The Almighty uses different people in different ways, they say. He must have a special road marked for Sharad Bhagwatkar.
This 66-year-old has run marathons all across the country, as well as far flung places like Chicago. Now, he is running to raise money to renovate a Jain temple in Pusla village near Warud.
And, this feat is being achieved despite around 40 per cent disability of his legs after an accident in 1992. He was in fact bedridden for four years after the accident!
Bhagwatkar's marathon running success started in 2005. "My brother informed me that he had entered me for the international half marathon in Bangalore. I had been trying to garner funds for the temple, but with limited success over the years. Besides, my age and the condition of my legs were a deterrent. However, I thought that if this is the will of the Lord, then so be it," Bhagwatkar said.
"In my youth, I had been a state-level medal winner in swimming. However, lack of practice over the years had done no good for my legs. After taking the decision to participate in the marathon, I started swimming again, hoping to increase my endurance and regain sufficient strength in my legs. Besides, I had retired as an accountant from the police commissionerate in Nagpur in 2000, and could devote more time to the task at hand," he says.
"The task was daunting, and I knew it. However, I managed to hold my fort throughout the marathon, which was held on October 12 that year, and managed to complete it in two hours and 35 minutes. Although I came in last in my category, those over 40 years of age, people said that I was a winner because I had overcome a big hurdle," Bhagwatkar says.
"After that, I participated in two more marathons almost back to back in the first part of 2006. One of them was held in Mumbai on January 15, and the other in Chennai in February.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Women with disabilities discriminated even by family members’
Gender plays a major role in the lives of people with hearing impairment as women face more harassment than their male counterparts. This observation was made by Era Walton, coordinator of the local chapter of Deafway Foundation, an NGO, during a seminar held on women’s empowerment at the Chandigarh Club on Friday. Manju Sharma, Women and Child Welfare Officer, Haryana, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Walton said that deaf women faced bias even at the hands of their relatives. “Our NGO has received cases where women were discriminated against by their own relatives because of their condition. It is sad to see that people fail to show any compassion to the hearing disabled,” she said.
Women from different walks of life, who despite their handicap had made a mark for themselves, shared their experiences at the seminar. Supriya, who is associated with the NGO for almost two decades, teaches interpretation and sign language to the hearing-disabled. “Women with a hearing disability have not had it easy in life. It has been a journey marked with difficulties but despite all this, they have carved a niche for themselves because of their hard work, persistence and courage,” remarked Walton
A motivating example is that of Rupinder who works with the Indian Overseas Bank and also teaches English to the hearing-impaired and helps them with new technologies. It was also observed that there has been a change in the outlook to hearing-impaired people getting married.
“People with a hearing disability now prefer getting married to people with the same disability as it ensures better compatibility and understanding. This was, however, not the case earlier. We have had cases where women were abandoned by their spouses or harassed for dowry because of their handicap,” said Walton.
Reference : http://www.indianexpress.com
Walton said that deaf women faced bias even at the hands of their relatives. “Our NGO has received cases where women were discriminated against by their own relatives because of their condition. It is sad to see that people fail to show any compassion to the hearing disabled,” she said.
Women from different walks of life, who despite their handicap had made a mark for themselves, shared their experiences at the seminar. Supriya, who is associated with the NGO for almost two decades, teaches interpretation and sign language to the hearing-disabled. “Women with a hearing disability have not had it easy in life. It has been a journey marked with difficulties but despite all this, they have carved a niche for themselves because of their hard work, persistence and courage,” remarked Walton
A motivating example is that of Rupinder who works with the Indian Overseas Bank and also teaches English to the hearing-impaired and helps them with new technologies. It was also observed that there has been a change in the outlook to hearing-impaired people getting married.
“People with a hearing disability now prefer getting married to people with the same disability as it ensures better compatibility and understanding. This was, however, not the case earlier. We have had cases where women were abandoned by their spouses or harassed for dowry because of their handicap,” said Walton.
Reference : http://www.indianexpress.com
Punjab University to set up vocational centre for disabled people
Patiala, Oct 09:The Ministry of Human Resource Development has approved the construction of a Centre of Research and Vocational Training for Physically Disabled People at Punjabi University.
With the approval, the university will become the only one in Punjab to have this centre, aimed at empowering disabled people and ensuring 100 per cent employability against the posts reserved for them. University Vice–Chancellor Jaspal Singh said this while presiding over the Senate and Academic Council meeting on Thursday. "The next step will be to explore possibilities and generate avenues for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and eradicating child labour," he added.
The Senate also authorized the Vice–Chancellor for co–opting three members on the Senate for the next two years. It also gave its consent to the Department of Distance Education to start a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Diploma in HIV/AIDS counseling.
Reference :http://www.indianexpress.com
With the approval, the university will become the only one in Punjab to have this centre, aimed at empowering disabled people and ensuring 100 per cent employability against the posts reserved for them. University Vice–Chancellor Jaspal Singh said this while presiding over the Senate and Academic Council meeting on Thursday. "The next step will be to explore possibilities and generate avenues for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and eradicating child labour," he added.
The Senate also authorized the Vice–Chancellor for co–opting three members on the Senate for the next two years. It also gave its consent to the Department of Distance Education to start a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Diploma in HIV/AIDS counseling.
Reference :http://www.indianexpress.com
After 15 years, deaf candidate get into IAS
NEW DELHI, 8 Oct: Maniram Sharma has won a 15–year–old battle for justice. On Thursday, this deaf IAS candidate learnt he has made it to the service.
With this, Maniram has not just won a personal battle but a milestone victory for disabled persons like him who have been kept away from the premier government service.
Maniram's case has been highlighted by TOI over the past couple of years how his efforts were thwarted on one ground or the other, till he finally went through surgery to make his aided hearing so good that he gave his IAS interview this time by the oral question–and–answer method. Despite this, his induction into the service was just not happening.
While other successful candidates got their call on August 17, he didn't. Finally, on September 3 he was informed that he had cleared the exam on all counts but still had to wait for another month to get his appointment. "I still can't believe it has happened. It has not sunk in. After suffering so many disappointments, it's difficult to imagine it has actually come true,'' Maniram told TOI.
Maniram's IAS saga began in 1995 when he failed in his first attempt to clear the preliminary examination. He was then 100% deaf. Since then he has cleared the exam three times a?" 2005, 2006 and 2009. In 2006, he was told he could not be allotted the IAS as only the partially deaf were eligible, not fully deaf persons like him. So, he was allotted the Post and Telegraph Accounts and Finance Service.
To improve his hearing, Maniram had a surgical cochlear implant, costing Rs 7.5 lakh that now enables him to hear partially. He appeared for the IAS again this year and cleared it, scoring the highest in the hearing–impaired category. Yet, he faced several more hurdles as the government put technical hurdles questioning his level of disability.
Anyway, this story has a happy ending. And Maniram has no complaints. ``If I could wait for 15 years, I could surely wait for a few more months. But the uncertainty kept me on edge,'' he said without rancour. He is off to his village Badangarhi in Alwar district, Rajasthan, to convey the news to his family. ``I have decided to go in person to tell them. My whole village will celebrate.''
Maniram's Badangarhi is a remote village which doesn't even have a school. He started losing his hearing at the age of five, becoming totally deaf by nine. His parents, both illiterate farm labourers, could do little to help. Yet, Maniram continued trudging to the nearest school, 5km away, and cleared class 10 standing fifth in the state board examination and cleared class 12 ranking seventh in the state board.
In his second year in college, he cleared the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) examination to become a clerk–cum–typist. He studied and worked during his final year and topped the university in Political Science. He went on to clear the NET (National Eligibility Test).
He then gave up his RPSC job and became a lecturer. Not satisfied with that, he became a Junior Research Fellow and completed his Ph.D in Political Science during which time he taught M Phil and MA students in Rajasthan University. Having completed his Ph.D, Maniram got through the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) and while in service he started trying for the UPSC
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
With this, Maniram has not just won a personal battle but a milestone victory for disabled persons like him who have been kept away from the premier government service.
Maniram's case has been highlighted by TOI over the past couple of years how his efforts were thwarted on one ground or the other, till he finally went through surgery to make his aided hearing so good that he gave his IAS interview this time by the oral question–and–answer method. Despite this, his induction into the service was just not happening.
While other successful candidates got their call on August 17, he didn't. Finally, on September 3 he was informed that he had cleared the exam on all counts but still had to wait for another month to get his appointment. "I still can't believe it has happened. It has not sunk in. After suffering so many disappointments, it's difficult to imagine it has actually come true,'' Maniram told TOI.
Maniram's IAS saga began in 1995 when he failed in his first attempt to clear the preliminary examination. He was then 100% deaf. Since then he has cleared the exam three times a?" 2005, 2006 and 2009. In 2006, he was told he could not be allotted the IAS as only the partially deaf were eligible, not fully deaf persons like him. So, he was allotted the Post and Telegraph Accounts and Finance Service.
To improve his hearing, Maniram had a surgical cochlear implant, costing Rs 7.5 lakh that now enables him to hear partially. He appeared for the IAS again this year and cleared it, scoring the highest in the hearing–impaired category. Yet, he faced several more hurdles as the government put technical hurdles questioning his level of disability.
Anyway, this story has a happy ending. And Maniram has no complaints. ``If I could wait for 15 years, I could surely wait for a few more months. But the uncertainty kept me on edge,'' he said without rancour. He is off to his village Badangarhi in Alwar district, Rajasthan, to convey the news to his family. ``I have decided to go in person to tell them. My whole village will celebrate.''
Maniram's Badangarhi is a remote village which doesn't even have a school. He started losing his hearing at the age of five, becoming totally deaf by nine. His parents, both illiterate farm labourers, could do little to help. Yet, Maniram continued trudging to the nearest school, 5km away, and cleared class 10 standing fifth in the state board examination and cleared class 12 ranking seventh in the state board.
In his second year in college, he cleared the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) examination to become a clerk–cum–typist. He studied and worked during his final year and topped the university in Political Science. He went on to clear the NET (National Eligibility Test).
He then gave up his RPSC job and became a lecturer. Not satisfied with that, he became a Junior Research Fellow and completed his Ph.D in Political Science during which time he taught M Phil and MA students in Rajasthan University. Having completed his Ph.D, Maniram got through the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) and while in service he started trying for the UPSC
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Monday, October 26, 2009
Kendriya Vidyalaya students with dyslexia say school don’t understand them
Twelve–year–old Raman Khanna (named changed), a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) in Janakpuri, with dyslexia and dyscalculia. His school says it doesn't know how to deal with students like him.
After ToI highlighted the plight of two dyslexic students in two indifferent schools in February this year, Raman appears to have become the latest victim of official ignorance.
Raman, a promising footballer and swimmer, is repeating Class VI after he failed to clear the exam. His school has not been able to provide him with a special educator. He does not receive extra attention in class, neither does he get instructions on homework in writing or a scribe during exams. The child's grandmother, Neeta Khanna (name changed), who has been bringing him up since his parents died a few years ago, now has nowhere to go. "If my grandson fails again this year, his school will throw him out. Where will I take him then? What's his fault that he has dyslexia? It's the teachers who should understand his special needs,'' she said.
U N Singh, joint commissioner (academics), KVS, pleaded helplessness as the sangathan has no guidelines in place on how to deal with students with special needs. "The primary problem we are facing is how to save the child as we have no rules for such problems. The dyslexia clause is not covered. We just take care of visually and orthopaedically challenged students. At present we have no idea how to deal with this case,'' he said.
Another senior official said none of the KVs are prepared to deal with such students and there are no facilities such as special educators in the system. "This is not an exception. Of late, quite a few cases of special needs are emerging. But unfortunately most of the teachers and principals are insensitive to such issues or are completely ignorant. Such issues should be dealt with at the school level rather than at the headquarters, but since schools are not equipped and the principals are not proactive, we are not able to help the students,'' he said.
Neeta has been running from pillar–to–post since March. After spending several months meeting KVS officials, Neeta was reportedly informed last month that Raman could not be promoted. "I got him evaluated by a clinical psychologist and submitted the reports to the school as well as to the KVS officials. One of the officials told me that KVs don't have enough teachers to give extra attention to any child. I was also told that I should put him in a special school. They do not even understand the difference between learning difficulty and mental disability,'' she said.
While the MHRD has been making noises about reforming education, it appears not to have put its own house in order. The KVs are run by the Central government and funded by MHRD. According to Singh, dyslexia will figure at the next academic advisory committee meeting. But till the Sangathan changes its policy, the ordeal of Raman and his grandmother will continue.
References : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type : Archive
After ToI highlighted the plight of two dyslexic students in two indifferent schools in February this year, Raman appears to have become the latest victim of official ignorance.
Raman, a promising footballer and swimmer, is repeating Class VI after he failed to clear the exam. His school has not been able to provide him with a special educator. He does not receive extra attention in class, neither does he get instructions on homework in writing or a scribe during exams. The child's grandmother, Neeta Khanna (name changed), who has been bringing him up since his parents died a few years ago, now has nowhere to go. "If my grandson fails again this year, his school will throw him out. Where will I take him then? What's his fault that he has dyslexia? It's the teachers who should understand his special needs,'' she said.
U N Singh, joint commissioner (academics), KVS, pleaded helplessness as the sangathan has no guidelines in place on how to deal with students with special needs. "The primary problem we are facing is how to save the child as we have no rules for such problems. The dyslexia clause is not covered. We just take care of visually and orthopaedically challenged students. At present we have no idea how to deal with this case,'' he said.
Another senior official said none of the KVs are prepared to deal with such students and there are no facilities such as special educators in the system. "This is not an exception. Of late, quite a few cases of special needs are emerging. But unfortunately most of the teachers and principals are insensitive to such issues or are completely ignorant. Such issues should be dealt with at the school level rather than at the headquarters, but since schools are not equipped and the principals are not proactive, we are not able to help the students,'' he said.
Neeta has been running from pillar–to–post since March. After spending several months meeting KVS officials, Neeta was reportedly informed last month that Raman could not be promoted. "I got him evaluated by a clinical psychologist and submitted the reports to the school as well as to the KVS officials. One of the officials told me that KVs don't have enough teachers to give extra attention to any child. I was also told that I should put him in a special school. They do not even understand the difference between learning difficulty and mental disability,'' she said.
While the MHRD has been making noises about reforming education, it appears not to have put its own house in order. The KVs are run by the Central government and funded by MHRD. According to Singh, dyslexia will figure at the next academic advisory committee meeting. But till the Sangathan changes its policy, the ordeal of Raman and his grandmother will continue.
References : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type : Archive
Central Railway fined 49 passengers for traveling in compartments for Disabled people
The Central Railway (CR) on Tuesday fined 49 commuters for travelling in a (pictured) compartment meant for people with disabilities. According to railway officials, the drive has been carried out in six local trains, five Kalyan– Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) locals and one Asangaon–CST local between 10 and 11 am.
According to Shriniwas Mudgerikar, chief spokesperson, Central Railway (CR), the administration had received several complaints (through SMSes and e–mails) alleging that several passengers travel in special compartments meant for people with disabilities. On Monday, a disabled commuter had also lodged a complaint with the railway authorities alleging the same.
RPF personnel and Travel Ticket Examiners (TTEs) also participated in the drive and collected fine amounting to Rs 11, 806 from the offenders.
"As per section 155 of the Indian Railway Act, a minimum amount of Rs 200 can be imposed on a person who is found to travel in a compartment meant for people with disabilities and he/she can be given simple imprisonment for four days, if he/she fails to give the fine. As per the Act, physically challenged persons should produce the necessary certificates issued by an authorised medical officer. A cancer patient can also avail of this service. Leave alone the first class and compartments meant for people with disabilities and cancer patients, commuters cannot enter the vendors' compartment also," Mudgerikar said.
"This is not an end to it. We will soon conduct similar surprise checks so that such travelling can be curbed," added Mudgerikar.
According to Shriniwas Mudgerikar, chief spokesperson, Central Railway (CR), the administration had received several complaints (through SMSes and e–mails) alleging that several passengers travel in special compartments meant for people with disabilities. On Monday, a disabled commuter had also lodged a complaint with the railway authorities alleging the same.
RPF personnel and Travel Ticket Examiners (TTEs) also participated in the drive and collected fine amounting to Rs 11, 806 from the offenders.
"As per section 155 of the Indian Railway Act, a minimum amount of Rs 200 can be imposed on a person who is found to travel in a compartment meant for people with disabilities and he/she can be given simple imprisonment for four days, if he/she fails to give the fine. As per the Act, physically challenged persons should produce the necessary certificates issued by an authorised medical officer. A cancer patient can also avail of this service. Leave alone the first class and compartments meant for people with disabilities and cancer patients, commuters cannot enter the vendors' compartment also," Mudgerikar said.
"This is not an end to it. We will soon conduct similar surprise checks so that such travelling can be curbed," added Mudgerikar.
Bachelors Programme in sign language introduced by IGNOU
A Bachelor's programme in sign language has been introduced by Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou). A four–year programme, it entails a one year foundation course that imparts English language and sign language skills. Students who have completed class X are eligible for the programme.
"As far as learning needs of the hearing impaired are concerned, there is a lack of awareness. This is reflected in the dearth of quality course materials and infrastructural paucity in our country," says PR Ramanujam, director, Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), Ignou. "Even policy statements of the government regarding education for the hearing impaired fall short of addressing their 'specific' needs. However, the foremost challenge is the lack of trained teachers."
The first graduate programme for the hearing impaired in India, it also hopes to address the challenge of unemployment. According to a recent estimate, only 5% of the hearing impaired children attend schools in India.
"This course has been developed in collaboration with the International Centre for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies (iSLanDS) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the UK. This partnership will help us leverage their relatively more sophisticated teaching methodologies and course materials for the benefit of our students through exchange programs. We are being able to understand how specific technologies can assist and augment learning for hearing impaired students. This understanding is also useful for developing new learning assistive technologies and replenishing our computer labs for the benefit of students," he explains.
Ram Das, a history student from St Stephen's College, who is visually impaired, used around 150 audio–cassettes in class X and 250 in class XII for his studies. But then, he points out that it was cumbersome when it came to searching subjects and chapters. But now, with the 'Audio Book Reader' (ABR) recently launched by Samadrishti, Kshamata Vikas Evam Anusandhan Mandal (Saksham), an NGO, things are likely to be better.
The ABR is a pocket size device that reads the audio tracks stored in a Multimedia Memory Card (MMC) with random access to any subject, book or chapter. With a storage capacity of 60 hours in 2 GB capacity memory card, it provides the facility of putting the entire curriculum in a pocket, in a specified language, as per the need. It can be operated through a voice menu and embossed buttons and has a rechargeable battery backup of eight hours. Another advantage is that ABR can also be used as a group–hearing device by attachment of external amplispeakers or audio distributor.
Reference: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type: Archive
"As far as learning needs of the hearing impaired are concerned, there is a lack of awareness. This is reflected in the dearth of quality course materials and infrastructural paucity in our country," says PR Ramanujam, director, Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), Ignou. "Even policy statements of the government regarding education for the hearing impaired fall short of addressing their 'specific' needs. However, the foremost challenge is the lack of trained teachers."
The first graduate programme for the hearing impaired in India, it also hopes to address the challenge of unemployment. According to a recent estimate, only 5% of the hearing impaired children attend schools in India.
"This course has been developed in collaboration with the International Centre for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies (iSLanDS) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the UK. This partnership will help us leverage their relatively more sophisticated teaching methodologies and course materials for the benefit of our students through exchange programs. We are being able to understand how specific technologies can assist and augment learning for hearing impaired students. This understanding is also useful for developing new learning assistive technologies and replenishing our computer labs for the benefit of students," he explains.
Ram Das, a history student from St Stephen's College, who is visually impaired, used around 150 audio–cassettes in class X and 250 in class XII for his studies. But then, he points out that it was cumbersome when it came to searching subjects and chapters. But now, with the 'Audio Book Reader' (ABR) recently launched by Samadrishti, Kshamata Vikas Evam Anusandhan Mandal (Saksham), an NGO, things are likely to be better.
