RESEARCH STUDY :

- SETHUSAMUDRAM SHIP CANAL PROJECT - Manitham urges investigation by 'Independent International Experts' in its Interim Report

Manitham, working for promoting human rights and protecting environment, feel that this is a mega project and want to ascertain whether in constructing the canal there would be any geological, oceanographic and environmental changes, as well as any land subsidence. Therefore, we decided to fully explore independently, the environmental impact due to SSCP. Because of the urgency we decided to submit Interim Report for your consideration what we have already received so far and assure you to furnish whatever relevant materials that we receive in future, in our Final Report.

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PRESS RELEASE :

- Tsunami - Voluntary Service

Asian Tsunami has swallowed more than 1,50,000 lives and still increasing. Several lakhs persons have affected. Millions have displaced. Coastal villages in 12 countries submerged.

World Organizations, Government, NGOs are active in pouring relief materials to the affected. Hundreds of rehabilitations camps has be installed. Reconstructing work has been geared up.

Even then, the survivors of the disaster are still struggling for their livelihood, due to lack of voluntary works. The materials have not been reached so far to the affected. It is said that the volunteers are missing link.

Manitham, an NGO, wants to connect this missing link. Anybody interested persons / organizations can fill up online form [see below] for sharing this voluntary service. Expertise volunteers, such as Doctors etc are also welcome. Volunteers will be put in the field work for one week or more as required by the Relief Agency.

Enroling as a volunteer, Manitham is not charging any amount. But, interested persons donations can be accepted.

Manitham will operate as a coordinating agent for the Relief Agencies. Relief Agencies, whoever needs volunteers can contact us.

To enroll you as a volunteer, kindly fill up :

- For Individuals
- For Organisation

[Text Courtesy : The Hindu, Coimbatore / Bangalore Edition / 01-01-2005]

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URGENT APPEAL :

- CONCERNED CITIZENS OF INDIA AND SRI LANKA RE: THE DANGERS OF THE SETHUSAMUDRAM CANAL PROJECT  - Signatories

"THAT A MEGA scheme such as the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project (SSCP), which undoubtedly will change the face the earth in two countries and might exacerbate the possibility of sudden natural disasters such as Tsunamis, Tidal waves or Cyclones. It could also create the conditions of slow disasters such as the destruction of the ecological system of the Gulf of Mannar (GOM) or the Palk Bay, destroy the breeding grounds for the marine life and thereby ruin the livelihood of millions of fisherman in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka or ruin the farmers of the Northern Province by gradually increasing the salinity of the ground water. [Full Appeal] [SETHUSAMUDRAM SHIP CANAL PROJECT -To Know more]

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MANITHAM NEWS LETTERS :

EVENTS :

EVENTS ORGANISED : 2005
- INTERNATIONAL WOMAN DAY
[Events in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, India]

Date : 8th March, 2005 - International Women Day : Meetings

• Bangalore : Bangalore Tamil Sangam, Ulsoor, Karnataka.

• Coimbatore : GRD College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

• Thirunelveli : Sri Parasakthi College, Coutrallam, Tamil Nadu

• Chennai :

• Madurai : 

• Viruthunagar :

- MANITHAM & PSG College of Arts & Science [Independent In-depth Study]
[Coimbatore Serial Bomb Blast Victims' families]

THEME: 'How the victims are affected by psychology, social and economical during the past 6 1/2 years [i.e.. 1998 to 2004], in the absence of deceased/accused/disappeared/major injured disables etc. of the Coimbatore Serial Bomb Blast'

CHAIRMAN: Mr. Subramanian.G, Executive Director, Manitham

ADVISORS: Department of Psychology, PSGCAS, Coimbatore

COMMITTEE: More than 40 members, split into Direct Group [Interview Team] & Indirect Group [Identify Team, Relief Team & Legal Team]

EVENTS ORGANISED : 2004 :
- World Human Rights Day, 2004 [Events in India  & Bangladesh]

India : Coimbatore : 13/12/2004 - 2.00 p m / Avinashilingam Institute For Home Science And Higher Education For Women - Deemed University, Coimbatore [Speakers : Adv. Bala Murugan - Tribals, Ms. Menaka - Dalits]

Bangladesh : Manitham & Angikar Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

- Manitham Public Hearing on Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project
- Manitham - Executive Director's Exclusive Tour Schedule on Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project

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PRESS RELEASE :

- Response by MANITHAM on "Double Std on Seer arrest by Manitham?"

