LOL. Evidently, I did not keep abreast of the gossip.
fetch skipper commented on "Murmurs from the Springs #3 - Brrr, It's Cold Out There : Tom McDermott"
8 hours ago
From Gianni Murzi -- Thank you Tom for this account frightening as it is. Your column is one of the best reads.
fouadkronfol@videotron.ca replied to a comment on "The December 2020 Quarterly - Our UN @ 75"
10 hours ago
Bonjour Boudewijn, Mille merci pour tes commentaires. C'est tres aprecie par notre equipe. Bien des choses pour la Nouvelle Annee. Fouad
In Response to a comment by boudewijn@mohr.st
fouadkronfol@videotron.ca commented on "Claudio Sepulveda, RIP : A Recollection by Ken Gibbs"
10 hours ago
I am surprised for the sad News Detlef...I was wondering why he did not reply to my e-mails for some time Now. I had régular exchanges with him and he has Given me copiés of his three books. We became Friends when we were in Hanoi and he and Doris would invite us during our R&R trips to Bangkok. Claudio was one Of the most érudite colleagues we had in Uniçef , sometimes to the extent of being almost pédantic, but great company for conversation on all kinds of ésotéric topics . He had an amazing wealth of knowledge on many subjects, as the son's obit clearly shows. While he had A diverse career in diffèrent organisations Claudio was especially proud of his Uniçef days, particularly his Rep. Posting in Turkey...which he wrote at length about in one of his books. May he Rest in Peace...we pray for his Soûl. Fouad
If I remember correctly the first Rep to the Russian Federation after the Perestroika was Gianni Murzi. I took over from him in October 1999 for a short stint until June 2000. Thereafter came in Rosemary McCreery. Fritz Lherisson
lherissondevint@videotron.ca commented on "The December 2020 Quarterly - Our UN @ 75"
10 hours ago
Let me seize this opportunity to congratulate you and the other members of the Editors team for this last Quarterly edition celebrating the UN 75th anniversary and also thank you all for the superb work you did during the year. I am reading with great pleasure the various articles of this edition. Very interesting indeed! Fritz Lherisson
From Gianni Murzi -- Thank you Detlef, most enjoyable! I loved it very much. Congratulations!
jimmayrides@gmail.com commented on "Happy Holidays from the Editors and the Readers of News and Views"
Dec 29, 2020
Dear Friends and Family, December 2020 Wow! What a 2020 this has been! Glad it is almost over and the future seems to glimmer slightly through the pandemic fog. The loss of life has been excruciating. There has also been an uptake in hope on the political front after an extremely tense, emotional year. Just disappointed with a system that works so often in the self-interest of the supposed “representatives”. We began the year with a road trip south visiting friends and family in N.C and S.C. We spent a few weeks in the Villages with friends playing golf and bridge. We visited with family in south Florida. Then with COVID rearing its ugly head, we fled back north in early March. Since then we have been hunkered down at home. We did enjoy a few outings with family during the warm summer months sitting outside, wearing masks and social distancing. The hardest part of that was no hugging, just an elbow bump. We’ve done walks around the neighborhood and some food shopping but mostly purchasing on-line. One great activity we do enjoy has been on-line bridge. Even going through the pharmacy drive-thru has become exciting! Time marches on. Three grandkids graduated high school and started university. Another has almost completed his degree. Two more are in high school and the three younger girls are virtual students in south Florida. Holidays this year are not as joyous without joint celebrations. We are thankful that technology allows us Face Time with them at least. Despite the pandemic, our children and their families are doing quite well. We send you all our best wishes for a very happy and holy Christmas holiday season and a New Year 2021 filled with good health, success in life, happiness and love. Elayne and Jim Mayrides 139 Turnberry Drive Thorndale, PA. 19372 Tel: 610-380-1950 Elayne cell: 484-888-3770 Jim cell: 484-467-4112
lherissondevint@videotron.ca commented on "Happy Holidays from the Editors and the Readers of News and Views"
Dec 29, 2020
Greetings from Montreal! I hope you and your family are well of health and in a very good spirit to welcome the year 2021. The year 2020 will soon enter in the past. It will be remembered as the year of many bad events in particular Covid-19, the deadly virus that has aggressively struck the world bringing suffering, despair, loss of millions lives, tears and emotional pains. A year that has also brought to light the many ills of today’s society namely persistent social and economic inequalities, poverty, anger, racism and social tensions that have led to street protests and disturbances in many countries. Likewise, Covid has exposed the absence and failure of leadership in many countries as well as the flaws in the decisions taken, the policies and interventions to combat the disease. It has shown the lack of preparedness for an epidemic situation and the blatant weakness of the health systems in many countries to cope with such a disease. It has seriously impacted the economy of the countries. Moreover. the restrictions put in place and the sanitary measures to contain the pandemic have also affected our daily life mentally, emotionally and physically. In sum the year has brought serious challenges to governments, the health systems and the business sector. Indeed, 2020 will be remembered as the year of crisis and devastation that will never be forgotten. Nevertheless, with all the shortcomings in tackling this contagious disease, the sacrificial spirit of the health workers needs to be highlighted. High tribute should be paid to them. They are labouring vehemently with professionalism sparing no efforts to save others lives while putting their own at risk. A fine example of self-forgetfulness worthy of emulation. Their work deserves high praise. Let us enter the year 2021 with the happy confidence and optimism of triumphant days ahead with the arrival of the vaccine that will help defeat Covid. We should remain confident that the day will come when smiles will chase the tears and pains caused by the virus and we can all turn to more pleasant reflections. Let us hope that the painful lessons learned in 2020 will not go unheeded and will help shape the world of tomorrow with a more humane, inclusive and egalitarian society with social justice and economic opportunity for all at its centre piece. Finally, it is also my hope that we will get out of this crisis year with a better understanding and appreciation of how we should live in the global village. Stay safe. With my most hearty good wishes for the New Year and that the new journey be without obstacle and turn out to be the happiest for you and your family. Warm regards
Dear Fouad, Tom and all the editors, Just to say how I appreciate the newsletter for its quality and professionalism. The December issue was really great. I have not finished reading all the stories yet, but have the rest of the holidays to finish my reading. I am also grateful for the authors’ list, which will be helpful to give our books regular updates. This is especially important as we have now so many new members who may not know some of us. I read a fair number of these books, but now I have a reference list from which I can pull more. Finally, just to say how great that you put in the trailer of Small Targets in my de-mining story. Best wishes to you and your families for a happy and healthy 2021. Boudewijn Beaune, France
Detlef Palm commented on "Older Ladies : Donnalou Stevens / Honorine Nachia / Sree Gururaja"
Dec 28, 2020
I wonder who is going to write and perform the song about grumpy old men....:)
fetch skipper replied to a comment on "Moving to the Countryside During the Pandemic : Gianni Murzi"
Dec 28, 2020
From Gianni - Thank you Tom for posting the slide show and accompanying text and thank you for your kind words!
In Response to a comment by mcdermott.tom@gmail.com
Selim has left us for ever which is difficult for me to accept. We were so much close as friends n colleagues n did so many things together. My condolences for the family. I pray for the salvation of his departed soul.
mcdermott.tom@gmail.com commented on "XUNICEF on Instagram - Top Photographers since September 2019 : Gianni Murzi"
Dec 27, 2020
Congratulations to Detlef and all the other winners. Great photography !!
mcdermott.tom@gmail.com commented on "Moving to the Countryside During the Pandemic : Gianni Murzi"
Dec 27, 2020
A lovely portrait of your village, Gianni. As always, your photos tell a compelling story of people and place. Now we all will want to move there. Tom
We lost a retired and outstanding UNICEF colleague to COVID-19 very very sadly in Dhaka today-RIP Selim Ahmed. Heartfelt condolences to Selim’s family and friends. I remember his time with us in UNICEF Afghanistan as our Emergency Officer fondly and was glad we had stayed in touch over the years until late November 2020 when he was updating us about his fight against the virus. What a big loss and how very unfortunate. ��
agopk@yahoo.com commented on "Pope Calls for Nations of the World to Share COVID Vaccines with the Most Needy"
Dec 26, 2020
Looks like I DO HAVE A FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES AFTERALL“ Pope urges access for all to coronavirus vaccine”.
Unknown commented on "＂Why are there are no longer people like this?" Robert Savio / Fouad Kronfol"
Dec 26, 2020
Those like Jim, sadly, only come once in a generation
Nuzhat Shahzadi commented on "Older Ladies : Donnalou Stevens / Honorine Nachia / Sree Gururaja"
Dec 26, 2020
Hey Sree, loved this one . . . ha ha ha! The feisty ladies stole my heart. Izara (my almost one year old granddaughter-for those who don't know about her) loves to dance with Shakira's "Hips don't lie." She makes me dance with her till my hips are at the risk of cracking . . . dancing is like an elixir at mature age. Thank you for sharing this fun-filled video. Do you like to dance as well??