The ABR is a pocket size device that reads the audio tracks stored in a Multimedia Memory Card (MMC) with random access to any subject, book or chapter. With a storage capacity of 60 hours in 2 GB capacity memory card, it provides the facility of putting the entire curriculum in a pocket, in a specified language, as per the need. It can be operated through a voice menu and embossed buttons and has a rechargeable battery backup of eight hours. Another advantage is that ABR can also be used as a group–hearing device by attachment of external amplispeakers or audio distributor.
Reference: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type: Archive
Government shows apathy for the needs of the disabled children
Going by the past record, it would not be wrong to say that as far as Centre's policies on special children are concerned, they are rarely been implemented. This was stated by Anil Joshi, General Secretary, 'Pariwaar' – a National Federation of Parents Organisation having 170 NGOs working for special children as its member.
"The state–level bureaucrats have no time to implement these projects and policies so the plans remain in papers only. In 1999, when National for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999 came into existence –– autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities were debated as disabilities. Policies were made but never implemented."
Joshi was in the city today to attend the third regional parents' meet held under joint banner of the National Institute of Mentally Handicapped and Pariwaar and organised by Ashirwad – The North India Cerebral Palsy Association, Ludhiana.
Talking to the Indian Express, Joshi said, "Not only government but parents' apathy is also ignoring special children. Parents need to come out of the murk and make efforts to bring their wards to the mainstream. There is a dire need to make people sensitive towards such children."
Reacting to the callous attitude of different political parties, Amarjeet Singha Anand one of the members of Pariwaar, said, "In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Pariwaar wrote letters to all political parties to consider special children in their agendas but none paid heed to it. In Punjab, parents hide their special children from the society. I have instances where families had arranged for a caretaker and hardly bothered to take her/her to social functions. The situation is more precarious in the rural areas."
"Parents in Bengal and South India are more sensitive to such kids. Being a part of an NGO, we have planned to run an awareness campaign in the state."
Reference : http://www.indianexpress.com
Type :Archive
"The state–level bureaucrats have no time to implement these projects and policies so the plans remain in papers only. In 1999, when National for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999 came into existence –– autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities were debated as disabilities. Policies were made but never implemented."
Joshi was in the city today to attend the third regional parents' meet held under joint banner of the National Institute of Mentally Handicapped and Pariwaar and organised by Ashirwad – The North India Cerebral Palsy Association, Ludhiana.
Talking to the Indian Express, Joshi said, "Not only government but parents' apathy is also ignoring special children. Parents need to come out of the murk and make efforts to bring their wards to the mainstream. There is a dire need to make people sensitive towards such children."
Reacting to the callous attitude of different political parties, Amarjeet Singha Anand one of the members of Pariwaar, said, "In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Pariwaar wrote letters to all political parties to consider special children in their agendas but none paid heed to it. In Punjab, parents hide their special children from the society. I have instances where families had arranged for a caretaker and hardly bothered to take her/her to social functions. The situation is more precarious in the rural areas."
"Parents in Bengal and South India are more sensitive to such kids. Being a part of an NGO, we have planned to run an awareness campaign in the state."
Reference : http://www.indianexpress.com
Type :Archive
Disability Activist fight for the wheelchair access near the Jagannath temple
Activists fighting for rights of disabled people on Saturday demanded that wheelchairs be allowed inside the (pictured) Jagannath temple like it is in other pilgrimages of the country. Priests do not allow people on wheelchairs or with crutches inside the temple as they believe that such equipment are impure.
"This violates religious rights of people with disability, which is a fundamental right. They must be allowed to worship the way they want to," said advocate Mrinalini Padhi, a Cuttack–based social activist and lawyer, who has taken the lead in the campaign. This not only prevents the disabled from entering the temple but also patients and elderly people.
Recollecting an embarrassing experience, Shruti Mohapatra, a disability rights activist and also a wheelchair–bound person said, "A priest told me that my disability was due to the sins I committed in my last birth and I should not sin more by entering the temple. It will be better if I go back."
"This is not only undignified but also painful for a person with disability to be carried by four persons into the temple," she said. The activists said though they have written to the temple administration many times about it, there has been no response. So a group of wheelchair–bound devotees would go to the temple on October 2 and request the authorities to allow them into the temple.
"Filing a PIL would be the easiest option but we want the temple authorities to understand the issue and religious sentiments of the people with disability," said Padhi.
The activists said while most of the famous pilgrimage places like Sidhhi Vinayak temple, Shridi Sai temple, Vaishno Devi and Akshardham temple have access to wheelchairs, not a single temple in Orissa has this facility.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type : Archive
"This violates religious rights of people with disability, which is a fundamental right. They must be allowed to worship the way they want to," said advocate Mrinalini Padhi, a Cuttack–based social activist and lawyer, who has taken the lead in the campaign. This not only prevents the disabled from entering the temple but also patients and elderly people.
Recollecting an embarrassing experience, Shruti Mohapatra, a disability rights activist and also a wheelchair–bound person said, "A priest told me that my disability was due to the sins I committed in my last birth and I should not sin more by entering the temple. It will be better if I go back."
"This is not only undignified but also painful for a person with disability to be carried by four persons into the temple," she said. The activists said though they have written to the temple administration many times about it, there has been no response. So a group of wheelchair–bound devotees would go to the temple on October 2 and request the authorities to allow them into the temple.
"Filing a PIL would be the easiest option but we want the temple authorities to understand the issue and religious sentiments of the people with disability," said Padhi.
The activists said while most of the famous pilgrimage places like Sidhhi Vinayak temple, Shridi Sai temple, Vaishno Devi and Akshardham temple have access to wheelchairs, not a single temple in Orissa has this facility.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type : Archive
PM unhappy with scheme for disabled people
Seventeen months ago, the government had planned to provide one–lakh jobs annually to disabled people in the private sector by giving incentives to companies. But instead of about 1.5 lakh jobs that should have been generated by now, the figure stands at a low of 119. A mere 0.08 per cent of the intended target.
Addressing a conference of state ministers of welfare and social justice on Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made his displeasure clear at the progress of the ambitious Public–Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.
Ironically, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry's recently released annual report 2008–09 listed the scheme under the "major achievements" of the year.
The offer to private companies under the scheme said, hire disabled and the central government will pay the employer's contribution to the Employees Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance for the first three years for employees earning up to Rs 25,000 a month.
But the scheme having a total outlay of Rs 1,800 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan –has simply failed to take off.
The Prime Minister said: "This scheme has been in operation since April 1, 2008.
However, it has unfortunately not made much headway in the last one–and–a–half year."
Three days ago, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, too, had rebuked officials of the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, and said: "Whether problems are with the states or my ministry, these have to be sorted out."
At the same meeting Social Justice secretary K.M. Acharya admitted, "The response is not adequate."
He listed two reasons for the failure. First, the economic slowdown made companies reluctant to hire –– a reason the Prime Minister, too, has cited.
Second, central and state governments could not publicise the scheme extensively.
Reference : Hindustan Times
Type :Archive
Addressing a conference of state ministers of welfare and social justice on Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made his displeasure clear at the progress of the ambitious Public–Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.
Ironically, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry's recently released annual report 2008–09 listed the scheme under the "major achievements" of the year.
The offer to private companies under the scheme said, hire disabled and the central government will pay the employer's contribution to the Employees Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance for the first three years for employees earning up to Rs 25,000 a month.
But the scheme having a total outlay of Rs 1,800 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan –has simply failed to take off.
The Prime Minister said: "This scheme has been in operation since April 1, 2008.
However, it has unfortunately not made much headway in the last one–and–a–half year."
Three days ago, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, too, had rebuked officials of the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, and said: "Whether problems are with the states or my ministry, these have to be sorted out."
At the same meeting Social Justice secretary K.M. Acharya admitted, "The response is not adequate."
He listed two reasons for the failure. First, the economic slowdown made companies reluctant to hire –– a reason the Prime Minister, too, has cited.
Second, central and state governments could not publicise the scheme extensively.
Reference : Hindustan Times
Type :Archive
Right to Information Act in Braille
The Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has got the Right to Information Act 2005 printed in Braille.
This is part of the Ministry's effort to make an inclusive society for all including persons with disabilities, according to an official spokesperson. The Ministry believes that a majority of persons with disabilities can have a better quality of life if they have equal opportunities and access to information including rehabilitation measures.
The Braille versions of the Right to Information Act have been printed and published by the National Institute for Visually Handicapped working under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The copies of the Act in Braille version can be obtained from the National Institute for Visually Handicapped, 116, Rajpur Road, Dehradun.
References : The Hindu
Type : Archive
This is part of the Ministry's effort to make an inclusive society for all including persons with disabilities, according to an official spokesperson. The Ministry believes that a majority of persons with disabilities can have a better quality of life if they have equal opportunities and access to information including rehabilitation measures.
The Braille versions of the Right to Information Act have been printed and published by the National Institute for Visually Handicapped working under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The copies of the Act in Braille version can be obtained from the National Institute for Visually Handicapped, 116, Rajpur Road, Dehradun.
References : The Hindu
Type : Archive
Appoint special teachers for disabled children
Ten–year–old Usha Shukla attends school everyday but still failed in her examinations. It's not that she does not study, but she suffers from a hearing disability and she cannot cope with the regular lessons taught in the government run–school. Many children like Usha, with various mental and physical disabilities, have now a reason to rejoice with Delhi High Court on Wednesday directing the Delhi Government to provide special educators for them.
Taking a serious note of absence of special teachers for disabled students in government schools, a division bench comprising chief justice Ajit Prakash Shah and justice Manmohan asked the state government to appoint two such specialists in each of 3,000 state–run schools in the capital. The court also asked the government to ensure that these educators get all the facilities including salaries at par with the general teachers. The court's order came on a PIL filed by Social Jurist, an NGO through counsel Ashok Aggarwal, seeking a direction to the NCT government as well as the civic agencies not to deprive disabled children of their fundamental right to have education by appointing adequate number of specially trained teachers for them.
"It's not fair at all. Why these students are being suppressed by not being provided with basic facilities?,'' the court asked while directing the state government to ensure the teachers get every necessary equipments. The order is to be implemented in schools run by the Delhi government, MCD and NDMC.
The court also came down heavily on the state government for not admitting students on the basis of their disability. Counsel Aggarwal told the court that one of the disabled kids was denied admission by a state–run school as the principal said they did not have the facility for the child. "This is clearly contrary to our order dated February 19, 2009. It is made clear that no disabled child should be denied admission in school run by Delhi government,'' the bench said.
The government appointed committee's report on mapping the disabled students across the city was also criticized by the court, which pulled up the committee for doing it in an improper way. "Mapping is not done in schools. It is equally important and requires an extensive campaign having 200–300 people who will get the fair statistics,'' the bench said while directing the government to conduct door–to–door campaign to list the disabled students. In this regard, the court also directed the secretary, directorate of education, Rakesh Mohan, to appear before it for September 23.
According to counsel Aggarwal, out of two lakh disabled children, only 15000 are in private schools. "The future of the remaining children hangs lose with no facility being provided to them," he said.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type: Archive
Taking a serious note of absence of special teachers for disabled students in government schools, a division bench comprising chief justice Ajit Prakash Shah and justice Manmohan asked the state government to appoint two such specialists in each of 3,000 state–run schools in the capital. The court also asked the government to ensure that these educators get all the facilities including salaries at par with the general teachers. The court's order came on a PIL filed by Social Jurist, an NGO through counsel Ashok Aggarwal, seeking a direction to the NCT government as well as the civic agencies not to deprive disabled children of their fundamental right to have education by appointing adequate number of specially trained teachers for them.
"It's not fair at all. Why these students are being suppressed by not being provided with basic facilities?,'' the court asked while directing the state government to ensure the teachers get every necessary equipments. The order is to be implemented in schools run by the Delhi government, MCD and NDMC.
The court also came down heavily on the state government for not admitting students on the basis of their disability. Counsel Aggarwal told the court that one of the disabled kids was denied admission by a state–run school as the principal said they did not have the facility for the child. "This is clearly contrary to our order dated February 19, 2009. It is made clear that no disabled child should be denied admission in school run by Delhi government,'' the bench said.
The government appointed committee's report on mapping the disabled students across the city was also criticized by the court, which pulled up the committee for doing it in an improper way. "Mapping is not done in schools. It is equally important and requires an extensive campaign having 200–300 people who will get the fair statistics,'' the bench said while directing the government to conduct door–to–door campaign to list the disabled students. In this regard, the court also directed the secretary, directorate of education, Rakesh Mohan, to appear before it for September 23.
According to counsel Aggarwal, out of two lakh disabled children, only 15000 are in private schools. "The future of the remaining children hangs lose with no facility being provided to them," he said.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type: Archive
New website to help disabled people find a match
It was a fervent, five–page letter from a young man in Sivaganga district saying that none of his 88 family members was willing to help him find a bride as he was disabled person that got G Chidambaranathan thinking. The president of the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust (TNHFCT) says they'd received a number of similar appeals from well–educated, working professionals, both male and female, who were disabled people and could not find spouses and so came up with the idea of a swayamvaram and a matrimonial website for the community.
To be held on October 10 at YMCA grounds in Nandanam from 10 am to 4 pm, the swayamvaram will be a chance for disabled people to meet and spend time together. "About 80% of the disabled people in Tamil Nadu are unmarried, and of them 60% are women," says P Simmachandran, TNHFCT secretary. "Another issue is that people marry disabled women and then abandon them after a few months. We're hoping lots of people from the community will come forward and register for the swayamvaram," he says. Registration is free; they've received 60 applications so far and are hoping to attract at least 2,000 people.
"We recently had a job fair which was a success. We've been helping people with education and employment, so the next step is trying to help them settle into family life," says Simmachandran.
The fair's being organised in association with Advent Designs, the company that has designed the trust's website (www.tnhfctrust.in) and is in the process of starting up a matrimonial section for the disabled on it. "This is one of the ways to get the disabled integrated into the mainstream," says A Muthukumar, managing director, Advent Designs. The swayamvaram will also be webcast live on www.anytimemarry.com.
They're hoping the swayamvaram will popularise the trust's matrimonial section and prompt disabled people from across the state and even the country to sign up. "Society seems to think the disabled don't need the companionship of marriage," says Chidambaranathan. "We get so many letters from educated people who earn good salaries who say their own families are unwilling to consider them eligible matches."
They're also planning to select 100 couples and conduct free marriages in January next year. "These could be couples who meet through our swayamvaram or those who have fallen in love somewhere else but do not have the means to hold a wedding," says Simmachandran. And if their swayamvaram is a success, they'll take the model to cities across the state.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type : Archive
To be held on October 10 at YMCA grounds in Nandanam from 10 am to 4 pm, the swayamvaram will be a chance for disabled people to meet and spend time together. "About 80% of the disabled people in Tamil Nadu are unmarried, and of them 60% are women," says P Simmachandran, TNHFCT secretary. "Another issue is that people marry disabled women and then abandon them after a few months. We're hoping lots of people from the community will come forward and register for the swayamvaram," he says. Registration is free; they've received 60 applications so far and are hoping to attract at least 2,000 people.
"We recently had a job fair which was a success. We've been helping people with education and employment, so the next step is trying to help them settle into family life," says Simmachandran.
The fair's being organised in association with Advent Designs, the company that has designed the trust's website (www.tnhfctrust.in) and is in the process of starting up a matrimonial section for the disabled on it. "This is one of the ways to get the disabled integrated into the mainstream," says A Muthukumar, managing director, Advent Designs. The swayamvaram will also be webcast live on www.anytimemarry.com.
They're hoping the swayamvaram will popularise the trust's matrimonial section and prompt disabled people from across the state and even the country to sign up. "Society seems to think the disabled don't need the companionship of marriage," says Chidambaranathan. "We get so many letters from educated people who earn good salaries who say their own families are unwilling to consider them eligible matches."
They're also planning to select 100 couples and conduct free marriages in January next year. "These could be couples who meet through our swayamvaram or those who have fallen in love somewhere else but do not have the means to hold a wedding," says Simmachandran. And if their swayamvaram is a success, they'll take the model to cities across the state.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type : Archive
Hearing Impaired wins legal battle against Gujrat Technological University
A 17–year–old girl with hearing impairment, Rachna Shah, heaved a sigh of relief when she was allowed to take her diploma exams on Friday after a prolonged legal battle for justice. The Gujarat Technological University (GTU) had to permit her to appear for the test after a Gujarat High Court order in her favour on Thursday. The decision came after irregularities were detected in the evaluation of her answer sheets of remedial tests.
Rachna's fight against the university and education system was not only for herself, but for all those physically challenged students who are discriminated against by state's education authorities. After clearing the boards last year, Rachna enrolled in a diploma course in electronics and communication. Just before she was to take her second semester exams, GTU changed the medium of study to English. Rachna had all along studied in Gujarati medium.
To her shock, she was declared failed in all six subjects. The university provided remedial tests for three subjects, but she was passed in one subject only. She appeared in the mid semester test and secured 67.7 per cent, but was not allowed to attend classes from April this year because she did not clear all the papers in the remedial tests.
She sensed some problem either in calculation of marks or in evaluation of her answer sheets. Rachna requested the authorities to show her answer sheets, which they refused. Ultimately, she approached the officer appointed under the RTI Act, but was shown her copies from a distance only and that too only the first page of the answer book.
She approached the Gujarat High Court demanding transparency in evaluation system, to fix 20 per cent criteria as passing score for disabled students, and to allow her to sit in the third semester. But the judge refused to entertain her application. Ultimately, a division bench of Chief Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice Akil Kureshi heard her case. The judges were furious over the university's attitude towards this physically disabled student.
On court's instructions, the university showed answer sheets to Rachna, a team of subject experts re–assessed the copies, upgraded her marks in two subjects and reduced marks in three papers. A 10–member committee was also set up to inquire against the evaluators, who checked Rachna's answer sheets first. A show–cause notice was issued to evaluators asking them why they should not be debarred on counts of negligence and insincerity.
The court's order has not only smoothened things for Rachna alone, but will force GTU to make appropriate changes in its policy towards physically disabled students.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type :Archive
Rachna's fight against the university and education system was not only for herself, but for all those physically challenged students who are discriminated against by state's education authorities. After clearing the boards last year, Rachna enrolled in a diploma course in electronics and communication. Just before she was to take her second semester exams, GTU changed the medium of study to English. Rachna had all along studied in Gujarati medium.
To her shock, she was declared failed in all six subjects. The university provided remedial tests for three subjects, but she was passed in one subject only. She appeared in the mid semester test and secured 67.7 per cent, but was not allowed to attend classes from April this year because she did not clear all the papers in the remedial tests.
She sensed some problem either in calculation of marks or in evaluation of her answer sheets. Rachna requested the authorities to show her answer sheets, which they refused. Ultimately, she approached the officer appointed under the RTI Act, but was shown her copies from a distance only and that too only the first page of the answer book.
She approached the Gujarat High Court demanding transparency in evaluation system, to fix 20 per cent criteria as passing score for disabled students, and to allow her to sit in the third semester. But the judge refused to entertain her application. Ultimately, a division bench of Chief Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice Akil Kureshi heard her case. The judges were furious over the university's attitude towards this physically disabled student.
On court's instructions, the university showed answer sheets to Rachna, a team of subject experts re–assessed the copies, upgraded her marks in two subjects and reduced marks in three papers. A 10–member committee was also set up to inquire against the evaluators, who checked Rachna's answer sheets first. A show–cause notice was issued to evaluators asking them why they should not be debarred on counts of negligence and insincerity.
The court's order has not only smoothened things for Rachna alone, but will force GTU to make appropriate changes in its policy towards physically disabled students.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Type :Archive
National Convention of State Viklang Mancha Organized by Human Right Law Network
People with disabilities, groups and organisations of disabled persons from the rural parts of India came together in New Delhi to bring their demands and issues to the forefront on the 18th and 19th of September 2009. The two–day National Convention of State Viklang Manchas, organized by the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), dealt with various issues of disability such as their right to vote, right to food, right to employment, right education, etc. The inaugural session was addressed by Ms. Poonam Natarajan, Chairperson of the National Trust; General Ian Cardozo, Chairperson of the RCI; and Deputy Chief Commissioner of Disability, Shri. T.D. Dhariyal.
