COVA Annual Report 2016-17: Part 1 International- Seven Country Launch of COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Networks

Friends!  We are happy to share with you the First Installment of our Annual Report for the Period 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017. Thanks to your wholehearted support, encouragement and collaboration, COVA was able to continue its operations from the slums of Hyderabad to state, national and international domains including constructive engagements with Multilateral Bodies like the United Nations and BRICS etc. During the year our activities covered empowering citizens of the city of Hyderabad to seek participation in local governance processes and access civic amenities through the Municipal Corporation and the Water Board; sensitisation of school students for Compassionate Citizenship and Responsible Activism and advocacy action on securing 25% free admissions to poor students in private schools that could benefit over 2 lakh (200,000) children from poor and marginalised families; facilitating small entrepreneurs to access loans from banks as part of financial inclusion program; collaborations with city, state and national organisations and networks to promote communal harmony and governance accountability; support over 4500 refugees from 12 countries living in Hyderabad as Partners of UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees); contribution to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Process being spearheaded by UN; Study on MSMEs in BRICS Economies with recommendations for Three Paradigm Shifts and Twelve Strategic Action Points to generate employment and finally launch of COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Networks involving four countries of South Asia and three countries of Far East to address the challenges of online hate campaigns leading to violent extremism.    We propose to share the Annual Report of COVA for 2016-17 in 7 Parts (1 to 2 pages each) covering International, National, State and City activities undertaken during the year. Each Part will be mailed on alternate days starting from 1st April 2017​.

​Part I: COFI Networks The COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Networks Program aims to reach out to persons from fields of religion, media, civil society and social media who are concerned by the growing phenomenon of misuse of social media spaces for spread of hate campaigns leading to fanatic indoctrination- especially of youth. These persons, who are well versed in religious and social issues but are unable to respond to this growing menace of online indoctrination (due to their technical limitations in using social media), will be enlisted as Partners and provided technical skills and ability in handling a range of social media platforms and tools. The COFI Program is being initiated in nine countries of South Asia and Far East viz. Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka. It is hoped to extent the program to other countries and other continents subsequently.   Under the theme of “Countering Online Radicalisation in Digital Age”, COFI Networks program was launched through a TechCamp jointly organised by COVA and US Consulate in Hyderabad from 27 to 29th November 2016 with participation of 33 international Partners from seven countries and 16 Partners from 6 cities of India. Five foreign Resource Persons from 4 Countries and 6 Indian Resource Persons trained the Partners in use of social media and development of apps and tools to address problems encountered in their professional engagements from online hate campaigns and spread of fake news and misinformation. COFI Program uses Format of DLIT (Digital Literacy and Intervention Techniques) that trains Partners in gaining competence in using social media to counter hate campaigns and indoctrination and propagate understanding and peaceful coexistence through training programs ranging from half a day to five days. The Fortnightly COFI Newsletter to be launched from May 2017 will help Partners to broadcast their articles, videos and podcasts to One Hundred Thousand contacts and many more through onward sharing on various social media platforms like Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, emails etc. DLIT Training Programs (through TechCamps) are being organised in Mumbai, Banguluru, Delhi and Dhaka between May and July 2017 and will be offered in 10 other cities of the nine countries involved in the initiative by end 2017 to enlist 500 Partners to counter online hate and spread ideologies of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. The Report of TechCamp Hyderabad that laid the foundation and launched COFI Networks is appended below and also attached. Would you like to become a Partner of COFI and contribute to World Peace? Please Click HERE to know more about COFI Program and Membership.