R.Jolly@ids.ac.uk commented on "Global Inequality in Historical Perspective : Richard Jolly"
Dec 26, 2020
Dear Baquer, Thanks for this. I am glad you liked it -and glad you get a glimpse of the remarkable life, thinking and writings of Tom Paine. Lewes, where I live, has issued its own currency, the pound note of which has a picture of Tom Paine on one side with one of his quotes: “We have it in our power to build the world anew.” On the reverse side is a picture of the Lewes town football club and some of its players -under the banner of “EqualityFC” -the first football club -in the world?- to pay men and women the same! Best wishes for 2021. Keep up you remarkable contributions. Richard
John.sarkissian@outlook.com commented on "Global Inequality in Historical Perspective : Richard Jolly"
Dec 26, 2020
Dear Richard, I start by wishing you a very, very Merry Xmas and to thank you for the wonderful historical article you drafted, which I plan to include as one of the basic documents in our mapping exercise. I waited until I had a relaxed time to review and benefit from the article. In reading the document I was particularly inspired by your last para in the conclusion part of the study. “So my final conclusion from the past is for us all to be inspired by the boldness of the early thinkers and analysts. If Tom Paine, over two centuries ago could make such imaginative and daring proposals, when global inequality was much less and the apparent difficulties of taking action much greater, how much more should we today be inspired to think afresh. May these bold and brave early pioneers be our inspiration, not only for analyzing inequality but for exploring what can be done about it”. I am confident once the cluster on poverty and disparity gets going, with help and guidance of gurus such as yourself, we can act upon the last sentence (underlined) above. Best wishes Baquer
Detlef Palm replied to a comment on "Rethinking UNICEF - Insights from Outside the Bubble : Detlef Palm"
Dec 25, 2020
I counted in 2005: The East and Southern Africa Regional Office had 55 projects, in addition to the country office projects. There was a widespread belief, that even regional advisors need 'programme funds' to run programmes....
In Response to a comment by jimmayrides@gmail.com
Detlef Palm commented on "A Bit of History - 2001: Bottom UP! Underwater in Mauritius: by Detlef Palm"
Dec 25, 2020
Dear Padmini, no photoshopping, only some creative editing.....Next time we meet on an Island in the Indian Ocean, bring your beach wear! Best wishes for 2021, Detlef
Powerful and clear.
jimmayrides@gmail.com commented on "Rethinking UNICEF - Insights from Outside the Bubble : Detlef Palm"
Dec 24, 2020
I also read the recent paper by Detlef Palm. It is noteworthy that our old agency has become "staff heavy" and is doing what governments and other local agencies used to do with our technical assistance and programmatic or supply support. My eternal complaint moving from one post to another was that new Reps or sectoral P.O.'s would tend to trash what had worked under an earlier regime and long-term plans or activities would be dropped by the newcomers without at least analysing what had succeeded before starting on a new tack. Also, HQ would tend to introduce new structures or processes every two or three years. My sense was that every new approach needed at least 3 or 4 years to percolate down to the smallest field segment. As that process took place, HQ would introduce a series of new fads or approaches which only tended to confuse the field offices who had only begun to assimilate the previous new fad. This further blocked any continuity in the country program approach due to the constant stream of changes. At one point after my retirement, I spent a month in Tacro/Panama to help the office prepare their 2 year management plan. The lack of cooperation from the R.O. staff of advisors was impossible to reach any reasonable conclusion. They were all competing against one another to requisition funds for their own sector interests and there was an overall "pay to play" approach embedded into the structure of the office. each sectoral advisor was operating their own set of "projects" often running parallel with projects ongoing in the country offices. As a wrap up meeting to my work, I told the group and the visiting Deputy EXdir for Programmes that I could not have been happy working within the current changed atmosphere within my beloved agency. I had experienced this personally when I assumed the role of Area rep for Central America and Panama. The Guatemala office had a set of sub regional advisors who funded parallel projects within the countries of Central America. It took me almost a year to fix what Bellamy had asked me when she transferred me from Pakistan. Her only guidance to me was that Unicef in Central America was broken and that I would figure out how to fix it. She visited us 9 months after I had taken over and during a meeting with all of the Reps and Resident P.O's, she heard them out, looked at me and said "you fixed it". We had been spending 90% of our ceiling on staff with very little left over for useful programs. One day I will write about how a lack of continuity in third world governments really blocks the possibility of achieving long term results. More later. Best wishes. Merry Christmas and hopes for a pandemic-less 2021. Jim
padmini@grot.org commented on "A Bit of History - 2001: Bottom UP! Underwater in Mauritius: by Detlef Palm"
Dec 24, 2020
Thanks, Detlef. I had no idea that such a video existed! Btw, i have no memory of a seaside meeting, but probably I was in the office as the video first said. Then how come I am walking on the beach, in my work attire [and not soaking in the sea in swimwear]? As Sree said I love swimming, but I must correct her - am not 'great' at it! Hope you did not do some photoshopping! Anyway an enjoyable video. Typcal Sergio Sorro message to Supply division! Thanks to Josi too
amesh.chauni@gmail.com replied to a comment on "Billionaires Grow their Wealth in the Pandemic : The Guardian / Baquer Namazi"
Dec 24, 2020
Dear Richard Thanks for your message and the attachment. The paper gives a good historical perspective on the issue of inequality that has persisted in our societies. The main problem fueling the inequality in our society is the failure of leadership everywhere, in countries and in international institutions. Talking about democracy and human rights has simply become a fashion. The promotion of individual freedom and democracy has taken center stage in development rather than economic security. The Freedom House defines democracy as – freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion. Economic security (or economic freedom) is nowhere to be seen or heard! This is further compounded by the media which is firmly under the grip of neoliberal coterie. Few months ago, there was an article in The Economist magazine in which it claims that inequality has remained static since 1960s. Of course, everyone has his or her opinion but I see it as irresponsible on part of The Economist to provide a global forum for such an opinion. I recall with fond memories the launching of ‘Adjustment with Human Face’ during the 1980s which led to some change in behaviour of institutions such as the World Bank and IMF. As a result, talking about inequality became a global topic for discussion. In ensuing decades, any WB report could be changed to a UNICEF report with just change in the authorship! Nevertheless, inequality continues to rise with modern technology and the indifference of leaderships everywhere. The practice of promoting the US led democratization process of giving political support to regimes it likes continues to rise authoritarians and right-wing extremism which marginalises the people in the bottom quintile. Coming back to the day-to-day issue, the employees at the frontline in places like the garment industry in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, or even in the US chain such as The Walmart, people are paid a basic minimum. Even if their wage is doubled it will not be even a small dent in the profit margin of the multinationals who employ them. But it is not to be. One problem I see is that in governments and in international institutions (including the UN) there are often new priorities, new emphasis, new slogan, every time there is change in senior management. As a result, it loses tractions on ongoing interventions. I do agree that new innovations and ideas have to be given its due forum but we need not lose what is ongoing. Sorry that this message is becoming longer than planned and of course I am not in a position to preach a convert! The bottom line is that democracy has been hijacked by the 0.1% Best wishes Ramesh
In Response to a comment by ramesh.chauni@gmail.com
The December 2020 issue of News and Views is a tour de force. What a collection!!Still reading all the very valuable articles both for the factual information and the personal outlook. Fouad’s stamp collection and chronologies particularly memorable. Congratulations to the whole team for this major piece of work. Habib ...
ramesh.chauni@gmail.com commented on "The US Congress Passes Coronavirus Relief Bill Waiting for Trump's Signature - includes Significant Climate Provisions : NY Magazine / Baquer Namazi"
Dec 23, 2020
Thanks Baquer for sharing the link. It is indeed interesting to see how this unrelated issue was inserted in Covid relief disbursement. Anyways, hope it will be utilized for intended purpose. Thank. Ramesh
Magnificent quarterly today 22 Dec 2020 !
Congratulations and thanks for this wonderful compendium and treasure of thoughts, ideals and true actions by many dedicated former staffers for the growth, relevance and true contributions to UNICEF over 7 decades toward children and women. These and other dedicated staff who made UNICEF as the most likeable and purposeful entity within UN family. May God bless them with good health and great sense of fulfillment. Our salutations to all those wonderful staff. Let UNICEF live upto high standards of humanitarian work. New Year Greetings to all, V.Muthuswami/Chennai, South India
R.Jolly@ids.ac.uk replied to a comment on "Billionaires Grow their Wealth in the Pandemic : The Guardian / Baquer Namazi"
Dec 21, 2020
Dear Ramesh, And inequality has grown -and is probably today greater in the main industrialized countries and many countries of the South, greater than ever before. I am attaching a piece that I wrote 15 years ago – which should be updated. If one brought the last 15 years into the story, I think it would show even greater inequality and even greater contrasts with the last 200 years. Richard
In Response to a comment by ramesh.chauni@gmail.com
Detlef Palm commented on "UNSRC Singers - Lasst uns froh und munter sein ( Let's Be Happy and Cheerful) : Horst Cerni"
Dec 21, 2020
Very moving... thanks to all those who learned German for the occasion!
Fouad Kronfol commented on "Kidnapped School Boys Released in Katsina : Peter Hawkins"
Dec 20, 2020
Congratulations to Marie Pierre Poirier and her staff on this good News item. A strong stance from Uniçef May Have been the reason. The boys were released. Fouad Kronfol Montreal
om_mathur@yahoo.com commented on "Billionaires Grow their Wealth in the Pandemic : The Guardian / Baquer Namazi"
Dec 20, 2020
Yes, Baquer. That is the world we live in. But why bring in the pandemic - if you look at the World Inequality Database, inequalities have been rising all over. It hurts more in countries like India where overall per capita incomes are so low. Take care and stay safe, Baquer. Om
ramesh.chauni@gmail.com commented on "Billionaires Grow their Wealth in the Pandemic : The Guardian / Baquer Namazi"
Dec 20, 2020
It is not a new knowledge that our current economic system based on the winner takes it all policy is broken. Talk of anything else is seen as socialism or even worse, communism. Sad situation is that people in the West, particularly in the US, people have been totally brainwashed and kept ignorant by the administration, irrespective of which party is in power. The worst is that the US continues to push the same broken system globally with its economic and military might. There are few philanthropists who contribute to the poor and destitute but the world cannot run on charities and philanthropies. The world has to and people have to sustain their livelihood on a fair and equitable system not on charity. The system can and will change only with people’s will and people’s movement but this cannot happen when people are blindfolded. The governments everywhere are promoting Human Rights. Fair enough. But what about Economic Rights and cultural Rights? Will we see serious movements during our lifetime? The solution is up to the PEOPLE. Cheers Ramesh
R.Jolly@ids.ac.uk commented on "Billionaires Grow their Wealth in the Pandemic : The Guardian / Baquer Namazi"
Dec 20, 2020
Deeply depressing - yet another sign of the results of the long term free-for-all economics set loose by Thatcher and Reagan in 1980 which have largely been allowed to continue. Richard
peterchen051@gmail.com commented on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 19, 2020
Dear Dev ji and Friends, When Gauri Sankar Ghosh raised the issue of malnutrition in India in a discussion in the xUNICEFers network, there was and is quite a number of reactions and comments with some former colleagues even saying that this is "India bashing". If friends on this exchange are not members of the xUNICEFers group, may I direct you to the link below to read the comments and exchanges. https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2020/12/india-stunting-despite-decreased-open.html Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe one at that. Peter
Detlef Palm commented on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 18, 2020
Sharif - good stuff. I would hold that a) The USA have demonstrated that a 1 Watt bulb can make it to the top leadership levels, b) even 100 Watts can create a rather dim light, c) everyone can shine as long as we remain connected to the network.
