ICYO- Youth Information

No. 2008/ 77

(E-Newsletter from network of youth organizations in India)

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ICYO - Platform of 358 Youth Organizations in India.       

ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

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Hamara Beej (Our own Seed) campaign launched in Pune by Youth

 

“Indian consumers are not lab rats”

 

Pune, September 19^th 2008: At a time when India seems to be standing on the verge of the first GM food crop being approved on a commercial basis, as part of the Hamara Beej campaign of various civil society organizations, a special consumer awareness and mobilization drive on GM foods called “I am no lab rat” was launched in the city today.

 

This campaign, to be taken up in two phases, will cover Pune city in the first phase, through a cadre of trained, oriented and motivated youth. Starting from 19^th September till 15^th October 2008, the consumer drive will get more and more Indians to say that they are not lab rats. In the second phase, the campaign will unfold in 15 districts of the Maharashtra from 1^st October to 15^th October 2008 culminating in Pune with a Public Rally in which 2000 young people will protest against the GM Food, with a special focus on “Hamara Beej”.

 

In India, it is reported that Bt Brinjal is in its last year of trials and the biotech industry claims that this first-of-its-kind GM vegetable is ready for commercialization soon. However, there is no independent research to prove that GM Brinjal is safe for the environment and for the health of other living organisms. Further, it is also scientifically proven that genetic engineering (removing genes from one organism like bacteria, spiders, scorpions, viruses etc and inserting them into the cell of another unrelated organism like rice, wheat, brinjal etc. so that these foods develop certain new characteristics) is inherently imprecise, unpredictable and irreversible. The adverse health effects of such GM foods are well-documented and the entry of Bt Brinjal will take away consumer choices to safe food. Worldwide, a majority of countries have rejected GM crops/foods.

 

“There is absolutely no need for this hazardous and irreversible technology in our farming and food since there are proven alternative technologies being practiced by farmers in thousands of acres across the country. Such alternatives are able to provide healthy, chemical-free, nutritious food to consumers and we demand that the government promote such ecological alternatives and stop GM foods from coming in”, said Col. Vikram Bokey, President of Maharashtra Organic Farmers’ Federation (MOFF). Ms Kavitha Kuruganti, Member Secretary, Coalition for a GM-Free India explained the known adverse health effects of GM foods and Mr Mathew Mattam, CYDA (Centre for Youth Development & Activities) shared the plans for the Hamara Beej and “I am no lab rat” campaigns with the media representatives.

 

Later in  the day, “I AM NO LAB RAT”  Campaign was launched by RJ Sangram Khopade, Program Director, Radio One, Pune in the presence of  large number of Young people from City.

 

For more information log on: www.iamnolabrat.com

 

Address: Hamara Beej Campaign, C/O CYDA, 4 Vasantara, Off Ghole Road, Deccan, PUNE 411004. Tele: 020-25533167.

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Youth Information is published by

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO)

194-A, Arjun Nagar, Safdarjang Enclave

New Delhi 110029, India

Phone: 91 9811729093  / 91 11 26183978 Fax 91 11 26198423

Email: icyoindia@... / icyo@...

Web:  www.icyo.in

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Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) is a registered non-profit, non-governmental network organization, committed in developing areas of mutual cooperation and understanding among different youth voluntary agencies, youth groups, clubs and individuals working in the field of youth welfare in India. 

ICYO functions as an umbrella organization of youth NGOs in India. It's family consists of
over 356 organizations spread in 122 districts of 22 states from different corners of India.

Our goal:
To improve and extend the youth work and services through Youth Organizations;
To enhance and demonstrate youth work in the society;
To promote effective youth programmmes;
To organize network of civil society organizations working towards the development of youth work;
To organize seminars, conferences, workshops, trainings;
To maintain international relation with organizations promoting young people in their programmes and activities

Affiliation: 

Consultative (Roster) Status with ECOSOC, United Nations;
Consultative Status with Commission on Sustainable Development;
MemberL CRIN, South Asia Youth Environment Network (SAYEN), INCT

Affiliate group of ECPAT International, Thailand;
ATSECE-DELHI, Indian Partner of AIDS Care Watch Campaign;
Steering Committee member of World Bank's YDP Network;
Working relation with Indian Association of Parliamentarians (IAPPD);
International Medical Parliamentarians Organizations (IMPO);
Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD);
World Youth Foundation, Malaysia.