December 2014Rally

December 2014Rally

December 2014Rally

Prof. Julia Pradeepa

Children are God’s gift to us. As Wordsworth said’ “Child is the father of man”, our childrenbecome what they are today. About 2 billion children are dying globally due to malnutritionsays a report. In the 21st century we still find children who are harassed, bullied, abused ,made to work in hazardous industries and trafficked to become child sex workers and list isendless.

We hear incidents of child rapes and child abuse through the media. When a child abuse isbrought to limelight, all the media channels talk about this widely. After a time, it dies down.There is no to talk about such issues or make the children aware of them till the next incidenthappens. What is the role of media in shaping the future of our children? What is the role ofeducational institutions? What is the role of family and society? All these are questionsraised here and there with no clear answers.

“Child Abuse and neglect offend the basic values of our state” says Matt Blunt. The numbersof child abuse or child rapes have not reduced even after so many incidents being reported.We know about Satyarthi, only after he is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The world we areliving has so much to give to children and mould them into better citizens but we find that it isnot happening.

This Christmas season, as we await the birth of Jesus metaphorically and in our hearts, letus think about the children of our country and the entire world. How are we contributing totheir holistic growth and development? As we step into the New Year let us promise tocreate a society that is free from child labour, child harassment, child abuse; a world wherechildren are treated with dignity too.

“Children should be able to live a life free from bullying and harassment and it is time that weall took a stand against this” Katherine Jenkins.

1

December 2014Rally

Fr. S. Emmanuel SJ.National Adviser

MS MALALA Yousafzai and Mr Kailash Satyarthiwere jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize“for their struggle against the suppression of chil-dren and young people and for the right of all chil-dren to education”. They received their awardsfrom the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel com-mittee, in the presence of King Harald V of Nor-way. The Nobel committee described both laure-ates as “Champions of Peace”. Ms Yousafzai saidshe was there to stand up for the rights of forgot-ten and frightened children, and raise their voicerather than pity them. Mr Satyarthi said receivingthe prize was “a great opportunity” to further hiswork against child slavery. Through the efforts ofMr Satyarthi, 60, tens of thousands of childrenhave been rescued from hazardous industries. Hehas endured death threats for his work, and twoof his colleagues were killed. They delivered theirNobel lectures during the award ceremony. ‘I ammany’. In her speech, Ms Yousafzai said theaward was not just for her: “It is for those forgot-ten children who want education. It is for thosefrightened children who want peace. It is for thosevoiceless children who want change. “I am hereto stand up for their rights, raise their voice. It isnot time to pity them. It is time to take action so itbecomes thelast time that wesee a child de-prived of educa-tion.”

K a i l a s hSatyarthi endedhis Nobel lecturewith “Let usMarch!” and

Malala Yousafzai declared ‘Let us begin today!”Both see one of the world’s most distinguishedhonours as a weapon in their fight for every child’sright to be educated, and not to work in childhood.Nobel organisers say there have never been suchstanding ovations or so many accredited journal-ists. But will this prize do even more to achievethe goals it has honoured - to champion children’srights? The laureates were described as “cham-pions of peace”

Ms Yousafzai, 17, was shot in the head byTaliban gunmen in October 2012 for campaigningfor girls’ education and now lives in the UK. She isthe youngest-ever recipient of a Nobel prize. Shesaid she had brought other girls with her to Oslowith similar stories, among them two classmatesshot alongside her by the Taliban. Ms Yousafzaisaid she was dedicating the prize money to theMalala Fund, “to help give girls everywhere a qual-ity education and call on leaders to help girls likeme...” “I will continue this fight until I see every childin school,” she added. “I feel much stronger afterthe attack that I endured, because I know, no-onecan stop me, or stop us, because now we aremillions, standing up together.” ‘Indescribablecourage’ In his speech earlier, Mr Satyarthi said

he was “repre-senting the soundof silence” and the“millions of thosechildren who areleft behind”. Hesaid he had keptan empty chair atthe ceremony as areminder of the

2

December 2014Rally

children without a voice. “There is no greater vio-lence than to deny the dreams of our children,” hesaid. “I refuse to accept that the shackles of sla-very can ever be stronger than the quest for free-dom,” he added, to applause. Nobel committeechairman Thorbjorn Jagland stressed the impor-tance of education, saying: “The road to democ-racy and freedom is paved with knowledge.” MrJagland praised Mr Satyarthi’s work campaigningagainst child labour, often at great risk to himself.He also lauded Ms Yousafzai’s efforts to promoteeducation despite threats from the Taliban, say-ing: “Her courage is almost indescribable”. Indianand Pakistani leaders congratulated the laureates.Pakistani radio quoted Prime Minister NawazSharif as saying: “The dream of Malala regardinggirls’ education shall be realised.” His Indian coun-terpart Narendra Modi tweeted: “The entire na-tion watches the ceremony in Oslo with great joy& immense pride. Congratulations to K.Satyarthi!“I also congratulate the young Malala Yousafzai for the momentous achievement.”

In line with the theme of our December Rally,“Child Rights” A.I.C.U.F congratulatesYousafzai, the Pakistani girl and Kailash Satyathi,an Indian child right activist who won Joint NoblePeace Prize for 2104. Both of them are commit-ted child right activists. Some of the quotes ofMalala are highly thought provoking and motivat-ing: “We realize the importance of our voice whenwe are silenced”, “ I do not mind even if I have tosit on the floor at school.All I want is educationand I am afraid of no one.”, “Extremists haveshown what frightens them most is A girl with aBook.” It is magnanimous on the part of Malala todedicate her Nobel Prize money for the great causeof girl child education in her country.

Indeed it was a memorable event for me, theNational Adviser and Mr. Iniyan, the national fulltimer to participate in the platinum jubilee celebra-

tions (75 years) of AICUF at St. Thomas College,Thrissur where the chief guest and almnus, Su-preme Court Justice Kurian Joseph, an Ex-Aicuferwas proud to say, “ I am what I am because I wasin AICUF”. Recognizing the yeoman service ofAICUF at St.Thomas college, Fr. Babu Paul, KeralaState Adviser honoured the Bishop of Thrissurwho is the correspondent of the college with ashawl and I handed over a memento to his Lord-ship as a token of appreciation from the NationalSecretariat. There were forty participants fromTamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat for Dalit com-mission and Women commission meet, whichwas held from 28th to 30th, Nov. at AICUF House,Chennai. In this workshop the participants ben-efitted very much, by listening to the experiencedresource persons. All over India I am sure ourAICUF units have been involved in celebratingHuman Rights Day, Environmental Programmes,Aids Awareness rallies, Mega Youth Programme,Anti liquor rallies etc. As the calendar years comesto a close and 2015 is being dawned, I wish allthe members of AICUF States, Ex-Aicufers andreaders of Rally, meaningful Christmas and Hopefilled New year.

Peace on EarthJackap Nelson A

There shall be peace on earth, but not until

All children daily eat their fill,

Go warmly clad against the winter wind

And learn their lessons with a tranquil mind.

And then, released from hunger, fear and need

Regardless of their color, race or creed

Look upward smiling to their skies,

Their faith in life reflected in their eyes.

3

December 2014Rally

Renisha: We mostly associate with the welfareof women and she definitely has putthe AICUF Motto into practice and hascome up with comments, suggestionsand viewpoints children together…..why are they the most vulnerablecategory in India today?

Aileen: Women and children are the mostvulnerable sections in society. Thepatriarchal society and thestereotypes attached to women andchildren, make them more vulnerable.These sections of society aremarginalised and are easily targeted,abused and exploited. Around two-third of married women in India arevictims of domestic violence accordingto the United Nations report of 2005.Overall, one in three women age 15-49have experience physical violence andabout 1 in 10 have experienced sexualviolence according to the NationalFamily Health Survey(2007). As alawyer working with victims of abuse andneglect, I strongly feel that the Right tolife as enshrined in our Constitution is theRight to live a violence-free life withdignity.

Interview on Child RightsAileen Marques is an Advocate, a senior AICUFer and a former AICUF NationalFull-Timer. She continues to work keeping the AICUF spirit alive in her with herassociation with various governmental and non-governmental initiatives in thefield of child rights and human rights since the past 12 years has taught her thatempowerment is the key to societal transformation. Varied experience of deal-ing with cases of spousal violence, child abuse, child trafficking etc have helpedher evolve training modules based on the socio- legal analysis of abuse, vio-lence and exploitation. Having done extensive research in the field of HumanRights, child rights and women rights, she is an apt person to talk about thechild and women rights..

Statistics show that among the crimescommitted against women in 2006,the crimes of torture and molestationtogether constitute 60.53%. Womencontinue to face domestic violence,sexual harassment, dowry-relatedharassment, exploitation and abuse.The discrimination faced by the femalesex is a manifestation of thepatriarchal values inscribed in oursociety. Our culture and traditionscontinue to uphold the practicesderogatory to the dignity of women.Just to sight one example-the practiceof kanyadaan- where the woman isgiven as a daan by her family to thegroom’s family.

Renisha: Recently, A Child Rights Activists wonthe Nobel Peace Prize, KamleshSatyarti. He dedicated the award to all‘those’ children. Is it an awakening tothe gruesome atrocities that childrenin India are going through that haseven been noticed at the Internationallevel.Comment.

Aileen: A child is one of the worstmarginalized sections in the societalspectrum. Children are found in most

4

December 2014Rally

realms of institutions, and more so inplaces they are not supposed to be.Child soldiers, child sex workers, childlabourers, bonded labourers, childbrides, rag pickers, beggars, manualscavengers, domestic workers, cameljockeys in dangerous races etc.Statistics show that children make upalmost half the number of peopletrafficked each year, at least 1.2million or one every thirty seconds inthe world. Human trafficking is agrowing organized crime that exploitsand profits of its victims. The effortsof Mr. Kamlesh Satyarti areappreciable and his efforts on the fieldare encouraging.

Renisha: You are closely associated withcreating awareness and abolishingChild trafficking. How difficult it is foryou as an activist to bring about achange.

Aileen: As an activist, bringing about a changeis quite a challenge. India serves as asource, transit and destinationcountry in the global context onhuman trafficking. A research studydone in 2001 states that 300,000 to400,000 children in India are victimsof commercial sexual exploitation.According to the U.S. Department ofState, there were an estimated500,000 child prostitutes in India in2004. Global statistics indicate thatout of the 600,000 to 800,000 peopletrafficked across international borderseach year, approximately 80 percentare women and girls and up to 50percent are minors. The problem isdeep rooted and it is only with the helpof the community that the problem ofChild Trafficking can be addressed.

Renisha: How helpful is the Media, social networks in helping you in your task andgetting the attention of the public tothe cause.

Aileen: The awareness with the presence ofmedia and social networking is quiteencouraging these days. People aremore aware of the issue of Child trafficking and ready to volunteer theirefforts towards the rehabilitation ofvictimised children.

Renisha: In the many years you have been inthis field, what improvement have youcome across in the laws andgovernment service that has provedworthwhile in your task ofempowerment

Aileen: POCSO is the most recent law enactedto protect children from sexualoffences. The Protection of Childrenfrom Sexual Offences Act 2012,(POCSO) addresses the issue of ChildSexual abuse and trafficking veryseriously. The Criminal AmendmentAct of 2013 post Nirbhaya deals withthe issue of sexual assault of womenand children and the punishmentsprovided therein are serious in nature.Repeated offenders have higherpunishments and the attempt tosexually assault is also punished.

Renisha: Any personal experience that has accelerated your cause of Women andchild welfare.

Aileen: The personal experiences are toomany to enumerate them here.However the learnings have beenpositive and encouraging and theycontinue to inspire me. Empoweredwomen now empower theircommunities and empowered childrenempower their families and thissatisfies me. Women and children are

5

December 2014Rally

more alert and conscious of thesociety around them and are trying tobring about a change in their smallways. This is very inspiring!!

Renisha: Since you are a Senior AICUFer, howimportant has AICUF been in shapingyour vision to one of its thrust areawomen as well as children

Aileen: When I joined St. Xavier’s College, theAll India Catholic University Federation(AICUF) familiarized me to therealities of our society. As the eldestof three daughters, genderdiscrimination was not heard orspoken of in our family. We allcontributed to household chores andwere on no counts discouraged forreaching the stars as girls. Inequality,discrimination, exploitation andmarginalization are recounts andexperiences of what I saw during myassociation with AICUF. As a studentleader at the local and national level Iwas encouraged to go beyond myhome and the campus. I was nowdetermined to make this world abetter place for the less fortunate andbring about a change in the social andpolitical set up of my country and theworld at large for a better tomorrow.AICUF introduced me to socialrealities and gave me the courage tothink beyond myself and my comfort.

Renisha: Any suggestions on making the lawand tracking system to be more alerttowards women and child rights.

Aileen: Legal Education is what I uphold andencourage. I believe that legalawareness is the need of the hour. Ascitizens and as human persons, wemust be aware of our human rights-our basic and fundamental rights. Only

if we are aware of our rights, can weassert them and empower ourselves.Rights and Duties are basic to ourexistence and only when we knowwhat we must do, we can fulfill outduties and exercise our rights. Duringmy sessions with home-makers,domestic maids, factory workers,students, adolescent girls and youngprofessionals, I am encouraged bytheir willingness to be legally-in-formed. The questions that come upand the solutions that they worktowards are assurances that rationaland factual information sows theseeds of social change.

Renisha: Message to all AICUFers andfollowers of the RALLY.

