Capacity building project on Testimonial

Therapy for Human Rights Organizations in

India
Quarter Progress Report
(1 October, 09 – 31st December, 09)
st

Group picture of honor ceremony in Manipur

Funded by
Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims
(RCT),
Denmark

Implemented by
Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR),
Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN)

@
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi -221002
Website – www.pvchr.org, blogspot – www.pvchr.blogspot.com
Email: pvchr.india@gmail.com, pvchr@pvchr.org
Organization People’s Vigilance Committee on
Human Rights (PVCHR)/Jan Mitra
Nyas (JMN)
2. Project Title Capacity building project on testimonial
therapy for Human Rights
Organizations in India (hereinafter “the
project”)
3. Name of the District and Country Varanasi district, India
where project is implemented
4. Project duration: 01/07/09
Start (day/month/year)

Completion (day/month/year) 31/12/09

according to the application
5. Reporting period

This reporting period 1/10/09 -31/12/09

Next reporting period N.A

Summary of status describe especially problem encountered during project

implementation, including proposal for changes and reason for changes in
time schedule, outputs and budget

No problem

12. Assessment of overall progress

The overall progress of the project is according to the planned and activities
frame out in project proposal. Detailed report of the program is attached as
annexure and other related to the activities is annexed such as News Paper
clipping, letters, and petition and greetings cards.

ACTIVITIES AS PRESCRIBD IN THE PROJECT:

 Capacity building workshop on writing skill (English)
 New testimonies
 Follow up of survivors
 Meta Legal, legal processing and medical support to the survivor
 Two honor ceremonies.
 Publication of Manual in local Manipurian language.
 ANNEXURE: I

PSYCHO-SOCIAL & LEGAL SUPPORT TO THE SURVIVORS OF

TOV
1. INNOVATION AS COMMUNITY HEALING THROUGH
TESTIMONY TO INDIVIDUAL SURVIVOR

a). BAZARDIHA POLICE FIRING:

PVCHR has immediately intervened in the Bazardiha police firing case

happened on 11th March, 09 i.e. on the day of Hindu festival Holi and filed
petition to appropriate authorities such as State Government, National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) & Election Commissioner of India with genuine
demands to lodge FIR, medical treatment to the injured, security and
compensation. Due to PVCHR intervention after few hours of intervention India
Today, a leading magazine published “1 killed in Holi violence in UP”* on its
online edition. Times of India, Varanasi edition highlighted “what is bigger
tragedy: Cash or Penury”. ** After three days of incidence on 13th March, 09 FIR
lodge against involved police official and people under crime no. 122A/09 in
Bhelupur police station.
The further consequence started after visit of three participants on the second
day of Capacity Building on Writing Skill Workshop to Bazardiha and interview
with survivors and discuss with the community leader and gather information
for the wall news paper “Awaz –E – Bazardiha” (voice of Bazardiha). ***

After interviewing Abdul Rahman, a survivor of Bazardiha police firing than

group moved to Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad house, whose 22 year old son Mohd. Moin
died due to the police firing. After taking quick testimony of Mukhtar Ahmad,
they saw his daughter Naziya Tabbasum was busy in stitching small clothes.
Interviewer asked her, are you stitching cloths for your doll? She says, “no but for the
practical assignment, I am studying in class VII in Jai Narayen Inter college”.

*http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/32039/LATEST
%20NEWS/1+killed+in+Holi+violence+in+UP.html

**http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/What-is-bigger-tragedy-Clash-
or-penury/articleshow/4264429.cms
***http://www.mynews.in/News/Police_savagery_on_Muslim_weavers_conti
nues_in_Varanasi__N29517.html
****http://www.mynews.in/Tool_for_communication_to_amplify_the_voice_of
_the_excluded_community_N29003.html
Mukhtar Ahmad proudly added, “I will teach my daughter up to my strength.”
Hearing the energetic statement of Mr. Mukhtar Interviewer slowly tried to
pause and tried to know his view of about educating his son. He simply
answered they are getting education in Bal Shramik School, a non-formal school
for child labour nearby to his house. After the contribution of entire family
Mukhtar hardly save 40 Rupees in a month to pay his daughter tution fees.
Mukhtar is living in a rented house and took 55,000 (Fifty thousand) Rupees debt
for the legal proceeding of his son case.

Soon after the completion of workshop Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad* and Mr. Salim**
were given psychological support through testimonial therapy. Their testimonies
were uploaded on youtube for the advocacy and it was viewed by hundred of
peoples’. As the next step of the intensive work PVCHR appoints a consultant for
monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of condition of Muslim minority in general
and implementation of Prime Minister 15 Points for Welfare of Minorities in
Bazardiha. The finding of the M&E shared at “Peoples’ Tribunal on situation of
Muslim minority” organized by PVCHR on 18th November, 09 at Paradkar
Smriti Bhawan, Varanasi.

Dr. Syeda Hameed, Member of Planning Commission, Government of India

chaired the tribunal and other jury members were Muniza Rafiq Khan, Registrar,
Gandhi Vidya Sansthan, Dr. Mohan Lal Panda, Mr. Kamlesh Chandra, Education
Resource Centre (ERS) and Mr. R.B Pal, General Secretary, Voice of People
(VOP).

Once the testimony read the sign of grief was noticed on the face of the people
present in the hall. When Dr. Syeda Hameed honored Mr. Salim hold tears in his
eyes and Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad was feeling proud from inside. Eight other injured
survivors of police firing as well as other secondary survivors were also present
in the hall. We observed and witness the collective healing process at high profile
honor ceremony in the form of Peoples’ tribunal. Even the honor ceremony
report “Varanasi police firing victim family honored at people’s tribunal”
published in USA based portal TwoCircles.net (TCN) ***

*Mr. Mukhtar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDkoZA63K5E

**Mr. Salim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A0pcrw0rxM

***http://twocircles.net/2009nov21/varanasi_police_firing_victim_family_hono
red_people_s_tribunal.html (TCN is based in Cambridge USA and cover news
from marginalized sections of India. Its main focus is on Indian Muslims but also
covering and reporting whole range of issues affecting Indians, Muslims and
International issues.)
 Dr. Syeda Hameed delivering testimony to Mr. Salim Ahmad.

As a next step, Mr. Dilshad Ahmad, Mr. Badru Hasan, Mr. Kausar Ali, Mr.
Shamsher Ali, Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad and Ms. Hasibun Nisha of Bazardeeha were
awarded with “Jan Mitra” (Peoples’ Friendly) Award for educating their
children in the nastiest economic condition without any implementation of any
Government Scheme and facing such as police firing and organized violence
through communal fascism of Hindu fascist forces. It is innovative way for
boosting the moral through honor of a community facing organized violence.*

The Survivors also actively participated in the follow up visit of Dr. Syeda
Hameed to Bazardeeha on 19 November, 09, which shows the community
healing process and empowerment of participatory and inclusive democracy at
grass root level. Instantly PVCHR released statement “the Mockery of State
Government of Uttar Pradesh in the case of police firing on Muslims. **

*http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/12/jan-mitra-award-to-muslim-
weavers-of.html

*http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/4811290-jan-mitra-award-to-
the-muslim-weavers-of-bazardiha

**http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/11/mockery-of-state-
government-of-uttar.html
PVCHR advocate for the implementation of section D of Prime Minister’s New
15 Points program for Welfare of Minorities” and wrote letter to appropriate
authority such as the Prime Minister of India, Chairperson, National Human
Rights Commission, Rahul Gandhi, M.P & Secretary, Congress I, Mohamed Shafi
Qureshi, Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities, Mr. Salman Khursid
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Minority Affairs and Ms. Mayawati,
Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh*. The section D consists of three parts:-
(i) Prevention of communal incidents,
(ii) Prosecution for communal offences and
(iii) Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots

Again petition was sent to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the disbursement
of compensation to the survivor of Bazardiha police firing. District Magistrate
benefited only one deceased family with the compensation of 25,000 Rupees.
Right to Information, Act (RTI) used to know the status of disbursement of
compensation to another deceased family. Legal support is given for the further
proceeding of case in District Court.

