WAMMS 2007 Images

Bottle cap sculpture

Building an airplane with waste waterbottle plastic labels

The water bottle chandelier was placed in the foyer

Overhead canopy from throw away movie flexes

Children at the event watching an AV on Solid Waste Management

Ghoom Girls High School drama troupe presented a play on Waste Management

The finished chandelier

Din in the Den- Discussions/ Adda Sessions

The finished airplane

The art exhibition

The Waste Art & Mixed Media Show

This event and concept was conceived at the Tube around the beginning of May 2007. It was a hectic event and like everyone involved will confirm, NOT smooth at all. We used to fight like cats and dogs during pre-production time but all the more for looking back and laughing about it now. :P

The main movers and shakers were Dipang, Samir, Bibek, Shailu, Roshan, Smriti, Kundan and me; not forgetting our many volunteers. Thank you all.

Attached is the final concept we hashed (!) for this project.

CONCEPT

BACKGROUND

The alarming waste, mainly plastic that saturates the region as landfill inspired PROD to organize an event that would motivate people to regard most discarded substance as a regenerative and recyclable resource conducive to the purpose of keeping Darjeeling clean.

We cannot alter the manner in which companies manufacture merchandise overnight, but we can change our conduct to be more ecologically friendly, saving our resources for another day and stopping places from becoming merely hosts for our garbage. Art can creatively bring attention to our careless, harmful, and unsustainable disposal practices by bringing the same refuse into the public's everyday life, and not allowing it simply to disappear into landfills, out of sight and consciousness. Those who see this prospective for art and encourage its practice can employ like devices in various arenas to increase the public's awareness and change individuals' actions.

While the prime goal of the event is of environmental awareness and a creative outlook to waste, the event also intends to arrive at the goal of providing a platform to the cultural and creative expression of the artists and creative professionals belonging to the Hills vis a vis the mixed media section of the show where creative liberty will not just limit them to the theme of recycled art.

All participating artists be it painters, photographers, cinematographers, designers (web and graphic), sculptors, tattoo artists, musicians, poets, writers and so forth will be sought to explore and showcase their respective art forms regardless of the theme.

Given the employment deprivation amongst deserving creative talent in the Hills, the event could also materialize as a means to garner beneficial professional clientele and outsourcing opportunities to the aspiring professionals.

THE EVENT
Darjeeling traditionally puts up a significant program every year commemorating World Environment Day on June 5th; for 2007 PRO.Darjeeling (PROD) proposes a four-day Waste Art and Mixed Media show to begin its involvement in the social and physical fabric of the Darjeeling Hills.

OBJECTIVE
Towards Art, Environment and Community
The primary objectives of the event would be

1. To create a platform for art and design in the Darjeeling Hills with a strong emphasis on recycling and waste while promoting local artists.

2. To highlight the availability and distribution of Art in terms of socio-economic structures of the region, by attaching importance to local resources and community wellbeing so that it is accessible to the broader, mainly the younger social groups in our society.

3. To inspire children and young adults to heed for waste as a renewable resource.

EVENT DETAILS
Title of the event PROTECT & PROMOTE Darjeeling
Theme Waste Art and Mixed Media Show
Duration June 5th 2007 through June 8th 2007
Venue Hayden Hall, Darjeeling
Timings 9 am – 7pm

THE PROGRAM
Towards education and outreach

Art education / promotion and career guidance workshops during the 4-day event are an integral part of the occasion. An auction towards the end of the event will be facilitated in an attempt to make it a profitable involvement for the artists concerned as well as being a PROD fundraiser.

Rousing young minds with an environment friendly attitude in Darjeeling is necessary; hence the participation and mobilization of schools and colleges for the event is a priority. Projects according to the waste art theme will be given to educational institutions to incorporate in their curriculum as well as display them in the art show.

A prize incentive will be awarded to the school with the best entry that will be judged by esteemed personalities of our town.

Every evening of the event will be cultural. Local musicians will perform original music (both digital and instrumental). Poetry and book reading sessions will also be held.

Discussions on Art and Media, Design, Waste Management, Film screenings will also be an integral part of the program. The show will entertain guest speakers from all relative fields and senior classical and local musicians.

A small eatery with comfortable seating arrangements will serve as a healthy informal environment for art enthusiasts / critics to voice their thoughts and views on various issues of concern and interest. Space will also be allotted to workshops and seminars.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
PRO.Darjeeling (PROD), is the implementing body of this particular event.

