No corporal punishment: India needs social movement

Following a PIL, Delhi High Court had directed the state government to ban corporal punishment in schools and ensure that children receive education in an environment of protection and dignity, free from fear. But the reality is far from being true.

THE NATIONAL Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) will take up the case of an 11-year-old girl of a Muncipal Corporation School, in North Delhi, who died after being in coma due to corporal punishment inflicted on her at school, a place where she had been to receive education of her life. She was alleged hit by her teacher and was made to stand in the sun for over two hours, resultant of which she slipped into a coma and then later on died. Her case will be taken as a suo moto complaint by the National Commission and an inquiry will be taken up immediately. But her case is not the only one. The reality is that in India two out of three school children are physically abused according to the National Report on child abuse by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, in the year 2007.

Dreams of many children get shattered due to this kind abuse in schools. And this is not limited to any geographic area or state. It happens in every district of India, in government as well as private schools. Most children do not report or confide about the matter to anyone. They suffer silently except in case where we see extreme forms like this one and are picked up by the media. Death of this little soul in Delhi was most unfortunate incident and could have been avoided.

Anyone who had seen or read in media have expressed shock and called for strictest possible action. Though Indian law will take its own course but is weak in this case and has many loop holes. Indian laws need immediate amendments to ensure that they are not used by perpetrators of corporal punishment to go scot-free. The Indian Penal Code Section 88, for example, protects an act, which is not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person’s benefit.

A teacher/guardian who administers in good faith a moderate and reasonable corporal punishment to a pupil to enforce discipline in school is protected by this section and such an act is not even a crime under Section 323. Section 89 of Indian Penal Code protects an act by guardian or by consent of guardian done in good faith for benefit of child under 12 years, unless it causes death or grievous injury.

These provisions extend to teachers having quasi-parental authority i.e., consent or delegation of authority from parents. These sections therefore need to be amended. Working Group of National Commission of Protection of Child Rights, which comprises of educationists, lawyers, social activists, doctors, bureaucrats, representatives of non-governmental organisations and teacher’s union’s have recommended law reform to remove any existing defences of corporal punishment. In December 2000, following a PIL, the Delhi High Court had directed the state government to ban corporal punishment in schools and ensure that children receive education in an environment of protection and dignity, free from fear. But the reality is far from being true.

In India we not only need stricter laws, which are implemented, but also (and more importantly so) a social movement that brings together teachers, care givers, parents and communities to strongly ’say no to corporal punishment’ in all institutions.

anil gulati

West Bengal & UP to get premier medical institute

Indian government sanctioned Rs.16.46 billion ($340 million) for setting up two more premier referral institutes on the lines of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here. Government also sanctioned Rs.7.50 billion for upgrading five existing government medical colleges. The five government medical colleges being upgraded are located at Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), Amritsar (Punjab), Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Tanda (Himachal Pradesh). The new referral institutes, to be established at a cost of Rs.8.23 billion each, will be located at Raiganj in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district and at a site to be chosen by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Each institution will have a 960-bedded hospital, with 500 beds for the medial college hospital and 300 beds for its speciality and super speciality departments. This apart, 100 beds will be set aside for the ICU and accident trauma department, 30 beds for physical medicine & rehabilitation departments and 30 beds for the Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) departments.

AIIMS became functional in 1956 as an autonomous institution through an act of Parliament, to serve as a nucleus for nurturing excellence in all aspect of health care. In 2005, the government had approved five similar institutes at Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Patna (Bihar), Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Rishikesh (Uttarakhand).

Nano laptop’ set to take computing to rural India

The concept of ‘nano laptop’ has been made possible by National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology. It is set to unveil on Feburary 3, a 'nano laptop', which will cost only Rs 500

DAY BEFORE yesterday, I was at Purulia in West Bengal and met Sakina Khatun, Ruksana Khatun and Tyab. These children were trying out their little fingers on a laptop. Though it was not theirs but belonged to the assistant labour commissioner of the district, who was happy to share his laptop with these kids. These children are part of child activist programme being run by district labour department, district administration and Zila Parishad, which is providing an opportunity to voices of children who were once child labour but are now back in school. But in the coming days things may change, may be they have a laptop of their own.

This has been made possible by National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology. It is set to unveil on Feburary 3, a ’nano laptop’, which will cost only Rs 500. A boon for many in India and will help in taking the power of computing to interiors of the country. This has been made possible due to efforts of students of Indian Institute of Technology, scientists in Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, IIT-Madras and Semiconductor Complex, a Public Sector Undertaking. Though it may take some time till the dreams of the little kids may get realised but nevertheless, it is a great hope in coming days.

The National Mission on Education through ICT has been envisaged as a centrally-sponsored Scheme to leverage the potential of ICT, in providing high quality personalised and interactive knowledge modules over the Internet/intranet for all the learners in Higher Education Institutions in anytime, anywhere mode. The mission plans to extend computer infrastructure and connectivity to over 18,000 colleges in the country and growing appropriate e-learning procedures, providing facility of performing experiments through virtual laboratories, online testing and certification, online availability of teachers to guide and mentor students.

