May 2017 - Volume 9 Issue 5 Rs 15

Women die of burns every i n s i d e day, yet how many care? A study has found that the main cause of death among women between 15 and 44 years is burns, many of which were deliberate attempts on life, whether homicides or abetted suicides. One estimate puts the number of dowry deaths in as 15000. Witch-hunting continues, thanks to blind faith and Grave findings, indeed. In Bengaluru, burns account for the highest number of deaths superstition 2 among women in the 15 to 34 age group, exceeding even the number of fatalities caused by maternal deaths or TB. Four to five such cases are recorded everyday on an average, which amounts to 1600 to 1800 a year. And this, despite a law banning dowry since 1961 and various enactments over the years to empower women Sakuntala Narasimhan, Bengaluru Odds stacked against sha has no lips. When brought out in association in Bengaluru, the death of the and counselling services. This, giving children a chance she was two, she saw her with SOCHARA (Society for woman was caused by burns. despite a Karnataka High Court of survival 3 Amother, Jaya, engulfed in Community Health Awareness, Another study conducted by the directive in 2009 to employ flames after being set on fire by Research and Action), not Mumbai-based NGO, CEHAT, medical and para-medical staff her abusive husband. In horror, only offers a comprehensive, too, has found that the main cause to especially cater to burns the toddler ran to hug her mother meticulously researched study of death among women between victims. Even the special courts – and her lips got badly singed by of the causes and socio-cultural, 15 and 44 years is burns (many of dealing with them end up taking the flames. A teenager today, her medico-legal dimensions of which were deliberate attempts on seven to eight years to dispose of friends call her “ghost” because the problem of women dying life, whether homicides or abetted cases, which means justice gets of the disfigurement. The family by burning, but also focuses suicides). One estimate puts the either delayed or ineffectual. cannot afford cosmetic surgery. on suggestions for addressing number of dowry deaths in India The socio-cultural practice Stakeholders come Jaya survived the horrific it as a public health issue. as 15000. of considering daughters as together to restore a incident, but her neck and face Incidentally, men too suffer These are grave findings paraya dhan (they are no longer wetland 4 are a mass of burnt flesh, and she from burns - electric burns meriting attention and action at considered part of their natal cannot stretch her hands because and industrial accidents - but different levels, ranging from families after marriage) often Path-breaking initiative the flames fused the skin at the nowhere near the frequency more burns wards with better results in a total lack of support to bridge rural-urban elbows. She cannot even hold among women. facilities to reduce fatalities, from the natal family when digital divide 5 steady work to eke out a decent Consider this: in Bengaluru, to social measures to address they are being harassed for living. burns account for the highest manifestations of violence insufficient dowry, which ends The burns ward at Bengaluru’s number of deaths among against women, educating and up driving them to suicide by Victoria Hospital, one of the women in the 15 to 34 age empowering women including burning. Addressing the social largest in South Asia, has seen group, exceeding even the psychological empowerment to perception, therefore, is the 10000 women being admitted number of fatalities caused fight the pervasive perception starting point towards reducing over a period of ten years by maternal deaths or TB. (even among females) that the incidence of suicidal deaths during which Vimochana, the Shocking, isn’t it? Four to women’s lives are worthless. by burning. city’s leading group of women five such cases are recorded Prevention of suicides is a Apart from such challenges, Rugby brings a whiff of activists, monitored the ward’s everyday on an average, which social issue, and even the World sufficient attention has also fresh air, motivates cases through its volunteers. amounts to 1600 to 1800 a year. Health Organization (WHO) not been given to the needs of girls 5 Their findings, put together And these are only the ones has recognised violence against the children of these women in a recently released report, that are recorded officially; women as a public health issue. (survivors as well as those who Surviving Burns With Care, many more go unreported Burns survivors like Jaya end do not make it), particularly or get registered as ‘kitchen up severely disfigured, lose their psychological therapy, to cope accidents’, commonly known livelihood, and suffer social stigma with the emotional trauma as ‘stove bursts’, for a variety besides permanent disabilities. and the resulting behavioural of reasons – the women do not Whereas under the new law for problems, and, in many cases, a want to implicate their husbands acid victims, compensation is violent father. as perpetrators, there’s the payable by the government, no Like other manifestations of Rescuing trafficked girls fear of repercussions on the such assistance is extended to gender-linked attacks (rape, for and giving them a new children, or the intimidating in- burns victims. instance) homicidal burning of lease of life 6 laws simply force them to give Why is that the case? women does not take place in false statements. Vimochana’s report also points the presence of witnesses. The A large percentage of out that current official policy woman’s statement, recorded the burns cases are either does not recognise disfigurement in a hospital ward when homicides (women are set on as ‘disability’ for reservations she is scarred and severely fire by husbands or in-laws, mandated under the law. traumatised, often fails to reflect for dowry, or as part of gender- Moreover, existing burns units the truth – Vimochana found that Photo: Vimochana linked violence) or abetted are insufficient to cater to the “at least 19 per cent of the cases The cover page of suicides (again, dowry related, needs of the number of victims, documented by the police as Of gun power and the the report produced or patriarchal oppression and and those that exist do not have ‘accident’ were abetted suicide”. trauma of fisher folk 7 by Vimochana and power relations). In 63 per sufficient personnel trained to SOCHARA. cent of dowry-related cases provide competent rehabilitation (Continued on page 2) 2 May 2017