PROD envisions communities working together towards a progressive, productive and propitious society. It is a citizen’s collective with a genuine aspiration to nurture and care for Darjeeling by utilizing Music, the Arts, culture and socio-developmental volunteerism as mediums to motivate people to live a life of purpose, dignity and community service even during times of adversity.

PARTNERS
DLR PRERNA is a Darjeeling based organization working towards environmental justice in the Darjeeling Hills since 1996.

DARJEELING INITIATIVE is an organization that has been working towards the cultural upliftment of Darjeeling through the annual Darjeeling Carnival for the last five years.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Forum on HIV/AIDS & Human Trafficking in the Darjeeling Hills

We lent support to the Inner Wheel Club of Darjeeling and CII in the capacity of event management and technical advisory committee for the Forum on HIV/Aids & Human Trafficking organised at the Capitol Tower in Darjeeling. It was a 2 day event.

The Program & Theme

FORUM on HIV/AIDS and TRAFFICING, Darjeeling 25th and 26th July 2007, Town Hall, Darjeeling
Background Note:
HIV/AIDS and the Darjeeling Hills

The Darjeeling Hills are a highly vulnerable area with regards to HIV/AIDS. The backwardness of the region leading to high migration, floating sex worker population, awareness focused in urban areas only are cross cutting factors resulting in the vulnerability.

In 1996, under the impetus of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Darjeeling, the Darjeeling AIDS Control Centre (DACC) was established with a few NGOs and Societies working under it. The region’s only Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing Centre (VCCTC) started functioning from April 2002. To date, 2480 persons have undergone testing, of which 116 were found to be HIV positive (31st May 2007 VCCTC report). However, experts are skeptical about the accuracy of present data to extrapolate for the entire hills, stating that the actual figure is far more startling.

They point to several compelling factors to support their opinion:
· Very few people opt for testing due to lack of awareness and fear of a social scrutiny. Moreover, although blood donations are screened, donors are not notified of their HIV status.
· Awareness programs only cater to the urban populace and lack a strong connection to the rural populace of Darjeeling.
· The VCCTC is located in the Darjeeling Town with limited access and to the rural population
· The poor economy of the region and massive unemployment has given rise to a large migrant laborer population and sex workers.
· High risk groups such as drivers, army men, migrant porters, flying sex workers and laborers, leaving and coming into Darjeeling, have limited access to HIV/AIDS awareness programs.
· Most institutions do not impart adolescent health to pupils, let alone HIV/AIDS awareness
Issues and Challenges of HIV/AIDS in the Darjeeling Hills
1. limited societal awareness on HIV/AIDS; stigma and discrimination
2. Insufficient supportive medical environment
3. Only one Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre in Darjeeling Sadar Hospital making it extremely difficult for rural communities and people from the other subdivisions to access it
4. Limited Prevention of Parent to Child Transfer Centre
5. Rights of People and Families living with HIV/AIDS
6. Access to CD 4 count Test which can be only be done in the nearest Teaching Hospital, which is the North Bengal Medical College, Siliguri. This is free for the BPL but the journey back and forth is very challenging for people of the hills
7. Access to anti retro viral therapy which is also given by the North Bengal Medical College, Siliguri which is a life long treatment making it difficult to access.
Day 1
Dialogue within key stakeholders and decision makers
Objectives:
1. Identify issues and barriers in the Darjeeling Hills with respect to awareness and prevention of HIVAIDS ; care and support
2. Initiate a dialogue of key stakeholders and decision makers
Inputs:
1. Stakeholders presentations(5 minutes per stakeholder) on issues and barriers in their focused interventions
2. Theme paper presentation
3. Round Table Dialogue
Outputs:
1. Critical understanding of issues and barriers in the Darjeeling Hills with respect to care and support and prevention of HIV/AIDS by primary stakeholders
2. Road Map
Time Period: 2 hours 10:00 am to 12 noon and lunch
Post Lunch
1. HIV/AIDS, Poverty, Unsafe Migration and Trafficking
Darjeeling Police, Inner Wheel, DACC to facilitate
Exhibition on HIV/AIDS open to citizens of Darjeeling
Day 2
Sensitization of Darjeeling Municipality Elected Representatives and Community Based Organizations’ Leaders
Objectives:
1. Sensitize Community Leaders
2. Initiate a dialogue forum of key stakeholders and decision makers
3. Develop a road map for the Darjeeling Hills on HIV/AIDS
Time Period: 10: 00 am to 5 :00 pm
Inputs:
1. HIV/AIDS, STI, VCCTC and prevention – technical input
2. HIV/AIDS and society
Albert Rai, Anugyalaya DDSSS 20 minutes presentation 10 minutes discussion
3. Shanker Foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People
40 minutes presentation including personal sharing 20 minutes discussion
4. HIV/AIDS and Intra-venous Drug Users in the Darjeeling Hills
Kripa Centre Darjeeling 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes discussion
5. HIV/AIDS and Sex Workers in the Darjeeling Hills
FOSEP 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes discussion
6. HIV/AIDS and Transport workers
YMDAS 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes discussion
7. HIV/AIDS and Male Sexual Health
Manas Bangla, Mitjyu 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes discussion
8. HIV/AIDS and Tea Plantation Workers
IPARW 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes discussion
9. Group Discussion and Action Plan Development
30 minutes Group Discussion and Presentations 1 hour including compilation
VOTE OF THANKS
Inner Wheel
Outputs
1. Capacity enhancement of Community Leaders
2. Action plans
Technical Advisory Committee
Superintendent of Police
President Inner Wheel
President or Secretary Shanker Foundation
Sweta Pradhan & Dipang Lama PROD
DACC One Representative
Roshan Rai

