Thursday, September 30, 2010

AGS Vision, Mission, Values, Objectives


AGS Vision:

Contribution to the promotion of a democratic social order where in all the citizens enjoy a sense of social justice and economic well being without any form of discrimination, striving for sustainable development, social harmony and universal peace.

Our Mission:
Promotion of interaction between Gandhian thinkers and professional groups so as to explore, analyze and adapt the application of Gandhian tenets in resolving the problems of contemporary society, while promoting harmony and sustainable development.

Our Values:

  • Truth
  • Accountability
  • Transparency
  • Sustainable development

Objectives:

  • Promotion of grass-root democracy in order to sustain the gravity of governance firmly in the society, enhancing transparency.
  • Promotion of responsible and responsive citizenship, so as to advance the cause of universal human rights.
  • Promotion of sustainable social development in tune with the concept of trusteeship.
  • Exploration, interpretation, examination and application of Gandhian thought in resolving contemporary problems of human society.
  • Appraise the process of social transformation at the level of communities so as to enhance self-reliance.
  • Spread the universal values of truth, non-violence, reconciliation, peaceful co-existence, transcending partisan interests and sectarian identities, in consonance with ‘Vasudaika Kutumbakam’-the universal family of humanity.


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

AGS - Key Interventions

The key interventions of AGS facilitated & implemented successfully with collective efforts are...

Our Efforts

Projects implemented
î         Peace Initiatives
î         Programmes for Gender equity
î         Environmental Awareness Campaigns
î         Restoration of Livelihood opportunities for the vulnerable communities in Tsunami affected areas of Coast side of AP (RELIVE) 2006-2007
î         Natural Resource Management of Costal Resource in Nine Coastal Districts of AP (NRMCAP) 2006
î         Prevention of Child Trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh (CTHAPAP) – 2004 -2009
î         Combating Child Labour in Coastal Districts of Andhra Pradesh (CCLCAP) - 2006 – 2009
î     Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) - 2010


Research Studies done

î         A study on Status on Environment in Andhra Pradesh in 1990.
î         A Study on Occupational Migration among fisher folk vis-à-vis status of women and children in coastal district in the year 1999.
î         A study on Bonded Labour in India in 1981.
î         A study on commercial sex workers and their children in coastal Andhra Pradesh in 2002.
î         Adolescent consultations and a study on Action Research on Child Trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh in 2004.
î         Study of Child trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on the prevalence and level of awareness in 2004.
î         Developed monitoring tools for Caritas India, Hyderabad – 2007.
î         Evaluation of HIV Initiatives supported by APSACS, Hyderabad – 2007.
î         Conducted an Evaluation of Child Centered Drought Preparedness Programme in Jaipur supported by Save the Children (UK) – 2007.
î         Conducted a National study on People’s autumn / Return of Autumn - Three Decades of AFPRO- SDC Partnership supported by AFPRO, Delhi – 2007.
î         Conducted and prepared a report on a National Study on “Sex Tourism in India” in the State of Andhra Pradesh supported by Govt. of India through Gram Niyojan Kendra, Gaziabad - 2008.
î         Assessment of Riverbed Lands (River Krishna) supported by ASM-Plan (Krishna), Vijayawada - 2008.
î         Conducted Primary Data Collection in the State of Andhra Pradesh & Kerala for the study on Status of Child Protection in India supported by Child Line India Foundation, Mumbai – 2009.
î         Conducted Situational Analysis of Children in Tirupati, Vellore & Tiruvannamalai supported by Child Line India Foundation for possible implementation of Child Line in these respective areas, Mumbai – 2009.

AGS - List of Publications

Sl.
No.
Title
Author
Language
Year of Publication
1.
Bonded Labour in India
Sarma Marla
English
1981
2.
A World Peace Guard

English
1981
3.
Minimum wages
Dr.Abhay Bang
English
1982
4.
Indian Science & Technology in the eighteenth century
Dharampal
English
1983
5.
The Story of Mahatma Gandhi
K.S.Acharlu
English
1985
6.
Andhra Pradesh Paryavarana Parishtiti
Praja Nivedika
Telugu
1990
7.
Gandhi Katha
K.SAcharlu
Telugu
1985
8.
Why Gandhi is Relavant in Modern India
 Stephen Murphy
English
1991
9.
The Spirit of Indian Freedom Movement
Dr.N.G.Rajurkar (H.D)
English
1991
10.
Essentials of Kumarappa

English
1992
11.
River Krishna Report

Telugu
1992
12.
A Vision of Good Education
Marjorie Sykes
Martha Dart
English
1993
13.
Dunkel Prathi Padanalu

Telugu
1993
14.
Commercial Sex Workers and their Children in Coastal A.P.

English
2002
15.
Occupational Migration among Fisherfolk vis-à-vis Status of Women and Children

English
2001
16.
Convergence for Poverty Reduction
DPIP Cell, Chittoor District
English
2003

AGS - Legal Status & Contact info

The Academy of Gandhian Studies (AGS) was incorporated in 1976 as a society under the Act XXI of 1860, and registered with the Ministry of Home affairs under the FCR Act of 1984.

FCRA NO.                                010230053

Regd. No.                                203/1976
FCRA Bank A/c                       016384, Punjab National Bank, Tirupati
PAN No.                                 AABTA4208R
TAN No.                                 HYDA04458G

Address for Communication:
Academy of Gandhian Studies (AGS)      
18-3-60, KT Bye Pass Road
TIRUPATI – 517 507
Tel: +91 877-3290429
Cell:  9849491225
Name of the Founder Secretary : Late Sri.G. Sivarama Murthy
Name of the Chief Functionary :  Sri.G.Gopalakrishna Murthy, Member Secretary

AGS Publications






Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Contact AGS

Contact Person:
Mr.G.Gopala Krishna Murhty (Gopi)

Postal Address:
Academy of Gandhian Studies - AGS
(Centre for training, research and social action)
18-3-60, K.T. Bye Pass Road,
Tirupati - 517501
Andhra Pradesh, India.

