I.        

Community Organisation/ Mobilisation

In this year we could streamline the existing groups and initiate 25 new groups. We were able to make the necessary linkages of these groups with the banks and Urban Poverty Alleviation schemes of the Government. Trainings were given to the members in conducting meetings, keeping accounts, banking systems, writing applications for SJSRY schemes. A couple of our groups received grants from the SJSRY schemes. Our efforts helped the Groups tremendously in reducing their dependency on the local money lenders and  not getting trapped into perennial debts with huge interest amounts and we have found that they take loans for genuine needs like medical expenses and children’s education.

II.     

Livelihood Programme : Income Generation Groups (IGGs)

This year we could help the groups to plan businesses, get loans, repay loans and run business ventures successfully. Smaller groups of 2-3 women yielded better results and have more sustainability. Four groups could get a grant of Rs.4.25 lakhs under the SJSRY scheme. Several groups engaged in making items such as eatables, cloth bags, pouches, imitation jewellery etc. participated in events and weekend markets. 

III.    

Jansatta Abhiyan (Peoples Empowerment Campaign):Under the Janasata Abhiyan we have formed 36 new groups totalling to 314 neighbourhood groups having more than 4700 families. We were also able to form two new Neighbourhood Committees, a total of 20 Neighbourhood Committees. Regular monthly meetings,   maintenance of records, organising programmes on special occasions like festivals, national and regional days of importance, organising food festivals, sports, annual exposure programmes to other areas outside Mumbai are becoming a regular feature. This year, our groups visited other NGOs outside Mumbai in the city of Nasik, Solapur to interact and learn from their experiences.

IV. 

Peoples Area Ward Committee (PAWC):  All efforts were put in to strengthen the existing 16 Peoples Area Ward Committees.  We have trained and motivated them to get the forums legally registered as a grass root level organisations. Thus, three of the Peoples Area Ward Committees registered with the Charity Commissioner as a Society totalling to seven.  Few of these groups have started even mobilising local resources and are involved in the local development work. Last year we reported that the Municipal Corporation has asked one of the Committee to take up the overseeing of the construction of 62 blocks of community toilets and during the last year half of which has been completed. This can be seen as a real success in Community organising whereby people can be empowered to take up their local level problems and issues and find solutions. During the reporting period 69 area development proposals like cleaning of well (report attached), laying of drinking water pipe lines, spraying of insecticide, garbage removal, were put up and of which 65 were successfully completed

V.      

Peoples Ward Committees (PWCs) : Peoples Ward Committee meets as and when the need arises to discuss the major issues at the ward level. Now it functions mostly as a co-ordination and dissemination of information of the Peoples Area Ward Committees activities

VI.   

ConventionsWomen of the area have met under the banner of Janasatta Abhiyan (People’s Empowerment Campaign) which is the convention of leaders of SHGs, Neighbourhood Groups, Neighbourhood Committees, People’s Area Ward Committees, People’s Ward Committees, NGO’s, CBO’s, Elected people’s representatives, concerned citizens etc. This year we organised two Conventions, one in P North Ward and the other in H East Ward, where more than 500 women participated. The most striking feature of this years meeting was that unlike the previous year when the women folk used to wait for their elected representatives to come for the programme, this year the Corporators were present even before the women could assemble. There was a display of photographs of the development work done in each electoral ward which was seen by the representatives of all the wards and invariably compared with each others ward. In the electoral ward where no much was done, the elected representatives promised to get the work done soon. 

VII.                         

Children’s Programme:Children programme continued with its great zeal. We could cater to about 300 children. Besides the regular tuition classes, we had sessions on music, dance, drama, essay and drawing competitions, sports, etc. They also participated in many of the community programmes, HIV/AIDS and health awareness campaigns. The highlight of this year’s programme of the children is that 40 children participated in the summer computer classes for two months and they were also given certificates. This was conducted in collaboration with Mittal College, Malad where they provided their computer lab and instructors.  The children also participated in drama competitions and won prizes.

CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY – We carried out the following programmes

1.       

 BUILD organized the Peace Mumbai Meeting to discuss campaign for the release of the Fisher Folk lying imprisoned both in India and Pakistan and about organizing convention in this regard in Delhi.     

2.       

We endorsed the petition as protest against honour killing being justified by the retrograde KHAP Panchayat on 23^rd April, 2010.   Such barbaric acts cannot be condoned in a modern democratic system.

3.       

We participated in the discussion on Rajiv Awaas Yojana (RYS) held at Habitat School, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai on 27^th April, 2010.

4.       