Focus Witch-hunting continues, thanks to blind faith and superstition If you thought that witch hunting was a thing of the past, relegated to history textbooks that recount horrific tales of women being labelled as witches and burned at the stake across Europe, Asia and Africa, think again. In Assam, the practice not only exists, but thrives, even holding the dubious distinction of being one of the most destructive superstitions in the country. The practice of witch-hunting is a compelling blend of superstitious beliefs and blind faith Kirthi jayakumar, Guwahati itch-hunting in hunters, but they were eventually tortured sexually, all in the name India goes back dropped because of the absence of of ‘correcting’ them or correcting Whundreds of years; witnesses and evidence to establish them for being ‘witches’. The in the Northeast it is said to the crime. superstition that allows for have started from Morigaon Baruah points out, “It is hard to their practice of witch-hunting District, Assam, which has pin the crime down to a specific automatically translates into a earned itself the epithet of number. No data on witch-hunting license to do all that is needed to being the Indian Capital is ever conclusive because it is a ‘correct’ the witch, or to rid the of Black Magic. Today, superstitious practice, and is not community of the witch. despite years of activism reported. And even if it does get Geeta Borthakur, a sociologist, and campaign against the reported, it is not always recorded elaborates, “Superstition bac- practice and a tough law in as witch-hunting; it’s mostly called ks the practice entirely, no place, witch-hunting not only murder.” matter what the motive. It is continues, it is one of the But what is it that provokes exploited to push an agenda of leading causes of death among communities to unleash such dispossession of property, to women in the state. insensitive, humiliating atrocities dominate over women, to justify The practice of witch- at one of their own? The funda- sexual harassment or rape, and Photo:KJ/WFS hunting is a compelling blend mental driving factor behind witch- even to make money. Poverty, Birubala Rabha has emerged as a true champion against of superstitious beliefs and hunting remains superstition. illiteracy, unemployment, fear the practice of witch-hunting. blind faith. Usually, it’s the Folklore informs that witches are and patriarchal attitudes that witch doctor, locally known born with powers of black magic, pass the belief on, continue to to point out, “Enacting the law is hard to educate communities as the ojha or bej, who brands and that a traditional medicine give a boost to the crime.” only one step. It needs sustained against falling for the misguided someone – most often a man, the ojha or bej, is renowned To fight the regressive social implementation. Without that, it remedies of ojhas. However, woman – as a witch, or dain. for his skills of countering these practice and make a real differe- has no teeth.” the predicament in Assam She is then subjected to torture, powers. Female ojhas are very, nce, a truly comprehensive Apart from legislative needs a concerted effort which could be anything from very rare, although Assam does approach, which incorporates measures, people like Birubala and interventional policy beating and burning to being have a few instances of male witch- enhanced educational opp- Rabha, whose son was called implementation that prevents paraded naked through the hunts, too. Superstition also leads ortunities and proactive law a witch in the 1980s, owing to the practice, and addresses the village, forced to eat human to misconceptions surrounding enforcement, is needed in Assam. his mental illness, have emerged root causes that prop it. < excrement and even raped. mental health – wherein mental In 2001, the state government as true champions against In certain instances, her hair illness is perceived as making a had launched a project, Prahari, this practice. She has worked (Courtesy: Women’s Feature Service) may be cut off or tonsured; person a witch. to specifically address witch- her children ostracised. In The roots of the practice, no hunting. Under the intervention, extreme circumstances, she surprise, are couched in patriarchal health camps and awareness Women dying of burns... could even be put to death. attitudes and the constant need to programmes were initiated (Continued from page 1) Dishi Baruah, a grassroots oppose women’s rights to and over with a view to dispel the myths volunteer-activist in Assam, property. In some instances, the around women and their health. As one survivor, a young bride the doctor and policeman that who works to educate local land mafia encourages witch- Fourteen years later, in May of 22, who attempted suicide my husband doused me with communities about witch- hunts and killings in order to evict 2015, the Assam State Assembly by setting a match to her kerosene and set fire to me? If he hunting, explains, “The kind families from their own land. unanimously passed the Assam clothes, confessed, “The verbal is sent to jail, who will look after of treatment that is meted Once news spreads that the land Witch Hunting (Prohibition, harassment for more dowry my children? And if I survive, out to women who are is owned by a ‘witch’, its price Prevention and Protection) Bill. and jewellery from my parents I will have to return to him and labelled as witches is totally plummets allowing for effortless The idea was to eliminate became unbearable. I have a live with him for the rest of my inhuman. They are tortured, acquisition. rising cases of superstition younger sister to be married, her life. Where else can I go?” < raped and mistreated. If they At the same time, rising illiteracy leading to the murder of women future will be marred if I return survive the ordeal, they are and unemployment, too, create by calling them witches. to my natal home…” (Courtesy: Women’s Feature Service) left with lasting physical and opportunities for the exploitation. Under the Act, witch-hunting Another survivor shared, psychological scars that can These days, there are many who or witchcraft done with the “What was the point in telling make living a normal life con communities masquerading as intention to cause injury or harm impossible. Added to that is ojhas. They make a livelihood by to another person is punishable. the stigma that is associated offering medication or remedies In fact, all cases of witch hunting with them.” for ‘witches’. Their ‘work’ are non-bailable, cognizable and Our Journals While different reports becomes easier considering the non-compoundable offences from across India