The government today admitted that the number of children on Indian streets was rising and though there was no authentic data available, the country, as per a Unicef survey, was home to the world’s largest population of street children, estimated at over 18 million. According to one assumption 40 per cent of these children are in need of care and protection, which indicates the extent of the problem. While two out of every three children were physically abused, 53.22 per cent children have been reported to have faced one or more forms of sexual abuse, reveals Child Abuse: India 2007, a study by the ministry of women and child development.
According to a sample survey carried out in 13 states in 2007, however, revealed their number at 18.6 per cent with more than half of them having been sexually abused. While Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest percentage of sexual abuse among both boys and girls, 21.90 per cent child respondents reported facing severe forms of sexual abuse and 50.76 per cent other forms of sexual abuse. The report states that out of the child respondents, only 5.69 per cent reported being sexually assaulted. Children on the street, children at work and children in institutional care in Assam, AP, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest incidence of sexual assault. The numbers, however, are far from accurate as most street children do not report the incidents. The minister of state for women and child development Mrs Krishna Tirath admitted that the 18.6 per cent street children in 13 states Andhra Pradesh Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharasthra, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal 54.51 per cent were abused sexually.link
Friday 31 July 2009
Bhagalpur all women-empowered
Women have made significant trides in most societies over the last century, but the trend line has not been straight. Most of the women who have taken leadership roles, it has been as social reformers and entrepreneurs, not as politicians or government officials.
Granted, a few women in the country are breaking through traditional barriers and becoming presidents, prime ministers, cabinet members, and legislators but Bhagalpur in Bihar has set an example by appointing talented women in almost all top positions.
Recently when Vandana Preyashi, was appointed as the district magistrate (DM) of the district, it has now become an all-women’s affair in the district. Women man top posts in the educational institutions, local bodies and the health department here as well.
Dr Prema Jha is the vice-chancellor of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) and has the distinction of only woman to head a university in the State.
Women are occupying top positions in the affiliated colleges of Bhagalpur University as well. Dr Nisha Roy is the principal of Marwari College, a premier institution of TMBU.
Principal of TNB Law College Dr Kiran Saxena also holds the post of dean of Faculty of Law.
In the health sector, females head two key posts here. Dr Pratima Modi holds the charge of civil surgeon (CS) while Dr Usha Kacchup is the principal of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College.
Local bodies are ruled by women-power again. Dr Beena Yadav is the mayor heading the municipal corporation while Vinita Singh holds the position of district board chairperson.
Its not only the government sector where women are ruling the roost.
Mridula Jha, a social activists who also dons the role of a teacher in a local school, has tasted success where men once failed – tackling long-standing community problems. She established a center where the women of her village can meet and discuss broad community issues without depending on men. The center has also trained women in healthcare and planning to provide computer training to the local school.
“Women are often painted as weak or inferior, as victims or as objects of sexual exploitation, or simply tarred with unhelpful epithets. Bhagalpur is poised to change many such notions,” Mridula said.
“Bihari women are underestimated and said to have less abilities and I refuse to believe that is the case. They can prove their strength if given even less support, but they must be supported,” says Shreya Singh as a smile curled on the corners of his mouth. Singh helped Jha arrange resources for her initiatives.
Mridula’s message to men is simple: “It is not enough to just give speeches on days like Women’s Day. Men should practically help women grow up really well.”
Success stories of these women are testimony to the fact that women are taking the lead and the nation and societies are noticing the difference.link
Granted, a few women in the country are breaking through traditional barriers and becoming presidents, prime ministers, cabinet members, and legislators but Bhagalpur in Bihar has set an example by appointing talented women in almost all top positions.
Recently when Vandana Preyashi, was appointed as the district magistrate (DM) of the district, it has now become an all-women’s affair in the district. Women man top posts in the educational institutions, local bodies and the health department here as well.
Dr Prema Jha is the vice-chancellor of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) and has the distinction of only woman to head a university in the State.
Women are occupying top positions in the affiliated colleges of Bhagalpur University as well. Dr Nisha Roy is the principal of Marwari College, a premier institution of TMBU.
Principal of TNB Law College Dr Kiran Saxena also holds the post of dean of Faculty of Law.
In the health sector, females head two key posts here. Dr Pratima Modi holds the charge of civil surgeon (CS) while Dr Usha Kacchup is the principal of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College.
Local bodies are ruled by women-power again. Dr Beena Yadav is the mayor heading the municipal corporation while Vinita Singh holds the position of district board chairperson.
Its not only the government sector where women are ruling the roost.
Mridula Jha, a social activists who also dons the role of a teacher in a local school, has tasted success where men once failed – tackling long-standing community problems. She established a center where the women of her village can meet and discuss broad community issues without depending on men. The center has also trained women in healthcare and planning to provide computer training to the local school.
“Women are often painted as weak or inferior, as victims or as objects of sexual exploitation, or simply tarred with unhelpful epithets. Bhagalpur is poised to change many such notions,” Mridula said.
“Bihari women are underestimated and said to have less abilities and I refuse to believe that is the case. They can prove their strength if given even less support, but they must be supported,” says Shreya Singh as a smile curled on the corners of his mouth. Singh helped Jha arrange resources for her initiatives.
