Monday, February 8, 2010
Future Engineers Interested in RTI Act
Important highlight of this Saturday's RTI training session held at Chennai 5th Pillar Office on 6th Feb, 2010, is the participation of 8 Engineering students from the Venkateshwara Engineering College. Interest shown by these young future innovators is very refreshing. Mr. Dhandapani,the RTI coordinator of Coimbatore chapter of 5th Pillar addressed the 15 participants and gave a welcome lecture. The RTI training session conducted from 4 to 6:30 pm, by our RTI coordinator Mr.Jayaselvan was very informative and step by step methods and practice on how to write an RTI petition was taught. Framing the right questions is essential to reveive the right information, and hence these training sessions educate the participants in formulating the relevant questions for the particular issue.
22-01-2010, 4th Day - Role of Money in Politics
The 3rd day of Honest Politics course kicked off with an interesting topic about Root cause analysis of political deacy and ecosystem for political innovations. Role of money in political electioons was discuseed in detail. This is not a new concept for the particiopants as they are well aware of the sorry state of Central and State politics and the ever popular recent madurai by-election, where the ministers paid Rs.7000 for a vote. Voters are always swayed by promises of free amenities like tv, clothes and what not. Unfortunately as these are distributed to the lower income groups who are the major participants of the elections the trend of politics has changed. While this is the case for the lower income group, the higher end influence the political layout by donating large sums for their favourite parties in return for favours that are illegal. The burnt sector is always the working class who pay taxes regularly and have to wait for services indefenitely. Real examples and data pertaining to the spurt of wealth by politicians was analysed in detail.
Electoral systems of India, UK, US and Germany was compared and analyzed in detail to better understand the functioning and the legislative powers of Houses and elected members. The supreme power in each political system and salient amendments was explained.
In the evening session, Mr. James covered topics on Political Professional Opportunities for Youth in India.The objective of political innovation is bringing the political and governance system closer to the people. For this, RTI Act has been a great asset, whereby it has enabled the civil society and individuals to question the functioning of the government. Opportunities for political professionals as market researchers and political analysts was explained in depth. Market research is conducted for understnding what people need and believe. The popular discussion forum on TV is a methodology of market research to understand the same. Political Analyst with a background in business, politics and economy, analyzes political scenario, social issues and solutions tabled in the parliament and brings out concise reports and articles.
Electoral systems of India, UK, US and Germany was compared and analyzed in detail to better understand the functioning and the legislative powers of Houses and elected members. The supreme power in each political system and salient amendments was explained.
In the evening session, Mr. James covered topics on Political Professional Opportunities for Youth in India.The objective of political innovation is bringing the political and governance system closer to the people. For this, RTI Act has been a great asset, whereby it has enabled the civil society and individuals to question the functioning of the government. Opportunities for political professionals as market researchers and political analysts was explained in depth. Market research is conducted for understnding what people need and believe. The popular discussion forum on TV is a methodology of market research to understand the same. Political Analyst with a background in business, politics and economy, analyzes political scenario, social issues and solutions tabled in the parliament and brings out concise reports and articles.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Awareness campaign for Chartered Accountants
Today, India is one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world and Chartered Accountants play a major role in setting up and running businesses in India. The Government of India nominates 8 members to represent the comptroller and Auditor General of India, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders. Chartered Accountants who are technically equipped to act as management consultants, gathered for a convention at the Regional Training Institute, Chennai on 4th Feburary 2010. Executive Director of our organization Mr. Bhanu Kumar was invited to address the audience for an hour. Mr. Bhanu who is also an RTI coordinator, gave a detailed account of the functioning of 5thPillar and its role in fighting corruption, through various methods. Taking a stand against the beauraucrats by filing an RTI petition, participation of youths in the movement are the highlights of the organization, said Mr. Bhanu. The session was very interactive when there were interesting queries about the field activities, and action plan of the organization. Reaching out to the economists was of great relevance to our current mission.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
5th Pillar Mumbai chapter initiation
5th Pillar Mumbai chapter initiation has been confirmed
When: 3 to 6 pm on Sat 6th Feb
Where: Meeting room in- Hotel Legend,
(land line-022-26102007)
located on Santa Cruz Station Road,
Next to Banarasi Sweet Stall,
Santa Cruz East, 2 mins from Railway Station
Looking forward to see you and any of your friends interested to join the "War Against Corruption". Please join us at this meeting and together, let us make this dream a reality.
Looking forward to meet you all and for a good kick off of 5th Pillar's Mumbai Chapter.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
College Student's Success in using Zero Rupee Note
Marie Sharma, student of Idhaya College, Pondicherry attended our "Freedom from Corruption" campaign, was stopped by policeman and was asked to produce license and registration of the vehicle. Inspite of producing them, the policeman asked her for a Rs.50 bribe. She then, handed over the Zero rupee note and the policeman smiled and pretended as if nothing happened and let her go.
HUMAN CHAIN AT MARINA BEACH on 23rd January, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIORZ7yeO3E
On January 23rd, 2010 5th Pillar conducted a Human Chain with the theme “Hug Honesty, Kick Corruption”. The objective of the human chain was to campaign against corruption and appeal to save the RTI Act. The event was attended by students from various colleges all over Chennai and also included 5th Pillar coordinators, members and the general public. It started at 9:00 am at Marina Beach in Chennai.
