Category: Happening

Sharanamma, a thirty-four-year-old resident of the Sanjay Gandhi Nagar settlement in northern Bengaluru, Karnataka, is overjoyed that her seven-year-old daughter, Sneha, who is studying in the first standard at the Government Higher Primary School, no longer misses school. Reason! Sneha receives nutritious meals regularly at the school, something Sharanamma has found difficult to provide at home. Eggs are now being served at the school as part of the mid-day meal programme.

Providing a nutrient-rich meal is not always possible for parents like Sharanamma from the marginalized communities living in the settlements of the city.  “We try our best with the money we have. Sometimes, when we can afford it, we buy fruits, but daily eggs are expensive. One meal with an egg for each family member would cost us around Rs 100, which we cannot afford regularly. It’s good that children can get eggs at school,” she says.

“While I want my child to study a lot and grow up, a nutritious meal is important for a child to be able to study better,” she added.

There are other families too who are experiencing this change. Nagarathna, another parent, said her daughter Shilpa, studying in 6th standard, along with her brother’s children, now attend school regularly. Earlier, she often had to skip work to look after sick children. Now, with improved health due to better nutrition, she can continue her job without worry.

Serving eggs at school to transform lives of children

At a time when malnutrition continues to be a serious national concern and rising costs, and stagnant wages are making it difficult for parents like Sharanamma and Nagarathna to consistently provide a healthy diet to their children, the government decision to serve eggs is helping these families to combat malnutrition while simultaneously encouraging school attendance. This small but powerful change has begun to transform the lives of children at the Government Higher Primary School and their families living in Sanjay Gandhi Nagar.

Situated in a community where most families depend on daily wage labour and struggle to afford basic nutrition, the school had long faced high dropout rates and poor student health. Children from settlements like Sanjay Gandhi Nagar and Ashraya Nagar often missed school, sometimes accompanying their parents to construction sites because there was no one to care for them at home. Even though the school was included in the mid-day meal programme, the absence of a regular protein source like eggs meant that children were not motivated to attend daily, and malnutrition was widespread. This changed when eggs were introduced 6 days a week as part of the mid-day meal.

Improved school attendance

Children are not only attending school regularly now but are also more alert, active, and eager to participate in learning. The improvement is not just felt at home but officially recorded too. Today, the school is witnessing a daily attendance of 80 to 95 percent, and parents are noticing a real difference in their children’s health and enthusiasm for school. Families that once struggled with the constant burden of sickness and school absenteeism now have hope.

CFAR intervention

CFAR has been working in the Sanjay Gandhi Nagar settlement for the past three years under its social inclusion initiatives, with also a strong focus on improving education access and outcomes. Our Community Associates, in close collaboration with School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) members and the school headmaster, have been identifying school dropouts, linking children to educational entitlements, and supporting families to prioritize education. Despite these efforts, challenges remained, especially related to children’s nutrition and regular school attendance. But the recent intervention of the Karnataka Government introducing a regular protein source like eggs under its mid-day meal program has added a crucial advantage, leading to this remarkable transformation.

Drop in anemia cases

Shoba, an SDMC member and parent of three children studying at the same school, observed the fall in anemia cases among children after the intervention. “Earlier there were many cases of severe anemia, with children having hemoglobin levels as low as 7 to 8. “We used to organize pediatric check-ups and saw that children were coming in very weak. Now, after six months of receiving eggs daily, cases like Vaishali, who is 12 years old, have shown remarkable improvement, with hemoglobin levels rising to 10. Earlier, many children were falling severely sick, but now we see healthier, more active students,” says Shoba. “Eggs are an important source of protein and contain almost all essential vitamins, making them a crucial weapon in tackling children’s high levels of malnutrition,” Shoba further added.

Fostering social inclusion

This transformation is not only enhancing school attendance and child nutrition but also helps children to eat together and thus break some of the social norms around gender, caste and religion. According to Shoba the most significant aspect of the mid-day meal scheme is that children from different backgrounds are interacting, sharing meals, and sitting together, reducing class barriers and fostering social inclusion.

This remarkable story of the Government Higher Primary School in Sanjay Gandhi Nagar shows how a simple, thoughtful intervention providing an egg a day can change lives, boost education, and build healthier futures for children from the most marginalized communities.

 

Peenya is one of Bengaluru’s oldest industrial hubs, attracting construction workers from different parts of the country. In recent years, the city has been expanding with rapid industrial development and growth. However, behind this growth lies a story of resilience and hardship of these workers, who migrated to the Peenya with dreams of a better future for their families.

