore their responsibility to understand and provide for their needs.Our CRY partner SIPRA (Social Institute Program Rural Area) was founded by Dilip Rathod with the objective to

Rally for Right to Resources in Kerala

2008-03-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

Vibhava Avakasha Jatha – The journey from Trivandrum to KottayamMarch 4 - 8, 2008, Jana MunettamIn Kerala, Dalits, Adivasis, women, fishing communities, unorganized workers and other marginalized are being suppressed and pushed into extreme forms of deprivation and daily humiliation. Systematically keeping aside the dalits and adivasis, resources that should be equitably shared are being enjoyed

"Shikshanachi gaadi chalali..."

2008-03-11T02:12:00.000-07:00

CSS Yatra- Kamshet and Dehu Road- 1st March 2008The Mumbai Pune expressway has almost created one continuous urban stretch between these major cities of Maharashtra. And yet there are significant numbers of people, communities, settlements who are ignored/ forgotten/ overlooked or just simply rendered non-existent by the state and by those who are part of this urban image.Communities in Kamshet

If you don’t, we will !

2008-03-10T04:45:00.000-07:00

Today’s child is the foundation of the future. In India, approximately 40% of our population is made up of children under the age of 14 years.Unfortunately, being the most vulnerable members of our society, dependent and voiceless, our laws and policies ignore the responsibility to understand our children’s many needs and to provide for their well being.Our CRY partner SIPRA (Social Institute

Mass call for movement against unjust policies

2008-03-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

By Gladson DungdungRourkela, 9 March, 2008The deprived people of Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal and Manipur have declared the final struggle for regaining their ownership rights over land, forest, water and mines which are taken away from them in the name of development. The declaration was made in a mass meeting after a massive rally of 10 thousand people at Rourkela organized by the

Children are in trouble in Military state of India

2008-02-29T02:28:00.000-08:00

Rally cries for protecting child's rightsImphal, January 23: After a public meeting held at Hapta Kangjeibung in protest against denial of due rights to the children of Manipur as a fallout of the atrocities being committed by the security forces under the shadow of AFSPA for the last many years, child rights activists and concerned citizens from all the districts of the State took out a rally

Together, walk the talk

2008-02-27T05:54:00.000-08:00

NAFRE Jan Andolan (NAFRE People's Movement) is mounting the nationwide 'Jan Haq Yatra', a Peoples' Rights March demanding a just and equitable society. The march started on January 23. Regional segments voiced local needs and demands were put before the government. The culmination in New Delhi on 26th and 27th of March will witness a sharing of experiences from across the country followed by a

Come, Tell me how you live

2008-01-27T22:34:00.001-08:00

It has become a cliché; almost a necessary cliché these days to say that there are two India’s. It is a no brainer to see and feel/experience these 2 Indias. One which glitters and glows like a jewel. With starry lights and seductive looks she ensnares us, and numbs us into a false sense of intoxication and well being.The other India weeps. Like a neglected traumatised child she skulks in the

Tribute to a Troubled Child (hood)

2007-11-15T02:30:00.000-08:00

I have stopped taking the train to office and it was high time I stopped. Mumbai local trains are now overflowing and you are not sure you can get down where you want to. So now I commute by the State Transport buses. Conductors are mostly arrogant and drivers drive as if they are taking you on your last journey. But I can live with that, at least I get to sit and breath. But I still miss the

A brief reflection on my two days in Latur

2007-10-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

by Eric LingeI am an active volunteer with CRY America, and basically what we do in CRY America is fundraise for projects in India. I was working for a private company in Mumbai over the summer, and while in Mumbai I took the opportunity to visit one of CRY’s projects in the interiors of Maharashtra. Specifically I visited a collection of villages around the town of Latur.What struck me most is

Our Children's Rights

2007-10-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hi, being a PTA member of the Bombay Cambridge School, I have had opportunities to interact with a few parents, teachers and the Principal, and have always felt the need to reach out to many more parents.The school magazine came as an opportunity to reach out to many more parents and children as the magazine is given out to every child.I thought of sharing the same with you all.AnitaHaving worked

2007-09-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

I have only one request.I do not ask for moneyAlthough I have need of it,I do not ask for meat . . .I have only one request,And all I ask isThat you removeThe road blockFrom my path.- Song of an African WomanWhen US citizen Sunita Williams literally reached for the stars, Indians back home were ecstatic, for Sunita is of Indian origin! Like her, many Indian women are reaching heights only dreamt

Child Abuse and You...

2007-08-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

We are such huge a notion of so many orthodox and customary beliefs, but we tend to overlook the most prevalent of sins in the society... Child Sexual Abuse. Young and impressionable minds are put through this torture unknowingly, and the worst part is that these kids do not know how to express it, for fear of rejection or anything else. They are engulfed in pain, fear, disappointment and it

Really Golden???

2007-08-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

Sixty years of independence, growing literacy rates, splurging economies... But is it really a golden era for the Indian child?Streets of Delhi are still full with abundant child beggars, who are used as pawns by merciless people to gain easy money. Come a traffic signal, and 10s of kids jump up on the car windows to sell magazines and pirated books. Is this what we want our kids to do? Is it

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words...

2007-07-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

This cupboard belongs to the village Anganwadi and has been safely stored by villagers, away from marauding elephants. The tribal settlement is within the Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. The villagers have no option but to escape into the trees before nightfall. Rebuilding their lives after elephants and rain have played havoc in the area. Until the next monsoons.Forest land encroached by

PREM Visit

2007-07-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

PREM- People’s Rural Education MovementWe started our journey on the 24th of June, 2007. I met Shilpa at VT station at 7:15pm and we thus walked to platform no. 7, where the Vidharba Express stood waiting for us! We found Sanjay sitting in the train anxiously looking for us, and there began our long and interesting trip to the beautiful Chikaldhara. We reached Badnera station on the 25th of June,

Stop it, please!

