Meeting their needs with love - Telangana

Visually-challenged tribal children learning Braille at Vikasam in Utnoor in Adilabad district on Friday

Vikasam, a new school for special children, trains them to acquire skills free of cost

If you want to find a happy bunch of special children, and tribals at that, come to Utnoor, the headquarters for tribal welfare in Adilabad district. Vikasam, the new school for special children of tribal people, located in the Kumram Bheem complex, is the world where the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) is facilitating education of such children aiming at their empowerment.

“They belong to the poorest of the poor tribal families and were practically a burden on them,” states ITDA Project Officer R.V. Karnan as he talks of the circumstances which led to the establishment of the facility. “The parents are financially relieved now and they are also happy as the children will eventually end up in the mainstream,” he adds.

“Yes, I am a much relieved person as all three of my sons with speech disability have joined the school. They are now leading a better life right in front of me,” observes Kumra Suguna, who herself was given the job of ayah at Vikasam thereby ensuring that the inmates do not miss out on compassion.

Vikasam came into being about 4 months ago, modelled upon a similar school, Sakshyam, in the tribal area of Dantewada. It now has 80 special children on its rolls of whom many are school dropouts while 64 of them, all boys, with mental, hearing and visual disabilities as inmates.

The population of persons with various kinds of disabilities in this district is 45,000, the total population being about 28 lakh.

Of the 5 lakh tribal population, 7,500 persons have disabilities and about 80 per cent of them are orthopaedically disabled.

“Our focus is on the remaining 20 per cent with other disabilities. It is they who need special attention,” Mr. Karnan says of the rationale behind starting Vikasam.

The initiative is a rare attempt as tribal special children in Adilabad, even elsewhere in the country, had so far formed part of the general disabled category of citizens. The new school finally turned out to be a state-of-art facility with even the tiles in the building being tactile type and students using smart canes besides the excellent kitchen.

It boasts of teachers trained in relevant specialities and teach Braille to the students with vision impairment in addition to using playing and learning material for those who have mental disability. It has an excellent audiometry laboratory for children with hearing impairment and hearing aid are supplied free of cost by well known institutions like the National Institute of Visually Handicapped, the National Institute of Mentally Handicapped etc.

Source : The Hindu , 30th Jan 2016 

HC pulls up TN officials - Chennai

Coming down heavily on concerned Tamil Nadu government officials for tardy progress in the matter of identifying posts in A and B categories for disabled persons, Madras High Court today warned that it would not accept any more delay in the matter and directed that the needful be done by March 31, 2016. 

First Bench Comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana gave the directive on a PIL seeking a direction to reserve three per cent of posts in Village Administrative Officers' selection as per the Persons With Disabilities Act, 1995. 

"We would like an affidavit to be filed by the Secretary concerned, stating as to how many posts in Category A and Category B exist, as identified for persons with special needs vis a vis the total number of posts and how many have actually been appointed," the bench said. 

Noting that there was "tardy progress" in the matter, it said only 16 departments had responded as per the deadline of November end 2015. 

Thirteen departments were still in default and the court expected notices to be issued to all these departments clearly indicating that departmental action will be taken in the absence of information not being supplied forthwith, it said. 

Observing that there was a deliberate endeavor not to do the needful and violate the directions of the court, the bench said it was inclined to issue a notice of contempt to the officers concerned. 

However, it said it was deferring the process in view of the request of Government Pleader. 

The court directed that the Principal Secretary concerned shall remain personally present in the court unless the whole exercise was over within one. 

Directing the state Commissioner for the differently-abled to remain present in court unless the needful had been done by the next date of hearing, the bench posted the matter to April 13 next. 

The matter relates to a PIL filed by P Seemachandran, secretary, Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust, Chennai who sought a direction to call the records of government order dated September 16, 2006 passed by the revenue secretary and to quash the same to the extent it is violative of Persons With Disabilities Act, 1995, and to issue a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to reserve 3 per cent of posts in VAO selection as per the Act.

