EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Children in News Prof. Imtiaz Ahmad A Selection of Articles and News Clippings on Children Sociologist Former Faculty of JNU, Dept. of Sociology, Delhi Vol. XXVII, 2016 This isssue is supported by Misereor, Germany Dr. Nasreen Fazalbhoy Mumbai University, Former Faculty, Dept. of Sociology Mr. Colin Gonsalves CONTENTS Director, HRLN
Justice R.S. Narula Former Chief Justice Editorial 2 Punjab and Haryana High Court About the issue 4 Dr. Vasanthi Raman Sociologist and Activist Special Feature : Children and Social Exclusion 5
Ms. Vidya Ben Shah Theme Articles 6 Former Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board Newspapers & Magazines Covered 40 Editor-in-Chief Children and Society 41 Ms. Rita Panicker Director, Butterfiles Child Abuse and Neglect 50 Editorial Collective & Documentation Shinu Joseph, Sakshi Manocha Children and Law 72
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CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 1 Editorial
Dear Readers Social exclusion and discrimination are harsh realities affecting the life of children across the globe. K. Duffy (1995) defined social exclusion as: “low material means and the inability to participate effectively in economic, social, and cultural life, and, in some characteristics, alienation and distance from the mainstream society”. Social exclusion incorporates multidimensional aspects of deprivations and basis of which varies from gender, caste, class, religion, ethnicity, region, etc. Social exclusion can take many forms, with children reporting a range of experiences from being deliberately excluded from the communities on the basis of social inequalities of caste, class, gender and also disability. These social inequalities have been identified as the major causes for the social exclusion and discrimination among children in India. For instance, Caste is one of the prominent forms of social exclusion and discrimination in India. A study titled ‘Blind Spots to the Polio Eradication Endgame: Measuring the Limitations of Polio Vaccination Delivery in Dalit Communities in Gujarat’ commissioned by a Seattle based NGO, East West Management Institute (EWMI) in 2013 found that a fifth of Dalit Children (20 per cent) in rural Gujarat did not get polio drops due to untouchability (Indian Express, 2nd April 2013). Such instances highlight the debilitating effect of exclusion and discrimination on the holistic development and wellbeing of children. The disadvantaged population in our country has to face multiple discriminations and are excluded from different development programmes. There are ample evidences of the practices of discrimination against the children from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, most vulnerable people of our nation in different spheres and varied forms. Educational disparities, which contribute a great deal to the persistence of the massive inequalities in Indian society, also largely derive from more fundamental inequalities such as those of class, caste and gender (Dreeze, 2003). A large population of the children from the poor socioeconomic backgrounds and socially disadvantaged groups is either denied access to school or failing to complete elementary education. Large majority of children, particularly from the Dalit, Adivasi or Muslim communities, and children with disabilities, drop out without completing elementary education or school education till class X due to extreme poverty. The India Exclusion Report 2013-14 anchored by the Centre for Equity Studies, New Delhi corroborates the same that poverty is the main reason for the exclusion of children from the education. According to the report that in 2012-13, the Net Enrolment Ratio of school children was estimated to be 90.78 percent at the primary level, but fell to 62.24 percent at the upper primary level. The report also shows that poorer children have lower educational participation indicators like enrollment and attendance, and higher dropout rates. ‘Children, Social Exclusion and Development’ – working paper published by Institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi in 2009 reports that there are also classroom processes that tend to deny Dalits fair participation in curriculum transaction and give them a voice in classroom discourse. The study highlights the labeling by teachers of Dalit children as ‘weak’, giving them inadequate pedagogic attention and the failure to give them the confidence to ask questions and clarifications in class. Such studies reveal that schools can be sites for exclusion of children from marginal groups. Exclusion from education will not only lower the self-esteem of the child but will also negatively
2 BUTTERFLIES shape the way he/she will position him/her self in the social world and participate in the society. Thus, schools should generate a conducive and welcoming atmosphere for the marginalized, deprived and socially disadvantaged groups. It would motivate the first generation learners to be the part of the education. Education would help them to come out of the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy and poverty. Right to Education Act 2009, various schemes and scholarships by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD), Government of India are envisioned and instrumental to attain the compulsory elementary education. Children on the street also suffers a whole range of significant deprivations. It includes homelessness, isolation, compulsion to work in unsafe and unhygienic conditions, denial of food, malnutrition, violence, harassment of law enforcing agencies and sexual abuse. Further, they have the denial or low access to schooling. For the children who spend a greater part of the day in school, experiences of discrimination, neglect, biasness or prejudice, and ill-treatment from teachers and peers would result in the drop out or frequently absent out of fear , insult or harassment. Exclusion of marginalised children from the mainstream society and system may bring about the deep estrangement and isolation of the children and their families. It would create unfavorable consequences for the child, school, family and society. However, it is imperative to make efforts and create ample opportunities for the social inclusion of the children. This issue of the ‘Children in News’ is dedicated to the theme ‘Children and Social Exclusion’. The leading articles highlight the prominent forms of social exclusion and discrimination and also challenges faced by the deprived and vulnerable sections of the society.
Editor-in-Chief Rita Panicker
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 3 The theme for this issue is Children and Social Exclusion
Play, recreation and sports are considered to be cornerstone of children’s health and well-being Playing together provides oppor- tunities for social, moral as well as emotional development.
4 BUTTERFLIES SPECIAL FEATURE
Children and Social Exclusion
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 5 Social exclusion and school participation in India : Expanding access with equity* Rangachar Govinda • Madhumita Bandyopadhyay
Abstract growth trajectory of elementary education in the country. In recent years, increased demand and The first factor is the increased direct massive expansion have brought into Indian involvement of the central government in schools huge numbers of children who might not strengthening the infrastructure and delivery of have attended in the past. Still, large numbers, elementary education since the adoption of the and specific groups, of children remain excluded National Policy on Education 1986 (GoI 1986), from schooling for various reasons, jeopardizing which stands out as a landmark in educational equitable access to elementary education. Further policy making. The 1986 policy established accentuating this inequity in provision, the quality the central government as the prime mover of education remains deeply unsatisfactory, in designing and implementing development particularly for children from disadvantaged initiatives in elementary edu-cation in many groups. This article explores the dimensions and states, though the situation is far from uniform issues related to exclusion from education and across the country. the policies and actions required to make edu- The second factor is the adoption of the district cational expansion more equitable, which would as the base for planning development inputs for contribute to pluralism and harmony and promote elementary education and the concurrent move greater social cohesion. to decentralize governance by empowering local Keywords self-governance mechanisms through panchayati raj (local government) institutions. This second Social exclusion School participation India factor has added a new dimension to the multi- Access to education Equity layered planning and implementation framework Nearly 60 years ago, India made a and created new dynamics at the grassroots constitutional commitment to provide free and level. com-pulsory education to all children up to age The third factor that has begun to significantly 14. The goal, which it expected to achieve by reshape the elementary education scene is 1960, still remains elusive. On the other hand, the massive social mobilization drive that the recent developments have had a significant elementary education sector has taken up during impact on the situation, raising the hope that the last 10–15 years under the auspices of the universal basic education can become a reality National Literacy Mission. This has resulted in within a reasonable period of time. Three factors increased demand for elementary education, and seem to be making a distinct difference in the at the same time has sub-stantially enhanced the
* Article originally published online by UNESCO Prospects (2010) 40:337–354 This article is based on a longer monograph, Access to primary education in India: Country analytical review, published in 2008 under the auspices of the Consortium for Research in Educational Access, Transition and Equity (CREATE) and available at www. create-rpc.org/publications/cars/ .
R. Govinda M. Bandyopadhyay (&) National University of Educational Planning and Administration, 17-B Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110016, India, e-mail: [email protected] R. Govinda e-mail: [email protected] 6 BUTTERFLIES 338 R. Govinda, M. Bandyopadhyay
educational policy making. The 1986 policy established the central government as the prime mover in designing and implementing development initiatives in elementary edu- cation in many states, though the situation is far from uniform across the country. The second factor is the adoption of the district as the base for planning development inputs for elementary education and the concurrent move to decentralize governance by empowering local self-governance mechanisms through panchayati raj (local government) institutions. This second factor has added a new dimension to the multi-layered planning role of non-state actors in providing elementary some with a single room and a single teacher. educationand implementation and support services framework in the andcountry. created newThe dynamics Seventh All-India at the grassroots Educational level. WhileThe the third increased factor thatdemand has begun and tomassive significantly Survey reshape (NCERT the elementary 2005) found education that 15% scene of all expansionis the massiveduring recent social mobilizationyears have drivebrought that theprimary elementary schools education in the country sector had has takenonly a up single moreduring children the into last the 10–15 folds yearsof schooling, under the the auspices task teacher. of theNational Literacy Mission. This has is far resultedfrom complete. in increased Large groups demand of for children elementary are education, and at the same time has sub- still excludedstantially from enhanced schooling the for role various of non-state reasons, actors Enrolment in providing and elementary participation education of and jeopardizingsupport their services equitable in the access country. to elementary children in school education. Further accentuating this inequity, While the increased demand and massive expansionAccording during to data recent available years have at broughtthe national the quality of education provided remains quite more children into the folds of schooling, thelevel, task ismost far fromparts complete.of the country Large have groups achieved of unsatisfactory, particularly for children from children are still excluded from schooling for variousnear universal reasons, jeopardizingenrolment, theiras equitableindicated by disadvantaged groups. In this article we explore the Gross Enrolment Ratios (GER). Between the criticalaccess toissues elementary related education. to exclusion Further from accentuating this inequity, the quality of education 2001–2002 and 2004–2005, the GER of the educationprovided and remainsthe policies quite and unsatisfactory, actions required particularly for children from disadvantaged groups. 6–14 age group increased from 96.30 to 108.56 to makeIn this educational article we expansion explore the more critical equitable, issues related to exclusion from education and the at the primary level and from 52.09 to 70.51 at whichpolicies would contribute and actions to requiredpluralism to and make harmony educational expansion more equitable, which would the upper primary level. The overall increase in and promotecontribute greater to pluralism social cohesion. and harmony and promote greater social cohesion. the number of children in elementary schools Elementary education in India: An also includes those who are enrolled in private overview schools and in small schools like those run under Elementary education in India: An overviewthe government’s Education Guarantee Scheme/ In recent years, the number of schools in Alternative and Innovative Education (EGS/ India Inhas recent grown years, phenomenally, the number alongside of schools a inrapid India AIE), has grown as explained phenomenally, below. However, alongside national a rapid and increaseincrease in enrolment in enrolment and and numbers numbers of ofteaching teaching local staff government at the primary bodies and upper continue primary to be levels the main staff (seeat the Table primary1). As and of 2005, upper a primary primary school levels (up providers, to grade 5) managing existed in around 87% of habitations91% of the andprimary (see anTable upper 1). primaryAs of 2005, school a primary (up to gradeschool 8) (up in 78%schools (NCERT and 73%2005 of). Expansionupper primary of schoolingschools. to gradefacilities 5) existed has continued in 87% in of recent habitations years, althoughand aA substantial relatively proportionsmall number of these of arechildren small are an upperschools, primary some school with a(up single to grade room 8) and in a78% single enrolled teacher. Thein Seventhschools All-Indiafunctioning Educational under the (NCERT 2005). Expansion of schooling facilities government’s EGS/AIE scheme. In 2005–2006, has continued in recent years, although a over 111,000 EGS centres were reaching out to substantial proportion of these are small schools, more than 4 million children. Over 3 million other Table 1 Progress in education since 1950 Indicators 1950–1951 2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003 2004–2005 2005–2006
No. of elementary schools 223,600 845,007 883,667 897,109 1,042,251 10,61,061 No. of teachers in elementary 0.624 3.22 3.39 3.49 3.75 3.85 schools (in millions) Enrolment in primary schools 19.2 113.83 113.90 122.4 130.8 132 (in millions) Enrolment in upper primary 3.00 42.81 44.80 46.9 51.2 52.2 schools (in millions) Enrolment in elementary 22.20 156.64 158.70 169.3 182.0 184.2 schools (in millions) Average pupil: teacher ratio at 41 39 38 40 41 40 elementary stage Source: GoI (2007a, b)
123 CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 7 Social exclusion and school participation in India 339
Survey (NCERT 2005) found that 15% of all primary schools in the country had only a single teacher.
Enrolment and participation of children in school
According to data available at the national level, most parts of the country have achieved near universal enrolment, as indicated by the Gross Enrolment Ratios (GER). Between 2001–2002 and 2004–2005, the GER of the 6–14 age group increased from 96.30 to 108.56 at the primary level and from 52.09 to 70.51 at the upper primary level. The overall increase in the number of children in elementary schools also includes those who are enrolled in private schools and in small schools like those run under the government’s Education Guarantee Scheme/Alternative and Innovative Education (EGS/AIE), as explained below. However, national and local government bodies continue to be the main providers, managing around 91% of the primary schools and 73% of upper primary schools. childrenA relatively also benefi smallted from number the various of children activities are and enrolled Scheduled in schools Tribes (ST) functioning living in underrural areas, the conductedgovernment’s under EGS/AIE the AIE scheme scheme. (GoI In 2005–2006,2007b), especially over 111,000 if they are EGS girls. centres The situation were reaching for some introducedout to more in 2000 than with 4 million federal children. funding to Over extend 3 millionreligious other minorities children is alsoalso benefitedquite disappointing. from the alternative education opportunities where regular The recent Sachar Committee report (GoI 2006a) formalvarious schools activities did conductednot exist or under could the not AIE be scheme has pointed (GoI 2007bout that), the introduced situation of in children 2000 with from establishedfederal funding for various to extend reasons. alternative The children education the opportunities Muslim minority where community regular seems formal to schools be even studyingdid not existin these or couldfacilities not are be establishedexpected to forjoin various worse reasons. than that The of SCs children and STs. studying in these thefacilities mainstream are expected schools to eventually. join the mainstream Although schoolsAs the eventually. 2001 census Although data presented these facilities in Table 3 thesehave providedfacilities have opportunities provided toopportunities some children to whoshows, would despite otherwise efforts during be deprived, the last six questions decades, someremain children about who the would equity otherwise and quality be deprived, of this schemethe spread and aboutof education the proportions among the ofMuslims children has questions remain about the equity and quality of remained quite unsatisfactory. While rural–urban thiswho scheme finish and and about find theythe proportions can successfully of children join differences the mainstream. exist across all social groups, they who finish and find they can successfully join the are significantly worse for the Muslim population mainstream.Inequities in elementary education in both rural and urban areas. This is also corroborated by independent observations in Inequities in elementary education Recent years have witnessed positive developmentsother studies. with For respect instance, to the girls’ SRI (2005) education. survey Recent years have witnessed positive reported that the estimated percentages of out- However, the overall difference in the enrolmentof-school ratio children between are boys highest and among girls remains Muslims at at developmentsaround 10 percentage with respect points. to girls’ The situationeducation. is worse at the upper primary stage as less than However, the overall difference in the enrolment 9.97%; the situation is even more pronounced ratio60% between of girls boys are and enrolled girls remains at this stage.at around A similarfor Muslims problem in rural of inequityareas at 12.03%, in coverage the highest and 10participation percentage canpoints. be observedThe situation with is respect worse toat differentpercentage social among groups all social traditionally groups. identified theas upper underprivileged, primary stage as as Table less than2 shows. 60% of girls Some special initiatives are currently being are enrolled at this stage. A similar problem of implemented to bridge the gap between boys and inequity in coverage and participation can be girls and also between different social groups and observed with respect to different social groups between rural and urban areas: Table 2 Gross enrollment ratio (GER) by social group Year GER of scheduled castes (SC) GER of scheduled tribes (ST)
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
2000–2001 97.3 75.5 86.8 102.5 73.5 88.0 2001–2002 95.7 74.6 85.5 99.8 77.3 88.9 2002–2003 87.1 74.4 81.1 86.7 73.9 80.5 2003–2004 88.95 77.15 83.35 90.58 81.10 86.06 2004–2005 106.5 90.3 98.8 108.5 95.8 102.4 2005–2006 109.5 93.7 101.9 112 101 106.8 Source: GoI (2007a, 2008) traditionally identified as underprivileged, as yy The government has recently identified more Table 2 shows. than 3,000 educationally backward123 blocks The aggregate data in Table 2 is not broken down into urban and rural figures. The situation is (administrative units below state and district) worse for children of the Scheduled Castes (SC) that merit greater attention while implementing
8 BUTTERFLIES 340 R. Govinda, M. Bandyopadhyay
The aggregate data in Table 2 is not broken down into urban and rural figures. The situation is worse for children of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) living in rural areas, especially if they are girls. The situation for some religious minorities is also quite disappointing. The recent Sachar Committee report (GoI 2006a) has pointed out that the situation of children from the Muslim minority community seems to be even worse than that of SCs and STs. As the 2001 census data presented in Table 3 shows, despite efforts during the last six decades, the spread of education among the Muslims has remained quite unsatisfactory. While rural–urban differences exist across all social groups, they are significantly worse forvarious the Muslim educational population schemes in both including rural and urbandominated areas. blocks This is and also 441 corroborated in ST-dominated by independentthe National observations Programme in otherof Education studies. Forof instance,blocks. the SRI (2005) survey reported that theGirls estimated at Elementary percentages Level of (NPEGEL) out-of-school (GoI children These are highestefforts to among minimize Muslims gender at and 9.97%; social inequity have helped to bring large num-bers of the[Government situation is of even India] more 2007b, pronounced p. 21). for Muslims in rural areas at 12.03%, the highest percentage among all social groups. children from disadvantaged groups into school, yy Approximately 354,000 anganwadis (child but not all of them are receiving quality education. Some special initiatives are currently being implemented to bridge the gap between care centres) and 50,000 early child care Apart from the lack of physical facilities, in almost boys and girls and also between different social groups and between rural and urban areas: education (ECCE) centres are being every state, the trained teachers with higher qualifications are generally concentrated in urban supportedThe government in areas has that recently do not identified have the more than 3,000 educationally backward blocks • areas. This is probably why the average pupil-to- Integrated(administrative Child Development units below stateService, and a district)teacher thatratio is merit higher greater in rural areas attention than in while urban federallyimplementing funded programme, various educational to help free schemesgirls ones, including though the the rural National areas Programmealso have many of fromEducation sibling care of Girls so they at Elementary can attend Levelschools (NPEGEL) schools with (GoI small [Government enrolments. of India] 2007b, A further compounding factor is that in some regularly.p. 21). • Approximately 354,000 anganwadis (childstates, care centres)more and and more 50,000 para-teachers early child (Siksha care yy Free uniforms have been provided to about karmis) are being appointed in rural primary and 20education million girls (ECCE) in the Educationally centres are being Backward supported upper in primary areas thatschools do noton a have contract the basis Integrated and with Child Development Service, a federally funded programme, to help free girls from Blocks. much lower salaries than the regular teachers. As sibling care so they can attend schools regularly.the PROBE team (1999) found, the para-teacher yy A scheme launched in 2004, the Kasturba • Free uniforms have been provided to aboutinitiative 20 millionis resulting girls in a in pattern the Educationally where deprived Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), provides Backward Blocks. children are taught by poorly-qualified, low-paid residential schooling facilities for girls in para-teachers, while those from privileged families • A scheme launched in 2004, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), provides upper primary schools, mainly in areas with are more likely to be taught by a regular teacher. residential schooling facilities for girls in upperGovinda primary and Josephine schools, (2004, mainly p. in 42) areas also with argue predominantly underprivileged communities. predominantly underprivileged communities.that Over‘‘the 2,075schools…targeted residential KGBVfor employment schools Overhave 2,075 been residential sanctioned KGBV in areas schools with largelyhave SC/STof contract and minorityteachers populations.are those where According children beento the sanctioned Annual Reportin areas of with the Ministrylargely SC/ of Humanfrom the Resources poorer sections Development of the (GoIsociety2007b study., STp. and 22) minority 428 KGBVs populations. have been According set up to in Muslim-dominatedThus it would exacerbate blocks inequity and 441in the in society ST- by creating classes of government schools with thedominated Annual Report blocks. of the Ministry of Human different kinds of teachers for different classes of Resources Development (GoI 2007b, p. 22) population’’. 428 KGBVs have been set up in Muslim-
Table 3 Education level of Muslims, compared to all Indians, by percentage Area Group Literate, education Some Full Middle Secondary Some higher Graduate level unknown primary primary secondary and above
All areas All 3.6 25.8 26.2 16.1 14.1 7.5 6.7 Muslim 4.5 31.9 29.0 15.1 11.0 4.9 3.6 Rural All 4.0 30.4 28.3 16.2 12.1 5.5 3.4 Muslim 5.2 37.5 28.9 14.5 8.7 3.2 2.0 Urban All 2.7 17.5 22.3 15.8 17.7 11.0 12.8 Muslim 3.6 24.6 29.0 16.0 13.9 7.2 5.6 Source: Census of India (2001)
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 9 123 Social exclusion and schooling: A p. 8). Since education is essential if people are conceptual framework to access resources and use them effectively, denial of educational opportunities definitely Exclusion from educational services is causes social exclusion. As Popay et al. (2006, multidimensional; it results from a combination of p. 7) write, ‘‘exclusionary processes impact in factors. For example, when any individual or group different ways to differing degrees on different is excluded, the main cause may appear to be groups and/or societies at particular times’’. poverty, but other kinds of disadvantages such as The exclusion1 of children from formal social norms, cultural biases, and social relations schooling, effectively denying them the right to are often strong contributory factors. The degree an education, requires careful analysis. Children and nature of exclusion depends largely on how who fail to benefit from formal school education social institutions like schools function and on the do not constitute a monolithic group. For some, existing social relations among different groups. school is genuinely outside their reach in physical As Klasen (2001, p. 5) states, ‘‘[a]pplying terms. Some others fail to attend school, even if ‘social exclusion’ to children necessitates further it is available nearby, for social and economic considerations. Since children are citizens who reasons. Some enroll in school, but do not are entitled to rights and capabilities in their physically participate, frequently being absent. own right, ‘social exclusion’ is an issue violating Yet others leave school without completing their rights and capabilities directly’’. Further, he even the lower pri-mary cycle of 5 years. Some insists, failure to meet any of the rights mentioned complete 5 years of schooling, but do not move in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, into the upper primary cycle. Some are officially for whatever reasons, could then be seen as on the school rolls but not engaged in learning evidence of social exclusion, as all of these rights activities; thus they are mentally absent from address the child’s ability to interact with society class and unable to benefit from the schooling on equal terms. process. Many of these children may complete In the context of education, exclusion must be the lower primary or even upper primary schooling understood as a process, not just an event. Many in physical terms, but fail to acquire the essential preceding events shape the life of the individual cognitive capabilities. child who is excluded from the educational Different categories of children who are system. Some of these events are located in out of school could possibly be from different the family, some in the community and the peer socio-economic backgrounds and bear different group, and many in the school where the child is personal profiles, and interact with the school supposed to be studying. Thus we must capture system in unique ways. Understanding the the many events that surround and affect the underlying dynamics that defines this interactive child’s life (Govinda and Bandyopadhyay 2008). process between the school and the child Educational exclusion is closely associated would require a disaggregated analysis of the with social exclusion, which has been explored phenomenon of school participation, considering by other researchers (Sayeed and Soudien the different categories of children who attempt 2003; Sen 1999; Subrahmanian 2003). Most to benefit from schooling under widely varying notably, social exclusion is linked with the denial circumstances. of equal opportunities to different groups with On the whole, a child’s journey through the different social backgrounds (De Haan 1999; age-grade ladder of the formal school is a complex Thorat 2003). Social exclusion is seen as ‘‘lack of one, punctuated by multiple cracks and crevices access to resources and consequent inability to that children tend to fall through and barriers that utilize them. It is further accentuated by denial of they fail to climb over. While some succeed in opportunities which enhance access to resources traversing the course successfully, others seem and their utili-zation’’ (Ziyauddin and Kasi 2009, to lose out at various points, for a variety of
10 BUTTERFLIES reasons. Although it is disheartening to see that as shown in Table 4. a sizeable proportion of the eligible age group still As Table 4 shows, according to official cannot even enter an educational institution, it is statistical data, some 13.5 million children also a major concern that others did enter school of elementary age, or about 7% of the total, but could not continue their education. were not in school in 2006. The proportions of In the next sections we attempt to shed light children not in school were higher for the various on these questions and assess the mag-nitude disadvantaged groups: the scheduled castes, the and nature of exclusion prevailing in primary and scheduled tribes, and the Muslim minority. elementary education. Dropout rates at the primary and The excluded categories and numbers elementary levels The first category of excluded children Though most of the states of India have includes those who never enroll in school. These recently done well in enrolling children of eligible andSocial others exclusion who enroll and school but leave participation school inadd India up to age, the schools’ inability to retain the children343 has the numbers counted as out-of-school children, continued to be a serious problem. As indicated Table 4 Out-of-school children aged 6–13, in all of India, 2006 Categories Numbers of out-of-school children Percentages of out-of-school children
Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total
All children, age 6–13 11,353,597 2,106,137 13,459,734 7.80 4.34 6.94 SC children 2,706,025 398,841 3,104,866 8.55 6.25 8.17 ST children 1,585,833 71,145 1,656,978 10.11 4.21 9.54 Muslim children 1,567,717 685,535 2,253,252 12.03 7.17 9.97
Source: SRI (2005)
Table 5 Total dropout rates at primary and elementary level Year Primary Elementary
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
2001–2002 38.4 39.9 39.0 52.9 56.9 54.6 2003–2004 33.7 28.6 31.5 51.85 52.92 52.32 2004–2005 31.8 25.4 28.49 50.49 51.28 50.84 2005–2006 28.71 21.77 25.67 48.67 48.98 48.80 2006–2007 24.57 26.75 25.6 46.44 45.22 46
Source: GoI (2007a, 2008, 2009)
TheTable process 6 ofDropout exclusion rates from forschool SC education can be explained using the conceptual model of ‘‘zones of exclusion’’, which was de- veloped to study the phenomenon of primary schoolYear participation SC as children a project of the Consortium for STResearch children in Educational Access, Transitionand ST and children, Equity. For from more lower details, pri- see Govinda and Bandyopadhyay (2008). Also see Lewin (2007) for an elaboration of the conceptualmary grades model. (1 –5) Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
1990–91 46.3 54 49.4CHILDREN 60.3 IN NEWS VOL 66.1 XXVII, 2016 62.5 11 1995–96 43.7 48.5 45.7 55 58.9 56.6 2001–02 43.7 47.1 45.2 51 54.1 52.3 2003–04 36.8 36.2 36.6 49.1 48.7 48.9 2004–05 32.7 36.1 34.2 42.6 42.0 42.3 2006–07 32.4 40 36 31 36 33.1 Source: GoI (2007a, 2008, 2009)
Almost all data sources indicate that the incidence of dropout is much higher among older children, aged 11–14 years, than among younger children. Time series data given in the Selected Educational Statistics of 2004–2005 (GoI 2007a) show that over a period of 45 years, the dropout rate has fallen from 78.3% in 1960–61 to 46% in 2006–07, but that is far from satisfactory: even now one child out of two leaves school during the compulsory education stage. One can observe from the data presented in Table 5 that the decrease in dropout is essentially due to improved retention of girls in the school system. Gender disparity in enrolment has practically disappeared, but that is little solace if one child out of two still fails to complete 8 years of schooling. The situation is worse for children belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, as Table 6 shows. Even with the substantial improvement between 2001–2002 and 2006–2007, fewer than two out of three SC children complete 5 years of schooling.
123 Social exclusion and school participation in India 343
Table 4 Out-of-school children aged 6–13, in all of India, 2006 Categories Numbers of out-of-school children Percentages of out-of-school children
Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total in Table 5, the situation seems to have improved school in 2006–2007, although this was a drop from 78.6% in 1990–1991. The dropout rate for inAll recent children, years, age dropping 6–13 11,353,597 by over 13 2,106,137percentage13,459,734 7.80 4.34 6.94 points from 2001–2002 to 2006–2007. girls continues to be much higher than that for SCAlmost children all data sources2,706,025 indicate 398,841that the 3,104,866boys among 8.55 both SCs 6.25 and STs, compared 8.17 to incidenceST children of dropout is much1,585,833 higher among 71,145 older 1,656,978overall trends 10.11 for girls’ dropout. 4.21 9.54 children,Muslim childrenaged 11–14 years, 1,567,717 than among 685,535 younger 2,253,252It is very 12.03 clear from 7.17 the above 9.97 discussion children. Time series data given in the Selected that the development programmes in edu-cation EducationalSource: SRI Statistics (2005) of 2004–2005 (GoI 2007a) carried out over the last several decades have show that over a period of 45 years, the dropout not been able to make a sufficient impact on the participation of children from the SC and ST rateTable has 5 fallenTotal from dropout 78.3% rates in at 1960–61 primary and to 46% elementary in level 2006–07, but that is far from satisfactory: even groups. nowYear one child out of twoPrimary leaves school during the Elementary compulsory education stage. Reasons for primary school dropout Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total One can observe from the data presented in The 61st National Service Scheme (NSS) Table 5 that the decrease in dropout is essentially 2001–2002 38.4 39.9 39.0(GoI 2006b) 52.9explored the reasons 56.9 why children 54.6 due to improved retention of girls in the school drop out without completing primary school. 2003–2004 33.7 28.6 31.5 51.85 52.92 52.32 system. Gender disparity in enrolment has Two clear reasons are evident in Table 8. For a practically2004–2005 disappeared, 31.8 but that is 25.4little solace if 28.49substantial number, 50.49 particularly 51.28 between 50.84ages 6 one2005–2006 child out of two still 28.71 fails to complete 21.77 8 years 25.67and 11, education 48.67 is not considered 48.98 necessary, 48.80 of schooling. 2006–2007 24.57 26.75 25.6and many, especially 46.44 urban 45.22boys, need to 46provide The situation is worse for children belonging some income for the household. It is also evident toSource: the scheduledGoI (2007a castes, 2008, 2009and )scheduled tribes, from the NSS data that very few children in the as Table 6 shows. Even with the substantial younger age group reported the lack of a nearby Table 6 Dropout rates for SC Year SC children ST children and ST children, from lower pri- mary grades (1–5) Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
1990–91 46.3 54 49.4 60.3 66.1 62.5 1995–96 43.7 48.5 45.7 55 58.9 56.6 2001–02 43.7 47.1 45.2 51 54.1 52.3 2003–04 36.8 36.2 36.6 49.1 48.7 48.9 2004–05 32.7 36.1 34.2 42.6 42.0 42.3 2006–07 32.4 40 36 31 36 33.1 Source: GoI (2007a, 2008, 2009) improvementAlmost allbetween data sources 2001–2002 indicate and that 2006– the incidenceschool as of a dropoutreason for is muchleaving higher school among without 2007,older fewer children, than agedtwo out 11–14 of three years, SC than children among youngercom-pleting children. 5 years Time of education; series data a given negligibly in complete 5 years of schooling small percentage of children in rural and urban theThe Selected situation Educational is especially Statisticsserious with of respect 2004–2005 (GoI 2007a) show that over a period of 45 years, the dropout rate has fallen from 78.3%areas in 1960–61 dropped toout 46% for the in reason 2006–07, ‘‘school but that too far’’. is to socially underprivileged groups at the upper Further, the study found that more boys than far from satisfactory: even now one child out of two leaves school during the compulsory primary stage, as is evident from Table 7. Over girls in the 10–14 age group had to drop out to 53%education of SC children stage. dropped out in 2006–2007, provide household income. For girls in the 6–11 comparedOne canto observe67.8% in from 1990–1991, the data presentedshowing and in Table 10–145 agethat groups, the decrease engagement in dropout in domestic is a essentiallydecline of duearound to improved 10%. A retentionsimilarly oflarge girls chores in the schoolwas another system. Genderimportant disparity reason infor proportion (62.5%) of ST children left primary enrolment has practically disappeared, but that is little solace if one child out of two still 12failsBUTTERFLIES to complete 8 years of schooling. The situation is worse for children belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, as Table 6 shows. Even with the substantial improvement between 2001–2002 and 2006–2007, fewer than two out of three SC children complete 5 years of schooling.
123 dropping out. Thus, participation in wage labour characterized as ‘‘not interested in studies’’ and or domestic work continues to prevent children eventually drop out of school after attending for from attending school. It is also understandable some time. that as children grow older, they have better According to the National Family Health chances of participating in the labour force, which Survey 1998 (IIPS and ORC Macro 2000), 32.6% prevents them from attending school. of boys and 28.4% of girls cited ‘‘lack of interest A large proportion of girls aged 10–14 had to in studies’’ as their reason for dropping out of leave school for other reasons, which included school. The PROBE Report (1999) found that socio-cultural factors such as early marriage. ‘‘lack of interest in studies’’ was the main reason for dropping out. These groups of reasons, which Children at risk of silent exclusion relate to children’s lack of interest, indicate that Apart from the children who never enrolled school-related factors act as barriers to their and those who dropped out, others continue learning effectively and moving farther up the attending school but are at risk of dropping out. ladder of education. It is indeed the responsibility Some may even complete the whole cycle but of the school system to make the experience barely learn anything and, therefore, face the risk pleasant and interesting to the children. of not moving further in education. These are the Several studies have also demonstrated that victims of ‘‘silent exclusion’’: they are physically the poor quality of the teaching and learning present but get no cognitive benefits. A range process results in extremely low levels of of factors, including irregular attendance, low learning, with children not acquiring even the learning levels, repetition, and distance between basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic after attending school for five and even 8 years. home344 and school, gradually exclude these R. Govinda, M. Bandyopadhyay children from the edu-cational system. Many are The Annual Status of Education Review, 2006 Table 7 Dropout rates for SC Year SC children ST children and ST children, from upper pri- mary grades (VI–VIII) Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
1990–1991 64.3 73.2 67.8 75.7 82.2 78.6
1995–1996 64.7 70.5 67 62.3 71.2 66.0 India in participation school and exclusion Social 2001–2002 58.6 63.6 60.7 67.3 72.7 69.5 2003–2004 57.3 62.2 59.4 69.0 71.4 70.1 2004–2005 55.2 60.0 57.3 65.0 67.1 65.9 2006–2007 51.56 54.98 53.05 62.8 62.2 62.5 Source: GoI (2007a, 2008, 2009)
Table 8TheMajor situation reasons for dropping is especially out of school among serious children 5–14 with (per 1,000 respect dropouts) to socially underprivileged groups at the Reason Rural males Rural females Urban males Urban females upper primary stage, as is evident from Table 7. Over 53% of SC children dropped out in 5–9 6–11 10–14 5–14 5–9 6–11 10–14 5–14 5–9 6–11 10–14 5–14 5–9 6–11 10–14 5–14 2006–2007, compared to 67.8% in 1990–1991, showing a decline of around 10%. A School too far 1 1 3 2 0 2 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 3 Hassimilarly to support household large income proportion 4 16 (62.5%) 171 72 of 2 ST 10 children 70 36 left 6 primary 44 231 school 116 12 in 212006–2007, 57 36 Educationalthough not considered this necessary was a drop 5 21 from 73 78.6% 33 in 16 1990–1991. 35 21 53 The 15 dropout 35 116 rate for 14 girls 9 continues 24 98 to 56 Has to attend domestic chores 0 1 12 5 1 14 109 54 5 7 15 10 4 32 177 95 Otherbe reasons much higher than34 that 65 for 170 boys 89 among 37 both 62 SCs 142 and 88 STs, 40 compared96 221 129 to overall 54 78 trends 176 for 118 Source:girls’GoI (dropout.2006b) It is very clear from the above discussion that the development programmes in edu- cation carried out over the last several decades have not beenCHILDREN able IN to NEWS make VOL aXXVII, sufficient 2016 13 impact on the participation of children from the SC and ST groups. 123 Reasons for primary school dropout 345 The 61st National Service Scheme (NSS) (GoI 2006b) explored the reasons why children drop out without completing primary school. Two clear reasons are evident in Table 8. For a substantial number, particularly between ages 6 and 11, education is not considered necessary, and many, especially urban boys, need to provide some income for the household. It is also evident from the NSS data that very few children in the younger age group reported the lack of a nearby school as a reason for leaving school without com- pleting 5 years of education; a negligibly small percentage of children in rural and urban areas dropped out for the reason ‘‘school too far’’. Further, the study found that more boys than girls in the 10–14 age group had to drop out to provide household income. For girls in the 6–11 and 10–14 age groups, engagement in domestic chores was another important reason for dropping out. Thus, participation in wage labour or domestic work continues to prevent children from attending school. It is also understandable that as children grow older, they have better chances of participating in the labour force, which prevents them from attending school. A large proportion of girls aged 10–14 had to leave school for other reasons, which included socio-cultural factors such as early marriage.
Children at risk of silent exclusion
Apart from the children who never enrolled and those who dropped out, others continue attending school but are at risk of dropping out. Some may even complete the whole cycle but barely learn anything and, therefore, face the risk of not moving further in education. These are the victims of ‘‘silent exclusion’’: they are physically present but get no cognitive benefits. A range of factors, including irregular attendance, low learning levels, repetition,
123 (Pratham 2007) revealed that in states where and nutrition; poverty and child labour; illiteracy; large numbers of children did not recognize SC and ST status; girls’ disad-vantages; difficult alphabets or numbers in grades 1 and 2, their circumstances; and disabilities. Below we will reading and arithmetic ability in later years was briefly discuss the first five factors. poor. Reasons for children not being able to learn, leading them to drop out, or be pushed out, were Health, nutritional status and school inadequate infrastructure, insensitive, teachers, participation and uninteresting (or irrelevant) curricula. Recognizing the critical relationship between Children who complete primary but do the child’s early quality of life and its impact on not enter upper primary level later school participation, the UNICEF (2002) Report on the State of the World’s Children No systematic annual data are available on the pointed out that health and nutrition are not only student flow from grade 5 to 6, which marks the components of this concept of ideal childhood; beginning of the three-year upper primary cycle. in fact they are crucial for ensuring that children For recent years, the District Infor-mation System participate effectively in schooling. As the NFHS for Education (DISE) has data on examination III (IIPS and ORC Macro 2007) reported, 45% of results for the end of the lower primary cycle, Indian children are malnourished. A later UNICEF which can serve as a useful proxy, though they report (2004, p. 9) indicates that malnutrition is do not coincide exactly with the time of transition. common in the whole of India but the situation is According to the DISE 2005–2006 (NUEPA alarming in the states of Bihar, Orissa, Madhya 2007), the percentage of children making the Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. transition from primary to upper primary level Malnutrition of children is found to be increased substantially between 2003–2004 positively correlated with social background: and 2005–2006. It rose from 74% in 2003–2004 the incidence is much higher among SCs and to 78% in 2004–2005 to 83.36% in 2005–2006. STs than in the general population. Around States like Bihar (66.28%), Uttar Pradesh one-third of SC children in Chhattisgarh and of (67.87%), Madhya Pradesh (73.21%), Meghalaya ST children in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were (77.69%), Haryana (80.26%) and Orissa (82.46%) malnourished in 1998, according to the NFHS-II have reported transition rates lower than the (IIP and ORC Macro 2000), along with one-fourth national average for 2005–2006 (NUEPA 2007). of SC and ST children in Rajasthan and Orissa Considering that some states, like Bihar and and 30% of all children from the SC and ST Uttar Pradesh, are already far behind in terms of groups in Madhya Pradesh. The NFHS-II also enrolment and dropout, transition rates of only estimates that malnutrition is prevalent among 66–68% from lower primary to upper primary the ‘‘Other Backward Classes’’ in these states. should be a cause for concern. These children suffering from malnutrition are either excluded from mainstream education and Profiles of marginalized children: Who development pro-grammes forever or face the goes to school and who does not? threat of exclusion later in life. India has created major initiatives to address In the previous section we presented the children’s malnutrition and to remove it as an picture of exclusion from elementary schooling inhibitor of education. Supplementary nutrition is and its nature and magnitude. Now we take provided for young children under age 6 through the discussion forward, focusing on who these the Integrated Child Development Services excluded children are and what factors and (ICDS) programme, and children aged 6–14 are processes contribute to their exclusion, by given nutritious cooked food in the government’s reviewing studies and reports on the subject. We Mid-Day Meal Scheme, which currently covers all see seven major sets of issues or factors: health
14 BUTTERFLIES children attending primary schools. The National the proportion decreased gradually as the MPCE Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary increased. Considerable dif-ferences exist Education, the Mid-day Meal Scheme, launched between rural and urban areas. For instance, in 1995, aims to increase children’s school while the proportion of non-literates was 69% attendance and also to improve the nutritional in the bottom MPCE class in rural areas, it was status of children attending government, local 18% in the top MPCE class. The corresponding body, and government-aided schools, as well as proportions in urban areas were about 51% and schools run by Education Guarantee Scheme only 2%. The lowest proportion of non-literates (EGS) and alternate schools. was found in the households of regular wage/ In 2001, a Supreme Court order made it salaried employees (13%) in urban areas. Of obligatory for states to provide cooked meals course, most children from these marginalized instead of the dry rations they had provided groups, suffering from poverty and illiteracy, earlier. However, some argue that more attention remain deprived of educational opportunities. is needed to improve children’s quality of life, and to do so more comprehen-sively, since Children affected by migration many children are not covered by the ICDS and Driven by poverty and lack of employment many are still not attending school, particularly in opportunities, many landless poor people the most impoverished areas and in pockets in migrate periodically to nearby urban areas or backward states. other agriculturally productive places in search Poverty, child labour and participation of work. Often entire families migrate, which disrupts the children’s education. According in schooling to UNICEF (2004), roughly 20% of the Indian India is home to 19% of the world’s children population is considered migrant; of them, 77% and every year around 26 million children are born are women and children. Children accompanying in India. It is generally observed that the children their parents generally work for more than four who are excluded from school, or are about to hours a day in the unorganized sector and face face exclusion, are largely those in poverty, who extreme exploitation and humiliation, and even must often work when quite young, or migrate sexual abuse. with their families in search of work. Below, we Wadiker and Das (2004) report that seasonal briefly describe such children. migration within Maharashtra is very common and that women and children form a high Education of low-income groups proportion of these migrants. They list several major problems facing migrant children at sugar The relationship between income levels factory sites. These children do not attend school and educational attainment may be obvious, in their home villages from October to the end of but does poverty really hinder children from the academic year because they have migrated school participation? Even if it does, what is the with their family, and no provision is made for absolute level of poverty that begins to impinge them to continue their schooling near the place on school attendance? According to current where they have moved. Meanwhile, existing estimates, 250–300 million people in India could schools do not have the capacity, in terms of be categorized as poor. Corre-lating the income either infrastructure or teachers, to take on these levels with educational attainment, the National additional children even if they were willing to do Sample Survey 61st so. Finally, the sugar factories do not look at the Round (GoI [Government of India] 2006b) children’s schooling as their responsibility since found that the proportion of non-literates was they do not employ the children directly. highest in the bottom quintile of quintile. Monthly This pattern of children missing school Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE);
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 15 because of seasonal migration has received very Bajpai (2006), examining the causes of child little attention in the discourse on educational labour, argues that child labour legis-lation is access. Describing the educational depri-vation not based on an adequate understanding of the that children face when they migrate with their situation. Children engaged in domestic work parents in search of work, Smita (2008, p. 1) points and related activities are not protected by this out that ‘‘with the collapse of rural livelihoods in law, which does not recognize it as hazardous many parts of the country, hundreds of thousands work—even though many child domestic workers of families have been forced to migrate every year are abused and exploited by employers and do taking their children along, making them drop not attend school.2 Moreover, since the legal out of schools and closing the only opportunity framework and the National Policy and Child available to them for an alternate future’’. Labour Act of 1986 allow child labour in non- hazardous occupations, many child workers are Education and child labour still not protected by laws governing child labour. The link between child labour and elementary Drawing on various studies, Bhatty (1998) education has received enormous attention during has argued that poverty is a highly inadequate the last two decades. The practice of employing explanation of regional variations in educational child labour still persists in every corner of the achievement. Despite eco-nomic prosperity, country and, as discussed earlier, many children some parts of the country still lag behind in mentioned their engagement in wage labour or educational progress; in contrast, in other areas domestic chores as reasons for not enrolling in, even abject poverty cannot stop parents from or dropping out of, school. According to UNICEF sending their children to school. Further refuting (2004) in 2000 there were more than 12 million the traditional argument, Bhatty (1998) points out child labourers (5.2% of all children); the 2001 that opportunity costs do not prohibit schooling census estimated that number at 11.28 million. and that many children who are not in school are Most of these children were engaged part time also not working anywhere. In fact, children only in agricultural activities. The same survey (p. begin to join the workforce when they reach a 57) lists several states where more than 15% certain age. In making these statements, Bhatty of children are labourers: Rajasthan (20.3%), draws on studies by Maharatna (1997, p. 16), Andhra Pradesh (25.2%), Tamil Nadu (21.6%), Unni (1995, pp. 8, 135), Majumdar (1996), and Chattisgarh (19.2%), Jharkhand (20%), Orissa Jabbi and Rajyalakshmi (1997, p. 5). (15.4%), Arunachal Pradesh (23.3%), and Sikkim Child labour that effectively keeps children (16.4%). out of school is indeed a complex issue, often Poverty is invariably quoted as the reason dependent more on external factors such as the for perpetuating child labour and thus keeping implementation of adult wage labour policies children out of school. However, many authors than on the conditions and intentions of the have blamed the government for failing to children and their families. In all these cases, implement the Child Labour Act seriously and school—related factors also play a critical role in also for failing to provide equitable and universal influencing parents to decide for or against their access to education to all the children of the eligible children continuing in school when they reach an age group. It is generally argued (Burra 2003, employable age. p. 19) that in India, the problem of child labour Children of illiterate parents: The first- ‘‘lies largely in the collusion between government officials, local politicians, big landlords and generation learners industrialists in ensuring the perpetuation of child Many of the children excluded from the labour’’. education system are first-generation learners as
16 BUTTERFLIES their parents are illiterate. According to the 61st to explain variations in the incidence of child Round NSS, 2004–2005 (GoI 2006b), illiteracy is labour as well as children’s absence, or irregular still pervasive, despite the considerable progress presence, in educational systems (Kabeer 2003, in alleviating extreme forms of educational p. 382). deprivation over the years. In 1993, 37% of Reviewing recent studies and reports, Sedwal households in rural areas did not have even one and Kamat (2008) highlight several issues literate member aged 15 or over; this proportion confronting the education of children from SC decreased to 32% in 1999–2000 and to 26% in and ST communities. While the SC children face 2004–2005. In urban areas, the corresponding different forms of ‘‘untouchability’’, tribal children proportions were about 14%, 12 and 8%, face the problem of physical and cultural isolation. respectively (GoI [Government of India] 2006b, p. 22). In other words, all the adults in those Gender and social background: households were illiterate. Further, as many as Double disadvantage for girls 50% of rural and 20% of urban households had We noted earlier that girls in India are in a no literate female member. The children of these more disadvantaged position than boys and that parents face tremendous challenges in accessing girls from poor, SC, ST and Muslim communities schooling facilities and also in learning at an are doubly disadvantaged in every sphere acceptable level as they receive little support of life including education. Going beyond a after school hours. Many face the threat of silent macro-level analysis, researchers (Bhatty 1998; exclusion from the school system. Ramachandran 2001, 2004) have dwelt on the Children from SC and ST communities: A subject of educational backwardness among nexus of poverty and social discrimination India’s females. Velaskar (2005) examined the Earlier, we provided a macro-level description implications of the interaction between caste, of the educational deprivation experienced by class, and patriarchy for the educational access the SC and ST communities. According to the of dalit (SC) girls in Maharashtra because poor NSS data (GoI [Government of India] 2006b), and SC and ST children, particularly girls, often 36.5% of SCs in rural areas and 38.47% of those have very few options beyond getting a low- in urban areas live below the poverty line. The quality education in a single-room, single-teacher corresponding figures for the STs are 45.86 school. Even if they are mainstreamed in a school and 34.75%. Studies (GoI 2006b) have also with better physical and academic facilities, they shown that the school system is inequitable face multiple discrimination as children belonging and discriminatory towards these groups. Some to SC and ST families, and invariably achieve less scholars (Kabeer 2003; Thorat and Deshpande than children from other households (Duraisamy 1999) also believe that poverty intersects with 2004, p. 504). other forms of disadvantage like caste and Venkatanarayana’s (2004) study in Andhra social marginalization. The majority of the wage Pradesh points out that girls belonging to SC labour work force is drawn from the SC and ST and ST groups in rural areas are the most communities. Drawing on NSS findings, Thorat disadvantaged in terms of education. The study and Deshpande (1999) found that the proportion also describes a more complex interaction of child labour was two to three times higher between location, gender, and caste that cru- among SC and ST groups than in the rest of cially influences school participation. the population. Consequently, factors like caste, Apart from social background, economic religion, ethnicity, and gender act in con-junction status seems to be a determining influence in with poverty, as well as independently of it,
Recently enacted legislation makes the engagement of children in domestic labour a punishable offence, but its legal effectiveness has yet to be tested.
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 17 girls’ education. Many decisions are made in various policy and programme initiatives, girls accordance with parental attitudes in addition remain more likely to be excluded than their to their financial capacity, including whether a male counterparts, whatever their social origin girl will go to school at all, the type of institution or economic status. The trajectory of progress she will attend, and the amount to invest on her in the schooling of girls from the traditionally education. Ray (2000) also found that the chance disadvantaged social groups—the Scheduled of a child, particularly a girl, being in school or Castes and Scheduled Tribes—brings this in the labour market depends on the awareness problem into sharp focus. and educational level of adults in the household, The second cluster of factors concern the along with the household size and composition, less than satisfactory outcomes from policy, and intra-household resource allocation. In urban legal, strategy, and operational measures taken areas, however, an overall increase in a family’s to address the various dimensions of exclusion. economic wellbeing can bridge the gender gap in Many programmes have been in operation to enrolment, at least partially. bridge the gap and bring the children of SCs Are the barriers to girls’ education and STs to a level of educational progress insurmountable? Undoubtedly, transforming on par with the rest of the society. In fact, the the social attitudes and practices that militate constitution guarantees positive discrimination against the education of girls requires a long through specific mea-sures, recognizing the effort, involving many actors who are not historical legacy of discrimination and disparity. directly involved in providing education. Fur- Several special targeted incentive schemes have ther, Duraisamy’s study (2004) in Tamil Nadu been initiated to benefit the children from these has shown that improving parental edu-cation, com-munities. And, especially since the Sachar particularly that of mothers, can substantially Committee released its findings, Muslim chil- reduce the gender gap in child schooling. If this dren have been added to this list to be targeted is so, would a carefully designed programme with special measures, now that researchers of adult education for mothers of school-going are reporting their low levels of educational children be a practical answer? attainment. Still, the figures reveal disap-pointing progress. Deeper structural constraints in society Conclusion: Clusters of forces and at large and in the educational system, as well structural challenges as the nexus of numerous interacting influences, have remained as for-midable constraints. The In the preceding section we analysed some special initiatives and affirmative measures have of the complexities involved in describing the stumbled at the obstacles presented by systemic children who are being excluded from elementary and structural forces. schools. Our analysis points emphati-cally to The third cluster of forces that keeps children a nexus of multiple negative forces. Gender out of school, particularly girls, revolves around discrimination invariably combines with social location. Apart from generally observed rural– and economic backwardness to place girls in urban disparities, living in remotely located multiply disadvantaged situations with respect to homes within rural areas significantly dampens attending school. The first-generation learners children’s ability to get to school. undoubtedly need special care and sensitive The fourth factor, highlighted by all the macro- handling, which is critical to break the vicious level analyses, is poverty. It is the children of the inter-generational cycle of illiteracy and poverty. poor who are constantly relegated to the margin From our analysis of data and the findings of of the system, often to be pushed out altogether. other studies, four clusters of factors emerge that At one level the relationship between the family’s significantly influence the patterns of exclusion. economic con-ditions and the children’s school- The first cluster relates to gender. In spite of going behaviour seems quite straightforward. A
18 BUTTERFLIES closer analysis shows, however, that economic India: A survey of field investigations. Economic impoverishment itself is deeply embedded in and Political Weekly, July 4–10, pp. 1731–1740; discriminatory social practices. Further, it is July 11–17, pp. 1858–1869. almost impossible to disentangle children’s 3. Burra, N. (2003). Rights versus needs: Is it in non-attendance at school from issues of child the best interest of the child? In N. Kabeer, G. labour and poverty. Again, national and state B. Nambissan, & R. Subrahmanian (Eds.), Child governments have initiated many measures labour and the right to education in South Asia: to compensate for the direct and indirect costs Needs versus rights? (pp. 73–94). New Delhi: involved in sending children to school. Sage. Arguably, it is necessary to explore a 4. Census of India (2001). C series data: Social and hierarchical nesting of these four clusters of cultural tables. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar factors to see how they influence the process of General & Census Commissioner. exclusion, as the crisis seems to deepen as one 5. de Haan, A. (1999). Social exclusion: Towards a examines the impact of gender, social and caste holistic understanding of deprivation. http://www. gsdrc.org/ go/display&type=Document&id=1830. affiliations, disparities in urban–rural locations, 6. Duraisamy, P. (2004). Gender, intra-family and finally economic conditions. The focus has to allocation of resources and child schooling in Tamil be on understanding how the interaction unfolds Nadu, India. Journal of Educational Planning & at the local level and within the family for the Administration, 18(4), 489–506. education of a child—girl or boy. And we must 7. GoI [Government of India] (1986). National recognize that as children grow and enter the policy on education 1986. New Delhi: Ministry of upper primary classes, they develop their own Human Resource Development, Department of agency. Education. It will be equally important to capture the 8. GoI [Government of India] (2006a). Sachar supply-side dynamics in education: what is on Committee report on social, economic and offer in the name of schooling, what choices are educational status of Muslim community of India. available, and how does the delivery framework New Delhi: Government of India. function? What are the pressures on expenses, 9. GoI [Government of India] (2006b). Status of teaching, curriculum, and learning assessment education and vocational training in India 2004– and credentials—and the prospects that 05. NSS 61st Round (July 2004–June 2005). education offers for upward mobility in life? Report no. 517 (16/10/3). New Delhi: Ministry of The challenge is larger than that of the Statistics and Pro-gramme Implementation. education system. However, the structural 10. GoI [Government of India] (2007a). Selected obstacles are likely to become less formidable as educational statistics 2004–2005. New Delhi: the country makes progress in fulfilling its vision Department of Higher Education, Ministry of of itself as a modern and progressive nation, Human Resource Development. overcoming abject poverty and gross inequities, 11. GoI [Government of India] (2007b). Annual and playing its role as a leader among nations, report, 2006–07. New Delhi: Department of both globally and regionally. School Education and Literacy, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource REFERENCES Development. 12. GoI [Government of India] (2008). Selected 1. Bajpai, A. (2006). Right against economic educational statistics 2005–2006. New Delhi: exploitation: Child labour. In M. Weiner, N. Burra, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of & A. Bajpai (Eds.), Born unfree: Child labour, Human Resource Development. education, and the state in India (pp. 1–59). New 13. GoI [Government of India] (2009). Selected Delhi: Oxford University Press. educational statistics 2005–2006. New Delhi: 2. Bhatty, K. (1998). Educational deprivation in Department of Higher Education, Ministry of
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 19 Human Resource Development. school education survey (AIES): Provisional 14. Govinda,R.,&Bandyopadhyay,M.(2008) Access to statistics as of September 30, 2002. New Delhi: elementary education in India: Country analytical NCERT. review.CREATE pathways to access series. New 25. NUEPA [National University of Educational Delhi, Brighton: CREATE-NUEPA. http://www. Planning and Administration] (2007). Elementary create-rpc.org/pdf_documents/India_CAR.pdf. education in India: Progress towards UEE. Flash 15. Govinda, R., & Josephine, Y. (2004). Para statistics. DISE 2005–2006. New Delhi: NUEPA. teachers in India: A review. Paris: IIEP, UNESCO. 26. Popay, J., Enoch, E., Johnston, H., & Rispel, http://www.unesco.org/iiep/eng/research/basic/ L. (2006). Social exclusion knowledge network PDF/teachers5.pdf. (SEKN): Scoping of SEKN and proposed approach. 16. IIPS [International Institute for Population http://www.who.int/social_determinants/ Sciences], & ORC Macro (2000). National family resources/sekn_ scoping.pdf. health survey (NFHS-2), 1998–99. Mumbai: IIPS. 27. Pratham. (2007). Annual status of education 17. IIPS [International Institute for Population report (rural) 2006. New Delhi: Pratham. http://pib. Sciences], & ORC Macro (2007). National family nic.in/ release/release.asp?relid=23947&kwd=. health survey (NFHS-3), 2005–06. Mumbai: IIPS. 28. PROBE [Public Report on Basic Education in 18. Jabbi, M. K., & Rajyalakshmi, C. (1997). Access to India] (1999). Public report on basic education in education of marginalised social groups in Bihar. India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Thiruvananthapuram: Centre for Development 29. Ramachandran, V. (2001). Reaching the hardest Studies. to reach: Reflections on DPEP. In Reflections on 19. Kabeer, N. (2003). Deprivation, discrimination equity, quality and local planning in the district and delivery: Competing explanations for child primary education programme (pp. 1–15). labour and educational failure in South Asia. In Occasional Papers, European Commission, New N. Kabeer, G. B. Nambissan, & R. Subrahmanian Delhi. (Eds.), Child labour and the right to education in 30. Ramachandran, V. (Ed.). (2004). Gender and South Asia: Needs versus rights? (pp. 351–393). social equity in primary education: Hierarchies of New Delhi: Sage. access. New Delhi: Sage. 20. Klasen, S. (2001). Social exclusion, children, and 31. Ray, R. (2000, 23 Sept). Poverty, household size education: Conceptual and measurement issues. and child welfare in India. Economic and Political http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/19/37/1855901. Weekly, 35(39), 3511–3520. pdf. 32. Sayeed, Y., & Soudien, C. (2003). (Re)framing 21. Lewin, K. (2007). Improving access, equity and education exclusion and inclusion discourses: transitions in education: Creating a research Limits and possibilities. IDS Bulletin, 34(1), 63– agenda. CREATE. Pathways to Access Series, 71. No. 1. Brighton: Consortium for Research on 33. Sedwal, M., & Kamat, S. (2008). Education and Educational Access, Transitions and Equity social equity: With a special focus on scheduled (CREATE). castes and scheduled tribes in elementary 22. Maharatna, A. (1997, Feb. 15–21). Children’s education. CREATE Pathways to Access, work activities, surplus labour and fertility: A Monograph No. 19. New Delhi and Brighton: case study of peasant households in Birbhum. CREATE-NUEPA. http://www.create-rpc.org/pdf_ Economic and Political Weekly, 32(7), 363–369. documents/PTA19.pdf . 23. Majumdar, M. (1996). Kanyakumari: The leading 34. Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. New edge of education in Tamil Nadu. Paper prepared Delhi: Oxford University Press. for the UNDP-GoI Research Programme on 35. Smita, S. (2008). Distress seasonalmigration Human Development. Madras: Madras Institute and its impact on children’s education in India. of Development Studies. CREATEpathways to access, monograph no. 28. 24. NCERT [National Council of Educational New Delhi and Brighton: CREATE-NUEPA. http:// Research, Training] (2005). Seventh all-India www.create-rpc.org/pdf_documents/PTA28.pdf.
20 BUTTERFLIES 36. SRI [Social and Rural Research Institute] (2005). 46. Ziyauddin, K. M., & Kasi, E. (Eds.) (2009). All India survey of out-of-school children in the Dimensions of social exclusion: Ethnographic 6–13 years age group. New Delhi: SRI-IMRB explorations. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge [Indian Market Research Bureau]. Scholars Press. http://www.c-s-p.org/Flyers/978- 37. Subrahmanian, R. (2003). Exploring processes 1-4438-1342-6-sample.pdf. of marginalisation and inclusion in education. IDS Bulletin,34(1), 1–19. Author Biographies 38. Thorat, S. K. (2003, May). Caste, ethnicity, Rangachar Govinda (India) is the vice and religion: An overview paper on exclusion/ chancellor of National University of Educational discrimination and deprivation. Unpublished Planning and Administration (NUEPA), New Delhi. concept paper for DFID [UK Department for International Development], Delhi. He is also the head of the Department of School 39. Thorat, S. K., & Deshpande, R. S. (1999). Caste and Non-formal Education, NUEPA. Previously he and labour market discrimination. Indian Journal worked at the Institute of Education, University of of Labour Economics, 42(4), 25–35. London, M.S. University of Baroda and UNESCO 40. UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] (2002). International Institute of Educational Planning The state of the world’s children 2003. New (IIEP). Govinda’s research interests include York:UNICEF. primary education and literacy, decentralized 41. UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] (2004). management, programme evaluation, and the Mapping India’s children: UNICEF in action. New role of NGOs and international organizations. He Delhi: UNICEF. has published widely on these issues in several 42. Unni, J. (1995). Returns to education by gender books and journals. among wage employees in urban India. Working Madhumita Bandyopadhyay (India) is an paper no. 63. Gujarat Institute of Development assistant professor in the Department of School and Studies, Ahmedabad. Non Formal Education at the National University 43. Velaskar, P. (2005). Education, caste, gender: Dalit of Educational Planning and Administration girls’ access to schooling in Maharashtra. Journal (NUEPA), New Delhi. Madhumita received her of Educational Planning and Administration, Ph.D from the Centre for Studies of Regional 19(4), 459–482. Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New 44. Venkatanarayana, M. (2004). Educational Delhi. She is the author of a number of publications deprivation of children in Andhra Pradesh: Levels in areas of education of disadvantaged groups, and trends, disparities and associate factors. gender and decentralization of education. She is Working paper no. 362. Centre for Development currently engaged in a DFID funded collaborative Studies, Trivandrum. research project (CREATE) between NUEPA 45. Wadiker, J., & Das, M. (2004). A report on Sakhar and University of Sussex Shala: An education program for children of migrant laborers in sugar factories. Aurangabad: JANARTH. http://www.janarth.org/SSmodel.pdf.
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 21 Social Exclusion and Child Nutritional Status among the Scheduled Population in India* Dhiraj Barman1* Sudipta Sarkar2 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Gour Banga, Malda (WB), India 2. Phd Scholar, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, JNU, New Delhi, India * E-mail of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract is facing today. According to the estimation of UNICEF (2009) in the developing world around The concept of social exclusion covers a 195 and 129 million children under 5 years of wide range of economic and social problems age are suffering from stunting and underweight commonly related poverty, inequality, deprivation respectively. It also suggests that South Asian and discrimination. The child nutritional status region persistently remained as the heartland is one of the important areas where the concept for the undernutrition and India being one of the has serious applicability. The proportions of leading countries contributing the highest number undernourished children in India is significantly of undernourished and low birth weight children higher along with wide spread socio-economic among the developing world (31% stunted, 42% inequalities. The disadvantaged scheduled underweight, low birth weight 39%). As per the population (i.e. SC’s & ST’s) in the country are 3rd National Family and Health Survey (NFHS: tremendously affected by multidimensional 2005-06) one half of children below 5 years of poverty and thus bearing the immense burden of age were stunted (48%), one-fifth of them were undernourishment especially among the young wasted (19.8%) and four out of every ten children children. Using the 3rd round of National Family were reported to be underweight (42.5%) in the and Health Survey (NFHS-3; 2005-06) dataset country. Chronic undernourishment among the the study broadly suggests that the problem is socially and economically marginalized groups is deeply rooted in larger form social exclusion and widespread cutting across ruraland urban areas deprivation among the lower most segments of and regions of India. Levels of u ndernourishment the population. It explores the different contours are found to be significantly higher among the exclusion related to the lesser access of the basic Scheduled caste (SC) and Scheduled tribe (ST) health care facilities, one of the leading causes populations. This paper explores the problems for the very high rate of child undernourishment and issues related to social inequalities of child among the children. undernutrition in India with particular focus to the exclusion of disadvantaged scheduled population Keywords: in terms of access to health facilities. The analysis Social Exclusion, Poverty, Inequality, of the study is primarily based on the third round Deprivation, Discrimination, Scheduled Children, of National Family and Health Survey (NFHS, Nutritional Status. 2005-06) data. 1. Introduction: 2. Defining Social-Exclusion: Child undernutrition is considered as one of The concept of “social exclusion” is relatively the major problems that the developing world new, but it has gains immense popularity within
* Article originally published in Developing Country Studies ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.3, No.3, 2013 and available in www.iiste.org
22 BUTTERFLIES this short span. The concept was propounded exclusion”. From the above discussion it is clear by René Lenoir, to describe the exclusion of that the concept has immense epistemological the people with disabilities and those who were supremacy and practicality to deal with different, considered as socially “out fits” in the democratic social, economic and political issues especially set-up in France during 70’s. for those whose voices has been suppressed or “mentally and physically handicapped, suicidal marginalised through the articulation of dominant people, aged invalids, substance abusers, sociol economic and political processes. Social delinquents, single parents, abused children, exclusion incorporates multidimensional aspects multi-problem households, marginal, asocial of deprivations and basis of which varies from persons, and other social ‘misfits’”.(Silver, Hilary: gender, caste, class, religion, ethnicity, region 1995). etc. In Indian context one of the prominent forms Later on the concept was subsequently of social exclusion and discrimination is based on developed through the ideas of different thinkers the caste or tribes. The disadvantaged scheduled and takes the present forms where arrays of population in the country has to face multiple socio-economic problems are being addressed discriminations and are excluded from different through it. Several scholars have used the term development programmes, which have been interchangeably with poverty, unemployment and greatly documented through the works of Thorat deprivation (e.g. de Haan Arjan: 1997, Atkinson: (2003, 2007, 2009, 2010). 1998). But, serious conceptual differences are prevails across these concepts. Nobel laureate 3. Conceptualizing Social Prof. Amartya Sen (2000) has tried to establish Exclusion in understanding Child the linkages between poverty and social exclusion Undernourishment among the through his idea of capability deprivation. Scheduled population: Capability deprivation takes place when people are excluded from the social relations. According to Smith and Haddad (2000) the It can be expressed through the pioneering root cause of child malnutrition for the developing expositions of Adam Smith, ‘inability to appear in countries is attributed to poverty. Poverty, the public without shame’, which is “the difficulty workloads and higher levels of morbidity among experienced by deprived people in taking part in the poor working sections of the population the life of the community” (as cited in Sen A.2000). creates ‘poverty traps’ for them (Dasgupta: Thus the concept of social exclusion incorporates 2007). Further, the vicious ‘poverty traps’ with the non-material dimensions of poverty and the persistent undernourishment are also found adds an intrinsic value in the understanding of it. to be ‘inter-generational’ in nature (Harper, According to K. Duffy (1995) social exclusion can Marcus and Moore: 2003). Extensive poverty be defined as: “low material means and inability and undernourishment causes ill health and to participate effectively in economic, social, lower nutritional status among the mother, which and cultural life, and, in some characteristics, leads to intra-uterine growth retardation or foetal alienation and distance from the mainstream undernutrition. Alderman (2005) has noticed that society”. Further, Room (1995) adds a right-based in Asian context the percentage of decline of approach in understanding the concept of social malnutrition is nearly half of the economic growth. exclusion where he tried to define it as the ‘denial It has also been observed in recent past that or non-realisation of civil, political, and social rights despite India’s experience of very high economic of citizenship”. Kabeer (2006) argues that “social growth the successive reduction in child and the exclusion reflects the multiple and overlapping overall undernourishment has been very dismal. nature of the disadvantages experienced by According to Shivakumar (2007), limited progress certain groups and categories of the population, in ensuring universal health services and care to with social identity as the central axis of their children, newborns, and mothers are important
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 23 reasons behind the slow reduction of child inequality of child malnutrition between the SC, malnutrition in the country. The child malnutrition ST and the Non-Scheduled component has been in India is very high with widespread socio studied by Sinha (2005) and Mishra (2006). The economic inequalities; the poor, rural population, undernourishment among SC and ST populations slum dwellers and socially disadvantaged are primarily due to extensive poverty among Scheduled populations (both SC/ST) are bearing them. Because of the higher levels of poverty tremendous burden of undernourished children. and other underlying factors of undernutrition, In Indian context, the magnitude and severity of likehousehold food security, care of the children, child undernutrition is more widespread among access to health and sanitation facilities etc. are the Scheduled populations (both SC and ST), also tend to effect. The persistent higher levels in comparison with the others social groups. of poverty and undernutrition among the SC & The scheduled castes population is the most ST population is also attributed to different policy vulnerableDeveloping section, Country affected Studies by multidimensional failures. Therefore the importance of scrutinising www.iiste.org povertyISSN 2224-607Xand deprivation. (Paper) ISSNOn 2225-0565the other (Online)hand, several policy factors also becomes important for ScheduledVol.3, No.3, Tribes 2013 (ST), who are theoretically understanding of it. locatedfrom followingoutside the figures ambit that of social mainstream stratification caste- has a definite implication for explaining the inequities in child basedundernutrition social structure situations are across at the the differentbottom of soci allal groups.4. The Among spectrum the different of Social social Inequalities groups the scheduled developmentpopulation (both indices. SC & ST)ST arepopulation mainly found in toIndia be vu lnerableof Child to the Undernutrition effect of child-undernourishment. in India: Among the is OBC’shistorically also a neglected,relatively higher at the percentages same time of under theirnutrition has observed. Compared to these three social groups In India social inequalities are found in every problemthe others is alsoor higher geographical. caste population They inhabithas relativel in they much lower levels of undernutrition among the children. So, aspect of socio-economic well-being, such as mostchild remote undernutrition areas of status the country, is found towhere be very the muc fruitsh analogous with the different shades of social hierarchies. education, health, income etc. The basic form Table: 1 Child undernutrition among the different Social Groups: 2005-06 Social Stunting Underweight Wasting Groups Below-2 SD Below-3 SD Below-2 SD Below-3 SD Below-2 SD Below-3 SD SC 53.7 27.5 48.0 18.5 21.2 6.8 ST 53.7 29.9 55.0 25.0 27.8 9.5 OBC 48.9 24.7 43.2 15.9 20.0 6.5 Others 40.5 17.5 33.3 11.0 16.2 5.2 SCHD 54.0 28.2 50.1 20.6 23.1 7.5 NSCHD 45.5 22.0 39.4 14.0 18.6 6.1 India 48.0 23.7 42.5 15.8 19.8 6.4 Source: Calculated from the NFHS-3 dataset of 4.1development Social Inequalities seldom of reach Undernutrition to them. There according are toof the social place inequalities of residence: in India is rooted in caste vastAt theempirical aggregate evidences, level the place to ofsuggest residence that (rura SCl and basedurban) andsocial the socialhierarchies. groups (caste It oris tribe)evident together from forms andan importantST population background are characteristic.suffering from The multiple children fromfollowing rural areas figures irrespective that social of their stratification social background has a have deprivationshigher levels and of undernutritionalso exposed in tocomparison various formsto the samedefinite caste implication group children for explainingfrom the urban the inequitiesareas. But withinin of ruraldiscrimination with their addedin the disadvantagedpublic life. The of beingstudy sched by uled;child the undernutrition ST and SC childrensituations are across found tothe be different bearing the Baraikburden and of undernutrition. Kulkarni (2006) In all indicatesthree types thatof ind theices i.e.social stunting, groups. underweight Among andthe wastingdifferent the social rural groupsST children levelhave of the infant highest mortality levels of amongundernutrition the SC in comparand STison theto all scheduled other social population groups. Among (both the SCrural & SC ST) children are the populationlevels of undernutritionwas substantially are found higher nearly than similar the to thatmainly of rural found ST children.to be vulnerable The rural othersto the or effect upper of castes non-scheduledchildren have comparative population. advantages A recent over study all otherhas socialchild-undernourishment. groups. The overall non-scheduled Among the children OBC’s from also rural establishedareas have advantagesthe fact that over scheduled their rural scheduled (SC & ST)counterparts. a relatively Within higher urban areaspercentages the others of have undernutrition the lowest levels populationof child undernutrition. in India has less The access urban SCs to health have thecare hig hesthas levelsobserved. of stunted Compared and underweight to these children, three social while the facilitiesurban STsand havetheir theoverall highest nutritional proportion status of wastedis much chi ldrengroups in India.the others Next or to higher them, the caste OBC population children also has have lowerhigher (Roy, levels Kulkarni of undernutrition and Vaidehi: among 2004). the children. Social With relatively the change much in the lower place oflevels residence, of undernutritionfrom rural to urban the levels of undernutrition improves across all the social groups but the social hierarchies remained the same. 24 BUTTERFLIES
Table: 2 Child Undernutrition among Social Groups, According to Place of Residence: 2005-06 (5yrs, Below -2SD) Categories Stunting Underweight Wasting SC URBAN 47.8 38.5 18.8 ST URBAN 43.2 36.7 20.1 OBC URBAN 41.2 35.1 18.2 OTHERS URBAN 34.5 27.6 14.1 SCHD URBAN 47.8 39.2 19.3 NSCHD URBAN 37.8 31.3 16.1 SC RURAL 55.5 50.8 21.9 ST RURAL 54.7 56.7 28.6 OBC RURAL 51.3 45.7 20.5 OTHERS RURAL 43.8 36.3 17.4 SCHD RURAL 55.4 52.6 24 NSCHD RURAL 48.5 42.6 19.5 India 48 42.5 19.8 Source: Calculated from the NFHS-3 dataset
5. Socio-Economic Correlates of Child Undernutrition in India: Different socio-economic factors affect child undernourishment at individual level. Table-3 reveals that at the
9 Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.3, No.3, 2013 from following figures that social stratification has a definite implication for explaining the inequities in child undernutrition situations across the different social groups. Among the different social groups the scheduled population (both SC & ST) are mainly found to be vulnerable to the effect of child-undernourishment. Among the OBC’s also a relatively higher percentages of undernutrition has observed. Compared to these three social groups the others or higher caste population has relatively much lower levels of undernutrition among the children. So, child undernutrition status is found to be very much analogous with the different shades of social hierarchies.
Table: 1 Child undernutrition among the different Social Groups: 2005-06 Social Stunting Underweight Wasting Groups Below-2 SD Below-3 SD Below-2 SD Below-3 SD Below-2 SD Below-3 SD SC 53.7 27.5 48.0 18.5 21.2 6.8 ST 53.7 29.9 55.0 25.0 27.8 9.5 OBC 48.9 24.7 43.2 15.9 20.0 6.5 Others 40.5 17.5 33.3 11.0 16.2 5.2 SCHD 54.0 28.2 50.1 20.6 23.1 7.5 NSCHD 45.5 22.0 39.4 14.0 18.6 6.1 India 48.0 23.7 42.5 15.8 19.8 6.4 Source: Calculated from the NFHS-3 dataset
4.1 Social Inequalities of Undernutrition according to the place of residence: At the aggregate level the place of residence (rural and urban) and the social groups (caste or tribe) together forms an important background characteristic. The children from rural areas irrespective of their social background have higher levels of undernutrition in comparison to the same caste group children from the urban areas. But within rural with their added disadvantaged of being scheduled; the ST and SC children are found to be bearing the burden of undernutrition. In all three types of indices i.e. stunting, underweight and wasting the rural ST children have the highest levels of undernutrition in comparison to all other social groups. Among the rural SC children the levels of undernutrition are found nearly similar to that of rural ST children. The rural others or upper castes children have comparative advantages over all other social groups. The overall non-scheduled children from rural areas have advantages over their rural scheduled counterparts. Within urban areas the others have the lowest levels of child undernutrition. The urban SCs have the highest levels of stunted and underweight children, while the urban STs have the highest proportion of wasted children in India. Next to them, the OBC children also have higher levels of undernutrition among the children. With the change in the place of residence, from rural to urban the levels of undernutrition improves across all the social groups but the social hierarchies remained the same.
