UNICEF (India) Chief Accused of Attempted Rape

This is a serious case. And if you, the author (Sumanth) is reasonably certain (I understand we can never be absolutely certain) about this; I would request you to send this article as a link to UN Secretary General and various other senior members (UN has few blog sites as well). I came across one similar article ("UN-believable" though it involved junior staffs); and there are reports of public misconduct of various UN-ambassadors (recently in Quantas Airlines by British actor Ralph Fiennes who was one of their ambassadors to India). There are ambassadors like Roger Federer again who is a role model from many dimensions.

In 2nd thought I realize the difficulties: from whom do we expect action first - our own Government or the UN? One is incompetent, bureaucratic; and the other may ignore such incidents in developing nations (and may be selectively bureaucratic).

I would be glad to see some UN official posting here soon assuring the world at large about fair investigation to this incident, or even in case investigation was carried out and the case didn't have enough merit. Our trust and respect to UN thereby can be further ratified.

Is this individual protected by diplomatic status? I'm not sure if the law is different in this case, or is he an Indian citizen?

No, he isnt.

Media bias is disturbing. I first discovered this article in Deccan Herald, Bangalore. We could not get the link. Then, we tracked it to UNI and Tribune.

No other Newspaper or TV channel bothered to talk about it. They should have talked about it in a balanced manner.

Deccan Herald article says, that the lady Archanan Pandey even approached NCW and still nothing happened since last 15 days.

This reminds me the story or Anjana Mishra of Orissa.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1905236.cms

I am still trying to understand the working of Indian Media and who pulls the internal strings.

We need to create alternate Media in Internet which can be fifth pillar of a Democracy.

Hi

I saw this on NDTV.

I think they did some sort of internal investigation and found out that ther accusations were incorrect. Her contention was that the people who carried out the investigation were close/junior to the accused.


here is a smallnote


New Delhi: The head of UNICEF in India Cicileo Adorna has been cleared of sexual allegations after a probe by the United Nations.

Archana Pandey, an assistant communications officer who made the allegations says the UN system was unfair to her.

Pandey said Adorna sexually harassed her and she complained several times to her senior colleague Corinwood but he ignored them.

"He forced himself upon me, the only thing he couldnt do was rape me," Pandey said of Adorna.

She claims she faced insults at work after she made the complaints. The UN sent an enquiry committee to probe the charges.

"I dont trust the committees probe, she said.

When NDTV asked Cecilio Adorns and the UNICEF about the charges, an email reply stated:

"UNICEF takes allegations against women seriously. The agency have got a probe by a team of experts into the matter - and have found all charges baseless".

Pandey says UNICEF did not bother to send a copy of the probe report to her.

As UNICEF employees enjoy diplomatic immunity, Pandey has little legal options before her. For now she has complained to the National Commission for Women.

How can UN investigate attempt to rape allegations and clear the accused. UN is not a court. UN can only investigate the sexual harassment at workplace part of it and not the "attempt to rape" portion of alleged crime.

>>"He forced himself upon me, the only thing he >>couldnt do was rape me," Pandey said of Adorna.

The govt can ask UN to remove diplomatic immunity (if it exists). Similar incident happened in a case involving Munir Akram (a UN representative from Pakistan).

Okay Sumanth,

If there is some truth, she will also get a fair trial and dont we all know that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

And your point is ......?

Vidhya, why does there need to be a point - condemn the prick, assuming he's one.

Media should come out with the balanced report. But not all channels/papers are giving this serious issue its due importance. Quite Pathetic!!!

At the same time, the dubious role played by NCW till now in this matter is deplorable. Commission's head did not waste any time coming out in support of Rakhi Sawant, because of media coverage. Their apathy towards such a sensitive matter questions their method of functioning (if any?).

Definitely UNICEF's credibility is on stake and matter requires thorough investigation by Police.

In India, the real victims do not get justice.

This forces the society to endlessly keep strengthening laws. It is like increasing dosage of a medicine because the medicine cures the symptoms and not the disease.

Finally, the side effects of a high handed law bring much more new problems which diverts us from original problem.

It is important that the legal process is adhered to in each and every case. I have seen extremely poor people being arrested in Bangalore who do not even have money to pay for getting a bail in a "bailable offense".

So, are Indian Laws only to be applicable to the poor and uneducated?

Are people whose duty is to protect women and children, above these laws? How can they get benefit of doubt?

If one goes by Sumanth line of logic Amitabh Bachan should be in jail. Pravin Babi had "documented evidence" and had complained to the media and everyone who is anyone!

UN has a zero tolerance policy on gender related violence and harassment. UN has conducted a full pledged enquiry into every allegation and found no substance in any of this.

Archana Pandey started complaining only after she was told her contract would not be renewed.

Is this personal vendetta. Is she taking all of us for a ride? Too many questions to be ansered before we all take a stand.

Who is UN to conduct enquiry when the allegation attracts CRPC of India.

Its the matter of Indian Police.

#11 - According to U, only ICC should have probed Woolmer's death and not Jamican Police.

Come to the terms Ma'm!!!

Sumanth

I think in the future I would request you not to make blanket statements before verifying them

"No other Newspaper or TV channel bothered to talk about it. They should have talked about it in a balanced manner"

As I showed you NDTV had indeed reported the same and in a balanced manner.

rgds

Chandra

Glad you pointed it out! and made a point!

Sumanth is wrong again. Aajtak spent whole of Women's day repeating this story over and over basically quoting Archana.

Is UN above Indian Constitution?

Is UN a Judicial Body?

If I assume that the lady made false charges and hence UN cleared the guy, then why the same UN does not clear thousands of innocent poor people in India who are also facing false rape or false attempt to rape charges.

It is pity that there are two standards for the rich and poor. There are too standards from UN and IT Professionals.

UN is a terrorist organisation which promotes false cases against innocent elders in India and at the same time takes over the job of Judiciary.

UN has no right to do any investigation in "Attempt to Rape" case. It can only do investigation is sexual harassment case.

Even if an organisation clears the guys name, the victim can always apeal to NCW and courts.

Let follow the constitution of this country.

One one hand UN promotes jailing of innocent elders in false 498a cases and on other hand it bypasses the legal procedures of a country to give clean chit to an official facing serious charges.

Imagine tomorrow, an UN official will be accused of raping a young girl and murdering her. Her parents start running from pillar to post for justice.

I have a simple question:

Will UN start doing investigation sidelining Indian Police and Judiciary?

Imagine, what will happen if it gives clean chit.

Its is pathetic that some Indians can be so irrational in their arguments.

Chandra:

Please give me the exact link of NDTV news. I would like to have links of this story in Internet. What proof is there that Aaj Tak talked about this story? What proof is there that Aaj Tak is not biased?

If you provide these sources, then I will ask for apology.

We will protest against UN and its double standards.

It is foolish to assume that all UN employees are saints because UN fight against DV, Rape, Dowry prohibition leaving the poor children in streets of Bangalore to dance and beg in traffic junctions.

In many countries, DV shelters are converted to brothels.

May be some people think that UN officials should get some concessions when they are accused of committing any crime.

How pathetic.....

every institute has a zero tolerance policy for corruption and unethical practices. have corruption and unethical practices ceased to exist? or are they punished every time?

un stood for sanity and hope in a world gone mad; the name inspired safety. for a wman to be treated this way inside an organ that exists solely to protect them is despicable. evn worse is the apathy she faces. think of it..if it was your wife, your daughter, your mother..would we deny our kin the fair oppurtunity for jusice?

justice is not in punishing the man, as for some fanatics who cry out that the man ws found innocent. if he is, why hasn't the report been given to the complainant? why hasn't the investigation procedure been made clear? why werent the accused (& the accuser) quarantined and why were they allowed to work in the office where they could influence potential witnesses? mind you, these are grounds which first world countries denounce as crimes against human rights and any court would dismiss this case as unfair practice. to ask and demand answers to these questions is justice.

to say things like she started making these accusations only after her contract was not renewed is to show the worse sort of one's prejudice! it's disgusting. was the esteemed commentator there for himself when this happened? did he conduct his own investigation? can he establish his claim in the court of law, or stake his life on his "timeline"(comment)? worse, can he stake another human's dignity, life and rights on it???

an accused is innocent until proven guilty. and here much more is at stake: the reputation of an international organisation that relies on goodwill to do its work. for that purpose why hasn't the accused offered himself open to any probe to prove his innocence? why is the beuracracy giving the impression of hiding behind the vague verdict of "baseless allegations"? this implies perceptible guilt or at least a very serious moral lapse.

Sumanth makes a point. The UN certainly doesn't have any saints!! As a matter of fact, the immunity is a perfect recipe for some pretty questionable behaviour.

The sad fact though is that the UN's money buys most people's integrity and silence. Indra Jaisingh, the so-called famous women's rights lawyer, turned down Archana's case because they receive hefty funding support form the UN.

The same is happening with the media now. The big houses are ignoring this news because they don't want to miss out on UN largess - some of their own senior editors/journalists are consultants getting hefty paypackets from UN agencies.

Bottom line is a foreign woman - diplomat or not - can file a case for a crime but an Indian woman has nowhere to go even if she is assaulted by a powerful but protected, diplomat.

UNICEF keeps harping on the "internal investigation". The sham enquiry didn't even call on all the witnesses named by the complainant. They had already decided the outcome even before starting the farce.

After all what can one lonely woman do against a global UN organisation?

Thank you Sumanth. I was no longer sure there still existed people who believe in fairness and justice. And believe in life's ideologies and also have the courage to speak up. My logic is simple. If the accused were not found guilty, why not release the report? How can an organisation conduct an investigation, declare the verdict without even bothering to provide the report to the lady. It seems most logical to me that UNICEF should have thrown the report on Archana's face and should have asked her to shut up. Why are they not taking action to stop Archana from defaming the organisation? If they do not make the report public, aren't they assuming the role of the judge, the jury and the executioner, all rolled in one? I am so scared on what trend it can assume in future? They can do anything and get away with it?

Lopamudra, how can you be so sure that she started complaining only after she was told that her contract will be terminated? How can you be sure that her contract was not terminated just because she refused to give in?

I am basing my comments on what I heard Archana saying on the rather long interview of Aj Tak on March 08.

Ms Pandey was very much part of the very UN system which everyone is eager to despise now through these colunms.

I personally think that people like Mr. Cecilio Adorna, who abuse their power and authority as well as their organisation's reputation, ought to be stripped naked and skinned alive. But of course, this is my own personal feeling and I should not be attacked for having expressed it.

As regards the legality of the whole issue I would like to tell the lady concerned that as an Indian citizen the Indian legal court houses will always have jurisdiction to try the matter both as a criminal and civil matter (though it shall be done separately; and can be done simultaneously) under Section 3, 252, 354, 321, 348-352, Assault, Battery, etc. and under Section 9 of the Civil Procedure Code respectively.

The abovementioned Section 9 of the Civil Procudure Code says that when the tribunals, committees, commissions as per any law or contract or otherwise are unable to address all the issues or give complete justice to the person, then the civil/criminal courts have the necessary jurisdiction to interfere and deliver justice. In this case of Archana may approach the civil courts in India and ask for justice, since she has not been given the right to appeal and since there is arbitrary procedure followed in the findings and delivery of award by the designated internal commission that the UNICEF had appointed.

But since the Indian legal system is more that pathetic, I suggest she approach that court in whose jurisdiction even one such incident had happened at any point of time.

On a personal note may I add that Archana ought to be applauded for the tremendous effort that she has taken to raise her children despite all these odds.

Archana, if you ever read this, please don't be scared of that moron of a boss that you had. If you are scared, your children will beget that sort of fear and never be able to face the world when they grow up. I am sure you don't want that to happen and therefore shall do all that is possible to make them strong.Please tell the whole world about what happens in a place like UNICEF otherwise your silence will make that man to do it to other girls and maybe small children also someday. And your silence today shall be contributor to that. There is no need to feel ashamed or weak. You have done in your age what others can only dream to conjure someday.
May God be always with family.

I am saying all this because I know what it feels like to grow up in the shadow of fear as my father was a alcoholic and a very abusive individual.

Sumanth

Here is the NDTV link

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070003071

rgds

Dhruv, you seem to be a lawer by profession. If all that you say is correct about Archana's rights for seeking justice, why is her FIR not being lodged?

Why are people even talking about diplomatic immunity? Can UNICEF show us the rules that protect senior officers like Adorna against CRIMINAL laws of the land?

What is the super boss of UNICEF silent? What is he doing to resolve the situation? Or does he even know about it?

Why is the Secretary General of the UN silent? On one hand he claims to be cleansing the UN system. We all know that Washington Post is UN's mouthpiece which all the time projects what a great job he is doing. What are his plans to cleanse this mess?

Yes, archana is entitled to seek justice, and a lot more. It must be the corrupt and beaurocratic outdated system that is not coming ahead to support her.

The investigation that the UNICEF claims to have undertaken, can not be called a formal inquiry. At its best, it is an organisation peer review which has all the possibilities to be biased, pressured and influenced. It is not a legal redressal to such a serious crime. There is no jury, judge or lawyer here to examint the case from all its angles.

Thank you Sumanth for bringing this issue. Its not matter of one individual now, its about the reality of International Organizations talking about human rights, women's right.

I agree with Poornima, no rule can defy common sense. How can a complainant be denied of her investigation report?

I am sure UNICEF must be spending handsome amount in damage control but still not ready to give the report. Isn't it surprising Lopa?

Its good that Ms Archana was working with UNICEF, otherwise we would have never seen the "real face" of so-called humanitarian organization.

Is this Sonia Sharma from the NDTV ,the one with a nasal accent ?

Does that matter....nasal accent I mean??? We are here to discuss a very serious and thought provoking topic. I will like to request all of you not to get personal and come together to brainstrom on how these kind of crimes can be stopped.

I will also like to invite all of you to suggest how to take this particular case forward. We all here seem to be socially conscious citizens and that seems precisely the reason why we are discussing this cowardly and disgusting crime.

i just wanted an autograph thats all

Sumanth

What is SIF -the save indian family doing to help Archana?

You guys very successfully(I believe) helped Gaurav. Help Archana too, she needs help, she needs SIF.

Merely bashing UNICEF is not going to help her. She needs a practical help and you have the resources and power to help.

A similar case few years ago - an elderly south african judge of indian origin was accused of rape in a Mumbai hotel.NCW 'feminists' and a lot of fellow travellers joined in.Later he was proved to be innocent.The moral of the story is that every accused should be given due process.Assorted feminists want to suspend natural laws of justice and jurisprudence whenever there is a whiff of oestrogens.

That an individual crime has taken place in a UN organization is a possibility and until proven cannot be taken to be a fact. People who join the UN are from amongst us and are as prone to misbehaviour as another man on the street. However, they certainly cannot be shielded under the garb of diplomatic immunity.

Why have we all assumed that the trial was unfair and biased ? One has read of people at the highest levels in the UN being punished when found guilty. The fact that the UN has a system in place for investigating an offense internally without compelling the aggrieved to approach the courts, which can be extremely difficult for a person, speaks of the organization's commitment to justice.

On the "Aaj Tak" programme, Archana said that the statement of only three of the 23 witnesses are sufficient to establish the crime. What about the statement of the remaining 20 ? Do we assume that the remaining 20 were bought out by the higher powers ? The UN should be asked to make public the findings of the investigation. It is important to know more from the organization failing which it will continue to be maligned for an incident of which the public hears only one side of the story.

I think a thorough investigation should be conducted and the comprehensive investigation report should be made public at some point of time. The matter owing to seriousness of allegation and also the high reputation of organization involved, should be thoroughly investigated.

The culprit(whosoever it maybe) should be brought to book. It may be the chief himself or the lady falsely accusing.

Sumanth


I hope you saw the NDTV link that I posted.


rgds

chandra

Some of you have hit the nail on the head. If the investigation was unbiased and impartial and found the accused not guilty, why not make the report public. Let everybody see how could a woman accuse him wrongly. Expose the woman if she is lying. Till they are reluctant to do so, UNICEF will be and should be treated as hiding the facts and shielding the guilty.

the victim herself told me about this blog. i m happy to know that at least a debate has taken place.
i agree with Purnima,
first - the report should be made public or at least the complainant should be taken into confidence. If an inquiry has been conducted - the report should highlight and substantiate who is right who is wrong.
the decision cannot be one-sided.
second - instead of condemning archana - we should help her find her peace and respect back. no woman ( i am a woman myself) would go to such an extent and would malig her image just for the renewal of her contract - its ridiculous to even think like that.
if a woman decides to get herself humiliated in public - it is for justice. but ridiculing her or doubting her would discourage many other women who are facing similar situations in other organisations.
it is difficult to prove sexual harassment as it normally does not take place in public. This is one of the few rare cases of sexual harassment - but if it gets diluted or subsided under UN pressure, no other woman would ever dare bring such atrocities in the open.
lets all try to reach a consensus to help the complainant and try to persuade UNICEF to show the report at least to the person who has filed the case.

no woman ( i am a woman myself) would go to such an extent and would malig her image just for the renewal of her contract - its ridiculous to even think like that.

Even when I am in favour of punishing the guilty(whosesoever it may be) but being impartial since I do not know the truth...I would disagree because

1.I do not think by alleging that somebody "tried"/"attempted" to assault her, she looses any of her dignity/image e.t.c

2. Women do lie and with contract as a reason, she can?

but if it gets diluted or subsided under UN pressure, no other woman would ever dare bring such atrocities in the open

On the contrary, if gets proven that the she indeed lied what damage may it do?

However I clearly see that with the clout of UN, it is going to be uphill task for her to prove.

I consider mandatory the use of established practices like narco analysis and polygraph tests in such sexual harassment cases where it is difficult to prove the guilt.

I want to thank you all from the core of my heart for your support and encouragement.
I came to know about this blog day before yesterday and after thinking over it, see no reason why I should not participate and share my trials and tribulations directly here.

Well, first of all, I have some bad news. I had an appointment to meet with the Police Commissioner today in the morning. After keeping me waiting for six hours, he saw me - for 2 minutes. And all he had to say is that the police is not ready to formally file my FIR yet. They are seeking legal opinion on it, he said.

Despite my pointing out the legal validity of the complaint as per the Indian Criminal Penal Code, the MEA Protocol Guidelines and the UN Charter on Privileges and Immunities, he seemed unmoved. The UN Charter clearly states that immunity and privilege are to help UN officials in the "performance of their official duties" and not meant to shield them from criminal acts in violation of the law of the land.

Of course this is the result of some high-level lobbying on the part of UNICEF. They have on their pay-roll a couple of politically well-connected "consultants" who are on the PM's Advisory Council and whose contacts are useful in cases like this. These persons are paid lakhs of rupees precisely to wield this kind of political clout, at the highest level.

However, when I chose this path six months ago, I went in fully aware of the powerful and almost unlimited resources the organisation would use against me. But I HAVE TO DO THIS. Otherwise I won't be able to live with myself.

Sumantha, Dhruv, and all others, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for displaying the courage to bring this out in the open. Dhruv in particular I want to thank you for making some concrete suggestions about the legal way forward. That is extremely helpful.

During these six months what I've found is that if one door closes, another opens up. People do believe and they do help. I am more determined than ever to pursue this to its logical conclusion - no matter what that is.

I'm not looking at the medium term here, but am reconciled to fight this for the next 6-10 years if need be.

Thank you all again.

Archana

Best of Luck, Archana, and whatever support Desicritics and the blogosphere in general can give you, please ask - you can email me at the email address on my name - I'm the publisher of Desicritics.

Thank you Archana for your dare to fight it out...I have been through some legal hassles in past...but I see that you can not hide justice and truth for long... I wish you succeed and come out in flying colors, and get those culprits (men and women) behind bars who not only denigrate women but also put image of honest men at risk.

You seem to be fighting a battle against odds, but in the end when you win (which I am hopeful of) please do bring to light all those who choose to obstruct you from fetching justice.

Your move to switch to internet for gathering support should go a long way to assist you.

My 2 cents...choose a lawyer who can not be bought. A dependable lawyer will save you lot of potential grief even if she/he is not a very sharp one.

Hi there. Lets not become judge. Even in our country, each department has its own investigation procedure but it doesn't stop complainant to go to Police and judiciary for justice.

Why Archana should be denied this opportunity?

If UNICEF is so confident about the fairness of their investigation, they should have given the report way back.

Isn't it pathetic that NCW is sitting quietly and Police Commissioner want legal opinion even to lodge a FIR?

This shows why people don't go to Police even in worst condition.

Archana, I think court can help you in this situation.

Archana,

I am happy to see that a lot of bloggers and other people have come to support you so that your voice can be heard.

You can contant www.saveindianfamily.org and its helpline at Delhi 098106 11534 and you can meet SIF volunteers. This organisation works for gender equality and questions various unethical practices that go on in Indian law enforcement system. We in SIF are concerned that miscarriage of justice is rampant in India. SIF members are well versed in many sections of Indian Penal Code even though not all are lawyers. SIF has got at least one Supreme Court lawyer with itself.

SIF is also critical about UN and UNICEF for some of its own reasons.

I wish you best of luck on behalf of SIF.

Chandra,
Thanks for posting the NDTV link. I sincerely apologize for writing "None of the TV channels reported this" in this article. I was wrong.

I hope you will accept my apologies and acknowledge.

Apology not required, acknowledgment was required.

Thanks anyway.

I have never agreed to many of your debates but people like Hardy have been able to furnish hard data to support their arguments. I am thankful to you guys that my awareness has increased. In fact a few days back I directed on of my friends to call your helpline number to seek help from wife harassment. He has contacted and is finding it very useful. Thank you

Having said that, I will continue fighting both siffers and feminists on any extreme arguments :-)

take care

All the best Archna.

Recently SC while quashing Lalu/Rabri Yadav's plea (against Disproportionate Asset case), on the ground of Political immunity declared that 'Sanction (approval) from Speaker or concerned Authority before taking action is needed only when the act is done while officiating duty".

It stated sarcastically that, since crimes do not come under the official duty so no sanction (approval) is required and Police can take direct action what ever they deem fit.

Trust me, I have done my research and when I decided to lodge FIR, I did so only after getting legal opinion on the procedure as is applicable to diplomats and UN officials.

Police will ultimately HAVE TO register the FIR. There is no other way. This country - thank God - has a constitution and a legal system - no matter how slow or corrupt. And if the grinding wheel of the law caught up with a powerful politician like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mr. Adorna and his cohorts will not be spared.

Sumantha, once again thanks for your suggestion. I will definitely contact saveindianfamily to leverage their network and mobilise support.

I am just really thankful that this issue has now come out into the public domain. It's hightime the duplicity and hyprocricy of organisations like UNICEF is exposed.

I do not have enough words to thank all of you who have assured me their support and wished me luck.

Sorry for not answering the last night. I just took some additional sleeping pills to end my terrible day. Am seeing your comments now.

I really am feeling so overwhelmed. Thanks Aaman, thanks Sumanth, thanks Hardy, thanks AK Rathor and thanks Sonia.

I find this very touching because all I have seen in last six months is the unmasking of faces. Believe me, most of those people and organisations we revere, have a horrible, selfish and ugly face beneath all the masks that they wear in their public lives.

I have come to a point when it becomes difficult to trust anybody just because people have stabbed me at their first convenience, some of them even being my good friends.

Talking about rules and laws, they all are there and sometimes we do know few. But you will not believe how shamelessly and blatantly they are violated when it comes to a powerful person or organisation. I can tell you how UNICEF in my case has broken many sacrosanct HR rules.

Dear Lopa, can you ask UNICEF to produce my receiving of any information/notice,memo that they claim to have given me for termination of my services? And for what reason? Please mind it, what I am asking is the proof that I received any such thing, not their having one. Show me the mail (though termination notices are not given only on e-mail), a signed document by me receiving this information through a letter/memo sent to me which has my receiving signature on it? UNICEF can verbally say that I filed the complaint after they told me that my contract will not be extended. It is just a statement. Where is the proof? Have you seen this notice of termination that makes you so confidednt? I will request you to show me if you have seen it yourself, and not go through several standardised official UNICEF versions which contains only words describing an action and never producing the facts/proofs that the actions were in reality taken.

If I start writing what all rules UNICEF has broken, even UNICEF staff will not believe it. But I have proofs of all these rules being violated.

Archana, can you share a copy of your complaint and details of the rules broken by UNICEF while terminating your contract?

And yes, I wish you all the best too.

Yes, even I will like to know in detail what was done to you, only to know what ghastly acts UNICEF is out to cover up.

I was just thinking, if these two accused leave the country... then what will happen or have they left, any idea??

I am sure UNICEF will keep fighting (provided our esteemed police lodge the FIR) for years at organization's corporate cost.

But what Archana will get out of it?

In Nitish Katara case, police took more then 3 years to bring Bharti Yadav to India that too because her visa expired. This will never happen in this case.

Dhruv, probably you can address this from legal point.

Let me call UNICEF office and ask for the information. Easy for me since I am based in Delhi. Have to just ask 197 to give me UNICEF's number.

Racheal, I got UNICEF's number - 011-24606164.

But what I raised is not just for today.

Hey guys, guess what I found out. Corinne Woods has left the country with her family the same night as the complaint was filed by the police. UNICEF says it is an official trip. Perhaps it is. But man, that certailly raises some doubts.

You know what, the day Mr. Adorna will leave the country, our Police will get legal opinion.

Archana, have you consulted any lawyer?

Dear Friends,

This issue is to be highlighted by us using letter, email and fax campaigns.

We can send this issue alongwith our complaints to International Media, International bloggers, all offices of UN, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNHRC, diplomats of all countries present in each country of the world. We all can also mail, fax to all Indian MPs. All these have to be done without any expectations or hope that these guys will act. These guys need to see the show of strength.

Archana can also upload a few minutes video about her ordeal in www.youtube.com which can make International netizens aware of the whole issue.

This is a low cost method to take on the giants who shield culprits by bending legal procedures.


I feel, Archana can directly file a lawsuit under CRPC 200 in front of Magistrate. The Magistrate will then instruct the police. If the Magistrate refuses to accept the complaint, she can move to high court challenging it.

This will open a parallel front. That will reduce her dependency on police. Once the matter goes to court, the court will scrutinise the report prepared by UN officials on this issue.

Can we also do one on petition online. In the meanwhile if we can coalesce a clear next step,we can also write to some media outlets to cover these next steps

The youtube idea is brilliant.

We can also start an e-mail campaign quickly. Why not write to Ban Ki Moon?

rgds

Thank you Sumanth and Chandra. I am stunned after knowing that Corinne has left the country. Well, it may be purely an official trip nevertheless...

Sumanth and Chandra, your ideas are brilliant and give me a ray of hope. But do you even begin to realise what it would mean for you? You are helping a woman who has waged a war with an organisation like UNICEF, that too on the global level. Do you understand the risks involved to you both and to all those who decide to support me?

There are hundreds of staff in UNICEF who know the real truth but are in no position to support me out of fear of retalliation and loosing their jobs.

I am sure that if our collective effort can make our voices heard in the UN and UNICEF headquarters in NY, things may change. I do not know why, but I still have faith in the UN system provided we reach to the right people and provided they are willing to find out the truth, even if it means accepting guilt of their senior officers.

I have loved UNICEF for its mandate and efforts but I have waited long enough to get the justice through internal channels. I was forced to go public because of the cover-up mode that the organisation has adopted.