Sharif Alam replied to a comment on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 18, 2020
Dear Mr. Umemoto Thank you for your thoughtful contribution to the discussion i intended to be initiated. That, indeed was the single purpose - to solicit and encourage a constructive conversation among the retirees to arrive at an understanding of the role of retirees as a platform vis-a-vis unicef and the standard of decorum such a role (if any) should maintain. This does not propose by any chance formation of a sub group or separate forum or fora that individuals wish to form for the purpose. I am but the “fly on the back of the bull” in this instance, and my purpose has been served. You may have noticed that there are a number of responses already, some of them directly to me rather than in the open forum. These responses sometimes take very different views, and I am sure the value of dialectics will be reached one way or the other! I wish to take this opportunity to request those members who sent their responses to me directly, to please consider posting their views in the below website which the editors have kindly created. Many many thanks - very inspiring! https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2020/12/do-retirees-have-role-in-unicef-and.html or send to xunicef.news.views@gmail.com On the matter of the “fused bulbs” , I owe you (and perhaps a few others - may have sounded “jarring”) an apology if I may have cast any doubt the fire in their bellies still raging as it used to when they were in active service. I understood the “fused bulbs” concept, not as a vanished or even diminished faculties or abilities of any member, but the nature and extent of influence one can or ought to legitimately demand as retirees. Actually, I took the joke in context (of the particular attitude of one individual yet to be deprogrammed, featuring in it). I am sure, while some of us wish to spend the precious remaining years of our lives resting on the laurels of our past glory, some would wish to let go and embrace life after unicef as life beyond it. Apologies again if I sound too philosophical!! The ball has started rolling and I consider myself to have served enough! Best regards. sharif alam, ny
In Response to a comment by sumemoto@yahoo.co.uk
The strategy contains a recommendation of the Joint Inspection Unit of the UN: The executive heads of the United Nations system organizations, if they have not already done so, should establish norms and procedures for the retention and transfer of knowledge from retiring, moving, or departing staff, as part of the organizations’ succession planning processes. It will be interesting how this strategy, when implemented, will tap into the knowledge of former UNICEF staff. Meanwhile, let us share the knowledge that we have, in the place where we live
jagjugessur@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 18, 2020
Dear Steve, I for one do not agree with you. We may not all be burnt out and may have the mental and physical power to contribute but our role as former staff members is very limited. We cannot and should not compare our group to Unicef National Committees, some of which are large and powerful in terms of fundraising they do on behalf of Unicef and therefore are in a position to influence policy at country, regional and/or global level. We have had our day and should now let current management and staff members do what they are there to do. I do not believe professional skills are lacking in country offices particularly like the India Country Office where I served for almost six years in the mid 1990s. Of course if our advice is sought on an individual basis, I am sure we will happy to help given our dedication to the good work of the organisation and some of us may be doing that right now. Otherwise let us enjoy our retirement and stop thinking that we know best. Keep well and keep safe. Jag Jugessur
In Response to a comment by gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com
ebunekunwe@yahoo.com commented on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 17, 2020
Thank you. Enough said. We do well to remember the parable of the fused bulb. Best regards Ebun Ekunwe
sumemoto@yahoo.co.uk commented on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 17, 2020
Dear Sharif, The "Fused Bulb" could be interpreted has having two dimensions. One I can most certainly identify with, the other not so much so. If we are indeed all (x-unicef) a real "community" than indeed each member has a voice worthy of a hearing and worthy of respect no matter the "intensity" of the bulb's past. But in my American idiom, the term "fused" in terms of light bulbs, is replaced with "burnt out"... and I can't quite get my head around the concept that all of us having retired from UNICEF are indeed "burnt out". Are not bulbs whether "fused" or "burnt out", usually discarded in rather short order? So for me, the "fused bulb" term has some limitations. The two perspectives you present well, of the role retirees should adopt with UNICEF, is of course a real one and it may not be possible to reach at a full consensus on this. I personally prefer to view of our x-unicef group as "a community" and as such a part of the global movement that is UNICEF -- much as the national committees, the host of NGO's with consultative status, and even that very dispersed and diverse group of individuals who contribute to UNICEF regularly. I feel we have the right to watch how the front-line, action arm of the movement works and performs and a right to convey constructive views and suggestions -- BUT it is incumbant on us to do so in thoughtful, caring and diplomatic ways. Over 25 years ago I had an interaction with one the senior people in one of the ost active (and most contributing) national committes. He had been on a personal family holiday in a North African country, staying at a nice 3-star hotel. Merely for a splurg on a lunch he stopped by THE luxurioous five-star hotel of the city and was astounded to find it fill with a large regional UNICEF staff meeting. He was highly frustrated thinking about the many small primary school and local ladies circle fundraising activities for his national committee. He wondered if he should give some feedback. I encouraged him to do so. Certainly we do not want to launch into any wideranging and continuing monitoring of UNICEF operations in the field. But might we as part of the larger UNICEF movement (or community) have a right and perhaps a responsiblity to study and and follow and learn and if we come across room for positive change, speak up? I am conflicted as to whether to send this to only a few or to the wider X-UNICEF lits. I have opted for the latter (with apologies to those who do not welcome it) as it is a dimention beyond our discussion of malnutirtion in India. Warm regards to all....and keep safe. Steve
padovohekpe@gmail.com commented on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 17, 2020
Yes, Sharif, it is time to cover ourselves with our mantle of venerable pensioner. Of course, from time to time, it is possible that we itch to act, to take control. But, 1) we have been absent for a long time from our countries, 2) when we interfere, we take the risk of upsetting our colleagues (active in the country), who, very often, have taken time to build their relationship with the national authorities, 3) quite simply we are no longer the controls. Some time ago, we have been asked to contact the country offices to see to what extent we can put our skills to their service. Let's stick to it, even though, as in some countries, these relationships take time to develop. I believe that we have to stay on standby until either the government maybe or the office calls on us. And, in my opinion, if the government calls on us, we should notify the office so we will act in transparency and in a spirit of collaboration and complementarity. Sharif, I read you with pleasure. And I completely agree with Gautam. I had already reacted the first time. Everyone should give their opinion. My respects to your family. Paul.
momtazul.karim@gmail.com commented on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 17, 2020
Hello Sharif Alam Appreciate your thought provoking write up - the last quote from "The Fused Bulb" lesson is very important in our life and has deep meaning which is: . "The rising sun as well as the setting sun are both beautiful and adorable. But, in reality, the rising sun gets more importance and adoration, and is even worshipped , whereas the setting sun is not given the same reverence. It is better to understand this sooner than later”. Best regards. Momtaz.
gbanerji@hotmail.co.uk commented on "The Fused Bulb Concept and Do Retirees Have a Role in UNICEF? : Sharif Alam"
Dec 17, 2020
Loved it Sharif Alam! In the words of Tagore, let our crown be the crown of humility and our freedom the freedom of the soul! Let us know that what is big is not great and that pride is not everlasting! Your email response made the day for me! Salam! Gautam
eimi.watanabe@fasttvnet.dk commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 17, 2020
Dear Steve and others, Of course, I follow your discussion with great interest, nutrition and sanitation being issues close to my heart. But I don’t think it is fair to involve the whole xUNICEF group in what is essentially an India discussion. So suggest not copying the mails to the entire group. Eimi
eimi.watanabe@fasttvnet.dk replied to a comment on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 17, 2020
Dear Steve and others, Of course, I follow your discussion with great interest, nutrition and sanitation being issues close to my heart. But I don’t think it is fair to involve the whole xUNICEF group in what is essentially an India discussion. So suggest not copying the mails to the entire group. Eimi
In Response to a comment by gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com
eziogianni@gmail.com commented on "Murmurs from the Springs - Days to Remember : Tom McDermot"
Dec 17, 2020
Additional information to your comment, answering a note by Horst Cerni, on the mRNA technology to produce vaccines against the coronavirus is available in this article. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-did-we-develop-a-covid-19-vaccine-so-quickly https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-did-we-develop-a-covid-19-vaccine-so-quickly#Concerns-over-mRNA-vaccine
Detlef—this is a great piece. I’m eagerly waiting for the pundits’ reactions!