Recently, there have been several debates surrounding the non–inclusion of persons with disabilities in different fields, and the denial of rights to them. The voices of persons with disabilities have been becoming more audible in demanding their rights, and in inspiring a movement towards a society that is inclusive and just for all.
Active sharing by the Viklang Manchas threw light on their various achievements is advocating their rights, as well as the obstacles they faced in this process. Suggestions were made for eliminating discrimination through greater sensitization towards disability from all sections of society. Issues of accessibility, certification and employment were evident in most of the discussions.
The Convention also included inspiring and interactive talks by eminent speakers such as Prof. Anil Sadgopal, Prof. Anita Ghai and Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves. On the last day, around 200 disabled activists from 17 states led a demonstration outside Jantar Mantar. Seven delegates were sent to the Prime Minister's Office, where his secretary received the memorandum, and assured the activists that an initiative for action will be taken and communicated on Tuesday.
The memorandum, dealt with various issues, such as; consulting disabled persons in amending all laws and policies in accordance with the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities; inclusion of all disabled children in the Right to Education Bill which was passed recently by the parliament; ensuring that the mandated 3% quota for employment of disabled persons is filled up; making currency notes accessible to persons with visual disabilities, and making all public buildings accessible to disabled persons; simplifying the process of obtaining disability certification; and reservation in special compartments for disabled persons.
Reference : http://www.disabilityindia.com/html/newssep09.html
Type : Archive
Recently, there have been several debates surrounding the non–inclusion of persons with disabilities in different fields, and the denial of rights to them. The voices of persons with disabilities have been becoming more audible in demanding their rights, and in inspiring a movement towards a society that is inclusive and just for all.
Active sharing by the Viklang Manchas threw light on their various achievements is advocating their rights, as well as the obstacles they faced in this process. Suggestions were made for eliminating discrimination through greater sensitization towards disability from all sections of society. Issues of accessibility, certification and employment were evident in most of the discussions.
The Convention also included inspiring and interactive talks by eminent speakers such as Prof. Anil Sadgopal, Prof. Anita Ghai and Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves. On the last day, around 200 disabled activists from 17 states led a demonstration outside Jantar Mantar. Seven delegates were sent to the Prime Minister's Office, where his secretary received the memorandum, and assured the activists that an initiative for action will be taken and communicated on Tuesday.
The memorandum, dealt with various issues, such as; consulting disabled persons in amending all laws and policies in accordance with the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities; inclusion of all disabled children in the Right to Education Bill which was passed recently by the parliament; ensuring that the mandated 3% quota for employment of disabled persons is filled up; making currency notes accessible to persons with visual disabilities, and making all public buildings accessible to disabled persons; simplifying the process of obtaining disability certification; and reservation in special compartments for disabled persons.
Reference : http://www.disabilityindia.com/html/newssep09.html
Type : Archive
High Court asked Delhi Government to send children with disabilities to school
The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the Delhi government to conduct a door–to–door survey to find out children with disabilities and send them to school.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan asked Delhi's Education Secretary to oversee the survey so that no child with disability is deprived of the right to Education.
"Many parents are reluctant (to admit) that their child is having some disability. So to ensure that every child is educated, there is a need to conduct mapping of such children," the bench said.
The court has asked the Delhi government to reply by Oct 28. The court was hearing a public interest petition by Social Jurists, an NGO which contended that many schools deny admission to children with Disabilities.
The court had last week asked the government to appoint two special teachers for disabled students in the 3000 state – run schools in Delhi.
The order is valid for schools run by the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council. http://www.thaindian.com
Reference :http://www.expressindia.com
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan asked Delhi's Education Secretary to oversee the survey so that no child with disability is deprived of the right to Education.
"Many parents are reluctant (to admit) that their child is having some disability. So to ensure that every child is educated, there is a need to conduct mapping of such children," the bench said.
The court has asked the Delhi government to reply by Oct 28. The court was hearing a public interest petition by Social Jurists, an NGO which contended that many schools deny admission to children with Disabilities.
The court had last week asked the government to appoint two special teachers for disabled students in the 3000 state – run schools in Delhi.
The order is valid for schools run by the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council. http://www.thaindian.com
Reference :http://www.expressindia.com
World Deaf Day: Film made by and for hearing Impaired to be screened.
Hearing impaired will soon experience reel magic by just clicking the mouse. They will have a chance to select from a wide range of options including short films, feature films and animations to docudrama.
All This, thanks to Mook Badhir Mandal (MBM) - a NGO working for the hearing impaired. To start with, MBM has made a three–hour feature film Mr. 420' written, directed, produced and enacted by hearing impaired.
The film will be showcased on occasion of World Deaf Day celebration on Sunday at CC Mehta Auditorium in which over 1,200 people from across country will participate. The day–long celebration will include screening of Mr 420', launching two websites for the community and another one for short films. They will also announce initiation of interpreter training programme for professionals, policemen and doctors to help in communicating with hearing impaired community.
"We have taken inspiration from popular Hindi movies, especially the blockbuster Sholay', which people from our community could not enjoy. It's a comedy film made to entertain people who can't just walk inside a cinema hall to enjoy a film," director of the film Rajesh Ketkar explained through sign language.
Mr 420' was made on a shoe–string budget of Rs 60,000 and shot in and around Vadodara district. The film has all ingredients required for a hardcore commercial film. "The cast and crew worked for free and cooperated in making the film despite some of them got injured during the shoot," added action director Imran Sheikh.
The NGO will also start making short films in Indian sign languages and upload them on the website. "We are creating a special site where films will be uploaded. Short films will be used to generate awareness amongst the community on issues such as AIDS/HIV, deaf women empowerment and sign languages.
MBM will also come out with interactive Indian sign language dictionary. These will be available in compact disc as well in printable version to aid in grasping the sign language.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
All This, thanks to Mook Badhir Mandal (MBM) - a NGO working for the hearing impaired. To start with, MBM has made a three–hour feature film Mr. 420' written, directed, produced and enacted by hearing impaired.
The film will be showcased on occasion of World Deaf Day celebration on Sunday at CC Mehta Auditorium in which over 1,200 people from across country will participate. The day–long celebration will include screening of Mr 420', launching two websites for the community and another one for short films. They will also announce initiation of interpreter training programme for professionals, policemen and doctors to help in communicating with hearing impaired community.
"We have taken inspiration from popular Hindi movies, especially the blockbuster Sholay', which people from our community could not enjoy. It's a comedy film made to entertain people who can't just walk inside a cinema hall to enjoy a film," director of the film Rajesh Ketkar explained through sign language.
Mr 420' was made on a shoe–string budget of Rs 60,000 and shot in and around Vadodara district. The film has all ingredients required for a hardcore commercial film. "The cast and crew worked for free and cooperated in making the film despite some of them got injured during the shoot," added action director Imran Sheikh.
The NGO will also start making short films in Indian sign languages and upload them on the website. "We are creating a special site where films will be uploaded. Short films will be used to generate awareness amongst the community on issues such as AIDS/HIV, deaf women empowerment and sign languages.
MBM will also come out with interactive Indian sign language dictionary. These will be available in compact disc as well in printable version to aid in grasping the sign language.
Reference : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Cochlear to launch technologies for hearing Impaired
A higher generation of implantable hearing technology is slated to be soon released in India by Cochlear Limited, engaged in cochlear and bone conduction implant technology. The company is releasing three new technologies? Cochlear Hybrid, Cochlear Nucleus 5, and Cochlear Baha BP100 ? designed for hearing impaired people across a wide spectrum.
"For more than 25 years now, Cochlear has focused on developing technologies which addresses different types of hearing loss. The three new offerings have been designed for unique needs of people suffering from partial deafness, moderate to profound deafness, and single–sided deafness. Each one is, more sophisticated and more feature rich than ever before, and that means a world of sound can be opened up to millions of people," says Mark Salmon, president, Asia Pacific, Cochlear Limited.
Cochlear Nucleus 5 is thin, strong, stylish and an easy–to–use for both adults and children experiencing moderate to profound hearing loss. Cochlear Hybrid addresses distinctive needs of people with steeply sloping hearing losses in the high frequency region.
On the other hand, Cochlear Baha BP100 is supposed to be world's first hi–tech direct bone conduction sound processor that can automatically process sound. Also, this device delivers more than 25 per cent improvement in speech understanding in noisy situations. It comes in a range of colours and also has a Europin audio connector for lifestyle accessories such as FM systems, MP3 players and Bluetooth adaptors
Reference : http://www.business–standard.com
"For more than 25 years now, Cochlear has focused on developing technologies which addresses different types of hearing loss. The three new offerings have been designed for unique needs of people suffering from partial deafness, moderate to profound deafness, and single–sided deafness. Each one is, more sophisticated and more feature rich than ever before, and that means a world of sound can be opened up to millions of people," says Mark Salmon, president, Asia Pacific, Cochlear Limited.
Cochlear Nucleus 5 is thin, strong, stylish and an easy–to–use for both adults and children experiencing moderate to profound hearing loss. Cochlear Hybrid addresses distinctive needs of people with steeply sloping hearing losses in the high frequency region.
On the other hand, Cochlear Baha BP100 is supposed to be world's first hi–tech direct bone conduction sound processor that can automatically process sound. Also, this device delivers more than 25 per cent improvement in speech understanding in noisy situations. It comes in a range of colours and also has a Europin audio connector for lifestyle accessories such as FM systems, MP3 players and Bluetooth adaptors
Reference : http://www.business–standard.com
West Bengal, Chattisgarh give most job to disabled people under NREGA
West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have emerged as the top states in implementing the Centre's ambitious flagship programme National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) for disabled people.
According to the latest official estimates, West Bengal has provided work to as many as 29,714 disabled people in 2009–10 followed by Chhattisgarh where 13,763 people have been given work. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) promises 100–day guaranteed unskilled manual work to every rural adult with an aim to alleviate poverty in such areas.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, announced that the scheme will be rechristened as Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Madhya Pradesh has acquired third position in providing jobs to 9,787 disabled people, followed closely by Tripura at 8,485, Gujarat at 6,994 and Maharashtra at 5,423.
Rajasthan, where the highest number of people was provided jobs in the current fiscal, could engage only 2,271 disabled people even as a total of 9,384 physically disabled people registered for work under the flagship programme.
Karnataka has provided jobs to a total of 3,722 disabled people, followed by Tamil Nadu at 1,851 and Kerala at 983. A total of 2,680 disabled people have been given jobs in Jharkhand.
As many as 4,410 disabled people have been registered for work under the Act in Bihar. However, the state government has so far provided jobs to only 38 of them.
Compared to the figures of 2008–09, the statistics of the ministry show an increase in the participation of disabled people under the programme in the current financial year.
During the financial year 2008–09, a total of 1,46,855 people were provided jobs under NREGA across the country and then too West Bengal was at the top of the list of the states followed by Madhya Pradesh
Reference : http://www.zeenews.com
According to the latest official estimates, West Bengal has provided work to as many as 29,714 disabled people in 2009–10 followed by Chhattisgarh where 13,763 people have been given work. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) promises 100–day guaranteed unskilled manual work to every rural adult with an aim to alleviate poverty in such areas.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, announced that the scheme will be rechristened as Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Madhya Pradesh has acquired third position in providing jobs to 9,787 disabled people, followed closely by Tripura at 8,485, Gujarat at 6,994 and Maharashtra at 5,423.
Rajasthan, where the highest number of people was provided jobs in the current fiscal, could engage only 2,271 disabled people even as a total of 9,384 physically disabled people registered for work under the flagship programme.
Karnataka has provided jobs to a total of 3,722 disabled people, followed by Tamil Nadu at 1,851 and Kerala at 983. A total of 2,680 disabled people have been given jobs in Jharkhand.
As many as 4,410 disabled people have been registered for work under the Act in Bihar. However, the state government has so far provided jobs to only 38 of them.
Compared to the figures of 2008–09, the statistics of the ministry show an increase in the participation of disabled people under the programme in the current financial year.
During the financial year 2008–09, a total of 1,46,855 people were provided jobs under NREGA across the country and then too West Bengal was at the top of the list of the states followed by Madhya Pradesh
Reference : http://www.zeenews.com
“Rail facilities not user- friendly for person with disability”
"Pull the brake chain and make a hue and cry when nothing else helps." That is what advocate Vijay Kumar suggests persons with disability to do when confronted with passengers illegally crowding a special coach meant for them. "People simply stray into a coach for persons with disability without being questioned," he says.
Speaking at a national consultation for "Making the Railways inclusive," organized by the Disability Rights Alliance, here on Saturday, activists from across the country pointed out how persons with disability were treated with due care by railway staff and said facilities meant for them were not sufficient.
Members of the Alliance pointed out that most of the provisions of The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, had not been implemented by the Indian Railways. Under the 'non–discrimination clause' of the Act, all transport sectors were required to adapt their existing facilities for easy accessibility.
Mr. Kumar said though Section (69) of the PWD Act had a provision that stipulated fine and imprisonment for persons misusing facilities meant for physically disabled people, the railway authorities never invoked this provision to punish illegal occupants of the special coach. "Right from booking a train ticket to conducting the journey, traveling in a train is uncomfortable for persons with disability,” he said.
No Catering facility
Coaches for persons with disability were attached near the guard's cabin and no catering facility was extended, activists said. "Do railway authorities expect physically disabled passengers to go hungry and thirsty throughout their journey," Mr. Kumar asked.
"Why can't persons with disability book a train ticket online and avail of a concession when senior citizens can do so," asked Mr. Srinivasulu from Andhra Pradesh. He said persons with disability have to go in person and book the tickets to avail themselves of the concession.
Width of Door
He pointed out that the width of the door of most train compartments were too narrow for a wheelchair–bound person to get in comfortably and disabled–friendly toilets were not available in most trains.
Paul Ramanathan of Karnataka–based NGO KARO said though battery–operated vehicles were available for persons with disabilities at major railway stations, assistance for operating them was not. "Getting from one end of the platform to the other becomes difficult when there are no announcements about the location of the coach," he said.
Simha Chandran of the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Persons Federation said going by the provision of three percent reservations for persons with disability, every train should have at least 60 seats available for them. "But now only four seats are available for them and their escorts in an entire train," he said. He said the Railways should not insist on an escort when physically challenged person want to travel independently.
Rights activist Rajiv Rajan said a change of attitude towards persons with disability was necessary. "Right now, railway officials only view us as receivers of public charity," he said.
Reference : http://thehindu.com
Speaking at a national consultation for "Making the Railways inclusive," organized by the Disability Rights Alliance, here on Saturday, activists from across the country pointed out how persons with disability were treated with due care by railway staff and said facilities meant for them were not sufficient.
Members of the Alliance pointed out that most of the provisions of The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, had not been implemented by the Indian Railways. Under the 'non–discrimination clause' of the Act, all transport sectors were required to adapt their existing facilities for easy accessibility.
Mr. Kumar said though Section (69) of the PWD Act had a provision that stipulated fine and imprisonment for persons misusing facilities meant for physically disabled people, the railway authorities never invoked this provision to punish illegal occupants of the special coach. "Right from booking a train ticket to conducting the journey, traveling in a train is uncomfortable for persons with disability,” he said.
No Catering facility
Coaches for persons with disability were attached near the guard's cabin and no catering facility was extended, activists said. "Do railway authorities expect physically disabled passengers to go hungry and thirsty throughout their journey," Mr. Kumar asked.
"Why can't persons with disability book a train ticket online and avail of a concession when senior citizens can do so," asked Mr. Srinivasulu from Andhra Pradesh. He said persons with disability have to go in person and book the tickets to avail themselves of the concession.
Width of Door
He pointed out that the width of the door of most train compartments were too narrow for a wheelchair–bound person to get in comfortably and disabled–friendly toilets were not available in most trains.
Paul Ramanathan of Karnataka–based NGO KARO said though battery–operated vehicles were available for persons with disabilities at major railway stations, assistance for operating them was not. "Getting from one end of the platform to the other becomes difficult when there are no announcements about the location of the coach," he said.
Simha Chandran of the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Persons Federation said going by the provision of three percent reservations for persons with disability, every train should have at least 60 seats available for them. "But now only four seats are available for them and their escorts in an entire train," he said. He said the Railways should not insist on an escort when physically challenged person want to travel independently.
Rights activist Rajiv Rajan said a change of attitude towards persons with disability was necessary. "Right now, railway officials only view us as receivers of public charity," he said.
Reference : http://thehindu.com
Government to change education laws to better include disabled people
The Manmohan Singh government plans to amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 to broaden the ambit of "disadvantaged" children to include children with disabilities. It would like to introduce the amendments in the winter session of Parliament. The ministry of human resource development (HRD) will be seeking Cabinet approval shortly for the changes.
This move would allow disabled children from economically weaker and disadvantaged sections to take advantage of the 25% seats set aside in private unaided school under Clause 12 of the Act. This had been a key demand of disability activists when they met HRD minister Kapil Sibal.
The ministry also plans to introduce changes in Clause 3 of the Act to extend the right to free and compulsory education to children suffering from disabilities as defined in the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.
This Act deals with severe mental disability and goes beyond the scope of the Disabilities Act. At present, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act is applicable to disabled children covered by the Disabilities Act.
This move by the ministry of human resource development is in response to the protests by disability activists in August, just ahead of the legislation being taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha. At the time, the ministry had suggested that it could amend the Act after due consultation with those who work and research on issues relating to the education of children suffering from severe mental disabilities. The ministry had also considered a higher outlay for home–based education, which many children with severe disabilities require.
This effort to draw in larger number of children with disability also comes on the back of data gathered by a survey conducted by the IMRB. The survey found that 34.12% of children with disability were out of school. The national average for children in the age group of 6 to 13 years is 4.22%.
This figure is lower than the situation in 2005 when IMRB found the percentage of children out of school at 38.13. The highest concentration of out of school children is among those with visual disabilities (46%) and multiple disabilities (58.57%).
References : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
This move would allow disabled children from economically weaker and disadvantaged sections to take advantage of the 25% seats set aside in private unaided school under Clause 12 of the Act. This had been a key demand of disability activists when they met HRD minister Kapil Sibal.
The ministry also plans to introduce changes in Clause 3 of the Act to extend the right to free and compulsory education to children suffering from disabilities as defined in the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.
This Act deals with severe mental disability and goes beyond the scope of the Disabilities Act. At present, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act is applicable to disabled children covered by the Disabilities Act.
This move by the ministry of human resource development is in response to the protests by disability activists in August, just ahead of the legislation being taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha. At the time, the ministry had suggested that it could amend the Act after due consultation with those who work and research on issues relating to the education of children suffering from severe mental disabilities. The ministry had also considered a higher outlay for home–based education, which many children with severe disabilities require.
This effort to draw in larger number of children with disability also comes on the back of data gathered by a survey conducted by the IMRB. The survey found that 34.12% of children with disability were out of school. The national average for children in the age group of 6 to 13 years is 4.22%.
This figure is lower than the situation in 2005 when IMRB found the percentage of children out of school at 38.13. The highest concentration of out of school children is among those with visual disabilities (46%) and multiple disabilities (58.57%).
References : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Access audit of public hearing in Delhi to create a barrier free environment for disabled people
Keen that public places are made more accessible to disabled people, the Centre has in a belated but welcome move decided to take up an access audit of government and public buildings in the Capital with the aim of promoting a barrier–free environment.
India has lagged behind the developed world in creating barrier–free buildings and public places, showing the callousness and utter disregard for disabled people on the part of civic authorities. The urban development ministry, which has engaged an independent agency to carry out the audit, wants to later undertake the exercise in all public buildings and urban spaces frequently visited by people.
Initially, 50 buildings in the Capital will be taken up. More buildings will be covered later, a UD ministry official said. The access audit will include identifying barriers in terms of external and internal built environment of the building such as approach, main gates, parking, building entrance, public dealing area, corridors and general circulation areas, signages, lifts, staircase, ramp, toilets, drinking water facilities, canteens, conference and meeting rooms, exit and emergency evacuation facility, lighting, warning system and safe refuge on ground floor as well as on upper floors.
The ministry, which is the nodal agency for implementation of a barrier free environment under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Right and Full Participation) Act 1995, has also directed all states to designate an official in all districts to bring cases of non–compliance to the notice of civic agencies for appropriate action.