A letter of protest was issued on 5^th May, 2010 to the press against subtle apartheid goings- on when a Muslim Youth was not allowed to get flat in Chembur and north Indian were thrashed at Dombivali.   The press covered it and peoples’ opinion was taken on this score about how it dents upon our democratic system. 

5.       

The Citizens Initiatives for Peace meeting was held at Bombay Catholic Sabha Mahim Office St. Michael Church on 11^th May, 2010 to discuss future course of action like Me Mumbaikar and Police Reform Campaign to help in strategizing future course of action in a methodical manner.

6.       

We participated in demonstration on the development at POSCO on 25^th May, 2010 at Churchgate organized by the Anti-POSCO Struggle Solidarity Front,  to show solidarity with such democratic movement. 

7.       

A 50 Metre Vigil Demonstration banner on Police Reform was organized by the Citizen Initiative for Peace (CIP) Near Mahim Station West on 26^th May, 2010 where leaflets were distributed as part of the on-going campaign on Police Reform to give fillip to functioning and better democracy

8.       

A letter of protest was released on 31^st May, & 1^st July 2010 in support for the cause of justice and peace by the Peace-Mumbai against the attack on Gaza-bound Peace Flotilla by the Israel Regime where nine people were killed. 

9.       

 We participated in the Public Meeting on ‘War on People’ organized by CPDR on 2^nd June, 2010 at Marathi Patrakar Sangh.  

We have sent the reports to various media publication and carried by ‘People’s Reporter’. 

10.   

People Media Initiatives (PMI) issued letter of protest against the vandalism unleashed against the TV Channel Marathi Zee 24 Taas by Shiv Sena at Kolhapur on 16^th June, 2010 to endorse regional chauvinism and RSS attack on Headline Today in Mumbai for its portrayal of Sanghi Terrorism.  Attack on Media is a sign of intolerance which has implications which must be condemned.

11.   

Citizens Initiate for Peace organized a Public Meeting on 25^th June, 2010 at Press Club on the occasion of 35 years of Emergency where well-known Journalist Kuldip Nayyer, Mr. Ashok Dhawle. Secretary CPI (M) Maharashtra and Prof. Pushpa Bhave spoke on the occasion to get a better understanding of the issue and how emergency was declared to usurp our democratic space and its wider implications on the affairs of the country. 

12.   

A vigil demonstration was organized by CIP with the following inscription on a 50 feet Banner: ‘Implement Police Reform for better Democracy’, at Kurla West on 26^th June, 2010 where a good number participated. Leaflets were distributed among passersby and others. It is a part of our campaign for viable and accountable system which is the core of our democratic polity.  

13.   

A public Meeting was organized on 28^th June, 2010 by Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ) on Food Security and Poverty Alleviation and Tendulkar Committee Report at Press Club in which Asad from BUILD was one of the speakers.   

Such effort is needed to stress for people’s oriented policy on Food Security. 

14.   

 Peace-Mumbai issued a statement to stop violence and condemn killings of innocent people in Kashmir on 15^th July, 2010 in the background of mass upheaval and state repression and demanded political resolution of the problem. The press and various networks covered the statement.

15.   

 Citizen Initiative for Peace (CIP) issued a statement on 16^th July 2010 against the Maharashtra Government move to enact law curtailing the freedom of expression which goes against the rational enquiry and fundamental democratic values  

The liberal space and voice of dissent is the necessary panacea for healthy Democracy

16.   

A discussion was held on 17^th July, 2010 at Islam Gymkhana where Adv. Yussuf Muchaala who participated in the National Advisory Council Meeting on Communal Violence Bill in Delhi recently shared on what transpired. It helped in understanding the issues and suggests necessary inputs to be appended in the draft. 

17.   

We organized four Consultations at Islam Gymkhana, Mumbai to suggest necessary changes on Communal Violence Prevention (CVP) Bill on National Authority, Accountability, Prevention & Definition of Communal Violence, Reparation and Rehabilitation on 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, & 28^th Aug. 2010. There was a threadbare discussion and in the end we drafted with necessary change and submitted it to the Union Ministry.   The bill must reflect the inherent reality whereby situations could be dealt with in right spirit and with efficacy so that nobody should feel victimized.

18.   

Fact – Finding: A team consisting of people from various fields including of Surendra Gudaskar a Nuclear Scientist from Surat was sent to Tarapur by Peace Mumbai with the cooperation of local organization in the backdrop of possible radiation leakage and its ramifications. They met people, visited the areas and noted the feel of the people’s perception about it.  A public meeting at the local school was organized at Tarapur where people overwhelmingly participated and expressed their views.   On 14^th Aug. 2010 a meeting was organized to strategize the future course of action at, Mumbai.   Such hazardous reactor amidst the population and fragile ecosystem is not worthwhile in any respect.  

