Special Thanks to/Bishesh Dhanyabad
First of all to the musicians for coming all the way from London and San Francisco, and for being such amazing people: Dr. Das, Sukhawat Ali Khan, Janaka Selekta & Ramjac.
Amisha Khemani—graphic design (amisha.khemani@gmail.com)
Anuj Shrestha—logo design (www.anujink.com)
Himalayan Yak, Jackson Heights; Chilli Chicken, Jackson Heights;
Ashoka, Jackson Heights—food donation
One Dream Sound, NYC Best Instrument Rental—Sound System
Melissa Jameson @ Judson Memorial Church—Space Coordination
Accurate Engraving—Awards
Shweta Parmar—volunteer coordinator
Benefit Committee Members: Namita Chad, Isaac Cheng, Top Dangi, G, Rajeev Goyal, Gautam Malla, Diana Reddy, Sudeep Shrestha, Hetal Patel, Santosh Joshi, Rakesh Patel & A big thank you to: Sumit Jhaveri, Rabindra Karki, Rushil Shakya
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Adhikaar presents Worldly SoundClash, an electic benefit concert
Adhikaar for human rights and social justice is very excited to be partnering with Worldly Soundclash for their first ever concert in New York City. Worldly Soundclash, a transatlantic, east meets west, dub bass-fueled worldtronica band features Dr. Das and production by multi-instrumentalist Ramjac, all the way from the U.K. Dr. Das, a founder of wildly popular Asian Dub Foundation, is joined by San Francisco's award winning Asian electronica collective, the Dhamaal ensemble, including vocals by Qawwali and Sufi sensation Sukhawat Ali Khan, electronics by DJ Janaka Selekta, and live tabla and dhol.
Date: September 22, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00-8:00pm Free Cocktail Reception and Award Ceremony
Time: 8:00-11:00pm Concert
Location: Judson Memorial Church,
55 Washington Square Park South
New York,NY
Buy tickets online now!
Please mark your calendars. Don't miss this chance to experience a one-of-a-kind, high energy live event that unites leading voices from today's global electronica scene into a truly unforgettable experience.
Proceeds from the concert will support Adhikaar’s struggle for justice in Nepali communities.
Buy tickets online now!
About ADHIKAAR
Adhikaar is a women-led non-profit organization promoting human rights and social justice in Nepali communities. Nepalis are among the newest immigrants from South Asia, and one of the fastest growing communities in the US. Adhikaar is the only organization mobilizing the Nepalis in New York area to raise our voices and take collective action against injustices on issues affecting us here through organizing, community education, grassroots advocacy, and leadership development in four program areas: access to healthcare, immigration reform, workers' rights, and youth development. Currently, Adhikaar is undertaking the first comprehensive community-based study of Nepalis in New York to address the lack of information and documentation about our community, and to lay foundations for organizing ourselves. The results of the Jankari Research Project, to be completed in 2008, will guide our projects and program areas in the future.
In two years, Adhikaar has grown from an idea to a fully-functioning organization with an office/community space, a full-time staff, and a growing list of outreach workers, volunteers, and interns. Adhikaar's success has been possible with support from many individuals and organizations, both within the Nepali community and beyond.
For more information about Adhikaar: www.adhikaar.org
Buy tickets online now!
About WORLDLY SOUNDCLASH
Worldly Sondclash’s members are seasoned musicians that continually redefine the sound of cutting edge world music as founders of the wildly popular outfit Asian Dub Foundation and San Francisco’s award winning Asian electronica collective Dhamaal. This fresh new live project emerged over a four-year period of musical collaborations between Dr. Das and Janaka Selekta that culminated in an intense series of recent sessions at Janaka’s San Francisco studio.
Bassist Dr. Das is best known as the 'dub' in Asian Dub Foundation. His fat, addictive basslines propelled the British Asian Underground pioneers' sound from their inception in 1995 to 2006. Dr. Das just released his first solo CD Emergency Basslines to great acclaim. His supercharged dub approach, infused with a singular melodic sense are at the forefront of Worldly Soundclash’s unstoppable groove.
Dhamaal co-founder Janaka Selekta was voted the 'Best DJ' in a recent SF Guardian reader's poll. Janaka is renowned for his deft touch on the turntables while constantly working the tracks and mixer to blow up dancefloors across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Janaka’s breakbeat tune, 'Bol Breaker,' hit BBC Radio 1's Bobby and Nihal's Top 10 and the Dhamaal Soundsystem CD was a mainstay on iTunes’ Top 20 Electronic Music Chart.