When on 21st December, 09 PVCHR staff with other trained therapist of the pilot
project went to Bazardiha to provide psychological support of other two
survivors Abdul Rahman and Mr. Vasim Akram. Mr. Salim briefs them about the
benefit of the testimonial therapy.

While taking the testimony therapists noticed survivors were bread earner and
unable to continue their medical treatment due to worst economic condition. On
the recommendation of the therapists these two survivors were medically
supported and were diagnosed in Al –Noor Trauma Clinic by Dr. Shakil Ahmad.
Who referred Abdul Rahman to Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu
University for further treatment.** PVCHR also initiate for the economic stability
of the survivors and release appeal to purchase the handloom clothes for the
support.*** Even daily Hindi newspaper published still the injury of Bazardiha
incidence are unfilled (based on the testimonies).
On 18th December, 09 Mr. Ali Anwar Ansari, Member of Parliament (Rajya
Sabha), Chief Whip of Janta Dal (U) political party raised question in the zero
hours about issue the Bazardiha police firing alleging both State and Central
Government and demand for the compensation to the deceased family. Mr. P.
Chitambaram Minister of Home Affair and Mr. Salman Khurshid,
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Minister of Minority Affair took
the cognizance on the petition****.

*http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/11/regarding-implementation-of-section-
d_23.html
**http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2010/01/unfilled-injury-of-bazardiha-
police.html
***http://varanasi-weaver.blogspot.com/2010/01/these-pictures-were-sent-
with-picasa.html
****http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2010/01/cognizance-taken-by-
minister-of-home.html

b). POLICE TORTURE RESULT HUNGER DEATH OF 18 CHILDREN’S

On 21st October, 09 visited Ghaisa’s ghetto of Raup village with interns

associated with Leapnow. During our visit we interact with Babunder Ghasia
and tried to know about his present situation as a followup of testimonial
therapy. Babundar with full confidence stated now he goes out to work without
any fear and normally living his life with his family members.

Meanwhile Mr. Phool Chand enlightens us with his self suffering. As, when he
showed his inability to satiate the carnal desire of police officer. They thrashed
him so hard which result fracture in his hand and even then also Mr. Phool
Chand is unable to do the work.

Not only Phool Chand but the entire group of over 55 families has to face ire of
the police. The worst impact of the police action was the death of the 18 children
in the short period due to starvation. As after the police atrocities no person of
that group was in position to do any work for a livelihood. Still the ire of the
police has left black mark in the life of many ghasia’s. After hearing his self
suffering the two trained therapists on testimonial therapy from Sonbhadra were
asked to take his testimony.

Now the Ghasia’s community are fearlessly living their life and constantly
participating in the protest. Soon after the incidence due to continuous advocacy
and intervention of National Human Rights Commission and Supreme Court
Commissioner on Right to Food and the support, the Ghaisa’s are empowered
and erect protest monument and pledged at martyrs’ monument that in future
this incidence will not occur. They were seemingly trying to convert this agony
into their strength by struggle for their better life by singing.

In the pilot phase Babunder Ghasia was psychologically supported through

testimonial therapy. However fifteen survivors were honored in two honor
ceremonies organized in front of the protest monument as the community
healing. First time District Magistrate of Sonbhadra visited Ghasia’s ghetto and
inaugurate the community centre and school.
Recently PVCHR released an open letter to provide basic amenities to preserve
the culturally enrich people and develop Raup as sanskriti gaon (Cultural
Village) to preserve the culture.* The letter was sent to appropriate authorities
such as Prime Minister of India, Chairperson, National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC), Mr. Rahul Gandhi, M.P & Secretary Congress I, Ms.
Mayawati, Chief Minister, District Magistrate and Commissioner of Mirzapur
Division.

*http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/12/open-letter-to-provide-basic-
amenities_04.html

*http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Ghasia-tribe-live-in-acute-
misery/articleshow/5353506.cms
 TESTIMONIAL THERAPY GIVEN TO THE SURVIVORS OF TOVAPART FROM WORKSHOP

S. Name Address Age Education Religion U.C B.C Sc/St Male Female Occupation P.V S.V
no I II III IV V
1 Mukhtar Bazardiha 49 Illiterate Muslim X X Weaver X
Ahmad
2 Salim Bazardiha 42 Illiterate Muslim X X weaver X
3 Wasim Bazardiha 24 Illiterate Muslim X X unemploye X
Akhtar d
4 Harkali Ambedkar 42 Illiterate Hindu X X Landless X
Nager labour
5 Phool Sonbhadra 27 Illiterate Hindu X X unemploye X
Chand d
6 Abdul Bazardiha 24 Illiterate Muslim X X Unemploye X
Rahman d
7 Neetu Chandauli 38 Intermedi Hindu X X House wife X
Mishra ate
8 Mahatim Jaunpur 42 Illiterate Hindu X X Landless X
labour
Total 4 Muslim 1 4 3 7 1 6 2
4 Hindu

Abbreviations:
I. U.C: Upper Caste
II. B.C: Backward Caste
III. Sc/St: Schedule Caste/Schedule tribe
IV. P.V: Primary Victim
V. S.V: Secondary Victim
 2. ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGN

1. INTIATIVE IN MANIPUR

a). HONOR CEREMONY

Wide Angle, Manipur in joint collaboration with People’s Vigilance Committee on Human
Rights (PVCHR), Varanasi and Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims
(RCT), Denmark organized honor ceremony at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU), Yaishul,
Imphal on the 28th of December 2009.

The program started at 11.30 a.m with the function been graced by Mr. Yambem Laba,
former chairman in charge - Manipur State Human Rights Commission as the Chief
Guest, and Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi- recipient of Gwangju Human Rights award as the
Guest of honor of the function respectively. Mr. Montu Ahamthem, Secretary Wide Angle
and Mr. R.K. Bobi Chand – Consultant - Conflict Transformation and Peace building.

Mr. K. Pradip moderate the program and proceed with the Mr. Montu Ahanthem key
notes that “Torture” is not new in the state of Manipur and the people of this state has been
experiencing it in all form from both the state or non state actors and that people have created a
mindset that these tortures is an inherited property, which is the very reason everyone remain
silent instead of raising their voices against these human rights violation.

In order to reduce the trauma and psychological problems of the victims of torture there is need to
find a solution, I along with Lenin Raghuvanshi who has been already working for torture victims
(PVCHR) shared to start a healing process in Manipur for the survivor of torture. We are looking
at the Testimonial Therapy as one of the healing process and have been building a long term plan to
address this issue by building up a collective people’s movement against these tortures. We have
already started giving trainings on testimony therapy to fifteen people and also started noting to
apply it on tortured victims.
Mr. Surchandra Sharma – Counselor -Social Welfare Department (Family Counseling
Center Imphal East Police) shared the experience of the workshop on the testimonial
therapy (TOT) for the clear to the audience present in the hall.

