Rs 15 A journal of the Press Institute of India May 15, 2011 - Volume 3 Issue 5

A journey to a whole new i n s i d e world, for brother’s sake

A girl in her early teens leaves her village near the Sundarbans to seek a livelihood in She walks out of an the City of Joy, to earn money to educate her unhappy marriage, older brother. After being exploited initially, and turns ...... 2 she finds a loving family in the writer’s home. A success with community radio, as the voice of the But for how long will her joy last, before she poor ...... 3 is forced to return and marry? A weekly rural market creates a special ...... 4 Anindita Bandyopadhyay, Kolkata Photo: Anindita Bandyopadhyay Priyanka happy doing chores at the writer’s house; (inset) a different Priyanka when she arrived.

wonderful hue has spread all dolls. With friends Rozina, Kakoli, law), a wide smile framing her face. duties? She had to wake up every day over the twilight sky, there is Fatima, Shikha and her two younger “Dada,” she called out, “let’s go at 4.30 in the morning, cleans utensils, Aa soothing sound of the conch sisters she would have a whale of a back home. Everything is fine; Baba rooms, serve tea and breakfast, and being blown from the mud huts, a time every day playing hide-and-seek has agreed to let you study further.” rush to the nearby market to purchase lady of twenty four strolls along the or chor-police. “What!” Kapil couldn’t believe what grocery. By the time she finished her Women call the shots ridge to her home, a smile on her In 2009, Priyanka was promoted he had heard. He jumped for joy. chores, it would be close to midnight. in Ajmer ...... 4 face. Tomorrow is Poila Boisakh, the to the seventh standard. Her elder Holding her brother’s hand, thirteen- She was hardly fourteen, and we talk Bengali New Year Day, and she has brother Kapil passed the secondary year-old Priyanka said, “Yes, brother. about abolishing child labour! bought new dresses for her parents examination with a first division the No further worry. You will study. We Priyanka didn’t complaint though. and siblings. She is the only girl in her same year. All seemed well in the managed. Come with me.” She only wanted a better place to stay, village who has obtained a graduate village, but Buddhi was unhappy. His On their way back to the village, to get one good meal a day, and a little degree and, naturally, she is the pride face pale, lips parched, nails broken Kapil explained to Priyanka how he more time to sleep. In January 2010, of the poor Kayal family. and skin tanned, he declared one would earn money for the family we brought Priyanka to our place and The scene is almost picture perfect, day: “Kapil, don’t think of studying after graduating and getting a job with us she remains. We got to know you’d say. However, that was only a further, I have no money for your in Kolkata. Priyanka listened to her about her through an acquaintance dream. When she was four-and-a-half school expenses or books. Join your brother, her eyes sparkling and her of ours. We try to give her some years, Priyanka (the girl we are talking family business. Help me in the field smile never leaving her face. For her, comfort and space. She likes reading about) used to accompany her parents and we will produce more than we it was the joy of sacrifice, forgetting the newspaper and story books, and Landing a job on the to the field. A girl of seven, cooking did this year and save more money her childhood dreams and willing to watching television. When I get green, and ...... 6 in the morning for her four siblings for the marriage of your sisters.” land on hard ground. Buddhi never some time during weekends or on and parents, then walking down to the Kapil became dumbstruck for a knew his little daughter had so much holidays, I take her to a nearby NGO primary school three kilometres away while. He then mustered courage to affection for the family. Priyanka – Cheshire Home – where we play from her home, having mudi (puffed say, “But Baba, I’ve got a first division. realised what could happen if Kapil together with orphaned children and rice) for tiffin and later returning in I want to become a graduate. I want was forced to quit studies. She spend some time with the differently- the afternoon to help her father and to study. Please do something.” “I’m consulted her mashi (mother’s sister) abled. Priyanka is content these days. two younger sisters in the paddy helpless, son,” said Buddhi, “I don’t to find a way out. Mamata, hermashi, She is trying to live life again, with field. have liquid cash right now. Try to advised her to seek work in Kolkata belief in herself and a quest for her Buddhiswar Kayal is a farmer understand. You have three younger and earn, and help Kapil pursue own identity. belonging to a low caste in Sonatikari sisters, think about them. If I spend higher education. Within days, they A few months ago, Buddhi and Sita Village of South 24-Parganas in West all the money on your expenses, how contacted a few acquaintances in the had come home, to discuss Priyanka’s Bengal. The village is about 150 km will we get grooms to marry them? grand old city and got Priyanka a job marriage. Even before we could react, from Kolkata, quite remote, close to Why you are being so selfish?” Kapil in a girls’ hostel. Of course, there were Priyanka refused to return. She is now the Sundarban Reserve Forest area. slammed the fragile cane door and ran nagging voices and the shedding of fifteen. We can fight for her against Creativity helps him bring Priyanka’s mother Sita got married out of the house. There was silence tears by all those who knew her well early marriage, but for how long? the arts alive ...... 6 to Buddhi (as Buddhiswar is better inside. Sita began lamenting for her in Sonatikari. But Priyanka, holding How many girls there must be, like known) at the age of sixteen and bore children. mesho’s hand, walked out into a new Priyanka. She was at least fortunate A focus on educating the the first child when she was seventeen. Kapil found refuge in his maternal dawn, her head held high, her mind to have found a loving home, even girl child ...... 7 The two elder daughters are now uncle’s place near Jainagar, a small flush with a new dream – to build a though it may be for a short while. married and the eldest returned home township abound 45 km away future for her brother. What finally happens to girls like her? How villagers turned to get freedom from her drunk, peevish from his village. Two days after Priyanka worked in the North Hard questions, to which there are no barren land into an oasis of husband. Priyanka is the fourth child the incident, he was idling in the Calcutta Girls’ Hostel for eight real answers, isn’t it? < green ...... 7 in the family. Like other girl children courtyard when Priyanka entered months for wages of five hundred her age, she too loved to play with with mesho (mother’s brother-in- rupees a month. And what were her 2 May 15, 2011

