December 15, 2014 - Volume 6 Issue 12

Where's inclusion? They I N S I D E live on society’s fringes People belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, like the Lambanis of Balammanahalli Village, have been living their lives apparently below A 16-year-old says no to marriage and charts her the visibility of the government mechanism which is supposed to provide them basic own path 2 infrastructure and opportunities. PUSHPA ACHANTA, Bengaluru Like some other young campaign, which is receiving Lambani men, 23-year-old Balaji so much publicity, the vocal is a graduate and has a contract youngster said he and his friends job with the Government of believed that cleaning up of the Karnataka, which requires him surroundings should be done on to travel all over the state. While a daily basis by all, and not as a Strengthening hands boys of the community are photo opportunity or merely as a given a chance to go for higher symbolic gesture. to improve lives of the studies, girls are typically not Acknowledging that girls marginalised 3 Photos: PA encouraged to study beyond of the community are not middle- or high-school, and Balammanahalli's sole govern- encouraged to pursue higher Preparing young ment high school's cook, men for responsible Arun Naik, a Lambani lad are usually married off in their education, Arun however teens. So it is heartening to note Alamelamma. contraception 4 (right), with friend Chandu stressed that they do not remain that Balaji believes in gender confi ned to the home, but from the Naidu community, meant for people who belong to Making a difference to in Balammanahalli. equality. contribute to the family income Although they are con- the SC/ ST category. through agricultural labour and the lives of young sidered to be adivasis (meaning Basic infrastructure and public participate in socio-cultural brides 5 he words Lambani and original inhabitants), the facilities are also woefully activities. On the other hand, Banjara evoke images Lambanis in Pavgada Taluk have lacking in Balammanahalli. The Padma, a Lambani woman aged Tof women dressed in been classifi ed as Scheduled roads are in a terrible state, water 23, was eager to fi nd out about colourful clothes and a lot of Caste, whereas they are supply is badly hampered by education and employment intricate jewellery. While this listed under Scheduled Tribes lack of power for long stretches opportunities in Bangalore. may be true about some of in neighbouring Telangana of time and also lack of pipelines About 90 km away from them, the people who belong which has a large numbers of to individual houses. There is Pavagada is Tippenhalli, also to the Lambani Community Banjaras or Lambanis, Balaji no primary health centre in the in Tumkur District, which is in Balammanahalli Village of says. In Balammanahalli, it village. There is, however, a home to Mallanna, an unlettered Karnataka’s Tumkur District is encouraging that they do school offering education up to Dalit man of around 60 years do not really conform to not face issues such as social Standard 7 in Kannada medium. of age. “As I was born into Now, women in Solapur popular notions of the tribe. As discrimination or untouchability. It has electricity, drinking water a family of bonded farm have an active voice 6 a matter of fact, unlike others, However, possibly due to and sanitation facilities, although labourers, I began to work in my A taste of woman power, the Lambanis in the area are unawareness, they do not seem all of these may not available early teens to supplement our not nomadic. They can speak to be availing of any of their always. One of the rooms in the household income. Some years and a process that Kannada, Telugu and Hindi, social entitlements such as school building is used as an later, the Rural Education for seems unstoppable 7 apart from their own language, cultivable land for landless anganwadi (day-care centre). Development Society (REDS), which draws from Telugu, Hindi and economically marginalised Forty-year-old Alamelamma, a local non-profi t organisation Left in the lurch, social and Marathi. Dalit women, reservations in who is barely literate, cooks which has been running a variety welfare workers protest “We Lambanis live in a tanda educational institutions and hot food for the children in the of initiatives for the socio- and pray 8 (a space or settlement where government jobs specifi cally school. She has been working economic advancement and certain adivasi or nomadic for the past 13 years, and is paid restoration of the basic rights communities live for short or a meagre salary of Rs 1500 a of Dalits over the last three extended periods) which skirts month. The nearest high schools, decades, helped me free myself. the village. Our parents came colleges and medical centres It also helped me reclaim around here around 50 years ago and we run by private and government seven acres of my ancestral form around 50 per cent of the agencies are in the town of land. I have been growing rice, total population of the village, Pavgada, about four km away. wheat, arecanut, fruits and which consists of nearly 300 “Even people belonging to vegetables on my fi elds since families. The rest of the people our parents’ generation do not then. Along with other Dalits, belong to the Balija Naidu wear traditional clothes or ornate I am involved in local activities community. We have been living accessories. While we primarily for the political empowerment Community food banks: in amity for years,” says Balaji worship the goddess Jagadamba of our community,” says helping overcome Nayak. Balammanahalli is Devi, we also celebrate festivals Mallanna.  ‘transient hunger’ 9 surrounded by hills. “Some of us such as Muharram, which is are involved in growing paddy, referred to as Peerula Pandaga Poor children gain millet, groundnut, banana and here,” explains 16-year old other crops. Not many of the Arun Naik, a fi rst-year student quality education as elders own land but may have a Mallanna, bonded labourer of the pre-university course RTE concept works 10 couple of cows,” the young man turned landowner, of Tumkur (equivalent to Standard XI). explains. District. Talking of the Swachch Bharath 2 December 15, 2014

FOCUS She says no to marriage and charts her own path Monika is 16. She lives in a village in Cooch Bihar, West Bengal. She staves off her father’s attempts to marry her off early. She wants to do something productive. She grows vegetables in a small rooftop garden on the terrace of the small family home. And thus becomes the breadwinner for her family. Monika’s story inspired filmmaker Megan Mylan to make a documentary, After My Garden Grows SHOMA A. CHATTERJI, Kolkata Asia. I read about Monika and Monika grows greens such as common than differences except that is how the fi lm happened,” gourds and also mushrooms and the language. So we worked out says Megan. explains the nutritional benefi ts a common platform. Monika There is a background to the of mushroom, especially for was full of energy, ever-smiling story. In 2011, West Bengal vegetarians who do not eat fi sh and dynamic. She fulfi lled my launched a micro agricultural or meat. She has a compost bin mission of getting across her programme for adolescent girls. and shows other girls how she story ideally,” explains Megan. This is also part of what is known goes about her garden. After My Garden Grows does as The Girls Project begun by "Ideas of social change and not use a voice-over or an on- a noted NGO, Landesa. The stories of people evolving on their screen anchor because Megan Girls Project aims to position own through change are what wanted Monika and the fi lm to girls to realise land rights as pull me to make documentaries speak for itself. No questions are

Photos: provided by SC Photos: provided women, improve their long-term on their enterprise and hardship. asked and the control is given to economic and social prospects My fi lms, though they deal with Monika and the other subjects in Monika Barman decided to do something productive and and enable them to reduce the poverty and ignorance, are aimed the fi lm such as the anganwadi transform her life. vulnerabilities – including child at hope because I see hope in the (nursery) worker who holds marriage, lack of education, way Monika is trying to change meetings with girls in the village ixteen-year-old Monika Foundation (BNGF), with and malnutrition – that they her life along with the lives of in one scene. The gathered has staved off her father’s additional support from the face in the immediate term as other girls in her village. She is women and girls express their Sattempts to marry her off Kendeda Fund. In 2008, Megan adolescents. The Girls Project knowledgeable about what she irritation with the concept of early by empowering herself Mylan directed Smile Pinki, a has already reached more than is doing and talks about this in early marriage. One girl says, in an unusual way. She grows fi lm on efforts to provide 40000 girls in 1000-odd villages my fi lm," says Megan. "I fi nd “Our parents feel that once we vegetables in a small rooftop free cleft palate surgery in in the Cooch Behar District change happening everywhere get married, their problems will garden on the terrace of the India. She focused on the work of West Bengal. Girls who across the country and I feel disappear. Do they?” small family home. “My older of the Smile Train programme participated in the programme this message will fi nd its way to Megan concedes that the fi lm sister Konika is still quite young. in Varanasi. The fi lm won the for one year are more likely to others through this fi lm." could have been much longer But she is already a mother and 2008 Academy Award for Best continue their studies, more “Since I am an outsider, I than ten minutes because “there is always sick. I do not want to Documentary (Short Subject). likely to have an asset in their had to work the right balance is so much to say. But I also took marry now. The only way out Smile Pinki is a 39-minute name, and less likely to become between the issue I was dealing on this short format as a challenge was to do something productive documentary which narrates the a child bride. with and my own outsider status. to my ability to put the message and this was my way of fi nding story of a poor girl in rural India Monika says