Why we don't need a house

It is nearly three months since I left inter-agency group and started working directly for the people. In the three months I have hardly required a home, in strict sense of the term. I have been on the move, sleeping in buses, trains, families, institutions, hotels and occasionally in friends' homes. I have also begun to realize that actually you don't need a house! It only captures you and binds you to a geographic location. We are born free. I am able to freely move, wash my clothes, eat my food....and importantly I am able to be with the people and for the people. Yes, that is what that actually gives me the energy to live like this. Once you begin to think all the time about people and their needs, all your needs disappear. It is just a world, that can offer you everything, and you choose to have only what you need. You begin to understand the difference between want and need, greed and giving!

ICT for Early Warning

Catholic Relief Services offered my ticket and stay in Hyderabad to attend a meeting with the scientists from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (www.incois.gov.in). The whole day of discussions on 11 Aug 2010 was an inspiring one, as I found ways and means to get more information in shorter time, which would mean I can send out alerts earlier than normal.

Although previously the early warnings sent out by me was limited to cyclones, floods, river erosions, probable embankment breaches, and possible landslides, now we will be able to send out alerts on tide heights and wind speeds. This would be really interesting! This would also mean I will require a person everyday to help me out in sending the information to various villages. I shall work out the modalities of sharing the information. (For now, it is trade secret! I am not going to reveal it on the blog!) Let me see how it works out! I will have to check out with some organization to support financially for this venture, as I may require about 60,000 - 80,000 per year for this purpose.