19.   

 A meeting held on 23^rd Aug, 2010 under the banner of Pani Haqq Samiti where discussion ensued on UNO declared water as fundamental right and participants shared their effort on that issue.   Future course of action was also discussed.

Water issue is most important where supply of water to some sections of society is not allowed by putting restriction under cut-off date which dents on our democratic values and universal rights. 

20.   

A statement was issued by Citizens Initiative for Peace to maintain peace and harmony amongst the people in the backdrop of High Court Judgment on demolition of Babri Masjid on 24^th Sept. 2010. People of communal bent of mind should not be allowed to take law into their own hands.

21.   

We actively participated in the talk organized on 17^th Sept, 2010 at Victoria Memorial School, on ‘Naxal Insurgency and Tribal Rights’ delivered by the Sudeep Chakravarti and Hemanshu Kumar. It is important in the sense that it helps in understanding the root-cause of the problem. 

22.   

A meeting was held at on 27^th Sept. 2010 under the aegis of Kashmir Solidarity Group to discus about the future course of action. It was decided to have a candle light vigil on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti on 2^nd Oct. 2010 at Azad Maidan to demand peaceful resolution of the problem.  

23.   

 A film show ‘Beating the Bomb’ was organized on 1^st October 2010 at Press Club and on 22^nd December 2010 at Vivek College of Commerce, Goregaon. It was made by the two London based activists, Ms. Meera Patel and Ms. Wolfgang Matt which dealt with Nuclear Policy of the UK government and also the whole issue of hyper consumerism and climate change. At Goregaon screening, Ms. Meera Patel and Asad from BUILD led the discussions.  The people enthusiastically participated in the discussions.   

24.   

A discussion on UID was held on 20^th Oct, 2010 to start campaign on the implications on vulnerable and minority members as in the entire first world countries such measures were vehemently opposed.  It was decided to oppose such endeavours by Central government which might be misused as racial profiling and always leads towards discrimination against minority communities.

25.   

Asad of BUILD delivered a talk on ‘Rights of Dalits, Unorganized Labourers, Refugees and Indigenous People’ held at St Pius College on 24^th Oct, 2010 for the course of human rights started from IGNOU coordinated by Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work. It helps in building up perspectives based on human rights so that students could help in protecting these rights as there were also students from electronic media.     

26.   

We participated in the book release function on 3^rd Nov, 2010 ‘why Mumbai  burned and Bhiwandi did not’ both Hindi and Marathi edition was released at Marathi Patrakar Sangh written by Mr. Suresh Khopade, a well-known IPS officer who brought peace in Bhiwandi through community policing with the formation of Mohalla Committee in the hyper sensitive Bhiwandi.  Speakers acclaimed his endeavour which provided a module in order to create peace in the hyper sensitivity of the area and in the communally vitiating situations.

27.   

We participated in the demonstration on Human Rights violation was held on 21^st November 2010 at CST in solidarity of the Manipur activists Ms. Iron Sharmila’s struggle against draconian laws and other human rights abuses in that state. People responded in a fair number which showed those draconian laws are anti- thesis of democracy.  

28.   

Citizen Initiative for Peace (CIP) organized a public meeting on ‘Police Reform: For a Citizen Friendly Police’ on the eve of Terrorist attack in Mumbai on 25^th Nov. 2010 at St Xavier College, Mumbai.  Well-known IPS officer and Magsaysay Awardees Ms. Kiran Bedi and Director of Commonwealth Human Right Initiative (CHRI) Dr. Maja Dharuwala and Adv. Mihir Desai spoke on the occasion. Report was circulated far and wide with aim to enlighten the people at large.    

College students, lawyers, activists and people from all walks showed their solidarity to make police institution a viable and efficacious body, worthy of democratic polity to serve people.  Articles on Police Reform published by us were covered by various newspapers.

29.   

Public Meeting on Ayodhya  Judgment : We participated in a public meeting on ‘Ayodhya Judgment’ organized by Anhad at Nirmala Niketan Extension, St. Pius College on 29^th Dec. 2010 where people overwhelmingly attended. Here keynote address was delivered by Prof. K.N Pannikar and others.    

There were strong reservations on the judgment which was based on faith rather than on documentary proof diluting the secular nature of our polity.    

30.   