If respecting the UN and UNICEF means that I should remain silent to protect their misdeeds and give up my rights for seeking justice as a proud citizen of the biggest democracy of the world, then that is a wrong interpretation of loving or hating UNICEF which has resulted in their labeling me as being anti UN.

UNICEF should be happy that one of their own staff members has the strength that they want every woman to possess. What else do they mean by women empowerment?

All I seek is a chance to be heard and of an impartial and unbiased body conducting a transparent investigation. And then punish whoever is guilty. Even me if I am found to be lying.

Am I worse than the Nothari killers who at least have the right to go to various channels of legal systems even if they are found guilty everywhere? And here I am, not being given my own report based on which the accused were found non-guilty.

They have denied me my right to appeal through UN channels which very much exist and function. And look at the audacity and arrogance of the organisation, all this in writing!

I need every ounce of support that any or all of you are capable and willing to offer me.

This to me, is God's way of telling me that I am not alone.

Sonia,

Thanks for providing UNICEF's number. I called UNICEF only to be told that Corinne will be back next week, which is good news for the investigation. They say she is on an official trip which was planned earlier. On asking about the family, I was told that they did not travel together but her husband has been out for some time. She is supposed to have travelled with her daughter who is four years old.

Sumanth and all. Since I have been a part and parcel of the Comunication section of UNICEF, I know that this blog is being very closely monitored by the section and the tracking agency. If any of you have a concrete suggestion or idea, please do not load it on the blog. Feel free to write to me on my yahoo mail, the user name of which is archanapa60

I shall be able to differentiate between the genuine mails and the pretenders.

Hope you will unerstand my need of caution.

I think there was a very good point in the issue raised by Thunder. If Archana claims that in order to substantiate her charges, only 3 witnesses are enough, why doesn't UNICEF make the testimony of these 3 witnesses public?

But of course, an absolute written protection has to be guaranteed to these 3 people by none other than UNICEF's top boss in NY in case these 3 are from within the organisation. Nobody wants to loose their jobs.

Sumanth, can somebody pass on the idea to the Executive Director?

God, how much has been written on this subject after I signed out. It seems that the issue has gripped people as a challenge to their value systems and exposure of double facedness of these humanitarian organisations.

I am happy to read Thunder's comments. It is a relief to know that Corrine intends coming back. I hope she will like to take up my earlier idea and offer herself to Indian legal system for interrogation. Ideally she should do it immediately upon her return to India. Why wait for any summon or official invitation. She is under moral binding not to clear her name but also the name of UNICEF. She should also bring along her witnesses out of those 23 persons who gave their testimony against Archana. Or did they?

I would say that all the the testimonies should be made public to know why the investigation has gone against Archana in a case like this. Archana has also explained that the committee who carried out the investigation was biased. Who were the members on the committee ? What are there connections with Mr Adorna ? Can UNICEF come out and say how the committee was formed ?

I like the ideas of Sumanth and Chandra. Let us all send all these discussions to top UN bosses. All those agencies that Sumanth has mentioned.

Sending a link won't do. They may or may not open it.

How to make sure that we make them read all this. And the campaign that Chandra suggested. Sumanth, I guess you need to take a lead on this.

That is only one side of the coin. We have to also make sure that the Government of India awakes. Ministry of External Affairs should take a lead on this. After all, UNICEF must be operating in India upon request of the Indian Government.

What is Mrs Sonia Gandhi doing on this issue? She is one honest and courageous lady. I am sure once she comes to know of this case, immediate action will be taken.

Does anybody know how to approach her?

I hv seen and worked for so many cases like archana. few were facing same but archana did a good job for the next generation. i am with u.

Thunder, I endorse your firt point butI do not agree with your second point.

No organisation will accept that they constituted a committee which could be influenced or be partal and biased. They will definitely protect the members of the committee.

Why don't you ask UNICEF to formulate a fresh committee the member of which are okayed both by the complainant and the defenders.

Conduct a fresh investigation with the same witnesses so that no new issue is introduced by either party. And keep the proceedings transparent.

My point is who is UNICEF to investgate a criminal charge? What authority does it have to pronounce judgement.

At the best UNICEF can freshly investigate the sexual harassment part of the charges and if proven correct, hand over the offenders to the Indian Government for criminal prosecution.

Anybody, does UN have a specialised legal court which has the mandate to try CRIMINAL charges?

UN has two additional steps - Joint Appeal Board and finally UN Tribunal. I think UN Tribunal is a legal court.

Archana, any development on FIR?

I agree with you on two areas Archana. Unfortunately for you and for UNICEF, we have the wrong set of people here. For sometime now we are feeling that this whole issue could have been handed better. Even senior management has been told only what it needs to know. No discussion no participation. I don't think it would have become so messy with someone like Maria Calivis, for instance, as representative.

And yes, you were pushed to go to the media because of the rigid attitude of the very same set of people. It is tragic that no one thought to sit with you and discuss a mutually agreeable way forward after the verdict. I think a compassionate attitude to help you find a new job and at least perception of flexibility would have helped greatly.

Again you are right that many people know the truth - perhaps not hundreds - but many of them.

Anyway the news is that a former representative is being sent back to India and Ces is on the way out.

Keep fighting Archana. You are on the right track.

But how come Ces (I believe he must be the rapist we all are talking about)leave India? Will our government allow it? Will the UNICEF top boss allow it? How can this man be just pulled out without the organisation trying to clear his and its name?

Shame, shame UNICEF.....

It was an allegation of rape, that had no proper proof. So, we never know for sure and FWIW the UN had conducted an investigation on this a while ago and has closed the case.

Unlike rape, attempted rape issues are far more complex and like in the novel "Disclosure" it could involve just perceptions and with just that it is not easy to arrest a big figure. Probably, there were other employer-employee issues or personal grudge even. So, whatever it is, before arresting the police must investigate thoroughly.

And here the culture of the parties should also be taken into account. A hug or a kiss in European culture is not uncommon while it could be perceived by some Indian woman as an attempt to rape.

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&id=101987

And none of the mainstream media (that will never stop at sensationalism) cared to report this issue and so it is most probably a dead meat involving a depressed employee accidentally or intentionally perceiving an attempt of rape .

Actually I'm more surprized with this forum where we are discussing some serious issue based on 2 lines in some newspaper. I guess, we need a long way to go for Blogosphere to be treated as a credible news source.

This is deeply troubling news. Doesn't it mean that foreign national can commit any crime with our Indian women and get away scotfree.

Sumanth, we should not allow it to happen. Can we do something about it?

Thunder, you seem to be having a very soft corner for the offenders. Can you tell us whether it is fair for him to leave the country at this moment after Corrine leaving the country on an 'official trip?"

We appeal to UNICEF to stop this mimicry of fairness, at least now.

If this man leaves the country and his female accomplice does not come back, it will go out to prove only what we all already know...that UNICEF is guilty as hell.

But what happens to Archana and her crusade?

UNICEF should be shut down in India.

Balaji,

It's interesting to read your views. But how do you know that the investigation done by UN was fair. Where you part of it? If it was the case what stopped them from giving the report at least to the complainant.

What Archana is asking - a FIR to be registered, thorough investigation to be done, given a fair chance for justice. Is it too much to ask? Isn't it the right of every citizen of an independent country?

If she is putting false allegation, why UNICEF is not lodging a defamation case? Its not that only Mr Adorna and Ms Woods have given their time and energy for UNICEF, 100s of people must have invested their life for this organization. In fact they should also ask why the present management allowed this whole mess to happen. Before coming to public, Archana had give enough time to UNICEF.

Insider, I hope that your former rep takes this issue on a positive note.

It is pathetic to read comments that none of the mainstream media (that will never stop at sensationalism) cared to report this issue. Somewhere above I read UN is spending a lot of money to save its reputation. How? Isn't it clear that it's the media that has been instructed not to give any footage to this serious issue so that it looks like that it is most probably a dead meat involving a depressed employee accidentally or intentionally perceiving an attempt of rape. Even if its dead meat, we, Indians, must get together to save the dignity of a brave INDIAN WOMAN who has shown marvellous courage to unearth an injustice. We must feel safe at least in our own country. Instead of writing our comments of the case being right or wrong, we should come together for the justice, more when it involves our fellow citizen vs a foreigner.

Iam shocked to know the story through media and this site. I have given years of my youth to this organization and lot many like me. Today because of few people, reputation of this organization is at stake. Its shame and worst is - management is ensuring the safe exit of so-called culprits.

I am surprised to read that UNICEF is spending lot of money to save its reputation - by forcing media and probably police. What a use of children's money?

Archana, may GOD give you the strength to fight the evil of the organization with whom you had worked with heart and sole.

What you are suggesting, Insider 2 - supporting Archana's rehabilitation after her illness - was already proposed by HR way back in October 2006. But it was not acceptable to Ces' massive ego.

He insisted on throwing her out.

So a high level team from UNICEF HQ New York is set to arrive in Delhi next week. To do what, I wonder? The composition of the team is interesting: ex-country representative, chief of division of communication and a corporate lawyer.

One only hopes that at the very least, a channel of communication will be opened up with Archana to assess the basis of her strong conviction that is motivating her to go to such lengths. Or simply just initiate a dialogue.

Let's hope this is not yet another high-level cover-up operation to cover up the earlier cover-ups.

One thing is for sure. The media is their target. It will be interesting to watch UNICEF unleash their damage control strategy on the Indian media. And how the latter reacts to it.

What rehabilitation you are talking about Insider? Was she physically or mentally handicapped that she required "rehabilitation"? Don't forget, she was on a fixed term. In between joining duties after her recovery and termination of her contract, she was sent to Bihar and Orissa to take-up difficult assignments requiring interaction with top government officials.

If she was handicapped in any form, how could management assign her these crucial tasks? and how could she delivered them with applause? Was this the reason for terminating her services -- doing her job exceedingly well?

We all know and acknowledge that Archana was a star performer in UNICEF. She was extraordinary not only in Ces's regime but also in the regime of Maria Calivis. I have heard that she has had continuous PERS which any staff can only dream of having. We all still remember the celebrity event she had organised in 2003 for the then Executive Director. That was an evening that gave us yet another reason to be proud of being a UNICEF staff.

Whatever may be the reason for terminating Archana's contract, it can't be performance or misconduct. Most of us can vouch for both these qualities of Archana. She definitely was an asset to the organisation.

NDTV has its own agendas. Pronoy Roy's wife is sister of Brinda Karat, who is wife or Prakash Karat. Brinda Karat runs AIDWA, which is also silent on this issue.

If this guy Ces goes out of the country, then it will prove that he is a culprit. We have UNICEF offices all around India. We will see that they all answer.

We need to make it a slow, but sustained battle. As I get some free time, I will start mailing to all people.

Insider 2, I am very much interested in this high profile team that is arriving from New York. What is their agenda? Are they really looking for a solution or this is yet another damage control and cover-up exercise?

Has UNICEF circulated any mandate for this team amongst its staff? When you say that they ought to meet the complainant, do you mean that they do not intend to? Just too unbelievable!!!!

How can they come to India on this mission and not talk to Archana? Well, if they do not, we do not need any proof about their objective. Not meeting and talking to Archana is a sure admission of guilt.

What I worry about is whether Archana will like to meet them.

Of course Archana should not meet them. It is beyond the mandate of UN to probe criminal charges or even try to answer them. Who are they to bring a lawyer to provide answers on criminal charges which have yet not been investigated by the police? Somebody mentioned about the UN Tribunal. Can they try criminal cases? If yes, then this case should be heard by them, in addition to the Indian police.

No Dhruv, Archana should meet with them, just to know what arguments they bring to the table. I am not saying she should entertain any reconciliation. But meet them, she should.

May be the good sense has finally prevailed on UNICEF and they want to give Archana a chance of being heard. How do we know that the team is not coming to assist Archana in getting justice.

Meet them Archana, in case they approach you. If they do not, well no award for guessing their intentions.

May be they are coming to do the damage control with the indian government. UNICEF has to remain in good books of the government.

How i wish they could assure MEA that the culprit will be handed over to them for trial through Indian judicial system.

Sure they should meet Archana first and then develop an agenda that benefits UNICEF.

How good is UNICEF's programming if they do not conduct a situation analysis first?

Of course the team will meet Archana and the two accused. They can finalise a plan only once they have taken note of all the viewpoints which I think, also means talking to all staff and not only to Ces's nears and dears.

We will watch proccedings of this case with great interest.

Meanwhile, Archana where have you gone?

I am very upset since yesterday with bala's comments. He says that attempted rape in this case could have been Archana's false perception arising out of different cultural sensitivities.

Nothing can be more shocking and humilating for a woman!!!

Archana is 44 year old woman who must have worked in a multi cultural environment like UNICEF for quite some time now. (Nowhere it is mentioned how long Archana has worked for UNICEF).

There is a difference between a woman getting confused about a man's real motives because of cultural differences, and a woman accusing someone for attempted rape.

Attempted rape or rape has one universal language. Difference in culturural norms has got nothing to do with creating false perceptions in a woman's mind.

Sorry bala, I am forced to strongly condemn your viewpoint on this argument.

I can visualise a situation where Archana may make wrongful accusations because her contract was terminated, but the reasons quoted by her will be something different. She will never go to the extent of accusing the Representative for attempted rape. This strength and clarity comes only when something has actually taken place where she has been assaulted by the man.

After all, she must be aware what she is up against and the possible result of her actions.
She does not need to attack herself as a woman by charging a man with attempted rape. Lesser charges will do if she is out for vengeance. But attempted rape, no sir.

Well, we have all seen Archana going from her very lively and fit form to the terribly stressed and consequently ill form. It was a shock to everyone to see her in that state and only a major dent could have forced her into that. Even after that, only Archana with her immense courage could have accomplished the very difficult assignments that were given to her after she returned from her illness.So her termination could certainly not be on the grounds of poor performance.So, then what was the basis for not extending the contract of an employee who everyone knows was doing an exceptional job?Also, it is only her striong conviction because of which she has fought this almost lonely battle and come this far.

Its good to hear that three-member team is coming to India. There will be some movement in this case, provided they are not here to cover-up as some of you have raised.

If this is a fact finding mission, they should definitely meet Archana, and Archana you should also meet them. Never close any channel. In fact, you should ask them to meet jointly with your witnesses together after taking written assurance of confidentiality and non-retaliation. I will also suggest that the whole proceeding should be recorded and two copies made, one to be retained by UNICEF and other for you.

Archana, though I don't know you personally, based on my long experience with UNICEF, I would suggest you to stick to your facts.

I am somewhat puzzled with the purpose of lawyer.
One purpose of having lawyer could be to find ways to ensure that FIR is not lodged, if lodged, then to identify subsequent steps to ensure that culprits donot get arrested. With my limited understanding, I can't think beyond this.

Just support Archana in every possible manner.

Sumanth, Great job! UNICEF staff is finally waking up. Can you stir the media now for an Indian woman's dignity?

The high level team must be having special agenda. It may malign Archana's image in all possible manners. Let us use all possible resources Indian Government, media, NGOs, Indian judicial system, etc. to save the honor of Indians. Lets force our Government and the judiciary not to allow the accused to leave the country till this case is resolved.

Sumanth, now that you have decanned the can of worms, you can not leave it in lurch. It is your and our moral and ethical responsibility to ensure that the issue reaches its destination.

I don't know where Archana is and why is she not responding. Has the FIR been lodged or is it still in complaint status with the police?

All those who want to help Archana should collect together to first see that her FIR is lodged and offenders detained in India.

Secondly, we should try that UN initiates a dialogue with Archana to find out about her grievances first and if possible, do a further investigation to clear their name.

High profile powerful teams and their condemming Archana is not going to clear UNICEF's reputation. They may be able to malign Archana's charachter but how will they restore people's faith in theirs?

Sometimes I wonder if all these outbursts in the blog have actually caused more harm to Archana?

I understand she is encouraged by this. I am sure she will be back once she gets time.

I dont think this team has any intentions to start a healing process certainly not for an ex-staff member, nor for that matter for UNICEF staff.

Let's be under no self-deception. They are coming here to show the organisation's support to Adorna and thoroughly discredit Archana's allegations. They will never abandon one of their own.

I wouldn't be surprised if they even make a show of releasing the enquiry report along with the 20 or so witness statements all showing how people have spoken against Archana. In such a scenario none of those staff members who have deposed in favour of Archana will come and say so for fear of losing their jobs.

And UNICEF has a win-win situation.

See?

Perhaps some of the 'Insiders' on this article will have the sense/courage to come forward publicly in Archana's support.

Insider, very wise thoughts. We all know everything will unfold just the way you have predicted.

What else can we expect from this team, the leader of which is bent double with the weight of Adorna's benovelence.

The wife of this former Representative who is heading this damage control mission, has been accommodated by Ces in number of State offices of UNICEF for monetary gains. The relationship is so strong that all the time she has stayed in Delhi (her stay in India was for more than 6 months), she has stayed in Ces's house. Not a night she has spent in a hotel room while in Delhi.

Just to remind you all, forsaking all the competent and experienced staff of India, Ces had appointed her the focal point for the Hyderabad all staff meeting. She was in-charge of all the negotitations including all the financial ones.

If there is such a strong and well demonstrated friendship between Ces and Alan Court, only a complete fool will expect justice from the man.

We know everything. Go on UNICEF and keep on humiliating us.

My worst fears are that Ces will not take a second to tarnish Archana's charachter. He has done enough damage already. How he had boasted when the previous team was in India, that it was Archana who was harassing him sexually!

Remember, if they could do this to a star performer like Archana, how secure are our jobs? This incident has instilled serious doubts and fears in the minds of national staff who have been brutally reminded time and again that however well they may perform, they can be unceremoniously shunted out just as Archana was.

Nirmala and Poornima,

I doubt if Rang De Basanti model is valid here.

I am one among some 2000 volunteers, who are interested in working as wistle blowers. At the same time, we only make people help themselves.

Organisational mismanagement and harassment of talented and responsible employees is nothing new in this country. Its is up to the people to gather and create a slow, but sustained movement for betterment of society.

Archana or you can contact our Delhi members (helpline 98106 11534) or saveindianfamily.org helplines. I am based in Bangalore. If you have any supporters in Bangalore, then I can help organise a press conference.

But, the real action has to happen at Delhi. UNICEF's behaviour is not important for us. Our police and legal system must take action according to Indian Law.

If there is mismanagement in UNICEF, then it will not be easy to prove and it will not be taken as something serious by media. But, if there is sexual harassment of more than one employee in that organisation, then it is a serious issue.

Reaction to situations often does not help. One has to work systematically with patience to nail these big organisations.

I worked in some very big organisations. All my jobs are in organisations with size bigger than 50,000 people. I have seen enough of harassment of employees in organisations. But, organisations often go extra length to defend their employees/managers even when they know that the person is wrong.

Once the organisation wins the issue, then it takes its own time to fix the erring employee/manager at a time of their own choice.

That way, organisations defend themselves. If Adorna gets into further trouble, then UN or UNICEF can not shriek their responsibility. If UN/UNICEF do not defend Adorna, he may even threaten to spill some more stories about the Organisation.

So, UN/UNICEF will try to do damage control only. Please understand, they are too good in it. They have full legal departments to do such work.

Having said that I wont say, Archana's case is weak. It requires systematic planning and execution. The people who want to highlight it must communicate with each other.

Any further evidences of Mismanagement inside UNICEF will help. By evidences, I mean any material, documents, which establish any illegal actions by the organisation.

Without evidences, we can not do much except talking on the basis of newspaper reports. Of course, I feel, Archana is working on this issue systematically with some of her supporters.

I urge all to create a couple of blogs on this issue at www.blogger.com and start submitting it different blogs and websites.

Even now, there are very few people who are interested in this story.

Please search for all the bloggers who are interested in UNICEF in Blogosphere using following link:

http://www.google.com/blogsearch

Search posts on UNICEF in last 1 day or one week. Reply to these posts with the link to this article on "Cecilio Adorna" so that the blogger can start discussing this issue.

If it clicks, then international bloggers will discuss it. If they discuss it, pressure will build up on UNICEF.

Also, vote for this post on digg, indianpad, etc. - links at the bottom of the article.

Hello to all. My son drew my attention to this blog because it contained such serious charges against UNICEF. I do not know how to use a computer so I have requested my son to type it for me.

In the beginning itself, I will like to condemn the acts of UNICEF's India Representative and also UNICEF as an organisation in matters pertaining to this case.

We are made to sit back and learn lessons of 'Community Participation", "Listening to voices of the undervililedged', 'Total transparancey", 'Government's accountability' etc etc whenever UNICEF organises any workshop or training, over and over again.

Is UNICEF practising these 'MANTRAS' itself while managing such a serious case within their own office? We the government people are called corupt and inefficient. But however much we try, we will take years to come to the level of UNICEF as far as corruption and inefficiency is concerned. I can not find a more relevant example even if I start looking around with a torch in my hand.

I have had the privilege of meeting Mrs Pandey once when she addressed all CMOs meeting few years back. What a personality ! What a dignified woman ! And what an intelligence !!!

She made me desperately want to become a UNICEF employee myself the way she represented UNICEF in our state of Uttar Pradesh. I felt at that time that if such was the face of UNICEF, it must be a great organisation.

UNICEF can not even understand its loss by terminating Mrs Pandey's contract. I can not talk about other programmes with other government departments, but I can say that Mrs Pandey had an unparalleled credibility and unbelievable motivating power when she worked on behalf of UNICEF for our Routine Immunisation and Polio Eradication Programme .

Mrs Pandey, UNICEF people will take a lifetime to achieve what you have already achieved when you helped Government of UP in our polio programme.

You are like my daughter and please know that my everyday prayer will include you from now on.

Aaman, can you give us a step by step guidance on how to vote. And what do terms like 'digg it' or 'india pad' mean?

I should probably write an article about social bookmarking. You can socialize or publicize articles of importance or ones that you like by voting for them at social bookmarking sites like digg.com or indianpad.com - you need to register with these sites and then vote for (or possibly against) them on the sites, if they are not already on the sites, you need to submit the URL. The Digg and IndianPad links for this article are here. This effectively shares the articles with others.

Please note, we can take/hijack/takeover feminist causes as well if it suits our agenda. We have got the necessary domain names with us already. For a hostile takeover, we need numbers and money.

http://desicritics.org/2007/03/06/002320.php
Comment ##151

The motto is lose the battle and win the war.

So, many men will go to jail, go to courts and even pay huge alimonies. They are battles. But, the war is different.

WELL DONE, GOOD ATTEMPT :)

BUT TRY AGAIN NEXT TIME.

My advice is that the mirror image theory is going to only backfire. Always.

What i find interesting is that none of the 'feminist' gang who are all over the place talking about 'big' feminist issues are here..........It is weird that SIFFers are fighting for a woman...

SIFFERS - 1
FEMINISTS - 0

Chandra - I can't talk about anybody else, but I personally don't visit Siffer posts on principle because I consider them a waste of time. A reading of the post itself will tell you why.

However, i've definitely been following this conversation and as and when I have anything constructive to add I'll get in touch with her as she requested above.

And pls, leave the trolling to Kela.

closing bold tags

Amrita

Thank you for clarifying your position. I hope other feminists come out of the woodwork too.

SIFFERS-1
FEMINISTS-0.2

cheers

I just saw this has flashed on The Digg and the IndianPad. http://digg.com/world_news/UNICEF_India_Chief_Accused_of_Attempted_Rape/ and http://www.indianpad.com/story/45701

Chandra, the fact that no woman rights groups (those you are synic about anyway) are standing up for this cause only goes to prove the weight of UNICEF's clout. And the heavy funding UN gives to these agencies.

I remember that Chandra did not trust these so-called agencies because he feels that they tend to create a mountain out of a molehill.

The disturbing factor is that no activist/women group is coming forward to support Archana. Chandra, now does this case look real to you?

Poornima


Hey,I have been supporting this case from day 1

Chandra

Why women havent come forward is very simple here? Coz for the first time von SIFer( though with an ulterior motive) is not indulging in women bashing? Though they must be really desparate to do this but their ulterior motive is not going to get them anywhere still. We dont waste our time on the internet but get work done on field.

However dont get excited about von siffer supporting Archana, do read # 110 carefully. They have their own personal agenda.

I too was once offered helped by a vonsiffer in Bangalore only to realise they were going to support my culprit and they still do.

Myself is figthing my case since the last 3 years and I am prepared for the battle for the next 15 years. But unfortunately then there are other women who never open their mouth , never realise they are facing DV, never say anything but take it all siliently because they think they have no other options.

The very fact Archana has realised something was wrong and come out in the open is more than enough for feminists. She is intelligent that when she says she is ready to fight the battle for the next 15 years. Good. We all know that in india fighting a legal battle takes over a decade with all lots of name calling, threats and frustations. The fact she has come out in the open and is prepared for the long battle is kuddos for her.

If this happened to Archana in UNICEF can you imagine what must be the case of millions of other women who face this assualt but never come out in the open for fear of stigma?

The FIR will be filed-there is no doubt about it. It took me 8 months to file my FIR. And I was adamant that I was not going to pay a single penny. FIR will be succesfully filed by Archana in due course of time.

Woman(#118), give credit where it's due, and support the cause if you can, perhaps the SIF will turn more humanistic through this. I think it's asinine for feminists or any other group to try to hijack an individual's suffering for their own ends.

Watch this thread closely Aaman. We will give credit where it is due for sure and where it is not, it will not be given. We will not support any other ulterior motive and will not let anyone walk over another person's suffering to suit their personal selfish goals. The Hijacking will be stopped come what may!

This is to add that the "High Level" team coming to India are made up of the following:

1. The ex Representative - apart from the conflict of interest with respect to his wife's employment with UNICEF India by the accused, is a MAN.

2. The Director of the Division of Communiction - an Indian and a well known careerist, also a MAN.

3. The Corporate Lawyer, also a MAN.

It is unacceptable anywhere in the world to have three men enquire into this issue of alleged rape and sexual harassment. This should be brought to the attention of the Secretary General's office and the Executive Director of UNICEF to have this stopped in its tracks.

Why should not Maria Calvis referred to by Insider as a respected Ex Representative come instead of a person whose judgement will carry no value?

One way to do this is to e-mail Vijay Nambiar who is the Chef de Cabinet of Ban ki Moon - the most important of his immediate reportees and Sigrid Kaag, the Chief of Staff of Ms Veneman.

I am moved by the testomonials to Archana's capabilities - the one from Uttar Pradesh in particular. Keep the spirit up, Archana, it looks like the world is standing by you!

Concerned man, what makes you believe that the team is coming to India for making an enquiry in the charges? For all practical purposes, UNICEF has declared the matter closed. Truth and transparency be damned!!!!!

I wonder why did they not come up with the name of Maria Calivis? I think she would have been the best choice after the Executive Director herself. I come from the NGO community and have known Ms Calivis briefly. She would also have been a good candidate even for damage control because her relationship with the Government of India was based on mutual respect and trust.

The fact that UNICEF is going ahead with the damage control exercise, again being non-participatory and closed, makes them more suspicious, if that is possible.

Last night one of my CMOs who I had worked with earlier, called me to inform me about this blog. Unlike him, I can 'type'.

I spent nearly 4 hours in the night to go through the blog and some of its poignant comments. Now I can not stop myself from writing this.

UNICEF India should not be allowed to get away with this. What is Government of India doing? What action is Minister of External Affairs taking. Though he can not do much about it except hand over a green flag to the police to lodge the FIR and start the investigation immediately.