TechCamp Hyderabad Report Introduction and Background: Youth are at increasing risk for being exploited by recruiters for fanatic and extremist organizations through online and digital indoctrination. Even otherwise, the online media is being increasingly used to spread misinformation to affect disaffection between different communities across the world- especially in the Asian countries. There are many persons from youth, civil society, journalism, religious groups and computer professional etc. who are concerned by this growing phenomenon of misuse of social media spaces for fanatic indoctrination but are unable to respond appropriately due to their technical limitations in using social media and absence of a platform for action. TechCamp Hyderabad TechCamp Hyderabad was designed as a Three-Day, interactive and fun experience to bring together civil society organizations, religious leaders, social media experts, and journalists from seven countries (representatives from nine countries were invited, but all could not come) with leading international/local technology experts to co-create social media solutions & strategies to the most pressing challenges faced by the participants in their work. Countries represented at the TechCamp were Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Maldives , Philippines, Singapore & Sri Lanka will be represented at TechCamp Hyderabad to determine the biggest challenges that need to be addressed in the area of online radicalization and recruitment. In all 33 foreign participants from seven countries and 16 participants from 6 cities of India attended the program. 5 foreign Resource Persons from 4 countries and 6 Indian Resource Persons conducted the program with great expertise.

Understanding Trolling: An open discussion took place with the three member panel of Venkat, Ayeshea and Mazher Hussain for 40 minutes followed by discussion. Ayeshea commented that when one posts a message,  opponents who don’t like or disagree with it label   the commenter  as  biased and often retort in abusive language including threats  of rape or killing with the objective of demoralizing the writer and cause acute mental agony to discourage from further writing and engagement with social media. Mazher explained in detail how trolling has come of age with full time professionals employed to bombard target persons on social media with negative and abusive content using multiple identities. One person can create and post messages from 50 different identities and even if 10 such persons are engaged in trolling, the receiver would think over 500 different people are attacking him and could easily get demoralized.  The objective of trolling is to intimidate and force into silence anyone with whom you differ and the only solution is to realize the hollowness and ill intentions behind trolls, develop a thick skin and continue with our posts and writings to propagate correct perspectives and counter negative ideologies.    Venkey explained in detail the options available to victims of trolling. First is to initiate action against trolls by requesting owners of Social Media platforms where the abuse is taking place. Second is to lodge a complaint with the police and in most countries appropriate and effective action is being taken though there are still some issues of anonymity and off shore operations. And finally, he also reiterated that the best bet is to just ignore and develop a thick skin. The floor was open for discussion and a lively and informative discussion followed for over 30 minutes where the participants shared their experiences and proposed creative solutions.​

Feedback from Participants and Trainers: Glimpses Note: Survey Monkey does not reveal names •          Absolutely loved the TechCamp. COVA has done a great job organizing it. Since we organize camps and workshops, I have already gotten many pointers. It would have been great if we got the chance to choose more than just 2 training sessions. 11/29/2016 6:26 PM •          I cannot ask for more as the trainers, organizers were awesome in arranging the event and the event changed my perspective towards tech and humanity. 11/29/2016 5:21 PM •          Thank you for a wonderful event. It was the first event in which I saw effective products being developed by the end of the program instead of just coming up with ideas. 11/29/2016 5:19 PM •          I loved the overall concept and the approach. Learned so many things which I can implement back home. I can confidently say that I have become so techsavy after attending this tech camp. Probably the best camp/conference that I have attended so far. Thank you COVA and other organizers for this amazing opportunity. 11/29/2016 5:06 PM •          Everything was greatly organised. Trainers were experts of their areas. 11/29/2016 5:05 PM •          The TechCamp provides me an opportunity of extending my network beyond South East Asia. Aside from that, I gained additional knowledge in terms of different tools that can be used in my work back home. Thank you for this opportunity. 11/29/2016 5:04 PM •          I love the hospitality. That makes me think good things of India! 11/29/2016 5:02 PM •          I suggest that you may create zones in various cities and thereby assigning mentors to us so that we can take this forward to a great extent 11/29/2016 5:01 PM •          More information prior to topic would be of help. It would also be helpful if we can have more time with a certain trainers. 11/29/2016 5:00 PM •          The whole TechCamp HYD is great! I would love to see this fantastic initiative create greater ripples of change and betterment in more countries across the globe. 11/29/2016 5:00 PM​ Feed Back from Trainers •          Great effort, folks!! Can't adequately appreciate the amount of energy all of you put into making these TechCamps a huge success!!! 11/29/2016 5:09 PM •          The logistics and support for this conference were amongst the best I have experienced. Incredibly well done! Thank you for making it easy and fun! 11/29/2016 5:05 PM •          It was a good event and refreshing one to work with people from different countries. Having done 35+ events in India, this format is brand new and very interesting. Cheers to both IIP and COVA teams for organizing it and making it hassle free for me. 11/29/2016 5:00 PM