Mridula’s message to men is simple: “It is not enough to just give speeches on days like Women’s Day. Men should practically help women grow up really well.”
Success stories of these women are testimony to the fact that women are taking the lead and the nation and societies are noticing the difference.link
ICU-on-wheels for babies
Bihar will soon have an intensive care unit (ICU) on wheels, exclusively for newborn babies.
The ICU-on-wheel would have facilities like ventilator, equipment for radiological and pathological investigations, blood gas analyser, incubators and facility to monitor vital indicators of babies. Aboard it would be a five-member team of doctors and paramedics to attend to babies even while being transported to hospital.
There would also be facility for conducting minor surgeries in the vehicle which will have all necessary life-saving drugs stocked in it.
Mahavir Vatsalya Hospital-Patna, which specialises in treating babies, has taken the initiative to launch the vehicle. "We are expecting to start the ICU-on-wheels services some time in August this year," hospital director Dr Uday Pathak told.
Underlining the need of having such a facility in Bihar, Dr Pathak said, "Out of the 2,000 neonatal cases our hospital receives every year on an average, one-third are those of birth asphyxia which needs immediate medical support." Birth asphyxia is a condition in which the brain of newborn baby gets damaged due to lack of oxygen supply. This, needless to say, leads to other complications.
"The ICU-on-wheels would allow the needy to get timely medical support even during the travel time taken to bring the baby to the hospital," said hospital's senior paediatrician Dr Rakesh Singh, who is in-charge of this ambitious project.
Dr Singh said phone numbers would be made available on which calls can be made to get the vehicle. A mechanism is being worked out to ensure that the vehicle starts its journey within five minutes of receiving a call.
Dr Pathak said the idea is to serve the areas in and around Patna which can be reached within six hours. "With this in mind, we would be able to provide the services to major parts of the state," he added.
Incidentally, ICU-on-wheels for neonatal cases are commonplace in south- Indian states and their functioning has received appreciation from one and all. link
The ICU-on-wheel would have facilities like ventilator, equipment for radiological and pathological investigations, blood gas analyser, incubators and facility to monitor vital indicators of babies. Aboard it would be a five-member team of doctors and paramedics to attend to babies even while being transported to hospital.
There would also be facility for conducting minor surgeries in the vehicle which will have all necessary life-saving drugs stocked in it.
Mahavir Vatsalya Hospital-Patna, which specialises in treating babies, has taken the initiative to launch the vehicle. "We are expecting to start the ICU-on-wheels services some time in August this year," hospital director Dr Uday Pathak told.
Underlining the need of having such a facility in Bihar, Dr Pathak said, "Out of the 2,000 neonatal cases our hospital receives every year on an average, one-third are those of birth asphyxia which needs immediate medical support." Birth asphyxia is a condition in which the brain of newborn baby gets damaged due to lack of oxygen supply. This, needless to say, leads to other complications.
"The ICU-on-wheels would allow the needy to get timely medical support even during the travel time taken to bring the baby to the hospital," said hospital's senior paediatrician Dr Rakesh Singh, who is in-charge of this ambitious project.
Dr Singh said phone numbers would be made available on which calls can be made to get the vehicle. A mechanism is being worked out to ensure that the vehicle starts its journey within five minutes of receiving a call.
Dr Pathak said the idea is to serve the areas in and around Patna which can be reached within six hours. "With this in mind, we would be able to provide the services to major parts of the state," he added.
Incidentally, ICU-on-wheels for neonatal cases are commonplace in south- Indian states and their functioning has received appreciation from one and all. link
Bihar curbs medicine that kills vultures
The Bihar government has decided to check the use of anti-inflammatory Diclofenac medicine in treatment of animals as the drug accumulates in the tissues of carcasses and is leading to the death of vultures.
Bihar Animal Resources and Fisheries Minister Ramanarayan Mandal said Friday: “I was told by experts that vultures suffer from renal failure and die after consuming the Diclofenac accumulated in the tissues of the dead animals.
“We have directed not to go for veterinary use of Diclofenac to save vultures and to help increase their numbers,” Mandal told.
The minister said that in May 2006 the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had asked all state drug controllers to phase out Diclofenac from the veterinary use within three months.
DCGI issued another circular in 2008 asking all state drug controllers to direct manufacturers of Diclofenac to label it “not for veterinary use”.
Despite the notes, rampant use of Diclofenac continued in Bihar.
Once a common site in the state, vultures have seen a steep decline in numbers in the last decade.
“Vultures are now spotted mainly in Bhagalpur, Supaul, Araria and Khagaria districts,” an animal resources department official said.link
Bihar Animal Resources and Fisheries Minister Ramanarayan Mandal said Friday: “I was told by experts that vultures suffer from renal failure and die after consuming the Diclofenac accumulated in the tissues of the dead animals.
“We have directed not to go for veterinary use of Diclofenac to save vultures and to help increase their numbers,” Mandal told.
The minister said that in May 2006 the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had asked all state drug controllers to phase out Diclofenac from the veterinary use within three months.
