NGO in Kanpur

Lost in Kanpur

Does anyone know a NGO in Kanpur?

Valini

Hi Lost in Kanpur,

I've spent a long time in Kanpur for work, and know the city and area quite well. I'm not there right now, but I know other expats who're moving back out there very soon. If you want any advice or just to chat about life in the area, just pm me!

Paleface

Yes, Rakesh Jaiswal, done loads of work on Ganga, water quality, tannery treatments - real water warrior, more info ask?

__________________
Only a mediocre person is always at his best. Somerset Maugham.

ehofen

Hi 'Lost in Kanpur;,
Rakesh Jaiswal's organization is called the Kanpur Eco-Friends, they have a website: ecofriends.org/

I too am in Kanpur and am conducting research -- but I need to hire a English-Hindi interpreter to help me with interviews and surveys. I can't find an appropriate thread to ask for advice on hiring an interpreter. If you (or anyone else out there) has advice on hiring an interpreter in Kanpur, please let me know!

Best of luck with your own trip. We are a married couple and enjoying Kanpur very much!

Paleface

Ask Rakesh, I'll give u his number if u ask, lovely man, very old pal & I'm sure he can help you.

Valini

Hi pale rider, I think we know the same person! i met rakesh in 2007 through a business partner. Isn't the world small?

also, ehofen, did I read correctly, you are actually enjoying living in Kanpur???
It's a tough place to stay for a long period so if you and your wife are enjoying it, hats off to you!
In fact, a french couple I know are returning to live there next week, for about a year (they've already spent a long time in the area working) so if you are interested I could put you in touch. It might be nice to share stories from time to time.

Valini

rtandon

Hi Ehofen,

I am a native of this city and perhaps can help you in this matter. Depending on the assignment schedule I can ask the people to help you in this. Alternatively for casual help, I myself may be available (subject to schedule and my own assignments)

On a second note, I welcome you to Kanpur and well... perhaps I guess you might be doing work related to Ganga river tasks in Kanpur. My best wishes for that. You can PM me for further assistance. (BTW, I am a consultant in Internet technologies but with varied interest in Eco, Travel, Photography, Technology etc)

We can PM for more details and contacts.

Best Regards,

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Rajeev

rtandon

Hi Lost in Kanpur,

There are several NGOs in Kanpur and I am aware of a few of them myself. What type of NGO (depending on area of work) are you seeking? I am from this city and perhaps can try helping you. PM for more info and any help.

Regards,

rtandon

I fully agree with you Valini. If I being a native, find it not too smooth to sail then any one from outside who lives for long and enjoys really deserve hats off.

Perhaps enjoying really depends on too many factors and moreover a subjective issue so it might be true for someone else.

Anyways, if any of your contacts need any help esp related to technology, travel, leisure etc. you can put them in touch with me and in case, any help is needed, I might be of help. Of course, since you have lived here for a long time, you can surely be their first guide! Even otherwise it might help to know. I too have a family here and they can simply have a company, if needed.

ehofen

Yes, even many of the Kanpurites we've met are surprised that we are enjoying Kanpur. But, we're fairly laid-back people and, I suppose, easy to please. We're not here as tourists, so we're also not looking for a lot to do. My wife speaks enough Hindi to make people laugh and she dresses in a salwar kameez, which I think helps a bit. And hey, if you enjoy fast food how could you not like Kanpur? It's everywhere!

We're staying in Swaroop Nagar, which is an area I would recommend for anyone doing more than just passing through. Our hotel is the Mandakini Plaza, which is more for business travelers, so they can't help as much with tourist-y questions and concerns, but it is clean, modern, and the staff are all kind and helpful too, which has added to the enjoyment of our stay. I would recommend it to anyone looking to stay in Kanpur, as we find the hotel and neighborhood much nicer than anything down near the mall.

We're not really here "long term", though. We arrived at the start of Jan. and leave this Thursday! We'll likely return in Feb or March, though, as my wife hasn't been able to find the translation help she needs. We are off to a conference in Australia for 2 weeks, then have research time in Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur. We had hoped to accomplish our goals in the 3 weeks we've been in Kanpur, but we'll probably end up taking a weekend trip up from Allahabad in Feb or March to make up the time and conduct our surveys.

Rajeev- Thank you for your offer of help. Sadly, I have no idea how to PM! Yes, my tech-skills are sadly un-savvy for this day and age. Can someone tell me how to do this? My wife will contact you then. Yes, my wife's research is on pollution in the Ganges, and especially the politics surrounding abatement practices. We've been able to get a number of great interviews with a wide range of people, but part of the research is conducting a survey of people at the riverside who are using the water and assessing their opinions. Any help or contacts you could share would be much appreciated.

Paleface

Good! But have you met Rakesh Jaiswal as yet, I know he has done a huge amount of work regarding Kanpur, and all aspects of pollution, awareness and solutions over the years - promoting this in Kanpur, India and Interationally.

Valini

I think that explains it all, if you've only spent 3 weeks in Kanpur, it can be fun, discovering places and of course you're busy. Believe me, if you were spending half ear r a year there, even being busy, it'd become a lot more difficult!! Plus points are that you're there in the cool season, so it's easier to get around. Swaroop Nagar is a decent area too, you're not far from Rave mall and the main shopping street in SN is nice and friendly.

I could also recommend a great place to stay called 'The Attic' which used to be the former British army barracks in the day and it's a beautiful building, very central (Civil Lines near the Little chef) and with a lovely garden. Lovely to escape the hustle and bustle of the city after a busy day!

Paleface

Yes and I've forgotten the name of the Lady who runs it, and the fine furniture they also make there.

rtandon

Okay, you click to my name at the post and you will find option to PM (pvt msg) me. You can also send a direct email to me from there. Alternatively, if you may like leave your contact info at Mandakini and I shall get it from there.

Incidentally, I do have some books and research work on Ganges pollution and know some more people who have conducted research in this area. If you can be specific (perhaps, if we meet) then I can be more helpful.

When and where you wish the interviews?

Valini, you are right about the season. Summer is a bit difficult to negotiate. In fact when I had recommended the same idea to another European visitor here sometime 1-2 years back, She was confident and told me that she may not need it. I did not get in touch later but am sure she would have found it difficult in summer. In fact any city would be difficult but if you add power outages to it, then only it becomes annoying (not just difficult)

Oh! wonderful Valini! by mentioning Attic, you stole my advice. The place is just different. Albeit, to some with ultra-modern taste, it may not sound good but surely I do like the place.

Paleface, yes you are right. I know the name of that lady (not publishing due to this being a public forum) They (or other family members) own that place, as per my knowledge. In fact, Little Chef, as mentioned by Valini is also part of that same unified property and run by the person from same family. She also runs a wrought iron furniture business and I had been indirectly connected to that for some years.

Paleface

Oh wrought iron furniture, that might be a more recent enterprise, what's you line?? Haven't been down Kanpur for 4 yrs or so - One other thing is that my good friend is great grandson of Ursula Horsman, of the hospital fame not that it means anything??