Category: Happening

Bhubaneswar, November 5, 2024 – The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken significant strides in prioritizing the well-being of the city’s sanitation workers by distributing safety kits and taking steps to empower them. At a safety orientation program organized for Core Sanitation Workers at the Jharpada Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), PPE kits were distributed to 56 sanitation workers.

The event was jointly organized by BMC and the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR). The program was attended by 56 sanitation workers from various wards, who gathered not just to receive protective gear but to engage in a serious conversation about their safety, dignity, and rights.

“Wearing PPE gives us pride and recognition,” said Bijaya Behera, a sanitation worker. She continued, “We once worked in hazardous conditions, often at night, to avoid discrimination. Now, we work with confidence, knowing that our safety is taken seriously.” Her words served as a powerful reminder of how far sanitation workers have come in their fight for respect and recognition.

Mr. Pradip Nayak, a sanitation worker for 30 years, shared the challenges he has faced. “I’ve felt neglected due to financial insecurity, safety concerns, and a lack of rights. The government needs to ensure that private contractors follow guidelines—offering paid maternity leave and other crucial protections.”

The day’s discussions reflected on past struggles but also conveyed hopes for the future.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ganesh Parida, a Garima Expert at UMC, announced that state-level training for sanitation workers would begin soon, stressing that safety gear is non-negotiable. “If sanitation workers do not use PPE, private agencies and workers will face penalties,” he warned.

Ms. Jyoshna Rani Nayak, the National Women’s President of the South Asian Sanitation Labour Network, spoke passionately about her advocacy for sanitation workers. “My parents were sanitation workers,” she shared. “Their struggles inspired me to fight for the dignity and rights of sanitation workers for the past 15 years. Bhubaneswar is now a Smart City because of the efforts of sanitation workers.”

During the discussion, the importance of gender-sensitive measures was also raised. Ms. Upali Mohanty, a gender expert, highlighted the crucial role of women sanitation workers in the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission. “Protective gear must be women-friendly,” she stressed, advocating for the inclusion of sanitary products and safe disposal provisions at the workplace. “Paid maternity leave, breastfeeding accommodations, and measures to address sexual harassment among sanitation workers are essential for their dignity and well-being,” she added.

Ms. Prabhati Nayak, another sanitation worker, echoed this concern, suggesting that paid leave should be included in contracts to allow workers time to manage their health needs, including access to sanitary products. “We struggle to find the time to change sanitary products while working. Paid leave would help us,” she explained.

The call for action extended further. Mr. Samir Ranjan Dash, State Lead at CFAR, emphasized the need for public hearings where sanitation workers could voice their concerns directly to government officials, stakeholders, and private contractors. “We need to establish a formal agreement between the BMC and private agencies to ensure the safety and social respect of sanitation workers,” he said.

Finally, Mr. Mangu Nayak, a sanitation worker, shared a poignant story that encapsulated the struggles of many. “I used to clean septic tanks manually without protection, which led to serious health issues,” he recalled. “If we took even a few days off, the contractor would fire us, affecting our livelihood. But after attending this training program, I realized that PPE is like armor—it protects us from the dangers we face every day.”

For sanitation workers, it has been a long struggle to gain respect and recognition. These sanitation workers left the event not just with new safety gear but with a renewed sense of pride and acknowledgment.

Winds of change are blowing through the Khatoli village in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Khatoli, where child marriage has been a norm, is now witnessing villagers defying the long-held tradition and campaigning for change.

As part of making the panchayat child marriage-free, an event was organized on October 22 at the Gram Panchayat Khatoli Building, where residents, parents, sarpanches, and community leaders came together with a firm resolve to stop the age-old practice and educate their daughters for a better future.

According to Shri Hariram Bana, the Sarpanch of Khatoli Gram Panchayat, Khatoli hasn’t reported any child marriage during the past year. “We are determined to keep our panchayat child marriage-free and ensure that our daughters receive higher education and become self-reliant,” said Hariram Bana.

Supported by the District Legal Services Authority, Women Empowerment Department of Kishangarh, and the Centre for Advocacy and Research, the event was organized to raise awareness about the negative effects of child marriage and to ensure that girls are not married off till they attained the legal age of 18. More than 50 people, including Anganwadi workers, Saathins, and the Village Development Officer attended the programme.