sumemoto@yahoo.co.uk replied to a comment on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 17, 2020
Gouri, A great wealth of history based on your extraordinary role in both with GOI and UNICEF is moving the country forward in the water and sanitation area. Also you and your WASH compatriates are absolutely correct in hi-lighting the criticallink bewteen sanitation and child nutrition. Why did I introduce the link between the issue of apparent recent regression in child nutrition and what I could find about UNICEF's involvement? I think all in the x-unicef community hope and pray that the organization continues to be relevant in addressing the long standing and emerging challenges to child survival, well beng and development. So when I encounter news of a new (continuing and/or returned) challenge, I really, really want to know what UNICEF is doing on the ground. Now the country office websites may or may not be the best available place to look, but it is at least a start. We of course can guess that part of the puropose of these websites if for profile and fundraising, but we should hope and expect that they might also reflect operations and actions on the ground. I find that the "Research and Reports" tab on most of the UNICEF country office websites tends to be the most substantive. So I found a reasonably hot-of-the-press (April 2020) study "Children and Adolescents in Urban India - Scale andN atureof Deprevation". And indeed it has a major section on Nutrition and another on Water, Sanitation and Hygene Facilities. With my aging eyes not up for reading dozens and dozens of pages, I had a look at the three pages of "Conclusion and Policy Implications" for the nutrition section. (I lifed it out and its attached). Reading it I found my optimistic and less optimistic selves have different takes. The optimistic: This coopeeration between UNICEF Delhi and the Institute of Urban Affairs is a really good piece of work -- comprehensive and very well presented. I can see us back in the 70s,80s and 90s being very please and with a sense of accomplished once the final copies were on our desksfor distribution to policy makers, HQ and donors. My less optimistic: Could we not have arrived at much of the same conclusions back in the 80s? Could there not be more references to recent history and why some of the problems are still with us. If some of the incredible initiatives that Gouri and others recount have not had a long-lasting impact, then why? No mention in the study of regression, as suggested in the recent report. Please be assured that my interest is NOT to be critical of UNICEF, but merely to discover if an how they may be addressing various needs of children. It may be that UNCEF in India is doing absolutely the best job possible in addressing child malnutrition in India -- and if so, as a member of UNICEF-UK I would to know exacdtly how. And on a lighter note, even the best editing cannot catch every blooper. So in the middle of the attached conclusion section is the passage: "The low level of malnutrition is reinvorced by illiteracy, an inadequate housing environmennt, sanitation and water." Should we be going for illiteracy? Steve
In Response to a comment by gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com
anjana.mangalagiri@gmail.com commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 17, 2020
Thanks Padmini for highlighting other critical factors leading to the worrying state of malnutrition in India. For friends who may want to inform themselves on hard facts, putting aside emotions and political bias, the latest Global Hunger Index 2020 ranks India 94 among 107 countries and puts it in the 'serious' hunger category. It is shameful that India features behind Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia among others. One would have never imagined that India would one day join with the ranks of countries such as Rwanda, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Liberia, Mozambique, Chad among others. Perhaps some consolation may be drawn from the fact that India is at least just ahead of these countries!! The link of an article below, highlights how that huge investment in developing a data platform under the POSHAN Abhiyan national nutrition programme is actually now contributing to severe deprivation in terms of food to women and children from the poorest families and how some state governments are trying to undo that. It raises critical questions on the choices being made by the central govt - of grand investments (technology in this case) vis-a-vis intentions to follow-up on implementation, or urgently address snags or the sensitivity to issues on the ground. https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GJC81JA15.1 The article below by researchers at the Swaminathan Foundation highlights how, not technology but convergence and coordination between nutrition and agriculture is the need of the hour, and calls for the need to recognize that nutrition is not just about food but is integral to gender perspectives, health, water and sanitation and above all, social norms. http://www.zuccess.in/uploads/news/FEBRUARY-2020/1581560850930.pdf best,
amarsehmi@gmail.com commented on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 17, 2020
Dear Friends, I fully agree with Gourishankar ji's comments and experiences shared in his mails. Being part of the Water programme, initially from the private sector side in the 70s and then WESS (now WASH) team in UNICEF, India programme during the 80s, I was very much involved in the water and sanitation programme and under UNICEF's new initiative of building toilets. From my experience on toilets in Orissa, which I was covering among other states, I personally witnessed not only poorly constructed toilets in rural areas, but it's misuse of being used as storage rooms. From another post Gouri ji shared in this group, it is seen that the situation hasn't changed even after 40 years and all fanfare by the current government under Swatchha Bharat, which you rightly term as a hoax. Apparently and as usual "No Lessons were Learned". Why Hoax?, because UNICEF and even the government of India realised that "KAP was lacking" and the "Top down approach" wasn't working and "Bottom up approach" would only work (which was later adopted not only by GOI, but World Bank and UNICEF globally, particularly in the water sector. Hygiene education was then added as an essential component to correct the strategy. It seems those lessons have been forgotten. On another note, a young girl acquaintance of mine tried to get involved for the "effective use" and "monitoring use of toilets" through a software developed by her. She was in touch with UNICEF Delhi office, IIT, Mumbai and even Govt of India to promote and partner, but she gave up fully frustrated by the prevailing bureaucracy, corruption and lack of interest. So, while the so-called target construction percentages may have been achieved (viz in UP) albeit various reports of high corruption and poor quality, the "effective use" of toilets is still emerging as a major challenge. As we have learnt, numbers don't mean anything. I can't say that the efforts of the current government towards awareness building campaigns are lacking in any way, it is the change of behaviour that is lacking focus. I can't forget the scams of Drilling borewells and installing handumps in many states but particularly in Rajasthan during 1987-88 (I reckon) where either no wells were drilled at all or very shallow wells were drilled which could not pump water where a massive target based programme was launched by the then government. Reports of similar nature have been trickling on toilet construction, which are being suppressed by the government with iron fist and main line media. So, how are they different from previous governments? Similar is the situation on Nutrition which is candidly highlighted by Geetha ji, Nilanjana ji and others with skeletons of Gujrat model in the backdrop. Let us not forget that the Ruling government/s were praised for their good work as well as criticized for their failures in the past and the same goes with the current government/s. No discrimination there, but sadly the trend since 2015 onwards has been to totally destroy any argument of criticizing the current government/s and brand crtics as Anti-national and what not. Taking political mileage v/s real development have always been two contradictory things for all governments. Bottom line is that advocacy, pressure and constructive criticism only will bring about some results in any democratic set up. As Chopra ji rightly says, we may probably see it in our next life. As regards UNICEF's working, I have a lot to disclose based on my 27 years of UNICEF experience, but would rather prefer not to open a pindora's box as the previous discussion on that subject created a lot of flutter and ultimately an admin directive. Amar Raj Singh Sehmi
gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com commented on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 17, 2020
Continued 6. Agreeing with Susana , I did not dismiss the CLTS or ODF campaign. I only said they are the tolls and part of the whole. Here comes the hoax with deliberate use of a term or methodology but not following in practise on ground. Susana may calculate how much time should take to sensitize the Billion plus population and nearly 665000 villages to be covered in four years after changing the behaviour , mobilise the community with at least three visits to each village and then to construct . Is it possible physically ? I can add pictures after picture but here we were not criticizing the political leaders but the implementation ! 7. Today's headline in Indian lead papers shows the slip of India further to 131 in the Human Right Index. The GDP is now lower and as per the IMF forecast going to be even lower further in the coming years . I attach a link below as in 2017 where the UN representative expressed concern about the human right violations in the Clean India campaign. In the name of stopping open defecation, low caste people were beaten to death! all these in the name of CLTS ! https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/top-un-expert-says-pm-modis-swachh-bharat-mission-flawed-it-lacks-a-holistic-hum/304173 8. Looking at India through a binocular is very nice but the realities on ground are different and specially when the truth is like an onion ! My only humble submission is that if anyone wants to do good for the country then one has to be physically here and work with facts and people to understand not with emotion and their beliefs. Development programmes are not 'surgical strikes' , a phrase again became very popular due to media publicity. 9. So far UNICEF India is concerned , I really have no opinion or interest. I do not consider at the given position any UN agency is influential . They are all in a peripheral position just towing the lines given to them. So though I lamented for their inaction it is immaterial in the current context. I still will adhere to my choice of word 'hoax' as it was in the case of demonetisation , Gujarat Model , Seven Trillion dream , etc. etc. However this is not the forum to discuss politics. But as we know politics is a reflection of a society and directly connected to social development . The social fabric is being torn and the Indian society is in turmoil. Gouri
gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com commented on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 17, 2020
Dear all, It was a very interesting discussion . I had no intention to start any debate but just tried to point out why the well intentioned intentions do not bring in expected results because people planning it or designing it either do not implement it with knowledge of lessons learned or do not intend to use the tools properly. Let me put some historical facts. These are apolitical and unemotional : 1. The first sanitation problem of India was recognised by Sri Rajiv Gandhi and it was with his direct intervention he launched the National Sanitation programme in 1985 to improve the rural sanitation in India. yes, it is true he did not make any announcement from the Red Fort! 2. That programme was based on toilet building only and as I mentioned before it was stopped with his approval in 1988 after the UNICEF survey . I took over the charge after it was launched and then requested UNICEF to do that survey which they did ( incidentally through a reputed NGO) 3. The Sanitation committee of the Planning Commission of which I was the chair recommended the restructured programme starting with education of hygiene and behavioural changes and construction of the toilets with full participation of the community with their partial contribution to its cost. 4. The programme again started in its new form and UNICEF also focussed on the school sanitation with success. 5. The announcement of Clean India or Swachch Bharat was not any new programme but a campaign to give a boost to sanitation but the programme to be implemented under the same National sanitation Programme of 1985. Incidentally when the WASH campaign was launched in Bonn by WSSCC with the support of DFID, SDC and Dutch AID to get the sanitation goals in WSSD Johannesburg, the Indian Minister of the then NDA govt refused to attend the ceremony. South Africa took the lead and in 2002 we got sanitation as one of the Millennium goals.
