Resident trustee of Asia Plateau, the IofC centre in India, sends this report of ‘a truly unique and, for us, historic programme that was launched last Sunday, setting the town of Panchgani buzzing’. The event was the launch of ‘India I Care’ programme in Panchgani.  This report is by Mandakini Mathur, a local Panchgani filmmaker and environmentalist.

The Caux Initiatives for Business (CIB) conference jointly co-hosted by Indian and Japanese Initiatives of Change associates, was launched in Panchgani, Maharashtra, India, between 20-24 November 2009. Its aim was to attempt to find answers to the problems that face the global economy. The theme of the Conference “From Financial Crisis To a New Economic Order – The Need to Reintroduce Trust and Integrity as Common Business Practices" brought together 140 delegates from 13 countries.

The power of the Indian newsweekly Himmat, an English-language paper published in Mumbai by Rajmohan Gandhi from 1964 to 1981, was ‘the power of the ideas it represented’, said Kumar Ketkar, editor of Loksatta, the largest circulation Marathi-language daily in the state of Maharashtra.

Grampari, the village environmental development initiative in Panchgani, India, held a camp for three days with 50 children who came from Savli. All of them are below 14 years old. Some were from a remand home and others orphans.

A new website for Rajmohan Gandhi has been released at http://www.rajmohangandhi.com/. It collects in one place links to his writing and speaking on a number of topical subjects including non-violence, religion and peace, Pakistan-India relations and much more.

Pakistan's oldest and most widely-read English Language newspaper, Dawn, published a major article on 13 August, under the heading "Beyond the walls of hatred", reporting on the Caux Forum for Human Security.

R M Lala's autobiography has been published by Penguin Books, India. His impressive career spans journalism, publishing, philanthropy and writing books including the best-selling biography Beyond the Last Blue Mountain: A Life of J R D Tata. Lala's direct and almost conversational style gives a vivid portrait of the times he has lived through, allowing the reader a glimpse into his intensely personal memories, his experiences as well as his encounters with the personalities who shaped twentieth-century India - from J R D Tata to Mother Teresa; from Vinoba Bharve to Morarji Desai.

The conference "Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy" with 160 participants from 38 countries in the conference centre of Initiatives of Change in Caux came to an end today.

‘There is enough in the world for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed’ - Mahatma Gandhi. These words were echoed by Mohan Bhagwandas, the conference coordinator of the ‘Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy’ (24-29 July) at the Initiatives of Change Center in Caux. Having opened yesterday, the conference brings together 160 people from many walks of life to explore pathways to a sustainable world.

The National Team meeting at Asia Plateau was held from 28 – 31 May 2009 after a span of 4 years. The Management Council also combined with the team to have an interaction that was unique and enriching.