SAT Appreciation

Dear Mallikaben,

Greetings from Sense International (India)!
This is with reference to the programmes, namely - "Sat, the Chat Show" and "Tankshal", which are being produced by Darpana Communications and aired by Doordarshan (DD-11) Gujarati channel.

I wish to congratulate you for the month long initiative of giving voices to some of the most marginalized groups of people through your esteemed programmes. Sense International (India) works with deafblind people all over the country and we find the content of both these programmes to be very informative and thought provoking. These programmes have raised some very important issues like - 'Inclusion of people with disability in society'; 'Accessibility and barrier free environment for people with disability'; Livelihood and many others.

The programmes have showed that people with disabilities are capable to lead independent lives provided they are given opportunities. I am aware that this production was on a pilot basis, but I would like to request you to continue the programmes because these have started to create awareness and continuation of the same will lead to a major change in attitudes of society for the better.

Looking forward to your continued support in this regard.
With sincere thanks & thoughts,
Yours truly,
Akhil S. Paul
Director
Sense International (India)

7-04-07

‘…Firstly I would like to say that I am a great fan of the SAT chat show and watch it everyday unfailingly. I am a gynaecologist who has been practicing for the last 21 years and saw both the episodes on female foeticide. I personally do not believe, unlike a large population of our society that having at least one son in a family is necessary to keep the family name alive. Examples like Indira Gandhi, a daughter and only child, who changed India and is seen as one of the strongest women of that time prove my belief of this. Where as though Gandhiji had four sons, none followed in his footsteps or kept his memory alive… I congratulate you repeatedly on finding a way through this chat show to allow people to talk for themselves about the issues that concern them and our entire society…’

~ Dr.Kirti. M. Vadalya (MD Gynaec.)
Amardeep Nursing Home
23/252 Geetanagar Amrayvadi
Ahmedabad
(Translated from the Gujarati)

‘...I would like to suggest a topic to be discussed in the SAT chat show that is rarely discussed and ignored by the society. There are many Dalit musicians who are very talented but for unknown reasons are never invited to music/arts workshops or festivals conducted by the government. They are completely being outcaste, which is something that should be of our concern. I hope you agree and make it a point to draw light upon this issue in a larger framework…’

~ Babubhai Parmar
(Translated from the Gujarati)

01-04-07

‘I have watched a few of the SAT chat show episodes and am interested in being part of this movement. I am eager to participate in some of the upcoming chat shows and would request you to keep me informed about them. Thank you.’

~ Harish Khatri
303, Padmavati Duplex
Sundarvan Society, Vasna
Ahmedabad
(Translated from the Gujarati)

29-03-07

‘I am someone who works and has been working with various NGO’s and have many real life stories that could be adapted and used in the SAT chat show to be discussed. I would like to be informed when SAT restarts its work and goes back on air, as I would love to help its work.

~ Girish Nilgiri
Sector 6/B, Block no. 78/3
‘J’ Government Quarters
Gandhinagar
(Translated from the Gujarati

15-04-07

‘I write fiction based stories and would like to help when SAT reopens by letting you use them as they are also based on issues that SAT would be concerned about.’

~ Badldevlal Soni
52/C, Madhuvan Park
Near Sourashtra Society
Naroda, Ahmedabad
(Translated from the Gujarati)

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion on the SAT chat show on beliefs of Astronomy vs. Science and hope that there are many more discussion like these to come. Looking forward to seeing them and thank you for showing this programme.’

~ Kanakbhai Trivedi
303, Shubhlakshmi Tower
Naranpura, Ahmedabad
(Translated from the Gujarati)

26-05-06

‘I participated in one of the SAT chat shows and enjoyed it very much. This was the first time I had been given an opportunity to be in front of a camera and was delighted and surprised that I got to do so. I would really like to thank Mallika Sarabhai, Aparna Shridhar and the rest of the team for giving me this chance.’

~ Dharmesh Sharma
(Translated from the Gujarati)

22-01-07

‘I saw one of the SAT chat show episodes by chance and was instantly interested in the kind of work you are doing. I am sending this letter as I too work in the media field and would want to work as part of your team or help in any way possible. Thank you.’

~ P. H. Parmar
Jatan, CG Road
Opp. Navrangpura Telephone Exchange
Ahmedabad
(Translated from the Gujarati)

'My greetings to the SAT team. I live in Jarkhand and watch the SAT program on DD Direct+ and enjoy every bit of it. I was born in Gujarat but since then have lived and worked here. As i live away from Gujarat i have not been able to stay up to date with the various happenings there. SAT and DD Gujarati have made it possible for me to finally do so and be aware of what is really going on. Please continue to show this program and keep in mind viewers like myself when you create them. Thank you.'
~ Lokesh Kumar
(Translated from the Gujarati)

We the members of Tamanna Weekly thank you for conducting a fabulous programme for the disabled children of the society. Frankly speaking God has given the, a gift to show their talent even though they are disabled. They are always full of enthusiasm and their physical defects don’t matter. You have really given them a good platform to expose themselves in front of the public. Wes wish good luck and will pray to God to help you in performing such programmes through your ‘SAT’.