suggest that poor state of the public health and anyone who is found more than 1000 women have system, fractured development guilty is liable to serve a life been killed in the past decade and decaying infrastructure. When imprisonment sentence and for practicing ‘witchcraft’, there are no qualified doctors or fine. Aiding a person to commit Assam’s Parliamentary Affairs therapists available for treatment, suicide after intimidating, Minister Rockybul Hussain the community turns to the ojha, stigmatising, defaming and informs that in his state at who misguides them to make accusing them of being a witch To access articles least 77 women were killed money. may extend to life imprisonment from these journals, please visit and 35 women injured on the There is a third motive, which is and fine up to Rs 5 lakh. The pretext in 2010. Official cases sexual harassment. In many cases, punishments are the law may be www.pressinstitute.in were filed against witch- witches are raped, molested and severe but as Borthakur is quick May 2017 3 Odds stacked against giving children a chance of survival More than 700000 of India’s newborns continue to die within 28 days of their birth every year. In Uttar Pradesh, the neonatal mortality rate is at 49 per 1000 live births, way above the national NMR of 29. While the efforts of thousands of frontline health workers in India to save children’s lives has borne fruit in numerous cases, many have lost the battle, unable to overcome poverty, discrimination and inequality swapna majundar, from various districts in Uttar Pradesh axmi Devi was attending about the incident, I couldn’t children realise their dreams by significance of early childhood to the children at the control myself. I shouted at them sharpening its focus on these two development by determining Langanwadi (day-care and said we would not leave important aspects. “The business the association between lack centre) centre when she received until the baby was admitted. as usual approach cannot work,” of nourishment and its impact a frantic phone call. At the other Thankfully, this worked,” says he contends. on school readiness, cognitive end of the line was a woman the anganwadi worker. Bridging data gaps also plays development and educational from her village who had taken Even if the neonates manage a pivotal role, says Arsenault, outcomes. her critically ill three-day- to surmount the challenges of adding, “It may sound trivial but It is not just lack of proper old baby to the sick newborn the crucial first 28 days after it is not. This is because each nutrition that hampers the care unit (SNCU) in Lalitpur birth, there is no guarantee they Indian state is at a different level development of children. District, Uttar Pradesh. When will not be among the 3200 of development. Data can help to Denying them the opportunity the 35-year-old anganwadi children who die every day inform policies and programmes to go to school is another worker heard that the young before they turn five, especially for children.” contributing factor. Any child Photos:SM/WFS mother had been turned away, if they belong to marginalised One such initiative to not in school means s/he has been Najma Nikhat, a she immediately set off to help and vulnerable communities. collate data to enable better pushed into child labour and that community mobiliser in her. On reaching there, she While the efforts of Laxmi outreach to malnourished and is a gross violation of her rights, Ghaziabad, has helped confronted the staff and ensured and the thousands of frontline undernourished children was states Shantha Sinha, former girls dare to dream. the baby was admitted. health workers in India to save launched in September last year. chairperson of the National Thanks to the worker’s timely children’s lives has borne fruit in The comprehensive national Commission for Protection of I will be able to bring them intervention, the baby celebrated numerous cases, many have lost nutritional survey of 120000 Child Rights (NCPCR). around. However, my greatest her eighth birthday a couple of the battle, unable to overcome children in the age group of 0-19 NCPCR was able to convince achievement has been engaging months ago. But not all neonates poverty, discrimination and years initiated by UNICEF in the government to close down three young girls from the are so lucky. More than 700000 inequality. partnership with the government night schools so that children community as mobilisers. They of India’s newborns continue to So, how can these unnecessary, aims to tabulate nutrition could go to full-time formal have been able to fulfil their die within 28 days of their birth painful deaths be prevented? parameters hitherto missed. school during regular hours in dreams,” she reveals. every year. In UP, the neonatal While women like Laxmi Devi This time blood, urine and the daytime. Sinha, a recipient Of course, achieving such mortality rate (NMR) is at 49 per are making the crucial difference stool samples are being collected of the prestigious Magsaysay levels of empowerment doesn’t 1000 live births, way above the between life and death through in addition to measuring height, and Padma Shri awards for her come without its challenges. For national NMR of 29. While low their work and vigilant attitude, weight and mid-upper arm pioneering work with children, Sudha Verghese, founder of Nari weight and premature birth are ensuring equity and efficiency circumference. Since thw state- says the revolutionary step Gunjan, a Bihar-based NGO prime reasons why 26 per cent [in all government programmes] specific data will include details ensured girls got the opportunity working with the marginalised of global neonatal deaths occur can go a long way in preventing of household food security, water to attend school instead of Musahar community, there has in India, discrimination by the loss of lives, believes Louis- sanitation and socio-economic being forced to do housework been a lot of tears and heartbreak healthcare system exacerbates George Arsenault, UNICEF features, it will facilitate or engage in sibling care-aid. in the process. “Some girls, who the already fragile situation. Representative for India. greater understanding of local “Girls are no longer keeping were unable to persuade their “The mother who was turned According to him, UNICEF, conditions. quiet. They are exercising parents to allow them to pursue away was from the marginalised which turned 70 this year, would Importantly, the survey agency and questioning gender their studies instead of getting Sahariya Tribe. When I heard continue to help endangered is expected to