Akshara Centre in association with the Government of Maharashtra

Akshara Centre in association with the Government of Maharashtra urges all citizens to put #LockdownOnDomesticViolence

Link – https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Kzmq0H21L/?igshid=ya6q7njr1nk2
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Since there has been a nationwide lockdown and people have been directed to “stay home” to prevent the virus spread, cases of domestic violence have surged. Predominantly women who are mistreated are now confined to homes with abusive partners whose physically violent tendencies are further inflamed by economic stressors. This situation is now recognized as a ‘Shadow Pandemic’ by UN Women and countries across the world are seeing a surge in domestic violence   

Akshara Centre along with Special Cell for Women and Children with support from Government, the Police and supported by celebrities have come together to create awareness about the current situation. With a powerful video in English, Hindi, as well as Marathi, #LockdownOnDomesticViolence, urges citizens to fight and raise their voice against the brutality taking place in their houses.

The National Commission for Women record shows up to 257 cases in the first week of April and this has created great concern amongst women’s groups and activists to address the needs of women from all spheres of life who are playing an indispensable role on the front line in the war against COVID-19. Akshara Centre along with the Special Cell for Women and Children (a project of DWCD GOM, supported by TISS) has come together to set up priority measures to help domestic violence survivors, without detracting from the overall anti-COVID-19 strategy of lockdown. A detailed backend plan along with compilation mobile numbers of 127 Special Cells, 358 protection officers and many other services are collated and shared with 100 so that police and other service providers work together and all burden is not only on police in the current time. With support by The Government of Maharashtra, steps to protect survivors of domestic violence have been made a part of overall anti-COVID-19 action plans.

Eminent personalities from the sports and entertainment industry such as Ajinkya Rahane, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Mithali Raj, Nandita Das, Rahul Bose, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Sakshi Tanwar, Shabana Azmi, Shreyas Talpade, Sonali Kulkarni, Sunil Shetty, Vidya Balan and Virat Kohli have come together asking women to take a stand against abusers and perpetrators of gender-based crimes. They urge people to not be bystanders but to report and help women seek help. Their passionate support to be a part this cause will be significant to educate and spread awareness about social crimes like domestic violence in our country.

Talking about this initiative Nandita Shah, Co-Director of Akshara Centre said, “This increase in domestic violence during lockdowns is not just an Indian phenomenon; is being reported all over the world. We know that containment measures and quarantine are essential to overcome COVID-19 but we cannot have women entrapped in violent homes where even making a phone call is difficult. The government of Maharashtra has extended their support to help prevent this violence. We would also like to thank our long-standing supporter Rahul Bose who has been extending his endless support to the organization.”

Commenting on his association with Akshara Centre, Rahul Bose said, “From my first-hand experiences from the 2004 Tsunami to the times of this present Covid19 crisis it is a devastating fact that calamities, natural or manmade, hit women hardest. During this lockdown period incidences of domestic violence against women have spiked alarmingly across not just the country, but the world. It has been my privilege to be a part of this campaign (which, crucially, is in three languages, Marathi, Hindi, and English) created by the wonderful people at Akshara Centre in partnership with the Special Services Cell and the Government of Maharashtra. A campaign that seeks to shine a light for battered women across Maharashtra, telling them that we are listening, women’s groups across the state are listening, the government is listening.”

Akshara Centre in the past has also worked with the government to ensure Gender inclusion in Development Plan of Mumbai, the safety of women in transport, setting up of Gender Resource Centre with MCGM, setting up of police helpline 100. It is well documented that during this war on COVID 19, women’s bodies are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Akshara Centre, working relentlessly towards gender justice has joined hands with the Government of Maharashtra to put an end to domestic violence during this period of lockdown.

www.standupagainstviolence.org

Nandita Shah - 9821898676

Nandita Gandhi - 9819109023  

Best Mistakes Of My Life’ launched at a grand event

Best Mistakes Of My Life’ launched at a grand event in MumbaiFormer Jammu and Kashmir CM Dr. Farooq Abdullah was the guest of honour at the grand launch

 The city witnessed a star-studded affair with the who's who from the film fraternity as well as politics attending the grand launch of legendary actor-producer Sanjay Khan's autobiography ‘The Best Mistakes Of My Life’.

The autobiography traces the journey of one of the greatest actor-producers in Bollywood often referred to as the original 'Khan' of Bollywood.

The launch saw the presence of former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr. Farooq Abdullah who was also the guest of honour and also a close friend of Mr. Sanjay Khan. Along with him, Mallika Sanghvi, Sunil Alagh and Farooq Dhondy were also present.

Actor Dia Mirza, also a close friend of the family, was the host for the evening and narrated wonderful anecdotes from the life of the legendary actor. Also present were his son Zayed and daughters Sussanne, Simone and Farah along with Mr Khan's wife Zarine.