her poor father Within these parameters, I had to across within as brief a span as I a concrete reason,” says whose life is transformed when had to spend Rs 20000 on her take care that I would not allow possibly could. Short fi lms can Monika. Inspired by her way of she receives free corrective elder sister's marriage along with myself to be paralysed by the capture audience attention more becoming a breadwinner of the surgery to remove the cleft. The a bicycle and a gold ring. Monika differences and yet not control easily than longer fi lms can. I family, documentary fi lmmaker documentary was made in Hindi says she will not marry till she is my subjects. I was looking for wished to reach a wider cross- Megan Mylan decided to make and Bhojpuri. at least 18 or 20 because marriage a girl who could interact with section of audience and share a documentary on Monika. “I was given a newspaper is a big burden on poor parents me and express her ideas and with them my ideas on gender The result is After My Garden article by a friend and this and her mother agrees with her. her life clearly within the fi lm. as a Caucasian fi lmmaker. I will Grows inspired me to make After My But her father feels disturbed I was totally aware that I belong continue to work in this fi eld. After My Garden Grows, a Garden Grows. It is not as if I because he believes that a girl is to a different culture. Looking There is so much to be done,” ten-minute fi lm shot entirely had set myself to make fi lms meant to be married off and the back, I fi nd that we, girls from she sums up.  on location, was premiered at centered on Indian problems sooner this happens, the better. distant lands, have more in the prestigious Sundance Film but more about a girl’s Festival. It has been produced empowerment which could by Principe Productions and have been any South Asian supported by the Sundance country like Nepal. I am involved Inputs on climate change for Lima Film Institute in partnership in producing a series of short with the Bill and Melinda Gates fi lms on gender based in South India will take up the issue of agriculture and vice versa that coastal zone management, climate change and agriculture could be taken up at Lima. biodiversity conservation and at the UN Climate Change The minister referred to technology development. conference at Lima in December. MSSRF as a "temple" of Referring to the WTO This was stated by Prakash research that caters to society. negotiations and India’s Javadekar, Union Minister While appreciating Indian stand as a landmark of State for Environment, farmers for being very fast in achievement where India’s Forests and Climate Change adopting all new technologies, concerns on food stockpiling (Independent Charge), during he called upon the nation were addressed, Javadekar his visit to the MS Swaminathan to push forward with all said, “It is a great victory in Research Foundation (MSSRF) available scientifi c options. the direction of food for all in Chennai. The minister Prof Swaminathan, Ajay when food security for the held discussions with Prof Parida, executive director and country was in danger. Now, M.S. Swaminathan and senior staff at MSSRF briefed the peace clause has been requested the Foundation for the minister on the Foundation extended till we arrive at an specifi c recommendations on activities, on issues related acceptable formula.”  climate change, its impact on to mangrove restoration, Megan Mylan (seated on rigth) with the village girls. December 15, 2014 3 Strengthening hands to improve lives of the marginalised

Activists representing NGOs from India’s southern states met recently in Kolar to see how each group could strengthen the other’s hands in its work towards meaningful development. It turned out to be an enriching experience. The discussions saw inputs from a multidisciplinary perspective on what development meant and the alternative routes to meaningful progress. Voices included those from the campaign against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu and Vedanta’s bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri Hills SAKUNTALA NARASIMHAN, Bengaluru ry this – drop a large piece network of scholars) spoke protestors’ leaders – did not of toast smeared with jam about how the Western model even make it to the mainstream Ton the fl oor and watch. of capital intensive development media. A small ant will come, sniff was now masquerading (and Germany has scrapped its and try to drag the toast away, being thrust on the developing plans of turning to nuclear but fi nds it can’t. Within fi ve nations) as “the best” route, power generation; fast breeder minutes, however, it manages the only template, regardless of technology has failed even to gather an army of ants, indigenous conditions, needs in the US. So why are we which together, drag the toast and priorities. Big industries pouring enormous amounts of away and feast on it. There’s call the shots, ignoring issues of money into a technology that strength in numbers. When over social equity and inclusiveness. the people are worried about, 60 activists representing NGOs Can we, Yadav suggested, and will in any case generate from the southern states had a think of an alternative model only marginal additions to our joint consultation at Kolar in of development that has power generation, that too at Karnataka (November 4-6) redistribution (of wealth, oppor- enormous costs (apart from the to see how each group could tunities) written into the process non-quantifi able environmental- strengthen the other’s hands in itself? Under capitalistic, ecological costs) for the sake Photos: Francoise Bosteels its work towards meaningful market-driven development, the of “enhancing our international A picture of the audience shows Narinder Bedi (giving the lady development, the ‘southern focus is on GDP growth, the rich image” as a nuclear power ? The a document on the right), founder of the Young India Project collective’ was adopting the get richer, while the poor get people’s questions on whether in Andhra Pradesh. strategy that the ants employ, to poorer, even as GDP rises. So adequate safety measures take advantage of the strength what alternative model can we are planned, and whether the answer to the problem of closing Vedanta had promised but never that lies in joint action. come up with? Sitting almost millions of litres of water that the gap between energy supply delivered. Among the participants were till 11 in the night, the session will be discharged into the and demand. Why not explore These were heart-warming activists from Vimochana of saw discussions that left the sea from the nuclear reactor’s this? narrations – of indigent, Bengaluru (which focuses on participants with much food for cooling towers, will affect sea We had activists from Odisha marginalised tribal people gender issues), the Young India thought. life and fi shermen’s livelihoods, taking the fl oor the next day, daring to take on powerful Project (works with landless All three days of deliberations remain unanswered. to share their experiences as vested interests, to prevent the and rural communities for a saw much participatory inputs, Development, for whom, in protestors against multinational destruction of their resources and more egalitarian society), but three sessions in particular that case, if the people of the Vedanta’s bauxite mining in the livelihoods. “We will not sell our Visthar (focuses on issues of stood out – apart from the community are marginalised? Niyamgiri Hills that the tribals God for your profi ts,” was their poverty, displacement and social inaugural evening with Yadav, What happens to our con- consider sacred. The hills, rallying cry when 1500 of them exclusion), the Environment there was a session with S.P. stitutional commitment to Kumuti Majhi of the Niyamgiri marched to air their grievances. Support Group (ESG) of Uday Kumar from the campaign democracy? What about decom- Suraksha Samiti explained, Tribals, however, don’t have Bengaluru, Mahila Samakhya against the Kudankulam Nuclear missioning costs? Where will provide the tribals with clout to make themselves (of the Karnataka Government) Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, the nuclear waste be dumped? everything they need – grain, heard, notwithstanding a UN and many more (representing who described how the people What about the collateral costs fruit, vegetables, spices, fodder, Convention on the Rights of three generation of social had no voice in decisions that involved in the production of fuel, plus varieties of medicinal Indigenous Peoples. In regions activists)who shared their affected their lives, lifestyles and steel, cement and oil, that go herbs, totally worth Rs 10 crore. rich in natural resources such experiences about strategies future, and how even legitimate into the building of a plant of Why destroy this, to mine ore as Odisha, economic greed, not and challenges faced, so that we information was denied in the this kind, and the pollution to seek export earnings? Majhi people’s entitlements, decides could all learn from each other name of “security”. Protestors and climate change that result? (who spoke in his tribal dialect, political priorities. “You drink to become more effective. The who articulated their concerns, Have these been reckoned translated by his colleague Coke and bottled water, how discussions saw inputs from a were brutally rounded up by the in calculating ‘costs’? The into Hindi, and again into do we tribals quench our thirst multidisciplinary perspective on police, arrested and jailed (for Kudankulam activists were English by volunteers, for the if our ground water is polluted what development meant and the “waging a war against the state” planning to take a train from benefi t of those who could not and rivers are dead, thanks to alternative routes to meaningful as the authorities claimed) and Kanyakumari to Kashmir, follow Hindi – the southern your mining?” says Majhi. GDP progress. dubbed “agents” of anti-national immediately after the southern collective’s deliberations saw rises through manufacture and It was an enriching experience. groups. Much of the details – collective consultation, with the use of multiple languages, exports, but can you eat GDP The consultation began with a about demolishing the houses stops at each station en