reiterate the discrimination,” remarks Sinha. married, committed suicide. This Having role models like Najma was heartbreaking for us. The Nikhat has helped girls dare to Musahar Community believes dream. In 2008, when the 21- in early marriage and trying to year-old Nikhat first visited her change this mindset hasn’t been community in Saharanpur, UP, easy. While we have succeeded after being trained as a UNICEF to some extent, there is a long community mobiliser, questions way to go,” says Verghese, who were raised on her motives has lived with the Musahar for spending three days in a Community for 21 years. hotel where she underwent the Verghese has received a training. “I was shocked at the Padma Shri for her work with the insinuation and very disturbed. Musahars, especially works with Confidence in my abilities and the boys from the community. the support of my parents helped “They are equally important if we through that troubling phase. I are to achieve real empowerment did not give up and went back to and gender equality,” she says. work,” recalls Nikhat. Having committed to the UN The experience came in Sustainable Development Goals handy when she was promoted (SDGs), India has till 2030 to as a community mobilisation achieve the targets on reducing coordinator and sent to inequality, ending violence Ghaziabad to work in a Muslim against children and combating -dominated block. Here, Nikhat child poverty among others. < has been largely successful in persuading the community to (Courtesy: Women’s Feature Service) get their children immunised, educate girls and allow them to realise their potential. “There are six families who are still Children meant to study are forced into labour, a gross violation of child rights. reluctant but I am confident T ce, h Narayanapuram an had the wetland acres, during themonsoonmonths. just not and long year all water holds wetland The boom. IT the rampant and development the infrastructure to thanks Corporation limits, violated Greater the within most complexes the wetland among is landscape, larger this of part a 593 paltry a hectares intheearly2000s. to 1960s the in hectares 6000 of spread original had its from shrunk had marshland Earth the that evaluated Care direction. cutting across the south-westerly aquifer freshwater subterranean that its integrity is sustained by a Chennai- based marsh, Care Earth Trust estimates the of study and research almost their two-decade-long of part As lands. wet- cascading interconnected, 02 B 21, encroachments 2015, By 2002. urban in upon encroached was area its rising to sprawls, less than one percent of way giving 350 hectares. Despite agriculture to close of lake) the by irrigated two parts. into it splitting wetland acrossthe roadcuts radial 200-feet The The desiltedNarayanapuramwetland. organisations forthebettermentofsociety independent with associate to willingness government’s the of out come of can things good revival that sign a is The wetland lost. is hope all not that shows restoration, for up taken recently was which marshland, Pallikaranai massive the of part wetland, Narayanapuram The destruction. ecological of tale sorry a behind metropolises most to across India. Urbanising similar at a hurried is pace, the concrete city story spilled over its development waterways and wetlands, Chennai’s leaving bodies, water 400 than more to home Once restore awetland,showtheway Stakeholders cometogetherto seetha gopalakrishnan, 4 rgnly ped vr 64 over spread Originally Lake, Narayanapuram The cnoiain f 16 of consolidation essentially a is complex marshland Pallikaranai he ayacut (area osn o te ulc Works Public the of consent adds. the of the risk and severity the increased and only around enough all bunds encroachments strong The not floods. were 2015 the in during to breach severely complex Pallikaranai the the water-body was so first it that was compromised wetland Narayanapuram “The shower. get every which after fail without flooded of all apartment complexes, towering and plots residential houses now lake the of out carved land The hotspots. biodiversity local and regulators especially marshlands’ context, flood as role crucial urban in wetlands the of usefulness the about understanding of lack the on mostly it Vencatesanblames northern water flow from restricted the the neighbouring severely has portion, on especially incursions, flagrant with along This, two. into the it splitting lake, through cuts Road Radial Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram The the lake’s total water of spread area. acres 10.5 to close away ate ae at, ih the with Earth, Care Jayshree trustee Earth Care Chennai periya (large) eri. ud rah” she breach,” bund eri tn) and (tank) alvrm Kltu and nearby Kolathur Keelkatalai the Pallavaram, from receive to overflow designed was land higher thanacceptablelevels. much ammonia and phosphorus and nutrients in the form of nitrogen, (COD BOD) with the concentrations of demand oxygen samples elevated chemical and biological Systematic revealed water Narayanapuram from of exception. is analyses Pallikaranai no southern and Chennai’s suburbs of most for concern huge a is facilities (CSR) activity. responsibility social corporate its of part the as financially VAproject supported WABAG deterioration. company Tech further Multinational wetland from Narayanapuram the salvage to plan restoration a up relating to the responsibilities wetland rest, drew administrative whom with (PWD), Department and karuvelam naturalised species and such water as weeds Invasive invasive hyacinths. by colonised was area spread lake’swater the be pluggedsoon. to outfalls sewage expects and the issue the on sought The help corporation’s Earth. has Care organisation from Raja Vasantha S. coordinator project mentions ditch,” stinking a into into out let systematically is neighbourhood the in houses the from sewage because is sewage This contamination. domestic of the presence water indicating nutrient lake concentrations, high revealed the sample an of addition, In analysis deal. great a encroached been affected been has flow the upon, have areas the plain the of most since But reach lake. also by close ponds vrrw wes n invasive and weeds overgrown while many helped cut down the lake the from hyacinths remove to catamarans wielded few up; clean- the were in Locals involved actively lake. the within tank bund as well as in dry spots gigantea) were aplenty along the Te aaaaua wet- Narayanapuram “The sewerage proper of Lack lo aon 6 pr et of cent per 65 around Also, erukkam Pooi juliflora) (Prosopis h lk, unn it turning lake, the eri. ae from Water (Calotropis seemai