Table: 2 Child Undernutrition among Social Groups, According to Place of Residence: 2005-06 (5yrs, Below -2SD) Categories Stunting Underweight Wasting SC URBAN 47.8 38.5 18.8 ST URBAN 43.2 36.7 20.1 OBC URBAN 41.2 35.1 18.2 OTHERS URBAN 34.5 27.6 14.1 SCHD URBAN 47.8 39.2 19.3 NSCHD URBAN 37.8 31.3 16.1 SC RURAL 55.5 50.8 21.9 ST RURAL 54.7 56.7 28.6 OBC RURAL 51.3 45.7 20.5 OTHERS RURAL 43.8 36.3 17.4 SCHD RURAL 55.4 52.6 24 NSCHD RURAL 48.5 42.6 19.5 India 48 42.5 19.8 Source: Calculated from the NFHS-3 dataset
5.among Socio-Economic the children. Correlates So, ofchild Child undernutrition Undernutrition iareasn India: the others have the lowest levels of child Differentstatus is socio-economic found to be very factors much affect analogous child under withnourishment undernutrition. at individual The level.urban Table-3 SCs have reveals the th highestat at the the different shades of social hierarchies. levels of stunted and underweight children, while the urban STs have the highest proportion of 9 4.1 Social Inequalities of wasted children in India. Next to them, the OBC Undernutrition according to the place children also have higher levels of undernutrition of residence: among the children. With the change in the place of residence, from rural to urban the levels At the aggregate level the place of residence of undernutrition improves across all the social (rural and urban) and the social groups (caste or groups but the social hierarchies remained the tribe) together forms an important background same. characteristic. The children from rural areas irrespective of their social background have 5. Socio-Economic Correlates of Child higher levels of undernutrition in comparison Undernutrition in India: to the same caste group children from the urban areas. But within rural with their added Different socio-economic factors affect child disadvantaged of being scheduled; the ST undernourishment at individual level. Table-3 and SC children are found to be bearing the reveals that at the 9 Developing Country Studies burden of undernutrition. In all three types of www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN indices i.e. stunting, underweight and wasting 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.3, No.3, 2013 aggregate the rural ST children have the highest levels of level child undernutrition is lower in urban areas undernutrition in comparison to all other social as compared to the rural place of residence. No groups. Among the rural SC children the levels of such male-female gaps are visible. The scheduled undernutrition are found nearly similar to that of population (SCs & STs) have relatively higher rural ST children. The rural others or upper castes levels of all types of undernourishment compared children have comparative advantages over all to the non-scheduled (OBC & Others) population. other social groups. The overall non-scheduled Highest level of undernourished children is found children from rural areas have advantages over among the ST population. Children with low their rural scheduled counterparts. Within urban birth weights have higher propensity of suffering
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 25 Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.3, No.3, 2013 aggregate level child undernutrition is lower in urban areas as compared to the rural place of residence. No such male-female gaps are visible. The scheduled population (SCs & STs) have relatively higher levels of all types of undernourishment compared to the non-scheduled (OBC & Others) population. Highest level of undernourished children is found among the ST population. Children with low birth weights have higher propensity of suffering from all the three forms of malnutrition. With the improvement of mother’s nutritional status undernourishment seems to improve. Low birth order children have low chances of suffering from undernutrition; and with the rise in the birth order undernutrition levels are also rises. Mothers with normal and higher nutritional levels (Obese) have relatively lower percentages of undernourished children. Mother’s educational level has significant implications on nutritional status among the children. With the increase in the education attainments among mother’s levels of child undernutrition also tend to recede. Wealth index, measuring the household income shows that poorer the family greater is the percentagefrom of children all the sufferthree ingforms from of themalnutrition. malnutrition With problem. status Inamong order theto know children. how Withthese the increase various socio-economic factorsthe affect improvement the level of of mother’schild undernutrition nutritional status at the in individualthe education level, attainments binary logistic among mother’s regression model has been applied.undernourishment The formula for seems the multivariate to improve. logisticLow birth regression levels modelof child is, undernutrition also tend to recede. Wealth index, measuring the household income shows that poorer the family greater is the percentage of children suffering from the malnutrition problem. In order to know how these various socio-economic factors affect the level of child undernutrition at the individual level, binary logistic regression model has been applied. The Where, b0 is ‘intercept’ and b1, b2, b3, and so on, are the regression coefficients of x1, x2, x3 respectively. Each of the regression coefficients describesorder thechildren size of have the contribution low chances of ofthe suffering risk factor. formula A positive for theregr multivariateession coefficient logistic regression from undernutrition; and with the rise in the model is, Where, b0 is ‘intercept’ and b1, b2, means that the explanatory variablebirth order increases undernutrition the probability levels are ofalso the rises. outcome, b3, and while so on, a negativeare the regression regression coefficients of coefficient means that the variableMothers decreases with normal the probability and higher of nutritional that outcome. levels A x1,large x2, regression x3 respectively. coefficient Each means of the regression that the risk factor strongly influences(Obese) thehave probab relativelyility oflower that percentages outcome, while of coefficients a near-zero describes regression the coefficient size of the contribution means that that risk factor has littleundernourished influence on children. the probability Mother’s of thateducational outcome. of the risk factor. A positive regression coefficient level has significant implications on nutritional means that the explanatory variable increases Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) the probability of the outcome, while a negative Vol.3, No.3, 2013 Table: 3 Selected Socio-Economic Variables Affecting The Child Undernutrition : 2005-06 (5Yrs, Below-2SD) Variables Stunted Underweight Wasted Type of place of residence Urban 39.9 32.8 16.8 Rural 50.7 45.7 20.8 Sex of the child Male 48.1 42 20.5 Female 48.0 43 19.1 Child Age Below or Equal To 2 Years 44.9 40.4 22.8 3 to 4 years 52.5 45.4 15.5 Castes or tribe SC 53.7 48 21.2 ST 53.7 55 27.8 OBC 48.9 43.2 20 Others 40.5 33.3 16.2 Birth weight of the children LBW 47.2 45.7 22.8 NON LBW 33.2 27.3 15.4 Mother’s nutritional status Thin 53.5 51.9 25.1 Normal 46.2 38.6 17.3 Obese 31.5 20.2 9.2 Child's birth order 2 or less 41.2 36.2 18.7 3 to 4 52 45.6 19.9 5 or above 59.3 53.7 22.6 Mother's educational level No education 57.1 51.9 22.7 Primary 48.6 42.5 19.8 Secondary and above 35.6 29.8 15.9 Wealth Indices Poor 57.3 53.3 23.7 Middle 48.8 41.5 18.9 Rich 34.2 27.5 14.8 India 48.0 42.5 19.8 Source: Calculated from NFHS-3 dataset
26 BUTTERFLIES 5.1 Results: Logistic regressions for the stunting and underweight provide almost similar results with small variations in their expected beta (β) values. The results suggests that rural children have a significantly lesser likelihood of being stunted compared to their urban counterparts.
10
11 Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.3, No.3, 2013 Table:4 Results of Logistic Regression Model
Independent Stunting Underweight Wasting Variables Exp(β) Exp(β) Exp(β) Place of residence
Urban ®
Rural 0.890** 0.933* 0.843*** Sex of the child
Male ®
Female 0.949 1.001 0.850*** Child Age
2 years or below ®
3 to 4 Years 1.129*** 1.284*** 0.755*** Castes or tribes
SC ®
ST 0.864* 1.081 1.210** OBC 0.804*** 0.829*** 1.026 Others 0.773*** 0.772*** 0.888* Birth Weight
Below 2500 gm ®
Above 2500 gm 0.601*** 0.479*** 0.668*** Mother's Nutritional statuses (BMI) Total Thin (<18.4) ®
Normal (18.5-24.9) 0.754*** 0.610*** 0.660*** Obese ( 25.0>) 0.628*** 0.388*** 0.427*** Child's Birth Order
2 or less ®
3 To 4 1.310*** 1.132*** 1.058 5 and above 1.616*** 1.567*** 1.213** Mother's Educational levels
No Education ®
Primary 0.939 0.975 0.972 Secondary and above 0.767*** 0.785*** 0.965 Wealth Indices
Poor ®
Middle 0.733*** 0.807*** 0.889* Rich 0.507*** 0.518*** 0.670*** Constant 2.253 2.139 0.652 ® Reference category, * Significant at 10 percent level, **Significant at 5 percent level, ***significant at 1 percent level of significance. Dependent variable entered 1=undernourished (stunted, underweight and wasted), 0=Not undernourished regressionChildren ofcoefficient the age group means 3 to that 4 years the havevariable relativ ely5.1 higherResults: chances of being stunting and underweight in decreasescomparison the to theprobability reference of category that outcome. i.e. below 2A years of age. Compared to the reference category (i.e. SC) largechildren regression from ST, coefficient OBC and Othersmeans have that respectively1 the risk 4%,Logistic 20% and regressions 23% lower chancesfor the of stuntingbeing stunted and aft er factorhaving strongly controlled influences for all other the variables. probability Likewise of that, in caseunderweight of underweight, provide the OBC almost and Others similar respec resultstively have outcome,17 and 23 while percentage a near-zero lower regression chances in coefficientcomparison towith reference small category variations i.e. inSC theirchildren. expected Children’s beta we (β)ight at meansbirth hasthat been that found risk factorto be highly has littlesignificant. influence It appears on values. that children The withresults normal suggests birth weight that (abovrural echildren 2.5 kg) have thelesser probability chances of of thatbeing outcome. stunted and underweight. Childrenhave having a significantly mothers with normallesser andlikelihood obese nutriti of beingonal status have higher chances of being stunted and underweighstuntedt as compared compared to theto motherstheir urban with counterparts. lower BMI levels. Children with the birth order of ‘3 to 4’ and ‘5 and above’ categories are found to have respectively 31 and 62 percentage higher chances of being stunted compared to the reference category i.e. children with the birth order “2 or less”. In comparison to the uneducated mothers (as being the referenceCHILDREN category), IN NEWS mothers VOL XXVII, with 2016 seco27ndary education would have 22-25 percentages lesser chances to have stunted and underweight children. Lastly as compared to the poor income households, the middle and rich families have 27 and 49 percentages of lesser
12 Children of the age group 3 to 4 years have as castes or tribes are concerned, ST children relatively higher chances of being stunting and have 21% higher chances to become wasted underweight in comparison to the reference in comparison to the reference category i.e. SC category i.e. below 2 years of age. Compared children. On the other hand, children from the to the reference category (i.e. SC) children from other background have 17 percent less chances ST, OBC and Others have respectively14%, 20% to be stunted in comparison to the SC children. and 23% lower chances of being stunted after It also appears that non-low birth weight children having controlled for all other variables. Likewise, have 33 percentages of lower chances of being in case of underweight, the OBC and Others wasted compared to the reference category i.e. respectively have 17 and 23 percentage lower low birth weight children. Mothers of higher BMI chances in comparison to reference category levels reduce wasting levels significantly up to 57 i.e. SC children. Children’s weight at birth has percentages. Children having birth order of 5 and been found to be highly significant. It appears above has 21% higher chances of being wasted that children with normal birth weight (above in comparison to the reference category i.e. 2.5 kg) have lesser chances of being stunted birth order of 2 or less. As compared to the poor and underweight. Children having mothers with income households, the middle and rich families normal and obese nutritional status have higher have significantly lesser chances to have wasted chances of being stunted and underweight as children (respectively 11 and 33 percentage compared to the mothers with lower BMI levels. lower). Children with the birth order of ‘3 to 4’ and ‘5 and above’ categories are found to have respectively 6. Social Exclusion, Multiple 31 and 62 percentage higher chances of being deprivations and the level of Child stunted compared to the reference category Undernutrition among the Scheduled i.e. children with the birth order “2 or less”. In population in India: comparison to the uneducated mothers (as being the reference category), mothers with secondary From the above discussion it is clear the education would have 22-25 percentages lesser types of caste/tribe is an important determining chances to have stunted and underweight factors of child undernutrition in the country along children. Lastly as compared to the poor income with income, maternal nutritional status, birth households, the middle and rich families have 27 weight and birth order of the baby and mother’s and 49 percentages of lesser chances to have education level. The last section also precisely a stunted child and in case of underweight; these suggests that inequality in child undernutrition chances are 19 and 48 percentages lesser in is mainly because of income inequality, comparison to the reference category. educational inequality and other forms of socio- The logistic regression result for wasting economic disparities. Now, the entire issue of suggests that mother’s education has little social inequalities can be addressed through importance. It appears that children from rural the overarching social realities i.e. prevailing areas have lesser chances of being wasted multidimensional inequities across the different compared to the children from urban areas, social groups in India. In order to understand take controlling all other variables. Sex of the children a glimpse of Table no.5. Child undernutrition in has some implications on the wasting situation of the developing countries scenario starts at the the children. Female children have 15 percentages very early age of a baby. In India 21 percent higher chances of being wasted compared to the children are born with the birth weight below 2.5 reference category i.e. male child. Children at the kg. Among the SC and ST these rates are found age group 3 to 4 years have 24% lesser chances to be more than 23 percentages. For the others it to being wasted in comparison to the reference is below the national average. Mother’s nutritional category i.e. age group 2 years or less. As far status being a determining factor for it and
28 BUTTERFLIES among the SCs & STs this levels are quite higher makes them highly susceptible to different kinds compared to OBC and others. In rural areas the of infections. Likewise the majority mothers are situation is even further worse for them. Higher also found to be having lower nutritional status. Birth order has serious implications on intra- Therefore, an important step to reduce the household allocations of goods and services. vulnerability of undernourishment among the It has been found that most of the higher birth young children would be to ensure the universal order children are mainly from the weaker social access to health care and ICDS facilities. It is groups. Due to less access to medical facilities also true that given the quality of ICDS services and lacks of awareness vaccination rates among being delivered in most the rural areas of them are also very low as compared to the non- the country alternate strategies also need be deprived category of population. Children from adopted by Government. Direct cash transfer the Scheduled population are also tending to for the deprived section of the population can be be more anaemic. Though ICDS have higher a viable alternative to reduce the level of child levels of population coverage in India but still undernourishment as well reducing the poverty nutrition supplementation is highly inaccessible levels for the disadvantaged social groups in the for the backward communities. Only 24 and 35 country. percent of them have received food from the angwanari centres. Percentages of uneducated Acknowledgement: mothers are very higher among the backward The authors are thankful to Prof. Sachidanand communities, which hinders the access to many Sinha at Centre for the Study of Regional govt. health services provided to them. Lastly and Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New most importantly the poverty levels among the Delhi for his guidance during the research work scheduled population in India are much higher as in this field. compared to others. References 7. Conclusion: 1. Alderman H. (2005), Linkages between Poverty The status of child nutrition among the Reduction Strategies and Child Nutrition: An Asian scheduled population is the reflection of Perspective. Economic and Political Weekly, multidimensional deprivation and incapability 40(46), 4837-4842. from different aspects of development and 2. Atkinson (1998), Social Exclusion, Poverty and wellbeing. The overall deprivations among the Unemployment; in Atkinson A.B. and Hills J. SCs and STs are the results of larger socio- ed. Exclusion, Baraik Vijay K. and Kulkarni P. economic exclusions of the weaker segments of K.(2006), Health Status and Access To Health the population in the country. Therefore, reduction Care Services: Disparities among the Social of undernourishment among the scheduled Groups in India; working paper, (2006) Indian children would mean firstly, to address the issues Institute of Dalit studies, 1(4), New Delhi. of exclusion and deprivation in itself. Even after 3. Bharati P, Bharati S. et al (2009), Growth and adaptation of inclusive and progressive policies Nutritional Status of Pre-School Children In for the scheduled population the benefits are India: Rural-Urban And Gender Differences, Coll. seldom reaches to them. Therefore, the crucial Antropol, 33(1), 7–21. task would be the proper implementation of all 4. Harper C, Marcus R, and Moore K. (2003), the different development programmes at the Enduring Poverty and the Conditions of grass root level. It has observed that majority of Childhood: Life Course and Intergenerational children from deprived social groups are suffered Poverty Transmissions, World Development, from anaemia; scores of them do not receive 31(3), 535–554. any vaccinations in their early childhood, which 5. Dasgupta P. (2007), Poverty Traps: Exploring the
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 29 Complexity of Causation, 2020 Focus Brief on the 16. Smith, L.C. et al (2005), Why Is Child World’s Poor and Hungry People; Washington, Malnutrition Lower In Urban Than Rural Areas? DC: IFPRI Evidence From 36 Developing Countries. World 6. de Haan Arjan (1997), Poverty and Social Development,33(8), 1285-1305. Exclusion: A Comparison of Debates 17. Thorat S. (2003), Caste, Exclusion/Discrimination 7. Duffy K. (1995), Social Exclusion and Human and Deprivation: The Situation of Dalits in India, Dignity In Europe, Council of Europe. on Concept Paper for DFID, Delhi. deprivation. Employment and Opportunity, Centre 18. Thorat S. (2007) Human Poverty and Socially for Analysis of Social Exclusion, CASE/4, London Disadvantaged Groups in India, (2007) UNDP, School of Economics. Human Development Resource Centre. 8. Kabeer N (2006),Social Exclusion and the MDGs: 19. Thorat S. (2009), Dalits in India: Search for a The Challenge of ‘Durable Inequalities’ in the Common Destiny; Sage publication, New Delhi. Asian Context, Institute of Development Studies, 20. Thorat S., Katherine S. New Man eds. (2010), paper presented at the Asia 2015 Conference. Blocked By Caste: Economic Discrimination In 9. Mishra R. N. (2006), Dynamics of Caste Based Modern India, Oxford University Press, New Delhi. 15 Deprivation in Child Undernutrition in India. working paper, Centre for development studies, India (available at www.cds.edu). 10. Ramachandran P. (2007), Poverty Nutrition Linkages. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 126, 249-261. Room Graham (1995), Beyond the Threshold. The Measurement and Analysis of Social Exclusion, Bristol: Polity Press. 11. Roy T.K, Kulkarni S. and Vaidehi Y. (2004), Social Inequalities in Health and Nutrition in Selected States. Economic and political weekly,39(7), 667- 683. 12. Sen A. (2000), Social Exclusion: Concept, application and scrutiny; (2000) Social Development Paper, Asian14 Development Bank. 13. Shiva Kumar A. K. (2007), Why are levels of child malnutrition not improving?. Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 42, no. 15, pp. 1337-1345. 14. Silver, Hilary (1995), Reconceptualizing Social Disadvantge: Three Paradigms of Social Exclusion in Social Exclusion: Rhetoric, Reality, Responses, edited by Gerry Rodgers, Charles Gore, and Jose Figueiredo, Geneva: International Institute for Labour Studies. 15. Sinha S. (2005), Reaching out to undernourished children: Social Inequities and Policy Perspectives. Journal of Health and Development, 1( 4),71-90. Smith L. C. and Haddad L.(2000), Explaining Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries: A Cross- Country Analysis. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C., pp. 5-7.
30 BUTTERFLIES Pattern and Determinants of Social Exclusion in Schools among Children of Scavenger Community at Primary Level Education In India* Vikram Singh
Abstract of caste Hindus and the state’s functionaries. They are found in almost ~11 cities of India where Untouchability inhibits scavengers from they sweep the streets and manually engage in accessing facilities in housing, marriage, carrying night-soil. employment, education, and general social interaction- divisions that are reinforced through Manual Scavenging and Scavengers economic boycotts and physical violence. Members of the community are forced to perform Manual scavenging, the act of human removal tasks deemed too “polluting” or degrading/or of excreta from dry pit latrines is detrimental to non-Dalits. The children of manual scavengers environmental, mental and public health, and is are vulnerable to discrimination in their schools, a gross violation of human rights. This practice is where they are forced to perform cleaning and prevalent in many parts of India. The practice of scavenging work, and where discrimination human waste removal and the construction of dry undermines all aspects of their education and pit latrines were banned in 1993 with the passage often cause them to drop out of school altogether of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and because of their caste. In this paper, an attempt Construction of Dry Latrines Prohibition Act. is made to explore the question of educational The employment of manual scavengers and status among scavengers at first hand and to construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 understand the concerned issue at depth and came into force in six states (Andhra Pradesh, in relation to their double marginalisation and Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Tripura and West exclusion in Society which also affects their Bengal) and all the union territories under clause educational aspirations and becomes a matter of (1) of Article 252 of the Constitution of India. By grave concern amongst them. 2007, 19 states and all Union Territories adopted the Act. However, even after 15 years not much Introduction progress has been made in eradicating this inhuman practice. Despite legal measures, laws Caste system is the bane of Indian society. are rarely enforced. This is largely because other It is so sanctioned by religion that it prevents feasible sanitation alternatives have yet to be the freedom of mind to strive for liberation. determined. Dalits, who are at the lowest rung of society, Manual scavengers are the most excluded are the most oppressed people in India. Manual and exploited communities among Dalits. They Scavengers are among the most excluded and are the lowest in the Hindu caste hierarchy and exploited communities among the Dalits. They therefore suffer from double marginalisation in are considered to be the lowest in the Hindu caste Hindu caste hierarchy. They are found almost hierarchy and therefore suffer multiple forms of all over India engaged in cleaning, sweeping the discrimination and social exclusion at the hands streets and manually engaging in carrying out
* Article originally published in Voice of Dalit Vol. 7, No. 1, 2014, pages 81-93
Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 31 night-soil removal. Women are the worst victims is that social stratification results from a value as they constitute more than eighty per cent of consensus in society about the ranking of roles the work force of manual scavengers. Apart from and statuses for rewards. Similarly all conflict social stigma, work of scavenging is lowly paid, theories assume that consensus of values it causes health problems and many manual manifest only the sanctions that the power elite in scavengers die while cleaning up the sewage. a society impose upon men entering into various “There are different sub-caste names among roles and status situations. The stratification Scheduled Castes for manual scavengers like system is therefore inherently unstable, involving Balimiki, Dhanuk (Uttar Pradesh); Bhangi, Methar perpetual conflicts for mobility of status and ( Assam); Methar (Andhra Pradesh); Paki (Coastal challenge to the established structure of power.3 Andhra Pradesh); Lalbegi, Chuhara, Mira, Due to the hierarchical nature of Indian society Balashahi (Punjab); Hadi (West Bengal), Thotti with castes and untouchability having strong hold (Tamil Nadu); Bhangi, Balimiki, Methar, Chuhra over the minds of general people, certain sections (Delhi); Balimiki, Bhangis, Mehatar (Rajasthan, of society have suffered a -lot over the years. The Madhya Pradesh and Haryana) etc. “Their number division of Indian society is primarily done on the is not counted separately under census because basis of castes, class, religion, region and sex. they fall under the legal category of Scheduled Caste is the most pervasive parameter which Castes; however, their total population would not divides Indian society, especially the Hindus who be less than 13 lakhs”. 1These all names given form nearly 82 percent of the population. Other to them on the basis of their origin and contrary to non-Hindus groups are also characterized by their position to give them dignity despite their low several features of the caste system. Our society status in caste hierarchy Balmiki is thought to be divides the people into clean and unclean castes the first “Sanskrit poet and author of Ramayana on the basis of purity and pollution. Untouchables (holy book of Hindus) and was brought up by a have the lowest ritual standing and economic sweeper woman although he was Brahmin (higher position. They also suffer from severe social and in caste system)mendicant’s son. Chuhra means civic disabilities. The most degrading and unclean beautiful and Methar, a Persian word meaning works are associated with them. Surprisingly, prince or leader. However Bhangi is derived from though caste is determined on the basis of birth, word Bhang (leaves of marijuana) because they it in turn, determines the distribution of scarce are addicted to drinking to the substance of these goods and resources such as income, health and leaves” .2 education. Since education was viewed by the makers of Constitution as an instrument of social Indian Society and Education change, social mobility, equality and integration, Indian society is divided on the basis of the political elite, social reformers, and intellectuals religion, caste, class and gender which divide it agreed, at th~ advent of independence, in 1947 into strata. The need in society for ranking the that the disadvantaged groups had to be given roles and status of its members commensurate access to education even if it meant giving special with their relative normative utilitarian significance privileges. Hence, safeguards were provided in for society leads to the consequent rewards or the constitution to protect the rights of the SC/ the ranking and differential rewarding of roles ST j OBCs and provisions were made to enforce and statuses commensurate with their access them through courts of law. There have certainly to the extent of institutionalized power. The first been positive developments in India since explanation corresponds roughly with what is independence. Yet 40% of its population is still known as the functionalist theory and the second below the poverty line, and a substantial part of it with the conflict theory of social stratification. A is destitute. The poor come largely from the SC/ common presupposition in all functional theories ST and are concentrated in villages. Traditionally the relationship between these deprived or Dalit
32 BUTTERFLIES castes and the upper and middle castes was that respectively. The overall literacy rate of both the of exploitation through patronage, but following SC and ST population is 54.34% and 46.34% independence, due to high degree of politicization, respectively. Although it shows a considerable communication exposure and social awareness improvement over the census data of 1951 which the Dalits now not only reject and resent the shows it to be 16.67% and 5% respectively, it patronage of the upper middle castes but also is far below the overall literacy rate of the total maintain a hostile competitive relationship with population of India which is 64.38% . In the field them that at times lead to violent movements. of elementary education the achievement of Purity and pollution of castes follow from their both SC and ST on the basis of enrolment is not traditional occupation and stick to castes as satisfactory. The enrolment ratio is 98% in this a whoie which ultimately leads to inequality in year. Even the enrolment ratio is far below the the society. One of the stark realities of human enrolment ratio of the OBC and other general society is inequality or what the sociologists call caste population. social stratification. It is seen to exist in some form At the secondary level (Classes IX-XII), the or other in all societies. Inequality means that enrolment figures of SC and ST students are certain individuals or groups in a society are in a reported to be within the ranges of 12-14% and relatively disadvantageous situation in regard to 4-6%, respectively, during the 14 year period the access to and possession of various societal for which data was available from government resources such as wealth, power, education sources between the years (1990-91 to 2004- and occupation. In other words, some have no 05; GOI, 2007). In both these cases, enrolment access to the societal resources, or the extent shares are less than their shares in the total of their access to the societal resources falls population of the country. These figures seem to short of what is accepted as desirable within a indicate that the progress in terms of enrolment society. Inequality of educational opportunities is at the secondary school stage has not been a reality that has existed in India for generations. satisfactory. In the traditional caste system education was The University Education Commission (1948- the prerogative of the upper castes. SC/ST-s 49) putting emphasis on the education of weaker experienced the most inequality of educational sections of the society, including the SC and ST opportunities resulting from the discriminatory communities stated that in a democratic society, social practices of the caste system and the opportunities for learning must be open not elite oriented educational system. Some of only to the elite but also to all those who carry the probable reasons for continuance of the the privilege and responsibility of citizenship, Scheduled Castes’ educational backwardness as education is a universal right, not a class and widespread poverty could be, absence of privilege. But still after 65 years of concentrated easily accessible schools, lack of adequate effort the system has not changed. According facilities within schools, overemphasis on higher to the data of NUEPA (2007), New Delhi, the education at the expense of elementary education, enrolment of OBC children in primary schools existence of the vestiges of untouchability and has been within the range of 40-42 % during the inequality of educational opportunities within the period of three years from 2003-04 to 2005-06. Scheduled Castes themselves. Since the OBC groups comprise 32-36% of the country’s total population, it is safe to conclude Education among Marginalised that OBC’s are doing well in primary education. Sections The OBC group is not as far behind upper castes in primary education as the SCs and STs. But data According to the Indian census 2001, the regarding their enrolment at the upper primary, Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes secondary, senior secondary and college levels constitute 16.2% and 8.2% of the total population is not available because there is uncertainty
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 33 about the actual size of their population. It has again and every child gets at least elementary been reported by government sources that the education by making it free and compulsory. gross enrolment ratio of OBC students in higher The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory education at present is about 7% compared with Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act, 2009) was notified 10% for all students” .4 on 27th August, 2009 for general information. The notification for enforcing the provisions of Constitutional Provisions and Policies the Act with effect from Aprill, 2010 was issued in Education on 16th February, 2010. The RTE Act provides the legislative framework for Universalisati0n The Constitution of India recognized that of Elementary Education (UEE). The salient education is a tool for achieving the right to features of the RTE Act, 2009 are: equality and social justice in India. Articles 45, 1. The right of children to free and compulsory 21(A) and 51: A (k) of the Indian Constitution and education till completion of elementary education the Right to Education Act 2009 are significant in a neighbourhood school. as they promise to provide free and compulsory 2. It clarifies that ‘compulsory education’ education for all children up to the age of 14 means obligation of the appropriate government years. to provide free elementary education and The Indian government has started several ensure compulsory admission, attendance and educational policies and programmes for completion of elementary education to every child universalizing ‘education in the country. The in the six to fourteen age group. ‘Free’ means major policies such as Education Policy, 1968, that no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee New Education Policy, 1986 and 1992; and or charges or expenses which may prevent him several programmes like Minimum Level of or her from pursuing and completing elementary Learning (MLL), Operation Blackboard (OB), education. District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) 3. It makes provisions for a non-admitted child and recent intervention Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to be admitted to an age appropriate class. (SSA) have been introduced in Indian education 4. It specifies the duties and responsibilities system. Though the Indian Constitution ensures of appropriate Governments, local authority Right to Education as free and compulsory, it is and parents in providing free and compulsory a fact that the educational backwardness in the education, and sharing of financial and other country is posing a challenge for the policy makers responsibilities between the Central and State in India. Following the judgments of the Supreme Governments. Court, the Constitution 86th Amendment Act was 5. It lays down the norms and standards formally passed in 2002 making education a relating inter alia to Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTRs), fundamental right and inserted a new Article 21A buildings and infrastructure, school working days, after Article 21 of the Constitution. To translate teacher working hours. this into action, the ‘Right of Children to Free and 6. It provides for rational deployment of Compulsory Education Bill’ was drafted in 2005. teachers by ensuring that the specified PTR is The bill was revised and it became an Act in maintained for each school, rather than just as August 2009, and has ultimately come into force an average for the State or District or Block, thus from Aprill, 2010. It is now legally enforceable ensuring that there is no urban-rural imbalance in for every child to demand free and compulsory teacher postings. It also provides for prohibition education in the age group of 6 to 14 years. of deployment of teachers for noneducational However, it cannot be denied that a large number work, other than decennial census, elections to of students in India drop out from school due to local authority, state legislatures and parliament, poverty or family problems; but government this and disaster relief. time wants to ensure that this would not happen 7. It provides for appointment of appropriately
34 BUTTERFLIES trained teachers, i.e. teachers with the requisite norms under the SSA for uniforms, transportation entry and academic qualifications; costs and residential schools to implement the 8. It prohibits (i) physical punishment and combined RTE-SSA programme have also been mental harassment, (ii) screening procedures included. The CCEAalso approved revision of for admission of children, (iii) capitation fees, (iv) the funding pattern f or the combined RTE-SSA private tuition by teachers, (v) running of schools programme between the Centre and the States in without recognition ratio of 65:35 in all States and 90:10 for the eight 9. It provides for the following penalties: North Eastern States. The Expenditure Finance a. For charging capitation fee: fine up to 10 Committee (EFC) under Finance Ministry in July times the capitation fee charged, agreed to fund the sharing formula keeping in b. For resorting to screening during admission: view demands of States for higher assistance Rs 25,000 for first contravention; Rs 50,000 for from the Centre t? implement the RTE Act (Govt. each subsequent contravention, c. For running revises SSA norms, Press Trust of India/New a school without recognition : fine up to Rs. one Delhi, September 9, 2010). In spite of several lakh, and in case of continuing contravention changes that have taken place in education Rs. 10,000 for each day during which the sector, the government policies on education contravention continues. have not yet achieved universalization of 10. It provides for development of curriculum elementary education among deprived section in in c.onsonance with the values enshrined in the India. During last sixty years there were several Constitution, and which would ensure the all- policies and programmes that had been badly round development of the child, building on the launched in the Indian education sector. child’s knowledge, potentiality and talent and making the child free of fear, trauma and anxiety Social Exclusion and Education through a system of child friendly and child It is often argued that the quality of education centred learning. in public schools is inadequate compared to 11. It provides for protection and monitoring of private schools. The poor quality of education, the child’s right to free and compulsory education especially in rural areas, can be attributed to and redressal of grievances by the National and inadequate infrastructure, lack of accvuntability State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights, of teachers to local community (teachers’ salaries which shall have the powers of a civil court. are controlled by the state), and inadequate 12. The law also makes it mandatory for work conditions of teachers (teachers are often private institution to reserve 25 percent of seats compelled to teach more than one grade at a for the children from weaker section. time). Of all Indian children, Dalit children suffer Aiming at smooth implementation of the Right the most. For example, school attendance in to Education Act, the Government on September 1998-1999 was 65.7% for Scheduled Caste 9, 2010 approved revision of existing norms of the children age 717, compared to 81.3% for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Programme (SSA) to bring high caste children (Jenkins & Barr, 2006). it in conformity with the Act. The SSA, which is a Furthermore, the completion rate of five years of major flagship programme of the Government to schooling for Scheduled Castes from 2002 2004 universalise elementary education in the country, was 34%, compared to 44% for higher castes.5 will be the main vehicle for implementation of the The perspective within which the educational RTE Act. The Government revised SSA norms, concerns of the Scavenger community should vetted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic be addressed must be one of social justice as Affairs (CCEA), includes provision for teachers Scavenger community have suffered from social and classroom, support for academic supervision, discrimination and have traditionally been denied research evaluation and monitoring and opening access to learning. “A framework of social justice of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. New
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 35 is important in that it goes beyond aggregate without discrimination of any kind irrespective of concerns of equality in the context of access, the child’s of his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s participation, and outcomes in education to one race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or which emphasizes qualitative concerns of what other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, educational experiences mean for identity and birth, property, disability, or other status”. self-worth as well as for future life chances. It Article: 3 “In all actions concerning children also draws attention to the commitments that the best interests of the child shall be a primary educational systems make to the more vulnerable consideration”. groups and how this bears out in concrete terms”.6 Article: 28 “States parties recognize the right of the child to education and on the basis Social Exclusion of Children of equal opportunity shall, in particular, make primary education compulsory and available, free A child can be called as socially excluded if to all, encourage the development of different he/ she is unable to participate in development forms of secondary education make them and get recognized by society. Another way of available and accessible to every child, and take approach to social exclusion of children is failure appropriatemeasures such as the introduction of of recognizing the rights and capabilities that are free education and offering financial assistance necessary for the child to develop him/herself to in case of need; take measures to ~ncourage be a productive member of the society. Hence, regular attendance at schools and the reduction in both of the cases the child is prevented from of drop-out rates”. integrating him/herself ·into the society. Article: 29 “States parties agree that the “Berghman (1995) describes four different education of the child shall be directed to the types of integration and participation, civic development of the child’s personality, talents, integration relating to the democratic and legal and mental and physical abilities to their system (and for example the legal status and fullest potential; the preparation of the child for treatment of children in general and minority or responsible life in a free society in the spirit of children belonging to scavenger community in understanding peace, tolerance, equality of sexes particular) economic integration mainly related and friendship among all peoples ethnic, national to employment, social related to the inclusion in and religious groups and person of indigenous the public safety net, and family and community, origin”. integration relating to networks or what some The rights or capabilities based approach observers have recently termed social capital. used above in defining social exclusion says Hence, when exclusion of a child is to be studied that if social exclusion is a violation of rights or in all these four areas of integration. Theprimary capabilities it immediately implies that a society and most basic guidelines formed taking c that tolerates social exclusion has some internal onsensus of all the world leaders in the world problem as a result of which it has failed to grant is the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the basic rights or capabilities to its citizens; in this Child which has been signed and ratified by the case it is the children belonging to the scavenger majority countries in the world. It talks about the community. rights of the children, exclusion and inclusion and There are several reasons why the practice of of its failure in meeting any of these rights deal social exclusion should be scrutinized.” According a blow to the ability of the child to interact with to Stephan Klasen, social exclusion among society on equal terms.Some of the articles from children may, as a result of their exclusion, suffer it are worth noting and very much associated. from deficiencies in other important capabilities Article: 2 “State parties shall respect and such as the ability to be healthy, well educated, ensure the rights set forth in the present well housed, or well nourished.7 convention to each child within their jurisdiction
36 BUTTERFLIES Conclusion and Suggestions are assigned menial tasks such as sweeping and cleaning classrooms. Higher rates reported The illiteracy and literacy levels of the members children were mainly from dalit and tribal of the community are important in terms of outlining communities.” (Kabeer; 2006:11) The Right to the opportunities for education that have been Education Act states that the state shall make available as well as in highlighting the economic provisions to provide free and compulsory and social compulsions that influence the access education to the children between 6 to 14 years to education at the individual and community level. age group. But still after 64 years of independence If education is one of the means for the younger the government of India has not been able to generation to break out of this occupation, then provide free and compulsory education to all it becomes relevant to discuss; While illiteracy the children who are out of school or drop out of parents and the family circumstances can of school. Although the Constitution of India talks discourage educational aspirations because about equality, still children from marginalised people from the scavenger community are from communitiies like scavenger community face lower socio-economic background; children of exclusionary practices inside the schooling this commt1!’.ity remain disadvantaged across system. The children of scavenger community many social indicators. Another important reason whose voices were suppressed till date are one of why less concern is shown by the parents of the extreme marginalised categories of children in these children is their low educational status and education; being from the Scheduled Castes they the problems they face at their work place. The are excluded and further being from scavenger central and state governments have devised community they are even more stigmatised. They many schemes, programs and provisions for suffer from the multidimensional exclusionary the overall development of the children from processes which are rigid and ingrained in Indian the Scheduled Caste categories. The children society. from the scavenger community due to their low Because of the caste system where society caste face discrimination in their education. The is divided on the basis of their occupations those children from higher I other SCs do not become who belong to the lowermost in the society like their friends as they do not play with them ; this the Scavengers have to work according to their generates a sense of exclusion and rejection caste stipulations like manual scavenging where which further lead to psychological disturbances they have to clean for others; now they accepted and deviant behaviour which at a later stage may this profession as their role in the society which lead to truancy, vagrancy and child deliquency; entrenches their backwardness in the Society. and during schooling it affects the educational Balmiki, Bhangi, Dam, Dhanuk, Mehtar, and Hela achievement of the child. But it needs more (Traditional scavengers) are considered amongst explanation to understand the pyschological the most polluted of castes while “Chamars” problems developed by them because of rejection. (Leather workers) have higher social status. As Another element of social exclusion of SC mentioned earlier, in methodology some Dalit children from elementary education in India is castes have had the advantage of early access the discriminatory attitude of the teachers. The to educational opportunities. level of insensitivity of teachers to caste based Post-independence developments such discrimination and insensitive behaviour which as changes in the agrarian economy,limited negatively affect the children of the scavenger land reforms, proximity to cities or actual urban community result in the push factor from school. resistance as well as access to education have Teachers in India are predominantly upper placed some Dalit sub castes in a relatively more caste and bring their own understandings of the favourable position enabling them to avail of legitmacy of caste relations into the classroom. opportunities for economic betterment that have Dalit children are expected to run errands and been officially targeted at these communities.
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 37 (Pai, 2000) location, occupation and parental education Educational disparities among Dalit sub-caste have significant impact on schooling of children. have not received adequate attention. Some dalit In other words, children from socially b~l”kward castes have been able to avail of opportunities groups like scavenger community to household for education and new occupations and thereby with illiterate parents and to household of lower better their social conditions relative to other income are most likely to be out-of-schools. castes .Castes such as the Chamars/Jatava~ in Following the demand and supply side U.P., Mahars in Maharastra and Malas in Andhra frame-work of analysis it can be argued that the Pradesh are among those Dalits that have been levels of incidence of out-of-schools at national, able to improve their educational status and state or regional level depend upon supply economic situation, to far greater extents than and demand side factors. Though the supply the Balmikis, Bhangis, Mangs I Madigas in these (in terms of availability, access and quality of states. schooling) factor is necessary positive impact Even within these castes a relatively small on schooling, it is not sufficient to realise the section has been able to avail of the benefits of goal of universal elementary education in India. policies and program of affirmative action directed Demand for schooling, which is conditioned by at these communities. Pai (2001) speaks of new socio-economic characteristics of the household inequalities that have been created by the present raises several concerns in terms of inequality and policies of affirmative action and the social conflict deprivation. that results as the competition between Dalits for Based on analysis one may conclude that low scarce resource heightens. educational status among children of scavengers Scavenger children face intense discrimination is a consequence of multiple deprivations which and untouchability practices related to their caste could be summed up asthe problem of insecurity. and parents’ occupation. This often leads to the In the present study i n a given socio-cultural children having little or no access to education setting, economic factors like low levels of income or dropping out of school to move slowly into the and parental education emerge as the major only job society prescribes for them (SKA). The deciding factors behind the child’s schooling. education system for the Scavengers education Children leave education either to engage in is designed by the people who have oppressed household duties or work as earning members them. Non-inclusion of scavengers in educational in the family. That can happen in two conditions; system, despite measures including policy either due to economic compulsion of lower initiatives and curricular reforms to provide access income household or due to lack of educational to education, has been a cause of concern for opportunity they ffiight be at work by default policy makers. It is the inability of these reforms (Bahttay, 1998). and initiatives that prompts us to rethink about or Apart from the problem of the cost of schooling scrutinize their conceptualization. It is clear that more specifically indirect costs of schooling, the situation of ‘exclusion’ is an outcome of lack physical access and in some cases social access of willingness to come to school mainly due to act as reasons for being out-of-schools. And, as poverty, la~k of access, teacher absenteeism, a consequence, the constitutional provision of quality of teaching and the like. ‘free’ elementary education becomes a rhetoric Children out-of-school is the central problem rather than reality for the poor. In the policy behind India’s failure to universalize schooling. perspectives, it is assumed that state has the In this context, this paper has attempted to bring obligation to deliver the educational services. out the levels of out-ofschools among children The supply (provision) of schooling is necessary belonging to the scavenger community, its but not sufficient condition for ensuringuniversal patterns and determinants at elementary level. It child schooling. is observed during the Study that income, caste, Rather, this paper proposes three mechanisms
38 BUTTERFLIES through which child schooling may be improved: Nambissan and Sedwal Provision, Enforcement and enabling conditions. 7 Klasen, Stephan. (2002): “Social Exclusion The provision meets both the manifested demand and Children in OECD Countries: Some and the latent demand by converting the latent Conceptual Issues”, The School Field. into manifested through demonstration effect, persuasion and role modelling. The enforcement References keeps the obligation on parents to send their 1. Das, Bhagwan. (2007): Balmiki Jayanti aur Bhangi children to schools. And finally, policy directing fatiya, Gautam Book Centre, Delhi. towards the out-of-schools not only emphasizes 2. India Education Report; Chapter- 6, Education the provision of schooling but should ensures the for All: The Situation of Dalit Children in India by availability of required means at the hands of all for Nambissan and Sedwal. the parents for attainment of the goal of” education 3. Klasen, Stephan. (2002): “Social Exclusion and for all”. As mentioned earlier, development of a Children in OECD Countries: Some Conceptual sense of exclusion and rejection which further Issues”, The School Field. lead to psychological disturbances and deviant 4. Ramaswamy, G. (2005): “India Stinking: behaviour which in later stage may lead to truancy, Scavenger in Andhra and Their Work”. Navayana vagrancy and child deliquency also affects the Publication, Chennai. educational achievement of the child (i.e. drop- 5. Singh, Y. (2006), Social Stratification and Change out) may also be a form of resistance, especially in India, Manohar Publishers and Distributors, to being schooled in a particular system which is New Delhi. discriminative and selective in the knowledge and 6. Thorat, Sukhadeo (2009): Dalits in India; Search experiences it propagates (Giroux, 1983). It is for a Common Destiny, Sage Publications, New here that questions about character of knowledge Delhi. and schooling originate in specific ·.:ontext of communitieswhich have been ‘excluded’ from the ‘mainstream’ institutions. So, a new fresh look at www. unicef.orgl policyanalysis / files ISocial the various aspects of this education is overdue. Exclusion of Scheduled Caste Children from Primary Education in India.pdf Notes 1 Ramaswamy, G. (2005): “India Stinking: Scavenger in Andhra and Their Work”. Navayana Publication, Chennai. 2 Das, Bhagwan. (2007): Balmiki Jayanti aur Bhangi fatiya, Gautam Book Centre, Delhi. 3 Singh, Y. (2006), Social Stratification and Change in India, Manohar Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi. 4 Thorat, Sukhadeo., (2009): Dalits in India; Search for a Common Destiny, Sage Publications, New Delhi. 5 www. unicef .orgl policy analysis I files I Social_Exclusion_ of_ Scheduled_ Caste_ Children_from_ Primary _Education_in_India. pdf. 6 India ~ducation Report; Ch 6- Education for All: The Situation of Dalit Children in India by
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 39 NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINES COVERED IN THIS ISSUE Amar Ujala Business Business Line Business Standard Dainik Hindustan Daily Excelsior Dainik Jagran Deccan Chronicle Deccan Herald Frontline Financial Express Free Press Journal Haribhoomi News Hindustan Times Indian Express Kashmir Times Mail Today Millennium Post Mint Mumbai Mirror National Duniya Rashtriya Sahara The Economic Times The Assam Tribune The Asian Age The Hindu The Times of India The Hindustan Times The Indian Express The Pioneer The Sentinel The Statesman The Sikh Times The Sunday Guardian The Tribune
The News covered in this issue is from January to April 2016
40 BUTTERFLIES Panchayats To Be Accountable For CHILDREN Reporting Child Marriages AND SOCIETY The Tribune, New Delhi, 15 January, 2016 Panchayats to be accountable for Pradeep Sharma reporting child marriages 41 The Tribune Based on TISS report, atmosphere of security for ‘The child should be given a chance govt. directs police, civic girls, it batted for stricker for to reform’ 42 bodies to curb the menace girls, it batted for stricker Frontline laws against molestation and Acting on a report of Parents must ensure their children harassment. “The enforcement are free of worries 45 Mumbai-based Tata Institute of laws are essential to promote The Sunday Guardian of Social Sciences (TISS), the an atmosphere of safety Haryana Govermment has “Children should be told ‘try to do and security for girls,” the your best’ instead of ‘do your best” 47 made panchayats accountable communication said. for reporting child marriages to Free Press Journal “More scholarships and elimate the much hated social 18 lky ls NksVh o/kq ?kj ykus esa jkt/kkuh schemes to promote vocational practice. pkSFks uacj ij 48 skills among girls are required. “The responsibility for nSfud fgUnwLrku This needs particular attention reporting child marriages should since it has been found that be fixed on local bodies such as when family resources are low, panchayats, “ a communication the education of girls is given a from the Director, Women and low priority, “it asserted. Child Department, to various The communication departments said. reasoned that “increased The Urban Local Bodies education and skill building that Department, meanwhile, can provide girls with increased has been asked to make the livelihood options should registration of birth compulsory be a priority to curtail child to determine child’s age. This, marriages”. the department said, would go a The department underscored long way in curbing the practice the need for conducting training of child marriage. and consciousness-raising The department asked programmes for the police the police to promote an
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 41 and the lower-level judiciary. CM keeping eye on of Child and Adolescent Meanwhile, the pre-marriage status report Psychiatry, has worked with a registration of couples with number of children in conflict age proof should be made Chief Minister Manohar Lal with law in collaboration with mandatory for mass marriages. Khattar is closely monitoring the Centre for child and Law “The mass marriages in a district the follow-up action on the (NLSIU). Excerpts from an should not be allowed without TISS report. “The Chief Minister interview they gave frontline. intimating the protection-cum- has desired to take a follow-up There is a notion that if prohibition officers,”it said. action as per the suggestions of someone is old enough to One the need for a follow- the report,” the communication rape he is old enough to hang up action on children whose said, asking departments to (or old enough to face the marriages have been prohibited, send a action-taken report criminal justice system as the communication said there within a month so that the status an adult). According to many was need for regular tracking report could be put up before critics of this argument, neu- and follow-up to ensure there the Chief Minister. roscience has shown that was no attempt to marry off while adolescents know right these children till they turn 18. ‘The Child Should from wrong, they lack the The departments were also capacity to control their in- provided requisite were also Be Given A Chance stincts to undertake risky provided requisite support for To Reform’ behavior. Is the adolescent such children’s growth and brain old enough to know the empowerment. Emotional Frontline, New Delhi consequences of its act? support and counseling be 22 January, 2016 The adolescent brain cannot given to the children and their Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed be judged in the same way in families, it added. which an adult’s brain is judged. While almost 90 percent of Tackling child marriage Interview with Dr. Shekhar P. Seshadri and Dr. Preeti brain development –in terms of menace Jacob of the Department volume – occurs by about six years of age, the fine-tuning of yy Police asked to promote of child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NIMHANS, the brain continues well into the atmosphere of security of third decade of life. So the point girls; stricter laws against Dr. Shekhar P. Seshadri, A we are making is that while harassment of girls professor at the Department of the volume of the brain is all y y MCs asked to make Child and Adolescent Psychiatry there, the connections and the registration of birth at the National Institute of Mental functionality of the various parts compulsory to determine Health and Neuro Sciences take time to develop. child’s age (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, has How different is the ado- yy More scholarships and been working in the area of child lescent brain from the adult vocational training schemes and adolescent mental health, brain? Can you explain the for girl students especially with children from development of the brain from yy More training camps for difficult circumstances, for the a neuroscience perspective? police officials and lower- past 30 years. He has an abiding There are two key concepts level judiciary interest in community psychiatry in the development of the brain: yy Need for emotional support and qualitative research using one is called “pruning” and the and counselling to children experiential methodologies. other is called “myelination”. whose marriages have been Dr. Preeti Jacob, an Assistant As the brain develops, pruning prohibited. Professor at the Department
42 BUTTERFLIES is the process when the brain in some cases, the brain is not have any basis in science. eliminates connections that more vulnerable for reasons of It would be injudicious with the it feels are not being used. It heightened stress while growing scientific evidence at hand to starts near the time of birth and up. In such cases, the brain lower it to 16 years. It is another continues into adolescence. takes more time to develop fully. argument all together whether There are two types of pruning: You say that physical ma- we are going to increase it to “regulatory pruning” and turity and mental maturity do 21 years, when a person is “pruning of the maturing brain”. not go hand in hand. considered to be biologically The latter is the kind of pruning Yes, physical maturity mature, But lowering it to 16 that occurs during adolescence. does not go hand in hand with with all this evidence is unwise. In this type, connections cognitive maturity. While does The age of juvenile offend- that are frequently used are not go hand in hand with cognitive er to be tried as an adult has strengthened and those that are maturity. While someone may been lowered in the . not used or are rarely used are be old enough and physically What do you have to say eliminated. Myelination is the mature to assault/aggress, about this? process where a fatty sheath do they really understand the We come from a position of forms around the axon of the consequences of what they deep respect for anyone who’s neuron (nerve cells) in order to are doing not in a retrospective a victim of violence and for conduct nerve impulses faster. sense but at that point in time? their familiers. We come from Myelination makes the brain Many adolescents are capable a position where we believe in more efficient as it transmits of regulating their emotions zero tolerance to any form a information faster and enables and actions but children who position where we believe in the brain to undertake more come from disadvantaged and zero tolerance to any form of complex operations. It starts in unfortunate backgrounds, who violence. That is non-negotiable. childhood and continues into have themselves undergone We are not saying that an the third decade. severe abuse or trauma of any offender, say the adolescent The last part of the brain sort, find it more difficult. If you who was part of the gang that to get myelinated is the compare this with an adult: committed the Delhi gang rape, frontal cortex, specifically the most adults can contain their should not be accountable for dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. impulses. Thus, there is a great what he did. Of course, he has This is the part of the brain that need to understand the balance to be held accountable. But helps in impulse control and between the nature of a child’s/ does accountability have to executive functioning apart adolescent’s act and the nature be in the adult criminal system from critical thinking. The limbic of the circumstances from or are there provisions in the system is the primitive part of the which the child comes from. existing Juvenile Justice Act brain that deals with emotions, We refer to this as the issue of (with the amendments made memory and drives and can be proportionality. in 2006 and 2011) by which likened to the engine of a car. If pruning and myelination this can be done? We believe The frontal cortex, especially the of the brain are completed in that there is a provision in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the third decade of a person’s Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, can be compared to the brake life, is there a case for in- and that is where we see the system of a car. In adolescence creasing the age of a person difference between retributive the “brakes” are not fully to be tried as an adult to 21? justice and rehabilitative justice. functional (as they haven’t been Well, globally, the age of If a child commits his first petty completely myelinated). adulthood has been accepted crime, let us say he pilfers Another point to note is that as 18 years even though it does something, do you push the child towards a criminal justice
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 43 system or towards a child mental into conflict with the law. What this information is available in health system? The answer is we usually observe is that while the public domain when there obvious. The child should be the legal redress occurs, the are strict confidential clauses.). given a chance to reform under psycho-social rehabilitation does The brain of a child a rehabilitative mental health not occur in the way in which offender is a brain that is not system. it is envisioned in the Juvenile fully developed. In a state of There is a difference between Justice Act, 2000. Unless we emotional arousal, whether culpability and accountability, look at it from a psycho-socio- due to stress or excitation, an and accountability is part of the legal perspective we are not adolescent’s brain is further work that we do is to address looking at holistic rehabilitation. compromised. So the brain issues of accountability and We need to understand the chid, development of children who reformation. the background from which he/ come from backgrounds where In your experience in she comes and the reasons for there are severe nutritional working with adolescent of- his coming into conflict the law. deprivation, trauma and abuse fenders, would you say that The rehabilitative process is is further delayed/compromised. the rehabilitative process has successful when a therapeutic Does the India experience been successful? alliance is built with the of adolescent criminal behav- Yes, in our experience, adolescent. We also need ior differ from the global one the rehabilitative system has to think about what this child or does it follow the same been successful. The mental is going to do once he goes pattern? health system functions under back to society and provide We believe that most the belief and the premise vocational rehabilitation. So if behaviours – criminal or that transformation is possible we do not look at the process otherwise are pretty much and we believe in restorative of rehabilitation holistically and universal. The contributory processes. If an individual care just look at the criminal aspect factors are the same for plan (ICP) is executed with care repeatedly, it is going to be “Juvenile offenders” the world and precision and a process inadequate. over. based on long-term monitoring, What is the background What are the limitations it works. An ICP has to be of child offenders in your of an adequate mental health entrusted to people who are able experience? care plan in the rehabilitative to execute this rehabilitative Children who come into process? restorative plan, which looks at conflict with the law invariably The mental health system a number of factors that brought came from brutal backgrounds is one cog in the larger wheel the child in conflict with the where they have been neglected; of the rehabilitative process. law (risk factors) and how to severely abused emotionally, All the other cogs also have rehabilitate him in a manner that physically or sexually; or have of the rehabilitative process. he can go back to society. undergone severe trauma All the other cogs also have For each child to be and deprivation. Every child to function equally well for the rehabilitated, we need to in conflict with the law is a mental healthcare plan to be look at psycho-socio-legal child who would have been in successful. If you look at the rehabilitation, that is, the need of care and protection at way government homes for psychological state, the social some point in time in their life. juvenile offenders are run, one condition from which the child Even this juvenile in the Delhi will understand that there are comes and where the child is gang-rape case comes from a several angles to this process. going to go back, and the legal background of severe abuse, We can’t do anything if a child reason why the child has come where one parent had a mental goes back to a government illness. (We also wonder how all
44 BUTTERFLIES home where he is being abused. Here I sit writing about lives, either as a result of their All systems (government parenting, noting down the own misdoing or because their home, education, vocational ingredients that help develop world is unfair to them, they skill, health, both physical and physical and mental health of don’t retort to something as mental) have to step up and those, whose innocence and terrible suicide! Statistics says the child needs to be looked at energy we are supposed to every year 15 people in India holistically. The cornerstone of channelize into constructive commit suicide every hour! And the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, creativity, by the time they are every year, between 30 and 40 was the best interest of the big enough to be called citizens! people per 100,000 Indians, child’, and that must be adhered This week I thought I would write aged between 15 and 29 put to in every rehabilitation plan. about baby massage and bath. and end to their lives. As mental health care pro- But my mind goes haywire, Suicide isn’t another way of fessionals, what do you think given that the country is ablaze avenging others. People take of the Juvenile Justice Act, with issues, either created or this step only when they give 2000? corrupted, and as a conscious upon themselves. It is an end The Juvenile Justice Act, citizen, I feel responsible for of hope. And it is extremely 2000, was a comprehensive each one of them. unfortunate that educated piece of legislation, which had I had been thinking individuals, who have a family its heart in the right place. But about RohithVemula. Words to go back to, would choose the 2015 one is more punitive associated with this fateful name this path lives. Every life has and it does not look at child are caste, religion, bureaucracy, problems; no one is having it mental health. The 2000 Act ran protest, unrest, suicide, murder, easy and hassle free. Every life into problems when it came to politics, authorities, students. has to go through the grill that implementation, but now we are The entire incident stands makes is difficult to sustain, and looking at an Act that is punitive on three legs the authorities, yet, that is the experience that on paper. politics and students of course shapes personality and integrity. each leg blaming the other two. Failing might be an acceptable Parents Must Getting into a logical anlaysis on option, but giving up is not! the role of stake holders doesn’t So what is it that dawns Ensure Their fall within the boundaries of my upon some of those young Children Are Free theme, which is parenting. But minds who chose the path that the insight I derive out of it and defeats not only themselves but Of Worries the impact it leaves, does! also those who live and care for As a parent, my concern them? Would there be some The Sunday Guardian, New Delhi is how do we ensure that our parenting guidance we are 31 January, 2016 children don’t ever have to live a missing out on this issue, which Koral Dasgupta life slaughtered by prejudices? can stop the youngsters from Or, if I consider the other side walking this route while voicing Suicide, in many, spells of the story, then how do we their displeasure towards the and end of hope for its ensure that they lead a life depressions they are going countless victims, many of discipline and don’t create through? Are we bringing up of whom belong to a unnecessary nuisance inside our children with the kind of disturbingly young age- campus and into their lives? incomplete and weak values group. Still, parental Most importantly, how do we that they succumb instead of guidance can be a great build the strength of mind and fighting out their fates? Or may help to youngsters in character for our progeny so be I can rephrase it as, would distress. that whatever they face in their there be a solution or prevention
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 45 to this from the parenting angle? you to intervene and solve encourgaging over-confidence. The last few days I have read their problems each time? If When they try to endless articles on youngster yes, then they are not taking communicate something, listen and youth suicide, and research that personal initiative to take to them very attentively, listen to papers on child psychology. life ahead and are emotionally them very attentively. Don’t shut Most of them say that such stagnant somewhere. They them off, however busy you cases happened ue to. need to be brought out of the are right from a very early age, yy Bullying and peer pressure. habit and encouraged to take they should be encouraged to yy Some or the other kind charge of their own journey. speak their hearts out. If you of physical or mental They need to be simultaneously are not available for them to disorders. communicated that parents are hear out their tender concerns, yy Domestic abuse. there forever, for their support. they might pick up that clue yy The effect of drugs and Are you completely and and withdraw into their shells. alcohol. constantly in touch with their This often causes a distance yy Emotional neglect. lives, their company and their between the two generations. y y Cyber bullying and crimes. social status? As much busy Firmly follow the kind of y y Excessive stress. you are, it is important for moral education they are y y When they have come you to know aout the external receiving. Talk to them directly across and followed a environment that envelops about suicides and show them suicide case too closely. them, the people they interact how families are devastated yy By accident, when they and spend time with, the topics because of this. Also educate try to replicate something they discusss, and the values them on important issues like dangerous on themselves. they are picking up from there. sex, aids, drugs, homosexuality After reading the therories Are they growing up tough and everything else that might of many experts and talking to enough? How well are they be a social taboo but young countless individuals on this handling their failures? How minds need to be hand-held issue, I have been able to jot open are they to try again and there by someone responsible down some points which reflect not give up easily? Its fine if so that they develop the right upon a parenting attitude which they feel embarrassed by a attitude towards those. has to start at a very early stage failure, but it should not lead to Give your child a happy and goes on for a lifetime. harassment or shame by any environment at home, whatever These are probably the stepping stretch. be your financial, social or stones for the society to ensure From a very early stage, talk personal status. They need to that our children don’t adopt to them about their importance grow up feeling that love and this ultimate and horrific mean in your life. They need to know positivity around themselves; to tackle the problems of their how precious and indispensable they need to laugh enough lives. However, none of these they are, and how imcomplete and enjoy themselves in the can be approached drastically you have been till they appeared company they have at home, so or abruptly, to change things in your lives. With gestures and that they can always “come back overnight. All of the following words, give them that positive re- home” when they are stressed would need much time to settle enforcement regularly. Nothing and not run away from it! in and develop further the trust boosts confidence more than a between parent and progeny. You can include yourself in child experiencing her parents their lives only when you include As a parent ask yourself, feeling happy and proud about them in yours. Keep absolute are you doing too much of their her. However, know where transparency about your jobs? Does your child expect to stop and don’t overdo it, journey. With our generation
46 BUTTERFLIES and those that follow, patience “Children Should home, complete homework, is not an easy word. In a very go to tuition and other hobby non-preachy way, tell them Be Told ‘Try To Do classes. Disciplinary problems, about the battles you may have Your Best’ Instead interpersonal losses, family gone through and how you violence and being the victim of applied your brain and sourced Of ‘Do Your Best” bullying are other examples of some support to pull yourself stressors. victorious through those. Let Free Press Journal, New Delhi While highlighting the fact them accept you as a human 06 March, 2016 that individual response to being who made mistakes and Chitra Sawant stress is variable as physical, emerged stronger rather than emotional and psychological Godfathers who are an image It is that time of the year stress bearing capacity varies of perfection! And let them love when board exams are on and from person to person, Dr. you and be proud of you; they children crumble under intense Shreekant Chorghade, senior shouldn’t be scared of you. pressure to give their best. paediatrician, child psychologist Don’t hesitate to go for The number of adolescents and counselor, said, “When the professional help the moment commiting suicide increases number of physical illnesses you find the signs of depression during this phase of the in person increase then overpowering their minds. That academic year. Experts explain psyschological stress bearing includes dramatic personality that out of the multiple reasons capacity reduces. Whereas changes, withdrawal from for students committing suicide, then physical well being of the person. This can lead to pleasant activities, strange one of the major causes is the frequent illnesses. Excessive sleeping or eating patterns, inability to handle stress. There psychological stress can lead taking unnecessary risks, giving are many students who handle to depression and if this excess away personal possessions, stress effectively, many learn psyschological stress goes sudden dip in communication, from their failures and move beyond one’s bearing capacity etc. Please don’t try to do the ahead in life. it can lead to a person taking job of a psyschiatrist yourself; Possibility of suicidal extreme step, at times it can it might just make things worse. tendencies is likely to occur lead to suicide”. What helps rather, is asking in combination with several Several studies have them directly and constantly circumstances that seem to over-load teens with stress observed that anxious or about their plans in the days to and hence make them unable depressed parents are likely come. This includes them in a to cope with the challenges to affect children negatively. future that sees bright for them of adolescence which lead to Parents should understand that and is just an initiative away, left increase in stress. Multiple their own inability to handle to be explored. factors are held responsible stress in a right way affects As I conclude, my only for a person’s suicide and that children. Parents are role request to Indian media is, please failure in exams need not be a models for their children who don’t call this unfortunate boy a single cause. imitate them. Children learn to martyr. You never know how Many students are under handle stress by imitating their your language is interpreted by increased pressure due to multi- parents. other immature minds who are tasking as they are expected to Dr. Chorghade, explaining battling myriad issues in their remain attentive and perform the need for parents to be alert schools and colleges. Treat this in school, participate in extra- on their reaction when they feel as nothing more than a parental curricular activities, return stressed out, said, “ Parents concern. are not able to handle their
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 47 own stress and stress in their accustomed to hearing ‘no’ not helping them understand children. Anxiety is contagious, more often than ‘yes’ and thus that failure is part of learning overanxious parents beget over we learnt to handle ‘no’. The process. Help your child to anxious children. Children get present generation has easy learn to accept defeat and take negative vibes from parents, access to the things they want. corrective steps after a mistake. and it puts pressure on them. As a result tolerance level these Help them figure out how to In addition to making them days has gone down.” move on.” nervous, parents might be Who has recommended Research studies have setting long-term behavioural schools to teach life skills and stated that postponement of patterns in motion that could especially to adolescents so that gratification is an effective way harm psychological health of they learn to handle stress and to prevent stress. Delaying their children.” lead creative and constructive gratification improves willpower During adolescence, the life without being burden on the and ultimately helps reach children due to increase in family and the society. longerterm goals faster. It hormonal level children are “Parents are not able was also found that those under more emotional stress to handle their own stress children who were able which makes them tenses and and stress in their children. to delay gratification were sensitive. Hence the reaction to Anxiety is contagious, over- psychologically better adjusted, any stress I exaggerated. anxious parents beget over more dependable persons, Experts suggest that parents anxious children. Children get more self-motivated. “Children should create a stress-free negative vibes from parents, should be told ‘try to do your environment at home by having and it puts pressure on them. best’ instead of ‘do your best’, “ loving relationships between In addition to making them concluded Dr. Chorghade. them. Stating that children nervous, parents might be follow what parents do, Dr. setting long-term behavioural Chorghade mentioned, mind patterns in motion that could 18 lky ls NksVh your behaviour. harm psychological health of Some adolescents are their children.” o/kq ?kj ykus esa not taught postponement of While underlyingthe jkt/kkuh pkSFks gratification within their family importance of why children environment. Nuclear families should be taught with life skills, uacj ij have less number of children, Dr. Bhave, said, “Schools can they are over-provided and over- play a vital role by teaching nSfud fgUnwLrku] ubZ fnYyh helped. Even small incidents students how to think rationally 19 ekpZ] 2016 like not getting branded clothes, and also develop problems fuf”k HkV toys, etc are enough for children solving ability. Teach basic life to get stressed and take extreme skills that can be applied today steps like leaving home or even and prepare students for their fnYyh esa vc Hkh cky fookg gks commit suicide. future unlike those chapters jgs gSaA ;gka gj lky gksus okyh dqy While providing insight in syllabus that isn’t useful in “kkfn;ksa esa 6 izfr”kr yM+fd;ksa dk between stress bearing capacity future life.” fookg 18 lky ls de mez esa yM+fd;ksa of children and materialist While stating how parents dk fookg djkus esa gfj;k.kk igys uacj attitude, senior psychiatrist should serve as an example ij] jktLFkku dk LFkku nwljk] tcfd Dr. SudhirBhave said, “During for rational thinking and solving our childhood there was problems effectively, Dr. Bhava fnYyh pkSFks uacj ij gSA more frustration, as we were said, “We can harm children by ekr`Ro vkSj uotkr e`R;qnj ij
48 BUTTERFLIES losZ {k.k djus okyh varjjk’Vªh; laLFkk xHkZLFk f”k”kq vkSj xHkZorh efgyk nksuksa ds tfj, dqy fookg esa ls 2 ls 3 ;w,u,Qih, vkSj baVjus”ku baLVh;wV dh lsgr ij vlj iM+rk gSA izfr”kr dk xkSukgh :dok;k tk ldkA vkWQ ikWiqys”ku lkbal ds v/;;u ds D;k gS ltk dk izko/kku vuqlkj] 40 izfr”kr efgyk,a jkt/kkuh ekrk&firk pkykdh ls mez esa 18 ls 23 lky ds chp igys cPps Ckky fookg vf/kfu;e 1926 ds fNik nsrs gSa dks tUe nsrh gSaA izko/kkuksa esa la”kks/ku djrs gq, o’kZ jk’Vªh; efgyk vk;ksx ds laj{k.k esa dsanzh; LokLF; ,oa ifjokj dY;k.k 2006 esa dkuwu ikfjr fd;k x;kA dke djus okyh “kfDr okfguh dh ,d ea=ky; }kjkiksf’kr laLFkk ds ckyfookg blds rgr nksuks i{kksaij ,d yk[k lnL; us crk;k fd dbZ ckj iqfyl ds lanHkZ esa ftyk Lrhj; vkadM+ksa dk tqekZuk vkSj nks lky dh dSn dk dh enn ls “kknh :dokus dh dksf”k”k ¼fMfLVªDV ysoygsYFk lfoZlst½ dks izko/kku gSA dh xbZ] ysfdu ekrk&firk pkykdh ls ekuksa rks tUe ds le; cPpksa dk de yM+dh dh mez fNik nsrs gSaA otu vkSj ekSr dh vge otg de dqN dk gh xkSuk :dok;k mez esa fookg gSA tk ldk ikWiqys”ku QkmaMs”ku vkWQ bafM;k v/;;u ds vuqlkj] fnYyh ds ds ifjokj fu;kstu dh rduh dh izeq[k xkaoksaesa 18 lkyls de mez esa lfefr ds izeq[k MkW- vkyksd cuthZ us yM+fd;ksa dh “kknh dj nh xbZA xkao crk;k fd de mez esa fookg gksus ij vkSj CykWd Lrj ij dh xbZ dkmalfyax
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 49 CHILD ABUSE City Kids Face Sex Abuse, Find Docs
AND NEGLECT Mumbai Mirror, Mumbai City kids face sex abuse, find docs 50 04 January, 2016 Mumbai Mirror Jyoti Shelar For a brighter tomorrow 51 The Tribune They will distribute that help adolescents identify Crimes against children increase.... 52 booklets to help different forms of sexual abuse The Sunday Guardian adolescents identify, and encourage them to speak Retributive Justice 54 report different forms of up. The Asian Age sexual abuse. Dr. Sagar Mundhada, ns”k esa c<+ jgh cky “kks’k.k dh ekufldrk 55 president of Maharashtra nk ikbZfu;j A large number of adolescent Association of Resident Doctors Abducted Jharkh and girls face porn.... 57 children in the city suffer some (MARD), said that the 100 girls The Hindustan Times form of sexual abuse, and and 100 boys were interviewed Sexual violence and its domino effect 58 many do not immediately reveal The Asian Age between December 15 and the ordeal to their parents, Child Abuse cases double since 2013 60 December 31. according to a new study that Free Press Journal “Their parents brought has prompted an awareness Awareness & reporting have rise 61 them to hospital over unrelated Free Press Journal drive. ailments. During treatment, Most courtrooms are not friendly..... 62 Resident doctors of KEM, resident doctors asked the Mail Today Sion, Nair and JJ Hospital Ckkgjh fnYyh ls lcls T;knk cPps xk;c gq, 63 children a fixed set of questions. interviewed 200 boys and nSfud fgUnqLrku Sixty percent of females and 35 girls aged between 15 and 20 Alarming spurt in crimes against children 64 percent of males revealed they recently. A shocking 60 percent Millennium Post had been molested at least of the girls said that they had cky lqj{kk dh pqukSfr;ksa ls vkf[kj dc 64 one,” Dr. Mundhada Said. us”kuy nqfu;k been sexually abused, while “Of the total sample size, 20 35 percent boys talked about Perilous Childhood 66 percent of the respondents said The Pioneer facing molestation. In almost they promptly narrated their Offenders in most pocso cases known.. 69 every case, the abuser was ordeal to their parents.” The Indian Express known to the victim, a disturbing Disappeared without a trace 70 finding for parents. The findings led resident Deccan Herald doctors to strengthen their The doctors have now campaign against sexual abuse. prepared booklets with graphics “Children need to be
50 BUTTERFLIES educated about good touch illustrations so the message by acclaimed play-wright and bad touch before they turn of personal safety reaches the Mahesh Dattani and enancted adolescents. We have decided children inan entertaining way. by theatre veteran Lillette to distribute free booklets among The founder and chief Dubey and Neha Dubey; the children aged under 12 who visit executive of Arpan, Pooja play 30 Days in September was hospitals,” Dr Mundhada said. Taparia, and her team of 60 a bold depiction of child sexual The booklets were professionals work passionately abuse and its psychological conceptualized by Dr. Minakshi on many such awareness impact. Even when the civil Bhosale, head of paediatric programmes and services. society shied away from talking surgery department at JJ Children could be potential about these brutal realities, the Hospital. victims, so PSE is an innovative play addressed some shocking method to empower children aspects. It was based on case For A Brighter with personal safety skills so studies of actual victims as that they can save themselves reported by Delhi NGO RAHI Tomorrow from becoming victims of unsafe (Recovery and Healing from touches and emotional trauma. Incest) working on the issue. The Tribune, New Delhi “Children look forward to these The matter was serious and 10 January, 2016 sessions and want to know required awareness. Kavita Kanan Chandra more about it. They are curious Pooja approached several and come with funny, smart social organizations and Dedicated to the cause of and serious responses,” says researched about CSA. She child sexual abuse, Arpan, Pooja. However, what pains started working with a social an NGO, has helped three her is the physical violence worker Pushpa Venkatraman lakh people through its that many children undergo, and also started conducting innovative programmes especially those studying in workshops. Her first talk in a BMC( Municipal Corporation) Rotary Club received lukewarm When children in a Mumbai Schools. response. “In the beginning school are given a questionnaire Founded in 2006, Arpan also when we took up the issue of to be filled on Personal Safety provides therapeutic support child sexual abuse, there was Education (PSE) Programme, to children who disclose their much denial, but slowly as the answers by children are past experiences, or ongoing awareness about the problem is frank and innocent. abuse, to help them overcome spreading, there is acceptance,” Simple questions like what the psychological, social, says Pooja. makes them happy, sad, angry, sexual and physical impact. It was usually difficult for scared and confused and what It conducts various activities, people to accept the fact the they do when faced with these workshops, teaching, training CSA existed and that too not just emotions might look innocuous and counseling services to deal around us but even inside our but it is their answers that make with child sexual abuse (CSA). homes and being perpetrated all the difference. It was while watching a play by persons known to children. It Counsellors from Arpan, an on child sexual abuse that Pooja was disturbing for the parents, NGO working for the safety of she decided to address the but it was important to talk about children and striving towards issue head on. The trauma of the issue for there was not a world free of sexual abuse, the victim and the psychological much data in this regard. Very know where intervention is impact it cast on the victim’s few NGOs were working on this required. The entire programme everyday life even when they issue and there was hardly any is conducted with lots of games, grow up was disturbing. Written media coverage. fun activities, storytelling and
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 51 The Ministry of Women and victims of violence and sexual yy Resource development: Child Development had come abuse. However, she has not Arpan is also designing up with a one-of-a-kind child only learnt to cope with it, she various tools, resources sexual abuse report in 2007. devotes all her time and energy and modalities to scale It had surveyed a sample size for the prevention of CSA and and replicate their services of 12447 children spanning hopes the world become a across geographies and over 13 states. Though not better place for the children. socio-economic and cultural methodologically accurate, groups. It was an eye-opener for the Programmes by Arpan Arpan provides thereapeutic country as it reported that as to address child sexual support to children who disclose high as 50 percent of children abuse their past experiences or has suffered sexual abuse in ongoing abuse to help them their lifetime. yy Personal safety education: overcome the psychological, The enactment of Protection Children who report cases social, sexual and physical of Children from Sexual of attempt or continuing impact, Pooja Taparia has Offences Act (POCSO) 2012 is sexual abuse are provided been working relentlessly for a step forward. “It helps register psychotherapeutic the welfare of victims of sexual cases and helps in conviction, support for healing. Their abuse for the past nine years. “says Pooja. Ealier the IPC family members are also didn’t cover CSA so it was counselled. The PSE are Crimes Against difficult to register a complaint conducted in schools, shelter against the abuser. homes NGOs, institutions Children Increase Arpan has not only helped and large community. Alarmingly, Laws spread awareness on the issue yy Healing Services: Arpan Prove Futile. but has intervened directly to provides long-term psychotherapy to rescued help over 1 lakh children and The Sunday Guardian, New Delhi adults. And through training and minors in residential shelter homes and the care-givers 17 January, 2016 advocacy, it has helped three Kanishka Singh lakh individuals. are also counseled. Other Initially, Pooja used to find children and adult survivors National Crime Records it upsetting to deal with child are given help at Arpan centres (Goregaon, Vasai, Bureau data shows that Vile Parle and Bhandup.) trafficking, rape, soliciting, yy Awareness sessions: Child murder and child labour sexual abuse awareness were the major offences sessions are held for parents, registered against teachers, college students, children. NGO workers, police and Laws to protect children medical professionals. from abuse or exploitation yy Capacity Building: The seem to have turned futile in NGO trains teachers, NGO India as reflected by an ever professionals, mental health increasing number of crimes professionals and social against children. Over 1.5 lakh workers so they could work children were victimized in for prevention and healing 2015, according to the National of victims and survivors of Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). CSA.