route, to Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and to appease hunger when your session where Yogendra Yadav of the protestors, impounding sensitise the people about what Kannada, besides English, to farming land is taken over and of Delhi (who has been involved passports, legal harassment was happening, but there was make it a truly participatory you are left with no alternative in the creation of the Lokniti and police surveillance of the no coverage, before or after, in event for grassroots activists means of livelihood? the mainstream media. from the interior areas) narrated Bablu Ganguly and his team But then, how do we generate how he was arrested and jailed from Timbaktu collective in more power for development? for two months for opposing Andhra, shared details of their We had an eloquent answer the mining contract, how the experience in empowering in the shape of the building Supreme Court’s order that agricultural workers, Dalits that was the venue for the the local gram sabhas should and women, in drought prone consultation itself – a beautiful be consulted for approval, Anantpur District where 20000 Laurie Baker-style brick edifi ce was manipulated by policemen families in 150 villages have built with local materials, who prevented tribals from generated an impressive corpus without glass or concrete or participating in the gram sabhas, fund of Rs 11 crore, through steel, where we needed no to ensure that no dissenting their own savings. Disabled air conditioning, no fans, no voices were raised, and how he members even generate income artifi cial lighting. Limiting even went to Vedanta’s AGM at from making soap for sale – an Speakers at the meet: Yogendra Yadav (left) and S.P. Uday energy consumption through London, to raise questions about Kumar. local innovations provides an the jobs, roads and hospital that (Continued on page 9) 4 December 15, 2014 Preparing young men for contraception yields results

‘If a girl is educated and gets appropriate training, she will look after her health…she will raise a healthy family and bring up children with good values.’ While this statement is undeniably true, imagine if young women in India had the equal support of young men in creating a family and future. The reality, of course, is that in most traditional Indian families, couples are unable to hold frank discussions on that commonly avoided but critical issue called family planning. Here’s a look at the success achieved by Pathfinder’s PRACHAR Programme ADITI BISHNOI, Delhi ccording to Dr E.E. reaching out to adolescent boys provided to him by Pathfi nder, Daniel, senior advisor and young married men on he even convinced the village Aevaluation, Pathfi nder reproductive health issues. It elders about the negative impacts International, which has been focuses on Bihar, which has the of early marriage and childbirth. working to expand sexual and highest Total Fertility Rate in Today, this teenager on a reproductive health opportunities India (3.7) and where 46 per cent mission to share his learnings for women, men, and young of girls are married by the age of with everyone in Tekna Farm people in Bihar, “Men in India 16, with 60 per cent becoming has even motivated his sister-in- have greater decision-making mothers before 19. law to go in for an intra-uterine powers than women over Elaborates Binod Bihari device (IUD) to ensure spacing household matters, including Singh, PRACHAR project between children. health care, even though family head, “Men can play the critical The evaluation undertaken at planning is frequently perceived role of acting as catalysts and the end of the second phase of as a woman’s concern. This facilitators to ensure true family the PRACHAR programme – creates a situation where women planning – and that is what the it’s currently in its third phase not only lack the powers to seek programme has been advocating – has revealed an increase from nder International Photos: Pathfi services that can enable them for nearly a decade now 5 per cent to 20 per cent in to control their family size but through interventions that target contraceptive use among young also the resources to pay for unmarried adolescents, young couples. Among unmarried Pathfi nder's PRACHAR programme conducts three-day them. When couples actually couples and those who infl uence adolescents, the percentage trainings at the village level for adolescent boys and young discuss family planning, gender their decisions. Youngsters are of those who believe that couples to increase their knowledge and understanding of dynamics tend to give the man also taught communication contraception is necessary reproductive health issues. greater power resulting in skills in order to negotiate better has jumped from 45.3 to 90.5. decisions being made with a bias with partners and guardians Involving men and boys has at two stages of life – those who their wives. But I insist that they toward the husband’s interests.” to achieve their reproductive certainly made a difference. have just entered puberty (10- make time and often spend my Clearly then, women cannot goals.” A similar story is being 14 years) and those between Sundays in the community.” use contraceptives without Considering that typically scripted in the narrow bylanes 15 and 19 years, in order to Each success brings a sense of the direct or indirect support men, especially rural men, have of Madanpur Khadar, a prepare them for adulthood. We achievement. There is the story of men. Moreover, given the not been part of family planning resettlement colony of 70000- also sensitise young married of local resident Ajay Kumar, 23, popularity of condoms among conversations, their knowledge plus in south Delhi. Agragami men. We discuss the need to who adopted family planning for young couples, men need to levels are generally low. India’s Ajendra Sirohi and delay fi rst birth, the benefi ts of his wife’s well being. Says Pant, be provided with extensive PRACHAR, therefore, has been Harish Pant, along with their spacing, and the advantages of a “Ajay fi rst came to me when reproductive health and family interfacing with boys and young team, have been striving to small family. Improving spousal he was 19. He brought along planning information. “Today, married men in the districts of bring home the family planning communication on family other boys of the neighbourhood young men are not just ready Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, and message to this impoverished planning is also on the agenda.” as well. When he married his for such knowledge they are Patna through group meetings locality since 2008. Informs The messages differ with each girlfriend, he was thrown out demanding it as well. They are conducted at the village level. Sirohi, “We speak to adolescents group. Says Pant, who takes of home for going against his interested in their own bodies, Here trainers familiarise trainings in groups of 15, “For parents’ wishes. Although he they want to know more about them with the process of re- school-going boys, we have a 15- had his fi rst child soon after, he reproduction, but there aren’t production, conception and hour module that is completed in came back to me to talk about enough resources of information, contraception through cultural- three or fi ve days depending on the precautions he needed to take which will tell them what they friendly literature, street theatre the time they can spare. Through to prevent further pregnancies. need to know in an honest, frank, and motivate boys to negotiate games and demos, I tell them Now he has motivated his wife unembarrassed way,” observes with parents to sure that their about their reproductive organs, to get an IUD.” Rekha Masilamani, well-known sisters go to school and marry why contraception is needed, Aakash and Ajay are part reproductive rights activist later. the methods available and how of a growing tribe of men associated with Agragami India, There have been success to use condoms properly. Even who are convinced of certain a non-government organisation stories. Aakash Kumar, 17, a myths regarding contraception principles: Tying the knot at that is helping to improve the resident of Tekna Farm, a small are dispelled. Initially, some are the right age, ensuring equality health status and quality of life hamlet in Bodh Gaya, where reluctant to talk; others crack within marriage and sharing of communities by reducing child marriages are the norm, naughty jokes, even pull my contraceptive responsibility. Dr early fertility. took on his parents and the leg. But later most do share their Daniel puts it this way, “Finally Adds Masilamani, “If one community to stop the marriage experiences and ask questions.” it is about men wanting to care takes a look at the demographics of his 13-year-old cousin sister. Between 2009 and 2013, Sirohi for their own health and that of India, there’s a huge youth He had attended PRACHAR Aakash Kumar, 17, a resident and Pant, often referred to as of their partners. With a little bulge. Also, 50 per cent of all training sessions in October of Tekna Farm, a small hamlet “condom men”, have conducted support not only will they children born in the country 2010. He says, “My own sister in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, took on almost 50 trainings for nearly challenge old customs and are to young people in the age was married at 15. She gave birth his parents and the community 800 adolescent boys. practices that endanger women’s group of 25 and below. So, if we to a girl within the fi rst year of to stop the marriage of his But the challenge is to health, they will support their want to enable couples to truly marriage and became pregnant 13-year-old cousin sister. He motivate men and boys to wife’s sexual and reproductive plan their families then we have again the next year. She suffers has attended sensitisation attend the discussions. Says health decisions as well.”  to inform them when they are from severe anaemia now. So trainings under the PRACHAR Pant, “Although most men young.” when my family started looking programme that showed him acknowledge the importance (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) Pathfi nder’s PRACHAR (Pro- for a match for my cousin, I the signifi cance of delayed of family planning, being daily moting Change in Reproductive rebelled.” Citing the example marriage on the health and wagers, rickshaw pullers and Behaviour of Youth, Bihar) of his sister and using the book, well-being of women and drivers, they are busy. They tell Programme set the trend for Anjaan Dagar Aasan Safar, families. us to get someone to explain it to December 15, 2014 5 Making a significant difference to the lives of young brides