~Miral
Sub-editor, Tamanna Weekly

I’m writing this letter in appreciation of your efforts on this type of Public Awareness Programming. This type of programming is really useful for the poor uneducated people of our society. Astrology has become an important aspect of the life of all people. But they are not aware or they even don’t know the proper meaning of astrology. People have started earning money in the name of astrology; they try to cheat the people in the name of astrology. A real astrologer always reveals the negative and positive aspects of a person. The medium you have chosen is a perfect platform to reveal the facts of life in any field. ‘SAT’ means truth, and you are trying to reveal truth on any subject. We wish you to continue such programmes and request you to promote the real astrologers in the society through such programmes and stop the people from getting cheated and save their hard-earned money.

~Miral
Sub-editor, Tamanna Weekly

Information on Caller Responses to the Right to Information Act Hotline with regard to SAT

CALL ANALYSIS OF RTI HELPLINE: 9924085000

	Seeking guidence for use of RTI in department	Number of Phone calls received till 25th April 2007
	Revenue	145
	Developmental works (road, bridge, school building etc)	112
	Police (inquiring about complaints)	78
	Provident Funds	56
	Schemes for social social defense department	78
	Inquiring about RTI	67
	Response received after TV chat Show 'SAT' on RTI.	39
TOTAL		575

*** Visitors of Saturday guidance camp at Helpline office appreciated the Chat Show 'SAT'.

*** Callers and citizens groups have demanded for regional training and orientation after viewing SAT TV Show on RTI.

*** Many phone calls were received inquiring about MAGP and have expressed their desire to join Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel after viewing SAT Chat Show on RTI

SAT Controversy

Like all good things in India, SAT has been mired in controversy from its inception. The concept of mainstream entertaining development TV, at a tenth of the cost of commercial TV, threatens a lot of people, within the channels and outside producers. Doordarshan is famous for its kickback culture. SAT would take away hours where kickbacks would not reach anyone. Hence internal blocks to allowing it to happen. SAT would also take away hours from external producers who produce mediocre or bad work but have a nexus with DD officials for favours in return for kickbacks, so they too consider SAT a threat. The Chief Minister of Gujarat is on record as wanting to stop SAT which he sees as an election threat. He has publicly approached the Planning Commission to stop it happening.

Many of these forces have gotten together and tried to block, through the law courts, the one month pilot project. Luckily the High Court refused to give a stay and we have now completed the one month project successfully. However for the project to continue we must battle in the courts. So... onwards and we hope upwards.

Mallika Sarabhai

The SAT Chat Show

Astronomy vs. Astrology

Discussion regarding the science behind each field.

• Astrologers: Naresh G. Trivedi (Astrologer), Purvang Shukla (Astrologer)
• Astronomers: Tanmay Shah (Astronomer), Praful Shah (Astronomer)
• Civil Society

Ek Moti Ekalvayu

Ame Gunthi Jindagi (We Wove a Life)

A woman journalist finds a diary of an old woman, dead alone in her home. She unravels the story of a woman who 40 years ago left her village home to chase a dream to create a business of garments and embroideries to help rural women. A look into the life of a woman who broke tradition to chase her dream.

Tankshal

Mallika Sarabhai in conversation with Dr. Mehrunnisa M. Desai (President, Ahmedabad Muslim Women’s Association, Domestic Violence Helpline 1091, expert in women’s empowerment and backward classes)

Right to Information Act: Ratilal Vaniya was unaware how much P.F. was due to him after 12 years. The RTI was able to help him acquire the information.

Self Help Group: Through their savings with the Kalyan SHG, Salal village women were able to create a business of hand-rolling incense.

SAT PRABHAT

Good news story on Ms. Selima who has been dedicated to the cause of new enterprises and has won the best businesswoman award; story on Madhuben; heritage story on Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple; tip of the day - use dustbin; helpline on architecture entrance exam; word of the day - NEVI (boat)

The SAT Chat Show

Handicaps and Disabilities Cont.

Issues of access to facilities, insurance, jobs and schooling.

• Disabled People: Mitali Lotwala (Student)
• NGOs & Experts: Ileshkumar S. Rava (Special Needs Teacher), Ranjit P. Gohel (President, MEET International)
• Civil Society & Teachers

Ek Moti Ekalvayu

Nayna Rasik Mehta Part II

A woman is able to successfully get her husband punished for the abuse he has inflicted upon her, with the help of her mother-in-law and the police.

Director: Nisarg Trivedi
Cameraperson: Yadavan Chandran
Editor: Nilang Jariwala
Cast: Harita Shah, Raksha Nayak, Kavan Shah, Vijay Parajit, Abhinay Banker, Vijay Rajput, Shailesh Prajapati

Tankshal

Mr. C. D. Parikh (Chief Executive, Apang Manav Mandal, expert on the education of disabled people)

Water: Taraben Permar, sarpanch of Mehmoodpura village, with help of the NGO Swargirna Gram Vikas Sanstha, built a Rs 2 lakh road into the village, a place for washing laundry and a water reservoir for livestock. With help of the Sarda Jal Sanchay Yojana government scheme, check dams were built, and through the B.R.C. Yojana, a water tank for the village school was built.

