5th Edition of HSR 10K Freedom Run

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The 5^th Edition of the HSR 10K Freedom Run organised by Kaagaz Foundation that was to be held on 15^th Aug 2017 was postponed due to heavy rains and was held on 20^th Aug 2017.

This year the Run had two important objectives, awareness & campaign for Greener and Safer Bengaluru. Kaagaz Foundation firmly believes that greater citizen participation will force necessary attention on the set objectives, and would result in getting the relevant authorities to take affirmative action for a Better Bengaluru.

Kavitha Reddy, Trustee Kaagaz Foundation said 'HSR 10K Freedom Run is dedicated to campaign for a cause, the 1st Edition was to Save Agara Lake and since then we have taken up two causes each year and have worked for the cause to make a positive impact. This year the cause is Greener and Safer Bengaluru, along with our various Environmental initiatives we will be doing Safety workshops for Children & Women to create awareness and work with the Govt to strengthen laws and implementation of the policies'.

On the occasion of Independence Day and the 5th Edition of HSR 10K Freedom Run by Kaagaz Foundation, five Heroes of the Neighbourhood who have shown a relentless dedication for the betterment of the locality where honoured, which include:

Shri. Anis Padela & Team of KHHSP - RWA

Hon. Right For Road Team

Shri. Anil Benni

Dr. Sunil Kumar Hebbi

Smt. Arathi Aleya

The Run was flagged off by Sunanda V Reddy, President Mythri Mahila Koota at 6.30am, due to the postponed date only 300+ of the 600+ Runners made it to the start point. The Run also had Runners from African Nation for the 1^st time.

10K Women’s Winners with Time

1st Place - Neera Katwal 45:36.675

2nd Place - Parul Yadav 51:09.611

3rd Place - Vandana Arora 52:16.110

10K Men’s Winners with Time

1st Place - Michael Biwott 32:35.445

2nd Place - Santosh Shet 36:49.747

3rd Place - Deepu T M 39:03.115

The event was extremely environment friendly, coffee/tea was served in the mud cups to reduce waste, in all the editions water was served in re-usable cups keeping in mind the environmental aspect.

Jigna Modh, Trustee Kaagaz Foundation said, 'We have been doing many Runs to create awareness on various issues, HSR 10K Freedom Run is our prime event, and have always ensured that all our events are Eco-friendly, we do not mind spending more to keep all our events  Eco-friendly'. 

The Run time and e-Certificates were shared to the Finishers right after the event. The Runners you could not make it have an option to run in the next race that is scheduled on 1^st Nov 2017! 

Nanna Olage Indira

Incidents of crime against women have been on a rise in India for last few years. More and more women are joining the urban workforce and safety of women continues to be a critical area of concern, in spite of many laws laid down by the Government.

In key economic hubs like Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune, there has been a steady increase in the number of cases of harassment and molestation being reported.

However, the conviction rates are poor because of the poor judicial system, lack of awareness, faulty methods of collecting forensic evidence and limited use of modern technology.

Most cases of sexual harassment at home, work or public places are often not reported due to cultural inhibitions in many parts of the country; where the stigma is attached to the victim/saviour rather than the perpetrator of the crime, who often gets away.

At Kaagaz Foundation, we have been propagating the concepts of women's safety which increases awareness to deal any unsafe situations. It also teaches women how to protect themselves against a physical attack using commonsense and basic self-defence techniques.

Nanna Olage Indira, a women safety handbook is step towards making the environment safe for women, to empower them so that they can continue to contribute towards India's progress.

On the birth centenary year of the 1^st women Prime Minster of India Smt Indira Gandhi, who has been a role model for many generations of women Nanna Olage Indira aims to invoke the power of Smt Indira Gandhi in every woman to stand up for herself in the face of adversities.

- Kavitha Reddy

Nanna Olage Indira - Women Safety Handbook 

The 33% !

Affirmative action globally has been a way forward to proactively involve people across the society, thereby ensuring opportunities for the sections of the society and empowering the less privileged. Less privileged would encompass economic, social, gender, regional and is not restricted to a certain category.

In India Affirmative action is identified as Reservation, and there have been many debates for and against Reservation, but the truth remains that Reservations indeed has helped the socially background section of the society to join the main stream seamlessly. But there is still a long way to go to ensure socially backward communities to reach a level playing ground.

Reservation for Women in Panchayats, Municipality, Assembly and Parliament has been a very seriously debated issue, even though at Panchayats and Municipality level there is already Reservation for Women and it has given political identity, women in our Assemblies and Parliament is a rare sight! One would have assumed that with political empowerment at the Panchayat and Municipality women would reach Assemblies and Parliament eventually, but it has not been so.

Hence, Reservation for women in Assemblies and Parliament has now reach a point where it’s not only important but immediate requirement too. The % of women in Assemblies and Parliament has been on a decline and much lesser compared to even our neighboring countries. Empowering women politically is the most important step towards seeking a gender equal society. The push towards 33% Reservation in Assemblies and Parliament was made in 2008, but due to the lack of numbers in the Lok Sabha the Women Reservation Bill that was passed in Rajya Sabha lapsed as it could not sail through the Lok Sabha.

Now the time has come, when both the national parties has promised the passing of the 33% Women Reservation Bill in their manifesto and both have the numbers in LS & RS so the passing of the bill should be just a formality. Bill or no Bill its time political parties start with more representation for women and also consider more women candidates for Assembly and Parliament elections.

With Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress taking the lead with a signature campaign to put pressure on the BJP lead NDA Govt at the center to table the Bill and create a passage to pass the Bill, we hope to see 33% women in our Assemblies and Parliament.