Aileen: Be the change, you want to see: Ensure that there is balance of Power

within the family Encourage Sex Education Secure Economic Independence for

women Say no to violence Re-define stereotypes within the

family- Roles assigned to men vis-a-vis roles assigned to women

Re-define roles in society- profession. Take control of your Stridhan Re-define derogatory cultural/

traditional practices. Re-define language used- abusive Become aware about Consumer

Rights Become aware about your Right to

InformationRenisha: Any though, views and opinions you

wish to share regarding ‘Women andchild right’

Aileen: Every women and child shouldreinforce their personal safety and

6

December 2014Rally

reduce risk factors around them. Donot to give out personal information(contact details) on the internet.Refrain from meeting online friends,in person. When someone touches youinappropriately, Say no! Tell theperson that you don’t like it and youdon’t want to be touched. You have aright to safety. Know your rights andbecome aware of ways to assert them.Violence Against Women (VAW) is amanifestation of historically unequalpower relations between men andwomen which has led to dominationover and discrimination againstwomen by men …”

Unequal power relations are the result of pre-defined-patriarchal-genderroles assigned to men and women.It is not man vs. woman,It is Man AndWoman Vs. Pre-Defined-Patriarchal-Gender Roles.Definitely, Inconsistent social patternsexist around us to the aspects of lawthat can protect us and prevent abuse.A sensitized approach towards thesocial- cultural disparities revolvingaround humanity and interpersonalrelationships is the need of the time.Come let us be the Change we wishto see.

As Interviewed by Renisha Mall.AICUF, Maharashtra

He giggles, I coughboth breathless.

He smiles with joy,I grimace, struggling.She laughs, carefree

I sob, cornered by anguish.

I long for the handsThat caress, not slapI yearn for those eyes

That fill my soul with loveI cry for the one, who

will greet me with a hugand not an indifferent shrug.

No More TearsKaran D’ Silva

When I walk in the park, for almsTen so far, ‘Good day!’I think

Then I see him jump on his dad’s shoulderAnd my chest becomes this giant boulder

Weighing my spirit down. I blinkBack the tears, try to stay calm.

I want to laugh too, I want to playI want to have someone who makes my day

I want some cake, chocolate and plumCarrying rocks all day makes my hands numb

Hope is dwindling: is this how I die?Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

This day is nothing but bleakBy I will act, if not speak

Come tomorrow, come my childI refuse to abandon you to the wildYou will have hope, laugh and playI will be there to make your day.

7

December 2014Rally

Can you imagine a world without children? A child is synonymous withinnocence who bring life, joy and purity to the world. Children are citizensof a nation right from their birth. Children also have rights. Children arehuman beings and require safety and opportunities for development. Per-sonality formation takes place faster during early childhood. Therefore childfriendly services and nurturance are of utmost importance in this era ofglobalisation. Biologically, childhood is the span of life from birth to adoles-cence. According to Article 1 of UNCRC (United Nation’s Convention on theRights of the Child), “A child means every human being below the age of 18years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attainedearlier.”

In 1974, Psychohistorian Lloyd de Mause wrote a book called “TheHistory of Childhood (1974)” where he painted a very negative image ofchildhood and family life in the past. It evolved itself from one stage to theother. These stages were: (i) Infanticidal (Antiquity to 4th century A.D.); (ii)Abandonment (4th – 13th centuries); (iii) Ambivalent (14th – 17th centu-ries); (iv) Intrusive (18th century); (v) Socialisation (19th – mid-20th cen-tury); and (vi) Helping (mid-20th century onwards).

Ancient Greeks left girls and children born with disabilities on the wildhillsides, where exposure or animals were sure to kill them and the prac-tice was continued routinely in Rome until Christianity became the Statereligion. The killing of unwanted children may have become less commonin the centuries since then, but it never completely disappeared. Thereforechild issues and concerns are not something new to world, it existed evenfrom time immemorial. It furthermore became complex in the present era ofglobalisation.

PROTECT RESPECTREMEDY FRAMEWORKFOR STREET CHILDREN

Research studies highlight fac-tors like poverty, unemployment andmass illiteracy as the major onespushing the children into vulnerablesituations of exploitation and, attimes, leading them to run away fromhome and their abandonment byparents. Physical abuse by familymembers, including parents, consti-tutes the foremost cause for childrenrunning away from homes.

The next common reason isprobably the desire for economic in-dependence reflecting the conditionsof deprived families they belong. Fur-ther reasons emerging for the chil-dren running away from homes in-cluded abandonment by parents,presence of stepparents or both par-ents being dead. These children wholand up on the streets, railway plat-forms and orphanages are extremelyvulnerable to sexual exploitation thatcan cause them to suffer physicaland psychological harm. In most ofthe cases the exploiters are the taxidrivers, coolies, tourists with occa-sional cases of police demandingsexual services from the street chil-dren, threatening them with arrest ifthey refuse to comply. Children con-ditions in Juvenile Homes are muchmore pathetic than on the street.

In Indian family scenario howoften do children get proper respect

8

December 2014Rally

as human beings? Do they get freedom to express their views? Apart fromparents, teachers spend more time with children in school and hence havea significant role to play in the holistic formation of a child. How far thisrealisation deeply rooted in the minds of them is a big question mark. It istragic to notice today Bangalore has seen angry protests over at least fourother incidents of sexual assault on schoolgirls since July. Children areyoung in age, small in size and low in energy as compared to adults.Therefore, they need much more care and help, than grown-ups do.

Rights emerge from needs and desires. One can make a long list ofwhat a child needs or desires. However, the most basic needs of childrenare referred to as rights. Without fulfilment of the basic needs, a child’snormal development cannot take place. Rights are fair and just for a personto have. Rights have a framework of rules and laws, which make it possiblefor a person to seek legal action if her/his rights are violated. In case ofneeds, one cannot seek legal action nor can one demand fulfilment of one’sneeds because nobody can be legally held responsible to meet the otherpersons’ needs.

The adoption of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948,which stated that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity andrights”, was a turning point in the recognition of children as rights holders.The International Bill of Rights further cemented this view and became thefundamental, legally binding instruments through which effective advocacyand implementation of human rights including children’s rights were based.The first binding international instrument specifically focused on children’srights was The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child(UNCRC), which was the product of 10 years of negotiation (1979-89) amongGovernment, Inter-Governmental delegations and with non-governmental or-ganizations.

The Convention on theRights of the Child spellsout the basic humanrights of children world-wide: the right to survive;to develop to the fullest;to protection from harm-ful practices, abuseand exploitation; andto participate fully infamily, cultural andsocial life. The fourcore principles of the Convention are Right to survive, Right to develop,Right to protect and Right to participate. Every right spelled out in theConvention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development

of every child. By February 2010, 193out of 195 States had become partyto the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child – more than for any otherhuman rights treaty.

A street child in India is a childin India “for whom the street (in thewidest sense of the word, includingunoccupied dwellings, wasteland,etc.) has become his or her habitualabode and or source of livelihood;and who is inadequately protected,supervised, or directed by respon-sible adults.”

It is estimated that more than400,000 street children in India ex-ist. Mainly because of family con-flict, they come to live on the streetsand take on the full responsibilitiesof caring for themselves. Thoughstreet children do sometimes bandtogether for greater security, they areoften exploited by people who are inclose associate with them, employ-ers and the police.

It is interesting to look at his-torical efforts in estimating streetchildren in India that trace back to

the 1950s. The first census onstreet children was conducted

in 1957 in Chennai (Madras)by the Tamil Nadu govern-ment, which was followed byanother study in Mumbai(Bombay) in 1959. Agnelli(1996) and Muchini et al.(1991) argue that the defi-nition of street children canbe divided into two broadcategories, children ‘on the

street’ and children ‘of the street’.Children ‘of the street’ are homelesschildren who live and sleep on the

9

December 2014Rally

streets in urban areas. Children ‘on the street’ earn their living or beg formoney on the street. They maintain contact with their families and some ofthem go home at night, whereas ‘Children of the Street’ live on the streetsand probably lack parental, emotional, and psychological support.

Nevertheless, these categorisations turn out to be complex. If a childspends more time on the street, she/he might associate more with thestreet peer group than with her/his family. From the perspective of parentalcare and child rights, leaving a child to fend for herself/himself on the streetfor income generation is totally unacceptable. Such children may also bedeprived of family support in terms of emotional and personal care andthere is hardly any difference between ‘children on the street’ and ‘childrenof the street’. Any debate on the definition of street children needs to con-sider these aspects and also provide more insights on the context of theiroverlapping such as when defining how they are on the street and definingthe crisis that a child faces at every moment of her/his life.

According to The United Nations International Children’s EmergencyFund (UNICEF), there are three types of children who belong to the streetchildren category. 1. The first is street-living children who have run awayfrom their families and live alone on the streets. Here it is important to notethat they are not necessarily migrants. Children of residents of the city whohave run away from home and live on the street also belong to this cat-egory. 2. The second is street-working children who spend most of theirtime on the streets fending for themselves, but return home on a regularbasis. 3. The last category is children from street families who live on thestreets with their families. It should also be clarified that a child is definedas one who is below 18 years of age and this definition thus includes new-born babies as well.

Jain (2006) elaborates upon who can be considered street children.He identifies three critical conditions that make a street child. UNICEF’sdefinition is also based on this classification. Accordingly, street children

are those who: (1) Keep ties withtheir families, they return homeat night and some of them at-tend school as well; a smallnumber have actually left homeand largely work on the streets;(2) Live at home in urban areasor in the suburbs and contrib-ute to the household economythrough their engagement inthe informal sector mainly onthe roadside in places such aseateries, workshops, all kinds

of vending activities, and begging.They spend the day (some of themspend the night too) on the streets;this is a smaller but slightly morecomplex group; and (3) Have nofunctional family ties, but attempt tofill this void by forming ‘fictive family’relationships and even a strong emo-tional attachment to the street.These children are completely living‘on their own’ and although theymight have some peer support, lifefor them is a fight for survival. Theyare largely orphans, runaways, refu-gees and displaced. They also be-long to the neglected and abandonedcategory. These conditions veryclearly capture the broad profile of astreet child.

According to UNICEF, streetchildren always live in difficult circum-stances in terms of safety, security,health issues, and working and liv-ing conditions. The constant overlapof concepts about the age of child-hood, children without families, high-risk children, children in need of careand protection, and abandoned chil-dren only indicate the magnitude ofthe crisis that a street child dealswith every moment of her or his life.When a child belongs to both cat-egories (street and working) the grav-ity of the issue of denial of child rightsis wider and deeper. It further illus-trates the implications of being onthe street during childhood: “Streetchildren are susceptible to drug/al-coholic addiction and to inhalantsthat offer them an escape from real-ity, take away hunger and cold andgive them the ‘courage’ to steal andengage in survival sex. As a result,

10

December 2014Rally

they get into a lot of physical and psychological problems. Many of thesekids eventually turn into hardened criminals controlled by organized mafiafor drug trafficking, prostitution and other unlawful activities, thus citingheavy burden on the law and order machinery.”

Agnihotri (2001) argues that the propensity of boys to leave dysfunc-tional families and abusive parents is relatively high and it is also observedthat they may not prefer to be on the streets for long. The National Com-mission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) noted that street childrenare largely visible at railway and bus stations, in market places, and nearreligious places. The profile of street children depicted in these studies byNCPCR show that a majority (between 70-80 per cent) were boys. Therelatively low incidence of girls on the streets is explained as they may beat an untraceable location, or may have been trafficked and may be off thestreets but being sexually or otherwise exploited.

India has laws, which explicitly connected with children’s rights, suchas anti-discriminatory and equal opportunity laws, anti-exploitation laws,laws prescribing minimum age of children for employment, labour stan-dards laws, etc. Central and State Governments should periodically as-sess their existing legislation and regulations and fill the gaps whenevernecessary. Even with the presence of sufficient laws, it is the lack of imple-mentation or poor enforcement of laws that poses the most critical prob-lems for children. NGOs can monitor the effective implementation and en-forcement of the laws relating to children.

NGOs can play an important role here because they have the mandateto undertake legislative review and make recommendations to ensure com-pliance with international human rights norms and standards. This researchhighlights the role of NGOs in providing access to remedies under the “Pro-tect, Respect and Remedy (PRR)” framework. This deeply build in HumanRights Approach, which1. Draws attention to the most marginalized populations by measuring

the vulnerability level with the help of science and technology.2. Emphasizes remedial programming processes as well as bringing

positive outcomes with greater account ability and transparency inrehabilitating them than penalising them on legal grounds.

3. Works towards equitable and speedy service delivery in an unbiasedmanner with pre-tested tools and techniques.

4. Extends and deepens participation from different stakeholders suchas media, corporates, local community, civil society, interest groups,professional bodies, social activists, academicians, students and soon.There are many programmes, schemes, and intervention strategies for

mainstreaming and supporting street children. To access such programmes,street children need awareness. But only very few accessed these

programmes and that too mainly forclothes, medicines, and educationalsupport. Both government bodies andNGOs are involved in the delivery ofsuch programmes should think interms of constructing appropriateprogrammes and policies after mak-ing a scientific study based on as-sessing their needs, issues and con-cerns, effective implementation andperiodical monitoring of such policiesand programmes in uplifting thestreet children from their pathologi-cal conditions. Therefore it is a needof the hour that all the stakeholdersmust bridge the gap between servicedelivery and target population (For-gotten Flowers) who are at the edgeof danger with the greatest vulner-ability rate.

11

December 2014Rally

“CHILDREN are God’s gift to mankind” is a phrase we hear so often inour lives. Our culture, our values and our society teach us to look uponchildren as a gift from the Almighty. Children are precious and they aretreasured and special. Yet we come across cases of children being abusedand neglected, exploited and tortured. As human beings, children havetheir rights. Children are innocent and vulnerable and have no voice of theirown to demand and assert their rights.Who is a child?

Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines achild as a person below eighteen years of age. The Preamble to Conven-tion reminds us that the 1959, Declaration of the Rights of the Child statesthat “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needsspecial safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection.” Insimple words, children are human persons who are below eighteen yearsof age, who are physically and mentally immature and need special safe-guards. Children are dependent on the adults around them to satisfy theirfundamental needs. The parents, guardians and caretakers are respon-sible for the development of the child’s personality, talents and abilities.Social status of children:

A child is one of the worst marginalized sections in the societalspectrum. Children are found in most realms of institutions, and more so inplaces they are not supposed to be. Child soldiers, child sex workers,child labourers, bonded labourers, child brides, rag pickers, beggars, manualscavengers, domestic workers, camel jockeys in dangerous races etc.Statistics show that children make up almost half the number of peopletrafficked each year, at least 1.2 million or one every thirty seconds in theworld.

