AGNI Volunteers on IBN Lokmat channel's Youngistan Zindabad Show on MP duties

With elections around the corner, IBN Lokmat channel had an Election Special episode on their Youngistan Zindabad show.The show specifically dealt on understanding MP duties. A group of spirited youngsters were asked what their understanding was about duties of MPs. Most of them said that they were unhappy with the way MPs are functioning as basic infrastructural needs like good roads, water and electricity supply etc. are not being met with. AGNI volunteer James John informed them that MPs have only one duty and that is making laws. He said that issues pertaining to bad roads, water supply etc., ought to be dealt with the local Municipal Corporation and that you cannot judge the MPs based on these issues. He asked if anyone knew the Lok Sabha attendance of the MPs. Do they ask questions in the Lok Sabha.? There is a procedure that they need to follow; are they following it or just marking their attendance there? Mr. James John further said that you can get these information on the Lok Sabha website and it keeps record of all work done in your area and the funds utilized. He said that the questions we should ask are not about bad roads but about policy changes like education policies, women's safety, health care for senior citizens etc. He said we are not very informed voters and hence it is our duty to study about the candidates and vote or opt for No Vote.

Watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhH3g4OBH7c

AGNI in TOI article dated 10-03-14 - Inconvenience in progress, work waits.

AGNI K East Year Planner

AIDS home visit by AGNI K East JAAG

Have you ever thought of spending a day with HIV/ AIDS patients? We did and one thing every AGNI volunteer who spent a day with them would vouch for is that, it was truly a humbling and eye-opening experience. Seeing the smile on the faces of those who have been socially discriminated, seeing their eyes well-up with tears as they get to feel one amongst us for a day, made this Sunday trip absolutely worth every time and money spent. It’s easy to spend a day in a mall or a movie theatre or party with friends. But we have 51 other Sundays for that. One Sunday and our mere presence was all that it took to make these unfortunate souls whose lives have been stigmatized by a dreadful disease believe that there is still something called humanity.

 AGNI K East JAAG organized its annual visit to Jyothis Care Centre at Taloja that houses women suffering from HIV/ AIDS on February 09, 2014. Run by the congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute, this centre provides care for those patients who have been rejected by society. AGNI volunteers along with their families participated wholeheartedly in this event.

We started off at 8:30AM from J.B. Nagar, Andheri (E) and reached the centre by around 11AM. We were greeted by the inmates who sang a beautiful welcome song for us. After spending some time settling down, there was a round of introduction followed by a sumptuous meal that we ate with the patients. This was followed by a number of games; housie, hoola hoop and cricket to name a few, that we played with the patients. After all the fun and frolic it was time for us to leave, but before that, we handed over all the donations that we brought along with us given by generous donors to the sisters and the patients. The patients couldn’t thank us enough and their only wish was that we come again next year. We left around 6:30PM feeling happier as happiness is contagious.

AGNI K East JAAG would like to thank its volunteers Agnelo D’silva, Sujata D’silva, Dandamudi Madhuri and Dinkar Rajbhar for planning this trip meticulously. They worked hard for almost three months to make this trip a very comfortable and rewarding experience for each one of us. We would also like to thank all those generous donors who donated in cash or kind for this noble cause.

AGNI team on IBN Lokmat channel's - Youngistan Zindabad show

AGNI volunteers James John, Dandamudi Madhuri, Anna Misquitta and Sunaina joined the IBN lokmat's Youngistan Zindabad show that discussed youth's take on voting. This was aired on 25th January, 2014 at 8PM. The show targeted the youth who by and large do not understand the value of their vote and prefer not to vote. Many of the youngsters present on the show felt, they shouldn't vote because there aren't any good candidates to vote for. James John informed them that they could place a protest vote under section 49-O of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. He stated that not-voting is not a solution to our existing problems. In fact by not voting, there is a greater chance of our vote being misused. Madhuri Rao said she shared a similar sentiment as many of the youths present there and had preferred not to vote when she turned 18. Her first vote was a protest vote at the age of 23 years. James John received a round of applause when he further reiterated that the youth should go out and vote as it is their choice and birthright.

Desilting work of YAC Nagar nalla, complete.

Desilting work at YAC Nagar nalla

MCGM sent their labourers for desilting nalla near Shantiniketan CHS at YAC Nagar on 24th January. Work started around 9:30AM. AGNI volunteers Seena Santosh and Benedicta D'souza oversaw the work. They removed the floating matter with bare hands and also did not carry necessary equipment for cutting the vegetation growing in the nalla. Volunteer Benedicta D'souza provided a koyta for cutting the plants. After, overseeing the work for almost 2 1/2 hours, when the volunteers left, the labourers also left without completing the job. Concerned MCGM official has been intimated about it and hopefully action will be taken at the earliest.