52 BUTTERFLIES There has been an alarming are the victims of heinous fact, “she added. rise in such crimes over the past crimes. Whether rich or poor, NCRB officials say that four-five years with the number whether from cities or villages, reporting of crimes has of reported cases increasing children are being abused, increased across the country, from 26694 in 2012 to 152494 tortured, trafficked, raped and barring a few states like Uttar in 2015. murdered every day. They are Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana This comes as a shocker the victims when we remain where the increase is negligible. because there are multiple ignorant. We all are guilty. We Officials say that a greater laws in the country to protect are aware, but we have chosen number of crimes are carried children. Despite laws such as to stay oblivious to the situation,” out in these states, but not all the Protection of Children from Sonia Kapur, a social activist of them are reported. “More Sexual Offences Act (POCSO from Save the Children, told the and more cases have been Act) 2012, the Women’s and Sunday Guardian. registered. Trafficking and Children’s (Licensing) Act 1956, “Trafficking is a big evil. exploitation are the biggest the Child Labour (Prohibition We have rescued thousand issues. It is a big racket which and Regulation) Act 1986 and of minor victims from brothels has its roots deeply embedded the Bonded Labour System and factories. Most of the in the system. According to (Abolition) Act 1976, offences trafficked children are brought the feedback we receive from against children are increasing. from small towns or villages officials on the ground, the This is because of the lack of by their relatives and then sold situation is worsening. But proper implementation of the to brothels. Crimes cut across corrective measures are being laws. genders also. Boys and girls taken. Several crimes go The NCRB data reveals are both subject to similar unreported or unregistered due that out of the total cases, harassment. Some children with to a number of different reasons. 138770 (91%) were registered highly impressionable minds are The government is carrying out against adults, while 13724 taught ways to commit crimes,” sensitization and awareness were registered against Sonia said. drives across the country. It will juveniles. The major offences “Efforts of the government soon start to show results,” a registered included 78081 are not enough. I don’t see any senior official in the NCRB said. counts of trafficking, 35145 fear of punishment in the eyes The Ministry of Home Affairs counts of rape, 67,224 counts of the criminals. Our research (MHA) says that the priority for of soliciting, 3674 cases of shows 53% men and 76% them is the prevention of crime. forced pornography, 6029 women in India were physically “There is a public outcry over cunts of murder, 17994 counts or sexually abused as children. juveniles committing crimes. of attempt to murder, 62185 So, this is not something new That is a serious concern as well. forced child labour. Majority of but has always been neglected. But the issue of crime against the cases were reported of the We also found that in over 80% children is equally important, if cases were reported from Tamil of the cases, the culprit is known not more. It needs to be tackled Nadu (18.67%), Punjab (16.4%) to the victim and is usually a with conviction by the police and West Bengal (13.92%). relative. People do not pay heed and the government. I believe Delhi also had a high share with to complaints from their children that both have performed their 6.5% crimes committed in the and many cases go unreported. duties diligently. There is more national capital. The other side of the coin work that needs to be done, Indian law defines a child as can be that 1.5 lakh cases were but we are constantly pushing any person below the age of 18 reported. People are not ignoring to stop such crimes,” Jaideep years. “The situation becomes such crimes. But millions of kids Lakra, Joint Secretary with the worrying when even children are victimized every day. It is a MHA, told this newspaper.
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 53 Retributive Justice Judge during the early 1980s, Justices Dipak Misra and N.V. responding to the anti-rape Ramana conceded that the campaign, had suggested law must be more stringent, it The Asian Age, New Delhi that rapists should be publicity stopped short of endorsing the 20 January, 2016 flogged. People in influential Flavia Agnes suggestion of castration. The positions have often subscribed bench was of the firm view that to sensational solutions, changing the law is a legislative in October 2015 Justice N. resulting in manipulating public prerogative and courts cannot Kirubakaran of the Madras sentiments. intrude into the domain of high court commented Most recently, in October the legislature or even issue that child sexual abusers 2015, Justice N. Kirubakaran directions regarding the same must be castrated…. It of the Madras high court to Parliament. appears that today we commented that child sexual It is heartening to note that are lapsing from the abusers must be castrated. the response from Maneka reformative theory of Reacting to the recent spate of Gandhi, Minister of Women and justice and are keeping child rapes in Delhi, the judge Child Development, has been adopting the retributive commented that traditional law restrained. She outright rejected theory of justice. is not stringent enough. Though this suggestion and commented Will the suggested penalty castration may appear barbaric, that such a barbaric measure of chemical castration for child the judge stated, it is the only will amount to sliding back to rapists bring down the incidents way the menace can be curbed. the medieval era or to Islamic of child rapes in the country? Following which the jurisprudence which prescribes Well, some judges, politicians Supreme Court Women Lawyers cutting off a hand as punishment and civil society groups, reacting Association approached the for theft. in a knee-jerk manner to the Supreme Court with a public Well, it would indeed be spiraling child sexual abuse interest litigation (PIL) seeking going back to the archaic cases in the country, seem to a direction to the Centre to Babylonian law and the code of think so. consider imposing chemical Hammurabi which was based The demand for chemical castration on child sex abusers on vengeful justice or the castration is not entirely new. and child rapists. retributive theory of justice that Periodically, politicians and During their arguments liberal democracies rejected a judges make sensational before the Supreme Court last long time ago. But it does appear statements, prescribing week, they cited the judgement that today we are lapsing from chemical castration as an of the Madras high court in the reformative theory of justice, effective remedy, betraying support of their demand. which jurists such as Justice a shallow and superficial They also argued that many Krishna Iyer prescribed, and understanding of the problem developed countries like South are keen to adopt the retributive at hand. During the National Korea, Russia, Poland and theory of justice as recently Democratic Alliance rule in the some states in the US had demonstrated by the changes late Nineties, L.K. Advani, the introduced this punishment as brought about to the Juvenile then deputy Prime Minister, a remedy. But what the lawyers Justice (Care and Protection of had raised this demand. Earlier, did not clearly put forward is that Children) Act, 2015, which now S.M. Agarwal, a sessions judge in most cases this punishment permits minors between the age in Delhi, had made a similar can be opted for by the accused of 16-18 to be tried as adults. comment. Justice V.D. Tulza- in lieu of a prison sentence. Ms Gandhi came out with pur-kar, a Supreme Court While the bench comprising another novel idea of tattoing
54 BUTTERFLIES child rapists, so that they carry end, the accused may go Union (ACLU) “When the state the stigma on their body for scotfree. Chemical castration becomes involved in legalized the rest of their lives. This involves the administration of castration, the spectre of forced reminds one of the punishments anti-androgen drugs which sterilization under the Nazis is prescribed for women guilty of reduce sex drive, compulsive immediately invoked,” Dabashi having multiple sexual partners, sexual fantasies and capacity Warned. of prominently displaying the for sexual arousal. Under the As per the National Crime scarlet letter “A” (for adulteress) POCSO Act, penetrative sexual Record Bureau, 85-95 percent on their clothing to mark them as assault includes various other rapes are by known persons. “fallen women” in puritan Boston acts such as insertion of fingers, So how can the solution lie in during the 17th Century. Though bottles or other objects into any the domain of over-medicalised, in a milder from, “tattooing” body orifice such as the vagina over-legalised and over- subscribes to the same notion or the anus or even oral sex. So politicised punishment? The of retributive justice. how will castration help reduce solution must lie within the The Supreme Court child abuse? realm of providing protection bench stated that there was In an illuminative article to the most vulnerable no specific provision for child in Al Jazeera in 2014, Hamid children from the marginalized rape in the Indian Penal Code Dabashi, a scholar of Iranian segments of our society without making a reference to Studies at the Columbia through a multipronged support the provisions of Protection of University in New York, in mechanism rooted in our reality. Children from Sexual Offence response to reports about the (POCSO) Act enacted three bodies of two teenage girls who years, ago, on November 14, had been gang-raped and were ns’k esa c<+ jgh 2012, and commented that found hanging from a mango rape of toddlers and young tree in a village in Badaun, Uttar cky 'kks"k.k dh girls stood on a different footing Pradesh, dubbed castration ekufldrk than rape of minor girls and as a knee-jerk reaction and Parliament should consider suggested that we need a nk ikbZfu;j] ubZ fnYyh making a provision to deal with resurgence of solidarity based 22 tuojh] 2016 these separately. on the protection of the most vouh”k flag HknkSfj;k According to Justice vulnerable. Kirubakaran of the Madras Relying on some expert Hkkjr esa fiNys o’kksZa esa cPpksa ls high court, even the stringent studies, he states that though provisions of the POCSO Act testosterone levels and cykRdkj o cky “kks’k.k dh fofHkUu have failed to act as a deterrent. consequently men’s libidos can ?kVukvksa esa yxkrkj o`f) gksrh tk He commented that while the be lowered through surgically jgh gSA dqN jkT; ljdkjksa us incidents of child rape have removing the accused person’s budks vuns[kk djus dk iz;kl increased 400 percent, the testicles or treating him with fd;k gS] ij U;k;ikfydk us bls conviction rates are dismal, a drugs, the level is not brought dBksjrk ls fy;k gS vkSj mlus mere 2.4 percent. down to zero and the libido cPpksa ls cykYdkj ds nksf’k;ksa dks So, then how will castration is still active and hence there help? Was the judge suggesting is no guarantee that the uiqald cukus tSlh dBksjre ltk that as soon as an accused is offender shall not lapse into the dk lq>ko Hkh fn;k gSA arrested, he be castrated at the same behaviour. This type of gekjs ns”k essa ekuork dks “keZlkj police station itself, because by punishment is viewed as cruel djus okyh ?kVukvksa esa c<+ksrjh gksrh the time the trial and appeals by the American Civil Liberties
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 55 tk jgh gSA ogha] ekuork dks “keZlkj esa tgj ?kksy nsrs gSaA ogha] ukckfyxksa vykok dqN ugha dj ldrhA ogha] djus okys ekeys Mjkus okys gSaA vkt ds lkFk gq, cykRdkj tSls vijk/k ij egkjk’Vª ds eq[;ea=h nsosaUnz QM.kohl Hkh gekjs vktkn Hkkjr esa cky “kks’k.k vHkh rd dksbZ ,slk dkuwu ugha cuk gS vkSj e/;izns”k ds eq[;ea=h yxkrkj vkSj muds lkFk cykRdkj tSls ekeys tks mudh ftanxh esa nkx yxkus okyksa rhljh ckj cus f”kojkt flag pkSgku lkeus vkrs jgrs gSA ogha] bu f?kukSus ds f[kykQ dBksj ls dBksj dkjZokbZ dks vxj bu ekeyksa dh tkudkjh ugha ekeyksa Ikj jksd yxkus esa ljdkj ukdke dj ldsaA gekjs ns”k esa ukckfydksa ls gS rks ge mUgsa ;g t:j crk nsa fd jgh gS vkSj ;g ,d cgqr cM+k fpark cykRdkj ds ekeyksa ij vkokt rks os ,sls f?kukSus ekeyksa ij t:j fparu dk fo’k; gSA ns”k esa balkfu;r ds lhus mBh ysfdu oks vkt rd lquh ugha djsa vkSj c<+rs ekeyksa esa Hkkjrh; naM ij ,d Hkkjh iRFkj dh rjg ges”kk vkSj “kk;n blh dk urhtk gS fd lafgrk dh /kkjk 354 ds rgr efgyk gesa eqag fp<+krh jgrh gSaA ukckfydksa vkt gekjs ns”k esa cky “kks’k.k vkSj ¼cPph½ dh ykt Hkax djus ds bjkns ls dh lqj{kk dks ysdj vc Mj vkSj c<+us muds lkFk cykRdkj tSls ekeys fd, x, geys ds 11335 ekeys ntZ yxk gSA fnu&izfrfnu c<+rs gh tk jgs gSa vkSj fd, x, gSaA ;g ,slh ?kVuk,a gSa tks gj ckr ge ,sls ekeyksa us ns”k dks >d>ksj ds ns”k esa ukckfyxksa ls cykRdkj vkSj vkSj vki ls ,d gh loky djrh gSa j[k fn;k gSA NsM+NkM+ ds ekeyksa ds vkadM+s >d>ksj fd rc ls vc rd cnyk D;k\ D;k us”kuy Økbe fjdkWMZ~l C;wjks us ds j[kus okys gSaA ogha] balkQ dh ukckfydksa dh ljq{kk dks ysdj oks Mj ukckfydksa ls cykRdkj ds vkadM+ksa ds pkS[kV ij vkt Hkh dbZ ekeysa U;k; de gqvkA ogha] ;s ekeys fiNys ikap vuqlkj 2010 esa ntZ 5484 ekeyksa ls ekaxrs [kM+s gSa vkSj dbZ eas dkjZokbZ v/ lkyksa esa vkSj T;knk gks x;s gSa D;k mu c<+dj ;g la[;k 2014 esa 13766 gks kwjh jgha gSA muds vkadMs+ Hkh gSjku vk”kadkvksa eas dqN deh gqbZ tks lqcg xbZ gSA blds vykok cky ;kSu “kks’k.k djus okys gSaA vkadM+ksa dh ckr djsa rks ls ysdj “kke rd mu eka&cki dks lja{k.k vf/kfu;e ds rgr ns”k Hkj esa 6816 ekeyksa esa ,QvkbZvkj ntZ dh ?ksj ysrh gSa ftuds cPpksa ?kjksa ls ckgj 8904 ekeys ntZ fd, x, gSaA ogha] gSA 5340 esa ekeyksa esa nksf’k;ksa dks ltk fudyrs gSa] i<+rs gSa] dke djrs gSaA vkadMs+ 2010 esa 5484 ls c<+dj 2011 gqbZ gSA 389 ekeyksa esa vfHk;qDr cjh tokc gS ugha] fcYdqy ughaA u ekgkSy esa 7112 vkSj 2012 esa ;s vkadM+s 80541 gks x;sA laln esa is”k fd, x, vkadM+ksa cnyk vkSj u vkadM+sA igqap x;s ysfdu ;g flyflyk ;gha ds vuqlkj vDVwcj 2014 rd iksDlks ,sls ekeyksa ij yxkrkj loky ugha :dk vkSj 2013 esa 12363 vkSj ds rgr ntZ 6816 ,QvkbZvkj esa ls mB jgk gS fd vkf[kj gekjs lekt 2014 esa ukckfyxks ls cykRdkj ds flQZ 166 esa gh ltk gks ldh gSA ;g dks gks D;k x;k gSA vkf[kj yksxksa ekeys c<+dj 13766 tk igqaphA 2-4 Qhlnh ls Hkh detksj nj gSA blh dh ekufldrk bruh fod`r D;ksa gksrh og vkadMs+ tkuus ds ckn :g dkai rjg ,ulhvkjch ds vuqlkj 2014 rd tk jgh gSA xj vki ukckfyxksa ls tkrh gSA “kklu ls ysdj iz”kklu rd ikap lky esa ntZ ekeyksa esa 83 Qhlnh cykRdkj ds vkadM+s tkuuk pkgrs gSa ,sls ekeyksa jksdus esa vHkh rd ukdke yafcr Fks ftuesa ls 95 Qhlnh iksDlksa rks vkadMksa dks tkuus ds ckn vki dk jgs gSaA ;gha otg gS fd vc cPpkas dh ds ekeys Fks vkSj 88 Qhlnh dkuwu fny ngy tk,xkA ukckfyxksa ds lkFk ljq{kk ij lokfy;k fu”kku yxus yxs rksM+us ds FksA ogha dqN fnuksa igys cykRdkj tSlk f?kukSuk vijk/k ns”k ij gSaA ogha] lcls T;knk rj ,sls ekys ukckfydksa ds lkFk c<+rs cykRdkjksa ds gkoh gksrs tk jgs gSaA ogha] tks vkadMs+ cM+s&cM+s jkT;ksa esa gksrs gSaA e/;izns”k esa ekeyksa dk ns[krs gq, enzkl gkbZdksVZ us tkjh gq, gSa oks pkSadkus okys gSaA Hkkjr 2325 rks egkjk’Vª esa 1714] mÙkjizns”k dsaUnz ljdkj ls dgk gS fd og cPpksa esa fiNys ikap lky esa ukckfydksa ls esa 1538] jkt/kkuh fnYyh 1004 vkSj dk cYkkRdkj djus okyksa dks ltk ds cykRdkj ds ekeyksa esa 151 Qhlnh dh jktLFkku 825 ls vf/kd ekeys lkeus rkSj ij uiqald cukus ds izLrko ij c<+ksÙkjh gqbZ gSA vk;s gSA ukckfyxksa ls cykRdkj ds xkSj djsaA tkjh rY[k vkWMZj esa dksVZ us Ukckfyxksa ds lkFk gq, cykRdkj ekeykas esa lcls Åij e/; izns”k vkSj dgk]] ge vka[ks ewan dj pqipki cSBs tSls vijk/k mudh vkus okyh ftanxh egkjk’Vª gSaA ;gka dh ljdkj ckrksa ds ugha jg ldrsA iwjs ns”k esa cPpksa ds
56 BUTTERFLIES lkFk xSaxjsi dh [kkSQukd okjnkr gks Abducted most of them minors, are trafficked from Jharkhand’s jgh gSaA dksVZ bls pqipki ugha ns[k Jharkhand Girls ldrk ogha] bl izLrko dks lqizhe dksVZ villages to bigger cities across Face Porn Racket the country every year to work us [kkfjt dj fn;k Fkk lqizhe dksVZ us as domestic help and sex dgk Fkk fd ge ,slk ugha dj ldrsA Threat slaves. These children are dqN fnuksa igys lqizhe dksVZ us often subjected to physical and fQj ukckfydksa ds lkFk c<+rs fod`r The Hindustan Times, New Delhi sexual torture, leading to serious 03 Febraury, 2016 vijk/kksa ij dsaUnz ljdkj ls bl ekeys ailments and even death. Saurav Roy ij tksj nsrs gq, dgk Fkk fd fdlh A tribal girl, who was trafficked from Jharkhand’s cPPh ls cykRdkj ds tqeZ esa nks’kh dks Tribal girls trafficked from Khunti in 2013, had alleged that dBksj ltk nsus dk izko/kku djus ds Jharkhand could be forced she was gang-raped in New fy;s laln dks dkuwu esa la”kks/ku ij into pornography to cater to a Delhi and that the offenders had fopkj djuk pkfg, vkSj cykRdkj ds global demand for their dark video-graphed the act. In July ,sls vijk/k esa *ckfydk* dks ifjHkf’kr complexion, police and activists 2015, three minor Jharkhand djuk pkfg,A U;k;ewfrZ nhid feJk have said, highlighting the girls who were held captive ordeal of thousands of women in Ghaziabad were shown vkSj U;k;ewfrZ ,u oh je.k dh ihB us preyed upon by organized pornography and put on sale efgyk odhyksa ds laxBu dh ;kfpdk cartels in the state. as sex workers over WhatsApp. ij fopkj djus ls badkj djrs gq;s Both police and activists The activists fear that these dgk] *laln Hkkjrh; naM lafgrk esa ,sls also cited revelations by incidents may just be the tip of izko/kku djus ij fopkj dj ldrh gS rescued victims and growing an iceberg. vkSj og cykRdkj ds vijk/k ds lanHkZ evidence to claim that there was The Internet is flooded a strong possibility of traffickers with Pornographic content esa *cPps* dks ifjHkkf’kr djus ij Hkh being involved in the business with tags such as “Jharkhand fopkj dj ldrh gSA efgyk odhyksa of making pornographic films maid”, “Jharkhand village dk laxBu pkgrk FkkA fd cfPp;ksa which are the sold to adult girl”, and more, they said. ls cykRdkj ds nksf’k;ksa dk ca/;dj.k websites. “There is a nexus of agents fd;k tkuk pkfg,A U;k;ky; us bl who are forcing Jharkhand Naked Truth loky dks fo/kkf;dk ds fopkjkFkZ NksM+ girls into flesh trade as well as pornography,” said Ghaziabad Number of girls who went fn;kA lkspus okuh ckr ;g gS fd deputy superintendent of police missing over the years gekjs ns”k esa ,sls f?kukSus vijk/k gksrs Ranvijay Singh, who had led gh D;ksa gSaA vkSj bUgsa jksdus ds fy, 2010 353 Operation Smile, a mass child 2011 486 gekjh ljdkj dks D;k djuk pkfg,\ rescue campaign. 2012 605 Anti-human trafficking ;g ,d fpark dk fo’k; Mjkouk gSaA 2013 645 ns”k esa ukckfyaxks dh ftanxh ls activist, Rishikant, who helped 2014 581 rescue three Jharkhand girls [ksyk tk jgk gSA ge nq%[k O;Dr 10,000 children are trafficked in Ghaziabad, also said there djus ds vykok dqN ugha dj ldrsA from Jharkhand every year, is a strong possibility that the ukckfyxksa dh lqj{kk ds fy, ,sls dkuwu claim NGOs girls are being pushed into dks cukus dh t:jr gS tks mudh NCRB fingures show that pornography since the demand only 37 kids were trafficked in for dark complexioned girls is ftanxh dks egQwt j[k lds vkSj mUgsa 2014, highlighting the lack of vktkn Hkkjr gksus dk ,glkl djk very high in the international complaints lodged porn market and traffickers ldsA Thosuands of tribal girls, might be making easy money
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 57 through it. a 16-year –old in a shelter home years. But as I observed them, Activist Baijnath Kumar said situated in the congested part of something seemed amiss. that some of the rescued girls the old city in south Mumbai. Gradually the horror of it have alleged that they were For the next few days, each dawned on me. I noticed that stripped and video graphed at night as I tried to close my eyes, each one was visibly pregnant, placement agencies in Delhi the scene I had witnessed there a child woman. They had not yet before being hired as domestic would haunt me. mastered the gait of a pregnant help. The victims, he said, It was a well-maintained woman. Their joyous faces hardly know anything about the home. A group of around and pregnant stomaches were porn websites and how their 20-25 girls were engrossed in a mismatch. So engrossed videos could be misnsed. a vigorous game of football. In were they in the game, they Jharkhand police, however, their blue school uniforms, their had forgotten that they were say they have not come hair neatly tied into two plaits pregnant. across any such case wherein with bright red ribbons, they They were placed in this a rescued girl has admitted seemed like any other normal home for long-term shelter to being video-graphed for school children. until their delivery. After they pornographic purpose. “Any However, 16-year-old Anita recuperate, they would be person who comes across any (name changed), whom I had discharged, leaving behind such case should immediately come to visit, was not among their newborns. The warden, inform us… We will work on it,” them. I spotted her sitting on a caring woman who looked Sampat Meena, IG (organized the edge of the playground on after the girls as though they crime), said. the concrete steps leading to were her own, informed me Rakesh Sengar of Bachpan the warden’s office, The weight that relatives seldom visited the Bachao Andolan said that in of her full-term pregnancy girls, not even when they were recent past, condoms and seemed to weigh her down as going through a complicated pornographic film CDs have she attempted to rise to greet delivery, struggling with breast been recovered from various me. She seemed to be in acute feeding, coping with the pain of placement agencies in Delhi. depression. Anita’s father parting with their newborn and “Several shabby beauty passed away when she was very post-partum depression. Then parlours have come up in Delhi. young. Her mother remarried, there is the impending trial. No These parlours should come leaving her in the care of her one knows when their cases will under scanner, “ he said. paternal grandmother. Anita come up. In some cases they was sexually abused by her are summoned within a week of Sexual Violence uncle (paternal aunt’s husband) their delivery to face a rigorous over a long period, and when cross-examination. And Its Domino her pregnancy was detected, The fact that these girls Effect the police reluctantly filed a exist behind high walls and iron case of rape. After, the female gates, hidden from the world The Asian Age, New Delhi police officer on duty slapped outside, is living proof of the 10 Febraury, 2016 her several times, asking why extent of child sexual abuse Flavia Agness she had come to the police prevalent in our homes and station to file a complaint after neighbourhoods. Most cases doing “gandha kaam”. end in acquittal, as did Anita’s, Three years ago, when I stood and watched the girls because the blood group of the we had just started Rahat, a playing with joyful abundance. child seldom matches with that survivor support programme for That sight cheered me. They of the accused. rape victims, I had gone to meet appeared to be around 12-16 What does this indicate?
58 BUTTERFLIES Faulty testing, callous manner percent and 2014, 40 percent. action, despite several laws of collecting body fluids in public In 2013, India’s maternal in place precisely to address hospitals, corruption in forensic mortality rate (MMR) was 190 this issue. With their low levels labs… or something, deeper? It deaths per 100,000 live births. of education and low health took us quite a while to unravel MMR for other countries in the indicators, these young brides this mystery, though the tell tale region during the same period have no other option except to signs were all around us. We was : Sri Lanka MMR 29, endure the violence or end their had some- how failed to join Nepal 73, Pakistan 170 and lives. the dots. But when we did, the Bangladesh 170. So ours is the They are also exposed to only plausible answer left us lowest among these nations. several other health risks. Since gasping. Our female to male literacy they lack the confidence and We started analyzing the rates for 2013 are 27:56. Sri agency to exercise their choice national crime records bureau Lanka has a rate of 72:76; regarding family planning, reports, inadequate but the only Bhutan 34:34 and Bangladesh pregnancy-related deaths are available official data figures of 34:41. Despite progress and known to be the leading cause minor rapes along with school development we have not been of mortality among married girls dropout rates, child marriage, able to close the gender gap for between 15 and 19 years of maternal and child mortality literacy rates. age. They are twice more likely rates, etc. While there are numerous to die during childbirth than girls Each adolescent school studies about the impact of between 20 and 24 years. dropout from a poverty- early marriage on the health of Girls younger than 15 years stricken background had been girls and their infants, there are are five times more likely to die subjected to a series of sexual no studies which link the issue during childbirth. Infants born to assaults by several men. Their of rape of adolescent girls to mothers under the age of 18 are pregnancy was usually detected India’s low rating in gender in 60 percent more likely to die in in a public hospital where they equality index. their first year than to mothers had gone for treatment for a The fact is that often, after an over the age of 19. If the children persisting stomach ache or eve-teasing/stalking incident, or survive, they are more likely delayed periods. And when sexual assault, parents pull their to suffer from low birth weight, the pregnancy was detected, daughters out of school, most malnutrition and late physical they were bombarded with having just completed primary- and cognitive developments. questions. They blurted out the level education. Most prefer to This is one of the reasons why first name that came to mind. marry them off to a boy of their India is still struggling with low Indian is in an embarrassing choice. maternal mortality and infant position as our ratings in the A study conducted by the (neonatal) mortality rates. gender inequality index (GII) United Nations Children’s So what we are left with continue to drop, while all other Fund (UNICEF) has revealed is a continuum of life cycle- countries in our region have that these young adolescent related violence from birth to progressed – Sri Lanka, Nepal, brides are subjected to sexual adulthood. While there are Bhutan, Bangladesh and now violence in their marital homes, numerous studies about the even Pakistan. We are only a not only by their husbands, but impact of early marriage on notch above Afghanistan. also other male members of the health of adolescent girls For the last three years their husband’s family. Due to and their infants, there are no 2012, 2013 and 2014 – the their extreme vulnerability, they studies which link the issue of percentage of minor rapes are not able to confront their rape of adolescent girls and against total rapes is as follows: abusers, nor take any legal sexual violence in marriages to in 2012, 36 per cent , 2013, 39 India’s low rating of GII defying
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 59 all efforts to tackle it. 678 in 2014 and saw a massive a resident of Govandi area was It is time we placed the leap of 803 cases in 2015. kidnapped and brutally raped adolescent girl in the high The Juvenile Police Unit by an unknown person. The girl risk category of sexual and which keeps a tab on the cases was found in an unconscious domestic violence and evolve has a zone wise break-up of the state in Dharavi where the programmes to tackle this data for 2015 which indicates perpetrator had left her after issue in a comprehensive way. that with 142 cases Zone 11 sexually assaulting her. Its impact will show in our sees the highest number of Thursday saw the residents development indicators. cases. The zone which falls in of the area staging a protest the North region of the Mumbai outside Shivaji Nagar Police Child Abuse Cases police includes suburban areas station about the increase in like Goregaon, Malad, Malwani, sexual assault of minors. One Double Since 2013 Kandivali, Charkop, MHB of the most gruesome such Colony, Gorai, Bangur Nagar cases was the kidnap, sexual Free Press Journal, Mumbai and Borivali. assault and murder of a seven- 19 Febraury, 2016 In the second place is Zone year-old boy in Wadala. The Nivedita Niranjankumar 6 in the Central region with 96 post mortem examination of the cases which includes areas of boy’s decomposing body which Mumbai police takes to Chembur, Trombay and Deonar was found two months later twitter to tackle the issue and in third is Zone 12 with 85 revealed that boy had been cases comprising areas like repeatedly sexually assaulted. The number of child sexual Aarey, Dindoshi, Kurar and “Most such crimes are even abuse cases has nearly doubled Dahisar. more heinous than a murder. in the last two years. While in Unlike other crimes, these leave 2013, the city saw 422 such Problem Areas a permanent mark on the child cases, in 2015 the number of and even the child’s parents,” cases was 803 – a 90 percent Zone 11 142 (Gurgoun, said a police senior officer. increase. cases Malad , Malwani, The Shivaji Nagar Police have According to data obtained Kandivali) managed to sketch a portrait of by Free Press Journal, the Zone 6 96 cases (Chembur, Tromby and the accused, absconding in the number of cases registered Deonar) sexual assault of the four-year- under the Protection of Children Zone12 85 cases (Aarey , Dindosh, old girl found in a dazed state in from Sexual Offences (POCSO) kurar, Dahisae Dharavi. The minor, a resident Act has been steadily increasing etc) of Govandi had been kidnapped since 2012. In 2012, just two Zone 4 82 cases (Sion and them sexually assaulted cases were registered but the Wadala TT, Antop by an unknown man and then number shot up to 422 in 2013, Hill,Matunga) Recently, a four-year-old girl, abandoned in Dharavi. Following a recent case of a nine-year-old being raped by a canteen manager In the school premises, the Mumbai Police has increased its efforts in creating awareness about such cases. “We are visiting schools, colleges and other educational institutions and
60 BUTTERFLIES talking to parents, teachers and enforcement agencies on like a chocolate or a little money children about how to protect the issue of child abuse has and then take advantage” he their children. We also teach resulted in a greater number of said. In fact, in such a situation, students about good touch, cases being registered in the the child may go into a state of bad-touch and that they need city. It is believed that about trauma and may find it difficult to to speak up if anybody tries 50 percent of the children have come to terms with the situation. to touch them, “ said a senior undergone some form of sexual It is for the parents to officer of the department. abuse at some point of time in keep their children aware their childhood. and alert of such situations Number of cases According to Dr. Rahul and to immediately tell them registered under POCSO Ghadge, consultant psychiatrist if something happens, the Act since 2012 at the Nagpada Police Hospital, doctor said. According to he has been seeing an increasing Deven Bharati, joint police number of cases of abuse and commissioner, law & order, they 2012 2 molestation being reported over have been making sustained 2013 422 the last few years. “The main efforts in recent period to 2014 678 reason for this is that there is create greater in recent period 2015 803 greater reporting of these due to create greater awareness in The Mumbai Police has also to increase awareness among the slum area, where these kind started an online campaign on children and the elders in the of cases take place. “We have its Twitter account to tackle the family,” he said. been sending our officers on a issue with the hashtag # No Giving reasons for such sustained basis and the children Kidding. “We have received behaviour among the culprits, are taught about the difference orders to revisit educational the psychiatrist said that there between good touch and bad institutions and talk to them is an element of anti social touch of anyone,” he said. about the three major issues- behaviour among them and this The result is that there is now sexual abuse, drugs and women manifests itself in such acts. greater awareness and hence safety. We will do this by talking “People suffering from such more cases are coming forward to them and if they are willing anti-social tendencies tend in recent days, he added. then hold street plays with their to take out their anger in the Commenting on this issue, help,” said another officer. form of child abuse, since they senior inspector, Ramesh are soft targets for them. The Khadtare of Amboli Police “Awareness & situation sometimes is that such station said that the POCSO people are sometimes under Act makes it mandatory for the Reporting Have the influence of drugs or alcohol police officer to register a case if Risen” and do not realize the gravity of such a matter is reported to him. the crime they are commiting, “Not registering a case under Free Press Journal, Mumbai he pointed out. the relevant sections will make 19 Febraury, 2016 There are also situations the officer also a party to the Rajiv Sharma where a person may not get crime and action can be taken sexual gratification and again, against him, “ he explained. Principal of Children’s Greater awareness in he may try to abuse a child, Academy at Kandivali (E), V society have led to more who is not able to resist or even Mukundan, said that there such cases being reported understand what is happening, Dr Ghadge said. “It is very easy has been a distrubing trend A greater awareness in to lure a child with something of several such cases of child society and also among law
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 61 facilities to record evidence of the children. A National Law School of India (NLSU) study says only the Karkardooma and Saket district courts have proper facilities as per the prescribed norms. The most interesting part of POCSO courts in Karkardooma and Saket is the dais. They are not specially – designed dais that enables a child to make an eye contact with the judges. The courts have waiting rooms for the children and their families. These rooms are stocked with toys, games and a computer. There is a rest room in the abuse being reported. “It is of only 2.4% out of these vicinity of the room in which often people like the school cases the child’s testimony is to be peon, the bus driver or the bus recorded. The victim’s entrance conductor who is the culprit, and Most Courtrooms is separate from that of the this is because they are known accused. to the victims, “he said. At their Are Not Friendly This has a greater school, they have taken several For Child Abuse significance given the fact steps to ensure that such cases Victims that the children – victims and do not happen and even in their witnesses alike – are most vulnerable to the accused who school buses, there is always a Mail Today, New Delhi share the same space in the female bus attendant he added. 21 Febraury, 2016 courtroom during the hearing. Sneha Agrawal The Harsh Reality The report says nearly 30 percent of the accused in sexual yy Around 53% of the children Even as the Centre has crime against children are in india have faced sexual set up special courts under neighbours which underlines faced abuse the Protection of children from their vulnerability. yy There are eight cases of Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, The study has been done child abuse registered in which was enacted to prevent india daily. keeping in view the guidelines sexual abuse of children, most issued by the Delhi High Court yy There are 6,816 cases of the courts in Delhi lack the registered under the for recording evidences of the basic parameters prescribed. vulnerable witnesses in the protection of children against In four out of the six district sexual offences from March criminal matter. The guidelines courts, including Asia’s biggest focus on facilities to make these 2012 and March 2015 Tis Hazari, child and the accused y special courts child-friendly like y Maharashtra ranks second occupy the same physical space in the number of cases with waiting area, tools and facilities in the courtroom. These courts to prevent the exposure of the 926 cases don’t even have audio-visual yy There is a conviction rate child to the accused, permitting
62 BUTTERFLIES breaks during the trial, minimal try their best to make the child vk;k gSA lkFk gh lky 2014 ds appearances in the court. feel comfortable in the limited eqdkcys lky 2015&16 esa ,sls cPpksa In other courts, the child facilities. dh la[;k esa 45 Qhlnh dh c<+ksrjh is brought into the courtroom Additional Secretary of ntZ dh xbZ gSA through the regular entrance DSLSA Dharmesh Sharma fnYyh cky vf/kdkj laj{k.k and do not have waiting rooms. emphasized on the need of As both accused and the child child- friendly courtrooms, “It vk;ksx dks 8 jkT;ksa esa pyus okys enter through the same door, is important to make a child tksuy baVhxzsVsM iqfyl usVodZ fnYyh it has an implication on the comfortable so that he/she can dh vksj ls miyC/k djk, x, vkadM+ks privacy of the victim. express freely in the court. It esa ;g pkSadkus okyh la[;k lkeus vkbZ In Karkardooma and Saket is important to ensure that the gSA courts, the child approaches child’s dignity is maintained ckgjh fnYyh ds veu fogkj Fkkuk the building through judge’s throughout the hearing,” he {ks= esa lokZf/kd ekeys ntZ fd, x, gSaA entrance. The two courts have said. audio-visual facility which tuojh&fnlacj 2014 rd iwjh fnYyh makes it possible for the child Sorry state of affairs esa dqy 2515 ekeys cPpksa ds xk;c to take part in the proceedings yy The Protection of Children gksus ds lkeus vk, gSa] ogha tuojh from a different room. The from Sexual Offences Act 2015 ls tuojh 2016 rd dqy 3666 child is prevented from being was enacted to prevent cPps iwjh fnYyh ls xk;c gq, gSaA bu confronted by the accused, sexual abuse of children. cPpksa esa 2 lky ds cPpksa ls ysdj 14 the prosecutor or the defence yy In four of the six district lawyer. The child is accompanied lky rd ds cPps “kkfey gSaA courts, the child and the xk;c gq, cPpksa ds fy, pyk Fkk into the witness room by a legal accused occupy the same aid lawyer to serve as a support physical space. vkWijs”ku [kkst %& fnYyh ljdkj esa person. While the accused can yy Only Karkardooma and iwoZ efgyk ,oa cky fodkl ea=h jg see the child in the video, the Saket district courts have pqdh fdj.k okfy;k us crk;k fd tc child cannot see the accused. audio-visual facilities to os ea=h Fkh rks xk;c gksus okys cPpksa Chandra Suman, a Child record evidence of the ds fy, mUgksaus vkWijs”ku [kkst pyk;k Rights’ Advocate told Mail children. Today, “Even though the child FkkA lkFk gh bu cPpksa dks vig~r gq, cannot see the accused while cPpksa dh Js.kh esa j[kk Fkk] rkfd mfpr sharing the same space, the Ckkgjh fnYyh ls dne mBk, tk ldsaA conventional setting of the court room makes the child lcls T;knk cPps Cky vk;ksx esa ,d Hkh lnL; uncomfortable and scared. ugha gSA The exposure of child to xk;c gq, fnYyh cky vf/kdkj laj{k.k the arguments during the nSfud fgUnqLrku] ubZ fnYyh trial, insensitive questions vk;ksx ds v/;{k v:.k ekFkqj us 04 ekpZ] 2016 crk;k fd vk;ksx esa fiNys lky ls emotionally and psychologically fiz;k XkkSre impacts a child,” he said. dksbZ lnL; ugha gSA vk;ksx ds lnL; The study also mentioned gh xk;c gksus okys cPpksa ds laca/k esa that the defence lawyers in most fnYyh esa cPpksa dk thou lqjf{kr vfHk;ku pykrs gSa vkSj ekSds ij tkrs other special courts directly ugha gSA vk, fnu xk;c gks jgs gSaA gSaA fnYyh ljdkj dh vksj ls blds pose a question to the child buesa lcls T;knk ckgjh fnYyh ls fy, dkjZokbZ py jgh gS] ysfdu vHkh instead of routing it through the cPpksa ds xk;c gksus dk vkadM+k lkeus rd dksbZ vkns”k ugha vk;k gSaA judge. However, some judges
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 63 Alarming Spurt In procurement of children for any Lost Childhood purpose, etc,” the Ministry of Crimes Against Women and Child Development yy 1,85,819 Cases Registered recently informed the Rajya During 2012-14 Children. y Sabha on a question regarding y 38,172 Cases registered in crime against children. 2012 Millennium Post, New Delhi yy 58,224 Cases in 2013 08 March, 2016 A National Study on ‘Child yy 89,423 Cases in 2014 Tania Ameer Abuse, released by the Ministry, yy In 2014, the maximum in collaboration with UNICEF, numbers of cases were Save the Children and Prayas The latest data indicates reported from Madhya in 2007, offers startling figures. that there has been a whopping Pradesh at 15085, Followed About sexual abuse, the 54.58 percent rise in cases of by UP, Delhi, Maharashtra, report said, “Of the total child crime against children across and West Bengal. India from 2012 to 2014. respondents, 53.22 percent yy Total number of cases of The government, citing data reported having been subjected crime against children in released by the National Crime to one or more forms of sexual states in 2014 was 79758 Records Bureau, said that abuse, including severe forms. and in Union Territories the 185,819 cases of crime against Of these 52.94 percent victims number was 9665. children were reported from are boys and 47.06 percent yy A national study on ‘Child 2012 to 2014. girls.” Abuse’ released by the About 38172, 58224 and In cases of being subjected Ministry, in collaboration with 89423 cases were registered to severe sexual assault, the UNICEF, Save the Children under crime against children report noted, “ Of the total child and Prayas in 2007, offers in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respondents, 20.90 percent startling figures of that total respectively. were subjected to severe forms child respondent, 53.22 In 2014, the highest number of sexual abuse, which include percent said that they were of cases were reported from making the child fondle private subjected to one or more Madhya Pradesh at 15085 parts, making the child exhibit forms of sexual abuse. O followed by Uttar Pradesh private body parts and being the total respondents, 52.94 at 14835 Delhi at 9350 photographed in the nude. Of percent were boys and Maharashtra 8115 and West these, 57.30 percent were boys 47.06 percent girls. Bengal 4909. and 42.70 percent were girls.” The total number of cases of The report on the subject cky lqj{kk crime against children in states of physical abuse in children in 2014 was 79,758 and 9665 in stated, “Of 2,324 adults dh pqukSfr;ksa Union Territories. surveyed, 48.8 percent reported physical abuse when they were “The Juvenile Justice (Care ls vkf[kj dc children. Of these, 52.7 percent and Protection of Children) were male and 47.3 percent Act, 2015, which came into fuiVsxh ljdkj! female.” force on January 15, 2016, has provisions for punishment Regarding the issue of us”kuy nqfu;k] ubZ fnYyh relating to offences against physical abuse of children the 10 ekpZ] 2016 children, viz. punishment for report cited, “Of 12447 child mikluk csgkj cruelty to child, employment respondents, an overwhelming 69.0 percent reported physical of child for begging, sale and ns”k esa cPpksa dh lqj{kk ,d cgqr abuse in one or more situations.”
64 BUTTERFLIES xaHkhj elyk cu dj mHkj jgk gSA vuqPNsn 39 esa fdlh Hkh dke dks esa f”k”kq gR;k ds dqy 121 dsl gq, detksj] ykpkj vkSj oafpr cPpksa dks tcjnLrh djus ls jksd vkSj gj cPps gSa] ftlesa lcls T;knk jktLFkkuksa esa “kkjhfjd vkSj ekufld izrkM+uk dk dks LoLFk rFkk vuqdwy okrkoj.k nsus 33 vkSj nwljs uacj ij e/;izns”k esa 14 lkeuk vk;s fnu djuk iM+ jgk gSA dh ckr dh xbZ gSA la;qDr jk’Vªla?k us dsl ntZ gSaA vkt cPps dgha Hkh lqjf{kr ugha gSa igys Hkh cPpksa ds vf/kdkjksa ds ?kks’k.kk i= esa yM+fd;ksa dh la[;k yxkrkj de ekuk tkrk Fkk fd cPpksa ds fy, lcls cPpksa dks thou dk fodkl dk laj{k.k gks jgh gS] tgka o’kZ 2001 esa Ng o’kZ lqjf{kr txg udk ?kj gksrk gS] ysfdu dk vkSj lgHkkfxrk dk vf/kdkj fn;k rd dh mez ds cPpksa esa izfr ,d gtkj vusd v/;;uksa ls ;g ckr lkeus vkbZ gSA bl ?kks’k.kk i= ij Hkkjr us Hkh ckyd ij ckfydkvksa dh la[;k 927 gS fd ?kj esa Hkh cPpksa ds lqj{kk dh gLrk{kj dj bu vf/kdkjksa dks vius Fkh rks ogha 2011 esa ;g vuqikr de xkajVh ugha nh tk ldrh vkSj ;g ns”k ds cPpksa dks nsus dk n`<+ ladYi gksdj 914 gks x;k gSA e/;izns”k eas ckr [kkldj cykYdkj] NsM+NkM+] ;kSu fy;k gSA ysfdu vkt cPpksa ds bu ;g vuqikr 2001ls 2011 ds nkSjku mRihM+u ds dsl esa T;knk fn[kk;h vf/kdkjksa dk mYya?ku gks jgk gSA 14 vadks dh fxjkoV ds lkFk 918 gSA nsrh gSA ljdkj ds vkadM+s crkrs gSa fd us”kuy Økbe fjdkWMZ C;wjks 2014 izns”k esa lcls de fyaxkuqikr ftyk cfPp;ksa ds lkFk bl rjg dh ?kVuk ds vkadM+s ns”k esa cPpksa ds izfr gks jgs jhok esa 883 gks x;k gSA Xokfy;j vkSj esa T;knkrj muds ifjokj ds lnL;] fgalk dh Hk;kud rLohj is”k djrs pacy fMfotu dk Hkh yxHkx ;gh fj”rsnkj] tku igpku ds yksx gh gSaA fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj 2014 esa cPpksa gky gSA “kkfey gksrs gSaA ds lkFk fgalk dh dqy 98423 ?kVuk;sa ns”k esa cM+s iSekus ij gks jgs cky bu ?kVukvksa ds eqdneksa esa ls gqbZ] ftlesa T;knk fgalk dh ?kVuk e/; fookg Hkh cPpksa ds iw.kZ fodkl dks dqN rks ntZ gks ikrs gSa ijaarq cgqr izns”k esa 15085 gqbZ gSA ns”k esa cPpkssa ds jksdrs gSaA cky fookg ds dkj.k cPpksa lkjh ?kVuk,a ifjokj ds elys gksus] vigj.k ds 37854 vkSj vkSj cykYdkj dk LokLF;] f”k{kk vkSj lEiw.kZ thou yksdykt vkSj lekt ds dkj.k lkeus ds 13766 ekeys ntZ gq, gSA ogha izns”k ij izfrdwy izHkko iM+rk gS] ;g ,d ugha vk ikrs gSaA ihfM+r cPps dks pqi esa cfPp;ksa ds lkFk cykYdkj ds dqy lkekftd dqjhfr gSA ;wfulsQ }kjk djk fn;k tkrk gSA bu ?kVukvksa dk 2352 dsl ntZ gq, gSaA ;s rks os la[;k,a *,afMx pkbYM eSfjt&izksxszl ,aM vlj bu cPpksa ds ekul ij ftnxh gSa tks ntZ dh xbZ gSaA nwjnjkt vkSj izkLisDV~l* “kh’kZd ls cky&fookg ls Hkj ds fy, cSB tkrk gSA vkfnoklh {ks=ksa ls rks f”kdk;r Fkkus lacaf/kr ,d fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj foJo ljdkj ds brus iz;kl ds ckn Hkh rd igqap gh ugha ikrh gSA blh izdkj dh dqy ckfydk c/kqvksa dh ,d frgkbZ cPpksa ds lkFk vijk/k vkSj fgaalk ds izns”k esa o’kZ 2007 esa 2014 ds chp ckfydk c/kq,a Hkkjr esa ikbZ tkrh gSaA ekeys de gksus ds cnys lky nj lky 66462 cPps xqe gq, Fks] ftlesa ls izns”k esa yM+fd;ksa ds cky fookg dh c<+rs gh tk jgs gSaA cPpksa dks ckgj 39225 yM+fd;ks FkhA nj c<+ jgh gS] ftlesa lcls T;knk ds lkFk&lkFk ?kj esa Hkh laj{k.k ugha cky vf/kdkj esa thou vkSj >kcqvk] “kktkiqj vkSj jktx<+ gSA f”k{kk fey ik jgk gS vkSj bldk cM+k dkj.k fodkl dk vf/kdkj Hkh “kkfey gS] cPpksa dk dk ewyHkwr vf/kdkj gS ysfdu lekt esa cPpksa ds lqj{kk vkSj laj{k.k ysfdu ;g vf/kdkj cPpksa ls yxkrkj vkt Hkh ns”k ds gtkjksa cPps Ldwy dks ysdj tkx:drk dh deh gSA Nhuk tk jgk gSA ns”k esa Hkzw.k gR;k,a ugha tk ikrs gSa vkSj cky Je djrs Hkkjr ds lafo/kku ds vusd gks jgh gSa ftlesa dU;k Hkwz.k gR;k dh gSa ftleas izns”k ds 7 yk[k cPps Hkh vuqPNsnksa esa cPpksa dh ckr dh xbZ gSa la[;k T;knk gSA ,u-lh-vkj-ch- 2014 “kkfey gSaA tSls vuqPNsn&15 ljdkj dks cPPkksa dh ds vuqlkj e/; izns”k esa Hkzw.k gR;k ds cPps vius thou esa buds vykok lqj{kk] ns[kHkky vkSj fodkl bR;kfn ds 30 dsl ntZ gq, gSa tks fd ns”k esa gqbZ vkSj Hkh leL;kvksa dk lkeuk djrs gSaA fy, dksbZ Hkh dkuwu cukus dk vf/kdkj dqy Hkzw.k gR;k dk yxHkx 30 izfr”kr tSls foLFkkiu] iyk;u] cky rLdjh] nsrk gSA vuqPNsn 21 esa f”k{kk dk vf/kdkj] gSA ogha dU;k Hkwz.k gR;k ds ekeys esa ?kjsyw dke] iskuksZxzkQh] fHk{kko`fÙk] ca/kqvk vuqPNsn 24 esa [krjukd dke ls jksd] izns”k “kh’kZ ij ¼127 ls ntZ½ gSA ns”k etnwjh] vijk/k esa lafyIrrk vkSj naxs
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 65 vkfn leL;k,aA bu lHkh leL;kvksa rks ljdkj us cuk;s gSa A ysfdu mUgsa sexually abusing a Class IV dks ns[krs gq, muds izfr fo”ks’k /;ku narghu cuk fn;k x;k gSA bu vk;ksxksa girls for over a year. y nsus dh t:jr gSA blh ds pyrs ns”k dks vkSj vf/kdkj nsus dh t:jr gSA y January 12, 2016 : A esa cPpksa dks lqj{kk] laj{k.k vkSj muds 65-year-old man arrested cPpksa ds lqj{kk ij dke djus ds fy, for raping a four-year-old lEiw.kZ fodkl ds fy, dbZ dkuwu@ ikWfylh ,Moksdslh] tkudkjh] rduhdh girl for four months at his uhfr;ka cuk;h x;ha gSA tSls &fd”kksj Kku dh Hkh vko”;drk gSA daughter-in-law’s crèche U;k; ¼ckydksa dh ns[kHkky ,oa laj{k.k½ in Ghaziabad’s Crossing vf/kfu;e] 2015] cPpksa dh lqj{kk ds Perilous Childhood Republic Housing Society. fy, ;kSu vijk/k vf/kfu;e 2012] yy January 14, 2016 ; Eight cky Je ¼fu’ks/k ,oa fu;eu½] cky The Pioneer, New Delhi – year- old school girl of Millennium National school fookg izfr’ks/k vf/kfu;e 2006] iwoZ 13 March, 2016 in Pune drowns during xHkkZ/kku vkSj izlo iwoZ funku rduhd swimming practice. The safety of children has vf/kfu;e 2002] vuSfrd ekuo O;kikj yy January 30, 2016 ; Six-year- always been a cause of a great old Divyansh drowns in a ¼jksdFkke½ vf/kfu;e 1986] ,dhd`r concern and the recent drowing water tank in Delhi’s Ryan cky fodkl ;kstuk] jk’Vªh; izkjafHkd of a six-year-old boy in Delhi’s International School. ckY;koLFkk ns[kjs[k ,oa f”k{kk uhfr Ryan International School has yy February 6, 2016; Seventh 2013 vkfn izeq[k gSaA blds vykok further highlighted the problem. grader in Ranchi’s Sapphire Prakriti Roy delves into the cPpksa ds gd esa dbZ vUrjkZ’Vªh; International School found issue in a bid to find out why our le>kSrs tSls&oSdfYid izksVksdky] murdered after being children are not entirely safe subjected to sexual assault cPpksa dh fcØh] cky os”;ko`fÙk when left in the care of a school by his teacher. vkSj cPpksa dh iksuksZxzkQh 2000 vkSj or a day-care centre. Each of these instances oSdfYid izksVksdky gfFk;kjcan la?k’kZ yy January, 2012 : A British show up the perils that our esa cPpksa dh Hkkxhnkjh 2000] efgykvksa headmaster of Trio World children face in schools, a School in Bangalore vkSj cPpksa ds rLdjh ij jksdFkke place where parents send their arrested for sending vulgar ds fy, Hkh laf/k fd;s x, gSA cky children to get an education messages to one of his boy vf/kdkjksa ds j{kk ds fy, jk’Vªh; vkSj in safe custody of school students. authorities. However, a string of jkT; cky laj{k.k vk;ksx cuk;s x;s yy June, 2014; Owner of cases show that the safety and gSaA Chandraprabha Charitable protection of children in schools, ljdkj ds brus iz;kl ds ckn Trust in Maharashtra day-care centres and crèches arrested for raping five Hkh cPpksa ds lkFk vijk/k vkSj fgalk is not something that is given minors in his boarding ds ekeys de gksus ds cnys lky nj much importance in the larger school. lky c<+rs gh tk jgs gSaA cPpksa dks course of things. The recent yy July 14, 2014 ; Seven-year- case of Divyansh drowning ckgj ds lkFk&lkFk ?kj esa Hkh laj{k.k old girl raped in Bangalore’s in Ryan International School, ugha fey ik jgk gSA vkSj bldk lcls Vibgyor High School. Delhi, prompted the education cM+k dkj.k lekt esa cPpks ds lqj{kk yy November 17, 2015 ; Minister to order an inquiry into Three-year-old nursery vkSj laj{k.k dks ysdj tkx:drk dh the safety procedures followed student dies in school after deh gSA cPps oksV cSad ugha gksrs gSa] by schools in Delhi-NCR. More getting head stuck in rickety bl dkj.k bu dkuwu dks ykxw djus often than not, these initiatives elevator. are fuelled by incidents such as esa Hkh ljdkj dh jktuhfrd bPNk yy November, 2015 ; Three Ryan and fizzle out soon after. “kfDr dh deh gSA cky laj{k.k vk;ksx male teachers arrested for Komal Ganotra, CRY
66 BUTTERFLIES spokesperson, who has been Education Act (1973) has under things like space that each associated with protection and its ambit regulations related to child needs, adult to child ratio. welfare of children for many buildings, structures, amenities We have installed CCTVs years talks of the root of this etc. It also specifies the everywhere and the live feed is problem in India; “Safety, but responsibility of the principal, broadcasted to parents. We also that is just one aspect.” She teachers and other staff (like have an app so that parents can says, the threat to protection gardener). Auditing is done by get real- time updates about is in multiple ways and all of the Department of Education. their child. Our staff is very well- these have to be addressed. There are no guidelines that the trained and knows that they Ownership from the Education police have made for schools.” are screened for past criminal Department is urgently needed. There are many reasons for and medical records and we Ganotra feels that there are the lax implementation. Ganotra have tied up with agencies for many things that need to be says: “In the policy agenda, this screening,” Sharma says, taken care of to better address children are not very significant. Moreover, a crucial factor for the issue of children’s safety. They are not given their due many parents, all the centres First is the infrastructure, people importance. Moreover, under are run completely by female and processes; protection has the Education Department, staff. to be across all areas but safety Schooling technically begins Ganotra feels that the norms are not comprehensive to from six years of age. So the crèches and day-care centres address all areas. Second, the children younger than that are are actually a much bigger protocol of intervening is absent just sidelined. All the norms are problem as they do not come – there is actually no system. developed for schools which under any Ministry. She opines Third is the redress mechanism take children over the age of that day-care centres are much which has been put out but not six. And there is hardly any more scary than the school respected in spirit. monitoring by the Education system. Schools at least have There is, in fact, a Child Care Department.” proper registration, parent- and Protection Act in India. It has Good surveillance is the teacher associations and so a number of rules like it is the biggest challenge in these on. Creches do not have any duty of every licensee to ensure matters and that is what co- process of registration or a that every child in his home founder of Footprints childcare, standard of running. The risk receives at all times careful and Purvesh Sharma, wants to focus factor is much more in these humane treatment and suitable on. A graduate from IIT, Sharma places,” she tells you. education,’ But this is limited left his engineering job and The private schools which only to places like orphanages went into the childcare industry offer preschooling come under which are licensed properly by when he realised the vacuum the Education Department the Ministry. For the protection in this space after having a son while the Integrated Child of children in schools and day- of his own. He went to the US Development services (ICDS) cares, it is up to the police to for training and now runs all his scheme is run by the anganwadis draft safety regulations like the centres in NCR region along and comes under the Minsitry of ones done by Gurgoan Police. international guidelines. women and child Development But what remains a consistent “Safety is the prime concern; (MWCD). Since there are two challenge is the implementation. it’s the most important things for different ministries, there tends Deputy Commissioner of the child and his parents,” he to be a gap in converagence and Police (DCP- South Delhi) says. “There are Government that is where implementation Prem Nath, who was handling rules and regulations but becomes a problem. the Ryan International drowing we follow the International Creches and play-schools case, tells, you : “The Delhi guidelines. We keep in mind are not owned and governed in
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 67 terms of any standards. There the people who are actually Inf act, even the New Education are basically no guidelines for constantly in touch with your Policy, open for discussion on them and they are not under children,” Ganotra suggests. the My Gov website, doesn’t any ministry. But these are The DCP tells you that the address this age group. This is the ones that are maximum in Delhi Police has a standing order because, in India, most people number, according to Ganotra. for all the schools in South Delhi don’t realize that the first five Since they have no database, that potential victims of sexual years are the most important. no standards and no monitoring harassment must be educated. Apart from this, everything mechanisms, disasters are A woman constable, along with takes more time in India bound to happen. an NGO, imparts this training because of the system that Sharma feels that the under the Nirbheek scheme. exists. Protection is a nascent Government should pitch in with “Children are encouraged to concept in India, and thus is it much stricter implementation report crimes against them by given a backseat because India and regulations than what anonymously dropping notes in struggles with so many other exists right now. Without any the Nirbheekta box. We have areas that need investment regulations, people are doing even registered cases through that children are not getting the things as per themselves and this,” says Nath. priority they should. thus, the children are at risk. However, with players like Divyansh’s drowning, which In a situation like this, footprints in the industry, the triggered all the debate on it becomes very difficult for situation has become better a children’s safety, still remains parents to entrust their child in tiny bit as they follow regulation unsolved. Nath tells you that five the care of someone else while and guidelines. The parents people have been arrested on they are away at work. “An who go to these places are also charges of negligence but the entire set of systems needs to much more aware of issues of case is still under investigation. be integrated; it isn’t merely a their child’s safety and they tend Ganotra feels that while the one-time measure. A risk audit to ask a ton of questions before increasing number of incidents must be done to assess the risk. enrolling their child somewhere. where children are harmed are Guidelines for so many things The best way to choose an tragic, they are pushing towards are not there – floors, wire, institute for your child would a positive change. child-adult ratio, child-space be to ask the right questions ratio. Children are not educated and go by other parent’s Ponder Points on how to deal with and report recommendations. Questions Childline conducted a abuse, or that they should be about systems of training, survey called National study suspicious of certain things. safety procedures, safety on child protection mechanism. Schools are not equipped to reporting to parents, how aware As per them, “Child protection deal with many problems and are teachers and maids, bus is about protecting children the staff lacks training. driver credentials, measures from or against any perceived that teachers take must be It is not just the teachers or real danger to their life, their asked. The existing guidelines who need to be considered. personhood and childhood. It is are mostly superficial so one Everyone, right from the taxi or about reducing their vulnerability has to go deeper to understand bus driver, maids, caretaker, to any kind of harm – social, the workings of an individual maintenance people, should psychological and emotional. It institute. be assessed. What usually must ensure that no child falls happens is that the issue of The Government policies do out of the security and safety safety is taken up with only the not take much cognizance of net and those who do, receive top management but these are the age group below six years. necessary care and protection
68 BUTTERFLIES and are brought back into the safety of children outside children.” safety net.” school premises. Here are some key findings yy Only 5% of schools have no Offenders in Most of the survey for public service corporal punishment meted education schools: out to children 33% of POCSO Cases yy 28% schools did not have schools resort to beating and Known To Victims separate toilets for boys and 12% to humiliating children girls. in front of their peers as a The Indian Express, New Delhi yy Only 4% of the schools form of punishment. 30 March, 2016 provide filtered water to yy Of the 36% of schools Pragya Kaushika children. 77% schools that reported abuse, 21% provide non-filtered water to of schools took follow-up The offenders in majority of the children. 19% of schools action against the abuse. sexual assault case involving did not provide any water yy Display of awareness children in the national capital facility for the children. material on child protection are acquaintances, finds yy 14% of the schools surveyed issues in schools child the annual report of Delhi didn’t have even the most labour 16% , child marriage Commission for Protection of basic facility of a first-aid 8%, child sexual abuse 5%. Child Rights (DCPCR). box to deal with a medical The survey concludes; “The The report, which was emergency. finding of this study corroborated tabled in the Delhi Assembly yy Less than 2% of schools a commonly held perception Tuesday, also notes that the had school counselors. that children in the country are rate of disposal of cases filed yy Only12% of the respondents accorded the least priority in under the Protection of Children (the principal) have planning and implementation from Sexual Offences (POCSO) undergone any training of public services or amenities. Act is dismal, with the average in child rights and child It was learned that other than percentage of conviction at just protection. those spaces directly charged 2 percent. with the protection of children, yy 10% schools reported Despite the POCSO Act almost all spaces exhibited a having a child protection being introduced in November low level of sensitivity to children policy. 1% schools have a 2012, registration and and low levels of preparedness sexual harassment policy. investigation of cases involving for child protection. The study yy 3% of schools reported sexual assault of minors gained is not a situation assessment having grievance momentum only from the middle of children, but an assessment committees for issues of 2013. of the presence of systems, relating to SC/ST and From December 2012 till mechanism and processes human rights issues, 2% March 2014, the total number of of child protection in these for gender discrimination cases registered by Delhi Police spaces. It recommends the and 4% for issues related to were 1492, states the report. coming together of a national corporal punishment. The district with the maximum y child protection network that y The percentage of schools number of cases under the would work towards sharing, that make available a POSCO Act was outer district collating and developing tools complaint book or a with 226 cases, followed by and knowledge in the domain complaint box for children west with 200 and southeast of child protection. It extends is as low as 20% and 21% with 176 cases. respectively. an opportunity to all to take The report also notes that yy 64% schools said they take forward the initiative of making the highest percentage of cases no measures to ensure spaces accessible and safe for
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 69 have been reported from outer, She went along in the hope 8470 missing children, around southeast, south/central districts of getting a job. But a night mare 1800 are yet to be traced. And – 94, 93, 91 respectively. The followed. Sold off by him, the of the untraced kids, 600 are average of such crimes in the young girl was kep locked in a girls, the records say. three districts stands at 89 room for a year and half by five Almost half the children percent. men. Here she was repeatedly who have gone missing in the Zeroing in on the area from raped and tortured. past five years are aged below where majority of such cases Aisha resisted, demanded eight, and around 830 of them are reported, the commission freedom and also tried to escape. – including 350 girls – are yet to found that a maximum of 36 But all in vain. After over a year be tracked, police records say. cases each were reported in of continuous torture, she found “Not all children end up at Govindpuri and Uttam Nagar the opportunity to escape. She shelter homes, the presence police stations. The outer came to know about a woman of several human trafficking district reported six cases from who worked with an NGO and rackets in the city raises Kanjhawala Police station and secretively got in touch with her. concern. While the males are four cases from Bawana Police That led to her freedom. usually sold off at eateries, station. But, unlike Aisha, there are farms and residences to be The commission feels that thousands of children who are engaged as extra hands, the the high pendency percentage not that lucky and end up in girls are many times pushed into and low conviction rate can brothels, dhabas, and even in prostitution,” says Amod Kanth, be attributed to the fact the foreign counties where they general secretary of Prayas. children’s courts are not fully face sexual assault. “Delhi is the prime destination dedicated to the cases. “In India, a large number of of trafficked children, while states children are trafficked for sex like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Disappeared and non-sex based exploitation Bengal, Assam, Chhattisgarh, that includes servitude of various Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are Without A Trace. kinds, as domestic labour, key sources,” adds Kanth. industrial labour, agricultural In August, 2013, a report Deccan Herald, New Delhi labour, begging, organ trade by the United Nations office on 24 April, 2016 and false marriage. Trafficking Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Inder Singh Bisht in children is on the rise, and titled ‘Current Status of Victim nearly 60 percent of the victims Service Providers and Criminal Delhi is emerging as a hub of of trafficking are below 18 Justice Actors in India 2013’ trafficking in children. Not only years of age,” says Vishwajeet documented how Delh is are a large number reported Ghoshal. Joint secretary of emerging as a transit point for missing in the city every year. Prayas, a non-governmental trafficking. Children from poor families are organization. Delhi is a “hub” of The report highlighted how brought here to work in industrial the human trafficking trade, say girls are often kept in remote units, homes and even brothels. several NGO officials based in locations in the National Capital Aisha (name changed), 12, the city. Region and sold off once they a resident of a village in West attain puberty. “The demand for Bengal’s Murshidabad district, Grim stats:- children for domestic work is very was asked by her parents to go Around five children were high in Delhi. Delhi is emerging with her ‘uncle’ to the city so that reported missing every day in as a destination and transit she could earn some money the national capital in the last point and it also has a sizeable and help her parents and four five years, according to Delhi number of missing children. siblings. police records. Out of these Economically disadvantaged
70 BUTTERFLIES families in rural India have Sometimes they are forced to number of minors are trafficked long been attuned to the idea marry in certain regions where to Delhi with the connivance that domestic labour is a ‘safe the sex ratio is highly disturbed, of unregulated placement way’ for their daughters to earn. and brides are hard to find. agencies,” Khan says. Girls as young as five years “In NCR, the estimated are employed as child labour in number of registered and Rescue operation homes,” says Vishwajeet. unregistered placement Talking about a rescue Every year thousands of agencies adds up to 3000. operation, Khan says, two years kids, mostly from eastern and At least 30 percent of these ago two young girls working as northeastern parts of India are engage child labour. The domestic helps were rescued taken from their homes and sold maximum could be as high as from a couple’s house in east in Delhi, Haryana and Western 70 percent. Each agency is Delhi’s Geeta Colony. “When Uttar Pradesh for sexual able to place 60-100 children as we confronted the house exploitation and to work as domestic workers every year,” owners, they verbally abused bonded labour by agents who says Shafiq Khan of Empower us and tried to justify their action lure their parents with proises of People, an NGO. by saying that it was the girl’s education, money and a better “The agencies receive duty to work, and that they were life. commission of Rs. 20,000 – 50,000 per child. They pay the only trying to help poor girls by “Agents, who happen to be employing them,” Khan says. someone known of relatives child anywhere between Rs. “Children and their families of the parents of the kids bring 1500 and Rs. 4500 per month. are often lured bythe promise of them here from states like This money, too, is often kept by better employment and a more Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal the ageny and does not reach prosperous life far from their under the pretext of providing the child,” Khan adds. homes. Others are kidnapped them education and a better job With a growing economy and sold. Trafficking violates a opportunity,” says Vishwajeet. which demands cheap labour, child’s right to grow up in a family “However, once they reach the growth of domestic child labour is enormous. Hidden environment and exposes him Delhi, they are sold off to work or her to a range of dangers, in brick kilns, carpentry units, inside private homes, child domestic labour represents an including violence and sexual as domestic servants, beggars, abuse,” says Khan. etc.” he says. Girls are often invisible, growing industy. Girls, according to him, trafficked for the purpose of “Middle-class colonies comprise a larger share of sexual exploitation, he adds. are completely dependent on domestic helps. A large domestic child labourers, many of whom are trafficked, employed in households and face sexual harassment.Inder Singh Bisht About five children were reported missing in Delhi every day in the last five years. Of these, 1800 remain untraced even today. Almost half the children who went missing during this period were under eight.
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 71 CHILDREN Hurrying The Law AND LAW Hurrying the law 72 Deccan Herald, New Delhi, Deccan Herald 07 January, 2016 Kaleeswaram Raj SC moots harsher punishment for child sex offenders 74 Mail Today Parliament should have The Government of India been more serious, for having ratifived the resolution of Ckky vijk/k vkSj dkuwu 75 nSfud tkxj.k there were apparent the UN Convention on the rights anomalies in the Bill which of the child (1989) is bound fd”kksj U;k; vf/kfu;e esa cnyko dk vkSfpR; 76 required greater scrutiny. by the concept of juvenility as nk ikbZfu;j proclaimed by the convention. Child labour law violators may get 3-yr The amendment to the Therefore, the country is obliged imprisonment. 78 Juvenile Justice Act needs to treat those below 18 yearsof Financial Express careful consideration in a age as children and to treat SC asks Centre to suggest steps to deliberative democracy. This them equally in the realm of ban child porn 79 is especially so after the penal laws as well. This equality Millennium Post Supreme Court’s expression of would stand negated as the bill Working of POCSO courts in Delhi; helplessness in the plea against takes the form of law. What research says 79 the release of the Juvenile The Indian Express There were apparent accused in the Jyoti Singh gang anomalies in the Bill which Where the mind is with fear 81 rape case for ‘want of legislative required greater scrutiny. The The Indian Express sanction’. penalties prescribed do not Can rapist of mentally ill be tried Ironically, the proposed tally with the gravity of offences under child abuse law? 82 change in the law would be enumerated in the Bill. For The Times of India vulnerable to judicial review. example, intoxication of a Ensure no discrimination among According to the Bill, juveniles child would invite a sentence school kids: HC to govt. 83 aged 16 years and above Deccan Herald of imprisonment up to seven may be tried under the law for years where as selling of a adults, for heinous crimes. A lot child is taken as ‘less serious’, of discretion is vested with the as it would lead to jail term for Juvenile Justice Board, which five years only Such provisions may decide whether a child which obfuscate the idea of should be tried as an adult, proportionality needed further when such offences are alleged.
72 BUTTERFLIES examination. would also do violence to the percent) and ‘grievous hurt and It is dangerous to hurry any decision of the decision of assault on women with intent enactment meant for social the Constitution Bench of the to outrage her modesty’ (4.7 security for it will also pose Supreme Court in Pratap Singh percent each)” and that “these questions of individual liberty V State of Jharkhand (2005) four crime heads have together and renovation. Legislation which endorsed the 2000 Act accounted for 39.7 percent is too serious a matter that it in clear terms in the context of of total IPC cases (registered cannot depend upon the crowd child rights as expounded in the against juveniles in 2014)”. behavior on the streets. It cannot UN treaty. The Court said that The Rajya Sabha has rest on emotional or populist for the purpose of sentencing, a correctly taken note of the measures and the debates person who is not juvenile under ubiquity of crimes committed in the Parliament cannot be the 1986 Act (which attributed by the children. Chapter 10 of superficial or deleterious. Juvenility only till 16 years of the report also highlights the The Bill had serious age) should be treated so in quandaries like illiteracy, poverty lacunae, in constitutional terms. view of 2000 Act. and homelessness among the Treatment of juveniles between children apprehended in different the age of 16 and 18 years is Better legislative crimes. Socio-economic studies not an easy job. This stipulation synthesis and psychological research would offend Article 14 of the alone can pave way to more The statute, in the words of Constitution by treating the effective reformative agenda. the Supreme Court “provides unequal-the adult and the A policy paper released for beneficent consequences child-equally for the purpose of by the National Centre for and to be constructed liberally”. prosecution in certain cases. The Policy Analysis (1998) that The unchecked discretion Bill also suggested that a child conducted a global survey on now vested with the Juvenile aged between 16 and 18 years the subject also sees “a close Board, which is a quasi Judicial committing serious offences connection between lack of amalgamation of personalities, could be tried as an adult, if he punishment and the forming of is an unwelcome change. or she is apprehended, after 21 criminal habits. “ Punishment This is not to belittle the years. for juvenile has been ‘effective’ alarming growth of juvenile This again would mean according to the paper. The crimes in the country. The that depending upon the age government and Parliament National Crime Bureau has at which one is apprehended, could have considered all these published a report containing the method of trial and nature developments and explored an alarming data (Crime in of the sentence might vary. the possibilities for a better India – 2014). A total of 31,725 The prescription negates legislative synthesis. cases under the Indian Penal Article 20(1) of the Constitution There is a need to redefine Code were registered against which says that one cannot be juvenile delinquency in the Juveniles in 2013 whereas subjected to “A penalty greater present environment at the in 2014, the number was than that might have been global level after revisiting the enhanced to 33526. This shows inflicted under the law in force UN treaty of 1989. However, for 5.7 percent increase in juvenile at the time of commission at us, in the immediate context, crimes falling under the IPC. the offence”. The oratorical an amendment to the Juvenile The report further says that discourse in the Rajya Sabha Justice Act by incorporating “the highest share of cases on the bill, however, overlooked provisions for reformative registered against juveniles was all such fundamental tenets. rehabilitation for a longer tenure, reported under the crime head The Bill, on being enacted, without offending the UN treaty ‘theft’ (20 percent) ‘rape’ (5.9 is quite possible and feasible.