Several women, whose dreams were shattered due to child marriage, are also joining the campaign. Mrs Pinki from Khatoli is now determined to educate her daughter.  “My greatest wish is that my daughter won’t have to face the same fate as me. I want her to finish her education so she can achieve everything I couldn’t,” says Mrs Pinki. Asserting the same view, Mrs Neeraj said, “I have decided to focus on my daughters’ higher education and make them self-reliant before thinking about their marriage.”

Another woman Shehzad, who stays in Chitakheda village, now regrets marrying off her elder daughter at a younger age.  “I realized that child marriage was a mistake. I’ve made up my mind that my two younger daughters will finish their education, and I’ll only marry them off after they turn 18,” said Shehzad.  Agreeing with Shehzad, Lakshmi, from the same village, said, “I want all my four daughters to be educated. I truly understand what I lost. I’m determined to give my daughters the chance I never had, so they don’t have to live with unfulfilled dreams like I do,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mahendra Kumar Dhabi, Additional District and Session Judge and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, explained the various legal protections available to people, including the NALSA schemes and Lok Adalats. He also educated the community on the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, emphasizing its significance in protecting the girls from child marriage.  Shri Dhabi also discussed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, outlining how women can file complaints under the Act.

Mrs. Payal Chaudhary, Supervisor from the Women Empowerment Department, emphasized the importance of education in empowering girls. She said that early marriage brings along early pregnancy and other health risks to young girls. This will also lead to physical and mental agony, she said.

During the program, 30 parents were honoured with certificates of appreciation by the sarpanch for taking a bold stand against child marriage, and promoting girl child education. The event concluded after taking oath by all participants to eliminate child marriage.

Ajmer, September 20, 2024 – As part of the special initiative to facilitate registration of Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) for the differently-abled persons, a joint camp was organized today at Kasturba Hospital, Ajmer, during which 84 individuals successfully registered for their disability certificates and UDID cards. The camp was jointly organized by the Departments of Social Justice and Empowerment, Medical and Health and the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR).

For Daulatram, a street vendor from Ward 7, this camp was one of the best things that happened to him, as he had been struggling to find ways to apply for the UDID card for his 10-year-old daughter Kajal, who has cerebral palsy and a locomotor disability.

Speaking about this, Daulatram said “Naz Bano, a Help-desk member from Ward 7, informed me about the camp and assisted me with filling out the application form. With the help of Naz Bano, the Single Window team, and CFAR, my daughter’s registration was successfully completed today. I am thankful to everyone involved. Now, my daughter will be eligible for pension and other benefits,” Daulatram said.

During the camp Help-desk members like Naz Bano and the digital Single Window team facilitated many persons with disabilities including Kajal to ensure the smooth registration and uploading of online applications. The UDID card is a critical document for persons with disabilities, enabling them to access various government benefits, including healthcare, education, employment, financial assistance, and special aid appliances. By standardizing the identification process across India, the UDID card ensures that individuals with disabilities can apply for and receive vital support designed to improve their quality of life.

In addition to registration, the camp also facilitated on-the-spot medical checkups by a dedicated medical team. These assessments determined the type and degree of disability for each applicant, ensuring that all necessary medical certifications were promptly completed.

This joint effort highlights the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap between persons with disabilities and the services they are entitled to. By facilitating the registration of these 84 individuals, the camp played a pivotal role in enhancing their social and economic inclusion.

In the heart of the bustling Bangalore city, nestled amidst heavy traffic and throngs of people, the sight of members of Kole Basava community roaming with their decorated Basava(bull) is not rare. They are a familiar sight on Bengaluru streets, seeking alms as they lead their beautifully adorned bulls and cows while playing the Nadaswara, a traditional woodwind instrument. In their quest for a living, they travel in different directions each day with their bulls to entertain people with music and earn money.