2007-06-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Stop it, please!I know it comes easily to you….Soft and tender is your heart…That you are so well-meaning….Is not your fault…I know you would like me to come to you,That you would be happier if I smiled too….But, stop it please!Stop merchandising miserySelling sorrows and peddling pityDon’t look into my eyes to say, it’s gonna be alrightDon’t look into my eyes to do what you doAnd get paid

The Demons Within

2007-06-07T02:32:00.000-07:00

As long as there is hungerI suffer from itAs long as there are tearsI flow with themAs long as there is someone trampledI am smotheredAs long as there is no dignityI have noneAs long as there is ignoranceI am blindAs long as there are murders foulI roam, restless and angry as a ghoul

Here Comes The Sun - Reaching out the Richie Havens way

2007-06-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

"Freedom freedom freedom freedomSometimes I feel like a motherless childa long way from my home...Sometimes I feel like I'm almost goneA long long way from my home"Richie Havens, one of the most soulful singers this planet has, sang this moving number at Woodstock 1969. And what better way to express the plight of children the world over than with these words.Fast forward to 2007 - its been 38

Looking for Stacia Tauscher

2007-05-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

I am looking for Stacia Tauscher. In fact, I have been looking for her since 02:00 hrs of 21 November 2002. If you happen to have any information about her or her work or her place and time on this planet, please, please let me know. If you have ever courted madness that lies in search with hardly any clue, you will instantly know what I mean. That fateful premature morning, I was looking for

No Space- Children and Public Transport in Mumbai

2007-05-24T00:21:00.000-07:00

I travel to and from home each day, in a Virar local that arrives once in about 15- 20 minutes depending on the time of the day. That is always already full to bursting. Where ‘train khali hai’ means that there are only 5 people dangling out instead of 13. Where, on a regular basis there are violent quarrels among women over where to sit, where to put one’s bag, when to move towards the door etc.

Slum Tourism

2007-05-18T03:49:00.000-07:00

Hello,I'm Rita, a newcomer to the CRY blog, and a volunteer at the office in Mumbia. Coming from Canada, everything in India is new to me. As part of the University of Lethbridge Tourist/Study group we've been trying to organize various tours to learn more about India. On Sunday May 13th, we went on a tour to visit the Dharavi Slums. At first I thought that this was highly unethical and a totally

My Teacher

2007-05-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

Last night I dreamt of one of my teachers. You may call that a nightmare since this guy was a complete terror. Don’t remember what he taught us, not that his teaching was any memorable. But what none of his students would ever forget are the beatings they got from him. People do have hobbies, right? The teacher had one too, that of punishing his students. He didn’t need any reasons for beating

Zindabad in Ahmedabad ……….

2007-05-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

I attended the NAFRE Maha-Adhivesan or Convention 2007, in Ahmedabad from 12th to 14th March. This was the third `Congress’ as it used to be called in 2004. The hedges on the L-shaped driveway of Tagore Hall were adorned with flex and an occasional cloth banner inviting delegates to the convention, heralding what needs to be done and what is possible for children in India. The venue a huge

Ignorance is not bliss

2007-05-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

The experience of my visit to Melghat has left me with the awareness to a reality of a forgotten world that has existed and survived besides the only one I have known and taken for granted.When I was told that I could go for a project visit to a village called Chikaldhara, my reaction was Chikal…..what?We reached Bandhera station in the early hours of Tuesday morning. My colleague Madhu Neb and I

JAGRUTI - AN AWAKENING IN THE TRUE SENSE

2007-03-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

Jagruti, my first project-visit as a CRY employee. I had been looking forward for the visit because, field visit I was told is the real eye opener – you get to see the bare realities of life. Needless to say, I was full of anticipation. A three day visit, Asha (my colleague and the project coordinator) and I decided to visit the project holder at their office in Dharwad on day 1 followed by visit

www.raceforcry.org

2007-03-09T03:55:00.000-08:00

If life is a race, some children start last. Underprivileged and marginalised, they are deprived of their basic human rights as citizens of this country. Being deprived of food, water, shelter, healthcare and education is not just sad; it’s a violation of a child’s right to the basics of existence. For millions of children in India, these basic necessities of life are still a distant dream. Why

If you were a child in this community, how would you feel?

2006-10-03T01:48:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a visit to K. Velayudhapuram (KV for short), a village close to Tirunalveli, 700 kms or hrs from the metro city of Chennai. Having witnessed the true horrors of belonging to a particular caste in free India, I am writing furiously to media people seeking their attention.Here is a short narrative on the issue that people in this village are grappling with.6 generations of

DIKSHA

2006-09-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

The street lights brighten up at 6 pm.The women splash make up on their faces,I just saw my mother standing on the roadShe went off somewhere with two strange menI ask her at night who they areShe beats me up in return.(poem written by Afreen, a Core Group member of Diksha)A 10 x 10 feet room. No windows. 40 children huddled together. Space might be a constraint but the beaming smiles are proof

CRY and Pasumai Trust- working together to remove child labour from the brick kilns

2006-09-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Every year, thousands of families migrate to the city in search of employment. They are ready to work as bonded laboureres, ready to put their children to any kind of work for that one square meal a day.One such industry that employs bonded labourers in Tamil Nadu is the brick kilns.The Poonamalle Taluk near Tiruvallur, has more than 300 brick chambers. Around 50 families migrate from Vizhupuram