Sukhawat Ali Khan’s ancestry represents a 500-year lineage of musicians hailing back to the Sham Chaurasi Gharana (school of music) in the court of Akbar the Great. A stage musician from the age of eight, Sukhawat seamlessly criss-crosses genres by performing in virtuoso classical Indian performances to serving as lead vocalist for popular world music Shabaz, as well as cutting edge electronica group Dhamaal Soundsystem.
Producer and multi-instrumentalist Ramjac is one of the most important and influential voices in the history of the Asian Underground movement. He has worked with luminaries including Dr Das, Visionary Underground, State Of Bengal, Herbie Hancock, Coldcut, Mark Stewart, Paban Das Paul, Jeff Wayne, Holger Hiller, Ben Watkins, Asian Dub Foundation, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also recorded for labels including Irdial Discs, Brainiak, Plink Plonk, Botchit & Scarper, Acid Jazz, and Fruitbeard.
For more information on Wordly SoundClash: www.outerworldly.net/worldlysoundclash.htm
Dr. Das on myspace: www.myspace.com/drdas
Janaka Selekta on myspace: www.myspace.com/janakaselekta
Ramjac on myspace: www.myspace.com/ramjac2
Sukhawat at World Music Central
Buy tickets online now!
Date: September 22, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00-8:00pm Free Cocktail Reception and Award Ceremony
Time: 8:00-11:00pm Concert
Location: Judson Memorial Church,
55 Washington Square Park South
New York,NY
Buy tickets online now!
Please mark your calendars. Don't miss this chance to experience a one-of-a-kind, high energy live event that unites leading voices from today's global electronica scene into a truly unforgettable experience.
Proceeds from the concert will support Adhikaar’s struggle for justice in Nepali communities.
Buy tickets online now!
About ADHIKAAR
Adhikaar is a women-led non-profit organization promoting human rights and social justice in Nepali communities. Nepalis are among the newest immigrants from South Asia, and one of the fastest growing communities in the US. Adhikaar is the only organization mobilizing the Nepalis in New York area to raise our voices and take collective action against injustices on issues affecting us here through organizing, community education, grassroots advocacy, and leadership development in four program areas: access to healthcare, immigration reform, workers' rights, and youth development. Currently, Adhikaar is undertaking the first comprehensive community-based study of Nepalis in New York to address the lack of information and documentation about our community, and to lay foundations for organizing ourselves. The results of the Jankari Research Project, to be completed in 2008, will guide our projects and program areas in the future.
In two years, Adhikaar has grown from an idea to a fully-functioning organization with an office/community space, a full-time staff, and a growing list of outreach workers, volunteers, and interns. Adhikaar's success has been possible with support from many individuals and organizations, both within the Nepali community and beyond.
For more information about Adhikaar: www.adhikaar.org
Buy tickets online now!
About WORLDLY SOUNDCLASH
Worldly Sondclash’s members are seasoned musicians that continually redefine the sound of cutting edge world music as founders of the wildly popular outfit Asian Dub Foundation and San Francisco’s award winning Asian electronica collective Dhamaal. This fresh new live project emerged over a four-year period of musical collaborations between Dr. Das and Janaka Selekta that culminated in an intense series of recent sessions at Janaka’s San Francisco studio.
Bassist Dr. Das is best known as the 'dub' in Asian Dub Foundation. His fat, addictive basslines propelled the British Asian Underground pioneers' sound from their inception in 1995 to 2006. Dr. Das just released his first solo CD Emergency Basslines to great acclaim. His supercharged dub approach, infused with a singular melodic sense are at the forefront of Worldly Soundclash’s unstoppable groove.
Dhamaal co-founder Janaka Selekta was voted the 'Best DJ' in a recent SF Guardian reader's poll. Janaka is renowned for his deft touch on the turntables while constantly working the tracks and mixer to blow up dancefloors across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Janaka’s breakbeat tune, 'Bol Breaker,' hit BBC Radio 1's Bobby and Nihal's Top 10 and the Dhamaal Soundsystem CD was a mainstay on iTunes’ Top 20 Electronic Music Chart.
Sukhawat Ali Khan’s ancestry represents a 500-year lineage of musicians hailing back to the Sham Chaurasi Gharana (school of music) in the court of Akbar the Great. A stage musician from the age of eight, Sukhawat seamlessly criss-crosses genres by performing in virtuoso classical Indian performances to serving as lead vocalist for popular world music Shabaz, as well as cutting edge electronica group Dhamaal Soundsystem.