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 73 Parliament ought to have bench headed by Justice Dipak on children while provisions were been more serious in the matter Misra said. made for sexual intercourse and the discourse required a The court was hearing a plea by husband with wife during formidable legal foundation. filed by Supreme Court Women separation, sexual intercourse The point is to strike a balance Lawyers Association (SCWLA) by a person in authority, gang between the child rights and through its general secretary rape and punishment for repeat social security with out offending Prerna Kumari demanding offenders when rape laws were the egalitarian values reflected castration of child sex abusers. amended in 2013. in the global treaties. But the bench rejected this Pressing for castration as plea saying.” The court cannot a punishment, Pavani said SC Moots Harsher enter into making a law or the Madras HC had recently Punishment imposing a punishment which asked the Centre to consider is the realm of Parliament. it. “Madras HC itself speaks For Child Sex We leave these matters to that between the year 2012 Offenders the wisdom of lawmakers. and 2014, the number of these Even otherwise the court crimes had increased from Mail Today, New Delhi cannot prescribe a particular 38172 to 89423 i.e. more than 12 January, 2016 punishment for a particular double and this is alarming.” Harish V Nair offence.” She noted that several Attorney General Mukul countries like US, Poland, Rohatgi who had been specially Russia, South Korea, Indonesia, As incidents of child abuse summoned for seeking his Russia, New Zealand and across the country witnessed views on the subject had Argentina have introduced an alarming 151 percent submitted to the court that such castration to deal with child sex jump in the last five years, the demands were entirely based offenders. Supreme Court on Monday on “emotions and sentiments” Madras HC was not the asked Parliament to consider and the court shall not take first to demand castration. In amending penal provisions for a decision on it, but leave 2011, a Delhi Sessions Court awarding harsher punishment it to Parliament which shall Judge Kamini Lau had called to those convicted of raping or take some “rationale-based for a nationwide debate on the sexually abusing children in any decision”. issue. The judge had suggested manner. Senior lawyer Mahalakshmi the measure as an alternative At present, most convicts Pavani who appeared for sentence to imprisonment. get away with a jail term ranging SCWLA said the PIL was But in 2013, the Justice between two and ten years. triggered by the recent shocking Verma committee rejected the “These days children between incident in Bulandshahar district demand for castration, noting the age of two and ten are of Uttar Pradesh, where a the punishment “fails to treat the increasingly becoming victims 28-day-old baby girl was raped social foundations of rape.” of sexual abuse while the law on December 6, 2015. It also is vague and only talks about cited gang rape of two minors Grim Truth women below the age of 16 in Delhi in the second week of for prescribing punishments. yy A child is abused every 30 October. Parliament may think of re- minutes in India Significantly, the court asked defining the term child and yy 151% increase in child rapes the Centre why no particular impose further rigorous in five years (from 5,484 in sentence was prescribed for punishment to those involved 2009 to 13766 in 2014) those committing sexual assault in sexual abuse of children, “a yy More than 100% increase in
74 BUTTERFLIES total number of child abuse vU; dkuwuksa dh gh Hkkafr u, fo/ks;d fd”kksjksa ds fy, cuk, x, u, fo/ks;d cases (from 38172 in 2012 esa Hkh vijkf/k;ksa dks cpko dk gjlaHko esa Hkh visf{kr l[rh dk vHkko gSA to 89423 in 2014) jkLrk miyC/k djk fn;k x;k ftlls fo/ks;d esa nq’deZ lfgr laxhu vijk/kksa fo/ks;d dh lkFkZdrk o vkSfpR; ij ds ekeys esa dqN “krksaZ o izfrca/kksa ds Ckky vijk/k vkSj loky [kM+k gks x;k vkSj ekeyk iqu% lkFk o;Ld ekus tkus okys vijk/kh u, :Ik esa vnkyr dh pkS[kV ij vk;q 18 ls ?kVkdj 16 o’kZ dj nh xbZ dkuwu igqap x;kA gS vkSj fd”kksj U;k; cksMZ ds iquxZBu nsfud tkxj.k] ubZ fnYyh cPpksa ds izfr gj rjg ds vijk/kksa lesr reke izko/kku fd, x, gSaA 14 tuojh] 2016 esa fnukasfnu o`f) gksrh tk jgh gSA ij bl fo/ks;d esa [kklrkSj ij os dfiy vxzoky vf/kdka”k ekeyksa esa NksVs o eklwe gksus gh vijk/k “kkfey fd, x, gSa ftUgsa ds pyrs okLrfodrk dk irk rRdky n”kdksa iqjkus Hkkjrh; naMfo/kku ds ns”k Hkj esa cPPkksa ds izfr fujarj ;k dHkh dHkh fcYdqy gh ugha yx ikrk rgr laxhu vijk/k ekuk tkrk gSA c<+ jgs ;kSu vijk/kksa ds izfr efgyk vkSj vly ekeyk cgqr nsj esa tkdj vkt tcfd vijk/k o vijkf/k;ksa dh odhyksa dh ,d tufgr ;kfpdk ij [kqy ikrk gSA T;knkrj vijk/kh vius ubZ ubZ ikS/k o izdkj lkeus vk jgs gSa ns”k dh loksZPp vnkyr us fpark fudV laca/kh] fj”rsnkj] tku&igpku rks blesa vixzsMs”kau csgn t:jh gSA trkrs gq, u;k l[r dkuwu cukus ij okyksa] ?kjsyw ukSdj ukSdjkfu;ka vkfn ljdkj dks turk o U;k;ikfydk cy fn;k gSA fiNys ikap lkyksa esa gksrs gSa vkSj cPpksa ds Hkfo’; o ds lg;ksx ls bl ij eaFku dj ,sls ekeyksa esa pkj xquk o`f) ntZ dh ikfjokfjd bTTkr vkfn ds pyrs bu cnyko djuk pkfg,A ofj’B fo”ks’kKksa xbZ gSA vc rd dh fLFkfr ;g gS ij dkjZokbZ djuk cgqr dfBu vkSj dh ckr esa ne yxrk gSA ljdkj ds fd vijk/kh ;fn de mez dk gS rks dHkh dHkh rks ukeqefdu gks tkrk gSA fd”kksj vijk/k laca/kh u, fo/ks;d dks og detksj dkuwu o ekewyh ltk ds Mj o [kkSQ ds pyrs cPpk lgh izdkj gh ysa rks mlesa reke [kkfe;ka utj lgkjs ukckfyx gksusdk Qk;nk mBkdj ls xokgh o vkichrh crkus ls drjkrk vkrh gSaA mez lhek esa dVkSrh dk D;k cp fudyrk gS vkSj ckfyx vijkf/k;ksa gS ftlls ekeyk vnkyr dh pkS[kV iSekuk ekuk x;k gS ;g ljdkj us ds ckcr Hkh dksbZ cgqr dBksj dkuwu rd igqaprs igaqprs gh ne rksM+Uks yxrk Li’V ugha fd;k gS] D;ksafd vesfjdk ds ugha gSaA fd”kksjksa }kjk fd, tk jgs gSA bldk ykHk ckfyx o ukckfyx vf/kdka”k jkT;ksa ds vykok phu] fczVsu] ;kSu vijk/kksa ds ifjizs{; esa gky gh esa vijk/kh mBkrs gSa vkSj ;gha gekjs ns”k Ýkal] vkLVªsfy;k vkfn ns”kksa esa ;g cuk u;k fd”kksj U;k; dkuwu Hkh cgqr dk dkuwu [kqn dks vlgk; ekudj lhek ukS ls ysdj 14 lky rd eqdjZj detksj o ukdkQh djkj fn;k x;k gkFk [kM+s dj nsrk gSA ;kfpdk esa ,sls gSA blds vykok ogka bl rjg ds gSA bl dkuwu ls vlarq’V gksdj gh gh reke xaHkhj eqn~ns mBk, x, gSaA ekeyksa esa QkLV VªSd vnkyrsa gSa ftlesa efgyk odhyksa ds ,d lewg us tufgr if”peh mÙkj izns”k ckj ,lksfl,”ku Rofjr QSlyk dj dBksj ltk vFkok ;kfpdk nk;j dh FkhA njvly xr ds ,d ofj’B inkf/kdkjh ,e,l R;kxh cky lq/kkjx`g dk izko/kku gSA vU; fnuksa turk ds Hkkjh ncko] fuHkZ;k ds eqrkfcd ;g vijk/k o vijkf/k;ksa dkuwuksa dh Hkkafr bl u, fo/ks;d esa Hkh dkaM ds izeq[k vfHk;qDr dh ukckfyx dh ,d ubZ iztkfr gS ftl ij gekjk U;k; dh csgn yach o tfVy izfØ;k vk/kkj ij fjgkbZ ls mRi= tukØks”k o dkuwu ekSu gSA vU; ns”k tgka le; j[kh xbZ gSA fo/ks;d ds ckcr laln fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa dh tcjnLr c<+rh ds lkFk viuh dkuwu O;oLFkk o esa efgyk ,oa cky fodkl ea=h esudk rknkn dh otg ls tYnckth esa yk, dkuwuksa dks mUur djrs jgrs gSa ogha xka/kh dk dguk Fkk fd fd”kksj U;k; x, fd”kksj U;k; ls lacaf/kr fo/ks;d ge ekeyks esa n”kadksa ihNs gSaA ,d cksMZ esa vkjksih fd”kksj dh ekufld dks laln ds nksuksa lnuksa ls eatwjh vU; inkf/kdkjh o tkus ekus ofj’B fLFkfr r; djus dh yach izfØ;k fey rks xbZ ij flok; mez lhek esa vf/koDrk vkjds xksLokeh ds eqrkfcd blfy, j[kh xbZ gS rkfd fdlh funksZ’k ?kVko ds] mlesa dqN Hkh u;k ugha FkkA gekjh ekufldrk gh dqN ,slh gS fd dk mRihM+u u gksA cdkSy ea=h] laxhu
CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 75 ls laxhu fd”kksj vijk/kh dks lh/ks tsy “khrdkyhu l= ds nkSjku lokyksa ds x;k] mlesa cnyko yk;k tk,\ ugha Hkstk tk,xkA fd”kksj U;k; cksMZ tokc esa fyf[kr rkSj ij is”k fd, x,A chrs fnuksa rFkkdfFkr fuHkZ;k ;g QSlyk djsxk fd nq’deZ o gR;k bu tokcksa ds lkFk ;g Hkh crk;k x;k lkewfgd cykRdkj esa “kkfey ikap tSls vfrlaxhu ekeyksa esa fdlh fd”kksj fd buesa ls vLlh Qhln vijkf/k;ksa yksxksa esa ls ,d fd”kksj fjgk gks x;kA vijk/kh ds lafYkIr gksus ds ihNs mldh dh i`’BHkwfe ns[kdj yxrk gS fd ltk mldh fjgkbZ ls ehfM;k cgqr ijs”kku okLrfod ea”kk D;k FkhA cksMZ ;g Hkh vijk/k o mldh izd`fr dks ns[kdj gqvkA mudh ijs”kkuh bl ckr ls gS fd ns[ksxk fd fd;k x;k d`R; o;Ld ugha] cfYd mldh i`’BhHkwfe ns[kdj nh og fjgkbZ ds ckn lekt ds fy, vkSj ekufldrk ls fd;k x;k gS vFkok tk,xhA vxj fd”kksj vijk/kh fiNMs+] yksxkssa ds fy, cgqr cM+k [krjk gSA ,d cPkius esaA blds vykok fd”kksj dh vui<+ o xjhc ifjokj ls rkYyqd e”kgwj v[kckj us ,d vkd’kZd xzkQ ikfjokfjd i`’BHkwfe ij Hkh fopkj cgqr j[krk gS rks og ltk dk ugha oju ds tfj;s ;g *le>kus* dh dksf”kl xaHkhjrk ls euu fd;k tk,xkA bruk lgkuqHkwfr vFkok n;k dk ik= gksxk dh fd dSls vo;Ld] efgyk lqj{kk gh ugha fd”kksj dks Åaph vnkyrksa vkSj mls cky lq/kkjx`g Hkstk tk,xkA ds fy, cM+k [krjk cu x, gSaA muds esa tkus ;kuh vihy djus djus dh nwljs “kCnksa esa dgk tk ldrk gS fd fglkc ls fd”kksjksa }kjk fd;s tkus okys iwjh vktknh gksxh vkSj t:jr iM+us ,d ukckfyx lekt ds izfr fdruk cykRdkjksa esa 70 Qhlnh dk btkQk Ikj ljdkj ls dkuwuh enn Hkh fey Hkh cM+k o t?kU; ls t?kU; vijk/k gqvk gSA blds ckn v[kckj us viuh ldsxhA D;ksa u dj ys ltk dk iSekuk mldh xyrh lq/kkjrs gq, v[kckj ds ,d fo/ks;d ij xgjkbZ ls fopkj fd;k ikfjokfjd i`’BHkwfe gksxh u fd vijk/k dksus esa foKfIl Hkh nh] ij bl Hkwy tk, rks ;g ltk fnykus okyk de vkSj dh izd`frA lq/kkj dks 30 ls vf/kd istksa esa 76 BUTTERFLIES fd”kksjksa }kjk fd;s x, vijk/kksa ds Fkk fd ;g vkjksi cscqfu;kn gS vkSj dg jgs gSa fd vkius bl fd”kksj dks izfr”kr jg x;kA efgykvksa dh xfjek iqfyl us pktZ “khV esa dgha Hkh ;g ugha lq/kkjus vkSj iquokZflr djus ds fy, dks Bsl igqWapkus dh ea”kk ls fd;s x, dgk fd ;g fd”kksj lcls vf/kd Øwj dqN Hkh ugha fd;kA tcfd ekStwnk vijk/kksa esa fd”kksjksa dk izfr”kr 2013 FkkA blds ckn bu v[kckjksa us vunj dkuwu esa fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa dks lq/kkjus esa 2 Qhlnh Fkk tks 2014 esa de gksdj ds i`’Bksa ij Hkwy lq/kkj ds fy, ,d vkSj iquokZl ds fy, iz;kl izko/kku 1-9 izfr”kr jg x;kA fd”kksjksa }kjk dh foKfl t:j nh Fkh ij blls igys gS vkSj blds fy, blesa cnyko dh x;h gR;kvksa esa ;g izfr”kr 3 Qhlnh dbZ eghuksa rd viuh eq[; lqf[kZ;ksa vko”;drk ugha gSA efgyk fodkl ,oa Fkk tks 2014 eas 2-9 Qhlnh jg x;kA ds rgr bl fd”kksj dks Øwjre lkfcr cky fodkl ea=h ihfM+r dks U;k; vkSj ;gkaW mYys[k djuk okftc gksxk fd djus esa yxs FksaA lekt dh lqj{kk ds cgkus bl dkuwu tula[;k esa fd”kksjksa dk izfr”kr Hkh ,slk ugha gS fd ehfM;k ds bu esa cnyko dh ekax dj jgh gSA 2012 ls 2014 ds chp 11-2 ls ?kV dj izfrfuf/k;ksa ds ikl ;s vkadM+s ;k budk bl lanHkZ esa cky vf/kdkjksa ij 5-2 jg x;kA fo”ys’k.k djus dh {kerk ugha gSA ij dkuwuh fo”ks’kK vuUr vLFkkuk jk’Vªh; vijk/k fjdkWMZ C;wjks ds gh mUgsa turk dh Hkkoukvksa ds f[kykQ ds vuqlkj *izLrkfor cnyko ds vkadM+ksa ds eqrkfcd lu 2011 esa gq, tkus dh ctk; “kk;n mUgsa HkM+dkus tfj;sljdkj cky vf/kdkjksa ds izfr 2325575 laKs; vijk/kksa esa ls 25125] dk dke djuk T;knk csgrj le> viuh ftEesnkjh ls viu iYyk >kM+uk ;kfu 1-1 Qhlnh vijk/k 18 o’kZ ls vkrk gS tks mUkds fy, “kk;n vkfFkZd pkgrh gS vkSj blds fy, efgyk lqj{kk de ds cPpksa us fd;s gSaA ;s ckr lp gS rkSj ij vf/kd Qk;snean lkSnk utj tSls HkkoukRed vkSj laosnu”khy eqn~ns fd 2001 vkSj 2011 ds chp 16 ls 18 vkrk gksA dh vkM+ ys jgh gSA ljdkj fuHkZ;k o’kZ vk;q oxZ }kjk fd;s x, cykRdkjksa Lkekt vkSj ehfM;k ds dqN fgLls gknls ds bnZ fxnZ mHkjs yksxksa dh dh la[;k esa o`f) gqbZ gS ysfdu bl bl ckr dks ysdj cgqr fpafrr gS fd Hkkoukvksa dh nqgkbZ nsdj bl dkuwu ds vkadMs dks bl dnj rksM+ejksM+ ds is”k fjgkbZ ds ckn ;fn ;g fd”kksj dksbZ fd;kZUou ds >a>V ls cpuk pkgrh gSA fd;k x;k fd ;s eglwl gksus yxk vijk/k djrk gS rks dkSu ftEesnkj loky ;g gS fd lkekU; :Ik ls fd lHkh cykRdkjksa dk eq[; nks’kh ;gh gksxkA xkSj djsa fd ;g ogh tekr gS lekt esa vijk/k c<+k gS rks dsoy vk;q oxZ gSA 2001 esa bl vk;q oxZ ftls fiNys rhu lkyksa esa ;g [k;ky fd”kksjksa ij gh D;ksa fu”kkuk yxk;k }kjk fd, x, cykRdkjksa fd la[;k ugha vk;k fd ljdkj bl fd”kksj dks tk;s\ rF;ksa ls lkfcr gS fd fd”kksjksa 399 Fkh tks 2011 esa is”k dj 1149 gks lq/kkjus vkSj blds iquokZl ds fy, dks lekt dk nq”eu lkfcr djus vkSj x;hA ;s c<+ksÙkjh fparktud gS ysfdu D;k dj ugha gSA “kk;n bUgsa ekywe gS dkuwu eas cnyko dh ekax djus dk vxj vki bl rF; dks bl rjg is”k fd dkuwu ds bu j[kokyksa us dqN ugha u rks dksbZ rkfdZd vk/kkj gS vkSj u djsasxs fd bl vk;q oxZ }kjk fd;s x, fd;kA vkSj blhfy, ;g ekax mB jgh ;g ekax rF;ksa ij vk/kkfjr gSA vkt cykRdkjksa esa 330 Qhlnh dh o`f) gqbZ Fkh fd dkuwu esa cnyko fd;k tk;s fd”kksjksa ds f[kykQ lkft”k djus dh gS rks ,d Hkzfer djus okyh rLohj vkSj bl fd”kksj dh fjgkbZ jksdh tk,A ctk; ;g lkspus dh t:jr gS fd lkeus vkrh gSA og bl bartkj esa gS fd dc ;g dSls fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa dk iquokZl gks lPpkbZ ;g gS fd ;g bTkkQk 750 fd”kksj vijk/kh dksbZ vijk/k djs vkSj vkSj dSls mUgsa lekt dh eq[;/kkjk ls gknlksa dk gSA vDlj lekt ds ,d bUgsa ;g dgus dk ekSdk feys fd ns[kks] tksM+k tk;sA rcds vkSj ehfM;k }kjk dgk tkrk jgk geus rks igys gh dgk FkkA ts ts ,DV dh cqfu;kn fd lc vijkf/k;ksa esa ;g fd”kksj gh Bksl izpkj esa gekjs efgyk ,oa lq/kkjkRed naM izfØ;k ij vk/kkfjr lcls T;knk Øwj Fkk vkSj blus ihfM+r cky fodkl ea=ky; ds izfrfuf/k Hkh gS izfrf=;kRed fgalk ij ughaA ;g ds lkFk lcls T;knk T;knrh dh Fkh “kkfey gSaA muds vuqlkj bl dkuwu dkuwu bl ekU;rk ij vk/kkfjr gS fd ysfdu dbZ eghuksa ckn bl gknls ds ds rgr dqN ugha dgk tk ldrkA cPpksa ds vf/kdrj ekeyksa esa lq/kkj tkWap vf/kdkjh us ;g Li’V dj fn;k egksn; ge ;gh rks ph[k&ph[k ds dh xqatkb”k gksrh gS vkSj blds fy, CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 77 1986 could result in fail term up to 1 year and a fine of a maximum of Rs. 20,000. The Child Labour Bill, which prohibits employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupations, was tabled in the Rajya Sabha in 2012. Incorporating official amendments, the Bill was proposed to be tabled in the last two sessions but that was not to be, due to the face-off between the ruling and opposition benches. Offences of employing any child or adolescent in contravention of the Act by an employers has been made cognizable. This provision would dksf”k”k dh tkuh pkfg,A ts ts ,DV leL;k ;g gS fd bl dkuwu dk act as a deterrent against the ds rgr ljdkj dh ;g ftEesnkjh /;ku] dkuwu fookfnr cPpksa ij jgk gSA offence of employing a child or curh gS fd mu lHkh cPpksa dks] tks mu cPpksa ij ugha] ftUgas ns[kHkky vkSj an adolescent in contravention tksf[ke esa gSa] laj{k.k ,oa lqj{kk iznku lqj{kk fd t:jr gSA bl dkuwu dks of the Act, “ a labour ministry djsaA Bhd ls ykxw djus dh dHkh dksf”k”k gh official said. Besides, the Bill also bl ,DV dk eq[; mn~ns”; cPpksa ugha dh x;h vkSj vc ekax mB jgh gS proposes for constitution of a dks vijk/k djus ls cpkuk gSA Li’V fd bl dkuwu dks cnyk tk;s\ child and adolescent labour gS fd bl vijk/k esa “kkfey fd”kksj rehabilitation fund for one or ds ekeys esa ljdkj us viuh ;g Child Labour Law more districts of the rehabilitation ftEesnkjh ugha fUkHkkbZ vkSj mls dkuwu Violators May Get of the child or adolescent fookfnr cPpk cuus ds fy, NksM+ rescued. Thus, the Act itself will 3-Yr Imprisonment provide for a fund to carry out fn;kA 11 ls 17 lky ds chp tc ;g rehabilitation activities. cPpk LVªhV pkbYM vkSj cky Jfed Finacial Express, New Delhi However, the bill has provided dh rjg thou fuokZg dj jgk Fkk 25 February, 2016 for a couple of exceptions on rks ;s ljdkj dgkWa FkhA bl dkuwu esa Surya Sarathi Ray employing children below 14 nksuksa Js.kh ds cPpksa ds fy, izko/kku years in all occupations and gS] ij tc rd og cPpk laj{k.k vkSj Non-compliance with the processes. This would not be child labour laws could lead to lqj{kk dh t:jr dh Js.kh esa gksrk] rc an offence in cases where the an imprisonment up to three child helps his family or family rd mldk dksbZ /;ku ugha j[kk tkrk years and /or fine of Rs. 50,000 enterprises, which is other than vkSj tc ogh cPpk dkuwu fookfnr gks as per the relevant Bill likely to any hazardous occupations tkrk gS rks lc “kksj epkus yxrs gSa fd be passed in the Budget session or processes after his school bl dkuwu dks ykxw djus esa iwjh rjg of Parliament. Currently, the hours or during vacation. ukdke;kc jgh gSA violations of the Child Labour Child below the age of 14 (Protection & Regulation) Act, 78 BUTTERFLIES years could also be employed of freedom of speech and watching and compelling any in cases where the child works expression. “Pornography is a one to watch pornographic as an artist in an audiovisual very difficult topic. Some people material in public places should entertainment industry, will find it as an art. What can we be strictly banned. including advertisement, films, do then?” the Bench observed. “We are not concerned what television serials or any such The Apex Court said a group of people are doing in other entertainment or sports parameters regarding a room. Obscenity has been activities except the circus or pornography has to be decided prohibited under law and what is any such work which does not and it has already held in other not permissible under the Indian affect the school education of cases that freedom of speech law, the government has to take the child. and expression as envisaged steps and it needs to develop a under Article 19(1) (a) of the mechanism,” the court said. SC Asks Centre To Constitution is not “absolute” The counsel for Supreme Suggest Steps To and is subject to reasonable Court Women Lawyers’ restrictions. Association (SCWLA) cited an Ban Child Porn “You have to draw a line incident, where an FIR has been what can be viewed in public registered against a school bus Millennium Post, New Delhi and what can be viewed in driver and its conductor for 27 February, 2016 public and what can be viewed showing pornographic videos Mpost Bureau in private,” the Bench said, after to students and molesting the Centre reiterated its stand them and said that websites The Supreme Court on and submitted that it is difficult to containing such contents need Friday asked the Centre to ban the pornographic websites to be banned completely. suggest ways to ban child as they do not fall under any “The said bus driver and pornography in all forms in the country’s jurisdiction. conductor had pornographic country, saying that the nation It asked the Centre to video clips stored in their cannot “afford to carry on any seek advice from experts and phones. The sites showing experiment” in the name of suggestions from the National pornographic material needs to “liberty or freedom of speech Commission for women (NCW) be blocked to protect children,” and expression”. on banning websites dealing with she said. The Bench posted the “The Centre shall file affidavit adult and child pornography. matter for further hearing in the to suggest ways and means to Additional Solicitor General third week of March. curb child pornography. Innocent Pinky Anand said agencies such children can’t be made prey to as the Interpol and the Central Working of POCSO this kind of painful situation and Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Courts In Delhi; a nation cannot afford to carry are taking necessary steps to on any experiment on children block sites, which specifically What Research in the name of liberty or for deal in child pornography. Says that matter freedom of speech “It is possible to ban child and expression,” a Bench of pornography, but it is not The Indian Express, New Delhi Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva possible to ban pornographic 07 March, 2016 Kirti Singh Said. websites as they are not under Aneesha Mathur It said one needs to draw any country’s jurisdiction,” she a distinct line between art and said. On January 29, 2016, a obscenity and child pornography Vijay Panjwani, appearing report on the working of POCSO cannot be justified in the name for the petitioner, said that courts in Delhi was released by CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 79 is, therefore, an exception. year, convictions resulted in y the Centre for Child and the Law, y Questions put to the 55 cases (11.93 percent) of National Law school of India child are not always age the 187 cases disposed of University, Bangalore (NLSIU). and developmentally between one and two years, A research team from NLSIU appropriate. convictions were recorded y studied 667 judgments passed y Matters are routinely in 50 cases (26.73 percent) by 20 judges in Delhi’s district adjourned if the defence of the 19 cases, in which courts from January 1, 2013 lawyer/APP is not available disposal took more than till September 30, 2015 under or the judge is on leave. two years, conviction took the POCSO Act. The team also No prior intimation is given place in seven cases (36.84 interviewed officers from the to the child and the family.. percent). y police, legal aid services and they end up making multiple y Section 38, POCSO Act, judicial services as well as child visits to the courtoom. requires the special court y welfare committee members, y Section 33(7), POCSO Act, to take the assistance lawyers, public prosecutors, requires the special court of a qualified translator, court staff, and vulnerable to protect the identity of the interpreter, special educator, witnesses and their families. child during the investigation or a person familiar with the and trial. The special court manner of communication Key observations. can permit disclosure if of a child, if necessary. it is in the interest of the Interviews with stake holders yy Only courtrooms in Saket child. According to several revealed a list of qualified and Karkardooma have respondents, the identity experts is not available with a separate entrance for of the child victim is poorly most courts. children, a waiting room, protected. The POCSO yy Among the total number audio-visual facilities, a court hall is known to all, of victims, the 12 to 15 separate room to record and names are called out age group formed the evidence, and toilets loudly by the court staff while largest group, consisting within the vicinity of the calling for cases. Besides, of 30 percent of the cases courtrooms. These facilities all details of victim are in the (197 cases), while the 16 are not yet available in Tis FIR and not hard to secure. to 18 age group formed Hazari, Patiala House, yy According to section 35(2), the second largest group, Dwarka and Rohini. POCSO Act, as far as consisting 28 percent of yy Section 33 (2) of the possible, the trial should the cases (186). Children POCSO Act prohibits the be completed within one below 5 years constituted 7 special public prosecutor year of the court taking percent of the victims. and the defence lawyer cognizance of the offence. yy Conviction was awarded from putting questions to the In 461 cases (69 percent in 112 cases under the child directly. All questions. of the cases), the trial was POCSO Act and the large must be routed through completed within a year. In majority (555 cases ) ended the special court. Except 187 cases (28 percent), it in acquittal. This pegs Saket and Karkardooma, took over a year; in 19 cases the rate of conviction at a as a rule, additional public (3 percent), the time taken to measly 16.8 percent. prosecutors and defence complete the trial was over yy The prosecutrix/victim lawyers in most other special two years. All trials were turned hostile in a staggering courts pose questions to the completed in less than three 67.5 percent of the cases child directly. Routing of years. Of the 461 cases that (450 cases) and testified questions through the judge were completed within one against the accused in only 80 BUTTERFLIES 178 cases (26.7 percent). District Court is courtroom psychologist should be made yy The accused was known number 307, the designated available. Only after assessing to the victim in 80 percent POCSO (Protection of Children the mental condition of the cases, was a stranger in from sexual Offences) court child, the court may proceed to 17 percent cases, and of the northwest district in the record the evidence,” directed profile was not specified in 3 capital. Last Friday, this court the court. percent of the cases. was to record prosecution The child could not record yy There is a huge support evidence in as many as eight evidence on Friday. This court gap in the services cases dealing with sexual has also seen child victims rendered to child victims assault on child victims. When turning hostile, refusing to and their famiies, as it was the fourth case, registered in depose. On November 29 last found to be sporadic and outer Delhi district, came up for year, another minor who was intermittent… NGO in Delhi hearing, the child victim entered allegedly sexually assaulted providing support services the courtroom with a welfare by her stepfather refused to shared the positive impact officer and counsel from the record her evidence. Later, it of support on the child and Delhi Commission for women would emerge she was facing the family. However, there (DCW). pressure from her elder sister is little clarity on the role of She sat quietly, on the and mother. the ‘Support Person’ and edge of the seat, she was to In December 2014, the nature/extent of the record her evidence against the 14-year-old-victim had support they are required to her stepfather who is accused mustered up the courage to provide. This emerged as a of sexually assaulting her. lodge a complaint against her major area of concern, given Minutes into the proceedings, step father. The next day, on the significant proportion she collapsed in court. A doctor November 30 last year, she of cases in which victims was called in. The doctor told broke down in court. She refused turned hostile. the court that she could not to record her evidence alleging mentally handle the recording pressure from her mother. Where The Mind Is of evidence due to pressure. The court then summoned With Fear After Friday’s incident, the in charge of Rape Crisis Cell this court asked the Delhi of DCW. “The victim apprehends government to step in and that she has no other place to The Indian Express, New Delhi appoint 11 physchologists in 07 March, 2016 go and will have to suffer the all the designated POCSO Kaunain Sheriff M ignominity and sexual assault courts. The court has also through her stepfather..this asked counselors to monitor court has the firsthand account Systems are in place the the mental health of vulnerable of noticing the demeanour and protect victims of crime, child witnesses. mental condition of the child yet it is not easy for young “No mechanism has been victim,” the court told the DCW minds to open up before provided in the special court counsel. the law, at times amid in the form of accredited list After examination, the DCW pressure from the family of child psychologists whose told the court that she had to itself. Here is a look at the services can be availed (of) be immediately taken out of stps being taken and what by the court in assessing the the atmosphere she was living else, according to insiders, mentioned stress level of the in, as it was not conducive for needs to be done. victim children… it is highly her mental health. The girl was On the third floor of Rohini desirable that the service of child then sent to “Bhapno Ghar” for CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 81 specialized counseling. She fathers. In at least 30 percent Friday faced a complicated stayed there for more than a of other cases, the accused question of law-can a man month. She is out the special were either neighbhours and accused of sexually assaulting home, but the fear of pressure acquaintances. While the a mentally challenged woman from the family remains. capital, last year, became the having the IQ of an eight – “Recording the statement first state to implement the year-old be booked under the of a child victim is a tough job witness protection scheme, it stringent Protection of Children sometimes it can take hours did not make much difference from Sexual Offences (POCSO) and the child may not utter a on the ground, according to Act which proides for life single word. There are days insiders. imprisonment as punishment. and consecutive hearing when Among the steps The incident took place in the court cannot record any suggested were relocating the Defence colony locality of South evidence as the victim is under witness, facility for in-camera Delhi, where a 38-years-old constant fear. Toys are given to proceedings and ‘live link’, in women suffering from cerebral the child so that he or she can which a witness could depose palsy since childhood and with use it and point out the sexual without coming to court. a mental age of eight years was abuse to the court. However, “There are problems allegedly sexually assaulted by all these efforts go in vain when with the witness protection a rich and influential person, the a victim’s family pressures the scheme. Sometimes when we survivor’s mother claimed. child not to depose against the receive a request to relocate The mother, a reputed abuser, who could be a father, a vulnerable witness, the medical practitioner, who has uncle or neighbor, “ says a police and government do not also served as a commissioned senior judicial officer who does have adequate infrastructure. medical officer in the Indian not want to be named. Victims can probably stay in a Army, through advocate “For this, there is no dedicated complex, where there Aishwarya Bhati challenged structural mechanism to protect is no interface with the accused. a Delhi high cout judgement a vulnerable witness through the Another problem is awareness. which rejected her plea for course of the trial. Social impact The prosecutors and victim’s transferring the sexual assault assessment was never done counsel have to approach case to a designated court while setting up such courts in courts seeking protection. Only under the POCSO Act that the backdrop of the December then can Delhi State Legal requires specialsed deposition 16, 2012, Gang rape It was Services Authority intervene of mentally challenged persons such a knee-jerk reaction. No and provide protection, “ said a in the absence of the accused. social scenario was taken into senior official. A bench of justices Dipak consideration while setting up Misra and Shiva Kriti Singh these courts,” adds the judicial Can Rapist Of issued notices to the Delhi officer. government and the main The two cases reflect the Mentally Ill Be Tried accused, Santosh Kumar grim reality of lack of protection Under Child Abuse Yadav, asking them why the of vulnerable witnesses such Law? case be not transferred to a as child victims in cases of designated POCSO court. The sexual assault. In the national The Times of India, New Delhi mother informed the court that capital, in 2015, according 02 April, 2016 though her daughter was 38, to official data, as many 35 Dhanajay Mahapatra she had the mental age and accused persons facing communication level of an 8-9 charges of sexual assault were year-old child. “After suffering The Supreme Court on 82 BUTTERFLIES the heinous crime, her level of presence of neuro specialist and children studying in the under standing has receded to psychologists from AIIMS. The government and private that of a 3-4 year-old because HC only permitted videography schools,” a bench of justices of severe mental trauma,” she of the recording of statement. B.D. Ahmed and Siddharth said. She filed an appeal in the SC. Mridul. “The accused persons are POCSO Act provides for life Try to think about the moneyed people in the locality imprisonment as punishment psychology of the children. If and they still make attempts to when the abused child is the child sees that his friends attack the petitioner and her mentally ill or when the abuse are wearing better clothes, than daughter complaints to local is committed by a person in a imagine the trauma he/she police have been made about position of trust or authority. undergoes, the bench added. each subsequent attack, but no “Our intention is very action has been taken till date,” Ensure No clear. What we want is that the mother’s counsel said. Discrimination the students of economically The accused was arrested weaker section (EWS) or of in July 2014 and the case was Among School disadvantaged group should be committed to the additional Kids: HC To Govt. brought at par with the students sesions judge of a fast track of affluent class by giving them court in Saket. The mother Deccan Herald, New Delhi free books and uniforms, “ the alleged that the trial court did not 30 April, 2016 bench said. need her request for incamera Dhanajay Mahapatra The court’s oral observation recording of her daughter’s came on the submissions statement. The High Court told the of Delhi government senior “After putting a lot of effort AAP government panel standing counsel Rahul Mehra, for an in-camera recording, working on modalities who said they cannot match the the rape survivor did make a of providing free study shop of the high class private coherent statement in childlike material to poor children schools, but can assure of language about the anatomical in private and government better quality of education. part of the accused that was schools to keep in Mehra, however, told the inserted into her. However, the mind that there is no court that Delhi government is trial judge refused to accept the discrimination among the considering enhancement of childlike language in which the kids. the scale for reimbursement of incident was narrated despite free study material and uniform a practicing psychologist The Delhi High Court on for poor kids. interpreting the evidence,” the Friday said the AAP government The court has fixed the matter mother said and complained panel working on modalities of for May 20. The court, which that her attempt to videograph providing free study material has reserved its verdict in the her daughter’s statement was and uniforms to poor children in PIL, is currently in the process refused. private and government schools of setting up a committee to Delay in recording her here should keep in mind that work out modalities of providing daughter’s statement made there is no “ discrimination” free study material and uniform the mother move the HC for among the skids. to kids. transferring the case to a “Your (Delhi governmet) designated POCSO court and modalities should be such that for recording her statement in there are no discrimination a congenial atmosphere in the between the rich and poor CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 83 CHILDREN 31M, Or 50%, of US Children Live In AND ECONOMY Poverty : Report 31m, or 50%, of US Children live in The Times of India, New Delhi poverty : Report 84 04 March, 2016 The Times of India Battling a slow death 85 The Statesman According to researchers, be at risk,” said Renee Wilson- the number of poor Simmons from NCCP. children in the US grew “The fact is, despite the by 18% from 2008 to significant gains we have made 2014, and the number in expanding nutrition and of children living in low- health insurance programmes income households grew to reach the children most in by 10%. need, millions of children are living in families still struggling Nearly half of children in the to make ends meet in our low- US live dangerously close to wage economy,” she said. the poverty line and more kids According to researchers, today are likely to live in families the number of poor children barely able to afford their most in the US grew by 18% from basic needs, a new report has 2008 to 2014, and the number claimed. of children living in low-income The report by researchers house-holds grew by 10%. from the National Centre for NCCP defines a low-income Children in Poverty (NCCP) at household as one where Columbia University illustrates incomes fall below 200% of the severity of economic the Federal Poverty Threshold instability and poverty ($48, 0.16 for a family of four conditions faced by more than with two children in 2014). A 31 million children throughout family is considered poor if its the US. “These data challenge earnings are below 100% of the the prevailing beliefs that many poverty threshold ($24,008 for a still hold about what poverty family of four with two children looks like and which children in in 2014). this country are most likely to 84 BUTTERFLIES More than four in 10 US the remote village of Sekokoto. treatment from traditional children are living close to Food is scarce and water healers that has little effect. “My the poverty line. While 44% even more so, with families daughter was losing weight, of children live in low-income struggling to keep browning she had a running stomach, households, only 33% of adults plants alive in sparse gardens “MahatDansina recalls. “It just between 18 and 64 years of age dug out of the dust. Mothers wouldn’t stop and she was live in these households. strap babies to their backs as crying all the time. I did not know they labour in the blazing sun, what was happening to her.” Battling A Slow with their sons and daughters Sitting with her daughter helping desperate efforts to Somita at ACF’s malnutrition Death grow crops that are unlikely to unit at Kita Hospital, Mahat says sustain families averaging six her daughter is two years old but The Statesman, New Delhi children. her tiny size made her appear 24 April, 2016 The scenes are repeated half that age. Despite the girl’s across Mali, where much of papery skin and wasted limbs, A silent crisis is the population lives in remote she is slowly gaining weight and threatening the lives of villages, miles from access to has recovered enough to leave thousands of children in a food, clean water and health hospital and be treated with poverty torn west African care. The country has the eighth high-energy therapeutic food at country under siege from highest infant mortality rate in home. terrorists and largely the world, with most killed by Mahat, however, fears for forgotten by the world, severe acute malnutrition. “ We the future, “We try to grow food writes lizzie dearden call it a silent crisis because we but there’s no water for it. “ Starvation, has long been don’t hear about it, we don’t talk Many of the babies and toddlers a problem in the West African about it – these children are at the hospital are on the brink nation of Mali, which is blighted forgotten,” says Jean-Michel of death, needing tubes to by drought and food shortages Grand, the director of Action breathe and drips to feed them on the edge of the Sahara Against Huger UK. The charity, nutrients as they lie listlessly in Desert. But four years of war known by its French acronym their mothers’ arms or in beds between rebels and Islamists ACF, is working in the worst drapped with mosquito nets has made the situation even affected areas of the country in stifling rooms. One young more dire, with over 180,000 to treat children and try to stop mother explains how she is children aged under five the spread of malnutrition. But unable to breastfeed her baby expected to face starvation this the work can be dangerous, and has no money to buy food year. with one of the charity’s staff as her son started to waste murdered in war-torn northern away. “The government needs Only one in five has any Mali last year and warnings that to do more, “ she says, cradling hope of being treated. “Being humanitarian workers are being the little boy. “The world needs a mother, you can never be at targeted by al-Qaeda-linked to do better. “Two children have peace because you don’t know groups. died so far this year at the clinic if your child is going to die or in the capital of the Kayes region not,” says N’Badiala Keita, It is a struggle not only to but most who pass through its bouncing her baby daughter on stop the illness but to diagnose doros are saved. Martin-Pascal her knee. One-year-old Bansina it, with many mothers unaware Guiedegbe, one of the health was on the brink of death just a of what is happening to their workers, says the starving few months ago, wasting away children. Many seek treatment children frequently contact like dozens of other children in from traditional healers that has little effect. “Many seek pneumonia and other dieases CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 85 that become fatal in their children than ever before with difficulty to access health care. weakened state. “Normally they a new project, funded by the Many women fall pregnant will recover in size and height Innocent Foundation, which almost immediately after as they age but they are at a sends community health giving birth in a culture where high risk of mental problems, “ workers into the hardest-to- birth control is scarce, leaving he says. “For some its learning reach areas, allowing them to them struggling to feed one difficulties or they have a low diagnose children and treat them infant when the next arrives. IQ, and then when they have before they become critically ill. One woman whose child was children the problem becomes “I believe malnutrition can be treated by ACF spike of how her cyclical.” eradicated in our generation,” husband refused to drive their But he is hopeful about the Guiedegbe said. “I’m hoping we son to a clinic after a healer’s progress he and care workers will be waving the flag of victory traditional medicine failed and across the country are making, against hunger.” threatened to leave her. “He was with the aid of recently developed While lack of food is the angry and said that if the child food sachets that treat children primary issue, the problem died it wouldn’t be his problem,” with a high energy combination is compounded by a lack she said. “Even if he abandons of peanut butter, milk powder, of education on nutrition, our son, I can’t abandons our vitamins and minerals. ACF is breastfeeding problems from son, I can’t abandon him. If our taking the treatment to more malnourished mothers and the child dies, I will be the loser.” 86 BUTTERFLIES CHILDREN Xkjhch Hkh gS fd’kksj vijk/k IN CONFLICT dk dkj.k WITH LAW vej mtkyk] ubZ fnYyh 02 tuojh] 2016 Xkjhch Hkh gS fd”kksj vijk/k dk dkj.k 87 vej mtkyk Heinous Crimes by Juveniles 88 fd”kksj U;k; ¼la”kks/ku½ vf/kfu;e] gS] mls turk vkSj ehfM;k ds ncko dks Daily Excelsior 2015 dks laln ls eatwjh feyus ds ckn ns[krs gq, is”k fd;k x;kA ysfdu u, No age of innocence 90 16 ls 18 lky ds fd”kksjksa ds t?kU; dkuwu ls fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa dh la[;k Business Line vijk/k esa “kkfey gksus ij mUgsa o;Ld de gks tk,xh] ;g dguk eqf”dy gSA Of Juveniles and justice 93 vijk/kh dh rjg ltk dk izko/kku Hkys ;g lc dqN euksoSKkfud fLFkfr ls Frontline gh fd;k x;k gS] ysfdu blls Hkfo’; tqM+k gqvk gSA blds fy, cM+s iSekus ij End of Innocence 96 Frontline esa fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa dh la[;k fdruh lkekftd lq/kkj dh t:jr gSA blds Just Hellholes 98 ?kVsxh] ;g ,d cM+k loky gSA bl lkFk gh lekt esa lekurk dk Hkko Frontline vf/kfu;e dks ysdj lansg trkus okyksa vkuk Hkh t:jh gSA ;g ns[kuk gksxk Data in doubt 103 esa jkT;lHkk esa tn;w lkaln dgd”kka fd ,slh cqjkb;ka dgka ls tUe ysrh Frontline ijohu Hkh gSa] tks vkxkg djrh gSa fd vkSj QSyrh gSaA ,slh ?kVukvksa ds ihNs Crime against kids pendency up 59% 106 The Times of India fd”kksjksa dh vk;q ?kVkus ek= ls gh cPps ds ifjos”k vkSj mldh ekufld Sexual offences by Juveniles on the vijk/k de ugha gksxsaA og dgrh gSa fd fLFkfr dks ns[kuk pkfg,A njvly rise in Maximum City 106 xjhch vkSj vf”k{kk fd”kksjks ds HkVdko dqN yksx ;k ,d cM+k jSdsV cPpksa dk The Hindu dk cM+k dkj.k gSA muds eqrkfcd] bLrseky djrs gSaA mUgsa xans vkSj ?k`f.kr State tops in juvenile crimes, 14% of offenders held in city 107 lkekftd fLFkfr esa ifjizs{; esa dkuwu dke ds fy, izksRlkfgr djrs gSaA The Times of India esa la”kks/ku dh xqatkb”k ges”kk cuh blfy, fdlh Hkh ?kVuk dh tM+ esa Conviction in Child rape cases jguh pkfg,A muls bUgha lc eqn~nksa tkuk t:jh gSA vxj cPpksa dks csgrj minuscule 109 Hindustan Times ij fiz;oank lgk; us ckrphr dh% ekgkSy feys] vPNh f”k{kk feys] rks Alarming rise in juvenile crime includ- d”kksj U;k; vf/kfu;e ds u, izko/kku blls mudh eukso`fÙk dks ldkjkRed ing heinous offences, says govern- ls D;k fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa dh la[;k fn”kk esa eksM+k tk ldrk gSA ment 110 Millennium Post de gksus ds vklkj gSa\ ;g fd”kksjksa dh cky lq/kkj x`g o iquokZl dsaUnzksa eukso`fÙk ij fdl rjg vlj djsxk\ dh fLFkfr ls vki fdruh larq’V gSa\ ljdkj bl laca/k esa tks fo/ks;d ykbZ D;k blesa lq/kkj dh xqatkb”k gS\ bl CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 87 ckjs eas [kqn efgyk ,oa cky fodkl dsafnzr djs] rks ;g fd”kksj vijkf/k;ksa board will assess the mental ea=h esudk xk¡/kh lq/kkj dh xaqtkb”k dh la[;k de djus esa dkjxj lkfcr condition of the offender and gksxkA ogha xSj ljdkjh laxBuksa dh the Children’s court will decide crk pqdh gSaA lq/kkj x`gksa esa jgus ds whether he is fit to be tried like ckotwn cPps vijk/k dj tkrs gSaA ,sls enn ls ,ssls cPpksa dks f”k{kk ds nk;js and adult. cPpksa ds tsgu esa Hkj fn;k tkrk gS esa yk;k tk,] tks vc rd Ldwy dh Heinous crime is defined fd cM+k vijk/k djus ds ckotwn mUgsa ngyht rd ugha igqap ik, gSaA futh as a crime that carries a de ltk feysxh vkSj os tYnh gh fo|ky;ksa esa Hkh xjhcksa ds cPpksa dks punishment of seven years of lq/kkj x`g ls ckgj vk tk,axsA dbZ i<+kbZ dk ekSdk feyuk pkfg,A imprisonment or more. Serious cky fodkl ds ekeys esa dsaUnz dks whitecollar crimes liable to long- cMs+ vijk/kh mUgsa 88 BUTTERFLIES action, but cannot determine years or a girl below 18 years bill before it was passed by the the details of legislations. It of age. This was amended in Lok Sabha, pointed to some is, therefore, not necessary to 2000 to determine the age of misleading data on juvenile ascertain or listen to the views juvenile delinquent uniformly for crimes. With the exception of of victims; family regarding the males and females as 18 years. the Left parties, all other parties quantum of punishment in any This amendment had helped supported the bill. case whatever be the age of the youngest criminal in the Though the argument for the accused or the gravity of the Nirbhaya case to escape adult lowering the age factor in crime. It applies to instances of treatment. dealing with heinous crimes is death penalty also. The justice The urgency for re-examining strong, it cannot also be denied system has to look beyond the questions of age couldn’t be that the government and society the victims of concerned ignored in view of increasing have to accept failure on their cases and decide on the basis number of reported cases part in bringing up children and of legal position and social of juvenile crimes including adolescents. Child Welfare consequences. heinous ones like rape. Even Committees are not functioning This enactment will not the national Crime Research efficiently. Adequate Juvenile have retrospective effect Bureau, whose statistics are Justice Boards are also lacking. and so the Executive will generally believed to be gross Special homes do not have not face complications in its underestimation due to non- knowledge and ability to cope enforcement. The Supreme reporting and suppression of with delinquents… Instances Court also reffused to stay the several cases, has noted steep of boys running away from release of Nirbhaya juvenile increase in crimes. Cases of correctional homes have criminals demanded by the rape by juveniles by age-group become common. Delhi Commission for women numbered 198 for below 16 All these point to the need as there is no law under which years in the year 2000, 399 for firm action to prevent he could be retained. He will for below 18 years in 2001, juvenile crimes and the futility be provided with post-re-lease and 1149 for below 18 years of lenient treatment to juvenile rehabilitation care to help him in 2011. So also, murder by delinquents after commitment reintegrate with the society. juveniles shot up from 267 in of serious crimes. Generally, a person below 2000 for below 16 years to 888 There is no common 12 years is called a child, one for below 18 years in 2011. approach to attribution of between 12 and 18 years is Still, the present amendment criminal responsibility in different regarded as an adolescent, didn’t have a smooth passage. countries. The age factor ranges and one between 18 and 30 Some MPs wanted to refer it to from 7 to 18 years. The juvenile’s years as a young person, and a select committee for further culpability and the punishment those between 30 and 50 as a deliberation. The bill was listed is determined according to the middle-aged person. Before the twice in the winter session, but nature and gravity of the crime, enactment of Juvenile Justice couldn’t be taken up due to and the level of maturity and Act 1986, a child between 7 continuous disruptions in the discretion of the offender as and 18 or 21 years in some House indicating lack of interest perceived by the courts. The States in accordance with the in this amendment on the part age of criminal responsibility is Children Acts of the States, who of some members. There were 7 in Switzerland and Ireland, violated law, was considered as also differences of opinion 13 in France, 14 in Australia, a juvenile delinquent. within some parties that were Germany, Italy in Europe. Both The 1986 Act defined openly expressed. in the UK and USA, juveniles “Juvenile” as a boy below 16 The parliamentary standing who committed heinous crimes committee which examined the like rape were prosecuted like CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 89 adults. Prosecutors were seen technical adulthood. Children’s Prakash Yadav* keeps an eye pushing to try more juveniles world is shrinking yielding out for shoplifters. committing murder as adults. place to adult world, thanks Chubby, with a perpetual In the 1990s, it is noted to communication revolution. smile, he magically produces that the practice of charging “U” certificate has lost its hot tea for me as soon as I young people as adults gained meaning and children’s films introduce myself. I am almost momentum in America and have become rare. It may be certainty has this may not be between 1990 and 2010, youth a reason contributing to adult my first time at Prakash’s stall. in adult jails increased by 230%. crimes by adolescents – a Little do I, or the scores of Since 2005, youth advocacy sociological development that buyers rummaging through the groups took up the cause of has to be addressed by law wares, know that as teenagers, juveniles and succeeded in makes with the expertise of Prakash and his cousin Rohit* bringing legislations in about social psychologists. spent time at a facility for 30 States in the US to make Our Endeavour must be juvenile delinquents. They were it harder to prosecute and to evolve a juvenile justice accused of murder. The duo has sentence juveniles like adults. system that will hold the also spent time at a facility for According to UN juveniles responsible for their juvenile delinquents. Prakash is recommendations, no child up actions, ensure the safety of clearly too busy to take his eyes to the age of 12 can be held the community, and make the or mind off the through at his responsible for any criminal act society responsible to bring stall. I decide to meet him the till completion of 18 years, no up productive, capable, and next day. adolescent can be tried in adult accountable citizens. In short, Sunday afternoon in North courts. society must pay special Delhi, and a number of young Adolescents are said to attention to adolescent care. boys are lazing in the light sun. be the most neglected group Mattresses have been laid out world-wide. The age-group No Age of to air and the boys are scattered 10-19 is officially recognized Innocence across the playing field. as adolescent in India and this “Namaste,” they grin at me. At covers children between 10-14 the other end, about 30 others Business Line, New Delhi years. are boisterously washing their 09 January, 2016 Textbook differences uniforms and hanging them out Anoo Bhuyan between crime and delinquency to dry on the volleyball net and are also becoming more football goalpost. This is an irrelevant. That anti-social acts of Despite stories of observation home in Delhi, for juveniles lack specific intention rehabilitation and hope, India’s juveniles in conflict with the law. or purpose, are unplanned and Juvenile Justice System, just With the paintings of Gandhi unorganized are not always like its formidable correctional and APJ Abdul Kalam on the true. We can no longer hold homes, seems averse to giving walls, and the impish smiles on on to the belief that 16-18 age- second chances. the faces around, you wouldn’t group are still children unaware It’s Saturday and the women guess it is a facility for boys of the consequences of their at Lajpat Nagar market are accused of thefts, kidnappings, actions. purposefully looking for weekend murders and rapes. Until you In this age of information, bargains. One particular stall is notice the exceptionally high childhood and adolescence selling the Connaught Place walls with barbed wire that hem appear to have fallen to adult variety of jewellery, but at the field. I accompany Prakash life sooner than the onset of one-fourth the prince. Women and Rohit inside the facility. aggressively rummage through. I accompany Prakash and 90 BUTTERFLIES Rohit’s 28th birthday and the serious crimes, although they such an abrogation of justice. two cousins are back to visit the will not receive death penalty place they called home for three or life imprisonment. It means Root issues years. putting minors thought the adult Fazal* greets us warmly and penal system of investigations, Since the brutal gangrape leads us up many dark flights trial and jails. and death of Jyoti Singh Pandey, of stairs in Gandhinagar, to a physiotherapy student in Delhi Only a few months before this his workplace. This East Delhi in December 2012, India has was passed by parliament, the neighborhood is full of garment seen an outpouring of public Supreme Court had elucidated outlets, where clothes are criticism for sexual violence and the objective of the Juvenile being stitched or sold. In this a demand for death penalty for Justice Act. Responding to small factory, reams of denim the perpetrators. Much of this a petition by Subramanian and incomplete jeans are lying movement was led by Pandey Swamy and Aman Hingorani on around. Today, Fazal supervises parents. They conveyed their the age of Juveniles, it said that the men who sew those jeans understanding of justice to the objective of Act is “to ensure and earns Rs. 19,000 a month. Parliament – only capital their rehabilitation in society and But at the age of 16, he did time punishment for the rapists and to enable the young offenders to for murder. His story is similar no less. become useful members of the to those of Prakash and Rohit, This mass movement had the society in later years”. But where some of his friends were a direct impact on parliament, in less than a year, the new Bill involved in a scuffle that ended while passed the anti-rape laws puts a questions mark on these in a fatal stabbing. Fazal was in 2013. The punishment for basic intentions. standing around with that group. gangrape went up to a minimum The debate has given voice When the police came, they of 20 years and a maximum of to the view-points of politicians, rounded up everyone including life imprisonment. For repeat lawyers, sociologists, activists the 16-year-old. “ I was so afraid offenders, the death sentence and protestors. But “children after I was picked up by the was made possible. lack a voice in the political police… my friendships got me This pressure was kept up process. Their rights cannot be into trouble. I decided to keep and, barely a week before the trampled upon by misinformed only good company and work third death anniversary of the public opinion or majoritarian hard after being released, for the student last month, parliament politics,” explains Arlene sake of my mother and sisters,” passed another law. This time, Manoharan from the Centre for he says. Fazal is quick to add it ratcheted up the punishment Child and the Law, Bengaluru. that he worked at garments for juveniles accused of heinous Given that it is too sensitive factories even before he was crimes such as rape and murder. to talk to current juveniles apprehended for murder, “ I Previously, anyone under apprehended for crimes, what learnt a lot more of tailoring 18 years was considered can former juveniles tell us and embroidery at the juveniles’ a child, and would not face about the system – how is home. I also learnt to be more the same procedure of trial life at these facilities, and how disciplined.. All this helped me and punishment as adults, does it change once they are when I was released after 18 irrespective of their crime. By released? In other words, is months,” he says. this new ‘Juvenile Justice (Care the system meeting the stated Fazal is lucky to have found and Protection of Children) Bill, aims of reform, rehabilitation re- a steady job. But a regular 2014,’ those between 16 and integration and re-socialization? income after evening time in 18 years of age may be tried as Talking to former juveniles in a correctional home doesn’t adults in the case of heinous or Delhi gives us reason to pause compensate for the problems and ask if rehabilitation is really CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 91 that plague the juvenile justice found functionaries who fit the observation home. Rohit, who progress. On one hand, the bill. They are almost always now runs a successful business root causes of crime need to domesticated and consider making flower arrangements be eliminated. Social workers these as punishment posting. for weddings, proudly shows explain that desperation brought They do not get training and me hundreds of photos on his upon by poverty, substance support, but are blamed when laptop. Both Prakash and Rohit abuse, lack of family support, children escape or engage in passed Std X exams while at and lack of access to education violence,” says Manoharan. the home. “Our motivation was often propels minors to crime. With the new law, the state that we must race ahead in life On the other hand, once is seemingly penalizing the to compensate for this setback. crimes are committed and the public for its own failings. This No matter how bad your perpetrators apprehended, the is similar to the recent supreme environment is, you have the system is required to pay close court ruling disqualifying those ability to choose the right thing,” attention to their time at these without formal education from he says. observation homes, and their contesting civic elections in Neither of them thinks the return to society after release. Haryana. The system falls short new law will help. Rohit laughts This is a critical period, one of addressing both crime and as he says, “ We were both where the state is supposed to punishment. “Our experience wrongly put in Tihar Jail for provide rehabilitation. But the demonstrates that a majority a while, and we heard other failing here often feed back into of these children would have convicts talk about stealing the root causes of crime itself. a psycho-social history that trucks, and who the don of reflects on the failure of the certain areas was. At the home, Evil at large state in some way. Should we the staff and counselors really In the Bill introduced in then place the entire blame on cared for us. They tried to Lok Sabha, Maneka Gandhi, the child?” asks Manoharan. create a better environment. minister for women and child “What was required is greater “Prakash adds, “I was 166 at development, lists some of accountability of the state to the time of the crime. If I had the problems that prompted children,” she adds. been sent to Tihar, I would have a review of the existing law, These arguments don’t not come out reformed. I would including “increasing incidents of sway those who have been have suffered.” abuse of children in institutions, protesting on the streets for Rohit describes how, for inadequate facilities, quality stricter punishment; Vikas Tyagi a long while after his release, of care and rehabilitation is one of them. As part of the 16 neighbors avoided him and measures in Homes, high December Kranti he has been gossiped about him. Finding pendency of cases. “These are keeping vigil at their long-term a bride was also difficult. He issues the Parliament could outpost in Jantar Mantar. For faced rejection from families have addressed. “The earlier him, even this new law does not the moment he told them about law was meant for rehabilitation. go far enough, “The Juvenile Act his past. But today, things are The new law is aimed at needs to be amended, allowing better. “Today I have a car, a criminalization. Nothing for life imprisonment and death bike, small family and my own changes for the condition of penalty,” he says. business. I have deficiencies of juveniles at present,” says Ved the system, it somehow worked Kumari, professor of law at Flip-side story out well for these young men And that’s why they believe Delhi University. There is also Tyagi might be surprised that every child could do with a a staffing crisis. “In our field if he hears Prakash and Rohit chance. experience we have rarely discussing their time in the 92 BUTTERFLIES Of Juveniles and by some members over certain undertake all appropriate provisions that made a mockery measures in case a child was Justice of the government’s intent to alleged to have violated, or was fulfil certain objectives of the accused of violating, any penal Frontline, New Delhi Bill. law, including (a) treatment 22 January, 2016 It was obvious that the Bill’s of the child in a manner V.Venkatesan & TK Rajalakshmi hasty passage in the Rajya consistent with the promotion Sabha was a surrender to the of the child’s sense of dignity The passage of the public pressure mounted against and worth; (b) reinforcing the juvenile justice (care and the release of the juvenile who child’s respect for human rights protection of children) was convicted in the case of and fundamental freedoms Bill, 2015, in parliament the gang rape and murder of of others; and (c) taking into exposes the vulnerability 23-year-old “Nirbhaya” in the account the child’s age and the of the system in the capital on December 16, 2012. desirability of promoting the wake of a misinformed The juvenile, now 21, was child’s reintegration into, and his and hysterical campaign released on December 20, or her assuming a constructive for legislative changes three years after his conviction role in, society. to punish juveniles and sentencing, under the The concerns expressed committing heinous Juvenile Justice Act, 2000. He by some members during the crimes as adults. was taken to an undisclosed debate in Parliament, and destination to protect him from by scientists and activists Political maturity is public fury. To many observers, engaged with rehabilitation of considered to be an attribute of the public anger had more to do children in conflict with the law, Members of the Rajya Sabha. with inadequate punishment to demonstrate how the Bill’s key Indirectly elected, they are the juvenile under the old Act provisions are at odds with expected to keep a distance from rather than with the absence these very objectives. the compulsions of electoral of legal provisions to send a The 2015 Bill seeks to politics while deliberating on key juvenile committing a heinous replace the Juvenile Justice legislation. More importantly, offence to an adult prison. Act, 2000, which was amended as members of the second Seen in this light, even the in 2006 and 2011. The 2000 Bill, chamber, they are supposed to 2015 Bill appeared to be a also piloted by Maneka Gandhi, give due weight to reason rather disproportionate response to then Minister for Social Justice than let themselves be swayed the prevailing public sentiment. and Empowerment, sought by emotions. The Bill, piloted by Minister of to fulfil another international On December 22, however, Women and Child Development commitment—the United this theoretical understanding Maneka Gandhi, stated that Nations Convention on the of the Council of States came Articles 39(e) and (f), 45 and 47 of Rights of the Child, 1990, read under severe test when the the Constitution made the state with the concluding Resolution Upper House debated the responsible for ensuring that all of the Committee on Child Juvenile Justice (Care and needs of children were met and Rights (constituted under the Protection of Children) Bill, their basic human rights were U.N. Convention) of 2000. It 2015, which was already passed protected. The Bill then went on mandated the Minimum Age of by the Lok Sabha on May 7. to claim that the United Nations Criminal Responsibility (MACR) Like the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Convention on the Rights of as 18 years and asked member Sabha, too, passed the Bill the Child (UNCRC), ratified by States to act accordingly. with a voice vote, overlooking India on December 11, 1992, Curiously, the 2015 Bill is not serious concerns expressed required the state parties to only silent on this international CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 93 commitment but seriously situation. been egged on by people older dilutes it in Section 16, which But evidence in the United than he was. says: States suggests that the Observers familiar with the “16(1) In case of a heinous transfer of juvenile convicts to way juvenile justice boards offence committed by a child the adult justice system has function are sceptical of Maneka who has completed or is above been ineffective in addressing Gandhi’s optimism. The Bill’s the age of 16, the Board (the juvenile crime, improving public provisions on children’s courts— Juvenile Justice Board) shall safety and checking recidivism. which would decide whether conduct a preliminary inquiry Juveniles who were transferred children above 16 found guilty with regard to his mental and to the adult system were found of committing heinous offences physical capacity to commit such to invite arrests for subsequent would go to the adult or the offence, ability to understand the crimes to a greater extent than juvenile system—and borstals, consequences of the offence those who were retained in the which would take care of children and the circumstances in which juvenile justice system. Experts considered adults until they are he committed the offence, suggest that the progressive 21, appear good on paper. But and may pass an order in features of the Indian juvenile they are fraught with serious accordance with the provisions justice system should not be infirmities in practice. That the of Sub-section (3) of Section 19: replaced by regressive positions necessary infrastructure for “Provided that for such an adopted in other countries, setting up the required number inquiry, the Board may take particularly given the absence of juvenile justice boards, the assistance of experienced of empirical evidence to prove children’s courts and borstals psychologists, psycho-social that such a policy change is is not already in place can only workers and other experts.” warranted or that it will even make things worse. Section 19(3) says that in work. Section 21 (1) of the Bill cases where the Board, after During the debate in the states that when the child in preliminary inquiry, comes to Rajya Sabha, Maneka Gandhi conflict with the law attains the conclusion that there is a said the Juvenile Justice Board the age of 21 years and is need for further trial of the child would decide whether a child, yet to complete the term of as an adult, it may order transfer above 16 and below 18, who stay, the children’s court shall of the trial to the children’s court committed a heinous crime provide for a follow-up by the having jurisdiction to try such did it with an adult mind or a probation officer or the District offences. childish mind. A crime caused Child Protection Unit or a social The government justified by a childish mind, according worker or by itself, to evaluate the reduction in MACR on to her, was an unpremeditated, if the child has undergone the plea that other countries spur-of-the-moment action in reformative changes and can have done so. Maneka Gandhi retaliation to perceived injustice. be a contributing member of cited England and Australia, She further explained that if the society. where she said it is 10 years. Board decided that the child Observers have expressed In Argentina, it is 16 years, committed a crime in a childish the apprehension that this and in France, it is 13 years. fashion, the offender would provision allows the children’s She said during the Lok Sabha receive the benefit of the doubt courts to make a decision that is debate that given the reality that and be given only three years’ potentially subjective, is prone children tend to mature faster punishment in a reform school. to arbitrariness, and may result and at a much younger age, it This, even if the offence is rape, in class-, caste- and religion- is important to define the age of as long as it is found to have based targeting of children criminal responsibility at a level been committed in a childish under the garb of assessing their that is in tune with the current way, such as if the offender had potential contribution to society 94 BUTTERFLIES and the extent of reformation. constitutionality will become cognitive levels of a 16- or More importantly, the new a serious question mark if it 17-year-old might match that of legislation ignores concerns is challenged in the superior an adult, findings showed that expressed by stakeholders when courts. Both in Salil Bali vs they lacked the psychosocial the Bill was being considered Union of India (2013) and in maturity of adults. He and his by the Standing Committee of Dr. Subramanian Swamy vs team told the committee that Parliament. One concern was Raju (2014) the Supreme Court adolescents were more prone that the Bill incorrectly assumed upheld the constitutionality of to peer influence, less likely to that children were competent to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, focus on future outcomes and stand trial as adults, whereas insofar as it allowed all children less risk-averse than adults, findings in neuroscience in conflict with the law to be and evaluated risks and benefits and adolescent psychology dealt with under the beneficial differently. Further, they said, established their diminished juvenile justice system their ability to understand legal culpability. Another was that the irrespective of the gravity of the processes and make decisions “preliminary inquiry’ envisaged offence. Therefore, the creating relating to their case was not the under Section 16 violated the of a separate class of heinous same as that of adults. Ritabrata presumption of innocence as offenders within the 16-18 age Bannerjee of the Communist well as the test of procedural group and treating them as Party of India (Marxist) echoed fairness under the Constitution. adults is likely to be challenged similar concerns during the Maharukh Adenwalla, as lacking empirical reasoning. debate on the Bill in the Rajya lawyer and child rights activist, Both the Delhi High Court and Sabha, but in vain. who was one of those who the Supreme Court refused The refrain of most speakers made submissions before the to intervene when petitioners during the debate was that the Standing Committee, was of the before them sought continued Bill could not take retrospective view that even the Act of 2000 incarceration of the juvenile effect and therefore could was not fully implemented. convict in the Nirbhaya case in not retrospectively punish the The government, she said, did the juvenile home beyond the juvenile who was found guilty not even create the “places of mandatory three years. in the Nirbhaya incident. The safety”, referred to in Section Research in developmental Nirbhaya case was of course 16 of that Act, to provide shelter psychology, according to the catalyst for rallying public to children in the 16-18 age experts, explains the difference opinion in favour of the Bill. group who were found guilty of in cognitive capacity and Thus the debate in Parliament serious offences. Had this been psychosocial maturity between took place under the shadow of done, the grievance that the children, including adolescents, the Nirbhaya controversy, with juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya and adults, which has as impact the victim’s parents watching it case was radicalised during his on decision-making in anti- from the visitors’ gallery in the three-year stint at the juvenile social situations. Rajya Sabha on December 22. home would not have arisen. Arlene Manoharan, Fellow, The non - retrospective She also deplored the absence Programme Head-Juvenile nature of the amendment was of any provision in the 2015 Justice, Centre for Child invoked by the CPI(M)’s Sitaram Bill to deal with the aftercare and the Law, National Law Yechury to appeal to the House and rehabilitation of children School of India University to take more time to study the released from special homes. (NLSIU), Bengaluru, also made Bill objectively and refer it to a The Bill, now awaiting submissions before Parliament’s Select Committee. In any case, the President’s assent, will Standing Committee on the he pointed out, the juvenile soon become an Act. But its Bill. He said that while the offender in the Nirbhaya case CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 95 could not be put behind bars Parliament were all of cases on the provisions for the trial by the passage of this Bill. The under investigation. Thus the of a juvenile as an adult if plea fell on deaf ears. Members case for their defence during accused of heinous offences. of the CPI(M) walked out of the the trial stood compromised Derek O’ Brien shocked many House in protest before the because of her premature by suggesting that if what passage of the Bill. conclusion about their “guilt”. happened to Nirbhaya had The plea to refer the Bill The government seems to find happened to his daughters, he to a Select Committee was the reversal of the principle would have shot the accused. rejected on technical grounds. “innocent, till proved guilty” Many Opposition MPs in Shantaram Naik (Congress) useful to justify the Bill’s claim the Lok Sabha pressed for and Derek O’ Brien (Trinamool to deter children who may be in amendments to the Bill, but Congress), who had moved conflict with the law in future. they were superseded. Sensing motions for such reference, later Section 2(33) of the Bill the emotive mood in the House, backed out. But the CPI(M), the defines “heinous offences” as Rajya Sabha members who had Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam those for which the minimum given notices for amendments (DMK), the Nationalist Congress punishment under the Indian did not even press for them Party (NCP), and Anu Agha, Penal Code or any other law when asked by the Chair. a nominated member, had for the time being in force is Let down by Parliament, backed the idea. imprisonment for seven years or civil society has appealed to The Bill provides that if a more. The Centre for Child and President Pranab Mukherjee juvenile is found guilty after he the Law, NLSIU, Bengaluru, not to give his assent to the Bill. turns 21 for a heinous offence has identified as many as 46 Leading women’s organisations, that he committed at 17, he will such offences, 21 of them led by the All India Democratic be treated as an adult. This under the IPC. Such a long list Women’s Association, said in is tantamount to bringing the of offences may be problematic. a statement that the legislation retrospective clause through According to a lawyer dealing would jeopardise the safety the backdoor and is a clear with juvenile cases, it might lead of women as never before as violation of Article 20(1) of the to endless litigation and appeals penalisation has substituted the Constitution, which provides that in some cases and further reformative approach and will no person shall be convicted of marginalisation of children produce a greater likelihood of any offence except for violation belonging to disadvantaged hardened juveniles in conflict of a law in force at the time of sections and without the means with the law emerging from the commission of the offence. to carry out prolonged litigation. adult prisons. The debate brought out more During the Lok Sabha incongruities. Both Anu Agha debate, the Congress’ End of Innocence and Yechury asked whether Shashi Tharoor called the Bill Parliament would further lower regressive. He accused the Frontline, New Delhi the age of responsibility if a government of having chosen 22 January, 2016 heinous crime was committed political expediency over justice. Ramesh Chakrapani by a child of 14 or 15. The His party colleagues in the Rajya question went unanswered by Sabha, however, supported the The government’s decision Maneka Gandhi. Bill. In the Lok Sabha, smaller to amend the juvenile justice law To her, deterrence was the parties like the YSR Congress will do little to address the root Bill’s objective. But the instances Party, the Telangana Rashtra cause of juvenile crime, most of of juveniles committing heinous Samiti and the Aam Aadmi Party which is owing to poverty and crimes that she cited in expressed their reservations 96 BUTTERFLIES low education levels. The government’s recent decision to amend the juvenile justice law, which will now allow people between 16 and 18 years of age to be tried as adults for various Special and Local Laws was redefined so that all males heinous offences, has ignited (SLL) crimes, up 21.8 percent and females below 18 were much debate in the country on from 4136 in 2013. considered juveniles.) how to deal with juvenile crime. The share of IPC crimes For 2014, theft saw the Latest data for 2014 registered against juveniles to highest number of cases, at released by the National Crime the total number of IPC crimes 6717 accounting for 20 percent Records Bureau (NCRB), under in India was 1.2 percent in of all IPC cases. There were the Ministry of Home Affairs, 2014, which has remained more 1989 cases of rape (5.9 percent) showed that the number of or less the same since 2001. and 1591 cases of assault on cases of juveniles in conflict with (Males below 16 and females women with intention to outrage the law under various sections below 18 were considered modesty (4.7 percent). Other of the Indian Penal code (IPC) juvenile until the juvenile justice major heads were criminal reached 33526 up 5.7 percent Act, 1986, was amended in trespass and burglary with 2546 from 31,725 in 2013, while 5039 2000 and the age of juveniles cases (7.6 percent), grievous cases were recorded under CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 97 hurt with 1568 (4.7 percent) and Just Hellholes in preventing juvenile offences. kidnapping and abduction with The newspapers failed to 1455 (4.3 percent). The minor report the fact that the rioters had Frontline, New Delhi heads were robbery (1024 only recently been shifted from 22 January, 2016 cases) and riots (1092), while the Tihar jail, which is meant Ajay Ashirwad Mahaprashasta there were 841 murder and 728 only for adult convicts. Advocacy attempted murder cases. organizations working on child The year saw Gujarat Juvenile Justice homes rights and juvenile justice have emerge as the worst offender in Delhi are overcrowded been raising the issue of non- under SLL crimes, with 2785 and understaffed. Homes implementation of the Juvenile cases, followed by Tamil Nadu for children are plentiful Justice Act for a long time now. (604), Bihar (327), Maharashtra in Maharashtra but the They have found innumerable (232) and Chhattisgarh (188). facilities are misused and instances of juvenile convicts Under SLL crimes, the do not help the intended languishing in adult prisons. highest share of cases was for beneficiaries. They believe that juveniles crimes under the Prohibition in conflict with the law have a Act, accounting for 41.3 percent Inadequate protection much higher chance of turning of all SLL cases for the year. into hardened criminals if they The worst offender among In August 2013, Newspaper are lodged in adult prisons. the States was Madhya Pradesh, in Delhi displayed image Following a write petition filed which recorded 6346 cases showing juvenile convicts going by some of these organizations, under IPC crimes, followed berserk in their special home at the Delhi High Court in May by Maharashtra (5175), Bihar Majnu ka Tila in New Delhi. Some 2012 took cognizance of the (4044), Rajasthan (2174) Delhi of them, alleging ill-treatment, problem and ordered the Delhi (1946), Chhattisgarh (1611) and had clashed with the security Police and other authorities Gujarat (1595). These seven personnel of the home, leading concerned to implement the States together accounted for to wide spread rioting. A group Juvenile Justice Act. Following 68.3 percent of all IPC cases. of convicts threw stones, broke the order, a number of juvenile Madhya Pradesh has held window panes and doors, set convicts were transferred to the the top spot every year since beddings ablaze and laid siege Majnu Ka Tila Special home. to the prison compound. As the 2001, except in 2009 when it Responding to queries made rioting intensified, the group was second to Maharashtra. through the Right to Information started accosting shopkeepers Out of the 46638 juveniles Act by HAQ: Centre for child through the barbed-wire fencing apprehended for various crimes rights, a Delhi-based non- and threatening passers-by, in 2014, 10530 were illiterate governmental organization, the and even throwing stones at and 15004 had only primary- prison authorities suggested their property. The residents level education. These two that there could probably be of the area quickly went categories together accounted 1500 probable juveniles in the indoors and shut their doors for 52.9 percent of all juveniles Tihar jail. The possibility of and shopkeepers closed down apprehended during the year. juveniles turning into hardened their shops forcing the Delhi Of the total, children living with criminals in adult prisons was government to deploy a special parents (38693) accounted for reinforced by the rioting incident battalion of police. The incident 80.2 percent, while homeless at the Majnu Ka Tila home. The led to discussions in the media children (1632) who were Juvenile Justice Bill, 2015, which about the conditions in juvenile involved in various crimes allows Juveniles to be tried prisons and raised concerns accounted for just 3.4 percent. as adults for heinous crimes, about the efficacy of the homes may compound the problem of 98 BUTTERFLIES juvenile crime and create more “Inadequacy in public criminology and Justice of the hardened criminals. spending on child protection and school of social work at the Tata The idea behind the juvenile justice is reflected in the Institute of social science (TISS), imprisonment of juvenile fact that on an average, in the Mumbai, conceptualized a offenders has historically rested last 10 years, child protection resource cell for juvenile justice. on the tenet of reformation. received only three paisa out It was meant to be a field action Rehabilititating and reforming of every 100 rupees spent by project focused on children who juveniles, instead of punishing the Union of India. Analysis of were technically referred to as them, has been the focus of flagship programmers such as JCLs. The aim of the resource the juvenile justice system in the Integrated Child Protection cell was to sensitize officialdom India. But insufficient budgetary Scheme (ICPS), which is on specific issues relating to allocations for juvenile homes the vehicle for implementing children and ensuring proper have resulted in these homes juvenile justice and child implementation of the Juvenile under performing. There are protection, shows poor financial Justice Act. three observation homes in planning, abysmal funding and The impetus for starting the Delhi for juvenile under trials, of underspending,” the report cell came from the Act that the which one is for girls. Only one stated. special needs of child offenders full-fledged special home is in The ICPS lists out extensive were not quite recognized operation for convicts. norms for child protection laws within the larger picture director Bharti Ali, co-director of and juvenile justice, but the at the resource cell, explained” HAQ, said: “Despite several budget for 2015-16 has allocated “Vulnerable children are an monitoring mechanisms only Rs. 402.33 crore for its invisible population and JCLs available nationally and implementation across India. are an invisible population with in internationally, the goals of If the revised ICPS norms are that larger invisible population.” juvenile justice remain an taken into account India. If the Given this predicament, the illusion. The most important revised ICPS norms are taken resource cell took on the factor responsible for this is low into account, the cost of setting challenge of contextualizing investments in crime prevention up offices of the State Child such children within the child and juvenile justice. On the Protection Society (SCPS), the protection framework. contrary, within juvenile justice, District Child Protection Unit The biggest challenge in more money is being spent on (DCPU), the Child Welfare juvenile justice is rehabilitation,. detention than on alternative Committee (CWC), and the “The state has no mechanism measures that are cost-effective juvenile justice Board (JJB) for rehabilitation, especially and beneficial for both the child in 675 districts would be Rs. for JCLs,” Asha Mukundan in questions and society and the 363.30 crore, leaving hardly said. The two special homes in country at large.” any money for rehabilitation Maharashtra were adequate for Statistics reveal the schemes. The Juvenile Justice dealing with 100-odd JCLs each callousness on the part of the Bill, 2015, mentions the setting year but “ the sustained skill government. According to a up of British-style bookstalls teaching that the state should HAQ report, budget allocation for juvenile convicts but the provide is not happening”, she for children has been declining government has shown no said, adding that it was non- consistently with the budge interest in increasing the governmental organization for the current fiscal showing budgetary allocation. (NGOs) that were doing the the steepest decline from 4.52 job, and given the errtic nature percent in 2014-15 to 3.26 Sensitizing the state of funding they often could not percent in 2015-16. IN 2005, the centre for sustain their work. Asha Mukundan was CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 99 unhappy that the state did 35 districts of the state. The the resource cell’s expertise. not show adequate interest report was submitted to the In sum, the resources cell’s in rehabilitation. She pointed Bombay High Court in 2009. intervention resulted in changes out that Maharashtra had only Taking a proactive approach, being introduced into the two de-addiction centers, both the court ordered that the juvenile justice system at the run by NGOs, despite the fact recommendations of the study social and legal levels, with the that addiction was a big issue be implemented. support of the High Court and concerning juvenile care and On the basis of the court’s the Department of Women and de-addiction services should order a Juvenile Justice Child Welfare. be provided by the state. “At Committee was constituted and The State Home Department Bhardawadi Hospital in Andheri, the sensitization process was even issued a government the Municipal Corporation of started. For the first