To solve any problem is such a vast country with varied culture, social action is needed from the masses. Awareness to burning issues which hamper progress and the commitment to do something is absolutely essential. People must , get together, form groups, discuss nagging issues, support each other and work towards it, with the help of the elected representatives- be it our MLA, municipal authorities, or councilors, corporators or our local reps. We must meet them and convey our problems to them. In today’s advanced society we can reach out to practically anyone

To gather and form social groups is not a big task with the advent of internet and other social networking sites, like orkut, facebook, yahoo groups etc. Open forums-discussion forums are a common thing wherein emails can be sent to all members of a large group thereby discussing urgent social issues. Such discussions will not only have a huge social impact, but trigger a huge association of social workers, performing social activities, all triggered through social web- the medium of networking is so strong, that we can attend to social business by involving the services of like minded, organizations, NGO- called non governmental organizations, which are very much public organizations as all the stakeholders are the public. They form a community forum and offer community service, identifying community projects which aid community development.

There are many such non profit organizations and our ALMANAC is one of them. It runs because of pure resolve and commitment shown by its active members, without any support from any sponsor.

Today ALMs are a part and parcel of each and every area is Mumbai, but Chembur is the leader, as the primary organization—ALMANAC< has not only helped formed many ALMs, in chembur, both M East and West wards, it has connected them too, under the ferderation of the ALMANAC, so that common problems can be addressed to the authorities under a single common platform.

Unity is strength and achieves more, which is the main objective of the ALMANAC.

ALMANAC though not being a business oriented organization, far from it –its has no contract—only bound by social contract , has no funding from any particular corporate or political party.

ALMANAC runs on the expertise of certain of its special and committed patrons who are good at society management, project management,. They have not imbibed these management techniques, from management schools, but by practicing them in society and effectively managing problems and offering solutions.

ALMANC does not have an ulterior motive other than society issues, social work and addressing burning issues- they are totally detached from political issues, political events, infact all political aspects—so are totally neutral in their stand, driven by the sole MOTIVE of addressing issues affecting the honest tax paying citizens of the country .

ALMANC is aware that there is no magic wand or any shortcut to solve issues - they can be done only collectively, with an united voice by engaging the authorities in a peaceful and productive dialogue.

Motto of ALMANAC

Unity is strength and god helps only those who help themselves.

Objectives of ALMANAC

• To improve locality, by bringing problems to the fore and engaging the authorities in productive dialogue, Solutions also offered.
• To form as many ALMs as possible and bring them under one single platform.
• Advice people on how to solve issues.
• Serve as mediator between people and authorities thereby bringing solutions to issues.
• Networking people together, spreading awareness of issues, shaking apathy of people.
• Offer suggestions for good infrastructure development projects in localities.
• Organizing meetings with elected representatives, MPs, MLAs, corporators.
• Encourage people to vote and exercise their democratic rights.
• Help people with information on how to tackle their issues, like filing RTIs.

About ALMANAC

ALMANAC is a federation of ALMs of M- (East & West) Ward in Chembur. After the first ALM of Chembur – Diamond Garden Residents Forum (DGRF) was formed in 1998, many residents from other localities showed interest in this work. They were very impressed with the activities of the DGRF members &wanted to do the same in their localities. As a result today there are more than 50 ALMs in Chembur. As the number of ALMs grew the need for regular interaction with the local M-Ward officials also grew. This resulted in the monthly ALM meetings in M-Ward. Except for a gap of about two years (when the MCGM experimented with some other ideas of citizen participation in civic governance) monthly ALM meetings have been regularly held in M-Ward.

As the number of ALMs grew the need for unity & speaking in one voice became evident. Thus the idea to form a federation & ALMANAC was born. Today because of ALMANAC all the ALMs speak in one voice & support each other. The strength & success of ALMANAC can be gauged from the fact that many ALMs of Chembur have won many awards & have got recognition not just locally but from all over the world. So much so that the M-West ward has been judged the best ward of Mumbai. We also have the best corporator ward & the best ALM of Mumbai here. Visitors from all over the world including various municipal & other agencies have visited many ALMs to study successful citizen participation in local governance.

The monthly ALM meetings in the M-ward conference hall have moved beyond the purview of just civic issues. We now have representatives from Traffic department, Electric department etc. to attend our meetings to help the ALMs to solve their problems.

The MCGM have also started the Dattak Vasti Yojana or the Slum Adoption Scheme which in a way is the counterpart of the ALMs in the slums & the SSP or the Slum Sanitation Project which as the name suggests is a process of providing better means of sanitation for the slum dwellers in particular & Mumbai city as a whole. Details of the concept, formation, sustainability etc. of ALMs, Dattak Vasties & the Slum Sanitation Projects will be explained latter.

ALMANAC is now in the process of integrating all the three concepts i.e. the ALMs, Dattak Vasties & SSPs to work together in tandem for a better M-Ward.

Summary

So, we are concerned with locality improvement, formation of ALMs, working closely with authorities to make a difference.
Our main focus is on eco-friendly issues like composting, rain water harvesting, waste management.

We may be contacted for all these issues.

Composting

This is one of the most eco-friendly measures, all housing societies must inculcate. This not only reduces waste generation, but also generates rich fertile compost to enrich any soil and boost productivity

Organic matter constitutes 35%–40% of the municipal solid waste generated in normal homes in Mumbai. This waste can be recycled by the method of composting, one of the oldest forms of waste disposal. It is the natural process of decomposition of organic waste that yields manure or compost, which is very rich in nutrients. Composting is a biological process in which micro-organisms, convert degradable organic waste into humus like substance. This finished product, which looks like soil, is high in carbon and nitrogen and is an excellent medium for growing plants. The process of composting ensures the waste that is produced in the kitchens is not carelessly thrown and left to rot. It recycles the nutrients and returns them to the soil as nutrients. Apart from being clean, cheap, and safe, composting can significantly reduce the amount of disposable garbage. The organic fertilizer can be used instead of chemical fertilizers and is better specially when used for vegetables. It increases the soil’s ability to hold water and makes the soil easier to cultivate. It helps the soil retain more of the plant nutrients.

In Mumbai if this is implemented in all housed, then the waste going to Deonar dumping ground will be reduced considerably. People from neighboring areas are now complaining of air pollution and stink due to burning of mixed garbage.

The solution to this is composting
Composting: some benefits
Compost allows the soil to retain more plant nutrients over a longer period.
It supplies part of the 16 essential elements needed by the plants.
It helps reduce the adverse effects of excessive alkalinity, acidity, or the excessive use of chemical fertilizer.
It makes soil easier to cultivate.
It helps keep the soil cool in summer and warm in winter.
It aids in preventing soil erosion by keeping the soil covered.
It helps in controlling the growth of weeds in the garden.

Rain water harvesting

This is another best eco-friendly measure which can serve as a solution to water scarcity.

About our president
Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma

Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma a very committed person who has practically given his full career to activism and has taken up issues which affect the common man. He is one who works tirelessly as he believes in what he is doing. He is a well known personality in Chembur as he has strengthened the hands of taxpaying public with his rich advice and also by taking up issues with the authorities.

He takes time off to interact with authorities from Municipal Corporation, police to other agencies like MMRDA, Reliance power, BEST, ever offering solutions to tackle tough issues. In today’s world where apathy is the way of life, this man is different. He has contributed such a lot to society by being available 24/7 to all who need him! Such is his involvement. He taught the public the proper use of RTI, took up civic issues pertaining to water, roads, traffic, waste management and many more. He is already involved with a lot of NGOs like AGNI, Citispace, Clean Sweep, ALMANAC etc.