Producer and multi-instrumentalist Ramjac is one of the most important and influential voices in the history of the Asian Underground movement. He has worked with luminaries including Dr Das, Visionary Underground, State Of Bengal, Herbie Hancock, Coldcut, Mark Stewart, Paban Das Paul, Jeff Wayne, Holger Hiller, Ben Watkins, Asian Dub Foundation, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also recorded for labels including Irdial Discs, Brainiak, Plink Plonk, Botchit & Scarper, Acid Jazz, and Fruitbeard.
For more information on Wordly SoundClash: www.outerworldly.net/worldlysoundclash.htm
Dr. Das on myspace: www.myspace.com/drdas
Janaka Selekta on myspace: www.myspace.com/janakaselekta
Ramjac on myspace: www.myspace.com/ramjac2
Sukhawat at World Music Central
Buy tickets online now!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Changes at Adhikaar
This July, Adhikaar hired Luna Ranjit, one of the co-founders, as its first Executive Director and the first paid full-time staff, and Rajani Adhikary has been elected as the Board Chair. Luna had been serving voluntarily as the President of Adhikaar for almost two years. In her new position, Luna will be responsible for the day to day management of the organization. As the Board Chair, Rajani will be responsible for board development, and providing guidance to the Executive Director and the overall mission and vision of the organization. Rajani joined Adhikaar board in May 2006, and has been active in all aspects of the organizations. Malabika Das and Tafadzwa Pasipanodya also continue to serve as Board Members.
In July Adhikaar completed two years of existence. In these two years, Adhikaar has grown from an idea to a fully-functioning organization with an office/community space, and a growing list of outreach workers, volunteers, and interns. Adhikaar's success would not have been possible without you – our friends and allies who are committed to promoting human rights and social justice. As we celebrate our two years, we would like to thank all of you for your continuous support.
In July Adhikaar completed two years of existence. In these two years, Adhikaar has grown from an idea to a fully-functioning organization with an office/community space, and a growing list of outreach workers, volunteers, and interns. Adhikaar's success would not have been possible without you – our friends and allies who are committed to promoting human rights and social justice. As we celebrate our two years, we would like to thank all of you for your continuous support.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Health Fair in Jackson Heights
When
May 20, 2007, Sunday
9:00am-12.00noon
Where
Corner of
(Jackson Height Area)
What
Free Health Check up for
Blood Pressure, Diabetes (Glucose), TB, Women Health,
Health information and much more.
Sponsors:
South Asian Health Initiatives
&
America Nepal Medical foundation (ANMF) and NY/NJ Nepali Doctors
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Adhikaar in New York Times City Section
For a People Overlooked, a Lens at Last
THE questions began over momo, small Nepali dumplings filled with minced chicken and chives, in the mirror-lined dining room of Chilli Chicken, a restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights that is run by a Nepali man who had a Bluetooth headset attached to his ear.
“This is optional,” began Luna Ranjit, president of Adhikaar, a Nepali immigrant group in Queens that has just begun a survey of the estimated 30,000 Nepalese who live in the city. “You don’t have to answer any of the questions you don’t feel comfortable with.”
For the full article, please click here.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Naya Barsha Happy Hour
Happy New Year 2064 to all of you, and big thank you to all of you came to the happy hour fundraiser on April 24th at COLORS restaurant. 50 friends and allies joined us, and we were able to raise over $700.
We chose to organize the happy hour at COLORS because it is a cooperative restaurant - where all the workers are also owners. Thank you COLORS for hosting us.
If you missed the happy hour but would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, you can do so online or by sending us a check to "Adhikaar" to our office address: 30-18 37th Avenue, Suite 220, Long Island City, NY 11101.
We chose to organize the happy hour at COLORS because it is a cooperative restaurant - where all the workers are also owners. Thank you COLORS for hosting us.
If you missed the happy hour but would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, you can do so online or by sending us a check to "Adhikaar" to our office address: 30-18 37th Avenue, Suite 220, Long Island City, NY 11101.
Adhikaar in the News
An article about Adhikaar's community research project was published by Times Ledger on April 12, 2007.
Group to survey boro Nepalis By Adam Pincus
Luna Ranjit, the president for the group Adhikaar, said it was launching the survey because Nepalis are missing out on social services since there is no accurate data on their population in the region.
"To be able to effectively address the problems we want a better understanding of exactly what is happening in the community," she said.
Adhikaar, located at 30-18 37th Ave., is beginning the "Jankari research project" Friday and hopes to have the results by early 2008.
Adhikaar, which means "rights," was founded by Nepali women 1 years ago to increase services for Nepalis in New York, who have been overlooked beside the much larger Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani, among other, communities.