The UN Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children2has provided few statistics to outline the situation of abuse and violenceagainst children across the world: WHO estimates that almost 53,000 child deaths in 2002 were due to

child homicide.a. In the Global School-Based Student Health Survey carried out in a

wide range of developing countries, between 20% and 65% of schoolgoing children reported having been verbally or physically bullied inschool in the previous 30 days.

b. An estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 yearsof age have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other formsof sexual violence involving physical contact.

UNICEF estimates that in sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt and Sudan,3 million girls and women are subjected to female genital mutilationevery year.

Child Sexual Abuse

The ILO estimate shows that 218million children were involved inchild labour in the year 2004, ofwhom 126 million were engagedin hazardous work. Estimatesfrom the year 2000 suggest that5.7 million were in forced or

bonded labour, 1.8 million inprostitution and pornography and1.2 million were victims oftrafficking.

Only 2.4% of the world’s childrenare legally protected fromcorporal punishment in allsettings. It is appalling to see thatinnocent lives get crushed justbecause they are children andthey have no voice of their own toshout and resist abuse andviolence.

Indian Context:- India is theabode of almost 19% of the childrenin the world. More than 1/3rd of thecountry’s population i.e. around 440million is below 18 years of age3.The world scenario on the status ofchildren reveals horrifying statisticsof child abuse and neglect. The situ-ation of children in India4 is no bet-ter than that of the children in theworld.

12

December 2014Rally

i. Every fifth child in the world lives in In-dia.ii. Every third malnourished child in theworld lives in India.iii. Every second Indian child is under-weight.iv. Three out of four children in India areanaemic.v. Decline in female/male ratio is maximumin 0-6 years: 927 females per 1000 males.vi. 1104 lakh child laborers in the country(SRO 2000).vii. MMR is equally high at 301 per 100,000 live births (SRS, 2001-03).viii. Children born with low birth weight are 46% (NFHS-III).ix. Children under 3 with anemia are 79% (NFHS-III).x. From the year 2002 and year 2005 there was a steep rise in the totalnumber of crimes against children.xi. A total of 5972 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2002while 14975 cases of crimes against children were registered in 2005.xii. Incidence of kidnapping and abduction of children were around 2322 in2002; 2571 in 2003; 3196 in 2004 and 3518 in 2005.xiii. Reported cases of child rape, one of the worst forms of sexual abuse,have increased in number between 2004 and 2005, from 3542 cases to4026 respectively, indicating an increase of 13.7%.Child Sexual Abuse:

Children are abused and exploited. They face exploitation and violence.The violation of their body in the form of rape, sexual assault and sexualexploitation, disintegrates them as persons. Child rape is one of the worstforms of sexual abuse.

India has the world’s largest number of sexually abused children. It isrecorded that every 155th minute, 1 child below 16 years is raped. It ishorrendous that sexual crimes against children are increasing to such anextent that 1 in every 10th child is sexually abused at some point of time.Child sexual abuse is rampant in India. Children including infants get rapedand sexually abused in homes, schools, on streets and residential carefacilities.What is child sexual abuse?

There is no universal definition of child sexual abuse. A simple under-standing would mean the involvement of a child in a sexual activity or sexualactivities that he or she does not fully comprehend and which may involvephysical contact with sexual intent can be termed as child sexual abuse.The child is unable to give informed consent to such an activity and thechild is not developmentally prepared for such an activity. Child sexualabuse violates the body and dignity of children and also the law and socialtaboos. Children can be sexually abused by both adults and other children,who are in a position of responsibility, trust or power over the victim. Child

Sexual Abuse may include mastur-bation, fondling a child’s genitals,penetration, vaginal and anal inter-course. Child Sexual abuse is notrestricted only to involve physicalcontact but such abuse could in-clude child pornography, showing ofpictures or videos to children withsexual intent, taking pictures of thenaked body of the child etc.Facts and Figures: A government study of20077 reveals the Indian scenario interms of Child Sexual abuse. It ispertinent to note that these are onlygovernment figures of reported casesand the actual count may be muchmore. 53.2 % children reportedhaving faced one or more forms ofsexual abuse. Andhra Pradesh, Assam,Bihar and Delhi reported the highestpercentage of sexual abuse amongboth boys and girls. 21.90 % child respondentsreported facing severe forms ofsexual abuse and 50.76% reportedhaving faced other forms of sexualabuse. 5.69% children reported be-ing sexually abused. Most children did not reportthe matter to anyone.Effects of Child Sexual Abuse:Child Sexual Abuse leaves manyscars of the body and mind of thechild. Child abuse casts a shadowfor the length of a lifetime.A child who is the victim of prolongedsexual abuse usually develops lowself esteem, a feeling of worthless-ness and tends to be withdrawn. Thischild will have an abnormal and dis-torted view of sex. Many children whohave been sexually abused have dif-

13

December 2014Rally

ficulty being in relationships, in relating with others. There is a chance thatsome of these victims of child sexual abuse may become child abusers orprostitutes.

Victims of child sexual abuse may develop sleep problems and maybed-wet. They may refuse to interact with the abuser, or refuse to go toschool. These children may tend to get unusually aggressive and may turntowards delinquent behavior. Sexually abused children may have learningproblems in school or they may show less interest in studies. Few sexu-ally abused children may exhibit suicidal behavior. It is important that par-ents and caregivers also look for physical signs of abuse like difficulty inwalking, pain in the abdomen or private parts, pregnancy or venereal dis-ease, injury to the penis or scrotum or vaginal injury.

Legal provisions and safeguards: India is a signatory to the In-ternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), The Conventionon Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) andthe Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and this imposes an obli-gation on the government to protect the children in the country from sexualabuse and violence.

The Constitution of India recognizes the vulnerable position of childrenand their right to protection. Article 15 (3) of the Indian Constitution calls forspecial provisions and laws and policies to safeguard the rights of children.Children as citizens of India have the Right to Equality, the Right againstExploitation, Protection of Life and Personal liberty as enshrined in Articles14, 15, 16, 21, 23 and 24 of the Constitution of India.

Major policies and legislations enacted in the country ensure protec-tion to children and their development and make efforts towards the better-ment of the status of children in society. Laws like the Guardian and WardsAct, Factories Act, Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, Bombay Preven-tion of Begging Act, Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervisionand Control) Act, National Policy for Children, Bonded Labour System (Abo-lition) Act, Child Marriage and Restraint Act, Immoral Traffic PreventionAct, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, Juvenile Justice (Careand Protection of Children) Act, National Health Policy, National Charter forChildren and National Plan of Action for Children are relevant in the effortsthat they make to ensure that children are not exploited and abused butprotected and nurtured.The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012:

The Government of India enacted a special law to deal with cases ofchild sexual abuse. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences(POCSO) Act, 2012 came into force with effect from 14th November, 2012along with the Rules framed thereunder. POCSO stipulates that a case ofchild sexual abuse must be disposed of within one year from the date theoffence is reported. It also provides for the Special Court to determine theamount of compensation to be paid to a child who has been sexually abused,so that this money can then be used for the child’s medical treatment andrehabilitation. The said Act makes the different agencies of the State, such

as the police, judiciary and child pro-tection machinery, collaborators insecuring justice for a sexuallyabused child.Recent advancement andinterventions:

In the wake of the brutal rape ofa five-year-old girl in Delhi, the DelhiCommission for Protection of ChildRights (DCPCR) has formulated childprotection guidelines to cover differ-ent physical, emotional and sexualabuse, to address child abuse withinschools and other institutions.”Theguidelines take into account allstakeholders and address the re-quirements spelt out in Rule-31 ofthe Juvenile Justice (Care and Pro-tection of Children) Act, 2000, andthe Protection of Children fromSexual Offences Act, 20128. Thestate of Chhattisgarh has announcedthe setting up of special children’scourts or BalNyayalays to deal withcases of crime against children. Therecent Criminal Amendment Ordi-nance also spells special provisionsto uphold the interests of the childand gives utmost importance to Childprotection.

Conclusion: Children need tobe empowered to protect them-selves. Personal safety techniquesneed to be taught to them. Theyshould be taught to distinguish be-tween good touch and bad touch.The importance of a child telling aresponsible adult about bad touchesshould be revealed to the child. Themyths relating to Child sexual abusemust be busted and parentshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Special-courts-for-crime-a g a i n s t - c h i l d r e n / a r t i c l e s h o w /18438231.cms

14

December 2014Rally

SPIRIT of joy overwhelms the heart!The loving heart with splendorEach mind is filled with grandeurI am a creation of GodI have right to live in this world!

As I take my formI hear them sayingI be a boy or girl!To quench me before I flameYet I managed to exist!

I am a splendid creation of God!Happy do I in my mother’s womb?Though they try to form a tomb!I struggle to resistI hear My father saying,Tender and mild are my arms!Love and care are my charms!

Dream dreams of life!I born to the world’s hive!World is full of knowledgeGained not for my pill of voyage!

School is my right and justDenied for rule as mustIs it woe to meOr curse on meChild labour is my fateStop your mocking debate!

Flickering FlameSr.A.M.Jansi FSAG,

Gonzaga College of Arts and Science for women,Kathampallam.

Is freedom far behindTo go and move around like youIs gender equality a dream?To have life’s little pleasureVictim me with pressure!

My cries are unheardMy scars are unseenI long to live for joy!But pains of days are my treasureIt ‘s my hearts pure measure!Who will feel for my future?My suffering is a book of wisdomResearch me as your own customWomb to tomb I live with fear!Your wild strange hands near!

Never spent days without tearsIs it my reward?You all write this for award!When I think this I go madMy heart becomes so sadI love blossom in an airYou fight strongly I bear!

Don’t try stopping, the flickering lamp!It’ll burn you the forest damp!I arise I don’t leave my hopeI march my land with copeLet my folk join hands to createDon’t delay saying so late!

The old shells are dead and goneSpirit of joy leads me on!Tread the path of legendsI share my dreams to you todayI long to live and grow each day!My dreams are not spilled for filedDreams of a deserted girl child !

15

December 2014Rally

“The children and their parents knowthat getting an education is not onlytheir right, but a passport to a betterfuture - for the children and for thecountry.” Harry Belafonte- African-American Singer, Social Activist,UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

India, home to one fifth of theworld’s children, ratified the Conven-tion on the Rights of the Child inDecember 1992. The total numberof children in the age-group 0-6 is158.8 million (-5 million since 2001).The proportion of Child Population inthe age group of 0-6 years to totalpopulation is 13.1 percent while thecorresponding figure in 2001 was15.9 percent. The decline has beento the extent of 2.8 points. Sincethen, rapid economic growth, aver-aging 4.5 per cent annually between1990 and 2007, has lifted millions outof poverty and combined with gov-ernment action to improve trends inchild survival and development. Ac-cording to national sources, the na-tional under-five mortality rate fellsharply from 117 per 1,000 live birthsin 1990 to 72 in 2007. Use of im-proved drinking water sources rosefrom 62 per cent in 1992–1993 to 88per cent in 2005–2006. Primaryschool attendance rates for girls 6–10 years old climbed from 61 to 81per cent over the same period, help-ing lift the gender parity rate for pri-mary education from 0.82 to 0.96.

Passport to a Better FutureViveka

Arulanandar CollegeMadurai

Deprivations and disparities re-main large, despite economicprogress Despite this markedprogress, many challenges for real-izing child rights in India remain.Partly because of its immensity, In-dia experiences child rights depriva-tions in greater absolute numbersthan any other country. Each year,1 million newborns die during the firstmonth of life; another million die be-tween 29 days and five years. Almost55 million children under five are un-derweight for their age. In excess of20 million children of primary schoolage are not attending school. Morethan 40 per cent of the populationcurrently lives on less than $1.25 perday, 128 million people have no ac-cess to improved drinking-watersources, and a staggering 665 mil-lion defecate in the open.

Rising incomes have been ac-companied by widening disparitiesin income, education, access tohealth care and development out-comes. The 2005–2006 NationalFamily Health Survey shows sharpdivergences in access to essentialservices and key development out-comes across caste, ethnic, genderand wealth strata. These disparitiesextend to child protection, given thecountry’s moderate rate of birth reg-istration (69 per cent) and high rateof child marriage. Despite legislationprohibiting child marriage, the latest

household surveys indicate that anestimated 47 per cent of womenaged 20–24, and 16 per cent of menaged 20–49, were married or in unionbefore age 18. In addition, thecountry’s skewed sex ratio at birthand high level of child labour remainsignificant challenges. Concertedefforts are yielding results

The Government of India, itspartners and a multitude of non-gov-ernmental organizations have madedetermined efforts to reduce childdeaths, expand access to healthcare and get children into primaryschool. The country is also makingheadway towards identifying childprotection violations and creating le-gal means of redress. It is beginningto address material disparities bytargeting essential services towardsmarginalized groups such as sched-uled castes, scheduled tribes (theindigenous peoples, or Adivasis) andothers who suffer entrenched dis-crimination. A National Commissionfor the Protection of Child Rights wasestablished by the Government inMarch 2007 to monitor proper en-forcement of child rights. In addition,a comprehensive plan called the In-tegrated Child Protection Schemehas been set up to protect vulner-able children. Women-led andwomen-focused organizations arethriving in India, which is home tosome of the world’s most innovative

16

December 2014Rally

institutions empowering women inthe community, the workplace andgovernment. Similarly, non-govern-mental organizations and voluntarygroups have for decades been amongIndia’s most energetic advocates forchild rights. An example is Balkan-Ji-Bari. Founded in

1923, this organization has be-come a recreational and educationalinstitution for impoverished Adivasichildren, providing vocational train-ing, vaccinations and other services.Young people are showing the wayto overcoming some of the key ob-stacles to fulfilling child rights. In1990, child labourers involved withthe Concerned for Working Childrenorganization launched their own as-sociation – BhimaSangha, which has

The Abandoned Alleyway.