Creating a barrier–free built–environment for disabled people is the focus area of the audit. Once the buildings are audited, the report will be taken up by the ministry and implementation will start through CPWD and other civic authorities, said an official.
Though the ministry had formulated? Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons" in 1998 and circulated it to state governments and other agencies, there was no audit and course correction.
In the developed world, building plans need to follow disabled friendly bylaws before they are approved and to ensure compliance, access audit is done at regular intervals.
Reference :' Hindu - 6/08/2009
India has lagged behind the developed world in creating barrier–free buildings and public places, showing the callousness and utter disregard for disabled people on the part of civic authorities. The urban development ministry, which has engaged an independent agency to carry out the audit, wants to later undertake the exercise in all public buildings and urban spaces frequently visited by people.
Initially, 50 buildings in the Capital will be taken up. More buildings will be covered later, a UD ministry official said. The access audit will include identifying barriers in terms of external and internal built environment of the building such as approach, main gates, parking, building entrance, public dealing area, corridors and general circulation areas, signages, lifts, staircase, ramp, toilets, drinking water facilities, canteens, conference and meeting rooms, exit and emergency evacuation facility, lighting, warning system and safe refuge on ground floor as well as on upper floors.
The ministry, which is the nodal agency for implementation of a barrier free environment under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Right and Full Participation) Act 1995, has also directed all states to designate an official in all districts to bring cases of non–compliance to the notice of civic agencies for appropriate action.
Creating a barrier–free built–environment for disabled people is the focus area of the audit. Once the buildings are audited, the report will be taken up by the ministry and implementation will start through CPWD and other civic authorities, said an official.
Though the ministry had formulated? Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons" in 1998 and circulated it to state governments and other agencies, there was no audit and course correction.
In the developed world, building plans need to follow disabled friendly bylaws before they are approved and to ensure compliance, access audit is done at regular intervals.
Reference :' Hindu - 6/08/2009
Ability Fest to screen films from 17 countries for disabled people
In an effort to bridge the divide between persons with disability and those without, and to sensitize people about disability, Ability Foundation, an NGO, has conducted AbilityFest from October 12 to 15. It will be the third edition of a biannual event, in which films from around the world, made sensitively, with and about people with disabilities, will be screened.
This time, there were films from 17 countries. AbilityFest commenced with the German film Beyond Silence', which has two lead actors with hearing disabilities. Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par' will also be shown.
For the first time in India, detailed descriptions will unfold on screen as the films play, and there will be suitable audio reproduction for the benefit of the visually impaired, said actor Revathy, vice–chairperson of the team organizing the festival.
Ability Foundation will also conduct an all–India one–minute film competition titled 60 seconds to fame', to encourage creative and inspired thinking on the theme of disability. So far, 300 entries have come in. Those selected will be screened between the main films.
The films at AbilityFest are screened at Sathyam Theatres.
Reference : http://www.abilityfoundation.org
This time, there were films from 17 countries. AbilityFest commenced with the German film Beyond Silence', which has two lead actors with hearing disabilities. Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par' will also be shown.
For the first time in India, detailed descriptions will unfold on screen as the films play, and there will be suitable audio reproduction for the benefit of the visually impaired, said actor Revathy, vice–chairperson of the team organizing the festival.
Ability Foundation will also conduct an all–India one–minute film competition titled 60 seconds to fame', to encourage creative and inspired thinking on the theme of disability. So far, 300 entries have come in. Those selected will be screened between the main films.
The films at AbilityFest are screened at Sathyam Theatres.
Reference : http://www.abilityfoundation.org
NREGA – A RAY OF HOPE FOR RURAL UNEMPLOYED YOUTH - - by Rajesh C. Bali
Vinod, who has studied Braille language upto the middle standard is all praises for the Central Government for starting the NREGA Programme and making the rural masses self-sufficient. When asked, does he face any problems while working? To which Vinod proudly replied, “I do not find any problem in digging or any other manual labour as I can sense the things much better than others”. It gives me pleasure and satisfaction when I give my hard earned money to my parents to run the hearth.
Productive absorption of under employed and surplus labour force in the rural sector has been a major focus of planning for rural development. In order to provide direct supplementary wage employment to the rural poor through public works, many programmes were initiated by the Government of India, namely, National Rural Employment Programme (NREP), Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) and Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY).
NREGA Programme
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been implemented all over the country with the objective to provide wage employment in rural areas, create durable rural infrastructure and to ensure food security.
It provides an indispensable lifeline to the millions of poor in the rural areas of the country. This social security measure makes the right to work a fundamental legal right - a new, radical deal for India’s poor.
Parliament has approved the National Rural Employment Bill, 2005 seeking to provide 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household. The legislation has received wide support among political parties, social movements and the public at large.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described it as the “most important piece of legislation” in Independent India. It marked a new beginning in the efforts for social equity and justice. He hoped that in the next four or five years it would cover all rural districts.
Dr. Singh said “this legislation will give bargaining power to the poorest of the poor and help those belonging to the Scheduled Casts, Scheduled Tribes, landless class and women. We are offering a modest, gainful employment that will fetch Rs. 500 per month for a family. This will bring landless families in the social safety net”.
A Success Story
Imagine a blind person who cannot afford to make his two ends meet, working happily as a casual labourer, Becoming an independent earning person and financially supporting his poor parents.
Vinod Kumar of village Khatroda, block Mahendragarh (Haryana), employed under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Programme (NREGA) along with his mother Banarsi is no more a burden on his family, but is facing the life head-on.
“I can work like any able-bodied person. All the distances are on my fingertips and if I come across any hurdle, people of my village happily extend a helping hand to overcome it”, says confident Vinod.
It was Vinod’s sheer determination, which led him to work like any other person. At the village site where the work for digging a pond under this programme to conserve water is on, Vinod works with other labourers including his mother. He digs the earth with the help of spade and throws the mud by stepping up and down the mud stairs.
Vinod, who has studied Braille language upto the middle standard is all praises for the Central Government for starting the NREGA Programme and making the rural masses self-sufficient. When asked, does he face any problems while working? To which Vinod proudly replied, “I do not find any problem in digging or any other manual labour as I can sense the things much better than others”. It gives me pleasure and satisfaction when I give my hard earned money to my parents to run the hearth.
Second amongst three brothers, two of whom are married and living independent lives, he is fond of listening to FM Radio. When his parents were asked whether they face any problem in looking after their blind son, they smiled back and said, “We faced problems earlier, but now he does everything independently. His father added Vinod used to feel bad for not contributing financially or otherwise towards his home, but after getting a job under NREGA, he is satisfied and so are we. The Programme has given him and others in the village livelihood.
The Block Development Programme Officer, Deepak Yadav, under whose jurisdiction the village Khatroda falls is happy with Vinod’s work and enthusiasm.
Productive absorption of under employed and surplus labour force in the rural sector has been a major focus of planning for rural development. In order to provide direct supplementary wage employment to the rural poor through public works, many programmes were initiated by the Government of India, namely, National Rural Employment Programme (NREP), Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) and Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY).
NREGA Programme
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been implemented all over the country with the objective to provide wage employment in rural areas, create durable rural infrastructure and to ensure food security.
It provides an indispensable lifeline to the millions of poor in the rural areas of the country. This social security measure makes the right to work a fundamental legal right - a new, radical deal for India’s poor.
Parliament has approved the National Rural Employment Bill, 2005 seeking to provide 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household. The legislation has received wide support among political parties, social movements and the public at large.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described it as the “most important piece of legislation” in Independent India. It marked a new beginning in the efforts for social equity and justice. He hoped that in the next four or five years it would cover all rural districts.
Dr. Singh said “this legislation will give bargaining power to the poorest of the poor and help those belonging to the Scheduled Casts, Scheduled Tribes, landless class and women. We are offering a modest, gainful employment that will fetch Rs. 500 per month for a family. This will bring landless families in the social safety net”.
A Success Story
Imagine a blind person who cannot afford to make his two ends meet, working happily as a casual labourer, Becoming an independent earning person and financially supporting his poor parents.
Vinod Kumar of village Khatroda, block Mahendragarh (Haryana), employed under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Programme (NREGA) along with his mother Banarsi is no more a burden on his family, but is facing the life head-on.
“I can work like any able-bodied person. All the distances are on my fingertips and if I come across any hurdle, people of my village happily extend a helping hand to overcome it”, says confident Vinod.
It was Vinod’s sheer determination, which led him to work like any other person. At the village site where the work for digging a pond under this programme to conserve water is on, Vinod works with other labourers including his mother. He digs the earth with the help of spade and throws the mud by stepping up and down the mud stairs.
Vinod, who has studied Braille language upto the middle standard is all praises for the Central Government for starting the NREGA Programme and making the rural masses self-sufficient. When asked, does he face any problems while working? To which Vinod proudly replied, “I do not find any problem in digging or any other manual labour as I can sense the things much better than others”. It gives me pleasure and satisfaction when I give my hard earned money to my parents to run the hearth.
Second amongst three brothers, two of whom are married and living independent lives, he is fond of listening to FM Radio. When his parents were asked whether they face any problem in looking after their blind son, they smiled back and said, “We faced problems earlier, but now he does everything independently. His father added Vinod used to feel bad for not contributing financially or otherwise towards his home, but after getting a job under NREGA, he is satisfied and so are we. The Programme has given him and others in the village livelihood.
The Block Development Programme Officer, Deepak Yadav, under whose jurisdiction the village Khatroda falls is happy with Vinod’s work and enthusiasm.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Two-third married Indian women victims of domestic violence: UN
United Nations,October 13 Around two-third of married women in India were victims of domestic violence and one incident of violence translates into women losing seven working days in the country, a United Nations report said. As many as 70 per cent of married women in India between the age of 15 and 49 are victims of beating, rape or coerced sex, the United Nation Population Fund report said. However, the rate of domestic violence is much higher in Egypt with 94 per cent and Zambia with 91 per cent. The report said violence against women was putting a huge strain on a nation's social and legal services and leads to heavy loss of productivity.
In India, one incident of violence translates into the women losing seven working days. In the united states total loss adds up to 12.6 billion dollars annually and Australia loses 6.3 billion dollars per year," it said.
Noting that women with tangible economic assets were less likely to be victims of domestic violence than those who lack them, the report cited Kerala as an example. "In Kerala, a survey found that 49 per cent women without property reported domestic violence compared with only seven per cent who owned property," it said.
The report also commended the family counselling centres set up by Madhya Pradesh police department and supported by UNFPA, which provide legal services in cases violence related to dowry, harassment by in-laws, child marriage and rape.
The report said one in five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime, one in three would have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused usually by a family member or an acquaintance.
Despite efforts by governments and campaigns carried out by international organizations, violence against women continued on a wide scale in both developed and developing countries, the report said.
The report said women in several countries justify wife-beating for one reason or another. The reasons include neglecting children, going out without telling partner, arguing with partner, refusing to have sex, not preparing food properly or on time and talking with other men, it said.
Overall, the report said, several governments have started taking action and enacting laws to fight the menace but their effect is limited because of deep-rooted social mores in several societies.
Violence, it said, kills and disables as many women between the ages of 15 and 44 as cancer and its toll on women's health surpasses that of traffic accidents and malaria combined.
The consequences of gender-based violence are devastating, including life-long emotional distress, mental health issues and poor reproductive health.
"Abused women are also at a higher risk of acquiring HIV," the report said adding that it puts burden on the healthcare system as they become long-term users of health services.
Besides, the effect might extend to future generation as children who see violence, or were victims themselves, often suffer a lasting psychological damage, it added.
Reference : http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=56501
In India, one incident of violence translates into the women losing seven working days. In the united states total loss adds up to 12.6 billion dollars annually and Australia loses 6.3 billion dollars per year," it said.
Noting that women with tangible economic assets were less likely to be victims of domestic violence than those who lack them, the report cited Kerala as an example. "In Kerala, a survey found that 49 per cent women without property reported domestic violence compared with only seven per cent who owned property," it said.
The report also commended the family counselling centres set up by Madhya Pradesh police department and supported by UNFPA, which provide legal services in cases violence related to dowry, harassment by in-laws, child marriage and rape.
The report said one in five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime, one in three would have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused usually by a family member or an acquaintance.
Despite efforts by governments and campaigns carried out by international organizations, violence against women continued on a wide scale in both developed and developing countries, the report said.
The report said women in several countries justify wife-beating for one reason or another. The reasons include neglecting children, going out without telling partner, arguing with partner, refusing to have sex, not preparing food properly or on time and talking with other men, it said.
Overall, the report said, several governments have started taking action and enacting laws to fight the menace but their effect is limited because of deep-rooted social mores in several societies.
Violence, it said, kills and disables as many women between the ages of 15 and 44 as cancer and its toll on women's health surpasses that of traffic accidents and malaria combined.
The consequences of gender-based violence are devastating, including life-long emotional distress, mental health issues and poor reproductive health.
"Abused women are also at a higher risk of acquiring HIV," the report said adding that it puts burden on the healthcare system as they become long-term users of health services.
Besides, the effect might extend to future generation as children who see violence, or were victims themselves, often suffer a lasting psychological damage, it added.
Reference : http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=56501
पुनर्स्थापन व पुनर्वास नीति से ही विकास सम्भव - नंदकिषोर
सभी राज्य के औद्योगिक विकास के लिये 'पुनर्स्थापना एवं पुनर्वास नीति' का होना एक आवष्यक पहलू है। झारखंड जैसे खनिज सम्पन्न राज्य में, जहां देष की कुल खनिज सम्पदा का लगभग 40 फीसदी उपलब्ध है, औद्योगिक विकास जोर न पकड़ने का एक मुख्य कारण पुनर्स्थापन एवं पुनर्वास नीति का न होना भी रहा है। यही कारण है कि राज्य बनने के बाद लगभग 65 एमओयू पर हस्ताक्षर तो हुए, लेकिन किसी पर भी काम चालू नहीं हो सका है.
झारखंड चूंकि आदिवासी बहुल राज्य है और आदिवासियों में विस्थापन एवं पुनर्वास की समस्या एक गम्भीर समस्या रही है. अलग राज्य के रूप में अस्तित्व में आने के बाद भी आदिवासियों की इस समस्या में कोई विषेष सुधार अब तक नहीं हो सका है. एक अध्ययन के अनुसार झारखंड में अब तक लगभग 70 लाख विस्थापित हो चुके हैं और इन विस्थापितों में सर्वाधिक 26 लाख लोग खनन कार्य के कारण विस्थापित हुए हैं. कारखानों व वृहत बांधों से जुड़ी सिंचाई परियोजनाओं के कारण भी बहुत बड़ी संख्या में लोग विस्थापित हुए हैं. रिपोर्ट पर विष्वास किया जाये तो इन विस्थापितों में से 70 फीसदी से अधिक लोगों को आज तक पुनर्वास की सुविधा नसीब नहीं हुई है. पिछले 50 वर्षों की विकास यात्रा में यह सचाई बार-बार प्रकट हुई है कि झारखंड में आदिवासी परिवारों को जमीन के बदले जो कुछ मुआवजा मिला भी वह काफी नहीं था.
गरीब आदिवासी विस्थापित सिर्फ अपना घर-बार ही नहीं छोड़ते, बल्कि उन्हें सांस्कृतिक रूप से भी काफी हानि उठानी पड़ती है. आदिम समुदायों को अपने जमीन व मूल निवास स्थान से गहरा भावात्मक जुड़ाव रहा है, यह बात तो जगजाहिर है. ऐसे में विस्थापन उन्हें पूर्ण रूप से तोड़ देता है.
वैसे तो झारखंड में आदिवासियों की जमीन को बचाने के लिये 'छोटानागपुर काष्तकारी अधिनियम-1908' एवं 'संथापल परगना काष्तकारी अधिनियम-1949' सहित 'बिहार अनुसूचित क्षेत्र अधिनियम-1969' जैसे की कानून पहले से ही मौजूद हैं, लेकिन आज ये कानून इतने पुराने व जटिल हो चुके हैं कि वे स्वयं में समस्या के कारण बन गये हैं. उदारीकरण, निजीकरण और वैष्वीकरण के इस युग में झारखंड के प्रति देषी व विदेषी पूंजीपतियों का आकर्षण और बढ़ गया है, लेकिन उचित विस्थापन व पुनर्वास नीति के अभाव में आदिवासियों के लिये विस्थापन की समस्या को और बढ़ा दिया है.
अब जब लम्बे इंतजार के बाद ही सही, सरकार कुम्भकर्णी निद्रा से है और राज्य के पुनर्वास-नीति की घोषणा की तो आषा की किरण फिर से जगी है. 16 जुलाई, 2008 को राज्य की बहुचर्चित और बहुप्रतीक्षित पुनर्स्थापन एवं पुनर्वास-नीति को राज्य मंत्रिपरिषद ने मंजूरी प्रदान कर दी. पुनर्स्थापन एवं पुनर्वास-नीति के लागू होते ही उम्मीद की जा सकती है कि झारखंड में नये उद्योगों की स्थापना से सम्बंधित कामों में तेजी आयेगी.
झारखंड चूंकि आदिवासी बहुल राज्य है और आदिवासियों में विस्थापन एवं पुनर्वास की समस्या एक गम्भीर समस्या रही है. अलग राज्य के रूप में अस्तित्व में आने के बाद भी आदिवासियों की इस समस्या में कोई विषेष सुधार अब तक नहीं हो सका है. एक अध्ययन के अनुसार झारखंड में अब तक लगभग 70 लाख विस्थापित हो चुके हैं और इन विस्थापितों में सर्वाधिक 26 लाख लोग खनन कार्य के कारण विस्थापित हुए हैं. कारखानों व वृहत बांधों से जुड़ी सिंचाई परियोजनाओं के कारण भी बहुत बड़ी संख्या में लोग विस्थापित हुए हैं. रिपोर्ट पर विष्वास किया जाये तो इन विस्थापितों में से 70 फीसदी से अधिक लोगों को आज तक पुनर्वास की सुविधा नसीब नहीं हुई है. पिछले 50 वर्षों की विकास यात्रा में यह सचाई बार-बार प्रकट हुई है कि झारखंड में आदिवासी परिवारों को जमीन के बदले जो कुछ मुआवजा मिला भी वह काफी नहीं था.
गरीब आदिवासी विस्थापित सिर्फ अपना घर-बार ही नहीं छोड़ते, बल्कि उन्हें सांस्कृतिक रूप से भी काफी हानि उठानी पड़ती है. आदिम समुदायों को अपने जमीन व मूल निवास स्थान से गहरा भावात्मक जुड़ाव रहा है, यह बात तो जगजाहिर है. ऐसे में विस्थापन उन्हें पूर्ण रूप से तोड़ देता है.
वैसे तो झारखंड में आदिवासियों की जमीन को बचाने के लिये 'छोटानागपुर काष्तकारी अधिनियम-1908' एवं 'संथापल परगना काष्तकारी अधिनियम-1949' सहित 'बिहार अनुसूचित क्षेत्र अधिनियम-1969' जैसे की कानून पहले से ही मौजूद हैं, लेकिन आज ये कानून इतने पुराने व जटिल हो चुके हैं कि वे स्वयं में समस्या के कारण बन गये हैं. उदारीकरण, निजीकरण और वैष्वीकरण के इस युग में झारखंड के प्रति देषी व विदेषी पूंजीपतियों का आकर्षण और बढ़ गया है, लेकिन उचित विस्थापन व पुनर्वास नीति के अभाव में आदिवासियों के लिये विस्थापन की समस्या को और बढ़ा दिया है.