There are an estimated 25,000 Nepalis living in Queens with the greatest concentration in Jackson Heights, Sunnyside and Ridgewood, she said. More than 60 percent of the population is estimated to be men.
The entire article can be found here.
Group to survey boro Nepalis By Adam Pincus
Luna Ranjit, the president for the group Adhikaar, said it was launching the survey because Nepalis are missing out on social services since there is no accurate data on their population in the region.
"To be able to effectively address the problems we want a better understanding of exactly what is happening in the community," she said.
Adhikaar, located at 30-18 37th Ave., is beginning the "Jankari research project" Friday and hopes to have the results by early 2008.
Adhikaar, which means "rights," was founded by Nepali women 1 years ago to increase services for Nepalis in New York, who have been overlooked beside the much larger Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani, among other, communities.
There are an estimated 25,000 Nepalis living in Queens with the greatest concentration in Jackson Heights, Sunnyside and Ridgewood, she said. More than 60 percent of the population is estimated to be men.
The entire article can be found here.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Launching Community-based Research Project
Adhikaar is Launching the First Comprehensive Research of Nepali Community in
Date: Friday, April 13, 2007
Time: 9pm
Location: 1616 George Street, Ridgewood (Queens)
This research project will include surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews. The research team's work is supported by a Community Advisory Board, representing a broad range of Nepali organizations and individuals.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Event -- Health Fair in Ridgewood
Adhikaar, Ridgewood Nepalese Society, and SAHI (South Asian Health Initiative) present
Second Nepali Health Fair
When: Sunday, April 1, 2007
Where: 1605 Putnam Avenue (Basement)
For directions and more information, please contact Mohan Gyawali of Ridgewood Nepalese Society.
Second Nepali Health Fair
When: Sunday, April 1, 2007
Where: 1605 Putnam Avenue (Basement)
For directions and more information, please contact Mohan Gyawali of Ridgewood Nepalese Society.
What's New?
Adhikaar Joins the South Asian Community Groups and Advocates in
Washington D.C. to Discuss Emerging Issues and Address National
Policymakers
More than 150 individuals working with underserved South Asian community members gathered in Washington D.C. between March 16th and 18th for a national convening of South Asian community-based organizations, advocates and community members cosponsored by South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) and the South Asian Law
Students Association at American University, Washington College of Law.
Adhikaar participated in the Summit, along with the representatives of nearly 40 organizations providing a range of services, as well as individual advocates from Atlanta, New York/New Jersey, Michigan, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The
Summit marked the first time that many of the community-based groups met with national policymakers or with others involved in similar work throughout the country.
Adhikaar board members Rajani Adhikaar and Luna Ranjit were invited to be part of panels on "Law and Organizing" and "Organizing across Generation, Class, and Ethnicity" respectively. Adhikaar outreach worker Satendra Shah also attended the summit. Adhikaar team members
met with other Nepalis at the summit, including Pradeepta Upadhyay, the Executive Director of Chaya, an anti-domestic violence organization based in Seattle.
Luna Ranjit also attended the congressional briefing at the Capitol on March 16th, also met with representatives of government agencies to discuss issues important to our South Asian
communities.
Washington D.C. to Discuss Emerging Issues and Address National
Policymakers
More than 150 individuals working with underserved South Asian community members gathered in Washington D.C. between March 16th and 18th for a national convening of South Asian community-based organizations, advocates and community members cosponsored by South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) and the South Asian Law
Students Association at American University, Washington College of Law.
Adhikaar participated in the Summit, along with the representatives of nearly 40 organizations providing a range of services, as well as individual advocates from Atlanta, New York/New Jersey, Michigan, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The
Summit marked the first time that many of the community-based groups met with national policymakers or with others involved in similar work throughout the country.
Adhikaar board members Rajani Adhikaar and Luna Ranjit were invited to be part of panels on "Law and Organizing" and "Organizing across Generation, Class, and Ethnicity" respectively. Adhikaar outreach worker Satendra Shah also attended the summit. Adhikaar team members
met with other Nepalis at the summit, including Pradeepta Upadhyay, the Executive Director of Chaya, an anti-domestic violence organization based in Seattle.
Luna Ranjit also attended the congressional briefing at the Capitol on March 16th, also met with representatives of government agencies to discuss issues important to our South Asian
communities.
Event -- Free Workshop on Tax Filing
Speaker: Biraj Rijal
When: Sunday, March 25, 2007
3pm – 5pm
Where:
Light snacks will be provided. Small donations welcome, but not required.
If you have questions, please contact:
Shanti Gurung, Adhikaar – 917.306.2483
Tek Gurung, United Nepalese Democratic Forum – 917.2918901