Celebrating with Chai outside the West Bengal Registration Office.
(Bishan, Harleen, Sahar, Rohini, and Maitrayee)
This week, ‘Kalam: Margins Write’ was registered as a Trust in India. Yes, we are now officially an independent literary arts organization recognized by the Indian Government. We’re new, we’re small and we’re brave.
On Thursday, September 20th, 2007, Kalam’s three trustees — Bishan Samaddar, Rohini Banerjee, and Harleen Walia — went to the West Bengal Registration Office in Dalhousie to register Kalam as a Trust. I, Sahar, (the American citizen who cannot officially be a Trustee) was a Witness. And Maitrayee Trivedi, a warm human being and sharp lawyer, was our advocate.
In the matter of an hour — after multiple finger prints, numerous signatures, and foot movement from one bustling office to the other — we were officially granted status as a Trust in India.
This is big news for us. We’ve evolved slowly and steadily since our beginnings in early 2004. Starting as an experimental project, evolving into a creative writing program within the Daywalka Foundation, we’ve now grown into an independent organization committed to bringing the literary arts to youth living on the India’s urban margins.
We would never make it here without the gracious support of the Daywalka Foundation. They were an excellent parent organization where Kalam fostered its ideas, pedagogy and practice for three years. And along with the Daywalka Foundation, Kalam’s friends and allies in Calcutta, Delhi, Seattle and Tempe nourished us with great support.
A deep thank you to all of you. We hope to keep growing with your on-going support.
posted by Sahar Romani
Sounds good.
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Good luck with your project – independence of mind is priceless
Blessings on Kalam!
What wonderful news to hear of your successful transition to independence! As one of your oldest fans, I rejoice tonight in Seattle and pledge my ongoing support!
Luch love,
Christine
Christine! Thanks for your best wishes. We are so grateful for your ongoing support and faith in us! Now, come visit us soon!
payari sahar,
salaam,,myself and the whole family is very happy for your hard work and suscess, no duobt you are amazing.
Keep working , keep rising in a humble way.
Ammi [saulat romani]
Congratulation everyone at Kalam.Wishing you all the best in your endeavours.It was really an emotional moment for me to read about the achievements of kalam and especially the girls.Way to go guys!
Congratulations!!
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