Focus She walks out of an unhappy marriage, and turns caregiver

They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. However, here is an example of an exceptional woman, ill-treated by her husband and forced to lead a life of her own without her children, but who recovered her poise and accepted life with equanimity Susan Philip, Chennai

he looks into the future and sees It took her ten years, but ultimately, has changed unrecognizably”. sitting here, talking to you years of waiting on a patient – Vijaya decided that she couldn’t ANEW is a non-profit charitable about my life... something Smay be an aged man or woman, tolerate her married life anymore. She organisation which trains and helps I couldn’t have even dreamt perhaps a child. Hers is a world of wanted to get out of it. Her husband women from underprivileged families of doing. Many people can’t bedpans and syringes, packed lunches was quite willing to let her go, but the get employment in non-traditional understand how I could have and nights of broken sleep. It’s not catch was, he wouldn’t let her take avenues, as car and autorickshaw done what I did. They say, a world that most will view with her children with her. By that time, drivers, computer operators and home ‘you’ve left your husband, pleasure. But for Vijaya, the prospect her father and brother had both passed nurses. “I was interested in nursing you’ve left your children. looks bright and appealing. Vijaya is away. Her sister was married, with even when I was in school,” says Are you a stone?’ I know in her mid-thirties. She’s a trained two children herself, and was looking Vijaya. “So I opted for it”. During the my pain. I try to keep myself home nurse. Her career as a caregiver after their mother. Vijaya had some four-month course she was taught the busy, but the memories will is the only source of happiness in her tough choices to make. She knew she basics of caring for a patient, as well as always be there. April 17th life, and she revels in it. couldn’t live on her own, nor could a smattering of spoken English. Vijaya was my son’s birthday. I went The youngest in a family of three she support her children. “I reasoned is all praise for ANEW personnel to the temple, and prayed for – two girls and a boy – Vijaya was that I was leaving my children with and office bearers, especially Mr him. My daughter’s birthday familiar with poverty from her earliest their father, I wasn’t abandoning Subbayyan, who taught her how to is on May 5th. How can I years. Her father eked out a living by them to a life on the streets. My sister deal with patients – (patience is the forget? But I have to take my hiring himself out as a coolie. Unable was ready to take me in. So I decided most important quality). “They gave life forward. My husband has to foot the expense of educating three to quit.” us so much encouragement, so much been spreading rumours that children, Vijaya’s parents chose to It’s a major decision for anyone to hope,” she recalls. I have made a new life with send their daughters to a free hostel take. More so for a woman who didn’t Vijaya has been working someone else. I take no notice. for the underprivileged. This was have any exposure to the world. But continuously for the past six years on I’m happy this way. I ask God Vijaya’s childhood home, and here, Vijaya burnt her boats and came to placements arranged by ANEW. She daily to give me health and she and her sister developed a close live with her sister. Life closed over has cared for a variety of patients, strength to continue working, bond. “My sister watched out for me seamlessly as if she had never been a both young and old. Mostly, her and I pray that through me, my when I was little,” she remembers. part of her husband’s life. He married assignments are long-term. Impressed patients will do well.” “She took the place of my mother.” again, had children by his second wife, by her hard work and dedication, Her parting words are: “My Vijaya showed rare courage to After she completed her Standard and his son and daughter by his first ANEW has arranged for Vijaya to be mother, my sister, Shanti, have all live life on her own terms. X, Vijaya had to leave the hostel and marriage continue to live with him. “I sponsored for training in Ayurvedic been instrumental in making me what return home. Her parents couldn’t have no one now, says Vijaya quietly. methods, such as massage techniques. I am. When I was down, they never afford to educate her further, and they “Neither husband nor children. But She has been attending classes after once considered me a burden. Instead, my children will come in search of soon found a groom for her. “He’s a my mother and sister are my family, duty and hopes to use her newly they lifted me up. ANEW helped me me, and I’ll be re-united with them. I driver,” says Vijaya. “We got married and my sister’s children are like my acquired skills side by side with her stand on my own feet. Today, I am have the confidence that I’ll be able to in 1994.” She had two children, a boy friends, not my niece and nephew.” home nurse training. a confident woman. I hope, one day, provide for them.” < and a girl, and lived a passive life, A few months after she left her Vijaya started off with a monthly keeping house, caring for her children, husband, Vijaya’s sister-in-law salary of around Rs 3500. Now she and mutely accepting the ill-treatment introduced her to a friend, Shanti, takes home about Rs 1250 every her husband meted out to her. Vijaya who had undergone a course in Home week. “I don’t have a bank account isn’t keen to remember those years Nursing at an institution called ANEW of my own,” she says. “I see no need in her life. “I was very unhappy, my in Chennai. “I owe Shanti a big debt,” for that. My sister and brother-in- husband had other women, he cared says Vijaya. “She helped me enrol law are taking care of all my needs nothing for me,” she says tersely. with ANEW, and since then my life and my mother’s needs. We lack nothing. My earnings are used for the Read every month family. Money isn’t that important. Relationships are.” It’s no easy life, but Vijaya is upbeat about it. “I have earned a good name with all my patients, and I’ve not let ANEW down; I think of my patients as my A journal that looks at social kin, I mostly call them Appa or Amma,” she says. She remembers a development issues in India, little boy she looked after for about a year. “It was a wrench when I had to leave him, he had got very attached human interest stories and to me, and I to him....but these things have to be faced.” And when one people who defy the odds. assignment ends, another begins. Looking back, Vijaya says she’s grown tremendously. “I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know how to deal with people, how to mingle. Today, I have reached somewhere. I have