I wonder what is Renuka Chawdhary doing? WCD is the nodal ministry of UNICEF. Being an IAS officer myself, I know that some of the senior officers of WCD can be safely said to be in the pockets of UNICEF. The colleagues in our circle discuss with interest how UNICEF takes all these senior officers on fully paid travel to major attractive destinations in the world. Of coure, that is done in the name of workshops and meetings.

People also frequently discuss about the cocktail diplomacy of Adorna. Most of his meetings with the Government of India are conducted in plush bars and restaurants of five star hotels.

Is this how 'Children's money" is being spent? How do their auditors allow it? How do their donors allow it?

And what about expenses of this no-good team? Who is paying for this three-member delegation which is coming from New York. Their travel in business class, their boarding and lodging, who is footing this bill? Mr Adorna? Or UNICEF?

Why is UNICEF footing this bill to protect Adorna and still loosing its credibility? Why not offer the man to the police instead for proper enquiry? If they are innocent, they will be proven so. Why be afraid?

What are Sonial Gandhi and Manmohan Singh doing to address this problem? Let us not forget that any UN agency is in India on the invitation of the Government of India. How can Government infringe the rights of its own citizen and help the internationals get away with their crimes?

And even if UNICEF tries to control the damage, why should the government allow it? Should the government just accept UNICEF's version and shake hands upon a yet another lavish dinner?

Mrs Pandey, have you written to any of the Indian Government officers or Ministers? Please do so now.

I have also met with Mrs Pandey in a public meeting. Please allow me say that I was thoroughly charmed by her. Before any of you begin to make assumptions, I am a woman with traditional sexual orientations.

I still rememer Mrs pandey. It was her beauty which became dazzling when combined with her intellect! Her smile and logical arguments could make any government officer deliver any community based programmes which sometimes take a back seat due to other competing priorities in the districts. And suddenly she was there, talking to you in utmost humility, being polite and assertive ( I do not know how she could do that together), and yet end up in making you guilty for not having delivered something for children's good. She made one want to do good things, I am not sure how.

I just pray to God, that someday I can become like her, okay, a bit like her.

Poornima, this news is already on digg and indianpad. I had given the link also in my comment #115. Can all of us visit these two sites
Digg Link
and
Indianpad Link

Thanks to all of you for your continued interest and concern in this story.

I am very much here. Just too busy in exploring all the possibilities to get my FIR lodged. Believe me, it is a very frustrating and depressing scenario.

I will revert to all of you the moment I have some news.

Till then, pleae pray for me. I need every ounce of blessing and good wishes.

This is just to inform you all that in January and February itself I had writtn to the Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr. V Nambiar, the office of UN Ombudsperson, the office of UN Human Rights Commissioner, Ms Aparna Melhotra; UN Focal Point for Women, daughter and son-in-law of Mr. Ban ki Moon, the Secretary General of UN.

I have also written about this case to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, President of India, Prime Minister's office, Mrs Renuka Chawdhary; Minister for Women and Child Development, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee; Minister for External Affairs and Mr. Somnath Chatterjee; the speaker of Lok Sabha.

In addition to filing my complaint with the National Commission for Women, I have also filed an e-mail complaint with the National Human Rights Commission.

I regret to say that I have not received a single response from any of the above.

It is Pathetic to see after informing so many top people, you are fighting to register a FIR.

Renuka C ,Sonia G and Girija Vyas should be ashamed of calling themselves supporters for true women cause.

If no one listens then let's take this matter to the streets of Delhi.

Its pathetic to think that Girija Vyas came to National Channels without delay in case of Rakhi Sawant's case but after Archna's repeated requests she is just sleeping over the news as other big guns of women movement.

What good will this lot do to women in India and society in general if we give them 33% reservation in Parliament. According to me they do not deserve even their seat in Parliament!!!

Archna, if the FIR is not registered soon, we should come out open protesting this.

I do not suppose that Archana Pandey would get help from either UN or the NCW or any of those Women Protection Groups. These groups like NCW and those Women Protection Groups are funded by the UN not just to run the organization but also their members personal accounts and secondly these groups help only if they see a channel of money coming in both to their organization and their personal accounts - therefore none of these groups would come forward to help!!

The UN against all its policies and ethics and these organizations work in India by channelizing funds for Child development and welfare of the downtrodden to these Women's Organization who in turn encourage the Misuse of Laws by encouraging innocent women and stiffen money out of them and without the knowledge of these innocent women in turn rape them!!! And the Money begotten is shared between these Women's organization and the UN Officials in India!!!

Again these Women Organizations Backed by the UN in India present some fake Reports and statistics which the rest of the world has thrown away knowing its fake including the Washington Times reports of it being fake - have pressurized Indian Government to pass Undemocratic Biased Laws which could be misused for Financial Gains, to Extort, Blackmail and destroy lives of lots of Men and Women - kind of Rape these innocent people!!

Give me one instance where these organizations have taken up a genuine case??

Ex-UN

News Print can be viewed @ http://ncw.sifyblogs.com/

Hey all, please do not stop writing. We want this issue to be discussed. This is the only platform available to us for this discussion.

How good are your sources about the story?

Yesterday after writing in this column, I requested few of the media persons in my district to make me available the recordings of Archana's appearance on TV news. I could get two spots. I watched them this morning.

I am so moved that I want to cry! Not because of her sad story, but the damage her personality has undergone. Mrs Pandey does not look or sound like the real Mrs Pandey at all. She is absolutely a different entity and in no way resembles thw woman I knew and aspired to be like.

UNICEF seems to have completely broken her. Look at her physical self! She must have put on at least 15 kgs. She has lost her radiance, her bubbly persona. The person who could bring a cheerful smile on any grieving face, has lost her own.

She has the same persona, yet not quite the same. I am not sure if I am making any sense to you all. But only a person who has seen her before, and later, can understand what I mean.

For a second if we leave the crimes UNICEF has committed against her to Indian police and judiciary, UNICEF should be given severest form of punishment just for the damage they have caused to her, the extent of which can even be seen from outside.

That raises yet another question. If she has suffered to that level and it clearly reflects from her external personality, think of the devastation she must have undergone internally, at her core emotional and mental level???

I cry for an unbreakable brave woman, who was a role model for many of us, turn into what she looks today! UNICEF should be punished for this. For breaking down a person to such an extent.

God will never let the guilty unpunished, even if it is not visible from outside. They can not commit such a despicable crime and get away with it.

Somebody just called me and asked me to go through this blog. What I have read has shocked me out of my wits.

I myself am a small donor to UNICEF and have met Archana during one of the donor visit we made to India.

That chance meeting with Archana changed my life. Forever.

I am a multi-millionnaire business woman and am proud of my success. By the grace of God, I have got best of all the materialistic pleasures that money can buy. I visited India with the same mindset.

Archana transformed me as a person, as a woman and as an entrepreneur. She taught me that money was not everything. That there were other things on this earth that give meaning to life. And she did it by demonstartion. I was so touched and moved by her passion and committment that I allowed my whole world to be changed by her.

I begged Archana to join me as a partner in my business in UK and as a small token, offered her a minimum salary of 72,000$ per annum, with tax liability thrown on my company. Of course, a fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment and a car went with the perks. And a decent share in profits.

Will you believe me if I tell you that Archana declined. Just like that. She said she could not be happier than working for UNICEF and making a difference in people's lives.

I was and still am desprerate to have her by my side. She radiates such a positive energy wherever she goes, that I knew my life and business would never be the same without her.

UNICEF's stand that Archana put her allegations after she was told that her contract would not be renewed, is nothing but total bullshit. Archana can never be bought by money or lured by offers of other luxuries.

That must be the reason Ces failed to have a woman perhaps for the first time in his life. Had he known Archana even slightly, he would have never tried to either tempt her or to threaten her.

Till date, I want Archana with me.

Archana, if you are reading this, please come and join me. Leave that wretched organisation behind you because they do not deserve you. Leave the country that refuses to give justice to one of its finest cizens.

Come with me, because I value you, more than any other person on this earth.

#130, what she has gone through her illness is good enough evidence causing her to be bed rest and hospitalised for many months. As some one said termination of contract is definitely not what led her to go to this extent. What she is looking for is justice..justice and justice.

The issue is about registering a case and initiating an investigation.
This is the problem registering an FIR is necessary and then investigations should be done to see if there are sufficient evidences or not.
UNICEF chief cannot claim immunity from the same .
He has to face investigation and if there is sufficient evidence then trial . Chance has to be given to Archana.
I do not worry whether Cicle is arrested or not. Ideally belive that should happen only after proving of the charges .
But Merely becuase Cicile is from UNICEF he is being allowed to go scott free even without an FIR . That is scandolous

I was one of the few staff members to visit Archana when she was hospitalised for the first time.

I have seen her agony and pain with my own eyes. Of course, I did not know the reason of it till then, except for the fact that her supervisor, Corinne had insulted her publicly on some incident.

I was shocked to see Archana lying down on the bed, pale and ghost of the person she originally was. I was scared to see her. It was unbelievable that a person can change so much in such a short time.

And then something happened that scared the hell out of me. I started telling her a joke that Ces had cracked that day. My intention was just to make her leass gloomy. And suddenly Archana had a panic attack ! As soon as she heard Ces's name, her body started trembling violently, sweat started pouring down from her body and she burst out crying. I stood transfixed not knowing what blunder had I committed. I did not even know whether how she was behaving had anyhting to do with what I had said. I tried to calm her down, but the moment I went near her and tried to touch her to console her, she became hysterical. Tears started flowing down my eyes too and I stood completely lost not knowing how to help her.

At last I called the the nurse from the nursing station. She was not surprised at all. Very efficiently sha came with an injection and sedated Archana. Within minutes, Archana was kind of life-less and then together with the nurse, I put her back on the bed and covered her. Then we dimmed the light and left her room.

I will never forget this incident till I am alive. Her face will ever remain etched in my mind, frozen in time.

Now I know why.

Can the honorable magistrate above not register a suo moto case in this regard?

Thunder, I called UNICEF yesterday and requested to talk to Corrine. I was told that although she was supposed to be back in ofice, she had not come.

Thunder, can you now call UNICEF and let us know the truth? I remember that you had tried to protect Corrine when some of us had expressed our concern about Corrine's leaving country and probability of not returning back etc.

Wow! 72,000 english pounds is more than a P-5's salaray. That means Archana was offered more than Corinne's pay and she turned it down?

Well, only Archana can do that.

Aaman, It is a matter of jurisdiction too. The alleged crime has taken place in Delhi. Let us not get too perturbed in unnecessary delay in Archana's lodging of FIR. It will be done shortly. They can not hold it back. As Archana must be aware, there are other options available to her to get her FIR lodged.

The little that I know Archana, she must be having a plan A, a plan B, a plan C.......and many more. She would not have reached to this stage without weighing her pros and cons.

Let me tell you this by experience that I have yet to meet a person who has better or even equal skills of analytical thinking, objectivity, intelligent reasoning, logical interpretations and out of the box problem-solving than what Archana has.

All she needs is our moral support.

After seeing this blog, have not being able to work and too stressed out. Knowing what CMO, DM, insiders version coming from their heart and what UNICEF is heading towards...

This news was covered by Aaj Tak news channel on the Women's Day and by other news channels around the same time. The news was shocking. I was anxious to watch angry reaction from government, public and then clarifications from UNICEF. But nothing happened, everything became silent. It is not that this news has not created sensation, the news is being discussed amongst groups. I had great regard for UN. It is working for noble cause of women and children. UNICEF officials are coming to India to work, and not to rape our women. Public is criticizing media why this news has not been printed as the headline, why debates have not started on TV channels, why judiciary has not flung into action, why our government is keeping quiet?

Kinde

Thanks for writing on this blog and I'm truly surprised and touched by your words. Sometimes I wonder if I should not have shared your offer one year back with my supervisor - she may have treated me with more respect. The way the management in UNICEF India behaves, it's as though we would be begging on the streets without their job!

Anyway, the irony is exquisite. Do you know that during the whole sexual harassment complaint and resultant process, Corinne Woods, my supervisor and the Country Rep Cecilio Adorna, tried to debunk my case by dragging in performance issues - which strictly by UNICEF policy - are completely separate and unrelated issues. Nevertheless, they dragged them in just to justify termination of my contract. And one of the examples they used to illustrate this was the visit undertaken by you and your team in January 2006. According to them I was instrumental in ruining the relationship with UK Natcom. My UK Natcom sources informed me that they even had back-dated emails written by David Bull and others in UK Natcom to support their claim.

And today, one year down the line, you are again making me the same offer! It must have been some performance! If this doesn't prove that the whole system is loaded against national staff members, I don't know what will.

Anyhow, I thank you very much for your offer (by the way it was 72,000 English pounds and not dollars) and I will certainly discuss it with my family. My concern is that since I am committed to fight this battle with all that I have got and to bring it to its logical conclusion, it may be difficult for me to leave India at this point in time.

Since my office mobile phone has been returned to UNICEF, I don't have your contacts anymore as you do not have mine. Please email me at my yahoo id the user name of which is archanapa60 since this site is not accepting my e-mail address in the text column. Then I will share my phone numbers with you.

Once again, thank you so very much Kinde, for your support at this critical time for me.

Hey Maharastra, please do not feel low. Get up and get to work. All this is a small part of life and the life continues.

Everybody, please do not get depressed on acount of me. Although it is not easy, I am brimming with confidence and committed to fight till my last breath. Please save your strength for the day when I am too low and need you to share it with me.

Take care, all of you.

I worked for a very brief period for UNICEF in eighties and I was shocked that most of the ex-patriate staff used to talk to women staff only and not with male. It was seen at that time how they have been exploiting women staff by luring them with promises for permanent contracts/promotions. Perhaps at that time women were not so bold enough to resist and some of them just gave in. I know a couple of instances when two lady staff left with tears in eyes that they could not compromise with the supervisor.

I am proud of Archana that she has taken up the issue and exposed what few individual had been doing. It is shame on the part of the Rep, Ces who could not understand the culture of India. I am also ashamed to know that few female staff members are still supporting Mr. Adorna although from their heart know it very well that wrong has been done. They should search their heart and think twice as what is right for them. UNICEF in India should join hands to expose this and should assist Archana to fight the case. Few staff members who are supporting the manangement not because Ces is a good person but jelously is the main reason. What I assume that that Archana must have been doing good work which few staff members could not digest because she was new to UNICEF. It is shame on the part of the staff.

Best of luck to Archana. God be with her.

Insiders, I am curious to know the findings of present three-member committee.


Archana, any call from these great UNICEF saviors?

What to say about UNICEF, how insensitive our own system is? Whomever, I have talked (to police of course), the first reaction is - registration of FIR cannot be denied. Even in difficult situation, it can be at most delayed for 48hrs to take legal or whatever opinion. Archana, you must have spend plenty 48-hours waiting for your FIR to be registered.

If she is facing problem at the first step, what will happen later? Who knows what 'our police' have received from rich, famous and powerful accused.

Hey, is there any vigilance section in Police department? Look into this matter; I am sure you will get some interesting information.

Why media is not taking up this issue? Is this the same media who fought for Jessica &bhatnager case? If the situation continues in the same manner.......the days are not far... again will be ruled by Britishers or may be by Philippines.

Wake up ... wake up..... Politicians & media ...we are asking the justices for Indian women.

kine... thanks for opening the door for archana.
archana-please acceept her offer and she know your situation,so i sure she will allow you fight the case while your working for her.

The three-man committee from NY had their second meeting with the staff today - and a much more down-to-earth one I thought. I suspect the open letter had something to do with it. But at least they took it on the jaw and showed they're willing to take feedback.

The message they take back to NY cannot be a very positive or optimistic one - by any stretch of imagination. The staff is unhappy and feel this entire affair has been badly managed from the beginning.

They admitted that HR rules are inadequate and this has been a major part of the problem. Communication strategy has been weak.

Now the question on everybody's mind is - what happens next? One gets the distinct impression that next steps are going to be made up as we go along.

But no elements of a solution seem to be emerging.

I work with one of the UN agencies in the same area as UNICEF. I came to know about this website recently, and I'm surprised and horrified by the things happening in UNICEF.

Always UNICEF has been very snobby and superior.
They are rude and uncooperative. Actually, I'm happy that they spoiling their name. They should be exposed.

Some years ago Mr. Bhasker Battacharya committed suicide there. He was very intelligent man but UNICEF treated him badly. Now again they are doing the same thing. At that time it was all hushed up but I really wish this time they cannot play same game.

Archana, we are all supporting you and you will surely win this war. Dont be afraid and keep fighting.
God will help you.

I know the victim personally. In fact, she is my mother.
I know her to be a person of great strength of spirit and sense of justice. If I know her, I know that she will not stop till justice is delivered. And if that doesn't happen, I know that she will then single-handedly set out to destroy the system that allows any such incidents to occur.
I, personally, can never forgive the UNICEF for being the kind of jackasses they are provingg themselves to be. I, along with my siblings, have been deeply disturbed by the effects of this case on my mother. he has suffered greatly something she should never have had to undergo in a fair system. She has been through nothing less than agony, both physical and mental, and has reached the kind of stage where she needs to take a dangerously high dosage of sleeping pills to get to sleep at night. This is not an attempt to get a sympathy vote, but just a statement of facts. When this whole unholy mess is cleared, I wont be surprised if mum claims compensation from the UNICEF for what damage this has done to her.
I have nothing of great importance to write, and I cannot offer very sage advice, legal or otherwise. I can just, very sincerely, offer my thanks to all those who have written on this page - whether they support my mother or not. Because just the fact of them writing shows that the issue matters to more people than just the 'zero group', and that more people care for what is right than just people who are involved in the whole sordid thing. It is important to us to know that you and other people like the all of you out there care about this and that we have support from people who still believe in the sanctity of human values. Thank you very much. This blog represents a lot to my mother, whether you realize it or not.
Thank you Sumanth for, as someone else stated it, "de-canning a can of worms". You have my gratitude. I only ask that you not let this issue die. I urge all of you to keep blogging, and to not let such an important case become tragically obsolete. Although thank you for the great job you all are already doing. Best of luck, mum. This is my written public testimonial to your spirit and the battle you are fighting. You will win in every way that matters, of that I am sure. I am very proud of the fact that you haven't given up, and this really is the highest course of action you could have chosen. Best of luck. Keep the faith, because all of us are standing right behind you.

People may be curious to know more about the three-member committee and the open letter that has been mentioned by one of the insiders today.

The committee, in addition to control the damage with the government, also wanted to feel the pulse of the UNICEF staff.

UNICEF staff made them aware of their feelings in a unique way. I am so proud of all of us.

All India staff received this letter on UNICEF letterhead this morning. I am pasting the contents here.



OPEN LETTER TO UNICEF NEW YORK DELEGATION


We, the vast majority of women and men working in UNICEF all around the country would like to record our reactions to yesterday's all staff
meeting:

1. Just what was the purpose of calling the meeting? The absence of an agenda only confounded the confusion. Clearly they had nothing substantive to tell us otherwise they wouldn't send Alan Court to say it. On the other hand, the meeting was wrapped up just when people were feeling confident to speak up. The ploy of asking staff to send in their questions and meeting one-on-one again is a repeat strategy to deflect not address the real issues.

2. That leaves us to surmise the real purpose of this delegation's visit and the meeting. Clearly the organisation is in trouble with the
government. Although meetings have been held and dinners have been hosted for key bureaucrats, uncomfortable questions remain for which there are no answers beyond "system" and "procedure".

3. We were told that the government urges UNICEF to move ahead with the new country programme and the "seriousness of the malnutrition situation". Surely we are now falling prey to our own rhetoric! UN
agencies in India are only too conscious that total UN contribution forms a miniscule 0.2 percent of ODA flowing into the country. You
have to do better than that, Mr. Court.

4. Or maybe is this a veiled way of saying "if you don't get on with your work, you will be thrown out just like Archana Pandey was"? With
the new PBR under finalisation, is the real intention of the meeting to browbeat us into silence?

5. Finally, the blog. We're told we just have to live with it. Read "we hear what you're all saying, but we're not going to do anything about it." It seems having once openly taken a stand; UNICEF is now not able to go back on it.

This visit has only served to reinforce staff conviction that the organisational cover-up to protect international staff continues. National staff who have given the best years of their life to ICO are expendable, but not transient international staff.

In the meantime, we brace ourselves to continue supporting UNICEF to our families, friends, government counterparts and media friends in the face of compelling and embarrassing exposures which we are resigned to expect.

Bravo, Mr. Court, Mr. Sapra and Mr. Mason. Yet another inconsequential trip report to be filed.

Aditi: Your comments is very touching.. .I am feeling so depressed, how she has been treated inhumanely after she launched the complaint an how in the corridor of delhi office staff still talk of her...who are so wrong despite some of them know that they are not right..just to be in the good book. Aditya: Your mom has all support. I know how you and your siblings have been well brought up. She needs all the support at this moment.

Then why shouldn't I post the earlier letter written by UNICEF staff. Here it goes-


AN OPEN LETTER FROM STAFF MEMBERS OF UNICEF IN INDIA


Dear Sir/Madam,

We, the women and men working in UNICEF across India, want to express our solidarity and support to Ms. Archana Pandey, our ex-colleague in her fight for justice against the high and mighty within UNICEF.

Many of us are aware of and have observed the systematic targeting of our colleague and witnessed her humiliation in public on several occasions. Ms. Pandey has confided in several of her colleagues and kept them informed during the entire period of her ordeal.

Regrettably due to the highly autocratic and non-transparent style of functioning in the India UNICEF offices, power to make or break our lives is typically centred in the hands of the Chief of the organisation and his cohorts. Hence, this anonymous appeal to you.

This year, the United Nations celebrates International Women's Day around the theme "Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls". Well, let us begin right here, right now. Sexual harassment and humiliation is a manifestation of a sexualized environment which conspires to conceal patterns of lewd behaviour and creates a perception that male harassment of women is inevitable and acceptable.

Ending impunity will require open discussion and holding perpetrators - be they individuals, institutions, groups or states - accountable, so as to eliminate all forms of violence - visible and invisible, against women.

We urge all the men and women working UN organisations in India to lend their support to Ms. Pandey in her fight for justice, so that the environment within UN offices will become more open, secure and respectful for its women staffers.

PLEASE HELP ARCHANA PANDEY TO BE HEARD

PLEASE HELP MAKE THE UN MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE IN TO ANY SORT OF PRESSURE


On behalf of those UNICEF staff
Who stand for Justice

Aditi, your words are both overwhelming and moving. This is to reiterate that I could not have fought this battle, even inititiated it, without the support of three of you kids.

Now come back soon to Delhi after your exams and we will talk face to face instead of through a blog.

Take care bachchu.

Ms Pandey, you are a inspiration to us all, men and women. You truly are a remarkable lady and though we have got to know you through unfortunate circumstances we support you whole heartedly.

Desicritics is proud to be part of your struggle. This fight will not die, we will continue to blog about your lion hearted spirit.

Please take care of your health.

Of course, this gang of 3 is not getting the elements of a solution because they are making all the wrong linkages.

What is the meaning of talking about country programme, PBR, expenditure levels at the staff meeting called about this affair? Isn't it clear that they are trying to tell us that if we don't stop blogging or discussing this issue we may not have our jobs. The pathetic attempt was to gag us.

I can't believe that in this age such parochial methods are employed by this "global organisation".

This is disgusting.

Sorry, I was travelling for last few days and have returned only the last night.

Few points-

1 Aditi, I am just too touched by your feelings. Now I know where Archana draws her strength from. Just hang on. Things will be alright.

2 Did this 3-member farce tried to meet Archana at all? No insider mentions this detail.

3 Where is Corrine Woods? We were told by a very sympathetic Thunder that she will be in office this week. But Corrine has not returned. Why? What is the reason??? And I am not talking of official reasons here. They all are fake as we already know by now.

4 Wow, what great guts UNICEF India staff has to be writing such kind of letters. Despite that if any management tries to 'feel the pulse' of the staff, nothing more ought to be said about the efiiciency and quality of such a management.

Congratulations, UNICEF India staff. Please keep supporting the cause of justice and fairness.

5 Has the FIR been lodged? If not, what is the excuse of the police, well, barring all the obvious ones.

6 Why are women's groups not coming forward? Scared of loosing the UN funding or afraid of coming into their bad books?

7 What is media doing? Giving all irrelevant and not worthy news occupies most of their time. I have yet not seen a full story involving all angles on any of the channels or newspapers.

Please correct me if I am wrong on this.

8 I have read the comments of a staff member from one of other UN agencies. Well done. You all need to come out in open to reveal the dirty secrets that UNICEF has been hiding in their closets. The UN mandate should be remembered all the time.

What about this suicide that was referred to? Can somebody tell me at length what was that issue. Please do.

I will like to encourage all other UN staffers to keep writing on this blog.

9 I have also noticed that couple of ex UNICEF staff have also shown their interest in the topic. Their views help us understand what were the values that they had worked for and how dissapointed they must feel now.

These ex staff members could have chosen to remain silent, but they spoke. Very commendable. It goes out to prove that they are still interested in Unicef's welfare and its reputation.

I am awaiting all my answers. Please somebody, update me.

How about a collective resignation? Shut down the lucrative business of development aid and the UNICEF bosses will wake up. As the author says in this article

Why does every dollar of development aid come with twenty Americans attached?

Thank you Deepti. Thank you my other friends.

I do not think I am as brave as I am perceived to be. I remember a statement which was brought to my attention by one of my friends - "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it." It is HIS strength which he has chosen to give me through all my well-wishers.

I have moral support reaching me from all of you which strengthens my own values and convictions. Thanks again to you all, just for being there.

Deepti, Aaman, Sumanth, Hardy, Chandra, Nirmala, Insiders and all other commenters, please keep this blog going. It is one single platform which gives an opportunity to all the diverse groups to talk about this issue for which they all share their concern.

Thank Questioner for this unique and wonderful idea!

Insiders, this seems to be a great opportunity. Remember, numbers is the real strength. But the decision should be endorsed by ALL staff at least in Delhi.

If you do it once, nobody in future will dare to ever take you for a ride.

Be selective to pick up the most judicious and fair issue. You all will make history if this experiment succeeds. Do not worry if it does not. UNICEF can not accept hundreds of resignations all at once, that too given towards fight for restoring a woman's honour and dignity. UNICEF should stand by its mandate and ideologies itself.

Frankly speaking, the entire episode seems to be sadly bungling and gossiping - by the so-called victim & company.

In my two decade's association with UNICEF, it was observed that such gossiping mockery attempts to tarnish & shake the image of the organization often failed.

The reason is that somebody's selfish interest doesn't prevail at the cost of a prestigious image of an organization that exists for a significant cause. Whether somebody has their professional/commercial value up to 72000 pounds or million pounds is not the issue, but any valuable & sincere professional contribution from this particular petitioner towards the ultimate goal was there or not is the question. These all narrations show as if it were missing but some framed petty selfish interests.

Also at times it was being apparent that for quickly climbing up the ladders, instead of putting hardwork and professional ethics, some incumbents try to adopt "shortest routes" to get ambitions achieved with provokingly vulgar physical exposures/actions! May be academically they can claim to be qualified but basically lacking professional & ethical commitments!

If the UNICEF heads are so sure that they are correct and that Archana is lying through her teeth, then why are they so scared of this blog and the fact that their employees are part of it?