अब जब लम्बे इंतजार के बाद ही सही, सरकार कुम्भकर्णी निद्रा से है और राज्य के पुनर्वास-नीति की घोषणा की तो आषा की किरण फिर से जगी है. 16 जुलाई, 2008 को राज्य की बहुचर्चित और बहुप्रतीक्षित पुनर्स्थापन एवं पुनर्वास-नीति को राज्य मंत्रिपरिषद ने मंजूरी प्रदान कर दी. पुनर्स्थापन एवं पुनर्वास-नीति के लागू होते ही उम्मीद की जा सकती है कि झारखंड में नये उद्योगों की स्थापना से सम्बंधित कामों में तेजी आयेगी.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
जवाब मांग रहा है झारखण्ड
जंगल में आदिवासी ही नहीं रहते. वहां के मूलवासी भी रहते हैं लेकिन माफी मिली केवल आदिवासियों को. कहीं ऐसा तो नहीं कि ये केंद्र की साज़िश है? झारखंड को बचाने के लिए कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर संघर्ष कर रहे आदिवासियों और मूलवासियों में फूट डालना चाहती है. बहरहाल, इतना तो तय है कि कि केंद्र सरकार का ये कदम आदिवासियों के घाव पर महरम नहीं नमक का काम करेगा. ये कदम आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए नहीं बल्कि उनको गुमराह करने के लिए उठाया गया है. गृह-मंत्रालय का ये फैसला आदिवासियों को विश्वास में लेने की बात कहकर गुमराह किया जा रहा है.
झारखंड के राज्यपाल की अनुशंसा पर राज्य के आदिवासियों के खिलाफ चल रहे छोटे-मोटे 1लाख आपराधिक मामलों को केंद्रीय गृह-मंत्रालय ने वापस लेने का फैसला किया है। इनमें से ज्यादातर मामले संरक्षित वनों में घुसने, जानवर चराने, लकड़ी काटने और बिना अनुमति के जंगल से वनोपज एकत्र करने से जुड़े हैं. इस खबर ने ही झारखंड में आदिवासियों का सच, उनकी स्थिति, उनके साथ होने वाले व्यवहार और वहां के सामाजिक हालात को बयान कर दिया.सोचिए ज़रा. एक लाख मुकदमे सिर्फ आदिवासियों के खिलाफ. उस राज्य में जिसे आदिवासियों का ही प्रदेश माना जाता है. और मुकदमे भी बेदह मामूली. लेकिन इन मुकदमों के चक्कर में फंसकर आदिवासियों को कितनी दिक्कत झेलनी होगी? कैसे उनका शोषण हुआ होगा? अंदाज़ा लगाया सकता है. जो आदिवासी जंगल में रहता है वो जंगल में रहकर वनोपज एकत्र न करे या उनके जानवर कभी जंगल में दाखिल न हों असंभव है. इस फैसले ने जहां कई सवाल खड़े कर दिये हैं, कई सच भी सामने ला दिए हैं.सबसे बड़ा सच ये है कि झारखंड राज्य जिसे राज्य के बाहर के लोग आदिवासियों का प्रदेश समझते थे. अलग राज्य बनने के बाद वहां अब भी आदिवासी हासिये पर हैं. जिसकी गवाही देता है. उनकी जंगल से जुड़े मुकदमों की संख्या का लाख में होना. कहने की ज़रूरत नहीं है कि इसमें फर्जी मुकदमों की संख्या अच्छी खासी होगी या ये साबित किए जाने योग्य नहीं होंगे.
ये मामले जंगल और ज़मीन से जुड़े हैं.जिसके सहारे आदिवासी अपनी जिंदगी गुज़र करते हैं. वो सदियों से इन्हीं जंगल और ज़मीन के सहारे अपना अस्तित्व बनाए हुए हैं पर जब इसका वो अपनी आजीविका के लिए थोड़ा दोहन करते हैं तो उन्हें मुकदमों में फंसा दिया जाता है. और एक बार सरकारी मुकदमों के जाल में आदिवासी फंस गए तो अशिक्षित और गरीब होने की वजह से वो सालों तक अदालतों के चक्कर काटते हैं. और शुरू होता है उनके शोषण का अंतहीन सिलसिला. अगर केस वन विभाग से जुड़ा है तो वन विभाग के कर्मचारियों या अधिकारियों को नहीं तो पुलिस वालों को खिलाना-पिलाना पड़ता है फिर बारी आती है वकीलों की. . अब सोचिए. इन मामूली मामलाओं के फेर में फंसकर आदिवासी कैसे अपना शोषण करवाते हैं. एक तरफ सरकार आदिवासी, उनकी जीवन शैली, उनकी संस्कृति को सहजने की बात करती है दूसरी तरफ उनके मुलाज़िम आदिवासियों को फंसाकर उनका शोषण करते हैं.जब उस आदिवासी के घर जाएंगे तो उससे शराब और मर्गे की मांग करेंगे.
आदिवासियों के हालात के बाद इस फैसले पर केंद्र सरकार की मंशा पर सवाल. केंद्र जल्द ही नक्सलियों के खिलाफ बड़ा अभियान चलाने वाली है. इस अभियान की कामयाबी आदिवासियों की भागीदारी पर निर्भर है. अगर आदिवासी सरकार का साथ देंगे तो अभियान कामयाब होगा वरना नक्सलियों को नेस्तनाबूद करने का मंसूबा धरा का धरा रह जाएगा. साफ है केंद्र सरकार नक्सलियों के खिलाफ अभियान में आदिवासियों का इस्तेमाल करेगी. आदिवासियों से नक्सलियों की गतिविधियों के बारे में जानकारी ली जाएगी. यही नहीं अगर नक्सलियों के संहार में कोई निर्दोष मारा जाता है और मानवाधिकार संगठन खड़े हो जाते हैं तो केंद्र द्वारा आदिवासियों के मुकदमे माफ करने का उस वक्त ढाल का काम करेगा. सवाल सरकार की मंशा को लेकर इसलिए भी हैं क्योंकि उसका ये फैसला जनकल्याणकारी सरकार से ज्यादा एक सांमतवादी शासक का है. जो अपने फैसले अपने फायदे नुकसान के हिसाब से करता है. ये फैसला इसलिए नहीं किया गया कि केंद्र को आदिवासियों की चिंता है. अगर होती तो ये फैसला काफी पहले ले लिया जाना चाहिए था. सरकार को न आदिवासियों की चिंता है न उनके हालात की फिक्र. अगर होती तो राज्य को अकालग्रस्त घोषित करने की मांग पर ज़रूर गौर किया जाता. पूरा राज्य अकाल की चपेट में हैं. आदिवासी इलाकों में स्थिति भयावह है. लोग दाने-दाने को मोहताज हैं. पलामू के इलाकों में किसान आत्महत्या की गुहार लगा रहे हैं. इस बारे में प्रधानमंत्री और राज्यपाल को लिखा गया . लेकिन कोई सकारात्मक जवाब नहीं मिला.
आसमान छूती कीमतों, अकालमृत्यु, मज़दूरो का पलायन, कानून व्यवस्था की बिगड़ती स्थिति पर राज्यपाल की चुप्पी और गृहमंत्रालय की खामोशी समझ से परे है. अब जनता जवाब मांग रही है. आखिर कब तक जनता को गुमराह किया जाता रहेगा? राज्यपाल ने किसानों को मुफ्त बीज बांटने की घोषणा की. गरीबी रेखा से नीचे के लोगों को मुफ्त अनाज बांटने का ऐलान किया लेकिन ये घोषणाएं फाइलों में ही दबी रह गई. बीज और अनाज बिचौलियों और संवेदनहीन अधिकारियों की भेटं चढ़ गया. पूरे राज्य में जबरदस्त आक्रोश का माहौल है. अधिकारी और पूरी व्यवस्था कभी भी लोगों के गुस्से का शिकार हो सकते हैं.
राज्य के कई इलाकों में डायरिया का प्रकोप फैलता जा रहा है. लोग अकाल मृत्यु के शिकार हो रहे हैं. शासन और प्रशासन मूक दर्शक बना हुआ है. खाद्यान और स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा के नाम पर करोड़ों की योजनाएं बनती हैं लेकिन लोगों को लाभ नहीं मिल रहा. हृदयहीन और संवेदनहीन अधिकारियों की लूट जारी है. शासन-प्रशासन खामोश है और जनता बेबस. भ्रष्टाचार के तांडव के बीच कानून व्यवस्था की बिगड़ती स्थिति से हर कोई डरा-सहमा है. सरकारी तंत्र की स्थिति ये है कि पुलिस इंस्पेक्टर तक को छह महीने की तनख्वाह नहीं मिलती और जानकारी सार्वजनिक तब होती है जब उसकी हत्या कर दी जाती है. गृह-मंत्रालय द्वारा एक लाख छोटे आपराधिक मामलो को वापस लेना आंख में धूल झोंकने की कोशिश ही मानी जाएगी क्योंकि अगर गृह-मंत्रालय और राज्यपाल आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के प्रति जागरूक और गंभीर होते तो राज्य में एसपीटी एक्ट और सीएनटी एक्ट को प्रभावी तरीके से लागू करने की पहल करते.प्रशासन की मिली भगत से आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए बने कानून की सरेआम धज्ज्ाियां उड़ाई जा रही है. आदिवासियों की ज़मीने छीनकर उन्हें बेघर किया जा रहा है. क्यों खामोश है गृह-मंत्रालय और राज्यपाल?
इतना ही नहीं, राज्य में ट्राइबल एडवाइज़री कमेटी भी प्रभावी रूप से काम नहीं कर रही है. इसकी न तो नियमित बैठकें हो रही हैं और न ही ये अपने संवैधानिक दायित्वों को पूरा कर रही है. जबकि टीएसी की प्राथमिक ज़िम्मेदारी है आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए सरकार को सलाह देना. टीएसी के प्रमुख गवर्नर हैं. इसके बावजूद ये प्रभावी ढ़ंग से काम नहीं कर रहा है. आदिवासियों के हकों और हितों के प्रति गृहमंत्रालय और राज्यपाल की गंभीरता का अंदाजा टीएसी के प्रभावी नहीं होने से लगाया जा सकता है.
गृह मंत्रालय के फैसले पर संदेह की एक वजह ये भी है कि प्रदेश में पंचायत चुनाव कराने की पहल नहीं हो रही है. आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा करने और विश्वास जीतने के लिए 'पेसा' के तहत पंचायत चुनाव करवा आदिवासियों को विकास की मुख्यधारा में जोड़ने की कोशिश होनी चाहिए. आज़ादी के बाद से आदिवासियों का सिर्फ उत्पीड़न और शोषण हुआ है. कभी खनिज के नाम पर. कभी नक्सलवाद के नाम पर और कभी औद्योगिकीकरण के नाम पर.
आदिवासी इलाकों में अर्धसैनिक बलों की दमनात्मक कार्रवाई से पहले ऐसा कदम उठा केंद्रीय गृह-मंत्रालय आदिवासियों को खामोश करना चाहती है ताकि बड़े-बड़े उद्योगपतियों के लिए आदिवासियों की ज़मीनों को कब्जा करने में कोई दिक्कत न हो और नक्सलवाद के नाम पर इन इलाकों में भय का माहौल पैदा किया जा सके. एक तरह से देखा जाए तो केंद्र सरकार ने आदिवासियों से सौदेबाज़ी की चाल चली है. मुकदमों से मुक्ति के बदले नक्सलियों के सफाए में उनका इस्तेमाल किया जाएगा. जब इस्तेमाल हो जाएगा तो उन्हें उन्हीं के हाल पर छोड़ दिया जाएगा. यानी इस्तेमाल करो और फेंक दो. ये सच है कि झारखंड आज नक्सलियों से सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित रहा है.जिस राज्य को विकास की दौड़ में काफी आगे होना चाहिए था वो काफी पिछड़ गया है .. लेकिन दिक्कत ये है कि नक्सवाद की जड़े हमारे व्यवस्था की खामियों में है. बिना इन खामियों को दूर किये इसे जड़ से नहीं मिटाया जा सकता. इसलिए ज़रूरी है कि व्यवस्था की खामियों का खात्मा जड़ से हो.आंख में धूल झोंकने की कोशिश न हो.
रेफेरेंस : http://www.visfot.com/index.php/jan_jeevan/1807.html
झारखंड के राज्यपाल की अनुशंसा पर राज्य के आदिवासियों के खिलाफ चल रहे छोटे-मोटे 1लाख आपराधिक मामलों को केंद्रीय गृह-मंत्रालय ने वापस लेने का फैसला किया है। इनमें से ज्यादातर मामले संरक्षित वनों में घुसने, जानवर चराने, लकड़ी काटने और बिना अनुमति के जंगल से वनोपज एकत्र करने से जुड़े हैं. इस खबर ने ही झारखंड में आदिवासियों का सच, उनकी स्थिति, उनके साथ होने वाले व्यवहार और वहां के सामाजिक हालात को बयान कर दिया.सोचिए ज़रा. एक लाख मुकदमे सिर्फ आदिवासियों के खिलाफ. उस राज्य में जिसे आदिवासियों का ही प्रदेश माना जाता है. और मुकदमे भी बेदह मामूली. लेकिन इन मुकदमों के चक्कर में फंसकर आदिवासियों को कितनी दिक्कत झेलनी होगी? कैसे उनका शोषण हुआ होगा? अंदाज़ा लगाया सकता है. जो आदिवासी जंगल में रहता है वो जंगल में रहकर वनोपज एकत्र न करे या उनके जानवर कभी जंगल में दाखिल न हों असंभव है. इस फैसले ने जहां कई सवाल खड़े कर दिये हैं, कई सच भी सामने ला दिए हैं.सबसे बड़ा सच ये है कि झारखंड राज्य जिसे राज्य के बाहर के लोग आदिवासियों का प्रदेश समझते थे. अलग राज्य बनने के बाद वहां अब भी आदिवासी हासिये पर हैं. जिसकी गवाही देता है. उनकी जंगल से जुड़े मुकदमों की संख्या का लाख में होना. कहने की ज़रूरत नहीं है कि इसमें फर्जी मुकदमों की संख्या अच्छी खासी होगी या ये साबित किए जाने योग्य नहीं होंगे.
ये मामले जंगल और ज़मीन से जुड़े हैं.जिसके सहारे आदिवासी अपनी जिंदगी गुज़र करते हैं. वो सदियों से इन्हीं जंगल और ज़मीन के सहारे अपना अस्तित्व बनाए हुए हैं पर जब इसका वो अपनी आजीविका के लिए थोड़ा दोहन करते हैं तो उन्हें मुकदमों में फंसा दिया जाता है. और एक बार सरकारी मुकदमों के जाल में आदिवासी फंस गए तो अशिक्षित और गरीब होने की वजह से वो सालों तक अदालतों के चक्कर काटते हैं. और शुरू होता है उनके शोषण का अंतहीन सिलसिला. अगर केस वन विभाग से जुड़ा है तो वन विभाग के कर्मचारियों या अधिकारियों को नहीं तो पुलिस वालों को खिलाना-पिलाना पड़ता है फिर बारी आती है वकीलों की. . अब सोचिए. इन मामूली मामलाओं के फेर में फंसकर आदिवासी कैसे अपना शोषण करवाते हैं. एक तरफ सरकार आदिवासी, उनकी जीवन शैली, उनकी संस्कृति को सहजने की बात करती है दूसरी तरफ उनके मुलाज़िम आदिवासियों को फंसाकर उनका शोषण करते हैं.जब उस आदिवासी के घर जाएंगे तो उससे शराब और मर्गे की मांग करेंगे.
आदिवासियों के हालात के बाद इस फैसले पर केंद्र सरकार की मंशा पर सवाल. केंद्र जल्द ही नक्सलियों के खिलाफ बड़ा अभियान चलाने वाली है. इस अभियान की कामयाबी आदिवासियों की भागीदारी पर निर्भर है. अगर आदिवासी सरकार का साथ देंगे तो अभियान कामयाब होगा वरना नक्सलियों को नेस्तनाबूद करने का मंसूबा धरा का धरा रह जाएगा. साफ है केंद्र सरकार नक्सलियों के खिलाफ अभियान में आदिवासियों का इस्तेमाल करेगी. आदिवासियों से नक्सलियों की गतिविधियों के बारे में जानकारी ली जाएगी. यही नहीं अगर नक्सलियों के संहार में कोई निर्दोष मारा जाता है और मानवाधिकार संगठन खड़े हो जाते हैं तो केंद्र द्वारा आदिवासियों के मुकदमे माफ करने का उस वक्त ढाल का काम करेगा. सवाल सरकार की मंशा को लेकर इसलिए भी हैं क्योंकि उसका ये फैसला जनकल्याणकारी सरकार से ज्यादा एक सांमतवादी शासक का है. जो अपने फैसले अपने फायदे नुकसान के हिसाब से करता है. ये फैसला इसलिए नहीं किया गया कि केंद्र को आदिवासियों की चिंता है. अगर होती तो ये फैसला काफी पहले ले लिया जाना चाहिए था. सरकार को न आदिवासियों की चिंता है न उनके हालात की फिक्र. अगर होती तो राज्य को अकालग्रस्त घोषित करने की मांग पर ज़रूर गौर किया जाता. पूरा राज्य अकाल की चपेट में हैं. आदिवासी इलाकों में स्थिति भयावह है. लोग दाने-दाने को मोहताज हैं. पलामू के इलाकों में किसान आत्महत्या की गुहार लगा रहे हैं. इस बारे में प्रधानमंत्री और राज्यपाल को लिखा गया . लेकिन कोई सकारात्मक जवाब नहीं मिला.
आसमान छूती कीमतों, अकालमृत्यु, मज़दूरो का पलायन, कानून व्यवस्था की बिगड़ती स्थिति पर राज्यपाल की चुप्पी और गृहमंत्रालय की खामोशी समझ से परे है. अब जनता जवाब मांग रही है. आखिर कब तक जनता को गुमराह किया जाता रहेगा? राज्यपाल ने किसानों को मुफ्त बीज बांटने की घोषणा की. गरीबी रेखा से नीचे के लोगों को मुफ्त अनाज बांटने का ऐलान किया लेकिन ये घोषणाएं फाइलों में ही दबी रह गई. बीज और अनाज बिचौलियों और संवेदनहीन अधिकारियों की भेटं चढ़ गया. पूरे राज्य में जबरदस्त आक्रोश का माहौल है. अधिकारी और पूरी व्यवस्था कभी भी लोगों के गुस्से का शिकार हो सकते हैं.
राज्य के कई इलाकों में डायरिया का प्रकोप फैलता जा रहा है. लोग अकाल मृत्यु के शिकार हो रहे हैं. शासन और प्रशासन मूक दर्शक बना हुआ है. खाद्यान और स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा के नाम पर करोड़ों की योजनाएं बनती हैं लेकिन लोगों को लाभ नहीं मिल रहा. हृदयहीन और संवेदनहीन अधिकारियों की लूट जारी है. शासन-प्रशासन खामोश है और जनता बेबस. भ्रष्टाचार के तांडव के बीच कानून व्यवस्था की बिगड़ती स्थिति से हर कोई डरा-सहमा है. सरकारी तंत्र की स्थिति ये है कि पुलिस इंस्पेक्टर तक को छह महीने की तनख्वाह नहीं मिलती और जानकारी सार्वजनिक तब होती है जब उसकी हत्या कर दी जाती है. गृह-मंत्रालय द्वारा एक लाख छोटे आपराधिक मामलो को वापस लेना आंख में धूल झोंकने की कोशिश ही मानी जाएगी क्योंकि अगर गृह-मंत्रालय और राज्यपाल आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के प्रति जागरूक और गंभीर होते तो राज्य में एसपीटी एक्ट और सीएनटी एक्ट को प्रभावी तरीके से लागू करने की पहल करते.प्रशासन की मिली भगत से आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए बने कानून की सरेआम धज्ज्ाियां उड़ाई जा रही है. आदिवासियों की ज़मीने छीनकर उन्हें बेघर किया जा रहा है. क्यों खामोश है गृह-मंत्रालय और राज्यपाल?
इतना ही नहीं, राज्य में ट्राइबल एडवाइज़री कमेटी भी प्रभावी रूप से काम नहीं कर रही है. इसकी न तो नियमित बैठकें हो रही हैं और न ही ये अपने संवैधानिक दायित्वों को पूरा कर रही है. जबकि टीएसी की प्राथमिक ज़िम्मेदारी है आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा के लिए सरकार को सलाह देना. टीएसी के प्रमुख गवर्नर हैं. इसके बावजूद ये प्रभावी ढ़ंग से काम नहीं कर रहा है. आदिवासियों के हकों और हितों के प्रति गृहमंत्रालय और राज्यपाल की गंभीरता का अंदाजा टीएसी के प्रभावी नहीं होने से लगाया जा सकता है.