However, today their traditional lifestyle is no longer sustainable, as their music often goes unnoticed. Struggling to make a living through their art, they are compelled to explore alternative opportunities while fiercely holding on to their cherished cattle. The community recall a time when they were respected and received gifts of money, clothes, and food. Devout townsfolk would seek counsel from their sacred Basava bulls, interpreting their head nods as answers. However, the tradition of folklore plays and acrobatics with the animals has deteriorated significantly.

The Kole Basava community holds a deep reverence for their cattle, considering them as family members. According to community members, they hail from Darmavara, Andhra Pradesh, and their primary occupation involves decorating cows, going door-to-door to entertain people, and sharpening knives to earn extra income.

Talking about life in the city, Basavaraju, a 55-year-old community member, said, “We earn Rs. 150–200 per day, and it is very difficult to sustain at present. However, women also go with decorated bulls and earn their livelihood. We are not getting any benefits as we do not have a local address because we often return to our native place once a year for the festival.”

Today, as the remaining Kole Basava strive to preserve their tradition, their dignity has eroded, reducing many to begging. Once well-fed, their sacred bulls now suffer from starvation as their owners struggle to afford hay and cattle feed. Despite the common belief that artistic traditions are blessings, some Kole Basava members view them as curses due to financial struggles, lack of land, and limited educational opportunities.

The Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), as part of initiatives to empower the marginalized community, has identified approximately 65 blue-tented houses in RR Nagar, Bengaluru, home to Kole Basava families. These settlements house over 250 individuals. In convergence with the local administration, CFAR is facilitating pension and other social welfare entitlements to the community. Out of 40 children in the community, only 20 are attending school, a number that has increased due to CFAR’s intervention.

“We face many challenges because of the government requirement for a local address to access schemes. Therefore, we are focusing on health initiatives like the Thai Card, regular immunization, enrolling children in Anganwadis, and providing take-home rations. In education, we identify school dropouts and re-enroll them, and we also facilitate national schemes like the National Pension Scheme and PMMVY,” says Sri Latha, a community associate from CFAR.

CFAR is also supporting the community to preserve their traditional practice. It enabled the community to make a case before the Karnataka Janapada Academy for opportunities to present their traditional woodwind instrument at government programs, which the academy agreed. “CFAR has come forward to support the Kole Basava community in preserving their traditional practice. We will create a platform and provide opportunities for them,” said Gollahalli Shivaprasad, the president of the Academy.

CFAR’s efforts have empowered community leaders who are now actively asserting their rights. By focusing on health, education, and social entitlements, these leaders are helping the community to improve their socio-economic conditions, and paving the way for a dignified future for the Kole Basava community and their sacred cattle.

“We are now becoming aware of the services provided by the government. Going forward, we will definitely approach the departments to claim our rights, which will also help us preserve our traditions,” asserts Nagaraju, a 42-years-old leader from the Kole Basava community.

There was a smile on the face of Ramakka, 55-year-old widow from the Kole Basava community, when she received her first pension payment last month. She has reason to feel relief. Thanks to the efforts of a team from the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) which facilitated the pension to Ramakka who was struggling to make ends meet. Hailing from the Kole Basava community of Andhra Pradesh, which is known for their traditional lifestyle of roaming with decorated Basava (bulls) in Bengaluru streets, Ramakka lives in the outskirts of Bengaluru city with her two children and bulls. Tragedy struck the family when she lost her husband in an accident in 2020, leaving Ramakka on her own to take care of her family. It was during a recent Janadikara survey, a CFAR team member learned about her story. The CFAR team then helped her to apply for the widow pension under the national pension scheme. However, this process required a BPL ration card from Andhra Pradesh, a document Ramakka did not possess. Sri Latha, a dedicated team member, facilitated Ramakka’s application for the BPL ration card through the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Civil Supplies portal, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh had no restrictions against issuing the card. Within a month, Ramakka’s application was approved, and she received her ration card.

With this critical document in hand, Ramakka applied for the widow pension in September last year. The application was approved, and an order copy was issued in October. Unfortunately, due to a technical error, Ramakka did not receive her pension immediately. Neither Ramakka nor the CFAR team was willing to give up and kept pursuing the matter. Their perseverance finally paid off when in July Ramakka received her first pension payment, along with arrears amounting to Rs. 24,000 (3000 per month as per AP government).