Source : Business Standard , 1st Feb 2016 

Rawat's 2 years a mixed bag - Dehradun

With chief minister Harish Rawat completing two years in office on Monday, the hallmark of his tenure, say observers, were the numerous schemes and initiatives launched by him. While the CM has often been flayed for making mere announcements which do not translate into reality, those working with him claim that over the past two years, the CM has announced over 300 major initiatives out of which government orders have been passed on nearly 275.

"Many schemes have evoked an overwhleming response. These include the Indira Amma Bhojanalaya, Mera Gaon Meri Sadak Yojna, Hito Pahar, Mere Bujurg Mere Tirth, cluster farming to link markets, setting up of sarais on chardham yatra routes, and introduction of pension schemes for old people above 69 years, dwarfs and physically challenged," said a senior government official.

Rawat's major task when he took over, say observers, was bringing the state and the economy back on track after the catastrophic floods of 2013. Social activist Rajiv Lochan Sah terms it an "insurmountable challenge which the government has tried hard to meet."

According to Pankaj Gupta, president of Industries Association of Uttarakhand, the chief minister has done well in "introducing schemes that give impetus to small and middle cottage industries."

However, the Rawat government has also had its fair share of controversies ranging from the CD sting in which the chief minister's secretary was allegedly caught negotiating kickbacks, to questions being raised about irregularities in floods relief funds. But notwithstanding this, the CM has managed to emerge as a popular leader who has strengthened his grip within the party.

Despite the CM's slew of populist announcements however, there are areas in which the government has not met expectations especially related to improving accessibility in far-flung hill areas. There are numerous villages that are still waiting for roads. As Pankaj Bisht, a villager, puts it, "The state government needs to conduct a detailed survey to ascertain the exact number of villages still waiting for roads in hill districts if it really wants to reach out to the common man."

Source : TOI , 1st Feb 2016 

LGBT community keenly awaits SC relook at Section 377 - Bangaluru

Just when they were coming out of their closet and mustered courage to tell the world about their choice of expressing their sexuality and unshackle themselves, LGBT community in India was jolted by the apex court's decision to recognize gay sex as an offence under Section 377. As LGBT community across the nation anxiously wait for Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday, TOI speaks to LGBT community of Bangalore who gathered at Cubbon Park on Monday to protest against the verdict and share their stories of surviving in a nation which sees them as different.

Community members sat around a tree with banners that read "Equal rights", "Scrap section 377" and "My body, my rights" and recited their life stories. While some preferred to just listen to stories of their friends in the serenity of the park, others decided to voice the struggles, endeavours and more than that their undying hope from a nation which gives them the right to vote but not to love.

Usha Kiran Nayak, 30, hailing from Telengana is physically challenged transsexual man or FTM (Female to male) who ran away from native town and came to Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka to support himself and partner.

"I was in high school when I first realized I am attracted towards girls and came out in the open about my sexuality in 2008 to the girl I loved. I and my partner travelled to Tirupati where we got married in a community marriage service. I was 22 and my partner was 20 back then and no one could tell I was a girl looking at my attire and body language. But the day we got married, police came looking for me because my partner's father had filed a case of kidnapping against me and in no time police and media came after us. I remember that I and my partner, Radhika, hid in a room with help of a friend and knowing that society would tear us apart, we decided to commit suicide. I crushed my partner's bangles. I was saved my phone call from Sangama that pledged their support to us. I and my partner can live with dignity if section 377 is quashed and we wouldn't have to live in fear," said Kiran, who is looking forward to sex change operation and become a man.

Similarly, when noted Kannada writer Vasudhendra (46) who wrote the first Kannada novel on homosexuality his readers were perplexed and society was shocked.

"I remember a friend of mine telling me how he had to hide the cover of a book with a newspaper because he feared his wife will be offended by his choice of reading a book on homosexuality. The entire regional media remained silent about my book, but it was social media that changed the game in the book to gain huge momentum. LGBT community in urban area is still educated and have courage to come, but those in rural areas are kept away from books" said Vasudhendra.

Christy Raj (29) a transsexual man ran away from his home and his adopted mother who herself was a transgender woman and was against the decision of her daughter to become a man.