*http://picasaweb.google.com/sshirinkhan/HonorCeremonyTogetherWithWideAngleP
VCHRRCT?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWgtOqR8uO3iQE#

*http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2010/01/paper-clipping.html

10 | P a g e
The testimony read by the Community Worker and it was an emotional moment to all the
people present in the hall specially the survivor whose testimonies were read out. The
survivors were attentively hearing the testimony of each other and sign of relief was
noticed on their face. The testimony was delivered and survivors were honored with the
traditional handloom scarf. The social activist stated many survivors of TOV earlier gave
their testimonies through protest, demonstration, drama’s but first time being honored.
The survivors were showing the testimony to their near and dear ones.

Testimonial therapy briefed by the participants of TOT

Mr. Bobichand, guest speaker shared the importance on his joining the honor ceremony.
The people are facing all forms of tortures for decades, whether it is big or small. We need to
address this problem collectively and there is a need to influence the key persons for solving the
problem. The main thing is to find the root cause why we are facing such kind of tortures whether
it is the organized violence and torture. As we know that everywhere around the globe violence will
arise when human needs are not fulfilled. The violence faced by the people of Manipur is the
manifestation of conflict as Manipur is an armed conflict area. I think it is the right time that Wide
Angle in collaboration with PVCHR & RCT has taken up such initiative to tackle the problems
through testimony therapy. Lastly he concluded that there is need to understand the situation at
each and every individual level.

Yambem Laba, the Chief Guest of the function highlighted the need to set up of a collective
forum of torture victims to face the various incidents of torture committed by the government
forces and the rebels, and also to cope with the ever rising number of torture survivors in Manipur.
He also said that violence occurs everywhere in the world, but the kind of violence that occurs in
Manipur is complicated. The government has declares on the floor of the Assembly that killing is

11 | P a g e
necessary. The insurgents also lob bombs if their demanded money is not paid. He further said that
it is important to expose the tortures meted out by the government and also the rebels.

In these circumstances, it has become necessary to set up a society for torture survivors for the
unity of the survivors and also to prevent torture. He also opined that depriving rights of an
uneducated man is easy but is difficult with an educated man; therefore, education is very
important. He stated further that survivors of torture and families whose near and dear one are
killed under dubious circumstances should take the help of the judicial system in order to get
justice. Torture survivors should not remain silent, they should approach the proper authorities to
get their due judgment and guilty party will be punished accordingly. The excesses by security
forces under the Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958, saying that the law keepers have a free
reign to kill or torture anyone at will. The Act is a main obstacle in bringing a peaceful atmosphere
in the state, he added.

Lenin Raghuvanshi expressed profound sadness on realizing that mainland India has
been continuously committing acts of torture on the people of north east, especially
Manipur since 1949. He also said that in mainland India also the Dalits are being looked
down ill-treated and discriminated by the upper castes and communities. Spoke about the
situation of Manipur and North –East and emphasized on scope of Testimonial therapy.

Program ended with the vote of Thanks and was covered both by Print and electronic
media. ISTV and Door Darshan North East telecasted the news.*

* http://www.evaranasi.com/news/torture-meet-calls-afspa-repeal

*http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/fullstory.php?newsid=7255

*http://ifp.co.in/shownews.php?newsid=7025
*http://picasaweb.google.com/sshirinkhan/HonorCeremonyTogetherWithWideAngleP
VCHRRCT?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWgtOqR8uO3iQE#

B). Note on the Manual “Giving Voice”

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A note from Yambem Laba, Former Chairman Incharge –Manipur Human Rights
Commission on the Manual “Giving Voice” for Community Worker and Human Rights
Defender in Manipur India.

I am delighted to Know that the Wide Angle along with PVCHR & RCT is bringing out a Manual
for Community Workers and Human Rights Defenders in Manipur, India Using Testimony as a
Brief Therapy Intervention in Psychosocial Community Work for Survivors of Torture and
Organized Violence.

I am convinced that such a manual will go a long way in mitigating Torture and organized violence
in a State like Manipur which has been a conflict zone for nearly 50 years now, beginning from the
days of Naga Insurgency under the leadership of the late Zapu Angami Phizo. The response of the
Indian State to the challenge of Phizo has also been equally devastating- they introduced the
draconian Armed Forces Special Powers (Assam-Manipur) Act 1958-parctically giving soldiers
from the rank of havildars and above the right to shoot to kill with practically no questions asked. 50
years later the number of armed insurgent groups operating in the Northeast has risen from the one
in 1958 to about 50 in 2008.

The character of the armed struggle has also changed in the meantime from pure insurgency to quasi
terrorism. In the midst of all these the plight of the people caught in the conflict zone began to
increase many fold. Often the victims are left wondering as to whether the torture meted out to them
is a fait accompli for which nothing could be done against.By encouraging the victims to speak out
not only verbally but through testimonies will go a long way in providing redressal to their
grievances and also to influence the political process to take note and introduce due legislature to end
such blatant violation of human rights and would also deter the non- state actors from indulging in
such violation too.

I wish the Wide Angle, PVCHR & RCT all success in their future endeavors.

c). INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, i.e. 10th DECEMBER:

On the eve of the International Human Rights Day PVCHR launched SMS & signature
campaign and released online appeal addressing to H.E President of India to empower and to
built pro-people, pro-victim human rights institution of India and also published petition and
post it to bunch*. Article published on Asia News “Human rights violated by extremism as
well as religious and social discrimination”**. Times of India published column Human
Rights day special highlighting “Bonded Labour Shames Human Rights Day.”***
*http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/12/appeal-on-human-rights-day-to-empower.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24609227/Petition
*http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pvchr/
**http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=17085&size=A
***http://www.scribd.com/doc/23920562/Times-of-India

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d.) ADVOCACY FOR THE REPEAL OF ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT
(AFSPA)

PVCHR sent open letter to the Prime Minister of India and Member of Parliament of
India* that Government of India has been actively considering amendments to the Armed
Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). In this regard, the Armed Forces (Special Powers)
Amendment Bill 2009 has been listed for discussion during the ongoing winter session of
the Parliament. Pertinently the proposed amendments have not been placed in the public
domain for a discussion on the same.

Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) jointly with Wide Angle,
Manipur member of National Alliance on Testimonial Therapy (NATT) urged that AFSPA
should be repealed in totality and no part of it should be inserted in any other legislation
of the country. Forum – Asia, Bangkok on its website shared our petition INDIA - Give
more power to armed forces? Abolish Armed Forces Powers Act!**

*http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/12/open-letter-to-prime-minister-of-india.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24609227/Petition
http://groups.google.com/group/518solidarity/browse_thread/thread/9965a90af5c4f99
f?pli=1
o http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/fullstory.php?newsid=6698
**http://www.forum-asia.org/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=2420&Itemid=49

e). The video –footage of the police ire on Dr. Amardeep & Ratandeep Gupta shared by
Tamil ETV on http://tamiletv.com/play.php?vid=900 viewed by 23 people.

f). Dudnath Pal discharged with the case of the Gunda Control Act

h). PVCHR celebrates 2010 as psychological support to survivors of Torture and

Organized Violence and sent greetings cards to various authorities and diplomats.

i). Followup of eight survivors of TOV.

