Oral History Project: Volunteers needed

PLEASE CIRCULATE:

We are looking to select 1-2 volunteer researchers/ research interns who will form part of the core crew for our Oral History Project which is starting work next week.

The profile we seek:

* Based in Chennai, able to get around and to work evenings and weekends.

* Enthusiasm, willingness and ability to make serious time commitment.

* Background in history or political science; sociology and anthropology also okay.

* Willingness to learn: this will involve research and elements of serving as an AD on the interview crew.

By definition, we are not looking for very senior people. Someone just out of college would be okay too, as would an energetic empty-nester. But being able to commit time consistently is important and for a few months at a stretch.

This would be a great learning opportunity and resume-builder, particularly for those seeking to go to graduate school.

To clarify/ reiterare: We are not in a position to pay salaries, hence the search for volunteers. If learning and spending time usefully are important to you and you do not need the income, do consider giving us the gift of your time and energy.

Email us, telling us about your background and interests: prajnyatrust@gmail.com

Swarna Rajagopalan

Women MPs in 15th Lok Sabha: Seema Upadhyay

Basic Information:

Name: Seema Upadhyay

Constituency: Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)

Party: Bahujan Samaj Party

Terms in parliament: First term

Age: 44

 A BSP Brahmin candidate from Fatehpur Sikri, Seema Upadhyay, held on because her constituency falls in the area which has one of the highest concentration of Dalits in UP. A tacit understanding between the unlikely allies, Muslims and Brahmins to send the Bharatiya Janata Party out which gained gained momentum after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, has contributed to her success.Mrs. Upadhyay, wife of high profile Brahmin leader and Minister for electricity in Mayawati cabinet is reported to have received undisputed support from the Brahmin community, and despite the luke warm enthusiasm from the Dalits, she has won, defeating the Congress candidate Raj Babbar.

 For more details, visit the following links:

• Man Mohan Rai. 2009. The changing equation in Uttar Pradesh. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com. 17/5/09. 6/6/09

Women MPs in 15th Lok Sabha: Usha Verma

Basic Information:

Name: Usha Verma

Constituency: Hardoi (Uttar Pradesh)

Party: Samajwadi Party

Terms in parliament: 12, 14-15^th parliament

Age: 46

 Contact Information: 56-58, North Avenue, New Delhi-110 001,

                                      Tels. (011) 24102189, 9891268460, 9868180300 (M)

 First elected to the 12^th Lok Sabha, from the Hardoi constituency, this mother of two has served on the Joint Committee on the Empowerment of Women, After her re election to the 14^th Parliament, she was a member of the Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the Committee on Social Justice & Empowerment.An agriculturist and advocate by profession, upliftment of the downtrodden, the poor childrenand women is her specific interest, and she is working towards an ideal society which may satisfy the basic needs of the people.

 For more details, visit the following links:

• 2005. Detailed Profile: Smt. Usha Verma. http://india.gov.in. 6/6/09.