In Barwani District of Madhya Pradesh, Kanchan Vaksale has reached out to 200 adolescents and convinced 12 of the 20 adolescent couples in her village to use contraception. This is a creditable feat in a community where early marriages and pregnancies are common and contraceptive prevalence virtually non-existent. Lalita Brahmane has convinced 26 couples in her Chatli Village to undergo permanent contraception. Vaksale and Brahmane are two of the 900 ASHAs who have been roped in by the Family Planning Association of India to implement a flagship project. The Barwani experience holds out a hope that significant improvements in sexual and reproductive health practices in India may perhaps be just a generation away SMITA DEODHAR, Barwani, Madhya Pradesh

sexual relationships with little identifi ed. This was followed up awareness of its responsibilities with the educational training, and consequences,” says which the FPAI undertook while Dr Kalpana Apte, assistant the government provided the secretary general, Programme supply back up. Implementation, FPAI. She has For 24-year-old Lalita been working in the fi eld for Brahmane, an ASHA, over- nearly two decades now, and coming her own shyness about has observed that adolescent holding forth publicly on this sexuality is a neglected segment subject was the fi rst challenge. so far as national population In spite of her initial reticence, policies are concerned. This is in the two years that she has the lacuna that the Addressing been involved with the project, An accredited social health Adolescent Fertility intervention she has regularly arranged activist (ASHA) in Barwani seeks to address. While the and addressed four meetings District of Madhya Pradesh. Photos: FPAI FPAI has worked with young a month, for different groups The ASHA cadre - already in adolescent populations in various – adolescents, families, newly- place as a part of the National An ASHA counselling a young couple on the benefi ts of states on a smaller scale, it has wed couples with no children, Rural Health Mission - has adopting family planning. scaled up its learnings through and couples who have children. been central to spreading key this district level initiative. Brahmane has achieved messages on family planning anchan Vaksale is well of Barwani District, and is Barwani was a good place to great breakthroughs – she and contraception in the known in her little village fi nancially and technically start the pilot project, given its has convinced 26 couples in region. Kof Ghatti in Madhya supported by the United Nations demographic – two-thirds of the her Chatli Village to undergo Pradesh. As an ASHA (accredited Population Fund (UNFPA). It population here is tribal. “Such permanent contraception, and healthy next generation – and social health activist), the 40- has three objectives - to increase societies have fairly liberal has encouraged 12 young they are receptive.” year-old has a packed schedule the mean age at fi rst conception sexual practices, including pre- couples to adopt temporary In tackling traditional mindset, – she urges pregnant women among married women between marital sex among adolescents. contraceptive methods. “Trying the mass media can be a crucial in the community to go in for 15 and 19 years, promote spacing Early marriage and early to convince people - especially tool. Dr Apte observes that the hospital deliveries and complete between children of married pregnancies are common. About elders - and demolishing media is shaping the minds the full immunisation schedule adolescents, and encourage 30 per cent of the girls here myths about contraception is of youth even in the remotest for their newborn babies. She care seeking behaviour for get married before attaining a daily challenge. People do corners of the country, and it has talks about sexual health with reproductive health among legal age, and the percentage of raise objections,” she remarks. great potential for bringing about adolescents in the area, holding adolescents. Implicit in these births in the 15-19 age group is Brahmane’s family has proved change. She says, “Preachy group meetings to discuss the objectives is an acceptance 22.8 per cent of the total births. to be a great support for media won’t help. It is soaps and physical and mental changes that adolescent sexual activity, The maternal mortality rate her. In fact, it’s her husband fi lms, and even advertisements during teenage, safe sex, and sanctioned by society in the form among the young mothers is who accompanies her to the that are infl uencing young minds reproductive health. She even of child marriage, is a reality in also high,” informs Omendra meetings, and even defends her and creating an aspirational- conducts joda (couple) meetings the country. Singh Chauhan, district project activities before disgruntled population. Customs that clash and one-to-one counselling India has one of the highest coordinator in Barwani. elders. with their new ambitions are sessions on contraception for child marriage rates in the world. In 2010, Barwani had seen a Thanks to the persistent bound to get rejected.” them. According to the International spate of maternal deaths – 26 efforts of women like Brahmane Dr Apte recommends that Vaksale is an unwitting Center for Research on Women in a span of eight months at and Vaksale, contraceptive the nascent, yet perceptible revolutionary in her conservative (ICRW), 47 per cent of the its district hospital. This led to acceptance for ages up to 19 momentum for change receive society, where it is unthinkable women are married before they a fact-fi nding mission by the years in Barwani has risen from institutional support in the form for a woman to discuss such turn 18. The phenomenon is Advisory Group on Community 3 per cent to 13 per cent within a of regular and easily available topics publicly. She is one of spread across communities and Action, which saw a defunct couple of years, prompting the supply of contraceptives, couple the 900 ASHAs, who have been regions, and it is the adolescent health system. Today, however, FPAI and the UNFPA to extend counselling, and confi dentiality. roped in by the Family Planning bride who experiences the there has been a new beginning the programme for another “The ASHA worker must not Association of India (FPAI) to worst consequences of early in the form of the ASHA cadre – three years. “Eventually, the declare to the family that the son implement its fl agship project, marriage. Research indicates already in place as a part of the project will be handed over to is availing of condom supply Addressing Adolescent Fertility, that for women, child marriage National Rural Health Mission – the government, and will be from her. Existing channels of in MP’s Barwani District. can lead to a higher risk for HIV that has been central to spreading implemented across the state,” supply must be augmented. The “Working on this project was infection, cervical cancer, sexual the key messages. Mentored says Chauhan. cost of contraception is another not easy. I did not know much violence and maternal mortality. and trained by the FPAI, the Dr Apte sees the success major obstacle - for families about sexual and reproductive Additionally, in a traditional gutsy women with support from at Barwani as a reason to be where the monthly income is health earlier on. But once I patriarchal set up, an adolescent other stakeholders like school optimistic about the future. “Our around Rs 1500 per month, received training under this bride is not able to negotiate the teachers, anganwadi workers experience here reveals that a two-rupee condom does initiative I have been updated use of contraceptives, and has and panchayat members, have today’s young couples are not as become a considerable expense. on the subject, and have gained no say regarding the timing and been working hard to make a strongly rooted within tradition Consistent use will be possible the confi dence and courage to number of children she bears difference to the lives of the as their elders, but they are only if the contraceptives are tackle any situation,” says the –these decisions are made by young brides of Barwani. At caught between family culture free,” she adds.  committed health worker. family elders and the husband. the onset, villages were mapped and their own aspirations. This The FPAI intervention covers “Men and women in the and the number of adolescents aspiration can be tapped. Engage (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) 514 villages in seven blocks age group of 14-19 enter into – married and unmarried – was with them, talk about health, a 6 December 15, 2014 Now, thanks to men, women have a voice in the community

The Samajhdaar Jodidar initiative, a collaborative effort of the Centre for Health and Social Justice and the United Nations Population Fund, is specially designed to involve men in the quest for gender equality. The programme seeks to draw men and boys out of the age-old patriarchal mindset towards sharing a more equitable relationship with the women in their lives. The results have been positive: over the past four years, several child marriages have been prevented; reproductive, maternal and infant health indices have received a major boost; and reconciliations in marital estrangements have noticeably increased SUCHISMITA PAI, Pune From expecting his wife to observing the changes, “From wait on him hand-and-foot, mid-day meals at school to even having her draw his bath drinking water supply to water, to bathing his daughter supervised and monitored and helping conduct the fi rst pregnancy and child birth, fair election to his panchayat men in villages are being in over 40 years, Manikchand encouraged to be part of every Dhanashetty, an animator from conversation. This has tangibly Encouraging men to become Borgaon in Solapur, is truly a reduced violence against more involved and supportive transformed man. Dismissive women.” He admits that while of women's needs, choices and of the initiative initially, he including men and boys in the rights has enabled them to step