Feedback: On Facebook and Emails •             Thank you very much for the wonderful event, which is the need of the hour. We're back home safe and already much exited to carry the momentum/ knowledge we've got at the conference. Nuzaik Huzny Najimudeen, Participant, Sri Lanka •             Amazing opportunity to participate in the TechCamp and meet so many awesome ppl. Time management was awesome! Probably one of the first/only trainings I've been for that has worked so well to time! Kudos! Pls consider the environment and DON'T have water bottles in future! There was so much wastage and so MANY plastic bottles :( It was terribly sad to see). Marisa De Silva, Participant, Sri Lanka •             Miss my COFI family, Farhana Sharmin Ali, Participant, Bangladesh​ For Full Report: Click Here

Reach Us COVA 18-13-8/A/508/8, Bandlaguda, Chandrayangutta, Hyderabad 500005. Phone: 040 24442984 Email: covanetwork@gmail.com​

Access to Bank Credit for Poor- Indian Govt Accepts 8 Suggestions by COVA in New Policy Formulations

Dear Friends

We are happy to share with you that the Government of India (GoI) has accepted 8 of the 12 suggestions made by COVA in its new policy formulations,  that would enable genuine financial inclusion and help petty and small businesses to access credit from banks. Approximately 9 crore (90 million) hawkers, petty traders and micro enterprises across India can benefit if the provisions are implemented properly.

COVA has been striving since 2013 for the creation of an environment conducive to ensure genuine financial inclusion of the poor through a pilot project for financial inclusion. In this regard, several articles, studies and representations have been submitted to Members of Parliament and relevant bureaucrats. Political leaders and policy makers who were approached by COVA and other civil society organisations on the issue have endorsed our suggestions and have offered to forward them to the concerned ministries with their recommendations.

Thanks to the efforts and endorsements from so many quarters, this Campaign is finally bearing fruit. Eight administrative and policy recommendations by COVA that are being considered and incorporated by the Government of India (in different policy formulations) are: 

1) Single Page Application Forms for small loans 

2) Issue of receipt by banks for loan applications-  Single Page Form with Receipt is attached and can also be downloaded from the website of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) at the following link: http://financialservices.gov.in/PMMY%20Form.pdf 

3) Revision of loan limit for petty business under DRI from 15,000 – now the loan limit is up to Rs 50,000 under the Shishu Scheme of MUDRA 

4) Revision of Income Limit of Rs 18,000 for Rural areas and Rs. 24,000 for urban areas to qualify for petty loans-  GoI has now removed the income criteria for availing loans under MUDRA 

5) Over Draft facility of Rs. 5000 to the poor to meet emergencies- OD facility of Rs. 5000 announced under the Jan Dhan Scheme 

6) Assigning and mandating individual bank branches to attain targets 

7) Using Post Offices as Banking Correspondent to enable people to deposit and withdraw funds from their bank accounts 

8) Using mobile phones to enable people – especially petty business persons -to deposit cash in banks is now made possible by the announcement of Payment Banks involving mobile service providers.    

Four more provisions suggested by COVA and that are still to be considered are 

1) Online applications for DRI and MUDRA loans as is available for other loans 

2) Notification and implementation of Turn Around Time for processing of loans 

3) Intimation of reasons for rejection of loan applications and 

4) Waiving of condition to procure No Dues Certificates from 8 to 10 neighbouring banks that is very time consuming and costs the applicants Rs. 1000 to 1500. 

With computerization, all banks can be linked to access lists of defaulters anywhere in the country. Though these four provisions are not critical to ensure financial inclusion of the poor, but they could bring about optimal transparency, accountability and facilitate ease of transactions for the poor in securing credit from banks.     