oachimtheis@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
Dear Gouri, Thank you for these reflections on sanitation in India. From 2013 to 2016 I worked as head of the child protection section in Delhi. During that time, the UNICEF WASH section shifted towards tackling open defecation as a deep-rooted social norm that could not be ‘fixed’ with engineering solutions. I was stunned by the complexities of the challenge to end open defecation and inspired by the innovative solutions the WASH and Communications sections developed together with media-savvy agencies and in partnership with a wide range of civil society organizations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JIkgW4pz_g Here is an excellent book on the topic of sanitation in India. Diane Coffey and Dean Spears: Where India Goes: Abandoned Toilets, Stunted Development and the Costs of Caste. Best regards, Joachim
In Response to a comment by everett.ressler@gmail.com
everett.ressler@gmail.com commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
I will add my memorable learning. In my work on emergency preparedness and response, I had the privilege of numerous contacts with senior level government officials in India, including being a guest of the India government to review the national and state efforts in a major drought. In one discussion after a major flood, I explored their perception of UNICEF relief assistance and was told -- yes, your water purification tablets and other relief items are useful, but such support is not strategic, and while you contribution is often tens of thousands of dollars, the national relief budget was then 500 million (if my memory serves me correctly), plus state budgets. They told me, you should do in emergency response what UNICEF did in water. I asked what that was. They laid out the facts about the vast expenditure the gov had allocated for water since independence, but acknowledged that many of the efforts were not effective. UNICEF, I was told, brought in a real professional in the field, worked with them in a review of what was not working and helped develop a revision of the national strategy, recognized as a massive and far-reaching contribution. I still view the combination of support for practical local actions as essential but UNICEF's most substantive contributions have often been less visible, more strategic, with substantial humanitarian consequences. Everett Ressler
sharmaresidence@gmail.com commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
I fully agree with the comments and sentiments of Vinod . It was a bold step by the PM Modi of India when he started the “Swachh Barat or Clean India” program". He is the first PM to address the nation on independence day, bringing in the construction and use of a toilet, avoiding open defecation or open urination at public places, and observing cleanliness. He even included saving girl child, promoting girls education, etc., in his speech from the Red fort. Promoting cleanliness at the highest level is one of the best examples of advocacy and good communication for behaviour change to a large audience like India. Not using all NGOs is a deliberate move to avoid NGOs with vested interests, and some are sponsored by the international powers to exert a negative influence. We have seen these NGOs in our working environment in various countries while at the field level, especially during the humanitarian crisis. I think over criticism and declaring the government, and UNICEF India efforts as hoax will not help. Narinder Sharma Vice President Canadian Association of Former International Civil Servants (CAFICS)
sbsandoz@yahoo.com commented on "India - Stunting Despite Decreased Open Defecation : Susanna Sandoz"
Dec 16, 2020
Sorry I can't comment about the Clean India Movement, the gvt's or UNICEF's involvement , I know practically nothing of this topic. What I can say is that we have since discovered the eliminating Open Defecation (OD) is mainly about changing behaviours wrt OD, and reduction of fecal pathogens (combined) and NOTabout building toilets. Once we learn this lesson, we will advance in the kind of impacts the WASH programme needs to achieve. Don't get me wrong OD is only one aspect, we need to reduce fecal contamination as well to have this impact. A clear example was work in rural areas with UNICEF Guatemala: when we started the OD campaign in 2016: 92% of the population in the areas we were tackling HAD and PROBABLY USED latrines...but fecal contamination was rampant (no handwashing, dirty diapers everywhere, children's feces, flies spreading contamination, dirty latrines...and chronic child malnutrition was at 43% (and ODF was APROX 92%!)...this might help explain why despite "access to latrines" malnutrition is increasing in some states, probably becasue fecal contaminatio is still rampant.
R.Jolly@ids.ac.uk commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
Thanks, Gouri for this update -pessimistic as it is. The sentence which forms the third para states that the Clean India movement isn’t a big hoax. I presume you meant to say it IS a big hoax. Please confirm and perhaps elaborate a bit more, if there is anything to elaborate. Best wishes, Richard
ddchop47@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
GEETA JI, You said it all there is or was to say. Factually put, excellently. Mentally and " action wise " nutrition related programmes are the hardest to monitor and maintain. My learning of that comes from 21 months in the field in Goalpara district of Assam in 1975-'76. That was the Special Child Relief programme with Unicef staff and money thrown-in, in a very big way. Daly, weekly and monthly monitoring with a driver and a jeep kept one in the field was a great help. Leave it without supervision it goes literally "down the drain". IF what you say goes on in the capital city, one can well imagine what goes on in the far off States concerned. Evaluation ? We need better human beings who feel for their own .... Is there any other way ? i will find out in my next life, please! Stay safe with warm regards and in Peace dev c in gurugram
In Response to a comment by geetaathreya@gmail.com
geetaathreya@gmail.com commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
India is not making any progress in getting rid of malnutrition. This is the usual UNICEF rhetoric in not annoying the government by speaking anything against it or its orogrammes. I did it for 20 odd years in UNICEF. Doing the doable and handholding the government at all stages. I have been working in the slums of Govindpuri for the last four under a hare brained scheme of the AAP government. The scheme is a non starter but I have been working with a total free hand because they don't really care about the scheme! What I have seen is listed in an article which I hope will get published. But let me give a few examples. 1. The nutrition for children in Delhi Anganwadis comes from a cooked meal and a snack delivered to the AW every morning. 2. There are take away dry panjiri ration for PW and lactating mothers. 3. The mother's can collect food for under 3's from the AW. 4. The cooking is outsourced to an NGO which delivers food according to a set menu. The food comes at 9 a.m. and the children are fed at 12 noon. By then the food has congealed into a hard mass. 5. The snack on most days is a dry chana snack. 6. The Anganwadis do not have running water facility. No attached toilets. 7. They have no plates and katoris, spoons. 8. They have no new daris for the last 6 years. There is no place for any furniture. 9. There are no weighing scales to measure weight. Out of the 29 Anganwadis, 5 of them had some old weighing scales. 10. Yet they all report everything. 11. So what is the use of any monitoring system when what is needed is improvement at literally the dari level? 12. The AAP government gave smart phones to all workers to report data. They were writing false data. Now they punch in false data. 13. The Anganwadis don't have anything. No toys, no books, no colouring materials, no playthings, no daris, no plates and spoons , no nothing. Then what are they monitoring? Let's look at rural Anganwadis. I went to Rajasthan on some other work and insisted on seeing Anganwadis. The food they get was so shockingly little that each child will get a half katori of rice and dal. Thats all. When I asked them how is this enough, they said we get so little money. We can't do any better than this. There are many more things about the Delhi urban Anganwadis. I think we get the general picture that malnutrition is not going anywhere, when it is do happily ensconced in India. The moment we say this they will come up with some 70 good examples. 70 against 700,000. What a travesty.
gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 16, 2020
Yes Peter ! Thanks for correcting the typo ! I may share a fact . The sanitation programme was launched first time in India by the then PM Sri Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 . Then UNICEF India did an independent evaluation after I took over that programme in 1986 in the government and found that 70% of the constructed toilets were not in use or used for something else ! There were also corruption in the approach of construction by contractors ! I presented the findings to the then PM and with his approval was able to stop the implementation and reevaluate the programme . No ego was involved . After that successful model was established by UNICEF in Midnapur District in West Bengal particularly by Benoy Das of UNICEF Calcutta . Ramakrishna Mission Rural Development programme was involved as NGO and linked the hygiene education as part of literacy campaign . Ladies and youth clubs were partners . It was a success with more than 2 million people having access to knowledge of sanitation within four years and the impact was visible . The model was successfully used in other districts of Bengal. The difference of the then UNICEF and of today’s one is clearly visible ! We have number of India UNICEF stalwarts in this group which includes Tom ,Steve , Alan among others who honestly but diplomatically could tell the government when things went wrong . Today we have cheque writers ! Wish you and friends a very joyous festive session ! Gouri
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peterchen051@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
Dear Gourisankar, In your statement "The entire Clean India movement isn’t a big hoax and implemented to provide contracts to petty as well as big suppliers and contractors only", I think you actually meant "The entire Clean India movement is a big hoax...." You also said " the programmes spend more on publicity than in its substance and UNICEF India is a conniving party to this approach. UNICEF and their staff are kowtowing the lines of government.." and I fully agree with you (having worked in UNICEF India country office from 1983-1990). I hope that the present UNICEF ICO Rep and especially the WASH staff are listening to you. Best regards and greeting to all for the festive season. Stay safe everyone.
