Mallamall,which literally translated means “bountiful goods,” offers a fascinating look at the struggle playing out on the battlefield of global capitalism. India is in the throes of a retail revolution as a burgeoning middle class looks for more Western goods and services. Modern malls have arrived to meet the demand, radically shifting the shopping culture and threatening the livelihood of traditional merchants. The landscape of retail is transforming from vibrant open-air markets with jewel-colored saris, aromatic spices, and feisty personalities to homogeneous, clean, and meticulously branded chain stores. One set of Indians is jumping on the modern mall bandwagon, enjoying new luxuries and heading up local efforts to further international investment. Another set vehemently protests the forces of globalization, fighting for the rights of thousands of bazaar owners and small farmers, as well as for a centuries-old way of life
Forum of Informal Urban poor Workers (FIUPW) and PRIA jointly organized a workers assembly on 10th Oct at Constitution Club, Delhi. A workers manifesto was presented to all political parties keeping in view the forthcoming elections in Delhi.
Mr. Prashant Bhushan, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and leader of Aam Admi Party, Mr. Dhirendra Sharma, State Secretary, CPI, Mr. Anand Sahu, leader, BJP and Mr. Anurag Saxena, Secretariat Member, CPM attended the assembly and responded to the workers manifesto. Dharmendra Kumar chaired the session.
Panel Discussion organized by the Global Studio, PRIA, School of Planning and Architecture on 4th Oct to Launch the Touring Exhibition on Inclusive Cities.
People Building Better Cities: Participation and Inclusive Urbanization – is an exhibition and exchange platform for communities, urban professionals, universities, non-governmental organizations, and policy makers on the challenges of inclusive urbanization and climate change.
In Delhi, the exhibition will be shown in English and Hindi from October 4 – 18, 2013. The English exhibition will open at School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), with a panel discussion themed “Rethinking Urban Informality: Ideas for an Inclusive City”. The Hindi exhibition will be mobile and is being hosted in six different locations across Delhi by members of the Forum of Informal Urban Poor Workers (FIUPW) with community-led local programs at each venue.
October 4, Friday: EXHIBITION OPENING in English
School of Planning & Architecture
SPA, New Committee Room, 4-Block-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi
9:30-10:00 Doors open 10:00-10:30 Exhibition opening & interactive walkthrough 10:30-11:00 Tea Break 11:00-13:00 Panel Discussion with Q&A ‘People Building Better Cities: Rethinking Urban Informality – Ideas for an Inclusive City’ 13:00 onwards Lunch and exhibition display
Moderator
Prof. Chetan Vaidya, Director, SPA
Panelists
Prof. Neelima Risbud, Head, Housing, SPA
Prof. Jagan Shah, Director, NIUA (TBC)
Mr. Manoj Rai, Director, PRIA
Mr. Dharmendra Kumar, Secretary, Janpahal (TBC)
Ms. Isabelle-Jasmin Roth, Managing Director, Avantgarde India (TBC)
___________________________________________________________________ TRAVELING EXHIBITION in Hindi
The Hindi exhibition will remain open from 11:00 to 17:00 at the dates and locations provided below
October 7, Monday and 8, Tuesday Janpahal Shelter for Homelesswith Janpahal and India FDI Watch
Directions: Nehru Enclave-Akshardham Flyover, Shakarpur. Nearest metros – Akshardham, Laxmi Nagar and Yamuna Bank Inquiries: Mr. Dharmendra Kumar, Secretary, Janpahal & Director, India FDI Watch dkfordignity@yahoo.co.uk , janpahal@gmail.com
‘COMMUNITY ADDAS’
A series of themed chat sessions at each venue, with local stakeholders and community members will be held between 11:00 – 13:00, on the following dates. Refreshments will be arranged by the hosting community.
October 8, Tuesday
‘Urban informality and the homeless’
Chair
Mr. Dharmendra Kumar, Secretary, Janpahal
Key Speakers
Dr. Amod Kumar, Chief Functionary, State appointed Mother NGO for Homeless
Ms. Ambika Pandit, Journalist, TNN (TBC)
Mr. H.S. Rawat, Co-Convener, Hawkers Joint Action Committee
EXHIBITION PARTNERS
Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA)
National Institute for Urban Affairs
School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi
Janpahal
India FDI Watch
HAQ
All India Kabadi Mazdoor Mahasangh
All India Rickshaw Pullers Association
Jhuggi Jhopri Ekta Manch
