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FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR’S DESKDear Friends, Greetings from Habitat for Humanity India! As we release the October edition of We Build, our monthly newsletter, it's a timely moment to reflect on the significance of World Habitat Day, a day that underscores the fundamental importance of housing in our lives. World Habitat Day is observed to reflect on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It reminds us that a safe and decent home is more than just bricks and mortar; it's the cornerstone of a dignified life. It's a place where dreams take root and futures are crafted. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures. At Habitat for Humanity India, this is what unites us. Through shelter, we empower. Our shared vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Let us continue to build homes alongside homeowners and volunteers. Because every single one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future. Your support, your voice and your faith in Habitat are the building blocks of a better future, a future where everyone has a decent place to live.
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Solar means Safety The Tokawade Ashram School, a residential school located in Khed block of Maharashtra is now one of the very few schools in the region which is fully powered by solar energy. The installation of solar panels has equipped the school with better infrastructure and given the students a better learning environment with uninterrupted access to basic amenities like lights, fans, and computers throughout the day. It stands as a beacon of sustainable energy, dedicated to providing quality education to nearly 350 students, majority of whom belong to few of the most disadvantaged socio-economic communities like Katkari, Thakar and Mahadev Koli tribes. The school is like a second home to 171 students who stay in the hostel located in the school premises and go home during weekends or long holidays. The residential school was no stranger to the challenges of life in a remote village. Frequent power outages, especially during the monsoon season, disrupted the students' education and daily routines.
“Whenever it rained, there would be power outages. We had to spend our nights with candles that barely lit the corridors” says Ketan Phodase, a student of class 10. Habitat for Humanity India has partnered with Atos Prayas Foundation in facilitating the installation of Off-Grid Solar Panels in 24 Zilla Parishad schools located in Khed block of Maharashtra. The project encourages schools to use renewable sources of energy enabling these educational institutions to maintain a consistent and self-sufficient power supply, free from reliance on the local grid. The Zilla Parishad Primary School at Tokawade stands as an example among the 24 schools that have collaborated with Habitat India and Atos Prayas Foundation to achieve complete energy self-sufficiency through renewable means. “Now that we have access to electricity throughout the day, we can focus on our studies even after sunset”, Ketan further adds.
“The installation of solar panels has plummeted the electricity bills from INR 30,000 to just INR 2000 per month. However, the greatest impact of solar power was seen in June 2023 when cyclone Biparjoy hit the western coast of India. In June 2020, cyclone Nisarga had caused devastation on the western coast of Maharashtra. At that time, the entire village, including the school, saw a blackout for nearly a month. The students had to study under candlelight and had to face huge hardships in their day-to-day lives. It was a horrifying experience. This time, when the cyclone came, we were better prepared. The solar panels were installed two months before the monsoon. Powered by solar, the school stood strong without any electricity outages or blackouts despite the threat of the cyclone”, says Gautam Bhagat, Teacher, Tokawade Ashram School. The students of Tokawade Ashram School experience a safer and better learning environment now that the school has an uninterrupted power supply. For them, solar means safety. Click here to read more |
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Urban Dialogue Policy Solutions for Adequate Housing to Build Inclusive and Resilient Urban Settlements |
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Shri. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS (Retired), Former Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga and Chief Technical Advisor, National Institute of Urban Affairs; Shri. G. Mathi Vathanan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha; Shri. Ajay Jain, IAS, Special Chief Secretary (Housing), Government of Andhra Pradesh; Ms. Parul Agarwala, Country Programme Manager, India, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); and Mr. Vineet Chattree, Managing Director, Svatantra Micro Housing Finance Corporation Ltd. were some of the key speakers at the Urban Dialogue event organised by Habitat for Humanity India on 1st September 2023 in New Delhi. The dialogue focused on addressing policy solutions for adequate housing to build inclusive and resilient urban settlements. "Housing is at the centre of the New Urban Agenda, underpinning its three transformative commitments that encompass strengthening housing alongside urban infrastructure and essential services. Bolstering policy frameworks and legislation, enhancing investment and financial support, improving governance, and embracing innovations, new technologies and capacity building are the key facets that underscore our commitment to achieving inclusive and resilient urban housing solutions," said Shri. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS (Retired), Former Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga and Chief Technical Advisor, National Institute of Urban Affairs. Key highlights of the Urban Dialogue included discussions on inclusive urban development, addressing land ownership issues in urban poor communities, and the role of housing policies, such as PMAY and public-private partnerships, in meeting the growing demand for housing. The event also shed light on the economic significance of housing in India, its positive impact on the GDP, life expectancy, health, education, and human development. Organised by Habitat India in collaboration with United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Sphere India, the Urban Dialogue is part of a Regional Urban Dialogue which will be hosted at the 9th Asia Pacific Housing Forum organised by Habitat for Humanity International in Suwon, South Korea from 26th to 27th October 2023. The theme for 9th Asia Pacific Housing Forum is ‘enabling sustainable and affordable housing in informal settlements.“ |
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Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024 |
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What if running could create an impact in the lives of families striving for safe housing? The coming January, fasten your shoelaces and run with Habitat to raise awareness on the lack of adequate housing and how it affects the quality of life. The Tata Mumbai Marathon has established itself as a premier sporting event, attracting participants from various backgrounds, including schools, colleges, corporates, and the public. The registration for the Marathon is open and is fast filling. Hurry up! This is your chance to help create a world where everybody has a decent place to live. Together, we can build homes, dreams, and hope. Your footsteps can echo change across our nation. Let's run for a brighter, more equitable future! To register, get in touch with Ms. Nikshmita Shetty, Habitat for Humanity India on [email protected] |
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