Shanker Foundation

Shanker Foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People is the only foundation run by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Darjeeling Hills.

It believes and promotes the dignity and right to life of persons living with the disease. It provides care and support to Positive People. The foundation also undertakes community awareness programs.

The social stigma and disicrimination attached to HIV/AIDS has made it extremely difficult for Shanker Foundation to come out in the open. The foundation has members from all walks of life including mothers, children. young adults and men. The list is increasing rapidly.

The look and logo of the organisation has been designed by the creative section of PROD for their fundraiser and launch of the organisation. To know more on the Foundation, please log on to http://www.shankerfoundation.blogspot.com/.

You can be part of the Shanker Foundation DjNP+ movement by contributing on a regular basis. Your contribution can be deposited directly into their Axis bank account, Darjeeling Branch. A/c Number: 346010100013138. Your contribution details can be emailed to friendsofshanker@gmail.com.

The Plastic Mukti Campaign

Another turn at volunteerism yet again but like we always agree unanimously over here, anything goes when it comes to building an "ark" for good old Darjeeling.

This was a Darjeeling Police endeavor headed by Rajesh Subarno, the then SP of Darjeeling who rounded up everyone to initiate the process of banning plastic bags in Darjeeling.One cannot stress enough on the need for people everywhere to become more environmently conscious when it comes to preparing for a better and fruitful future.One of its many facets and a vital one at that.

We also called it a Citizens' Initiative but we wouldn't have been able to achieve as much without the help of the Darjeeling Police and Rajesh.

So the gang got together and we found familiar faces ( friends) the first time we got together at Neeraj and Mary's who played hosts for most of the planning and inception of the campaign. The same people had come forward to participate and it was a learning undertaking for all of us.

We went to schools for awareness sessions and they rallied against the use of plastic bags in Darj. Everyone was most cooperative. A marathon was also held to raise awareness for the same. "An Inconvenient Truth" was screened at Mary's and Neeraj's with a projector and a white bedsheet for a monitor!

An important event marking the entire campaign was the Plastic Mukti Truck which was supposed to leave Darj for Siliguri on the last day of the 9 day campaign loaded with plastic collected by the citizens of Darjeeling for recycling. The plastic came back as pipes and other usable products. PROD designed the banners, flyers and all the materials that were required.

We believe that the impact of the campaign was productive and the use of plastic has come down considerably.Most or all of the restaurants here do not use plastic bags anymore. Can't say much about the stores since I have come across a few who still do. Our job is to keep reminding people about the hazards of plastic, the rest which I believe is upto them to understand and be consious about. It would also be great if the tourists coming in to Darjeeling would not bring plastic bags with them. It would only add to the existing land fill.

PROD composed a song for the campaign calling it the "Tang Song". It gets its name from the strumming of the guitar which more or less sounds like Tang!! Credit goes to Bibek and Jonah. It was recorded at Ajneesh's studio and it played throughout the campaign in Chowrastha. Pity I can't have it uploaded here or maybe I haven't figured this blog thing out completely. When I do, it shall be here for all of you to hear . Until then, attached below are the lyrics.

The TANG! Song

Suna mero saathiho
Yo ho hamro Darjeeling
Yo hamro kartavya ho
Yaad rakhau sabai din

Let’s keep our hometown clean....
Let’s keep our hometown green...