Tel: +91 877 3290429 (Land Line)
Moblie : +91 98494 91225
Email : ags76@rediffmail.com
Blog: http://academyofgandhianstudies.blogspot.com / http://agscoalitionindia.blogspot.com

An Introduction to AGS...

About AGS

Academy of Gandhian Studies  (AGS) was established in the year 1976 as a society under the Act XXI of 1860, with the registered number 203 with renowned Gandhian follwers and Freedom Fighters, Sri.Prabhakarji, Sri.K.S.Acharyulu, Sri.Radhakrishna, Sri.Kodati Narayana Rao, Sri.M.S.Rajalingam, Sri.M.L.Narasimha Rao and Sri.G.Sivarama Murthy in promoting global peace, social harmony and sustainable development.

AGS has not merely participated, but actively contributed to global dialogues such as the Earth Summit (Rio 1992), the World Summit Social Development (Copenhagen 1995), and the second World Peace Conference (The Hague 1999).

Academy of Gandhian studies (AGS), an apex level NGO facilitating for the past thirty years is committed to end injustice, inequality and poverty through Satya, Ahimsa and Dharma’.   It is well-established center for Training, Research and Social Action.  The key areas of intervention during the last three decades include peace initiatives, programmes for gender equity in six states, environmental awareness campaigns and networking at district levels in three states, youth for development and in the recent past has more focused on HIV/AIDS, Trafficking in women and children, Disaster management and response and natural resource management.  The Academy currently provides the needed leadership to a network of 20 organizations spread across ten districts and working against the contemporary issue of trafficking in children and women in Andhra Pradesh.  

Inception of AGS:

The Academy of Gandhian Studies was founded in 1976 at the initiative of its Founder Chairman Sri. Prabhakarji adopted son of Mahatma Gandhi and a close associate of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, along with Sri. K.S. Acharyulu, Sri. Kodati Narayana Rao, Sri. Damodar Pangrekar, Sri. K.S. Radhakrishna and Sri. G. Sivaramamurthy, all of whom had been a part of India’s freedom movement.

Our Guiding Philosophy:

The key words that defined development to us are ‘Antyodaya’ (the awakening of marginalized people), Education (in values and relationships), Grama Swaraj (a community approach of individual in society) and Satyagraha (to dissent and struggle for justice). As the transformation was to take place in this framework, non-violence automatically becomes the sheet anchor of our struggle.

AGS VISION

Contribution to the promotion of a democratic social order wherein all the citizens enjoy a sense of social justice and economic well being without any form of discrimination, striving for sustainable development, social harmony and universal peace.

MISSION

Promotion of interaction between Gandhian thinkers and professional groups so as to examine, explore and adapt the application of Gandhian tenets in resolving the problems of contemporary society, and promoting harmony and sustainable development.

GLOBAL REACH

AGS has not merely participated, but actively contributed to global dialogues such as the Earth Summit (Rio 1992), the World Summit Social Development (Copenhagen 1995), and preparing for the second World Peace Conference (The Hague 1999).


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
·        Promotion of grass-root democracy in order to sustain the gravity of governance firmly in the society, thus enhancing transparency.
·        Promotion of responsible and responsive citizenship, so as to advance the cause of universal human rights.
·        Exploration, interpretation, examination and application of Gandhian thought in resolving contemporary problems of human society.
·        Appraise the process of social transformation at the level of communities to enhance self-reliance.
·        Promotion of sustainable social development in tune with the concept of trusteeship.
·        Spread the universal values of truth, non-violence, reconciliation, peaceful co-existence, transcending partisan interests and sectarian identities, in consonance with VASUDAIKA KUTUMBAKAM – the universal family of humanity.

STRATEGY

AGS has been striving to adopt a MISSION MODE stirring people and communities to create a grass root movement, and networking of peoples participatory Organisations.  It spurs peoples' initiatives and energies, in partnership with other institutions.

CANVAS

The canvas of AGS encompasses grass-root communities focusing on action, to the global village, with focus on universal concerns.

SPAN OF PROGRAMMES

The mission and objectives of the Academy are fulfilled through clusters of programmes.  No programme is seen in isolation, as falling into an exclusive category; for every project is pursued as multi-pronged, and trans-disciplinary in nature.

STUDY, RESEARCH AND ACTION

Study, research and action are pursued in an integrated manner focusing on the process, and substance of social development.  Citizens' environmental status report of A.P.1990 – the first of its kind in India best illustrates the approach of the Academy.

THREE DECADES OF FULFILMENT

·        The first two decades have seen the phases of evolution and expansion if not consolidation.  Consolidation and stabilization have not been pursued as they can’t be seen an ‘virtues’ in a dynamic social, political-economic environment.

·        A broad-based network of peoples' institutions has remained and continues to be its strength.

·        The programmes have moved on two parallel streams viz.; the Ecological and the Sociological within an overarching Gandhian frame, matching the vision and objectives of the Academy.

·        The ecological stream encompassed the Environmental Status Report 1990, Environmental Education, Environmental issues of Krishna river basin, Restoration of Irrigation Tanks, Organic farming and related issues, and participation in the Earth summit.

·        The sociological stream encompassed Gandhi to schools, political freedom, democratic sustainable development, social harmony, child labour and women in development, and participation in the World Summit on Social Development.