Contributed by Anil Gulati

Japanese two wheelers taking india by storm

Tora means tiger in Japanese. In 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese pilots used it as a code word to indicate that complete surprise had been achieved. Now, almost half-a-century later, it might well be brought out of the closet and used again. Just that this time, Indian two-wheeler companies seem to be the dozy targets.

Put another way: The recent ouster of Bajaj Auto, the country’s second largest two-wheeler maker by sales, from the second spot by Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI), may just hint at a Japanese offensive. In November last year, for the first time, HMSI surpassed Bajaj Auto sales by volume in the domestic market. The Japanese two-wheeler firm repeated the same feat in the ensuing month as well. In December, HMSI sold 87,164 two-wheelers against Bajaj Auto’s 69,419 units. “The gap is narrowing and the competition level is much higher now,” points out HS Goindi, president (marketing), TVS Motor Company. “The Japanese have been at it for a long time and no one noticed. So, one fine morning, the crossover happened and people were caught napping.” Even TVS wasn’t spared. In December last year, the Chennai-based two-wheeler firm sold 72,355 units — a 13% slide over the corresponding period the previous year. Further, during the April-December period in 2008, all Indian two-wheeler companies, excluding Hero Honda Motors, posted negative growth figures over the corresponding period the previous year. In comparison, their Japanese counterparts, such as HMSI, Suzuki Motorcycle India and India Yamaha Motor, have all done relatively well and managed to garner decent growth figures. So, what worked for the Japanese? To be sure, one of the major contributors to growth for both HMSI and Suzuki continues to be the gearless scooter segment where HMSI is the market leader, with more than 50% marketshare. In December last year, scooters made up around 64% of HMSI’s total sales volume. Atul Gupta, VP, sales & marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, points out that this segment has been more or less insulated against the slowdown and has grown considerably year on year. “People usually purchase a scooter with cash. Hence, this segment escaped being butchered by the credit squeeze,” explains Gupta. But industry experts also point out that the future belongs to cutting edge technology. Case in point: India Yamaha Motor’s latest 150cc offerings, the FZ16 and the R15 are arguably the best in their segment as far as product quality and design are concerned. These are the bikes that have single-handedly brought the focus back on Yamaha after the Japanese firm’s incredible lean patch here. But they also come at a cost. The R15 sells for around Rs 1 lakh, almost double the price of an ordinary 150cc motorcycle. Says Sanjay Tripathi, division head (product planning), India Yamaha Motor: “It’s similar to cell phones. The technology that you see in high-end phones finally percolates down after some time. In the case of two-wheelers it’s the same story. Our 150cc bikes borrow technology that is born on the race track, and with time the cost will also come down.” So, does this suggest that Indian two-wheeler makers are low on technology? S Sridhar, CEO (two-wheelers), Bajaj Auto, strongly opposes the thought. “In Bajaj, technology is for daily life. We have a strong R&D focus. We are jointly developing bikes with KTM but even our own boys are good at innovation,” he declares.

Social issues do sell on TV !

Normally in media we say that it is crime, politics, sleaze, something sexy which sells. Social issues are normally for documentaries, or may be Doordarshan will air. But the TRPs of Balika Vadhu, a social serial has proved this argument wrong.

Social issues don’t sell on TV channels. This statement may not be true anymore. TRPs of Balika Vadhu, a social serial on Colors on the issue of child marriage recently had more TRPs then Kyunki and Myaaka serials. Interestingly, its TRP was more than the shows engaging celebrities running on the same channel or for that matter many reality shows on TV.Normally in media we say that it is crime, politics, sleaze, something sexy which sells. Social issues are normally for documentaries, or may be Doordarshan will air, as it has that social responsibility.But may be not true any more -- Balika Vadhu, a serial on air nowadays on Colors TV Channel.

It sensitively raises concern on a social issue ’child marriage’ which still happens in India and is a reality. As of now this is one of the most viewed serials in general entertainment category or GEC as they say.Television Rating Points (TRP’s) of the show validate this fact. It is a flagship series of Viacoms’ Colors TV Channel. This serial has helped Colors to sail past 200 GRP (gross rating points), within two months of its launch. Colors is the first to hit that mark among the newly launched Hindi entertainment channels, one of the hit serial on that channel is Balika Vadhu. The serial is laid out in traditional Rajasthani style, with a great title song and simple music (unlike the varied back ground music we find in normal serials on air) and rightly brings out impact on child marriage on child life.It ends with a message line, reminding us that child marriage impacts the very fabric of child life and needs to be stopped. The serial attracts attention and glues you to it. The viewership of it has grown exponentially and viewers has remained with it. Thanks to the way it is written, directed and the enacted along with its great title track.It is aired Monday to Thursday on Colors TV at 8 pm slot. It has helped break the myth that social issues don’t sell. Balika Vadhu is an arduous journey of child bride Anandi, who is married off to a young boy, Jagdish.

