Gul Panag started the Real life Hero’s campaign – “Karmayuga”

KARMAYUGA- ‘The Right every Wrong Generation’ Campaign launched to ignite the ‘Volunteer’ spirit among citizens Actress Gul Panag and team started the Cleanliness campaign by cleaning the Press club premises. “No one can do everything but everyone can do something to make a positive difference. And when each one of us starts doing something then hopefully the world shall change for the better for our children and future generations. Our small actions can make the big difference in the world.

Mumbai: No Individual, Institution or Organization, not even the UN or any government can Change the World but if every citizen practices her / his fundamental duties & Individual Social Responsibility, then maybe collectively we could make the world a more egalitarian, just, humane & responsible society. Each of us can right a wrong and thus together as ONE we can RIGHT every WRONG. ‘KARMAYUGA- The Right Every Wrong Generation’, a nationwide campaign has been launched by iCONGO and CtrlS on 12thOct’11, from Mumbai, with the core objective of bringing together and recognizing citizen volunteers/uncommon and unsung heroes , who through their focused action, are trying to lead the society towards a better tomorrow.

This initiative salutes and showcases the extra ordinary and inspiring work done by ordinary mortals, to Right a Wrong that they see around them. To be a part of the “Karmayuga Campaign” one need not join an NGO or campaign, nor give any money, clothes and newspapers to charity. All that one needs to do is do small simple acts with big commitment & involvement” to address wrongs in the society. The person can post his story on the official Karmayuga website www.righteverywrong.com , so that more people can follow his/her example and the tipping point reached, wherein everyone gets together to RIGHT every WRONG.

On the occasion Mr. Jeroninio Almeida, Founder-iCONGO said, “All our SIMPLE ACTIONS can make a BIG DIFFERENCE in bringing about a change in our world. We believe that a selfless citizen action can spark a mass movement where all citizens work “Together as One to Right every Wrong”. The Matchbox symbolizes the idea of “Igniting Citizen Action”. He further added, “Our mission in a nutshell is to encourage social justice through citizen action. We believe that if citizens start doing small, simple actions in our own space and time, then one day we will see that big difference in real sense and this shall benefit our future generations. Probably the most powerful healing for all socio-political evils is the creation of more and more citizen heroes”. He appeals to all citizens to. Act NOW; DO SOMETHING to Right a WRONG around you and Belong to Karmayuga- The RIGHT every WRONG generation.

Present at the event Ms. Gul Panag, Founder, Social Outreach and Accreditation Programme (SOAP) said, “The Karmayuga Campaign is in its true meaning ‘Voluntary’ and to be a part of it each one has to become Anna Hazare themselves and to motivate people to help each other in the real world.It is the most ethical concept ever put down to work. According to one’s own capabilities and discretion, volunteers are expected to work in their desired area of interest in their own way.”

Mr. P Sridhar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, CtrlS, shared his thoughts “Being India’s largest and only certified tier IV data center, we have always been led by an inherent drive to deliver technological innovations that build a sustainable eco system, thereby making this world a better place to live in. We’re proud to say CtrlS Mumbai; with a PUE of 1.4 is the most energy efficient datacenter in India. From implementing eco-friendly practices in our workplaces, to following tier IV standards of operation, or delivering excellence through our philosophy of ‘Total Ownership’, we believe sustainable solutions are the stepping stones for a secure tomorrow. We are in the business of protecting data with full confidentiality and have partnered Karmayuga to create more protectors for our planet and people.

We are delighted to say that partnering with iCONGO, has brought us another step closer to building healthier ecosystem. Every company today must have a holistic CSR policy that encourages employees to get involved in social issues. This will push the organization towards better efficiency and profitability.

The entire movement is powered by Ctrls – iCONGO Karmaveer Puraskaar- Global awards for Social Justice and Citizen Action, initiated by iCONGO 6 years back. Through KVP, iCONGO has been felicitating and highlighting the work done by citizens who have gone beyond their usual business and have readily Lead the Change in the society through selfless actions. Karmaveer awardees are fondly referred to as Noble Laureates and many of them have gone on and joined national committees and planning commissions as core members and had also served as ambassadors of global movements.”