"I was ousted by the girl I fell in love with in my school, I was in class 8. They threw me out of school, saying I was diseased and would spoil other girls. I went through torture, shaming and abuse because I mustered the courage to be open about my sexuality. I almost gave up my life, but decided to survive after meeting others who share same plight as I. I want to live with my partner with respect and dignity. Please don't criminalise us just because we are different. The government want us to pay tax, pay bills, vote but refuses to accept us as individuals with feelings, what kind of a double standard is this?

Source : TOI , 1st Feb 2016

READeRS' mail - Tamil Nadu

BAD CONDITION OF ROADS

It is disturbing to note that fatal road accidents are on the rise in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts. The Tuticorin-Tirunelveli road, Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur road and Tirunelveli-Nagercoil road are vulnerable to accidents for various reasons like bad condition and high-speed driving. Further, the traffic volume is high in places like Tiruchendur, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Marthandam and Kaliyakkavilai. I request the authorities to take urgent steps to improve the condition of roads and safety measures in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Vazhavallan.

SPARSE SPARROWS

In Chennai, Sadhana Rajkumar and many other sparrow conservationists have taken efforts to increase the population of this passerine bird [Jan 28]. The sparrow population in Tirunelveli has also declined considerably over the last few years. According to some ornithologists, two native species have been extirpated in India and 82 species are globally threatened. The main problems for the decline of population of these birds are absence of resting and roosting places and lack of food. To conserve sparrows and other passerine birds, we may set up wooden nest boxes for the birds to rest. In apartments and government offices too such boxes may be fixed. Also interested school students may be enlightened to conserve sparrows and other native species by conducting debates and rallies.

P. Victor Selvaraj,

Palayamkottai.

VEHICLE PARKING

In Tuticorin, the only two arterial roads running east to west are meant for one-way traffic. Since these roads are narrow, traffic is allowed only on one way. Parking of vehicles on West Great Cotton Road, which runs from Chatram bus stop to Beach Road, is allowed on the northern side. Since all vehicles ply from west to east, they naturally take the northern side of the road. When half of the road is blocked by parked vehicles, city buses stop away from the centre of the road. This makes it very difficult for passengers to board buses standing in the middle of the road. When vehicles arrive in succession, they form a queue. To change this situation, parking can be shifted to the right side of the road to allow free movement of traffic on the left. It is my request to the authorities concerned to modify the parking arrangement on Great Cotton Road and West Great Cotton Road.

K. Ramachandran,

Tuticorin.

BE DISABLED-FRIENDLY

Certain nationalised banks in Palayamkottai and Tirunelveli are functioning on the first floor of buildings and are not friendly to physically challenged people. I have noticed senior citizens finding it difficult to use staircases. Even many banks that function at the ground level do not have ramps with hand rails. I request that needful measures are taken to alleviate the annoyance and exertion caused to bank users with disabilities.

E. Rajakumar Arulanandham,

Palayamkottai.

VITAL ROAD PROJECT

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for the Nagercoil- Thiruvananthapuram four-lane National Highway project at Marthandam on January 19. The effort taken by Pon. Radhakrishnan, the Minister of State, is really commendable. This stretch of the road is part of NH 47, from Salem to Kanyakumari. Trucks carrying goods to Kochi port and Coimbatore, ambulances carrying patients to hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram and other vehicles would save a lot of precious time and fuel, if the four-lane work is completed. Considering the overall development and connectivity, this project must be supported by everyone. The governments at the Centre and State should expedite work on this project.

G. Stanley Jeyasingh,

Nagercoil.

KKNPP REACTORS

I support the statement made by former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Gopalakrishnan that the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is not safe without proper 'quality check.' (Jan 31). He has also reiterated that the reactor is one of the dangerous reactors in the country. He has alleged that the components that went into the construction were not checked properly for quality. The same allegations were being made by various organisations that are protesting the functioning of the nuclear reactors from the beginning. In such a confusing and unclear situation, sanctioning two more reactors by AERB is highly unfortunate.

S.J. Sylvestine,

Koottapuly.