Living under temporary tents and sheet houses, the lives of these workers are marked by economic struggle and social exclusion with limited access to basic rights and dignity. Their children are deprived of quality education as they struggle with lack of resources and facilities.  With little privacy or quiet space in their 10/10 small living huts makes concentration in studies difficult. As a result, many children face the risk of school dropout as they struggle to complete their homework, leading to a fear of facing their teachers and falling behind in the classroom. This fear and lack of support at home often result in children abandoning their education altogether.

CFAR initiative

Recognizing these challenges, CFAR (Centre for Advocacy and Research) has established a Community Resource Centre (CRC) in the Peenya cluster, providing the necessary support to children for their study and personal improvement. The centre not only facilitates community engagement and development but also acts as a learning hub for children eager to learn and grow. Operating from 4:30 to 7:00 PM daily, the centre welcomes 60 school students from classes 2 to 9, and provides a quiet place to study and engage in various activities. By identifying and addressing the needs of children and providing them access to resources, CRC fosters a supportive environment for the children from the marginalized community.

CRC: Building creativity and confidence

For children like Kiran, what CRC offers is more than just educational support. While homework and project work are prioritised, the centre also encourages children to explore their interests in singing, dancing, and painting. This holistic approach to education builds their creativity and helps them build confidence in their abilities.

“We observed during our area visits that children were not doing their homework and were going to work in factories in the evenings. Their families were not prioritizing their education, so we decided to provide them with a place that fosters a suitable learning environment. Initially, parents were unwilling to send their children, but after several meetings, we were able to convince them. We believe the number of children attending will continue to grow,” says Basamma, a community volunteer from CFAR, who is in charge of the children’s activities at the CRC.

As a result of this initiative, school attendance has increased, and continuous monitoring is taking place, involving children, parents, and teachers. Moreover, CFAR has also started a crèche for the children of construction workers, which helps school-going children by taking care of their younger siblings until the evening.

Meeting aspirations of children

Through CRC, CFAR aims to bridge the gap between the children’s aspirations and. their living conditions. By providing access to essential educational tools like a kid’s library and resources, the centre empowers these young minds to dream big and work towards a brighter future. The positive impact of the centre extends beyond academics, fostering a sense of community and belonging among the children.

The centre’s success lies in its ability to create an environment where children feel valued and supported. This healthy atmosphere enables them to overcome the challenges posed by their living conditions and empowers them to pursue their educational goals with determination and enthusiasm.

In Shiv Nagar Colony, Kengeri, the 64 Pourakarmikas houses built in 2013 under the Karnataka Slum Development Scheme have faced serious structural issues over the years. Water leaks from overhead tanks, moss-covered floors, and crumbling infrastructure have created urgent repair needs, particularly affecting children and the elderly, raising safety and health concerns.

In response, Daksha Samuha, a Community-Based Organization supported by the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR), took swift action. A team of eight Daksha Samuha members, including local youth, gathered photographic evidence and appealed to the Karnataka Slum Development Board for immediate repairs. Although the Board’s Commissioner initially recognized the issue, budget restrictions and administrative changes delayed progress.

Understanding the urgency, the Daksha Samuha team escalated their advocacy by meeting with local MLA ST Somashekar. Moved by the community’s determination, the MLA contacted the Slum Development Board Commissioner to stress the importance of the renovations. When the Board could not provide immediate funds, the MLA proposed financing through his MLA fund to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Recently, the BBMP approved an emergency allocation of 5 lakh rupees, enabling essential repairs to commence.

“We identified severe water leaks and slippery floors that endangered our community. It was hard, but we knew we had to act together for change,” said Saraswati, Vice President of Daksha Samuha and a Shiv Nagar Colony resident, expressing the community’s resolve.

Marideva, an official from the Slum Board, noted, “While our funds were limited, we appreciate the MLA’s intervention and BBMP’s release of emergency funds, allowing us to conduct essential repairs.”

This journey illustrates the community’s commitment to addressing their challenges and forging alliances for solutions. Daksha Samuha and the Shiv Nagar Colony residents remained patient and persistent, aiming to secure the necessary approvals for crucial repairs. Their ongoing advocacy not only highlights immediate challenges but also the progress made in engaging key stakeholders to enhance local infrastructure, emphasizing the power of unified community action in creating safer, livable environments.

 

 

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.