“Belong to Karmayuga- The RIGHT every WRONG Generation – this is an opportunity to be a part of a social movement” says Rakhi Sarkar, Country Director – VSO India. We usually talk about our rights but as citizens of this country we have responsibilities as well. By becoming a part of Karmyuga it will be an excellent opportunity for citizens to engage and address the problems of social and economic inequity that surrounds them. Volunteering is a powerful instrument to promote inclusive development through active civic engagement. Be a “Karmyugi” – this is an opportunity to be a part of a social movement and make a difference – your efforts do matter and can improve the prospects of people, communities and Indian society as a whole Rakhi added.
The top 20 stories will be awarded CtrlS- iCONGO Karmaveer Chakra, a medallion for proactive voluntary actions to Be The Change, instituted with the UN. . All people/ children/ youth who participate shall be awarded the “CtrlS- iCONGO KARMAVEER- THE RIGHT every WRONG Generation Certificate” for being the change and for promoting Social Justice through her/ his action.

The movement conceptualized & initiated by iCONGO (International Confederation of NGOs and VSO India) the world’s leading independent international development organization that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. The campaign is emphatically supported by renowned personalities including Mr. P Sridhar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of CtrlS, the largest tier iv datacenter in South Asia, and social activist and actress Gul Panag, (Founder of the volunteering movement SOAP).

Many organizations, NGOs, Corporates, Academic Institutions and Media Houses, have joined hands with the Karmayuga Campaign as Initiative Partners to spread the message. The Initiative partners include- UNV ( United Nations Volunteers), SOAP, RTF, RTI Nation, Goa Forgiving, The Image India Institute, World Comics Trust, GOD, SOIL, Skill share International, Silver Innings, Masoom, HFI, Samarthanam, OLPC, THF, Olives Bar and Kitchen, Dialogue India, Good Shepherd’s Home.
A co-branded Chakra has been created with each Initiative partner to felicitate their partners and supporters.

A brief intro on the organizations involved in this initiative
About ICONGO
The International Confederation of NGOs- (www.icongo.in) passionately works with PEOPLE, for encouraging social justice through citizen action. Mostly managed by VOLUNTEERS ICONGO sensitizes “citizens at large” to “Be the change we want to see in our world”.

About CtrlS
Promoted by the Pioneer Group and USD 20 billion NYSE –listed Och-Ziff Capital, CtrlS is Asia’s largest and best-in-class tier IV datacenter, and has recently won the NASSCOM Emerge 50 award in the fastest growing company domain. A firm believer in the philosophy of “Total ownership”, CtrlS has IXP connected datacenters in Hyderabad, Mumbai & Delhi with a promise of 99.995% uptime and a host of innovative solutions to keep their client’s businesses up and running all times. CtrlS has been supporting Karmaveer Puraskaar and Karmayuga since 2010.
About VSO India- VSO India envisions an equitable society where citizens take responsibility and action for the alleviation of poverty and address exclusion. VSO India promotes active citizenship. VSO India enables citizens to engage with governance structures and processes which will bring about a change in the lives of poor and marginalised.

About SOAP
SOAP is a volunteering portal – www.soaponline.in that brings together individuals looking to volunteer and support a Social Cause, NGOs looking for volunteers, funds and a platform for their programs and Corporate and Academic Institutions looking to incentivise social responsibility; along with bringing volunteering, funding, resources and CSR opportunities. SOAP brings together all the key stake holders in volunteering on a single platform that is free for all to use. It is an online credit based volunteer management tool. Every act of volunteering earns the volunteer credit based on a time, effort and skill matrix and the credits earned are recognised by Corporates as an advantage during job interviews and appraisals. Every one is a winner- the Volunteer earns credits, the NGO gets volunteers and the Corporate can do CSR without spending any money.