Photo: CHSJ experimented with small changes fi ght against gender violence away from the rigid patriarchal in his own attitude. “I would has not been easy, it has paid roles ascribed to them. These days, with the support of the men in their lives, young indulge my son at the cost of my rich dividends. “Physical abuse girls across 100 villages in Solapur, Beed and Pune Districts daughter’s happiness and when is easy to spot, understand and enable girls to attend schools, of Maharashtra are able to get an education, play sports that changed, so did our family prevent, but sexual, fi nancial ensuring street lights in their and participate in activities that are considered a male’s – for the better. Watching a play or psychological abuse go villages or being more active in prerogative. together with them, or simply unnoticed. It is not just about the panchayats, the difference going to the school together to the man-woman relationship; is extremely encouraging and hey came at her with sharing a more equitable meet their teachers has improved caste, community, religion and augurs well for the future.” knives and other weapons relationship with the women in our lives. My friends would economics also come into play The results are heartening, Tso that they could disrupt their lives. “It is complex, messy tease me about being a slave to in this equation.” agrees Anuja Gulati, programme her meetings and prove her work where sometimes you my wife, but eventually they Of course, many challenges offi cer, UNFPA-Maharashtra. ineffective. When Sangeeta have to take a step back to move started to emulate us. Now not still exist. Shivanand Sonkamble, “Encouraging men to become Banne became the fi rst woman ahead. Resistance comes not only do women have an active an animator, states, “Powerful, more involved and supportive sarpanch (elected head of a just from the men, but even the voice in our community, we upper caste people fi nd it hard to of women's needs, choices and panchayat) of Chapalgaonwadi, women themselves are not ready have elected a female sarpanch accept anyone else as motivators rights has enabled men and a small village in Akkalkot to look at their sons and brothers to voice our concerns and look of change and that limits our boys to step away from the Taluka of Solapur District in as equal partners. Initially, the after our interests in public life,” growth.” rigid roles ascribed to them. Maharashtra, she knew she had idea of using male animators to he says. Naturally, centuries of They are now more involved her work cut out. The battle take the message to the grassroots Clearly, in communities conditioning cannot be done in caring for their children, leading up to her election had itself was questioned. The reluctant to alter status quo, away within a short span of time sharing sexual and reproductive been ugly. Not only had the problems ran the gamut, from every individual transformation feels Dadhich, but maintains health responsibilities as well incumbent been holding on for an extreme initial resistance by helps in loosening the strangle- that continued debates and as household domestic chores, over 10 years, even the concept the prospective change agents – hold of regressive traditions. conversations will defi nitely in saying no to violence against of a female political leader was there was a 90 per cent attrition Says Frederika Meijer, UNFPA seep through the layers of women, in seeking health care pretty novel for the villagers. rate of trained recruits in the India Representative, “UNFPA's indifference and orthodoxy. for themselves, and in creating “It was only because of the fi rst year – to resentment against work in the fi eld shows that Ninety-nine per cent babies in safe spaces like play grounds Samajhdaar Jodidar Programme individual animators for what the active involvement of men their project villages are now for girls, which are generally and the support of the men in my was being misconstrued as an breaks patriarchal norms. In being delivered at the local considered the domain of boys." family that I was able to unfurl overt interest in other women this project, engaging men in primary health centres and To see young women being the tricolour on Republic Day when they tried to intervene or breaking gender stereotypes contraception, a reproductive encouraged to get an education, this year after I was voted to counsel in their villages. And all has led to signifi cant changes right, is discussed more openly - riding bicycles, playing sports power,” she shares. this was before we could sink such as the joint registration of tangible short terms gain. “When and even having a say in the The Samajhdaar Jodidar our teeth into the actual issues property in the name of husband issues such as child marriage, Ganapati celebrations clearly initiative, a collaborative effort that affl ict women in villages,” and wife and marriages taking dowry and sex selection are indicates that they are working of the Centre for Health and elaborates Shakti Jamdade of place without the exchange of scrutinised openly, it forces in the right direction. Women Social Justice (CHSJ) and the the CHSJ, who supervises the dowry.” everyone concerned to examine across the three districts of United Nations Population Fund programme in Maharashtra. Dr Shashikant Ahankari of their own belief systems closely. Solapur, Beed and Pune are no (UNFPA), is specially designed However, with some fi ne- the HALO Foundation, another This sows the seeds for societal longer mere silent spectators. to involve men in the quest for tuning, like selecting animators NGO working with the CHSJ change,” she believes. Their contribution to the family gender equality. “Men, who from within the villages, so in Akkalkot, has been closely Attesting to the gains from wealth is fi nally being recognised are the other half of the gender that they would be in situ as the effort, Venkatesh Srinivasan, and they are gaining their construct, have been left out members of the community even assistant representative, UNFPA, rightful share in it legally. They of sensitisation efforts for the in case of attrition, and instating says, “This intervention has have a say in their reproductive longest time,” points out Sadhana group interventions instead of brought about substantive health and many are free from Dadhich of the Pune-based Nari individual actions, the efforts changes in these 100 villages. the hang up of bearing a male Samata Manch, one of the fi ve gathered momentum. Over the Men are more involved not child. There is a defi nite shift non-government organisations last four years, several child just with their families and in perspective and women are tasked with the implementation marriages have been prevented; households, but also within their coming out of the shadows – all of this project in 20 of the 100 reproductive, maternal and community. There is a sense of with the support of their ‘better’ chosen villages in the state since infant health indices have After mapping gaps among ownership and involvement in half as well as other men in their 2010. received a major boost; and men, meetings are held on local governance, which has communities.  The programme seeks to draw reconciliations in marital subjects such as hegemonic in turn raised the quality of men and boys out of the age- estrangements have noticeably masculinity to bring about a life for everyone. Whether it is (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) old patriarchal mindset towards increased. shift in the mindset. demanding buses and toilets to December 15, 2014 7 A taste of woman power, and a process that seems unstoppable

Fresh winds are blowing across Jharkhand. In Ranchi’s Ara Village, women head its nine wards and the village panchayat samiti has just one male representative. In Koderma District, vigilant women wish to make Domchach Block corruption-free. Today, grassroots women leaders in the region have come together to form a core committee to demand a greater role in policy-making. Their aim is to overcome the various bureaucratic hurdles in the implementation of developmental schemes. And women-headed panchayats are now taking seriously issues that were once dismissed as “trivial” SAADIA AZIM, Ranchi espite a promising child development protection career in Law, Dorothiya offi cer, whose demands for DDayamani Ekka opted to money from anganwadi work for the development of her workers led to his arrest by the village. She had completed her enforcement department a few bachelor’s degree in Law from of months ago. Shalini and her Ranchi University, Jharkhand, vigilant colleagues want to make and had been inducted into the Domchach corruption-free. Ranchi Bar Association. She had Remarking on their even applied for a seat to pursue commendable work, Dr Vishnu a master’s degree in Law when Rajgadia of the Jharkand Photos: SA/WFS she decided to give it all up and Panchayat Women Resource tread a different path. Centre, which works to develop Having contested the the capacities of women From left: Rahini Bibi, block head of Danda (Garwa), may be a high-school dropout but today panchayat elections from panchayat leaders in the state, is pursuing her own education as well as working hard to get a girl's college sanctioned for her Ara Village in the Namkum notes, “This is a great effort from block; Putul Tigga, head of Brombai Panchayat in Ranchi District's Mandar Block, has ensured Block of Ranchi District in the women, not just because that a once defunct water tank in the premises of the government hospital can store one lakh 2011, Dorothiya is now the they have become the guardians litres of water; and Shalini Gupta, who heads the Domchach Block in Koderma District, is a mukhiya (village head) of Ara of good practices but because vocal anti-corruption campaigner and along with her team of village women representatives, and is focused on providing they have been able to check keeps a sharp eye on the working of the anganwadis. sustainable employment for the corruption in the area to a large women of the village. “Women extent through a self monitoring gives them an opportunity to the disbursement of cycles and to pay. The panchayats now do not fi nd jobs easily