Safaa rakhchhu aafnai gaon
Pyaro chha malai aafnai thau
Mero Darjeeling

Let’s keep our hometown clean....
Let’s keep our hometown green...

TANG...!

Dustbin haru chalaula
Yo thaulai safaa rakhaula
Waste management garaula
Pradushan hataula

Let’s keep our hometown clean...
Let’s keep our hometown green...

Khola nala safaa hos
Plastic fyaknu roknu hos
Ani sochnu hos

Let’s keep our hometown clean...
Let’s keep our hometown green...

TANG!

Let’s keep our hometown clean...
Let’s keep our hometown green...

We’ll keep our hometown clean and green.

It is imperative to add that we did receive some criticism for the venture from some areas wherein they wanted to know about the usage of other forms of plastic that are daily items like food wraps, potato chip bags, biscuit packets, the quintessential rajnigandha etc. In our defence, I would like to say that it was a matter of consideration and we wanted to take it on to the next phase of the campaign. Secondly, it is also important for the people to understand its drastic effects and become more self-consious of usage and especially littering. It is definitely not cool.

And thirdly, I wish all of you had come forward to help when we needed you too. It would have made a world of difference to us and the campaign.

Finally, what does come to mind to me is an overused reprimand of my Grandmother's when she was alive - Waste not, want not. It may sound a bit preachy and I may come across as a "holier than thou" but -

"Opie, you haven't finished your milk. We can't put it back in the cow, you know!" - Andy Griffith Show

...might kinda say it all.

The Darjeeling Carnival

Amidst the chaos of forming one's own organization, Samir and Ajoy gave us our first stint at "volunteerism", the much beloved Darjeeling Carnival, which sadly, has been discontinued today.

We liked the concept of the Carnival and the ideas along which it had been modeled. Dipang and the rest had been a part of it before but it was my first . Cultural vibrancy, artistic platform and an opportunity for everyone to come together in harmony and work towards one cause, for Darjeeling ...regardless of caste, creed or race.

We organized the Opening and Closing of the event. It was Fun and we had a great team going for us.

Light & Sound: Dipang, Shikhar, Ujjawal & Gatty
AVs: Bhaskar, Ajneesh & Sweta
MC: Sonika & Hemraj
Costumes: Namrata & Smriti
Production: Smriti, Namrata, Sweta, Bibek, Shailu, Dom, Emma.
Concept & Script: Dipang & Sweta
Motivation: Ajoy & Samir!
And of course, all the artists, stage hands and our 9 different Chief Guests who have been integral in our lives and the Darjeeling community.

Please find a rough concept attached below.

Opening Ceremony – Darjeeling Carnival 2006

The mood and the theme of the opening ceremony of The Darjeeling Carnival 2006 are to travel from a somber and reflective atmosphere to gradual but euphoric celebration.

The idea is to touch every Darjeeling heart in an effort to inculcate communal harmony and unity in diversity, to portray a united front against the present adversity, existing discord and to strive towards becoming a model society.

A cultural parade starts from the lower bazaar preferably Bata at 5:30 pm. The parade comprises:
A float of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to commemorate its 150th year anniversary
Children, preferably from Orphanage Homes attired in various guises that are symbolic of eminent and famous personalities of Darjeeling who are connected to the place in some way or the other. For example Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Vivian Leigh, Mark Twain, Jinnah and his wife Ruttie, Paras Mani Pradhan, Louis Banks, Jyoti Brahmin, Mahima Chaudhury, Victor Bannerjee, Sister Nivedita and even Hamjayaga.
Different samities and associations dressed in their traditional garb and holding traditional instruments, as a colorful display of Darjeeling’s unique blend of diverse cultures and ethnicities.
The Police Band for Music

The parade could also consist of children dressed in balloon outfits of the red panda, a tealeaf, Kanchenjunga etc as a depiction of all facets that are characteristic of Darjeeling and its surrounding areas.
Jugglers, fire throwers, circus acts, break dancers.
A mascot is very essential for the Carnival.

As soon as the parade arrives at Chowrasta where the crowd will be gathered to view the opening ceremony, the cavalcade will line up in front of the stage and observe silence as a tribute to Shasheesh Prasad. This year’s carnival is a tribute to Shasheesh and at this cue; Shasheesh’s wife, Ranjeeta will be brought up on stage for the lamp lighting ceremony in his honor and memory. This gesture will be followed by a silent prayer preferably led by Ajay Edwards. Soon after, a flight of white doves, confetti and bunches of balloons will be released into the air as a respectful gesture for Shasheesh, as a symbol for peaceful tides as well as to commemorate the beginning of yet another fruitful Darjeeling Carnival.