Nalla near Sunview - not cleaned

Desilting work underway at Salim Compound

MCGM has started desilting drains of Salim Compound, Kachra Gali. Photos courtesy, AGNI volunteer Siddique.

AGNI volunteers attend Project Management Workshop

AGNI K East JAAG under the leadership of Mr. James John conducted a Project Management Training Workshop for its volunteers on January 05, 2014.  Mr. Cavas Gobhai, a distinguished Business Consultant from the U.S. conducted the training. The goal of the workshop was to help create a project model for the different AGNI groups.The four hour long training session, got the volunteers to create a list of action items specific to their groups and then evolve the discussions into developing a project model for execution. The workshop helped channel feedback across groups and helped the AGNI volunteers create a model in the way they wanted.

The workshop had five groups corresponding to the AGNI group, the volunteers were part of. These groups provided each other valuable feedback during the course of the training. The presentations were done in two halves. The first half was a statement of the purpose and descriptions. The second half was a restatement by refining the purpose and description using the methods provided by Cavas.

The journey of self discovery helped the AGNI volunteers discover their model of execution which could set the foundation of more organized fund raising for critical issues which are to be tackled during 2014.

AGNI K East JAAG also used this forum to appreciate the dedication of some of its volunteers. Convenor, Mr. Gerson da Cunha, awarded AGNI volunteers, Mrs. Dhanalaxmi Rao, Ms.Dandamudi Madhuri and Mr.Agnelo D'silva with certificates for 100% attendance at the JAAG meetings of 2013.

Marol BMC Dispensary re-opens

BMC's dispensary at Marol which was closed and shifted out to Bamandiya pada has re-opened after almost six months. Thanks to AGNI volunteer Siddique Shaikh who co-ordinated with Dr. Patil (MOH) and got all the equipment transported back, Marol residents can access medical aid with ease.

New dhappas placed at Y.A.C. Nagar

After a four month follow-up by AGNI volunteer Seena Santosh, MCGM finally placed ten new dhappas at Y.A.C. Nagar.

New dhappas being placed

Missing Dhappa

Holy Family Church Chowk Traffic Duty

AGNI volunteers have restarted traffic assistance duty at Holy Family Church Chowk. Every Wednesday, volunteers will help the traffic police, manage the traffic at this chowk from 7PM - 8:30PM. This chowk is known to be accident prone and the unfortunate death of a 28 year old girl last February, prompted citizens to come forward and help the traffic police.

Tree posing threat to human life, axed!

Precious lives were saved after AGNI volunteer Siddique Shaikh reported the dangerous condition of a tree on Chimat Pada Main Road near Trust Office, Agarwal Nagar.

Marol Police Camp Municipal School Visit Report - by Marshal Mendonza

5 Dec 2013
Time : 10.55 to 11.20 a.m.

1. Teachers absent in school and students just wasting their time in school. There were only 4 teachers and a NGO in the whole school. The HM Mrs. B Karande and the Sr. teacher had gone for training, some teachers were absent. Two classes 6th and 7th were accommodated in Jr. classes. Met Mrs. Fernandes, a senior teacher and informed her about the disappointment of our members about the teaching faculty of the school.
2. Computers not functional and none of the MCGM officials interested in ensuring that the computers are functional for teaching purposes. As per Mrs. Fernande,s only two computers were in working condition. It seems that the HM and the teachers are not interested in maintaining the computers. Requested Mrs. Fernandes to inform the HM about our disappointment, and to get the computers in working condition.
3. Space crunch for students but still two classrooms are locked. Was informed that students have to continuously write, and the students get very tired. Also classroom space is too small for the classes.
Then went to the other building of the school, two classrooms were locked and in the third a NGO was taking the class.
4. Previous Pending points.
    -Roof work is still pending
    -The wall broken through and through - still pending
    -Wiring of all the rooms is bad and dangerous

Water contamination at Hassan Pada

Water works department of MCGM failed to find the reason for water contamination. They however, provided a temporary solution by blocking the water supply from this line and using another line.

New gate at Veer Abdul Hamid garden prevents illegal parking

Persistent efforts of AGNI volunteer Siddique Shaikh has borne fruits. MCGM fixed a new gate at Veer Abdul Hamid Garden that automatically stopped illegal parking at the premises.