Photos: Susan Philip Published by the met many people, made new bonds. Press Institute of India Vijaya (centre) with her mother, sister, nephew and niece — people I can handle anything now. I travel who now care for her. about everywhere on my own. I’m May 15, 2011 3 A success with community radio, as the voice of the poor

Whether it is to prepare for exams or to look after younger siblings or to grow crops, farmers and women in Maharashtra’s Baramati District tune in to the Vasundhara Vahini Community Radio Station and find it most useful. The channel has been generating revenue but it is keen to meet the challenge of getting more children and families to tune in

Sushmita Malaviya, Bhopal

ishnu Jaganath Rajmane, a says the community has a number of from commercial channels. He is ably teacher in the Mathachiwadi problems. Farmers have to deal with supported by another field officer, Vprimary school in Baramati agriculture-related issues and women Anand Darveshi. in Maharashtra, often listens to the have to deal with home, children and At the studio, Mandar Kinkar children’s programme Bal Udayaan, health-related issues. “We work with and Manali’s friendly and assuring Kilbil and Maasti ke Pathshala on people, but we have a limited reach. demeanour helps the community the Vasundhara Vahini Community Radio can take our work forward,” he settle into new roles and learn Radio Station (CRS). He says it explains. the ropes of community radio. not only helps him relate with the Started in 2006, Vasundhara Vasundhara Vahini is probably the children in school but most of the Vahini’s area covers Patas Road, only community radio station in India stories are followed with a message. Dorlewadi, Malegoan, Pandari and that has begun to generate its own “The programme gives me ideas on Katewadi. Most of Vasundhara revenue. Having put a marketing how to advise children to prepare for Vahini’s listeners are sugarcane and executive in place, in a year’s time examinations, how to help around allied farmers, many also have dairies. advertisers such as jewellers, auto the house, how to look after younger Apart from this Vasundhara Vahini parts owners, automobile agencies siblings.” has a following of women listeners. and LIC agents have now begun to Rajmane adds that after listening Close to Pune, Baramati has all seek out Vasundhara Vahini to air to another programme on Vasundhara the commercial radio channels – advertisements. Vahini for farmers, he has begun to Radio Mirchi, SFM, Radio City, Goje, a firm believer that every grow tomatoes and onions along with Vividh Bharati, AIR Satara – and endeavour should be self-supporting, his sugarcane crop. He says, “This it has taken the team a good deal of says, “Today, Vasundhara Vahini is has helped improve soil fertility and effort to convince villagers to listen able to support 100 per cent of its the expense of growing the sugarcane in. Recalls Aher, “It is only after recurring cost, which takes care of is now met by selling the onions and convincing people for three years to the salary of staff, electricity etc.” tomatoes.” move away from gimmicks and listen Marketing executive Nana Saheb Baramati’s Vasundhara Vahini to something that is of use to them Salve says his target for the next year CRS is part of a vision to take people that the station has been able to get has already been set and feels that he – who are often in the fringes – 70 to 80 per cent people to tune in.” will be able to achieve it. A primary school teacher and his wife (left) with programme forward in the development process. Vasundhara Vahini has also been an However, despite the position executives of Vasundhara Vahini. The teacher says that expert advice Ashoka Fellow and director of Vidya experimental site for several major that Vasundhara Vahini has attained, he followed on the community radio station helped him achieve a Pratishtan’s Institute of Technology breakthroughs in community radio. Goje is cautious. He says although bumper crop. Amol Goje has been following the During a programme in 2008, the the Government of India is keen to success of private radio channels team realised that the phone line was give licences to radio stations and since 2000 and thinks that this will down and they could not access the he has taken this up with a dedicated be an appropriate tool for information studio. An hour-long programme was team, there are challenges because dissemination in rural areas. Having aired through a mobile phone. information is not saleable in rural had experience of trying to set up The team looks for any opportunity areas. “The government’s hold on computer information kiosks in to get the community together as the communities through subsidies Maharashtra, Goje knew very well events often generate good quality remains and people are still not ready that information was not reaching programmes. Once, they organised a to pay for information,” he points out, people and he wanted to explore how competition for women to showcase recalling that when he had tried to set radio could become the voice of the skills in traditional medicines and up village information kiosks, only poor. 200 women participated. those who opted for allied services Focusing on “providing Today, a few of those who like horoscopes were able to break information that people can covert into participated in competitions such as even. knowledge”, he feels that agriculture- Shekhar Ohol still make their own On the other hand, Aher says, based information is the need of the scripts and bring them to the station to “We have approached local schools community. “Farmers listen to other record. Ohol had come for the festival to try and involve them for poems, farmers who have been successful in with his group from Solapur and has functions and talent contests to increasing