Next, the Chief Guests will be called upon and felicitated by the children on stage. There will probably be 7 of them this year and all will hail from different walks of life like a tea garden worker, a traffic cop, a porter, a nurse, a social worker etc. The idea is to celebrate and pay tribute to the abundant contribution these people have made to our everyday lives and yet, have gone unnoticed and unsung. This act will have the monitors screen a short video clip alongside about the concerned person or probably a quote or a line from a song/scripture that is relative to his/her life or profession.

Followed by a sudden black out, Chowrasta will resonate with an audio clip of the Toy Train whistle tracked by diverse sounds that are synonymous to a Darjeeling life. For example, the early morning rooster, the mosque call, the striking of the clock tower, the lower chowk bazaar sounds, the chant of the monks, children’s laughter, church bells, colloquial lingo and so forth. This entire repertoire of sounds will then be closed by a fade out of the chugging of the DHR.A blast and a spectacular banner on all the monitors that reads, “Darjeeling Carnival 2006 begins” countdown (old cinema reel), will take over immediately. Bright lights will go up and various artists who have already taken position on stage will commence with the carnival song immediately, towards the end of which the lights would have dimmed again and everyone would be holding a lit candle. The song will simultaneously feature a montage of Darjeeling’s glorious past and its dwindling present on all the screens.

The rest of the acts will follow suit promptly.

Gopal – We are the champions (Queen)
Meghna Mukhia- Heal the World (MJ)
Sabina, Hemu, Avinash and Priscilla- Can you feel the love tonight? (Lion King)
Ajneeshda – Nepali Song
Lou Majau – Blowing in the wind (Bob Dylan)
Kalaniketan Academy (Phurba)- Cultural dance
Bimal Gurung – Cultural dance
Hemu/Lipok – Drum and light show

How it all began...

Memory fails me but not too long ago, I came across a line which aptly illustrated the inception of PROD.

"The beginnings and endings of every human partnership are untidy," or so it said. And I remember the acknowledgement I lent to the holistic truth of it. In lieu to the reality of the statement, I would also like to attach another thought process.

I have perceived that many individuals I have encountered, from friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues and even strangers lay too much importance on "beginnings" and "ends". Everybody is searching for the "perfect beginning" or the "grand finale". I succumbed to the belief myself. In all honesty, I wanted to arrive in style and leave with a flourish. Didn't happen. One of life's many lessons learnt. That what I was searching for was, in contrary, non-existent. What mattered and what should matter was only the "middles".

The initiation of PROD changed it all. Though there was no haste or hurry about it, one didn't find lack lustre in it. None of us met in one place, at one time or for one singular motive. All of us came from different walks of life, had different professions, different things to do and liked our coffee in different ways. None of us can actually put a finger on how it all began but it somehow did. We do remember that it took us a month and a half to finalise the concept which happened over numerous mugs of different types of coffee each to one's taste and an equal number of "beer talks" at Joey's. All the happenings were untidy but the outcome we agree, is definitely neat. But not on a daily basis, I should add.

So coming to the point of beginnings and ends, we began with a lot of enthusiasm and with almost seven people on board. But time and circumstance primarily has left just the two of us in the organization i.e Dipang and me. Remember, our beginning was untidy!

But they are always around to help us whenever help is needed. Roshan, Ujjawal, Bibek, Shailendra. All of them have been actively involved in all of PROD's endeavors so far and we know will continue to be so. We are "project-based colleagues" but "life time friends". Herein, since we are on the friends topic, we would also like to mention the names of our other friends and support system in random order :)

Samir, Ajoy, Namrata, Smriti, Suman, Kundan, Suraj, Hemu, Yougal, Lipok, Monlom, Emma, Edith, Aunty Pushie, Uncle Danny, Aunty Chitra, Sandip Mukherjee, Guenter Wehrmann, Rajesh Subarno, Shiva Priya, Neeraj, Mary, Binni, Falguni, Samar, Gerald, Satya, Reeshabh, Pallavi, Kunal and the list will continue and shall be likewise updated.

So here we are now, with the middles to take care of. We know of our beginning, don't care how the end will perform hence, the middle it shall be. The journey, it seems, is the destination.