 

Launch of BBMP Green App

BBMP Green App an initiative by BBMP to involve Citizens in increasing the Green cover by ordering 15 varieties of saplings using the APP, the BBMP Green App was launched on 21th May 2017 by Minister KJ George. 

BBMP intends to given away over 10 lac sapling to the citizens free of cost, there by increasing citizen participation in making the city Green.

Myself and Anil anchored the event and it's indeed a Great initiative, a 1st of its kind in the country!  

Kaagaz Foundation - CEB CSR Initiative

Bapu's quotes are an inspiration and is relevant for generations, his quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world" puts the onus on each of us to contribute towards a better society. 

Kaagaz Foundation Initiatives, Campaigns and Programs are inspired by Bapu's idea of being the change, and have collaborated across the spectrum to create a positive message and inspire participation. 

As part of the CSR #GartnerGives of CEB Systems worked with Kaagaz Foundation on two key initiatives Environment & Education. "We are grateful for the Corporates who take up their CSR activities to implement at the ground level, participation along with funding is a something which we have been advocating for all the CSR activities" says Kavitha Reddy Trustee Kaagaz Foundation.  

As part of Environment Hosapalya Nursery was selected - Clean-up, Maintenance of the Trees planted last year, Fixing the broken Fence, Planting new Saplings, Temporary Fencing were the activities taken up and completed by the CEB Systems under the guidance of Kaagaz Foundation Team. The participants tolled in the Sun and brought in not just visible change but also an impactful change, leaving behind a better lung-space for the locality.  

Education is a key focus area for the CSR activities, Thomson Public School which caterers to the aspiration of children from low and very low income group was identified. Painting of the Library, setting up of the Library with book shelves, Donating of 200+Books, Donating a water purifier unit, Beautification of the Schools with Plants, Message Boards, Photos, Fixing a Basketball board, Donating Badminton set, Skipping ropes etc was taken up during the half day event.

Over 100 Employees of CEB Systems participated in both the events with great enthusiasm and called it a day after making positive impact and being part of the change. 

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Karnataka - New AICC Team

Met Shri KC Venugopal AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, with the Mahila Congress Team lead by KPMCC President Smt Lakshmi Hebbalkar. We shared our views on the Karnataka politics, party position and discussed many points. He gave a patience hearing and all our points, I was glad to open the discussion and put across my views.   

Water Conservation - Jal Mithra

Launch of www.KavithaReddy.in

On 24th April Women Political Empowerment Day was meaningfully celebrated by B.PAC by bringing together all the Women Leaders & Activists who Graduated from B.CLIP a Leadership incubation program to discuss about Women in Politics. 

Worshipful Mayor Smt Padmavathi, Women Board Chairperson Smt Bharati Shankar, Wife of KPCC Working President Smt Tabu Rao, Nominated Corporator Smt Radha V, AAP Kar Leader Smt Shantala D were invited to share their experiences, their political journey, struggles and wins. 

On the occasion Kavitha Reddy's website www.KavithaReddy.in was launched by the Worshipful Mayor, there by truly empowering a budding Women Political Leader. 

Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Awards

Been given the Prestigious Nadaprabhu Kempagowda Award for Social Service by BBMP & Govt of Karnataka. 

My Place Of Pride - HSR Layout

MyPlaceOfPride is an unique contest initiated by Rotary Palmville in association with BPAC, to rank and rate gated communities such as Apartments & Villas in terms of the effort taken by its residents to keep them Clean, Safe, Self-sustained, Eco-friendly, Compliant etc. This is a first of its kind Award to Celebrate and Encourage the good work done by the communities across the city of Bengaluru.

Mahaveer Seasons, Purva Vantage & Akruthi Silverline community members took time to participate in the contest by filling an elaborate online application then going through the stringent audit and inspection process.  

Mahaveer Seasons was awarded for best Waste management in the mid-size Apartment Category, Purva Vantage picked two awards in the same category for best Hygiene & Cleanliness & Power managment, Akruthi Silverline reached the finals of the contest, with a positive note to make it to the podium next time.

These three communities from HSR Layout have really lead by example, making our community proud and contributing towards a better Bengaluru. Congratulations to all the communities across Bengaluru who participated with great enthusiasm and showcased their good work to rest of Bengaluru. 

Let's hope we will have more communities from HSR Layout for this event next year, till then lets work in making our communities/localities a better place.

#BeBoldForChange - Women's Day Run

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Kaagaz Foundation had organized the 1^st edition of Women’s Day Run, sponsored by Nine Star Suzuki and Basecamp Adventures, objective of the run is to celebrate womanhood and encourage women to take up to running and develop a healthy habit of running.

Also other important aspects are to create awareness on Women Safety, Save Water, Waste Segregation & Composting, and it’s an environmental friendly run.

The 5kms run was flagged-off at 6.30 am on Sunday 12^th March 2017 by Rao Ganesh Inspector HSR Layout Traffic Police; the event was well attended by 300 runners mostly women and awards ceremony was held at 7.30am.

Bengaluru Mayor graced the occasion and spoke about Women’s Day and the importance and women empowerment; she also spoke about waste segregation and citizen involvement for a better Bengaluru. Mayor also gave away prizes for the runners, the awards were sponsored by BPAC.

Jigna Modh the Organizer of the event and Director of Basecamp Adventures said, 'we are happy to see a large participation of women, and we hope to have more events exclusively for women'.  

Honorable Mayor also signed the pledge board on the occasion of Women’s Day #BeBoldForChange pledge.

Women Pourakarmikas and HSR Traffic Police were also honored at the event and appreciating their commitment for a cleaner locality. 

Trustee of Kaagaz Foundation Kavitha Reddy said 'we have been doing several events to encourage participation of citizens to raise awareness about fitness, environment, environment and citizen involvement to make our community and city better'.