गृह मंत्रालय के फैसले पर संदेह की एक वजह ये भी है कि प्रदेश में पंचायत चुनाव कराने की पहल नहीं हो रही है. आदिवासियों के हितों की रक्षा करने और विश्वास जीतने के लिए 'पेसा' के तहत पंचायत चुनाव करवा आदिवासियों को विकास की मुख्यधारा में जोड़ने की कोशिश होनी चाहिए. आज़ादी के बाद से आदिवासियों का सिर्फ उत्पीड़न और शोषण हुआ है. कभी खनिज के नाम पर. कभी नक्सलवाद के नाम पर और कभी औद्योगिकीकरण के नाम पर.
आदिवासी इलाकों में अर्धसैनिक बलों की दमनात्मक कार्रवाई से पहले ऐसा कदम उठा केंद्रीय गृह-मंत्रालय आदिवासियों को खामोश करना चाहती है ताकि बड़े-बड़े उद्योगपतियों के लिए आदिवासियों की ज़मीनों को कब्जा करने में कोई दिक्कत न हो और नक्सलवाद के नाम पर इन इलाकों में भय का माहौल पैदा किया जा सके. एक तरह से देखा जाए तो केंद्र सरकार ने आदिवासियों से सौदेबाज़ी की चाल चली है. मुकदमों से मुक्ति के बदले नक्सलियों के सफाए में उनका इस्तेमाल किया जाएगा. जब इस्तेमाल हो जाएगा तो उन्हें उन्हीं के हाल पर छोड़ दिया जाएगा. यानी इस्तेमाल करो और फेंक दो. ये सच है कि झारखंड आज नक्सलियों से सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित रहा है.जिस राज्य को विकास की दौड़ में काफी आगे होना चाहिए था वो काफी पिछड़ गया है .. लेकिन दिक्कत ये है कि नक्सवाद की जड़े हमारे व्यवस्था की खामियों में है. बिना इन खामियों को दूर किये इसे जड़ से नहीं मिटाया जा सकता. इसलिए ज़रूरी है कि व्यवस्था की खामियों का खात्मा जड़ से हो.आंख में धूल झोंकने की कोशिश न हो.
रेफेरेंस : http://www.visfot.com/index.php/jan_jeevan/1807.html
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Jawaharlal Nehru had said “You can tell the condition of the nation by looking at the status of women.”
And the following phrase of Manusmriti, “Na Stree Swathantryam Arhati” (woman is undeserving for independence), reflects our whole attitude towards women in our country. Woman suffers discrimination and injustice in all stages of her life.
Declining sex ratio portrays our discrimination shown towards her even at the stage of birth. Often the lame excuse is women are the ‘weaker sex’! But biological evidence proves, due to the presence of two X hormones women are more resistant to diseases compared to men. Life expectancy is a proof of this (In our country life expectancy of women is 65 whereas for men it’s only 60 years).
Census 2001 shows our national sex ratio as 921:1000 (921 females for 1000 males), and this will lead to detrimental social problems if not corrected. The main reason for this is female infanticide.
Gender wise abortions are on the rise. In economically developed states such as Haryana and Punjab the tendency is found to be more. Abortion though legal in our country, gender based abortion is a crime here. Strict measures should be taken for the implementation of Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation & Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994, which prohibits any prenatal diagnostic techniques and sex selective abortions.
A shocking study reveals that half of the world’s malnourished children live in India owing primarily to the lack of nutritious food available to the mother. In all the critical stages, be it infancy, childhood, adolescence or the reproductive phase many women suffer malnutrition purely due to the discrimination and the narrow mindsets of the society.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, “If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate an entire family.” Our predominant patriarchal system doesn’t provide enough chances for women to have higher education even if they wish. Girls should be motivated to take up higher education. Universal education for all below 14 years should be strictly implemented. There is an urgent necessity of framing gender sensitive curricula at all stages of primary education to address sex-stereotyping menace.
Women should be allowed to work and should be provided enough safety and support to work. Legislatures such as Equal Remuneration Act, Factories Act: Constitutional safeguards such as maternity relief, and other provisions should be strictly followed. Poverty eradication policies need to be implemented. Macro economic policies would help in this drive. Through be it infancy, childhood, adolescence or the reproductive phase many women suffer malnutrition purely due to the discrimination and the narrow mindsets of the society.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, “If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate an entire family.” Our predominant patriarchal system doesn’t provide enough chances for women to have higher education even if they wish. Girls should be motivated to take up higher education. Universal education for all below 14 years should be strictly implemented. There is an urgent necessity of framing gender sensitive curricula at all stages of primary education to address sex-stereotyping menace.
Women should be allowed to work and should be provided enough safety and support to work. Legislatures such as Equal Remuneration Act, Factories Act: Constitutional safeguards such as maternity relief, and other provisions should be strictly followed. Poverty eradication policies need to be implemented. Macro economic policies would help in this drive. Through economic empowerment women’s emancipation could be realized.
Dowry still remains the major reason for all the discrimination and injustice shown to women. Dowry has always been an important part of Hindu marriages. Not only among Hindus, its evil tentacles are now spreading to other religions also. Although dowry was legally prohibited in 1961(Dowry Prohibition Act), it continues to be highly institutionalized.
It is ridiculous to see that even among highly educated sections, the articles of dowry are proudly exhibited in the marriage as a status symbol. The practice of dowry abuse is rising in India. The most severe is “bride burning”, the burning of women whose dowries were not considered sufficient by their husband or in-laws. Most of these incidents are reported as accidental burns in the kitchen or are disguised as suicide. It is evident that there exist deep-rooted prejudices against women in India.
Cultural practices such as these tend to subordinate women in our society. Dowry is one of those social evils that no educated woman will own up with pride; still many are adhering to it,why? Women should be more economically empowered and should be educated properly regarding the various legal provisions such as Section 498ACrPC, protection from domestic violence etc. only then only this evil menace could possibly be eradicated from Indian social system.
True empowerment will only be reached when women take part actively in the decision making process of our country. Women Reservation Bill that entitles to provide 33 per cent reservation in Parliament is a bill of utmost importance. The success of 73rd & 74th amendment which reserves certain number of seats for women in the local bodies should be an encouragement for the Bill to be passed at least in this current session.
Mainstreaming and women’s empowerment is central to human development. Empowerment of women could only be achieved if their economic and social status is improved. This could be possible only by adopting definite social and economic policies with a view of total development of women and to make them realize that they have the potential to be strong human beings.
The various articles of our constitution enshrine principle of gender equality. We started giving special attention to the causes of women by the fifth five-year plan. For considering the grievances and preventing the atrocities against women a National Commission for Women (NCW) was set up in 1990.
But despite all these measures there should be a strong determination among every man that every woman in this country should be honoured. Only then empowerment in its true meaning will be realized.
Swami Vivekananda had said “That country and that nation which doesn’t respect women will never become great now and nor will ever in future” and in pursuit of making India a great nation, let us work towards giving women their much deserved status.
And the following phrase of Manusmriti, “Na Stree Swathantryam Arhati” (woman is undeserving for independence), reflects our whole attitude towards women in our country. Woman suffers discrimination and injustice in all stages of her life.
Declining sex ratio portrays our discrimination shown towards her even at the stage of birth. Often the lame excuse is women are the ‘weaker sex’! But biological evidence proves, due to the presence of two X hormones women are more resistant to diseases compared to men. Life expectancy is a proof of this (In our country life expectancy of women is 65 whereas for men it’s only 60 years).
Census 2001 shows our national sex ratio as 921:1000 (921 females for 1000 males), and this will lead to detrimental social problems if not corrected. The main reason for this is female infanticide.
Gender wise abortions are on the rise. In economically developed states such as Haryana and Punjab the tendency is found to be more. Abortion though legal in our country, gender based abortion is a crime here. Strict measures should be taken for the implementation of Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation & Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994, which prohibits any prenatal diagnostic techniques and sex selective abortions.
A shocking study reveals that half of the world’s malnourished children live in India owing primarily to the lack of nutritious food available to the mother. In all the critical stages, be it infancy, childhood, adolescence or the reproductive phase many women suffer malnutrition purely due to the discrimination and the narrow mindsets of the society.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, “If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate an entire family.” Our predominant patriarchal system doesn’t provide enough chances for women to have higher education even if they wish. Girls should be motivated to take up higher education. Universal education for all below 14 years should be strictly implemented. There is an urgent necessity of framing gender sensitive curricula at all stages of primary education to address sex-stereotyping menace.
Women should be allowed to work and should be provided enough safety and support to work. Legislatures such as Equal Remuneration Act, Factories Act: Constitutional safeguards such as maternity relief, and other provisions should be strictly followed. Poverty eradication policies need to be implemented. Macro economic policies would help in this drive. Through be it infancy, childhood, adolescence or the reproductive phase many women suffer malnutrition purely due to the discrimination and the narrow mindsets of the society.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, “If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate an entire family.” Our predominant patriarchal system doesn’t provide enough chances for women to have higher education even if they wish. Girls should be motivated to take up higher education. Universal education for all below 14 years should be strictly implemented. There is an urgent necessity of framing gender sensitive curricula at all stages of primary education to address sex-stereotyping menace.
Women should be allowed to work and should be provided enough safety and support to work. Legislatures such as Equal Remuneration Act, Factories Act: Constitutional safeguards such as maternity relief, and other provisions should be strictly followed. Poverty eradication policies need to be implemented. Macro economic policies would help in this drive. Through economic empowerment women’s emancipation could be realized.
Dowry still remains the major reason for all the discrimination and injustice shown to women. Dowry has always been an important part of Hindu marriages. Not only among Hindus, its evil tentacles are now spreading to other religions also. Although dowry was legally prohibited in 1961(Dowry Prohibition Act), it continues to be highly institutionalized.
It is ridiculous to see that even among highly educated sections, the articles of dowry are proudly exhibited in the marriage as a status symbol. The practice of dowry abuse is rising in India. The most severe is “bride burning”, the burning of women whose dowries were not considered sufficient by their husband or in-laws. Most of these incidents are reported as accidental burns in the kitchen or are disguised as suicide. It is evident that there exist deep-rooted prejudices against women in India.
Cultural practices such as these tend to subordinate women in our society. Dowry is one of those social evils that no educated woman will own up with pride; still many are adhering to it,why? Women should be more economically empowered and should be educated properly regarding the various legal provisions such as Section 498ACrPC, protection from domestic violence etc. only then only this evil menace could possibly be eradicated from Indian social system.
True empowerment will only be reached when women take part actively in the decision making process of our country. Women Reservation Bill that entitles to provide 33 per cent reservation in Parliament is a bill of utmost importance. The success of 73rd & 74th amendment which reserves certain number of seats for women in the local bodies should be an encouragement for the Bill to be passed at least in this current session.
Mainstreaming and women’s empowerment is central to human development. Empowerment of women could only be achieved if their economic and social status is improved. This could be possible only by adopting definite social and economic policies with a view of total development of women and to make them realize that they have the potential to be strong human beings.
The various articles of our constitution enshrine principle of gender equality. We started giving special attention to the causes of women by the fifth five-year plan. For considering the grievances and preventing the atrocities against women a National Commission for Women (NCW) was set up in 1990.
But despite all these measures there should be a strong determination among every man that every woman in this country should be honoured. Only then empowerment in its true meaning will be realized.
Swami Vivekananda had said “That country and that nation which doesn’t respect women will never become great now and nor will ever in future” and in pursuit of making India a great nation, let us work towards giving women their much deserved status.
महिला सशक्तीकरण - संघर्ष अभी बाकी है. दयानन्द कुमार
भारत में महिलाओं की स्थिति के विषय में कोई भी साधारणीकरण लगभग असंभव है. ऐसा विशेष रूप से इसलिये भी क्योंकि महिलाओं की स्थिति में सुधार के किये जानेवाले दावों के जवाब में कई ऐसी स्थितियां भी हैं जिससे महिला सशक्तीकरण के दावों की नींव कमजोर पड़ने लगती है और वे जगह-जगह से टूटकर अपने कमजोर होने की गवाही खुद देने लगते है, ऐसे में इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुंचना कि महिलाएं सशक्त हैं या कमजोर काफी कठिन है. पिछले महीने दो मीडिया संस्थानों इंडियन एक्सप्रेस और आईबीएन सेवेन के साथ सीएसडीएस द्वारा भारत में महिलाओं की स्थिति पर कराए गये सर्वेक्षण के नतीजे काफी रोचक हैं. हालांकि यह सर्वेक्षण 20 राज्यों और 160 स्थानों के 4000 महिलाओं पर किया गया था लेकिन इसके नतीजों से महिला सशक्तीकरण के दावों की जमीन के संबंध में काफी जानकारी मिल जाती है. सर्वेक्षण में जो रोचक बात उभरकर सामने आयी वह यह थी कि अधिसंख्य भारतीय महिलाएं घर के दायरे से बाहर निकलकर वैतनिक कार्य करने को इच्छुक थीं और जो किसी कारणवश ऐसा नहीं कर पा रही थीं वे ऐसा करना चाहती थी. उनमें से अधिसंख्य यह महसूस करती थीं कि यदि वे बाहर काम करती हैं अौर कुछ कमाकर लाती हैं तो इससे उनका सम्मान बढ़ता है. हालांकि उनमें से बहुसंख्य का यह भी मानना था कि उन्हें कार्यस्थल में पुरुषों के समान काम करने के बावजूद समान पारिश्रमिक नहीं दिया जाता है और न ही कार्यस्थल में उन्हें वह सम्मान दिया जाता है जिसकी वह हकदार हैं. उनमें से बहुतों का यह भी मानना था कि कार्यस्थल में उनका शोषण किया जाता है. जिन महिलाओं पर यह सर्वेक्षण किया गया उनमें से 67 फीसदी का यह मानना था कि जो काम वे घर पर संपन्न करती हैं उसके लिये उन्हें पारिश्रमिक का भुगतान किया जाना चाहिए. इसके अलावा कई महिलाओं ने यह भी कहा कि बावजूद इसके कि उन्हें पैसे की जरूरत नहीं है वे किये गये काम का दाम पाना चाहती है. लेकिन किये गये काम का दाम मांगनेवाली महिलाओं में से कितनी महिलाएं ऐसी हैं जो अपने कमाए गये पैसे का कैसे उपयोग किया जाये यह निर्णय ले सकती है? इस सवाल का जवाब यह है कि सर्वेक्षण में शामिल महिलाओं में से केवल आधी महिलाओं ने यह स्वीकार किया कि वे यह निर्णय ले पाने की स्थिति में हैं. हालांकि अधिकांश महिलाओं ने यह स्वीकारा की निर्णय ले पाने की प्रक्रिया में उनकी भागीदारी होती है लेकिन केवल एक तिहाई महिलाओं ने यह स्वीकारा की वे अकेले यह निर्णय ले सकती है. दुखद तो यह भी है कि अधिकांश महिलाओं ने सर्वेक्षण में कहा कि वे यह निर्णय भी ले पाने की स्थिति में नहीं हैं कि वे आगे पढ़ाई करें या कहीं काम करें. यहां तक कि बहुत अधिक शिक्षित महिलाओं ने भी यह स्वीकारा कि ऐसे मसलों पर स्वतंत्र निर्णय वे अकेले नहीं ले सकती हैं. सर्वेक्षण में शामिल पांच में से केवल एक महिला ने यह स्वीकारा कि वे विवाह किससे करें इसका निर्णय वे खुद ले सकने की स्थिति में हैं. केवल एक क्षेत्र जहां वे स्वतंत्र रूप से निर्णय ले सकती हैं वह है उनका किसे मत दे या न दें का मुद्दा, यानी मतदान करने के मामले में वे स्वतंत्र रूप से निर्णय ले सकती हैं. हालांकि आधी महिलाओं ने यह स्वीकारा कि वह स्वतंत्र रूप से यह निर्णय ले सकती हैं. लेकिन आधी महिलाओं के पास यह निर्णय कर सकने की क्षमता नहीं है. ऐसे में भारत में महिलाओं की स्थिति की एक मिलीजुली तस्वीर उभरती है. महिलाएं कमाना चाहती हैं, सम्मान चाहती हैं और स्वायत्तता भी चाहती हैं लेकिन अभी भी अधिकांश महिलाओं के लिये यह चाहत दूर की कौड़ी ही है. ऐसा महिलाओं की जिन्दगी को प्रभावित करनेवाले महत्वपूर्ण मसलों जैसे शिक्षा और विवाह में भी है. इसका सीधा मतलब यह है कि कुछ महिलाओं में झलक रहे स्वाभिमान से यह दावा नहीं किया जा सकता, नहीं किया जाना चाहिए कि भारत में महिलाओं की स्थिति सचमुच सुधर गयी हैं, वे सशक्त हो गयी हैं विषेशकर तब जब इस छोटे से सर्वेक्षण में शामिल अधिकांश महिलाओं को निर्णय लेने की स्वतंत्रता या स्वायत्तता हासिल नहीं है. हालांकि इस तरह के सर्वेक्षण्ा इसलिये रोचक और महत्वपूर्ण हैं क्योंकि इनसे इस मुद्दे पर बहस की गुंजाइश बनती है, नेशनल फैमिली हेल्थ सर्वे तीन के द्वारा जारी किये गये आंकड़े भी कम चौंकाऊ नहीं हैं. साथ ही यह भारत में महिलाओं की स्थिति की विस्तृत और बहुत हद तक विश्वसनीय जानकारी हासिल करने के लहजे से भी महत्वपूर्ण हैं. यह सर्वेक्षण भारत के 29 राज्यों में करीब 1.25 लाख महिलाओं पर किया गया था. हालांकि इस सर्वेक्षण से जो तथ्य उभरकर सामने आएं हैं वे विशेष रूप से महिलाओं का हिंसक घटनाओं का शिकार बनने के ख्याल से काफी दुखद हैं. स्वास्थ्य संबंधी आंकड़े जिसमें भारत में महिलाओं जिसमें गर्भवती महिलाएं भी शामिल हैं का एनीमिया का शिकार बनना भी काफी दुर्भाग्यजनक है. इन तथ्यों से एक और स्वर यह भी उभरता है कि महिलाओं की हालत में सुधार आने के बावजूद सब कुछ अभी भी बहुत अच्छा नहीं है. उदाहरण के लिये नेशनल फैमिली हेल्थ सर्वे तीन के दावे बताते हैं कि 57.8 फीसदी अथवा हरेक दो में से एक गर्भवती महिला एनीमिया की शिकार है. यह इसलिये क्योंकि उन्हें पर्याप्त पोषण उपलब्ध नहीं मिल पाता और उनके स्वास्थ्य संबंधी जरूरतोें को लेकर लापरवाही बरती जाती है. इस दिशा में सबसे खराब हालत हरियाणा की है. वहां की गर्भवती महिलाओं में से 70 फीसदी महिलाएं रक्ताल्पता या एनीमिया की शिकार हैं. 15 से 49 वर्ष की विवाहित महिलाओं के समूह में उनके एनीमिया का शिकार होने की स्थिति जहां वर्ष 1998-99 में 51.89 फीसदी थी वहीं वर्ष 2005-06 में यह बढ़कर 56.1 फीसदी हो गयी. यह उस देश के लिये सचमुच अस्वीकार्य आंकड़ा है जो अपने वैश्विक महाशक्ति होने के दावे की खम ठोंकता फिरता है. अब एक दूसरे मानक की बात करें. यह मानक महिलाओं के विरुध्द आपराधिक मामलों का है. नेशनल क्राइम रिकार्ड ब्यूरो के वर्ष 2006 के आंकड़ों की बात करें तो हम पाते हैं कि महिलाओं के साथ बलात्कार के मामलों में 5.4 फीसदी का इजाफा हुआ है वहीं दहेज हत्या के मामलों में भी 12.2 फीसदी की बढ़ोत्तरी हुई है. ये सारे आंकड़े दहेज से सबंधित अपराध के हैं. दहेज हत्या के मामलों से निकलकर आगे बढ़े तो दहेज निषेघ अधिनियम 1961 के अधीन दर्ज कराये गये मामलों में भी 40.6 फीसदी का इजाफा हुआ है. इसके अलावा धारा 498 ए के अधीन किसी महिला के पति द्वारा या फिर उसके संबंधी द्वारा दर्ुव्यवहार किये जाने के मामलों में भी इजाफा हुआ है. इन तथ्यों से यह भी पता चलता है कि महिलाओं के लिये सबसे सुरक्षित समझे जानेवाले घर के अंदर भी महिलाएं सुरक्षित नहीं हैं. नेशनल क्राइम रिकार्ड ब्यूरो की वेबसाइट कुछ अन्य मसलों को लेकर भी महत्वपूर्ण हैं. उदाहरण के लिये उन राज्यों जहां महिलाओं के साथ सबसे ज्यादा अपराध के मामले दर्ज किये गये उनमें आंध्र प्रदेश पहले स्थान पर है, इसके बाद उत्तर प्रदेश, महाराष्ट्र, मध्य प्रदेश और राजस्थान की बारी आती है. महिलाएं जिन शहरों में सबसे अधिक आपराधिक घटनाओं का शिकार बनती हैं उनमें दिल्ली का स्थान पहला है इसके बाद हैदराबाद, मुम्बई, बंगलौर और अहमदाबाद का स्थान आता है. हालांकि महिलाओं के सशक्त होने की जो छोटे-छोटे चित्र हम अपने बीच देखते हैं उनसे महिलाओं की स्थिति में सुधार होने का सुखद एहसास हमें होता है. लेकिन यह तस्वीर मुकम्मल नहीं है इसलिये हमें जो हम देख रहे हैं उस आधी-अधूरी तस्वीर पर भरोसा न करके महिलाओं की स्थिति की मुकम्मल तस्वीर को गहराई से देखने का प्रयास करना चाहिए. क्योंकि भारत में महिलाओं की स्थिति में सुधार लाने के लिये किया गया संघर्ष अभी भी बहुत बेहतर स्थिति में नहीं है जिसका सीधा मतलब यह भी है कि संघर्ष अभी बाकी है और यह केवल एक स्तर पर नहीं बल्कि कई मंचों से और बहुविध माध्यमों से लड़ा जाना चाहिए. यह लड़ाई यथार्थ के धरातल पर संगठित होकर लड़ी जा सके इसके लिये तथ्यात्मक आंकड़ों और सचाई का ज्ञान आवश्यक है.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Worst Forms of Child Labour in Asia - Sona Sahu
Child is the father of the man" or he is the future of tomorrow? But no more. With the growing exploitation and the way we are depriving him of his basic rights, the future seems dark and grim. Child labour is one of the worst forms of exploitation. It has been going on since long without being noticed. Asia has 61% of the world's child labourers. Despite the help offered by few organizations, it's largely taken for granted and no substantial effort has been put in this direction to overcome it and give the children of this world a better chance.