The girl losses her normal childhood and has to move away from her parents (protective environment), to be bound by customs. I am hopeful this serial will help in bringing issue of deep rooted tradition of child marriage to debate in our society which impact lives of girls and women across India not only in Rajasthan. Inspite of all the laws this still happens and needs to stopped.One more issue while debating on children issues that needs discussion is about children who work in these serials. I am sure National Children’s Commission is looking into it, and restrictions will be coming for reality shows but we need discussion also on children working in TV serials and films. To my knowledge they are not covered by child labour laws nor by any special child protection laws. Children who work in TV serials films do have to work very hard, which impacts them. They need adequate rest, sleep, time and break for education. They entertain us but it should not impact their normal growth, and protection which they should be getting as their right from the state, us and life.

Will smoking ban work in India?

India has banned smoking in workplaces from October 2 onwards. The aim is to discourage smokers, to make them reduce or quit smoking. Those flouting the ban will face a fine of Rs 200. The law is impressive, but would it work?.

OCTOBER 2 onwards, India has banned smoking in workplaces, public places, hotels and restaurants, offices, courts, banks, schools, colleges, libraries, cinemas, auditorium, restaurants, shopping malls, parks, monuments, railway stations, airports, bus stops, buses, taxis.

The new Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008, which was notified this month come into effect from October 2, birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The only places where one can smoke will be smoking lounges at airports, restaurants with over 30 seats, smoking rooms and of course or your own home. The fine for violating the ban is Rs 200.

Though an appeal was filed before the Supreme Court, it upheld the government ban on smoking in public places from October 2. The government of India had earlier tried to control tobacco use through Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution Bill, 2003. Key provisions of the law include prohibition on direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors and prohibition of smoking in public places. But one can see many who smoke in public places. Also cigarette packets sold in India are required to carry pictorial warnings along with the text saying smoking is injurious to health and smoking causes cancer in both Hindi and English. But I still have not seen any pictorial warnings.

India is good in making laws, they look good when drafted and announced, but somehow implementation of these laws is a major challenge. It is not about one sector or area, it is across board.

India had banned children below 14 years of age from work, but go to any state, any city one can see children working in dhabas, restaurants, petrol pumps,brick kilns and as domestic labour etc. Hardly anyone gets punished! India has banned sex selection under Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostics Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) (PCPNDT) Act, but the reality is quite different.

Tobacco laws have been there in India, but still more than 250 million people in India use various tobacco products like gutka, cigarettes and bidis and millions of them die, many suffer with heart and lung diseases because of this habit. The data says one in two Indian men and one in seven women use tobacco in the country. Tobacco causes 40 per cent of all cancer disease in India.

So the fact is that law is good, but the issue is of implementation. I am not sure if we have the manpower to implement this law. Do we have necessary structures, people, mechanisms in place who can implement the laws or will it remain as yet another good policy level declaration, which is not implemented on ground.

Anil Gulati

Emotional experience of flood victims

Floods along the India-Nepal border have not yet receded. Lakhs of acres of crops and houses have been destroyed. Though relief is being provided to millions of victims, they are groping for emotional support too as they have lost ‘everything’..

Floods on both sides of the India-Nepal border have affected millions of people. Thousands have been displaced; many have lost their houses, crops and household goods; they are hardly left with anything. For many, floods have taken away their all. Some have even lost their loved ones. The lives of the affected lie devastated. Though relief efforts are underway, it will take some time for it to reach all and sundry. Many parts are still inundated and the inundation is continuing. Even those who have been saved are finding it tough to access potable water, food and shelter.

Floods have brought in contaminated water and with sanitation deteriorating, outbreak of water-borne diseases is feared. The people are a despaired lot. The normal coping strategies of the poor affected by the floods have been stretched to the limit. Once the present crisis is over, problems like water-logging, epidemics and water-borne diseases are likely to arise. Though rescue, relief and improvement of living conditions of the people who have been displaced are high on the list of priorities right now, we may need to look beyond.

Poor families struggle to obtain enough food even at the best of times. Now, with food stocks and crops all under water, food has become scarce. Already malnutrition among children and women in the flood-affected areas is high and can only get worse. Children are most vulnerable and susceptible to water-borne diseases; their health will be at risk in the days ahead and given poor nutrition, their health can only get worse. They will be the silent victims of floods and suffering even after the floods have receded. They are also more vulnerable to abuse.

The trauma inflicted by floods will linger on. Disaster impacts all those who have been subjected to it, either directly or indirectly. In addition to physical and social damage, gloomy thoughts, agony and hopelessness inflicted by the floods will pervade. In the case of children the agony may be even more, albeit different. They interpret their personal experiences in the context of the surroundings and environment they live in. Normally, elders tend to speak out and share their emotions but in the case of children, the normal protective ambience vanishes.

Given the associated chaos and trauma, the impact may be severe, most of which they can’t even share. Their home and / or school where they learn, play, share and receive psychological and social support often represents the protective ambience and this may ebb away. They tend to experience insecurity, anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, despair and fear of recurrence of flood. Emotional experience could be difficult to deal with for the elderly pregnant women and those who are sick.

No doubt, responding to immediate needs like food, water, shelter and support (for rebuilding their lives) should be high on the list of priorities but alongside, providing psycho-social support will be critical to help them overcome the trauma inflicted by the disaster.