LAY NEW ROADS

Roads of Kanyakumari district are more than a century old. The number of vehicles plying on these roads is multiplying, leading to traffic snarls. There is no scope of easing traffic congestion in towns of Kanyakumari district unless new roads are laid and the existing ones widened. As the traffic problem in Kanyakumari district has become a burning issue the district administration should tackle it with prompt action.

K. Chelliah,

Aundivillai.

OPEN MORE ATMS

The Tirunelveli branch of UCO Bank is situated on S. N. High Road. Though it is one of the major nationalised banks, it is functioning with only one branch for the entire Tirunelveli Corporation area. Thousands of its customers and corporation pensioners have to visit the branch for transacting their business from far off places. Further, except the ATM installed in the ground floor of its premises, no other ATM of the bank is available in other pats of the city. Though banks are functioning with a number of branches and ATMs in Tirunelveli, the UCO Bank has not considered opening either additional branches or ATMs in the city.

Since the UCO Bank's own ATM is not available in Palayamkottai and other areas, customers are forced to use the ATMs of other banks for drawing money. While doing so, the UCO Bank deducts an extra amount from the accounts. Hence, in the interest of its customers, it is requested that the UCO Bank may consider opening another branch in Palayamkottai area and also install additional ATMs in Palayamkottai and other parts of the city.

S. Nallasivan,

Tirunelveli.

LOUDSPEAKER MENACE

In the children’s park at Chinnamani Nagar, the noise from loudspeakers is unbearable whenever sports events are conducted. The noise causes much distress to residents and inconvenience to children, aged, sick people and students preparing for public examinations. I request the Corporation authorities to take steps to curb this menace.

P.Selwyn Basker,

Thoothukudi.




Source : The Hindu , 2nd Feb 2016

Shades of December 16: MP widow raped, killed

A 60-year-old woman in the MP’s Sagar district was raped and had her intestines pulled out before the perpetrator murdered her, the police said on Monday, in a case that is ominously similar to the December 16, 2012 rape case in Delhi.

The woman was found murdered along with her 21-year-old physically challenged son on January 24 at their house in the Purani Chirai locality, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Cantonment police station. The police then filed a case murder and destruction of evidence under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC. Subsequently, rape charges were also added to the FIR.

“A police team led by city SP Gautam Solanki and Cantonment SHO BM Dwivedi quizzed all those who were close to the deceased. Their investigations led them to the alleged culprit, who confessed to the crime after prolonged grilling,” Sagar SP Sachin Atulkar said.

The accused, identified as Cantonment Board sweeper Shankar Valmiki, allegedly kept garbage boxes at the widow’s house and collected them at night. On January 23, the police said, Valmiki reached her house in an inebriated condition, banged her head on the wall, and then raped her. According to the police, after raping her, Valmiki inserted his hand in her private parts, pulling out the intestines. He then allegedly wrapped the intestines around her neck and even inserted two steel glasses into her uterus to stop the excessive bleeding triggered by the savage act.

The police said that Valmiki then strangulated the widow and her son to ensure that he could not be tracked by the authorities.

Source : Hindustan Times , 2nd Feb 2016

One held for raping physically challenged girl in Kandhamal - Bhubaneshwar

In another shocking incident a physically challenged girl was raped at Jamajhari village in Kandhamal District and a person was arrested in this connection on Monday.

According to sources, a married 26 year -old person and  father of a two year- old child, Sujit Kumar Dehuri was arrested on charges of raping a deaf and dumb girl on January 29, while the 18 year-old girl was alone in her house.

Dehuri, belonging to the same village had found the girl alone in the house while he had entered the house to drink water and committed the crime, alleged the girl’s mother. When she confronted Dehuri on this matter he had attacked and threatened her, said the police.

Medical tests of the victim and the accused was done and further steps will be taken after getting the reports, said police.

Source : Prameyanews7, 2nd Feb 2016

Ticket-vending machines, golf carts at railway station fail to serve purpose - Amritsar

Touchscreen automatic ticket-vending machines and golf carts for elderly and physically challenged passengers remain underutilised at the local railway station.