In response to Big Insider's entry, I think we can all safely say now that we should have guessed that the UNICEF administration would try to destroy the issue by participating in this blog. They will now try to weaken Archana's case from within this blog rather than from outside it.
I suggest that you do a better job than that, Big Insider. Instead of just repeating the same lines we've heard from your side till now, try something more original. Unfortunately for you, all of us here are aware of the issue.

'Big Insider' is merely parroting insinuations under an anonymous ID - that's brave, and shows how much the party line is really believed by the insiders.


Bloggers, take up this cause, don't stay away just because of personal opinions about either the individual or the original writer of this blog - it's important that this is elevated above personal commentary. Blogging about the issue, linking to this post, sharing it with your local media sources, government/NGO functionaries is a good way of doing this.

Are you talking about "professional and ethical commitments", Big Insider? If you had known my mother casually for half an hour you would have realized that she spent every second of every day of her many years there devoted to the well-being of UNICEF's various demanding projects.
In fact, I would say that what she delivered to UNICEF was often well beyond the official call of duty, with her always sacrificing personal comforts for the sake of the increasing demands that UNICEF placed on her, even in the face of faltering health.
Try any line of attack but that one, because as any other Insider will vouch, my mother delivered quality work, and could have been well at the top of the "ladder" you talk about.

Related to #153, below is the response from the UNICEF India Staff Association that we received from them after that.

"Dear All,

As the UNICEF India Staff Association, our attention has been drawn to the fact that an unsigned letter purporting to speak on behalf of staff is being circulated, both internally and externally with respect to an allegation of sexual harassment raised regarding two of our colleagues.

In the interests of transparency and fairness, the UNICEF India Staff Association cannot and does not support such an action and the claims therein.

Chairperson and Executive Committee Members - Unicef India Staff Association"

Fact is, only if the Insiders stop being insiders and are fearless in their support towards Ms Pandey would difference be made.

The letter should have been signed by those who believe in Ms Pandey's fight or else it is no more than a piece of paper.

And thats exactly what those in power want so that the supporters of Ms Pandey are summarily dismissed on some flimsy charges.

Its like the colonial times again, who is going to take the first step and stand up for truth and justice?

If the Staff stands together only then will UNICEF pay attention or else the show of support here are just empty words!!

Can the RTI be used to find why the FIR is not being lodged (in other words, to expedite the process)?

I've been going through this blog for sometime b ut never thought of participating. finally thought of participating once i saw this open letter FROM THE UNICEF STAFF ASSOCIATION. it is surprising that the unicef staff selects such spine less and ruthless people as their representatives. its well understood that staff association is playing like puppets in the hands of local unicef management just to elevate their own positions by snubbing the staff down the line. and i m sure staff association may be having couple of women also if so these women are a part of in justice done to the brave woman like ARCHANA PANDEY. hats off to ARCHANA'S courage to expose herself in the media to regain honour and pride on her motherland. I request UNICEF staff to throw away such an incapable staff association.
It looks like that staff association did not play any role before and during the investigation in that case y the staff association is actively taking part in this issue. I MUST REQUEST ALL WOMEN STAFF SHUD CME FORWARD AND STAND BY ARCHANA PANDEY ELSE IT MAY BE ONE OF YOU TOMMOROW. CAN ALL OF YOU WAKE UP FOR THIS MORAL CAUSE LEAD BY THE CORAGEOUS WOMAN(ARCHANA PANDEY).

Hey Big Insider, you must be really BIG. Because you have all the information about Archana including her performance!

1. Do you want to say that in an organization like UNICEF, people are ALLOWED to achieve higher ladder through "shortest routes" with "provokingly vulgar physical exposures/actions?" If so, this itself speaks volumes about the quality, integrity and efficiency of UNICEF management.

Sure, you would know all about it since you are after all 'the bigger insider'. Is this how you have entered and managed to stay in this organziation for 'two decades'?

2. I don't need to tell you that a post is opened for recruitment with a clear job description which is authorized by high level management. If in your opinion, this post was not making "any valuable & sincere professional contribution" towards achieving desired results, how can you blame the post-holder for this? I suggest that you use your experience and BIG intelligence to advice the management to revisit and review the job description.

Performance of any staff can be and should be judged and evaluated against her/his job description only. And none of your personal views count there. And if you are even believed to be correct in your assumptions, can you please enlighten all of us as to why Archana's performance appraisal was not done for more than 2 years? Especially if she was not contributing anything substantial?

I feel that if this had been the case, her performance should have been monitored more frequently as well as more negatively.

3. I have had the opportunity to see Archana's PERs. I can safely bet that your consecutive PERS can not even touch the level of excellence that Archana has already achieved. Mind it Big Insider, that these appraisals have been done by different supervisors of different nationalities for different UNCEF State offices and for different job descriptions.

Since you are the big one, you should have done your homework thoroughly before attempting to write on the blog.

I am not as big as you are but please allow me to give you a piece of advice. Do not stoop down to the level of maligning Archana's personal or professional integrity. You will lose your case by trying to demean her.

My humble request to your excellency is to take this issue in its right perspective. The day Archana goes to the UN Joint Appeal Board, which is not far off, UNICEF will find it difficult to save its face.

So finally UNICEF management has realised and acknowledged that this issue will not die its own natural death by pretending that it does not exist. Till now that was UNICEF's decided and agreed on corporate policy.

Good to find you on the blog, the BIG Insider. This clearly shows you all have now started accepting defeat in public.

Aaman is right. Let's focus on the issue - a complaint of sexual harassment by a woman working in a UN agency against not just a man protected by international convention, but also the top boss - country representative.

The point is for a person with such intentions, there is the opportunity, the power and the protection (of immunity) to indulge in such behaviour with impunity.

By the way, impunity means - with no fear of punishment.

The environment is condusive for abuse. And I think we've proven somewhere earlier that men working in UN aren't saints - and for that matter, neither are the women.

But any person who has gone THIS FAR would really have something very solid motivating her enough, bothering her enough, to commit professional suicide and lose everything she spent years to build.

And surely, someone as doubtlessly bright as Archana knows what she's up against. Still she goes on... Why? We really need to ask this question and wonder that could there some truth in the allegation?

There's no point in getting embroiled in petty arguments based on ego.

Those of us who believe in this should just try to help in whatever way we can. Pls suggest linkages, media, political, cultural, organisational, international, anything to spread this issue further and further.

Big Insider, just to refresh your memory, "prestigious organisations" like UNICEF are populated by human beings - men and women. The day the organisation becomes bigger than the people, it's ready for a fall.

The Big Insider has started personal attacks on Archana, which is not in good taste. I am not an insider. As an external participant in this blog, I can say, it gives really a bad impression and leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

Please stop all kind of personal attacks on anybody. Here, we are concerned about a problematic issue and lets limit ourselves to that.

Lets not dilute the issue, Archana has not informed if her FIR was lodged. I hope it has been. We have faith in our legal systems. Mr Luthra has not issued any findings of his investigations, if the police has not been able to find substantial matter, they should handover this important case to CBI. All mud slinging on a single woman would stop. UNICEF is a big organization, it is spending tremendous amount of funds and manpower on this one signle case, while Archana is alone, presently jobless with responsibility of young children. It is indeed an impossible task to keep fighting with an organization who has a legal department to handle their legal issues. Archana, don't mistake me for bringing your spirits down, I am finding a shorter route for you.

This BIG Insider is nothing but UNICEF Agent. Instead of fighting for the true cause, people like him work like agents for personal gain.

Big Insider - The truth is, u too will die one day.

Whether you want to die in covered mask of shame or die with self respect and pride - is totally your choice...

This big insider has no clue about Archana, nor worked with her nor the person has even clue of what happened to Archana, the mental torture she has to bear for more than a year. She is true committed staff and have seen her commitment even at the time when she was sick, She is one of the finest professional staff and human being I have met. Just becuase two individuals decide act irresponsibly resulting this crisis in the organisation. Archana has asked for some help in Digg, may be some one, Sumnath can help her. Stay healthy Archana, you need all the energy for this fight!

My dear Big Insider, are you talking about Archana Pandey or her boss, Corrine Woods? The detailed description you have given of the person as a woman and professional fits Corrine completely. I am confused because it does not, even an iota, matches with Archana's personality.

I have known Archana for last 8 years and have also worked with her in UP, Karnataka and Andhra. It is hard to find such a decent women (nobody can remotely attach the word vulgar or provocative action) with Archana's name. Quite the contrary in fact. And nobody can even begin to describe her professional strengths and potentials. INCREDIBLE.

Or are you the real BIG INSIDER? The Country Rep himself? Welcome to the blog, The BIG Representative!

I will follow up Aaman's request and ask that all of us here try to remain impersonal. I doubt there is any danger to Archana in that as we are all aware of her professional and personal qualifications, even if Mr. Big Insider isn't.

Let us stick to the logistics, and try to figure out alternative strategies that can be of practical use to Archana. If we get too personal or go in for personal attacks, that will be the death of this blog.

So, I request all professionals to please come forward and offer suggestions. We need to discuss all means open to us to fight this case. If we resort to anything less, the UNICEF have nothing more to fear from this blog.

Firstly, we must know if the FIR has been lodged. If not, we must find a way to counter the police's excuse for not doing so.

Secondly...well, someone help me out with the secondly.

Also, Sumanth, where are you now? We need your inputs.

I am back. I stay in Bangalore. My email is sumanth.sif (at) gmail

There are skelletons in cupboards of every big corporate in this world.

All the campaigners, please get in touch with SaveIndianFamily self help group in Delhi or Bangalore. They have legal background and also they have experience in campaigning against such situations. They are individuals like you or me, but they have experience in activism related to Gender Issues. I work for their Bangalore chapter.

Find helplines here:
http://www.saveindianfamily.org
Every Saturday, they meet at Patiala House court.

They can give some good tips which can help cut the overhead and help get the campaign to the ground (from internet and blogs) by organising press conferences, protests etc.


The issue is: Why the FIR is not lodged?
Why a case is not registers and victims statement is not recorded in front of a magistrate?

We need more blogs and more enrollment.

I am back. I stay in Bangalore. My email is sumanth.sif (at) gmail

There are skelletons in cupboards of every big corporate in this world.

All the campaigners, please get in touch with SaveIndianFamily self help group in Delhi or Bangalore. They have legal background and also they have experience in campaigning against such situations. They are individuals like you or me, but they have experience in activism related to Gender Issues. I work for their Bangalore chapter.

Find helplines here:
www.saveindianfamily.org
Every Saturday, they meet at Patiala House court.

They can give some good tips which can help cut the overhead and help get the campaign to the ground (from internet and blogs) by organising press conferences, protests etc.


The issue is: Why the FIR is not lodged?
Why a case is not registers and victims statement is not recorded in front of a magistrate?

We need more blogs and more enrollment.

My sincere wishes with Archana.But this is a good eye-opener for UNICEF. A suggestion- since renovations are going on at UNICEF, they should not make secluded cabins for staff members but glass partitions so as to provide transparency in behaviour. Its best to prevent such intimate interactions between men and women and keep it STRICTLY professional. It always takes TWO to tango- of course, each person has their own defined LIMITATIONS which they may claim have been outraged.

I have actually sent a link of this blog to several NGOs in Delhi working for women's development. I have also asked several friends to participate as often and as much as possible.

A retreat was organised at Hyderabad Film City for all staff members last year.
My concern is that already there is so much of attraction (in simple words, flirting) between coworkers in the organisation. It was insisted that everyone HAS to attend it.
You may succeed in your efforts to bring staff members together as a family, BUT UNICEF IS TO BE BLAMED FOR BEING INSTRUMENTAL IN WIDENING RIFTS BETWEEN SPOUSES, by initiating such campaigns.
If you are doing this, I PLEAD THAT UN STAFF IS REMINDED TIME AND AGAIN ABOUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS at home who are their REAL family.
This should also be a part of the programme.

The issue, of course, is not about the policies that the UNICEF adopts (such as organising all staff meetings and increasing productive male-female interaction), which seem completely normal and important for a world-wide organization.

The issue, instead, is with the kind of people who misuse these policies, and use such platforms to initiate such disgusting behaviour. Making glass cabins won't stop this. There will be solid walls somewhere, right?

There will always be people like this in every sphere of activity. The solution is not to end privacy, but to grant justice to those who violate it and those who are violated.

This is one case from the UNICEF that we have become aware of. God knows how many people are still out there, silently knowing that Archana is right or that Cecilio Adorna is the pervert he is, but not saying anything. Our actions are going to help not just Archana but many others.

Dear Nirmala
Let me try and answer your questions - which are echoed by few others on this blog.

Did this 3-member farce tried to meet Archana at all? No insider mentions this detail.

No they did not try to meet with her. I believe this issue was discussed with the Executive Committee of the (spineless) staff association, but this question was carefully avoided in the two public interactions with all staff.

Where is Corrine Woods? We were told by a very sympathetic Thunder that she will be in office this week. But Corrine has not returned. Why? What is the reason??? And I am not talking of official reasons here. They all are fake as we already know by now.

Corinne Woods is in the UK. It is true she was scheduled to return last Sunday but did not do so and also, did not even inform her Section. The question was raised in the all-staff meeting and the answer was that she is in England looking after her sick mother. We were told she would definitely be back.

Wow, what great guts UNICEF India staff has to be writing such kind of letters. Despite that if any management tries to 'feel the pulse' of the staff, nothing more ought to be said about the efiiciency and quality of such a management.

Frankly, it's not so much guts than that sheer necessity is the mother of invention.
People resort to these means only because open dialogue or intelligent debate has ceased to exist in UNICEF. On the contrary, intelligent people are feared and relentlessly targeted and "neutralised". When you have a scenario where anybody who asks smart questions is singled out for third degree, there's very little option left.

Has the FIR been lodged? If not, what is the excuse of the police, well, barring all the obvious ones.

No the FIR has not been registered by the police yet. Apparently, the first phase of "enquiry" by the Commissioner's Office is over and the file has been passed on to Ministry of External Affairs for further "advise"... Incidentally, this happened on the same day as the visiting committee had their final wrap-up meeting with the MEA. Now we await the whitewash job by the Ministry...
By the way, the RTI cannot be used in this case because UNICEF has immunity....

Why are women's groups not coming forward? Scared of loosing the UN funding or afraid of coming into their bad books?

Most definitely, UN funding is a powerful deterrent for the NGOs in coming out in support of Archana Pandey, but you will be happy to know that there are a few genuine, active women's groups who have taken up the gauntlet. You will hear from them in the near future.

What is media doing? Giving all irrelevant and not worthy news occupies most of their time. I have yet not seen a full story involving all angles on any of the channels or newspapers.

The media has been silenced - at least for the present. The entire communication machinery of UNICEF - and pl remember how powerful that is - has been cranked up to all out to advocate with the editors, media house owners, personalities, celebrities and many others - in putting out their version of the story.

What about this suicide that was referred to? Can somebody tell me at length what was that issue. Please do.

The suicide of Bhasker Bhattacharji was a very sad and shocking event that took place on 1 January 2000. Mr. B had just joined UNICEF (from UNDP) on 1st October 1999. Three months later he ended his life - a brilliant man, who was a TV anchor often referred to as the man with the golden voice, a theatre personality, a splendid orator and celebrity in his own right. Incidentally, he was the Chief of the Communication Section at that time.
He went into clinical depression soon after joining UNICEF and ended his life in a very deliberate and well planned incident, by jumping from the top floor of Oberoi Hotel on New Year's day. There was some media coverage, but everything was hushed up very quickly.
Archana too suffered a breakdown last year, she too worked in the Communication Section... I earnestly pray that that is where all similarities will end.

Maybe God has spared her to fight and perhaps save the lives of many others in this organisation, by exposing the rot in UNICEF India.

Just to remind you Insider, that Alan Court, the team leader of the committee of three was the Rep when Bhaskar committed suicide.

Alan Court is a "hush up" exert. Him being sent to India at this critical juncture can not and should not be taken lightly. It is a very serious business for UNICEF and sending Court proves how seriously they are taking it.

Another important piece of news - the third party named in this mess, and the evil genuis of Cecilio Adorna, Sam Frederic has left the country ostensibly "on home leave" .... Another thing to wait and watch.

I am writing a follow-up article, tying this event with a similar event at the World Bank where Paul Wolfowitz, the President had to apologize for giving his 'girlfriend' promotions, etc., the difference is that the Staff Association of the World Bank has been consistently demanding his resignation.

Thanks for the information Insider. I am very disturbed and upset after knowing that Sam Frederick has also left the country after Corinne Woods.

I will like to report on the two points that I have been following up.

FIR -
Insider, your information matches with the information that I have recived verbally from the police after making numerous enquiries. They have very casually mentioned that my complaint has been forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs for 'legal opinion'. The same stand was taken by NCW more than 6 weeks back, although nothing has been given to me in writing by either of the departments.

The Police did not give me any timeline for receiving the expert advise from MEA. They were also silent on what they intend to do about Corinne Woods who is absconding. Now another name has been added to hers. Still no FIR is being registered. SAD.

Insider, I am happy to know that few women's group have agreed to take up my cause. I will like to thank all those people who made it possible. As soon as I achieve any success in my endeavours to mobilise these groups, I shall revert.

Thanks Aaman. Any effort that you make in this direction will be very much appreciated.

It is a waste of my time to even make a comment on the staff assocition of UNICEF. It happens to be the same staff association which did not take up my case when I begged them to, after I was publicly humilitated by Corinne. Now it stands to be judgemental and take sides.

Wish you all the very best Sudha, and all the members of the Executive Committee. Please do not forget that one of the votes that gave you this position, was mine.

I have been hearing about this issue from my UNICEF friend who is not courageous enough to participate in this blog.

But from what I have gathered is that staff association is for namesake. It doesn't represent staff opinion becasue staff is not courageous to give opinion in public becasue you never know who is who. But they at least could have taken support of polling officers and taken opinion in writing from staff. Let people write what they feel, ofcourse without declaring name.

I don't know Ces, neither do I know Archana. With full sympathy to the situation of both, I think organization should save its name and fame it has earned over the years. If this continues, it would ruin everything. GOI will not take much time to kick them off.

I am sure higher management is not interested in knowing the pulse of staff, otherwise they know better techniques to do that. It seems thay have been using all unfair means to save Ces. If they wanted to protect the organization, first thing they should have temrorily removed ces so that he cannot use the position to influence the situation.

Second thing, now we know that UNICEF has decided to protect Ces and not the organization, Archana you may write to other UN agencies and to other UNICEF country offices to use this forum, not only to advise you but to look at this issue of misuse of authority. It must be happening in other offices as well. That is why people do it and then know process to control damage. Let the issue be resolved. Sorry, I don't know the facts, so I am in nobody's favor, but I am against the system and the organization that promotes such practice and protects persons to misuse their authority.

The insiders should bring more stories with clear facts that can shake the organization, that forces the staff associations to raise their voice aganst management.

Staff should feel free to post their opinion, I know UNICEF has intelligent people. They don't want their job to be in trouble, but they have the moral resposibility, if they cannot speak openly, at least use other methods to give their opinion.

> I have actually sent a link of this blog
> to several NGOs in Delhi working for
> women's development

I think it is a general cause. I am pretty sure if any or similar discrimination would have happened against any male member of that organization by the same "Cecilio Adorna", he too would have been suffering to more or less the similar extent.

Given the cold stance adopted by NCW and the fact that most women organizations look up to NCW (or UNICEF) to be fed, Is it prudent to depend on women organizations alone for pursuing the cause?

It makes a perfect sense to have this issue covered in major dailies across the country. I am trying to get it covered in a regional hindi daily through an elaborate article.

You are right. More people need to know this, not just women's groups. I'll try sending this to more NGOs. The trouble is that the email addresses of so many groups are permanently out of order.

The newspaper idea is good and I think more people should follow up on that.

Its really sad that one more accused has left the country on pretext of home leave. I am sure someone must be sick at his place also. May I ask who approved this guy's leave? Is it the Big Insider himself?

What an irony - an organization working for the empowerment of weaker sections has not been able to empower their own staff. You know, this explains why these organizations are not able to deliver the desired results. Terrorized and fearful staff cannot become instrumental in empowering others.

Archana, you need to move to the court. Police is not going to get the "legal opinion" till it suits them.

Archana has requested in her DIGG blog:

"would like to request any and all of you to send the link of this article and the following discussions to all the blogs which have UNICEF name attached to it. I searched and found more than 100 such blogs. My problem is that I am not as tech savy to do the required.

Please help by sending this link to all the relevan tblogs so that bloggers throughout the world start talking about this very serious crime which nobody is attaching any importance to. Police has categorically denied to lodge even a FIR in the case while UNICEF is in a damage control mode. What happens to the concept of justice for the victim?"

Though I obviously want the FIR to get lodged as soon as possible, I am doubtful of the results of police involvement. I doubt we can expect much better results than right now. There is evasion right now, and it doesn't seem like there won't be any evasion later.

After all, the Indian police is notoriously corrupt, even more so than that 'hallowed' organization, the UNICEF. So how can we expect the case to move any further? The FIR being lodged in itself won't solve anything. The only thing that can help is if this issue gets a powerful "godfather" in the police force, who will steer it to its rightful end. Otherwise, this case is going to end up gathering dust along with a million others.

Here are some facts: UNICEF funds "women's organisations" in India. In fact, 2 billion dollars of UNICEF money goes for feminists,...[EDITED - IRRELEVANT TO THIS DISCUSSION, SUMANTH]

It is unfortunate that the person who initiated this blog has posted blatantly incorrect information against an organization that the 'victim' beleived and worked for. I hope all posters including the initiators will follow the comment policy and not make such unsubstantiated comments. One may have problems with UNICEF and its work in India, it does not mean that one can get away with false propoganda. UNICEF's budget in India has at best been between 35 to 100 million dollars a year. If indeed 2 billion dollars goes to 'feminists' as alleged, the world would be different! It seems that some individuals would like this site and the issue to die its own death by making such wrong, blatantly incorrect observations. The latest one is one of the many that have already been made in this direction.

Insider, I am aghast. My first reaction is a stunned stupor and the next immediate one is outrage.

I am just too overwelhmed at this moment to write anything more.

The audacity and nerve of UNIEF is something!

Lets pray Archana does nothing like Bhaskara. Even though UNICEF is pretty much ensuring it.

I am sure Insiders will be able to share info on who is right and support Sumanth's comment about 2 billion dollars spent on feminists and their organizations in India. Let's get the stats out and prove this Unfortunate reader wrong.

Friends, don't divert attention from the core issue of Archana's as warned by Unfortunate reader.

We need to have different forum for discussing UNICEF budgets.

The staff and staff association of World Bank shows the way on how to highlight and demand suitable action against their President Mr. Paul Wolfowitz who gave undue salary increase for his girlfriend. Here Ces is still at the helm of affairs of unicef india and the UISA is silent and inactive.

Just a word of caution -

Friends, we have to understand the money flowing equation correctly to know on whom can Archna rely upon.

Today, if she relies on say feminist organization 'X' who come to support her, may latter on back stab her or hush up the matter on their convenient time, if organization X is funded by the same UNICEF.

The simple question which needs answer - 'Can Archna rely on NCW if at all it comes forward to support her, when we find that NCW is funded heavily by UNICEF itself ?'.

What sort of precaution should she take from getting double-crossed?

Insiders, isn't this Frederic the same guy who had his own way with young women in many NGOs, was heavily involved in Staff association matters and used to have his family working for street children and destitutes?

He had such an ego that he would not fund PRAYAS on some pretext or the other.

The group will benefit from roping in Amod Kant who should be only too pleased on this matter, maybe he will give a solution for lodging FIR

How can I contact Amod Kant?

Archana, u can ask telephone directory assistance 197 for contact nos of PRAYAS.
Ask for their director AMOD KANT and talk to him

I am sorry that I could not follow up with this blog due to my board exams, but now that they are over, I would definitely keep in touch.
The only thing I want to tell you mum, is that I really love you and will support you with whatever step you take in the near future. Remember, tough times never last but tough people do.
Hang in there, because whenever you feel that you are alone, just look back, two steps behind you and you will see an army of people backing you up, admiring your strength and respecting your logic.
My school's motto goes on saying that "knowledge is our light" and now that I come and think of this, I believe it truly and want to that Mr. Sumanth for actually bringing light to this paradox.
Lastly, thank you Kinde, for speaking up for a person, who know is being downtrodden.
Have faith mum and never let your self-falter in this case, because this is the classic fight between what is right and what is wrong, and you would need all you strength and energy about you for this one.
I am waiting eagerly to come back home and help you in this situation, like I always do and will always keep doing.
Keep the faith, as Aditi didi put it.

A letter recently sent to all UNICEF staff:
Dear colleagues, you will have seen that there have been some media reports in the last few days, with renewed allegations against two of our colleagues and our organisation.

We are saddened that the former staff member making the allegations has felt compelled to take this course of action. The claims that she is making were investigated thoroughly, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the UN system and were found to be
without substance.

The facts are as follows:

Last year, the former staff member was informed that her contract would not be extended beyond the end of the year. She subsequently filed a complaint of harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority against two senior UNICEF staff members.

We take all complaints of harassment extremely seriously. In full accordance with UNICEF's Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority in the Workplace, the allegations were swiftly and thoroughly investigated. An experienced investigation team was convened by UNICEF New York Headquarters.
This team comprised two female and one male official including a legal professional. Each of these individuals was selected on the basis of exemplary records of integrity, discretion and sound judgment.

The team was asked to collect evidence, establish the facts and compile a report, with the appropriate findings and recommendations given directly to the Director of Human Resources at UNICEF New York Headquarters, as per UNICEF policy.

The investigation included a detailed analysis of all evidence as well as exhaustive interviews of witnesses. The evidence did not support the allegations raised by the former staff member. The decision of the Executive Director was communicated to all three parties simultaneously in writing. As per the policy, in order to protect witnesses and encourage full disclosure of the truth, the report remains confidential and has not been shared with any of the parties involved.


I do hope that this information clarifies the facts and helps to address the understandable concerns that you may have about this issue. However, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further
questions.

Ex-Insider, thanks for sharing UNICEF's official statement which was sent to "all UNICEF staff RECENTLY".

I am just wondering that if you are an EX STAFF, how did you get a copy of this recently sent internal communication?

ex-insider, are you saying your organization is above Indian Law? If so then we don't need your kind of organization around.

Your organization may have given your guys a clean chit but Ms Pandey is perfectly entitled to lodge an FIR . Till the time she isn't allowed to do so these 'renewed allegations' will continue to be aired.

I have just contacted UN Watch(http://www.unwatch.org/ ) and Eye on the UN(http://www.eyeontheun.org/), refering them to this blog and post. I hope this case is taken up internationally.


http://whattheheckisart.blogspot.com/

Deepti, you are right. UNICEF thinks they are above all the laws, of any land including India. All this while claiming that their investigative systems are top class (as you see in the official statement posted here by ex-insider).

If their systems are as developed and error-proof, why didn't they allow Archana to go for an appeal? If UNICEF was as perfect as it claims to be, Archana would have faced defeat in the next UN appeal board and even at the highest legal body, the UN Administrative Tribunal? Why go out all the way to stop her from going to any of these bodies?

Still they have audacity to claim what they are claiming!!

Gurmeet, I thank you for sending the link to the UN. I do pray that they pay due attention to it. Everybody, please sent this to all such bodies whose existence is known to any of you.

I am sure that till NY begins paying attention to this issue, nothing will happen. UNICEF will continue to be condemned by one and all.

I have seen Archana's ordeal and pain personally and pray to God that justice is given to her.