because process.” brainstorm on their ground scholarships for village students have four water pumps as well men are still preferred when it In 2011, Jharkhand had realities and work towards prompted the panchayats in the through which groundwater is comes to employment. But they witnessed panchayat elections resolving problems together, block to intervene. “We need the pumped out. Since electricity have tremendous potential, and for the fi rst time in three with support from the central panchayats to play a proactive supply is irregular a generator if their natural skills are honed, long decades. The Jharkhand government’s Panchayat Mahila role. We live here and know the has been installed at the well. they will excel in activities Panchayat Act, 2005 has a Evang Yuva Shakti Abhiyan. people well. Why should elected If Archana has got wells built, like kitchen gardening, poultry provision for 50 per cent Their charter of demands bodies not be given the control Putul Tigga, head of Brombai rearing and cattle breeding. We women’s reservation. But lists, among other issues, equal to implement schemes for our Panchayat in Ranchi District’s are working to develop small history was created when wages for women workers in villages?” Shalini asks. Mandar Block, has ensured that operational business models women contested and won in 56 every fi eld; women help-desks Rahini Bibi, block head of a once defunct water tank in that will prove profi table for this per cent seats - the highest in the to provide police, legal and Danda (Garwa), has faced a the premises of the government village,” she explains. country. Observes Dr Rajgadia, social support at block offi ces; similar challenge. According to hospital can store one lakh litres Today, the political scenario “Interestingly, women also property and land rights for her, when cycles for students of water. Today, it supplies water at Ara is in favour of women. contested from unreserved seats women; and 50 per cent seat were earlier being distributed to local homes every day and on Women head its nine wards and as well and won handsomely. reservations for women in the at the district level, evidence time. “We had lived almost all the village panchayat samiti This has helped build up their legislative assembly. had emerged of non-existent our lives without enough water (council) has just one male confi dence and they can now Dorothiya explains why benefi ciaries being included. to drink – that’s not the case representative. “With women in think of wresting their due panchayats need to be more “Now that cycles are being now. Life has certainly changed positions of power, it has been position in local politics.” If the empowered, “Today, because given at the block level, we for the better,” remarks Rajesh easier for other women here to outstanding work of leaders like panchayats do not have the can ensure that only those who Kumar, 35, a government teacher build up their home businesses. Dorothiya and Shalini is any authority to disburse funds truly fulfi ll the criteria get to of Ramgarh Boy’s School. It is not just making them self- indication, then women leaders or take decisions, most of our benefi t from the scheme,” she Another success story has been suffi cient but also working are bound to outnumber their schemes get stuck in bureau- says. A high school drop out, that of Shruti Deogam, the block for the overall progress of the male counterparts in the years cratic hassles at the district Rahina is now pursuing her own head of Ghatshila, who could village,” says Ellen Ekka, a ahead. level. We have to adjust to the education while working to get a revive the Tussar silk thread health worker in the area. Of course, it is not just a policies of a given government, girl’s college sanctioned for her mill in the area by organising Like Dorothiya, Shalini matter of getting elected. Today, which in most cases are very block. self-help groups to start a small Gupta, who heads the Domchach the grassroots women leaders driven by politics.” Adds Dr Women-headed panchayats mill at the panchayat offi ce Block in Koderma District, is have come together to form a Rajgadia, who is presently are now taking seriously issues itself. Presently 50 women are another inspiring grassroots core committee to demand a working with UNICEF and the that were once dismissed working in shifts to spin and reel leader. She is a vocal anti- greater role in policy-making. Panchayati Raj Department of as “trivial”. For instance, silk treads with the support of corruption campaigner and Their aim is to overcome the the state government on behalf Archana Mahato of Muramkala the district administration and along with her team of village various bureaucratic hurdles in of the Panchayat Mahila Shakti Panchayat in Ramgarh Block of Jharcraft, an NGO working to women representatives, keeps a the implementation of develop- Abhiyan, “With more power at Ramgarh District has taken up develop craftwork in the state. sharp eye on the working of the mental schemes. Recently, more the local level, grassroots issues local irrigation. Thanks to her “If this works fi ne the women anganwadis (government-run than 31000 women leaders gain importance and elected efforts to get wells dug in four in my region will be able to earn mother and child care centres in together participated in a rally representatives can devote their villages, vegetable cultivation not less than Rs 6000 a month,” villages) in the area and tracks at Ranchi’s Morabadi grounds, work for the development of the in these villages has increased. she says proudly.  government schemes and funds after which they handed over area.” To compensate for the use of that come to the panchayats. a charter of demands to the In Shalini’s Domchach Block, electricity to distribute water (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) The English graduate, who also Jharkhand Governor. The women representatives are for household purposes has a diploma in software, has rally had been organised by concentrating on effectively and vegetable farming, the been able to bring to light the the Panchayat Mahila Shakti running the anganwadis. The panchayats have fi xed a water underhand practices of a corrupt Abhiyan, a platform that recent incidents of corruption in tax for those who are willing 8 December 15, 2014 Left in the lurch, social welfare workers protest and pray

The accredited social health activists and mid-day meal workers are among the largest groups of working women in India. Their repeated protests signify the ruthless attitude of the government towards lakhs of underpaid, overworked contractual workers. An ASHA worker in Punjab, for instance, earns less than Rs 1000 a month, when the statutory minimum wage of the state is Rs 5200. Each ASHA is supposed to attend to the needs of 1000 people. The hard work they put in can well be imagined. Yet, sadly, they face difficulties and oppression AMRITA NANDY, New Delhi midst the high footfall 5,200 - nor a fi xed amount, and nurses who do not even give at Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s but a performance-based us a place to sit or a bathroom Aprotest hub, and the compensation. Now imagine to use. There is no dignity, no thousands of cracked feet, dusty how much they make her work system in place. Payments get slippers and grimy shoes it sees for this measly sum. Each delayed by months. Sometimes every day, the tiny, bare and soft ASHA is supposed to attend to if the child is stillborn, they feet of a ten-month-old baby the needs of 1000 people.” even deny us payment. Is the stood out. On her fours, she A long, long list of tasks has government helping us or looked for space to crawl but was been assigned to an ASHA. She exploiting us?” jailed by the legs that surrounded is supposed to create awareness Observed another worker her. In an intriguing way, her about health; maintain the village from Punjab, “The work is baffl ed expression refl ected the health register, health cards, disproportionate to our mandate helplessness of the women who immunisation cards; counsel and payment. We were even were ringed around her. people on healthy practices; asked to handle the Rashtriya Who were these hundreds of coordinate with various village Swasthya Bima Yojana (National women? Why did they come and block-level authorities on Health Insurance Scheme) cards all the way to the country’s health and sanitation issues; and promised an incentive of two capital from distant hamlets? escort pregnant women to health rupees per card. Those payments Photo: Sarada Lahangir/WFS Meet the ASHAs (accredited centres for pre-natal and ante- were never made. Then, we social health activist) and mid- natal check-ups and deliveries; were asked to conduct a 1.5 Despite the fact that ASHAs are supposed to be the fi rst port day meal workers – among provide medical care for minor month long survey on cancer’s of call for any health-related demands at the village level, the largest and fastest growing ailments; interact with self-help prevalence in the state. It was an especially women and children, these women are among the groups of working women in the groups and attend community intensive survey - one needed to most overworked and underpaid of government workers. country. Their repeated protests meetings, to name a few. record the medical history of all signify the ruthless attitude of A few feet away, in a large members of a family. We resisted Union of Punjab, an affi liate of dependent on the various the government towards lakhs tent that seemed small because it but doctors and others in the the New Trade Union Initiative, ‘fl agship’ schemes promoted as of underpaid, overworked of the hundreds seeking shade medical community threatened described them as “grain that is social welfare initiatives. contractual workers. under it, were ASHA workers us into silence by saying that pounded mercilessly”. Explained But surely there is an irony One of the batches that from Baghpat, Bulandshahar, they would have us fi red.” Lakhwinder, “In Punjab, a mid- here when interventions meant demonstrated at Jantar Mantar Amroha, Ghaziabad and other Anecdote after anecdote day meal worker is paid Rs to lift people out of poverty was from Punjab – belonging to parts of Uttar Pradesh. revealed the diffi culties 1200 for cooking and cleaning end up impoverishing