restoration. The lakeinfestedwithinvasivewaterhyacinthbefore beech), Keelkattalai between and Narayanapuram channels link restore to initiated be soon will works clarifies Jayshree. Bengal Maduvu,” Okkiyam the through of Bay and the eventually and marsh Pallikaranai the into out draining before Pallavaram Narayanapuram from reaches now water encroachments, in future. Despite 2015- event a flooding prevent like to lakes the of of each out flows water the has PWD intervened in a big “The way to ensure lake. the into bodies from water neighbouring flow the straightforward. to manages water as encroachments, severe Despite not is encroachments concrete of rid easy,getting rather is intrusions Ficus.” woody native of species three and bamboo to addition in tree) lilac), tree), This included picked. were edges species, lake along plant planted “An tree be to suited best that of chosen. assortment were local species explains indigenous, Karthick and bunds prevent soilerosion. the strengthen to bodies water usually the along planted are Trees vegetation. with bund the populate to task was next the the earth, lake using excavated the strengthened and bund deepened was remove help hyacinth fromthewater-body. to mechanised with excavators in chipped corporation the Later, bushes. As an extension of the project, biotic out clearing While ln eooit Muthu ecologist Plant water-body the Once aa vembu malai iluppai er marudhu neer pungai (Mahua or butter (Indian (Indian (Arjun Jayshree’s statement. of validation fitting a as serves experiment Narayanapuram the Jayshree. insists And achieved,” be society,can civil things great organisations and science in grounding a with governmental non- in confidence its reposes administration the When with. away done be to need litigations awareness or filing public interest organisations fit just for creating to helpkeepthe groups custodian into organised that being slowly are informs residents local Vasanth exists, already marsh Pallikaranai the of protection the for federation larger a While commencement. at local residents prior to project of wetland conservation targeted (Courtesy: indiawaterportal.org) organised had training Earth and Care responsibility, ownership local a of sense inculcate To ecology. improve local to partnership NGO public-corporate- leveraging of storation is an excellent example as well asgeneralpublic. administration the by both wastelands, as perceived be to and continue will they control, flood recharge groundwater to rainwater storing from services ecosystem significant providing systems critical as categorised are hour.wetlands the Unless of and services they provide is the need the defends and ecosystems safeguards which ‘zonation’policy, proper A planning. age patterns is the root of all bad the further encroachments. tosecure prevent to on periphery wetland’s are Efforts marsh. 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May 2017 on the benefits

< Photos: SG/IWP May 2017 5 Path-breaking initiative to bridge rural-urban digital divide The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai is ready to pilot an Android application to disseminate need-based information and knowledge packages through public libraries he MS Swaminathan of these communities have Tamil and Marathi, respectively a wide range of subjects. medicinal practices and benefits Research Foundation improved. (both meaning ‘our village Translation services are also of yoga. T(MSSRF) has been work- MSSRF, which has more than news’) provide locale specific, available for wider outreach. Helplines connect the user to ing to bridge the rural-urban 16 years of experience in the proactive and demand responsive The MSSRF community papers regional experts on agriculture digital divide using Informat- community field in information to the community. have close to 3000 readers, and and fisheries. The application ion Technology. Specifically, terms of design, presentation The monthly publications are as the communities are adapting is monitored on daily, weekly, they have been focusing on and content development, widely circulated to various to the latest technologies, the monthly and annual basis, on community as used the continuous feedback audiences such as government newspaper has evolved into a various parameters. The m-CNP a means to disseminate key received from regular readers to officials, individual households mobile-Community Newspaper supports multiple languages scientific information to rural bring about qualitative changes and NGOs. (m-CNP) using an Android though it is at present available communities. Embracing techno- in the product. It evolved to a In the emerging market application. only in Tamil and Marathi. The logical advancements, it is now point where it has something scenario coloured by the The m-CNP carries general contents of the newspaper are ready to pilot a new initiative – of interest for all age groups. omnipresence of the smartphone, advisories on crop, livestock stored in the application memory m-ICE or mobile - Information The introduction of a token it is possible to meet various and fisheries management, so that the users can see them for Community Empowerment, subscription fee has enhanced needs of diverse communities government announcements, both offline and online. Users a natural progression of the the sense of value and ownership and varied stakeholders. schemes, district news and are notified when fresh content community newspaper initiative regarding the product among Through smartphone and entitlements, job opportunities, is uploaded. < that the foundation has been readers. social media applications, games for youth and children, associated with for years. The community newspapers, farmers and fisher communities information on health, diet, (Courtesy: The MS Swaminathan A part of the Repositioning aptly titled Namma Ooru Seithi can access relevant information nutrition, sanitation and hygienic Reserach Foundation) and Strengthening the Public and Amchi Gram Vartha in and educate themselves on practices, traditional healing and Libraries as Knowledge and Learning Centres of India Project implemented by MSSRF with the support of the Indian Public Library Movement and the NASSCOM Foundation, Rugby brings a whiff of fresh air, motivates the initiative hinges on the m-ICE app. An extension of a concept which has worked well girls to pursue what they want in rural communities, it will be introduced in public libraries in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra Kashmir is a male-dominant society. Women generally become victims of dominance in through library