In Response to a comment by sbsandoz@yahoo.com
gourisankar.ghosh@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
Dear Susana, The comments of Anjana and you are very valuable . When the great sanitation programme was launched as Swachch Bharat by the current PM , I kept on insisting on the priority of Hygiene education and implement ion of the hardware as per the created demand but they juggernauted the programme with a WB person as the head ! Then I tried to advise them on the impact evaluation and there was none . No involvement of grassroot NGOs as the current government does not trust them . So we have a clear case where the country is claiming a huge success in stopping open defamation but it is not the case. Besides mere stopping open defamation if not a total sanitation achievement unless hygiene Knowledge and practice is improved . Without the complete WASH you will not get the end result . In India the programmes spend more on publicity than in its substance and UNICEF India is a conniving party to this approach. UNICEF and their staff are kowtowing the lines of government and stopped doing independent analysis . The entire Clean India movement isn’t a big hoax and implemented to provide contracts to petty as well as big suppliers and contractors only . Gujarat is a state which is trumpeting it’s development model but where steadily the malnutrition is increasing since the current Indian Prime Minister was the Chief Minister there . I personally pointed the same to him long before he became the PM but with no result excepting in organising industrial jumbories like Garvi Gujarat ! Gourisankar Ghosh
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ialofa@unicef.org commented on "Photos and additional Information on the Death of Dr. Dominique Robez-Masson"
Dec 15, 2020
Cher Martin et chers collegues, Je vous presente toutes mes excuses car etant absente du bureau, je n’avais pas lu le message precedent avant d’ecrire cette blague qui n’est pas du tout adaptee aux circonstances. Je viens de lire avec une grande douleur le rappel a Dieu de notre chere Dominique et je m’unis pas la pensee a Martin et a toute la famille de Dominique pour lui rendre un hommage merite pour sa contribution au bien etre des enfants du BENIN. Sinceres condoleances a Martin et du courage pour la suite. Cordialement. Irma Irma Alofa Logistics Specialist, Emergency Coordination Unit UNICEF SUPPLY DIVISION | 10-12 Oceanvej 2150 Nordhavn Denmark
sbsandoz@yahoo.com commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
Editor's note: As we cannot include attachments on a comment, this comment will be added with attachment as a separate article on our website. Dear all, Reading with surprise the increases in stunting in some Indian states despite real advances in decreasing Open Defecation. Surprise, becasue it has been theorized that children growing up in Open Defecation Free communities have a much better chance of not being stunted (26% according to a 2015 study in Mali)- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(15)00144-8/fulltext, and environmental enteropathies, casued by fecal contamination, have always been seen as one of the main causes of long-term malnutrition and therefore stunting...oh, oh, we might have to revise our theories. I am attaching a presentation which has often been used to demonstrate the importance of sanitation, making emphasis on its impact on malnutrition...we need to dig further into this, I think. Slide 4 below is of special importance: Inline image Season's Greetings to all of you, Susana Sandoz ex WASH officer, manager and chief. "Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given."
anjana.mangalagiri@gmail.com replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
Thanks Stephen for drawing attention to UNICEF's website. Not only this, but in an article published by UNICEF just last week in mainstream media, it goes all out to rejoice the 'progress on nutrition' that India has made and regales on the success of the nutrition scheme (POSHAN Abhiyan) that was launched by the country's current prime minister in 2017. I am wondering if UNICEF is aware that only 30 percent of the 1.2 billion USD that was allocated for 3 years to the programme (50% is a loan from WB), have been spent (as per a report published in 2019). A significant portion of the WB funds were to be used for monitoring, tracking and recording the delivery of services to children and mothers across all the central govt run early childhood centres (anganwadis, AWs) touted as the world's biggest nutrition system for pregnant mothers and children. With support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a massive nutrition monitoring portal had been developed - the ICDS-CAS, an innovative web and mobile phone based application to ensure swift tracking, effective implementation and smart programme management. It had uploaded data of all the 700,000 AWs of the country. No guesses who the Indian service provider is, a mobile and media technology company that enjoys a privileged position in the country and has grown in leaps and bounds in the last 3-4 years. The server was being hosted by the BMGF and its US collaborator. Once the ICDS-CAS got off to a great start, the Indian govt insisted that the portal be transferred to India, to an Indian service provider. In principle this sounds like a sensible step - towards transfer of technology and management of the portal nationally. However, eversince the transfer, there have been endless snags that developed and the portal has been down now for sometime! At a time when the need to intensify efforts to identify mothers and children in need of nutritional interventions is greatest, not only because of the ongoing high rates of stunting and malnutrition in the country but due to the COVID related aggravation of poverty and hunger, the collapse of the ICDS-CAS, the mainstay of POSHAN Abhiyan, has been a huge setback as real time monitoring of the situation is not possible any more. The delivery of nutrition services to all children as also targeted nutritional supplies for the most needy have been brought to a halt or slowed down hugely, due to the lack of the online data based on which the food supplies are released. Little wonder that the situation of nutrition is so dire in the country today. There are at least 2-3 articles published every month in mainstream media drawing attention to the worsening situation.
In Response to a comment by Steve Umemoto
Steve Umemoto commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
UNICEF India does not yet seem to have internalized these findings. The website says on the subject of child nutrition: "India is making good progress but there is a need for national leadership to accelerate already successful efforts to end stunting and other forms of undernutrition across India."
Steve Umemoto replied to a comment on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
From Steve Umemoto I wonder, what is the perspective among those of the x-unicef community with india experience ... of UNICEF's current role in the country. I personally have a feeling that the organization in its largest programme country, has over the years and decades swung between high relevance and marginal relevance; between active and assertive advocacy and a rather diplomatic "don't ruffle any feathers" posture; and between creative programming including support of innovation among civil society groups (NGOs) and comfortable supporting whatever the GOI seems to want. However, I must admit that these feelings on my part are based at best on very fragmentary information, and nothing in the way of real research and fact based analysis. Steve
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Editors @ News & Views commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 15, 2020
From Agop Kayayan Steve, I studied agriculture for my first university degree. The main reason: I wanted, at 18, to produce food for the poor people of India. I had read about famines in India. I graduated from the school of agriculture and never practiced. I am glad you are bringing up thr issue of UNICEF India not being well aware of the situation. Someone has to bring up these issues. I am glad you are. I hope they hear your voice. Best regards, Agop Kayayan Sent from Mail for Windows 10 Agop Kayayan
Tom McDermott replied to a comment on "Murmurs from the Springs - Days to Remember : Tom McDermot"
Dec 15, 2020
Thanks Horst. My understanding of the story is piecemeal. Sahin and Tureci are certainly major players in the story. I have also read some articles about their work. As the Wikipedia article says Sahin was one of the founders and remains the CEO of BioNTech which later partnered with Pfizer. Katalin Karikó received her first grant to study mRNA gene therapy in 1990. In 2012 she and another immunologist, Drew Weissmann, at University of Pennsylvania patented the mRNA process. However, uPenn still owned the intellectual property license for the procedure. They sold it to a company called Cellscript which then sold it to BioNTech, which was also working on mRNA. At around the same time AstraZeneca bought the process rights and shared them with Moderna. Karikó was frustrated to see that their process had been resold and so left the university after 25 years of work there to become Senior VP at BioNTech - a job she still holds. Of course, she brought her experience and knowledge to the company. From the outside it is difficult to see the timeline and the respective roles played by Sahin and Tureci vs. Karikó. This article tells part of the story: https://khn.org/news/vaccine-pioneers-basic-research-scientists-laid-groundwork-for-billion-dollar-pharma-products/ In my mind the great hero of the drama ought to be the Chinese researcher, Zhang Yongzhen. He was working in Shanghai on January 3rd 2020 when they received the first samples from Wuhan. He and his team then sequenced the RNA. Two days later on January 5th they had the mapping and recognized the connections to SARS. He uploaded the sequence to the US NCBI (the US Center for Biotech Information) the same day, a fact NCBI confirms. A week later he got a phone call from Ed Homes at Sydney University who asked whether he could post the information on the website Virological.org. Zhang agreed and Holmes published the article. According to the New York Magazine article I mentioned in my editorial, Moderna used the sequenced data to produce their first version of the vaccine two days later on January 13th. BioNTech apparently did the same, although I don't have a date. This article on Zhang and all the criticism he later received from the Chinese, US, and Australian sides is interesting reading: https://time.com/5882918/zhang-yongzhen-interview-china-coronavirus-genome/. It is a fascinating story of research, but also of the commercial wheelings and dealings. Big money and of course big politics along the way.
In Response to a comment by Editors @ News & Views
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Murmurs from the Springs - Days to Remember : Tom McDermot"
Dec 15, 2020
From Horst Cerni In your editorial about the Covid 19 vaccine, you mentioned that special credit should be given to the Hungarian scientist Katilin Kariko at the University of Pennsylvania. At the same token, two Turkish-German scientists deserve that credit. I had seen a story about them some time ago, but can only find the following paragraphs from the Wikipedia write-up about the German Company BioNTech, which, as far as I understand, actually developed the Covid-19 vaccine. Pfizer only became a partner this year, I think, but the SARS-Cov-2 vaccine is always referred to as the Pfizer vaccine (at least here). Anyhow, I thought you might be interested in this (- there is more in Wikipedia). Horst.