Susanne Rodrigues

He picked a spare tire ,Ran with it, as it rolled downhillShe played footsie with a plastic bottle .cheerful, notoriously, dodged people,Upto a dingy alleyway .The abandoned alley seemed rather disturbed today.Noisy sirens going off ,L’il brother in the arms of a stranger ,As they paved their way through the crowd,The unfortunate events unfolded.Beaten black and blue ,Their mother lay there, lifeless.The father struck by a glass bottle, dead.The parents, victim of their vices ;

become an international model forchildren’s participation. Beginning in1997, BhimaSangha has estab-lished makkalpanchayats, orchildren’s councils, that run parallelto adult councils. In the state ofKerala, the government has institu-tionalized child participation throughBalaSabhas or children’sneighbourhood groups. There are45,417 clubs in the state, witharound 800,000 participants.

“Children are our mostvaluable natural resource”

Oliver Wendell HolmesChallenges aheadWidespread and entrenched

exploitation, gender discrimination,caste bias and other social problemsin India will not be overcome over-

night, and it is uncertain how the2008–2009 global fuel, food and eco-nomic crises will affect the country’ssocial progress. As all three threatento undermine India’s economicgrowth, there is a grave risk that theshare of people living in absolutepoverty will increase, possibly slow-ing or even stalling recent moderategains in child survival, health andeducation. The Government of Indiaand other stakeholders are workingtowards fulfilling child rights – andyoung people themselves are voic-ing their priorities and embracingcommunity involvement. Their con-tinued participation and leadershipwill be critical to achieving continuedhuman progress in India during theyears to come.

17

December 2014Rally

Over the centutries in developing countries and in our own countryIndia, we find girls are dishonoured, disrespected and discriminated against,especially in rural areas.

Often in villages and remote areas, the girl child is looked down uponand condemned for no fault of hers just because she is a girl. What reallyis the difference between a girl and a boy? Why is the girl child so abusedand misused? Is she not a human being like anyone else?

In villages, when a girl is born, it looks as though the family is cursed,and they are mourning the death rather than rejoicing over the birth of anew born. Often relatives, friends do not even want to visit the baby andher mother. Often, the girl’s father neither wants to see her or visit his wife,hence at her very birth she is rejected. From there unfolds her sad story, perhaps till her death. Here arevarious aspects I would like to share which depict the tears of the girl child.

She is deprived of educational facilities, even if she is provided education there is a disparity between herand her brothers. She is given education only up to a certain class may be class IV or V and then expectedto help her mother in all the household chores, whereas the boy reaches up to high school, graduation andpost graduation.

When they are all gathered together for a meal, the father and brothers are first served with the best partof the food and what is left over is shared between the girl and her mother. The boy is provided much more thanhis needs – all his demands are satisfied, whereas the girl has to work to the satisfaction of her parents, sheis beaten and abused, made fun of, by her own siblings, especially her brothers.

As she grows older, she is molested and raped, just taken for granted. It is sad to observe that she doesnot have the support of her brothers or her father; they do not seem to be interested in even hearing what wentwrong with her. On the contrary, she is once again abused and cursed; her very existence seems to be aburden to her parents and her family.

In my opinion, those of us, especially in urban, may be elite and who are fortunate and enjoy all suchfacilities need to be sensitive to the cries and woes of the less fortunate, especially the poor girl child. I havea few suggestions which can be implemented.

There is an urgent need to first of all identify such girls in our society, especially those poor, less fortunategirls in our own neighbourhood and vicinity. We can begin by giving them a listening ear, offer them whateversupport we can and try to find out ways and means in which we can meet some of their needs.

We need to first educate ourselves regarding the rights and facilities the girl child is entitled to by gettingin touch with organizations and institutions that uphold the cause of the girl child. The girl child definitely hasthe right to education – let us join hands and find out means by which this is made available to these deprivedand disparaged girls.

We have a very long way to go in achieving these goals, but somewhere let us give it a start by becomingaware of various negative aspects regarding the girl, begin to work in our own personal capacity, subsequentlyform a group of like indeed people and reach out to these girls

Tears of a Girl Child Naveen,Pune

18

December 2014Rally

“IN JUST a few years’ time, we should be looking back with shame andbewilderment at the fact that in the early years of the second millennium,governments and individual adults were still justifying — even promoting —hitting and deliberately hurting babies and children as lawful and legiti-mate.” When I came across this quote written by, Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002), a notable Swedish children’s writer, in her acceptance speech whencollecting the German Booksellers’ Peace Prize in Frankfurt in 1978, mythoughts are directly taken to many vivid images of the past and reading ofreports and news, where children are either tortured, beaten, abused andeven raped. These words have become vocabularies of every one of us inour every day’s language found and seen in newspaper and news chan-nels. A child domiciled in India attains majority at the age of 18 years. Outof 100% percentage of the mass population in India, 39% consist of chil-dren from infancy to 18 years old and 73% are children in the rural areasand 27 % in the urban areas.

India in the given data by the UNICEF is one of the countries with noproper care for the children. Let us keep aside the statistical data and befrank and fair about the reality. We use many things- mobiles, laptops,tablets, I-pad, etc that are produced and hand made by children from theage of ten to twelve years. We see if the product is good and wonderfullymade by the so called ‘company’; but in reality children are the ones whodo all the minute things of assembling and integrating the different devicesof these items. As fortunate students in this movement, do we realize thatwe are also part of the culture of violating child rights in many different wayseither directly or indirectly? And when will we realize our mistakes of ham-pering our own younger brothers and sisters? These are the questions wehave to seriously ask ourselves if we want to call ourselves a civilizedcountry. Words like rape, abuses, tortures and harassment have becomethe vocabulary of today’s magazines, newspaper headlines and news chan-nels. Children have become the consequences of many mishaps espe-cially in our country. We say and we know that it is clearly written that allthe children in India have twelve rights which were endorsed on December11, 1992.They are the right to Education, the right to Expression, the rightto Information, the right to Nutrition, the right to Health and Care, the rightto Protection from Abuse, the right to protection from Exploitation, the rightto protection from Neglect, the right to Development, the right to Recre-ation, the right to Name and Nationality, the right to Survival. In reality, howmany of these rights are given hundred percent? Are we even paying atten-

The Children of IndiaEdbertMarbaniang

1stYr BA,St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore

tion to either eradicate the problemsof children or to make sure that theyget their rights? It is a sad state tosee these rights are not functioningas rights but as documents archivedin the government departments andworse of all in the hearts of most citi-zens of India.

India consists of 161 millionchildren who are in the streets beg-ging; some work in the factories toearn their daily bread; some work-ing to feed the family with a low in-come; some in the orphanage wait-ing to be adopted. It is very painfulto know the truth, but as AICUFerswhat is our responsibility toward thissection in the society? We shouldbe creative to find out means andways to see that our own youngerbrothers and sisters are able to ex-perience a life of basic necessities.

India is a nation that is prosper-ing in different spheres but it has for-gotten this section of the society andhas not implemented strict and firmchild rights. India spends millions ofrupees in warfare, making warfarepack deals with foreign countries;recently it made a pact with Franceto buy a costly jet which amounts tolakhs of rupees whereas its childrenhave no proper education, food andshelter to cover their heads. Whereare those twelve rights? Can they toobe bought by money? During theparade on Independence Day and

19

December 2014Rally

Republic Day, missiles and rockets are showcased. Millions are spent tobuy and maintain these artilleries. What about the 161 million who are notsupposed starve and do not get even one meal a day? What about theireducation, state of living, their RIGHTS? What have we as a movementdone or contributed to this section in our country where the need is thegreatest to see that everyone has a share in the society? We know Indiaspent more than half of it budget in arms and security of the nation. Whatcan this same India do when everyone sees the reality of child torture,abuse, harassment and rape that happens every day? Two months before,a six year old girl was raped in the school premises in Bangalore and thishad led to the campaign for a strict enforcement of the child rights for fewweeks but it has died down probably because everyone knows that thou-sands of these incidents will surely happen again and so why waste timeon this. This is the attitude that we nurture in our day today lives and I don’tknow when we will change our mindset to see a perpetual betterment of ouryounger brothers and sisters day after day.

The statistical records of the Department of Child DevelopmentGovernment of India has been maintaining factual records on every child ofthe country whether from a village or urban, rich or poor, educated or un-educated, but surprisingly our leaders pay less attention to this issue. Theworst part is that in the rural areas especially in the government schoolsand colleges, these children are left to the whims and fancies of the govern-ment untrained but paid teachers. We as a country are able to finance andbe the first to send satellites and advanced technologies to Mars, but whatkind of education, information, nutrition, health and care, protection fromabuses, exploitation, neglect, rights to development and other rights do wegive to our children. In the urban areas, the education provided by theprivate sector is quality wise good but the fee is too high and the freeeducation is out of question because the private investors also want profit.These are some of the realities that are hiding behind the curtain that India

is a fast growing country. The imme-diate action to be taken by each citi-zen of the country is, ‘STOP COR-RUPTION,” only then the chain ofits effect will break automatically.

As a movement of youngpeople, we are either challenged orcondemned if we don’t seriously re-flect, discern and take a serious ac-tion for the good of our younger broth-ers and sisters. As Jesus said, “Letthe little children come to me, for thekingdom of heaven belongs to them.”He surely meant that children are thegroup or section in the society whoare supposed to bring peace, joy,hope and love which refers to his king-dom. If we who look ahead of time,think and do things creatively thenwe are ‘Challenged’ by this new ap-proaching negative trend of the soci-ety. But if we are part of the move-ment for our benefits and sarcasticintentions then we are condemningothers and we ourselves fall in to thelot of being ‘Condemned.’ The choiceis ours- for the betterment of ouryounger generation, the tomorrowdepends on us.

20

December 2014Rally

I WONDER why on earth we should ever have the discussions on children’s or women’s or men’s or anyone’srights as a person. According to me a person is a person, be it an infant, a young boy or a girl, an adult or anelderly person. Well that may sound too idealistic but that’s how I see it. However, the problem begins with uswhen we deny the integrity of a person and harm him/her. We hear about all these through the various means ofcommunication.

That is all very sad because when we harm other person we actually hurt the person inside us. In the movie‘Highway’ a dialogue goes like this, “When a bullet goes out of the gun and kills a person, actually two people die,the one who is shot and the other who shoots.” Yes, it applies very well in the cases related to child labor or childabuse, etc.

Children are full of innocence, goodness, warmth and love. I still remember those two years when I used tovisit an orphanage run by the Sisters of Missionaries of Charity. The kids would come running to me with theirarms wide open and spread as if saying “I love you and accept you.” I loved them and wish that they always get thesupport of good people.

We can go on mentioning the qualities of the children. However, not everyone looks at them, may be, as wedo. I’m not saying I never do any wrong to children. I mean to point out to that part of our selves that has becomeso blind not to recognize God in a child. I believe God has given all of us the same size and percentage of heartthat is capable of loving. It’s not that I can love only 50%, 80% or 99%. It’s always cent percent. Yes it dependshow much we open our hearts. The bigger the heart the more loving we become. So, we should all pray for amagnanimous heart that can love all and see that God dwells in each person, very much in a child who is so pureand angelic.

Heart for a Child Alok Ekka, SJ

Prayer –God bless us,Give us the eyes that can see you in a child,A perception that can perceive your presence in the little angel,A heart capable of hating children laboring for livelihood like coolies,And the mind to think and the courage to pull them out of this pit,Enough wealth to buy them food and clothes for street kids,And to get them a football so that I can see them playing and laughing,Ears to hear their cry and the compassion to console them,Knowledge to educate and help them know you,Medicine that can bring your brightness on their cute faces,A big-big house where these little angels can sing and dance,Guts to rise up and speak for them,Confidence to fight for them from their enemies,Never to forget our own childhood with gratitude,To always make this world a better place for them,To protect them from all dangers, diseases, and death while they live,That we can all love them as a lavishing mother would,Sacrifice herself to the little ones.Give us all these we ask and demand today,Our Loving and Dear God.

21

December 2014Rally

I AM A JOURNALIST. Not an experienced writer, but a novice. I got my degree in B.A. History, not withvery high marks. I managed to get a job with a reasonable salary with not much stress (i.e.) I am a lazy guy.Due to my family circumstances I joined as a story writer in “Turning point of Life” Magazine. I had not muchwork for the few weeks I joined my office. Suddenly the chief editor asked me to cover the life of the people inneed. I was just surprised with this work.

As I had no experience in this field I wandered all over Chennai city to find people in need. I was travellingby bus, train and two wheeler in search of the people in need. It was the period of sunset and I gave rest to mylegs in the sands of Marina. It was a very fine Tuesday and there was not much crowd in the beach. I rested mylegs but my stomach asked me for some snacks. I looked all around and heard a voicecalling out and selling ‘sundal’ at a distance. I found the voice belonged to a boy whowas only 10 to 12 years old. I asked him to give me one. He gave me with a big smileand I gave ten rupees. He says that the ‘channa’ was 8 rupees and asks mewhether he has to give me the balance or not. I understand that he wants theremaining. Then I asked him to sit next to me and we both shared the ‘sundal’.I asked him that whether he was going to school or not. He replied that hecan go and eat one afternoon real happily in the school. But his familyhas to stay without food for all three meals. I asked him whether hisparents were going to work or not. The boy replies with a pale smileand says that his father was a drunkard and he wastes his moneyonly for drinking. His mother is an Asthma patient and if she doesany work then she gets breathing problems and for that also hehad to spend. So she was asked not to work. If he refused to givemoney to his father for drinking then he will say that “you don’t give me any money and I will get money throughyour mother. These words will prick my heart and so I throw the money whatever he asks. He also said that hehas one younger sister who is born without one leg. She helps me to boil the ‘channas’ and pack”. My eyeswere filled with tears after hearing his problem. Then I asked him “what his daily earning was. He said that inweekends he gets about 500/- per day. In week days I get 250-300 per day. I have to give 150 rupees to myfather every day. Then with the remaining I invest in getting ‘channa’ for the next day and with 15 or 20 rupeesremaining I have to cook food for my family. I left the beach feeling bad for burdening with his story. He hasgone without giving my balance. But I was disturbed at the bottom of my heart. And I feel that happiness andsorrow are the two sides of a coin and it will change gradually and proceed in search of the people in need.