j). Thirteen homeless families of Dharkar Basti received the houses under Kansiram Ji
Shahri Samgra Vikas Yojna after our continuous advocacy from local to global at UN level
through quick testimony, testimonial therapy, honor ceremony, urgent appeal and local
political pressure through wall newspaper ”Dakhin Tola Times” . Please visit
http://www.youtube.com/user/pvchrindia#p/u/7/jzGZoRQbhbk
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/3106/

14 | P a g e
META –LEGAL INTERVENTION ON TESTIMONY OF SURVIVORS OF
TOV

S. Name of Intervention & Impact

no Survivors
1 Harish Chandra  National Commission of Schedule Caste (Govt.
Sonkar of India)
 Senior Superintendent of Police Varanasi-U.P.
 National Human Rights Commission, New
Delhi & Additional
 Director General of Police, Lucknow.

o Relative police station incharge faced

punishment as transfer.
2 Sitalu *  National Human Rights Commission, New
Delhi.

o Release certification of bonded labour

by Additional District Magistrate
(Court).

o Rehabilitation Package (Rs.20000/-) of

bonded labour announced by Labour
Commissioner Office, Varanasi

3 Suresh(Munna) *  National Human Rights Commission, New

Delhi,

o Release certification of bonded labour

by Additional District Magistrate
(Court).

o Rehabilitation Package(Rs.20000/-) of
bonded labour announced by Labour
Commissioner Office, Varanasi

4 Ramlal *  National Human Rights Commission, New

Delhi,
 Senior Superintendent of Police, Mirzapur - U.P.

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 &
 ADGP, Lucknow
 Advocacy on the report submitted by the
Superintendent of Police, Mirzapur and sent
report to National Human Rights Commission.
 RTI* to Superintendent of Police, Police
Inspector & National Human Rights
Commission.

(4) Article published in daily English

newspaper “Police role in custodial torture
under cloud” and Therapeutic approach to
help torture victims.

5 Shobhnath Yadav  National Human Rights Commission,New

Delhi.
 H.E President's Secretariat (Public Section),
 Secretary to the Govt. of India (Ministry of
Railways), New Delhi.
 Ministry of Railway (Govt. of India), New Delhi.
o Enquiry by Directorates Office (Railway
Protection Force, Mumbai.
o Regular advocacy by survivors.
6 Manara Devi *  Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

7 Karaina *  Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

8 Dalsingar*  Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

9 Neetu Mishra  National Commission for Women, New Delhi,

 Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh,
 District Magistrate, Chandauli district,
 H.E. President of India.
 Superintendent of Police, Chandauli district.
 Director General of Police, Lucknow,

10 Mukhatar Ahmed  The Prime Minister, New Delhi.

o Compensation of 25000 Rupees from
District Authority.

11 Salim  The Prime Minister, New Delhi.

 Letter to District Magistrate, Varanasi for the
Compensation 25000 Rupees.

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  Advocacy for weaver card, health insurance
card,
 RTI for compensation to District Magistrate
Office, Varanasi,
 Again advocacy on RTI report of District
Magistrate office, Chief Minister of Uttar
Pradesh & Chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh.
Government for compensation.
12 Phool chand  Prime Minister, Government of India
 Chairperson, National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC),
 Mr. Rahul Gandhi, M.P & Secretary Congress I,
 Ms. Mayawati, Chief Minister, District
Magistrate and
 Commissioner of Mirzapur Division.

13 Naresh Gupta  Director General of Police,

 National Human Rights Commission and
 H.E President of India

o The daily Hindi Newspaper Hindusthan

published the article on Naresh.
14 Mahatim  UP Police Computer Cetre Lucknow
RTI** Right to Information Act

* The testimonies of the bonded labour were shared to DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH
SERVICES (DRS) PVT. LTD for the broadcasting of bonded labour situation in Uttar
Pradesh in All India Radio.

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ANNEXURE: 3

WORKSHOP ON CAPACITY BUILDING IN WRITING & PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS

RESOURCE PERSONS:
1. Mr. Tarun Bose
Journalist & Trainer,
C-2/92A, Keshavpuram, Delhi-110035

2. Mr. Sam Litin

Intern
Leap now
USA

ORGANISERS:
3. Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi
PVCHR

4. Ms. Shirin Shabana Khan

PVCHR

PARTICIPANTS:
5. Mr. Upendra Kumar
PVCHR

6. Ms. Anupam Nagvanshi

PVCHR

7. Mr. Satyaprakash Dev Pandey

PVCHR

8. Mr. Jai Kumar Mishra

PVCHR

9. Mr. Rajeev Singh

PVCHR

10. Ms. Jagriti Rahi

Vision

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11. Mr. Pawan Upadhaya
PVCHR

12. Mr. Anup Kumar Srivastava

PVCHR

13. Mr. Anand Kumar

PVCHR

14. Mr. Praveen Kumar

Janmadhyam,

SPECIAL INVITEES
15. Mr. Siddique Hasan
Convenor, Bunkar Dastkar Adhikar Manch
Varanasi

16. Ms. Shruti Nagvanshi

Managing Trustee, Jan Mitra Nyas
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi -221002

17. Mr. Lal Bahadur

Trustee, Jan Mitra Nyas
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi -221002

18. Mr. Ajay Rai

Deputy Editor, Amar Ujala, Varanasi

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 PROCEEDINGS

While conducting workshops such as this one, in a classroom style the

participants’ interest was kept intact. Seeing the intensive nature of the training
participants was restricted to twelve, which helped in quantifying the level of
success and the workshop achieved in imparting and bolstering the skills of the
participants.

The trainer, who harnessed the skill of the trainees in writing skills, has
managed to accumulate and cull over the years led him to design and format this
workshop in a way he felt would benefit the PVCHR in an optimal manner. Thus
the workshop was residential to accrue maximum benefit of the teaching
techniques.

The workshop was held over five consecutive days, each day comprising two
intensive and highly interactive sessions. Not only were writing and
photography skills imparted to the participants, but discussions on many core-
issues and problems also took place. This was followed by the participants
putting out designs and formulated content for wall newspapers ably assisted by
the resource persons who had assembled at the venue to guide them through the
process of skill acquisition and the deployment of skills by launching the wall
newspapers for wider dissemination through pre-testing.

We give you here a graphical and succinct account of the workshop sessions in
the narrative format, along with the impressions, observations and
recommendations that emerged out of this entire exercise.

27.10.2009, FIRST DAY

FIRST SESSION:
The workshop began with introducing the Resource person. Then, the
participants introduced themselves, formally and it was done to know each other
informally. All this was accomplished in a mood of open bonhomie and good
humour. This served as a tool that gets the participants into a perceptive mood.
This state of mind, we feel, also encourages the transmission and reception of
new concepts, ideas and skills not only from the resource person but also from
one another.

Then, Dr. Lenin said few words on the importance of such initiatives and how
effective such skills as those imparted by resource person would provide the
human rights defenders with an effective medium of communication for
bringing fore the voices of survivors of torture and organised violence.

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After the introductions resource person briefly explained the activities of the
session scheduled for five days

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi giving orientation

The workshop started with orientation of participants with the techniques of

reporting. Beginning with the essentials, he told the trainees to remember 5 Ws
and 1 H
5 Ws are
 Who: This is whom the action is about. Who is talking
 What: What happened. It usually includes a verb.
 When: Simply the day of the week, usually. Like where, it is a reference point
for the reader. Sometimes more specific time is important to include.
 Where: Leaving out where an event occurred confuses readers to no end. In
covering news, you may be expected to include an address. Often it helps to
include a landmark as well.
 Why: Hard to answer sometimes. It usually involves some discussion in the
second or third paragraph of why the event seems to have occurred or why it
is significant.
1 H is
 How: And sometimes how, which usually takes care of the story’s middle.

