Monday, March 16, 2009

A South Asian Counter Terrorism Group. Something to think about.







As the Pakistani government brokers deals with the Taliban, Bangladesh faces mutiny threats from the Army, the Malegaon Blast links lead to Nepal and India is attacked constantly whether in Mumbai or J&K - South Asia is imploding.

The time for us to put our differences aside and Fight Back is here. A South Asian anti-terrorism group suggested by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in February sounds like the need of the hour.

But not everybody agrees.... and here's why:

http://banglapraxis.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/the-folly-of-a-south-asian-anti-terrorism-taskforce/
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2009/a_south_asian_antiterror_force.html

What do you think?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Fight Back at Kala Ghoda - Postcards to Pakistan!

Thanks to Zubin who inspired the Fight-Back team to do a fab job at Kala Ghoda - the installations were a grand success. Madhu, our core team member is a designer and has a great eye for art. While I have assisted or worked together with art directors in the past as a copywriter, helping with an art installation was absolutely new to me! It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me some very valuable lessons!

We spent a few months trying to collaborate with artists who believed in our cause after many meetings and discussions with artists and art galleries in Mumbai, we decided to do it ourselves.



A late night brainstorming session just days before the exhibition resulted in our two concepts - 'The Woman's Labyrinth' (for our Gender Violence Forum) and 'Postcards to Pakistan' (for our burgeoning anti-terrorism movement). Over crumbs of burger buns and cups of coffee... Zubin said, "This is it, let's go ahead, let's do it!"

Madhu's long-forgotten architectural skills (she's a trained architect turned designer) and my (surprising!) organisational skills came in handy while setting up the installations. In one evening both the installations were up!


Other core members of Fight Back were a constant source of support and encouragement, making calls where needed, pitching in with ideas and volunteering throughout the 8 days - Divya, Jessy, Sonali, Harish, Rayomand.

Soon, king and encouraging words pouring in on our Facebook walls, emails and cellphones.
Lakhs of visitors at Kala ghoda appreciated the installations and Fight Back - the movement.

Our online members pitched in as well, by volunteering at Kala Ghoda - Parizaad, Rishita, Rita, Lalita, Sneha and others.

We'll soon update the site with the details about the media coverage. Madhu and Rayo who help out with the site are on a well-deserved holiday!

Would you like us to set up these installations somewhere in other city or another location in Mumbai... drop us a line.