“I was struggling to make ends meet after my husband’s death. This pension amount will help me to ease our sufferings. Without CFAR’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to secure the pension. This gives me hope that with proper support we can secure our rights,” said Ramakka. Explaining the efforts made by CFAR, Sri Latha said, “We came to know about Ramakka’s story during our Janadikara survey. Realizing the urgency, we guided her to obtain a BPL ration card from Andhra Pradesh and then applied for her widow pension. We couldn’t get them any local schemes because of the local address requirement, but seeing her now receiving the support she needed was worth every effort.”

For the Kole Basava community, their age-old customs are no longer sustainable in today’s world, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet. To compound their difficulties, government support is often out of reach due to the bureaucratic apathy, and difficulties in obtaining local address proof. Most community members possess documentation from Andhra Pradesh, while authorities in Karnataka insist on local address proof, effectively excluding them from various government schemes and services. This lack of documents and segregation from mainstream populations have led to poor access to social entitlements to the community.

To mitigate some of the hardships faced by the community, the Janadikara project in Bengaluru, which works for the urban poor, focuses on facilitating social security schemes like widow pensions and other health services. The main challenge the team encounters in aiding highly marginalized and vulnerable communities is their inability to provide documentary proof of address, age, and other details requirements that formal systems demand, often overlooking the specific context and predicaments of these communities. Realizing that on most occasions the system is not prepared to be flexible and even trusting people, the team felt that it is more opportune to find ways to comply with what is expected from them. That’s how the team worked and facilitated the pension to Ramakka. CFAR’s intervention also highlights the crucial role that advocacy and support by the organizations play in bridging the gap between marginalized communities and essential government services. By encouraging the community to take charge and creating awareness about the processes involved, CFAR has facilitated interstate applications and navigated bureaucratic challenges, providing a lifeline to individuals like Ramakka, ensuring they receive the support they are entitled to.

It also illustrates the potential for positive change when dedicated individuals and organizations work together to address systemic barriers. It is not just about receiving financial aid; it’s about restoring dignity, providing hope, and ensuring a better future for her children.

Bengaluru city, the Silicon Valley of India, has many badges to wear in —garden city, city of lakes, unicorn capital and its metro service popularly known as Namma Metro. Notwithstanding, such ebullience has not been extended to the lives of marginalised communities like the Hakki Pikkis community, living near the outskirts of the city. The Hakki Pikki community in Bhadrapura has long faced marginalization and a lack of basic facilities, including public transport services.

The Hakki Pikkis, a semi-nomadic tribe in Karnataka known for their traditional bird-catching and hunting practices, are one of the state’s major tribal communities. The lives of the community, comprising 403 households and a total population of 1,532, has been severely affected due to the absence of transportation, particularly for the children going to secondary and higher-level education. Many community members rely on small-scale businesses selling spices, flowers, Ayurvedic formulations, and herbal oils.

Without public transport, they often stay away for extended periods, making daily commutes unfeasible. Additionally, the lack of bus services has hampered access to health services, with the nearest Primary Health Centre (PHC) and schools being 6 km away. Consequently, many women undergo home deliveries.

“We all depend on public transport for our small-scale businesses, as we need to carry our goods with us. Public transport has been a long-pending demand because we were marginalized from these services. We need to travel 5 km to the state highway to access public transport, and it’s not possible to walk daily carrying our items. Therefore, we stay away for three to four days to finish all our business before returning,” says Divya, a Daksha Samuha (CBO facilitated by Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) member from the Hakki Pikki community in Bhadrapura.

Despite the Karnataka government’s initiative to provide free bus access to women across the state, Hakki Pikki community women remained excluded from the services. Their repeated appeals to the local BMTC bus depot manager went unheeded until Daksha Samuha and CFAR intervened.

“We have gone to meet the manager many times to demand bus services, but they don’t even let us into the office and treat us very poorly. This has affected us in many ways and has severely impacted our children’s education,” Divya further added.

Recognizing the critical nature of the issue, Divya and Gauthami from Bhadrapura, members of Daksha Samuha, mobilized few community members and engaged with higher BMTC officials, including the Chief Traffic Manager, with support from the CFAR team. They presented a detailed letter with community signatures, which led to an immediate resumption of bus services during school hours. However, this was short-lived, as the election code of conduct caused a temporary halt in services, resulting in some students missing their exams.