yield and if a successful been writing scripts on AIDS and generate programmes. However, this farmer’s story is aired to people who Nirmal Gram. Recently, he wrote a has not yet happened mainly because are looking to improve their crop, drama for the radio – Hum Hum Hai, teachers say that they are already people will listen,” he explains. extolling the virtues of communal overburdened.” Goje feels the USP of the station harmony. The team is still keen to convince is the involvement of the community. One of the reasons why Vasundhara schools because they feel that if “It is a great motivation for the Vahini has been able to find a place they are able to reach out to children community when they are invited to in the people’s daily schedule is they will be able to attract families. come and record – or their voice is because of the locally trained team Vision, dedication and community recorded in the field and other farmers that has been working within the involvement have been the pillar or women get to hear them,” he says. community. Deepak Rajmane, who stones for Vasundhara Vahini’s current Vasundhara Vahini station-in- is Vasundhara Vahini’s field officer, success. Today, it squarely faces up to charge Bhausahab Aher takes forward is from Mathachiwadi. The qualified challenges knowing that they will be Goje’s vision of community radio youth, who has completed his MA overcome. < being a good medium for advocacy and B Ed, has been instrumental in Photos: Sushmita Malaviya and information dissemination. He weaning people in the village away The joyous couple poses before a bumper onion harvest. 4 May 15, 2011 A weekly rural market creates a special bond Photos: Kh. Kabi A view of the Lokhra Market, and (right) Bodo women selling traditional handloom material. The Lokhra Market is the largest weekly market in Assam’s Sonitpur District. Here, Adivasis, Assamese, Bengalis, Bodos, Misings and Nepalis meet to buy and sell, to gossip and drink, and to reach out to each other Kh. Kabi, Tezpur

ith the majority of India’s belonging to the Nepali community. market-criers. For instance, Sunita Village, about 20 km from the market, years, says that for many people in the population living in the There are many other communities Orang, Niru Orang and Lakshmi says he often comes to the market to villages the weekly market is the best Wrural areas, the weekly living in areas nearby, such as the Orang, a group of young girls from pass on letters to relatives and friends place to send messages to relatives market occupies an important place as Adivasis, Bengalis, Misings, Bodos Village Sapaguri belonging to the living in other villages nearby. For about illness, marriages, festivals and an age-old traditional business centre. and Assamese. It is interesting to Adivasi community, come to the Soren Islary, another Bodo, from pujas. For example, Teka Ram Rai The market serves as a multi-purpose note the amalgam of the different market frequently with their friends. Lakhiphatar Village, about 30 km from Sinali Village came to know institution and helps develop contact communities, languages and cultures Says Sunita: “We like the market from the market, the market is where about his uncle’s illness through one between people speaking different in the market and to understand the because we meet people of our own information about quarrels and of his relatives in the market. languages and having different nature of communication in the community from other neighbouring conflict in villages are also discussed The Lokhra Market attracts customs, values and world views. market, an important centre for rural villages. We don’t like the markets in the market. Narayan Jam, a Nepali hundreds of customers from far The Lokhra Market is the largest people. in the towns because the streets are from Hatinga Village has been doing and near. Many come to drink and weekly market among the 23 weekly A combination of observation, crowded with people who are all business in the market for about make merry with friends. More than markets in Assam’s Sonitpur District. field notes and interviews of the strangers, and it is quite far from 10 years; the market according to anything; it provides an outlet for It is situated 29 km from Tezpur, the stakeholders in the market carried out our village. The town people are not him is a good place to drink with social interaction between different district headquarters. The marketplace revealed that apart from buying and friendly whereas we find a friendly friends. After work, he usually drinks communities living in and around is situated in roughly a quadrangle selling, the weekly market provides a and carefree environment in the laopani, a local wine, with his friends Lokhra. In a world of conflict and patch of ground and covers about 23 platform for communication network market here.” Niru says they have on the day of the market. They gossip mistrust, the Lokhra Market stands bighas of land. The thatch stalls are and social intercourse. Friends and also made friends with some girls of and discuss government schemes, out as a harmonious community hub haphazardly arranged, a few having relatives enjoy each other’s company, another village whom they happened community work and family matters. where people reach out to each other tin roofs, constructed with the help information is sent or shared. News to meet in the market. Praveen Hazarika, an Assamese and maintain a special bond. < of various government schemes. The items concerning the larger world are Mathias Basumatary, a pastor from from Tobhanga Village who has been market is surrounded by a few houses gathered through gossip or from the the Bodo community, from Jaigirbari visiting the market for almost 40 Women call the shots in Ajmer panchayat Reena Mehta (Noida) & Bharat Dogra (Delhi)