Workshop on poverty Alleviations. We participated in a two days workshop on ‘Poverty Alleviations’   on 8^th & 9^th Jan, 2011. People discussed threadbare about the policy and its implementations.    It was discussed about the lack of adequate food availability under PDS and corruption in their distributions.

31.   

A talk delivered by Asad of BUILD for the BSW students on 18^th Jan, 2011 at Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work on’ Right to Refugees, Political Asylum Seekers and Victims of Genocides.     

The students took part which helps in removing cobwebs of confusion and misunderstanding and helps developing perspective based on Human Rights. 

32.   

We conducted a Film show on ‘The Invisible Kashmir made by Dilnaz Boga based on Kashmir and impact on Children in the valley of continuous violence over there.  The film was shown at St. Andrew College, Bandra on 28^th Jan, 2011 organized by the Kashmir Solidarity Group where well-known activist Ms. Qurrat led the discussion.    

It was well attended by the students and teachers and healthy discussion ensued after the show. It helps in removing stereotypes against any group of people 

33.   

Peace Mumbai organized a discussion on ‘Blasphemy Law and Democracy’ in Pakistan at Press Club on 4^th Feb, 2011 in which Adv. Flavia Agnes, well-known Human Right Activists Ms. Wahida Nainar and others spoke on the occasion and discussion ensued after thereafter.   

People participated enthusiastically and media gave adequate coverage.

34.   

We participated in the workshop called by the Census Office to orient voluntary groups how to cover the Homeless of Mumbai and Thane which has been earmarked for 28^th Feb .2011 for the whole country.  

Representatives from NGOs, turned up from Thane, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. It was decided to have strategic survey on 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Feb. 2011 by the groups prior to the main survey.     

35.   

A regional Census meeting was held on 14^th Feb 2011 where it was discussed how to cover census meant for homeless people in Mumbai West Suburb area. Here responsibilities were distributed so that every homeless person must come in the census list. 

36.   

A meeting was held with Census Officials at Ballard Pier with regard to homeless census on 26^th Feb .2011 in which various voluntary group representatives from Mumbai and, Thane and Navi Mumbai participated.     

The discussions ensued as to how the homeless could be included in the 2011 Census as it was well-held view that data would play an important role in the upliftment programme for them.

37.   

A press conference was organized at Marathi Patrakar Sangh on 28th Feb. 2011with the backdrop of visit of USA Water Trade Mission to India from 1^st to 3^rd March, 2011 to various cities including Mumbai with declared aim to privatize water distribution and commercialization of India. Press conference helps in the disseminating of such taking over bid and its implications.  

38.   

Three demonstrations against privatization of water were simultaneously organized on 3^rd March, 2011 at Chembur to cover the Eastern part of Mumbai, Malad to cover the western part and also at Azad Maidan. People came out in large number to oppose such bid which is highly un democratic and anti people.    

At Chembur and Malad people came out in large numbers. We met BMC Asst. Commissioner (Project) of MCGM and presented a memorandum and a fruitful discussion ensued with him and his other officials.    

39.   

A discussion on Democratic Upsurge in the Arab was organized at Press Club on 12^th March, 2011 in which Suhit Kelkar, a Journalist who had visited at Tahrir Squire, Cairo Egypt during the freedom moment at Cairo for almost one month presented his paper then discussion was ensued.         

The people participated in this important issue and raised queries in order to clear their confusion. 

40.   

Paani Haqq Samiti organized sit-in demonstration at Azad Maidan of Maharashtra against the ordinance issued for the diversion of water for non-agriculture purposes. Lokabhumi Pani Dhoran Sangharsh Samiti Manch was formed to oppose such people-inimical ordinance.

41.   

 A public meeting/demonstration was organized on 22^nd, March, 2011 at Azad Maidan, on the occasion of World Water Day by Paani Haqq Samiti with the demand to make water available to all without any cut-off date. 3,000 people attended from all over Mumbai including some elected legislatures.        

People from various places who were mobilized through street meetings, expressed their anguish about the discrimination meted out to them on water supply and availability.  

42.   

Citizen Initiative for Peace (CIP) were part of the organizing committee along with Forum against Atrocities organized Public Meeting on Struggle of the Women Survivors in Gujarat’ held on 23^rd March, 2011 at Marathi Patrakar Sangh. Such persons expressed their views along with Ms. Teesta Setalvad, well-known activists who was thickly involved for their causes.        

They expressed their obstacles but they withstood the pressure from various quarters including higher ones so that justice could be meted out and criminals could be deterred to take law into their own   hands. Media also covered the meeting.