Only proper education can change the life of these children. The misuse of them will make our countryworse in the future. When the seed in the soil is not properly sowed it will grow improperly and destroy thewhole field. Likewise if the seeds of our country are not sowed properly, they will become useless. Thesewords swing along my mind. My blood is fighting to kill the germs of this society. But I am a middle class man.I also have a family. But my inner voice insisted me to do something against this injustice to them. I took thepen as my weapon; I feel that each and every one should know their responsibilities and limits and take care

of the young buds who are burning in the fire of injustice, poverty and family circumstances.

‘Sundal’ at Marina BeachNepolian. A

22

December 2014Rally

IT’S ONE of those days again where my whole body aches. He beat me up when I started crying and wailing,

afraid that it would attract the neighbours. So here I am. All alone and locked up in this dark room. A sliver of

sunshine struggles to enter through a tiny crack in the window. It warms up the room and makes me feel a little

better. Today is one of those bad days because some of my wounds are bleeding. There’s something very

unforgiving about a leather belt on a child’s bare back. I am his secret. A body that he can use and abuse whenever

he likes. At least today he didn’t ask me to come with him to the bedroom.

I often wonder about what it is like to have a loving parent. It is difficult because I live with a man whom I am

supposed to call Father. I am 12 years old now and ever since I can remember, my life has been nothing short of

a living hell. I have contemplated suicide often, because death seems like a sweet escape from this nightmare I

wake up to every morning. I may be wrong but when I go to school, I realize that it isn’t supposed to be this difficult

to be a child. My friends come from happy homes and have parents who kiss them goodbye every morning. I don’t

remember him ever loving me and I am sure that he doesn’t. Because which father beats their child to a pulp when

they come home with bad grades? Who asks their child to strip in front of them and touch them inappropriately?

What parent allows their only child to sleep on an empty stomach? No, he doesn’t love me. And never will.

I’ve tried speaking up. But when the moment comes and my teacher asks me about a bruise on my hand, I

shy away and tell her it was an accident. He scares me and threatens me and so I protect him. All the stories of

this incessant torture are on the tip of my tongue, waiting to be poured out, but then something dies inside me and

I remain a coward. As always. I look at my bruises and I am reminded of the sad story of my existence. And

suddenly, a fire begins to light up in me and I can’t take any more. Years and years of torture and agony will cease.

The sun shines stronger now and every ray soothes my sore body. As the lock turns in the door and he is about

to enter, I realize that I will not let him be the author of my story. It’s mine to write.

Across the world, millions of children are sufferers of a common tale of woe. A tale of child abuse. Young lives

are being torn apart by the ruthless cruelty of so many adults. It is up to us to be aware of any tell-tale signs of

child abuse like bruises, anxiety, confusion, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, fear of strangers so as to

create an environment, where a child can feel safe to approach us. Let’s speak up for a change so that our children

can be children for a little longer.

The Survivor Tanya Tojo

23

December 2014Rally

EDUCATION is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. We believe that childrenare priceless treasures and gifts from God and as such it’s our conviction that the various needs of the childrenshould be met.

We believe that every child has the right:To receive good education that provides competence and empowers them to be self-sufficient.Education is a fundamental human right and vital in achieving economic growth and sustaining a healthy

society. But today it is seen that not all children are privileged to avail elementary education. The reason may bemany like walking long distances, lack of teaching faculty or taking care of their younger siblings.

Where the various reasons for not availing elementary education is coming into the limelight the IndianGovernment has taken an initiative by bringing The Right to Education Act into force which aims at providing freeand compulsory education to children between the age of 6-14. The Act also provides students of class I to VIII freetextbooks and uniforms. The Act also ensures that all the schools must comply with infrastructure and teachernorms for an effective learning environment. The Central and State governments, by sharing the financial burdenprovides a helping hand to the poor families.

The Right to Education Act provides a barrier free education to children and is thus helping them to achieveone of their important RIGHTS that is THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION.

Right to Education Pratigya Bhambhwani

The Unheard, the UnseenGrace D’souza

Mommy, today I scraped my knee,I bawled more than it hurt,I didn’t want to be sent to Doctor Uncle,I needed your arms around me.

Daddy, today I crashed my bicycle,If I said I didn’t do it on purpose I’d be lying,I didn’t want the new cycle you ordered,I wanted you not to scream at me.

Mommy, I didn’t eat today,I hoped you would notice this time,And you did, but you sent the maid in with a tray.I wished it were you who were feeding me.

Daddy, I detest this camp you sent me to.The land is foreign and their ways strange.I break every rule hoping they’d call you,I had hoped we’d stay home instead, just us- family.

I swallowed all the pills in the bottle,My last attempt to get you to hear my plea;No, I won’t let the psychiatrist help me,Why can’t you be here, talking with me?

24

December 2014Rally

There are seven scientifically

proven ways of making chil-dren do better in school

1. Set Proper ExpectationsIt’s very important to have high

expectations—and communi-

cate them to your child. It’sequally important to base your

expectations on your child as

an individual who has strengthsand weaknesses like all indi-

viduals.

Set appropriate expectationsby:

• Communicating with yourchild. Talk kindly but honestlywith your child about where she

thinks her interests and abili-

ties are, and where she thinksshe has less interest and abil-

ity. Then share your own opin-

ParentsYour

AttentionPlease…

ions, based on your observa-

tion of your child. Look for com-mon ground, but never dismiss

your child’s self-assessment

as inappropriate or unrealistic.• Re-evaluating as neces-sary. Your child will grow and

change, and so will his/her in-terests and abilities. Plan to

review expectations with your

child about every three months.A. A motivated child is likelyto:• Choose activities that arechallenging.

• Begin tasks without having to

be prodded.• Show serious effort and con-

centration.

• Possess a positive attitudetoward learning and school-

work.

• Possess coping skills to get

through the rough times• do not give up the tasks

until successful completion.

B. A child who is not moti-vated is likely to:

• Choose activities that are in-

appropriately easy.• Need lots of external pres-

sure to get started.

• Put in minimal of effort.• Show negative or apathetic

attitude about learning and

school work.• Give up quickly when the go-

ing gets rough.

• Leave many tasks unfinished.

2. Help Your Child SetGoalsGoals turn expectations from

ideas into reality. Knowing

25

December 2014Rally

what he is expected to do willhelp your child accomplish little

unless he has a plan for how to

do it. Here are some ways tohelp your child set meaningful

goals:

• Write the goals down.• Make the goals specific.1). Your child still needs a map

to get there. “To accomplish hisgoal’ .

Example: 1)He/She will do the

following: 1) review math prob-

lems 20 minutes each night,

whether or not he has an up-

coming quiz;2) Stay after school once a

week for Ms. Stephens’ math

enrichment class;3) Ask Mom to give him a prac-

tice math test every Thursday.”

• Make the goals measur-able. A measurable goal al-

lows you and your child to chart

his/her progress.

3. Show Your Child YouThink School is Importanta) Maintaining a relation-ship with your child’steacherb) Supporting the programsat your child’s school. At-

tending events such as back-to-school night, conferences,

plays and family math night

show your child that being atschool is a priority for you.

c) Creating a suitable envi-ronmentFor homework. Make sure your

child has a quiet, well-lit place

to study.d) Keeping up with yourchild’s assignments.Doing school work is yourchild’s responsibility, but you

should be aware of what she

is studying as well as the sta-tus of home work assignments,

tests and class projects.

e) Staying positive aboutschool and schoolwork.Whenever possible, mention

that the latest social studiesunit sounds interesting or that

the upcoming field trip should

be exciting.

4. Support Your Child’sLearning StyleYour child is more likely to want

to learn if he uses the learning

style that feels most natural andmakes the most sense—to

him. Help him figure out, and

use, his best learning style.Does your child learn best by:

· Auditor y Learners

Auditory learners feel moti-vated and engaged when they

can incorporate more listening

into schoolwork. Here aregood ways to motivate an au-

ditory learner:

• Have your child recordhimself reading a chapter out

loud. Then review by listening

to it.• Use rhymes, songs, andassociative words (letters or

words that make you think ofother words) to remember

facts. Example: My Very Excel-

lentMother Just Served Us Nine

Pizzas to remember Mercury,

Venus, Earth,Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,

Neptune and Pluto.

• Have him ask friends andfamily members to give you

26

December 2014Rally

an oral quiz or listen to you

recite math facts.• When assigned to read fic-tion, suggest that he see if a

book on tape is available. Hecan follow along in the book as

he listens.

• Suggest that he “talk him-self” through a problem.“Let’s see, multiply and divide

before you add and subtract.So the first thing I need to do is

multiply two times six … .”

Visual Learners: Visual learn-ers feel more motivated and

engaged when they can incor-

porate more seeing into theirschoolwork. Here are some

ways to motivate a visual

learner:• Help him use color• When reading a text, sug-

gest that he first go through andlook at all the pictures, charts,

graphs and diagrams in the

chapter. Which points are theyillustrating? Suggest that he

use the illustrations to reinforce

what he is reading.• Help him make a studywall. Each week, help him

make a poster of something heneeds to learn and post it in that

spot. Have him refer to it often.

• Flashcards are great for vi-

sual learners. Suggest that he

use them for math facts, vo-cabulary words, anything he

needs to memorize.

• Talk with him about stay-ing . Attentive during oral pre-

sentations by watching the

speaker. If he is a visuallearner, allowing his eyes to

drift toward the window or door

is a sure way to miss most ofwhat is being said.

Kinesthetic Learners (Learn

while doing)Kinesthetic learners feel more

motivated and engaged when

they can incorporate more do-ing into their schoolwork. Try

these ideas to motivate a ki-

nesthetic learner:• Help him look for ways to

make learning hands-on.

• Urge him to combine studybreaks with physical activity.

Suggest that he study for 30

minutes, then go for a short run

(about 10 minutes) and then

come back to study.• Give him as much room as

possible when studying. Many

kinesthetic learners like topace the floor while memoriz-

ing.

They also like to study in non-sitting positions, such as stand-

ing up or lying down.

• Help him with reading com-prehension by having him tell

you about or act out a passage

from a book. Be his audienceor play a role yourself.

• Encourage him to dohands-on projects. Kines-thetic learners can shine at sci-

ence fairs and art shows be-

cause they love to createthings. Participation in these

events can boost your child’s

self-esteem, which can in turnboost his motivation.

27

December 2014Rally

5. Speak the Language ofEncouragement:Praise and appreciation are

different, Encouragement

makes motivation soar! Praise:

• Discusses results. “Great

work on the science quiz! Yougot an A!”

• Uses opinion words such

as “good,” “great,” “terrific,”and

“wonderful.”

• Is typically given when thechild has performed as you

had hoped she would.

Encouragement:• Notices effort andprogress. “Look at that paper!

I can tell you’ve spent a lot oftime on it! It must feel good to

know you worked so hard!”

• Uses descriptive words.“You cleaned the bathroom

without being asked.Look at

that shiny sink! I can seemyself in it!”

• Can be given regardless ofthe child’s performance.“That didn’t work out the way

you planned, did it?

I can tell you’re disappointed,but I know you’ll try again next

week. What do you think you

might do differently next time?”Seven Proven Ways to Moti-

vate Children.

6. Reinforce Learning atHome and in the Commu-nityMotivated students know that

learning takes place every-

where. They realize that manyof the activities that can in-

crease their knowledge and

understanding are also lots offun.

Use your imagination and cre-

ativity to make learning comealive for your child!

Here are a few ideas to get you

started:

• When your child reads aclassic, see if a video versionis available.

• Dive into the cultures yourchild studies.• Expand your child’s pointof view by taking him

to something that doesn’t fitwith his typical tastes.

If he loves basketball, take him

to the ballet. Point outthat athleticism might be found

where he least expects it.

• Getting your child into thehabit of reading the news-paper is likegiving him a gift

that will last his whole life. Cliprelevant articles for him, or read

bits of articles out loud.

• Museum visits are alwaysfun, but they are especially

appropriate when your child is

studying science and socialstudies.

7. Encourage Your Child toBe ResilientSam Goldstein, Ph.D., a noted

neuropsychologist and profes-sor at the University of Utah,

strongly believes that encour-

aging resilience is one of thebest thing parents can do for

their children. Resilient children

28

December 2014Rally

are ready for whatever life

throws at them. They get that

way, according to Goldstein, bydeveloping qualities like these:

• Strong belief that an adult in

their lives will always be therewith love and support.

• Ability to solve many of their

own problems.

• Ability to focus on their ownstrengths.

• Regard mistakes as some-

thing that happens to everyone,and something to learn from.

• Empathizing with yourchild.Before acting, try to see the

situation through her eyes. “I

can see you’re very upsetabout the argument you had

with your sister, but hitting is

unacceptable even when weare feeling upset. Can you think

of a better way to show your

feelings?”

• Providing your child withreasonable choices. “Break-

fast will be ready in 20 minutes.

Would you like toast or eggstoday?”

• Changing your approachwhen it clearly doesn’twork. You complain your childdoesn’t listen, so you yell

louder. She tunes you out. In-

stead of continuing to yell, trysomething different. Turn her

face to yours, and whisper. You

may surprise her into payingattention.

• Supporting your child’s in-terests and talents. If yourchild is struggling in school, her

part in the school musical may

be the only thing saving her selfesteem. Celebrate this talent.

Never take it away from her “un-

til you bring up those grades.”What about rewards?

The best approach may be to

simply take a middle ground.Treat your child to a reward

once in awhile, but other times

reward him only with a smile ora big thumbs-up. Or tell him:

“You can really be proud of

yourself. Look what you did!”Conclusion

Given the choice between abil-

ity and hard work as the mostimportant key to success in

school (and in life), experts say

hard work is hands-down themost important. By finding

ways to motivate a child to

work hard and make the mostof her educational opportuni-

ties, parents can help their child

use whatever strengths andabilities she has now or can

develop in the future. Motiva-

tion is truly the secret to help-ing children develop their

greatest potential and parents

would do well to learn how todo it.

Complied, edited and

adapted from www.parent-in-stitute

29

December 2014Rally

When Deepak fell in love with Vanaja, he never thoughtthat his family would ostracize him. He could hardlybelieve his loving parents turn so sour and stern in theirstand against his love affair. Well, Deepak chose to marryVanaja.