time, all resolution to all police stations Mumbai allotted five floors levels of officers at the State’s cautioning them against to various NGOs to handle Judicial Academy underwent treating children without proper addiction issues of varying age training in Juvenile Justice. A documentation from other groups. But they shut down the similar process was started countries as JCLs an instructed services all of a sudden. Four in the State’s Police training that they be treated as children floors have been lying vacant academies. in need of care and protection. for the past five years.” Newly appointed and senior As a result, juvenile The essential structure of magistrates attended sessions homes function without proper the resources cell is field based, conduct by social workers on measures for rehabilitation. with centers in six districts child rights and juvenile justice. Juvenile homes in Delhi are of Maharashtra working at Proper JJBs, with a magistrate hugely understaffed. Almost different levels of the juvenile and two social workers, were 75 percent of the supervisory justice system. The cell provides set up across the state. The officers have been hired on socio-legal assistance, that is High Court also understood that contract. There is no training legal guidance and assistance the Code of Criminal Procedure program me for the authorities of - representing children before was not always appropriate juvenile homes. Most vocational the authorities, tracing homes for juvenile’s justice and a programmers or education of children, facilitating meeting committee was appointed to courses are not attended with families, repatriating prepare a Juvenile Justice properly because of lack of children and doing a follow-up Manual (Standard Operating funds. “The usual vocational once the children are out of procedures) for the JJBs. It was programmers for juvenile legal system and back in their put together by social workers, convicts are useless. There is homes all this means intense members of the judiciary no proper skill development coordination with the judiciary, academics and lawyers and is in programme that may help them the Department of Women and use In the JJBs of Maharashtra. once they are out of the home. Child Welfare Committees, the Soon many other states adopted For Instance, Juvenils homes police and NGOs. the Maharashtra model. in Delhi teach the inmates to The cell’s work is backed by In Delhi, the Ministry of Law make candles, which can hardly strong research. The Centre for and Justice commissioned a become a profession in their criminology and Justice brought study on the “Status of Justice lives, “said Bharti Ali. out a report titled “Status of Delivery System for Juveniles “Drug addiction is a huge Justice Delivery System for in Conflict with Law (JCL) in problem among the inmates. Juveniles in Conflict with Law Delhi”. The Odisha Women and Yet, there are no corrective in Maharashtra” in 2008 after Child Development Department measures for this in Delhi. The conducting a study in all the conducted a similar study using 100 BUTTERFLIES training support is not uniform pathetic,” said Bharti Ali. The I was assisting used to tell me and the secretariat support to HAQ report states: “Energies that I was wasting my time on the CWC and the JJB is limited. and funds must be directed him and that he was on his way Most importantly, investment in at improving things instead of to becoming Dawood Ibrahim infrastructure is negligible,” she finding solutions in the adult one day. I used to smile, and he said. criminal justice system that has used to smile back, as he saw In addition, problems such as failed juveniles everywhere in that I was not going to give up. overcrowding in Juvenile homes the world. The critical areas Now this boy plays drums in persist in Delhi. According to the where governments need to put the group Devi Jagran and has Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, not their energies are: counseling settled down with his family, far more than five inmates should for every juvenile and their away from crime. I remember share a dormitory. However, family; de-addiction treatment another boy of no more than 17 lack of space in juvenile homes and rehabilitation programme years and seven months, who forces the authorities to keep with strong fallout recruitment was booked for three cases of more than 15 inmates in one of adequate number of welfare robbery in Delhi and one case dormitory. Similarly, the law officers with decent and of being a gangster in Uttar mandates that the cases of timely remuneration to ensure Pradesh. It took two years of juveniles booked for petty individual attention to each work to help him out of that offences should be disposed juvenile in conflict with the life. Now he teaches painting to of within six months. But this law (JCL); decongestion of children in Delhi and is looking is hardly implemented, leading institutions in a manner that not forward to growing as an artist.” to further overcrowding in the more than four to six juveniles “Society cares only when a homes. Overcrowding and lack stay in a dormitory; preparing muster comes out of childhood. of dedicated, full-time staff have individual care plans for every Nothing else bothers us. We led to problems such as sexual juvenile entering the system are fine with children begging, abuse and drug addiction in and ensuring that these care collecting garbage and these centers. A study by the plans are part of the order of sleeping on the streets. At the Asian Centre for Human Rights the Juvenile Justice Board; and implementation level, the kind found that there was a 336 , tying up with the Directorate of zeal that should exist is percent increase in child rape of Education and Vocational sorely lacking. If I had to say cases in India between 2001 Training and the National Skills one thing, I would say the key to and a large number of them Development programe’ and ensuring the implementation of were reported from juvenile enrolling juveniles in these laws relating to child protection justice homes. While these programmes, even if they are lies in governance. Our laws problems have been discussed released.” are by and large okay. There is often, there is hardly any debate Despite the pathetic no significance attached to it. on the structural problems that conditions in the juvenile homes, A community of active citizens, have paralyzed the juvenile it would be wrong to say that lawyers, journalists, judges, justice system. “The homes for they are all breeding grounds and government officials, needs juveniles in Delhi are still better for criminals. Anant Asthana, to keep working towards their than those in other states. Other a prominent child rights lawyer implementation, and it is already States do not even pretend to associated with the Human happening. The momentum implement child protection laws. Right Law Network and the Delhi is there, it is just that it need But the comparison in only State Legal services Authority, to be allowed to go on. Any relative. said in one of his interviews interruption or reversal will The conditions in juvenile to the web portal homegrown. certainly cause great damage, “ homes even in Delhi are co.in.; “One 16-year-old juvenile Asthana said. CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 101 False Hopes organizations. It seems that puts all this down to specifics starting a home for children is such as girls to be given coconut Dr. Asha Bajpai, Professor easy in Maharashtra. In fact, it oil for hair growth. But the reality of Law at the Centre of Law appears to be a good business is far from what is prescribed. and Society at the Tata Institute proposition – a media report in Asha Bajpai said: “The soap of Social Sciences (TISS), 2005 showed that Maharashtra that is provided has to last for narrated a poignant experience cornered over 40 percent, that a given number of days and she had during one of her many is, Rs. 7.5 crore, of the Central the towels have to be shared. visits to juvenile homes; “I still grant of Rs. 16 crore for the Besides, only a small quantity remember the bright eyes of a Social Maladjustment Scheme of oil is given and the food young girl who was waiting with in Juvenile Homes. The State served is insufficient and lacks her mother outside one of these government matched the nutrition.” homes. I asked the mother why Centre’s grant with an equal The stereotypical picture the girl was here and she said amount, making the running that most people have of she had brought her there to of homes a lucrative business. remand homes and juvenile study. I turned to the girl and Most of these homes are in homes is absolutely correct in asked her the same question rented premises and seem this case: grim, overcrowded and she said she wanted to be to require little more than an places, exuding a sense of a lawyer and that this place (the official nod and disbursement of hopelessness and susceptible home) was where she would grants. Grants are inadequate to violence. In May 2015, an start her learning.” for running the homes properly 18-year-old boy was beaten It is apparently common but enough for funds to be to death by other children at for officials to portray juvenile siphoned off. The outcomes is the Matunga home in Mumbai. homes as hostels or boarding complete misuse of the facilities Though such extreme acts schools and not disclose and no benefit at all for any of of violence are uncommon, the purpose for which they the children. Asha Bajpai said it bullying, beating and deprivation were established. There are was common for district homes are common. So is sexual essentially two types of homes, to be projected as educational abuse by the staff, it is said. one for JCLs and the other for institutions. “People start Apart from undergoing basic children in need of care and queuing up every June (at the training, the staff should get protection. JCL refers to any start of the school year) to get sensitized to the special needs person below the age of 18 seats. They actually see the of the children in these homes. who has come in contact with homes as convenient places “We need trained staff; people the justice system as a result where their children will be fed, who are cartakers. What we of committing a crime or being clothed and given an education. have here is staffs who are not suspected of having committed They treat them like hostels. trained and who have had only a crime. A child in need of care During every festival the homes primary school education. they and protection is the larger and would be empty the children do not know how to handle the broader category. have gone home to celebrate children. They need to be made Homes for children are (just like they would from a to understand that the future of plentiful in Maharashtra. The boarding school).” these vulnerable children is in State Women and Child Welfare A normal day of a child in their hands and that they have department’s website has close such an institution should ideally to be committed to their task, “ to 30,000 names of them - be divided between academic said Asha Bajpai. aided, unaided, special care, education, skill development, Reform is the cornerstone of observation, government – run recreation and personal care. juvenile justice but how can it be and set up by non-governmental Indeed, the prescribed manual initiated when something’s as 102 BUTTERFLIES basic as vocational training is not field of psychiatry are voicing of juveniles apprehended properly devised? Asha Bajpai their concerns about how the across all age groups instead said “The making of broom new piece of legislation, arrived of in terms of the total number sticks and chalks should stop. at by selective data analysis, of people arrested for crimes Instead, the children should may adversely affect juveniles under the IPC, “she said. be provide comprehensive in conflict with the law. Out of the 3790812 people courses such as a complete Anant Asthana, a lawyer who arrested for crimes under tailoring course instead of just has served on the Delhi State the IPC in 2014, the number being taught how to sew shirts. Legal Services Authority’s Panel of juveniles stood at 42566 “ Another suggestion is to for Juvenile Justice Boards constituting just 1.1 percent. send the children to computer for almost five years, asserted In 2003, the total number of training institutes. She said the that the NCRB data were not people arrested for IPC crimes Ministries of Employment and even looked at while drafting or was 2510892 while that of Labor and the Skill Development conceptualizing the 2015 Bill. juveniles was 24709 that is, 1 Department should be linked to Asthana has also worked on percent. “Does a change from 1 these homes and there should reformation, rehabilitation and percent in 2003 to 1.1 percent be a quota in employment for mainstreaming of thousands of in 2014 warrant a change in the children leaving the homes as juveniles. “It (NCRB information) juvenile justice law?” Bharti ali “they too have aspirations and was only used for public asked. As for juveniles, in 2014, hopes”. consumption through the media 31364 of those apprehended in order to manipulate the public under the IPC were in the 16-18 Data in Doubt and to make them believe that age group, thereby constituting juvenile crime has reached a 0.8 percent of the total number Frontline, New Delhi dangerous high,” Asthana said. arrested under the IPC. In 2003, 22 January, 2016 Bharti Ali, co-founder of 13941 juveniles in the 16-18 Divya Trivedi HAQ; Centre for child Right, groups were apprehended said that it was important to under the IPC, amounting to 0.6 The NCRB data used remember that children in the percent of the total number of to justify the new law 16-18 age group had always people arrested under the IPC. bringing down the age contributed the most to juvenile Again, this change from 0.6 of responsibility for crime seer since society existed. percent to 0.8 percent between criminal action are open HAQ’s calculations, using the 2003 and 2014 does not call for to interpretation. By Divya same NCRB data, show that the a change in the juvenile justice Trivedi percentage of 16-18-year-olds law. in the total number of juveniles Bharti Ali strongly disagreed Often the same data can be apprehended for crimes under with the way the Ministry used interpreted in different ways to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) statistics. She felt it was too arrive at contrary conclusions. was 56.4 in 2003 and went upto simplistic and was meant to suit Portions of the National Crime 73.7 in 2014. However, Bharti the agenda of vested interests Records Bureau (NCRB) Ali felt that a marginal increase instead of making a difference data have been quoted ad in crimes committed by juveniles to the rights of women and nauseam by the government may not warrant an over haul of children. and the media alike to justify the the law. “We do not believe in In order to understand the changes made in the juvenile just looking at the percentage contribution of juveniles to crime justice law. Experts from the of juveniles in the 16-18 age growth in India, it is necessary criminal justice system and the group against the total number to look at the absolute numbers: CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 103 only 38565 crimes involving 2013 (UNICEF report on state has no interest in investing in juveniles as against a total of of world’s children 2015). The research on children’s issues 7229193 crimes in the country number of individual under 18 and in fact in all social sector in 2014. That means only 0.5 arrested for alleged involvement issues. Even our universities percent of all crimes in the in crime that year was 42566 have failed to generate evidence country in that year involved according to the NCRB. That in the last two decades to juveniles. If one takes only is only of crime for IPC cases support law and policymaking, cognizable crime under the invocating juveniles in conflict “she said. IPC in 2014, then the figure is with law (calculated for every NCRB data have also been 33526 cases involving juveniles one sentence is missing lakh used to justify lowering of the as against a total of 2851563 people.) increased from 1.8 in age of the juvenile from 18 to crimes. The total number of 2014 to 2.7 in 2014. In the case 16, which means adolescents cases under the IPC involving of adults, the rate went up from above 16 can be tried as adults juveniles went down from 31725 168.8 in 2004 to 229.2 in 2014. though they will be exempt from in 2003 to 31,597 in 2013. This The shows that juveniles do the death penalty. The new this brings the share of crimes not pose the greatest threat to law goes against the collective committed by juveniles under public safety. wisdom of Parliament, which the IPC down from 1.2 percent In a country like India, with had fixed 18 as the age at which in 2013 to 1.18 percent in 2014. huge economic disparities individuals could be treated as Asthana said that a reading worsened by institutionalized adults, and also against the of the NCRB data cannot social discrimination, laws grain of several judgments in guide any policy on dealing are often loaded against the the past. In Salil Bali us Union with juvenile crime because marginalized and the poor. In of India 2013, for instance, it was based on the number this situation, nothing could be former Chief Justice of India of first information reports worse than making laws without Altamas Kabir took cognizance (FIRs) registered and not on substantial evidence, Bharti Ali of the NCRB data along with the number of cases proven in said. The huge public uproar international statutes and the courts of law. Crime data can over the juvenile convict’s government of India’s 2013 be effective in drumming up a release in the 2012 Delhi gang- National Policy for children to political campaign in the media rape case showed that policy rule in favour of retaining 18 but they can be misleading in was guided more by emotion years as the upper age limit for formulating public policy if not than evidence. “We have juveniles. analyzed in conduction with actually closed all doors to in- The NCRB data show other realities. Even if one were depth sociological studies on that recidivism or relapse into to calculate the juvenile crime juvenile delinquency. Between criminal behavior for juveniles is rate in terms of the total child 1972 and 1993, the NCRB low in comparison with Western population or calculate figures used to provide data on the countries (only 2609 repeat for certain violent crimes and religious and ethnic background offenders of 48230 apprehended look at only those in the 16-18 of juveniles, which was stopped in 2014). The government age group, the magnitude of for reasons best known to the should not ignore the possibility the problem was not such as government. We need more of a therapeutic approach to warrant a change in the law, empirical, studies showing the to rehabilitate adolescent said Bharti Ali. The population impact of migration, war and offenders. International of individuals under 18 years conflict, natural disasters, and research shows that adolescent was estimated by UNICEF so on, on children on juvenile brains are immature and more to be 435384000 in the year offenders. The government likely to engage in reckless 104 BUTTERFLIES and sensational behavior. The of this age group, for example, that 55.6 percent of juveniles in revolving door of a life of crime their tendency to act on impulse conflict with the law belong to for young adults must, at all without fully taking into account families whose annual income costs, be avoided. The best way the consequences of their is not more than Rs. 25000 and to keep adolescents from being actions. Patel said that most 22.4 percent have family income incarcerated is to prevent contact countries had recognized this between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. with the judicial system in the evidence by building strong 50,000. In 2014, more than half first place. But a coordinated institutions to ensure the (52.9 percent) or 10530 were and systematic approach welfare of children so that the illiterate or out of school, 15004 connecting welfare, juvenile social conditions that damaged had primary education, 17637 justice and psychological health their development and led had secondary education and and devised to reform and to to antisocial behavior were only 5059 had metric or higher punish can effectively address addressed. In other words, it secondary-level education. “It the problem. Bharti Ali said is the fundamental duty of the would not be surprising if this that the new law did not have state to ensure that children juvenile’s behaviors are also a “adequate insistence on use who live in extreme deprivation sign of what child psychiatrists of individual care plans and are protected from its harmful may call a conduct disorder. behavior modification therapies effects. This is at the heart of Virtually every fundamental as part of rehabilitation the United Nations convention right of this person as a child program me for juveniles in on the Rights of the Child, has been violated and this conflict with the law because of which India is a signatory. is, it seems to me, as much a it calls for huge investment, Furthermore, if adolescents case study of the failure of the whereas the Central government do commit serious crimes, state as that of the potential for has been spending only 0.05 custodial sentences place adolescents to commit terrible percent of its Budget on child them in institutions where they crimes. If anybody should protection for the last 10 years”. are in the company of other be indicted, it should be the In fact children’s rights are young people, not adults, and Ministry of Women and Child witnessing further budget cuts, where they are provided with Development, which has failed she pointed out. a therapeutic environment to take note of and rectify the Professor Vikram Patel, to enable rehabilitation and failure of so many institutions a psychiatrist at the London recovery. in the development of this child. School of Hygiene and Pointing to the particulars of Let us be sure of one thing; Terminal Medicine, did not the case of the juvenile who is no child is born a killer and , hide his disappointment with at the heart of the government’s ultimately, our society has to the new law; “First, it is out of motivation to reduce the age take the blame for such terrible step accountable for ensuring of responsibility for heinous acts of violence perpetrated by and enabling environment for crimes, Patel drew attention to young people, which is a result healthy child development and severe forms of child neglect of a toxic mix of patriarchy and has instead passed the buck and disadvantage including the failure of protection of child onto the child. “Science shows extreme poverty, parental rights in our country, “he said. that most crimes committed by mental illness, dropping out of Under the old law, according adolescents are primarily the school, running away from the to the NCRB, in 2014, 7345 consequence of their social parental home, and working juveniles were sent home after conditions from childhood from the age of 10. The NCRB advice or admonition, 8700 interacting with the unique data corroborate these aspects were sent to special homes, development characteristics as being common and show 2276 were institutionalized, CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 105 8159 were released on Crime against than UP. The western state probation and placed under had 18000 pending cases in care of parents/guardians, 3509 Kids: pendency up 2012 which increased to 21255 either acquitted or otherwise 59% the next year and to 25302 in disposed of and 1857 were 2014. IN UP, such pendency fined. A huge number of cases The Times of India, Mumbai increased from 11115 to 25011 involving 17972 juveniles are 28 January, 2016 during this period. pending disposal. Pradeep Thakur MP ranked third and Gujarat Injuries, both accidental and fourth. While pendency in MP increased from 12159 to 18080 intentional, in the form of suicide Maharashtra has highest between 2012 and 2014, it went and homicide, are the leading number of such cases causes of death of adolescents up in Gujarat from 5596 to 7250. globally. This is because of the Pendency of cases across In Karnataka, the rise was from developmental characteristics all levels of the judiciary has 887 cases in 2012 to 3000 in of this stage of life. There is a gone down, but it has sharply 2014. need for society as a whole increased in cases of crimes Compared to this, overall to accept this fact and enable against children, with Delhi pendency of cases in district/ the right environment to help recording a 71% rise. subordinate courts and in higher adolescents to pass through courts showed a down ward this phase of life into adulthood Case Pendency trend. According to the ministry, in a way that is least risky and the pendency in Supreme Court harmful to themselves and to Supreme Court came down from 66,692 in 2012 others. “We need to address 2012 66692 to 58,879 in 2015. In the 24 high the circumstances that lie at 2015 58879 courts, it decreased from 44.34 the heart of understanding High Courts lakh to 41.53 lakh during the why an adolescent commits 2012 44.3L same period. Even in the 15,000 – odd district and subordinate crimes and ensure that, 2015 14.5L courts, pendency came down when such acts do occur, the Dist/SUbordinate Courts from 2.68 crore to 2.64 crore. sentence we pass is one that 2012 2.68cr 2015 2.64cr is intended to rehabilitate, not Sexual Offences by take revenge. The latter is In what also points to a critically important for there spurt in crimes against kids, the Juveniles on the is a real danger of an already country-wife pendency of such Rise in Maximum disturbed adolescent becoming cases went up from 74,400 in an even more remorseless 2012 to 1, 25,000 in 2014 a rise City adult. I certainly hope that of over 59%. The Hindu, Chennai along with holding juveniles According to the law ministry, 06 March, 2016 accountable for heinous crimes in 2012, at least 3500 cases of Gautam Mengle in the new Bill, the state will crimes against children were also the held accountable for pending in various courts in the its responsibilities to its children Capital. This went up to 4253 at Since Dec., 2015, six cases and the way it runs juvenile the end of 2013 and to 6021 by involving boys aged 16 or homes in the future,” Patel said the next year. below have been reported Maharashtra had the highest Three years after the Delhi number of pending cases of gang rape in 2012, and a change crimes against children, higher 106 BUTTERFLIES in the ruling dispensation, due to the absence of a proper complaint was registered the Centre managed to push se education mechanism. FEB 22: Dongri police through a vital amendment to A far bigger concern is most booked two minors age 15 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and accused are dealing with the 16, for allegedly Sodomising Protection) act, which brings hormonal rush that comes with a seven year- old from their down the age for trying a minor teenage, and don’t know that locality as an adult for serious crimes they are committing crimes FEB 11: 16 years- old held from 18 to 16 years. punishable by law. Under the alleged raping 14 years-old One of the accused in the amended Act, a minor accused female cousin, the incident gang rape was a few months of serious crimes like rape came to light when the victim short of 18 years when he was and murder can be tried as an became pregnant booked for the crime. At the adult if he is above 16 years. JAN 29: A 12 years- old time, the law said minors can be Experts say the juvenile justice boy booked by Goregaon only booked and, if convicted, system too needs to be looked police for allegedly molesting cannot be sentenced to more at closely. Once incarcerated his neighbor’s three-year-old than three years in a juvenile in a correctional facility, the daughter . He is among the correctional facility. accused come into contact with youngest to be booked under By the time the amended other accused minors, and is the protection of children from Act came into force in January, at the mercy of a system which sexual offences (POCSO) the accused had walked free in lacks infracture as well as the Act,2012 December 2015. Since then, sensitivity to deal with-them. Nov 8, 2015: four teenagers, Mumbai alone has accounted Many of them go on to commit all minors gangrape 15 year-old for six cases of sexual assault even more serious crimes. female schoolmate in Malad and where the accused were aged 16 record it on Video. The chip is years or younger the youngest Some Juveniles Book shared on whatsApp and goes being a 12 year-old boy who For Sexual Assault viral in the locality. I reaches the was booked on January 29 by victim’s relative, who confronts MARCH 2: Two brother’s the Gorgon police for allegedly her. Following this a police aged 17 and 12, booked molesting his neighbors’ three- complaint is registered year-old daughter. for sexually exploiting their Police and the legal fraternity 14-years-old sister for nearly State Tops In blame lack of focused sex a year. Police said the elder education and poor parental brother would rape the victim Juvenile Crimes, control for the rising number while the younger brother would 14% of Offenders of cases of minors committing molest her when the siblings sexual crimes. They point to were alone at home Held In City the easy availability of sexual FEB 24: 16 year-old booked content on the Internet and the for allegedly molesting his The Times of India, Mumbai fact that children as young as 11 residence in Shahu Nager. The 22 April, 2016 or 12 are now given cell phones accused allegedly too the victim V. Narayan with Internet access by parents. to his house on Wednesday The other reason behind morning, undressed her and Involvement in Crimes the occurrence of such crimes touched her inappropriately. against Women on Rise in is lack of awareness about The child returned home and 2012-14 personal safety among the told her parents about , in after Juvenile crime in the city, children who are targeted. which the approached Shahu especially serious offences According to experts, this is also Nagar police station and a CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 107 criminals were above the age of 15 years. Experts said most of them were committed by those who wanted to make fast money with little effort and may not be aware of the consequences of their actions but were lured by friends. On Tuesday, police arrested a four-member gang allegedly responsible for murders and burglaries over six days in Kalyan. The leader of the gang is reportedly a 16-year-old boy whom police want to charge as an adult. In November 2013, police arrested six juveniles for the gang rape of a minor girl in Gorgon. The 16-year-old was gang raped by six of her friends who spiked her soft drink and sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. Former police commissioner Julio Ribeiro said the government needs to resolve the issue of juveniles in conflict with the law by tackling the problem on different fronts which would not only include better community policing but also more committed teachers in schools, a better teacher-student ratio than the present 1:60 or more, social welfare measures and encouraging NGOs dealing with and crime against women, has data showed. Madhya Pradesh children’s issues. “It is possible steadily increased over the topped the chart with 17,500 that juveniles sent to remand years. juvenile criminals followed by homes for rehabilitation emerge Between 2012 to 2014, Maharashtra and Bihar at 8203. as potential big time criminals police arrested a total of 2194 Data showed juveniles were because there are no proper juveniles for serious offences mostly caught for crimes like and committed rehabilitation across the city, nearly was theft, grievous hurt, burglary, measures in such remand 14.1% of the 15,553 held robbery, molestation, rape, riots homes, “said Rebeiro. across Maharashtra, National and murder. The NCRB data Psychiatrist Dr. Harish Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) also reveals that most juvenile Shetty said Juveniles are 108 BUTTERFLIES impulsive and believe they are are often linked to growing psychologist Dr. Roma Agarwal just copying adults. They see the urbanization and the influence explains the high hostility rate adults continuing their criminal of glamour, “he said. saying, “The questions are acts with no remorse and in the Former IPS officer SPS very sexually graphic and can belief of not getting caught. “In Yadav said a juvenile who be very traumatizing for the an environment where crime is takes to crime often does not child and make them very, very not easily negatively rewarded realize the level to which he has uncomfortable.” and where adults go scot- stooped. “As a matter of fact, Judgments also reveal that free when rich and powerful, criminal behavior of a juvenile the police often discourage juveniles ape them. The thirst is mostly due to the failure of child victims from undertaking for notoriety increases, “ he the social system to provide him a medical examination, even said. a healthy atmosphere during a when the crime is reported on the Mumbai police tender age,” said Yadav. same day. Forensic evidence spokesperson, DCP Dhananjay makes a critical difference Kulkarni, said some children are Conviction In and corroborates the child’s coerced into crime by adults who testimony but according to use them knowing they won’t be Child Rape Cases Hindustan Time’s data analysis, tried as adults. “Often prejudice, Minuscule medical tests were conducted in stereotyping and discrimination only 52% of the cases. brings children into conflict Hindustan Times, New Delhi “Sometimes it’s the doctor, with law without a crime being 29 April, 2016 sometimes it’s the police who committed,” said Kulkarni. Avantika Mehta will say things to the victim like For instance, in November ‘the hymen is torn, it will come 2014, Shivaji Park police Suppressed Victims out as official and then no one arrested two brothers – aged 10 discouraged from taking will marry you, “an NGO lawyer and 12 while they were stealing test on same day of crime dealing exclusively with POCSO gift envelopes from a marriage cases told Hindustan Times. hall in (West). The boys, wanted A mere 12 percent of An analysis of the data in dozens of similar thefts, would men accused of child rape also shows that 86 percent of travel with their grandmother are convicted of the crime by the accused were known to all the way from their home specially designated sessions the children. Strangers were town in Rajasthan to steal from courts that deal with cases filed accused in 24 cases and weddings. under the Protection of Children caretakers in two. However, Agreed former IPS officer from Sexual Offenses Act 56 of the accused were former turned lawyer YP Singh. (POCSO). lovers, 33 were neighbors and “Juveniles often commit Between 2014 and 2015, the 27 of were family members. crimes under the prompt and city sessions courts delivered Of the 56 cases lovers, 40 guidance of adult criminals, judgments in 170 POCSO were acquitted and in 13 other who often initiate them into cases, according to the Delhi cases, the survivor told the the world of crime. If juvenile district courts website. The court her parents had filed a is caught he is not subject to accused were acquitted in the complaint after she eloped. police remand. Hence the adult remaining 150. At least 27 accused belonged criminal assumes impunity. Thirty child rape victims to the child’s family and a Family discord and poverty is claimed the accused threatened conviction took place in only another reason driving juveniles them prior to filing the case one of these cases. Lawyers to commit conventional crimes. and 114 complainants turned dealing with child complainants Sex-related crimes by juveniles hostile before the court. Child CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 109 said that it is especially hard to government said. Between re-integration services, in procure a conviction in POCSO 2012-2014, there have been institutions such as education, cases if the accused is known 131558 juveniles apprehended vocational training, mental to the victim and gets bail from for various offences including health interventions counseling, court. heinous offences. Union etc. Under Section 8 of the Act, Former additional solicitor Minister of Women and Child the Juvenile Justice Board is general, Indira Jaisingh explains Development, Maneka Sanjay required to conduct at least the complication. “The mother Gandhi in reply to a question in one inspection visit every of the child is also dependent Rajya Sabha said, “According month of residential facilities on the men in the family for her to National crime Record for children in conflict with own sustenance and therefore Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of law and recommend action would tolerate the victim saying Home Affairs, the number of for improvement in quality of she was not raped.” juveniles apprehended for services to the District Child various offences including Protection Unit and the State Let off heinous offences under Indian Government. Penal Code (IPC) and Special yy of 170 child rape cases Under Section 54, the State & Local Laws (SLL) during the between 2014 and 2015, Government are required to year 2012, 2013 and 2014 stood only 20 accused were appoint inspection committees at 39822, 43506 and 48230 convicted for the state and district for yy 114 out of 170 child rape respectively. mandatory inspection of all victims rured hostile during Out of these 9677, 9549 and facilities housing children, at trial 8700 were sent to Observation least once in three months,” yy 30 child rape survivors Homes and Special Homes added the minister. claimed their accused during 2012, 2013 and 2014 Further, under the Centrally threatened them prior to respectively”. Sponsored Integrated Child filling the case The Government of India has Protection Scheme, the financial yy 86% of the accused were recently enacted the Juvenile norms we revised with effect known to the children Justice (Care and Protection from April 1, 2014. Gandhi said, yy strangers were accused in of Children) Act, 2015, which “ Some of the key feature of the 24 cases came into effect from January revise scheme are increased 15, 2016 repealing the juvenile maintenance grant for children Alarming rise in Justice (Care and protection in homes, from existing Rs. 750 of Children) Act, 2000. This to Rs. 2000 per child per month juvenile crime Act is to be implemented enhanced cost of construction including heinous by State, Government/UT from existing provision of Rs. offences, says Administrations. Under Section 600 per sq. feet to Rs. 1000 41 of the New Act, registration per sq. feet and flexibility in of institutions including Homes the staffing pattern in service Millennium Post, New Delhi for children in conflict with law delivery structures.” 30 April, 2016 has been made mandatory Tania Ameer with penalty in case of non-compliance. There has been a “Section 53 of the juvenile rapid increase in juvenile justice (Care and Protection of apprehended for offences Children) Act, 2015, provides including heinous offences for several rehabilitation and over the last three years, the 110 BUTTERFLIES EDUCATION Schools Can’t Discriminate: Govt. Schools can’t discriminate: Govt. 111 Hindustan Times Hindustan Times, New Delhi Kids at govt schools continue to... 113 07 January, 2016 Hindustan Times Shradha Chettri Govt. should loosen iron grip..... 115 Deccan Herald Nursery Admissions Govt. much-level playing field to The illusion of equity in the classroom 117 removes 62 admission the aspirants for nursery The Hindu criterion, says move will admissions. Schooling without Learning 118 The Hindu give children level-playing There are several schools in field. the city which had been allotting Ivestment in Future 120 5-10 points for only child and Millennium Post The Delhi government has girl child considerations. Schools should care to provide.... 121 done away with as many as 62 According to the Deccan Herald criterion which were invoked government, the points allotted Empty desk in assam schools 123 to allot points to applicants to the first born and according Business Line for nursery admissions in city to the gender of the child is Only 54% children complete..... 123 schools, saying they were The Financial Express discriminatory against parents discriminatory. who seek admission for more Lack of quality at the very foundation 125 A part from the much-touted Millennium Post kids. management quota, others Is Delhi bending law on no detention? 126 Further, the government such as the first born child and The Times of India says that like management girl child or parents excelling in Impart values to kids in school 127 quota, schools cannot put music or arts have also been The Pioneer siblings, alumni, staff as a scrapped. National literacy rate grows to 69% 128 category, but can allot points to Delhi chief minister Arvind Business Standard the criteria. Kejriwal said apart from the 25% Fixing education policy’s failure 129 “We welcome in-principle the reservation for the Economically Mint scrapping of the management Weaker Section/Disadvantaged Modi’s Middle Class muddle 131 quota, but could pose a problem The Times of India (EWS/DG) category, the in terms of allotting points for remaining 75% should be open Researching Education 132 siblings and alumni. Schools Mint for the general category. cannot reserve seats for siblings This, according to the Education still eludes the and alumni but they have disadvantaged 134 government, will provide a Deccan Herald CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 111 autonomy in allotting points. It would approach a court. three-year-old son. has happened in the past that “The matter is sub-judice But most parents feel that the seats were filled in a reputed and is lying with the division the schools will now take the school by wards of alumni and bench of the high court. So, matter to court thus delaying siblings, “ said Khagesh Jha, the government could have admissions. advocate and member of Social waited a little more. Why did “In 2014, the admission Jurist, an NGO which works in the government decide to do process had gone on till March. the field of education. this now when the admission So I hope this order doesn’t The government has said process has already begun?” start another court battle, as since some schools have allotted said Ashok K Pandey, chairman management quota is important points for working parents, of National Progressive schools’ for schools,” said Seema Sahai, mothers’ class 12 qualification conference (NPSC) and who is applying for admission and professional experience, principal of Alcona International for her first born child. vegetarian or non-smoker School. NPSC is a consortium Sahai also said the quota parents, the will have to do of a more than 100 renowned for first born children shouldn’t away with these considerations private schools in Delhi. have been removed. or face de-recognition. The schools said the “When there can be points But experts pointed out management quota was for alumni and siblings, why not that the government should introduced by the Ganguly have points for first born and girl have come out with the committee and was being child too,” said Sahai. announcement much before followed since 2007. the admission process started “The quota was not our brain Admission Roller on January 1 further, even a child. Scrapping the quota is Coaster supreme Court order had said interference in the autonomy “rule of law cannot be changed of private schools,” said SK The govt. on Wednesday during the game”. The judgment Bhattacharya, president, Action scrapped the much-touted was made in relation to nursery Committee of Private Unaided management quota, and those admission, as changing rules Schools. for first born child and girl child midway will create panic among or parents or parents excelling parents. Parents fear Delay in music or arts. Schools can also not ‘Happy, but fear long 2004 allot points for parents with court battle’ transferable jobs, who opt to yy Schools had autonomy, use the school transport, or Parents on Wednesday conducted interviews of have domicile of Delhi. welcomed the government’s children and parents. decision of scrapping the yy Social Jurist challenged one Schools Unhappy ‘New management quota. They, of the schools discriminatory Order and Attack On Our however now, fear a delay in nursery admission rule in Autonomy’ the admission process. Delhi High Court “This is good news as more The schools believe that seats will now be opened for the 2007 the state government’s order general category. Competition yy Screening and interview of scrapping 20% management would be reduced, as 75 banned by the court. A quota the order was a pure percent seats will be for general committee under Ashok breach of their autonomy with category,” said Jose Phillip, who Ganguly, the then CBSE some even saying that they is applying for admission for his 112 BUTTERFLIES chairman, devised the cannot govern nursery 2016 100-point system with admission as it deals with criteria like neighbourhood, children below 6 years of yy January 6: Government sibling, alumni. age. The court also directed asked schools to remove yy Action Committee – an Lieutenant Governor to management quota and association of private bring new law. other discriminatory quotas. unaided school challenged yy December :L-G brought out the Ganguly committee a new notification which Kids At Govt guidelines in Supreme abolished the management Schools Continue Court. quota and allotted 70 percent point to neighborhood. To Fumble In 2008 Reading Abcd 2014 yy Some modification was made to the guidelines and yy The L-G’s notification Hindustan Times, New Delhi liberty given to the schools was challenged by the 11 January, 2016 for introducing their own association representing Shradha Chettri criteria. schools which delayed yy 2008-2010 – Nursery the 2014 admission. Comparison While private admission took place as The admission this year schools have seen per the Ganguly Committee extended up to March. learning gains, public guildelines. yy November : The High schools lag behind Court quashed the LG’s In her last term of class 6 2010 admission guidelines and now, Suhana has become good gave autonomy to schools yy Right to Education (RTE) at writing essays. She can draft to decide on the criteria Act was implemented; with letters and is quick in answering in tandem with Ganguly this the reservation or EWS comprehension questions. But committee guidelines. children increased to 25% for Shiksha, who is in Class 6 Government challenged yy Directorate of Education then too, memorizing alphabets and the High Court order. came with guidelines which learning to read and write small Admissions were done as were similar to the Ganguly words is quite a challenge. Committee guidelines, so per the guidelines released by respective schools. Though both girls have Social Jurist challenged the spent the same number of point system and asked for 2015 years in school, their learning implementation of RTE even levels are worlds apart. While for nursery admissions. yy November: Admissions students like Suhana easily yy 2010—2013 : Admissions were to take place as 2014 gain command over written continued as per the ganguly and schools were free to and spoken English as they committee guidelines and release their admission progress in private schools, with schools having libery criteria. Government those in government schools with certain criteria like just released a common fail to identify even alphabets till management, staff. admission schedule and at least the secondary level – an made EWS admission issue raised by several annual 2013 online. surveys but not fixed till now. yy February : The Delhi High “In most government Court said that the RTE schools, children come to class 6 from an MCD school. So the CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 113 first one to two years are spent between 2006 and 2010, found level. In collaboration with NGO in teaching them ABCD. This that only half of the children Pratham, the government has may sound shocking but while can read a class II level text in started an intervention process their syllabus is nearly the same class V in government schools. aimed at improving the learning as students in private schools, The report shows that the levels in 54 model schools. they haven’t been taught much percentage fell slightly from “It was a pilot project and the in primary school. However, 51.4% to 50.7% in those five current phase is over. The with no-detention policy in years. Private schools, however, project is aimed at improving place, the gap never shows and posted learning gains during reading, writing and arithmetic they keep getting promoted,” this period with the percentage skills of students from standard said a teacher of English in of readers’ rising from 60.8% 3-8, “ said Shailendra Sharma a Delhi government school. to 64.2%. After 2010, learning of Pratham, who is looking after Getting children to attend levels in government schools the project. school regularly is a challenge plummeted to allow of 41.1% In the initial stages, a very in itself. While they still fare in 2013, recovering slightly to close interaction was been held better at other subjects, if taught 42.2% in 2014, while those in with teachers to try to understand in their mother tongue, they get private schools remained more why the problem exists and how no support for learning English or less steady – 63.3% in 2013 could they help each student at home. “While we try to get and 62.5% in 2014. A recent in improving the learning skills. their attention to teach an alien NCERT report also pointed out Out of the 54 schools, 31 of them language, children either just sit that learning levels in English are Sarvodaya Vidyalaya’s and blank-faced or just talk among were poorer in rural schools 23 of them are Rajkiya Pratibha themselves. than urban. Vikas Vidyalaya. “For now one ASER 2014 report on Finally, the Aam Aadmi Party round of intervention has been comparing government and (AAP) government has made done, after we present our private schools separately, a start to improve the learning findings then it will be decided on the other level, “said Sharma. Elaborating on the issue, teachers of Delhi government schools point out that the learning levels are different even in the two above mentioned government schools. “In SarvodayaVidyalayas, students study in the school from primary and in the other they move from MCD schools. All of us have to accept that children from MCD schools do not have proper foundation, “said a teacher of a Rajkiya PratibhaVidyalaya in Civil Lines. Hiring of guest teachers and those on ad hoc is also a reason why teaching and learning suffers, pointed out JS Rajput, Former head of NCERT. Government School 114 BUTTERFLIES Teachers Association (GSTA), detained in a class. So they invoked memories of the way however, blames the Right would even get somebody her predecessor in the previous to Education’s (RTE) no to guide their children. Now BJP government attempted detention policy which is now that fear has gone away. to interfere in the governance being reconsidered by the yy Since learning levels of premier institutions like the government. “Earlier there was depend not only on the IIM-A. However, with the new a sense of fear among parents characteristics of a child’s announcement, she has started that their child would be detained school but also on her own addressing the right issues and in a class. So they would even characteristics and those of coming to grips with an archaic get somebody to guide their her household, attributing all system that needs not only an wards, now that has gone away. the differences in learning urgent and comprehensive Moreover, in Delhi the culture of levels to differences in overhaul, but also a complete hiring guest teachers has also schools in incorrect. change of mindset. affected the quality,” said Ajay The HRD ministry, in a Veer Yadav, secretary GSTA. Govt Should commendable policy shift, has Even ASER report suggests Loosen Iron Grip announced its intention to set that learning levels have been up 20 world class universities declining every year since the On Edu System of which 10 will be in the private RTE was introduced in 2010, sector. These universities and were stagnant before that. Deccan Herald, New Delhi would have complete academic However, WilimaWadhwa, 20 January, 2016 and financial autonomy in their director ASER Centre, points that Gopal Saxena operation with no interference comparing learning outcomes of from the UGC. For this, the children in government schools Lost in the cacophony of ministry is formulating some with those in private schools the present political discourse “enabling rules” to ensure is not comparing apples with is a major development in autonomy. For these 10 apples. “It is a well established education – a policy shift that private sector universities, the fact that household and other could change the course of government will identify and characteristics of private school higher education in the country. “encourage self-selected group children are very different If implemented successfully, of passionate and committed from those of government Human Resource Development individuals” and also corporate school children. Since learning Minister Smriti Irani would leave houses. levels depend not only on the a lasting imprint on education This policy is very important characteristics of a child’s in India. The minister started in many respects: firstly school but also on her own her tenure on a disappointing it recognises the damage characteristics and those of her note – getting involved in the caused to our higher education household, attributing all the petty bickering in the University system by assigning all policy observed differences in learning Grants Commission, Delhi decision making to government levels to differences in schools University and the Indian agencies such as the UGC, is incorrect. This is the self- Institute of Science, Bangalore. AICTE etc which generated selection problem and therefore She then got embroiled a de facto “licence raj” in these other factors have to be in the controversy regarding the field of education. This controlled for in order to make a appointment of IIT Directors, allowed universities with poor fair comparison, “said Wadhwa. thereby generating a degree of educational expertise and yy Earlier there was a sense animosity between academics infrastructure to proliferate and of fear among parents that and the government. This prosper solely because they their children would be had the licence to award pieces CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 115 of paper called degrees. acknowledgement of the leads to a vicious cycle where They also imposed very importance of a merit-based our low ranking universities rigid curriculum designs instead education system rather than cannot attract good faculty of allowing students to choose a control based one. While the which in turn contributes to their subjects of their interest government has a vital role poor ranking. This is despite they were forced to opt for to play in education, it is also the fact that Indians constitute predetermined combinations equally important to ensure high a substantial number of highly like “PCM” or “PME” etc. quality especially in primary rated faculty around the world. The cumbersome process of education. In this respect, the It is also a tragedy that curriculum design, acceptance Indian scenario is the opposite our country boasts of having and introduction resulted in of what exists in most developed established the world’s oldest obsolete curriculums unrelated countries. university and lays great to the fast changing scenario Supportive role emphasis on education and of education. Secondly, it In the US, for example, learning, and yet our children recognises the fact that the the government plays a major are forced to spend almost $17 private sector is just as good if role in primary education billion (Rs 1,20,000 crore) every not better in developing world but only a supportive role in year to study abroad, most likely class educational institutions higher education. In India, the in a private university. This is as the government, provided government, through the Right double the entire budgetary the right incentives are made to Education Act, has virtually allocation for education for available. The world’s most offloaded its responsibility in 2015-16! renowned universities, from primary education to private It is time we reversed this Oxford and Cambridge to schools, while it has maintained trend and not only save $17 Harvard, Stanford, MIT and a vice-like grip on higher billion every year but also other famed US institutions, are education through institutions earn an equivalent amount by all private. such as the UGC. attracting foreign students. It is the “licence raj” This policy shift is a breath That can only happen if existing today that leads to of fresh air in our education the government loosens it iron the proliferation of ‘fly by night’ environment hitherto ridden grip on our educational system operators that give private with dogma and misplaced and focus not on granting sector education a bad name in good intentions. Even our licences, fixing syllabi, fees India. For example, setting up a courts have endorsed the right and faculty remuneration but B Ed college requires approvals of the government to exercise on encouraging the setting from four different Central and control over private educational up of world class institutions state government agencies, institutions by holding that irrespective of their ownership. each of which is a challenge education being a noble In that respect, the government’s to deal with, and they lay down vocation should not be exposed latest initiatives are steps in the such stringent conditions that it to commercialism. However, right direction and we hope is impossible to operate viably. the truth is that the world’s best that they are implemented Consequently, while there is a educational institutions are not successfully and expeditiously. glut of B Ed colleges, a lot of run by governments nor are them are closing down despite they subjected to any outside the fact that we have an acute administrative control. shortage of well-trained and The fact that our universities qualified teachers. do not figure very high in world Thirdly, this is an rankings speaks very poorly of our education system. This also 116 BUTTERFLIES The Illusion Of Universalizing education compared to urban, but these involves issues of both statistics suggest significant Equity In The distributive justice and quality. inequalities in the distribution of Classroom While the former concerns educational opportunities. taking education to marginalized The National University The Hindu, New Delhi communities, the latter asks, of Educational Planning and 04 February, 2016 ‘What counts as meaningful Administrations 2011-12 report Ajay Sangai education?’ Considering that shows that only about 16 percent inadequate education affects of students from SCs and STs the disadvantaged groups more attend private schools and Success of a new severely, it is a possibility that the average Indian household education policy would these groups will end up with spends five times more money depend on how it restricted opportunities and on each child annually if she socializes the private and diminished outcomes given the is enrolled in a private school embeds the basic right to market-driven economy we live compared to a government a quality education. in. The RTE, therefore, entails school. It is reasonable to As the Right to Education the right to equitable quality say that private schools are (RTE) Act just completed five education. It is with this aim ordinarily more accessible to years of operation, it is time that India enacted the Right of higher income groups. to take note of some facts. Children to Free and Compulsory ASER reports suggest Kerala became the first state Education Act, 2009. While it is that private schools fare only to achieve 100 percent primary too early to pass a judgment marginally better in terms of education, but in Uttar Pradesh, on the success of this act, the imparting quality education only 12 out of 75 districts initial trends are somewhat compared to government have admitted students from disappointing. According to schools. While the ASER disadvantaged groups to private the 2011 Census, the average methodology of quantifying schools. The Act mandates that literacy rates of people aged learning has been disputed, schools reserve 25 percent above 15 among Scheduled these statistics suggest that seats for these students. There Castes (SCs) and Scheduled our educationsystem has fared are rumours that due to the Tribes (STs) are about 9 percent poorly on both equity and quality pressure exerted by the private and 17.4 percent less than the parameters. schools ‘lobby, Karnataka may national average, respectively. The Constitution provides a dilute the Act. A large number The female literacy rate is 19.5 flexible framework for a welfare of Dalits, Adivasis and girls percent less than that of males. state. Article 39 directs the state discontinue education because This difference increases to to frame policies that distribute of discrimination in schools 23 percent and 23.5 percent the “ownership and control and more than 60 percent of among the SCs and STs, of the material resources of urban primary schools are respectively, indicating the the community” such that it overcrowded, and about 50 double discrimination faced by serves the “common good”, percent of Indian students Dalit and Adivasi women. The and “provide opportunities and cannot do basic mathematics dropout rates among SCs and facilities that enable children or read a short story when they STs are significantly higher than to develop in a healthy manner complete elementary education. the national average and more in conditions of freedom girls discontinue schooling than and dignity”. While directive Equitable Quality boys of course, there is a wide principles are non-justiciable, Education variation across states and the Article 37 commands that they gap is wider in rural areas as CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 117 shall be “fundamental in the reservation for children at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy) governance of the country and belonging to weaker sections. it shall be the duty of the state This provision has caused much Schooling Without to apply these principles in debate. The Ministry of Human making laws”. Initially, universal Resource Development has Learning elementary education was a clarified that “the larger objective directive principle under Article of this provision is to provide a The Hindu, New Delhi 45. The fact that it was made a common place where children 08 February, 2016 fundamental right vide the 86th sit, eat and live together for at Geeta Gandhi Amendment does not jettison least eight years of their lives the egalitarian perspective that across caste, class and gender The Right to Education Act placed it in the same scheme divides in order that it narrows needs to be focused back as other Directive Principles, down such divisions in our to its core intent instead particularly those under Article society”. Four caveats could be of allowing the authorities 39. issued here. One in conceiving to impose extraneous The Kothari Commission disadvantaged groups,’ we conditions on school. recommended a Common must also include children of Contrary to popular School System (CSS) to “bring sex workers, transgendered perception, the vast majority the different social classes groups, disabled persons and of the 3.3 lakh private unaided and groups together and thus minorities. Two, equality also schools in India are low-fee” promote the emergence of means the right to be treated establishments, Only about an egalitarian and integrated with dignity and respect. Three 16,000 of them are ‘elite high society”. It lamented that the government must not fee schools affiliated to the “instead of doing so, education abdicate its responsibility to Indian Council of Secondary itself is tending to increase social make its schools inclusive, If Education and the Central segregation and to perpetuate Dalit children sit separately and Board of Secondary Education. and widen class distinctions.” clean toilets and girls perform According to the National This results in the “anaemic and stereotypical gender roles, Sample Survey 2014, the incomplete” education of both then we have only engrafted median fee in rural India was Rs. the rich and poor as it forecloses inequality and entrenched 300 per month and the median sharing of perspectives. The hierarchies. For education itself fee in urban India was Rs. CSS was adopted by both needs to celebrate the diverse 416 per month for all the high- the 1968 and 1986 national ways in which knowledge is and low- fee private unaided policies on education. transferred and acquired. primary schools taken together. While the interventions from As the RTE Act emerges There are inter-state variations, ‘Operation Blackboard’ to from its nascence and however; in Uttar Pradesh, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan brought educations statistics continue median fee in rural and urban universalisation and quality to disappoint on both quality India as Rs. 117 and Rs. 250 to the forefront, the CSS was and inclusion parameters, the per month, respectively. somehow relegated to the government is deliberating the By contrast, in government background. first education policy post – schools, per pupil expenditure 1991. Its success would depend on teacher salary alone is The road ahead on how it socializes the private around Rs. 1300 per month. At and provides a vision for an The RTE Act provides for the same time, the achievement equitable quality education. minimum quality standards levels of children in the budget (Ajeysangai is a Research and mandates 25 percent private schools are no worse Fellow with Education Initiative 118 BUTTERFLIES (and maybe somewhat better) to the Censuses of 2001 and operation of the unrecognized than those in government 2011. classes immediately, and schools, after adjusting for This situation where both ensure that the displaced family background. private and government schools children are admitted in are shutting even as more the nearest government or Shutting down of children are going to school recognized private school, and schools. has created a national orisons. to inform this office within three It has also created a paradox: days.” Despite giving far greater an Act that vows to promote But what if the manager value for money (learning per children right to education is does not discharge that unit of cost), thousands of low- itself potentially violating the responsibility? What if there is fee private schools are being same, it is also violating fee- no government school nearby? forced to shut down in India, paying children’s right to attend What if there are no vacant seats According to media reports and a school of their choice. in the nearby Governments right to information inquiries, by Consider Lucknow, for School? What if the fee of march 2014, about 4355 private instance. As per official, the nearby private schools is schools had been closed down District Information System higher and unaffordable to the and another 15083 had received for Education (DISE) data, displaced children? Twenty notices to close down, affecting between 2010 and 2014, the percent of the 108 schools had the educational rights of nearly number of government schools closed down citing the penalty 39 lakh children. in urban Lucknow fell from of Rs. 10,000 per day, which we The reason: the requirement 407 to 289. This is far from could not afford.” of the Right to Education Act what is mandated by Section Meanwhile, as the DISE (RTE) that all private school must 6 of the RTE Act; government data show, a high proportion mandatorily get government schools are to be established of the government schools recognition by complying with in all neighborhoods. Thirty themselves do not fulfill the the norms stipulated in the RTE one of the 110 wards of urban norms and standards of the RTE Act and in state RTE rules. For Lucknow have no government Act, but are not obliged under good measure, many additional or aided school, and mean ward the Act to be closed down. At conditions for ‘recognition’ population is 38,000 people. one level, this is discriminatory, have been added in states’ The government closed down at another it is cynical; if the Act’s Government Order (GO). For 118 of its own schools, In this framers believed these norms examples, a GO of U.P. dated scenario of an inadequate to be quality-enhancing, then may 8, 2013 notifies about 40 number of government schools, why was it not necessary for different conditions a private the district education authorities government schools (where 70 school has to fulfill in order to ordered 108 non-recognised percent of the poorest children obtain recognition. private unaided schools to also study) to also comply with the Simultaneously with close down, as reported in norms as private schools do? private school closures, many detail by Lucknow’s Amar Ujala Are the comfort, safety and government schools are also on August 31, 2015. quality of education of the 70 shutting down because of a lack The text of the closure percent of the poorest children of demand for dysfunctional notice issued to private not as important as those of schools where teacher are schools suggests abdication children in the private schools? often absent. Meanwhile, the of government responsibility, It As it happens, parents are population of children who are says (translated from Hindi);” delivering a judgment on the of school going age is rising by … You are directed to stop the relative quality of private and 3.8 per cent per year, according CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 119 government schools by voting Denying children their poorly performing schools an with their feet. Public schools right incentive to make more of an are emptying due to migration effort to retain students. Finally, towards private schools. DISE The closure of private there should be strengthening data show that between 2010 schools without adequate of teachers training. Anything and 2014, total enrolment in safeguards for the admission other than a singular focus government elementary schools of the displaced children in on learning, buttressed with a fell by 1.16 crore students other nearby schools should Right to Quality Education Act, while total enrolment in private also wake up child protection will squander the life chances of school increased by 1.85 crore agencies to the danger of the millions of Indian children. students. likely denial of children their right (Geeta Gandhi Kingdom is Low levels of teacher to education. Shutting down Chair of Education Economics accountability and low student- private schools on the pretext and International Development learning levels have caused of some infrastructure norms at University College London). parents to desert publicly that have a dubious connection funded schools, In 2014- with school quality is unhelpful. Investment in 15, there were nearly 97000 School quality needs to be government schools in India measured by how well children Future with a total enrolment of 20 or are learning, not by possession fewer students. With a pupil- of infrastructure; private and Millennium Post, New Delhi teacher- ratio of 6 to 7 students public schools where learning 15 February, 2016 per teacher, and a total salary is good should be allowed to bill of Rs. 9600 crore per annul run, while at the same time The first year of AAP these are grotesquely inefficient encouraging and even helping government packed with and unviable small schools, it them to become compliant with success is no wonder that Rajasthan, the infrastructure norms. Education: 54 Model Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh A Right to Quality Education Schools and 8000 class closed down 23,900 such tiny Act needs to be enacted, to rooms government schools during underscore the importance of 2014-15. ensuring learning. It should The Kejriwal government has The shambolic and give central attention to teacher shown its commitment to make employing government accountability. Second, it should education an important aspect schools should breed some give attention to the use of the of their work and, therefore, embarrassment and perhaps power of financial incentives (for have invested a great deal a modicum of humility among instance, making government in improving the educational education authorities, and lead and aided schools’ funding infrastructure. either through a voucher or a them to admire the low-fee A sign that shows the Delhi per-student grant such that the private schools which produce government’s commitment school loses funding if student higher learning outcomes to improve the education numbers fall, as happens in among children at less than 20 standards, is their attempt to OECD countries). Third, it percent of the per-pupil cost of work towards the addition of should give attention to using the government schools. Instead of around 8000 classrooms and power of parental information closing them down, they should development of model schools. about the quality of different take a facilitative approach The government has realized schools in their town or city, so towards these high value- 54 such schools. parents can exit schools where adding low-fee private schools. The main objective of these learning is low, thereby giving 120 BUTTERFLIES schools will be to enhance the taking steps to ensure that each when the same child is put in creativity levels of students class does not contain more school, it becomes imprerative and move them beyond the than 50 students. The Delhi that home is replicated in the rote learning – a trend which government is therefore, trying school so as to provide the has become common in the to add around 8000 classrooms. emotional support that the child country’s educational system. To reduce overcrowding in should continue to receive in Under the leadership of the government schools, Deputy the growing years. What home Deputy CM, Manish Sisodia, CM Manish Sisodia has even has been in the pre-school the government has already directed his department to run phase, the school should play reduced 25 percent of the double shifts in classes which later by creating a congenial syllabus to prevent the students have more than 50 students. and informal atmosphere while from getting stressed and imparting education to the encourage them to use their Initiatives for Education wards. time more productively. The Gone are the days when yy To put a sto to the students Delhi Government has tried school was regarded as a mere who bunk school, Delhi to focus on the enhancing centre of educational activity government has come up the creativity among students manned by teachers with a strict with initiative to arrange the and has invested in imparting regime in teaching the three screening of education films extra-curricular activities to the Rs. Today, the role of school in schools soon. students. in the educational development yy CCTV cameras will be The teachers, who would of children has become more installed in all schools, and train the students in such complex and is also under as a part of the pilot project activities, will be paid Rs. scanner by the parents, 10 School will receive a text 2000 for two-hour class twice educationalists, activists and message once their child a week. An assistant trainer, if the general public. enters the school premises. required, will be paid Rs. 1500 The responsibility of school, yy In a bid to improve per week. The government is apart from academics, is to infrastructure of schools, also considering package deals broaden the mental horizon Delhi government in its as well. of the students to make them first year of tenure has The model schools smart, confident and responsible completely development conceptualized by Delhi citizens. In the school, students the infrastructure of 250 government will create are financed by the teachers schools Delhi. awareness among students and also by other students. regarding cleanliness, The way teachers interact sanitation, significance of Schools Should with children and the way they environment, indulging in stress Care To Provide encourage children to interact management and maintaining Comprehensive among themselves enables their health both physically them to improve inter-personal and mentally. Activities like Education. relations in their later lives. introducing happy club, yoga The school, while ensuring the classes, planting of trees are Deccan Herald, New Delhi maximum academic potential some steps taken in this regard. 24 February, 2016 of the students, should also The Delhi government wants K S S Seshan concentrate on imbibing to ensure that the students get problem-solving and solution- maximum attention from their It is said that ‘home is the seeking skills among the teachers and for that, they are first school’ for the child. But youngsters. CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 121 A positive attitude in growing also imparts values and beliefs One great value for which a children when imparted in like compassion, respect and school is primarily looked to is the class room and in the integrity. the discipline that it is expected playground, will go a long way Schools, by conducting to instill among the youngsters. in picking up social skills which debates, organizing cultural The kind of discipline to which now a days are more important activities and undertaking the child is trained in the school, than ever before. Self-esteem, field trips, excursions, etc also remains invariably during fair social skills and good broaden the mental horizons of the rest of life. For children, communication abilities are students. Such extra curricular discipline is to be made a way the basic ingredients that put and co-curricular activities of life. Discipline is not limited children on the pedestal of make children derive value- only to money and riches; it is success along with academic based education. a personal orientation towards credentials. life. The most important part of Physical and moral As the very trait is basically one’s life is spent at school. education. a habit, it can be cultivated, During this period, we learn and school plays a major role in almost all good things that we Physical and moral orienting the students towards should acquire in life. School, education during school life disciplined lives. With discipline, therefore, is the training ground should also become an integral excellence becomes a habit for all virtues that make a good part of academic education, for rather than a virtue. man or woman. School is the as Swami Vivekananda had Discipline will teach children place where we first learn how pointed out – a sound mind how to remain focused . Student to lead a disciplined life. can only be housed in a sound discipline in school will help Children read together, body. Sports and games should them habituate it and carry it for sit together and play together become necessarily an integral life. It extends to personal life, and, thus, school life teaches part of the school curriculum career, work life-style and social the importance of collective for the holistic growth of the life. By being disciplined, you living and the nuances of how children. are respected by others, you to adjust with others. Children Theosophical scheme of stay creative, happy, active and learn the lessons of self-control, school education as evolved healthy. Students find more time truthfulness, compassion, by Dr. Annie Besant with the in a day, stay tension free and empathy and, more importantly, collaboration of educationalists without examination phobia, if mutual respect. like Dr. George S Arundale only they are disciplined. Schools open the vistas of the and Ernest Wood, envisaged a Many successful people students to the virtues of values, healthy combination of the three attribute their success to beliefs and healthy habits by main components of education discipline more than knowledge. playing a transformative role. namely, academic, physical and Even highly talented people When the school days are over, moral. cannot succeed if not disciplined. students leave the premises Dr. Besant, in fact, Napoleon Bonaparte, the with regret indicating the kind of suggested that afternoons Emperor of France (1803-1815) impact it has had on them. should be earmarked only and master of Europe, scored School becomes a central for physical education. She great successes both in military factor in the process of character insisted that the ideal time for and in administration due to building of the young students. imparting academic education discipline that was synonymous Though academic excellence is from 7 am to 12-30pm and the with his very name. continues to be a non-negotiable afternoons should be devoted It is said that all the 40 battles responsibility for every school, it to games and sports. 122 BUTTERFLIES he fought and won during his life Only 54% Children Union Budget FY17 is going were first won in his mind with to be a crucial test for the a thorough planning before he Complete government. In the pursuit of actually went to face the enemy. Schooling In India the economic growth paradigm, Napoleon often used to recall it will require to balance its how much he was impacted by The Financial Express, New Delhi twin objectives for vision 2022. the school that he attended as 29 February, 2016 These are (1) providing basic a young cadet. Later in life, he Komal Ganotra amenities to all citizens in an never failed to visit his school to equitable and just manner for pay his gratitude, whenever he The net enrolment in ensuring a life with self-respect was passing in its vicinity. secondary is 48%, and dignity, and (2) providing only 15% schools offer appropriate opportunities to Empty Desks in secondary education, every citizen to realize his/her Assam Schools 22 million children (15- potential. Children, accounting 18 year old) are child for more than 40% of the population, will be crucially Business Line, New Delhi laborers.. Union Budget 27 February, 2016 FY17 has to address a lot affected with the enactment of challenges. of these objectives, especially where a large proportion of India’s children survive in an unequal world, with huge disparities in education, health, participation. Net enrolment in secondary education is 48% The Indian education system at the primary school level is the biggest system in the world and also has the largest number of out of school children 42.7 million-which is almost 10 times than the total number of children in primary schools in Nepal. The good news is India has made significant progress in the last five ears in enrolment of children in schools, especially since the advent of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. However, while the state of enrolment has been encouraging in the initial year’s primary schooling, the trend CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 123 has not been very heartening schooling from class I to XII. order to make sure that all on the trajectory towards Along with working on making children develop and flourish higher classes of every 100 adequate infrastructure and to be equipped individually, children who are enrolled in personnel provisions, we would and subsequently shape as schools, only 72 are able to also need to invest in making economically contributing complete class VIII. There is secondary education more adults building a nation which more reason to worry, as just inclusive, as the drop-out rate is is inclusive, equitable and a 48 of these children complete higher in the most marginalized developed society. class X and barely 33 finish population, with 27% Scheduled class XII at the right age. There Tribes children and 24% Muslim Inadequacy of funds for is certainly a reflection of poor children dropping out after class secondary education state of secondary education in VIII. The Rashtriya Madhyamik India. The 12th Five year plan Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 22 million children (15- envisaged near – universal was launched in 2009 with enrolment in secondary 18 year old) are child key objectives of achieving education, with enrolment in labourers the enrolment rate of 75% secondary education, with at secondary level by 2015, According to Census 2011, enrolment exceeding 90% achieving universal access by there are 37 million out-of- But India is currently at 78.5% 2017 and universal retention school children between the age gross enrolment ratio and only by 2020. While the targets are group of 15-18 years of these, 48% net enrolment ratio, which progressive, the scheme has 22 million are engaged in work means that out of every 100 not been able to gain deep taking up adult ‘economic roles’ children, only 48 children (age penetration at state and district and 9 million get married before appropriately) get enrolled in levels with respect to proper their legal age. It is, therefore, secondary education. planning and execution and evident that if children are not in the progress has been sluggish the fold of education they tend Only 15% schools offer due to under-allocations as well to be exposed to vulnerabilities secondary education. as poor utilization of allocated of child labor and child marriage. budgets. With less than half of our We have to integrate The parliamentary standing children not been able to finish secondary education and committee on HRD in April secondary education (age the component of vocational 2015 stated that, against a total appropriately), India has a lot education and skill building, projection of Rs. 27, 466 crore for of challenges to address and which are imperative for the RMSA in the 12th Plan period, take appropriate measures nation’s progress. On one less than 50% was allocated in to bridge this gap. Looking at hand, we have an ambitious the first three years. In 2015-16, the provisioning of schooling, target of getting 500 million the Union government reduced the access and availability of skilled workers. On the other its investment on secondary secondary schools is quite it is an equally worrying state education by 29%, putting an skewed, with 83% schools when over 50% of our children obligation on states to invest offering primary education. 