He asked the participants that whenever they go for reporting or interviewing

they should write the 5Ws and 1 H in their notebook with lots of blank space
between 5 Ws and 1 H. Before finishing an interview or reporting, go down that
list and make sure the blanks are filled.

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Post to this, the Resource person then led the participants to the tips of reporting.
The tips are as follows:
• Taking Notes: While reporting whatever information you gather do write
down in your note book. Don’t let the jargon get into your notebook.
Avoid words, expressions and phrases that are known only to people with
specific knowledge or interests. You have to keep in mind that most of
your readers are either unlettered or semi-literate. You have to use simple
words and expressions so that you are able to build up a rapport with the
readers.
• Keep the colours in: Keep the colourful details that would give life to the
story. It’s not only what people say that’s important, but also how they
say it. Example: how he would handle council members who disagreed with him,
Chairman Sunder Mohan looked his questioner straight in the eye, grinned and
formed his right hand in the shape of a gun, letting his thumb drop like a
hammer. He didn’t say a word.
• Do not forget people: Remember that people like to read more about
people and their issues than about things. Such as, “Critics of the
government housing project say it would pollute the river water and
undermine the livelihood of the residents” has less impact than “critics of
the government housing project it would kill the fish in the river and put
fishermen out of work.”
• Report both (all) sides: Every story has more than one side to it. In the
interest of balance and fairness, talk to all parties concerned and report
their views.
• Identify the issues: Prior to the reporting a meeting needs to be
organised so that you know what you have to do. In this meeting all the
activists should be called so that they deliberate on all the issues of the
area, where you had planned to go for reporting. It would also help you to
know the issues, necessities and aspirations of the area so that you take a
concrete step towards resolving the problem. Even through regular
meetings helps in acquainting you about the progress.
• Prioritising the issues: Prior to the reporting, in the meeting you could
choose the most important issue out of the compiled issues. It means that
the issue needs to be prioritised in tune to the ground realities of the area.
It should like that in the area, there is outbreak of malaria or other disease taking
an epidemic proportion due to filth and dirt but you take up some other issue.
Always you have to remember that you have prioritised the issue and choose the
most important one. It helps in giving pace to your work.
• Prepare your questionnaire: Before going for the reporting, prepare your
questionnaire on the issue, which you want to raise in your story. Your
prepared questionnaire, prior to the reporting helps you to understand the
issue compared to others.

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 During the reporting, following things needs to be remembered:
You have to keep in mind that your work is to dig out the true facts and
inform people about it so while during reporting following things needs to be
remembered:
• Readers are not interested to know your personal views so while
reporting do not impose your views on the readers
• Use simple language, which people understand and report in such a
manner, which enhances their interest.
• Do not use words, expressions and phrases which are not known to the
people. Use the words, expressions and phrases in a very interesting way
so that readers enjoy while reading your story.
• You should have full grasp of the topic on which want to develop your
story.
• Do not make any baseless allegations. Do corroborate it with facts.
• Use correct figures.
• Do not gather wrong information if there is paucity of time.

Cross check the information gathered for ironing out the mistakes: Its
responsibility of every reporter that whatever information they give it should be
balanced and fair. It should be free from bias and mistakes so that the readers get
correct and accurate information. It’s possible that for the readers some of the
information might be quite new so in this situation, if any inaccurate or wrong
information is given to them, then they would think it to be true. If it is cross
checked within the team then the mistakes or inaccuracies could be ironed out.

Sam Litin of USA introducing photography to the participants

Sam Litin, an Intern associated with Lean Now of USA, present during session
introduced photography to the participants. He said photography is one of the
most commonly used and effective methods of visual documentation and

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communication. He was happy to note that the digital cameras given to all the
participants would help in bring fore the realities confronting the lives of the
people among which they are working.

It should record the fact, which touches us and jolts our sensibilities.
Photography is the art of recording images, which we find attractive, amusing, or
thought provoking. And, unlike many other mediums, it provides us with a
"true-to-life" image, which is not too much different than to what our own eyes
would see. Photography can only record that our eyes saw.

He explained that while taking the photos there should be more to framing a
photo than just making sure everything is inside the frame. If you want to take a
photo, you should also consider how the objects in your photo, called the
subjects, are placed.

Then, he asked the participants to take photos and then he promised to come the
next day and show the participants the photos taken by him during his visit to
India and other countries.

Participants were busy in taking photos in and around the room. Some of them
went outside the room and took photos. Showed it to Sam Litin, who appreciated
it and asked them to continue it with much of effort and enthusiasm.

SECOND SESSION:

After that, the Resource person explained to the participants the ten tips for
better interview. The tips explained are as follows:
1. Be prepared: Always read up on the subject you are reporting about and
the person you are interviewing. Your source will appreciate your effort,
and you will be able to skip questions that can be a subordinate, book or
document. When scheduling the appointment, ask your source to suggest
documents or other sources of information about the topic you will
discuss. The interviewee will appreciate your interest and often share
valuable documents before the interview. Make sure that your tape
recorder has batteries that work. Bring an extra tape as well as pens and
notebooks.
2. Set the rules of the interview right up front! Be sure your subject
understands the story you are working (this will keep the interview on
track). Additionally, the interviewee must understand that everything
they say is “on the record”. It is best to establish these ground rules
when making the interview appointment. Remember that upfront
clarification may be required (especially when your source or life could be
endangered by being quoted).

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 3. Be on time: The worst impression you can make on a source is being late
for the interview.
4. Be observant: Observe details of the place and of your interviewing
partner: this can add colour to your story. You may start an interview
with assumptions about a person and leave with a completely different
impression. However, this may be exactly what your sources intended.
Perception is a tricky business! Try to talk to others, colleagues or
friends of your source, to get a bigger picture.

Resource person explaining the tips of interviewing

5. Be polite, Do not rush your source: It is important to establish a polite

rapport and a level of comfort for the interviewee. Some interviewees, on
the other hand need a couple of minutes to become comfortable
talking to reporters. Even though you may only have 30 minutes for an
interview, you should not rush your subject. If you sense the interviewee
is in hurry, adjust your timing accordingly. Keep in mind everyone is
different. Taking the time to get to know your sources will prove valuable,
especially when you need to call with follow-up questions or use them as
a source for future stories. If the interview goes well, it may even go
beyond the scheduled time. Give yourself plenty of time between
appointments to avoid scheduling conflicts.
6. Listen but don’t be afraid to interrupt when you don’t understand: Keep
your readers in mind. One reason you are conducting this interview is to
explain it to your readers. If your subject uses scientific jargon or
explanations only his/her peers would understand, politely interrupt and
ask for further explanation. Never be embarrassed about not knowing
something.