In May, CFAR’s Kengeri cluster team facilitated another meeting with community representatives and the Kengeri BMTC depot manager. Highlighting the severe impact on business, youth and women, the community’s plea was heard, resulting in the reintroduction of one bus with two trips daily, aligned with the community’s schedule. BMTC officials have assured that services will be expanded based on response.

Reacting to the community demand, Chendrakala, Kengeri BMTC bus depot manager, said, “We operated a few buses a few months back, but the response was very poor, so the service was cancelled. Now, after listening to the community, we learned that most people go out of town for business and stay away for three days because they cannot return to Bhadrapura due to the lack of bus services. We are now aware of this and will operate the service regularly and increase the frequency in the future.”

Thanks to our collective resolve and never-say-die spirit and efforts and CFAR team’s support, the Hakki Pikki community now enjoys improved access to education and healthcare, marking a significant step towards their empowerment. This enhanced access is not only a victory for the Hakki Pikki community but also a testament to the power of advocacy and community action in driving meaningful change.

Launch of Campaign by Dy Mayor: 14 Nov

The banner “Salute the Champions in the Community and WASH system that shaped Inclusive and Climate- Resilient Sanitation, Bhubaneswar” – captured the significance of the event held on Nov 14 at Cluster 6, Ward no 22, Bhubaneswar.

Launching the campaign for the World Toilet Day that falls on Nov 19, Manjulata Kanhara, Deputy Mayor, urged those who do not have access to household toilets to “get in touch with the Sanitary Inspector and apply for the same.” She appreciated the community outreach by Transgender SHGs that are engaged in sanitation work.

The event became a forum for diverse stakeholders in the WASH system to share their experiences and views. Noting that the event coincided with Children’s Day, Khulana Sethi, AWW Supervisor urged families to make children conscious of the use of toilets. Gagan, SDA member, stated that there is a growing involvement of women who promote toilets within their home and community. Rahas Bihari Saha, Sanitary Inspector reinforced the message “Stop Open Defecation”. He also spoke of the importance of waste segregation. Meghna Sahoo, Third Gender Welfare Trust (TWT) talked about the long-standing need for Transgender Toilet, stating that she has raised this issue with the Deputy Mayor.

“Be the Change you want to see in the World”, the inspirational words of Mahatma Gandhi were prominent at the rally that was then carried out to spread the message of inclusive and climate-resilient WASH.

“Those who do not have access to household toilets can get in touch with the Sanitary Inspector to apply for the same. SHG members are proactively reaching out to the community to empty the pits on time. This message should be shared with all others who are not present here in the meeting”, encouraging words by Manjulata Kanhara, Deputy Mayor, Bhubaneshwar in Cluster 6, Ward no 22 as she launched the campaign ahead of the World Toilet Day that falls on 19 November.

The launch saw wide participation – Partners, Ward Officials, Slum Development Association, Swaccha Sathi, Jal Sathi, representatives of sanitary workers and frontline workers. A number of voices raised important issues that intersect with safe toilets. Sudarshan Chottoray Climate Change Expert urged people to use toilets designed for climate related risks. Meghna Sahoo, TWT raised the need for community toilets for transgenders. Periodic de-sludging of pits and tanks with all safety provisions – was stressed upon. And a simple appeal by Rahas Bihari Saha, Sanitary Inspector to stop polluting the environment – Stop Open Defecation.

Visitors at Hall No 4, Pragati Maidan at the opening of the India International Trade Fair, Delhi watched with interest a performance based on disease-spreading mosquitoes and the ways of prevention and treatment. “Machar se Bachein, Rogon se Bachein’ performed under the aegis of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. had actors enacting scenes that showed patients struggling with different diseases — filariasis, malaria, dengue, chikangunia, Japanese fever and kala-azar. Each segment ended with an effective message by the medical doctor in the show on protection from mosquitoes. ‘Bittu Mosquito’- the charming Mascot flitted around – spreading the same message. Speaking randomly to people in the audience showed that the message had gone down well.