Sanjay Khan said, “This is an extremely emotional moment for me. I had never really thought of writing an autobiography but the process made me relive most parts and has made me value my life, my friends and those who stood by me even more. It gives me so much happiness to be able to share this moment with all those who are so precious to me.”

Sanjay Khan also read out an excerpt from his book which was about his mentor and his greatest inspiration, the Late Shri Raj Kapoor. 

The autobiography titled ‘The Best Mistakes Of My Life’ has the actor-author at his candid best with a bare-all look at his journey in Bollywood and outside of it. From films to politics to his near-death accidents, Khan writes on all his life-changing moments.

Sanjay Khan has acted in more than 40 films and produced and directed films like Chandi Sona, Kala Dhanda Gore Log and the television classic The Sword of Tipu Sultan. He is the recipient of the 'National Citizen Award' twice, the 'Rajiv Gandhi Award for Excellence', the 'Gem of India Award for Excellence' among many other honors.

Actors and Environmentalists Dia Mirza and Alec Baldwin host

Actors and Environmentalists Dia Mirza and Alec Baldwin host UN's Champions of the Earth Awards 

 ~ PM Modi, Cochin Airport and Young Champion Arpit Dhupar represent Indian fervour ~

At this year's United Nations’ annual flagship awards - Champions of the Earth 2018, Indians were seen as an integral part of the ecology conversation, moving a step closer to a more environment friendly living. Hosting these awards along with actor Alec Baldwin was UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador and Indian actor Dia Mirza, who is known to crusade for and lend her voice to ecological protection. 

The gala brought together a cross section of world leaders and influencers to celebrate momentum for change in defense of our one planet. Conferred with the UN's highest environmental honour, six of the world’s most outstanding environmental changemakers were recognised with the Champions of the Earth Award and seven trailblazers between the ages of 18 and 30 took home the coveted Young Champions of the Earth Prize, for their ambitious project ideas to restore and protect the environment.

This years’ laureates are recognized for a combination of bold, innovative, and tireless efforts to tackle some of the most urgent environmental issues of our times. Hoisting the Indian flag higher globally, young champion Arpit Dhupar was recognized and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cochin Airport won the award along with Joan Carling, French President Emmanuel Macron,  China’s Zhejiang’s Green Rural Revival Programme and Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. 

Emmanuel Macron, President of France and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, are recognized in the Policy Leadership category for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of levels of cooperation on environmental action, including Macron’s work on the Global Pact for the Environment and PM Modi’s unprecedented pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022.

“In a world of uncertainty, this is certain: We will not solve the extraordinary challenges our world faces today without extraordinary talent, new thinking and bold ideas,” said Head of UN Environment Erik Solheim. “The Champions of the Earth Award and Young Champions of the Earth Prize recognize those not afraid to chart unknown waters or be the voice of the voiceless. These people are changing our world today for a better tomorrow.”

“I have had the honour to host for the second year in a row Champions of the Earth Awards, a truly motivating and inspiring platform that brings together some of the finest human beings on the planet. People and organisations that truly care about progress and the planet. To be able to host this year’s awards with Alec Baldwin made the experience all the more special,” said Dia Mirza, Actor and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador.

The awards were presented during the Champions of the Earth Gala in New York City, on the sidelines of the 73^rd UN General Assembly. This is the second consecutive year, since being appointed UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India, that Dia was seen hosting the awards. 

Dia Mirza represents the country, voices strong opinion

Dia Mirza represents the country, voices strong opinion at the Social Good Summit in New York 

Actress, producer and ‘champion of nature’ Dia Mirza, who has become a global name owing to her work in the field of environment protection, has been invited to be one of the speakers at the Social Good Summit 2018 at New York on September 23 this year. In her personal and professional life, Dia has always highlighted the cause 'Beat Plastic Pollution' in every way and has used her voice to spread this message far and wide. 

Brought up in a family where sustainability has been ingrained in every little act of theirs, Dia has been conditioned right from childhood to embrace an eco-friendly way of living. Dia said, “I think the beat pollution campaign comes to me as one of the most significant campaigns of our times and one of the most successful, because now more than ever before, people understand how useless single use plastics are - and how dangerous they are for the environment.”

Adding, she said "The Social Good Summit is a great platform for recognizing and celebrating people who champion sustainability and at the same time, understanding the gravity of the situation. I am delighted to be a part of this and meet these wonderful individuals who are working every single day towards a better world. It's an onus each of us need to take on ourselves and act responsibly."

Dia strongly believes that youth is at the center of the solutions for the environment and can be the wave of change that is required. At the panel, they discussed the importance of building this awareness right from childhood helping them shape their conviction to champion the environment in every act. They also spoke of the need for successful advocacy and campaigns, like the #BeatPollution campaign around World Environment Day in India, to draw awareness to pollution and environmental issues. 

A session driven by solutions, Dia continues to be a strong voice for environmental conservation leading change across the world.