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<b style=""><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">9-IS-MINE: CHILDREN'S MARCH AGAINST POVERTY</span></b></p>
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<b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">30 JAN 2007</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">, National Stadium (</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Next to India Gate, </span>Delhi</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">)</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">In the year 2000, all the 189 member nations of the United Nations
signed the historic Millennium Declaration to 'free men and women and children
from the dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty'. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">India</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> is a signatory to this international
agreement. O</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">ur</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> government has expressed a commitment to achieve the Millennium Goals through the National Development Goals and the Common
Minimum Program. <span style=""> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">"<b>9-</b>Is<b>-Mine</b>" is a children's initiative to ensure that
the government commits 9% of the GDP to public expenditure on Health &
Education, as promised in the National Common Minimum Program. The campaign
links the voices of children across states from different sectors of society to
urge the government to fulfill its promise to end Poverty & Social
Exclusion, and secure the future of every child in the country.<span style=""> </span></span></p>
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<b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">The 9-Is-Mine Signature
Campaign</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">On 13 November 2006, a nation wide signature campaign was launched
with the objective of uniting 100,000 children (under the age of 18) in support
of the call of '9-Is-Mine'. The overwhelming support and enthusiasm of
organizations and schools across the country has now enabled us to revise our
earlier estimate and <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">enable</span> 1 Million (1,000,000) children</b> across the country to speak up
and make their voices are heard in time for the Budget Session of
Parliament which commences on February 15, 2007! </span></p>
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<b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">The Children's March against
Poverty</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">On </span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">30<sup>th</sup> January 2007
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">, thousands of child campaigners will meet
again to reinforce the call for '9-Is-Mine' through the Children's March
against Poverty. The significance of the day cannot be further emphasized. It
is the 59<sup>th</sup> death anniversary of our Mahatma and a day to recall and
remember the issues of the last person – the last child – in the spirit of <i style="">Antyodaya</i>. Since the campaign focuses on
the promise of 9% of the GDP, it is also appropriate that this gathering is
being held exactly a month before the Budget Announcement of the Finance
Minster.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">The event will also include,</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: navy; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Floats &
Pageants by children highlighting the Poverty & Exclusion experienced
by the 'Less Visible' </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">India</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: navy; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cultural
Performances by children from across the country, and guest artistes</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: navy; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
Solidarity
messages by child activists, social leaders and media personalities</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: navy; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
A delegation of
children to hand over a sample of 100,000 signatures to the Prime
Minister's Office</span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">You are cordially invited to be part of
this gathering, and thereby to support and strengthen the children's voices
against poverty on this occasion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">In Solidarity,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Steve Rocha (cfc)<span style="">
</span>Lysa
John</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">St. Columba's School<span style="">
</span>Campaign
Co-ordinator</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1in 0in 0.2in; text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Member, WNTA<span style="">
</span>Wada
Na Todo Abhiyan</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: Shruti; color: navy;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: 15pt;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">PROPOSED PROGRAM: CHILDREN'S MARCH AGAINST POVERTY</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">8:00 a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">: Children assemble at the
venue</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">9a.m. – 10a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> - 'Public Day' Parade
outside National Stadium </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">The
Parade of floats & pageants. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 12.6pt; text-indent: -12.6pt; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Processional
dances by children across states. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">10a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> -</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">
10:30a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> – Entry into the National
Stadium </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Musical
performance by the youth band, 'Jigri' <span style=""> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 15pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">10:30 a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> -</span></b>
<b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">10:50 a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> - Introduction</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Why
We Are Here: Laxmi Gudillu (Child Activist, Maharashtra)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Solidarity
Address: Minar Pimple, United Nations Millennium Campaign</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;">- 'Nau Ka Wada - Keep Your Promise' - A Song By Children across States
<br><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; color: navy;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">10:50 a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> –</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">
11:30 a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> – Revisiting Our Cause</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">A
Future for Every Child: Child activist and Peace Awardee, Om Prakash</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">
-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Kiran
Bedi leads the 2 min 'silence' to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's Punyatithi </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Solidarity Address: Kiran Bedi, Noted Social Activist</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;">
- A Message from the Minister - WCD (GOI), Renuka Chowdhury</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;">- 9-Is-Mine (Bhojpuri Song): Piyusha Prasad<br><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">The
Way Forward: Bhairu Lal (Child Activist, Rajasthan)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; color: navy;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">11:30 a.m.</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">-</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">
12:00</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">noon</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> : Culmination
<span style=""> </span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in; text-indent: -0.3in; line-height: 15pt;">- Launch of the '9-Is-Mine' Children's Website & SMS Campaign</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in; text-indent: -0.3in; line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Solidarity
message and Performance by Leslie Lewis</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in; text-indent: -0.3in; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Children's
Delegation Leaves for the PMO's Office</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: navy;"><span style=""><br></span></span></p>FOR FURTHER DETAILS & CONFIRMATIONS, CONTACT MANGESH KAMBLE (011-46082371/2/3/4)
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