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 7. Silence is golden: Sooner or later you will have to ask the tough questions
that your subject may be reluctant to discuss. When you start asking those
provocative questions, the answers most likely will be short, useless or
carefully worded. You may get an answer at all. If this occurs, look
your source in the eye and don’t say a word. In most cases, your opponent
will begin to feel uncomfortable and begin to share information again. If
this doesn’t work, ask for sources who might answer your question.
8. Maintain eye contact: A reporter who spends most of the interview bent
over taking notes or looking into a notebook can be as disconcerting as a
tape recorder in an interviewee’s face. While taking notes and recording
the interview, maintain as much eye contact as possible. Learn to take
abbreviated notes looking down only once in a while so you can focus
on your interviewee. This will make the interview like a conversation, and
enable everyone to be more relaxed.
9. Before you leave ….ask your source if there is anything that you might
have forgotten to ask. Perhaps the interviewee is burning to tell you
useful information but you did not even think to ask that question. Don’t
leave without getting a contact number or e-mail address and a good time
to call up with follow-up questions. Always ask for other sources.
Colleagues or friends of the interviewee may be more knowledgeable or
willing and able to speak to you. Thank your source for spending time
talking with you before you leave.
10. Review your notes right after the interview: Don’t wait until the end of
the day or later in the week to review your notes. Go over them right
away, while everything is fresh in your mind, filling in your short notes
and elaborating on your observations. Review and organised your notes.

Then, the participants were asked to write a story within 600 words for testing
their aptitude in writing. Participants gathered after an hour and everyone
submitted their assignments to the Resource person. After that, participants were
divided into three groups and following places were selected for the on-the-site
overage:
• Nakhi Ghat
• Dhakarbasti
• Bajardiha

The first group was asked to develop their questionnaire and cover the
functioning of anganwadi, basic facilities such as Public Distribution System,
distribution of mid day meals in Government schools, Auxiliary Nursing Mother
(ANM) in Nakhi Ghat, a slum colony and even to interview the local corporator
pertaining to his role in the colony. The group comprised of Anupam Nagvanshi,
Dr. Rajeev Singh, Anand Kumar and Upendra.

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The second group was asked to develop their questionnaire to cover eviction
drive, police repression and the problem facing the Dharkar families living at
road side for the last four generation. Dharkar families earned their livelihood by
making basket and other article with bamboo. On 29th January 2009 at midnight
hours, over 50 policemen armed to the teeth unleashed a reign of terror over the
impoverished slum dwellers with a purpose of eviction at Hukulganj. Even they
didn’t spare the sleeping children or elderly people. Police brutally assaulted
women, when they failed in their attempt to molest them. The group comprised
of Satyaprakash, Anup Kumar, Jai Kumar Mishra, Pawan Kumar and Praveen
Kumar.

The third group comprising of Lenin, Shabana and Jagriti accompanied by

Siddique Hasan was asked to interview the victims of police firing at Bajardiha
weavers’ colony in March 2005. On 11th March 2005, Holi revellers tried to
engineer communal riot in Bajardiha. These miscreants threw colours on the
mosque; write filthy invectives on its wall targeting the minority community.
Without taking any action against the miscreants, police fired indiscriminately
on the weavers and killed two youths and incapacitated eight people. The group
was asked to develop their questionnaire and interview the family members of
the youths killed in police firing and those injured by the police bullet.

This done, Tarun Kanti Bose asked the participants to come with the
questionnaire on the issues selected them for reporting and interviewing. With
this, the day’s session came to an end.

28.10.2009, SECOND DAY

SESSION ONE:

The second day began with Jagriti Rahi summing up the first day’s progress.
This done, the participants showed their questionnaires to the Resource person.
Then, he suggested to some of the participants to show it to Lenin and Praveen
Kumar. All of them suggested some changes, which participants followed
diligently.

27 | P a g e
 Tarun Kanti Bose helping participants to develop their questionnaire

After this, three groups comprising of three to five participants each and these
groups were asked to go to the colonies to gather information and interview
people on the issues selected by them.

SECOND SESSION:
After gathering information the participants came back and assembled at around
7.30 pm at the workshop venue. Then, Tarun Bose asked the participants to write
down their stories during the night by incorporate all the information they had
gathered during the interviews and interaction with the people.

After this, Tarun Kanti Bose gave tips on effective writing style to the
participants. He also told if they adopted it then it would help in developing
good stories for newsletter and wall newspapers. The tips are as follows:
1. Emphasise the most important item in the ‘intro’ or ‘lead’ in the first
paragraph.
2. Proceed from the most interesting to the least interesting.
3. Don’t clutter your lead or intro with too many details.
4. Write one idea in one paragraph
5. Give your source or authority when necessary.
6. Identify all persons. Write their full names the first time they are
mentioned. Sometimes, a surname/title is not always sufficient. Explain
what the person does.
7. Explain all technical terms, and avoid using too many in a story.
8. Use quotes sparingly. Ensure they always add something to your story.
9. Avoid clichés and sloganeering:
• Use concrete, specific words and phrases, rather than general, abstract
ones.
• Use the active rather than the passive voice.
28 | P a g e
 • Strive for coherence by using connecting words, phrases, clauses and-
sometimes– sentences or paragraphs.

Resource person giving tips on effective writing style

Then, he introduced the participants to ‘inverted pyramid’, which meant, that

you lay out the facts in descending order of importance. It is the standard
narrative, inverted. So while writing a story they should start with important
information and end with least important information. The inverted pyramid
form for the story has three key parts:
• The lead or intro: The lead or intro is the first paragraph of any story. The
lead or intro tells everything that needs to be known, as well as the most
relevant details.
• The middle: This includes paragraphs to support the lead/intro, to add
details that are significant but not essential. In the middle you probably
will want to give the quotes of village heads, officials and people
pertaining to the issue.
• The expendable ending: A major reason for writing stories in the inverted
pyramid form is so the bottom can be cut without eliminating some
crucial detail Stories almost always are cut a little – often from the bottom
---- to fit the space. The expendable end should include background
information.

The Resource person then cleared doubts the participants and brought the
second day’s session to a close.

29.10.2009, THIRD DAY

SESSION ONE:
The third day of the workshop began on a crisp note, as participants assembled
for the fifth session. Then, Anupam Nagvanshi summed up second day’s
activities.

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 Anupam Nagvanshi recapitulating second day’s activities

Having done, Tarun Kanti Bose had all the assignments collected and then he
went through it and evaluated it.

Then, he explained each and every participant and wrote down intro/lead of
every story in the white board. He was helped by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi in
checking the assignments and developing the stories. While writing down the
intro/lead of the story, both of them stressed on the following:
• From the mass of information available to you, you are expected to select
the most important and significant details and present it as intro/lead of
your story. If you write in an interesting way then it will immediately
grab the reader’s attention and hold it. As you become more
experienced, you will find that there is more to be discarded than to be
saved in your intro/lead.

• As the inverted pyramid form requires that you deal with the facts in
descending order of importance, the best way to establish what is
important is to summarise it at the outset.

30 | P a g e
 Tarun Kanti Bose writing the ‘intro’

It was now proposed that the participants now apply their creative energies to
rewrite their stories, keeping in mind the intro/lead written in the white board.
The Resource person then cleared any doubts the participants had, also told
them how to put intro/lead, middle and ending of the story in a more
presentable manner.

SESSION TWO

In the post-lunch session, the resource person continued writing down

intro/lead of participants’ stories on the white board. Few among the
participants were asked to write down their stories on the white board. Anand
Kumar, Upendra and Jai Kumar wrote down ‘intro/lead’ of their stories at the
right earnest. Further, it was polished by the Resource person to enhance its
readability for making it popular among the readers.

When ‘intro/lead’ of all the stories written by the participants was developed,
the Resource person asked the participants to rewrite their stories and submit it
next day morning. Before the session broke for a day, the participant groups
were asked to select the title of wall newspapers, which would be in its
masthead.