ne area where a linkage between rapes, whenever such cases came to elected. They were determined not to Owomen’s mobilisation and notice. As a result of the opposition play a proxy role and wished to assert strengthening of Panchayat Raj can be and follow-up action initiated by their independence. Sarpanches such seen clearly is in Kishangarh Block in the groups and SWRC, incidence of as Rajender Kanwar of Khtauli, Ajmer District and its neighbouring violence against women has been Ratni Bai of Ralawata and Sunder area. It forms the work area of a leading significantly reduced. The women Bai of Amarpura became known for voluntary organisation – the Social also played an important role in independent and dedicated work in Photo: Reena Mehta & Bharat Dogra Work and Research Centre (SWRC), raising the issue of minimum wages the panchayats. also known as Barefoot College. at relief works. As a result, a large One of the most unfortunate Groups of women celebrate Women’s Day, courtesy Barefoot College. Participation of the SWRC is eagerly number of people working at the sites experiences of Panchayat Raj has sought in various social mobilisations started getting the legal wages, or been that of sarpanches and other but were later influenced by family to be fulfilled. Learning from the and campaigns in Rajasthan. The something quite close to that. It’s a panchayat leaders being encouraged to members or powerful villagers to experience in several areas, wherever reason being that the women have remarkable example of rural women indulge in corrupt practices by corrupt avoid the campaign for transparency. various women’s movements have made a remarkable contribution to coming forward to take control of officials. The collusion of corrupt So, some of them did not complete been contributing to empowerment, many-sided improvements in their their lives and also contribute to other officials and panchayat leaders is the training. it is much more likely that the full villages as also to several national struggles of women as the weaker responsible for denying development Legislation for reservation for democratic potential of reservation movements such as the movement section. and welfare funds to those who need women in Panchayat Raj can ensure for women will be realised only at the for the National Rural Employment Backed by the strength of the it the most. SWRC and associated that a certain percentage of posts grassroots level. Guarantee Scheme and the Right women’s groups, possibilities women groups were determined to at various tiers will be occupied by Despite some setbacks, the SWRC to Information. Presently, there are emerged of independent women tread a different path – one of honesty women, but such legislation by itself and women’s groups have continued 68 such groups in the region with a panchayat leaders coming to the fore. and transparency. So they arranged cannot guarantee the good performance efforts to strengthen women’s role total membership of around 5000. Thus, SWRC activists and members training programmes for the creation of the elected women. To ensure that in Panchayat Raj with a special The women’s groups are closely from women’s groups started taking of transparent systems in Panchayat the women can effectively play the emphasis on creating honest and related to SWRC, but they function the message of reservation to the Raj institutions and development democratic role assigned to them to transparent panchayats. It appears that independently without any outside villages early on. Women group activity, as well as for providing strengthen rural decentralisation in years of hard work have now created financial support. members, mostly from weaker drought relief and employment various ways as well as contribute conducive conditions in which such The groups started opposing cases sections, were encouraged to contest programmes. However, some women to a broad-based empowerment of work can make better progress in of atrocities against women, including elections. Some of them were also panchayat leaders started off well women, several conditions need future. <

6 May 15, 2011 Landing a job Creativity helps on the green, and him bring the making a mark arts alive Hemprabha Chauhan & Pradip Kumar Nath, Hyderabad Her father had sepcialised in the study of grasses. And in her childhood it was not unusual for her to play with the boys in her neighbourhood. Maybe that helps explain Nuzhat Gul’s confidence while going about her job as the first female turf manager of the Royal Springs Course