the places such as Bhatinda, Moga, One of the protestors, and oppression the ASHA seven days a week, whereas in very workforce that keeps Muktsar, Barnala, Gurdaspur, Lakshmi, 31, a resident of experiences unlike the claims Chandigarh they get Rs 1900 them going? Can there be a Amritsar, Taran Taran, Ropar and Hapur, expressed her anger of being the ‘fi rst port-of-call’ for the same job. Both rates are more glaring example of the Mohali. Each woman had a story about the working conditions that she was envisioned to be less than the state’s minimum government’s apathy towards of her own, and it was striking she has to put up with, “I have as part of the National Rural wage.” these poor ‘project workers’ how similar their stories were. been an ASHA for the last seven Health Mission (NRHM) in The experiences related told than to know that they have even As Paramjit Kaur Mann, 33, years but I regret choosing this 2005. During their Delhi protest, a story of great exploitation. If been left out of the ambit of the general secretary of the ASHA work. We are paid less than the ASHAs from two different there is no water in the school for Protection of Women against Workers and Facilitators Union unskilled labourers but it is not states – overcoming language cooking, these workers are made Sexual Harassment Bill 2010? of Punjab, put it, “An ASHA just about the money. We have barriers – could piece together to lug it from their own homes. In The vulnerability to sexual worker in Punjab earns up to to accompany women in labour the realities of their working Muktsar, a young cook was fi red assaults and violence faced by Rs 700 to 800 a month. This is to hospitals at odd hours without lives and agree on the need to from her job because she had such women workers is only too neither the statutory minimum any transport or allowance and fi ght for a better deal. taken leave to deliver a child. A obvious. wage of Punjab - which is Rs we get screamed at by doctors Mid-day meal workers fare no woman in Faridkot suffered 90 Having protested yet again in better. Hiring lakhs of contractual per cent burns while cooking at Delhi and submitted yet another labourers implies little obligation the school, but the government memorandum demanding regul- for the government and a denial did not pay a paisa towards her arisation of work, dignity and of statutory benefi ts to the treatment which cost nearly Rs labour benefi ts, it was heart- worker, such as job security, an 60000. Years after the accident, rending to see the women from eight-hour work day, paid leave, she is still not totally cured. To Punjab ask for directions to a travel and dearness allowance, cover accidents of this kind, gurudwara nearby. Prayers, it bonuses, and so on. Employed Lakhwinder and her colleagues seemed, were their last hope, as as cooks for the mid-day meal are demanding an insurance they prepared to spend another scheme of the Sarva Sikhsha cover of Rs 2 lakh per worker, sleepless night on the fl oor Abhiyan, run by the Ministry of among other benefi ts. taking them back to their ‘jobs’ Human Resource Development, It is a truism that globalisation back home.  it is thanks to the efforts of these has pushed a large number of women that the government women into the unorganised (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) can now claim there has been sector where there is no social Photo: AN/WFS Photo: a 96 per cent hike in school security to speak of, nor fair enrolment in the age group 6-14 working conditions. It is also At Delhi's Jantar Mantar, ASHAs and mid-day meal workers (Annual Status of Education well-known that the government from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh - among the fastest growing Report Rural 2012). is the largest employer of groups of working women in India - sat in protest recently Yet, Lakhwinder Kaur, female contractual workers who against low payments and benefi ts. president, Mid-day Meal Workers are paid modest honorariums December 15, 2014 9

Food banks help get rid A Journal of Press Institute of India Research Institute for Newspaper Development Second Main Road, Taramani CPT Campus, Chennai 600 113 Tel: 044-2254 2344 Telefax: 044-2254 2323 of ‘transient hunger’ www.pressinstitute.in Director & Editor Sashi Nair The Village Grain Bank is a community-managed food security system, where the [email protected] community is trained to set up a bank of food grain from which they can borrow during Assistant Editor times of need and repay in kind, together with a nominal interest fixed by the community. Susan Philip The MS Swaminathan Foundation’s intervention to establish a grain bank in a hamlet Assistant Manager & Editorial Coordinator in Odisha’s Koraput District to address food and nutrition insecurity has seen active R. Suseela community participation in the management system, which ensures sustainability. It is [email protected] also saving many a family from the debt trap Design and Layout V. Anandha Kumar TUSAR RANJAN NAYAK, Jeypore, Odisha Senior Manager - Accounts obardhana Pujari’s & Administration family lives in Nuaguda N. Subramanian Ghamlet of Odisha’s [email protected] Koraput District. This hamlet is inhabited mostly by the Manager - Accounts, Bhumia Tribe and a few families Administration of the Paroja Tribe. There are & Library Services R. Geetha 36 households in the village, [email protected] which has a total population of Photos: MSSRF 140. Though a few people have Offi ce Assistant received primary education, B. Rajendran most are illiterate. The poor From left, the traditional method of seed storage in a seed bank, the community grain bank households in the hamlet are disbursing grain loans and Pujari with his family. dependent on agriculture, daily The Press Institute of India does not take wage labour and collection of need and repay in kind, together A family such as Pujari’s, de-husked rice and ragi stocks responsibility for returning unsolicited material. It may not always be possible minor forest produce for their with a nominal interest fi xed by draws around 1.5 quintal of have doubled. This quantity of to reply to senders of unsolicited livelihood. the community. The community paddy, 1 quintal of rice, 50 kg of grain is suffi cient for the needs material. Opinions expressed in this Gobardhana Pujari (54) decided to keep paddy, rice, ragi ragi and 10 kg of dhal from the of the whole community during publication do not necessarily refl ect belongs to the Bhumia Tribe and dhal in the bank to meet bank annually, This is repaid at the lean period. the views of the editor or publisher. and lives with his two wives, its needs. It also established a their convenience, along with the MSSRF has established 27 Chandrma (47) and Moti (45). seed bank to address the seed interest fi xed by the community. grain banks across Koraput Every effort has been taken to assure His two daughters are married. requirement during the cropping Pujari also gets support from the District in Odisha. A systematic that the accuracy of information He gets 500 kg of paddy season. All the households in village fund raised by member evaluation of the initiative has contained in this publication is based on reliable sources. All trademarks and annually from his 0.5 acre of the hamlet are members of the households to address fi nancial also been undertaken, and, in trade names mentioned in this magazine rain-fed land, if the monsoon is grain-seed bank. requirements. the foreword to the published belong to their respective owners. In good. He manages to maintain Gobardhana Pujari became MSSRF’s intervention to evaluation report, Prof M.S. case of error editor/publisher shall not his family for three to four a member of the bank soon establish a grain bank in this Swaminathan, founder, MSSRF, be liable for any loss or prejudice caused to the reader. The publisher reserves the months in a year from this. Non- after the initiative started, by hamlet to address food and has expressed the hope that it copyright of the materials published in availability of water sources contributing 20 kg of grain. nutrition insecurity has active will be used in the development the magazine. No part of the articles or limits the possibility of raising a Even now, speaking about this, community participation in the of local-level strategies for photographs can be reproduced without second crop. Pujari and his family are fi lled management system, which elimination of chronic hunger. the prior permission of the publisher. During the eight-month with emotion. “Now we are not He notes that “an added All disputes will be subjected to the ensures sustainability. The jurisdiction of Chennai only. period from April to November, dependent on money lenders growth in stocks shows that advantage of a decentralised grid the family faces scarcity. That and feel secure, since the grain people have faith in this system of community food banks will be is when Pujari’s wives look bank is there to help us during and that it is transparent. The the opportunity they will provide Advertisement Tariff for casual labour or payment the lean season and on special CFBs are well packed with to overcome transient hunger in kind, just to feed the occasions such as marriage, stocks of grains and seeds caused by global warming and Full Page: B&W: Rs. 5,000 family. Even getting odd- visits from relatives, deaths, to meet emergencies and for climate change.”  