15% don’t get to finish secondary more. Given CRY’s experience schools offering secondary and higher education Children of working in over 23 states in need access to knowledge, all- education and only 7.5% education, we strongly feel that round development, practical schools offering higher RMSA is still in its formatives skills and decision making secondary education. In fact, stage and it is too early for the capacity. We need accelerated just 2.5% schools offer complete Union government to reduce its investment in education in 124 BUTTERFLIES resources. In fact, the role of but the central government 57 percent was released until the Union government is crucial directly finances 60 percent of September 2015, according at this stage in pro-actively education,through programmers to an Accountability Initiative supporting states in putting up such as the SSA. Close to 66 report. the building blocks for secondary percent of India’s primary school While presenting his third education, and carrying out students attend government budget earlier this week, Jaitley adequate investment in training schools or government aided said nothing about the quality of and provisioning of physical schools the rest going to costlier education. The quality declines facilities and ensuring quality private schools. may be correlated with reduced interventions. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan funding, but they may not be In 2015-16, the social (SSA) – a national programme caused only by a lack of money. sector-health, education and for universal elementary Less than one in five primary nutrition-was de-prioritized by education—has seen Rs. school teachers are adequately both the centre and states. With 1,15,625 crore ($17.7 billion) trained, India Spend reported the centre calling for greater spent on it over the last five years last year. The consequence is spending from states, and states – but the quality of learning has a marked decline in learning requesting the Union finance declined. ability, in government and ministry to revert to the earlier For instance, only a fourth of private schools. pattern of funding, will Budget all children in standard III could The learning levels in FY17 resolve the impasse read a standard II text fluently – government schools plummeted and ensure that 333.2 million a drop of more than 5 percent to a low of 41.1% in 2013 but children get their due? We truly over five years, according to the recovered slightly to 42.2 hope that the Budget will bring 2014 Annual status Report on percent in 2014, as IndiaSpend in accelerated investment in Education (ASER). reported. education, ensuring a strong The SSA received more than Similarly, with Math, a foundation for the nation’s half the money (52 percent) in quarter of children in standard progress. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s III could not recognize numbers The author is director, school –education allocation in between 10 and 99, a drop of 13 Policy, Research and Advocacy the latest budget, but over the percent over five years. at CRY (Child Rights and You) last five years, the SSA budget As much as 99 percent new declined 6 percent – from Rs. elementary schools have been Lack Of Quality 23,873 crore ($4.4 billion) in constructed of the 400,000 At The Very 2012-13 to Rs. 22,500 crore sanctioned since the launch of ($3.3 billion) for 2016-17. the programme in 2000-01 till Foundation Education is primarily the September 30, 2015, according responsibility of states, but the to this reply in the LokSabha Millennium Post, New Delhi central government directly (the lower house of Parliament) 05 March, 2016 finances 60 percent of education, on December 7, 2015. Chaitanya through programmers such as About 23 percent of schools the SSA. Close to 66 percent of surveyed by Accountability Spending on primary India’s primary school students Initiative in 2015-16 needed to education declines and so attend government schools or build at least one classroom in does overall quality government aided schools— order to meet Right-to-Education the rest going to costlier private norms. However, only 1 percent Education is primarily schools of the money set aside of schools received money from the responsibility of states, for the SSA during 2015-16, only SSA during the financial year to CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 125 construct new classrooms. allocated Rs. 2471 crore ($400 IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, There are other gaps in the million) – an increase of 8 non-profit, public interest programme. The enrolment of percent over last year. journalism platform. The views girls has gone up from 48.12 Focus on higher education expressed are strictly those of percent in 2009-10 to 48.19 to strengthen infrastructure, India Spend) percent in 2014-15 at the but enrolments are low. The elementary level. Many more finance minister proposed Is Delhi Bending girls clearly need to be enrolled. setting up a Higher Education Moreover, 52 percent of boys Financing Agency (HEFA) Law On No are enrolled in primary schools. with an initial capital of Rs. Detention? The good news: Dropouts 1,000 crore ($146 million) to are down, highest in six to strengthen infrastructure in The Times of India, New Delhi 14 age group A – 55 percent higher education. 04 April, 2016 decline in dropouts was reported The HEFA will be a not- Shreya Roy in the age group 6-14 years, for-profit organization, which from 13.46 million in 2005 to will use funds from the market It seems the Delhi 6.1 million in 2013. The annual and supplement them with government isn’t waiting for average primary school dropout donations and corporate social the Centre’s nod to Delhi’s rate declined from 6.8 percent responsibility funds. Right of Children to Free and in 2009-10 to 4.3 percent in Higher education including Compulsory Education (Delhi 2013- 14. central and deemed universities Amendment) Bill 2015. Passed Mid-day meals in schools received the most money, last November, it proposes received Rs. 9700 crore ($1.4 Rs. 7997 crore ($1.2 billion), to abolish the no-detention billion), next only to SSA. About followed by the Indian Institutes policy. A March 31, 2016, order 102 million children across India of Technology (Rs. 4984 to heads of schools craftily in 2014-15 used the mid-day crore) and University Grants subverts section 16 of the Right meals programme, the world’s Commission (Rs. 4.492 crore). to Education Act, 2009, on no- largest school feeding scheme. About 80 percent students detention by telling principals As part of its rural were enrolled in undergraduate they can make a primary school initiatives, over the next two programmes, but only 0.3 student repeat a class “if a parent years, the government is also percent (84,058 students) were feels that the learning level of planning to open 62 New enrolled for PhDs in 2012-13, a his/her ward is not appropriate”. NavodayaVidyalayas (New-age sign that research is weak and Education activists call it a schools) in the districts without faltering, as IndiaSpend has “disastrous move”. them. reported. The order issued by the The NavodayaVidyalaya Only 21 percent of young Directorate of Education quotes scheme was launched men and women aged 18 to 23 Section 16, which says, “No under the National policy on are enrolled in higher education. child admitted in a school shall Education 1986 to educate the India’s enrolment rate in higher be held back in any class or best rural talent. There are 591 education is 18 percent below expelled from school till the NavodayaVidyalayas across the global average of 27 completion of elementary India, according to data tabled percent and low compared to 26 education”. It then proceeds in the LokSabha on December percent in China and 36 percent to show school administrators 7, 2015. in Brazil, a 2014 British Council how they can get around this NavodayaVidyalayaSamiti, report pointed out. provision. which runs these schools, was (In an arrangement with Appalled by this order, 126 BUTTERFLIES lawyer-activist Khagesh Jha activists pointing out that no- because a rat had gnawed a points out that “RTE is an detention doesn’t mean absence hole in the cloth. They keep independent right of the child, of teaching or evaluation. telling me to move my kids to an not that of the parent”. In case This year, there’s been a open school.” a parent “feels” his child isn’t repeat of last year’s performance keeping up, s/he can make “a leading to violence in two girls Impart Values To written request for retaining schools in Karawalnagar and his/her ward to the present Nilothi in Northeast Delhi. Kids In School class” and “The head of school Problems in the system were The Pioneer, New Delhi is empowered to retain the thrown into sharp relief when 06 March, 2016 student to the present class up the Central Board of Secondary Bharat Bhushan to elementary level, i.e. Class Education made it compulsory VIII”. for students to have secured “Here, you have a department 25% in the two summative The political and intellectual official trying to amend a central assessments to get promoted. discourse during the last two Act! It is totally illegal and will be Though RTE activists, including months have been veering disastrous in its impact,” says Jha, had argued the problem around youth unrest, drawing an outraged Jha who believes was elsewhere, no-detention uninterrupted media attention. “schools will now force parents was singled out. It began with the suicide of a to submit such letters.” “There was barely any Dalit scholar at Hyderabad, and “Parents will be told that they teaching. The teachers would took a bizarre turn, when a few can either withdraw the child or come, take attendance and youngsters allegedly shouted submit this letter. Most parents return to the staff room,” anti-India slogans in JNU last sending their kids to government says Geetika, describing the month. school have no notice of age- situation at the Kalyanpuri boys’ The developments thereafter appropriate learning levels. school, running in the evening don’t deserve any elaboration They will be dependent entirely shift, which her brother Kamal as things are already in public on the school administration’s attends. He has “compartment in domain. The issue is being decision,” he says. five subjects”. “Guest teachers hotly debated in every house Delhi’s Right of Children were also placed late. We’ve now. What is baffling every to Free and Compulsory been going to the school for conscientious mind is that how Education (Delhi Amendment) three days for clarity but haven’t come a section of our youths Bill 2015 proposes to abolish been able to meet the teacher”. could dare think of anti-India the no-detention policy. A Shiksha’s daughter, Neha, tirade? So far, the political March 31 order to heads of was not being allowed to sit for functionaries and the media schools says they can make a the exam at all. “They stopped houses in their judgmental mode primary school student repeat a her on the day of the exam and have been viewing the issue the class ‘if a parent feels that the we had to fight,” says Shiksha way it suits them. If one side learning level of his/her ward is who’s planning to withdraw has been taking moralistic stand not appropriate’ Neha from the school, also and putting the errant students The AAP government in Kalyanpuri, and have her on the dock, the other side has blamed the policy for the enrolled in an open school. She been trying to pin holes. disastrous ninth-and tenth- had done the same for her older But instead of sitting on grade results last year, despite daughter. “The teachers don’t judgment, it is time to reflect some of the city’s best –known treat girls well. One of them as to where we went wrong in academics and education once tore my daughter’s Kurta shaping our future generation that some of our educated CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 127 youth could even think of taking about our collective obligations That may take either turn anti India stand? Remember, as much as our individualistic depending on individualistic human mind is driven by a sense aspirations. Finally, inducing orientation of mind, often of duality, whereby one would a value system based on the ignoring even collective interpret something either way, above mentioned concerns for concerns. often taking extreme views. a qualitative existence, again What has compounded Second, our impressionable individually and collectively. the problem further is the mind could be taken for a ride Towards the third step, digital speed that modern by some scheming minds. a being is supposed to be minds have acquired. As a The youths, known for living subjected to formal learning consequence, one lacks the in their fanciful dream world, process, which qualified one patience necessary to invoke but actually lacking in maturity, to become knowledgeable. But one’s faculty of discriminate remain susceptible to such that again would not suffice. intelligence for due diligence. mental vagaries more than For, knowledge could be partial, Following which, one would be others. subject specific. Now, given tempted to impulsively react or Acknowledging this very the sense of duality driving respond on instinctive judgment. human vulnerability, our ancient human mind, the knowledge That may not allow reach out learned masters were conscious acquired remains open to its the root of the problems, but about shaping our future use or misuse. The final step for which one may continue generations well in time, so that was directed towards holistic circuiting on periphery in a bid they do not go astray. The Vedic understanding of the dynamics to look for quick-fix solution. view on the subject calling for of life, which qualified one to be Now, the question before all a step-by-step building up a termed as wise, worth leading conscientious minds be brought being has been spelled out in others towards the right course to reasons by the force of law the following verse:“ Janmana due. alone? Would not sending the Jayate Shudraha; samskarata The irony of the whole ignorant youths to jail turn them dwijau chayete, vedpathi situation in this materialistic into a permanent rebel? We bhaveta vipraha, brahmajanati age is that we seem to have need to resolve this issue before brahmanaha.” lost right of our age old vision it becomes too late. It means: By birth we are of late, the focus has shifted to all ignorant calling for shaping prepare grounds for securing National Literacy each mind in time so that one high earning rather than trying Rate Grows To 69% could steer life with ease and to make a good human being. comfort, the right way. In that In the process, the need to Business Standard, New Delhi spirit, one is supposed to be impart value system has taken 06 April, 2016 given a lesson in “the art of a back stage. Now devoid of a BS Reporter living”, which is tantamount to balanced and a reasoned mind, being born the second time. The any empowerment tool such art of living implies acquiring in as knowledge power that one The literacy rate among the the first place, lessons in civic acquires, remains vulnerable entire population of the country rules. Second, the budding to become a double-edged rose – 4.5 percentage points child is supposed to be given weapon. The sense of ego to 69 percent in 2014 against exposure to the fundamentals that knowledge often breeds in 64.5 percent six years back, of life, vital to smooth run of brings in a feel of all knowing, showed a survey released by life, individually and collectively. whereby one is tempted to the National Sample Survey That included awareness about passionately pursue one’s Organization (NSSO). While the need to remain conscious individualistic interpretation. the latest survey was conducted 128 BUTTERFLIES during January- June 2014, the 2007-08 64.5 Fixing Education previous one was carried out (Jul-Jun) National during July 2007 to June 2008. 2014 Policy’s Failure 69.0 A person who can read and (Jan-Jun) write a simple message in any Mint, New Delhi Rajasthan, which followed language with understanding 20 April, 2016 Bihar in terms of highest is considered literate in NSSO Maya Escueta & Megha Pradhan percentage of illiterate people, surveys. Bihar was the most had 55.3 percent of the state’s laggard state in this regard population as literate, while Reforms in pedagogy having only 49.4 percent of the Uttar Pradesh had 58.3 percent, and school governance population as literate in 2007- in 2007-08. The gap between structures are critical 08. It was the only state to have the two states narrowed down for addressing India’s less than half the population six years later. By June 2014, learning crisis as literate. It has made a as many as 62 percent of tremendous progress, but still The school education the population was literate in it lags other states. In 2014, landscape in India has Rajasthan, while 63 percent nearly 60 percent of the state’s witnessed massive changes was so in UP. The newly-carved population was literate. since the previous National state of Telangana, too, had policy on Education was Only 38.6 percent of females 63 percent of its population as were literate in Bihar eight years formulated in 1986. Speaking literate. Even as the literacy at the National Stocktaking back, which grew to 52 percent rate was more or less the same by 2014. While 59.2 percent Convention on the Right to in Rajasthan and UP, there Education Act recently, vice- of males were literate in 2007- was a gap so far as the female 08 in the state, the proportion president Hamid Ansari voiced education is concerned. In UP, concern that while enrolment improved to 67 percent in the 54 percent of females were latest survey. in elementary education literate, while in Rajasthan, only has increased, education 50 percent were so. Reading the Fine Print outcomes have declined, with Madhya Pradesh made only abilities in reading, writing and a marginal progress in terms other comprehensive skills 2007-08 72.1 of raising its literacy rate in (Jul-Jun) deteriorating among children Male these eight years. In 2007-08, aged 6 to 14 years. As per the 2014 76.0 as much as 63 percent of the (Jan-Jun) latest Annual status of Education state’s population was literate, 2007-08 Report (ASER, 2014), about 56.3 (Jul-Jun) while the percentage rose to 65 half of all class V children in Female 2014 percent by June 2014. rural India were unable to read 62.0 (Jan-Jun) Mizoram topped the list in a simple paragraph or do basic 2007-08 literacy in 2007-08, having just 77.1 math. (Jul-Jun) Urban 12.7 percent of the population This challenge of chronically 2014 80.0 as illiterate. Kerala was a close low learning levels has been (Jan-Jun) second with 86.5 percent of its articulated in the Human 2007-08 60.0 population being literate and (Jul-Jun) Resource Development (HRD) Rural Nagaland had the third slot with ministry’s approach document 2014 65.0 83 percent literate people. (Jan-Jun) to the New Education Policy (NEP), and multiple questions have been posed. How do we ensure that children learn CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 129 basic language and numerical learning level, rather than by per child scheme in Peru and skills? How can technology be age or grade, can help children the Colombian government’s leveraged to provide quality gain basic math’s and reading computers for education school education? are teacher skills quickly. programme, is that access to performance assessments Different versions of technology in and of itself does needed to build a culture of Pratham’s Read India not ensure learning. accountability? What are the programmed based on the School governance: In ways to improve community above teaching-at-the-right- addition to pedagogy, school participation in school level approach have shown governance factors have also management? positive impacts on learning. In- demonstrated some success in These are not new school pullout programmers and moving the needle on learning questions, and while the HRD after-school reading classes led levels. Studies conducted by ministry has turned to extensive by community volunteers have J-PAL affiliated researchers grassroots consultations proven to be successful, as show that incentivizing teacher for solutions, rigorous field have summer camps led jointly presence and effort, and putting research conducted over the by government teachers and in place properly designed past decade can also help volunteers. A recent evaluation monitoring and accountability to precisely answer some of of this programme implemented structures, can lead to these questions. A number of in a classroom setting by significant gains in learning in randomized impact evaluations government school teachers in certain contexts. conducted by researchers rural Haryana, with monitoring In primary schools run by the affiliated with Massachusetts and mentoring support from non-governmental organization Institute of Technology’s Abdul block officials and Pratham Seva Mandir in rural Udaipur, Latif Jameel Poverty Action staff, showed significant monitoring attendance through Lab (J-Pal) provide important improvements in basic Hindi daily photos of the teachers and insights on what works and Skills. This has helped identify linking teachers’ salaries to their what doesn’t work to improve an evidence-backed scalable attendance was found to be learning outcomes of children, model for raising basic literacy effective in improving student which can help build a robust and numeracy skills that can be test scores. Another programme evidence – backed NEP. implemented by government in government schools in rural Pedagogical solutions: school teachers in a government Andhra Pradesh that linked Evidence suggests that one school context. teachers’ pay with their students area of particular promise is Technological solutions test score performance also pedagogical interventions that adapt to the level of led to test score performance aimed at targeting instruction understanding of the child also led to test score gains. to the learning level of the may also be used to ensure However, the design of the child. A fundamental barrier that students gain basic incentive structure is critical; faced by many children in India, competencies in reading and when incentives are tied to and several other developing arithmetic. An evaluation of student learning outcomes, countries, is the wide variation a computer-assisted learning there may be a danger of in learning levels among programme in Gujarat wherein “teaching to the test”, as seen students in the same classroom. children played self-paced in an incentive programme for Randomized impact evaluations math game showed large teachers in Kenya that raised conducted by researchers improvements in student test scores in the short-term over the past 15 years in India, math scores. However, an preparation rather than broader Ghana and Kenya demonstrate important caveat, as shown by improvements in learning. that restructuring classes by evaluations of the One Laptop 130 BUTTERFLIES Recognizing the importance Failure to amend flawed RTE symbolizes congress’s of community participation, RTE Act shows NDA’s faith in heavy-handed, top-down India’s RTE Act mandates the disconnect with its most policies that pay lip service to formation of school manage- articulate supporters idealism while hurting precisely ment committees, but existing those people they are meant to evidence on the effectiveness of As the Modi government help. For a small but strident community monitoring is mixed. approaches its second group of Hindu activists the A study in rural Uttar Pradesh anniversary in office, it’s time law has become synonymous saw that simply informing to ask an increasingly obvious with India’s flawed brand of Village Education Committees question. Is BJP alienating secularism, which hobbles about the quality of government many of the vocal middle class Hindu-run institutions with schools in their village and about supporters who helped power it debilitating regulations while their role and rights did not to office? On social media and cheerfully waiving them for improve education outcomes. In email lists, as well as in person, those run by religious minorities. once ardent fans now complain contrast, a programme in Kenya According to Geeta Kingdon, bitterly about the government. where school management a professor at the University Unsurprisingly, their reasons committees were trained of London, RTE is dragging span a wide spectrum-from and empowered to oversee Indian education backward. government fiddling with recruitment of teachers as It emphasises inputs such as provident fund rules, to the lack well as monitor them showed playgrounds and laboratories of privatization, to flip-flops on positive impact on learning over learning outcomes. By Pakistan. But those chafing outcomes. outlawing detention of students share a common grouse: that Overall, the evidence before eighth grade, the law BJP appears tone deaf to their suggests that well-designed effectively delinks advancement particular concerns. reforms in pedagogy and from educational achievement. Arguably no issue illustrates school governance structures According to NGO Pratham’s this disconnect between politics are critical to address India’s highly regarded Annual Status and policy better than the failure learning crisis. Going ahead, as of Education Report, between to fix possibly UPA’s single worst new solutions to this problem 2010 and 2014 the percentage law: the 2009 Right to Education emerge, it is important to of rural children in grade four Act. The Modi government’s not only carefully ascertain capable of double – digit inaction illustrates a deeper their impact through rigorous subtraction dropped from 58% malaise in the party – a lack of research, but also ensure to 40%. Fourthgraders able to original ideas a weak bench of that as different models and read a first grade text fell from leaders, and an overreliance on innovations are evaluated and 68% to 56%. bureaucrats. As one prominent validated, lessons learnt from In effect, RTE has recreated BJP leaning intellectual said to them find their way into our the dreaded licensee-permit me in exasperation, “this is an national policies in a timely raj in education. School IAS government supported from manner. administrators need to outside by BJP”. worry more about pleasing On the face of it, amending bureaucrats – who have the Modi’s Middle RTE ought to have been high power to shut down schools for Class Muddle on Modi’s to-do list. Animus non-compliance with a list of towards the law unites two onerous and often unrealistic The Times of India, New Delhi disparate groups that broadly requirements than about 23 April, 2016 backed BJP two years ago. attracting students by improving Sadanand Dhume For many market liberals, CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 131 the quality of instruction. had naturally hoped that with Perhaps those who view politics Hardest hit have been small, Modi in charge India would through the prism of policy, private schools that educate embrace the Gujarat Model. rather than identity, simply poor students at affordable Instead the government lack the numbers to matter. rates. The National Independent has appointed a five – person Nonetheless, only a foolish Schools Alliance estimates that committee – to come up with a party willfully alienates its most more than 5500 schools have new education policy, due at the vocal and articulate backers. been forced to close since the end of this month. Few experts The sooner BJP gets off this law came into effect six years who track this issue believe bewildering path, the greater its ago. At least another 15000 Modi will embrace the deep- odds of winning them back. have been threatened with rooted education reform India closure. Some schools survive needs. Researching only by paying inspectors to look Unfortunately, this Education the other way at their inability to absence of policy nous meet right requirements such as reflects a pattern. Lacking the Mint, New Delhi a teacher – students ratio of 1 intellectual infrastructure to 28 April, 2016 to 30 or a minimum bachelor of think through policies on its Anurag Behar education qualification to teach own, BJP often just toes the sixth grade. Congress line, even when Thanks to India’s populist this explicitly goes against the Almost everyone agrees that discourse, few politicians would party’s own stand in opposition we need good research to help risk a frontal assault on RTE and outrages its supporters. improve education. There are for fear of being labeled “anti- Last year, Communications two kinds of research that can education”. Instead, the Centre and Information Technology be done and have been done. for Civil Society, a New Delhi Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad The first one asks research – based think tank, proposes backed UPA’s hated Article questions from within the field a “Right to Learning” law that 66A curbing internet freedom. of education. This is informed would emphasis actual learning By initially baulking at One by educational thought and outcomes for children rather Rank One Pension for soldiers, epistemic issues, the aims of than a disembodied vision of the government needlessly education and its practices, and what a school ought to look upset another core group of the perspectives of the students, like. A new approach could also supporters. The finance ministry teachers and communities include skilling for trades such lurches each month from one involved. The second kind takes as carpentry and welding to tax snafu to the next. the aims, concerns and practices make graduating student more Nor is BJP exactly of education for granted, and employable in the real world. brimming with administrative investigates issues in education Ironically, Modi’s Gujarat was talent. Few can match Smriti from the perspective of to their once widely praised for dodging Irani’s eloquence as a party disciplines. The anchors and the RTE bullet. Regulators in spokesperson. But, to put it lenses of such research is of the state effectively turned the gently, she has not exactly that discipline and other areas law upside down by assessing distinguished herself as of social policy, not the field of most of a school’s performance Minister for Human Resources education. This kind may also by how much its students learnt Development. have relevance and is usually rather than by whether the The political ramifications done by economists, political school complied with a lengthy of this brush off to middle class scientists, sociologists and list of required inputs. Those supporters remains to be seen. scholars from similar intellectual leading the fight against RTE backgrounds. In our present 132 BUTTERFLIES Indian context, there is too little How does a teacher deal the aims, values and concerns of the former and so the second with this situation? How can she of education revealed by the kind gets disproportionate be effective as an educator? first set. The kinds of questions attention of policymakers and How does she tackle the issue that emerge are, for example, the public. Since education is of multiple languages? How how can the capacity of our 8.5 not the primary perspective does she provide required million teachers, who have a of such research, it also often support to those children acing full-time job, be improved within focuses on issues of peripheral the most acute deprivation? the constraints and diversity importance to the reality of What are her struggles in doing of our education system and education. all this, day after day, for years? social reality? How does For research to help What support does she require community reengagement with educational policy and practice, and how can we make that school become effective? How in improving the educational happen? How can she deal can schools foster constitutional experience and attainment more effectively with the local values? How should schools be of the millions of students in community? These are some of governed, recognizing fully that our schools, we need to pay the most important questions. simplistic, industrial-mindset adequate attention to the first That’s because education in governance mechanisms are kind of research. This requires India will improve or stagnate not only ineffective but also focus on understanding two in the reality of the teacher and harmful to good education? How important elements in our her students. do we deal with the rot in the education system. Firstly, the There is no one right answer pre-service teacher education teacher. to any of these questions. There system? These and other Most teachers in India deal are likely to be multiple valid important questions in Indian with student groups that present approaches, influenced by the education are mostly about complex challenges. A typical particular mix of factors in any how”, which is why immersion situation is where a teacher context, which in itself may in practice and reality are has to work with a group of 30- change over time. Given the critical to developing relevant odd children, in the age group extreme variability and fluidity of understanding. of 6 to 10. That means she education because of its social Individual educators and is teaching students across human nature, there can be no organizations, who have Classes I to V together. A large definitive universally applicable grappled with these questions, number of these children would answers to such questions. have developed a deep and have parents who have never However , with experience nuanced understanding. Some gone to school: and even for and rigorous reflection, one have conducted systematic others, the brutal struggle for can arrive at relevant (let’s call inquiry and so have been able livelihood leaves little possibility them) operating principles that to abstract the experience into of educational support at home. can help in flexibly responding shareable knowledge. However, In most cases, the language to multiple contexts and in comparison to the multitude that the child knows is different situations. Given our dynamic of these matters and their from the language used as social reality, even these need complexity, such inquiry has the medium of instruction at constant critical interrogation. been minuscule in India. With the school. For many of these The second set of questions a few notable exceptions, the children, the only full meal is the requires a deep understanding field of education in India faces mid-day meal provided by the of education systems in their extreme paucity of research on school. Before and after school, complex social setting. This its most relevant questions. most of them are engulfed with research has to take account Research in education must their share of daily chores. of, seriously and with empathy, focus on the real and important CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 133 issues within education. This belonging to disadvantaged the scope and magnitude requires educators themselves group, have basic entitlement of OOSC, the document on to become adept at asking and within the ambit of Fundamental clarifications of provisions answering research questions, Rights under the Right to of RTE Act appropriately rigorously and systematically. If Education Act. says that “a majority of out- educators take responsibility for For instance, a child with of-school children belong to research, it will definitely cause disability has the same rights disadvantaged communities: a quiet revolution in education to pursue free and compulsory scheduled castes, scheduled research and education itself. elementary education which tribes, Muslim minorities, Anurag Behar is the children with disabilities have migrants, children with special chief executive officer of under the provisions of Chapter needs, urban deprived children, AzimPremji Foundation and V of Person with Disabilities working children, children leads sustainability initiatives (Equal Opportunities, Protection in difficult circumstances for for Wipro Ltd. He writes every of Rights and Full Participation) example, those living in difficult fortnight on issues of ecology Act, 1995. In case of OOSC, a terrain, children from displaced and education. child above 6 years who has families, areas affected by civil not been admitted in any school strife, etc.” Education Still or, though admitted, couldn’t The overall objective of complete his/her elementary age appropriate admission Eludes The education, shall be admitted in for these children is to save Disadvantaged a class appropriate to his or her them from the humiliation and age. embarrassment of sitting with Deccan Herald, New Delhi Provided that where a child younger children. When older 30 April, 2016 is directly admitted in a class children are forced to sit in a Niranjanaradhya VP appropriate to his or her age, class younger than their age, then, he or she shall, in order to they tend to be teased, taunted, suffer lower self-esteem, and Even after 6 years of the be at par with others, have a right consequently drop out. The Act implementation of the RTE Act, to receive special training. The also facilitates a child admitted not all children have come back child so admitted to elementary to an age appropriate class to to schools. education shall be entitled to be given Special Training to The Right of Children to Free free and compulsory education enable him or her to be at par and Compulsory Education Act, till completion of elementary with other children. 2009, has completed 6 years of education even after 14 years. Given the varied life its implementation and entered Under section 9(k) of the Act, experiences of these children, the seventh year. Section 3(1) the local authority has the it is recognized in the field of of the Act promises right to free responsibility of ensuring the education that their mental and compulsory education to admission of children belonging capabilities are higher than that all children up to the age of 14 to migrant families. of entry level 6 year old children years in a neighborhood school. The significance of and that they are indeed capable Section 3(3), Section 4 mainstreaming all these of accelerated learning. and Section 9(e) of the Act categories of children is lucidly explained in the manual respectively provide for the A distant dream education of children with uploaded on the Ministry of special needs, out-of-school Human Resource Development In order to enable all children (OOSC) and migrant (MOHRD) website that OOSC to complete 8 years of children. All these children, provides for clarification on elementary education, there is provisions. While explaining 134 BUTTERFLIES a provision for them to continue Abhiyan, the number of OOSC As on today, the number of their education beyond age 14. in 2010-11 was 39,841, of which OOSC in the state is 9468. The However, even after 6 year of the non-school going was 5720 top 3 districts having the highest completing the implementation and out-of-school was 34121. number of OOSC are Bellary of the RTE Act, not all The number shot up to 168621 (2018) Bengaluru South (1462) children have been brought in 2014-15. What is astonishing and Mysuru (1002). Similary, into mainstream schools. As is that in 2015-16, the number the top 3 districts/towns with a result, the right of all these has magically comedown to lowest number of OOSC are children to free and compulsory 12878. As per the SSA report, Bagalakote (24), Ramanagar quality education still remains a 10602 children out of 12878 (18) and Madhugiri (17). It is distant dream. children were brought back into needless to comment on these In Karnataka, as per the mainstream education as on statistics. data given by Sarva Shiksha March 31, 2016. In this scenario, it is of utmost urgency that the authorities responsible for the effective responsible for the effective implementation of the RTE Act, and thereby of ensuring right to education of all children, take a step forward and vigilantly work towards the realization of the essence of the legislation and enable all children to attain one of their most fundamental rights. It is laudable that the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) in association with the centre for child and the Law, NLSIU, has taken up a massive campaign called ‘Shale Kade- NannaNade: Education is my fundamental Right’ to bring back all OOSC into mainstream education. This campaign needs to be translated into a genuine movement by bringing people from all walks of life – be it teachers, students, workers, youth, farmers, women, Dalit, people’s movement and networks – to join hands with the KSCPCR to bring back all children into mainstream education. CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 135 GIRL CHILD Counting The Girls, Literally Counting the girls, literally 136 Business Line Business Line, New Delhi 13 February, 2016 ugha cnyh lksp % iwtrs gSa nsoh vkSj ekjrs gSa csfV;ka 137 When Raj Bala from Rohtak Hazaar Campaign to make us”kuy nqfu;k district drove a Haryana Road- women more visible in public State govts need to do much ways bus for the first time, places, Bala hopes others will more for daughter’s sake 139 The Tribune she was greeted with raised follow in her footsteps and make eyebrows and disapproving their mark. looks from the community that has one of the lowest sex ratios Spreading the net wide. in the country, with its female Mission Hazaar that started population at 859 per 1,000 in the four districts of Panipat, male, in 2015. Sonipat, Rohtak and Jhajjar Luckily, Bala’s family stood in 2012, uses a multi-pronged steadfast behind her, nudging approach to change people’s the mother-of-one to ignore mindsets and better the sex the jibes and become the first ratio. To multiply its impact professional woman bus driver and make the campaign touch of the area. as many people as possible, “They were my breakthrough has made use of strength,”recalls balal as media, technology any cultural she introduces her 63-year- activities. old mother kaladevi, and her It has also involved 15-year-old daughter Anjali. “ grassroots level Accredited I faced a lot of problems, but Social Health Activist (ASHA) I always wanted to be a bus and anganwadi workers, school driver. They helped me achieve children and the local youth. it.” “The idea was to address One of the several women gender discrimination at various from the state felicitated by levels and impact families to the human rights organization, make better decisions when breakthrough, during its Mission women get pregnant, and later 136 BUTTERFLIES after the girl child is born,” gender-biased sex selection has the iceberg, say Breakthrough says Leena Sushant, Director always been grave; youth could representatives. But they hope Evaluation and Monitoring at never identify itself with this as they go along their rural Breakthrough. issue. However, by establishing campaign from district to district An effective intervention, the relationship between lack of and state to state, they will she explain, has been the girls, with women’s safety and eventually be able to change formation of youth clubs in restrictions on their mobility, mindsets and concluder to schools in partnership with the Breakthrough was successful Mission Hazaar. state government. in drawing the attention of Christened Taaron ki Toli youth and turn it into an issue (band of stars), the clubs serve of masses,” says the staff. So ugha cnyh lksp % as inspirational platforms for now when households serve children from 10 years onwards. sweets and offer prayers only at iwtrs gSa nsoh vkSj The clubs hold theatre, music, the birth of a son, while a girl’s magic shows and discussions arrival goes unnoticed, children ekjrs gSa csfV;ka to train the youth to recognize don’t remain quite; but often us”kuy nqfu;k] ubZ fnYyh gender bias and help to take question their families pointing 14 ekpZ] 2016 action if gender discrimination out the gross discrimination. happens in their immediate Working along with the state environment. government’s department of ;w arks vkt gj dksbZ csVk&csVh dks The customized ‘stars’ logo women and child and involving cjkcj dk ntkZ nsus dh ckr dgrk that school children across the the ASHAs, the Auxiliary Nurse gS] ysfdu gdhdr eas rks ,slk ugha districts sport on their jackets Midwifes (ANMs) and the gSA ;g lc ckrs rc [kks[kyh gksrh gives them a unique identity workers in the campaign seems gS] tc fdlh ds ?kj esa csVh dk tUe and urges them through various to have paid off. While the local fun activities to be the “change commissioners, department gksrk gS rks ifjokj ds lnL;ksa ds psgjs makers” and “action heroes” of heads and the police actively yVd tkrs gSaA mudh mnklh ls lkQ society. contributed to taking the tkfgj gks tkrk gS fd csVk&csVh dks The new awareness of message forward, the ASHAS cjkcj le>us ds nkos dsoy yksxksa ds gender stereotyping plays a were crucial to identify pregnant chp Mhax gkadus ds fy, gh gksrs gSA role in the youth questioning women and urge them to avoid csVk & csVh ,d leku ds ukjksa ds gender related practices at sex selection. ckotwn yksxksa dh lksp vHkh cnyh ugha home, in school and in the Manat, one of the workers, community, explains Sonali tells the story of how she found gSA vka[ks [kksyus ls igys gh uotkr khan, Breakthrough’s country out that a family was planning a cfPp;ksa dks mis{kk lguh iM+rh gSA director, India. sex selection exercise. tSls&tSls csVh cM+h gksrh] mldks ;g While evaluating the She convinced the woman lek>k;k tkrk gS fd ;g ?kj rqEgkjk progress of Mission Hazaar, and other family members ugha gS] rqEgsa ijk;s ?kj esa tkuk gSA bl Leena’s team came across through several meetings rjg dh ckrsa yM+fd;ksa esa ghu Hkkouk Prerna, a class VIII student and exposing them to media from Jhajjar, who revealed how campaigns to change their iSnk djrh gSa vkSj og mis{kk dks viuk she gave secret tutorial classes minds. “It worked,” says Leena ulhc le> ysrh gSaA og vius HkkbZ ds to a neighborhoods girl who whose department has turned eqdkcys de feyus okyh lqfo/kk,a vkSj was not being educated by her the episode into a research eku&lEeku dks viuk ulhc le> family. case study. dj lgu djus yxrh gSaA irk ugha “The problem of Of course it is only the tip of D;ksa] gekjk lekt yM+fd;ksa dks cks> CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 137 le>rk gSA gj eka&cki dk ;g uSfrd okyh dU;kvksa dks tUe ysus ls igys gSjr dh ckr gS fd vHkh rd gekjs drZO; gS fd og viuh csVh dks fdlh gh ekSr ds eaqg es /kdsy fn;k tkrk ifjokjksa esa vk”khokZn ugha cnys gSaA ?kj Hkh ek;us esa de u le>sa vkSj mldk gSA xkSjryc gS fd dU;k Hkzw.k gR;k dh cgw dks ;gh vk”khokZn fn;k tkrk gS ykyu&ikyu mlh rjg djsa tSlk fd ds ekeys esa iatkc vOoy gSA izns”k esa fd rqe nw/kks ugkvks] iwrks Qyks] Hkxoku og vius csVs dk djrh gSA yM+fd;ksa dh tUe nj ?kVrh tk jgh rqEgsa pkan lk csVk ns] gesa iksrs dk eqag Ikzkphu dky ls gh yksx csfV;ksa gSA ;fn ;gh fLFkfr jgh] rks vkus okys dc fn[kk jgh gksA D;ks dHkh fdlh dks cks> le>rs vk, gSaA vk”p;Ztud le; us ns”k esa nks djksM+ rhl yk[k us ;g dgrs lquk gS fd gesa iksrh dk ckr ;g gS fd csfV;ksa dks xHkZ esa ekjus yM+dks dks fookg ds fy, yM+fd;k eqag dc fn[kkvksxh] Hkxoku rqEgsa pkan esa lekt dk og rcdk lcls vkxs gS ugha feyssaxhA lh iksrh nsA bldk dkj.k ;gh gS fd tks vius dks f”kf{kr dgrk gSA xjhc mYys[kuh; rF; ;g gS fd vkt csfV;ksa ds fo’k; esa gekjh lkekftd vkSj vui<+ yksx Hkzw.k gR;k ds iki ds foKku ds bl ;qx esa cs”kd lkbal /kkj.kk,a ugha cnyh gSA csfV;ksa dks esa mrus fyIr ugha jgrs gSa ftrus fd us dkQh rjDdh dj yh gS] ysfdu vkt Hkh cks> o ijk;k /ku ghle>k i<+s&fy[ks yksxA blds vykok dU;k gekjs lekt esa yM+fd;ksa ds eqdkcys tkrk gSaA csfV;ksa ds tUe ysus ls igys Hkzw.k gR;k ds ekeys esa efgykvksa dh yM+dksa dks gh vPNk ekuk tk jgk gSA gh mUgas eka ds xHkZ esa ekj fn;k tkrk lgefr Hkh nq[kn gSA dgrs gSa fd firk vkt yM+fd;ka yM+dks ds eqdkcys gj gSA lu 1984 esa ;g dkuwu cuk;k x;k cuuk ,d cM+h ckr gS vkSj vf/kdrj {ks= esa vkxs tk jgh gSaA ysfdu lekt Fkk fd eka ds xHkZ esa iyus okys cPps ds firkvksa dk eu rc rd jkth gh ugha dh rjQ ls yM+fd;ksa ds izfr ut+fj;k fyax dks tkuuk fd og csVk gS ;k csVh gksrk] tc rd iq= dh izkfIr ugha gks vHkh [kkl cnyk ughsa gSA Hkzw.k gR;k xSj&dkuwuh gSA ysfdu yksx ljsvke tkrhA iqf=;ksa ds firk dk eu eqj>k;k d+ks jksdus ds fy;s ljdkj dh vksj ls vYVªklkmaM VsLV djok dj csfV;ksa dk lk jgrk gSA ,slk ugha fd lkjs firk l[r fgnk;rsa Hkh tkjh gSa fd fyax xHkiZkr djok jgs gSaA ,sls gksa] ysfdu ,sls firk yk[kksa esa fu/kZkj.k VsLV u fd, tk,a vkSj ;fn ;g lHkh tkurs gSa fd iatkc esa ,dk/k gh gksrs gSa tks viuh iqf=;ksa ls dksbZ ,slk djsxk rks mls tsy dh dSn dU;k Hkzw.k gR;k dkQh o’kksZ ls gks jgh Hkh mrus gh larq’V jgrs gSa] ftruk fd vkSj tqekZuk Hkh gks ldrk gS] ysfdu gS] ysfdu vkt rd dksbZ Hkh MkDVj iq=ksa lsA ,d rjQ iq:’k dsoy iq= ,slk lc dqN gksusa ds ckn Hkh yM+fd;ksa fxj¶rkj gqvk gks vkSj mls ltk gqbZ dk firk cuus esa xoZ eglwl djrs gSa ds izfr joS;s esa dksbZ rCnhyh ut+j ugha gks] ,slk ,d Hkh mnkgj.k laHkor% gekjs vkSj nwljh rjQ efgyk,a bl ekeys esa vk jgh gSA vkt Hkh gekjs ifjokjksa esa lkeus ugha gSA blfy,] ,d rks Hkzw.k vius ifr dk Hkjiwj lkFk nsrh gSaA pkgs iq= izkfIr ds fy, T;knk cPps iSnk gR;k laca/kh dkuwuksa dks l[r cukus fny ls nsa ;k fQj fdlh etcwjh esaA djus dh :fp izcy :i esa ikbZ tk dh t+:jr gS vkSj nwljh t+:jr yksxksa Jh xq: ukud nso th us ikap jgh gSA ns[kk tk, rks izkbosV vLirkyksa esa lkekftd psruk] lkekftd cjkcjh lfn;ksa igys vius “kCn dh “kfDr ls esa fyax VsLV vc Hkh can ugha gq, cfYd vkSj ekufld fodkl dh gSA yksxksa dks vkSjr dh gLrh ds ckjs esa muds jsV c<+ x, gSaA nqHkZkX; ls vHkh cM+s “keZ dh ckr gS fd ftl tkx:d dj fn;k Fkk] ysfdu iq:’k Hkh cgqr ls izkbosV vLirkyksa esa Hkzw.k ns”k esa nsfo;ka iwth tkrh gSa] ogka iz/kku lekt vkt Hkh yM+fd;ksa dks[k gR;k yxkrkj gks jgh gSA bl /ka/ks esa ij yM+fd;ka tUe ds igys gh ekj es gh nQu djok jgk gSaA ges ;g equkQk gh equkQk gS vkSj bl equkQs nh tkrh gSaA vYVªklkmaM ds tfj, le> ysuk pkgh, fd dU;k Hkzw.k gR;k dks ns[krs gq, fiNys dqN lkyksa esa bl ;g tku fy;k tkrk gS fd dks[k esa ls c<+dj dksbZ iki ugha gSA ;g ,d rjg dk ijh{k.k djus okys Dyhfudksa iy jgk cPpk yM+dk gS ;k yM+dhA xSj&dkuwuh flyflyk gS tks rsth ls dh la[;k dkQh c<+ xbZ gSA yqdfNi yM+dh gksus ij mUgsa ekj fn;k tkrk c<+ jgk gSA Hkkjr esa izfro’kZ 70 yk[k dj bu Dyhfudksa }kjk xHkZ dh tkap gSA Hkkjrh; fpfdRlk la?k ¼vkbZ-,e-,-½ ls T;knk xHkZikr voS/k :Ik ls gks jgs dh tk jgh gSA ns”k dk dkuwu ,d dk dguk gS fd Hkzw.k gR;kvksa ds gSaA ,d djksM+ chl yk[k tUe ysus va/kk vkStkj cu dj jg x;k gSA ihNs tgkyr] fnekxh fnokfy;kiu] 138 BUTTERFLIES xjhch vkSj csdkjh dks dkj.k ekuk tk were sealed every year. The say sources. Among the states ldrk gSA bl otg ls fyax vuqikr gender ratio in the country is most proactive in terms of rsth ls xM+cM+krk tk jgk gSA oSls 940 females for every 1,000 court cases are Rajasthan rks ljdkj bl vijk/k dks fu;af=r males. and Maharashtra followed by Under the Pre-Conception Haryana and Punjab. djus ds fy, dqdqjeqRrksa dh rjg and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Haryana and Punjab, with mx vk, vYVªklkmaM fDyfudksa ij Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, the lowest child gender ratio /kM+Yys ls Nkis ekjus dh dkjZokbZ dj 1994, a mere 54,616 ultrasound in the country at 830 and 846 jgh gSA ijarq fQj Hkh Hkzw.k gR;kvksa dk clinics have been registered so respectively, need to do much flyflyk yxkrkj tkjh gh gSA /;ku far and of the 2,152 court cases more to address the problem. In nsus ;ksX; ckr ;g gS fd iqfyl vkSj lodged for violation, only 306 Haryana just 1,766 ultrasound ended for violation, only 306 the PNDT Act and in Punjabi lsgr foHkkx }jk Hkzw.k gR;k ds f[kykQ ended up in convictions. The 1,447. cus dkuwu ds mYya?ku ds egt dqN data was put forth at a meeting ekey gh ntZ fd, tkrs gSa tcfd of the Central Supervisor Board fLFkfr rks csgn xaHkhj gSA set up by the Health Ministry. “The Registration of ultrasound State Govts Need clinics remains shockingly low. We have repeatedly asked To Do Much More the states to monitor gender For Daughter’s selection and conduct raids on Sake ultrasound clinics. Who can believe there are just 54,616 such clinics in India?” an official The Tribune, New Delhi observed. 14 April, 2016 The data shows that the Aditi Tandon license of just 100 erring doctors have been cancelled Prime Minister Narendra or suspended. “The problem Modi’s flagship programme was grave enough for the PM “Beti Bachao” face its first reality to launch ‘Beti Bachao, Beti check with the latest national Padhao’ programme. The data revealing that only 1,573 ground situation is a wake-up ultrasound machines have call,” another official said. been sealed in 22 years of the Major amendments to anti-gender selection law. This the (PCPNDT) Act are being means, 71 ultrasound machines debated in the Health Ministry, PNDT ACT : WHERE THE REGION STANDS Machine State Clinic Court Cases Convictions Sealed Haryana 1766 146 241 63 Punjab 1447 142 14 30 Himachal 264 1 0 1 J & K 378 6 71 1 Uttarakhand 566 41 10 1 CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 139 CHILDREN ^fMftVy bafM;k* dh jkg esa :dkoV & MEDIA gS^daI;wVj fuj{kjrk* ^fMftVy bafM;k* dh jkg esa :dkoV nSfud tkxj.k] ubZ fnYyh gS^ daI;wVj fuj{kjrk* 140 01 vizsy] 2016 nSfud tkxj.k gfjfd”ku “kekZ Hkkjr Hkys gh nqfu;k dh vkbVh Hkh de gSA ogh xzkeh.k {ks=ksa esa daI;wVj lqij ikoj gksus dk nkok djs ysfdu ij dke djus esa yksxksa dk izfr’kr ns’k ds cgqla[;d ;qokvksa dh daI;wVj ek= 7 8 çfr’kr gSA gkykafd ‘kgjksa fuj{kjrk bl nkos dh gdhdr c;ka dh fLFkfr bl laca/k esa xkao ls FkksM+h djrh gSA gky ;g gS fd vxj ;qokvksa csgrj gS vkSj ogka 28 çfr’kr yksx dks daI;wVj lk{kjrk fnykus ds fy, daI;wVj ij oMZ Qkby ls okfdQ gSa ç;kl ugh gq, rks ,u,l,lvks dh vksj ls ^fMftVy bafM;k* ds ljdkjks ds tuojh&twu 2014 ds chp fd, x, vjekuksa ij ikuh fQj ldrk gSA losZ dj fjiksZV ds vuqlkj ns’k esa ek= Lkjdkj dh rktk fjiksZV cRkkrh gS 13-5 Qhln gh yksx baVjusV ij lpZ fd 14 ls 29 lky ds ;qokvksa esa ls djus esa l{ke gSA xzkeh.k {ks= esa lpZ nks frgkbZ ;qok daI;wVj ij dke djus djus esa l{ke ykxksa dk Qhln cgqr esa l{ke ugha gSA bLLks Hkh fparktud de ¼7-3 ½ çfr’kr gSA ogha ns’k esa ckr ;g gS fd 14 lky ls vf/kd mez ek= 12-4 çfr’kr yksx gh baVjusV dh vkcknh esa 88 Qhln yksx baVjusV ls bZ&esy Hkstus esa l{ke gSA Xkako esa dk bLrseky dj viuk bZesy Hkh ugha rks bZ&esy Hkstus esa l{ke yksxksa dk Hkst ldrsA çfr’kr vkSj de gSA Xkako esa ek= lk 140 BUTTERFLIES daI;wVj ugha pyk ldrkA blh rjg yy flQZ 14 Qhln yksx oMZ Qkby ls 30 ls 45 o”kZ ds vk;q oxZ esa Hkh ij dke djus esa l{ke yxHkx 90 çfr’kr yksx daI;wVj ugha yy ek= 13-5 çfr’kr baVjusV ij lPkZ pyk ldrsA djus esa l{ke D;k fMfTkVy cuus dks yy flQZ 12-4 Qhln baVjusV ij rS;kj gS bafM;k\ bZesy Hkstus esa le{k yy ,u,l,lvks dh fjiksZV Eksa [kqyklk yy ns”k dh nks frgkbZ ;qok vkcknh daI;wVj pykus esa l{ke ugha CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 141 HEALTH Centre Aims To Make Deworming Plan A Centre aims to make deworming plan National Initiative, Cover 27Cr Children. a national initiative, The Times of India, Mumbai cover 27cr children. 142 10 February, 2016 The Times of Iindia Sushmi Dey Egg not needed in mid day meals 143 The Times of Iindia In a move that would benefit world with over 22 crore children Understanding a child’s right in the age group of 1-14 years at to nutrition 144 over 27 crore children across Millennium Post the country, the health ministry risk of worm infection. Globally, Decline in social sector has expanded its deworming more than 1.5 billion people or expenditure 146 programme to convert it into a 24% of the world’s population Millennium Post national initiative and target as suffer from worm infections. One in 12 Delhi children suffers many as 536 districts across Parasitic worms, or soil- from asthma 147 the country in the next one transmitted helminthes, are Hindustan Times year. The central government among the most common One in 8 Children suffers from TB programme was earlier limited infections worldwide. Doctors in Delhi, docs say better diagnosis to 277 districts in 11 high burden say worms can cause anaemia, behind high figures. 148 Hindustan Times states and achieved a coverage under-nutrition and can also of nine crore children during lead to impairment of mental 2015. and physical development. Given the huge burden of “In our country, worm worm infection in India, the infestation is a major problem government has decided to because it contributes to ramp up the programme which persistent iron deficiency was launched in February last which in turn leads to poor year. Apart from a geographical brain development,” said expansion of the programme, Dr. Nishant Wadhwa, paediatric it would also include increase gastreoenterologist in Ganga in number of health workers Ram hospital. According to and consultants involved in the Dr. Wadhwa, most children in initiative. the first five years of life have Indian has the highest less iron content, while this is number of soil transmitted in the the time when most of the brain 142 BUTTERFLIES development process takes sanitation, these eggs corruption is easier to place. “Mothers also play a very contaminate the soil. control. Finally, eggs are important role. Over 60% of yy Worms can cause anaemia, very popular among school mothers are iron deficient and under nutrition and can also and anganwadi children. therefore, infants are born with lead to impairment of mental yy Under the ICDS programme, meager iron store, “he said. and physical development. pregnant women are given Doctors say worm infestation Soil transmitted eggs to improve their is less responsible for helminths(parasite), nutrition. Lactating mothers malnutrition, anaemia, overall transmitted by eggs that are and children up to three development and recurrent passed in faeced of infected years are given eggs in abdomen pain. The government people, most common cause anganwadis in at least nine has also joined hands with for infections worldwide. states. international organizations like the WHO to scale up the Gujarat’s Measure:- programme. Health minister ‘Egg not needed in Government provides JP Nadda said, “The National mid-day meals’ take-home rations, fruits, Deworming Initiative will milk as well as breakfast to mobilize health personnel, state anganwadi children, besides governments and other stake The Times of India, Ahmedabad 11 February, 2016 giving supplementary food to holders to prioritize investment malnourished children. in control of Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections – one Reasons Why Eggs are Number of eggs served of the most common infections.” every week to students Project Target : 27 cr children good in other states yy Govt. to target 27 crore yy Eggs are an important chidlren in 536 districts source of fat which is J & K 1 across the country under essential for children. Fat Bihar 1 National Deworming raise calorie intake and Assam 2 Initiative 2016 facilitates absorption of Arunachal 3 yy In 2015, the government other nutrients. Its important covered around 9 crore Pradesh for brain development. Tripura 2 children in 277 districts for y y There are vegetarian Jharkhand 3 deworning options that can match eggs yy Parasitic worms, or soil Odhisha 2 in protein content, soya in Telagana 2 transmitted helminths (STH) one such example, in case are among the most common Andhra Pradesh 2 of calcium for instance there Puducherry 2 infections worldwide is milk. But eggs provide yy India has the highest burden Tamil Nadu 5 all nutrients vitamin A, iron, Kerala 1 of soil transmitted helminths calcium and fat. in the world, with 22 crore yy Eggs have longer shelf- children aged 1-14 at risk of life than milk or bananas State govt Tells SC worm infections and eggs cannot be diluted Ahmedabad : In response to yy Adult worms, which live or adulterated like milk or a public interest litigation (PIL) in the intestine, produce pules. asking for implementation of thousand of eggs each day. yy Provision of eggs can National Food Security Act in In areas that lack adequate be monitored easily and Gujarat, the state government CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 143 has submitted to the Supreme Understanding A The centre is near the tribal Court that there is no need to village of Motitarhi, a remote provide eggs to children, as part Child’s Right To hamlet in a remote corner of of the mid-day meal scheme Nutrition Haveli Kharagpur—a backward in the state. The PIL has been block along the river Ganga in filed by NGO SwarajAbhiyan, Millennium Post, New Delhi Munger district of Bihar. This which also asked that milk and 03 March, 2016 area, along with neighbouring eggs should be provided for Atindra Nath Das villages of Dudhpaniya and schoolchildren under the mid- Kenduatarhi, has made it to the day meal scheme. headlines several times in the While there has been Gujrat is largely a vegetarian recent past for extremist political an improvement in the sate. The high number of activities. overall health children, the malnourished children is a cause Motitarhi is one among annual rate of progression of concern, but stakeholders the 630,000 Indian Village is disappointingly slow. say people would not accept the which have no doubt seen What can we do better to state introducing any measure significant improvement in improve their lives? to put eggs on the plates of kids. household incomes, agricultural Gujarat’s minister for The age group of 0-6 years productivity and child survival. education, NanuVanani, told TOI lays the foundation for the Between 1990 and 2014, as the that the state has communicated growth of children into healthy income of the average Indian to the Suprem Court that mid- and production adults. An rose by an annual average rate day meals offered to children emphasis on proper nutrition is of 4.7 percent, crop yields of all in government schools has crucial for a child as 80 percent food grains rose by 2.3 percent adequate nutrition. of brain development takes and 2.5 percent fewer children “There is no need to provide place during this period. This died in the first five years of their eggs in mid-day meals, as the involves a commitment to both life. And despite these figures, meals are adequate in nutrition”, children and their mothers. India still remains home to over said Vanani. The intergenerational cycle of 40 million stunted children and Commissioner of the mid- under-nutrition ensures that an 17 million wasted children under day meal scheme in Gujarat, undernourished mother gives the age of five. Sunil Doli, said children are birth to an undernourished child, A recent study by Public given pulses to supplement causing cumulative growth and Health Foundation of India protein requirement. development deficits which are shows that child declining, first “Only 10 percent of children largely irreversible in nature. at a slow rate between 1992 and belong to families who eat non- A bunch of young children 2006, and then at an accelerated veg food. There is no scope chanted their morning rhymes pace in the last eight years. of giving eggs, as it would under the supervision of a However, these improvements backfire”, said Chandu Joshi, middle-aged lady. Khickri, the are still lagging behind the rate former president of the Gujarat main item on their lunch menu, required to meet the global goal State Primary Teacher’s was simmering away at some which India is a signatory to Association. distance. This small rented between 2006 and 2014 in India, Health Activists, however, house, with a sunken roof the stunting rate for children say that ‘one formula fits all’ is and small windows, has been below the age of five declined not a good policy decision. home to the lntegrated Child from 48 percent to 39 percent. Development services (ICDS) This decline in the prevalence centre for the past few years. of stunting has resulted in 14 million fewer stunted children, 144 BUTTERFLIES and the decline in wasting has Karnataka, Goa, and Sikkim. development deficits which are translated into more than 7 Mission Indradhanush, largely irreversible in nature. million fewer wasted children. the national initiative, aims Ensuring a healthy start for This, in turn, is reflected in a to achieve full immunization children in this age group 23-percent reduction in the coverage, which seems to requires a multi-dimensional number of stunted children be a distant dream in light of approach centred around and a 35-percent reduction the status of immunization nutrition, comprehensive in the number of underweight revealed by NFHS. In eight immunization and medical care, children. Despite this progress, out of 11 states, one of three pre and post-natal healthcare child under-nuttrition rates in children does not receive full for mothers while focusing India are among the highest in immunization. Further analysis on social development and the world, with nearly half of tall shows that these states capacity building. children under three years of have failed to increase their Recognising the crucial age being either underweight or immunization coverage even by importance of a holistic stunted. 2 percent per year. emphasis on the age group Recent National Family Indian represents one 0-6, the Integrated child Health Survey (NFHS) data also of the largest numbers of Development Services (ICDS) reveals that nine of 11 states malnourished children in the Scheme, a centrally sponsored have not been able to reduce world and performs dismally national flagship scheme of the infant mortality rate even by on all child nutrition indicators. the government of India, aims 2 percentage points annually. Under-nutrition in infants and at addressing health, nutrition As per CRY’s analysis of critical young children leads to growth and the development needs child health indicators of NFHS- failure, lowered resistance to of young children (0-6 years), 4, the only two states that have infections, increased rates expecting women and nursing been able to sustain a two-point of morbidity, increased risk mothers. annual reduction in the infant to survival, impaired growth However, despite mortality rate are West Bengal and poor school performance. government efforts and and Tripura. Currently, 40 out Thus, a lack of proper nutrition schemes, the nutrition figures of 1000 infants don’t get to during childhood has tangible in the country are cause for celebrate their first birthday. longterm impacts on the mental grave concern. Under the ICDS This much-awaited survey and physical development of Scheme, Anganwadi centres on India’s health indicators was individuals. provide requisite nutrition, health released by the Health Ministry The age group of 0-6 years services and care to children after almost a decade. While the lays the foundation for the and mothers. According to the report shows an improvement growth of children into healthy Ministry of Women and Child in the overall health of children, and production adults. An Development, in 2012-13, more the annual rate of progression is emphasis on proper nutrition than 1.3 million Anganwadi disappointingly slow. is crucial for a child as 80 centres were sanctioned, but The status of nutrition for percent of brain development 34617 were still not operational. children under five shows takes place during this period. Additionally, 33 percent of the marginal improvement. While the This involves a commitment to children in the country were out proportion of both underweight both children and their mothers. of Anganwadis’ reach. and stunted children has seen The inter-generational cycle of This trend is more prominent a decline, the proportion of under-nutrition ensures that an in remote areas like Motitarhi wasted children has increased undernourished mother gives where children bear the brunt in six of the 11 states – West birth to an undernourished child, of deprivation. Today, children Bengal, Uttrakhand, Haryana, causing cumulative growth and of motitarhi are in a much better CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 145 situation as all of them are management of malnutrition Child Development Services covered by ICDS. But a few coupled with political will, which (ICDS), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan years ago, the situation was not would involve the convergence (SSA or Universal Education so promising. The village had an of all stakeholders – not only Programme) and National anganwadi which was neither Anganwadis but also health Health Mission – has declined accessible nor operational, care centres, hospitals and 10 percent, 7.5 percent and 3.6 and children used to suffer Malnutrition Treatment Centres percent over two years. Over from a visible lack of nutrition. (MTCs). While ICDS is a well- the same period, the money It was only when a local NGO designed programme and we set aside for the Swachi Bharat called DishaVihar, a partner have functional anganwadis Mission (Clean India Mission) organization of CRY- Child in most places, bottlenecks in increased almost three times. Rights and You started working service delivery and community The ICDS, SSA and the in Motitarhi and neighbouring outreach pose a challenge in National Health Mission were villages that the overall scenario its proper implementation. The carried over from the previous started changing for the better. quality of services needs to be government. The Clean India Umesh Manjhi and Moti improve, with strict emphasis Mission was started by Prime Manjhi, two residents of motitarhi, on growth monitoring of children Minister NarendraModi. recall how DishaVihar’s and flagging off possible cases The cut in social welfare intervention rejuvenated the old of malnutrition. With improve funding is part of on-going ICDS Centre and got children service delivery of ICDS, devolution reforms aimed of the Village linked to it. preventive rather than reactive at given states more money “Now all our children go to the approach to tackle malnutrition without spending conditions Anganwadicentre every day. and better community outreach, imposed from Delhi. Anjali Behen, the Anganwadi the nutrition status of children in The states, however, could worker, washes their hands the country will surely witness not match central funding, India properly before they have lunch a significant change. Investing Spend reported in February, and makes sure they eat well,” in our children in the age group using the latest data available, says a beaming MotiManjhi. of 0-6 years will translatate into from two years ago. “I try my best”, says Merry long-term positive returns and The Bharatiya Janata Anjali Marandi with a half-smile, pave the way for a healthier and Party led National Democratic pointing at the children. “But happier nation. Alliance (NDA) government cut there are loads of challenges. funding for centrally sponsored We always run short of funds, Decline In Social schemes 19 percent last year, as the inflow of money is very Sector Expenditure and the trend continued this irregular. Moreover, as we don’t year in budget announcements. have a building of our own, we Millennium Post, New Delhi While funding for NHM and have to pay Rs. 500 per month 17 March, 2016 SSA increased two percent over as rent for this shack. We one Maya Tiwari last year, it is lower then what it have electricity either.” was before. There are also children There was a 55 percent Data shows a decline in who are not as fortunate as the increase in tax money Centre’s health, education ones of motitarhi. Such children unconditionally, as India Spend spending over two years and their parents haven’t even reported, based on a study by heard of the ICDS Scheme. The money allocated Accountability Initiative, a New To reach out to them in an for key centrally sponsored Delhi – based think tank. But effective way, what we need social schemes – Integrated some states got less money is a well-defined system for 146 BUTTERFLIES than before devolution transfers. (NFHS – 4) of 13 states Accountability Initiative, across Funding cuts aggravated by and union territories reveals 10 districts in five states, had slow release of money. improvement in maternal not received their annual grants The 12th five year plan and child health, IndiaSpend till December 2015. The quality allocated Rs. 123,580 crore reported. Data from the most of elementary education has to ICDS. However, up to the backwards states in India such been declining in India, as India financial year 2016-17, the last as Odisha, Jharkhand and Spend reported. year of the plan, the central Uttar Pradesh has not yet been Only a fourth of all children government allocated only 63 released. in standard III could read a percent of the planned ICDS Only 1 percent of Swachh standard II text fluently, a drop budget. Bharat Mission money spent on of more than 5 percent over The National Rural Health changing attitudes five years, according to the Mission (NRHM) allocation in As much as 97 percent of 2014 Annual Status Report on the financial year 2015-16 was money spent on the Swachh Education. only 79 percent of the larger Bharat Mission between April (In an arrangement in the National Health Mission, of 2015 and February 2016 was IndiaSpend.org, a datadriven, which NRHM is a part. on the construction of Individual non-profit, public interest The central government household latrines, according journalism platform, where provided 57 percent of the to the Accountability Initiative SaumyaTewari is a policy allocated 57 percent of the study. analyst. The views expressed allocated SSA budget till Information, education and are those of India Spend) September 2015, of the state’s communication for sanitation share, no more than 27 percent, and hygiene accounted for 1 One In 12 Delhi on average, had been released percent of expenditure, a three Children Suffers by September 2015. percentage point drop from Slow release of money 2014-15. Changing attitudes is From Asthma and funding cuts has led to a critical need, as IndiaSpend implementation problems, reported, in an investigation of Hindustan Times, New Delhi according to Accountability the prime minister’s claim that 03 April, 2016 Initiative budget briefs. toilets had been built for girls in Anonna Dutt Money has been cut for every school. ICDS, the word’s largest Over the last two years, On Guard 1 in 8 children programme for maternal and less than half of eligible in industrial areas fall prey child care, at a time when households that applied for to the breathing disorder, 42 percent of children are a toilet construction grant finds study. underweight and 40 percent are actually received it, according to below average height in India, Accountability Initiative’s District Silent Killer :- India Spend reported. Survey. The budget of the National Only 23 percent of money Prevelance of asthma was Nutrition Mission to combat for education actually spent. least in children from villages child malnourishment was Rs. No more than 23 percent No of Cases 850 crore, doubling from 2015- of the money approved for the children detected 16. This Mission supplements universal education programme studied the ICDS. was spent till September 2015. Industrial 831 98(11.8%) Data from the first round of Approximately 31 percent Residential 1578 119(7.5%) National Family Health Survey-4 of the schools surveyed by Villages 695 27(3.9%) CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 147 Methodology: - Study industrial areas had asthma 14 years of age suffers from included 3104 children. Ashok and in homes where indoor tuberculosis in the Capital, Vihar, Janakpuri, Nizamuddin air pollution levels were indoor according to the Delhi State and Siri Fort were resident air pollution levels were also Tuberculosis Cell. At 12-14% of areas, Shahdara and Shahzada very high. When we speak of the population, it is more than Bag were Industrial areas and asthma, we always think of double the 6% national average. Dallupura and jagatpur were the ambient (outdoor) air pollution Better diagnostic facilities villages’ areas. caused by vehicles, but, indoor and accurate testing are the One in 12 children aged 7 air pollution can be dangerous,” main reasons for the high to 15 years suffer from asthma said Dr. Raj Kumar, the leading numbers, according to doctors. in Delhi, with the breathing author of the study. “Tuberculosis cases in disorder maximum affecting Children in affluent homes children are underreported those living in industrial areas had higher levels of asthma, because it is very difficult to where one in eight suffered from with 10.03% affected as diagonose TB in Children. The it, showed a study. compared to 9.11% in poor bacterial load in their sputum is Children from Shahdara households. “The people from very less, making it easy to miss were the worst affected where the better off homes had a clear it out, “said Dr. AshwiniKhanna, nearly one is seven (14.2%) medical history, but this could state TB programme officer. were affected. Prevalence because there is underreporting It is overlooked due to non- was the least among children of asthma among people specific symptoms and difficulty from villages where one in from a lower, socio-economic in obtaining sputum, according 24 were affected against one background,” said Dr. Kumar. to World Health Organization. in 13 children in residential Asthma was higher in homes The doctors agree that the neighbourhoods. where food was cooties using numbers are higher in Delhi as The study by Vallabhbhai biomass fuel like wood, coal or it is a major referral centre and Patel Chest Institute surveyed animal waste, which pushed up gets the most severe cases. 3104 children living in SO2 levels. The SO2 levels also “Although better diagnosis is eight areas in Delhi and its increased in homes where four a major reason for the high surrounding villages. Ashok or more people shared a room numbers, there could be many Vihar, Janakpuri, Nizamuddin and if there was a smoker in the reasons, there could be many and Siri Fort were the residential house. reasons for the high number areas selected for the study, of cases in Delhi, including Shahdara and Shahzada Bag One In 8 Children overcrowded logings which lead were the industrial areas and to a quick spread of the disease Dallupura and jagatpur were the Suffers From Tb or migrant population going off villages. In Delhi, Docs Say medication and developing drug The study found that indoor Better Diagnosis resistant TB,” said Dr. Kabra. air pollution played a role too. There are three types of Monitoring levels of NO2, SO2 Behind High testing in TB diagnosis – a and suspended particulate Figures. smear, a culture and a test mater (SPM) indoors in 25% of using a GeneXpert machine. the homes selected in each area Hindustan Times, New Delhi “The tests are unreliable showed that more children had 15 April, 2016 when it comes to tuberculosis asthma in areas where indoor Anonna Dutt in children. Also, it takes more pollution levels were high. than a month for the results of “More children living in One in eight children below a culture, which gives better 148 BUTTERFLIES results than the smear. So, a World Health Organisation’s yy Delhi is a major referral GeneXpert test is suggested TB control programme under centre and get the most because it can give 30% which patients receive free severe cases, say doctors accurate results within 3-5 days, medications under the guidance yy TB in children underreported “said Dr. SK Kabra, Professor of a healthcare worker to as it is diffecult to diagnose. at the paediatrics department overcome adherence problems. Bacterial load in their sputum at AIIMS. This poses a huge According to Dr. Kabra, some low, say doctors problem for treatment of new protocol for treatment of TB yy Condition overlooked tuberculosis among children. in children must be established because of non-specific “Sometimes a child shows so the 60% children who are symptoms and difficulty in the symptoms of TB but the currently left out also come obtaining sputum, says who test results are negative. These under the DOTS programme. yy A smear test is about children are not eligible to The protocol, at the same time, 70% accurate in detecting receive treatment under the needs to ensure that there is no infection in adults. It can DOTS programme. So, even if over treatment. detect only 5-10% of we consider the most accurate paediatric cases culture test, a very high 60% still Diffcult Diagnosis yy A culture test is 100% remain untreated,” Dr. Kabra accurate for adults. It can yy 12-14% of child population Said. detect only 40% of paediatric in Delhi suffers from TB, cases DOTS or Directly Observed more than double the 6% Treatment Short-Course is the national average CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 149 Child Sex Ratio Still Poor In High– DEMOGRAPHY Literacy Gurgaon Child sex ratio still poor in Hindustan Times, New Delhi high–literacy Gurgaon 150 20 January, 2016 Hindustan Times Gulam Jeelani Sex ratio down, literacy rate of wom- en up : family health survey 151 After a small but promising prenatal sex determination than Business Standard rise in 2011, Gurgaon’s sex child sex ratio, which is the Beti Bachao delivers gains in ratio at birth went down number of girls to every 1000 Haryana, but gaps remain 152 the next year and stayed boys in the 0-6 age group. Mint at that level in 2015. The 2011 census state that tkx:drk ds ckotwn fcxM+rk fyaxkuqikr 154 the literacy rate of Gurgaon was vej mtkyk Gurgaon may rate the 84.7% the highest in Haryana. highest in Haryana when it ;wih esa yM+dksa ds lkis{k yM+fd;ksa ds fyax It was 54.08% and 68.82% in comes to literacy, but the district vuqikr esa vkbZ fxjkoV 155 Mewat and Sirsa, respectively. surprisingly has an abysmal sex jk’Vªh; lgkjk During the official release of ratio at birth when compared to Sex ratio worsens in families with 1-2 state-wide figures in Chandigarh its rural counterparts. kids, improves with more than 3 156 on January 16 where chief The Times of India According to data released minister Manohar Lal Khattar Upswing in Haryana sex Ratio : by the state government two praised health authorities for Minister 158 days ago, the situation has effecting an upward trend in sex The Statesman gone from bad to worse over ratio at birth for the first time in nl lky esa csVs&csfV;ksa dk the last few years. Contributing 10 years, scant notice was paid QdZ feVk fn;k 158 to the shock value is the fact to the fact that Gurgaon had not nSfud fgUnqLrku that Gurgaon often referred to shown any improvement over as India’s fastest growing city the previous year in absolute reported a worse sex ratio at terms. birth (852) than predominantly rural and less literate districts Child Sex ratio still poor such as Mewat (913) and Sirsa in high-literacy Gurgaon. (914) in 2015. Sex ratio at birth is defined The number of females in as “the number of girls born per Gurgaon was 852 (to 1000 1000 boys born”. It is considered males ) in 2015 as well as 2014, a more accurate indicator of ranking above just two other 150 BUTTERFLIES districts – Rewari (826) and said authorities have been in the last NFHS of 2005-06. Mohindergarh (818). According conducting raids in accordance These are goa, Meghalaya, to the same data, the district’s with the Pre-Conception Uttarakhand, Tripura, Tamil sex ratio at birth had fared a and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Nadu, Sikkim,, Madhya little better at 857 in 2013. Techniques Act, 1994 to check Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, While Gurgaon trumped five the rising number of illegal Bihar and West Bengal. other districts in 2014 despite prenatal sex determination In these 11 states, on reflecting the same figures, it cases. an average, there are 985 had done better than 10 others “We conducted nine raids females per 1000 males in the previous year. The female from July last year till date 2015-16 compared to 1000 sex ratio at birth stood at 840, across Gurgaon district of females per 1000 males in 850 and 841 in 2012, 2011 and these, six raids turned out to be 2005-06. Women’s Literacy 2010, respectively. successful, and the culprits were has increased 12.15 percent in Rich people often try to apprehended, “said Dr. Saryu these 11 states. determine the gender of the Sharma, deputy civil surgeon, Moreover, institutional child. In order to restrict the Gurgaon general hospital deliveries – children delivered family due to professional (erstwhile civil hospital). So, in a medial institution under reasons, some working couples why does the region still perform supervision increased by 32.8 often opt for sex selective abysmally in this regard? percent in the past 10 years. abortion. “Cities like Gurgaon will Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka So, does this data belie always be worse than Muslim- and Bihar saw a huge rise of the conventional notion that dominated Mewat, where 54.6 percent, 44.8 percent and education effects social people do not opt for abortion 43.9 percent, respectively in progress? Some experts due to religious reasons, institutional deliveries. couldn’t agree more. “Rich “Sharma said. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, people often try to determine which had 1078 and 1028 the gender of the child. In Sex Ratio Down, females per 1000 males in order to restrict the family due 2005-06, now have only 1033 to professional reasons, some Literacy Rate Of and 979 females per 1000 working couples often opt for Women Up : Family males, respectively. Women’s sex selective abortion,” said a Health Survey literacy increased 10 percent doctor at a private hospital on and 12 percent, respectively, in condition of anonymity. Business Standard, New Delhi these two states. However, Gurgaon chief 20 January, 2016 The only state where the sex medical officer Dr. Ramesh Deepak Patel ratio rose was Uttarakhand from Dhankar had a different take 996 to 1015 females per 1000 on the issue. “Though we have males. Meghalaya saw its sex In the past 10 years, the sex come a long way, the problem ratio stabilize at 1005 females ratio has significantly decreased persists to an extent. We per 1000 males. All other states in nine out of 11 states of India, crossed 940 in December last saw a disturbing fall in sex ratio. whereas women’s literacy has year, which is an achievement. As in the earlier rounds, gone up in each of those states, Sex determination tests are not the Ministry of Health and according to the first phase of carried out in Gurgaon. People Family Welfare had designated the latest national family health get it done in the bordering the International Institute for survey, known as NFHS-4. states,” he said. population Sciences, Mumbai The 11 states surveyed in the District health officials as the nodal agency to conduct first phase were also surveyed CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 151 NFHS-4.Child marriages also Panipat, Haryana, which had 2014 to an alarming 549.02 by saw a reduction in the same the worst child sex ratio (the the end of 2015, according to time period – 13.17 percent number of girls for every 1000 the state’s health department’s for females and 6.7 percent for sons) among Indian states. data. Census 2011 data had males – in these 11 states. Haryana’s child sex ratio, the placed the village’s child sex 2011 census found, was 834, ratio (CSR) at 845.61 girls for Some Good and Some compared with the national 1000 boys. Bad News average of 919. At 866.04, the gender ratio Less than a year later, chief of the village is comparatively NFHS-3 NFHS-4 minister manohar Lal Khattar better than its CSR. Bhagwati 2005-06 2015-16 announced last week that pur is a part of the district of Women’s 62.50 74.70 Haryana’s sex ratio at birth had Rohtak, which, with 807 girls literacy improved to 903 in December per 1000 boys, has among the Men’s literacy 79.10 86.90 the first time in a decade that it worst child sex ratios in Haryana, Institutional 47.66 80.46 had crossed 900. according to Census 2011 data. deliveries Sex ratio is the number of Rohtak was chosen as one of Marriage 36.27 23.10 women per 1000 men while 100 districts nationwide where before age 18 child sex ratio is the number of the Beti Bachao mission has females females per 1000 males in the been implemented. Marriage 29.80 23.10 before age 21 0-6 age group. Khattar credited A joint initiative between the males the dramatic improvement in Ministry of Women and Child Haryana to the Beti Bachao Development (WCD), Ministry programme, which was aimed of Health and Family Welfare Beti Bachao at preventing gender biased sex and ministry of human resource Delivers Gains In selective elimination or female development, Beti Bachao foeticide, and ensuring surivial was designed to reverse the Haryana, But Gaps and protection of the girl child. trend of declining CSR in India. Remain Yet, there are pockets of According to Census 2011, Haryana where it has clearly national CSR plunged from 945 Mint, New Delhi had no impact. Like Bhagwati in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and 919 22 January, 2016 pur, a village of 3894 people in 2011. Meenal Thakur as per Census 2011, located The government aimed 76km from Panipat where to prevent the practice of State’s sex ratio at birth is Modi launched the Beti Bachao sex selection before or after at 903, a first in a decade, Campaign. conception, deter the use but the scheme has made Bhagwati pur is a 20-minute of diagnostic techniques for no impact in certain parts. drive from the secretariat in the sex determination leading to town of Rohtak. A left turn onto female foeticide, mobilize local On 22 January last year, an unpaved road takes you to communities and sensitise them Prime Minister Narendra Modi the village of small brick houses to the need for healthier child launched the Beti Bachao, Beti lining a one-way road that sex ratios, promote universal padhao (save the daughter, branches out into narrow lanes school enrolment and reduce educate the daughter) campaign as you travel deeper inside the the school dropout rates of girl to improve India’s child sex ratio village. children. and promote gender equality. Bhagwati Pur’s sex ratio at Sex determination and Appropriately enough, he birth plummeted from 848.48 in female foeticide have been flagged off the campaign in 152 BUTTERFLIES partly blamed for the low CSR by the general public.” inability to deliver?” in Rohtak and elsewhere The Beti Bachao mission With a total project cost of in Haryana, although sex entails a signature campaign in Rs. 199.99 crore in the 12th selection was outlawed by which people sign a pledge to five-year plan for India and the Pre-conception and Pre- save the girl child, on a board. 