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Arundhati Roy To Appear In America

Arthur J Pais in New York

Many high profile organizations and associations such as International Rivers Network and South Asian Journalists Association are sponsoring social activist and novelist Arundhati Roy's appearances across America.

Roy, the author of the Booker Prize-winning novel, The God of Small Things, a bestseller on The New York Times list for nearly a year, will be speaking about her new book, The Cost of Living. It includes the essay The Greater Common Good, a vigorous attack on the rationale of the dams being built in the Narmada valley.

Among her many engagements, Roy is speaking at two venues in the Bay area and one in New York.

On October 28, at 7.30 pm, she will be at the Gershwin Theater, University of San Francisco, for a free event sponsored by the Louise Davies Lecture Series.

On October 29, 7.30 pm, she will speak at the Wheeler Auditorium, University of California, Berkeley.

Her Berkeley appearances are co-sponsored by UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, South and Southeast Asian Studies Department-Center for South Asia Studies, and Peace and Conflict Studies, The Wallace Stegner Environmental Center at the San Francisco Main Public Library.

The International Rivers Network, which is also sponsoring her appearances, is holding a reception for Roy at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism prior to her talk at the Wheeler Hall.

Charges for tickets at the Wheeler event are $ 15 for the general public, and $ 10 for students (with ID).

Tickets are available through Cal Performances. Call (510) 642-9988 for details.

All proceeds from these events will go to IRN and research on water issues in India.

The South Asian Journalists Association presents Roy on November 2, 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm at The New School Tishman Auditorium, 66 W 12th St (between 5 and 6th Avenues).

Admission costs $ five each, payable at the door. Mandatory RSVP to Morse Partners: rosemarie1@msn.com (subject line: "Roy event"). Seating is limited and only two names are allowed per reservation.

The New York event is presented in association with IRN, The New School Graduate Writing Program, Columbia University Southern Asian Institute, Asian American Journalists Association and the Network of Indian Professionals.

IRN, established in 1985 seeks to halt and reverse the degradation of river systems. It proposes to support local communities protect and restore the well-being of the people, cultures and ecosystems that depend on rivers; to promote sustainable, environmentally sound alternatives to damming and channeling rivers; to foster greater understanding, awareness and respect for rivers.

It works with environmental and human rights groups around the world in co-operative campaigns for community-based river development. Its involvement depends on our services being independently requested by like-minded non-governmental organizations or by individuals from project-affected communities.

IRN undertakes research and provides project critiques, analysis of alternatives, and activist briefings. It monitors and critiques the policies of financial institutions including the World Bank and provides analysis and recommendations for reforming their practices.

IRN was established in 1985 as a non-profit all-volunteer organization of activists experienced in fighting economically, environmentally, and socially unsound river intervention projects. Aware of similar issues in other countries, IRN opened a communication channel with local river activists worldwide.

In 1989, it began to develop a staff of experienced activists trained in economics, biology, engineering, hydrology, anthropology, and environmental sciences. Over the years, IRN has increased its permanent staff to over 20 and created a worldwide network of supporters, funders, advisors, interns, and volunteers.

IRN activists have held several demonstrations outside Indian missions in San Francisco and Washington to protest the Narmada projects.

For more information about IRN, contact Mary Houghteling at (510) 848-1155; or send an email to mhoughteling@irn.org.

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