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Facing the Taliban - Detlef Palm Finds a Nice Surprise in Secondhand Copy of Anoja's Book"
Dec 15, 2020
From Sree Gururaja Dear Anoja and Detlef An example of globalisation! And justifies that the book is worth reading, anywhere in the world. Season’s greetings and a safer 2021! Sree
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Photos and additional Information on the Death of Dr. Dominique Robez-Masson"
Dec 15, 2020
From Dr. Touré Hamadassalia Bonsoir à tous Toute à mes condoléances à la famille de Dominique L ayant remplacé au Benin comme chef de section santé jen 2009 Je n ai pas eu la chance de la rencontrer mais j ai eu l opportunité d apprécier le travail gigantesque qu elle avait fait à partir duquel j ai pu continuer ma .mission Que la terre lui soit légère légère Que son âme repose en paix Dr Touré hamadassalia
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Photos and additional Information on the Death of Dr. Dominique Robez-Masson"
Dec 15, 2020
From Irma Alofa Pas possible. Merveilleux souvenirs. Et notre Martin qui est maintenant un homme ! A l’epoque @Martin Robez-Masson, tu avais déjà des fiancees a Cotonou. Maintenant tu dois etre marie 😊. Bien le bonjour a tous. Bises
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Days of Tranquility and Ambassador Pickering : Agop Kayayan"
Dec 15, 2020
From Richard Jolly A brilliant and vivid memory by a short, Lebanese guy with a “heavy belly” -definitely worthy of a documentary! Good luck, Richard
From: Mariam Ndiaye: December 15: 5.33 AM May all of them rest in eternal Peace. Ameen. Mariam
From Saad Houry: December 15, 4.45 AM And I thought the year 2020 was already terrible.. till we got news of Samir's passing away. I have very fond memories of him as we were in touch soon after he joined UNICEF in the early 80s. He had left the Egyptian Foreign Service to serve as Assistant to Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who was appointed by the SG as UNICEF Special Envoy. Samir then moved to PFO (currently PPD) around 1983 and later served as Area Representative in Dakar, covering Senegal, Gambia and Cape Verde. Samir was always elegantly dressed, his trousers held by suspenders that were not needed. His voice was high-pitched, his laugh very loud and, in meetings, he would use this voice and constant arms-waving to convey his messages. In RMTs, he was a voice of wisdom and reason - even if he occasionally lost his temper. He always showed a high degree of professionalism and dedication to the service of children. He hated bureaucracy when it stopped him from moving ahead quickly. He was tough on himself and others: on the Prince when he had unreasonable demands on Unicef offices, tough on Unicef when it didn't treat the prince with the respect he was owed for all he did for the organization. He was tough on his staff.. but very much loved by them. He had their backs any time anyone outside the office would criticize them. What many colleagues don't know is that Samir was not only a diplomat and an International civil servant. He was a writer of poems, plays and books; a painter artist; a fashion designer and an architect. Such a talented person.. Be well my friend. May you Rest in Peace. And as if Samir's passing away wasn't bad news enough, our XUnicef group just got informed that 2020 refuses to end without claiming another colleague who served extensively in West Africa, Dominique Robez-Masson. May she also Rest in Peace. Warm regards to All. Keep safe, saad
Comment by Franziska von Vietinghoff Much respect to Samir Sobhy. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Samir was a brilliant, modern-day gentleman-colleague who belonged to many worlds. His artistic vein intrigued me. Once in Dakar, a one-theme exhibition of Samir’s drew visitors from government and artists alike, all coming to express their esteem for Samir personally and to delight in viewing the show. It was the historically significant Gorée Island outside Dakar that had caught Samir the artist’s attention. Not once, but *one hundred times*. From his home in Dakar, he painted the Island and the Atlantic waters surrounding it, in all weathers, all lights, all hours, all seasons. With the use of different media Samir conveyed the Island’s enigmatic moods. One hundred times the Gorée Island on view! Dakar loved the exhibition and I was raptured, and rather than being Samir’s Headquarters desk officer I wanted to be his art student. RIP Samir, with much admiration, Franziska
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From: Richard Jolly: December 14: 2.48 PM Dear Steve, Nice memories. Richard
From: Steve Umemoto : December14 : 12.27 PM Farid, Much appreciate your additional contribution to UNICEF history. Because of our different regions, I worked with Samir only once around 1983 at the very beginning of his UNICEF career. Jim Grant had called me and told me that Prince Talal wanted to visit the Philippines. I was introduced to Samir (initially from a distance as Jim's man in UNICEF for the Prince) and over the next three months in a sort of carnival of events with the Prince and Imelda Marco as the two leads, Samir and I along with a gentleman named Soliman (the Prince's man for his UNICEF work) were supporting cast members in a show involving New York, rural Virginia, Los Angeles, Riyadh with the grand last act in Manila. In spite of the craziness, I found Samir a continuing font of wisdom, good humor, good judgement, adaptation and calm. I was pleased to learn that he was joining UNICEF for good and regretted not again having the opportunity to work with him. May he Rest in Peace. Steve
From: Guy Scandlen : December 14, 9.02 AM I was so deeply saddened to learn of Samir's passing. After retiring, I had had an opportunity to work for him in Senegal. Apart from his deeply felt and educated concern for development issues, I found his sense of humour absolutely wonderful. Once we were speaking of pronouns and I happened to mention the vast lexicon of all personal pronouns used in using Thai. At one point I mentioned the formal phrase for "I" when addressing the Thai King - which is translated as "I, who am lower than the dust under the soul of your foot..." Samir, reflected for a brief period and then said: "That might be a good way for people to address UNICEF Reps..." No one agreed. May he rest in peace. Guy Scandlen
From: Detlef Palm : December 13 - 2.16 PM I am saddened by Samir’s passing. I met him, albeit briefly, a few times in 1989/1990. He stood out due to his humour and friendliness. May his soul rest in peace.
From: Jim Mohan : December 14: 1.56 AM Ahh, Samir a classic human being whose charm and warmth left an indelible mark on me from our days together in the mid ‘80s in the Program Funding Office. Barak Allah Fik. Jim
From: Misrak Elias : December 14 - 3.19 AM May Samir rest in eternal peace. Condolences to his family Misrak
From: Gourisankar Ghosh December 13 - 9.40 PM RIP SAMIR SOBY 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💐
From: Purushottam Pradhan Pradhan - December 13, 9.37 PM Very sad news. May he rest in peace. Sincere condolences to his family.
From: Narinder Sharma: December 13, 8.48 PM RIP Sameer. It is sad to see colleagues leaving but that is the truth of this life. Narinder Sharma
From: Hamadassalia O. Toure: December 13, 9.18 AM Mes sincères condoléances à sa famille et à la famille Unicef Que la terre lui soit légère et que Dieu l accueille dans son paradis éternel Touré Hamadassalia
From: Tewabech Bishaw : December 13, 4.38 AM Very Sad to hear the passing away of Samit Sobhi. My sincere condolence to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. Tewabech
From Youssouf Omar: December 13, 3.25 AM I am so sad that Samir left us so soon. He was a wonderful soul. I carry very good memories of him as a sincere friend, a very humble man and a good painter ! I pray for him to rest in peace ! Youssouf
From Kul Gautam: December 13, 2.11 AM Fascinating account, Farid. Thanks for sharing. I too cherish similarly positive impression of Samir Sobhy's refined diplomatic skills with external partners, while he was quite outspoken in a principled manner internally. RIP & Deep sympathies to his family and friends.
From Farid Rahman: December 13, 1.47 AM Dear Habib, Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Samir Sobhy. He was distinguished colleague, thoughtful and articulate with great diplomatic skills and a wonderful sense of humour. I came to know Samir during hectic times when we were launching ‘Operation Life Line Sudan’ in early 1989. He and Charles LeMunier were the regular members of JPG’s party on his very frequent visits to Khartoum as Special Assistant to SG on OLS. Samir was the Regional Expert who advised on our tough negotiations with the local government officials. Before every negation JPG would hold internal consultations. Ever smiling Samir would often offer a contrary opinion and argue out his point of view with GPG , with great diplomatic skill, and persuasion, (probably honed during his career with the Egyptian Foreign Service). I remember being struck by the courage of this young and fairly junior staff member , with his small stature and delicate frame, challenging and holding JPG at bay. His views were always balanced and well respected. In those days we met with Sadiq El Mehdi The Prime Minister , flew south to meet John Garang and had many many meetings to hammer out the framework of OLS . Samir made an important contribution to this effort. On the 30 June 1989 there was a military coup and the government was overthrown by General Hassan el Bashir. I learnt about it at 5 in the morning and rushed to the Hilton Hotel to inform Mr. Grant and party. We turned on the Radio and Samir monitored the Arabic broadcasts giving us a running commentary. We soon learnt that Soldiers had been posted outside the hotel rooms and JPG et al were, defacto, under ‘ house arrest’ ( “ for his own safety”). Just before noon we got a message on our walk talky that all Heads of Diplomatic Missions were required to attend a meeting called by the General. JPG started getting ready to go, but I stopped him saying that I would attend, and that his joining the meeting could be interpreted as the UN recognising the coup.( As he was the Special Assistant to the SG in addition to being UNICEF’s EX-DIR ) I recall there was a tense discussion and Samir settled the matter by emphatically stating “ Mr. Grant, Farid is right, you should not go”. That night we quietly met the General in the military headquarters and got a chit from him allowing the UNICEF plane to fly out with JPG and Party. Samir and I developed a close bond of friendship which I have cherished over the years. Lately he took to painting , a passion which I also share. He will indeed be missed May He rest in Peace Farid
From Ali Asghar: December 13, 1.40 AM Very sad news. My heartfelt condolences. May he Rest In Peace. Best regards. Ali
From Ayalew Abai: 13 December 12.37 AM Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Samir Sobhy. I have had the privilege to work with him when he served as Representative for the Dakar Area Office. He was a highly refined and earnest person who worked with passion, integrity and great energy. May he Rest In Peace. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Ayalew Abai
Doreen Lobo commented on "Artist / Photographer of the Week - Nativity Collection of Minatures : Juan Aguilar"
Dec 14, 2020
Hi Horst: If you click on Juan's album on XUNICEF Google Gallery, you can see the country of origins. Merry Christmas! Doreen
Editors @ News & Views commented on "India - Malnutrition in Children Worsens : National Family Health Survey / Indian Express / Gauri Ghosh"
Dec 14, 2020
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Thoughtful and inspiring message, Tom. I had not known of Katilin Karikó!
It really was strange not to see much evidence of UNICEF's and our XUNICEF network's commemoration of UNICEF's 74th Anniversary. Of course the editors were all very involved with the UN@75 celebration and with the latest news about COVID and the forthcoming vaccines. Still, in previous times, the 11th of December used to be a major landmark for all kinds of communications, activities and events. Most notably it used to be the date on which the annual "State of the World's Children" report was officially released accompanied by major media launches in different parts of the world amid considerable publicity. This seems to have become less evident in recent times as has the celebration of UNICEF's Anniversary. Let us all plan to make a more substantial effort for next year's UNICEF@75 commemoration.
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Dr. Dominique Robez-Masson, RIP : Katia Fisch"
Dec 14, 2020
Dear Paul, Many thanks for sending this news on to others who knew Dominique and for the additional information that she passed away in France. If anyone can locate her photo, we would like to add it to our obituary.