Exploitation of children in commercial sex trade remains the worst form of child labour in Asia. UNICEF estimates that 1 million children are lured into sex trade in Asia every year, wherein 40% were sold by parents, 15% by their relatives. Traffickers of both children and adults feed largely on the desire of poor families and many young people for economic and personal advancement through migration for work. Thailand is the base for children trafficked from Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and China. The children work as prostitutes, household helpers, in factories, farms, fishing vessels, drug trafficking.
Bonded child labour is extensively rooted in socio-cultural and political structures in parts of South Asia. Bonded children are delivered in repayment of a loan who then work like slaves in agriculture, domestic work, brick kilns, glass industries, tanneries, gem polishing and many other manufacturing and marketing industries. Child abuse in name of domestic work is rampant in Asia. The young are exposed to hazards while doing heavy household work and are usual victims of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse and is most difficult to see as they are restrained within the privacy of our homes.
The rise in the incidences of internal armed conflicts in several Asian countries has resulted in even more exposure of children to armed groups as soldiers, spies, porters and helpers in camps, subjected to abusive treatments in Burma, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Nepal.
Ordinary people can also help fight for the cause by learning about the issue, help organizations that are raising awareness, providing direct help to individual children. It can be decreased by increased family incomes; education - impart skills to help them earn a living, family control - so that families are not burdened by children.
The ILO's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) has explored many programs to help child laborers. Strong advocates of this approach are Boyden, Myers and Ling; Concerned for Working Children in Karnataka, India; many children's "unions" and "movements" and the Save the Children family of NGO. Helped in this effort by setting up credit schemes, supported education schemes, got appropriate legislation on child labour implemented.
Let us also contribute in this direction so that no more children work on the streets. Let us all pledge to give them their childhood back, their lost innocence and smile. Let us give them education to light their hearts and this world to make it a better place to live in.
Exploitation of children in commercial sex trade remains the worst form of child labour in Asia. UNICEF estimates that 1 million children are lured into sex trade in Asia every year, wherein 40% were sold by parents, 15% by their relatives. Traffickers of both children and adults feed largely on the desire of poor families and many young people for economic and personal advancement through migration for work. Thailand is the base for children trafficked from Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and China. The children work as prostitutes, household helpers, in factories, farms, fishing vessels, drug trafficking.
Bonded child labour is extensively rooted in socio-cultural and political structures in parts of South Asia. Bonded children are delivered in repayment of a loan who then work like slaves in agriculture, domestic work, brick kilns, glass industries, tanneries, gem polishing and many other manufacturing and marketing industries. Child abuse in name of domestic work is rampant in Asia. The young are exposed to hazards while doing heavy household work and are usual victims of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse and is most difficult to see as they are restrained within the privacy of our homes.
The rise in the incidences of internal armed conflicts in several Asian countries has resulted in even more exposure of children to armed groups as soldiers, spies, porters and helpers in camps, subjected to abusive treatments in Burma, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Nepal.
Ordinary people can also help fight for the cause by learning about the issue, help organizations that are raising awareness, providing direct help to individual children. It can be decreased by increased family incomes; education - impart skills to help them earn a living, family control - so that families are not burdened by children.
The ILO's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) has explored many programs to help child laborers. Strong advocates of this approach are Boyden, Myers and Ling; Concerned for Working Children in Karnataka, India; many children's "unions" and "movements" and the Save the Children family of NGO. Helped in this effort by setting up credit schemes, supported education schemes, got appropriate legislation on child labour implemented.
Let us also contribute in this direction so that no more children work on the streets. Let us all pledge to give them their childhood back, their lost innocence and smile. Let us give them education to light their hearts and this world to make it a better place to live in.
Web Reference : http://www.coolavenues.com/cafe/articles/sona_1.php3
समाज के लिये अभिशाप है बाल मजदूरी - सीमा सिन्हा
बच्चे परिवार, समाज, राज्य और देश के भविष्य हैं, लेकिन तब जब परिवार, समाज, राज्य और देश उन्हें सारी सुविधाएं उपलब्ध कराये और उनकी सेवा में तत्पर रहे। किन्तु जब यही बच्चे 14 वर्ष से कम उम्र में ही अपने परिवार के सदस्यों के भरण-पोषण के लिये हाड़तोड़ मेहनत करने को मजबूर हो जायें तब उन्हें परिवार, समाज, राज्य या देश का भविष्य कैसे कहा जा सकता है? देश के अन्य राज्यों की तरह झारखंड में भी मेहनत-मजदूरी कर परिवार के सदस्यों को सुविधाएं उपलब्ध कराने वाले बाल श्रमिकों की संख्या में दिन-प्रतिदिन इजाफा होता जा रहा है। बाल श्रमिकों में नादान उम्र के बच्चों की संख्या भी तेजी से बढ़ती जा रही है।
झारखंड के ग्रामीण एवं कस्बाई इलाकों सहित राजधानी रांची में भी होटलों, ढाबों, गैराजों एवं असंगठित क्षेत्रों में बाल श्रमिकों की संख्या बढ़ती जा रही है। पढ़े-लिखे एवं संभ्रांत लोग भी बाल मजदूरों से कार्य करवाने में अपनी शान समझने लगे हैं। शहरी एवं ग्रामीण इलाकों में बाल मजदूरों का एक बड़ा वर्ग होटलों-ढाबों में बर्तन मांजते या गैराजों में नट-बोल्ट कसता हुआ दिखाई पड़ता है। ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में खेतों-खलिहानों में बाल मजदूरों से कमरतोड़ मेहनत करवायी जाती है। शहरी या कस्बाई इलाकों में इन बच्चों से घरेलू नौकरों का काम करवाया जाता है। इनमें लड़कियों की संख्या भी काफी है। इसके अलावा भवन-निर्माण, पाइप लाइन बिछाने या नालियों के निर्माण के लिये गङ्ढे खोदने, ईंट-भट्ठों में मिट्टी लाने या तैयार ईंटों को भट्ठों से निकालने, छोटे-मोटे कल-कारखानों, पत्थर तोड़ने सहित अन्य खतरनाक कार्यों में बाल श्रमिकों को लगाया जाता है।
बाल मजदूरों से बेहद अधिक काम लिया जाता है और बदले में इन्हें काफी कम मेहनताना दिया जाता है। सर्दियों में ठिठुरते हुए, गर्मियों में झुलसते हुए और बारिश में भींगते हुए हाड़तोड़ मेहनत करने के बावजूद बाल श्रमिकों को मजदूरी के नाम पर नाममात्र रुपये का भुगतान किया जाता है। साथ ही मामूली बातों पर भी बाल मजदूरों को मालिकों, ठीकेदारों की दुत्कार-गाली सुननी और मार खानी पड़ती है। कचरा, प्लास्टिक, पेपर चुनने वाले, स्टेशनों-पड़ावों पर अखबार या खाने-पीने की सामग्री बेचने वाले या जूते पॉलिश कर दो पैसे कमाने वाले बच्चे प्रत्यक्ष रूप से किसी के अधीन तो काम नहीं करते, लेकिन उन्हें असामाजिक तत्वों के शोषण का शिकार होना पड़ता है। असामाजिक तत्व ऐसे बच्चे-बच्चियों का यौन-शोषण सहित अन्य तरह का शोषण करने में पीछे नहीं रहते।
दूर-दराज के क्षेत्रों से शहर आकर काम करने वाले बाल श्रमिकों की स्थिति और भयावह है। जब सारी दुनिया सोती रहती है तब सर्दियों में भी बाल श्रमिक अहले सुबह अपने बिस्तर से निकलकर काम पर जाने की तैयारी में लग जाते हैं। इन बच्चों को पता भी नहीं चल पाता है कि कब सूरज निकला, कब डूब गया, क्योंकि जब वे वापस लौटते हैं तो सूरज अस्त हो चुका होता है। ऐसे बच्चे अपना 'बचपन' जी नहीं पाते हैं और दो जून की रोटी की जद्दोजहद में समय से पहले कम उम्र में ही 'बूढ़े' हो जाते हैं। वयस्क मजदूरों से कम मजदूरी में आसानी से मिल जाने और प्रतिकार नहीं करने के कारण लोग बाल मजदूरों से ही काम लेना पसंद करते हैं। लेकिन कार्यस्थल पर बाल मजदूरों के लिये खाने-पीने, मनोरंजन एवं शिक्षा की व्यवस्था नहीं की जाती है। बाल मजदूरों के कार्यावधि एवं अवकाश का भी निर्धारण नहीं होता है। दिन-रात जब-जब मर्जी में आये बाल मजदूरों से कार्य लिया जाता है। कार्यस्थल पर झिड़की मिलने से बालमन पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पड़ता है। कुंठा, अभाव एवं हाड़तोड़ मेहनत के कारण बाल श्रम करने वाले बच्चों का शारीरिक और मानसिक विकास नहीं हो पाता है या कार्य नहीं करने वाले बच्चों की अपेक्षा कम होता है। ऐसे बच्चे गलत शोहबत में पड़कर नशीले पदार्थों का भी सेवन करने लग जाते हैं। पौष्टिक भोजन नहीं मिलने, जरूरत से अधिक मेहनत करने, नशीले पदार्थों का सेवन करने एवं अवसाद के कारण बाल श्रमिक तरह-तरह की घात बीमारियों के शिकार भी हो जाते हैं। साथ ही मालिकों, ठीकेदारों की दुत्कार-गाली सुनने या मार खाते-खाते बच्चे दब्बू भी हो जाते हैं। दब्बू स्वभाव के हो जाने के कारण उनका जीवन भर शोषण होता रहता है और वे प्रतिकार करने का साहस नहीं कर पाते हैं।
कुछ बाल श्रमिक प्रतिशोध की ज्वाला में जलकर अपराध की दुनिया में भी प्रवेश कर जाते हैं। दब्बू बनकर अपना शोषण कराने या अपराधी बनकर दूसरों को सताने वाले दोनों तरह के बच्चे जीवन भर समाज के लिये बोझ बन जाते हैं। ऐसे बच्चे जीवन भर ना अपना विकास कर पाते हैं और ना ही समाज के विकास में योगदान दे पाते हैं।
बाल श्रम को बढ़ावा देने वाले कारकों में गरीबी का महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। दरअसल, बाल श्रम और गरीबी में चोली-दामन का साथ होता है। गरीब माता-पिता या अभिभावक के लिए उनके बच्चे सम्पत्ति के माफिक होते हैं। ऐसे व्यक्ति मजबूरी में ही सही, लेकिन परिवार के खर्चों के लिये बच्चों से मजदूरी करवाने को अपना अधिकार समझते हैं। कुछ परिवारों का खर्चा तो सिर्फ बच्चों की आय से ही चलता है। शिक्षा-व्यवस्था के कारण भी बाल श्रम को बढ़ावा मिल रहा है। मौजूदा शिक्षा-व्यवस्था रोजगार की गारंटी नहीं दे सकती है और इस कारण गरीब परिवार के लोगों का शिक्षा पर अटूट विश्वास नहीं है। गरीब परिवार के माता-पिता सोचते हैं कि पढ़ाई-लिखाई में समय बर्बाद करने के बजाय उनका बच्चा कोई काम-धंधा या हुनर सीख ले ताकि दो पैसे आने की गारंटी हो जाये। इसलिये बच्चों को हुनर सीखने के लिये गैराजों, ईंट भट्ठों या दर्जी की दुकानों में लगा दिया जाता है या बर्तन मांजने के लिये होटलों-ढाबों में भेज दिया जाता है। अभिभावक सोचते हैं कि उनका बच्चा हुनर सीखकर बाद में अधिक धन कमा सकता है, लेकिन होता ठीक उल्टा है। बचपन से काम करने वाला बच्चा कुंठा के कारण कभी भी कुशल या प्रशिक्षित कारीगर बन नहीं पाता है। ऐसे में वह जीवन भर निम्नतम मजदूरी पर बंधुवा मजदूर के रूप में कार्य करता रहता है। कार्यकुशल नहीं होने के कारण उसे अन्यत्र काम मिलने में परेशानी होती है। वह सदा एक ही उपक्रम में लगा रहता है। कम मजदूरी में उसके परिवार का खर्चा नहीं चल पाता और वह अपने बच्चों को भी कार्य पर लगा देता है, जिससे बाल श्रम और गरीबी दोनों बने रहते हैं।
बाल श्रम का सबसे अधिक प्रभाव वयस्क श्रम पर पड़ता है। उद्यमियों को सस्ता बाल श्रम उपलब्ध होने के कारण वे वयस्क श्रमिकों की मांग नहीं करते हैं। ऐसे में स्थानीय स्तर पर वयस्क श्रमिकों की बेरोजगारी का समस्या बढ़ती जा रही है।
बाल मजदूरी एक सामाजिक कलंक है और बाल श्रम उन्मूलन के लिये सभी को प्रयास करना चाहिये। बाल श्रम उन्मूलन के लिये माता-पिता, जनता और नियोक्ता के सोच में बदलाव लाना होगा जिससे बाल मजदूरी उन्मूलन में इनका सहयोग मिल सके। बाल श्रम कराने वाले घरों के लोगों को लज्जित करने के लिये उनके घरों के दरवाजे पर सामाजिक कलंक का एक निषान भी लगाया जाना चाहिए। बच्चों को स्कूल नहीं भेजने वाले माता-पिता के विरुध्द कार्रवाई किये जाने वाले उपबंधों से ग्रामीणों को अवगत कराया जाना चाहिए। किसी कारण से स्कूल छोड़ चुके एवं अनामांकित बच्चों का विद्यालयों में शत-प्रतिशत नामांकन सुनिश्चित कराया जाना चाहिये। साथ ही बच्चों के भोजन, रुचिकर शिक्षा एवं मनोरंजन की व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिये। बाल मजदूरी कराने वाले परिवार के सदस्यों के रोजगार की व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिये ताकि वे अपने बच्चों से मजदूरी नहीं करायें। साथ ही बाल श्रम के विरुध्द एक सर्वमान्य सोच को सर्वसाधारण में विकसित करने की आवश्यकता है ताकि इसे एक आंदोलन का रूप दिया जा सके।
झारखंड के ग्रामीण एवं कस्बाई इलाकों सहित राजधानी रांची में भी होटलों, ढाबों, गैराजों एवं असंगठित क्षेत्रों में बाल श्रमिकों की संख्या बढ़ती जा रही है। पढ़े-लिखे एवं संभ्रांत लोग भी बाल मजदूरों से कार्य करवाने में अपनी शान समझने लगे हैं। शहरी एवं ग्रामीण इलाकों में बाल मजदूरों का एक बड़ा वर्ग होटलों-ढाबों में बर्तन मांजते या गैराजों में नट-बोल्ट कसता हुआ दिखाई पड़ता है। ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में खेतों-खलिहानों में बाल मजदूरों से कमरतोड़ मेहनत करवायी जाती है। शहरी या कस्बाई इलाकों में इन बच्चों से घरेलू नौकरों का काम करवाया जाता है। इनमें लड़कियों की संख्या भी काफी है। इसके अलावा भवन-निर्माण, पाइप लाइन बिछाने या नालियों के निर्माण के लिये गङ्ढे खोदने, ईंट-भट्ठों में मिट्टी लाने या तैयार ईंटों को भट्ठों से निकालने, छोटे-मोटे कल-कारखानों, पत्थर तोड़ने सहित अन्य खतरनाक कार्यों में बाल श्रमिकों को लगाया जाता है।
बाल मजदूरों से बेहद अधिक काम लिया जाता है और बदले में इन्हें काफी कम मेहनताना दिया जाता है। सर्दियों में ठिठुरते हुए, गर्मियों में झुलसते हुए और बारिश में भींगते हुए हाड़तोड़ मेहनत करने के बावजूद बाल श्रमिकों को मजदूरी के नाम पर नाममात्र रुपये का भुगतान किया जाता है। साथ ही मामूली बातों पर भी बाल मजदूरों को मालिकों, ठीकेदारों की दुत्कार-गाली सुननी और मार खानी पड़ती है। कचरा, प्लास्टिक, पेपर चुनने वाले, स्टेशनों-पड़ावों पर अखबार या खाने-पीने की सामग्री बेचने वाले या जूते पॉलिश कर दो पैसे कमाने वाले बच्चे प्रत्यक्ष रूप से किसी के अधीन तो काम नहीं करते, लेकिन उन्हें असामाजिक तत्वों के शोषण का शिकार होना पड़ता है। असामाजिक तत्व ऐसे बच्चे-बच्चियों का यौन-शोषण सहित अन्य तरह का शोषण करने में पीछे नहीं रहते।
दूर-दराज के क्षेत्रों से शहर आकर काम करने वाले बाल श्रमिकों की स्थिति और भयावह है। जब सारी दुनिया सोती रहती है तब सर्दियों में भी बाल श्रमिक अहले सुबह अपने बिस्तर से निकलकर काम पर जाने की तैयारी में लग जाते हैं। इन बच्चों को पता भी नहीं चल पाता है कि कब सूरज निकला, कब डूब गया, क्योंकि जब वे वापस लौटते हैं तो सूरज अस्त हो चुका होता है। ऐसे बच्चे अपना 'बचपन' जी नहीं पाते हैं और दो जून की रोटी की जद्दोजहद में समय से पहले कम उम्र में ही 'बूढ़े' हो जाते हैं। वयस्क मजदूरों से कम मजदूरी में आसानी से मिल जाने और प्रतिकार नहीं करने के कारण लोग बाल मजदूरों से ही काम लेना पसंद करते हैं। लेकिन कार्यस्थल पर बाल मजदूरों के लिये खाने-पीने, मनोरंजन एवं शिक्षा की व्यवस्था नहीं की जाती है। बाल मजदूरों के कार्यावधि एवं अवकाश का भी निर्धारण नहीं होता है। दिन-रात जब-जब मर्जी में आये बाल मजदूरों से कार्य लिया जाता है। कार्यस्थल पर झिड़की मिलने से बालमन पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पड़ता है। कुंठा, अभाव एवं हाड़तोड़ मेहनत के कारण बाल श्रम करने वाले बच्चों का शारीरिक और मानसिक विकास नहीं हो पाता है या कार्य नहीं करने वाले बच्चों की अपेक्षा कम होता है। ऐसे बच्चे गलत शोहबत में पड़कर नशीले पदार्थों का भी सेवन करने लग जाते हैं। पौष्टिक भोजन नहीं मिलने, जरूरत से अधिक मेहनत करने, नशीले पदार्थों का सेवन करने एवं अवसाद के कारण बाल श्रमिक तरह-तरह की घात बीमारियों के शिकार भी हो जाते हैं। साथ ही मालिकों, ठीकेदारों की दुत्कार-गाली सुनने या मार खाते-खाते बच्चे दब्बू भी हो जाते हैं। दब्बू स्वभाव के हो जाने के कारण उनका जीवन भर शोषण होता रहता है और वे प्रतिकार करने का साहस नहीं कर पाते हैं।
कुछ बाल श्रमिक प्रतिशोध की ज्वाला में जलकर अपराध की दुनिया में भी प्रवेश कर जाते हैं। दब्बू बनकर अपना शोषण कराने या अपराधी बनकर दूसरों को सताने वाले दोनों तरह के बच्चे जीवन भर समाज के लिये बोझ बन जाते हैं। ऐसे बच्चे जीवन भर ना अपना विकास कर पाते हैं और ना ही समाज के विकास में योगदान दे पाते हैं।
बाल श्रम को बढ़ावा देने वाले कारकों में गरीबी का महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। दरअसल, बाल श्रम और गरीबी में चोली-दामन का साथ होता है। गरीब माता-पिता या अभिभावक के लिए उनके बच्चे सम्पत्ति के माफिक होते हैं। ऐसे व्यक्ति मजबूरी में ही सही, लेकिन परिवार के खर्चों के लिये बच्चों से मजदूरी करवाने को अपना अधिकार समझते हैं। कुछ परिवारों का खर्चा तो सिर्फ बच्चों की आय से ही चलता है। शिक्षा-व्यवस्था के कारण भी बाल श्रम को बढ़ावा मिल रहा है। मौजूदा शिक्षा-व्यवस्था रोजगार की गारंटी नहीं दे सकती है और इस कारण गरीब परिवार के लोगों का शिक्षा पर अटूट विश्वास नहीं है। गरीब परिवार के माता-पिता सोचते हैं कि पढ़ाई-लिखाई में समय बर्बाद करने के बजाय उनका बच्चा कोई काम-धंधा या हुनर सीख ले ताकि दो पैसे आने की गारंटी हो जाये। इसलिये बच्चों को हुनर सीखने के लिये गैराजों, ईंट भट्ठों या दर्जी की दुकानों में लगा दिया जाता है या बर्तन मांजने के लिये होटलों-ढाबों में भेज दिया जाता है। अभिभावक सोचते हैं कि उनका बच्चा हुनर सीखकर बाद में अधिक धन कमा सकता है, लेकिन होता ठीक उल्टा है। बचपन से काम करने वाला बच्चा कुंठा के कारण कभी भी कुशल या प्रशिक्षित कारीगर बन नहीं पाता है। ऐसे में वह जीवन भर निम्नतम मजदूरी पर बंधुवा मजदूर के रूप में कार्य करता रहता है। कार्यकुशल नहीं होने के कारण उसे अन्यत्र काम मिलने में परेशानी होती है। वह सदा एक ही उपक्रम में लगा रहता है। कम मजदूरी में उसके परिवार का खर्चा नहीं चल पाता और वह अपने बच्चों को भी कार्य पर लगा देता है, जिससे बाल श्रम और गरीबी दोनों बने रहते हैं।
बाल श्रम का सबसे अधिक प्रभाव वयस्क श्रम पर पड़ता है। उद्यमियों को सस्ता बाल श्रम उपलब्ध होने के कारण वे वयस्क श्रमिकों की मांग नहीं करते हैं। ऐसे में स्थानीय स्तर पर वयस्क श्रमिकों की बेरोजगारी का समस्या बढ़ती जा रही है।
बाल मजदूरी एक सामाजिक कलंक है और बाल श्रम उन्मूलन के लिये सभी को प्रयास करना चाहिये। बाल श्रम उन्मूलन के लिये माता-पिता, जनता और नियोक्ता के सोच में बदलाव लाना होगा जिससे बाल मजदूरी उन्मूलन में इनका सहयोग मिल सके। बाल श्रम कराने वाले घरों के लोगों को लज्जित करने के लिये उनके घरों के दरवाजे पर सामाजिक कलंक का एक निषान भी लगाया जाना चाहिए। बच्चों को स्कूल नहीं भेजने वाले माता-पिता के विरुध्द कार्रवाई किये जाने वाले उपबंधों से ग्रामीणों को अवगत कराया जाना चाहिए। किसी कारण से स्कूल छोड़ चुके एवं अनामांकित बच्चों का विद्यालयों में शत-प्रतिशत नामांकन सुनिश्चित कराया जाना चाहिये। साथ ही बच्चों के भोजन, रुचिकर शिक्षा एवं मनोरंजन की व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिये। बाल मजदूरी कराने वाले परिवार के सदस्यों के रोजगार की व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिये ताकि वे अपने बच्चों से मजदूरी नहीं करायें। साथ ही बाल श्रम के विरुध्द एक सर्वमान्य सोच को सर्वसाधारण में विकसित करने की आवश्यकता है ताकि इसे एक आंदोलन का रूप दिया जा सके।
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Development and Displacement in West Bengal: An Excerpt from a Forthcoming Paper -
General Scenario
The first striking thing one observes in this field is the virtual absence of any empirical and theoretical work on development induced displacement in West Bengal. This of course does not mean that displacement and rehabilitation are non-existent in West Bengal, which in the pre-Independence period, was the leading state in terms of industrialisation, and where, after Independence, large industries and thermal power plants have been built up displacing many families (including tribals) from their agricultural land and homes.