100% central assistance, funds natal Diagnostic Techniques “No one bothers to find out are not a problem. “On ground (Prohibition of Sex Selection) what they are signing and we activities and enforcement have Act, 1994. also are more concerned with increased and there are many “There are around 149 filling the board to make a pretty schemes for people with a low villages in Rohtak district. It is picture,” says Sabita, who uses socio-economic status to raise a not easy to change mindsets only one name. This practice girl child,” says Kuldeep Singh. and even now we find agents has led to what she calls a The 12 districts in Haryana who enter villages and help photo culture with women and with a low CSR where the families get the sex of their child development department scheme has been implemented child determined. Now that we officials photographing as many have each been given an annual have controlled it in Haryana, Beti Bachao activities and funding Rs. 1 crore. These are the business has moved to events as possible. Mahendragarh, Jhajjar, Rewari, neighbouring states of Delhi and The Beti Bachao mission Sonipat, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Uttar Pradesh,” says Kuldeep also carries the burden of past Rohtak, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Singh, deputy civil surgeon, who schemes aimed at saving the Kaithal, Bhiwani and Panipat. has been monitoring ultrasound girl child that are yet to yield Activists say that one year centres in Rohtak to rein in sex results. For instance, the state isn’t enough to gauge visible determination. government has over the years results but it is an indicator of As many as 58 and 72 First launched various schemes such whether the scheme is heading information Reports (FIRs) have as Apni Beti Apna Dhan, (our in the right direction. “Steps are been registered under the 1994 daughter, our wealth, 1994) and being taken at a very superificial law, and the Medical Termination ladli, (Loved one, 2005), which level. Focus has to shift to the of Pregnancy (M.T.P) Act, aimed at Increasing CSR by reasons behind not wanting a 1971, respectively from June providing monetary incentives girls child. The practice of dowry 2015 till date. According to on the birth of a daughter. and the unsafe environment chief minister Khattar. since the But many beneficiaries of the in which girls grow up deter implementation of Beti Bachao scheme are yet to receive parents from raising girls,” says started, there has been a visible the promised money, or have Jagmati Sangwan, general increase in efforts to spread only received half the amount. secretary, All India Democratic public awareness of the need “Many families who had raised Women’s Association (AIDWA). for a healthy CSR. “Compared daughters in the hope of getting Even Bhagwati Pur’s to the previous years, there is the money to meet expenses neighbouring village, an increase in our activities – have become even more anti- Lakhanmajra, has seen the sex we hold rallies, perform plays, girl child after not receiving their ratio at birth decline from 851.49 make people take oaths to save dues,” says 50-year-old Suresh in 2013 to 797.98 in 2015. the girl child and have posters all Kumari, who has beena an There are successes, too. Four over the place,” says Sabita, an anganwadi worker in Bhagwati out of the 12 distrits where Beti anganwadi (Child Care Centre) pur Since 1984. “We feel Bachao is being implemented worker based in Shimli Village ashamed when families blame recorded a sex ratio of above neighbouring Bhagwati Pur. us for misleading them into 900, data for December show. “Gathering a crowd isn’t difficult. raising a girl child. Why should In karnal, the ratio improved What we need is participation we suffer for the government’s CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 153 from 820 in Census 2011 to tkap vkSj dU;k Hkzw.kgR;k dh dqizFkk ,d tSlh ugha gSA tSls] lk{kjrk ds 959, Sonipat from 831 and 778, “kq: gqbZA Hkkjr es ;s nksuksa xSjdkuwuh ekeys esa xqM+xkao lcls vkxs gSa] ysfdu respectively. Though Jhajjar showed an improvement from gSaA blds ckotwn cky fyaxkuqikr esa 2015 esa fyaxkuqikr ds ekeys esa ;g 774 to 794 girls for every 1000 Hkkjr nqfu;k ds lcls vlarqfyr ns”kksa dq[;kr FkkA vius ekWYl] eYVhIysDl boys, it still stood at bottom of esa ls gSA vkSj cgqjk’Vªh; daifu;ksa ds fy, izfl) the list. Ckky fyaxkuqikr dk eryc ;g xqM+xkao esa fiNys lky izfr ,d gtkj Even in Bhagwatipur, all may gS fd Ng lky rd ds izfr gtkj yM+dksa ij 825 yM+fd;ksa dk vkadM+k be not lost, as shown by a heart- yM+dksa dh rqyuk esa yM+fd;ksa dh FkkA tcfd esokr vkSj fljlk esa izfr warming anecdote. Karamvir la[;k fdruh gSA ns”k ds T;knkrj gtkj yM+dksa ij yM+fd;ka Øe”k% 913 Singh, 61, and his wife Krishna, 55, who had a granddaughter jkT;ksa esa bl vk;q oxZ esa yM+fd;ksa vkSj 914 FkhA on 8 november last year, can’t dh rqyuk esa yM+ds vf/kd gSaA T;knk e/; izns”k esa Hkh ;gh izo`fÙk ns[kh contain their happiness while ijs”kku djus okyk rF; ;g gS fd xbZA ogka L=h lk{kjrk fiNys ,d introducing the two-month-old. vkfFkZd le`f) vkSj L=h lk{kjrk ds n”kd esa 44-4 izfr”kr ls c<+dj 59-4 “Daughters are way more ckotwn fLFkfr esa T;knk lq/kkj ugha Qhlnh gks xbZ gS] ysfdu blh nkSjku caring and affectionate than gqvk gSA rktk us”kuy QSfeyh gsYFk yM+fd;ksa dk vuqikr 960 ls 927 jg sons. They are no less than boys in any way. I don’t see losZ ¼,u,p,p,l&4½ Hkh blh vksj x;kA fyaxkuqikr flQZ fganh esa gh ugha why people have a problem with b”kkjk djrk gSA fcxM+k gSA vaMeku&fudksckj] if”pe raising girls,” says Singh, Who gkykafd vHkh lHkh jkT;ksa ds caxky vkSj dukZVd esa Hkh yM+fd;ksa also ardently follows the Beti vkadMs+ miyC/k ugha gSaA mÙkj izns”k dk vuqikr fcxM+k gSA dukZVd esa Bachao advertisements on TV. ds vkadM+s vHkh tkjh gksus gSaA ysfdu fiNys ,d n”kd esa 15 ls 49 o’kZ dh ianzg jkT;ksa vkSj dsUnz “kkflr izns”kksa efgykvksa dh lk{kjrk 59-7 izfr”kr ls tkx:drk ds ds vkadM+ksa ls irk pyrk gS fd dbZ c<+dj 71-7 Qhlnh gks xbZ gS] ysfdu jkT;ksa esa L=h f”k{kk vkSj fodkl ds blh nkSj esa izfr ,d gtkj yM+dks ij ckotwn fcxM+rk vU; ladsrdksa ds lq/kjus ds ckotwn tUe ysrh yM+fd;ksa dk vuqikr 922 fyaxkuqikr fyaxkuqikr [kjkc gSA ,u,Q,p,l&4 ls fxjdj 910 jg x;k gSA gkykafd ds eqrkfc] mÙkjk[kaM eas fiNys ikap o’kksaZ ,u,Q,p,l&4 ds dqN vkadMs fiNys vej mtkyk] ubZ fnYyh esa izfr gtkj yM+dksa ij 888 yM+fd;ksa ,d n”kd esa L=h l”kfDrdj.k dk 24 ekpZ] 2016 iSnk gqbZA tcfd blls igys 2005 ladsr nsrs gSaA cs”kd bl ekeys esa i=ys[kk & 06 ds losZ esa jkT; esa izfr gtkj xzkeh.k Hkkjr “kgjksa ls vc Hkh ihNs gSa] yM+dksa ij 912 yM+fd;ka iSnk gqbZ FkhaA ysfdu “kknh vkSj uotkr e`R;q nj ds Hkkjr esa fyaxkuqikr fujarj [kjkc ;kuh bl nkSjku csVh cpkus ls lacaf/kr ekspksZ ij lq/kkj ds y{k.k fn[ks gSaA bl gksrk tk jgk gSA D;ks bls xgjkrh ,dkf/kd ;kstukvksa ds ckotwn yM+fd;ksa njE;ku dbZ jkT;ksa esa cky fookg de lkekftd&vkfFkZd leL;kvksa dk dh la[;k de gqbZA ;gh losZ crkrk gq, gSa vkSj xHkZ ds nkSjku efgykvksa ladsr ekusa\ T;knkrj Hkkjrh; ifjokjksa gS fd L=h lk{kjrk tks 2005&06 esa dh csgrj ns[kHkky lqfuf”pr gqbZ gSa] esa larku ds :Ik esa csVs dh bPNk dksbZ 64-7 izfr”kr Fkh] og vc c<+dj 76-5 ftlls cky e`R;q nj ?kVh gSA fNih ckr ugha gSA ukscy iqjLdkj izkIr Qhlnh gks xbZ gSA bl lcds chp fcxM+rk fyaxkuqikr vFkZ”kkL=h veZR; lsu us bl vo/kkj.kk tks gfj;k.kk vc rd vius D;k lwfpr dj jgk gS\ LokLF; fo”ks’kK dks [kksbZ gqbZ vkSjr ¼feflax oweSu½ uke fyaxkuqikr ds dkj.k dq[;kr Fkk] ckWch tkWu dgrs gSa fd ,u,Q,p,l&4 fn;k gSA csVs dh bPNk vkSj csVh dh ogka yM+fd;ksa dk vuqikr lq/kjk gS] njvly 2011 dh tux.kuk ds vfuPNk ls gh xHkZ esa iy jgs Hkzw.k dh ysfdu jkT; ds lHkh {ks=ksa esa fLFkfr vkaadM+ksa dks gh iq’V dj jgk gSA vc 154 BUTTERFLIES vkfFkZd le`f) vkSj mPp f”k{kk nj Hkh okys MkWDVj nks’kh djkj fn, tkus ij ckfydkvksa dk vuqikr lq/kkjus ds izfr ;wih esa yM+dksa ds mldk jftLVªs”ku o izSfDVl ij ikcanh yksxksa dks tkx:d ugha dj ik jghaA lkis{k yM+fd;ksa yxkbZ tk ldrh gSA ihlhih,uMhVh cPpksa dh rqyuk esa cfPp;ksa dk vuqikr ,DV ds laca/k esa “kfuokj dks tuin ?kVus dk flyflyk o’kZ 1961 esa “kq: ds fyax vuqikr U;k;ky; ds lHkkxkj esa ,d ftyk gqvk Fkk] tks fujarj tkjh gSA 2011 Lrjh; dk;Z”kkyk dk Hkh vk;kstu dh tux.kuk us lkfcr fd;k gS fd esa vkbZ fxjkoV fd;k x;kA ftldh v/;{krk izHkkjh izfr gtkj yM=dksa ij yM+fd;ksa dk jk’Vªh; lgkjk] ubZ fnYyh ftyk tt nhik tSu us dhA vuqikr fxjdj vc rd dk lcls de 14 Qjojh] 2016 tc fdlh ns”k esa iq:’kksa vkSj 914 jg x;k gSA yM+fd;ksa dks iSnk lqHkk’k ;kno efgykvksa ds thfor cus jgus ds leku D;ksa ugha gksus fn;k tk jgk\ ljdkj volj gksa] vFkkZr fdlh izdkj dk ds iz;klksa ds ckotwn tehuh urhts mÙkj izns”k esa fnuksa&fnu yM+dksa HksnHkko u gks] rc lekt esa iq:’kksa vkSj fn[kkbZ D;ksa ugha ns jgs\ bldh ,d ds lkis{k yM+fd;ksa ds fyax vuqikr esa efgykvksa dh la[;k yxHkx cjkcj otg fir`lÙkkRed lekt O;oLFkk gSA fxjkoV vk jgh gSA 1991 dh tux.kuk gksrh gSA fxjrk fyax vuqikr lekt esa pwafd gky ds o’kksaZ esa dbZ txg vkSjrksa ds vkadM+ks ds vuqlkj izns”k esa f”k”kq efgykvksa dh “kkjhfjd vkSj lkekftd us vius vf/kdkj ds fy, vkoktsa mBkbZ fyax vuqikr 0 ls 6 o’kZ ds vk;q oxZ fLFkfr dk lwpd gSA yM+dksa dh rqyuk gSa] blh dh izfrfØ;k esa dU;k Hkwz.kgR;k ds 1000 yM+dksa ds lkis{k yM+fd;ksa dh esa yM+fd;ksa dh la[;k de gksuk Fke ugha jghA bldh ,d nwljh otg la[;k 927 FkhA o’kZ 2001 dh tux.kuk HksnHkko n”kkZrk gSA f”k”kq dh rjQ de ;g gS fd ngst ds f[kykQ dkuwu gksus esa ;g fxjdj 916 jg xbZA ;gh ugha /;ku nsuk] yM+ds dh pkg] rduhdksa ls ds ckn Hkh bl dqizFkk ij jksd ugha yx 2011 dh tux.kuk esa ;g ?kVdj 902 yM+dh o yM+dk dk ;u ,oa tkap ds ikbZ gSA L=h lk{kjrk c<+h gS] ysfdu rd igqap xbZA ;g fxjkoV “kgjh {ks=ksa ckn xHkZ lekiu djkuk gSA lkFk&lkFk yksxksa dk thou Lrj csgrj ds eqdkcys xzkeh.k {ks=ksa esa fyax p;u ihlhih,uMhVh ,DV % gqvk gS] vkSj iSlksa dh t:jr vkSj ekax dh izfØ;k,a cgqr rsth ls QSy pqdh ihlhih,uMhVh ,DV 1994 ds rgr fyax c<+h gSA cfYd f”k{kk dk csgrj Lrj gSa vkSj yksx fyax ijh{k.k djkdj xHkZ tkap dj vk/kkfjr xHkZikr vkSj dU;k vc yksxksa dks fyax tkap vkSj dU;k lekiu djk nsrs gSaA bldk urhtk f”k”kq lekiu ds fy, voS/k d`R;ksa ij Hkzw.kgR;k ds fy, nq’izsfjr Hkh dj jgk ;g gS fd fnuksa&fnu yM+dksa dh vis{kk jksd yxkrk gSA lkFk gh vijkf/k;kas dks gSA yM+fd;ksa dk vuqikr fxjrk tk jgk ltk Hkh nsrk gSA ,eVhih ,DV ds rgr tkfgj gS] gekjh lkekftd vkSj gSA blds ihNs vkbZihlh 1860] ,eVhih dqN fo”ks’k ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa xHkZ lekiu “kSf{kd O;oLFkk esa dqN u dqN xyr ,DV 1971] ihlhih,uMhVh ,DV 1994 dks Lohd`fr gSA dks[k esa fyax fu/kkZj.k gS] ftls tkjh ugha j[kk tk ldrkA dk dM+kbZ ls ikyu u djkuk Hkh eq[; i”pkr xHkZ lekiu dh Lohd`fr ugha bldk varr% gekjs iwjs lekt ij dkj.k gSA gSA mez esa efgykvksa vkSj ckfydkvksa vlj iM+sxkA ysfdu dkuwu cukdj bu ,DV ds rgr fyax tkap vkSj ds iks’k.k dh fLFkfr ;g fn[kkrh gS fd Hkh bldk lek/kku ugha fudkyk tk p;fur xHkZikr djkuk ,d vijk/k cPpksa ds dqiks’k.k ds vkadM+s cgqr xaHkhj ldrkA fcgkj vkSj gfj;k.kk tSls ekuk x;k gSA blds rgr ;fn dksbZ gSaA ikap lky ls de vk;q dh gj 10 jkT;ksa us yM+fd;ksa dks izksRlkfgr djus O;fDr fyax p;u o tkap djrk o esa ls 5 yM+fd;ka NksVs dn dh djhc ds fy, dbZ ;kstuk,a “kq: dh gSaA ge djkrk gSA rks mls rhu lky dh tsy 12 djksM+ gSaA ikap lky ls de vk;q lcdks muls lh[kuk pkfg,A vkSj 10 gtkj :I;s tqekZuk gksxkA dh gj 10 esa ls pkj yM+fd;ka de nksckjk nks’kh ik, tkus ij 50 gtkj out ;kuh Ng djksM+ gSA blh Øe :i,s dk tqekZuk vkSj ikap lky dh esa izns”k esa gj 10 esa ls nks yM+fd;ka tsy dkVuh gksxhA ;gha tkap djus xaHkhj dqiks’k.k dh f”kdkj gSaA ftudh CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 155 la[;k 2-5 djksM+ gSA gkykafd ljdkj dU;k Hkzw.k lekiu dh jksdFkke ds okyk gSA ;g lekftd eqn~nk ugha] us ckfydkvksa ds iks’k.k dh fLFkfr dks fy, lekt esa Hkh O;kid Lrj ij bldh jksdFkke ds fy, cuk, x, lq/kkjus ds fy, Ldwyksa esa feM Ms ehy tkx:drk ykus dh t:jr gSA Jherh dkuwu dks izHkkoh 156 BUTTERFLIES Sex-selective abortions go on. Census data indicates that the sex ratio is poor when women have one or two children, but gets better as they have more children. Two factors are at play here, explains population expert Purushottam Kulkarni, till recently professor at JNU. One is sex-selective abortions and the other is sex-selective “stopping practices”, which is stopping having children based on sex of those born. “Those women who stop childbearing if the first one or two births are sons remain in the category of 1-2 children and those who go on for another child because the first two or three births are daughters get into the category of 3 or more children (that is, there is selectivity). As a result, the sex ratio of children of women with one or two children becomes highly masculine and, for the children of women with 3 or more children, less masculine,” he told TOI. For women with only one or two children, the sex ratios have fallen since 2001, substantially process undertaken by about (919). But it is not yet the rock so in the case of mothers of two. 2.5 crore parents every year is bottom. Among families with This, says Kulkarni, indicates a provided by Census 2011 data. two children, the ratio plummets strengthening of the mentality to 720 girls. This is where the Among women who had of son preference that is driving sharpest drop has taken place, only one child, the sex ratio the whole calculus. was just 782 girls to every 1000 from 742 in 2001. However, Sex-selective abortions, boys born. This is much lower with three children, it improves with all the legal fencing, are still than the overall sex ration of to 814. prevalent and may be used to the population, (943 females In Families with four children, determine the first and especially for every 1000 males) and even it improves further to 944 and second births. The overall sex lower than the sex ratio for by five, it reaches, 1005 girls for ratio is primarily affected by children aged up to six years 1000 boys. such illegal practices and not CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 157 by sex selective stopping. The Ratio boom foeticide, promotion and Census data also gives the development of women and girl number of surviving children for yy The sex ratio in district child, changing mindset about each type of family. This throws Narnaul improved by 73 the status of women in society. up an unexpected finding – the points from 745 to 818, by It will also be used to organize gap between survival rates of 36 points form 834 to 870 educational camps to generate boys and girls is closing. in Bhiwani and 28 points awareness, distribution of form 824 to 852 in Jhajjar information, education and Upswing in between 1 January and 31 communication materials, December broadcast of educational Haryana sex Ratio : yy The minister said in messages and covering the Minister recognition of the efforts gaps in health services to be made by administration to provided to expecting women, The Statesman, Kolkata improve the sex ration and she said. 06 March, 2016 encourage further initiatives, Haryana Government has decided to confer the state- nl lky esa Chandigarh, 5 March : in level award 2015-16, on the 2015 three Haryana districts basis of which cash awards csVs&csfV;ksa dk narnaul, Bhiwani and Jhajjar of Rs 5 lakh, Rs3 lakh and improved sex ratio as a result Rs 2 lakh would be given QdZ feVk fn;k of the initiatives to tackle female away to districts of Narnaul, foeticide in the state, said nSfud fgUnqLrku] ubZ fnYyh Bhiwani and Jhajjar, Women and Child Development respectively 07 ekPkZ] 2016 minister Kavita Jain. Ms Jain said these districts The sex ratio in district have been selected on the basis dkfleiqj xkao esa ,d n”kZd eas narnaul improved by 73 points of statistics and improvement iq:”kksa vkSj efgykvksa dh la[;k from 745 to 818 between 1 in sex ratio as per the report of January and 31 December, cjkcj gqbZ] mPp d{kkvksa esa yM+dksa health department and strategies ds eqdkcys yM+fd;ka vf/kd 2015. Similarly, the ratio swelled adopted by the concerned by 36 points from 834 to 870 in deputy commissioners. The csVs vkSj csfV;ksa ds chp QdZ Bhiwani and 28 points from 824 cash awards would be given feVkus dk tTck ns[kuk gS rks fcgkj to 852 in Jhajjar in the same away by chief minister Manohar period. ds dkfleiqj xkao tkb,A ;gka nl Lal Khattar at a state level sports lky esa csfV;ka nqxuh c<+ xbZA vkt The minister said in meet and mahila samman recognition of the efforts made samaroh to be organized at dkfleiqj esa iq:’kksa vkSj efgykvksa by administration to improve Rajiv Gandhi Khel Parisar, dh la[;k cjkcj gS rks Åaph d{kkvksa the sex ratio and encourage village Siwah in district Panipat esa yM+dksa ds eqdkcys yM+fd;ksa dh further initiatives, Haryana on 9 March. The function is being la[;k T;knk gSA efgyk fnol ij Government has decided to organized by the Women and confer the statelevel award “kq: *fgUnqLrku dh csfV;k* J``a[kyk dh Child Development Department rhljh dM+h esa is”k gS] jkT; ds lcls 2015-16 on these three districts. to mark, the International She said cash awards of Rs. 5 Women’s Day. [kjkc fyaxkuqikr okys Hkkxyiqj ds lakh, Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh The minister said that the xkao dh nkLrkaA would be given away to districts award money would be utilized Hkkxyiqj ftys esa dkfleiqj ,d of Narnaul, Bhiwani and Jhajjar, by the districts for strengthening ,slk xkao gS] tgka efgyk,a tula[;k respectively. initiatives to tackle female ds ekeys esa iq:’kksa dks VDdj ns jgh 158 BUTTERFLIES gSaA 2011 dh tux.kuk esa ftys dk ikap dk iap fyaxkuqikr ,d gtkj iq:’kksa ij 879 efgykvksa dk gS rks bl xkao esa ;g xkao esa rhu lkS ifjokj gSaA vf/kdrj QdZ cl uke dk gSA uoxfN;k iz[kaM ifjokjksa esa csfV;ka gh T;knk gSaA dqn esa ds dnok iapk;r dk ;g xkao eq[; rks ikap csfV;ka gSaA uan fd”kksj ikloku :Ik ls fdlkuksa vkSj etnwjksa dk gSaA vkSj ckys”oj Bkdqj dh rjg o:.k 2001 esa bl xkao dh tula[;k lkg] mekdkar “kekZ] Quh “kekZ ds Hkh 916 FkhA rc iq:’kksa dh la[;k efgykvksa ikap csfV;ka gSaA ls dkQh T;knk FkhA yksxksa esa csfV;ksa f’k{kk cuh lacy dks c<+kok nsus ds izfr tkx:drk dk vHkko FkkA ckn esa iM+ksl ds ,d xkWao ckys”oj Bkdqj dh ikap csfV;ka gSaA esa csfV;ksa ds izfr lEeku ls dkfleiqj buesa ,d /kU;okn esa iksfyVsfDud esa us izsj.kk yh vkSj ;gka nl lky esa i<+ jgh gSA ,d dh “kknh gks pqdh csfV;ka cjkcjh ij vk xbZA 2011 dh gSA ckdh rhu csfV;ka Ldwy esa gSaA uan tux.kuk ds vuqlkj bl xkao dh fd”kksj ikloku dh Hkh ikap csfV;ka gAa vkcknh c<+dj 1500 gks xbZA blesa vkSj lHkh i<+ jgh gSaA efgykvksa dh la[;k iq:’kksa ds cjkcj Åaph d{kk] Åaph mM+ku 750 ij igqap xbZA /kjgjk us cnyh /kkj.kk % ftys ds ;gka ,d gh e/; fo|ky; gSA /kjgjk xkao esa yM+fd;ksa ds tUe ysus izHkkjh iz/kkuk/;kid jkes”oj jfonkl us ij ikS/ks yxkus dh ijaijk ls dkfleiqj crk;k fd igyh ls vkBoha d{kk rd ds yksxksa dh yM+fd;ksa ds izfr /kkj.kk dqy 409 fo|kFkhZ gSaA buesa 203 Nk=k,a gh cny xbZA ;gka ds yksx ikS/ks rks gSaA NBh] lkroha vkSj vkBoha d{kk esa ugha yxkrs gSa ysfdu csfV;ksa ds tUe dqy 79 yM+ds gSa tcfd yM+fd;ksa dh ij t”u eukrs gSaA efgyk eqf[k;k la[;k 98 gSA Nk=k jkf/kdk dqekjh] vkSj efgyk ljiap ds gksus ls xkao esa iwtk dqekjh] lhek] dkty dqekjh dh efgykvksa dh fLFkfr igys ls csgrj bPNk gS fd xkao esa gh gkbZ Ldwy [kqy gqbZ gSA tk,A iz;kl cus izsj.kk % jktfd”kksj Bkdqj us dgk fd geyksx fdlh ;kstuk ds ykHk ds fy, csfV;ksa dks c<+kok ugha nsrs gSa cfYd bUgsa y{eh dk :I ekurs gSaA oSls Ldwy esa eq[;ea=h iks”kkd ;kstuk dh jkf”k ls dkQh enn feyrh gSA dLrwjh lkg us crk;k fd gkbZ Ldwy esa lkbfdy ;kstuk dh jkf”k feyrh gSA dU;k fookg ;k lqj{kk ;kstuk ds dkj.k “kknh&fookg esa Hkh ijs”kkuh ugha vkrh gSA CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 159 article 31 Leisure, play and culture : Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities. RIGHT TO Nowhere To Play In The Spacious PLAY Capital Hindustan Times, New Delhi Nowhere to play in the spacious 04 April, 2016 capital 160 Soumya Pillai The Hindu fpYMªu ikdZ dh lq/k ysxkckyvk;ksx 162 Ground Report: Delhi has 20 0-14 years constitute 45% of nSfud tkxj.k lakh children between 0-6 years, Delhi’s population the highest maximum green cover, open compared to any city in India, spaces, yet recreational areas according to NGO Butterflies. serve just as garbage dumps or The 2011 census says there heavens for drug addicts. are 20 lakh children in the age New Delhi: The national group of 0-6 years in Delhi. This capital has more green cover accounts for 12% of Delhi’s than any capital in India, and population. is second only to Chandigarh But most play areas built in terms of open space. Why for children are now garbage do the children here have few dumps, heavens for drug addicts spaces where they can play or simply lay abandoned, say safely? experts. “The sad part is that “We keep blaming children since children are not vote and parents for not going out banks no one wants to focus on and playing but when we do not providing proper play facilities. have enough play spaces for This is not the state in just a them how will they play?” said few areas, but across the city Sunanda Srivastava, member the condition of parks and play of RWA in VasantVihar. spaces is deplorable,” said She said children played Rita Panicker, director of NGO on the streets because colony Butterflies that works to reclaim played on the streets because children’s right to play. colony park were not maintained She said they had been well. “This is never an agenda trying to get government for political parties, “ Srivastava agencies to concentrate on said. At 29 lakhs, children aged 160 BUTTERFLIES providing a healthy childhood said every city ideally should parks are like death traps. to lakhs of children in the city. have nine square meters (Sqm) Almost all the swings and slides “We are not fighting against lack of space per city dweller. are in a pathetic condition. of resources but lack of will by Delhi has over 12.14 sqm There are nails sticking out, authorities, “she said. of open space per person. This there is no grass, and some Experts said playgrounds is 1000 times that of Mumbai’s parks have become the hub maintained by schools are 0.012 sqm and Chennai’s 0.010 of anti-social elements,” said in a poor condition as well. sqm, according to a DDA survey a report presented before the Government and court orders in 2013. high court by the amicus curiae, reiterated that schools, Delhi has over 15000 parks Nidesh Gupta. especially at primary levels, and open spaces. The Municipal The sad part is that since should have a playground and corporations maintain 14000 children are not vote banks no a period for physical education. while the New Delhi Municipal one wants to focus on providing A survey by Butterflies in Council (NDMC) takes care of proper play facilities, This not 2010 showed there were more 1100. The DDA has four regional the state in a few areas, but than 5043 schools in Delhi, parks, 111 district parks, 225 across the city the condition out of which over 400 were neighbour hood parks, 25 city of parks and play spaces is given land at concessional or forests, 26 playground and two deplorable. We are not fighting cheaper rates. But as many biodiversity parks. against a lack of resources, but as 400 schools did not have Despite facing flake from a lack of will by authorities. playgrounds fit for children to the Delhi High Court in 2014 play. for poor upkeep of playfields, England According to an analysis by civic agencies such as the three yy A university of Essex study Delhi Development Authority municipal corporations, NDMC, in 2010 showed that since (DDA) in 2013, Delhi has over DDA, Delhi Cantonment and 1970s the area in which 20% green cover-more than any public works department haven’t children roam without adults other capital city. World Health done much to mend the flaws. decreased by almost 90% Organisation (WHO) guidelines “Some facilities in these yy A comparative analysis showed that only 21% of the children in the UK regularly played outside as compared to the 71% of their parents. yy The govt launched places people play programme to improve play spaces in the country, sports arenas and gyms. yy Several schools also introduced nature walks where students are allowed to engage with nature to play and learn. USA yy A 2005 govt analysis of school students showed CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 161 that 1 in every 5 children dh uhan [kqysxh vkSj foHkkx ikdksaZ dh suffered from obesity and lq/k ysxkA ftlls ikdksZa dh cngky bone related problems. yy The govt now introduced n”kk lq/kjsxhA vf/kdkfj;ksa ds eqrkfcd mandatory games and orZeku esa jkt/kkuh es avyx&vyx engagement classes in all ,tsafl;ksa ds djhc 7 gtkj ikdZ vFkok its public schools. fpYMªau ikdZ gSaAysfdu T;knkrj ikdksZa yy It is also investing heavily esa cPpksa dh lqfo/kkvksa dk dksbZ [;ky on enrolling school children ugha j[kk x;k gSAogk auk rks cPpksa ds badminton, soccer, and basketball. [ksyus ds mfpr lk/ku gS vkSj uk gh yy Teams were constituted mi;qDr ekgkSyAdbZ txg rks fctyh in every state to include ds [kaHkksa ls csrjrhcrkj fudys gq, gSaA physical activities in school xr fnuksa ikdZ esa [ksyrs oDr >wyk curriculum. They comprise VwVus vFkok djaV yxus ls cPpksa dh teachers, parents and govt ekSr rd gks pqdh gSA bls /;ku esa representatives. j[krs gq, fiNys fnuksa fnYyh gkbZ dksVZ esa ,d ;kfpdknk;j dh xbZ fpYMªu ikdZ FkhA lquokbZ ds nkSjku vnkyr esa ubZ dh lq/k fnYyh uxj ikfydk ifj’kn ¼,u-Mh- ,e-lh½ o rhuksa fnYyh uxj fuxe ls ysxkckyvk;ksx vius {ks=ksa ds ikdksZa esa lq/kkj djus dh ckr dghA m/kj ,uMh,elh us vius nSfud tkxj.k ] ubZ fnYyh 05 vizSy] 2016 gyQukes esa vnkyr dks crk;k Fkk fd larks’k “kekZ muds {ks= esa 9 cM+s o 179 NksVs ikdZ gSaA ogha] ,lMh,llh us dgkfd muds jkt/kkuh esa cPpsa [ksy&dwn ls ;gka NksVs&cM+s dqy 6475 ikdZ o 190 T;knk daI;wVj ij xse [ksyus vFkok fpYMªuikdZ gSA Vhoh ns[kus esa T;knk le; fcrk jgs nksuksa ,tsafl;ksa us nkok fd;k Fkk gSaA bldh ,d otg ?kjksa ds vklikl fd vf/kdka”k ikdksZa dh gky nnq:Lr [ksyus dh txg esa deh rks gS gh Åij gSaA tcfd gdhdr dqN vkSj gh gSA ls fpYMªu ikdksZa dh fLFkfr Hkh cgqr fygktk gkbZdksVZ us bl laca/k esa ikdksaZ vPNh ugh agSA bUgha ckrksa dks /;ku dh lgh fLFkfr ds ckjs esa irk yxkus esa j[krs gq, gkbZ dksVZ us fnYyh cky dk dk;Z cPpksa ds vf/kdkj ds fy, vf/kdkj laj{k.k vk;ksx ¼Mhlhihlhvkj½ dke djus okyh fnYyh cky vf/kdk”ka dks jkt/kkuh ds ikdksaZ esa lqfo/kkvksa dk laj{k.k vk;ksx ¼Mhlhihlhvkj½ dks tk;tk ysus dk funsZ”k fn;k gSA cky lkSaik gSAofj’B vf/kdkjh us crk;k fd vk;ksx us bl laca/k esa ,d desVh vk;ksx us fpYMªau ikdksaZ dk nkSjk Hkh xfBr dj fpYMªu ikdksZa dk fujh{k.k “kq: dj fn;k gSA vc rd 40 ikdksaZ Hkh “kq: dj fn;k gSA dk fujh{k.k fd;k tk pqdk gSA mEehn gS fd vk;ksx dh fjiksVZ ds ckn ljdkj o lacaf/kr ,tsafl;ksa 162 BUTTERFLIES CHILDREN OF vkfnoklh xkaoksa esa Øsp THE DISAD- vej mtkyk] ubZ fnYyh VANTAGED 10 vizsy] 2016 GROUP ns”k ds fiNM+s dgykus okys xkaoksa esa laHko gks ik jgk gS xSj ljdkjh laxBu vkfnoklh xkaoksa esa Øsp 163 Hkh Lokoyach fodkl dh c;kj cg *,dtqV* ds iz;klksa lsA fiNys ,d vej mtkyk ldrh gS&njdkj gS rks cl bl n”kd lsHkh vf/kd le; ls ,dtqV 882 Tribal Kids Died in State – ckr dh fdl gh fn”kk esa etcwr nksuksa izns”kksas ds vkfnoklh {ks=ksa esa run Schools 164 bjkns vkSj O;kogkfjd dq”kyrk ds efgykvksa ds l”kfDrdj.k ds fy, dke The Economic Times lkFk lgHkkjh dk;Zi)fr ls dke dj jgk gSA gksA vej mtkyk QkmaMs”ku vkSj Ekfgykvksa dks lcy dSls fd;k] :wfulsQ ds lk>k vfHk;ku ds rgr blls loky ij MkW- iz”kkar f=ikBh is”k gS vksfM”kk vkSj >kj[kaM ds dgrs gSa] lcls igys vkfnoklh {ks=ksa xkaoksa dh dqN ,slh thou&xkFkkvksa ds Lo;a lgk;d lewg dh efgykvksa ds dh >kadhA lkFk cSBdsa dh vkSj mudh leL;kvksa D;k vkius vksfM”kk ;k >kj[kaM ds dks tkuk vkSj fQj mudk gy vkfnoklh xkaoksa esa Øsp ds ckjs esa lquk [kkstkAtSls&tSls efgyk,a l”kDr gks gS\ “kk;n ugha --- vxj ge dgsa fd jgh Fkha] oSls&oSls uotkr f”k”kqvksa dh bu nksuksa izns”kksa ds lqnwjorhZ vkfnoklh e`R;q nj eas Hkh deh vk jgh FkhA ,dtqV xkaoksa esa djhc 170 Øsp [kqysgSa vkSj us ;qfuZoflVh dkWyst vkWQyanu ds ;gka cPpksa dk lokZxh.k fodkl gks lg;ksx ls 400 xkaoksa esa f”k”kq e`R;q jgk gS vkSj cpiu f[kyf[kyk jgk gS-- nj ij “kks/k fd;k] ftlesa ik;k fd --rks ,d ckj vki fo”okl ugha djsaxs] djhc 45 izfr”kr uotkr f”k”kqvksa ysfdu ;g lkSQhl nh lp gSA lkFk dh e`R;q nj esa deh vkbZA 2010 esa gh vkfnoklh xkaoksa esa efgykvksa ds nqfu;k ds ukeh esfMdy tuZyySalsV l”kfDrdj.k ls cPpksa esa dqiks’k.k dh us bldh foLr`r fjiksVZ izdkf”kr dhA deh vkSj f”k”kq e`R;q nj esa Hkh Hkkjh mYys[kuh; gS fd bl “kks/k dks nqfu;k fxjkoV vkbZ gSA vkSj ;g lc dqN dk lcls csgrjhu “kks/k ekurs gq, CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 163 lkslkbVh QkWjfDyfudy Vªk;y us MkW- iz”kkar vkSj Mk¡- fueZyk uk;j dk cSadwoj esa iqjLd`r fd;kA mlds ckn nwljh lcls cM+h ftEesnkjh yxh vkfnoklh cPpksa dks dqiks’k.k ds f[kykQ taxA blds ckn /khjs&/khjs fQj “kq: gqbZ dqiks’k.k ds f[kykQ taxA blds fy, ,dtqV ds lkFk vkbZ ifCyd gsYFk fjlkslZ lkslkbVh] fluh] pkSiky vkSj vkbfM;k uked laLFkk,a vkSj dbZ jkT;ks aesa Øsp [kksykAbl le; >kj[ka.M esa 80 fcgkj esa 20 NÙkhlx<+ esa 30 vkSj vksfM”kk esa 40 Øsp py jgs gSaA ;gka ij Ng ekg ls ysdj rhu lky rd ds cPpksa dks j[kk tkrk gSA edln gksrk gS cPpksa dh lqj{kk] lkQ ikuh] /kqvka them in a single state. These tribal-dominated areas under jfgr okrkoj.k] LoPNrk] iks’k.kkgkj statistics do not pertain to some Schedule V of the Constitution. vkSj mudk “kkjhfjd vkSj ekufld inexorable natural calamities. Odisha, some of whose fodklAnwljksa ds vykok bl esa eq[; These are figures of tribal districts are yet to send across :Ik ls VkVk VªLV bldk izeq[k Hkkxh children who lost their lives in the data, reported 155 deaths, nkj gSA ns”k lsok ds fy, fo”o LokLF; state-run residential schools Gujarat was next, with 30 across the country between deaths, and Andhra Pradesh laLFkk }kjk ,d tqV dks fiNys o’kZ 2010 and 2015. These are reported 13 deaths for the ifCyd gsYFk pSafi;u ds f[krkc ls numbers of innocent lives lost period. Rajasthan, Telangana uoktk x;kA seemingly on account of sheer and Jharkhand did not report official apathy, manifest in the any deaths. Odisha tops the list 882 Tribal Kids lack of basic facilities such on sexual abuse, with 16 cases Died In State – Run as drinking water, toilets and against students in schools, healthcare. followed by Maharashtra which Schools In many cases the schools reported 13. did not even manage to establish The applications were The Economic Times, New Delhi the reasons for the deaths and filed to find out the number of 18 April, 2016 many of the bereaved parents deaths of children, reasons of Nidhi Sharma are yet to receive the stipulated deaths, compensation given to compensation from the parents, number of parents still Death by Negligence these government. An astounding 684 not compensated and cases children died on account children died in Maharashtra of sexual abuse in the state – of sheer official apathy, alone during this period, ET has run residential schools; which manifest in the lack of found out through applications are called ashram schools basic facilities. filed under the Right to and Eklavya Model residential Information (RTI) Act in August schools. The applications As many as 882 deaths in 2015 in all the 10 states with were filed in Andhra Pradesh, five years, nearly four-fifths of 164 BUTTERFLIES Chhattisgarh, Telangana, is done by the states. When of schools that children drown Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, we hear of any death or sexual or get bitten by snakes and Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, abuse cases, we ask for a report scorpions, “he said. Maharashtra, Odisha and and also send out advisories.” Nathan suggested that a Rajasthan. A spokesperson of central monitoring mechanism All states, barring HP Maharashtra’s tribal where the states report deaths and Chhattisgarh, replied to development department said and cases of sexual abuse the applications, albeit after the state government is aware could go a long way in checking numerous phone calls and of the problem and has initiated these incidents. reminders. In Odisha, the a massive programme – WASH Even after the tribal parents application had to be filed (water, sanitation and hygiene. lose their children, the ordeal again to elicit a response. The This involves constructing does not end. Some of the causes of deaths stated by the toilets in schools and providing families have been waiting governments include suicide, drinking water facilities. For for ex-gratia payments for blood cancer, and jaundice, which small repairs of up to Rs. years. Maharashtra has not brain TB, rabies, snake bites, 1 lakh can be sanctioned by the paid 145 bereaved families malaria, cerebral malaria, school committees themselves. any compensation due to lack meningitis, typhoid and scorpion “The collector can sanction of funds. As per information bites. big repair works and they received from Maharashtra, the But these are not all. The need not come to the state state government has not paid stated reasons also include govermment. We have also exgratia payments in at least 10 train accident, attack by asked for a dedicated cell in cases dating back to 2013-14 wasps, aspiration of food, the public works department to and 82 to 2014-15. tractor accident, normal death, only look at residential school The spokesperson said suicide, death at night in sleep, construction and maintenance the state government has also severe headache, heavy intra- work, “the spokesperson said. initiated a detailed analysis for abdominal bleeding due to National Dalit Movement every school to understand the rupture of spleen due to blunt for Justice general secretary reasons for deaths and why trauma, electric shock and V Ramesh Nathan said the treatment could not be provided “Sleep on the floor and fell residential schools for tribal in time. “We will now maintain down”. children lack basic facilities. data centrally. Any school which In at least three cases, one “We have also visited several reports repeated deaths will be dating back to 2011, Odisha schools across the states and derecognized,” he said. As for reported that viscera have been have been appalled by the lack non-payment of compensation, preserved for expert opinion of drinking water facility, toilets he said, “There are insufficeient and the post-mortem report has and even beds for the children, funds under Non-Plan head. not been received. “he said. Now we are also holding Union Tribal Affairs minister In one school in Andhra meetings to rope in insurance JualOram said, “We do not have Pradesh, Nathan said the companies for this. But till any mechanism at the Centre organization found a school that then, ‘Plan’ funds will be used.” by which we can monitor these had a classroom which doubled There are similar cases of non- deaths. This is a state subject. up as a dining room and later a payment in Odisha and Gujarat. We give funds to the states bedroom or the children. “There About 43 families in Odisha and subject. We give funds to the was no toilet and the girls would 19 in Gujarat have not received states to construct residential go to the nearby river to bathe. ex-gratia payments. schools, but their management It is because of such a state As per the replies to RTI CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 165 applications, Andhra Pradesh sexual abuse have come down despite repeated phone calls pays just Rs. 500 to a bereaved substantially. As for the deaths, and emails. family Rs. 3000 as ex-gratia and he said, “Several cases of Former Tribal Affairs Minister Rs. 2000 for funeral charges deaths are because of diseases V Kishore Chandra Deo termed while other states pay between these tribal children carry from the statistics “ appalling” and Rs. 50000 and Rs. 1 lakh per their homes. “The secretary said blamed the states for the poor family. that the government has taken administration of the schools, but Odisha Scheduled Tribe and stringent action of dismissing said the Centre can intervene in Scheduled Caste Development guilty teachers. the matter. “I do not agree that secretary Surendra Kumar “There was a case where the Centre cannot do anything Sukant said, “We have been a teacher sent a tribal girl about this. States listen to the very proactive in addressing student to his sister-in-law’s centre if a carrot-and-stick policy the problems in our ashram place for household chores. We is employed. If the ministry work schools. There have been dismissed the teacher,” he said. out a system which is linked to cases of sexual abuse. We have Gujarat’s tribal development funds transfer and puts certain developed stringent protocols secretary RC Meena and conditions before the states to which make it absolutely Andhra’s Special chief secretary shape up else no money would impossible for a male to enter a tribal welfare department come to them, this problem can hostel facility for girls.” Solomon Arokia Raj remained be tackled,” Deo said. Sukant said the instances of unavailable for comments 166 BUTTERFLIES CHILD ckyJe dh c<+rh leL;k LABOUR nSfud tkxj.k] ubZ fnYyh ckyJe dh c<+rh leL;k 167 07 tuojh] 2016 vej mtkyk dc feysxh cky Je ds dyad ls eqfDr 168 eSa mldk uke ugha tkurh] mldh f”k{kk dks ckf/kr djus vkSj nk ikbZfu;j ysfdu vDlj vius ?kj ls esVªks rd mlds “kks’k.k ds :i esa ifjHkkf’kr Child ‘camp coolies’ in Tamil Nadu 170 vkus&tkus ds nkSjku mls lM+dksa ls djrk gSA ;wfulsQ us ckyJe ds lcls Mint ikyhfFku] dkxt] IykfLVd vkSj yksgs fod`r Lo:i dks Li’V djrs gq, blesa The curious case of nowhere.... 171 Business Line ds VqdM+ksa dks churs ns[krh gwaA vxj ckydksa ds v”kL= lsukvksa esa iz;ksx] ge vius vklikl utj nkSM+k, rks ;kSu “kks’k.k] os”;ko`fÙk] iksuksaZxzkQh vkSj dkWUxksa esa ne rksM+ jgs rks dsU;k esa laoj jgs lius 173 jsLVksjaV] CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 167 dqy 25-2 djksM+ cPpksa esa ls 5&14 vkSj mn~ns”; [krjukd O;olk;ksa vkSj dsanz vkSj dqN jkT; ljdkjsa bl fn”kk o’kZ ds vk;q lewg ds 1-26 djksM+ cPps izfØ;kvksa esa dke djus okys cPpksa dk esa ljkguh; igy dj jgh gSaA ns”k esa cky Jfed dh gSfl;r ls dke dj iquokZl gSA og ckyJe ds fofHkUu cky Jfedksa dh la[;k bruh T;knk gS jgs gSaA buesa ls yxHkx 12 yk[k cPps dkj.kksa ij /;ku nsus dh ckr rks dgrh fd bu ljdkjksa }kjk fd;k x;k iz;kl [krjukd O;olk;ksa esa dk;Zjr gSa tks gh gS ysfdu tks cPpksa ckyJe ds fy, ÅaV ds eqag esa thjs ds leku izrhr gks ckyJe fu’ks/k ,oa fofu;eu vf/kfu;e etcwj gSa ;k fd, tk jgs gSa] muds jgk gSA ds varxZr vkrs gSaA gkykafd ljdkj ds iquokZl ij /;ku dsafnzr djrk gSA bl iz;kl FkksM+s dke;kc gksrs fn[k jgs gSaA leL;k dks lqy>kus ds fy, uhfr esa dc feysxh bldk izek.k gS 2004&2005 esa jk’Vªh; n”kkZbZ xbZ dk;Z;kstuk cky Jfedksa ds uewuk losZ{k.k laxBu dh vksj ls fd;k fgr ds fy, lkekU; fodkl dk;ZØe ckyJe ds dyad x;k ,d losZ{k.kA bl losZ{k.k esa dke ij /;ku dsafnzr djuk gS] D;kasfd xjhch djus okys cPpksa dh la[;k 10-75 yk[k ckyJe dk eq[; dkj.k gSA ckyJe ls eqfDr gksus dk vuqku trk;k x;k gSA mUewyu ds fy, cukbZ xbZ dk;Z;kstuk nk ikbZfuj] ubZ fnYyh ljdkj us 1979 esa cky Je dh bu cPpksa vkSj muds ifjokjksa dks 08 tuojh] 2016 leL;k ls NqVdkjk ikus ds fy, mik; ljdkj ds fofHkUu xjhch mUewyu vkSj lq>kus dks xq:iknLokeh lfefr dk jkstxkjl`tu ;kstukvksa ds rgr dk;Z Hkkjr dk izR;sd pkSFkk ckyd xBu fd;k FkkA lfefr us ckyJe dh djus dks izksRlkfgr djrh gSaA ckyJe ds pyrs Ldwy ugha tk leL;k ij foLrkj ls v/;;u fd;k o’kZ 1988 ds nkSjku ns”k ds lcls ikrk gSA cky Je dh leL;k vkSj mlus fu’d’kZ fudkyk fd tc rd vf/kd ckyJe okys ukS ftyksa esa jk’Vªh; ns”k esa vkt Hkh pqukSrh cu dj ns”k esa xjhch vkSj csdkjh jgsxh rc ckyJe ifj;kstuk ;kuh ,ulh,yih [kM+h gSA oSls ljdkj fujarj bl rd ckyJe ls eqfDr ikuk] laHko ugha ykxw dh xbZ FkhA bl ;kstuk esa dke leL;k futkr ikus ds fy, dbZ gksxkA cky Je ls eqfDr ds fy, cuk, ls NqM+k, x, cky Jfedksa ds fy, ldkjkRed vkSj lfØ; dne mBk tkus okys lHkh dkuwu mrus izHkkoh fo”ks’k ikB”kkyk,a pykus dh ?kks’k.kk jgh gSA ysfdu fQj Hkh leL;k ugha jgsaxsA lfefr us fu’d’kZ fudkyk dh xbZA bu fo”ks’k ikB”kkykvksa esa vHkh tfVy cuh gqbZ gSA fd [krjukd {ks=ksa esa ckyJe ij lgh bu cPpksa dks O;kolkf;d izf”k{k.k ds eSa mldk uke ugha tkurhA ls izfrca/k yxk;k tk, vksj vU; {ks=ksa vykok vkSipkfjd vukSipkfjd f”k{kk] ysfdu vdlj vius ?kj esa esVªks rd esa ckyJe ij lgh ls izfrca/k yxk;k 150 :Ik;s izfrekg othQk] laiwjd vkus&tkus ds nkSjku mls lM+dksa ls tk, vkSj vU; {ks=ksa esa dk;Zdkjh iks’k.k vkSj fu;fer :Ik ls LokLF; ikyhfFku] dkxt] IykfLVd vkSj yksgs ifjfLFkfr;ksa dks etcwr cuk;k tk,A ijh{k.k dh lqfo/kk miyC/k djkbZ tkrh ds VqdM+ks dks churs ns[krh gwaA vxj xq:iknLokeh lfefr dh flQkfj”kksa ds gS rkfd mUgsa eq[; /kkjk okys fu;fer ge vius vklikl utj nkSMk,a] rks vk/kkj ij 1986 esa ckyje fu’ks/k ,oa ikB”kkyksa esa HkrhZ gksus ds fy, rS;kj jsLVksjsaV] 168 BUTTERFLIES dks etcwj djrs gSaA cPpksa ds laj{k.k] 12 yk[k cPps [krjukd O;olk;ksa esa ds fofHkUu dkj.kksa ij /;ku nsus dh mudh Lora=rk rFkk lEeku ds egRo dk;Zjr gSa] tks ckyJe ¼fu’ks/k ,oa ckr rks dgrh gh gS] ysfdu tks cPps ds ckjs esa lHkh ,der gSaA cPpksa ds fofu;eu½ vf/kfu;e ds varxZr vkrs ckyJe ds fy, etcwj gSa ;k fd, fgrksa vkSj laj{k.k dk ekeyk Hkkjr ds gSaA gkykafd] ljdkj ds iz;kl FkksM+s tk jgs gSa] muds iwuokZl ij /;ku lafo/kku esa fufgr gSA blds ckotwn] dke;kc gksrs fn[k jgs gSaA bldk dsafnzr djrk gSA bl leL;k dks Lora=rk ds ckn ls gh cPpksa ds izek.k gS 2004&2005 esa jk’Vªh; uewuk lqy>kus ds fy, uhfr esa n”kkZbZ xbZ vf/kdkjksa dk ?kksj mYya?ku gks jgk gSA losZ{k.k laxBu ¼,u,l,lvks½ dh vksj dk;Z ;kstuk&cky Jfedksa ds fgr ds vktknh ds brus lky ckn Hkh cPpksaa ls fd;k x;k ,d losZ{k.kA fy, lkekU; fodkl dk;ZØe ij /;ku ds izfr lekt dk joS;k ?kksj fuanuh; Bl losZ{k.k esa dke djus okys cPpksa dsafnzr djuk gS D;ksafd xjhch cky Je gSA dh la[;k 10-75 yk[k gksus dk vuqeku dk eq[; dkj.k gSA ckyJe mUewyu ;wfulsQ ckyJe dks ,sls dk;ksZ ds trk;k x;k gSA ljdkj us 1979 esa ds fy, cukbZ xbZ dk;Z ;kstuk bu :Ik esa ifjHkkf’kr djrk gS] tks ,d cky Je dh leL;k NqVdkjk ikus ds cPpksa vkSj muds ifjokjksa dks ljdkj ckyd ds fy, gkfudkjd le>s tkrs fy, mik; lq>kus dks xq:iknLokeh ds fofHkUu xjhch mUewyu vkSj jkstxkj gSaA varjkZ’Vh; Je laxBu cky Je dks lfefr dk xBu fd;k FkkA l`tu ;kstukvksa ds rgr dk;Z djus cPps ds LokLF; dh {kerk] mldh f”k{kk Lkfefr us ckyJe dh leL;k ij dks izksRlkfgr djrh gSA dks ckf/kr djus vkSj mlds “kks’k.k] foLrkj ls v/;;u fd;k vkSj mlus o’kZ 1988 ds nkSjku ns”k ds lcls oS”;ko`fÙk] iksuksZxzkQh vkSj voS/kkfud fu’d’kZ fudkyk fd tc rd ns”k esa vf/kd ckyJe okys 9 ftyksa esa jk’Vªh; xfrfof/k;ksa tSls eknd inkFkksZ dh xjhch vkSj csdkjh jgsxh] rc rd ckyJe ifj;kstuk ¼,ulh,yih½ rLdjh dks “kkfey fd;k x;k gSA ckyJe ls eqfDr ikuk] laHko ugha ykxw dh xbZ FkhA bl ;kstuk esa Hkkjr esa jk’Vªh; uewuk losZ{k.k ds gksxkA cky Je ls eqfDr ds fy, dke ls NqMk, x, cky Jfedksa ds vuqlkj] dksbZ Hkh 14 o’kZ ls de vk;q cuk, tkus okys lHkh dkuwu mrus fy, fo”ks’k ikB”kkykvksa esa] bu cPpksa dk cPpk] tks etnwjh djrk gS] cky izHkkoh ugha jgsaxsA lfefr us fu’d’kZ dks O;kolkf;d izf”k{k.k ds vykok Jfed dh Js.kh esa vkrk gSA Hkkjr fudkyk fd [krjukd {ks=ksa esa cky vkSipkfjd vukSipkfjd f”k{kk] 150 dk izR;sd pkSFkk ckyd ckyJe ds Je ij mfpr CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 169 cgjgky] dsaUnz vkSj dqN jkT; ljdkjsa state officials are not prevented workers but ‘apprentices,’ for bl fn”kk esa ljkguh; igy dj jgh from entering these factories which they are paid stipends and and enforcing the law. Their not salaries, with deductions for gSaA pwafd ns”k esa cky Jfedksa dh la[;k failure to do so makes them, and food and stay. bruh T;knk gS fd bu ljdkjksa }kjk the political and administrative The physical and sexual fd;k x;k iz;kl ÅaV ds eqag esa thjs leadership of the state, gravely abuse that some child workers ds leku izrhr gks jgk gSA culpable in these many crimes report from time to time against children. breaks more criminal laws. Child ‘Camp Researchers who manage The ‘Sumangali’ scheme Coolies’ In Tamil to contact the children estimate encourages girls to earn their that around a fifth of the workers dowries, although dowry is Nadu are children below 14 years, outlawed. whose employment is barred Even more culpably, the Mint, New Delhi under child labour prevention employment of these children 12 January, 2016 laws. Doctors medically certify falls clearly within the definition Harsh Mandar that they are above 14, although of bonded labour. Employment they clearly look much younger. is legally deemed to be ‘bonded Bonded children have During inspections, they are labour’ if work is done against become dispensable hidden in closets or closed an advance or deferred wages, cogs in India’s feverish rooms. Their constitutional remuneration is below minimum quest for global economic right to free and compulsory wages, and there are restrictions dominance education is also violated. on freedom of workers to leave Sadly, India’s law still employment if they wish. All Tamil Nadu is one of India’s permits employment of children three apply to the employment most industrialized states. above 14 years. However, the of children and adolescents But its hidden face is the Factories Act limits the hours in these spinning factories. employment of several hundred of work of these adolescents Parents send their children to thousand impoverished children to four-and-a-half hours a day. work after accepting a small and adolescents mostly girls Instead, in every factory, these advance payment. Children but also some boys in its children are made to work at are thereafter unable to leave spinning mills. The conditions least eight-hour shifts, with the employment because they are reprehensible; months additional hours for cleaning are paid a small part of their long confinement and grueling and filling in for other workers wages for survival every month, daily schedules of long hours during their food breaks. They and the main portion of their of tail. By employing what are work night shifts that are illegal. wages is withheld until the end called child camp coolies, their There are no weekly off-days, of their contract period. This employers break many laws again in grave violation of the extends typically for three to childhoods. law, and conditions of work five years, and for every day The tall walls of their are unhealthy for children in of unauthorized absence from factories, often with electrified contravention of the standards work, the child is forced to work barbed wire, impound their laid down by the law. Their for an extra month. The children young workers within their net wages are well below the cannot leave before the term campuses. They also prevent statutory minimum wage levels. of the contract ends for fear public scrutiny of these A thin legal device is deployed of losing their accumulated factories by activists, unionists, often claiming that they are not wages. Compulsory overtime journalists and researchers. But 170 BUTTERFLIES add to their un-freedoms. Their organize themselves, but The Curious Case liberty is curtailed also because conditions of work are far they are physically barred superior to those in India; for Of ‘Nowhere’ from moving out of the factory Chinese workers, real wages Children premises. have risen significantly and Why is the employment of child and bonded labour forms Business Line, New Delhi bonded children and adolescent eliminated. In India, by contrast, 15 January, 2016 workers in illegal custodial work real wages have remained Amit K Giri and SP Singh conditions, in such widespread stagnant even in the years of and open violation and defiance galloping economic growth. Big Those neither at school nor of a range of labour, child business today seeks further at work should also be seen protection and criminal laws, dilution of labour protection in as ‘child labour’. The state is officially tolerated? The easy India. But even without these, responsible for their well-being. answer is the corrupt nexus most workers are not protected In order to align with between labour officials, in job security, wages and provision as contained in The district and police officers, social protection. However, Right of Children to Free and sometimes even judges, and India’s real competitive edge Compulsory Education Act 2009 the political leadership. Cheap in sectors like textiles comes (RTE, 2009), the Union Cabinet and submissive workers mean from its official tolerance of child in May, 2015, gave its approval windfall profits, which would workers toiling in conditions of for moving official amendments have been limited if as was the near-bondage, as illustrated by to the Child Labour (Prohibition norm until the 1980s adult and the spinning mills. Many global & Regulation) Amendment Bill, organized in these factories. brands who source in India also 2012. This Bill proposes to ban These windfall profits are also close their eyes to the fact employment of all children below shared with those responsible that it is the explolitaive and 14 years “in all occupations and for the enforcement of the law, unlawful employment of children processes”. a particularly nexpors form of that results in competitive low However, the Bill does crony capitalism. prices, and it is they who reap not say explicity whether the However, what also spurs the highest profits from these “nowhere” children will be put tacit official support for this illegal labour practices. in the category of child labour unlawful form of employment The children forced to slave or not. But, Firstly, who are the is the contemporary favoured in the prison-like factory hostels “nowhere Children”? model of globalized economic and mills are mostly born into growth, in which the current desperately impoverished Labour Pains god is global competitiveness Dalit households with no In India, for the purpose of valued even above compliance land or unviable holdings, the system of National Accounts with the law and the well-being crushed by a decaying rural (SNA), any person engaged in of our children. India’s current economy. Because children any “economic activity” is termed are employed, adult workers aspirations to snatch from a labour. Economic activity here lose jobs and wages fall, china the mantle of the ‘world’s encompasses activities that perpetuating the poverty of their factory’ depends ultimately on result in the production of goods its capacity to guarantee an children. Bonded children have and services that add value to unlimited reserve army of cut- become dispensable cogs in the national product. India’s feverish quest for global price and compliant workers. The definition of child labour economic dominance. In China, workers cannot also emanates from the SNA. Any children, below 14 years of CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 171 age, engaged in any economic who are neither in school and are they employed in disguise activity are considered as nor at work.” The table shows in economic or non-economic ‘child labour’ for the purpose the status of children engaged activities, or are they not on the of SNA. But, The Child Labour in different activities during lookout for work? No definite (Prohibition and Regulation) 2011-12. answers could be given because Act (CLPRA), 1986, is the all- of the paucity of information important Act which governs the The others about them. issue of child labour in India. The 2011-12 figures show By letting these millions According in “certain that 3.91 million children were of children stray, or letting specified occupations and engaged in economic activities, them work in disguised forms, processes mentioned in the but legally speaking, only 0.81 both the parents and the state Act” are child labourers in the million could be termed as child are depriving the children of legal sense. As of now, there labourers as per the CLPRA, capability formation. are only 18 occupations and 1986, (only 0.3 percent of total There is a very high 65 processes in which children child population in the 5-14 age probability that once they grow below 14 years have been group) as most of the children up to be adults, less educated prohibited from working. were engaged in household and with no or very low life- However, if the children enterprises (2.73 Million), earning skills, this category of are engaged in household mainly in agricultural and children will be a menace not enterprises, even if the work is allied activities (1.98 million). only to the families they belong hazardous, it is not deemed as Over 3 million, mostly girls, to, but also to the society, the child labour. were engaged in domestic and community and the nation. In addition, agriculture and related works. allied occupations and domestic Setting it right But a whopping 17.5 million and related work do not come children were “nowhere”, and The proposed amendments under the purview of this Act. they constitute over 6.6 percent to the CLPRA assume significant Apart from the children engaged of total children in the age importance given the large in economic and non-economic group of 5-14 years, a majority number of children engaged in activities, the literature also of them in the rural areas. Are the agriculture sector and also mentions “nowhere children”. these children, “nowhere” in in domestic and related works. “It is a measure of children the real sense of the term, or Once the Bill is enacted as a Activity status of children(5 to 14 years) Rural Rural Urban Urban Rural Urban Male Female Persons Male Female Male Female Total Total Total Total Total Economic Activites 1.56 1.41 0.76 (1.96) 0.17 (0.52) 2.97 0.93 2.32 1.58 3.91 (1.53) (1.60) (1.56) (1.29) (1.65) (1.30) (1.49) Domestic & other works 0.26 (0.26) 2.17 0.04 (0.11) 0.58 (1.73) 2.44 0.62 0.31 2.75 3.06 (2.47) (1.28) (0.86) (0.22) (2.27) (1.17) Nowhere children 8.03 (7.85) 6.51 1.52 (3.91) 1.42 (4.24) 14.54 2.94 9.55 7.94 17.48 (7.39) (7.64) (4.07) (6.77) (6.53) (6.66) Total child laour(3+4) 9.86 (9.64) 10.10 2.32 (5.98) 2.18 (6.50) 19.95 4.49 12.18 12.27 24.45 (11.46) (10.50) (6.22) (8.63) (10.09) (9.31) Attended school 92.21 77.75 36.33 31.27 169.90 67.60 128.53 10.9.02 237.56 (90.10) (88.20) (93.70) (93.40) (89.30) (93.55) (91.10) (89.65) (90.43) All children 102.30 88.1 38.76 33.50 190.43 72.26 141.08 121.61 262.69 (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) 172 BUTTERFLIES law, the children employed in ;kuh djhc 60&65 :Ik;s dh /;kM+h either economic activities or in dkWUxksa esa ne ij Hkkjh la[;k esa cPpksa ls [krjukd] domestic or other works will be tcju vkSj fgalkRed ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa treated as child labourers. rksM+ jgs rks dsU;k dke djkok;k tk jgk gSA *,eusLVh But this Bill has not clarified its stand on “nowhere” children. esa laoj jgs lius baVjus”kuy* us nqfu;k dh tkuh&ekuh 16 bySDVªksfud midj.k cukus okyh The Right to Education jktLrku irfjdk] ubZ fnYyh Act (RTE,2009) makes it 20 tuojh] 2016 daifu;ksa dks bl gkykr dk ftEesnkj “compulsory” for the state ekuk gSA ,eusLVh ds eqrkfcd daifu;ka to provide free elementary lLrs dksckYV [kjhn ds pDdj esa bu education to every child and to *cpiu* “kCn vius vki esa ifjfjLFkfr;ksa dks Nqikuk pkgrh gSA ensure compulsory admission, eklwfe;r dh ijNkbZ gSA ysfdu ,slh daifu;ksa ij cky Je dk nkok fd;k attendance and completion of yk[kksa ijNkb;ka nQu gSa etnwjh uked x;k gSA bu [kkuksa esa djhc 40]000 ls elementary education by every etcwjh ds dsanzksa esaA ;gka ge ftØ dj child. Elementary education vf/kd cPps dke dj jgs gSaA flracj jgs gSa vÝhdk ds nks ns”kksa dkWUxks vkSj means from class I through 2014 ls ysdj fnlacj 2015 rd bu dsU;k dkA dkWUxksa esa tgka varjjk’Vªh; class VIII. [kkuksa esa 80 cPps ne rksM+ pqds gSaA Thus, going by this precept, laLFkk *,eusLVh baVjus”kuy* us “nowhere children” should *dksckYV* dh [kku esa dke dj jgs ne rksM+rk cpiu] ,sls also be categorized as child cktkjksa cPpksa ds fy, fpark tkfgj cpk;k labour, and if the children do dh gS] ogha dsU;k esa *?khrks Dykfld* not attend school and complete uked E;wftd laLFkk us yk[kksa ,sls gh 3]00]000 cPps E;wftd lh[k cus elementary education, then the vkRefuHkZj] 300 cPps gj g¶rs gks jgs “state” is responsible for it. cPpksa dk thou cny fn;k gSA HkrhZ] lh[k jgs laxhr The state cannot blame ne rksM+rk cpiu] dkSu parents if they don’t send their uSjksch mQZ if=dk % laxhr gekjs children to school and engage cpk, ---- thou dk ,d vfHkUu vax gSA lk/kkj.k them in work (either in economic ekuk tkrk gS fd laxhr lh[kus dk xq.k 40]000 cPps dksckYV [kkuksa esa activities or the children ends izkd`frd gksrk gSA ysfdu tc fdlh dj jgs dke *,eusLVh baVjus”kuy* us up “nowhere”), the onus lies on dk;Z dks ekuo dY;k.k ds fy, fd;k trkbZ fpark 1 MkWyj dh /;kM+h ij them. To avoid this conceptual tk, rks izkd`fr Hkh rky ls rky feyk confusion, “nowhere” children djrs gSa dke gh ysrh gSA ckr vÝhdh ns”k dsU;k should also be included in the czktkfoys mQZ if=dk% eksckby] dh gS] tgka >qXxh&>ksiM+h esa jgus okys category of child labour and ySiVkWi vkSj vkbZikWM tSls vU; every effort should be made by cPps viuk Hkfo’; laxhr ls laokj jgs vk/kqfud midj.k gekjs thou dk the state so that they complete gSaA *?khrks Dykfld* uked E;wftd t:jh fgLlk cu pqds gSaA ysfdu buesa at least elementary education laLFkk ,sls cPpksa dk “kkL=h; laxhr yxus okyh yhfFk;e cSVªh dbZ cPpksa and also learn important skills ds xqj fl[kk jgh gS] tks csgn xjhc so that they don’t go astray or dh dqckZuh ds ckn rS;kj gksrh gSaA ifjokj vkSj Hkh[k ekaxus o etnwjh end up in a state of poverty. njvly] cSVªh esa bLrseky gksus okyk djus dks etcwj gSaA ;gh cPps cM+s (Giri is research scholar in *dksckYV* ,d [krjukd jklk;fud gksdj vius ifjokj dks csgrj thou ns the department of humanities rRo gS] ftldk vÝhdh ns”k dkWUxks and social sciences, IIT- jgs gSaA 2009 esa LFkkfir laLFkk vc rd nqfu;k dk 50 Qhlnh mRiknu djrk Roorkee. Singh is a professor in djhc rhu yk[k cPpksa dks laxhr fl[kk gSA dksckYV dh [kku esa cPpksa ls the same department.) pqdh gSA dbZ cPps jk’Vªh; Lrj ij dke fy;k tk jgk gSA ,d MkWyj tkus&ekus xk;d] dEikstj o laxhr CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 173 v/;kid Hkh cus gSaA laLFkk g¶rs djrh Mitra Gram (2001) and Mukti child labour in India. There are gSA laLFkk us ,d Vhe rS;kj dh gS tks Carvan (2006) Respectively. many other reasons also such *lQkjhdkWe baVjus”kuy tSt QSfLVoy In 1993, BBA Initiated a march as unemployment of family against child labour. The 2000 members, poverty and lack of 2015&16* esa fgLlk Hkh ysxhA km Bihar-Delhi March raised parental education. Another awareness on the issue of child reason behind hiring of children Child Labours A labour in the carpet industry. It as child labourers are they lack Social Ill Or A Harm was followed by 1998 Global knowledge of their basic rights, March Against Child Labour they did not cause trouble or For The Society Covering 80,000 km and 103 complain and they were often Itself? countries. Due to the increase of more trustworthy. Between regulations and legal restrictions boys and girls, UNICEF finds The Sikh Times, New Delhi on child labour, there has been girls are two times more likely 19 February, 2016 a 64 percent decline in child to out of school and working in labour from 1993-2005. With a domestic rule. A 2012 Wall 85 percent of the child labour Street Journal article reports Introduction occurring in rural areas, and infrastructure in school and 15 percent occurring in urban working in a domestic rule. Child Labour refers to the areas, there are still substantial A 2012 wall street Journal employment of children in any areas of concern in the country article reports infrastructure in work that deprives children of of India. schools, aimed in part to reduce their childhood, interferes with child labour, remains poor-over their ability to attend regular Child Labour Laws in 81,000 schools do not have a school, and that is mentally, India. blackboard and about 42,000 physically, socially or morally government schools operate dangerous and harmful. Indian has legislations without a building with makeshift Logislation across the world since 1986 which allows work arrangements during monsoons prohibit child labour. Worldwide by children in non-hazardous and inclement weather. Biggeri agriculture is the west employer industry. In 2013, the Punjab and Mehrotra have studied the of child labour. and Haryana High Court Ruled macroeconomic factors that gave a landmark order that encourage child labour. They Child labour in India directed that there shall be a suggest that the causes for total ban on the employment In 2015, the country of child labour include both the of children up to the age of 14 India is home to the largest demand and the supply side. years, be it hazardous or non- number of children who are While poverty and unavailability hazardous industries. However, working illegally in various of good schools explain the the court that a child can work industries. India contributes to child labour supply side. They with his or her family based one-third of Asia’s child labour suggest that the growth of low trades/occupations, for the and one-fourth of the world’s paying informal economy rather purpose of learning a new trade/ child labour. Bachpan Bachao than higher paying economy craftsmanship or vocation. Andolan (BBA) is an enriching called organized economy in India is amongst the causes of step against child labour. BBA Causes of Child Labour was founded in 1980 till today the demand side. are 84711 in number. BBA in India. has introduced Mukti Andolan UNICEF suggests that One Side of the coin (1990). Bal Asharam (1997), Bal Poverty is the biggest cause of From one side we can 174 BUTTERFLIES say, child labour is a social raise doubts over the figure, Firozabad 4.0 Agra 2.7 and economic ill. But who is and pointed out the difference in Varanasi 3.3 Loni 2.6 responsible for it Individuals, data available from International Barelly 3.3 Akbarpur 2.5 families, group, system or we labour Organisation and the Malegaon 3.2 Rampur 2.4 ourselves? census on child labour. The Adoni 3.1 Ghaziabad 2.4 minister assured them that the Gonda 2.9 Osmanabad 2.4 Another side of the coin. centre would see to it that correct Nandurbar 2.9 Maunath 2.4 data was made available. Bhanjan Another side of it is child Mirzapur 2.8 Aligarh 2.3 labour in itself a big harm for the Dattatreya also said that Gaya 2.7 Ballia 2.2 society at large. Children are the various Acts related to child Bid 2.7 Jaunpur 2.2 our national builders and future labour would soon be converged. of this country. And if they are in Also, there were plans to link the dark future looks bleak. the Right to Education Act with 96% Of City’s Child the rehabilitation and settlement of child labour to bring them into Labourers Are MP s Raise Doubts the mainstream, he added. From Other States’ Over Child Labour He said a Bill to amend the Data Child Labour (Prohibition and Millennium Post, New Delhi Regulation Act), 1986 was 01 April, 2016 pending in the Rajya Sabha to Business Line, New Delhi 15 March, 2016 improve on the existing law, The national capital gets 96 adding that the government percent of its child labourers would also move fresh official from other states, National Labour Minister gives amendments once the Bill Commission for Protection of promises providing comes up for passage. Child Rights (NCPCR) said on correct numbers. Thursday. The Centre on Monday said Child Labour The Commission held a the number of child labourers in meeting with representatives the country had declined from The Economic Times, New Delhi of Child Welfare Committees’ 1.26 crore in 2001 to 43.53 15 March, 2016 officials from State Labour and lakh in 2011, a figure which Social Welfare Department, was questioned by some MPs, Although the number of child Delhi Police, Delhi State Legal including from the ruling BJP labourers in India may have Services Authority and NGOs and Shiv Sena. declined since 2001, underage to discuss ways to tackle child In Reply to a question in workforce still forms 4% to 2% labour in the country with a Lok Sabha, Labour Minister of the regular worker population special focus on Delhi. Bandaru Dattatreya said while in several cities. According to “It was pointed out that 96 in the 2001 Census, the number latest census data, Firozabad in percent of the children engaged of child labourers was estimated Uttar Pradesh has the highest in labour in Delhi are trafficked at 1.26 crore, the figure went proportion of child workers in from other states and only four down to 43.53 lakh in the 2011 the Country. A Look… percent are from Delhi itself. Census. Top 20 cities by proportion “It was felt that trafficking of However, Shiv Sena of child workers (5-14 years) children in increasing fast which member Vinayak Bhaurao Raut (As percentage of regular is leading to child sexual abuse and Trinamool’s Sk Mondal, workers) and other forms of exploitation, backed by some BJP membes, “senior NCPCR official said. CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 175 NCPCR Chairperson India. He chuckles, and extends industries after school hours, Stuti Kacker suggested that a soft hand. without defining what is a family the District Task Forces and That’s not to say there has not enterprises or home-based Steering Committees created been any response. Satyarthi industry. for the purpose should meet set up the Bachpan Bachao “Of the children we have regularly and the status of Andolan (Hindi for ‘campaign to freed 20% were in so-called rescued children be reviewed. save children”) when he was 26, family enterprises, working The Delhi High Court in 2009 leaving his job as an electrical for sundry uncles. There were had approved the ‘Delhi Action engineer in 1980. Over the children who seemed to have Plan’ for total abolition of child years, as other countries gave many more mamas than their labour in the national Capital. him a bevy of awards, the child mothers had brothers. Family The NCPCR had prepared labour mafia in India broke his enterprises should be restricted the action plan following left leg, right shoulder, and to parents, “says Satyarthi. consultations with various spine. Regardless, he has freed There is another response stakeholders. 83000 children in more than he has been getting, mostly The meeting also suggested 100 countries. Now he has a since getting the Nobel peace reviewing the plan of Action big battle on hand as the child prize for 2014. This response every two months. labour law in India comes up is different from the sound of for amendment, possibly in the breaking bones companies Feted Abroad, current session of parliament. are calling Satyarthi over and The country had no law listening to him. He tells them Satyarthi Fights against child labour till 1986, to clean up their supply chain, Grim Battle At when a feeble on came in place. which will end child labour Home Earlier there was the British law, employed by their small, often but it was never implemented in unorganized suppliers. independent India. The 1986 “CEOs and chairman want Hindustan Times, New Delhi law seemed to think there to be leaders of society. They 04 April, 2016 was too much poverty to stop don’t know how to give back, Suveen Sinha children from earning wages. It so they give money. We tell was silent on children between them to create an ecosystem to Unbreakable Child labour 15 and 18 years. Even up to protect both the people and the mafia has given the Nobel 14, it allowed them to work in all planet, with their profit. So they peace laureate a broken sectors not listed as hazardous. don’t find themselves all alone leg, shoulder, and spine, That law became obsolete in the end, with useless profits, Unbroken; he fights to when India adopted right “Says Satyarthi. He speaks to clean up corporate supply to education up to the age them in their language. “It’s an chains. 14. Another law, the one on economic issue. If you want Kailash Satyarthi moves juvenile justice, promised care good quality production, it from triumphant to sheepish in and protection up to 18.The cannot come from vulnerable seconds. He is triumphant while two together should protect children who are not educated… talking about his address to most children from abuse and Sustainable business is not Brazil’s Parliament, an address exploitation and keep them in possible without sustainable that stopped a dilution of the schools, at least till 14. Except society and ecology.” strong child labour law there. that the proposed new law For instance, reports talk of He is sheepish when you ask allows children to work in family thousands of children in East him if gets a similar response in enterprises of home-based Delhi working several hours 176 BUTTERFLIES cutting denim threads. Their Satyarthi 18 will be barred from working fingers are nimble and their time in only three industries – mines, is cheap. They get 40 paise for On the night of October 2, inflammable substances and cutting thread on each piece, 1969, as kailash Sharma walked hazardous processes and 75 for packing it. Work home, he knew something was arrives at their doorstep, brought wrong. The lights were on even Where they are by unknown , unnamed, strange at 10. On reaching, he found • More than fhalf of working men. This will end once denim the leaders of his Brahmin children are in agriculture, wear companies, big and small, caste were sitting there looking exposed to pesticides, sharp stop buying from suppliers who grim. They wanted to punish tools, and heavy equipment. use children. young kailash, 15 then, and his • A quarter are in “Brands around the world family. His crime was a plan manufacturing, often in poorly have been exposed. Children to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s lit, badly ventilated rooms, were found to be working in their birth centenary by feeding embroidering clothes, weaving supply chain, with ancillaries, in the local political and social carpets, making matchsticks, or production chain, or logistics… leaders of his village, Vidisha, rolling beedis. they need to sensitise their in Madhya Pradesh, food made • Many help their parents suppliers and hold them by untouchable women. To his in brick kilns or mine accountable,” says Satyarthi. In deep disappointment, on one parts of the United states, such truned up despite having given • Children also work in as California, the law asks for profused cerbal assurances shops, restaurants and hotels, transparency and accountability that they wanted kailash to be and in homes in procurement by companies. octracised, live in a room outside In India, the proposed new the house, and eat separately The Lost Childhood law whittles down the number from the family. But the boy Of India’s Mica of hazardous Industries where had other ideas. He chose to children cannot be employed, ostracise his caste and drop his Minors from 83 to three, “ Now children surname. Sometime later, he can weave carpets, do gold came up with satyarthi, which is The Time of India, New Delhi embroidery, and work in homes Hindi for a seeker of truth. 18 April, 2016 Nergish Sunavala or at tea shops,” says Satyarthi. The Law Not too long ago, he rescued 3500 children from Bihar at the • A 1986 law prohibiting Thousands of Child old Delhi Railway Station. They child labour is due for Labourers Toiling in were being taken to Haryana, amendment in this session of Jharkhand & Bihar’s illegal to be sold as tea shop workers. parliament. It will outlaw child Mines are at Risk of Head For this, Satyarthi is looking labour below 14 in all sectors, Injuries, Silicosis & TB askance at the prime Minister, among others. Ranjit Kumar’s voice is so who often talks about his • However, it allows soft you have to lean in to hear difficult childhood, during which children to work in family him. “I have this nightmare,” he he spent time as a chai wala. enterprises outside school says. “I’m in a mine and I see “Now it’s your turn to make hours. This is easy to abuse this shining piece of mica. I try sure no child becomes a chai because “Family” is not to grab it but it’s out of reach. wala, “says Satyarthi. restricted to parents, it can I walk towards it but it moves include all sorts of uncles. still further away. And then Form Sharma to • Also, Children aged 15 to everything goes dark.” CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 177 export trade – both legal and illegal at about Rs. 125 crore. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s NGO, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), has been working to extract children from this industry since 2005 in conjunction with Estee Lauder. BBA estimates about 500 villages are dependent on the mica trade. The NGO has managed to root out child labour in its 105 ‘Bal Mitra Grams’ or child friendly villages but that still leaves about 400 villages or 60,000 children – assuming In 2010, eight-year-old – Jharkhand’s Koderma, Giridih a rough average of 150 kids per Ranjit was working in an and Hazaribag and Bihar’s village – at risk. Occupational openpit mine outside his Nawada, Jamui, Gaya and hazards include head injuries, village Chanako in Jharkhand’s Bhagalpur. cuts and abrasions, skin and Koderma district when a part The entire landscape glitters respiratory infections like of the peripherycollapsed. in the sunlight. Imagine a giant silicosis, TB and asthma. His nightmare stems from brush coating the baked earth Earlier this year, the Natural suffocating in the debris for with rouge the shimmer is Resources Stewardship Circle a few minutes before being uncannily similar because top (NRSC), a French non-profit rescued. cosmetics brands use mica whose members are from Ranjit takes us to the spot, powder, sourced from this the beauty, fragrance, and even posing for pictures while region, to give lipstick and eye flavor industries, hosted a holding scraps of mica up for the shadow their sparkle. Mica Responsible Mica Sourcing camera. The quarry was shut also give automotive paints Summit in Delhi. The goal was to down when the precious mineral their shine and is used in food make 63 stakeholders including ran out. Now, there’s a deep colouring, pharmaceutical community leaders, brands, crater with scraggly bushes and electrical appliances like suppliers and representatives growing along the edges. As we toasters and electric irons. from the Bihar and Jharkhand turn to leave, the shy 14-year- With few employment child labour commissions aware old points to an unremarkable opportunities but an abundance of the mica supply chain’s social patch of mud and stone. “When of mica, illegal mining has and environmental risks. the mine collapsed,” he says, become a family business here An Agreement was reached “that’s where my mom got with children working alongside to focus efforts on “Traceability buried.” their parents to put food on the and transparency, community Ranjit’s village is in the table. The mica is first sold to empowerment and multi- heart of India’s mica belt, small-time traders, changing stakeholder governance”, reads which runs through the dense hands multiple times before NRSC’s press statement. Estee forests of northern Jharkhand reaching Giridih- Jharkhand’s Lauder, Chanel, Yves Rocher, and southern Bihar. The belt mica processing and export Clarins, and L’Oreal helped loops across seven districts hub. Industry insiders value the organize the summit along with 178 BUTTERFLIES pharmaceutical giant Merck Their employees had steady To crack down on such and pigment manufacturer jobs and access to healthcare operations, the state has set sudarshan. at the Central Mica Mine Labour up “flying squads” of mining The children toiling in these Welfare Hospital, a 100-bed and forest officers. But a former mines have no idea why adults super-speciality institution. illegal mine operator says are so obsessed with this But the discovery of a greasing the palms of local shiny mineral. Sangeeta*, who mica substitute, coupled with Maoists and officials keeps the doesn’t know her age but looks the restrictions on mining mica racket running smoothly. fourteen, laughs drily when she imposed by the 1980 Forest After being extracted, the hears that it adds ‘chamak’ to (Conservation) Act and the mineral is sold to processing lipstick and blush. “We never dissolution of the USSR in 1991 units. A top Giridih trader, who think about these things,” she India’s biggest mica importer- owns such a unit, claims he says. “We just do the work.” led to the industry’s slow exports 1000-1500 tonnes of Her dupatta looped around decline. When most legal mines mica flakes per year at Rs. 30 her waist, she races in and out shut down-just a handful are per kg earning Rs. 3-5 crore. of pits – 30-feet deep – with the still operational – Koderma’s The government charges export dexterity of a ninja. Her village, sprawling medical facility cess but doesn’t ask where the pipratand in Giridih, Skirts the became a ghost town. mica comes from, he says. gaping rat holes where she The Chinese economic boom “The day they pay attention to works alongside mostly women and the global craze for “natural” this, we’ll all be out of business.” and teenage girls, earnings Rs. cosmetics revived the flagging The 2014 Indian Minerals 10-25 per kilo-the mica’s size industry in the 2000s. But by yearbook shows that one lakh- and quality decide the price. then, it was a shadowy black ton more mica was exported Sangeeta’s father once market forcing entire families, than produced in 2013-14 a worked in a legal mine. When it impoverished by the closure clear indication that the balance shut down, he began farming but of legal mines, into dangerous was illegally sourced. couldn’t earn enough to support pits without protective gear. The The Giridih trader names his family. Three years ago, she new modus operandi involved a German company Merck started working to supplement local trader leveling a patch of and the Chinese pigment his income. forest and arming villagers with manufacturer Kuncai as his Her family’s story mirrors a shovel, hammer and chisel. clients. However, Merck insists the region’s history. The british Vishnu*, a resident of they source only from five legal first chanced upon the area’s Koderma’s Tilaiya Basti, is mines whose output is tracked vast mica deposits while laying busy wielding these tools in a through production logs. If these railroad tracks in the 1890s. shallow pit on the outskirts of his figures were inflated, explains Mining activities began soon village. Intermittently, he tosses Gangolf schrimpf from Merck’s after and Koderma district baskets of dirt up to his wife and media team, mine owners would was deubbed ‘Abhrak (Mica) four kids to segregate the mica have to pay a larger royalty Nagari”. scraps (dhebra) from mud. Even to the government, which Until the 1950s, over 700 legal his five-year-old daughter – who wouldn’t make economic sense. mines existed employing about has her own tiny ‘ Katori’ to fill Additionally, third party audits are 24,000 people. Mine owners, must earn her keep. A year ago, onducted to ensure compliance flush with cash, built palatial Vishnu saw two people die when with merck’s “environmental bungalows in Koderma’s Jhumri a mine collapsed. “I wouldn’t do protection, safety, and working Tilaiya, imported foreign cars this job if I had another option, “ standards”. Kuncai also carries and Arabian thoroughbreds. he says. out on-site inspections and CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 179 asks for government certificates in school and got elected resources. stating that the supply chain is ‘sarpanch’ of his village’s first Badku marandi, a former child labour free. ‘Bal Panchayat. This, despite child labourer whose father Recently, mica was the fact that his mother was left was an alcoholic, led such a reclassified as a minor paralyzed after the mine collapse drive in his village, A vocal mineral, making it easier for in 2010. She succumbed to her crusader for child rights, the the state to issue licences to injuries last year. 15-years-old vividly recalls small operations. Buyers say In the last five years, BBA crying when forced into dark, legalization could potentially rid has enrolled 3650 at risk kids scorpion-in-fessted mines until the supply chain of child labour. in school. And Giridih’s Tisri BBA intervened to send him The main hurdle, though, Block education officer claims to school. He was recently is that most mines are on over 90% of the approximately invited to attend NRSC’s Delhi protected forest land, explains 35000 kids in BBA villages stay conclave. He went hoping the Jharkhand’s deputy director of in school. BBA achieves this by story of his horrific past would mines Shankar Sinha. helping poor families access brighten other children’s futures. But there’s light at the end government schemes and by of the tunnel, BBA’s model of supporting grassroots initiatives empowering villages through against truant teachers or education and advocacy is alcohol addiction, which strains yielding results. Ranjit is now a family’s already-scarce 180 BUTTERFLIES CHILDREN IN One In Nine Children Globally Live In ESPECIALLY Conflict Zones: UNICEF DIFFICULT CIR- Millennium Post, New Delhi CUMSTANCES 27 January, 2016 Geneva: some 250 million world’s children is now living in One in nine children globally live in children – one in nine children conflict zones,” the UN agency conflict zones: UNICEF 181 worldwide – live in countries said in a statement. Millennium Post affected by violent conflicts, This is a devastating number. 23 kids saved from Maoist UNICEF lamented on Tuesday Last year, children living in such recruitment drive 182 saying it needed nearly USD Hindustan Times areas “were twice as likely to die 3.0 billion this year to help the of mostly preventable causes most vulnerable of them. before they reached the age of “The number of children five than those in countries,” it trapped in humanitarian crisis said. around the world is both UNICEF said the money it staggering and sobering,” the was asking for in 2016 would UN children’s agency said. allow it to reach 76 million UNICEF said it would need people – 43 million of them a full USD 2.8 billion (2.6 billion children – across 63 countries. euros) in 2016 to help millions By far the biggest chunk of of children in humanitarian that amount – nearly USD 1.2 emergencies around the world. billion – is need for aid in war- The agency said its annual ravaged Syria and to help the appeal had doubles in just millions of Syrian refugees in three years as well as extreme neighboring countries, it said. weather force growing number More than 260, 000 people of children from their homes and have been killed in nearly expose millions more to severe five years of brutal conflict in food shortages, violence, Syria, while more than four disease, abuse and threats to million people remaining in the their education. country are in desperate need “Around one in nine of the of humanitarian aid. UNICEF CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 181 meanwhile said a full quarter their dwindling number in the said. “The girls will be enrolled of the aid it wanted to deliver face of a relentless crackdown in Kasturba Gandhi residential globally was linked to educating by security forces. schools, where all everything is children in emergency situations, The children, including free for pupils.” stressing that it wanted to nearly 13 girls, were on the Maoist Children are often caught double the number of children recruitment list but saved in the in the crossfire in the state where it helps to access education in nick of time before the rebels at least 16 of the 24 districts are crisis zones from 4.9 million in could take them away from their affected by the Maoist menace. 2015 to 8.2 million this year. families. All of them are below Source in Jharkhand “Education is a life-saving 17 and will be rehabilitated at police headquarters said the intervention in emergencies, safer places in towns. state police brass took serious UNICEF representative The Maoists used to note of the HT report, ‘Maoists Sikander Khan told reporters in abduct or force children to join pick children through lottery’ Geneva. them, while many signed up published on Monday, and It’s been shown, he said, under pressure from peers or immediately sent a team led by that “if a child doesn’t go to parents as the guerillas provided DIG RK Dhan to Jamti villages. school for five years you have food, clothing, money and Eyewitnesses said villagers lost a generation.” protection. They were usually were happy to send their This does not bode well for trained to do low-risk tasks such children with the police force. Syria, where one in four schools as running errands and working “Children living under have been destroyed and more on computer. the shadow of the gun either than two million children are out But the tide turned after become shy and fearful or of school. allegations of sex abuse of develop aggressive traits. I hope young girls surfaced from the the rescued children will get a 23 Kids Saved insurgent hideouts and teenage homely atmosphere away from boys were forced to fight security their homes,” said DrNehaa From Maoist forces. Syed, associated professor of Recruitment Drive The guerillas adopted clinical psychology at Ranchi’s the lottery routs for recruitment Central Institute of Psychiatry Hindustan Times, New Delhi as parents were not willing to (CIP). 