Its time that she starts healing now. No human being deserves to suffer the way she did. Worst thing is that she is suffering even now and nobody (UN and Indian Government)give a damn.

I read Ex-insider's comments with a lot of disdain and dismay. How does one expect to believe such a standardised official statement?

The note says "The facts are as follows:"

Whose facts are these? UNICEF's? Cecilio Adorna's? Corinne Woods's? Sam Fredericks's? And if they are really the facts, why do not they match with Archana's?

If UNICEF wants to say that Archana's facts are wrong and ill-motivated, how come she is going to the courts with the very set of facts? Does she have an all pervading desire to keep on suffering and face utmost humiliation when 'her facts' are proven wrong in the court of law?

Only an insane person will do such a thing. By any standard, Archana is not not insane.

She must be having some proofs on the basis of which she can prove that 'UNICEF's facts' are wrong. Otherwise she would not have taken such a drastic step.

Somebody had earlier mentioned in the blog that now UNICEF has decided to attack Archana from within the blog.

How correct the person was ! People like Big Insider and Ex Insider are demonstration of the fact that UNICEF management has taken over to discredit and fight Archana from inside the blog.

I am happy they are here doing the damage control from within the blog now. This only goes on to prove that UNICEF has reached to the height of helplessness and frustration regarding this case.

UNICEF internal process of enquiry is a farce.

No organization can claim that its competent enough to emulate the legal process.

Indian Court should issue notice to UNICEF regarding their [FALSE] claim on impartial enquiry...

I whole heartedly support A.K. Rathor.

Indian legal system should indeed issue notice to UNICEF regarding their false claim of an impartial enquiry.

But how will they do it? They have to first register an FIR in order to establish the facts. And they have blocked Archana'a legal redress process at the first step itself. Just like UNICEF did if insiders are to be believed.

What is happening in this country? How dare Government of India do this and yet get away with it?

Do we, the citizens of India mean nothing to our own government in front of these pseudo international organisations? Do none of us have any rights if we are confronted with these powerful people? Why is Police trying to protect international UNICEF staff instead of safeguarding the interests of our own Indian women? Where should an Indian citizen go in these kind of situations?

And what do we do as socially conscious Indian citizens to address these kind of arbitrary interpretations of law?

How can UNICEF not give the investigation report to all the involved parties? Not even to the complainant?

If maintaining confidentiality is the key word, how does a complainant know HOW the charges were not proven beyond any margin of doubt?

How will the complainant know whether all her/his witnesses were interviewed and whether the findings are based on the actual testimonies?

Think of a scenario where the charges WERE proven. Could UNICEF have terminated the services of Adorna and Woods without providing them a copy of the report? Just like that?

Would Adorna and Woods have accepted UNICEF's decision without questioning the rationale of it? Would they have not then demanded the report to be given to them on the basis of which their services were being terminated?

And would UNICEF not have to legally provide them the reports if that would have been the case?

Then how can UNICEF's policy to not make the report public (only to the extent of parties involved) be justified considering if there actually is any such policy.

I second Poornima's logic.

While the whole world is harping on the issue of citizens' right to information and is ensuring that this right is upheld and protected by making necessary policies and establishing the processes of monitoring their implementation, UNICEF is busy doing the exact opposite.

How can UNICEF make and adopt such policies which deny its staff their basic right to information which is given to him/her by the constitution of its own country?

Exactly.

How can the UNICEF even pretend to claim that not giving a report of the investigation is the best way to maintain confidentiality and impartiality?

What are we, two year olds or something?

By the way, I really am an ex-insider who has been following this case with some interest. I still have some friends in UNICEF who forwarded this to me. Sorry that I didn't preface this letter that all UNICEF staff have received. By just cutting and pasting the letter did not mean that I endorsed the official UNICEF view. Just wanted to be helpful by giving this info. Now onwards, I'll try to shut up.

No, don't. I apologize on behalf of the bloggers on this page if you feel we were attacking you. We're really just expressing indignation at the seemingly flawless logic of those in charge of the UNICEF.

We need the help of concerned people such as yourself, who can grant us inside information (which, by the way, none of the other Insiders offered)that can keep us up-to-date with what's happening on the inside.

Please don't withdraw participation. That was the last thing any of us intended, I'm sure.

Archana, I just want to pass on a information to you. Recently UNICEF has given a contract of approx 24 lakhs to Dr Achal Bhagat. I am aware that he was your treating psychiatrist and one of your proposed witnesses when that sham of investigation took place.

Do you think this is a deliberate attempt on UNICEF's part to keep one more mouth shut.

I have not forgotten how 5 other witnesses (2 international staff, 1 national and 1 general staff) were lured with attractive positions etc and they had declined to be your witnesses.

Were there more? Is Dr Achal Bhagat going to join the gang?

Thanks Ex-insider for providing standardized response of UNICEF and Insider 6 for telling standardized damage control efforts of UNICEF. Great!!!

So we are back to square one.

No progress on FIR (i believe so), police still busy to get legal opinion, our who's who busy with their own politics. So what should we do? Any idea?

Archana, have you tried to contact and take help of NGOs with members of legal profession who support the social causes. I would strongly suggest to take support of some professional legal expert and atleast get the FIR lodged. There must be many provisions in our legal system that would give some way to get FIR lodged. Its not possible to be denied for so long for the basic right.

Archana, citizens like me are wondering what is the further progress on this case. NCW, police, and other agencies are proceeding in this case or not. I urge to all to please come forward and do what is required to get justice to the victim who has been humiliated. Many of my friends have been moved to read Archana's children's comments. Please do not stay quiet and let the woman feel singled out. Whatever little worth we can add, we must. Only writing our views on this blog is not going to help, action is required.

Just wanted to note that this site was taken down for over 12 hours by a malicious denial of service attack - over 300 hits per second. We're up and not going anywhere, and there's no telling who and why, but there you have it.

Aaman, are you saying precisely what I am understanding?

My God, to what levels people will go to hide the gruesome facts?

This incident only serves to remind me that I am up against very powerful people and organisation with abundant resources, not that it can break my resolve and spirit.

Nevertheless, every passing day reduces my hope of getting justice.

But like you said, we are up and not going anywhere.

Please contact PUCL:
Y.P. Chhibbar (General Secretary)
81 Sahayoga apartments
Mayur Vihar - I
Delhi 110091, India
+91-011-2275 0014 (phone)

I knew something was wrong the day I could not access the site. Yet I wanted to give that small margin of doubt to UNICEF trying to believe they will not STOOP DOWN to this level. It is obvious that I was wrong.

I can say that from UNICEF's side this was the most strategically correct time to kill the blog. Very few people would have done anything about it, with PBR recommendations and new organogram keeping everybody busy.

this blog makes great reading. must compile and publish a book; sure to make it to bookers...SH is present everywhere, in our homes and offices. we must kill these basic instincts....

# 231. Your point is well taken.

Just an observation. You do have the right to believe you are the most intelligent person on this planet, but please do not undermine others. Using my name in reverse order is definitely not a smart idea, just in case you think it will go unnoticed.

I can very well believe that if they are finding it so important to do damage control they must be trying to eliminate the internal sources by trying to hack the site.

It is a really bad system of big brother top-down control. I wish them the worst possible luck - since the abuse actually took place and they are lying - either consciously or unaware - about it. It does not behove an international organisation of that standing to have this kind of thing happen. To try to cork it in makes no sense at all. - Except business sense. And that should be the last of their concerns.
The "new era" is now an era of facades and gestures, and separating reality from the reporting so much that it does not matter anymore whether anything happens. It is what is reported that matters. All else is fiction. If it is not documented and shown - it does not exist.

Strange. And Archana comes in where the extension to this is true. If it exists but can not be proven - it does not exist. And if it tries to make itself heard - reality has to be modified to fit with the map. Thus the recent mission.

So we live in a virtual reality. Where the picture is all. What matters are the images in our brains. If those images can be modified, the reality is perceived differently and we are no longer sure of what counts...

I prefer real life and saying the truth about what people did and said. What they meant beyond that can be discussed. And what was not done would be another discussion.

But saying that one issue will not exist and try to live up to that by spin control... well that is cheating, politics, useless rubbish... I remember that the US sent a lot of people to investigate the possible wrongdoings in Iraq by someone else - mainly for spin control in their own case - to find a bigger culprit and get rid of the guy who did not want to dance to their tune. However, if there are political enemies of the Bush Administration they might want to find similar stuff to say about the Bush implant at the top... Maybe worth it to give this a thought.

Good luck Archana!

You are absolutely right, Half Insider. We adapt reality to fit the map and give the message to all ladies in UNICEF that "the Representative gets away with it". At the same time as people are fired for smaller offences - if any.

After all, the rumours had it that Archana was not even the hardest hit! There should have been a few more abused individuals - and if they were not abused .... consensus ...? Should we always make such sloppy assumptions? If it was well known, why would no one speak up? Are we all cowards?

And if Mr Sapra made the remark that even if it was true it is now too late... In this kind of case is there a time limit for justice? Can our rights be forfeited if we do not claim them in time? And do we have to go with a lie because it would be too embarrassing to unearth it???

How many have felt that the big old boys were philanderers? I heard several stories that I can't repeat - but that indicate that the crazy stories about the personal lives of these adventurers do contain a lot that can not be called "living up to the standards of international civil servants" - are they not just protecting themselves and each other?

One can perhaps look the other way if someone brings a woman to a hotel room - paying for this is forbidden in UN I understand - but if this is a practice that is associated with the guys' talk over a nice glass of scotch in the evening and "going out" in the evening, and later "knowing glances" as they defend each other in other contexts - we have nothing better in the UN than any other organization!

What do these guys actually stand up for in reality? Big words down one's nose to the countries that do "not live up to their commitments" in one aspect or other? Let the innocent throw the first stone...

If Aaman knows, he should say, if he does not know, but he strongly suspects, well he should lay out why. Hinting at it does not seem the right course of action, as it does a disservice, to say the least.

Glad DC's back!

We know that DC was deliberately targeted, but we have no clues about the source of the attack. It was a distributed botnet of largely Russian IP addresses, which tells us nothing.

It was a persistent and malicious attack, that's all we know. Could have been anybody with a grudge against BC. I know various people have ideas about motive, but there is no evidence of anything.

Agreed that there is no evidence Phillip Winn. May be deliberations on how many controversial discourses DC had started that day (or the day before)will provide some clue.

My gut feeling says that it was prompted by an Insider's posting on this blog informing Archana about a 24 lakh contract awarded to her prime witness, her psychiatrist. Of course, it is just an intuitive feeling and not a conclusive argument. And that is how it should be taken.

As people say, "Ant bhala toh sab bhala". I am happy DC is back after having survived a deliberate and malicious targetted attack.

Half Insider has raised a very important issue here. We all know that the Executive Diector of UNICEF, Ann Veneman is a 'Bush person'. It is not a secret that there is a big lobby of UNICEF staff who do not like her as well as they liked the earlier Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, the main reason of which is that they see Veneman's appointment to UNICEF as a forced action by Bush driven by his own personal agenda.

The global staff of UNICEF who has spent some time in UNICEF also know that almost the whole DHR (Division of Human Resources) belong to Carol Bellamy group. We also know that one of the biggest lobbyist of Bellamy is Cecilio Adorna.

Is it possible that Ces was saved by Veneman in exchage of shifting his loyalties? Is Ces now a 'Veneman Man' who has affected allegiance of hundreds of Bellamy supporters to Veneman by changing his own personal stand?

A 'win-win' situation for both Ces and Veneman. Who cares if they had to kill reputation, dignity and honor of an Indian woman in the process to achieve this big political deal!

Wait a second. It all seems to make sense now. Ces was on home leave from approx 21/22 December 2006 for almost a month.

During his home leave period, while he was in Phillipines, he travelled to New York for 4-5 days for some official reason.

As far as I remember it was somewhere in the mid January 2007. I also remember that the verdict in Archana's case was announced couple of days after Ces left New York.

We all know that leaves in UNICEF are considered sacrosanct. Why was Ces called to UNICEF NYHQ while he was on home leave?

And isn't it too big a coincidence that Archana's verdict came out immediately after he left NYHQ?

Can UNICEF blame us if we start seeing that Veneman actually struck a deal with Adorna by offering him protection in this sexual assault case?

God, what a conspiracy!

No wonder Cecilio has got the full support of UNICEF headquarters. Of course they had to send a damage control team from New York. If it comes to that, they will gladly send many more such teams.

No award for guessing why UNICEF is not giving Archana's report or why she is not being allowed to appeal against the decision.

It is not protecting Adorna any more that is the issue. It is protecting the Executive Director, the global head of UNICEF that IS now the issue.

DC shut down by UNICEF's goons?... wow, I mean I thought only Men had enemies(Aaman no ridicule intended :), we are all men, actually whoever stands up to a test and for his/her dignity and rights are MEN, Archana u too I guess?.

Anyone is welcome to test our resolve and intentions(to put it vernacularly: Kisi bi maayi ka laal or laali is/are welcome), we are ready for any challenges/threats .

My full contact details are below, and I am available for any kind of interactions on the subject , and also regarding the blog link given below, regarding a judgement by Rajasthan High Court allowing/holding it legally ok for a Woman to live with her lover, when her legal husband is another guy(whatever be the case details, a High Court ruling its ok for a woman to live with her lover, by remarking that her husband is free to apply for divorce, husbands Habeas corpus application was with maligned intentions and to harass, and that the lady never wanted to live the husband even before the marriage etc. is not showing a High Court(of Justice) in good light. The judge should have at least condemned the illegal relationship(if not charged the lover with Adultery, since women cannot be accused of Adultery, wow nice na?, as per the IPC- the Law of the Land, check the blog to find out full details about this travesty!)

It also appears that this is in line with the continuous legal oppression (in name of protection of women, while truly oppressed harassed women like Archana gets no help or justice!)

We just want justice, and for justice (irrespective of gender) we will fight and won't relent till we achieve it, there's no compromise, with or without hurdles.

Request all of you to check out the updated blog and leave your comment too please:

http://www.saveindianfamily.org/articles/2007/04/i-may-be-fool-here-but-let-me-risk.html , we need to bring sanity to India, including the Judiciary

(again admitting that we have not got the detailed judgement to study, but from the initial press reports, this is blatant Gender-bias and the case of lingering skew and legal oppression against Men, and we can't allow this for the sake of the Indian Family, and for India)

Warm Regards

P.R.Gokul,
Director, Protect Indian Family
(an NGO for promoting Domestic and Marital Harmony & Discouraging Misuse of Gender-Biased Laws), Mumbai

protectindianfamily . org,
http://bpssindia.info (an NGO of women, by women, for the Family)
forgottenwomen(dot)org
saveindianfamily(dot)org

1) If the hacker is used to block the blog, then it shows that UNICEF has some thing to hide. This needs to be made public if it is proven that UNICEF did it.

2) Is pshytrist paid 24 lac. This needs to reconfirmed and this could be in a big advantage to Archana. There is hardly any programme UNICEF engages the Psychiatrist, so have to b reconfirmed.

3) Now some of the staff members are feeling that they are working for their personal gain and not for the mission of UNICEF....protecting the right of women and children in the country knowing that Archana has been harrassed but helpless at the same time. I am glad that sense of guilt is buidling up and hope it will explode one day sooner than later.

It seems some of the more recent postings are once again moving away from the main issues.

I have not visited this site for sometime and therefore was not aware of the site being down. To lend more clarity on the subject, was the entire site down or only this page ? If it was the entire site, were there any other page or weblog in the site that prompted this malicious attack?

Insiders, please tell us if you are able to visit and post your comments on this site from your computers in your workplace? If indeed you are able to, that means UNICEF has not done what is very easy for them to do i.e. just block this site through their internet servers.

This side conversations while useful, sometime can be purely speculative and non-productive and not backed on facts

Archana, Do you have people in media in your side. This 24 L contract could be sensational news for them. The systems and the insider will give the details.

No, we do not and can not post our comments at our workplace. We have to do it from our homes. Why don't you visit our office Unfortunate reader, and you will know the truth for yourself.

Thanks Insider 6. What is not clear is whether you are able to access this site from your office machines or not. Has that been electronically barred?

To be very honest, I have never tried it. I will try it on Monday and let you know.

oh dear oh dear rumours, half truths, some truths and no truths. must check facts before blogging hmmm! SH is not good at all. all suffer terribly. this blog does not help. we must all be together on these things. women rip women, and men of course just keep silent cos they are the biggest sinners...indians or expats all the same. men only have one aim. let's unite and fight this battle - women vs men - take our hatchets and yank off their heads. in this case dont know whose right or wrong. but eventually right triumps...long live right! long live truth! satyam shivam sundaram

# 248. Thank you Ces Adorna for joining the blog officially, never bother if in reverse order of your name.

Nice one, proper insider.

As for the downtime of the site, let's not cast aspersions on anyone. It might very well be due to Russian spam-lords frustrated that our nifty artificial intelligence spam blockers are so good that most of their spam comments do not get through.

Conspiracy theories are often no more than just theories;)

It appears that Ann Veneman, EXDir is sleeping and crowded by own advisors.
At least she could have done one thing, if she is not protecting Ces:

(i) Order a fresh enquiry comprising of people from all areas.

(ii) she can sit in enquiry committee and find out the truth.

Why to spend millions of dollars for damage control - why not to find out the truth by just spending peanuts. The truth will be known and whosoever is guilty should be punished. But I have doubt whether she will do this thing - No.

#248, I don't think its a fight against Men. Its a fight against injustice, here both Men and Women, national and internation should join hand. Today, its Archana, tomorrow any of us can be victimized with no place to seek justice. So please don't divide.

Isn't it interesting that this whole mess has brought fortune for few. At least they should thank Ces.

Its sad that ultimately UNICEF, its mandate, efforts of several great people will be the loser. Its certain that organization is extermely bias - whatever be the reason - Executive Director needs loyalist - and it shouldn't talk about rights and justice.

Friends, I think this blog is going off the track. It had a specific purpose which is getting lost. Let us take two things as given and stop saying the same things again and again.
1. We all agree that Archana's case is right and just.
2. We all agree that the UNICEF establishment and the Indian police, NCW etc have not carried out a fair process and are in the wrong.

So let us not keep repeating this ad nauseum. It does not help Ms Pandey. I urge you to write on this blog or directly to Ms Pandey)only and only if you have a concrete suggestion /advise on how this case should be pursued.

Best wishes,
ex-insider

I am back as promised. I want to inform all of you that we are not able to access the blog from inside the UNICEF office. The blog is blocked from our server.

I hope that satisfies curiosity of many who have been asking this quetion.

And I can say it for myself. I do not wish to invite other insiders claiming that they were able to access it. All I am saying that I was not. I tried many many times throughout the day.

I agree with #251, UNICEF should not waste money on damage control, it is worsening UNICEF's image. A fresh inquiry should be held, and report be handed over to all the three individuals involved. Right to information should not be denied.

It is a pathetic situation, where our authorities have not responded to their own countryman's plea, they are busy saving ..... whom? I don't think that there is any breakthrough on the legal side. Archana, it may become a long and lonely war for you. May GOD give you strength to fight for justice! May GOD give some sense to authorities to save their own citizens!

ahh this is all so sad. we all must be on the side of truth. truth by sooth we must all side truth however good bad or ugly. musnt throw the trowel in ... long live the world...but i believe we must also relax and let the power of the divine take over...what goes round comes around...shhhh God is listening!
....so am i - what's the truth, i'm wondering! who is right; who is wrong; but then may be no one is or may be everyone is!

256#, Godly one, you and everybody can be on the side of truth only AFTER it is found. That is precisely what we all are asking for. Finding the truth, the real one. This time not sitting inside closed doors with Cecilio Adorna in New York but openly, sharing it with other UNICEF staff of India.

Why should UNICEF or anyone try to hinder this process?

Why does not UNICEF conduct a fresh enquiry and allow either party to appeal against the verdict to any higher system in the UN. Allowing Archana to go to the higher UN legal systems would not have altered the truth.

The natural law of justice also claims that both parties should be given right to appeal to the highest possible court if any of them is not happy with the verdict.

That is when truth will prevail. And that is how truth should prevail.

I have been reading this blog with lot of interest. Recently the World Bank has been rocked by the irregularities committed by its President.

I am proud to say that our staff association is not as selfish and irresponsible as UNICEF's. I am posting a letter which the SA wrote to all staff of the Bank.

Will UNICEF Staff Association clarify what makes them dumb observers in this case?

Here is the letter-

Dear Colleagues,

Since publication of the March 28, 2007 (In the Loop) column in the Washington Post, the Staff Association has been inundated with messages from staff expressing concern, dismay and outrage. The Staff Association has looked into the concerns and would like to inform staff of what we have found. At the same time, we call on Senior Management and the Board to clarify what appears to be violations of Staff Rules in favor of a staff member closely associated with the President.

Bending the Staff Rules

At issue are the terms of external assignment for Ms. Shaha Ali Riza, formerly a Senior Communications Officer in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MNA). According to the Postand a subsequent New Yorker article, the Board's Ethics Committee determined that Ms. Riza, who was linked romantically with Mr. Wolfowitz, should be placed on external assignment so as to avoid what Staff Rules define as a de facto conflict of interest, when one partner supervises another. Accordingly, Ms. Riza went on external assignment, with pay, on September 19, 2005. The Staff Association has not been able to determine who drew up and approved the terms of the external assignment. However, we have been able to verify that they are grossly out of line with the Staff Rules.

Promotion: Despite the complement control? That limits the number of staff at grades GH and GI, Ms Riza was given a non-competitive promotion to level GH on the day that she left on external assignment. Promotion from GG to GH is supposed to be competitive, vetted and approved by the relevant sector board and is supposed to be against a specific position (Staff Rule 5.05). This promotion clearly does not conform to the procedures.

Promotion Increase: Staff Rule 6.03 stipulates that salary increases upon promotion should be the greater of (a) 3-12% of the Market Reference Point (MRP) of the new grade, or (b) the amount necessary to bring the salary to the minimum of the new grade. Ms. Riza's promotion increase should have been determined by the former calculation. However, she was given a promotion increase of 28% of the MRP ? more than double the amount allowed by the Staff Rules.

Annual Increase: Since the performance of staff members on external assignment cannot be assessed and compared to that of their colleagues, Staff Rule 6.05 directs that their annual salary increases be set at the average percentage applied to adjust the MRPs for grades GA ? GI. For FY07, the average percentage was 3.7%; Ms. Riza's annual increase this FY amounted to 7.5%.

Leak or Whistleblowing?

In general, the Staff Association defends a staff member's right to have the Bank Group preserve the confidentiality of certain information? and we deplore this leak of a staff member's confidential salary information. However, in this case, the information shared with the press reveals a violation of the Staff Rules and therefore seems to us a clear case of whistleblowing. We call upon Senior Management and the Board to address this issue: explain how/why the Staff Rules were bent in this case, take steps to ensure compliance with the Staff Rules with regard to Ms. Riza and set in place a system that will ensure (and allow verification) that Staff Rules are consistently applied. If everything is above board, it reduces the impetus to "leak" information and the need to blow the whistle.

Effects on Staff Trust and Morale

The 2005 Staff Survey revealed the low level of staff trust in our Human Resource processes ? largely because the rules are either ignored or are applied unevenly. This case sends the message to staff that the rules apply to everyone except those associated with the most senior levels of management. It also sends the message to managers that they may flout the Staff Rules with impunity. It is extraordinarily discouraging to staff who have been denied promotions and/or who receive a minimal salary increase despite a stellar performance evaluation ? and to hardworking GA-GD staff whose entire annual salaries are less than Ms. Riza's promotion increase. This is not the first instance of such Staff Rule violations by the current World Bank Group Management, and the Staff Association calls upon them to abide by and uphold the Staff Rules that govern all of us.

Senior Management has put forward a call for good governance, both within the Bank and among our partner countries. Good governance is founded in a respect for rule of law, transparency and accountability. In order to be credible, Senior Management must model the behavior it espouses.

World Bank Group staff await the answers to these questions.

You are very right about the conviction and moral strength of your Staff Association, the World Bank colleague. Hats off!

But first I have few questions before I endorse your linking the Bank's issue with Archana's issue here.

Has any irregularity in terms of breaking of the staff rules been committed in Archana's case? Has UNICEF broken any HR rules while dealing with Archana? Was her tremination or non renwal, whatever, was not keeping in line with the staff rules?

If none of this has happened, I am afraid that the UNICEF Staff Association can not do much to take up Archana's case.

If any or more of these irregularities have indeed taken place, then I will whole-heartedly endorse your view that our global and India staff associations are spineless bodies who take these assignments just for their selfish and vested gains.

Archana, if you are there, can you enlighten me?

Arrey Archana, where are you? This is a very important question which needs to be answered immediately.

I know it will be very difficult for you to separate the issue of sexual assault with this particular question being asked by Half Insider. But please try to answer it as soon as you read these postings.

Were any HR policies, staff rules or organizational rules ever broken in your case?

Arrey Archana, where are you? This is a very important question which needs to be answered immediately.

I know it will be very difficult for you to separate the issue of sexual assault with this particular question being asked by Half Insider. But please try to answer it as soon as you read these postings.

Were any HR policies, staff rules or organizational rules ever broken in your case?

Archana, please speak up. It is indeed important.

Was there anyhting like suggested by above bloggers?

Oh sorry about not being available earlier. Have just signed in.

I can not even begin to tell you how many HR rules were blatantly violated by UNICEF while handling my case. My rights as a UNICEF staff member were breached on numerous occasions.

Even the so-called 'non renewal' of my fixed term contract did not adhere to the HR rules stipulated for non-renewal. I mean they could still have done it but should have done it legally to say the least.

There were many more HR rules which were breached without any consideration to staff member's (MY) rights.

Before the other group starts attacking me, let me draw their attention to the HR rule where 'non renewal of a fixed term contract' is listed under the heading 'Termination'.

Please note that all this happened in 2006, the year declared as 'YEAR FOR STAFF WELFARE".

And no, the UNICEF Staff Association did nothing, not even raise their voice. Though I can not understand the justification of it, but still can try to accept it when the SA says that they could not have taken up the issue of my sexual harassment because it did not relate to staff in general.But what about blatant violation of staff rules infringing on the basic rights of a staff member? Does the Staff Association have the privilege of sitting quietly through it? Seems they do.

What they seem to have forgotten is that it can happen to any one of them. It can happen to any of their spouses. It can happen to any of their children.

UNICEF can do without such an incompetent, spineless and helpless watchdog !!

I have just reached home and immediately logged in because we are not permitted to access this blog on our office computers.

Reading all the recent postings I just want to scream-

SHAME ON YOU MASOOD!
SHAME ON YOU SUDHA!
SHAME ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES OF BOTH THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS!
YOU ALL HAVE BETRAYED STAFF TRUST BY ACTING AS MANAGEMENT STOOGES!

Yes, UNICEF Staff Associations should be deplored for the roles they have played in Archana's case.

I am very proud of our Staff Associations, both the global and our own, the Indian.

This is the stand that our local SA took on our President's issue. I doubt if any of UNICEF's SAs has the guts and moral strength to have taken this kind of a stand openly.

Here it goes-

"Colleagues,

I have been deeply disturbed these past few weeks by the developments involving
our President. I have always been proud of working for this institution but it
has been increasingly difficult because of these events.