Nusrat Ara, Kashmir

t 35, Gul is the first woman of golf courses is creating a demand to look after the 18-hole golf for qualified turf professionals, Acourse. She owes her job to which she hopes will open the field history really. In 1999, as the war to more women. She adds that turf between India and Pakistan broke out professionals are not limited to golf in Kargil, some 200 kilometres from but also extends to other sport such Srinagar, countries in the West issued as cricket. For Gul, there is “no sight travel advisories to its citizens, and like that of a perfectly-manicured so the turf manager at Royal Springs lawn”. But recently, the self-declared who was from the United States duly “home bird” declined an offer from a left. There was no other qualified turf Dubai-based because she

professional available and, thus, the Photo: Nusrat Ara\ WFS wanted to stay close to her family. job came Gul’s way in 2002. “It is Hailing from a small village in Gul started her career as an intern definitely not a white-collar job, but a southern Kashmir, Nuzhat Gul, in landscape management with real Photos: Hemprabha Chauhan & Pradip Kumar Nath challenging 24-hour job,” says Gul. the first female turf manager of estate giant DLF in Chandigarh, Deepak Dewangon and his attractive creations. Some years ago when she attended the Royal Springs Golf Course in Punjab, when some friends told her a course in turf management at the Srinagar, is perhaps the only woman about an opening at the Srinagar Golf University of Massachusetts in in India today. Course. She had then just completed a ailing from Bastar District often gets invited to set up a stall Amherst, the soft-spoken Gul was the bachelor’s degree in landscaping and in Chhattishgarh, Deepak in exhibitions and fairs around the only woman in a class of 64. She stood to India during British rule and was floriculture from Punjab University. Dewangon after acquiring country. His products have suffered only played by the social elite after H apart for other reasons. “I was the “I had no intention of coming back to an MA degree in History, chose damage while being transported but only woman from a rural background Independence. “But now it has come Srinagar but my mother had taken ill to become an artist to create he manages to set right the damages and from a developing country,” she out of the cantonments,” Gul points so I wanted to be home,” recalls Gul, something unique, something that quickly. recalls. It was a world that was very out, “It is a common man’s game whose family owns apple orchards. reflected his tribal identity. Today, Deepak has applied for state different from her village in southern now. Golf in India is being taken “I had knowledge about the basic 23-year-old Deepak, from Palari and national awards in the hope Kashmir, where women who ventured up in a big way, to the extent that fundamentals involved such as plant Village in Kondagaon, transforms that youngsters from his village beyond homemaking were in typical builders are even adding golf courses physiology and soil chemistry; and his imagination and thoughts will emulate him and help spread jobs such as teaching. to increase the value of properties.” the rest I learned on-the-job.” to decorative pieces and wall tribal art, but luck has not favoured The game of golf was introduced According to her, the rapid expansion As turf manager, Gul’s greatest hangings by using , bamboo him yet. Deepak manages to make challenge comes from white grubs, and dried shells. This is what he it a lucrative business by using his an insect that attracts bears from has been doing the past six years, imagination and bringing innovative nearby forest areas onto the course. much against the wishes of his ideas into play. Early last year, thanks to the white parents, though. Birds, fish, bows and arrows, grubs, she literally had a torn-up golf In a remote, undeveloped flowerpots and pen-stands are course on her hands with bears having forested area, villagers generally easily made by him, cutting wood trampled all over the greens. She expect an educated tribal youth and bamboo clean. For engraving recalls with a smile how newspapers to become a government official, feature such as the eyes, nose, wings ran stories about a woman spoiling earn a good salary and wield etc he uses black and brown colours the expensive golf course. She was power. But Deepak found pleasure on deftly crafted wood forms. For under tremendous pressure from in doing something creative. His example, for he uses his imagination the management at the time to solve work is appreciated and he earns to carve a series of wooden birds, the problem but since most of the a decent income, up to Rs 20000 a each fluttering its wings to a form chemicals for eliminating white grubs month. For example, at the Delhi an eye-catching sequence – you can are not allowed in India, Gul had to International Trade Fair and at the almost feel the birds opening out find a solution herself. Dilli Haat his products sell like hot its wings to fly and soar. Using his Thinking on her feet, she enlisted cakes. He makes good money by imagination and innovative ideas the help of a local agricultural selling them to the elite who have he gives a complete new form to university, where two research taste for the traditional the raw tribal artefacts. To make students worked with her for many and the ethnic. No wall hangings more attractive he weeks on possible solutions. In wonder he uses wrought to make the addition to using chemicals on the bells, which tinkle in the slightest bugs, they came up with a special fence breeze and produces a soothing that warded off bears and other wild sound that reverberates all animals by emitting electromagnetic around. There are several waves. Gul happily describes how prehistoric caves in and their point-by-point remedy is today around Bastar that have wall considered a reference point for the paintings. Deepak takes a Photo: Renu Rakesh \ WFS problem of white grubs. < cue from some of these and Gul tees off at the golf course. (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) improvises. < Delivering Girls' Education in India: which ways by Making Panchayats Responsible and examines education, Shruti Sharmaof girl's past seven the significance for the einforces e that all girls gain access to quality primary education.through book r to ensur intensivelyeducation