Colour: Rs. 10,000 jobs is a struggle, and the festivals etc.” they say. They are regular loans. The grain stock family was often compelled to also not pushed to consume the has increased many-fold in the (The writer is a senior scientist, MS Swaminathan Research Half Page: B&W: Rs. 3,000 borrow money and grain from seeds kept aside for raising the bank. There is a nearly fi ve-time Foundation, Chennai.) moneylenders at exorbitant next crop. increase in paddy stock, while Colour: Rs. 5,000 interest rates. The loans would be around Rs 1000 and two Mechanical Details quintals of grain, seemingly Bleed : 275 mm x 350 mm small amounts, but with the Strengthening hands to improve... cumulative effect year after year, Material can be sent by email to the family was being forced into (Continued from page 3) Narinder Bedi, and represented late into the night, among them [email protected] or by a debt trap. by two enthusiastic youngsters one on how popular Argentine CD to our address given above But the community grain example of using the market who had given up lucrative singer Mercedes Sosa mobilises bank, formed with the guidance instead of being impoverished careers to devote themselves to resistance to the erosion of Annual Subscription of the MS Swaminathan by it. rural development, focused on people’s rights, how radical Research Foundation (MSSRF) Three rustic women from monitoring the working of the singer Joan Baez uses her Gulbarga narrated how their 12 Issues Rs. 180 in 2004, now addresses their MNREGA in Andhra Pradesh. popularity to focus on human 36 Issues Rs. 500 food requirement and prevents Nari Adalat initiative helped We can hold the government rights, and how girls are urged exploitation by the local money empower women through to account and assert ourselves to enroll in schools through Please note that the cheque or lenders. The Village Grain Bank collective dispute resolution. through democratic means, if music in Mexico. Pop star Cico demand draft or at par cheque is a community-managed food The women spoke in Kannada the power of the people matches Cesar of Brazil likewise spoke payable in Chennai, for the security system, where the but the experience had lessons to that of the politicians, Bedi about his humble origins and subscription amount should community is trained to set up a share with activists from regions points out. his engagement with grassroots be drawn in the name of Press bank of food grain from which outside Karnataka. The Young After dinner we watched action. Institute of India ONLY and NOT  in the name of the Grassroots. they can borrow during times of India Project led by its founder documentary fi lms by activists

Published by Sashi Nair on behalf of The Press Institute of India - Research Institute for Newspaper Development, RIND Premises, Second Main Road, Taramani CPT Campus, Chennai 600 113 and printed by V. Manivannan at R.V. Printers, No.1, 127 Lattice Bridge Road, Adayar, Chennai 600 020. Editor: Sashi Nair 10 Registered with The Registrar of Newspapers for India under TNENG/2009/27557 Poor children gain education as RTE concept works

The Indian Government, in a bid to offer equal opportunities to all, has enacted the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which ensures free and compulsory education for children aged between 6 and 14 years. The Right to Education makes it mandatory for all government, aided and non- minority unaided schools to have 25 per cent reservation for those who belong to poor, disadvantaged groups and face psychological and financial barriers while seeking education. In Rajasthan, the scheme, launched in 2012-13, uses the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as the implementing vehicle with assistance from UNICEF DILNAZ BOGA, Jaipur, Rajasthan realise their true potential. “It's 2014, the amount has increased verify the data given by people good for the child's self-esteem. to Rs 11700.” to claim the special status, the S/he can get greater exposure by However, the diffi culties don’t state government started a portal interacting with students from end there. Once the children are in 2013. The recently retired different backgrounds. There admitted, their teachers have to Rampal Sharma, who was was a time when poor parents take on the mantle of fi nding ways instrumental in the inception and couldn't even dream of sending of including them in the general the implementation of the Act in their children to an expensive fold. Amita Saraswat, who has the state, says, “We have come private school. That’s not the been a nursery school teacher up with an excellent portal to case anymore,” he states. for the last three decades, says, monitor the RTE. After feedback Incidentally, the Act “The children who come from from users, we have been able particularly provides for poorer homes take a lot of time to plug most of the loopholes. orphans, for whom the quota to adjust – their mannerisms and Schools can easily feed their exceeds the 25 per cent limit. language are distinct from the students’ data into the website. In Jaipur, Samarthan Sanstha rest. As their teacher it becomes The online application is useful has given a home to 27 girls and my responsibility to ensure that for parents too in case the school four boys, who, in the absence of they come up to speed with refuses to give application Photo: Pamela Philipose/WFS family, used to work as domestic the rest. We get involved with forms.” workers, garbage collectors, parents, too. All this takes time A proper daily register of a In Rajasthan, till now, 14555 schools have been involved plastic sorters or beggars to but eventually the changes do child's performance is maintained in the implementation of Right to Education and 140000 survive. Nowadays, they all go become evident," she explains. and the parents, who form a children have benefi ted from the advocacy efforts undertaken to school. As Anand Acharya, Sushil Sharma, secretary of part of the School Management by offi cials from the Education Department as well as non- a sadhvi (Hindu holy woman) Indian Cambridge School in Committee (SMC), are kept government organisations. who runs the facility shows off Jaipur, agrees, “Teachers have updated through the website their notebooks with impeccable to use different methods of that is bilingual (Hindi and n Dausa District, 55 km east proudly, “She is a focused and writing, shares, “Earlier, these communication with those who English). Till now, 35000 private of Jaipur City, Rajasthan’s diligent child. When she comes children couldn’t afford to go come from the reserved quota. schools have been identifi ed Icapital, Akangsha More, home from school she gets down to school but they are doing With proper guidance though, on it, of which offi cials have 4, is registered in the nursery to completing home assignments exceeding well in their studies.” the children soon come up to authenticated 26686. “Any state class of a local public school and revising her class work. Indeed, the enforcement of the level of the rest.” In order to can replicate it. We have trained under the reserved quota. Only once that is done she has this reservation is not bereft mitigate the social differences offi ce staff at the state, block With her eyes tight shut, she food or steps out to play.” of challenges. Sunil Sharma, schools like his adopt certain and district levels to handle their sits to meditate along with her According to Sulagna Roy, RTE, Jaipur, talks about a basic practices – “we don’t allow respective domains by verifying classmates on the terrace of education and child protection problem they face, “In the cities, children to distribute or exchange the information fed by schools. their school, which is still under specialist at UNICEF, who private schools have a high fee gifts in class. Moreover, we often We have permitted schools to construction. Both her parents has been overseeing RTE’s structure and the incentive of counsel parents so that they can log in thrice in a year to update work as labourers in Jaipur implementation in Jaipur reimbursement from the state keep their children motivated”. the profi les of the students. The and the little one stays with her District, “The government has may not work for them. So With an idea to make best part is that the site can be grandparents, who are cobblers. enumerated six categories under there are higher chances of educational services more accessed from a mobile phone Akangsha has got a shot at the weaker sections of society resistance on their part. Initially, accessible to schools and parents or a cyber café so that it’s not gaining quality education thanks for reservation. It is tailored to the state used to reimburse Rs and, at the same time, keep the system-dependent,” he shares. to a provision under the Right benefi t the poorest of the poor 9000 per child per year. From RTE fi gures in check as well as Pooja Kumari, an LKG student to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, at the entry level, which can be of St Edmund's School in Jaipur, which has sought 25 per cent Lower Kindergarten (LKG) or comes from an impoverished reservation in private schools Class One.” home but has been making for children coming from Students like Akangsha straight As in class, much like impoverished homes. have been enrolled due to the Anjali Kumari, who studies in Unlike Akangsha, her two extensive advocacy efforts Class Four in the same school. sisters and brother were unable undertaken by offi cials from the The girls mingle freely and to utilise this scheme to their Education Department as well as are not afraid to ask or answer advantage because the elders non-government organisations questions. Anoop Singh, director simply didn’t know about it. that have reached out to schools of the school, breaks into a smile “Even when we had gone for and the community, informing when he sees them, “I'm happy to Akangsha’s admission, we had them about the provision. Till say the students we’ve admitted no idea of this policy. It was the now, 14555 schools have been under the RTE provision are school administration that told involved and 140000 children extremely hardworking and us that my granddaughter could have benefi ted from this move. scoring good grades.” Divya gain entry into the institution Of these, 58.9 per cent are boys Nair, a nursery teacher, concurs and we wouldn't have to pay the while 41.1 per cent are girls. with Singh's view, “The RTE high fees,” says Ram Swarup, Headmaster Prem Ballab Commons on Flickr under Creative Photo: Colros concept is slowly working. We her grandfather, with a great Khulve of the Government are thrilled with the progress sense of relief. Upper Primary School in The Right to Education (RTE) makes it mandatory for all we've made."  On her part, the child has not Jaipur’s Gopalpura Devri government/ aided/ and non-minority unaided schools to disappointed the family – in her, strongly believes that the have 25 per cent reservation for those who belong to poor, (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) they see the hope of a brighter reservation is helping children disadvantaged groups and face psychological and fi nancial future for them all. Says Swarup across Rajasthan’s 33 districts to barriers while seeking an education