I know there are many occasions when HR and the Staff Association disagree on
issues. When I came to the Bank from the Private Sector, I was actually appalled
at the fact that we had a Staff Association. I had absolutely no intention of
joining it. I reluctantly did join , but the only reason I did so was because
our Staff Association would host a lunch once a year from the dues collected
from staff, and I didn't want to have a free lunch. Today I am really proud to
be a member of the Staff Association. I want to publicly acknowledge the courage
and integrity which Alison and the other members of the Staff Association in
Washington have displayed over this issue. The reason for addressing this to all
staff is because I want to publicly acknowledge my deepest respect for their
integrity, high ethical standards and courage.

I also want to join the large members of our HR community in expressing my
deepest regard for Xavier. I am proud to be a member of a team which has such a
leader. He has demonstrated the values that the institution holds high.

This note is the only way I know how to express my support for the stand the
Staff Association has taken on our behalf. Mine is a very small voice but I know
every voice counts. Taking the lead from my managers I too want to stand up and
be counted among those who urge that Mr. Wolfowitz resigns.

Regards "

Staff association needs to be condemn for not acting on this issue. Staff association raise the issue only when there is salary survey to be done or some get together, that is all.The voice is loudest during the staff salary survey. definitely they donot want to settle for any less when it comes to Rupees and Paisa and the individual gains.What World Bank staff have done can never happen. As we see from Ms. Pandey's mail, HR rules at every instance has been
volilated, how many of the staff have the
courage like WB staff to question it. Not a word though the SM continued to suffer, panic attacks right in the office, hospitalised for many weeks,continuous consumption of sleeping pills.All becuase it is related to the bosses

Here is a Desicritics Article on Paul Wolfowitz and his torn socks.

Interesting reading the latest postings; as a regular reader of this blog, i am still not clear about which specific staff rules or rights have been abused or not followed; just because the year is a staff welfare year does not mean much.

since several of us do not have access to the HR rules of UNICEF, it will be good if archana can answer more specifically the questions that Half Insider, Poornima and Sonia Sharma have asked.

Sorry Unfortunate reader. I will not like to respond to that. I have already filed an appeal in the UN Joint Appeals Board on those issues and do not wish to open my winning cards on this public blog.

My going to UN Joint Appeal Board and then my resolve to take it to the UN Administrative Tribunal, if needed, should be reasons enough for you to believe that I am fighting on solid ground.

This is also to inform all of you that I do not have to 'imagine' or 'make things up' as far as violation of staff rules is concerned. There is a big fat book called 'UN staff rules for 100 series staff'. That provides me all the arguments needed to prove how blatantly UNICEF has violated UN staff rules and their own WRITTEN HR policies in my case.

I am amazed to read this blog. I could never imagine that such dirty games are played in prestigious UN organizations. After reading this article, the conclusion is that the lady Archana is fighting for her dignity and the so called biggies of this office are working very hard to save the image of the company. The question arises that why UNICEF staff is not taking any stand. The staff is expressing views on this public blog. Staff association has been condemned by insiders and the victim, then why the staff is continuing with such staff association. So many bloggers have urged for a fresh inquiry, why is UNICEF management not taking action on this, instead of damage control. This case has already damaged its name, what damage control they are talking about, etc. Wake up guys before it is too late.

Though I can understand your outrage BABA, but I do not understand the gaps in your comprehension.

Why should the Staff Association do anything about it? We all know how desperate the SA Chairperson is to get an international post. Will Archana be instrumental in her getting that post? She has to be in the good books of Cecilio Adorna who is known for 'obliging' people for the services rendered. It is her NEED and not the CHOICE to be on Ces's side.

I do not need to say anything about SA's ex Chairperson. He eats out of the hands of Adorna and Adorna compensates him fully for his strategic silence. We all know how Adorna had 'paid' him during the wedding of his daughter.

Now come to the Executive Committe of the SA. Everybody is enjoying their lives at this moment. People who earlier had limited chances to travel are now vising all the field offices in the name of PBR consensus and making decent money out of it. Can Archana give that privilege to these EC members? No, only Adorna can.

They have to be stark raving mad to raise their voices in favor of an EX Staff and against Adorna. Let UNICEF's reputation be damned till it keeps on transferring our salary amount in our accounts on every 25th of the month!

And why only Staff Association? What about our other staff members? Why is Communication section so quiet? Earlier, the same people used to whisper amongst giggles that Adorna was smitten by Archana and used to describe his desperation about how he wanted to approach her in her room every time he came that side. Why are they silent now?

Why none of them ever talks about Corinne's sudden absence? Forget the reasons. Anybody can give any reason for being absent from office. But why don't they feel like raising their voices when their Chief is absent at this crucial juncture of finalising the PBR? That too when few posts in the communication section have also been abolished?

Lets talk about ourselves. Don't we all know how Corinne had publicted shouted on Archana and called her a bitch? Didn't we all assemble in corridors to talk about archana's unexplained illness and hospitalisation and trying to guess the reasons behind it? And today all of us, including me are silent. Because all of us need our well paying jobs. Where else we will get such highly paid jobs? Doesn't our silence suit all of us and our families.

Have we forgotten the day when Ces had come inside the cafeteria and held Archana in a close embrace while she was sitting? Many of us were there that day. I certainly was. Don't we remember the helpless expression on Archana's face and how she was ready to burst in tears? Have we forgotten how we had discussed this entire thing between ourselves and had tried to draw the conjectures?

Have we forgotten how we talked about Neha's open relationship with Ces and how he had favored her by appointing her sidelining all the other qualified and experienced candidates?

Why is this lady in HR silent who used to boast about taking care of Archana when she was sick? She knows much more than we think. Why is she silent? Was she interviewed as a witness when the enquiry was conducted?

We all know the truth but it suits all of us not to speak it aloud. We all are duty bound to our families and to take care of them through UNICEF jobs.

At least I do not have guts to speak aloud.

I support these views. I am also one of those Insiders who would have liked to speak aloud because I know about this case to some extent.

I was also there in cafeteria but that was so long back in time. I have seen few things which even Archana does not know I have seen but I never had the courage and go ask Archana about any of them. On two occassions I have seen Ces about to go out of building till he saw Archana coming from the corridor. his internal conflict was so obvious on both the occassions. He stopped not knowing what to do and finally decided to go back and talk to Archana while his car was waiting outside the door. I was too far away to hear what he was saying but I did see him touch Archana and she removing his hands. He was obscenely close to her and once I saw Archana start crying after that encounter.

Though I am not part of A&P section but I had heard about Ces being after Archana.I am in one of those sections where we need to sit in front of our computers the whole day and we do not have opportunity to visit other sections. Still I have heard too many rumors floating. Especially after Archana's illness.

I have my own sets of queries. I have gone through the PROMS and have observed that post her illness Archana was sent to two states to work. Why are the Representatives of those states silent? I can not believe that they must have worked with Archana for such a long time without knowing anything about it.

Granted that one of them has been given a posting of his choice which he always complained was denied to him. Was he also bought over by Ces? Was he one of the witnesses?

What about the other STAR? He is such an old staff member of UNICEF. Can he actually say that he does not know anything about it? Whatever little or more he knows, why doesn't he talk? Because he is P5 occupying a P4 post and needs Ces's blessings for his promotion to D1 level? Was he one of the witnesses? If not, why not? The same STAR is known for visiting Delhi fixing official work around weekends so that he can stay in Delhi with his family and still claim DSA. It is obvious that he can not do it without Ces's approval. The pattern is so strong that it can not be coincidence after coincidence. Is that one of the reasons that he is silent?

And what about this Ex EC member who spent considerable time with Archana in one of the States. Can she really claim with her hand on her heart that she knows nothing? Then why is she silent? She is supposed to be a staff who feels too much for the welfare of other staff. But now even she is silent. I don't understand all this.

Then there is Chief of this other section. Till this case came into highlight I thought Archana was part of his section. I have heard that he has been a witness against archana by condemning her performance. If that was the case, why did he always try to get her on loan from communication section? Just because his rotation is due and he himself is looking to be the Represenative of a country?

I wish I had the moral courage to talk about it openly. But I need this job badly and can not afford to take any kind of risk.

Wow! What a great organization and people? Hats-off to Adorna who knows nuts and bolts and which need to be tighten and when.

Ms. Veneman, you should leave your seat for this great person to take this organization to Hell, which it deserves.

Archana and others, Parliment session is starting soon. Can we mobilize MPs to raise this issue in Parliament? I am sure this will boost this case

I have been following up this blog ever since the day we came to know about it.

I have one more information to add. Since access to this site is not allowed in our office, I am requesting my spouse to post my comment here.

I work on the second floor of UNICEF building. I will like to share my strong suspicion here that even Eric Ategbo knew about this case. Many a times I have passed in front of his room and saw Archana sitting in front of him, crying. I have also heard Cecilio Adorna's name and small incidents being mentioned in that conversation. Even then I had felt like eavesdropping and knowing more about their conversation because even though the subject of the conversation became quite clear to me, the details remained unheard.

Now I can add two and two together.

Isn't it a coincidence that Eric is leaving for a plum posting at his choicest location. I remember Eric complaining just few months back to whoever cared to listen that Ces had stopped him from joining some other job within UNICEF that he had been offered. How is it now that Ces suddenly allows him to join/ Or is it again the price paid for his silence?

It will be interesting to know whether Eric was a witness in Archana's case?

since this blog has been blocked in unicef, my mom has assigned me the duty of reporting her every hour about any new entry on this blog.i have reported her about all the entries.

she just called me to further ask a question on this site. she said people are talking about awards by Ces but nobody is talking about retalliation by ces. she asked me to write how she will like to know about Mrs Pandey's friend who was a consultant in health section. sorry but I have forgotten the name of that person though my mom mentioned it. it started with p i think. my mom has asked me to write that this lady has worked in UNICEF on different posts even before mrs pandey joined. she was a consultant when this case happened. she has not been seen around for quite some time. has UNICEF decided not to hire her because she is a close friend of mrs Pandey?

i hope it is ok mom.

I know the lady you are talking about. She is now working with another sister UN organization in Western Uttar Pradesh. She left mid-way between her contract because she wanted to be in the same town as her husband.

Dear Archana,

I got a message from the People's Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) people. They have a long history of tackling such cases. This is the reply I got:

"Is she working within the jurisdiction of Indian Courts? I know that there is an Act passed by the parliament giving these organisation immunity from local
laws. I know as a fact that ICRISAT was notified as one such organisation. Taking advantage of this law they terminated the employment of around 250 employees I filed writ petitions against these actions. They were dismissed by
the High Court and I sent the matter to the Supreme Court. Around three or four years back the appeals also were dismissed The case title is Basi Reddy vs ICRISAT and it is reported. She can file a criminal complaint before a concerned magistrate or file a writ petition for the issue of a mandamus and again reagitate the issue of immunity. This is contrary to international
conventions as also CEDAW. Send her to Vrinda grover."

By the way, Vrinda Grover is an advocate experienced in issues of women's rights. Her contact details are:
Vrinda Grover
Advocate
N-14A Saket
New Delhi-17
Te No.-011 6516088
E-mail- amarvg(at)del3.vsnl.net.in

Archana, any information from Police? Yesterday I was searching UN and got UN Charter. It very clearly mentions about the privileges given to UN staff for the performance of their duties and is no way protecting staff from criminal activities.

I think you should ask Crime Against Women Cell and give them a copy of UN Charter.

Hey friends, none of you have any contact with MPs? Some way or other, this question needs to be raised in Parliament.

Hi friends, no suggestion. Don't you think this question should be raised in Parliament.

You know I consider myself to be lucky that I am not working in any UN agency. Had Archana been in some other organization, atleast FIR would have been lodged and investigation started. Just because its UN agency, Police is not touching them. What a irony!

Friends, I want to share something very drastically disturbing with you today. This week (I will refrain from telling you the exact day and time so that nobody can pinpoint my identity) I heard two people talking in the office. They were discussing about some kind of progress on a plan which they had made to apprach Archana's lawyer. I just heard one person asking if the lawyer would have communicated the message and the other replied that it was ensured that he did. They also mentioned something about how Archana will shortly know that accidents keep on happening in a city like Delhi.

I am shocked beyond my wits. It took me quite some time to regain control over my senses. I hope they did not register my presence there, though sure they saw me.

Archana, please stop this battle. You have shown enough strength. You have rocked the empire of Ces Adorna. But now is the time to put a stop to all this. Nothing is more precios than your life. I have seen all the three kids of yours and want them to be happy. For their sake Archana, please stop now.

My God, what are you saying Insider 2?
I could never have thought people can stoop down to this level just to save their skins.

Archana, back off please. We admire you already and know you are right. You were victimised by Ces adorna and the whole office knows it, even if they are impotent to the level of not accepting it.

Take care Archana, you are a role model for us.

I just decided to check on the blog today because colleagues have been telling me in office that this blog is being closely monitored by NYHQ. When I had checked it the last time, there was no new posting. I was not expecting any new posting today also. But what I read has shocked me to no end.

I am angry and disillusioned. What is Ann Veneman doing sitting at NY? Has she turned deaf and blind just to save her own chair? How can she keep quiet pretending nothing has happened? How can she continuously allow people to bring disrepute to UNICEF's biggest Country Program for saving just one man?

I am forced to compare her with Carol. I know Ces was very close to Carol, but I have my own doubts if Carol would have gone to save Ces to this extent.

Why is UNICEF not ready to sacrifice one man to save the reputation and prestige of UNICEF that thousands of staff around the world have built up piece by piece. Has veneman ever realised how traumatic this whole fiasco has been for staff morale? Everybody is feeling so insecure after this forgery that NYHQ has committed with Archana. Staff morale is at its nadir.

I think we all should ask Veneman's resignation on moral grounds. How long the top boss can afford to sit on the problem and do nothing. She is just out to prove that she really is a Bush implant and has no mind or strength of her own.

And yes Archana, its of no use to engage with these ba-----s. You are a very qualified and experienced person. Please move on with your life. It will be just a matter of few years when you will be able to look back and smile on the incidents that are happening today.

This UNICEF is not the UNICEF I have worked for last two decades. I am not even sure I like this UNICEF at all. Only because it is inhabited with people like Veneman, Adorna, Sam and Corinne.

Shame on you UNICEF. It is never too late to accept that you did commit a mistake and give Archana the justice that she rightfully deserves. Only you could have done it Veneman had you not chosen to remain silent.

This whole thing is bizarre. Too unrealistic. But like all things so bizarre, in all probability, perhaps true.

Remember the holocaust of Jews? It was truth at such a big scale that it almost became a lie, not to be believed easily. How could so many Jews be murdered by one single brain. Alas, it all was true though!

I get the same uneasy feeling reading this blog; and hearing things from my friends working in UNICEF in other countries. It is disheartening for all the UNICEF staff worldwide and traumatic not only for colleagues in India.

I think it is high time that Ms Veneman takes things in her control now, sidelining her coterie. I strongly believe that she should have taken initiative to talk to Archana whichever way the reality might be. If Archana is right, to correct the blunder that has been committed by whoever. If she is lying, just to know what is making her lie.

But one thing is very clear. Veneman should break her studied silence NOW. Otherwise she will go down in the history of UNICEF as the most conniving, selfish and insensitive Executive Director that UNICEF has ever had. I doubt whether this is how she wants herself to be remembered by generations to come.

What I can not understand from this whole story is why UNICEF is avoiding talking to Archana? It is not that that she is a dreaded terrorist likes of Osama Bin Laden that it is a taboo talking to her.

Archana is a UNICEF staff. Sorry ex staff now. But how can we forget that she has given her best 6 years to UNICEF before being unceremoniously kicked out. The least she deserves is a patient, impartial hearing without any bias. Why is UNICEF denying her this fundamental right that all UNICEF staff/ex staff should enjoy keeping in mind the principles of the organization.

Come on our dear Executive Director, it is you now who holds the key. You have to demonstrate as our undisputed leader that you are capable of solving this crisis, not just deferring it. Only then you will be accepted and treated like a role model which I believe you have all qualities of.

All I can as a serving woman staff member is that this is a bad, very bad precedent to set. The message that goes out is that any expat UN staff can wilfully break the laws of the land, thump their nose at the country just on the strength of UN diplomatic privilege and simply get away with it.

Is this really what UNICEF globally would like to project?

I should imagine that an organisation like UNICEF would unilaterally offer to withdraw privileges on a staff member who is known to have broken the law so as to get to the truth.

After all the individual is not more important than the organisation.

Already the word-of-mouth reputation of UN organisations and particularly UNICEF is pretty bad. Word gets around you know. Just check with any reputable HR firm - you will be surprised.

Intelligent and brilliant people are certainly not picking any UN offers lately.

Perhaps just as well..... these organisations have lost their validity in the new scheme of things anyway.... let them die their natural death.

Another Insider, As you have asked Executive Director of UNICEF, could you please send her to look at the blog, as you are not sure she is noting the developments or not. Your plea will not be heard until you write to her.

Insider...are you the original first insider or the eleventh insider? If so please get your token from the nearest DC booth;)

I find Insider's comments very prolific whether s/he is the original Insider or the 11th. Any individual not revealing one's identity is one and the same whatever name they prefer to choose.

One reasoning that eludes me is, did I get my fundamental rights as an Indian citizen forfeited the day I chose to work with the UN? Can a person enjoy their fundamental rights accorded to them by the constitution of their own country (the biggest democracy in the world in my case) only if one is not working with the UN? Then what moral grounds does the UN possess to claim that the human rights are being violated by the governments of many countries across the world? And why should the Governments pay any heed to them at all? Isn't UN doing the same thing here? Isn't UNICEF going that extra mile to step on every right that I have the privilege to enjoy?

Beside the sham enquiry, both process and outcome of which can be questioned using UN's own guidelines, has UNICEF not violated my basic rights by not allowing me to appeal against the verdict? I was not allowed by UNICEF to approach to even the first tier of the appeal process laid down by the UN themselves- the Executive Director, thus effectively blocking me to go to the Joint Appeals Board and the UN Administrative Tribunal subsequently because one can not appeal to the next tier without having gone through the earlier tier.

UNICEF claims that nothing was "convincingly proven" in my case based on an invisible report. Why should they be afraid to make the report public, at least what stops them to share the report with me? That too when the UNDP processes clearly state that the investigation report should be shared with the complainant and the alleged offender. UNICEF may choose to say that UNDP may have a different set of rules but which set of rules is more correct - the transparent one or the blocked one? I can also accept the argument that the UN agencies may have different rules but how can UN agencies have CONTRADICTORY rules?

Having done all this and more, UNICEF still has the audacity to feel 'touchy' when people say they smell a 'cover-up'.

Sorry, I forgot to write on the issue which had made me read this blog in the first place after a long time. One of my ex colleague urged that I read the blog immediately.

Thanks my dear Insiders for the concern you feel for me. I am deeply touched. I can just say that fighting this war has given me a new purpose in life and let UNICEF know it for once and all that nothing can stop me now till this case reaches to its logical conclusion. I am not consumed by the result of this war. I am committed only till fighting, giving it all that I am capable of giving and not accepting defeat at the very beginning.

I was going through some comments from the Insiders where they have expressed a desire that the Executive Director should intervene in this case now.

Dear Ms Veneman, with due respect to you and your chair, please be advised that you will not be able to wish me away. I do exist and shall keep on fighting even if you all pretend not to acknowledge my existence. Another point that I will like to iterate is that it is never too late to accept the possibility of a mistake having been committed. We all know of court decisions which are finally reversed at the level of the Supreme Courts. Should they follow the same logic that the lower courts could not have made mistakes in their judgments, there was no rationale in having higher courts in the first place. The greatness of a leader lies not in allowing people to keep on the cover-up efforts; but to have strength to probe and find the truth, accept the mistake if any was committed and then take appropriate corrective action.

You have not taken even the first step to find the truth.

You are right Archana. I wish Ms Veneman had the stregth to take that first step. I wish I could have trusted her enough to put my professional life in her hands.

Forget the ethical principle of that being the credibility of the head of a global organisation like UNICEF?

Archana, forget about getting justice from people like Ann Veneman. Everybody is too busy to take notice of a small fry like you. Who are you and what credentials do you have to figure in the scheme of things of high and mighties?

Archana, please move on. There is more to your life than fighting a losing battle with UNICEF.

please do not discourage Archana. She has to win this battle and she will.

Who are you Maharashtra to give such an unwise counsel to Archana? Do you even know her? Do you know the responsibilities of her life? Here she is facing threats to her life and here you are, asking her to go ahead?

Who are you? An Outsider? Then do you even know her to know about her trauma? Or an Insider? Then do you have capacity and strength to support her openly to ensure that she wins her battle?

Whoever is Archana's friend will encourage her to move on in life. She has had enough. We have seen her battering and trauma and sincerely pray that she leaves all this behind to begin her life afresh.

It is easier to preach when you do not have a clue about a person and the depth of her sadness. Encourage Archana to move forward because even she has some right to happiness.

What I fail to understand is how an organisation is willing to ruin its hard earned reputation in order to save one man. Is a person more important than the organisation itself? That too when he is alleged of such a despicable offence?

I can feel the intensity of these lines from deep within my heart-

"In the event of my demise
when my heart can beat no more
I hope I die for a principle
or a belief that I have lived for."

(Tupac Shakur)

I do not know much about this case beyond what I have read here. But I was a rape crisis counselor for a long time. And I know that while many people think they are helping the victim by encouraging them to "move on" and "forget" what happened, this is often NOT the best thing for the victim. It depends entirely on what that person wants. So Insider 10, you have it wrong.

Whoever is Archana's friend will encourage her to follow her heart and do what she feels is right. Whoever is Archana's friend will support her if she wants to fight this and hold her hand when she has had enough. Only she knows what is best for her, only she can define "moving forward"

Archana, I do not know you and I do not know near enough about this case. Only know that you are in my prayers and you will find your strength. It is already within you.

One thing is very clear from UNICEF management - they are least bothered about the organization and its mandate. What interest them more is their personal benefits. For them Ces must be the vehcile full of power - good or bad. Management is more concern about covering up mistakes. Probably they had never thought of Archana's determination and strength.

Archana, you are fighting not only for yourself but also for several others who are unable to take this up. You will be making life positive for several others in long run.

You are not alone. You have courage, intelligence, your family and friends with you.

The UNICEF is not stupid enough to let anything happen to Archana, because if anything does, then the media uproar will be savage and relentless. I don't think they can afford that. And anyway, Archana is now not an anonymous entity. If anything remotely suspicious happens to her, then all of us can immediately point to the UNICEF. There will be no way that the UNICEF can get away scot-free. I'm sure her kids are adult enough to carry on her fight in any such scenario.
So, I dont think that we need to worry about Archana's safety just yet. Please nobody encourage her to back down for no reason.
Somebody had said - "It is foolish to conjure up woe where none exists."

Thank you so very much for your empathetic words smallsquirrel ! People seldom realize the gravity of the trauma associated with these kinds of cases. Nobody can even begin to imagine how the nightmares are like, or the excruciating memories.....as if those moments have been frozen in time.....forever etched in one's memory...till one is alive.

I will not write more.....because then it may be difficult for me to stop crying.

Archana... Let me say upfront that I am not a licensed therapist, but I did do a lot of counseling in this area. If you feel you want someone to talk to about the healing process you can contact me through the editors of this site. I will tell them to give you my email address.

Otherwise, hang in there. Find a support group or someone you can trust who has experience dealing with this kind of thing. You need the support of friends and family, but you will also need the understanding of someone who is familiar with this kind of trauma. You will get through it. With grace.

Archana, thanks that you are at least alive to tell your tale. Others who have complained against the rot in unicef have been killed. This rot which begins at the top, goes way down. Below is the transliteration of a recent newspaper article from a Hindi daily in Bihar. Many can guess who could be behind this - an old time staffer, notorious for his corrupt deals. The integrity of the chief of the office (as mentioned earlier in this blog) is suspect. It is unlikely he will do much to bring the culprits to justice.:

DR SHUBHRONEEL KI MAUT SE BENAQAAB HUA UNICEF

Darbhanga (25 April 2007): Darbhanga main padsthaapit UNICEF ke child survival coordinator, Dr Shubhroneel ki begusarai main 20 april ki der raat kathit sadak haadse main maut ke rahasya par se parda hate ya na hate lekin unicef ke haakimo ka amaanviya chehra zaroor benaqab ho gayaa hain. Dr Shubhroneel ek yuva aur kartavyanishth chikitsak the. apne inhi guno ke karan bahut kam samay main hi apne sahakarmiyo ke beech apni saakh banaa li thi. Unke saath kaam kar chuke log bataate hain ki unhe kaamchoro aur beimaano se sakht nafrat thi. yahi vajay hain ki unicef main paise ka khel khelnewaale kuchh log unse nafrat karte the. shaayad yahi vajay hain ki unki maut par sangathan ki or se koi shok samvedana jataana bhi zaroori nahi samjha gaya. bataya ja raha hai ki Dr Shubhroneel unicef main theke par naukri kar rahe the aur aise logo ke jeene marne se sangathan ko koi matlab nahi hota.

Jaankaro ka kahna hain ki unicef main theke par kaam karne waale ka vahi tike rahne ki pahli shart yah hain ki ve kisi prakar ki garbari ki shikayat nahi ki jaay. Shikayat karne par doshi logo par karyavaahi nahi hoti, balki kai dafe shikayat karne vaalo par hi aafat aa jaati hain. Bataaya jaata hain ki ek smc ne gadi main sharaab dho rahe chaalak ki shikayat ki thi to uska anubandh hi samaapt kar diya gaya tha. Lambi pairvi par do saal ke baad unicef main uski vaapasi hui. Isi prakar gadi ke log book me kilometer bharne main manmaani karne par ek smc ko naukro gavaani padhi thi. Dr Shubhroneel ke baare main bhi kaha jaa raha hain ki driver ke saath unki anban ka kaaran log book bharne main gorakhdhande ka virodh hi tha. Dr Shubhroneel ne gaadi (Sumo BR 2B9562) chaalak amarnath kumar ke naajayaz harkato ki shikayat routine immunization ke state coordinator Dr Neeraj Agarwal se ki thi. Unhone kiraye par muhiyya karaanewali agency ka anubandh bhi samaapt karne ki sifarish ki thi. Is baaat main unhone dr Agarwal ko do email bhi bheje the. Unicef ko jehanabad ka ek bada travel agent sudheer kumar anubandh ke aadhar par gadi muhiyya karaata hain. Uska chaalak amarnath patna ke anisabad ka nivasi hain. Kolkata ke raybahadur road, bus padhav number 14 ilaake ke nivaasi dr shubhroneel ki sandigdh maut ko unicef main kiraaye par chalnewaali gadiyo ki aad main bade paimane par vittiya herapheri se bhi jodkar dekha jaa raha hain.
Dr Shubhroneel 20 april ko der shaam darbhanga se patna ke liye gaadi se nikle the. Gaadi amarnath chalaa raha tha. Ravaana hone se pahle unhone darhanga ke kai sahkarmiyo aur DIO dr uday kumar chaudhary se baatcheet kit hi. Dr chaudhary ko unhone raat saade aath baje muzaffarpur se bhi phone kiya tha aur do ghante main patna pahuch jaane ki baat ki thi. Doosre din, yaani 21 april ko khabar aai ki dr shubhroneel begusarai fulwaria antargat bangraaha gaav ke paas NH28 par sadak haadse main maare gaye. Is haadse main bedaag bach gaye driver amaranth ke police ke diye gaye bayaan ke mutabik agla pahiyaa pakkar ho jaane ke kaaran aniyantrit ho kar gaadi palat gayee jiske neeche dabkar shubhroneel mar gaye. Lekin vah yeh nahi bataa saka ki muzaffarpur se patna jaane wali gaadi begusarai kaise chali gayee. Haan, usne safai di hain ki use raaste ka gyaan nahi tha. Vah doctor ke bataaye raaste par chal pada tha. Fulwaria thane ki police ne shubhroneel ki maut ki prathamiki (37/07) bhadvi ki dhaara 304 ke tahat darj kiya hain. Vaha ki police ravivar ko darbhanga main civil surgeon, DIO aur unicef ke pratinidhio se poochhtachh kar ke laut chuki hain.