of May 15, 2011 this been working girls' in states work, the facilitate the SSA , PRIA's SA), 7 to with Bihar on an (S years Pradesh, nd Building Abhiy for engagement Uttar esh a ksha active Prad Panchayats and citizens can work witha Sthehi SSA programmedespite Rajasthan,a chal Sarv government Haryana, , Him Book Review Education, ource rkhand nationwide in res Jha Elementary ent dismal Universal nvestm the Chhattisgarh. the linkages sed i improve An of in a increa failed to India. study has in an in-depth decentralisation on allocation, education delivery It is and impact girls' A journal ofeducation the Press Institute of India education and their state of corrupt participation between assesses and citizen set-up, critically of the inefficient educational democratic . The book as part A focus on educating and inadequateRegistered with The Registrarof of Newspapers for India under polity education of monitoringTNENG/2009/27557 the reasons Indian girls' a range system and as The of cover is in planning been identified the question raised (which have Press programme.Institute of India - The issues of education services of the in Asia SSA. quality discrimination failureResearch Institute forResearch Newspaper Development as and author the organisation ideas such The for for ParticipatorySecond Main Road, Taramanit ory to liberation) system. by ticipa linked work done the girl child Society a non-governmentalCPT Campus,f Chennaip ar 600 113 the education of s o account India. (PRIA), Tel: 044-2254 area 2344 Telefax:governance 044-2254 2323 within of ng in to an analytical states worki and democratic the need gives in specific with civil society people N. Meera Raghavendra Rao, Chennai development thus recognisedDirector s the for of 1982, V. Muraliengagement on s. A be useful areas since the SSA's nstituti will in [email protected] i book working specific strengthen govern Panchayats This in or with s the title indicates, the services are the key reasons for SSA’s is again due to lack of education. l self- education, loca of self-governance,and implement interested Raj and research study by Shruti inability to effectively deliver quality Where Dalits are concerned, there to Editorplan Panchayati education. institutionsmandate the universalisationthe to girls' Sharma lays emphasis on how education to girls.” A poignant is a great difference in theory and have the Sashito Nair on reference A [email protected] Based have the panchayats can play a greater and poem titled Imbalanced Education by practice which is especially seen programmes education. partners and its and an more responsible role in the delivery Rekha Wazir sets off the tone to what in the rural areas. Muslims in India of elementary PRIA of Delhi of girls’ education in India. Rajesh is to follow, though the imbalance are educationally one of the most Price: Rs. 600 / $ 48 premise,Editorial Assistant University Delivering Girls’ Education above R. Surya House, Tandon, president of Participatory referred to here is not gender-specific backward communities and the author at Miranda Research in Asia (PRIA), in his but talks of the dichotomy between elaborates on this fact. A mention in India: Making Panchayats [email protected] Science Responsible of Political foreword, referring to the Indian the poor and the rich as regards is made for an alternative model of (DCRC). Government’s efforts to reduce the education in our country . literacy, the target group that would Author: Shruti SharmaAUTHOR in Designthe Department andCentre Production Publishers: Mosaic THE Books Professor ResearchSeetha Ramesh gender gap in education and the role Education for Girls: The Indian be identified and benefited. However ABOUT an Assistant [email protected] Order Now Price: Rs 600 is Developing of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan towards this Experience, the first chapter, deals at there are no details about how one Sharma in the Avail 10% objective, says, “Experience, however length with whether Indian complexity should go about the task. Shruti Fellow Associate Manager O ORDER Discount has shown that despite increase in is a boon or bane for which the author Regarding factors that have an suggested that greater stress should N. SubramanianHOW T investment in resources for Sarva takes up three different categories impact on education, it came as a be on the quality of education and [email protected] Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), the educational – tribes, Dalits and Muslims – to surprise that the unemployment rate it is not always necessary that the or by post. on email ...... status of girls continues to be dismal. elaborate her point. There are more in India is higher in high literacy best education comes from formal Assistant Manager /Amount Librarian schooling because there existsinformation Total An inefficient and corrupt education than 400 tribes in India, many of them states, almost 21 per cent (of the the following R. Geetha send in delivery system and inadequate are not completely integrated in the labour force) in Kerala, then West a variety Please of non-formal ways of [email protected] ...... Zip Code: citizens’ participation in the planning mainstream and the reason attributed Bengal with 15 per cent, followed education, some embedded...... in the Pin/ cultural milieu of and copies some created in Office Staff and monitoring of educational is their low economic status, which by Tamil Nadu with 12 per cent. It is No...... the same way as forms of formal B. Rajendran Country: education. Name: ...... Fax: ...... The second chapter, Sarva Shiksha State:...... Address: ...... Delhi Abhiyan: Universal Elementary The Press Institute of India does not take at New How villagers turned barren City: ...... responsibility for returning unsolicited payable Education, reiterates the need for in Asia” ...... material. It may not always be possible to Research universal educationTel: as realised by reply to senders of unsolicited material. Chartered Participatory Standard the makers of the Indianmail:...... Constitution Opinions expressed...... in this publication for Bank: E- of “Society of the 52011025863 land into an oasis of green and for strengthening the quality of do not necessarily reflect the views of the  Name No.: in favour Cash/ Cheque/ M.O./ Draft No.