Self Help Group: The Shree Chamunda SHG, run by eleven women, begins a business weaving wheatgrass to create various appliances and wares.

Water: With the help of NGO SWATI, the villagers of Thala Village went into a partnership with the government to solve their water woes. They collected Rs 74000, borrowed Rs 50,000 and the government contributed Rs 5 lakhs, and together they dredged the lake and built a water tank for the cattle.

SAT PRABHAT

Good news story on the Adult Continuing Education Centre in the Amritsar Central Jail; tip of the day - wash your hands; story of a blind man, Ranchhodbhai; vox pops on what dalit people dream; helpline - information about breast cancer

The SAT Chat Show

Handicaps and Disabilities Cont.

Issues of access to facilities, insurance, jobs and schooling.

• Disabled People: Mitali Lotwala (Student)
• NGOs & Experts: Ileshkumar S. Rava (Special Needs Teacher), Ranjit P. Gohel (President, MEET International)
• Civil Society & Teachers

Ek Moti Ekalvayu

Nayna Rasik Mehta Part I

A woman is able to successfully get her husband punished for the abuse he has inflicted upon her, with the help of her mother-in-law and the police.

Director: Nisarg Trivedi
Cameraperson: Yadavan Chandran
Editor: Nilang Jariwala
Cast: Harita Shah, Raksha Nayak, Kavan Shah, Vijay Parajit, Abhinay Banker, Vijay Rajput, Shailesh Prajapati

Tankshal

Aditi Desai in conversation with Mr. Akil Paul (Director, Sense International, expert on deafblind people)

Self Help Group: Nagneshwari SHG formed a savings group; from their savings they were able to create a water reservoir for livestock.

Right to Information Act: Mahatma Gandhi International School provides information about the RTI.

Self Help Group: Gayatri SHG in the Salal village created a business from their savings to embroider stones into saris.

SAT PRABHAT

Good news on Waukegen teen who earns national attention for her effort to help young victims of sexual abuse; heritage story on Gandhi Ashram; tip of the day - don't spit; helpline - what kind of products can be used for sensitive skin; vox pops alcohol and drug addiction; information of the day - where candy comes from

The SAT Chat Show

Handicaps and Disabilities

Issues of access to facilities, insurance, jobs and schooling.

• Disabled People: Mitali Lotwala (Student)
• NGOs & Experts: Ileshkumar S. Rava (Special Needs Teacher), Ranjit P. Gohel (President, MEET International)
• Civil Society & Teachers

Tankshal

Aditi Desai in conversation with Mr. Ilesh Raval (Incharge Specialist Educator, Prerana Sanastha Manthbudhi Balakoni Thalim Shala, expert on educational development of disabled children)

Water: Moviya village took advantage of a government scheme created by the District Rural Development Agency with the help of the Water and Sanitation Management Organization, which granted the village Rs. 48 crores. They were able to build a 45 lakh litre capacity water pump and a 20 lakh litre water tank.

Self Help Group: Abika SHG helps its members set up savings and loans so that they may set up various small scale businesses.

Water: With help from Sarda Jal Sanchay Yojana government scheme, Panchvada village members contributed 40% of funds to build 60 check dams. Under the Sector E-Form scheme, Narmada River water was supplied to them.

SAT PRABHAT

Good news story on Supreme Court lawyer Sonia Raj Sood who fights atrocities against Kashmiris attributed to India's security forces; heritage story on Rajkumar College in Rajkot; helpline - what type of clothing for a thin body type; tip of the day - supporting your local artisans and crafts; word of the day ARUPARU (here and there)

The SAT Chat Show

Special

Issues of builders cont. – discussion with environmentalists, clients and architects.

• Environmentalists: Raju-Dipti (NGO), Vijaybhai (Centre for Environment Education), Gaurav (Anala)
• Builders, Contractors & Architects: Pavan Bakeri (Builder), Parul Zaveri (Architect), Yatin Pandya (Vastushilp)
• Civil Society

Sat Katha (Truth Tales)

Navi Kshitijo - Lakshmiben

The story of Navi Kshitijo, who had lost her entire family’s savings more than once through theft and con, perseveres and regains financial stability for her family by utilizing a savings account in a bank as well as making use of her mobile phone to help expand her business.

Director: Hridaynath Gharekhan
Chief Assistant Director: Dipika Goenka
Assistant Director: Vijay Rajput
Cameraperson: Ashish Prajapati
Editor: Jayesh Gadivi
Cast: Shilpa Thaker, Ratnabhai Rabari, Imtiaz Sheikh, Prakash Bhatia, Minaben Prajapati, Binaben Shah, Ninaben Shah, Dipikaben Patel, Jhanvi Patel, Chandranil, Devanshi