innovators. The library innovators are the state. Although recent years have seen women enjoying many of the privileges they selected through the International were earlier denied, Kashmiri society is still a long way from seeing real empowerment Network of Emerging Library Innovators (INELI, India and of women South Asia). The m-ICE app will disseminate need-based safina Nabi, Delhi information and knowledge packages that can help librarians strengthen the functioning of Soliha Yousuf, a student of Jamia Hamdard University, public libraries. started playing rugby in 2008 and has represented Jammu Technologies are now and Kashmir in national competitions. She has attended two well integrated with various national coaching camps. “Rugby requires strength, stamina, outreach programmes. Today, mental sharpness and agility. Although I take care to make globally, institutions are looking my game better, it’s my mother who takes care of my diet and at synergetic approaches to physical fitness,” says Soliha. enhance knowledge. Women in Kashmir are normally expected to become Global literacy is on the UN’s doctors and teachers, but young girls are increasingly ditching agenda, and public libraries the old trend and choosing their own fields. They are defying in various parts of the world each custom and have started do choose career options that are tapping their potential to are different from the conventional choices, be it opening a enhance community knowledge new venture for a source of revenue after studies or making a and function as learning labs. In mark in games. that sense, India is still behind In Kashmir, sport is no longer a male-only domain. More the times. women are training for and participating in different games. Photo: SN That said, India is well known In spite of social pressures, they’re choosing competitive fields. Families are also coming forward and supporting young girls Boys cheering for the girls playing in a rugby competition for its indigenous knowledge. in Gulmarg, Kashmir. The m-ICE app project is to peruse what they want. an example of how Village “My family has completely supported me throughout the Resource Centres (VRCs) at journey. It’s been four years now that I am associated with the at two times the rate of boys. They leave organised sport before MSSRF are capitalising on the sport. Even knowing the risk of injuries I might get in this sport they get many of the benefits from playing any of the games strength of traditional tools such is not holding back me or my parents,” mentions 11-year-old at an international level. “I will continue playing this game as the community newspapers. Afreen Wali, who was part of the state team that won the gold throughout my life as it keeps me fit and happy. More than Community newspapers have medal in the 3rd National Snow Rugby 7’s championship that that, it helps me to break all the stereotypes too,” says Muskan emerged as efficient channels was held recently in Gulmarg, Kashmir. Winning the match Latif, an 11th Standard student who is playing rugby for the for disseminating key scientific was great, but the proud moment was when male members past three years. < information to rural communities cheered for the women. in Maharashtra and in the Union The challenge is encouraging girls to stay in the game. By Territory of Puducherry. As a the time girls are 20 years and above, they drop out of sports result, the lives and livelihood giving themanewleaseoflife Rescuing traffickedgirlsand the morning. My first job was job first My morning. the in early very up woke and pm 7 at slept everybody almost where city quiet a was Jamnagar ment. develop- and growth overall my for foundation the laid city the Even though it was small city, but first your job? was up What growing years? your during in business. to shifted Mumbai in 1991 we to start our own and service his later,from resigned husband my years Few courses. MA and BA my completed I Ahmedabad, In 1982. in in-laws, my with stay to to Ahmedabad shifted Standard I exam 10th my After completing exam. Standard after 9th soon my person, military a married to Balakrishna Acharya, got I 1981, In Alzheimer’s. got mom my Later, place. in-laws her at suicide committed sister dad died very early and my elder We had a tough childhood as my 1973. in Jamnagar to shifted we became difficult to stay in the village. So it and women village rape to where used personnel cases military tanks. hear to their used We keep by to used military were lands farm our 1971, Warof India-Pakistan the (five brothers siblings and two sisters). During seven border. were India-Pakistan We the to close was home our and Gujarat personality? your shaped that experiences early years. the of some were early What and childhood T about herlifeandthedailychallenges Nepal, West Bengal and other parts of India. Her name is Triveni Balakrishna and she spoke to from trafficked are who girls rehabilitating and rescuing of task the challenge a as take and odds the brave to woman one is there However, practice. the prevent to action to comes it when striking is nations most of is not discussed much in society; it is also not a subject that attracts much social activism. The complacency Despite the fact that human trafficking is the third biggest organised crime after illegal arm trade and drugs, it l u aot oref your yourself, about us ell 6 I wasbroughtupinJamnagar. based you were city Which I was born in Kutch District of Photo: SN Triveni Acharya withtwo oftherehabilitated girls. Radhabhai my first assignment was to cover a As at journalist course. Journalism finished my I Samachar, at Gujarat working While in Samachar. reader proof a as aarsn cud’ lae he leave; couldn’t others.” Balakrishna the for responsibility take Don’t leave. and for are here you girl the take “Just us, dignity.told of sternly cops The life forward and liberation came for begging girls more 13 leaving, were they as Just back. girl the bring to went friend his who along with Balakrishna and will try.” “I sigh, a with replied I me. told to help her escape,” Balakrishna journalist and you should be able her.marry to “Youwanted a are and Kamathipura from girls the his had fallen in love with one of my husband said that a friend of later, days few Atoo. saddened was he and husband, my with experience my shared I home, returning On disgust. of sense one of those houses, I felt a deep of hall the in Standing brothels. randomly strolled into one of the had been never an to that area and I for I day, that to area Prior assignment. light second red largest Asia’s Kamathipura, you did start rescuing girls? how – Foundation