First we want to inform that we will be the person, if there is any violations of Human Rights particularly in Tamil Nadu. In Seer's case, on our investigations, there is no violations by the police. Our persons has seen the video of the arrest. The DK Basu - Supreme Court's, 11 guidelines has been properly followed in this Seer's case.

As per your arguments, it is not to be considered on age and deceased person. In this case also, if we found that proper treatment denied to accused persons, we can claim, that there is HR violations. But we found that proper treatments has been given to Seer.

Instead, in prison we received news that he is specially treated. His food is prepared by a Brahmin. He has been allowed to perform 'poojas' and having his 'Dhandam' alongwith him. If Human Rights activists interfere, we have to question for such special treatment.

- Abolishing Corporal Punishment in Schools - Immediate action requested

We are extremely pained to bring to your immediate notice the way in which school going children are put to emotional harassment and physical torture. As there is a mad 'rat race called learning process' schools [both Aided and Government] resort to use mean methods to 'groom' their students. Sporadic episodes of suicides of adolescent learners do add spice to sensational newspapers. But like an ice berg, the enormity of inhuman treatment inflicted upon young helpless kids remains hidden. Transfer Certificate is the cheapest trump card used to keep the victims stay mute.

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PUBLICATIONS :

- POLICE & HUMAN RIGHTS
- POTA - INSECURITY? - Challenges & Answers

Lectures delivered on : International Security Laws in various Nations, Security Laws in India, Handling of POTA in India and Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Politics and POTA etc.

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ARTICLES :

- Reasons For The Construction Of The Canal And Economic/Environmental Impact On Sri Lanka - By: Donald Jayantha Gnanakone - USA
- Press Release from 7 Human Rights Organisations - 'ftiyAk; Mjq;fKk;' - Stop Killing, Notice issued in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka -  Tamil Font
- High Tables and Small Tables - By : Kumar Rupesinghe, Sri Lanka
- "Reforming the Police"
     - Dr. P.J. Alexander, Former Director General of Police, Kerala and Director, Institute of Management in Government
     - Prof. K. Alexander, Doctoral studies on Police Reforms in Kerala
- Dust in Democracy - In Tamil
     - Mr. Pala. Nedumaran, President, Federation for People's Rights
- "Violence against Women"
     - Ms. Ajeetha Beham,Student

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IN MEDIA :

- Let Global Experts Clear doubts [The Hindu, English Daily, India]
Manitham, a Non-Governmental Organisation [NGO] has appealed to the Union Ministry of Environment to get environmental issues involved in the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project cleared with the help of Independent International Experts before giving a "no-objection certificate".
- Indian Canal Project threatens Sri Lanka [Daily Mail News, Pakistan]
- India's Sethusamudram : A canal to riches or environmental disaster? - by Rohan Canagasabey [Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka]
- Manitham is exploring the effects on humanity by the proposed Sethusamudran Ship Canal Project [Asian Tribune, Thailand]

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ANNUAL REPORT - 2004 :

Manitham is aiming to bring radical changes in the society to enable individuals and communities to become self-reliant so that people may live in consonance with the true dictates of humanity in its widest scope and dimension.

 Advocacy & Lobbying :
 

Our Executive Director has had various consultations and is representing and advocating and lobbying on Human Rights and Environmental issues in various forums. He has travelled far and wide to various States in India, such as Kashmir, Delhi, Kerala, and Karnataka and in his home State, Tamil Nadu..

 Campaign & Public Action :

On 21-02-2004 a symposium on 'Police and Human Rights' was held at the Sangamam A/C hall, PSGCAS, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Former Director General of Police [DPG] of Kerala, President of TMMK and leading Human Right Defenders took part.

On 26-03-2004, an Urgent Appeal through Signature Campaign urging Indian Government to sign on UN's Moratorium on Death Penalty was made. Thiru Vaiko, Member of Parliament, President of MDMK and a prominent Political leader started this signature campaign. Printed Urgent Appeal Pamphlets in English and in Tamil was distributed throughout the country. Online signature also was published in our web site. In total more than 2 lakh people affixed their signature and it was presented to the Honourable President of India on 12-05-2004.

On 15-07-2004, even after obtaining prior permission from the police to conduct 'Street Drama against Torture' in a public place at Coimbatore permission denied by the same police department. However, on the same day, the drama was organized in a Higher Secondary School at Perur in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

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STATUTE :

- STATUTE OF MANITHAM :

-  Vision :

Every individual in a society enjoys all the rights as per in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international instruments regarding with Human Right & Environment.

-  Mission :

Manitham envisages undertake research and action to prevent and end grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all rights.
- INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
- GROUP

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