This success could not have been possible without the endorsement and support for our representations from Ms. Najma Heptulla, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister, GoI, Mr. Jitendra Singh, Minister in the PMO, and Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Salman Khurshid, Mr.Rahman Khan, Dr. Munagekar (Congress), Mr. Sitaram Yechuri and Ms.Brinda Karat (CPM), Mr. S. Sudhakar Reddy and Mr. D. Raja (CPI), Dr. K. Keshava Rao and Mr. B. Vinod Kumar (TRS) and Mr. A.V. B. Swamy Member RS from Orissa. Many civil society organisations and activists from across the country also secured endorsements for the representation from Members of Parliament from different political parties that were addressed to the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister of India.

Personal representations were also made to Mr. Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Finance and Mr. Hashmukh Adia, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Government of India who assured favourable consideration and action in the matter.   We are especially indebted to Mr. B. Vinod Kumar, MP from TRS for his critical support for this initiative.       

Copy of the Representations incorporating ten suggestions to ensure financial inclusion and submitted to the government, political leaders and bureaucrats since January 2015 is attached.

Article titled “Can G 20 Summit Deliver?” published in the web edition of EPW on 7^th September 2013 (linkhttp://www.epw.in/authors/mazher-hussain), a Monograph “ Critical Study of Financial Inclusion in G 20 Countries with Focus on India” published in October 2014 and a Concept Note on Mobile Bank Deposit Cards prepared in June 2013 and shared with different ministries, official of Reserve Bank of India and different bankers can be accessed at https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1eA8x5S3mlcXy1QOGlyQ05yUkU&usp=sharing .  Logic for the formulation of the 12 suggestions for a genuine financial inclusion of the poor was worked out in these documents.     

A Caution!

Though the Government of India has successfully enabled opening of over 17 crore (170 million) bank accounts for the poor under the Jan Dhan Yojana and is launching MUDRA scheme to enable the poor and micro entrepreneurs to access loans up to Rs. 10 lakhs, there should be no complacency and assumption that credit would be made available easily to the poor.  In 1974- that is 41years back- Government of India had launched the DRI scheme that stipulated that all banks should give at least 1% of their advances to the poor. Its implementation was abysmal during all the 41 years through the entire country as banks gave only 0.02% of loans to the poor instead of the stipulated 1%. In Andhra Pradesh, in the year 2013-14, all banks together gave just Rs.102.75 Crores (10.2 million) instead of Rs. 4,716.23 (471.6 million) that is just 0.02% again as always!

Policies are being put in place- now implementation has to be ensured by the government, political parties, civil society, media and the banks themselves otherwise MUDRA could easily become DRI.2

Seeking Your Continued Collaboration and Support

Your encouragement, collaboration and support have been critical for COVA in carrying forward our programs and we seek your continued partnership in the years to come.

With Regards

COVA Team

Test

At Last a Doctor You Can LOVE!!!

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true? !
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise.. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best! feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! ! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'

AND......

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

NOAH TODAY In the year 2012, the Lord came unto Noah,Who was now living in the USA and said: "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over -populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me." "Build another  Ark and save 2 of every living thingAlong with a few good humans." He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: "You have 6 months to build the  Ark before I will Start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights." Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah Weeping in his yard - but no  Ark. "Noah!," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain!Where is the  Ark?" "Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed." "I needed a Building Permit." "I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector About the need for a sprinkler system." "My neighbours claim that I've violated theNeighbourhood By-Laws by building the  Ark in myBack garden and exceeding the height limitations. We had to Go to the Local Planning Committee for a decision." "Then the Local Council and the Electricity Company demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power Lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the Passage for the  Ark's move to the sea. I told them That the sea would be coming to us, but they would Hear nothing of it."   "Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban On cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl." "I tried to convince the environmentalists that I Needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!" "When I started gathering the animals the RSPCA took me to court. They insisted that I was Confining wild animals against their will. They Argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and It was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in A confined space." "Then the Environmental Agency ruled that I couldn't build the  Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study On your proposed flood."  "I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm Supposed to hire for my building crew." "Immigration are checking the Visa status of most of the people who want to work."   "The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They Insist I have to hire only Union workers withArk-building experience."   "To make matters worse, the Inland Revenue seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally With endangered species."   "So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 Years for me to finish this  Ark."   "Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, And a rainbow stretched across the sky."   Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?" "No," said the Lord. " The Government beat me to it."