30.10.2009, FOURTH DAY

SESSION ONE
The fourth day of the workshop began as participants assembled for the seventh
session. Then, Anup Kumar Srivastava recapitulated third day’s activities.

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Next in line, reparations were soon underfoot to get ready for a session on
photography. Sam Litin took the centre stage and showed the photos shot by
him. While participants were viewing the photos, he told them, when you take
photos, you have to remember the following:
 Field : The main subject, which plays an important role in composition
 Foreground: The area between the camera and the main subject.
 Background: The area behind the main subject in a photograph
Whatever you shoot, more importance needs to be given to the subject than to
the background. While taking photos, it’s necessary to capture the facial
expressions.

He explained that photos should have the following characteristics:

• Facial expression
• Light and shade
• Colour
• Texture
• Depth
• Shape

After that, the 3 groups showed the photos shot by them during the on-site
coverage. Quite appreciative of the photos taken by the participants, Sam Litin
discussed how much more practise needs to be done for taking photos
synchronising with the stories. Participants appropriate photos were chosen,
which would be pasted in the space left in midst of their stories.

Next in line, participants submitted their stories and then, Tarun Kanti Bose,
gave many new insights into the planning and making of wall newspapers. Some
excerpts from his interaction with the participants are given below:

Tarun Bose remarked “I would say that you have so far done an admirable job in
writing and then rewriting your stories based on the information, which you gathered
from the field. But it now needs to be placed in the wall newspapers to be designed by
you”.

He suggests, “to keep the community within which you work, the main nodal point of
the wall newspaper, and I suggest you build everything else that goes into your wall
newspaper around this main focal point. In the wall newspaper, problems/issues grappled
by the local people need to be raised in the language which has more readability and
popular too”.

The difference between a regular newspaper and a wall newspaper is that a

newspaper you do not have much of control over what will ultimately get
published. You write for it and an editor decides what will finally go into the

32 | P a g e
making of the paper. In a wall newspaper, you have full control over the content,
that is, you decide what will go into it, and how it will look like. You are both the
writer as well as the editor. You also have full control over the frequency, or
rather, the periodicity of the wall newspaper. You may choose to put it out daily,
weekly, or monthly, and you may even put up special supplements whenever
you feel there is a need for one. Your wall newspaper structure and content
would be as follows:
• A card sheet, chart paper or tabloid sized paste sheet is most appropriate
for preparing a wall newspaper
• You must also give your wall newspaper an appropriate name, which
should be prominently written out middle on the top of the sheet in bold
letters, so that it stands out and creates a distinct identity for your work.
Do decide about its logo, periodicity and edition number prior to
launching of the wall newspaper.
• The lead story/article in the wall newspaper should be topical, interesting
and in tune with the needs of the community.
• The stories should be with clear headings and photos.
• Five to six stories which updates the readers about the issues, which are
topical and relevant.
• One amongst in your group who has the best hand entrust the job of
writing the text to him/her. Calligraphy is important, as it will ensure
readability.

A wall newspaper is also an excellent medium to use as an organiser and you

can use this as a means to mobilise people on the issues that concerns you, a
newspaper does not lend itself to this sort of use.

Tarun Bose stated, “I strongly feel that bringing out a wall newspaper regularly will
have far reaching effects on the people, with whom you are working. As it is a community
effort and it is your very own paper. Secondly, regularly bringing it out will contribute
enormously to your own self development, as active members of the community who are
concerned about it”

It is of paramount importance that you first build a small dedicated team to bring
out the wall newspaper. You may expand as you go along, as you will find that
more and more people will eventually get interested in contributing to it as you
go along putting it up regularly. Who knows, soon your wall newspaper may get
to be big enough to outreach your areas of operation.

Wall newspapers should be pasted at the vantage point, where people assemble
or it is easily accessible.

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Then, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi introduced the participants to Ajay Rai, Deputy
Editor, Amar Ujala, a Hindi daily newspaper. He told that stories which you
would write need to be crisp and in short sentences, which makes it interesting.
Regular effort need to be made. Photos should be taken so that it synchronises
with the story. Photos should be intrinsic link with the stories.

SESSION TWO
Now participant groups were asked to start working on their wall newspapers.
Groups chose the following titles for their wall newspapers:
• Dastaan-E- Bunkaar
• Dakhin Tola Times
• Awaaz-E- Bazardiha
The first and second wall newspapers carried Hindi stories and the third was bi-
lingual, which had stories in English and Hindi.

Upendra involved in dummy exercise of wall newspaper

Participants worked till midnight hours for developing their wall newspapers. It
was decided that the wall newspapers would be taken to Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Ghat, on the banks of Ganges, which is popular for traditional, religious and
cultural ceremonies organised by the government and civil society organisations
for pre-testing.

31.10.2009, FIFTH DAY

SESSION ONE:

The session of the workshop began at 10 am on 31st of October with the

participants presenting the wall newspapers that they had created as part of the
assignment. Participants pasted it in the wall of the workshop venue. Then,
Upendra summed up the 4th day’s progress.

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 Awaaz- E- Bazardiha, a bilingual wall newspaper

Dakhin Tola Times

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 Dastaan-E- Bunkaar

After that, preparations were afoot to take the wall newspapers to Dr. Rajendra
Prasad Ghat, and paste the 3 wall newspapers at the entrance of huge dais for
pre-testing.

Readers glancing at the stories of the wall newspapers

Seeing the wall newspapers pasted, people gathered around it and thoroughly
read the stories carried in the wall newspapers. Readers were of the opinion that

36 | P a g e
wall newspaper is most effective tool for communication to amplify the voice of
the excluded community. In the days to come, it can emerge as a forum for
interaction.

Appreciative of the innovative medium, the newspaper correspondents and

channel reporters were of the opinion that the wall newspapers is the most
economically viable medium, where writers have full control over it without
being dependent on the market forces.

Trainees who developed the wall newspapers were busy seen interacting with
the people, who had thoroughly read the stories placed in the wall newspapers.
Seeing the public response it was decided to launch the wall newspapers for
wider and larger viewership of people living in Varanasi.

LAST SESSION
The last session of the workshop began soon after the participants gathered at the
workshop venue, coming back from a successful pre-testing. Shruti Nagvanshi,
Managing Trustee, Jan Mitra Nyas and Lal Bahadur, Trustee, Jan Mitra Nyas
graced the occasion for giving final touches to a new beginning.

Brimming with confidence, trainees put forth the views expressed by the readers,
who had gone through the contents of the wall newspapers. Anand Kumar came
up and spoke, “I am happy at the outcome of the workshop. During the pre-
testing at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ghat, Sonia and Ramesh Prajapati expressed that
wall newspaper is the most effective medium, where there are no hindrances in
putting fore the people’s views and reports on their issues. Readers were of the
view that at the bottom of the wall newspaper, address and phone number of the
organisation should be carried.”

Dr. Rajeev Kumar said people had shown their inquisitiveness in knowing
threadbare about the issues carried in the wall newspaper. People want that wall
newspapers should be a continuous affair.

Next in line was Anup Kumar said photos enlivened the wall newspapers.
People were quite amazed seeing a new innovative medium such as wall
newspaper. Wall newspaper carrying a story on the corporator should be pasted
in his area, which falls in his jurisdiction.

Taking the cue, Satyaprakash said youth had shown their enthusiasm and they
could be involved in taking it ahead. Siddique Hasan of Bunkar Dastakar Adhikar
Manch, the wall newspapers is an independent media vehicle carrying the voice
of the unheard.