chawl alsosuffered. Radhabai and devastating were Jogeshwari. at Unfortunately, the Mumbai riots stay) people employed but small poor where units of comprising building gt n oc wt te cops the with touch in got I in was I and 1993 was It the about talk Let’s chawl Gujarat Samachar,Gujarat (residential Gujarat Rescue u ivsiao hls our operation. rescue the helps plan rescued, to team rescue be investigator to our gives consent she her and Once beautiful progressive. very is the outside brothel world the that her ‘in- convince counselling’to brothel her provides investigator Our rescued. be to consent her need we and prostitute to forced her confirmation that she is being if she is above 18 years, we need but consent her without directly rescued be can she years, 18 of Pune orDelhi. Thane, Mumbai, of our dedicated brothels in girls these girls, locate and investigators missing experienced the of photographs and description the on India, Based Nepal. or in Bangladesh either family a from missing is complaints girl particular We a that receive too. challenges regularly new so it becomeevenmore difficult? has or easier any become girls Has the process faced of saving so. these or years 15 past have the since you challenges other regions. rehabilitation of girls from many and rescue of task the escalate later, to years born was Foundation Rescue few to A over NGO. them the hand the and rescue girls would We Nepal. from were girls the of the majority because Mumbai in Nepal Maithi of branch a opened we could 1996, In pockets. own our we from whatever spending years, three about for capacity to rehabilitate girls. started and store electronic his down shut He cause. the for by this and decided he must work life. Balakrishna was new encouraged a stated and rehabilitation for NGO the to sent were girls The sex-trafficking. from NGO girls Nepal-based a named Maithi Nepal that rescued to out reached We Nepal. from were not planned. had we something of start the was This home. Kandivali our in girls 13 rehabilitating up was very sensitive and we ended f h gr i blw h age the below is girl the If day, new a is day Every the been have What limited Weour within worked most girls, 13 these Among keep itburning. will we and tomorrow better a for torch the lit have We arise. aneed when over take to staff my prepared I’ve me. or without with The continue brothel. will mission a raiding attacked being when about worry I felt to cope? have must scared, how have you managed you when swift the team andthepolice. amongst help communications networks phone Mobile us. than organised advanced and more are traffickers the that understand should We used majorly in such operations. time. right are mobiles or cameras the Hidden at gadgets of requires also using in knowledge appropriate but courage of lot requires of only not designs traffickers evil the from girls innocent rescue Rescuing our operations. in role important made thingseasier? this? of all in played of womenrescuedeachyear. number the to compared adequate when not are Government Central by character. provided funds The loose with as upon women looked are innocent, ostracised. although girls, are these Generally they that fact the and workers sex to attached stigma has social with deal also effort to rehabilitation The challenge. another is girls the of anti-social the anti-traffickingactivities. with unhappy from are who elements resistance enormous and threats are frequent there - easy not is task the brothels across Maharashtra. But from rescued been all have they that is them binds that thing one The counselling. and psychological training vocational given minors, who are being educated, six- a Nearly storey building in Poisar, mostly in housed are and girls will. 100 personal courage deep rescuing requires and them girls torture and mental physical the to subjected are prostitution, into dnt er het, o do nor threats, fear don’t I times been have must There an played has Technology technology has role What Sensitising people to the plight girls the force to order In s it Has turn tofor support? give mestrengthtodomore. faces smiling Their girls. these am availableforanyinputs. I but interfere, don’t I which in a specific has power and responsibility superintendent shelter home’s Each goal. common a combined effort to work towards a it’s and work team in believe I locations. these from rescued girls areas accommodate to these order in in homes shelter of construction the in resulted in Thane, Pune and Delhi, which cases in spurt a been has There Kandivali. in home shelter first its got Foundation Rescue and donated a seven-storied building managed tomakeithappen? risen. have homes protective of number the guidance your under that dignity insociety. of life a live and families their with them reintegrate rehabilitate and them to helping in also but home protective the to them bringing and girls the rescuing Foundation order). members not only work towards court to (according parents her to over major,a is she her hand we then If herself. self-sustain can she selling craft production, products, etc so that milk farming, her teach we where under protection is our she 18 of age the till minor,then a is girl rescued a if courts the depending from case to case. So of orders and law the girlswhoare rescued? rehabilitate to do Foundation I turnwithin(tomyself). In difficult times who do you among being peace find I What keepsyougoing? person noble a 2003, In e information The the to according work We does What Rs. 180for12issues Subscribe to Safina Nabi w ae you have How May 2017 ae is have I Rescue < May 2017 7

A Journal of Of gun power and the 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 trauma of fisher folk www.pressinstitute.in Director & Editor A boldly-executed feature film inspired by the stark reality of the lives of poor fishermen Sashi Nair [email protected] who eke out a living on the Loktak Lake in Manipur has bagged a national award. Assistant Editor Haobam Paban Kumar’s debut feature film, Loktak Lairembee, better known as Lady Susan Philip

