Mentor’s Statement (Sabir Ahamed):
Here in India, mandatory documents such as citizenship entitlements, birth certificates, ration cards and Aadar cards continue to be out of reach for many of us. There are several such matters of daily importance for which there is no one-stop-shop information platform. As a development practitioner, I have come across several cases where even the educated and empowered middle-class are not fully aware of how to obtain a birth certificate after one year of birth.
During a couple of workshops on entitlements and government schemes, I came across an incident of taxi refusal in Kolkata which ignited in me the immediate desire to develop a meaningful information platform. I posted the entire incident on the Facebook page of the Kolkata police; they immediately responded. Soon, others too began to post relevant information and their experiences (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Kolkata-Traffice-Police/129115403803409). One person has posted a helpline number for people who face taxi refusal. This dialogue has turned into a fully fledged discussion, and this just proves how much a platform for the sharing of information can really benefit us in a world where the volume of information can be so disorientating.
Please click on the relevant links to read many more success stories and how to go about.
Rituparna Mallick
Position: Coordinator and Manager
Student of Politics (2nd year) in the department of International Relations in Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Has been actively involved in the social sector for the past two and a half years, working with International, National and Local organisations on issues concerning Environment, Education, Child’s, Women’s and Minority Rights, Migration and Cultural dialogue in promoting peace and harmony.
Jonathan James William Woods
Position: Content and website Manager
A student from England. Has been working in the social sector for the past 3 years in both England and India. He has contributed significantly in the causes relating to Environment, Education, Child Rights and Women’s Rights and Migration and Cultural dialogue in promoting peace and harmony.Currently in India pursuing a three years bachelors in English (hons) in Jadavpur University, Department of English.
Dishari Rakshit
Position: Content and PR
Student of Politics in the department of International Relations in Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
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