Asha Meeting
9/9/2007
Attendees: Kavita, Harish, Itisha, Bharath Kumar, Santhosh, Gaurav, Anitha, Sais, Vishal
1. Talk by Leo Saldhana - Kavita
2. Gandhi Jayanthi Documentary Screenings - Kavita
3. Shobhana Concert - Kavita
4. Documentary - Whose Land is it Anyway?
1. Talk by Leo Saldhana
Leo Saldhana is an AID Saathi, who will be visiting Austin next Sunday. He is working on environment impact assessment and other such issues around Bangalore and Mysore. The talk will be in UT at 10 am in the morning. Volunteers can attend the talk or join for lunch.
2. Gandhi Jayanthi screenings
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi there will be two movie screenings presented by the South Asian Institute, "Words on Water" on Oct 1st and "Jeshn-e-Azadi on Oct 2nd.
These two films by Sanjay Kak address the varied legacies of Indian nationalism and Gandhian nonviolence. "Words on Water" focuses on the more than 20 year history of non-violent struggle of displaced farmers and tribals in the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada Movement). "Jeshn-e-Azadi" ("How We Celebrate Freedom") examines the more than 50 year history of violence in Kashmir's struggle for Independence. Filmmaker Sanjay Kak will be present to answer questions after both films.
OCT 1. "Words on Water" 7 pm ACES 2.302, Avaya Auditorium
OCT. 2 "Jeshn-e-Azadi" 7 pm ACES 2.302, Avaya Auditorium
For more information call the South Asia Institute: 512.471.3550. The Avaya
Auditorium in ACES is located at the corner of Speedway and 24th Streets. http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/ace.html
Free parking is available on 24th and San Jacinto streets after 6 pm.
3. Shobhana Concert
Association for India's Development (AID) - Austin presents: Maya - A
Classical Dance Fusion Ballet in English by World Renowned Bharatanatyam Dancer
and National Award-winning actress SHOBANA & Ensemble
When: Sunday, September 30th, 2007, 5.00-8.00 PM
Where: Akins High School Auditorium, 10701, South 1st Street, Austin TX-78748
Tickets: $100, $50, $25
Call 512-419-8327 OR Email: austinconcert@aidindia.org
Tickets also available at Sulekha:
http://austin.sulekha.com/events/Dance/2007/07/
maya-by-padmashree-shobana-in-austin.htm
For Family/Group Discounts contact Ankur Jain: 512-419-8327
Note: Babysitting will be available at the venue.
For more information and to watch a video clip of the show, visit
www.aidaustin.org/maya
All proceeds from this show will go towards supporting development projects in India.
Please contact Kavita @ 512-695-7983, if you want tickets or if you have any other questions.
4. Documentary - Whose land is it anyway?
This is a movie by Ladly Mukhopadhyay on the recent protest by farmers in Singur, West Bengal over the forceful acquisition of land for the formation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
To read about the documentary - http://www.indiatogether.org/2007/jun/hrt-wbengal.htm
About Singur - http://www.indiatogether.org/2007/jul/agr-singur.htm
The movie was followed by a discussion about land rights,
displacement and rehabilitation. This movie was relevant to the Resource Center
being run by Bharathi trust. In the recent past, there seems to be some
activity in the area with regard to acquisition of land. The movie raised
important questions like
- Can the state deny citizens, a choice in earning their livelihood?
- What is the definition of development? And who benefits from development?
- Can the state prevent free movement of people within a reason?
Action Item - Find/read out about the land reforms carried out in Bengal
and in Kerala.