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Dr. Dominique Robez-Masson, RIP : Katia Fisch"
Dec 14, 2020
From Dr. Paul Adovohekpe Dear colleagues, We received this some time ago on XUNICEF : "We have learned from Katia Fisch that Dominique Robez-Masson passed away yesterday. So far we do not know more, but will be grateful if any members can add details about where she passed away and to whom others can send condolences. Katin tells us that Dominique was Project Officer, Health from 1984 to 2009. She served in Niger, Mali, Cambodia, Haiti and Benin." Please be advised that Dominique passed away in France, on December 11th, 2020. Dominique's last position was Cotonou, Benin. She was our Chief, Health. She was known as a very calm staff member. She never did anything without taking time to analyze the situation. Working with her had always been very easy, because her preferred working method was team work. Analyzing the situation means working hand in hand with local staff. And we appreciated that. Some of our colleagues have been able to talk to Dominique before she passed. You can send condolences to her son Martin at martin.robezmasson@gmail.com or by phone at +33 6 88 53 87 35. You can also join her brother at +33 6 83 48 32 25. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace ! Dr. Paul Adovohekpe, retired in Abuja in 2015.
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Thanks to Ambassador Thomas Pickering for His Help to UNICEF throughout his Career : Kul Gautam"
Dec 14, 2020
From Agop Kayayan That was a fantastic letter. Thanks. Agop
Yes, we have lost yet another talented colleague. Our paths crossed when he was in the Programme Funding office in NYHQ and I remember our friendly talks on both professional and other subjects. He was a consummate erudite from the looks of it.While I knew a little about his artistry as a painter I now learn that he was also an author and a poet too. Many others have written about his diplomatic skills and tact in difficult situations. As a fellow MiddlevEasterner I enjoyed his measured viewpoints on many of the touchy subjects affecting our Region.My sincere condolences to his Family. May he Rest in Peace. Fouad Kronfol Montreal
Tom McDermott commented on "Thomas Pickering Explains How the US Can Get Its Multilateral Groove Back: UN Dispatch / Kul Gautam"
Dec 13, 2020
I met Ambassador Pickering several times. I believe the first was his visit to New Delhi. We met again in New York when an issue came up about Israel and Palestine came up - if I recall correctly there was some US upset about UNICEF's decision to use the term 'Occupied Palestinian Territories'. Our most recent meeting was in Santa Fe when he spoke at an event held by the Council on International Relations. I had not known until this exchange between Kul and Agop of his role in Days of Tranquility. He was and no doubt still is a superb diplomat, good at representing his country, but equally good in seeing the 'big picture' around international issues.
Editors @ News & Views commented on "Thomas Pickering Explains How the US Can Get Its Multilateral Groove Back: UN Dispatch / Kul Gautam"
Dec 13, 2020
From Agop Kayayan Ambassador Pickering helped us at a crucial moment. When the Army was not responding, positively or negatively, about one of the days of tranquility, he intervened very effectively. I will speak about this in the documentary on the Days of Tranquility. It is something we do not get trained for. I could not ask the ambassador to call the chief of staff of the Army. It would have been a serious mistake on my part. However, I repeated many times, maybe four times, about all the benefits of immunization, that he turned to me and kindly said “Would you like me to speak with the general”. I joined my two hands and said “ Please, Ambassador”. He then added “Call him tomorrow morning, he will most probably receive you”. I did not even need to call the general..he called me! Best regards, Agop Kayayan
From Eimi Watanabe I join the long list of colleagues who mourn the passing of Samir Sobhy, a talented and wonderful colleague whom I worked with in the Programme Funding Office in the 80s. Perhaps we might remember him by looking at his art work at Samir’s website, https://www.artofsamirsobhy.com/?fbclid=IwAR2l9E3uM50wuCO7_6qHX68LTB2cOiVHgsuNM-3qvhQN5wanZnK87Ul8uno), which Helene Gosselin has called our attention to. Eimi
From Iyabode Olusanmi So sad. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Basim Kawash Very sad news indeed. Fond memories from the time Samir was in Riyadh Saudi Arabia in 1982. RIP Basim Kawash Amman
from Mahendra Sheth Very sad to hear that Samir is no longer with us. May he rest in peace. Sincere condolences to his family. Mahendra
From Akila Aggoune Rest in Peace Samir. My sincere condolences to his family. Unforgettable memory of my first contact with Samir on the occasion of my working visit in DRC..
From Touré Hamadassalia Mes sincères condoléances à sa famille et à la famille Unicef Que la terre lui soit légère et que Dieu l accueille dans son paradis éternel Touré Hamadassalia
From Moira Hart-Poliquin So so sad - Samir kept in touch , became an impressive artist and writer, he thought and card deeply. I will miss him. Moira
From Shahnaz Kianian-Firouzgar Samir was a consummate diplomat and a skilled professional with a high sense of integrity and fairness. I first got to know him in context of UNICEF high level fundraising in the Gulf region in early 80s with Prince Talal. His advice and contributions were invaluable. My condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP, Samir! Shahnaz
From Padmini Very deeply saddened to learn of Samir Sobhy's death! He was such an pro-active colleague when I was in the Mena section. I have many good memories of our working together and our friendship. Not least of all, his special coffee-making equipment that he carried on his trips and treated me too occasionally to excellent coffee! My heartfelt condolences to his family. Padmini
Editors @ News & Views replied to a comment on "Samir Sobhy, RIP : Mehr Khan / Doreen Lobo"
Dec 12, 2020
From Lenin Guzman It is so sad. Samir was a wonderful representative and great friend. I will miss him a lot.
In Response to a comment by Editors @ News & Views
Excellent comments both by Tom and Agop. I have also proposed to UNICEF that they should present such a program to the Intl. Olympic Committee in follow-up to our 1994 agreement. Distribution of the vaccine requires many volunteers which sports organizations would be able to provide - if they are urgent by the IOC President. And the objective would not only be to protect young people against Covid-19, but possibly to create corridors of peace or an Olympic Truce for the vaccination program..
From Kiari Liman Tinguiri RIP Samir. You are and will be missed. Kiari
Editors @ News & Views replied to a comment on "Samir Sobhy, RIP : Mehr Khan / Doreen Lobo"
Dec 12, 2020
From Rima Salah Dear Habib, Very, very sad news, How did this happen and where was he in Egypt or in New York? May He Rest In Peace 🙏 Keep safe, Love to you and the family, Rima
In Response to a comment by Editors @ News & Views
From Habib Hammam It is so sad to learn of the passing of Samir Sobhy. As a UNICEF colleague, he was a man of ideas and convictions, a skillful negotiator, always positive but never a pushover. I appreciated him especially as a person doing his own thing, a humanist and an artist and as a person who knew how to appreciate life. His eloquent poem on impending death has much of darkness and of doubt. Unlike his ever positive spirit for which indeed he will be remembered by those of us who knew him. We are all travelers. Travel well my friend. Habib Hammam
Kul Gautam commented on "Our Youngest Committee? - The Lörrach Kinderclubs für UNICEF (Children's Club for UNICEF in Lörrach, Germany) : Ute Deseniss-Gros"
Dec 12, 2020
Many thanks, Ute Deseniss-Gros, for sharing this lovely, uplifting story! It is never too early to be an activist. Good ideas planted in the hearts and minds of kids last a lifetime.
Always entertaining, informative, pertinent and easy to read. Great work from even greater human beings
csengupta124@yahoo.com commented on "Death of Reuben Lalwani, RIP : Message from S. Ramadass UPGI"
4 hours ago
It is such a sad news. Can't believe Reuben could die at such a young age. Reuben was a soft speaking perfect gentleman. I have the proud privilege of working with him. Sure, his departed soul will rest in peace in heavenly abode. Chandan Sengupta
saha_dipak49@hotmail.com commented on "Death of Reuben Lalwani, RIP : Message from S. Ramadass UPGI"
4 hours ago
I am very much saddened at the untimely demise of Mr Ruben Lalwani. I possess a fond memory of my close association with Ruben from the time when he was working in the Greeting Cards Section of Unicef East India Office in Kolkata. He was very friendly and jovial and very much sincere in his work. I would be missing him a lot. Let his soul rests in peace in the heaven. I convey my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family members and pray that God gives them strength to bear this irreparable loss and determination to overcome the sorrow. In grief, Dr Dipak Kumar Saha Kolkata, 18 December 2020
dipakorissa@gmail.com commented on "Death of Reuben Lalwani, RIP : Message from S. Ramadass UPGI"
4 hours ago
My sincere condolences to the family. Dipak Roy Kalinga Vihar, Bhubaneswar-751019
marora.afics@gmail.com commented on "Death of Reuben Lalwani, RIP : Message from S. Ramadass UPGI"
4 hours ago
Though I have had not opportunity to work with late Mr. Ruben Lalwani, I wish to express heartfelt CONDOLENCES to the family - may the departed soul rest in PEACE and may GOD give courage and strength to the family and friends to bear this ir-repairable loss, best regards, Madan Arora, FL, USA
henriques_jude@yahoo.co.in commented on "Death of Reuben Lalwani, RIP : Message from S. Ramadass UPGI"
4 hours ago
It is with great sadness to hear the death of our friend and colleague Reuben. I had the privilege of working with him for many years and I enjoyed working with him. He was a very jovial, friendly and kind hearted person always willing to help. He was a real gentle man. His keen sense of photography helped enrich the documentation of projects. I convey my sincere condolences to his family and pray that God give them the strength to accept this loss. Jude Henriques
seenappaunicef@gmail.com commented on "Death of Reuben Lalwani, RIP : Message from S. Ramadass UPGI"
4 hours ago
Very sad to know about the bereavement. Our sincere condolences to the family. RIP Seenappa President AFUNPI
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