The railway authorities had deputed staff to assist passengers in operating four touchscreen automatic ticket-vending machines at the railway station. However, after a passage of time the trained staff were removed and since then the machines were lying underutilised.

People were unable to operate the machines in the absence of any help from officials. Consequently, serpentine queues still can be seen in front of ticket-booking windows while the machines were lying unused.

Two of the machines are installed at the general waiting hall while the remaining two at the reservation lounge on the Gol Bagh side.

A resident, Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, while applauding the efforts of the Railways said a couple of these machines could be installed at different sites in the city.

      Electronic ticket-vending machines at the railway station in Amritsar

He said this would help in decongesting the railway station. With the holy city being visited by thousands of pilgrims daily, these machines would help them to secure tickets for their journey conveniently.

He said a machine should be installed inside the Golden Temple Complex also.

High number of passengers and limited number of ticket windows have been the biggest drawbacks in facilities at the railway station.

One can get tickets after giving the entire information and depositing the requisite amount in ticket-vending machines. Besides, passengers can also get a smart card issued from ticket-window clerks after depositing the requisite amount. The same card can also be recharged.

A battery operated vehicle can be seen parked in a room on the platform while there is no signage for the ailing, and physically challenged passengers and their relatives to know about its whereabouts.

However, railway officials said whenever they notice rush of ticket booking customers, they deploy officials around the touchscreen ticket-vending machines.

They said the battery operated car could not be allowed to park outside, fearing maltreatment.

Source : Tribune India , 3rd Feb 2016

Mirchpur: Dalits to challenge acquittal of four juveniles - Chandigarh

A day after a juvenile was sentenced to three-year jail term in the infamous Mirchpur caste violence case, victim families have decided to challenge the acquittal of four other minors in the case.

The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on Monday had awarded three years imprisonment to a juvenile after he was found guilty for murder, assault and dacoity.

Lawyer for dalits hit by the violence, Rajat Kalsan claimed that that there were sufficient evidence against the juveniles acquitted by the board. "The witnesses had recognized all the five accused in the court but they could reveal the name of only one accused, who has now been convicted. But the evidence collected by the police also establish the guilt of four acquitted accused," said Kalsan.

However, counsel for the accused, Dharmender Goyat claimed that the judgement related to acquittal of the four accused was well reasoned as per the material available on the file. "There is no legal substance for the purpose of guilt of the four juveniles. There were general allegations against the accused not the specific," he said.

Goyat also said that they would challenge the conviction of fifth accused also. "He should be given benefit of doubt," he added.

A 70-year-old dalit Tara Chand, along with his physically-challenged daughter Suman, 18, were killed during the attack on their houses by the upper caste men in Mirchpur village of Hisar district on April 21, 2010. The incident had taken place after a dalit's dog had barked upon upper caste youths. A commission set up to probe the violence had blamed the police for failing in its duty to act swiftly.



Source : TOI, 3rd Feb 2016

TS, AP reap MGNREGA awards - Telangana

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District Collector Yogita Rana and DWMA Project Director Venkateshwarlu jointly receiving an award from Union Rural Development Minister Choudhary Birender Singh at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday

Two Telugu States bag top awards for effective implementation 

• Chandurthi sarpanch in Karimnagar district gets award for effectively monitoring the programme
  
• Nizamabad district is selected for the top award for effective implementation of the programme
   

Telangana State along with AP bagged seven of the top national awards in the implementation of MGNREGA works for the year 2015-17. While the two Telugu States bagged the award for social auditing and transparency, Telangana State also saw four more awards going its way.

While, Nizamabad district bagged the top award for effective implementation of the programme, Chandurthi (Karimnagar district) sarpanch bagged the individual award for effective monitoring the programme. Likewise, Bijjur Post Office in Adilabad district bagged the Post Office award for clearing all payments within three days throughout.

Telangana State also secured one more award for employing 85 per cent of the total physically challenged persons. YSR Kadapa district bagged the best district award in Andhra Pradesh for effective implementation of the programme in drought-affected areas. The awards were presented to the officials and individuals at a function held here on Tuesday to mark completion of 10 years of the programme in the country.