23 March, 2016 give away their children for the B Vijay Murty Maoist cause. “We pulled out the Police got at least 23 children who were constantly children out of Jamti Village under threat abduction by in Jharkhand’s Gumla district Maoists,” said Jharkhand police to a safe place after Maoists spokesperson and additional randomly picked them through director general of police SN lottery to swell the fighters’ Pradhan. He said relocating the ranks with child soldiers. children to safe places was the The police operation came best solution since the Maoists after HT highlighted on Monday were resorting to inhuman acts, how armed Maoist extremists frustrated by repeated defeats. were enlisting children for “The state police will combat through public lotteries take care of their food, clothing, in select villages to replenish education and shelter,” Pradhan 182 BUTTERFLIES STREET Govt. To Conduct Study On Drug Abuse CHILDREN Pattern Among Street Kids The Hindu, New Delhi Govt. to conduct study on drug abuse 01 January, 2016 pattern among street kids 183 Bindu Shajan Perappadan The Assam Tribune Substance abuse among Delhi Women and Child for prevention and treatment street children 184 Minister Sandeep Kumar has intervention for substance use The Assam Tribune confirmed that his department in street children. The study will Street Children in Guwahati: will undertake a comprehensive help identify issues that will help An overview 185 to guide the development of an The Sentinel study on patterns of drug and substance abuse in street intervention for this population. LVªhV fpYMªu ds iquokZl dks ysdj ljdkj children. The Ministry is looking Overall, the present xaHkhj 187 at collaborating with the All India proposed study will help the yksdLkR; Institute of Medical Sciences Department of Women and The Plight of child beggars in (AIIMS) in this regard. Child Development to better Guwahati 187 The department explained understand the current situation The Assam Tribune the rationale behind undertaking and address the risk factors that At home, beggars can now be this ambitious project stating contribute to substance abuse choosers 189 among street children as well as The Times of India that “there is no estimate on the number of street children using address the gaps in treatment Street children share demands, con- needs. cerns with the UN 190 drugs in Delhi. Though some The Asian Age recent information on Delhi’s Under the proposal, all street children is available, the nine districts will be studied Rising above the din 191 results cannot be used to project for drug-using street children. The Statesman or estimate their numbers. Respondent-driven sampling Moreover, methodological will be used to recruit street difficulties involved in dealing children using drugs and the with this population are a “multiplier method” will be challenge.” used to estimate the number of Based on the findings, study such children in each district. results will be able to highlight the This methodology has been need for initiating programmers successfully used in various CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 183 studies in the country for a size them lying on the street in a change in personality and estimation of the population of state of altered sensorium due brain function, cognitive and injecting drug users in Haryana to severe drug intoxication. neurological impairment caused and Punjab. Most of them are street children by brain cell death, lung are “The process will include with a habit of substance breathing problems and sudden identifying and selecting non- abuse. There are thousands of death due to cardiac arrhythmia. government organizations homeless children, commonly They cause teratogenic effects and government organizations referred to as “street children”, too. So, if a street girl is pregnant that provide services for street in Guwahati, who live in unsafe and she’s sniffing, it gets passed children. An initial recruitment places such as streets, railway on to her baby and causes and interview of some drug- platforms, parks, near temples birth defects of various kinds. using children as ‘seeds’ will and durgahs, in markets, under We should spread awareness be carried out by an NGO,” the flyovers and bridges, near bus among these children against proposal noted. depots and stops, in makeshift the adverse effects of sniffing Adolescence is a transitional huts in slums, and substance Dendrite and motivate them to stage of physical mental human abuse is affecting around 82% stop the habit. development. Any substance of them. The problem is more Usually most of the abuse at thus age is likely prevalent amongst the higher shopkeepers are not aware of to interfere with normal child age group street boys with along the harmful effects of Dendrite. development and may have a longer duration of street life. So we have to discourage them lasting impact on the future life. These children’s substance from selling Dendrite to children. “The adolescence is a abuse often commences with The district administration and difficult period in the life on an alcohol, tobacco and inhalants the law-enforcing bodies must individual, characterized by the which are legal and easily enforce law to ban the sale need to achieve autonomy from accessible in the city. The most of Dendrite to children. The elders, establish self-identity, common type of substance others most commonly used gain acceptance among peers abuse in the citywide population psychoactive substances are and other stresses,” noted the of street children is inhalant use. alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, Minister. Inhalants are cheap, readily whitener, cocaine, opiates or available and legal, making hallucinogens. Some of them Substance Abuse them a popular way for these use intravenous drugs which children to get a high. Whether cause addiction and in many Among Street it is glue, gasoline, paint thinner cases death from overdose. Children or nail polish remover; they use Injecting drugs carries a high these products for sniffing or risk of HIV infection, as well as The Assam Tribune, Guwahati huffing inhaling the fumes for many other diseases, because 16 January, 2016 their intoxicating effect. Majority of sharing contaminated Dr. Dharmakanta Kumbhakar of the substance abusers are needles. Most of them use more in the habit of sniffing Dendrite than one type of psychoactive We often experience as an intoxicating substance substance. seeing adolescents and young regularly. Dendrite tubes are They are being the habit children walking on the streets cheap and readily available. of using substances for many or sitting in some isolated They can spend Rs.10 to 20 reasons. The most common places of Gwahati with glue easily to buy a tube of Dendrite. reasons are essentially peer bottles essentially stuck to their They sniff it either through pressure, the need to survive nostrils. Some time, we see the nose or mouth. Sniffing of and to experience pleasure or dendrite could cause addiction, satisfy one’s own curiosity. The 184 BUTTERFLIES nature of continuous exposure street. The fact is that, most of abuser street children as a to the street and its associated these children that are using unique individual. Special efforts lifestyles make them vulnerable substances become socially are need to hook up these to the use of psychoactive handicapped. They often children with treatment services substances. They are at risk of struggle with addiction and other and other kinds of help such a number of different dangers health problems. Something as life skills and job training. daily, as they work and live they try to kill themselves as Some of them many need a alone without adequate food, using alcohol or drugs increases pre-treatment stage where their shelter, education, affection and suicidal tendency. In order to immediate crises are addressed social security. As a positive save money to buy psychoactive through sheltering services and coping mechanism to deal with substances, they cut down on short-term detoxification. the stress of their lives, their food expenses; many of them adverse circumstances and to drink tea to dull hunger and Street Children survive on the streets, majority even remain hungry. They of them choose maladaptive often engage in activities such In Guwahati: An strategies such as drinking as stealing, pick-pocketing, Overview alcohol and using drugs. drug-peddling and prostitution They turn to psychoactive for money to buy psychoactive The Sentinel, Guwahati substances as a way to escape substance. 18 February, 2016 from the grim reality that they The NGOs and the Dr. Dharmakanta Kumbhakar face in life, to bolster their Government should come courage and strength to cope forward to curb this problem Thousand of homeless with the everyday challenges and save millions of vulnerable children, commonly referred to of life on the street, due to lives. It requires specific as “street children”, are found in frustration concerning living on legislation and attention from the Guwahati. There is currently no the street and to cope with cold, Government. The responsibility official figure of the number of hunger and fear. They don’t to curb this problem and to street children in Guwahati, as it have access to recreational assist these abusers should is difficult to obtain accurate data facilities and often venture into be given to some city-based about them due to their floating activities available to them on financially by the Government. character. A survey by an NGO the street such as drug abuse The volunteers of the NGOs in 2013 revealed 5,534 street and drinking. A lot of children must help these children to children living in Guwahati. use drugs just for pleasure and understand the dangers of These children are mostly experimentation. intoxicating substances, so from poor families who have Using intoxicating that they have a better chance migrated from the rural areas of substances, of course, is not at of turning their lives around. Assam and other neighboring all an effective solution to such In planning the interventions, states. Some of them came with problems, since it renders them the service providers shouldn’t their families and some alone in less capable of dealing with consider these children as search of a livelihood. In course stress and more likely only to a single and homogenous of time, due to various reasons turn to even more substance population as their rates of these children adopted a life of abuse than before. The drugs substance abuse vary widely the streets in Guwahati. Once of usually make it difficult for them depending on age, gender, the street, they hardly remained to communicate with others. ethnicity, duration and current in contact with their parents, as Furthermore, substances make living circumstances on the the street became their home. it harder for them to reintegrate street. They should consider Some of these children had into society after living on the and assist every substance CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 185 runaway from their homes for child’s budget is food, which them for money. Older children various reasons. Some left often costs 50-100 rupees a and children with higher income home drawn by the glamour of day. In order to cut down on are abused more than younger the Guwahati city. food expenses, many children children and children with lower A majority of the street drink tea to dull hunger. The income. Most of the girl street children in Guwahati are in the money earned by them that children are molested and age groupof 8-17 years. Most is not spent on food is usually raped, they become teenage of them are boys with little or no quickly spent on other things, pregnant. education. They live in unsafe because older children and The right to play of these places such as street, railway police frequently steal their children is almost non-existent. platforms, park, near temples money. This lack of ability to As they don’t have access to and durgahs, in markets, under save causes server financial recreational facilities, they often flyovers and bridges, near insecurity. Many spend money venture into activities available bus depots, under flyovers on entertainment, though older to them on the street such as and bridges, near bus depots children also use money to buy drug abuse, gambling, drinking and stops etc. some live in cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc. Majority of them have been temporarily constructed huts in alcohol and drugs. found to choose mal-adaptive slums. They form groups, which They have little hope for the strategies; such as drinking become a sort of family for future and do not believe their alcohol, using drugs and them. They also move in groups circumstances will improve. visiting prostitute as a positive for security reasons. Usually They are very mobile and coping mechanism to deal the oldest child of the group reluctant to discuss their past with the stress of their lives, becomes the decision maker. and present. They work and live their adverse circumstances Almost 50 percent of them are alone without adequate food, and to survive on the streets. self-employed as rag-pickers, shelter, education, affection Substance abuse in an important hawkers and shoeshine boys; and social security. This leaves concern affecting around 82 while others work in shop and them extremely vulnerable with percent street children (mostly establishments. Younger street many of their physical, mental adolescent boys) in Guwahati. children and girls are largely and social needs remaining The nature of continuous engaged in rag picking or in unfulfilled. They are on their exposure to the street and its begging and the older ones are own and do not have any associated life-styles make in selling wares or work in shop. parental supervision or care these children vulnerable Other jobs include cleaning though some do live with other to the use of psychoactive cars, petty vending, selling homeless adults. They have substances. Majority of the small items such as balloons or little or no knowledge of their substance users are in the habit sweets, selling flowers, working rights, leaving them especially of sniffing Dendrite regularly. in small hotels, working on susceptible to exploitation both The other most commonly used construction sites and working as juveniles and later as adults. psychoactive substances are in roadside stalls or repair They are most vulnerable as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, shops. Their work hours range they are easy victims of abuse whitener, cocaine, opiates or between 10-13 hours a day. and inhuman treatment. They hallucinogens. Few of them The older street children are are frequently exposed to all use intra venous drugs also. sometimes engaged in activities form of abuse, harassment Most of them use more than like stealing, pick pocketing, and extortion by older street one type of substance. NGOs drug-peddling and prostitutions; children, employers, municipal and government should come though this is a small proportion. authorities, police and other forward to curb this problem and The largest expense in a street people. At times police beat save millions vulnerable lives. 186 BUTTERFLIES These children are exposed should be given to NGOs as cPpksa dh ,d LVhMh dh tk jgh gSA to high health hazards due they are better able to meet bl LVMh esa u”ks ds rjhdksa ds lkFk to unhygienic conditions of the needs of these children in mudss iquokZl ds mik; ij xgurk ls living. Having no shelter, varied circumstances. They they are constantly exposed should be backed financially by eaFku gks jgk gSA mnkgj.k ds fy, tSls to environmental conditions the government. Censuses of dksbZ cPpk iSVªksy ds tfj, u”kk djrk of heat, cold and rain. They the street children in Guwahati gS] rks iSVªksy ds u”ks dks dSls NqMk;k face additional vulnerability should be taken in order to help tk ldrk gSA] blds fy, cktkj esa because of their lack of access NGOs. dkSu lh vk/kqfud nokb;k¡ miyC/k gSa to nutritious food, sanitation and vkSj dSls iquZokl gks ldrk gS] bu medical care. They lack access to nutritious food because many LVªhV fpYMªu ds lc ckrksa ij v/;;u fd;k tk jgk are dependent on leftovers from gSA ea=ky; ds vf/kdkjh dh ekusa rks small restaurants or hotels, food iquokZl dks ysdj fnYyh ljdkj }kjk LVMh dks vk/kkj stalls, or garbage bins. Lack of ljdkj xaHkhj ij cukdj Mªx ikWfylh esa cnyko sanitation in bathing, toilets djus ij fopkj dj jgh gSA and safe drinking water also yksdLkR;] ubZ fnYyh Lkjdkj dk ekuuk gS fd u”ksa contributes to poor health. Open 10 Qjojh] 2016 air bathing of such children is dh yr dk f”kdkj gks pqds cPpksa dks in fact a very common sight in cpkuk t:jh gSa] D;ksafd blls vijk/kksa Guwahati. They have to put fnYyh ljdkj ds varxZr lekt esa Hkh deh vk,xhA blfy, fnYyh their naked bodies on display dY;k.k ea=ky; LVªhV fpYMªu ds ljdkj dk lekt dY;k.k foHkkx bls for a very long time before, iquokZl dks ysdj dkQh xaHkhj fn[k jgk dSchusV ykus dh rS;kjh dj jgk gSA during and after bathing. As a gSA crk nsa fd u”ks dh yr dk f”kdkj result they develop hardly any gks pqds LVªhV fpYMªu ds iquokZl ds The Plight Of sense of modesty. Most of them use the roadside or railway fy, fnYyh ljdkj cPpss ds u”ks ds Child Beggars In line for their toilet. They use vk/kkj ij iquokZl dh ;kstuk cuk jgh Guwahati water from municipality pipes gSA feyh tkudkjh ds eqrkfcd fnYyh and water taps. They also lack dh yky cRrh vkSj dwM+s ds dkeksa esa The Assam Tribune, Guwahati access to medical care. They yxs cPpksa esa u”ks dh vknr ls fnYyh 17 March, 2016 have much higher instances ljdkj fpafrr gSA Dr. Dharmakanta Kumbhakar of HIV-infection due to lack of awareness and supervision on ;gh otg gS fd ljdkj buds We often experience the streets. iquokZl ds fy, u, fu;eksa vkSj seeing child beggars on the The problem of the street vk/kqfud fpfdRlk ds ek/;e ls streets of Guwahati, including children in Guwahati are least budk iquokZl djsxhA xkSjryc gS crippled children roaming the documented. As a sub group fd ea=ky; ds vf/kdkjh ds eqrkfcd intersections and walking of the Guwahatian population, fnYyh ljdkj dks Mªx ikWfylh esa between cars asking for food/ they deserve specific attention cnyko ds lq>ko dbZ fo”ks’kKksa ls feys money. We see them begging from the authorities concerned. at railway platforms, bus stops, Their vulnerability requires FksA ftlds ckn lekt dY;k.k foHkkx parks, near cinema halls, in specific legislation and attention us bldk foLr`r losZ djus dk QSlyk front of hotels and restaurants, from the government to improve fd;k FkkA blds fy, ,El ds tfj, in markets, near temples and their condition. The main us”kuy Mªx fMiSVSaM lSaVj xkft;kckn durgahs, and from door to responsibility of assistance to }kjk u”ks dh yr dk f”kdkj gks pqds door also. They often pull our the street children in Guwahati CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 187 cloths and beg. The state social families. Few child beggars is running by some groups. welfare department launched a belonging to the families of the These children are left in the mission and tied up with seven nearby villages of Guwahati public places for begging in the NGOs of the city few years visit the city daily either alone morning by agents. The agents back to make Guwahati free of or with family members. They come again in the evening and beggars including child beggars. come to the city in the morning, take them back. There are But many women and children beg the whole day and return special houses for them that ware still found begging in the home in the evening. In some are provided secretly. They city. Instead the numbers seem cases, the parents or siblings stay indoors at night and come to have grown in the last few of these child beggars are sick. on the roads during the day years. There are thousands of They beg and collect money for time only. The child beggars child beggars in Guwahati and their treatment and food. The who are forced to beg by these the majority of them are in the children of these poor people third parties are often removed age group of two to 13 years. beg because they don’t get work from their familiar, surrender There is currently no official child labor is a crime. Some the majority of their income to figure of the number of child child beggars are the children their exploiter(s) endure unsafe beggars in Guwahati as it is of people who are substance work and living conditions, and difficult to obtain accurate data abusers. Their mothers cannot are at times maimed to increase about them due to their floating run their families alone working profits. A significant number character. as laborers. They start begging of these child beggars have The young street children and to help their mothers. Sometime, had limbs forcibly amputated, street girls are largely engaged begging is often imposed by or even acid poured into their in begging in Guwahati. They family members. They think, eyes to make them blind since may be orphans or runaway it’s better for the children to disabled child beggars attract children. They are homeless beg than working themselves. sympathy and earn more children who live in unsafe Some mothers take one or two money than the healthy ones. places such as streets, railway younger children with them, In addition to inflictions such platforms, parks, near temples allow them to dance, sign or to as blindness and loss of limbs, and durgahs, in markets, under do some teach and leave them other physical abuses for the flyovers and bridges, near – bus on the street for begging. Some purposes of heightening profits depots and stops, in makeshift adult beggars rent or share include pouring chilli pepper huts in slums. Some of them infant, children or different kind on a child’s tongue to give the sing and dance for begging. of diseases children from other appearance of impeded speech, They cannot get food properly women for begging as they get the use of opium to elicit cries, though they beg for their daily more money and give half of and administering injections of food. They hardly earn Rs. 50 their earning to those women. drugs that will increase a child’s a day other beggars and police Some teenage mothers feed energy and alertness. frequently steal their earned their child sedatives, so that they These days, the child money. Actually, these little sleep quietly and the mothers beggars in Guwahati are street children struggle to live beg showing their child as sick. committing many crimes. Some being a child beggar. There are some ‘commercial’ of the child beggars are proved Some people living in the child beggars in Guwahati. cheaters. Some able bodies slum areas of Guwahati are Their number is not known, but are found pretending lame, so poor that they cannot even we can see them everywhere dumb or blind since disabled sustain for life. The children in the city Most of them are child attract sympathy and earn of these poor people become trafficked children from other more money than the healthy child beggars to help their own states and the trade of begging ones. A small section of the 188 BUTTERFLIES child beggars is engaged in medical care. They have much them fending for themselves on activities like stealing, pick- higher instances of HIV infection the streets. pocketing, drug-peddling due to lack of awareness and Neetu doesn’t like begging, and prostitution. Substance supervision. but says that because everyone abuse is an important concern The problem deserves in her family begs, she has to affecting older child beggars specific attention from the contribute her mite too. But life on in Guwahati. Majority of the authorities concerned. The the streets is full of insecurities. substance users are in the habit state needs effective legislation Aslam, 12, is luckier. He says of sniffing Dendrite regularly. to punish both child trafficking he use to beg at the traffic The other most commonly used and forced begging. NGOs and stops, but ceased doing so after psychoactive substances are administrators of government he started going to school a few alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, should reach out to these child years ago. There is hope now whitener, cocaine, opiates or beggars for their comprehensive that Neetu and over 80 others hallucinogens. Few of them use needs that include education, will follow Aslam’s example Intra-venous drugs also. Most health care, protection and voluntary organizations Society of them use more than one type rehabilitation. Orphanages and for Promotion of Youth and of substances. Further, many shelter homes are required to Masses (SPYM) and Plan of the gangs which run the assist child beggars without International are conducting a network of forced begging are families. A proactive role from programmed to wean children involved in drug peddling; thus the city dwellers is essential away from begging. the children under their control to make the city free of child The children, 67 of whom often become drug addicts. beggars. are in the 3-10 age group, are The child beggars have part of the government’s project little hope for their future; in At Home, Beggars to make the publish spaces fact, they hardly believe that around IIT flyover and RK they can have a better future. Can Now Be Puram Sector 3 free of child This leaves them extremely Choosers beggars. Under the Dreams vulnerable with many for their on Streets Project, the Delhi physical, mental and social The Times of India, New Delhi Government, Delhi Police, New needs remaining unfulfilled. 30 March, 2016 Delhi district administration and The conditions in which begging Ambika Pandit the two voluntary organizations takes place commonly expose provide a day-care centre for the children to further physical Neetu, a 12-year-old girl, diurnal activities and three night and verbal abuse, including lives in a shack under the IIT shelters for children who lack a sexual victimization and police flyover on Outer Ring Road home. brutality. At times police beat near Munirka. In the mornings, When TOI visited the cluster them for money. Most of the girl she stands by the roadside of shelters at Saraswati Park child beggars are molested and and as soon as the traffic light in RK Puran, It found some raped. The children engaged turns red, she is tapping at the children playing on colorful into begging primarily receive car windows, her palms spread swings outside, while other sat little to no education. These out in the universal gesture of inside glued to a television set children are exposed to serious begging. She might not like watching a film. They came health hazards due to unhygienic the indignity of such a life, forwards enthusiastically to conditions of living. They face but she- and many other kids narrate stories about their vulnerability because of their like her-have no choice. The experiences in the rehabilitation lack of access to nutritious food, circumstances of their life keep program me. It turned out that sanitation, proper shelter and many of them lived in temporary CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 189 dwellings under the IIT flyover, youngsters to attend school.” yy 65% children said they didn’t while some others had come The social activists know like to beg, but had no other to the shelters from roadside that unless the parents are won source of income; 35% said juggins in the vicinity. over, it will not be possible to they liked doing it because it Around 20 of the children are stop them from sending their was the easiest way to earn enrolled wither in a municipals kids out on the streets with money. school or in a government outstretched palms. So along yy 87.7% said one or more of school, with most of these with the children, the outreach their family member were enrolments having taken place workers work with the parents into begging. Of them, 52.8% in the past three months. Aslam too, trying to convince them had two to four members, is one of the students. “I come to think about their children’s and 21.6% had more than to the shelter to paint and to play future. six members of their family games, “says the boy. “ I like The promise of three meals begging. the place, so I also encourage for the children is something others to study,” he adds. His that some parents can’t fight Street Children parents value his empowerment against. However, Kumar says Share Demands, and no longer push him to beg. the incentive for the parents of Contacted by outreach child beggars should not be the Concerns With The workers on the lookout for child food, but the freedom from the UN beggars or those in potential day that the youngsters face on danger of turning into beggars, the roads. The Asian Age, New Delhi the children come to the shelter 10 April, 2016 by 9am. The day starts with a ALMS AND THE MAN Shatakshi Gawade prayer and a quick breakfast of yy 5507 children were fruit. After two informal classes normal, 64 had disabilities. Reports of consultations providing basic literacy, the Surveyors felt some children with street children in India were boys and girls are divided into are only feigning disability shared with official of the United groups for creative sessions in by using bandages. Nations Convention on Rights of painting. It is more relaxed after yy 1641 (28.65%) were found the Child and other civil society lunch. When the youngsters are at religious places, 1089 organizations at the South allowed to watch TV for an hour (19.02%) at bus stops, train Asian Conference; forthcoming and play games later. When and metro stations. General Comment on Children the children visit their families yy Tourist sports had the least in Street Situations. These in the evening, they are urged number of child beggars comments from the conference, to return for dinner and to stay 2%. organized by Plan India and the night at the shelters. Many yy Reasons for begging varied; Consortium for street Children, of them do. some did for healthcare or will be used to formulate the Nitesh Kumar from SPYM to earn more for family. general comment on street- says that the objective of the yy Most children said there connected children, which is project is to prod the children was no coercion to beg. expected to be published in into a better life away from But 20.7% said they were 2017 after consultations with begging. “This is a pilot program forced to do it, by parents stakeholders across nations. me, and we will hopefully learn or friends. Majority of these These consultations with a lot on the way,” he says. “At children said they were web street-connected children this stage it is critical to support ally or physical abused by as well as civil society the children and win the trust parents to beg organizations will be India’s of their parents for allowing the 190 BUTTERFLIES contribution in the general consultation, said the children the issues of children must be comments, which will provide were keen to know when taken up on the mission mode. an authoritative interpretation of these consultations would There were also discussions the rights in the United Nations get converted into effective on what can be done to make Convention on the Rights in measures, much like the adults governments accountable, the United Nation Convention at the conference were. Such street-connected children from on the Rights of the Child. The consultation processes are also the perspective of child labour, deadline for submitting inputs being conducted simultaneously as also agency of such children for the general comments is in 20 other countries. during the conference. While April 12, the international day Gehad madi, member of Bharti Sharma, ex-chairperson for street children. the UNCRC committee and of the child welfare committee, During the consultation, advisory board, said this was said the measures must be conducted with 38 children the very first time that children aimed at the family and not just from eight states, Nepal had been included in such a the child, child rights activist and Bangladesh over a consultation. He added that the khushboo Jain pointed out that period of three days, street – 10,000 word general comment the voice of the family was connected children spelled will try to define street children completely missing from the out their demands. The street as also devise guidelines and general comments. –connected children, who recommendations for state Chairperson of the National experience severe violations of authorities. Commission for Protection of their rights and are generally According to the Consortium Child Rights Stuti Kacker, the “invisible”, falling through the for Street Children (CSC), an chief guest at the conference, cracks of the system, asked international network for street said efforts have to be made to the government to give them children, this will enable the state prevent from coming in conflict their rights, restructure the to develop a comprehensive with the law. “But personally, justice system and take away national strategy for street I feel street children urgently dependence on NGOs. children, which will ultimately need a nutritional safety net.” Further, they asked the mean street children become a government to ensure safety priority for the government. Rising Above for girls, provide agricultural CSC president and plan support so that children aren’t India patron Surina Narula said The Din forced to migrate and work on the general comment must take the street and rehabilitation for into consideration children from The Statesman, New Delhi parents involved in substance different situations like poverty, 14 April, 2016 Vidhur Garg abuse. They also asked the war, migration while defining government to punish those street connected children. who hurt children working on However Rajib Haldar, director, Voices of street children are the street and to pay higher children protection, Child in set to influence government salaries to the police so that Need Institute, said the definition policies as they find place in they stop harassing them. being given for street children is the UN’s upcoming general The children also shared their far too wide. “It should include comment, reports Vidur Garg experiences and understanding children surviving on, working Protection, safe environment, of their situation during the on the street and children on the shelter, food, identity and consultation. brink of coming onto the street dignity. These are some of the The concerned for working and they should be looked at key demands of street children children’s Kavita Ratna, from the legal perspective, not in India. Brutalized and abused, one of the facilitators of the just emotionally, ”He added that children working and living on CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 191 the streets, or spending much of the streets. They have limited both boys and girls, living on their time in public spaces, are access to the basic necessities the streets. Rapid structural subjected to severe violations of life; food, clothing, shelter, changes through liberalization of their rights. Living inconstant education, recreation and and globalization policies fear of violence from adults, healthcare. They are also have contributed to inequities police and other street children, at high-risk from substance and increased incidences this section of our society is misuses, HIV/AIDS and suffer to inequities and increased discriminated against when it from persecution and stigma. incidences of destitution in comes to access to food, clean Perceived as a hard-to- many parts of this region. Faced water, shelter, healthcare and reach group, street children by poverty, homelessness, basic needs. Ironically, the are too often ignored by society separation from their families world celebrates 12 April as and made invisible in policy and unable to go to school, street the International Day for street agendas. This pioneering event children are forced to work. children. will make the voices of this These issues are inextricably Now, for the first time, street often resilient and resourceful linked to a range of issues, children across the world have group of young people heard including endemic poverty, a unique chance to make their at the highest level. The views domestic and or sexual abuse voices heard and influence and recommendations shared and other forms of violence, governments. Street children will be reflected in the UN hazardous working conditions, from over 25 countries are taking General Comment on Children exploitative labour, substance the lead in seven pioneering in Street Situations, a key abuse, conflict with the law and consultation events and their piece of international law on HIV/AIDS pandemic. views will be reflected in the children’s rights, laying out the Commenting on the forthcoming UN Committee on governments’ obligations under consultation, Gehad Madi, the Rights of the Child’s General the UN convention on the Rights member, UNCRC Committee Comment on Children in Street of the child. The law has been and Advisory Board, said, Situations. accepted by all countries in the “Developed by the UN’s highest In this context, a consultation world except the US. authority on children’s right, the jointly organized In the capital In the past, many national general comments lay out for the by plan India and consortium for programmers and plans to first time what the governments street Children (CSC), UK, saw address street children’s rights must do to respect children’s the participation of 54 children have failed because they rights under international law. and young people. The two-day have not taken account of or These recommendations will consultation last week brought responded to children’s needs. prove to be a powerful tool to evident facts in front of the UN Till date, two programmers promote street children’s rights.” Advisory Board member, who have been formulated by India Surina Naruala, President, interacted with the children – Integrated Child Protection CSC and Plan India patron, to understand their situation Scheme, which encompasses said “The UN General comment and what they could do to street children in need of care on children in street situations help governments support the and protection and National is an historical event marking children. The major concerns Plan of Action for street children. the acknowledgement of the included lack of healthcare, South Asian countries, existence of street children, child trafficking, lack of address including India, Pakistan, who had been invisible despite and substance abuse. Bangladesh, Nepal and the struggle of civil societies to In Delhi there are an Sri Lanka, with high levels bring them on the agenda of estimated minimum of 50,000 of urban poverty have the governments.” children living and working on largest numbers of children, 192 BUTTERFLIES WELFARE Register All Child Care Institutions: PROGRAMMES Maneka To States AND POLICIES The Economic Times, New Delhi 01 January, 2016 Register All Child Care Institutions: Mane- Raghav Ohri ka to States 193 The Economic Times Asks them to ensure that for fillingup the vacancies” in all City Police launches drive to track missing no financial assistance the child care institutions. children 194 is given until they are Gandhi has also referred to Free Press Journal registered. a letter written previously by her Getting Home 194 on the issue. Referring to the The Sentinel To achieve the twin objectives said (previous) letter, she said AAP Government Doubles Education of bringing accountability and “this was written with the intent Budget to 9836 CR 198 facilitating swift adoption, the Hindustan Times of enforcing minimum standards Union Minister for Women and of care for the services provided Uk”ks ds f[kykQ cPpksa dks lpsr djsxh Child Development, Maneka to children in the CCIs and for ubZ f”k{kk uhfr 199 Gandhi has written to all the ensuring stringent monitoring nSfud tkxj.k state governments asking mechanisms of the CCIs and Scheme that pays for wedding of poor them to ensure that child care to have a survey conducted girls stops child marriages. 200 institutions (CCI) should be Deccan Chronicle to identify such homes and registered with the government. compel them to register under Demand for crèches in city’s urban slums In a letter, written fortnight still to be fulfilled 200 the Juvenile Justice (Care and back to Ministers for Social The Asian Age Protection of Children) Act, Welfare in all the state, Free sanitary napkins scheme for Delhi 2000, failing which children Govt. School to continue 201 Gandhi has made it clear that residing in these homes maybe Hindustan Times no unregistered institution shifted to other registered Campaign to raise students’ strength in should be given “any financial institutions”. govt. schools starts 202 assistance until they are The Union Minister also The Tribune registered”. referred to a recent decision Beti Bachao drive has improved sex ratio In her letter, read by ET, by the Supreme Court wherein :Maneka 202 Gandhi has also asked the The Times of India the apex court has expressed state governments to “make concern about the progress made Smriti announces child tracking assessment of the availability of system 203 with regard to implementation probation officers to make efforts Deccan Herald of Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act and CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 193 appointment of probationary states in 2012. and helping missing children officer under the provisions The operation aims to trace reach back home. of JJ Act. Underpinning the missing children who might The initiative also significance of the issue, she have run out of their homes due has a website www. said that “this is a critical issue” to abuse, fights or pressure. trackthemissingchild.gov.in which the Supreme Courts is The Mumbai police, in 2015, wherein people can register “taking very seriously”. rescued 1218 juveniles who had complaints about missing The ministry also wants the run away from various parts in children and even report a institution to be converted into the state and country and come child they sighted. The website adoption agencies to expedite to Mumbai. even lists details with pictures adoption process. At present Operation Smile – 2 of children reported missing there is a huge difference The second phase of the from home. This has phone between the numbers of children operation was launched on numbers and details which can available with the adoption January 1 and will be on till be used by people who might agencies in comparison to the January 31. Sources informed spot the children somewhere. waiting list of parents wanting to that in 2015, 1544 children were The website is also available in adopt child. reported missing in the city. Of the form of a mobile application them, 908 were minor girls and Track Child, which helps City Police 636 were boys. The police had concerned citizens report a Launches Drive managed to trace down 1218 child sighted or even trace a children till November while 326 complaint. To Track Missing juveniles are yet to be traced. Children DhananjayKulkarni, deputy Getting Home commissioner and Mumbai Free Press Journal, Mumbai Police spokesperson, said, “As Business Line, New Delhi 07 January, 2016 part of ‘Operation Smile-2’, the 09 January, 2016 Nivedita Niranankumar police will focus on children K Ananthan found begging or rag picking. “Our focus will be to check the In a bid to increase children’s (New adoption guidelines background of children who safety in the city and the State, intend transparency. But are found begging at traffic the Mumbai Police along with whether it will help fight signals or railways stations, other child safety institutions prejudices and plug illegal those sent to children’s home, are helping in ‘Operation Smile- trafficking is yet to be seen.) working at local restaurants or 2’ The initiative is the brainchild Kamla* advises caution involved in ragpicking and other of the central government as one steps into her home in such activities. We will conduct and is aimed at tracking down central Delhi. Fragile glasses enquiries into individual cases missing children and reuniting are lined on the floor and books to know how many of them were them with their family members stacked up. They will soon be reported missing,” said Kulkarni. or rehabilitating in certain in boxes, packed and moved, All city police stations have cases. The initiative is a part of and a way of life wound up. also been informed to conduct ‘Operation Muskan’ is a part of The 36-year-old is moving in fresh drives focusing on child the Integrated Child Protection with her mother in the NCR safety and reducing cases of Scheme (ICPS) operated by the and the reason is four-month- child trafficking in the city. Police Ministry of Women and Child old Diane*, who came home a stations have also been asked Welfare. A centrally sponsored month ago. The grandmother to focus on clearing old cases, scheme was rolled out in all will provide much-needed family 194 BUTTERFLIES support and a welcome helping monitoring authority, except in amount of anxious moments. hand. inter-country adoptions, where The onus was on her to get When we met in November it was the facilitator. things moving. With the system last year, Kamla, a single Under the new system, still in teething stage, she mother, was busy streamlining however, CARA has taken over encountered incomplete child her new life around Diane. The the role of placing the child in study and medical examination baby, bathed, powdered, and a home. Earlier, prospective reports. Finally, when she her thick mop of hair parted parents registered with an SAA missed her first chance to adopt, neatly sideways, sits serenely and got onto its waiting list. she decided to take matters as she is rolled around the The agency subsequently did head on. house in a pram. “From day two a home study, and whenever She had registered with a she started responding to my a ‘matching’ child was cleared pune agency, one she trusted, voice,” says the mother. for adoption legally, it was but soon realized she had little She had mulled adoption placed in the home and CARA hope of getting a child from for a long time, and once her was intimated. Under the new there after the guidelines came mind was made, she spent the system, prospective parents into place. “I didn’t know where next few years preparing for it. register online with CARA, get I was on the list. After waiting The uncertainties of an NGO on its waiting list and, when for a year, will I still be at the job were given up for a steady their turn comes up, are shown bottom? After the guidelines position with an international up to six children online, of came into place, “I didn’t know agency. Priorities changed and which they will have to ‘reserve’ where I was on the list. After that included ‘slowing down’ a one. The SAAs are left with the waiting for a year, will I still be at hectic career. But between May job of caring for a child awaiting the bottom? After the guidelines 2014, when she registered with adoption and tackling the came into place, the agency as a specialized adoption agency, prolonged legal processes that not helpful either.” She believes and October 2015, when she precede it but with not much say that by then it had become an brought Diane home from in placing the child. ego battle between the agency Nagaland, much had changed Agencies and prospective and the central body. However, in the way adoption happens parents had responded to on August 7 she received an in India. Like thousands of these guidelines with alarm SMS with the choice of two prospective adoptive parents, and apprehension. The SAAs babies from Maharashtra. she was stranded in the middle weren’t exactly beaming at The first baby was tagged of a transition during which being reduced to ‘caretakers’. with the medical reports of the chief players in the official Two petitions challenging the another and other information system swapped roles. guidelines have landed in the was incomplete too. She had In August last year, under Bombay High Court. A CARA consciously opted for a child guidelines from the Ministry of official insists that the move is without special needs. But the Women and child Development, aimed at bringing transparency, second baby shown to her was the Central Adoption Resource to enable prospective parents HIV+. “I was willing to go with Authority (CARA) took the to make “informed choices” and the baby as long as the medical adoption process online. not be at the mercy of the SAAs. reports were correct. Though Earlier, finding a home for a “So much of it was upon the baby was 10 months old, the child hinged almost entirely on me, “rues Kamla. She is among information was about a five- the 411 specialized adoption the first batch of parents who month-old. I got suspicious.” agencies (SAAs) across the adopted under the new system. The guidelines demand that country. CARA played the And that gave her an inordinate the prospective parent ‘reserve’ CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 195 a child within 48 hours. Having hurdles she faced, she believes in charge of a long-running SAA got the SMS on a Friday, she the new system will improve with in Delhi. Declining to be named, was unable to seek clarifications time. “I have great respect for it. she talks of teething problems, immediately as it was a It will streamline the adoption of following the guidelines and weekend and she reluctantly process and speed it up. It will shutting down when it comes to let her chance go. A parent also prevent malpractices in a point of zero agreement. The who misses a chance goes to agencies.” agency takes care of the physical the bottom of the waiting list. After Kamla’s case, CARA well-being of the children many On the next working day, she has stopped sending intimations of whom arrive malnourished walked into the CARA office. “I to prospective parents on and as pre-term babies in need asked them if they were going Fridays and instead does so in of special tending. The legal to harass a prospective parent. the first three days of the week. procedure involved to get a child I was well-informed and still The District Child Protection cleared for adoption is long and struggling, so imagine the fate Units are now said to be working cumbersome. She asks why the of many others.” closely with the agencies in agency performing these crucial The need of the moment is to uploading information. tasks is not given a say in the effectively empower agencies to child’s placement. Though the handle the new responsibilities Is the child at the centre? guidelines allow an agency to – be it preparing a report or reject a prospective parent, Sangitha Kirshnamurti from uploading them. A parent can the scope of this veto remains Bengaluru is the adoptive parent now choose a child from any unclear. If transparency is the of an 11-year-old and works with three states in India, and that in desired objective, the SAAs stakeholders in the field. She turn means dealing with parents want access to the waiting list appreciates the government from far-off places, for which the too. A change in the system has taking responsibility for the agencies must be adequately meant the prospective parents children but, at the same time, prepared. Aware of the healthy on the waiting list of each SAA calls for more sensitivity in its ratio of babies to prospective have now got onto the CARA approach. “The old systems parents in Nagaland, Kamla waiting list. were not great. For decades opted for that state. During her At the Delhi Council of they didn’t work efficiently. But turn, she needed barely a few Child Welfare in Civil lines, they had the child at the centre. minutes to ‘reserve’ a child, but the quiescence of forenoon It was all about finding a family the glitches in getting her home is broken only by the prattle for a child and not a child for a were many. She found herself of children. A Loraine campo, family. “To krishnamurti, the idea chasing the agency in Kohima assistant director of one of of ‘reserving’ a child is much like to get things done. Being a the oldest SAAs in the capital, blocking travel tickets, giving single parent and a non-Naga generously allows a visit to the the entire adoption process a didn’t make her job any easier. nursery. A jaundiced baby is commercial hue. After much perseverance and getting phototherapy. Another The guidelines intend knocking on doors, she finally that is fast asleep has an upset to bring erring agencies to flew home with diane after stomach. A pair of twin sisters, book, but may end up stifling four hectic days in kohima. “By warm in their sweaters and socks the good ones. Krishnamurti the end I was in complete war and perched on a small seat, cautions that many upright mode. Nothing is a s difficult stares at you disinterestedly. agencies may be pushed to as this labour pain, “she states There are several unwell down their shutters, as was wryly. babies, and toddlers who reach indeed confirmed by a veteran However, despite the out from cribs. 196 BUTTERFLIES At the outset, Campos reject.” The ‘good’ agencies the family,” says a staffer. If clarifies that she is not against gave pre-adoption counseling erring agencies are the target, the guidelines: “The intention to parents, helping them make Campos suggests revoking is right and in the interest of a very important decision of their licence. “Nobody is above the child. “What worries her, their lives. The new system has board, “ she reiterates. however, is that the entire no room for that bonding as the Jolly Geevarghese, adoption process ends up treating the parent lands up at an agency officer at the Hope Foundation’s children as commodities. Each after ‘reserving’ a child. The Ashran, believes there are parent has to be shown up to six earlier system centered adoption enough checks and balances. children online, but this may not on the ‘human element’. Agencies are inspected by be practical. The CARA official What constitutes a good at least five different child says that, approximately, for home? Who makes a good protection bodies in a year. every 9000 waiting parents, not parent? Campos knows there Krishnamurti agrees, stating, more than 800 children (without are no right answers. Yet, an “The ones who are unscrupulous special needs) are available for agency frequently considered will be that regardless. They adoption. educational and financial are not binding themselves to markers to decide on the ethical guidelines to start with.” At ground Zero suitability of a home for an Geevarghese is worried Campos is all too familiar adoptive child. “Our criteria of a about the incomplete home with the realities of the adoption good parent might be different study reports she is coming world and no computer system from yours, “she says. across online. “Uploaded can fathom these. Take, for At the end of November, documents do not offer clarity instance, the preference for Campos had got legal clearance and we worry if it is the right children with light skin colour, to put five children at her agency family.” But she concedes that “As a society we have many for adoption; now her greatest changes were long overdue and generations to go before we look fear is that of a mismatch. that the new system will curtail beyond these things,” she says. “It hurts to know that we are illegal adoptions to some extent. She mentions one prospective working for the Rs. 40,000 paid Compared with 5964 mother who reluctantly let go to us once a child is adopted. adoptions in India from January her chance to adopt, when her We have learnt, and the system 2011 to march 2012, the turn came up on the wait list, as has evolved with us through number stands at 3988 for the child shown to her was ‘too these years, “she says. April 2014 to March 2015. She dark’. An agency, on the other At the agency, Campos’s recalls a time, until a few years hand, would be better clued in days are packed. Mornings are ago, when the only children to such ground realities, she spent on home study trips, which arriving at the agency were says. A bond evolved between she has to complete under the those with special needs. “And prospective parents and the new guidelines. The overriding I don’t think abandonment has agency under the previous feeling is of doing all the work, come down, “she says, making system. Through the home but having no control over it about children who never get study, the agency examined at where the child will eventually into the system. Most SAAs close quarters the dynamics of end up. By early January, two continue to receive children a family and its requirements of campos’s children have been through the police. Almost all of before placing a child with it. adopted. One went to a family them have a handful of children “That made the parents less that had previously registered with special needs, who rarely anxious… the trust that we will with them and another to a get adopted in India. Campos give them a child they will not new one. “We are happy with blames this on the absence of CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 197 social security for prospective she has empowered him with hospitals, thug and rackets. To parents. Geevarghese laments the confidence to deal with it Bhargava, the need is for not that there are no rehabilitation effectively. big bosses, but people who will programmers for the children Kamla believes the new hand-hold parents and children who do not get a family. The system will force people to as a new family is birthed. SAAs cannot host a child with shed their prejudices a sit given special needs for long: at Hope, them zero space to dither. AAP Government they are moved to other homes, Krishnamurti thinks this can Doubles Education a few of which are government- be achieved through constant run. “Most of these homes engagement with prospective Budget To 9836 Cr are overcrowded and it is with parents. “Very few people are pained hearts that we transfer speaking to parents before they Hindustan Times, New Delhi them. We need more stable adopt, letting them know that 14 February, 2016 homes for children with special certain ways of thinking need needs, one where they can be to change, like the focus on The Delhi Government is taught skills and rehabilitated, complexion, wanting the date committed to make Delhi a “says Geevarghese. and time of birth for making their hub of education. To meet this Adoption, she says, should horoscopes. Parents who come vision, the Deputy Chief Minister not be seen in isolation. to adopt because they cannot and Education Minister Manish Counseling, both before and have children biologically will Sisodia said while presenting after adoption, should be need to make their peace with the budget that the government made intrinsic to the system. this, and get counseling if is proposing a historical initiative She has after seen adoptive needed.” for the bright future of Delhi. parents struggling with the task Vinita Bharagava, the author The government has of rearing pre-teen children but of adoption in India; Policies proposed a total expenditure of who remain wary of opening up and Experiences and an Rs. 9836 crore for the education about this. “Parents should be associate professor in Human sector in the financial year 2015- made to feel free to talk about Development and Child Studies, 16. This is 106 percent more their problems and they should has studied the adoption scene than the last financial year’s be helped, “she says. in India down the decades. plan expenditure of Rs. 2219 Among the founder-members crore. Past the Prejudice of CARA, she adopted a girl The AAP Government has comprehensive plans for Krishnamurti is among a child 27 years ago after having upgrading school and higher growing group of parents who a biological son. “I have been education. They have two have chosen to adopt a child in typing to understand what objectives, making Delhi 100 addition to having a biological psychological process would percent literate in the next few one. And fighting prejudice is help overcome the issues of years and secondly, making part of that choice. “That we genes and blood and to have a child belong to parents,” she education relevant for students didn’t care about complexion imparting values and skills meant that our son was placed says. For her, a system is effective among them during twenty in our family two-and-a-half years of education. months after we completed the when it release a child for paperwork, which is unheard adoption legally to the available parents as quickly as possible. Providing facilities to of for a boy,” she says. Her schools. son does get teased for his A process that is quick will break complexion, and as a parent the unholy nexus between The agenda of the 198 BUTTERFLIES government is to provide modern Opening avenues for also proposed to be set up. facilities and infrastructure in all higher education. 1011 government schools. In the current financial year, 54 The government is making Uk’ks ds f[kykQ schools have been developed all possible efforts to make Delhi as model schools. progress in higher education. cPpksa dks lpsr Noting that the student- A provision of Rs. 310 crore is djsxh ubZ f’k{kk teacher ratio at schools was a proposed for skill development matter of grave concern, the programmers and for promotion uhfr Deputy CM said the government of vocational education in the has planned to improve this Budget 2015-16. nSfud tkxj.k] ubZ fnYyh ratio with recruitment of 20,000 Competence in skills is 15 Qjojh] 2016 regular teachers by the end of a continuous demand of this year. the industrial, business and services sectors, Sisodia ;qokvksa vkSj cPpksa dks u”ks dh yr Around 83 new building are said while announcing a plan ds izfr lpsr djus] mlds nq’izHkkoksa getting constructed and the to set up a skill university. ls cpkus vkSj mls iwjh rjg ls [kRe work is in full swing for 20 school The Delhi Government is the djus ds fy, ljdkj ds Lrj ij dej buildings, working plans have first in the country to start a dl yh xbZ gSAns”k esa ubZ f”k{kk uhfr been prepared for 25 schools ‘Higher Education and Skill dk elkSnk rS;kj gks jgk gS] ftldh and land has been identified for Development Guarantee fparuifjf/k esa ;g elyk Hkh “kkfey 38 schools. Scheme’. gSA ljdkj us lqizhe dksVZ dks ;g In the newly-constructed 83 Skill development tkudkjh nh gSA gyQukek nkf[ky buildings, 166 schools can be programmes being run by dj mlus “kh’kZ U;k;ky; dks crk;k gS started in two shifts. In addition, various departments namely fd ubZ f”k{kk uhfr esa u”khyh nokvksa 70 schools have been identified Tourism, Urban Development, vkSj “kjkc ds nq’izHkkoks ls cPpksa dks which are presently operating in Industries, Technical Education cpkus vkSj bls [kRe djus dk igyw single shift, but the government and School Education would Hkh “kkfey gksxkA ubZ f”k{kk uhfr ij proposes to start the second be brought under a common fopkj dj jgh desVh viuh fjiksVZ esa shift in these schools to cater to umbrella. bl ij Hkh lq>ko nsxhA the large number of students. Also, there is a proposal xSj ljdkj laxBu cpiu cpkvks Taking steps to ensure for expansion of the world vkanksyu us lqizhe dksVZ eas ,d tufgr accountability at school-level, class skill Centre started ;kfpdk nkf[ky dj j[kh gSA ;kfpdk the government has proposed in collaboration with the esa u”khys inkFkksZ vkSj “kjkc ds nq’izHkko to install CCTV cameras in all government of Singapore. The dk eqn~nk mBk;k x;k gSA bl ij xr the classrooms of government centre, presently running at 4 fnlacj dks fiNyh lquokbZ esa ljdkj schools.To encourage sports ITI VivekVihar complex, will be dh vksj lsis”k ,Mh”kuy lkfylhVj activities in schools, the shifted to its own campus at tujy us vnkyr dks crk;k Fkk government has launched the Jaunapur at the earliest. fd os bl eqn~ns dks lacaf/krea=ky; ‘pay and play scheme’, under A new ITI in Mongolpuri will ds le{k j[ksaxs vkSj funsZ”k ysdj dksVZ which the common man can be opened this year and there is dks lwfpr fd;k tk,xkA blh fo’k; avail facilities in government a proposal to open three more esa ekuo lalk/ku ea=ky; us ;g rktk sports complexes and stadium it is in Ranhola, Chhatarpur gy Qukek nkf[ky fd;k gSA gyQukesa at nominal user charges. and Bakkarwala. Five new polytechnics, one each in North, esa ljdkj us crk;k gS fd ubZ f”k{kk North East, Central, New Delhi uhfr rS;kj djus ds fy, lHkh lacaf/kr and West districts of Delhi, are egdeksa] laLFkkuksa ls fopkj&foe”kZ py CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 199 jgk gSA directed officials handling the rescued a class 8 Student. ljdkj us ubZ f”k{kk uhfr ij two schemes to forward all the lq>ko ds fy, ,d desVh xfBr applications to the women and Demand For dh gSA desVh ds v/;{k iwoZ dSfcusV child welfare department to Crèches In City’s lfpo Vh ,l vkjlqcze.;e gSaA iwoZ verify the age of the brides and vf/kdkjh “kSytkpanzk] lsokjke “kekZ] grooms. The model was copied Urban Slums Still lq/khj eudM+] izksQslj ts ,l jktiwr by officials of all districts. To Be Fulflled desVh ds lnL; gSaA ;s desVh izkIr “We identified four cases after verifying applications lq>koksa vkSj nLrkos tksadk v/;;u The Asian Age, New Delhi last year and three this 05 March, 2016 djus ds ckn ubZ f”k{kk uhfr dk year,” he said. He said most Shatakshi Gawade elkSnk rS;kj djsxh vkSj mldh dk;Z parents were not interested in ;kstuk Hkh cuk,xhA ubZ f”k{kk uhfr registering the marriage with ds fy, fpfUgr 33 ewyeqn~nksa esa ls nks the registrar of marriages. “If the Delhi Minister for Women Ldwyh f”k{kk ij gSaA marriage registration is strictly and Child Development implemented, we can stop child Sandeep Kumar promised to Scheme That Pays marriages,” he said. make allocations in the state For Wedding Of RR district officials received budget to develop crèches in 2997 applications for both the urban slums and invited civil Poor Girls Stops schemes last year of which 180 society organizations to have Child Marriages. were rejected. From among discussions with the department those rejected, the brides were during the state-level dialogue on young child issues organized Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad found to be underage in 100 by the network of NGOs called 24 February, 2016 cases. About 50 more child Neenv, Delhi Forces in New Kamal Pathi Rao marriages were prevented by officials after receiving Delhi or Friday. information from the child line “This discussion should Shaadi Mubarak and toll free number. happen with the (Women KalyanaLaxmi, the two schemes and Child Development) under which the state pays for Checking Crime : Department. We will consider marriage of women from poor all suggestions and work on families from the minorities and Feb. 11 :Tandur rural them. We will make more than weaker sections, has yielded inspector Saidi Reddy and 300 creches, we will make an unexpected benefit. It has childline staff prevented the policies in a week but we need helped officials prevent child marriage of a Class IX student your cooperation, “ Mr Kumar at Jingurthi, TandurMandal. marriages. told NGOs and community Officials prevented 24 child Feb. 17 :Basheerabad police representatives present at the marriages in Hyderabad, and chased a train and prevented meeting. the marriage of a 14-year- Ranga Reddy childline has A demand to set up crèches old girl who was being taken stopped over 150 in 14 months. within the community and at the Both schems pay Rs. 51,000 to Madhya Pradesh for her place of work for caretaking and towards the marriage of women, marriage. A case was registered security of young children in Shaadi Mubarak is meant for against the girl’s Parents and urban slums was placed before minorities and KalyanaLaxmi the bride-groom. the minister by Neenv, a network for the SC and ST community, Last Week : Police foiled a of 40 grassroots NGOs working Hyderabad Child Protection child marriage at Bandalapally for children under six years in Officer Imtyaz Ali said the in PeddemulMandal based on a urban poor settlements in Delhi. then collector Nirmala had KalyanaLaxmi Application and This demand was endorsed by 200 BUTTERFLIES 13,000 signatories from slums and resettlements across Delhi, we have given several Welfare push Govt. tells which are home to 50 percent presentations, had several company in charge to arrange of the 12 lakh children under meetings, but nothing has come for another supplier as vendor six years. Currently there is no of it. Unless we see something pulled out of Kishori Yojana. provision for state-run crèches on the ground, how will we New Delhi: The government for younger children under the believe him?” said Amrita Jain will not top providing free Integrated Child Development of Mobile Crèches. The Money sanitary napkins to girl students Services Scheme while the for the 30 creches has been in its schools under the Kishori Rajiv Gandhi crèche scheme allocated, locations have been Yojana, said an education covers only 17000 children in identified, but no work has department official on Saturday. Delhi. started, alleged Ms Jain. The clarification comes Community representatives “First there needs to be following media reports that the voiced their concerns at the allocation in the Budget and scheme will be discontinued meeting. “I lock my two toddlers then implementation,” she said. as the vendor pulled out of in the house when I go work, I The event was also attended the venture. The company have nowhere else to leave by deputy speaker of the Delhi reportedly wrote to the Delhi them, “said one daily wage Legislative Assembly Bandana government that it will not be labourer. Another recounted Kumari and Delhi Cantonment able to continue supplying how a girl had drowned and MLA Surinder Singh. Ms. napkins. died in a canal when her Kumari repeated the invitation While government officials parents whereof at work. “One to the stakeholders to join in confirmed that the vendor will three-year-old girl was raped in discussions on the issue of not continue supply, they said my locality. I am always worried young child development, and the department was taking about my daughters when I said, “There is no power in the remedial measures. leave for work, “ said another existing laws, there is a need “The scheme will continue woman. All of them expressed to change them. You give us as it can’t be stopped mid the need for a safe space feedback; we will plan and work way. Our contract is with where the children can be left together.” Johnson and Johnson. We from morning to evening, fed Mr. Singh, while promising have told them that they need nutritious food, given adequate to remind Mr. Kumar of the to arrange for another supplier education and medication when matter, said, “Parents should who can provide schools with needed while the parents make be able to leave their children in sanitary napkins,” said Padmini a living. crèches without worrying about Singla, director, Directorate of With about a month left their well-being so that they can Education. before the announcement of work. “ He noted that this plan “We have nothing to do with the next state Budget, the AAP will be successful if it is done the supplier as our contract is government has yet to set up devoid of any politics. with Johnson and Johnson,” the 300 creches planned under Singla added. Despite HT’s the anganwadi-cum-creche Free Sanitary repeated attempts, Johnson scheme in 2015. Not even one and Johnson could not be of the 30 crèches that were Napkins Scheme reached for a response. planned as a pilot- 15 each For Delhi Govt. The Kishori Yojana was for the slums in northeast and School To Continue South Delhi has been made yet, started in 2011 by the Congress said Snehalata of NGO Mobile government, when Sheila Hindustan Times, New Delhi Creches, a member of Neenv. Dikshit was the chief minister. 27 March, 2016 Delhi was the first to launch the “In the past two years, CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 201 scheme and it was replicated in around Rs. 13 crore for it, Government Senior Secondary other parts of the country. The Rs. 12 crore sanctioned. School, Mandola, Rewari government provided one free district, has posted pictures sanitary napkin for every girl in Campaign To Raise on Facebook walking barefoot classes 6-12. Students’ Strength door-to-door, distributing Under the scheme, 7.5 pamphlets until 1000 students lakh girl students in Delhi In Govt. Schools were admitted to the school. government schools benefitted. Starts As Mann, Additional Director, This year the government Education Department, said allocated around Rs. 13 crore The Tribune, New Delhi teams comprising member for the scheme out of which Rs. 08 April, 2016 of the school staff had been 12 crore was sanctioned. Deepender Deswal formed to visit every house for Under the scheme, Laxmi registration of children. “We are Enterprises was supplying the An intensive enrolment also organizing seminars, taking stock to schools on behalf of drive has been launched in the help of the village panchayats Johnson and Johnson. As per villages to stem the decline in to improve the strength in the media reports, the director of the number of students admitted government schools,” he said. Laxmi Enterprises is also the to government schools. Various Admitting shortage of director of a firm that is under methods are being adopted to teachers as one of the reasons CBI scanner in the case related persuade the parents to admit for declining strength in to raids in senior IAS officer government schools, he said Rajendra Kumar. their wards in government schools. the process to fill 9455 posts of Sources said Laxmi In Anipura village, panchayat JBT teachers and post graduate Enterprises decided to teachers was under way. discontinue their service from members embarked on a door- to-door campaign for the cause. next month. Chief Minister Beti Bachao Drive Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter Vijay Pal, sarpanch, said, “The on Saturday to raise the issue. teachers approached us to help Has Improved Sex them in improving the enrolment Ratio :Maneka What is KishoriYojana in the government school lest it is closed,” adding that yy The govt provides one free poor education in government The Times of India New Delhi 20 April, 2016 sanitary napkin to every girl schools has prompted several studying in Classes 6-12 in parents to send their children to govt. school. private schools in other villages. New Delhi: About 49 of y y Scheme started in 2011 by Freebies have been 100 districts of the country the congress government, advertised, including free where government’s ambitious when Sheila Dikshit was the admission, books, dress, food ‘BetiBachao, BetiPadhao’ chief Minister. and bags, for students at the campaign to save and empower yy Delhi was the first to launch government senior secondary the girl child was launched last the scheme, which was school in Agroha village to year has recorded significant replicated in other parts of entice the parents. improvement in child sex-ratio the country. Some are using the social at birth, Union minister Maneka yy 7.5 lakh girl students in Delhi media to showcase the extent of Gandhi said on Tuesday. govt. schools benefitted effort they are ready to put in Dr. “There has been significant from the scheme. Ajay ‘Manav’, acting principal, improvement in child sex-ratio yy This year, the govt. allocated at birth in 49 districts which is 202 BUTTERFLIES much beyond our expectation, home and then say the child to other initiatives of the HRD “Maneka who holds charge was born dead. So, 100% ministry, Irani said that rather of the women and child institutional delivery is very than monitoring the Sarva development said speaking at important,” she said. Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the the launch of the campaign in The minister also asked programme for achievement of 61 additional districts. Districts them to map and register the Universalisation of Elementary in Haryana and Uttarkhand entire ultrasound machine to Education, annually as was are among the ones that have keep a check on illegal sex done during the UPA, her registered positive results, the selection and monitoring of ministry would track it online ministry claimed. Preconception and Pre-Natal daily. Maneka emphasised on Diagnostic Techniques Act. “We did mid-term review the need for compulsory online. This year we shall track registration and monitoring of Smriti Announces SSA daily online. Real-time data pregnant women by village will help engage productively panchayats to curb female Child Tracking with states,” she said. (foeticide). “Sarpanches (village System The SSA under the UPA heads) should be made the regime was monitored once a nodal person in every village Deccan Herald, Bangalore year and was not facilitating for monitoring pregnant women, 24 April, 2016 solutions real-time, she added. “she said. Irani also announced that Setting a target for New Delhi - PTI : The HRD her ministry is developing improving child sex-ratio at ministry is bringing in a child an expenditure portal that birth by 10 points minimum tracking system for over 200 centralizes various sources of every year, Gandhi asked the million children across the school education data in India. deputy commissioners and country. She also mentioned a first district magistrates to adopt The system will be used of its kind portal for Teacher a “proactive approach” by to monitor their progress from Education Institutions which launching creative initiatives one class to another and also will ensure transparency and to change the mentality of the identify dropouts. grading. The HRD minister said people towards girl’s child. “Our “Introducing a child tracking her ministry is supporting states goal is to improve sex ratio at system for over 200 million to help build composite schools birth by 10 points minimum every children all across the country by rationalizing stand alone year. It will lead to 50 points in to track movement class to schools with low enrolment and five years bringing it up to par,” class, identify dropouts,” HRD one teacher. she said. A 10 point raise would Minister SmritiIrani said in a “Smaller schools are either mean the number of girls going series of tweets on Saturday mentored by larger schools up by ten vis-à-vis every 1000 on the initiatives taken by her in same geographical area or births of male children. ministry in the field of school are merged in the interest of She appealed to the states education. students,” she tweeted. to achieve 100% institutional In another tweet, Irani said deliveries and put boards that due to Right to Education, displaying and put boards the concept of bridge schools displaying number of girls and was discontinued “which boys in every village. “It is very disabilitated entrance of out difficult to kill a child in hospital, of school children into the but easier through midwives at school system (sic). “Moving CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 203 Index A Child Welfare Committee 80, 191 Cognitive Developments 59 Accountability 43, 44, 92, 120, 130, 177, 193, 199 Common School System (CSS) 118 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) 136 Community Participation 130, 131 Adolescent Criminal Behavior 44 Conduct Disorder 105 Adoption 6, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198 Conflict With The Law 44, 90, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 101, 103, Agricultural Labour 70 105, 108, 191, 192 Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, Whitener, Cocaine, Consortium For Street Children (CSC) 191 Opiates Or Hallucinogens 184, 186, 189 Corporal Punishment 69 Anaemia, Under-Nutrition 142 Counseling 198 Annual Status Report On Education (ASER) 125 Culpability 44, 89, 95 Anti-Rape Laws 91 Curriculum Design 116 Apni Beti Apna Dhan 153 Cyber Bullying And Crimes 46 Ashram Schools And Eklavya Model Residential Schools 164 Auxiliary Nurse Midwifes (ANMS) 137 D B Day-Care Centres And Crèches 66 De-Addiction Treatment 101 Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) 174, 178 Death Penalty 89, 91, 92, 104 Bad Touch 51, 61 Delhi Cantonment 161, 201 Bal Mitra Grams 178 Delhi Commission For Protection Of Child Rights (DCPCR) 69 Bal Panchayat 180 Delhi Commission For Women 81, 89 Begging 64, 70, 101, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 194 Delhi Development Authority (DDA) 161 Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao 139 Delhi University 92, 115 Birth Defects 184 Directive Principles 118 Bonded Children 170, 171 Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course 149 Bonded Labour 71, 170, 171 Directorate Of Education 101, 113, 126, 201 Brain Cell Death 184 Distributive Justice 117 Bullying And Peer Pressure 46 District Child Protection Unit 94, 99, 110 District Information System For Education (DISE) 119 C Domestic Abuse 46 Campaign To Save Children 176 Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex 43 Camp Coolies 170 Drug-Peddling 185, 186, 189 Campos 197 Capital Punishment 91 E Central Board Of Secondary Education 118, 127 Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) 79 Economically Weaker Section/Disadvantaged (EWS/DG) 111 Cerebral Palsy 82 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) 83 Chemical Castration 54 Elementary Education 7, 20, 173 Child-Adult Ratio 68 Emotional Neglect 46 Child Care Institutions (CCI) 193 Environmental Protection 179 Child- Friendly Courtrooms 63 Child Gender Ratio 139 F Childhood 29, 64, 66, 177 Factories Act 170 Child Labour 1, 16, 53, 78, 167, 171, 172, 174, 175 False Marriage 70 Child Labour (Protection & Regulation) Act 78 Federal Poverty Threshold 84 Child Marriage 41, 42, 59, 69, 124, 200 Female Foeticide 152, 158 Child Mental Health System 44 First Information Reports (FIRS) 153 Child Sexual Abuse 51, 52, 54, 58, 60, 69, 175 Fly By Night 116 Child-Space Ratio 68 Flying Squads 179 Child Survival 144 Foeticide 152, 158, 203 Child Tracking System 203 Forced Begging 189 Child Trafficking 189, 192, 194 204 BUTTERFLIES Frontal Cortex 43 Lntegrated Child Development Services (ICDS) 144 Low Birth Weight 22, 28, 59 G Low Maternal Mortality 59 Ganguly Committee 112, 113 M Gender Discrimination 69, 136, 137 Gender Inequality Index (GII) 59 Malnutrition 3, 14, 23, 24, 26, 30, 59, 85, 86, 143, 146 Globalization 192 Malnutrition Treatment Centres (MTCS) 146 Glue Bottles 184 Management Quota 111, 112, 113 Good Touch 51, 61 Market-Driven Economy 117 Gross Enrolment Ratio 34, 124 Maternal And Child Mortality Rates 59 Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) 59 H Medical Termination Of Pregnancy (M.T.P) 153 Hazardous 16, 78, 172, 174, 176, 177, 192 Mental Health Interventions 110 Heinous Crime 88 Mica Sourcing Summit 178 Heinous Offences 87, 94, 96, 97, 110 Mid-Day Meals 126 Helminthes 142 Minimum Age Of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) 93 Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) 126 Multiplier Method 183 Homelessness 3, 73, 192 Myelination 42, 43 Human Trafficking 57, 70 N I National Centre For Children In Poverty (NCCP) 84 Illiteracy 3, 14, 15, 17, 18, 37, 73 National Centre For Policy Analysis 73 Indian Council Of Secondary Education 118 National Commission For Women (NCW) 79 Indian Institute Of Science 115 National Crime Record Bureau 55, 108 Indian Penal Code 55, 73, 96, 103, 110 National Dalit Movement For Justice 165 Infant (Neonatal) Mortality Rates 59 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 145 Inhalants 184 National Food Security Act 143 Institutional Delivery 203 National Health Mission 146, 147 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) 67 National Institute Of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences Integrated Child Protection Scheme 99, 110, 192, 194 (NIMHANS) 42 International Day For Street Children 192 National Law School Of India University (NLSIU) 95 International Institute For Population Sciences 151 National Progressive Schools’ Conference (NPSC) 112 Intravenous Drugs 184 National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) 128 Iron Deficiency 142 National University Of Educational Planning and Administrations 117 J Natural Resources Stewardship Circle (NRSC) 178 Neurological Impairment 184 Juvenile Delinquency 73, 104 New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) 161 Juvenile Justice Bill 2015 43, 98, 99 Nirbheek Scheme 68 Juvenile Justice Board 72, 94, 101, 110 Nirbheekta Box 68 Juvenile Police Unit 60 No-Detention Policy 114, 126, 127 Juveniles In Conflict With Law (JCL) 100 Non-Hazardous 16, 174 Nutritional Deprivation 44 K Karnataka State Commission For Protection Of Child Rights O (KSCPCR) 135 Operation Blackboard 34, 118 Kothari Commission 118 Operation Muskan 194 Operation Smile 57, 194 L Organ Trade 70 Lack Of Access To Education 92 Out-Of-School Children (OOSC) 134 Lack Of Family Support 92 Ladli 153 P Law-Enforcing Bodies 184 Parasitic Worms 142, 143 Liberalization 192 Parental Guidance 45 Life Imprisonment 82, 83, 91, 92 CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 205 Penetrative Sexual Assault 55 Special And Local Laws (SLL) 97 Personal Safety 51, 107 Substance Abuse 92, 183, 184, 185, 191, 192 Personal Safety Education (PSE) 51 Suspended Particulate Mater (SPM) 148 Phototherapy 196 Swachh Bharat Mission 147 Pick-Pocketing 185, 189 System Of National Accounts (SNA) 171 Places Of Safety 95 Pneumonia 85 T Pornography 53, 57, 79 Teacher Education Institutions 203 Post-Partum Depression 58 Technical Education And School Education 199 Poverty 2, 3, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 32, 33, 34, Textiles 171 38, 59, 73, 84, 85, 92, 96, 105, 109, 171, 173, 174, 176, 191, 192 Therapeutic Alliance 44 Pre-Conception And Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Therapeutic Support 51 (PCPNDT) 139 Tourism 199 Prohibition 31, 53, 98, 153, 171, 172, 175 Trafficking 52, 53, 57, 70, 175, 189, 192, 194 Prospective Mother 197 Trauma And Abuse 44 Prostitution 70, 185, 189 Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) 52 U Pruning 42, 43 Psychosocial Maturity 95 UN Convention On The Rights Of The Child (1989) 72 Psychosociolegal Perspective 44 Underweight Children 25, 28, 145 Psycho-Socio-Legal Rehabilitation 44 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 59 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) 54, 143 United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child Pupil-Teacher- Ratio 120 (UNCRC) 93 United Nations Office On Drugs And Crime (UNODC) 70 R University Grants Commission 115, 126 Urban Development 199 Rag Picking 186, 194 Urban Local Bodies Department 41 Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 124 Reformative Theory Of Justice 54 V Rehabilitative Justice 43 Re-Integration Services 110 Village Education Committees 131 Retributive Justice 43, 55 Vocational Training 19, 42, 103, 110 Retributive Theory Of Justice 54 Right Law Network And The Delhi State W Legal Services Authority 101 Wash (Water, Sanitation And Hygiene) 165 Right To Education (RTE) 113, 117 Well-Being 4, 24, 171, 196, 201 Right To Information Act 98 Women’s And Children’s (Licensing) Act 53 Right To Learning 132 World Health Organization 148 Worm Infestation 142, 143 S Samman Samaroh 158 Sarpanches (Village Heads) 203 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan 34, 118, 123, 125, 135, 146, 203 Scheduled Castes (SCS) 117 Scheduled Tribes (STS) 117 School Dropout Rates 59, 152 School Management Committees 131 Sex Selective Abortion 151 Sexual Abuse 3, 15, 50, 51, 52, 54, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 71, 74, 82, 101, 102, 164, 165, 166, 170, 175, 192 Sexual Victimization 189 Shale Kade-Nannanade: Education Is My Fundamental Right 135 Sniffing Dendrite 184, 186, 189 Social Maladjustment Scheme 102 Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) 143 206 BUTTERFLIES CHILDREN IN NEWS VOL XXVII, 2016 207 ii) What three things can be incorporated in Children in News to make it more useful to the reader? U-4, Green Park Extension, New Delhi - 110016 Tel.: 01146471000, 26163935, 26191063 E-mail : [email protected] 208 BUTTERFLIES