*editor ...... or publisher.drawn Date: ...... in Asia  Account education at all levels, more so at draft Research 110001 of Payments: Demand Delhi – the primary level.Mode SSA, the first ever/ India) for Participatory New It was drought-prone land that belonged to Ajmer’s Nallu Panchayat. But hard cheque within Society Place, nationwide programmeA/C payee for universaltransactions Holder: Connaught for Every effort has been taken to assureA, that work and leadership shown by the Barefoot College enabled the planting of more elementary education, is was applicable launched of the Account Block (*this Name the accuracy of informationHouse, contained in in 2001-02 to reach every ransfer: child in : Hamilton than 70000 saplings all of which were carefully nurtured Bank T thethis Bank publication is based on reliableSCBL0036086 sources. 1-29960931/32/33 For ess of IFSC Code: every hamlet of the country Addr in a All trademark and trade names mentioned .pria.org Ltd. 10062 Phone: +91-1 prescribed time frame.Bank Thereafter, theSCBLINBBXXX in this magazine belong to their respective Bharat Dogra, Delhi Code No.: Constitution was amended Swift twice to owners. In case of error editor / publisherArea, New Delhi – 1 ce ernan make education a fundamental right shall not be liable for any loss or prejudice c Gov ocrati n 1987, Barefoot College took a payment basis for protective water increasing here. In addition, the of every child. The framework of 42,caused Tughlakabad to the reader.1-29955183 InstitutionalThe publisher E-mail:reserves [email protected]; website: wwwd Dem the copyright of the materials published ion an patch of barren land with hardly supply during the most critical time panchayat stands to earn a significant Fax: +91-1 ticipat SSA enables community participation in the magazine. No part of the articles or of any greenery left in it from the for plant growth. amount of income for selling not only otion and involvement which is provided photographs can be reproduced without d Prom I ing an Panchayat of Nalu (in Kishangarh Nurseries were prepared and coal-making rights but also some through institutional structures such the prior permission of theL e publisher.arn All re for block of Ajmer district, Rajasthan). trenches were dug for planting trees. fodder and leguminous vegetables. as the village education committees, disputes willl C bee nsubjectedt to the jurisdiction of Chennaitiona only. About a decade ago, the voluntary Fertile soil collected from various On average, almost Rs 75,000 can block-level education committees, nterna is an I organisation handed back the same places was placed with good care be earned by the panchayat in a year parent-teacher associationsPRIA and area (approximately 150 acres of in the pits with plants. The plants (calculated on the basis of a 3-year cluster-level education committees. land) to the panchayat, but now the made steady progress despite adverse cycle of coal-making). However the SSA is not devoid of Advertisement Tariff barren land had more than 70,000 weather. The bulk of the project’s The increased income can be gaps which act as stumbling blocks in trees. It was the result of a decade funds were used for wage payments used for development activity such achieving its objective. Full Page: B&W: Rs. 5,000 of dedicated work and a very fruitful to villagers who got paid for making as improving village paths and The role of Panchayats, which Colour: Rs. 10,000 cooperation between the voluntary their village green. Grazing rotations drains. The sustainable livelihoods of forms the crux of the research study, organisation and the villagers. were carefully prepared so that at first various village families as well as the the objective of PRIA, and why a Half Page: B&W: Rs. 3,000 The story began in 1987 when no grazing was permitted, then cows common interests of the community girl child’s education is important the Barefoot College responded to and buffaloes were allowed and, have been greatly enhanced. Nalu has are discussed in detail in the third Colour: Rs. 5,000 a proposal from the Government finally, the numerous sheep and goats emerged as a leading success story chapter. In keeping with its objective of India to carry out afforestation were also allowed. Village volunteers in afforestation in difficult drought- of promoting girl-child education Mechanical Details on panchayat land. The Central were recruited to protect the young prone conditions. < at the primary level, PRIA has been Bleed : 275 mm x 350 mm Wasteland Development Board plantation and enforce grazing and working in the rural areas of six provided a financial grant and the other rules. states in the country — Haryana, Nalu Panchayat handed over a patch Within a decade, over 70,000 Jharkhand, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, of almost barren land to the college. trees of babool, khejari, sheesham, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan. It has been With a strong belief in working neem and some other species were observed that inconsistencies exist in Material can be sent to closely with villagers, the Barefoot flourishing. Some species of the policies and their practice in the above [email protected] College set up a charagah vikas simiti exotic valayati babool had also states and the author cites Haryana or by CD to our address (or pasture development committee) sprouted and this impeded the growth as an example. The concluding with 11 members (including men and indigenous species. So a decision was chapter discusses briefly some of women) from various communities in taken to dig from the roots and use for the difficulties and challenges and the village. The next step was to carry making coal. future prospects in girls’ elementary out contour bunding of the area. Then Today, the people of the village education. Annual Subscription two anicuts were constructed. This have enough land to graze their The slim volume, though priced enabled rainwater to be conserved in animals. At a time when animal on the higher side, is useful to the area. However, as drought years wealth is shrinking in numbers research scholars pursuing studies 12 Issues Rs. 180 are all too frequent here, a water in other villages, the number of Photo: Bharat Dogra in children’s education and those 36 Issues Rs. 500 tanker also had to be obtained on cows, goats and sheep have started The astonishing result. working for NGOs. <

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