Hardly ten months have passed. Now Deepaksays that he is totally disappointed with Vanaja. He isdisillusioned and frustrated. “I never thought she wouldbe like this. All my dreams have crumbled down” are hispainful words. Placed between the anvil and the ham-mer, his life has become an inescapable nightmare.

Similar experiences are common to every 1one.Our life is filled with fulfilments and frustrations; in fact,we meet with more frustrations than fulfilments. Bothare the results of expectations which are evoked by theunknown element in time and space. We have expecta-tions about everything under the sun – persons, places,seasons, situations and yet-to-come tomorrows.

The funniest part of expectations is that it isalmost always ideal and extreme.

We expect our parents, life-partner, friend,life- situations etc. To be ideal; yet we never comeacross an ideal parent, an ideal wife or husbandor any relationship. There is always a ‘but’ taggedto the things and persons we dreams of.“Distance lends enchantments to viewAnd clothes the mountain in azure hue”

But when we see the same moun-tain in close quarters. Then we under-stand its rugged reality. The ‘but’ deflatesour dreamy expectations and brings usdown from the starry sky to the hard earthharsh reality – the immutable here andnow.

In short, we love the ideal but marrythe real . We dream the ideal but holdthe real. We long for the ideal and re-ceive the real. We long for the ideal and

Without YouI can not live..

receive the real. ‘That is why our love starts in poetryand slowly tends to become prose and finally ends inmathematics!

Young inflamed lovers ardently swear. “You are mylife. My life and my everything. Without you I cannotlive. I am ready to sacrifice anything, even my life, inorder to have you as mine”. Yet in the course of timesas they come closer to each other they find their ex-pectation belied and they begin to speak to terms ofimpersonal and calculative language of mathematics.As a result, how many divorces! How many dowrydeaths! How many embittered cries “ I thought ..............but now”

Hamlet’s father. The king of Denmark, is killed byClaudius who eventually is chosen king in preference toHamlet and marries Hamlet’s own mother. Frustratedand mentally tortured, Hamlet unpacks his agonizingheart:O that this too too solid flesh would melt,Thaw and resolve itself into a dew;His canon gainst self slaughter ! O God, God!His weary, stale, flag and unprofitableSeem to me all the uses of this world!

We should not cling on to the ideal and refuseto accept the real. For the refusal to accept the differ-ence between these two will lead a person into an gnaw-ing agony which, if unguarded, may result in insomnia,

mental disorder, even, suicide.The Bible tells story of Naaman, the

commander the Syrian army, highly re-spected and esteemed by the king him-self. But he has a dreaded skin diseaseand one is able to cure him. One day hecomes to know that the prophet Elisha liv-ing in Israel, has a miraculous power toheat any sickness. Hence he goes withhis horse and chariot taking a large amountof silver and gold as an offering to the

30

December 2014Rally

prophet. He stops at the entrance of Elisha’s house.Knowing his arrival, Elisha doesn’t come out, but onlysends word to him to go and wash himself seven timesin the river of Jordan. At this Naaman is greatly enraged.He says “ I thought that he would at least come out tomeet me, and pray to his God and wave his hand overme and cure me! Besides, are not the rivers Abana andPharapar, back in Damascus, better than any river inIsrael?”

Arrogant as an army commander he is unableto accept the prophet’s action and sets out to Syria inbitter indignation.But his servants tell him, “ Sir if the prophet had toldyou to do something difficult you would have done it.Now why can’t you just wash yourself, as he advisedyou?”

Fortunately, their timely suggestion changes hismind. Thus persuaded by their words, Naaman goesdown to the Jordan and dips himself in it seven times.As he finally comes out the water, he finds, to his greatamazements, his whole body completely cured and hisflesh firm and healthy.

The truth I should understand is that reality out-side, may not be and need not as I expect it to be. All IShould do is to accept the reality, the here and now, asit is.

When I find myself in hot water I must decide totake a nice bath. Someone has said, “A successful manis one who can lay a firm foundation with the stone thatothers thrown at him.” Things may not and need nothappen the way I expect; but I can always turn the veryfrustration into a profit. Jesus was confronted with theignominious cross but had the courage and optimism toturn it into a symbol of victory.Here’s a beautiful prayer:O God, give me the courage to change what I can,The serenity to accept what I cannotAnd the wisdom to see the difference.

Remember, a black hen though, it always laysa white egg.

Don’t cut of your nose to spite your face.- C.H. SpurgeonShow me a man who doesn’t know the meaning of theword “frustration” and I’ll show you a man who ought tobuy a dictionary.-Albert Einstein.From Yours ‘faith ‘fully... byFr.Dr. F. Jayabalan, s.j.Renowned writer and educationist

31

December 2014Rally

Supplement

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs India recently named India as themost dangerous place in the world for a girl child. The statistics below highlight the importanceof supporting children’s rights, education and health schemes in India:

40% of India’s population is below the age of 18 years, which at 400 million is the world’s largestchild population

Less than half of India’s children between the age 6 and 14 go to school

More than 1 in 3 women in India and over 60% of children in India are anemic.

While one in every five adolescent boys is malnourished, one in every two girls in India is undernourished

1 out of every 6 girls does not live to see her 15th birthday.

An Indian girl child aged 1-5 years is 75% more likely to die than an Indian boy. Every 6th girl child’sdeath is due to gender discrimination. Even if she escapes infanticide or foeticide, a girl child is lesslikely to receive immunization, nutrition or medical treatment compared to a male child.

1 out of 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 4.

53% of girls in the age group of 5 to 9 years are illiterate.

17 million children in India work

48% of women in India aged 20-24 were married or are in union before aged 18 years, and almost1 in 5 were married before aged 15 years.

There are approximately 2 million child commercial sex workers between the age of 5 and 15 yearsand about 3.3 million between 15 and 18 years. They form 40% of the total population of commercial sex workers in India. 500,000 children are forced into this trade every year.

EDUCATION

Budgetary provision for child education by the government has increased from 1.47% in 2001-02to 3.34% of the total Union Budget in 2013-14 GDP (Eleventh Five Year Plan, Government sitesand yearly budgetary- related documents published by HAQ)

Data Sheets

32

December 2014Rally

Net Enrollment Ratio (NER) at the Upper Primary Elementary Level is only 58.3% (Ministry ofStatistics and Programme Implementation, 2012)

National Dropout Rate at the Elementary Level is over 40% (District Information System forEducation, 2011-12)

About 35% children with disabilities remain out of Elementary school (District Information Systemfor Education, 2011-12)

School dropout rate amongst adolescent girls is a high 63.5% (Ministry of Statistics andProgramme Implementation, 2012)

Around 45 per cent of the schools do not have even their own boundary wall (Annual EconomicSurvey, 2011-12)

16.6% of public schools have no provision for drinking water (Annual Economic Survey, 2011-12)

56% of public schools do not have a separate toilet for girls (Annual Economic Survey, 2011-12)

HEALTH (India)

Every second child in India is malnourished (National Family Health Survey-III, 2005-06)

Girls have 61% higher mortality than boys at age 1-4 years (National Family Health Survey-III)

22 % babies are born with low birth weight (National Family Health Survey-III)

About 55% of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes children under 3 years are underweightcompared to about 37% of children from the general population (National Family Health Survey-III)

47 out of every 1000 live births do not complete their first year of life (Sample RegistrationSystem , 2011)

79% or 4 out of 5 children (6-35 months) are anaemic (National Family Health Survey-III)

56% adolescent girls (15-19 years) are anaemic, as against 30% adolescent boys (NationalFamily Health Survey-III)

Only about half or 54% children have received full immunization District Level Household andfacility Survey-III, 2007-08)

GIRL CHILD (India)

Girls have 61% higher mortality than boys at age 1-4 years (National Family Health Survey-III)

The child sex ratio is at he lowest it has ever been with just 914 girls for every 1000 boys(Census, 2011)

School dropout rate amongst adolescent girls is a high 63.5% (Ministry of Statistics andProgramme Implementation, 2012)

Nearly 45% girls get married before the age of eighteen years (National Family Health Survey-III)

Contd. on Page No.37

33

December 2014Rally

UNICEF has classified child work into three categories:

Within the Family:

Children are engaged without pay in domestic household tasks, agricultural pastoral work, handicraft/cottage industries etc.

Within the Family but outside the Home:

Children do agricultural/pastoral work which consists of (seasonal/ full-time) migrant labour, localagricultural work, domestic service, construction work and informal occupation e.g. recycling ofwaste- employed by others and self employed.

Outside the Family:

Children are employed by others in bonded work, apprenticeship, skilled trades (Carpet, embroidery,and brass/copper work), industrial unskilled occupations/ mines, domestic work, commercial workin shops and restaurants, begging, prostitution and pornography.

MIGRANT CHILD LABOUR:

Child migrate from the rural area to the urban or from smaller to larger towns cities either with theirfamilies or alone. They migrate either for better employment opportunities or to escape from bondage

BONDED CHILD LABOUR:

Children are pledged by their parents guardians to employers in lieu of debts or payment. The ratesof interest on loans are so high that the amount to be repaid accumulates every year, makingrepayment almost impossible

The phenomenon of urban child labour includes street children. These children belong to three broadcategories:

Children on the Street:

Working children who have families but spend most of their time in streets

They earn for themselves and may or may not contribute to the family income.

Children off the Streets:

Working children who have left their families in villages or towns and have migrated to the city.

They do not have a place to live and hence spend their nights at the railway platforms, bus standsetc.

They live independently and usually spend all that they earn in the same day.Contd. on Page No.37

34

December 2014Rally

The existing child protection schemes and programmes:

A Programme for Juvenile Justice for the children in need of care and protection and children inconflict with law. The Government of India provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UTAdministrations for establishment and maintenance of various homes, salary of staff, food, clothing,etc. for children in need of care and protection and juveniles in conflict with law. Financial assistanceis based on proposals submitted by States on a 50-50 cost sharing basis.

An Integrated Programme for Street Children without homes and family ties. Under the schemeNGOs are supported to run 24 hours drop-in shelters and provide food, clothing, shelter, non-formaleducation, recreation, counseling, guidance and referral services for children. The other componentsof the scheme include enrolment in schools, vocational training, occupational placement, mobilizingpreventive health services and reducing the incidence of drug and substance abuse, HIV/AIDS etc.

CHILDLINE Service for children in distress, especially children in need of care and protection so asto provide them medical services, shelter, rescue from abuse, counseling, repatriation and rehabilita-tion. Under this initiative, a telephone helpline, number 1098, runs in 74 urban and semi-urban centresin the country.

Shishu Greha Scheme for care and protection of orphans/abandoned/destitute infants or children upto 6 years and promote in-country adoption for rehabilitating them.

Scheme for Working Children in Need of Care and Protection for children working as domesticworkers, at roadside dhabas, mechanic shops, etc. The scheme provides for bridge education andvocational training, medicine, food, recreation and sports equipments.

Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers in the age group of0-6 years. The scheme provides for comprehensive day-care services including facilities like food,shelter, medical, recreation, etc. to children below 6 years of age.

Pilot Project to Combat the Trafficking of women and Children for Commercial Sexual

Exploitation in Source and Destination Areas for providing care and protection to trafficked andsexually abused women and children. Components of the scheme include networking with law en-forcement agencies, rescue operation, temporary shelter for the victims, repatriation to hometownand legal services.

National Child Labour Project (NCLP) for the rehabilitation of child labour. Under the scheme,Project Societies at the district level are fully funded for opening up of Special Schools/RehabilitationCentres for the rehabilitation of child labourers. These Special Schools/Rehabilitation Centers providenon-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition and stipend to children withdrawnfrom employment. Contd. on Page No.37

36

December 2014Rally

56% adolescent girls (15-19 years) are anaemic, as against 30% adolescent boys (NationalFamily Health Survey-III)

CHILD LABOR (India)

11.8% children in India are engaged in some form of child labour (National Family Health Survey-III)

Source: http://america.cry.org/site/projects/children-statistics.html.http://dayatrust.com/statistics-indian-girls

Contd. from Page No.33

Abandoned/Orphaned Children:

Working children without families or whose families have abandoned them

They spend their lives on the streets without any kind of support and are hence the most exploitedand abused of the lot.

INVISIBLE CHILD LABOUR:

Children work in the unorganized or/and informal sector.

They do not come under the purview of law.

They constitute a substantial proportion of the child labour in the country.

Most of them do not go to school.

Contd. from Page No.34

from abuse at workplace or prostitution, the issue becomes whether the family will accept the childand what kind of remunerative work will the child be engaged in.

Health Care: This is generally inaccessible to children who are runaways, abandoned or abused.These children are unaware of the dangers posed to their health becoming vulnerable to sexuallytransmitted diseases including AIDS.

Politics: It lacks the will since it doesn’t form part of constituency or vote bank, to stop this deep-rooted problem in society where it gains financially from this problem like prostitution.

Rescue & Rehabilitation: The children and minors deserve to be rescued and rehabilitated. Thequestion is how and whether the state and society will take the responsibility without creating moreproblems for the victims.

Government Machinery: Starting from the police, state government departments, and the judiiary allhave a major role to play in not only rescuing but also in rehabilitation, restoration and ultimate resolutionof this problem.

Contd. from Page No.35

Source: Child Rights, Situational Analysis of Child Abuse, Abandoned &Runaway Children, Prevention and Strategies for Elimination

Source: http://www.tnchildlabour.tn.gov.in/forms.htm

INDO-US Child Labour Project (INDUS): The Ministry of Labour, Government of India and the USDepartment of Labour have initiated a project aimed at eliminating child labour in 10 hazardous sec-tors across 21 districts in five States namely, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradeshand NCT of Delhi.

Contd. from Page No.36

Source: Study on Child Abuse: India 2007, Ministry of Women & ChildDevelopment, Government of India

37

December 2014Rally

Double Talk and split tonguesArticle 370 is in the news these

days, and perhaps it will be alive tillthe assembly election is over inJammu and Kashmir. For an ordinarycitizen it may be nothing, and thelife may move on as ever before. Butthe petty politicians rake up the is-sue and make it sensational in or-der to garner voters. Almost all thepolitical parties thrive on ‘sensation-alizing’ an issue. For the congressit is ‘secularism’. They have their owndefinition for secularism as that ofappeasement of minorities, that too,a minority group that has sizeablevotes. For the BJP, it is always someissue connected with hindutva ide-ology. They start talking about Ramtemple every time election nears andconveniently forget after it.