DCGI issued another circular in 2008 asking all state drug controllers to direct manufacturers of Diclofenac to label it “not for veterinary use”.
Despite the notes, rampant use of Diclofenac continued in Bihar.
Once a common site in the state, vultures have seen a steep decline in numbers in the last decade.
“Vultures are now spotted mainly in Bhagalpur, Supaul, Araria and Khagaria districts,” an animal resources department official said.link
Human trafficking on the rise in Bihar
The Bihar government Friday admitted that there has been a marked increase in the number of women and children being smuggled from the state since the launch of its Human Trafficking Prevention Programme in 2007.
Bihar Water Resources Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav told that over 50 cases of human trafficking had been registered till July this year. There were 50 cases in 2008 and 21 in 2007.
The minister had told the state assembly last week that 128 human traffickers were arrested in 2009 and 91 women were freed from their clutches.
Most cases were reported from Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani and Saharsa.
Yadav said it was a matter of serious concern that human trafficking was on the rise though special cells had been set up to initiate effective measures to check the crime.
The state government launched the Human Trafficking Prevention Programme for checking smuggling of women and child labourers and ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims.
A senior police official said Bihar had become a hub of human trafficking due to large scale poverty and illiteracy.
Officials in the social welfare department said that last year’s devastating floods in the Kosi region had provided a golden opportunity to human traffickers to target poverty stricken people.
According to a report prepared by the state government along with NGOs, most children smuggled from the state end up as bonded labourers, domestic workers and employees at roadside restaurants or small textile units.
Most young girls are either forced to marry men from Punjab and Haryana or work in brothels.link
Bihar Water Resources Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav told that over 50 cases of human trafficking had been registered till July this year. There were 50 cases in 2008 and 21 in 2007.
The minister had told the state assembly last week that 128 human traffickers were arrested in 2009 and 91 women were freed from their clutches.
Most cases were reported from Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani and Saharsa.
Yadav said it was a matter of serious concern that human trafficking was on the rise though special cells had been set up to initiate effective measures to check the crime.
The state government launched the Human Trafficking Prevention Programme for checking smuggling of women and child labourers and ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims.
A senior police official said Bihar had become a hub of human trafficking due to large scale poverty and illiteracy.
Officials in the social welfare department said that last year’s devastating floods in the Kosi region had provided a golden opportunity to human traffickers to target poverty stricken people.
According to a report prepared by the state government along with NGOs, most children smuggled from the state end up as bonded labourers, domestic workers and employees at roadside restaurants or small textile units.
Most young girls are either forced to marry men from Punjab and Haryana or work in brothels.link
* Railways to set up 1000 MW power plant in Nabinagar
Railways would set up a 1000 MW capacity power plant at Nabinagar in Bihar to meet its power requirements.
The plant will be set up under a joint venture with NTPC, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha today.
Railways have already formed 'Bharatiya Bijlee Company Limited' for initiating power projects for it.
In a written reply in the House, Ahamed said the upcoming plant will feed 164 traction sub-stations located in Eastern and Western region of the country.
Railways consumed more than 14,096 million Kwh in 2007-08 for operational (traction) and non operational (non traction) purposes.
Its power needs are also fulfilled by different state utilities and companies like Tata Electric, Damodar Valley Corporation and NTPC.link
The plant will be set up under a joint venture with NTPC, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha today.
Railways have already formed 'Bharatiya Bijlee Company Limited' for initiating power projects for it.
In a written reply in the House, Ahamed said the upcoming plant will feed 164 traction sub-stations located in Eastern and Western region of the country.
Railways consumed more than 14,096 million Kwh in 2007-08 for operational (traction) and non operational (non traction) purposes.
Its power needs are also fulfilled by different state utilities and companies like Tata Electric, Damodar Valley Corporation and NTPC.link
Act proposed to protect 'bataidars' in Bihar
A commission on land reforms in Bihar has suggested to the state government to bring a new legislation to protect 'bataidars' (share-croppers), besides capping on land ceiling and computerisation of land records.
Although, the D Bandopadhayay Commission report was not tabled by the state government before the House during the monsoon session that ended yesterday, CDs containing the report were made available to the legislatures outside the Assembly.
Suggesting a cap on land ceiling at 15 acres (for both agricultural and non-agricultural land), the commission has recommended creation of better mechanisms for mutation, identification of bhoodan land and toning up revenue administration.
The commission also recommended enactment of a harsh legislation to take action against those hiding their surplus land in 'benami' names or through covert transfers.
The benami transaction (prohibition of the right to recovery) act 1989 should also be amended, it suggests.link
Although, the D Bandopadhayay Commission report was not tabled by the state government before the House during the monsoon session that ended yesterday, CDs containing the report were made available to the legislatures outside the Assembly.
Suggesting a cap on land ceiling at 15 acres (for both agricultural and non-agricultural land), the commission has recommended creation of better mechanisms for mutation, identification of bhoodan land and toning up revenue administration.
The commission also recommended enactment of a harsh legislation to take action against those hiding their surplus land in 'benami' names or through covert transfers.
The benami transaction (prohibition of the right to recovery) act 1989 should also be amended, it suggests.link
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