West Bengal has also experienced large-scale mining on the western part of the state bordering Jharkhand.In an article published in 1989, Walter Fernandes and his co-workers, quoting from Government sources, have shown that for the Durgapur Steel Plantin Bardhaman district of West Bengal 6,633.44 hectares of land was acquired, which displaced 11,300 persons, 3.39 percent of whom were tribals (Fernandes et al. 1989). In the same article, Fernandes quoted another Government source which showed that up to 1983 there were 114 mines (all are coal mines) in West Bengal although he did not give any concrete figure about the total number of displaced persons owing to the acquisition of land for the establishment of mines. Through extrapolation, Fernandes, however, arrived at an estimate of 1,380 displaced persons per mine in India which brings out a figure of 1,57,320 persons in case of West Bengal.
In more recent period, particularly since the adoption of a liberalised economic policy by the Central Government, quite a good number of development projects have been launched by the West Bengal Government and many more will be coming up in near future. The building up of a new township near Kolkata and the establishment of industries in the rural areas of West Bengal including a port centered industrial complex at Haldia in the Purba Medinipur district constitute the recent development package of the Government of West Bengal. For the successful implementation of this development policy large scale acquisition of land has already been taken place in West Bengal, which displaced quite a good number of small and marginal farmers.
No published statistics on displaced (DP) and project affected persons (PAP), let alone their caste/tribe affiliation, are available from any official source of Government of West Bengal. Displacement and rehabilitation have not yet entered into the official agenda of the Government of West Bengal like the routinised recording of bargadars (sharecroppers) and the number of landless labourers who have been given land by the Government.
On the other hand, the West Bengal scenario is yet to figure in any substantial manner in the academic literature with respect to land acquisition,development induced displacement and rehabilitation. There exist at least four special volumes of important Indian journals devoted exclusively to displacement and rehabilitation, but none of them contain any case study or policy-oriented paper on West Bengal. These journals are Social Action (Vol. 45, No. 3, 1995, July – Sept.), Lokayan Bulletin (Vol. 11, No. 5, 1995), Economic and Political Weekly (Vol. XXXI, No. 24, June 1996) and Eastern Anthropologist (Vol. 53, Nos. 1-2, January-June 2000).
The same is true about recently published monographs viz., Development Displacement and Rehabilitation edited by Walter Fernandes and EnakshiGanguly Thukral (1989), The Uprooted (1990) edited by V. Sudarsen and M.A. Kalam and Development Projects and Impoverishment Risks edited by Hari Mohan Mathur and David Marsden (2000).
Very recently, Partha Chatterjee, a renowned political scientist, has undertaken a study on resettlement and rehabilitation in West Bengal. His paper, which is still unpublished was presented in a workshop on “Social Development Research” in West Bengal held during 6-7 July 2000 at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata.
In this significant paper, Chatterjee has pointed out that participatory rehabilitation through NGOs has become a “mantra” which is being repeated by the Governments, funding agencies, experts and activists but “little attention has been given to the specific forms of practice through which appropriate and adequate ‘participation’ can be ensured” (Chatterjee 2000). Chatterjee used three cases of displacement and consequent rehabilitation in West Bengal to assess the role of the political parties’ vis-à-vis Government bureaucracy in providing rehabilitation to PAP in West Bengal. His findings on the political processes that centered around the rehabilitation mechanisms of the recent industrialisation in Haldia (1988-91) and theestablishment of new township in Rajarhat clearly demonstrated the dominance of the local political society over the Government administration. Quite interestingly, in both the cases, the distribution of rehabilitation benefits was based on a ground-level agreement between the representatives of the ruling and the opposition political parties of West Bengal. The net result of this process was the distribution of a better and quicker rehabilitation package to the project affected families than it would have been made by the usual land acquisition procedure carried out by the bureaucratic machinery alone. In West Bengal, it was the political society (represented by the political parties) rather than the civil society (represented by the NGOs), which took the role of a mediator between the state and the PAP. Field based empirical accounts of development caused displacement in West Bengal was published for the first time by the author of this article in journals based on a case study in erstwhile Medinipur district (Guha 2004a). Land Acquisition in West Bengal : Legal Developmental and Policy Dimensions.
Land acquisition in West Bengal has a special significance in the context of the pro-peasant land reform policies adopted and implemented by the LeftFront Government in West Bengal since it came to power in 1977. Almost all the studies conducted by the researchers on displacement in other states of India did not take into consideration the dampening effects of land acquisition on small peasants and sharecroppers who are the real beneficiaries of land reforms.
Agricultural land is not only a socio-cultural and economic category for the peasants in a rural setting but the rights of the people over such landdepend on the functioning of a specific set of legal, administrative and policy apparatus with which a particular state power is endowed in a given period of time. The functioning of the legal, administrative and policy apparatus of the state power do not again operate in a cultural vacuum. The differing and sometimes quite opposing perspectives on issues around development form the cultural context within which the state apparatus functions.
According to the Land Acquisition Act, the state can exercise its right of eminent domain wherein it is the ultimate owner of all land, which it can acquire for public purposes after paying full compensation calculated on the basis of market value. Despite several amendments of the Act after Independence, the two basic principles of land acquisition, viz. (i) public purpose and (ii) compensation on market value, remain unchanged. The various criticisms of Land Acquisition Act in India have also centered around these two cardinal principles. One of the major criticisms of the Land Acquisition Act is that the expression “public purpose” is nowhere defined in the Act and in India the courts do not have the power to decide whether the purpose behind a particular acquisition was a public purpose. The court can only direct the Collector to hear the objections of a person whose land hand been acquired, but the Collector may not always listen to the objections raised by the legal owner of the land.
The second criticism of the Land Acquisition is anthropological in nature. It says that the calculation of compensation on the basis of market value not only deprives the landowner, but it also hides the various socio-cultural dimensions of land ownership in an agrarian society. Land does not onlyhave a market price at the time of acquisition, but it also serves various social, political and psychological functions to its owner. The ownership ofa small piece of land can empower a landless family and increase the status and prestige of that family in the local milieu. A piece of land supports a family for a number of generations, not simply its present members at the time of acquisition. But these important dimensions of land and its ownership in an agricultural society are not considered for calculation of its value while giving compensation to a landloser.
Beside these two criticisms, there are others which grew out of the lengthy discourse and debate carried out by activists, scholars, legal experts andnon-governmental organisations on the various shortcomings of this Act. The criticisms are as follows:
1. The Land Acquisition Act only deals with compensation and not rehabilitation of project affected persons whose lands have been acquired. Theresponsibility of the state towards the affected persons ends with the payment of compensation.
2. The Act considers the payment of compensation to individuals who have legal ownership rights over land. This means that under this Act no compensation is payable to landless labourers, forest land users and forest produce collectors, artisans and shifting hill cultivators because they do not have any legal right over land, although these groups of people are also affected when agricultural and forest lands are acquired for development projects. In West Bengal, the state Government had to make an amendment in the LA Act (it was done in the 1960s) in order to provide compensation to sharecroppers (bargadars), who also suffered loss of livelihood because of acquisition of agricultural land.
3. The Land Acquisition Act only recognises individual property rights, but not community rights over land. As a consequence, the usefructory rights of the tribal and non-tribal communities over common land do not find any place in this law. So when village common lands are acquired, no compensation in any form is provided to the village communities who derive various types of benefits (e.g. cattle grazing, fuelwood collection etc.) from these lands. The Land Acquisition Act does not have any scope for this kind of compensation for loss of common pool resources (CPR). Interestingly, in the vast rural areas of India, privately owned agricultural lands are also used as common grazing lands by the villagers in the post-harvest season. The Land Acquisition Act has no provision to compensate the villagers who may not be the owners of a particular piece of agricultural land but enjoyed usefructory rights of cattle grazing on this land after the harvest of the crops (Guha 2004b). It has already been discussed in the preceding section that no systematic and comprehensive study on land acquisition in West Bengal exist till today. There is no baseline empirical survey on the nature and extent of land acquired in West Bengal for various development projects, nor is there any research on thespecific problems of application of the Central and State Acts on land acquisition in West Bengal. Recently, Walter Fernandes and his team haveundertaken a comprehensive macro-level empirical survey (sponsored by the Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment Govt. of India and North-Eastern Social Research Council, a research oriented NGO) on the nature and extent of development induced displacement and rehabilitation in the 16 districts of West Bengal for the period 1951 – 1995. Being one of the research supervisors in the aforesaid research project for the South Bengal districts (Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Hughly), it is within the knowledge of the present author that the results of this survey may be published in future (personal communication Walter Fernandes, 2000).
Since Independence, besides the colonial Land Acquisition Act of 1894, there existed another State Act entitled West Bengal Land (Requisition andAcquisition) Act, 1948. The latter Act is no more applicable in West Bengal since 31 March 1993 by a decision of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. In fact, when this particular piece of legislation was first enacted in the State Assembly it was stipulated that the Act has to be renewed in the Assembly by a majority decision every five years since this is a very powerful and coercive law. The Government opinion was that the State of West Bengal, which had to receive millions of refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan just after Independence, needed huge amount of land for various developmental purposes. For this reason, the Government was in need of an Act, which was more powerful than the colonial Act in acquiring land from the private owners. By West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act the Government could first requisition a particular piece of land for which the payment of compensation may not be made before the land take-over while in the earlier LA Act of 1894 the Government could not take possession of any land without payment of compensation. In the absence of any district by district published records on the amount of land acquired by West Bengal Government by the two Land Acquisition Acts it is not possible to make any assessment of the policy directions of the state Government in acquiring land by these two Acts which vary in their basic approach towards the payment of compensation to the project affected people. But the long period (1948 – 1993), that is nearly 45 years, during which the West Bengal Government has kept this powerful Act alive is itself an evidence of its frequent application. In terms of political composition, it should be noted that during this long period both Congress and Left ruled Governments, who were in power, continuously renewed the Requisition and Acquisition Act of 1948 in the State assembly.
The debates and discussions that took place in the West Bengal Assembly around West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act 1948 revealed certain interesting points which are enumerated below:
1. Without any exception, the political party in power (Congress or Left) invariably justified the extension of Act-II for quicker acquisition of land for various development works.
2. Both the Congress and the Left Parties criticised the oppressive character of the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948 whenever they were in opposition although representatives of the parties in the Legislative Assembly went for vote on the bill twice only. It seems that whether the parties would go for vote depended on factors other than the immediate issue at hand.
3. The delay in the payment of compensation seemed to be the most commonly accepted issue which was raised in the Assembly and no substantial improvement seemed to have taken place with regard to the time taken for the payment of compensation.
4. No member ever raised the point that the Government has a moral responsibility for rehabilitation of the displaced persons due to the acquisition of land. It may be noted in this connection that the Report of the Expert Group on Land Acquisition formed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, which was published in 1967, categorically mentioned rehabilitation of displaced persons as a “moral responsibility” of the Government.Since 1967, no member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, irrespective of political affiliation, was found to have made use of the aforesaid report of the Expert Committee to demand rehabilitation of displaced persons during debate sessions on Act-II. Incidentally, the report is still available in the Library of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
5. It is only the Left Members who have suggested that the rates of compensation for the rich and the poor should also be different but they did not make any move towards the differential payment of compensation through amendments in either Act-I or Act-II since they are in power from 1977.
6. The speech delivered by the Land and Land Reforms Minister of the Left Front in the 103rd session of the Assembly on 23 February 1994 revealed the pace at which the land acquisition process was in operation in West Bengal (15,000 pending cases under Act II). One could easily infer from this the kind of harassment caused to the displaced persons in the districts of West Bengal although no member (belonging to Left or Congress party) spoke on this issue in the Assembly. Every political party seemed to have taken the stand that this harassment of the people of West Bengal caused by land acquisition was an inevitable outcome which has to be shouldered by the poor farmers for the sake of development of the state (W.B.Legislative Assembly Proceedings 1956, 1963, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994).
1. Without any exception, the political party in power (Congress or Left) invariably justified the extension of Act-II for quicker acquisition of land for various development works.
2. Both the Congress and the Left Parties criticised the oppressive character of the West Bengal Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1948 whenever they were in opposition although representatives of the parties in the Legislative Assembly went for vote on the bill twice only. It seems that whether the parties would go for vote depended on factors other than the immediate issue at hand.
3. The delay in the payment of compensation seemed to be the most commonly accepted issue which was raised in the Assembly and no substantial improvement seemed to have taken place with regard to the time taken for the payment of compensation.
4. No member ever raised the point that the Government has a moral responsibility for rehabilitation of the displaced persons due to the acquisition of land. It may be noted in this connection that the Report of the Expert Group on Land Acquisition formed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, which was published in 1967, categorically mentioned rehabilitation of displaced persons as a “moral responsibility” of the Government.Since 1967, no member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, irrespective of political affiliation, was found to have made use of the aforesaid report of the Expert Committee to demand rehabilitation of displaced persons during debate sessions on Act-II. Incidentally, the report is still available in the Library of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
5. It is only the Left Members who have suggested that the rates of compensation for the rich and the poor should also be different but they did not make any move towards the differential payment of compensation through amendments in either Act-I or Act-II since they are in power from 1977.
6. The speech delivered by the Land and Land Reforms Minister of the Left Front in the 103rd session of the Assembly on 23 February 1994 revealed the pace at which the land acquisition process was in operation in West Bengal (15,000 pending cases under Act II). One could easily infer from this the kind of harassment caused to the displaced persons in the districts of West Bengal although no member (belonging to Left or Congress party) spoke on this issue in the Assembly. Every political party seemed to have taken the stand that this harassment of the people of West Bengal caused by land acquisition was an inevitable outcome which has to be shouldered by the poor farmers for the sake of development of the state (W.B.Legislative Assembly Proceedings 1956, 1963, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994).
Reference : http://sanhati.com/articles/203/
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