There is one marketing conceptcalled ‘market segmentation’ accord-ing to which the marketers concen-trate on a particular segment of themarket instead of the whole market.It pays rich dividends. The politiciansapply the same principles. First, theydivide the voters into different seg-ments, on the basis of religion,caste, language, and other sensa-tional matters, and then try to mo-nopolize that segment/market. In theprocess, political parties always flareup some kind of communal issuesthat result in murder, loot, arson, riotand death of innocent public.

Poli_Tricks – It’s all in the game!Dr. G. John

National Animator

One such issue is Ar-ticle 370. This gives Jammuand Kashmir a special sta-tus with respect to applica-bility of Indian constitution.Political parties like BJP,now and then, raise this is-sue and demand for the ab-rogation of Article 370. Theytake up this issue mainly toconsolidate the votes of

hindus. But they know for sure that with hindu votes alone they can’t winthe election in Jammu and Kashmir. Hence, the intensity of voice is less inJammu region where Muslims are majority in number. But they talk about itin Kashmir region where pundits live in large numbers. Even PM Modi didnot utter a word about Article 370 during his election campaign in Jammu.He was silent about it though the BJP ‘s stand is very clear with respect toArticle 370. Why this silence? Even a child would say it is ‘politricks’.

The writing on the wall is very clear for the outgoing CM Omar Abdullah.It is a gone case. And the congress is nowhere in the fray, relegated to afeeble status, fighting for oxygen and hoping for some messiah to redeemits pride. All of a sudden Omar Abdullah found the wisdom from nowhere toquestion the application of AFSPA. He was silent and did nothing about itwhen he was ruling the state for the full five years and being part of thecentral government too. Now, the wisdom has dawned on him to questionthe AFSPA. Well, it is too late to get the attention of the voters!Insensitivity and the politicians

Not only there is method in the madness of the politicians, but also intheir ‘insensitivity’. Having received only Rs.1 as salary during her tenureas the chief minister in 1991-96, she chose to show off her wealth in themarriage of her foster son, with pomp and glory, to the glare of full publicview and scrutiny. The grandness of the event was well documented by themedia, both print and T.V. Though the cadres of the political party cher-ished the event, it caught the attention of the general public and her oppo-nent. Eventually she lost the election and a disproportionate asset casewas filed. The case was made to drag for eighteen years, and finally thecourt convicted her. It is not that only she is a corrupt politician, everyone

38

December 2014Rally

is. The biggest mistake she commit-ted was ‘showing off her wealth’.When the vast majority of the peopleare poor, she earned the envy of thepublic due to her insensitivity.

Likewise, almost all the politi-cians show their insensitivity nowand then. Recently in UP, SP chiefMulayam Singh Yadav rode an im-ported ‘buggy’ during his 75th birth-day celebration. Thousands of SPsupporters accompanied the ‘buggy’carrying Mulayam, Chief MinisterAkhilesh Yadav besides a number ofstate ministers as it proceeded to-wards the venue—Jauhar University.Nearly forty ministers of Akhileshgovernment were in attendance atthe venue of celebration.

The chief minister and MulayamSingh arrived at the venue from aspecial plane and were greeted bythousands of students and SP ac-tivists. The students were out of theirclassrooms to greet Mulayam. Theywere taken in a procession thatpassed through 200 welcome gates,especially erected with flowers andother decoration material, while thesurroundings glittered with electriclights in an atmosphere reminiscentof the old traditions of Nawabs beingaccorded a grand welcome to the

city. Police personnel in large number arrived from various dis-tricts of the state and have been deployed at various points tokeep a vigil throughout the procession route.

All these celebrations were going despite majority of UPpeople are living below the poverty line, and many are sufferingfrom severe cold condition not having enough protective clothesand proper shelter. There are frequent communal clashes in UPand the police force is always outnumbered by rioting mobs. Inspite of this, a larger number of police personnel were pressedinto service for the celebration of one Babu.

Delhi – National Capital Vs Rape capital argumentThe year 2012 in December witnessed an unprecedented event in Delhi.

Social activism made its mark in the national capital spearheaded by BJPand AAP. The Congress was the ruling party at the centre and in Delhistate. The Nirbhaya incident shook the entire nation. Now, in December2014 a similar incident has occurred, a woman was purportedly raped by acab driver. Look at how the politicians talk and respond.

December 2012(OP = Opposition Party RP = Ruling party)December 2014(OP = Opposition RP = Ruling party)

OP: Delhi has become the rape capital of IndiaOP: Delhi has become the rape capital of India and we strongly believe init.OP: Even in capital, women are not safe.OP: Even in Delhi, women are not safe. What about rest of India?OP: The centre should take responsibility for this sorry state of affairs.OP: The centre should take responsibility for this sorry state of affairs.OP: Owning moral responsibility the Chief Minister should resign imme-diately.OP: Owning moral responsibility the Home Minister should resign.OP: Law and order has deteriorated so much so that a woman cannotwalk or travel after 6pm.OP: There is no law and order and a woman cannot walk or travel after6pm.OP: The govern-ment is ineffec-tive and the replyfrom the govern-ment is:R: We haveacted very swiftlyand arrested theculprits in recordtime. Police and

39

December 2014Rally

the government are effective.OP: The government is ineffectiveand the reply from the governmentis:

R: We have acted very swiftly andarrested the culprits in 48 hours.Police and the government are effec-tive.RP: We are fully committed to bring-ing the criminals to justice. The lawwill take its due course.RP: We are fully committed to bring-ing the criminals to justice. The lawwill take its due course.RP: We are fully committed to en-sure safety and security of all citi-zens, especially women. Safety ofwomen is our highest priority in ouragenda under Soniaji’s guidance.

RP: We are fully committed to en-sure safety and security of all citi-zens, especially women. Safety ofwomen is our highest priority inModiji’s government.Ruling party was Congress in 2012Now the ruling party is BJP in 2014Situation is same, incident was simi-lar, response of the government issimilar, and demands of the opposi-tion party is also similar. Only theruling party is different both these

cases. Every political party tries to climb on top of the other using inci-dences like these. They politicalise these issues to gain political mile-

age. Last time, Delhi was facing election and BJP and AAP gainedsubstantially out of this incident. This time also, election is round

the corner and politicians will try to benefit out of it.But nothing much has changed between 2012 and 2014.

Women are not safe as usual, rapists and molesters carryon their business as usual, and political parties are outin the public with their rhetoric skills as usual. We alsotend to move on as usual, of course with a speed break.On the whole it is business as usual for the media and

the public.The blame game – All do.

What is the difference between politicians and ordinary mortals, likeyou and me? There are many……. one notable difference is: they neveraccept the mistake but blame the other person or other things for anythingand everything, however illogical and unreasonable they may be.

If they get cold and fever, they would say, “The previous governmenthas failed to protect the environment properly, that is why we are gettingfever and cold now”.

When CBI arrested people associated with Saradha Chit scam, Didisays: “it is a political vendetta and the central government is using CBI tosettle political scores”.

When Amma was convicted, she said that it was a political conspiracyhatched by the opponents to tarnish my image in the public. But the peoplewill teach them a good lesson.

When BSP supremo was filed a case in Taj corridor she also blamedthe centre for misusing CBI as its puppet to further the agenda of the rulingparty.

When Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti – MOS for Food Processing made theobjectionable statement the ruling dispensation defended her saying afterall she is the first time MP, that too from a humble background and it wasthe slip of the tongue.

If you don’t make a mistake you don’t learn. Every mistake is an op-portunity to learn. That means every person has the right to make mistakeand learn from it. Sounds logical?

In the sensational Delhi rape case, the politicians have started theblame game. No politicians would accept the mistake, and no politician isaccountable for his/her acts omission and commission. At the most whatthey do is to put the blame on the others, making mockery of democracy.After all, it is the game of politics politicians play, everyday shamelessly.

40

December 2014Rally

AICUF celebrated its Platinum Jubilee (1939-2014) on 22nd November, 2014 in a solemn

function held here at the Medlycott Hall. It was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kurian Joseph

(Supreme Court of India and an Ex-AICUF-er) and hesaid that AICUF has played a major role in moulding

him with Justice and the Option for the Poor. In the presi-

dential Address, Mar Raphael Thattil, the AuxiliaryBishop of Trichur and the Man- ager of the College, fo-

cused on the value based char- acter formation given by

the AICUF training. National Adviser, Rev. Fr. Dr. S.Emmanuel SJ cut the Jubilee Cake and delivered the Jubilee Message. State Adviser, Rev. Fr.

Babu Paul SJ delivered the Key-note Address. Msgr. George Edakulathur released the Jubilee

Souvenir and Rev. Fr. Davis Chiramel (Chairman, Kid-ney Federation of India) received 100 Organ Donation

Consent Forms from the AICUF Unit here. Rev. Fr. Dr.

Devassy Panthallookkaran gave the Introductory Talk in

which he highlighted the main activities of the AICUFhere for the last 75 years. Dr. Jenson P. O., the Princi-

pal welcomed the gathering and Rev. Fr. Dr. Martin

Kolambrath,the Unit Ad-

viser extended the Vote of Thanks. Before the Public

Meeting, there was Ex-AICUF-ers Meet and Freshers’Day. So many members shared their experiences with

AICUF including Mar James Pazhayattil, the Bishop

Emeritus of the Diocese of Irinjalakuda. AICUF full-timerMr. T. Iniyan also shared his warm experiences with the

Organization. The meeting came to an end with the

Honouring of the Distinguished AICUF-ers, Distribution of the Jubilee Mementos, and the varietyEntertainments.

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of AICUF atSt. Thomas’ College (Autonomous),

Thrissur, Kerala -680 001

-Rev. Fr. Dr. Martin Kolambrath, the Bursar ofSt. Thomas College and also,the Unit Adviser of AICUF

4112

December 2014Rally

HIV and AIDS affect millions of people around the world.

The world pauses to remember the millions of men, women, and

children who are living with HIV and AIDS and to honor the memory

of those who have lost their lives to this insidious disease on

every year 1st December. The executive committee of AICUF unit

of Gonzaga College of Arts and Science for Women, Krishnagiri

planned to organize an Aids awareness program on1stDecember.

We selected a town Bargoor which is 15 km from Krishnagiri

District. The population rate is 2 lakhs and the literacy rate is

very low. Many Textile Mills and North Indian whole sale shops are found here. Many people go to various parts of

India for business purposes. There they get infected with HIV / Virus.

On the occasion of ‘World AIDS Day’ our College Secretary Rev. Mother Noel Rani FSAG, and our Principal

Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Doss SJ inaugurated the AIDS awareness rally. We created awareness on HIV and AIDS on

that day. The most violent element in society is ignorance. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a

preventable disease. World AIDS Day, 1st December is an op-

portunity for us to fight against HIV virus. It is bad to see people

are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance. So we

started the procession near Bargoor, where we recited the slo-

gans very loudly in order to attract the attention of the people. We

distributed red ribbons and information pamphlets about HIV and

AIDS. Our students organized street plays revealing the causes

and the preventions of HIV/AIDS. We must renew our commit-

ment in searching for a cure to AIDS and a vaccine for HIV, re-

dedicate ourselves to reducing the number of people who be-

come infected with the virus, and devote our efforts to protecting the dignity and rights of all those affected by the

AIDS epidemic. Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. Our college Principal Rev. Fr. Dr.

Michael Doss SJ and two of our staff members gave talks on HIV and AIDS awareness. Few awareness songs

were sung by the Staff and Students. The objective of the program was to contribute to the integral development of

people through awareness and training. It aims at the transformation of society, as well as taking a stand in the

struggles of the poor and the marginalized. We need to band together as a unit every day, especially to conquer

the strength of the AIDS virus. With this in mind we concluded the HIV/AIDS awareness program.Sr. A. Nirmala Jothi FSAG

Unit Advisor-AICUFGonzaga College for Women

Krishnagiri. Tamil Nadu.

AIDS AWARENESS PROGRAM AT BARGOOR, KRISHNAGIRI, TAMIL NADU.

AIDS AWARENESS PROGRAM

42

December 2014Rally

The NWC and NDC ’14 was held at

AICUF National Secretariat, Chennai from 28th to 30th

November, 2014. The day began with

the inauguration ceremony and the

lighting of the Lamp by Fr. Albert Wil-

liam SJ, Secretary, Loyola College,

Chennai. It was followed by a prayer

service invoking God’s blessings. Fr.

Paul Raj, Tamil Nadu State Advisor and

National Dalit Co-ordinator welcomed

the gathering. Ice Breaking session was conducted by

Mr. Iniyan. S. Roy, the national

full timer. Fr. S Emmanuel SJ

spoke on ‘Globalization in In-

dia’ and Caste analysis in the

Indian context.

After the tea break, Fr.

Kumar (Director of Social

Watch, Chennai) spoke to us

on Communalism and

Hindutuva, stressing on Division

of Groups, Historical and Social

Construction, historical roots of

Hindutva, Communalism impact on

Culture and people. A few videos

on DALITS & WOMEN were

screened which brought awareness

to all the participants

After lunch, High Court Advo-

cate Mrs. Ajeetha explained the

legal provisions to protect WOMEN

RIGHTS with reference to various

issues such as gender discrimina-

National Women Commissionand Dalit Commission Meeting

AICUF National Secretariat, Chennai from 28th to 30th November, 2014.

tion, dowry and sexual harassment. She also discussed

various acts and gave brief introduction on CEDAW,

ICLSCR, and ICCPR. DPI Act,

PWDVA, SHWW, CLAA in the

evening we watched Dr. B R

Ambedkhar, a documentary

movie.

The second day started with

the prayer team performing a

beautiful prayer song and the par-

ticipants joined them. We all

learnt a new song on that day.