Somehow today I am not surprised to read what you have written Whistleblower. Earlier I had been so absorbed in my work that I did not have time or inclination to even think on these lines. But last few years in UNICEF did make me aware that they were as prone to human weaknesses as any other small organization. Remember, an organization is made of human beings and the quality of leadership plays an important role in determining the integrity of people working in it. I have heard senior officers of State and the Government of India describe how UNICEF conducts their business. I always used to challenge them of course, but sometimes had to remain silent when they presented solid logic. I have even heard that some of the MPs, MLAs, Ministers and senior beaurocrats are paid in kind, and even in cash to sustain the influencing power agencies like UNICEF enjoy. We all know some staff personnel and consultants are hired and paid exorbitant fee just to ensure that the government and media keeps mum.

For all we know at this moment, I may be dead too. But isn't there a GOD? I believe there is; and that s/he is with me with ample blessings. Let the God's will prevail!!

Whistleblower, can you please specify the name of the newspaper, exact date and the edition?

It is hindustan, muzaffapur edition, wednesday 25 april 2007

Main bahut dino se is blog ko padh raha hoon magar kabhi likhne ki koshish nahin ki kyunki English main likh pana hamari strength nahin hai. Par yeh sab padh kar ab ruka nahin jata. Main UP main UNICEF ke sarvapratham appointed kuchch SMCs main se ek hoon. Bahut si kahaniyan janta hoon UNICEF ki, apne samay ki bhi aur apne baad ki bhi.

Ladkiyon ka sexual shoshan karna aur najayaz tarike se paise banana to UNICEF main bahut hi aam bat hai. Isme naya kya? Aj kal to in dono prakar ka bhrashtachar apni charam seema par hai. Hum logon ke samy mein bhi bahut kuchch hota tha jiski poori jaankaari UNICEF ke alakaman afsaron ko rehti thi. Vishwadeepak sir ko jhoothe kilometer dikha ker paise babane ki aadat this aur saath mein official travel ke samay mary mendes madam ke saath ek kamre mein rehni ka shauk bhi. SN Jha sir ke bare mein to kehna hi kya? Unko to roz nai nai ladkiyan chahiye thin jinka wo bharpoor istemal karte the unko BMC banane ka jhansa dekar. Hum logon ko sharm ati thi UNICEF main kaam karte hue kyonki sabhi adhikari hum logon ko in baton ka tana dete the. Local akhbaron mein har samay kuch na kuch chapta hi rehta that in dushkarmon ke bare mein. Hamne har bar in akhbaron ki copies UNICEF mein bhejin par kabhi kisi ne koi action nahi liya. Kai baar shikayat karne par bhi UNICEf lucknow and UNICEF Delhi ne kisi kaarvahi ki jaroorat nahin samjhi. Dono logon ko nikaalne mein Archana madam ka hath raha. Jab who muzaffarnagar aai to hame unhe in dushkarmo ke bare main bataaya. Pehli bar kisi ne UNICEF ki izzat ke bare mein socha. Unhone fauran un hotelon mein sampark kiya jahan yeh sab aiyyashi hoti thi. Sath mein unhone un ladkiyon ko bhi bula kar bat ki jinke sharer ka shishan pratidin kiya jaata tha. Unse bayann lekar aur anya dastavez lekar Archana madam ne Lucknow mein yeh sawal uthaya. Suna gaya ki unko bahut roka gaya par unhone apni jankari mein is dushkarm ko hone ki izazat nahin di aur Jha sir ke khilaf UNICEF ko action lena pada. Lekin uske baad se hi Archana madam ko social mobilization network se alag kar diya gaya.

Hum logon ke network chod dene se kya hota hai? Rahte to hum unhi zilon mein hain, aur unhi logon ke saath rozana hamara uthna baithna hota hai. Badd mein bhi pata chalta raha ki yeh bhratachar band hone ka naam hi nahin le raha hai. UNICEF ke bade adhikari bhi jab district visit par ate the to ladkiyon ki deman aam bat thi jisko SMC ko poora karna hi padta tha. UNICEF ke adhikariyon ne kitni ladkiyon ka daihik shoshan kiya hai uski to ginti hi nahin ho sakti.

Paise lekar naukri dilvana, galat kharche dikha kar paise banana aur jhootho log book bhar kar jebon ko bharna, yeh sab to UNICEF ke culture ka part hai. Pata nahin kitne akhbaron ne yeh khabrein chapi hain aur UNICEF office mein lagatar copies bhejne par bhi kabhi kuch nahin hua.

Bahut galat hain who log jo sochte hain ki UNICEF aurton aur bachchon ki bhalai ke liye kaam karta hai. Auratbazi aur galat tarikon se paise kamana hi UNICEF ke staff ka ek matra dhyeya reh gaya hai.

O MY GOD !!!!! This is un-be-lie-va-ble !! Now it all falls into place...

If even 50% of all this is true, then the attempted rape of Archana by the rep is not surprising at all. It sits very easily with such habitual exploitation and corruption permeating the organisation at all levels.

I used to find it a little hard to believe some of the rumours about what actually happened in his room - the reason why someone as gutsy and bold as Archana cracked up - but now it all makes perfect sense. They are not rumours - they are true.

O God ! Rape and pimping is nothing for these bastards!! And now murder !!!

O MY GOD !!!!! This is un-be-lie-va-ble !! Now it all falls into place...

If even 50% of all this is true, then the attempted rape of Archana by the rep is not surprising at all. It sits very easily with such habitual exploitation and corruption permeating the organisation at all levels.

I used to find it a little hard to believe some of the rumours about what actually happened in his room - the reason why someone as gutsy and bold as Archana cracked up - but now it all makes perfect sense. They are not rumours - they are true.

O God ! Rape and pimping is nothing for these bastards!! And now murder !!!

But who doubts the fact that Ces did try to rape Archana?

I was sitting on the same table when Ces had come to the cafeteria and had held Archana in his arms. I do not know if anyone has written about it earlier on this blog or not, but at that moment she had scratch marks on her chest. They seemed like newly made and had just started swelling and turning red. They seemed to be nail marks because of their pattern. I noticed them because it was such an odd place to have those marks and also because of their rawness.

We all may say publicly that we are not aware of the truth in this case because of our jobs, but we all know Ces had hots for Archana. His expression and whole demeanor changed as soon as he set eyes on Archana. Most of us have personally seen it and others have been hearing about it since last two years.

We all know how many times Ces used to visit Archana's room. Why did he always try to close the door when she was all alone in her room?

I have seen him doing things which leave no doubt on how smitten he was with archana. I will just give one such example. From where I used to sit, I could see him whenever he used the water dispenser to drink water. Few times I saw him filling his water cup and begin to take it to his mouth. Bang on the moment Archana passed through the corridor. Almost as a reflex action, I saw Ces take his water cup away from his mouth, pour it back without drinking it and rushing towards Archana sometimes even with empty cup in his hand. I have seen this happening enough number of times to establish a pattern.

I do not understand why Archana never writes about these things on the blog.

Excuse me, what's that now? If it's an inside joke then I think it can wait.

That was a troll's interpolation - gone now

I have followed the blog site for quite some time and wish write understanding of the situation;

Archana: I have known you for quite sometime now, must compliment you for taking a principled stand and taking the fight forward. This is no surprise for me and others who have known you. A strategic suggestion is take this fight to floor of parliament.

UNICEF has already lost public face and many of the Staff Members are seen in a poor light. Yet, their NY HQ sleep over the issue speaks in volume about their sincerity on right of women and children that they claim to espouse.

Use of precious funds from member government and donor agencies to further personal interest and that of, cover up of this issue by UNICEF point a finger on the responsibility of donor agencies too. Are people in DFID India and UK sleeping (!!) when there are published reports (on public domain such as this) on use of their precious UK pounds of tax payers money being used for keeping mouths shut by giving them consultancies and foreign visits. Are people aware that there are efforts being made to officially buy books written by Ms. Archana Sharma an IAS officer serving in Human Rights Office in New Delhi. How do we think fair chance of justice will be served to Archana Panday in such blatant use of tax payer's money to subvert a justice process for Archana Panday.

So much has been written here on SM Net which further reaffirms the Archana's claims; I understand that some one called [EDITED - PERSONAL INFO] is head of such corrupt practices in SM Net. Many persons who siffphoned huge amount of UNICEF funds were friendly to Galaway and were rewarded with better and higher positions. Many of such corrupt persons from SM Net are today part of the section called Programme Communication working in either Delhi or unicef state office. Polio could not be eradicated but sure enough Archana and many like her today suffer from much dreaded virus of corruption, abuse, humiliation and injustice. It is a sad day for UNICEF ....

whatever is the purpose of this site and whose personal interest it is serving. It is unfortunate that in the process it is maligning the name of a great organisation.

This site serves the purpose of truth and free speech, and if even half the allegations presented by commenters are true, this 'great' organization has a public reckoning due.

UNICEF or any other UN Agency is in public domain and operates with tax payers monies raised or contributed either within the country or from outside. And, therefore must be accountable in the public domain for its deeds or misdeeds. This is exactly what Archana Panday is asking if person/s paid through tax payers monies are above these accountabilities under the pretext of "Immunity" for their "personal conduct" while working out of a public office especially when the internal processes (including Executive Director) within the UNICEF have failed to deliver a satisfactory justice, explained by Archana in her earlier comments both in terms of processes (such as access to report etc) and concluding assessment.

There are many like you who have suffered agony of abuse in public offices and therefore want you to succeed in this

On the other issue, Archana if my understanding of UNICEF internal documents on sexual abuse is correct than it provides for you to approach "local authorities" of the land". Use this as basis of moving Police / HR bodies, Judiciary, Legislative bodies and MEA.

Case of Wolfowitz, World Bank is there for all of us to see that they chose to preserve / save reputation of the agency over a single person particularly when the person was at the top. It was deliberted decesion by WB wherein they chose to improve their reputation in delivery of justice. Here in this case the entire UNICEF structure is pretending to overlook the real issue and challenges ....Is this how "great organisation" conduct their affair ...

NOW THAT YOU ARE DISCUSSING OPENLY LET ME SAY THIS. UNICEF BIHAR STAR KNOWS A LOT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HIS OFFICE AND KEEPS QUITE. HE KNEW THAT THE POLIO COORDINATOR [EDITED] ATTACKED EXPLOITED HIS SECY. AND HIS SMCS. STAR KNEW OF THIS AND YET KEPT QUITE. [edited] SIR LEFT ONLY WHEN HE GOT An EVEN GOOD JOB IN LUCKNOW. WHT IS WHOLE BIHAR OFFICE QUITE? IS IT BECAUSE [EDITED] SIR WANTS HELP IN CARRIER FROM COUNTRY CHIEF?

Sincerely speaking I have been eagerly waiting for comment number 317. First I had heard rumours to this effect but then people told me they were true. It is public knowledge that [EDITED] actually raped her. I will not like to disclose the name of the victim but she may now herself choose to come forward. Abiding by typical UNICEF secrecy norms he managed to get away with it. Staff knew this story and so did [EDITED]. Everybody chose to keep quiet. Nobody was willing to disturb the apple cart but patiently waited for his contract to be over. [EDITED] managed to get a much better job slightly before his contract was expiring.
The victim in this case decided to remain silent and continued doing her job. No wonder she idolises Archana and adores her enough to do anything for her. I believe she is vicariously vindicating her own trauma through Archana.

I think this is what can be called Archana's biggest contribution to the cause of fairness, equality and justice. She may or not may benefit from any of her efforts. She may even lose her battle. After all who is she? She is just a jobless, rightless lonely woman who has dared to wage a war with a giant like UNICEF. There is no guarantee at all that her voice will even be heard. But if nothing else happens, something definitely has already happened. Women in India UNICEF are feeling much safer, bold and courageous. And men well within their lines. Archana should be happy in this victory of hers.

"Only connect! . . .Live in fragments no longer." (E. M. Forster, Howards End)

We need to only connect these fragments and a grotesque pattern emerges. Let me add here another missing piece of the way Cecilio Adorna manages to garner support in the organization. He was very "taken" by Bihar's previous Nutrition Officer, Sangeeta Jacob and her work. Dulaar was showcased as the success story of Bihar when Carol Bellamy visited. We, who are unfortunate enough to work here, know how she got her work done. She was...how shall I put it.... CLOSE to a previous health secretary of the Bihar govt. (He has now moved on to the an even more powerful post in the administration). Apart from bribing govt. officials by giving the usual UNICEF perks of consultancies, per diems during official govt. work etc., she also threw in some freebies like supplying call-girls.
And this is the lady Adorna was trying so hard to get installed as the State Representative of Jharkhand! It is in return of favours such as these that he gets support when he needs.

We seem to be hitting a nerve somewhere. A little bird whispered in my ear that Cecilio has got his knickers in such a knot over this blog and the insider campaign of emails that now all UNICEF mails are routed through the Delhi server. They are censored and if found "suspicious", then blocked.

Rest assured, friends. We have our ways to reach you, despite this modern-day Gestapo.

Fasivaad ho barbaad.
Archana tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain

Not surprising at all. With a compliant IT chamchi sitting there as Chief Ass Licker, I'm surprised they didn't do this earlier.

Incidentally why isn't anyone writing anything about Corinne Woods, who ran away? Yes, now it's official. The lady isn't coming back.

Why dont the gang of insiders who operate the Open Letter write about the gross violations she has perpetrated in terms HR rules by being absent from work for two months, without any written application or approval from anyone?

And she would have you believe she's working - sitting by the beach in Brighton. I demand to know from the spineless HR here just what are the rules that permit that!?

I've been reading this blog with some amount of academic and personal interest and wondered why is it that these brave insiders lack the guts to come out and fight openly. I have seen striking women workers in the construction industry who have been absolutely fearless in fighting their maaliks' sexual harassment. These are women who would literally starve if they lose even a day's work.
So, why is it that these well-fed international civil servants lack the guts to come out and openly support a woman who has been obviously and systematically victimised? The answer lies in the selection of the people who work for organisations like UNICEF. In any other sector in India, even the corporates, you would find a far more diverse social mix. Not so in UNICEF. All are "folks like us", urban, upper class, upper-caste, missionary-school educated, hindu (except for what I hear is a strong christian/catholic lobby working overtime to support Adorna). You would be hard put to find a dalit, backward or muslim in this list of crusaders against children's sickness, malnutrition and illiteracy. And their social class reflects in their totally insensitive and ineffective programming, where millions of dollars of taxpayers' money goes down the drain. So, is it any wonder that they are scared to speak out against this vastraharan? They well know that they are not worth a fraction of the ludicrously high salaries that they are paid. And that if they had to look for a job today others would know their real worth or lack of it. So, everyone keeps their mouths shut and works hard to ensure that their asses remain stuck to their pathetic little kursis.

I am a man working in UNICEF on an international post. I have known Archana personally and had heard of her brilliance even before arriving here.

Yesterday I saw her at Khan Market after a really long interval. My God! What a messy sight she was! It was only then that I realized the magnitude of damage Ces-Corinne duo has caused her. I could see that she was scarred for life by trying to adopt psychologically unhealthy coping mechanisms to survive. She must have gained 35 pounds to say the least since I last saw her. I was so devastated to see her that I discussed this issue with a WHO doctor friend over the dinner last night. Interesting hypotheses came out. He believed that after undergoing such a trauma Archana was trying to repulse men to the best of her abilities which includes hoarding lards of fat. Obviously she feels more safe and protected under all those layers of fat.

I strongly feel that no woman should be driven to the brink of self annihilation tendencies the likes of which Archana is demonstrating. Nobody deserves to go through the experience what Archana did at UNICEF. With equally strong emotions I condemn Ces and Corinne for their even still unrepentant actions.

Archana, I can not refrain from telling you few facts of life. Yes we have our priorities, and conveniences and comfort zones. I think, regardless of what you feel at the moment, that you are a great and wonderful person and that you have contributed to an almost revolutionary development in terms of policies and their implementation - regarding communication and representation / advocacy in India. You have also shown people that direct hands-on work in the field can be combined in the same person who is at home in the top society if she wants. And you have shown that regardless of physical difficulties like broken foot etc, it is possible to make remarkable impact on the environment. You have shown that motivation is the key most important aspect of any programme.

In addition you have demonstrated that a woman with an ex-family can be extremely resourceful. But you have not succeeded to demonstrate that loving yourself can bring you further - which is one of my new findings. You need to get that done. Neither have you succeeded to convince yourself that you improve everything that you happen to touch. These issues you need to resolve! Love yourself, the world will not do it
automatically. I have seen people who are so terribly full of themselves that their enthusiasm about their importance is contagious. This is a contradiction I know, but these people come across as very important to not
disturb and they get practically all they want. And they bully the rest.


I repeat that you are a wonderful woman and that you are worth being loved, and to set the queue for the rest of the world, start with yourself. Look at all the great things that you can do... And what you have done, and what you will be able to do... Life will pass without bringing you along if you are not steering it. And you can steer it easily! You have so much power
in your personality, you have a memory of enormous proportions, and you have an intellectual capacity beyond the normal. And you look good too!

It is up to you to make people realise that in you resides a true leader and a strong and interesting person. You are!

I suggest you set up your own life values without a self-defeating attitude and honestly tell yourself what you want to be, what you want to achieve, how you want to do this, and what qualities you want in your life.

Then you - just do that! You are able to bring other people happily through any challenge. You are on strike for yourself only because of
something in your past history I am sure, but it is time to pull that cork out of the bottleneck and start working on yourself!

So, never have that bad self confidence. You do not need that, simply!

international insider... I am sure you are trying to be helpful and supportive... but do you really think that by humiliating and ridiculing Archana in public that you are accomplishing that goal?

Your conclusion is right, but it's not rocket science. Women who are victims of attacks such as what she endured often subconsciously feel that the attack is their fault for being too pretty, and then gain weight, stop dressing nicely, etc in an attempt to shield themselves from further abuse. It is a common reaction, and it's well known.

But you calling her out on a public board and using such awfully degrading language is really not going to help her. I know you meant well, but try using your head next time.

I did not mean to humiliate or hurt her. I truly did not. I am shocked and concerned. I have no other way to communicate with Archana so I used the blog. I am deeply sorry if I ended up hurting and upsetting her more. That was never my intention. I like and rspect her more than many people I have known in my professional and personal life to try and attack her.

I apologise sincerely Archana. I mean well and now you will be in my prayers every day.

look, I certainly do not speak for Archana and I have never met her. As I said, I am sure you meant well. I just meant that you should choose your words carefully, especially when speaking about a person who has already undergone such hell in a public forum. I am sure she appreciates your concern.

Horrible stories... I can't believe that despite knowing all this, people in UNICEF were silent. Archana, I think you have given a platform for concerned voices within organization.

Outsider #323, I agree with you but at least with hidden name people are coming forward to share criminal activities going on in UNICEF uninterrupted. I feel individually people are showing their courage but see the shameless Staff Association, still backing the culprits.

UNICEF staff association, learn some lesson from world bank.

I am very sad at the moment, both for Archana and for UNICEF. I do believe that Archana's version is the real truth and nothing but the truth. That is the kind of person she is. She is beautiful, more from inside than from outside but then let me also be honest by saying that sometimes I am confused which part of hers is more beautiful.

I am not at all surprised to note that Ces was so much taken by her that he tried to rape her. She exudes that air of warmth and charm yet so unavailable and aloof at the same time that she can be a challenge for most men who come across her. Let me end by saying that to know Archana is to love Archana. No man can ever ignore her.

I do not say that she is the most beautiful woman on this earth because she is not. Yet she has a certain kind of aura around her that people die to bask in. Just being in her company makes a person content and feeling happy about life in general. And I am not talking only about men. She charms women too. Look at her women friends. Whoever she vibes with and chooses to make friends with, can never leave her again. She is that kind of person.

Do I sound like I am hopelessly in love with her? May be I am, from the first moment I set my eyes on her but I respect her so much that I could never express my feelings for her. Few other men who I know in UNICEF feel the same way about her. And that's where the sadness creeps in. How could Ces do what he did to her. She is inviolable. Men should be happy enough to look at her, talk to her and remain content.

Ces, you can not even begin to imagine what you have lost by losing Archana, both personally and professionally.

Jo Purana SMC ne likha hai usi me aage jodana achha hoga jo kahani K. [EDITED] ne chaalu ki thi SM network ke naam par apani tathakathit "CONSULTANT" ke saath. Usake dino me kewal ladakiyon ko hi consultancy milti thi. [EDITED], [EDITED]sab usi ki rakhi huyi hain Unicef me. Aur dono ne kya kya nahi kiya suresh ke liye. Sab ko pata hai. Aur [EDITED]ne bhi SM ke naam par ladakiyon ke bahut maze liye aur unaki payment karwayi Unicef se. [EDITED]ki bhi ye hi kahani rahi. [EDITED]ko kitana kaam aata tha SM ka woh sab ko pata tha lekin kisi ki himmat nahi huyi kuchh bolane ki, [EDITED]ke karan. Ladakiyon ko aur khaas kism ke logo ko BMC banana bina kisi contract ke usaki aadat thi jisame [EDITED]aur [EDITED]ne usaka pura saath diya. Jis tarike se [EDITED]aur [EDITED]hamare jile me aate the aur hotel me rukate the usaka hisab [EDITED]aur [EDITED]dono ko pata hai. Aaj bhi yehan par hotel ke waiter buddhe aur usaki guddi ko yaad karate hain. [EDITED]ne InClean India aur IAP ke naam par jo maal batora hai usaka sab ko pata hai. Jab shuruat SM net ki iss tarike se aur aise aiyyash ke hatho huyi tho usame achhe logo ke liye jagah kaha hai. Aur fir gehu ke saath ghun tho pista hi hai aur khaskar un logo ke dwara jo apni gandagi chhupana chahate hai.

Archana kya aap ye batayengi ki aap khud ek chief ke peechhe kaise padi huyi thi aur kaise apni "feminity ko explait" karati thi apna consultancy badhwane ke liye. Ab jab woh tarika nahi chala tho fir se wo hi raag aapka -- dusaro par kichad uchhalo apni gandagi ko chhupao.

Jo Purana SMC ne likha hai usi me aage jodana achha hoga jo kahani [EDITED]ne chaalu ki thi SM network ke naam par apani tathakathit "CONSULTANT" ke saath. Usake dino me kewal ladakiyon ko hi consultancy milti thi. [EDITED] sab usi ki rakhi huyi hain Unicef me. Aur dono ne kya kya nahi kiya [EDITED]ke liye. Sab ko pata hai. Aur KsuResh ne bhi SM ke naam par ladakiyon ke bahut maze liye aur unaki payment karwayi Unicef se. [EDITED]ki bhi ye hi kahani rahi. [EDITED]ko kitana kaam aata tha SM ka woh sab ko pata tha lekin kisi ki himmat nahi huyi kuchh bolane ki, [EDITED]ke karan. Ladakiyon ko aur khaas kism ke logo ko BMC banana bina kisi contract ke usaki aadat thi jisame pnitaachyut aur [EDITED]ne usaka pura saath diya. Jis tarike se [EDITED]aur [EDITED]chuyt hamare jile me aate the aur hotel me rukate the usaka hisab [EDITED]aur [EDITED]dono ko pata hai. Aaj bhi yehan par hotel ke waiter buddhe aur usaki guddi ko yaad karate hain. [EDITED]ne InClean India aur IAP ke naam par jo maal batora hai usaka sab ko pata hai. Jab shuruat SM net ki iss tarike se aur aise aiyyash ke hatho huyi tho usame achhe logo ke liye jagah kaha hai. Aur fir gehu ke saath ghun tho pista hi hai aur khaskar un logo ke dwara jo apni gandagi chhupana chahate hai.

Archana kya aap ye batayengi ki aap khud ek chief ke peechhe kaise padi huyi thi aur kaise apni "feminity ko explait" karati thi apna consultancy badhwane ke liye. Ab jab woh tarika nahi chala tho fir se wo hi raag aapka -- dusaro par kichad uchhalo apni gandagi ko chhupao.

Archana, the foundation of sheer lie and cunningness certainly attract people but cannot hold them together for long. You are not Taj Mahal but just a column of the cards - that are shattering and truth is coming out. Read the lines above and the contradictions are enough and as clear as it was in your statments on the TV and newspapers, to prove what is the truth. Come out of your insecurities.

Just try to find out the reason why you were thrown out first from the health section, why you were refused by the communication section and then not included in the programme communication until you were moved to Lucknow.

Trust me, the things you have done to people is coming back to you - in much more horrible manner. See, the SMCs you always created and nurtured (of course for your own reasons and vested interests) are turning against you. Every dog has its day... and you already had it. You were cunning and worse enough to skilled and learned people to deserve this - [EDITED] Still you have time to correct your problems. Don't be so insecure otherwise, first your marriage and then a good job and god knows whats next future holds for you.

[EDITED]

#333 whoever you are, stop writing on other's behalf. Write about yourself and your views.

Using the same IP to post multiple comments is weak and not allowed.

I shall quote here the first of the Hindu monastic vows. "The bees seek honey. I will shun the habit of the flies and follow that of the bees".

Archana, those of us who are priviledged to know you fully realise that this lonely battle for justice that you are waging is not for some petty personal gain. You, dear friend, have undergone this ordeal only to serve a much greater cause. Ignore these buzzing flies, let them descend to the filth that is their natural habitat.

I never realised that my own colleagues will stoop down to this level by writing lies to such an extent. I have been waiting to reach home to write my comment. Ek aur SMC is noone but my own colleague and I will not reveal her identity out of sheer respect and professional etiquette.

My dear friend, please do not strike back by resorting to a packful of lies. Even if you have to, at least try to be consistent with the facts. We all know that Archana was never thrown out of the health section. I will like to remind you that she was a communication professional and was placed in the health section primarily because there was no programme communication section at that time.

Also when you say that she was 'thrown' out of the health section, what do you mean? She was given a staff position (while you claim that she was trying to save her consultancy) and the then Representative had hand-picked her to be part of a core team formed to take lead in communication for polio eradication in UP. You call it 'throwing out'? I was given to understand by Human Resource section that she has been the ONLY staff in UNICEF India, national or international, who was given a TFTA for two full years in a single contract . That shows how desperate UNICEF was to retain her rather than vice versa being true.

After this she got a fixed term appointment. And you claim that nobody wanted her? If what you say is the truth, I believe everyone of us will vie to be 'thrown out' and to be 'not wanted'.

You statement that programme communication section was not willing to take her is also technically incorrect. The Communication Unit in Lucknow belonged to the programme communication section and the chief of the section was the second reporting officer of all the team members including Archana.

All of us know how the two sections used to fight with each other to get Archana in their section, sometimes even on loan. Till very late the finance people were not even aware that Archana in fact was the staff member in Advocacy & Partnership section. They all thought that she was part of the PC section just because she was always loaned to that section till she got her fixed term appointment.