Dr. Ln G. Manilal, district Chairman of Lions Club, kicked off the event by signing on 5th Pillar’s mega sized(30 feet long) Zero Rupee Note Banner, bearing the statement “I will neither accept nor give bribe”. Then the remaining public signed on the banner with great zeal, as a token of their dedication against corruption. “We have mainly targeted college students as they are the future citizens of the country. Some of them who get into politics will have the values of “the greater common good” imbibed in them and help India get better by the day”- said Mr. K Nagarajan, the legal advisor of 5th Pillar.
To further their appeal for a corruption free society, they laid thumb impressions to justify the slogan- “Without ‘I’ there is no Corruption” and “Hug Honesty & Kick Corruption”. A signature campaign made on a larger version(9ft x 6ft) letterhead of 5th Pillar, signed by all the students appealed to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to enforce stricter punishments for corrupt officials and to save the RTI Act from losing its power by poor functioning of the State Information Commission.
The Zero Rupee Note has proved to be the mascot of 5th Pillar, and helped many a citizen to obtain his/her fundamental right or a certificate from a government department, without having to pay a bribe or wait inordinately. Hundreds of Zero Rupee Notes were distributed to all the students who were seen holding them high and taking the Anti-Corruption Pledge that they would “Neither Accept Nor Pay Bribe”, and would help every fellow citizen to “Eliminate Corruption from All Levels of the Society”.
The organizers of the event Mr. Vijay Anand, the President of 5th Pillar;
Mr. R. V. Nambi, Director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption; Mr. K Natarajan, Senior Advisor; Mr. K Banu, Executive Director; Mr. S. Nagarajan, Legal Advisor; Mr. A.Subramani, Director of Operations, and Student Coordinators- Sarath Babu,
Jayaselvan, Dilip Kumar and Jeevan.
“If India had started a war against corruption 40 years back, there won’t be a need to wage a war against terrorism today, because the effects of terrorism are compounded only because of corruption in our government machinery”, said Vijay Anand, “The Human Chain is an attempt to make the corrupt officials realize it is time to stop taking bribes, as citizens of India are starting to be unwilling to be victims of a corrupt system.”
The event was also an act to seek government support to help eradicate corruption from its very roots.
On January 23rd, 2010 5th Pillar conducted a Human Chain with the theme “Hug Honesty, Kick Corruption”. The objective of the human chain was to campaign against corruption and appeal to save the RTI Act. The event was attended by students from various colleges all over Chennai and also included 5th Pillar coordinators, members and the general public. It started at 9:00 am at Marina Beach in Chennai.
Dr. Ln G. Manilal, district Chairman of Lions Club, kicked off the event by signing on 5th Pillar’s mega sized(30 feet long) Zero Rupee Note Banner, bearing the statement “I will neither accept nor give bribe”. Then the remaining public signed on the banner with great zeal, as a token of their dedication against corruption. “We have mainly targeted college students as they are the future citizens of the country. Some of them who get into politics will have the values of “the greater common good” imbibed in them and help India get better by the day”- said Mr. K Nagarajan, the legal advisor of 5th Pillar.
To further their appeal for a corruption free society, they laid thumb impressions to justify the slogan- “Without ‘I’ there is no Corruption” and “Hug Honesty & Kick Corruption”. A signature campaign made on a larger version(9ft x 6ft) letterhead of 5th Pillar, signed by all the students appealed to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to enforce stricter punishments for corrupt officials and to save the RTI Act from losing its power by poor functioning of the State Information Commission.
The Zero Rupee Note has proved to be the mascot of 5th Pillar, and helped many a citizen to obtain his/her fundamental right or a certificate from a government department, without having to pay a bribe or wait inordinately. Hundreds of Zero Rupee Notes were distributed to all the students who were seen holding them high and taking the Anti-Corruption Pledge that they would “Neither Accept Nor Pay Bribe”, and would help every fellow citizen to “Eliminate Corruption from All Levels of the Society”.
The organizers of the event Mr. Vijay Anand, the President of 5th Pillar;
Mr. R. V. Nambi, Director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption; Mr. K Natarajan, Senior Advisor; Mr. K Banu, Executive Director; Mr. S. Nagarajan, Legal Advisor; Mr. A.Subramani, Director of Operations, and Student Coordinators- Sarath Babu,
Jayaselvan, Dilip Kumar and Jeevan.
“If India had started a war against corruption 40 years back, there won’t be a need to wage a war against terrorism today, because the effects of terrorism are compounded only because of corruption in our government machinery”, said Vijay Anand, “The Human Chain is an attempt to make the corrupt officials realize it is time to stop taking bribes, as citizens of India are starting to be unwilling to be victims of a corrupt system.”
The event was also an act to seek government support to help eradicate corruption from its very roots.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Training NGO's of Kancheepuram and Tiruvellore Dts
5th Pillar was part of a training programme organised by ANITHRA at Deenabandu Nagar, near R.K. Pet and Tiruthani of Tiruvellore Dt. Around 20 NGO' s from the districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvellore participated in the training program which went on for a two days the 24th and 25th of January, 2010. Mr.Banukumar , Executive Director and Ms.Sumathi, Director public relations of 5th Pillar were the trainers on the first day of the training and Mr. Jeyaselvan, RTI coordinator of 5th pillar conducted classes on the second day.
The participants were educated about the Panchayat, its role in society, Gramasabas, their role in formulating plans for the development of the villages, the role of the panchayat members and the President, their accountability in society, the various groups formed in the panchayat on specific subjects, periodicity of tne meetings . the number of meetings to be conducted etc. The members were also informed about the application of RTI for getting the grievances redressed , the method of writing RTI , the appeals etc. The training programme was found to be very useful for the NGO's who participated in the training. Zero Rupee notes were distributed to the members who participated in the Training.
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