of the Lake, won the National Award for The Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Assistant Manager Preservation at the 64th National Film Awards presented recently to honour the best & Editorial Coordinator R. Suseela films of 2016 [email protected] Design and Layout shoma a. chatTerji, Seetha Ramesh he first Manipuri film the Golden Conch for the Best The 82-minute plot is was made only in 1972, Documentary at MIFF in 2016. loosely based on the short Senior Manager - Accounts and this says a lot about The film is based on life story, Nongmei, by Sudhir & Administration T in the Loktak Lake and the the guts, perseverance and Naoroibam. Nongmei addresses N. Subramanian determination that went into the prevailing conflict situation in the ongoing armed conflict in [email protected] making of Loktak Lairembee, Manipur. It tells the story of a Manipur by posing a question: shot almost entirely at the lake fisherman named Tomba, who what if an ordinary citizen Manager - Advertising, from which it takes its name. lives with his family in a hut suddenly got his hands on a Administration “The film brings out the nuances built on phum (floating biomass) gun? & Library Services in the Loktak. He and all the R. Geetha of an environmental issue in a “Sometimes, it is about getting [email protected] heart-wrenching and touching other locals who are fishermen the right rhythm,” says Paban Photos: SC/KIFF 2016 manner,” reads the citation. live under the constant threat of Kumar. “Floating Life was in a Office Assistant But Lady of the Lake, which, eviction by the government. The way, a rehearsal for the feature Haobam Paban Kumar, B. Rajendran incidentally, Paban Kumar has fear keeps Tomba confined to his film because I was planning to the producer and director. produced and directed, goes far hut while his wife, Thambalsang, shoot my feature in the same beyond this. toils to make a living. The film location with real people acting situations. Deep in my mind I The Press Institute of India does not take National awards are nothing had its world premiere at the in it. I think they are two very was convinced that this was the responsibility for returning unsolicited perfect set-up for my fictional material. It may not always be possible new for Paban Kumar, well 10-day 21st Busan International different independent films, not to reply to senders of unsolicited known for the documentaries Film Festival and has been because of genres but because of piece. So I started shooting the material. Opinions expressed in this he has been making for the past screened at various national and the narrative. The documentary documentary and slowly shaped publication do not necessarily reflect decade or more. Almost all of international film festivals. is about the struggle of fisherfolk my story using the crisis of the the views of the editor or publisher. them deal with contemporary Lady of the Lake appears to be for survival whereas the feature lake.” issues in Manipur. One of his slow but if one follows the real- film is about the fear psychosis “My stories come from my Every effort has been taken to assure films, AFSPA 1958, dealt with life drama that unfolds layer by that leads to unnecessary contemporary life in Manipur that the accuracy of information the controversial Act of that layer, one realises the tragedy of conflict,” says the unassuming and when I was planning contained in this publication is based what could be called the lives my feature film, gun power on reliable sources. All trademarks and name, and won the Jury Award and grounded Kumar. trade names mentioned in this magazine and the FIPRESCI (International of the living dead, people who Asked how Lady of the Lake became the central idea. Tomba belong to their respective owners. In Federation of Film Critics) Prize struggle to just stay alive. Who happened, Paban Kumar says, “I and Tambalsang are a real- case of error editor/publisher shall not at the Mumbai International is the ‘lady’ of the lake? Is she went with an environmentalist life married couple living on be liable for any loss or prejudice caused for real? Is she surreal? Is she Loktak and making a living by to the reader. The publisher reserves the Film Festival in 2006. It also friend to the lake for a recce copyright of the materials published in won the Swarna Kamal for the the product of the fantasising of for my feature film. We were fishing. My protagonist and his the magazine. No part of the articles or Best Documentary at the 56th Tomba? Tomba lives in mortal shocked to find that the entire community are already fighting photographs can be reproduced without National Film Awards 2008. fear always and this fear spills floating village we were bound a losing battle against the the prior permission of the publisher. over to the ‘lady’ who he alone authorities who always come with All disputes will be subjected to the Another documentary, Mr for had been burnt down. I jurisdiction of Chennai only. India, about a HIV+ man who can see sometimes. immediately began to shoot, guns and big machines. While becomes a bodybuilder after This is the lyrical touch in the keeping a documentary in working on the documentary learning about his status, also film, enriching its texture, that mind. Besides, I had I was plagued by the constant Advertisement Tariff won a national award. otherwise plays out very much been planning to do fear about what would happen It was Kumar’s documentary like a documentary. my fictional piece if they took up arms. In the film this becomes very important for Full Page: B&W: Rs. 5,000 Floating Life that formed the the way I do my Colour: Rs. 10,000 basis for Lady of the Lake. documentaries, the characters, as nothing seems Floating Life documented the with real to work in their favour and they tremendous struggle of the fisher people and have to somehow save their Half Page: B&W: Rs. 3,000 community in Loktak Lake b a s e d home and survive,” he sums up. Colour: Rs. 5,000 and it won almost all the top on real To my mind, the most amazing awards in the country including aspect of the film is the way it Mechanical Details has been shot – the placing of the Bleed : 254 mm x 355 mm camera for example, the shots of the lake below the surface, the Material can be sent by email to surrealistic, hazy image of the [email protected] or by ‘lady’ and so on. Lady of The CD to our address given above Lake was made with the help of friends and erstwhile film school Annual Subscription classmates, who contributed their time, skills and resources. 12 Issues Rs. 180 It is a beautiful film despite its stark and sharp critique 36 Issues Rs. 500 of the lop-sided perspective Please note that the cheque or on ‘development’ that the demand draft or at par cheque establishment nurtures and payable in Chennai, for the promotes at the cost of the lives subscription amount should and survival of a community. < be drawn in the name of Press Institute of India ONLY and NOT Ningthoujam Sanatomba plays the protagonist in Lady of the Lake. in the name of the Grassroots.

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 8 Registered with The Registrar of Newspapers for India under TNENG/2009/27557