I will not like to even comment on your allegations regarding 'a chief'. If she was thrown out from the section of that chief and he was not competent enough to protect her from being thrown out, how comes she got a staff position? It clearly shows that any chief was not responsible for her getting a staff position except for the then Rep. Now go ahead and challenge Archana's sexual orientation. That is the natural level for you to stoop.

Please do not make comments on people's personal lives. Any relationship which is consentual between two adults can not and should not be commented on by anybody else. It is beyond their purview. It is nobody's business.

It would have been Archana's choice to befriend a man had she wanted to. Especially since while doing so she would not have committed any ethical, social or legal crime. She is single and has all the right in the world to choose a partner if she wills to. That does not give any right to Ces or to anybody else to attempt to rape her.

Any woman is free to have as many affairs as she wants, still nobody has the right to establish physical relations with her forcefully without her consent.

Please guys, do not start personally attacking archana just because she has dared to raise her voice against an issue which was unspeakable until this moment and now many UN people have gained the stregth to come forward and tell the truth.

Attacking archana at this point in time will only weaken your case and strengthen her allegations. If people are so upset that is proof enough that the applecart has been turned upside down.

Do not try to malign her because she is fighting for the cause of fairness and justice. Nobody is going to trust you all anyway because it is only the insecure people likes of you who resort to attacking and humiliating strong people. Let the truth prevail in due course of time.

I am an officer working with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Delhi. One of the UNICEF Delhi staff informed me about this site. I can write my name here but why should I reveal my identity when nobody else is?

I have never met Archana and have seen Ces only fleetingly. So I have no comment to offer on the issue being discussed here.

I have noted one thing and I will certainly like to express my views on that. One thing I can say that after reading the latest SMC's comment and the comment immediately thereafter, that the top management of UNICEF in India should be immediately terminated. Why are these two commenters trying to nail down the PO? And more so, the consultants? Even we know that consultants have no power in UNICEF. Also, that when the said PO was supervising polio, the top level management was the over-all in charge of polio since India was facing an unprecedented number of polio cases. Our department was constantly being briefed on UNICEF's efforts.

What kind of people does UNICEF employ? How can the PO (I know this PO and he is a very respectable person) and Chiefs keep doing these kind of activities right under the management's nose? Seems that the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that UNICEF talks about incessantly, is not functional at their own end.

Frankly speaking I feel that these few entries implicating PO and his consultant are bogus in nature and these comments have been made in retalliation to earlier comments on certain individuals. These people have just tried to malign the character of other people to serve their selfish interest without submitting any proof. They forget that the earlier SMCs for UP and Bihar have based their comments on media reports. They may be exaggerated but not entirely false. I myself had been asked to inquire the allegations of corruption in UNICEF UP when a packet had arrived in the department with at least 62 paper cuttings. I had asked UNICEF Delhi to submit a report which they had done and no further action was required. I did not comment on the earlier commentators because what they were saying was coming from media reports while these 'Wohi SMC' and 'Dil se' comments have no documentary evidence to produce. They should stop playing this game immediately and only report what in UNICEF language is 'evidence based'.

Archana and her friends, please please do not get upset by the comments made by two frivolous people. They have been exposed by their own colleagues, that too with the support of facts and figures. Any blind person can see through their games. They are doing this because they are scared of you now, scared of your fighting spirit and your exemplary resilience.

This is just to upset you, your friends, supporters and witnesses. Ignore it and march forward.

You will win this war whatever time it takes you to do so.

Wohi SMC and Dil se, please do not dare challenge Archana's potentials and capabilities because people may believe anything else that is said against her, but make any negative comment on her professional expertise and you will be riduculed by one and all.

Archana did not need support of any mentor to establish herself in UNICEF. In fact her supervisors gained international fame through her innovative thinking and most effective implementation. If you ask all her supervisors, barring Corinne Woods of course, then they will admit that in all probability they benefited more from Archana's work than she did through them.

Dil se, what right do you have to curse Archana damning her future? How do you know what her future holds for her? Are you the GOD? or HIS reincarnation? Or are you the best astrologer in the world? Shame on you for using these kind of words for any fellow human being! Archana may be whatever, but you have proven that you are a jealous, coward and vindictive human being. The truth is I do not even wish to call you human, you are just a breed of homosapiens.

Curse Archana by all means, but only in your prayers to your GOD. Pleae do not try to take advantage of this issue to condemn her. It only goes to show what disgusting traits you are made of.

I am a devout catholic and hence support Cecilio Adorna. Even if I do not know anything about his sexual characteristics, I believe no christian can ever do what he has been charged with.
After reading the whole blog and analysing it with clear head, I appeal to all the supporters of Adorna not to attack Archana on her personal and professional traits. As soon as any of us does that, this blog which is almost dead assumes a new life. People start coming forward to protect her and start condemning us. By doing this we are not being helpful to Ces and are being of disservice to him.
Even though I wholeheartedly support Ces, I can not deny the unique qualities Archana possesses. We should not forget that Archana was almost universally liked and respected in Delhi and other field offices of UNICEF where she worked. I also remind you that these offices are full of Archana's supporters and well wishers even if they are not coming out in open, so let's be careful and discrete.
The fact is even I am intrigued by dil se's entry. Anybody knowing Archana will immediately understand these are lies being spoken. I will do anything to support Ces and my dear dil se, I know that the same brotherly fire burns in you. I really like you and wish i knew your real identity so that together we could have found means to further Ces's cause. But please my dear friend, do not write lies about such a well known person. All of us, including you and me know that Archana is a beautiful and sensitive human being and an excellent professional. Anything we write condemning these qualities of hers will backfire. many people I have met and discussed the matter with have vouched for her character from their own personal experiences. Let's not commit these kind of foolish mistakes.
Archana, with due respect to you and your unique qulaities, we will defeat and crush you finally because you can not get away with what you are doing to a christian brother of ours. You may not know, but there is an army of us in UNICEF who will do anything to uphold our religious beliefs.

@Sumanth: After having spent so many days writing back to my own threads, I finally read this article. If I remember correctly we didn't agree on issues regarding feminism, but I have to admit that by addressing a very important women's cause you are doing an immense service to society. This post and Archana's struggle brought back some vivid memories of how difficult the Indian legal system is for those who seek justice and how pliant it becomes for those that know how to abuse it.

@Archana: It is not easy for any woman to go through what you have endured. Be strong and hopeful and don't mind some of the nasty comments. When people react with vitriolic and personal comments it only means that they cannot logically refute your case nor can they ignore it.

Is there a contact number I can reach you at? I tried digging through the whole comments section looking for your contact info but it might've missed my eye.

and comment #344 is a classic example of why blind faith in anything is just as dangerous as heroin or crack.

the fact that someone could support someone else, sight unseen, fact unchecked, based simply on RELIGION is the craziest thing I have ever heard in my life. christians do crappy things every day... including rape, murder, etc. wake up!

Thanks Aditi, smallsquirrel and everybody else. Till date I have never reacted on any personal criticism, negative comments or compliments posted on this blog. I am fighting and will continue fighting for an issue much bigger and important than people's personal feelings for me.

Aditi, you can contact me at archanapa60 at yahoo dot com

I'm not surprised at all to read the comments of the two losers who condemn Archana.
These are exactly the kind of spineless cowards that UNICEF is littered with. Being themselves totally unqualified, poorly educated and TOTAL LOSERS, what can they do other than throw stones on some hapless woman who is already being victimized.

These old rigid people have long stopped being productive and are simply parasiting on the organization. They view even their own shadows as a threat. Themselves spent forces, without any redeeming quality whatsoever, they stare with hateful eyes at any new staff who is more qualified and intelligent than them and can only judge them by their own low standards.

It's people like these that are really destroying the organization from inside. Believe me, Archana is no threat to UNICEF. It's these types of staff who will do the job beautifully.

Keep at it, morons. With staff like you, UNICEF doesn't need enemies.

If this is the kind of people UNICEF is made of, Archana's story seems to be completely believable and authentic.

First an attampted rape inside the UNICEF office premises, then silencing the voice of the victim through internal channels, then one of the accused fleeing the country forsaking her high profile job, a cover-up and damage control mission directly sent by and reporting to New York, the list goes on. What is this? UNICEF conducting welfare programmes for women and children in India or a fiction thriller?

Quite clear from all insiders comments that it is truth and nothing but truth in Archana's story.

Can anybody from UNICEF inform us where is Corrine Woods? Why has she not returned to India even two months after her scheduled arrival? I remember reading somewhere in the blog that it has been now officially announced that she is not coming back. Does UNICEF believe that by taking these kind of actions they can instill people's faith in their version? Are they so stupid that they can not see these kind of behaviour actually raises more suspicion? Even those who had any kind of doubt in Archana's story earlier would see the hidden truth in her allegations now. Why else is Corrine running away from the country? Can UNICEF state the official status of her absence? Is she on leave? What kind of leave is she on? The HR Chief has till now been the official spokesperson of UNICEF. Many of her versions have been posted on this blog. Can she inform the world outside UNICEF under which HR Rules and regulations Corrine is enjoying her stay outside her posting city?
Even IPC and CrPC view accused's conduct very seriously. UNICEF should be ashamed of its cover up tactics and incorrigible attitude.

Comment #344 of 2nd June by Adorna's supporter.

The comment is explosive to the integrity of the country. It is blazing the fire of communalism. Just because Ces is Christian, Christians in UNICEF are favouring him, then why not Hindus favour a Hindu lady? This is what this commenter has brought in. Check this communalism here itself, else it will be out of control. Beware, UNICEF may become responsible for the uproar of communalism in the country!

#345 "If I remember correctly we didn't agree on issues regarding feminism, but I have to admit that by addressing a very important women's cause you are doing an immense service to society."

Here she goes again labeling anything that reflects goodness as "feminism". What Sumanth is doing in this article is not fighting for a "woman's cause" or "man's cause". He is talking about a PERSON who has been wronged, and is being denied justice just because her offender is a powerful UNICEF authority. This, while so many conniving women who make false allegations against some innocent common man get away with "legal terrorism". Sumanth is portraying the double standards of feminists and feminist supporters. Do we have to remind you about the "truth about cats, dogs and feminists"?

#354: I did not label anything as feminism in this comment. I only referenced my earlier disagreements with Sumanth. You guys don't like the word "feminism". I understand completely and will be careful while using it around you all...I try to be considerate of other people's sensitivities. BUT let us not lose sight of the issue at hand (Archana's battle) and start an argument on this thread. I don't really care if my own beliefs of feminism are upholded or not as long as a someone who is enduring a very difficult situation is being helped. We can call it humanism and leave it at that. Sumanth and I may not agree over feminism but this common cause is probably equally important to us and I respect him for having brought attention to it. People who disagree can still work together, right? One can't possibly agree with everyone over everything.

@Archana: I am going to be in transit however I have your email id now and will get back to you as soon as possible once I have some concrete info. I am trying to get some of my legal as well as media contacts together to help you and get the word around.

Aditi, good to know you understand. Yes, people who disagree can still work together. I appreciate that spirit.

Thanks to both Aditi and Siffer for agreeing. At this most critical juncture of my life I need the support of ALL OF YOU. History is a witness to the fact that nothing worthwhile has been ever achieved until different social segments have built an almost uniform consensus on certain issues that pollute the lives of people.

I need as much support as I can possibly garner. I have nothing - power, money, influence, political connections, diplomatic immunity, and a world level above-the-governments organization to cover up my ugly deeds. All I have is you the people and your good wishes. Each of you count as a soldier in my army and believe me, the day our strength reaches to a minimum critical mass, UNICEF will have to fall flat on its face for protecting corrupt and powerful people.

I can never be too strong not to seek your help and support. Please help me equip to fight this war without bothering about the result. Years down my life, I do not want to regret for not doing the right things just because they were difficult to accomplish. We may lose, but at least we would have fought.

The battle has to be won and truth has to prevail.

Great! Ces is getting support based on religion. I must say that he can get support only from those narrow-minded communal people or corrupt system. Any person with even little intelligence and open-mind can very well understand what UNICEF is up to. Now its clear why UNICEF has such 'great people' like #344. Its worthless to say 'UNICEF should be ashamed of their narrow minded communal staff'.

This blog for sure is being run by two people Archana herself and Pranita Achyut. Anyone wants proof please send their email ID here so I can send you the IP addressess and the proof who is using this IP address. All the blogs are written in favour of Archana and the so called PO are submitted by the same IP address. [EDITED - WISHFUL THINKING AND BALDERDASH]

My God, I am really impressed with your intelligence #360! Your comment has convinced me and everyone else with some common sense that Archana and her friend are managing this blog single-handedly INCLUDING WRITING YOUR OWN ENTRY.

We must salute Archana's caliber for writing on such diverse issues as well as her remote vision providing her with accurate information about UNICEF's internal contracts, Corinne's whereabouts, details of exclusive staff meetings, HR confidential memos and many more internal details even while she and her friend are out of UNICEF. Kudos to Archana and her friend for managing and sustaining people's interest in a blog which is alive even after two months of Sumanth starting it (oops, it was Archana and not Sumanth).

Yes, I do challenge you to prove your allegations. Begin first with writing your real name and e-mail address.

And while you are busy trying to prove all your allegations, let Archana do an excellent job of managing this site.

#360, if you are right, I must say Archana! you and your friend are great communicator.

Hey but there were few negative comments also. Oh my GOD, Archana could you put all those diverse comments? Great Archana great.

How UNICEF could loose a person like her? You could have been a good spokesperson.

For a change, #360 you should first come forward with your name and email ID before preaching others.

Right now, at this moment when I am writing this comment, Unicef IT guys are going from one computer to other noting down all the IP addresses.

What an irony that we do all the hard work of posting the comments on this blog and the entire credit goes to Archana and Pranita. This is not fair.

since neither the UNICEF IT guys nor the commenter at #360 has access to our IP logs, their efforts are a bit pointless. I must say though, that a good IT guy wouldn't need to go from computer to computer to note down IP addresses of computers on their own network:)

Incidentally, I've said this before, and perhaps worth repeating, I would shy away from involving UNICEF in ANY social activities that happen to be planned, secondly, a truly ethical staff would walk out/stage dharnas, demand a public inquiry, etc. a la the World Bank staff.

The solution to bad actions/bad speech is more free speech, not less.

Now can #360 enlighten us how Archana and Pranita have come to know about this IT exercise which is still on despite they not being present inside UNICEF building???

How very right you are Aaman!! It saddens, but not depresses me to see that none of the UNICEF staff possesses that moral strength. I do not blame them though. They do not want to be humiliated, harassed and kicked out like me if they can successfully avoid it by keeping their mouths shut and identities unknown.

How very right you are Aaman!! It saddens, but not depresses me to see that none of the UNICEF staff possesses that moral strength. I do not blame them though. They do not want to be humiliated, harassed and kicked out like me if they can successfully avoid it by keeping their mouths shut and identities unknown.

I am wondering why unicef is conducting this exercise of checking every unicef computer IP address when technically its not required as Aaman has mentioned and when they are convinced about the identities of two persons who are running this blog??

Does unicef always do these kinds of wasteful exercise in the name of Women n Child welfare??

It is not just UNICEF, but all the departments that claim to work for the "welfare of children and women" are right now are taken over by feminists who are interested in fulfilling their own hate-filled agendas.

Recently, when 47 children, who were sexually and physically abused for years at an orphanage in Ghaziabad were rescued, Renuka Chaudhary, Minister of Women and Child Welfare Department, said, "We can't react like Hindi movies and just rush. Inquiries are going on. My officers are sitting by the phone and keeping an eye on the situation". She also promptly passed the buck on the issue of victims of child labour and physical abuse saying, "The law is there but I cant do anything in that case. Please ask the labour minister". Mrs. Chaudhary was, in fact, shown video evidence of child abuse a month before she was approached again, only to obtain the above response. There is no update on punishing the culprits or the status of the children till date either from National Commission for Women or Ministry of Women and Child Delvelopment. No wonder Mrs. Archana Pandey is being ignored too.

http://www.mail-archive.com/greenyouth(at)googlegroups.com/msg01088.html

Mrs. Pandey, I wish you all the moral strength to fight this till the end. We are behind you 100%.

Thanks Anon # 370. I am touched with your understanding of relevant authorities' apathy towards these important issues.

Orkuters, anybody? Please join: http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=33654960

UN as an organization is not in a great favour among the masses of its largest donor country, the US. It is a matter of time, this eggregious scandal involving the UNICEF, and the shameful silence of Indian authorities in dealing with the guilty (Cecilio Adorna) - will become common knowledge among the US lawmakers. Next time, the discussion of UN funding comes up in the congress, hopefully it would figure in those discussions.

Separately, I believe the UN has outlived its existence. It should be replaced by a more representative and more "accountable" entity, that should have built in checks and balances to prevent its hijacking by special interest groups.

Simply because United Nations has lost its relevance and should cease to exist at least in their present form, that they are fiercely trying to protect Adorna. With One UN concept, the potential sex scandal is no more limited to UNICEF, the Secretary General himself needs to push the whole thing under the carpet with all the available resources. This is exactly what UNICEF headquarter is counting on.

UNICEF claims to be a transparent and accountable body. Can they substantiate their transparency by making public the figures they spend annually on themselves (salaries, travel, other benefits etc) and their expenditure on the welfare programmes they claim they exist for?

If they dare make this information public, everyone will see first hand why do they actually exist. They exist for themselves, not for women and children of India or for that matter, any developing country.

Today I am happy to share a piece of good news with all my friends and well wishers. Many of my ex UNICEF colleagues may know that I was on sick leave when my fixed term contract was allowed to expire without adherence to any HR policies that UNICEF has laid down to handle such cases. Not extending my fixed term in order to cover my sick leave in itself is a serious breach of staff rules and staff rights.

I have been on sick leave since 23 December 2006. Today, finally, my doctors have declared me fit (with certain precautionary conditions, of course). Today itself I have gone through some job offers which were pending with me because of my illness and have decided to accept an offer from an international organization funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The job has meaningful terms of reference and has been especially tailored to take benefit of my experience, strengths and achievements in the field of development communication. The work culture is great and the salary is equivalent to what I was getting in UNICEF after almost six years of service. They are aware of my conflict with UNICEF and have made an offer despite knowing everything.

I am happy to say that with God's blessings and well wishes of my friends and family, entry #332 wishing me a doomed future did not come true after all.

Keep wishing #332, better luck next time!

Congrats, Archana. More power to you!

This is the best news I have come across on this blog. Archana, you have got what you rightfully deserved.

Let UNICEF realise now what they have lost. They will realise the extent of their loss only much much later.

Wish you all the best Archana.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation !!!!
Wow !!!!
No wonder they give a damn to UN funding.
Archana, you are damn lucky. And deserving too.

Congrats Archana.
Does it mean you will now give up your fight with UNICEF?

No way Sonia. My fight with UNICEF is on the issues of dignity of women working with the United Nations, rights of an Indian citizen, rights of a staff member and blatant violation of staff rules to appease the powerful. My fight is against those who use the privileges of diplomatic immunity to violate laws of the land being confident that they will get away with murder. My fight is against all those who choose to protect the guilty for fear of scandals and skeletons tumbling out of the closet.

I am committed to take this case to its logical conclusion. This job does not hinder me from striving for my principles, values and my rights. It rather gives me a position of strength to continue my fight with UNICEF. My case is already in the UN Joint Appeals Board and also with the Indian legal system both of which are time consuming processes. I am aware that this war will be long and tiring. And I have to have all the patience and tolerance in the world. By God's grace I have both.

UNICEF, I promise you that I will not be the one to blink first.

What a spirit Archana! Hats off to your resolution, strength and perseverance.
I wish you all the best in your new assignment.

Archana - Congratulations! I am sure all fairminded citizens of our great country will stand by you in your struggle with the powerful. Once you join your new assignment with Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, I request you to ensure (as much as in your power of pursuasion) no funds from the foundation are wasted on UN.
Best regards.

Archana's case, as emerges from this blog, has been a continuous process of violation of staff rules and regulations.What i do not understand is how UNICEF plans to get away with it all. The whole case will be opened in JAB. UNICEF will have to produce the investigation report to JAB. Till now they have been denying producing the investigation report by quoting organisation's policy (there is no such policy by the way, not in writing at least)but what will they do in JAB? They will have to present the report to the JAB. The whole case will be opened in front of JAB and then UN Tribunal. I can not think of any strategy that UNICEF can legally think of to avoid that situation.
I will like to advise UNICEF to negotiate with Archana, which obviously they have not begun, and reach to a settlement which gives justice to her and saves UNICEF from all the troubles which are sure to emerge in the near future.
Wish you all the best Archana even when we do not know each other.

I have been thinking that it was only a strong woman like Archana who has the conviction in her stand and courage to fight for it, who could inform her prospective employer about her fight with UNICEF. She has been without a job for many months now. She could have just opted to keep mum about the whole episode and not go ahead and talk it out with them. There was no reason for them to know. Her chances to bag this job would have been greater without her informing them about the whole fiasco.
My respect in this woman keeps on growing everyday.

But don't you see the benefit? By being honest about it she has ensured that she keeps her fight going. That proves how serious Archana is taking this whole UNICEF case. She just wanted to make sure how her employers reacted to this because she intends fighting it long term. They would have come to know of it at some point in time any way. Now she may even get some support from them.

Hats off to you Archana. Keep going. GOD will give you all the strength.

Hope UNICEF takes some cue from the Ex HR comments or else they will learn hard way.

Indeed hearty congratulations Archana. What I would like to inform everyone is how the country director of this organisation persuaded and convinced Archana to accept the offer and agreed to her every demand. I was amazed when I heard about it... this woman has a brand equity of her own in development communication.

As for UNICEF, they are like the ostrich - head deep in sand. Well this is one issue that isn't just going to "go away".

This is just the calm before the storm.

I was just kidding folks. No offense. It's all well that ends well. I am glad I got a new job. I was worried that I would be left without a job. My efforts have paid off.

Archana,

When did the harassment take place? Why did you wait till you were about to be terminated to report it? Do you have substantial proof? Will this technique work again when your employment with Bill and Melinda Gates foundation comes to an end. Surely, you can't claim Bill came after a 45 year old woman.

[IRRELEVANT SIF-STUFF]

#390, is it you Archana? What are you talking about? Its not clear.

Hey #391 you sound really fishy. Great question! So, UNICEF told you that Archana complained only when she was terminated, and then they set-up a investigation committee and then give the verdict that nothing was true. That's why UNICEF denied the report, denied her right to appeal.

You ... , if you continue to think this way, nothing can protect you from being next victim. Watch it.

Crime remains a crime even if it is reported late. In Archana's case, even late reporting is not true. Several insiders have mentioned it.

Anyways, why I am telling a logically blind person like you.

I just got a call from Archana to clarify a point on her behalf.

One of her friends has alerted her to entry no. 390 and she has asked me to clarify that the entry was not made by her. Some imposter is writing in her name.

Archana also wants to state in no uncertain terms that she means every word she has said above - and she's definitely not "kidding" about fighting this case to its logical conclusion at each and every forum even at the cost of her current job and any other job she may hold in the future.

Shove that up your ass, Loser !!!

You do not even need to state it Insider. It is so obvious. It is so uncharacteristic of archana to write such a thing. How can the woman who has defied all the societal norms, did not bother about what people will say and dared to raise her voice against all the highs and powerful, be kidding? That too on such an issue?

How can these imposters even think they will make fools of people? Archana is a sincere, straightforward, gutsy and true woman who has been harassed, wronged and abused by people with power and influence.

They tried the same thing earlier with Pranita. Remember, somebody wrote in the name of Pranita condemning herself. It was such a foolish thing to do. Later on Aaman deleted that entry when the real Pranita came on the blog denying it was her who had written that entry.

It is even more idiotic to write faking you are Archana. Sooner or later Archana is going to read and refute it.

Why does one do such a foolish and self defeating thing?

Because they are desperate and have lost the capacity of logical and rational thinking. Sonia Sharma has rightly called them 'logically blind'.

Archana, just ignore these comments. They are themselves out to prove how scared and desolate they have become.

Clearly shows you are winning. Keep it up!

I am back from the field and finally have access to the internet. Entry no 395 by Insider has already clarified my position.



Why is it that I am not surprised with entry number 390 which has been written in my name? Well, no prizes for coming up with the correct answer. I know by now that there are people who can compromise all they have- their morals, ethics, values, principles just to fulfill their vested interests. They are capable of stooping down to the lowest level of degradation, willing to face the ultimate humiliation if it serves their selfish motives. The fact that they can be idiots to the extent of writing under my name was slightly difficult to digest, though.



The same theory applies to entry number 391. I feel no need to reply to this silly, meaningless and baseless entry. I am not answerable to any anonymous person posting this equally stupid entry on this blog to begin detailing my case. The statement that I waited to complain till I was about to be terminated is purely an assumption and I will not like to waste my efforts explaining it. If at all, this entry only reminds me of the typical UNICEF standardized official language that was earlier posted on this blog.



This can also be a deliberate attempt to get access to the names of my witnesses and my winning arguments upon which I am basing my case.



Anyway, since the matter is sub-judice, I am not free to comment on the merits or demerits of my case. Also, my witnesses will be produced in an appropriate court of law, and not on this blog, if that's okay with you, # 391.

God, writing under Archana's name was the stupidest idea I have ever come across. Somebody had earlier said that if people like these work for UNICEF, it does not need any enemy to destroy it. The statement was absolutely true.

Come on idiots, think of a better way.

Clearly entries # 332 and # 391 have been written by the same person. My friends and family have helped me analyse this person. If this is a woman, she is just pure jealous of Archana. May be she is used to getting more attention from men working around her but after Archana came on the scene, the game changed, hence this extreme kind of jealousy.
And if the person is a man, he clearly has been downed and rejected by Archana. This is a case of a rejected man who has a bruised ego just like the woman. Both share a hatred for this woman who they love to hate.
Archana, whoever this person might be, just go on ignoring all the negative forces working around you trying to upset and thwart your resolution.

Archana, they are simply envious yaar. Till now UNICEF had been busy claiming that you have no market value and it would not have been possible for you to get a decent job after UNICEF. This has been the only argument in their defense that you complained after you were told that your contract will not be extended. Forget whether their stand is true or not but this is all they have to justify their own situation. By getting such a nice job the very day you were declared fit has put a question-mark on UNICEF's only defense. You have threatened them by bagging a coveted job that many UNICEF staff will vie for. What else are they supposed to do? They have to discredit you. That is their only saving grace. But then, there are many who know the truth as it really is. Anyone who has worked with you knows that you have a unique niche in the development communication field.

Insider 6, you shouldn't get surprised with #390. You must have seen several such idiots working around you. I know, I was the first one to show my doubt. I just wanted Archana to clarify for the benefit of several others.

Adorna's support! Your fellow supports have not taken your suggestions seriously. What are you doing? Not doing your job properly!!!

Arrey, mirchi lagi hui hai sabhi ko. Tilmila rahein hain sare log. What other option are they left with if not try to discredit Archana. Archana, jalne do sare darpokon ko. Cowards, if you can't stand up for truth and dignity yourself, at least leave those alone who are daring to do so.But no, you have to addao your tang in it. So very Indian mentality. How could archana be the one to dare stand up for an issue? No, it could not have been us, but then she should also not have been the one. So lets all get together and pull her down. this is the philosophy operating here and can be seen so clearly on this blog.