Meanwhile, the Union Rural Development Minister, Birendra Singh, announced here on Tuesday that from April 1 this year, all payments under MGNREGA would be made through direct cash transfers to the beneficiaries account. Currently, 94 per cent of the beneficiaries were being covered under the scheme.

Addressing the MGNREGA Sammelan to mark completion of 10 years of the scheme in the country, the Minister said that 2015-16 had seen a revival of the MGNREGA programme due to a slew of reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Rural Development. The person-day generation was the highest in the second quarter (45.88crore) and in the third quarter (46.10 crore) than it has been in the last five years.

Birendra Singh said more than 64% of total expenditure was on agriculture and allied activities and 57 per cent of all workers were women, well above the statutory requirement of 33 per cent, the highest in three years. 

The Minister said, among the reforms responsible for revival of MGNREGA were the timely release of funds to states to provide work on demand, an electronic fund management system, consistent coordination between banks and post offices besides monitoring of dues clearances.

The Ministry had also reacted swiftly to the distress situation of droughts in nine states by declaring an additional 50 days of employment in the drought affected areas, he said.

He said, the focus in the upcoming years would be on simplification and strengthening of procedures and a Master Circular was being issued on Tuesday which consolidates all key instructions from the Central government on the implementation of the Act.

He said the Ministry would also aim to train and place 10,000 barefoot technicians from worker households. The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the government was committed to strengthening the programme and had allocated Rs 37,000 crore this fiscal, which was the highest ever budgetary support to the scheme.

The government would boost public spending in other rural sectors also like road, electrification, health, education and irrigation to spur the growth as private sector was not contributing to it as desired.

Source : The Hans India , 3rd Feb 2016

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NHAI gives nod for pedestrian subway - Vellore

Essential facility:Once preliminary works are completed it will take about three months to complete the subway, say officials.

It will help to cross the Chennai-Bangalore NH-48 near Sathuvachari

Crossing the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway-48 near Sathuvachari has for long been a nightmare for pedestrians. But this is set to change in the coming months, as the long-felt need for a subway across the NH will soon become a reality.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given its nod to construct a subway enabling pedestrians to cross the six-lane NH at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Road point at Sathuvachari. Residents have been demanding for a subway for more than six years now.

From being NH-46, the Chennai Bangalore NH was recently re-numbered as NH-48 as part of a nation-wide exercise.

Bhoomi puja

With the “bhoomi puja” for the subway works held on Monday, officials said excavation works for the subway will begin after certain preliminary works are completed.

“Encroachments have to be removed from the service lanes on either sides of the NH. We need to shift certain utilities such as major Ponnai water pipelines and electricity lines. We will then widen the service lanes to allow the local traffic to flow, and divert the main traffic from the NH into the service lanes,” said an official.

Once the preliminary works are completed, he added that it will take about three months from the date of commencing work to complete the subway. “The excavation for the subway on the NH will be carried out for a depth of 3 m and width of 5 m. The subway will be built for a length of 51 m,” he added. Officials said the subway will come up at a cost of around Rs. two crore.

Useful for cyclists too

In fact, the subway will come up in such a way that even cyclists would be able to utilise it. “We will be providing a ramp to enable physically challenged persons to use the subway,” he said.

Officials said the work that will be carried out by L & T has been agreed upon for public cause as it was a long-pending demand.

M. Abdul Rahman, former Member of Parliament, Vellore had taken up the need to establish a subway at this junction during his tenure 2009-2014.

“Residents brought this issue to my notice as there were several fatal accidents at this spot. They had also resorted to stage road blockade then to draw the attention of the government,” he said.

He had raised this issue in the Parliament eight times, and represented during the visit of then Union Road Transport and Highways Minister to Vellore in 2012.

Demands from public

There have been demands from public in various parts of the district for underpasses or flyovers on the NH. A demand for an underpass near Ambur Sugar Mill surfaced a few years ago.

Source : The Hindu , 3rd Feb 2016