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 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi concluding the workshop
Lenin Raghuvanshi spoke a few words it is a new beginning which has an
immense future ahead. Please continue writing your crusading interest in
digging out the truth, which would help in bringing fore the issues of people
with whom we work.

That brought an end to the activities of the workshop and the participants
dispersed to gather their belongings and ready themselves for a journey back
home.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. We recommend follow up workshops.
More workshops in the PVCHR’s areas of operations, if and when conducted,
will help enormously in consolidating gains garnered during this workshop.

2. We recommend geographical broadbasing of such workshops.

Workshops such as this may be planned to cover people from more states.

3. We recommend quantification of results.

The skill acquisition by participants in these workshops, we feel needs to be
quantified further. This presupposes the participation of one more resource
person, who will work at statistically quantifying the results.

4. We recommend a special workshop for rural journalists.

A workshop focusing on fine tuning the writing style and imparting
photography skills, specially designed for activists from rural areas were PVCHR
is working, we feel, will also be of immense help in launching wall newspapers
and generating stories for mass media. This sort of exercise will also help
PVCHR in getting their points across.

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 SCHEDULE
Day Session Theme
Day 1 Session I • Introduction
• Participants narrating their experiences
27th October, • Importance of Writing
09, Tuesday.
• Division of participants in groups for
identification of issues.
Session II • Presentation by groups
• Finalising the issues to be carried for
wall newspaper & newsletter
• Techniques of Reporting &
Interviewing

 Laying the foundation

 Practical tips on collecting
information and digging
out the facts
 Different forms of writing

Preparing questionnaire for next day’s

interviewing (Home work)
Day 2 Session I • Summing up of 1st Day Progress
• Reflection of 1st Day Experiences
28th October,
09, • Finalizing the questionnaire prior to the
Wednesday, interviewing
Session II • Field visits for collecting information
• Participants interviewing people for
collection of information

• Practical Exercises for writing stories

based on the information gathered
(home work)

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Day 3 Session I • Summing up of 2nd Day Progress
• Reflections of 2nd Day Experiences
29th October, • Assessment & Analysis of exercises
09 Thursday
• Techniques of layout & designing of
wall newspaper & newsletter
Session II • Division of participants for assessing
the samples stories
• Presentation by groups assessing good
stories
• Techniques of Writing Feature stories
for newsletters & wall newspapers

• Practical Exercises (home work)

Day 4 Session I • Summing up of 3rd Day Progress
• Reflections of 3rd Day Experiences
30th October, • Assessment & Analysis of Exercises
09 Friday
• Techniques of Writing Headlines
Session II • Practice of Writing Headlines
• Integration of Headlines with Stories

• Practical Exercises (home work)

Day 5 Session I • Summing up of 4th Day Progress

• Reflections of 4th Day Experiences
31st October,
09 Saturday • Assessment & Analysis of Exercises

• Planning stories for wall newspapers &

newsletters

• Practical Exercise
Session II • Conclusion of Training
• Post-Training Assessment
• Overall Reflections
• Closing

• Vote of Thanks

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ANNEXURE III.
 Article on Testimonial therapy: A pilot project to improve psychological
wellbeing among survivors of torture in India was published in the
TORTURE Volume 19, Number 3, 2009 of Torture Journal by
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT),
Denmark. National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency
for conducting and supporting medical research. Helping to lead the way
toward important medical discoveries that improve people’s health and
save lives, NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as
the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases.
Please see the URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20065539?log$=activity

 On 27th November, 09 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi shared testimonial therapy

to many diplomats in an informal “Civil Society Cocktail” hold by the
Netherland Embassy.

 Ms. Shirin Shabana Khan and Mr. Upendra Kumar attend Media
workshop on Female Foeticide held in Varanasi and end up it is also form
of organized violence against women and testimonial therapy is useful to
provide psychological support.

 The Manual “Giving Voice” and article on testimonial therapy was

posted on the google group of International Network of Psychologists for
Social Responsibility (INPsySR) and Centre for Torture Survivors in
Helsinki and was quite interested in the Testimonial Therapy manual.

 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Ms. Shirin Shabana Khan attended virtual
meeting on November 21, 09 on SKYPE. In the meeting Dr. Lenin elected
as member of Steering Committee and Ms. Shabana as member in reserve.
It was decided in the meeting to create a google group on Peace
psychology Practice on Trauma and Reconciliation and the group is
managed by Shabana. http://www.vastuu.fi/main/index.php?
&p=Ajankohtaista/1&intrafm_formmanager_articlecategory_Articleid=12
61030307_862

 Hamar T.V (a Bhojpuri regional channel) telecast half hour interview of

Ms. Shruti Nagvanshi in its special program on the issue of custodial
death and police torture on 6th January, 10 and Violence against women on

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 9th January, 09. The Hamar T.V is mostly famous in Jharkhad, Bihar,
Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh.

 Right to Information was used to get the data and clearer picture of the
individuals that are on death row in India. The application was sent to
Public information Officer, National and State Home Ministry. After not
getting appropriate information we proceed for the first appeal. (With the
collaboration of Amnesty International) second Right to Information used
to know the cases of death, rape and disappeared, police torture recorded
in previous this two year.

 Dr. Lenin participated in the Human Rights Day organized by European

Union delegation India.

 Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi participated in two days conference in Urai hold

by Pahuch Vikas Manch on 30 -31 December, 09. He shared to Amar Ujala
a daily Hindi newspaper about the Workshop and process of testimonial
therapy.
 Right to Information application sent to Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh to
know the cases investigated under 176 (1) (A) Cr.P.C through judicial
magistrate.
 On 24th December, 09 Dr. Lenin attended the meeting of the district
bonded labour committee. The district committee pursued for the
rehabilitation of nine survivors. Mr. Tanveer Ahmad Siddique elected as
member of the district vigilance committee on Bonded labour.

 The three survivors of Bonded labour Mr. Ayub, Mr. Wasil and Mahadev
released and letter was sent for the rehabilitation.

 PVCHR shared the situation of Human Rights Defender in India with

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) for the preparation of
Observatory’s Annual Report 2009 on Human Rights Defenders.

 Nizamuddin,a homeless weaver converted as rickshaw driver received

the house under Kanshi Ram Awas Yojana due to advocacy of PVCHR
and NDTV through breaking the silence and amplifying the voice in
corridor of policy makers.

SUPPORT FROM INTERNS:

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 o Three interns of M.S.W from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith
(MGKVP), Varanasi are assigned to take the followup case study of
survivors, who were psychological supported through testimonial
therapy.
o One interns from Ram Manhohar Lohiya, National Law University,
Lucknow helped in preparing the sheet.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRO-BONO LAWYERS

RABRI DEVI: Rabri Devi appeared in the court. Her examination in chief was
recorded. Cross examination is continued. Next date is fixed 11/01/2010.

BHAGERAN: Process issued against the accused.

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Letter from Mr. Ali Anwar Ansari,

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 News published about honor ceremony

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Bazardiha case highlighted by the daily Hindi Newspaper, Amar Ujala Compact
on 4th January, 09

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Timed of India, Varanasi edition highlighted the case of Ram Lal and testimonial
therapy

Local newspaper of Manipur publish the honor ceremony

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 The daily Hindi newspaper Dainik Jagran publish hunger issue

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The local Hindi newspaper highlighted the torture cases and emphasized on the
testimonial therapy.

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 Signed petition to send to H.E President of India

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