It is always a great day to

praise the lord! In the first ses-

sion Fr. S. Emmanuel SJ

spoke on “Women suffer from

womb to tomb”. He spoke

about two type of sins namely

Social sins and Personal sins.

Dalit Activist and Ex-

AICUFer Subba Rao, in his

first session chronologically elaborated the growth of

Dalit movement in different states

in India. He explained the ancient

hierarchical order of the Varna

system based on the writings of

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. After that we

had an interactive session with

Prof. Julia who made us share our

views about what we think of

women. After this session all of

us have changed our oppressive

43

December 2014Rally

opinions about women. This session ended with a tea

break.

Mr. D. Subba Rao delivered a scholarly lecture on

the life and the philosophy of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar. The

participants were so much taken up by the speaker and

they had many questions and clarifications. In the post

lunch session, we were divided into three groups and

the assignment was to visit an NGO. The first group

paid a visit to Janodayam, a dalit NGO which works for

the eradication of manual scavenging. The sec-

ond group paid a visit to an NGO- National

Domestic Workers Movement and interacted

with the social workers. The rest of the groups

visited neighbouring slums and discussed vari-

ous problems of the slum dwellers.

In the evening we had an interactive ses-

sion with Mrs. Virgil D’Sami. She raised the

most basic questions that challenges the

society’s mere denial of rights that are deep rooted that

it doesn’t even come across as violence. She revived

the Gandhian Dream once more. Prof. Vimal gave us a

sneak peek on the very principles of AICUF and their

motto. He inspired us to bring about the much needed

social change. We all know that Rome wasn’t built in a

day, similarly all that we need is a small spark that

would set the fire. Coming to the end of the day we had

the cultural program where the three groups performed

their perspectives of their exposure visits in a creative

manner. This was followed up by a lot of dance items.

The third day started with a session at 9 am on

‘Neuro Linguistic Programming’ by Mr. Arul Raja. He

talked about the Human Brain, Capacity, Action, Women

and Dalit empowerment. He emphasized the point that

we can re-programme our thoughts and enable our-

selves to come up in life. He also offered umpteen ex-

amples to solve todays’ unemployment problems through

one’s entrepreneurship skills.

After lunch we were asked sit commission-wise and

we chalked out our future planning. We planned the

programmes for our respective Units, States and at the

National level. Finally Election was conducted by the

commission coordinators and our National adviser. Af-

ter which Fr. Dr. S. Emmanuel SJ and Prof. Vimal con-

ducted evaluation of the entire programme and Fr. Dr.

S. Emmanuel conducted valedictory mass to close

the programme with God’s blessings.

_________________

Report written and compiled by Jenifarani, Judeson,

Varshini, Deepan, Axsalya And V. Santhosh Kumar.

44

December 2014Rally

Dr. G. JohnNational Animator

ACTALYLST is actuallyl a deliberate spellilng mistake of ‘CATALYST’. It just invites usto ‘act as catalyst’. These stories could be of great use for uniting the units in focus

BREAK THE BARRIER

BARRIERS are as common as day and night. Itrevolves and evolves every now and then. All of us en-counter some kind of barriers or other as our lives moveon becoming victims of those barriers. But there aremany who have broken the barriers, taking it as a chal-lenge, against all odds. Their names are sketched in-delibly in the pages of history and they continue to in-spire people. We hold them in awe.

Can we forget Jesse Owens who broke the racebarrier giving a slap on the face of Adolf Hitler – theworld dreaded dictator? Hitler wanted to use the 1936Olympics held in Berlin, Germany, to augment and sup-port his idea that Aryan race was a superior race andAryan athletes were superior. But Jesse Owens, an Af-rican-American sprinter from Alabama, spoiled theHitler’s party by breaking three world records and earn-ing four gold medals. He became the first person to winfour possible gold medals in an Olympics’ track andfield. Even in the wildest imagination people would havethought about the possibility of ‘a black’ participatingand winning gold medals in Olympics, that too at a timewhen Adolf Hitler was out there trying to prove his fas-cist ideology. Something unheard of in the history hap-pened, and history was rewritten by Jesse Owens, onhis own terms and conditions. He defied history and the

‘Miracles’ are not the monopoly of godmen and religions. Men have per-formed numerous ‘miracles’ by breaking mental barriers, surmounting whatwas considered insurmountable. Men thought a mile can’t be run underfour minutes until Roger Bannister ran a mile under four minutes in 1954.Scoring past 400 runs in ODI was considered impossible, but once 400 markbarrier was broken, many teams now have scored more than 400 runs.

‘truth’ then. A new ‘truth’ emerged. All of a sudden whatwas considered impossible became possible, like amiracle.

Can we forget the feet achieved by Dr.B.R.Ambetkarwho shaped the destiny of Indian Constitution at a timewhen Dalits were not even having an opportunity to en-ter the portals of education? Against all odds, he wenton to achieve the highest honour in higher educationand led the social revolution in India.

What are barriers? Is it physical or mental? Whichis more difficult to overcome?

More than the physical barriers, it is the mentalbarriers that impact the lives of humanity. Many of usbecome victims of circumstances and physical barri-ers. But vast majority of us are victims of mental barri-ers. Physical barriers are easily overcome using ordi-nary intelligence but the mental barriers are difficult toovercome and it requires superior intelligence, perse-verance and willpower.

Mental barriers are something that holds us fromdoing something with strong rationalisation. As the mindis made to believe in what is being, the mind is neverallowed to think of what is possible - the other alterna-tive. It is this way of thinking that restricts us, calledmental barrier.

45

December 2014Rally

Mind constructs the four walls of boundaries andimprisons us within it. A mighty tusker is trained thatway. When it is still young and dependant on its motherand others, baby elephant is tied to a small poll. Thetusker tries to break free, but in vain. In that process, itbruises itself. When it tries further, the injury aggravatescausing greater and unbearable pain. At last, it calls it aday from attempting to break free. It begins to feel that‘it is impossible’. This gets reinforced time and again, inits further attempts. Finally, its fate is sealed, and ‘it isimpossible’ is imprinted strongly and indelibly in its mind.

It grows in length and breadth, becomes strongerand stronger, and starts moving tones of loads but whenit is tied to a small poll, as was done when it was feebleand small, feels and believes that it can’t break freefrom that tiny poll. Its mind says so, and hence it nevertries to attempt. And that is how it becomes the victimits own mental barrier. If it tries, it can very easily uprootthe tiny poll – the physical barrier. But to break the physi-cal barrier, the mind has to act and only then it can beovercome. Over a period of time, the physical barrier isconverted into a mental barrier which is difficult to break.

People all over the world thought that it is humanlyimpossible to run a mile under four minutes. Long dis-tance runners were made to believe in that statement.Every time a race began, the runner knew that he willclock above four minutes only because of its possibil-ity. But when Roger Bannister ran a mile under four min-utes in 1954, old myth was broken. Runners startedbelieving that it is possible. Consequently, within weeks,many more people achieved the same feet. All of a sud-den, what was considered impossible became possiblebecause someone broke that mental barrier. Not be-cause long distance runners had suddenly becomephysically faster, but because they now believed it waspossible. The barrier was broken and so they achievedit too. The power of our thinking has an enormous im-pact on our lives.

Our outcomes are decided by thinking. Our mentalworld shapes the physical world. Things are createdtwice, first in the mental world before it is created in thephysical world. That which we can’t conceive can’t be-come a reality. Let me replay the highlights of fifth ODI

between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg in2006. South Africa made a history on that day scoring434 for 4 in their allotted fifty overs. It was somethingunexpected and unbelievable.

More than the target, the mental load of the SouthAfrican team seemed heavy when they came back tothe dressing room after fielding and conceding 434 runs.Stunned silence, stooped shoulders and gloomy eyesgreeted everybody. At this juncture, like a sliver lighten-ing, words of Captain Smith spilled. He said “I thinkthey (Australians) are ten runs shorter”. That is it. SouthAfrican got the message and went in to bat. They batedlike devils and runs poured cats and dogs. They wonthe match with 438 for 9 on board.

Within a gap of eight hours, two teams scored morethan 400 runs that was considered impossible so far.Till then the record for highest ODI score was held bySrilanka – 396 against Kenya. People thought that itwas impossible to score beyond 400 runs. Though threeteams scored more than 390 runs, none could surpass400 mark because they believed so. But on that day themental barrier of 400 runs was broken and many teamshave scored more than 400 runs thereafter.

Barriers are opportunities thrown by God in front ofus and some of us take them akin to stumbling blocksand a very few treat them as stepping stones. If youtreat them as stepping stones, you will climb and if youthink they are obstacles, you will fall down. The choiceis yours. This is what Barack Obama has to say foryounger people like you AICUFers: “And that’s the workof your generation. As long as more walls stillstand...We’ll need more of you, young people, who imag-ine the world as it should be; who knock down walls;who knock down barriers; who imagine something dif-ferent and have the courage to make it happen. Thecourage to bring communities together, to make eventhe small impossibilities a shining example of what ispossible.”Determined to Get Education

A few girls travel on foot at least 20 kms every day.Clad in a traditional green bordered mekhala chadar,the traditional Assamese woman’s attire, Krishna Dasis one among them. She has been doing so for the last

46

December 2014Rally

four years, from the time she joined the Governmentschool in Sualkuchi. There are no Government schoolsin many villages in the Chandrapur block, and Krishnabelongs to one such village. The nearest school is theSualkuchi Kali Ram Karikar Girls High School.

Krishna’s village is on a small hillock on the banksof the Brahmaputra River. She says, “There are nomotorable roads and hence no vehicles can reach thevillage. The situation has been the same, as far as I canremember. The rains add to their list of woes, some-times making it difficult to even venture out of the vil-lage.” She adds, “The paths become slushy because ofwhich we cannot even come to school and many otherscan’t go out for work.”

It was only a year ago, that the village got watersupply until which time they depended on natural sourcesof water. Only a part of village has been lucky to receiveelectric connections, the other parts still remain in thedark. Krishna says, “We have been used to the hard-ships living in the village and hence walking 10 kms at astretch has never been an issue.” It takes about 50 min-utes for her to reach the school every day.

Krishna’s father is a fisherman and a weaver. Hermother helps the father in weaving, but Krishna wasnever inclined towards it. She says, “I never wanted tolearn weaving even though it is beautiful. I want to get agood job which promises a regular income, after I finishmy studies.” Krishna’s parents have high regards foreducation and have encouraged both their children tocontinue their studies, in spite of living in a remotevillage where even the basic necessities are not met.Krishna is studying in the 9th Standard and her brotherin the12th Standard.

The mid-day meal helps children like Krishna sus-tain until they reach home in the evening. Because themeal is served every school day, they say, they aren’thungry until late evening.

Krishna is waiting for her friends to join her. Theyall walk back to Chandrapur together. She says,”I wantChandrapur to be connected by roads, have facilitieslike Government schools and hospitals. At this point itmay appear to be a wishful thinking, but I hope it willsoon come true.”Learning and Discussion1. Read the stories of great men. And read the life

accounts of very ordinary people like Krishna Daswho moved mountains against all odds.

2. Take a leaf out of those pages, store it in yourmemory, read it your mind whenever you see anobstacle.

3. Continuously infuse your mind with positivethoughts saying ‘it is possible’. Don’t stop withthat, act.

4. Avoid negative thoughts and more importantly,keep away from negative people. Negativepersonalities go on infecting people with negativethoughts. “You may walk along with a weakperson, but not with a negative person”. Beware!

5. Seeing a big picture coupled with self regulationand a strong will power can break all mentalbarriers. I want you to believe in it because manyhave done it earlier, and so you too can.

6. Every AICUFer needs to declare him/herself “I amMalala” fighting for the rights of children and othervulnerable sections of our society helping themovercome obstacles and barriers.

Note: Anecdotes, cases and stories are not mine andmost of them are found while wandering in the ‘networld’. I have incorporated a few changes in them tomatch the context.

47

December 2014Rally

NAVEEN is a twelve year old kid who was arrested for stab-bing his teacher. The police man trying to understand the realmotive behind this criminal activity is asking lot of questions. Thereply, the juvenile offender gives is mind boggling. Here we go..Police man: “Why did you stab your teacher ?” Naveen says,

“Actually I wanted to stab my Dad and heescaped Sir. Police man, “Why do you show somuch of hatred towards your dad ?”

Naveen: “Sir, whenever the progress card is given ,I receive only scolding and beating from my Dad..He is not my Dad Sir.. He is a devil..”

Police man: “Do not you like any of your teachers ?”Naveen: “Sir, I get 90 marks in science, my science

teacher says I am intelligent. I score only 50 marks in English and my English miss tells me I aman idiot. My maths teacher says I am a genius because I scored 100 marks. I get only 45 marksin social studies and my social studies teacher says that I am a fool.. like this three teachers tellme I am intelligent and three others say that I am an idiot.. You are police know sir.. tell me amI an idiot or intelligent ?”

Police man: “Why do not you talk to your Head Master, he is a good man, know ?”Naveen: “Sir, Once I gave a super idea... why should school kids carry heavy load of books... In the

beginning of the year we can be given two sets of books and one set we can keep in the schooland another set can be kept at home. Children will be free from the burden. Sir do you know howheavy our bags are? We get backache sir. For this our head master asked me to kneel down fortwo weeks. I disagree with you he is not a good man. He is a very bad fellow’.

Police man: “Cross questions the boy saying… you do not seem to like anyone..”Naveen: “No Sir…. All the school children like Ramanan Sir…”Police man: “Who is that ?”Naveen: “Sir You do not know him.. He is our Weather Reporter.. Only when he says it is going to rain

heavily…all the schools will be closed. He is god for all of us. In our Face book he gets lot ofappreciation Sir..”

Police man: “Is flabbergasted and advises him to work hard and study, onlythen he can come up in life.”

Naveen: “Sir do not advise me to study well all those who studied forIAS and IPS are getting salary from the ministers who are schooldrop outs. No use in working hard and studying well.”

The above mentioned script is based on a Tamil video clipping which is becomingviral.Moral of the story: Save the child from the onslaught of the commercialization ofIndian education.

REFLACTIONREFLECTION + ACTION = REFLACTION

48

December 2014Rally

December 2014Rally